Retribution ★ Avengers

We've Got Your Back

"Please," Natasha scoffed. "I get emails from a raccoon, so nothing sounds crazy anymore."

"So, who do we talk to about this?"

"Probably Tony Stark," Natasha answered him.

"Well, great!" Scott exclaimed. "How soon can we be there?"

The three exchanged glances again, and Marlena spoke up. "I know you just got here, and I know what you're telling us is really important, but it's too late to go see Tony right now."

"What? Why?" Scott asked.

"He lives two hours away and has a young daughter," Steve explained.

"When did he have time to get a daughter?"

Natasha shook her head at Scott and moved to sit back down at her desk. "It's been five years, Scott, five years."

"Right."

"You are more than welcome to stay here for the night," Natasha told him. "You and I will head to Stark's tomorrow, and I can only hope the two of you will join us."

"We've got your back," Steve assured her, and Marlena nodded at his side.

"So, tomorrow?" Marlena asked to make sure. She was becoming nauseous which only made her bed sound even more inviting. Natasha's peanut butter sandwich wasn't agreeing with her, but neither were a lot of other foods for that matter.

"Ten o'clock, please," Natasha said to her.

Marlena gave her a thumbs up and began backing out of the room. "I'll see you tomorrow. I expect you'll give me my jacket back."

"Probably not."

Marlena rolled her eyes at the smirk on Natasha's face, but she couldn't help the smile on her own. "Goodnight, Natasha," she chuckled and pulled her gym bag over her shoulder.

"Goodnight, Marlena...goodnight, Steve."

"Goodnight, you two," Steve said to Natasha and Scott as he grabbed Marlena's hand, intertwining both of their fingers. The two walked together out of the room, leaving Scott in a heap of confusion.

"What the—I thought she was with the metal man," Scott said to Natasha.

Natasha only rolled her eyes at him and nudged him towards the living quarters. "Just keep walking, Lang."

Marlena only chuckled as she listened to their exchange and placed her head on Steve's arm. Thankfully, she had him to help take her mind of the nausea eating away every inch of her stomach lining. She let out a breath and wrapped her arm around his bicep, while her other hand was grasped tightly within his.

"Are you okay?" Steve asked Marlena as the two strolled out of the building and to the car.

"I'm not really feeling the best," Marlena answered and rounded the front of the car to get to the passenger's seat. She hopped in the car and threw her bag in the back, while Steve got in on the driver's side.

"Are you sick?"

Steve started off the property, and Marlena made herself comfortable at his side.

"Just been feeling nauseous the last few days," Marlena sighed and looked over at him. "I think that Chinese we had last week really messed with my stomach."

"Maybe you just have a weak stomach," Steve teased her.

"Don't be mean," Marlena playfully swatted his chest. "I'm fragile right now."

"Do you feel okay enough to have a bowl of chicken soup?"

"Of course I do."

Steve smiled and grabbed her hand. "I'll make you some when we get home," he told her.