Worthy

Part 64 - She Would Have Done The Same

The five of them take it in shifts to watch over you; your condition barely changing. It had been two days since Tony had gotten you off of Ego's planet, and there had still been no word from any of the others. Nat was currently braiding your hair as you lay sleeping; keeping her calm so that she wouldn't break completely. "How is she today?" Parker asks as he walks in, fresh flowers in hand.

"Still the same," Nat sighs, wiping the stray tear that had fallen down her face, smiling when she sees the kid arranging the flowers in a vase. "They're beautiful Peter, are they wildflowers?"

"Yeah, they're her favourite." He smiles, before squeezing your hand and sitting down. "She likes the way they just grow naturally. She looks a little better today." Nat can't help but smile at Peter's optimism as he pulls out a book and starts reading out loud. When he catches Nat staring at him, he stops. "Sorry. Dr Banner said talking to her might help, Kate always used to help me with homework."

"It's fine," Nat smiles, trying to keep herself composed. "Just don't keep her too long, ok." She pats your hand and walks out, heading straight to the lab before she can let herself think too much. "Anything?" She asks Bruce, who's sitting at his computer, dishevelled and exhausted.

"Nothing yet," He sighs, grabbing her hand. "Running every space scan we can, but nothing's out there. Carol hasn't found anything either. How's Kate today?"

"The same. Parker thinks she looks better. Where's Tony?" Bruce simply points over to the corner of the lab, where Tony is frantically working between two different work stations. The small suit he had made for you still standing in the corner, keeping guard over the both of them. "Has he slept at all?"

"No Romanoff, I haven't." Tony snaps back. "And I won't until either she wakes up first, or I can find the team. So back off."

"Tony," Bruce sighs, getting up and heading over to him. "Stop ok, I told you this isn't going to help anyone."

"Then what else can I do Banner, huh?" He throws whatever was in his hand over the room, smashing the window in the process. "Sit around and wait. Do nothing."

"Exactly," Nat chimes in. "Tony, we have the best we can out there looking for the team, and you heard Strange the other day, he thinks she'll pull through. I don't like sitting on my ass and doing nothing either, but what else is there?"

"She's right boss," Happy appears out of nowhere. "You want to do something, go sleep. Go eat. Call Pepper back. Anything but this." He gestures to the broken computer monitor, as well as Tony's appearance; the scruffy beard, darkened eyes, four day old clothing. "She'd kick your ass if she could, you know that right." Tony scoffs and simply continues working. Happy looks over at Bruce and Nat who shrug. "Fine, have it your way, but this comes directly from the woman next door, remember that."

"What the hell are you talking..." Before Tony can finish his sentence, Happy punches him, knocking him out completely. Startled Nat runs over and catches Tony before he hits the ground.

"Are you insane?" Bruce yells, but Happy just shrugs before bending down and scooping Tony's arms around his neck, pulling him up.

"It's like I said." He starts walking away with Tony, before turning back to them. "Kate and I know how Tony works; she told me. He ever gets obsessed with something, and doesn't rest I had to take action. She would have done the same."

"Since when do you take orders from Kate?" Nat laughs, and she helps steady Tony on the other side, walking out with Happy, heading back towards the medibay.

"Ever since I met her," Happy laughs too as they throw Tony down on a bed next to yours. Parker too enthralled in reading to you to notice. With a sad look over to you, Happy throws a blanket over Tony as he snores. Walking over to your bedside, he sits on the opposite side of Parker, taking your hand and sighing. "I can't look after him on my own kid," He chuckles to himself. "So you better wake your ass up soon."

***

Another couple of days pass, not that Tony notices much. After sleeping off the punch from Happy, as well as a shower and some food ordered by Pepper, he's back to sitting at your bedside. Only leaving to let Banner and/or Strange keep a check on you. "Not used to her being so quiet," Fury whispers as he leans on the door frame.

"You took your damn time to get here." Tony snips back, only jumping slightly at the voice that interrupted the silence.

"Yeah, I know." Fury sighs, walking over and standing beside Stark, watching over you as you sleep. "But I was busy." Tony just shakes his head.

"Too busy to even call back."

"Busy helping Danvers find the rest of the team." Fury places his hand over yours. "She was in the best care here with Banner and Strange," He looks over at Tony. "And you. What else could I do?" Tony shrugs, knowing that Fury was right; there was nothing else anyone could do.

"For the first time in a while I feel useless Nick," Tony's voice almost breaks. "She finally had everything going for her: Thor, Quill." He looks over at your stomach. "She doesn't even know she's pregnant, unless she just didn't tell us. Thor should be with her now, instead of me."

"Sitting here with her is not useless Tony." Fury puts a hand on his shoulder. "And she'll see Thor again."

"He asked for my permission," Tony sighs, fresh tears building at his eyes as he looks over you. "Back on Ego's planet, he asked if I thought he was worthy enough to marry her." Wiping the tears from his face, he leans over and grabs your hand again. "I told him, no-one was more worthy than him, the difference he's made to her in these last few months. I didn't have the courage then to tell him he was going to be a father and now...." Suddenly he turns and looks up at Fury. "What do you mean she'll see Thor again?"

"That's what I came here to tell you. Thought it would be better to reveal the news in person." Fury takes a few steps backwards, getting ready to head out the door; looking over you one last time. "Danvers, she found them. They're on their way to Asgard as we speak. But don't rest easy, there's still a battle ahead."

"Whose them?" Tony asks, excitedly turning to see that Fury had already walked out the door.

"Everyone." His voice echoes down the hallway. Tony turns back to you, kissing your forehead and stroking your hair, now crimped from Nat's regime.

"You hear that Kate?" He whispers in your ear. "They're all coming home."