BlackHill | If only

Chapter 21

Marias's POV:

None of us had quite grasped the concept that it had been a month since the snap. Mostly the team were like ships in the night. Remaining in our rooms, only coming out when necessary. In the first few weeks, Nat had been inconsolable. She barely ate, barely even spoke.

What was left of S.H.I.E.L.D asked me to step up as director, since Nick had blipped I was the obvious choice. Even though there was barely anyone left to lead. Most days I sat in HQ, waiting for something, any sign of hope. But not even being head of S.H.I.E.L.D could provide an answer.

I myself had spent the first few days in shock, unable to react or do anything to help Nat's pain. Strangely she made it easier for me to focus. Making sure Nat was alright was my only priority.

I had been researching for weeks now, looking into anything or anyone that could help. So far everything had been a dead end.

I had fallen asleep at my desk due to my sleepless nights of sitting with Nat after one of her nightmares. The terrors had become more frequent after the snap so neither of us had slept properly since that day.

I was dozing off, slumped in my chair at HQ when a red flashing alert popped up on my computer. An unidentified object had just passed through the atmosphere. And was poised to land right outside the Avengers compound.

Frantically grabbing my car keys I raced out of HQ. Fear pumping through my veins as I dreaded to think what could possibly happen to us now.

Nat's POV:

I had been tightly curled up in bed, staring incoherently out the gap in the curtains. When the compound shuddered with vigour.

I threw myself out of bed and rushed to the window, my heart pulsing in my throat I prepared for the worst.

Yet I was stunned to see a ship landing on the grass outside. It wasn't one of ours so I donned my gear as fast as possible, racing outside to greet whoever was inside the aircraft.

Before it had even touched the floor a car came speeding around the corner, screeching as it came to a halt about 20ft away from me.
The door flung open revealing a flustered Ria and she charged over to me, gun in hand.

"Nat? What are you doing? Do you know who it is?"
Her voice was rushed and she sounded out of breath as she briefly embraced me and turned her gaze to the grounded ship.
"No. I have no idea".
Ria opened her mouth but was interrupted as the door hissed open.
Three figures emerged, one being supported in the middle.

I let out a gasp as I saw who was in the centre, Tony was being walked towards us by two others. I didn't recognise them but I assumed they were allies and lowered my gun.

Ria and I both ran over to greet them, curious as to where Tony had been all this time. He looked ragged and tired. His gaze seemed distant. Huge bags shadowed the terrifying haunted look in his eyes.

He limped between the two women. One with short blond hair donning some kind of glowing suit. I noted the metallic arm attached to the other propping up Tony. These two were clearly not from earth.

"Tony where have you been all this time?". He barely raised his head, keeping his eyes to the floor. "We lost Nat. We lost everything." Something in me snapped as I heard how broken his voice was, lacking anything of the Tony I used to know.

My thoughts were interrupted as someone rushed past me and collided with Tony in a fierce embrace. I recognized the blond hair belonging to Pepper and smiled as I watched the two finally reunite.

Ria came up behind me wrapping an arm around my waist whispering in my ear "Let's leave them to it, we can question Tony in the morning". I felt warmth bloom inside me for the first time in a while. Just watching the two, healed something in me that had been broken after the snap.

Ria and I guided the others back to the compound, discovering the blond woman was 'the' Carol Danvers. Practically famous within S.H.I.E.L.D's database. After we had shown them a room to stay in, I found myself alone in the kitchen with Ria.

She crossed over to me by the counter, pulling me into a hug, her arms enveloping me in the familiar curves of her body. She murmured into my hair, "are you ok?" I pulled away slightly and nodded, gazing up into her eyes. "I can't believe she's really gone, I only just got Yelena back and I just don't know why he had to take her". Ria moved her hand to my face, tracing a finger along my cheek. "I can't even imagine how you must be feeling Nat, and I'm sorry that I haven't been able to fix this for you."

"Ria please, if it hadn't been for you I wouldn't be sane right now". I rested my head next to hers just listening to her breathing. I spoke up again "Seeing Tony and Pepper made me think that maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel. I think that as long as I have you we can get through this."

Ria pressed her lips to my forehead, "anything you need Nat, I'll be here". She placed her fingers under my chin, tilting my head up to face her. She pulled me into a kiss, softly grazing her lips with mine. Her hands strong and reassuring moved to my waist, drawing me closer to her. Deepening the kiss as her fingers grazed my skin.

I wrapped my legs around her waist and Ria smoothly lifted me onto the counter, she removed my top swiftly with dexterity. My hands moved to the buttons of her shirt, rapidly undoing them, never once breaking contact with her lips. My fingers found the clasp of her bra, unhooking it with ease. I tossed it over her shoulder only to hear a yelp from behind Ria.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry!" Ria's head whipped around revealing Steve standing in the doorway. Ria's bra laying on the floor next to his feet. His face turned bright red and he said "I'm just going to pretend I saw nothing and leave". He backed out of the room eyes averted towards the ceiling.

We both burst out laughing, something I hadn't done in a while. "I think we need to get our own place".