It's love

Part 31

Steve's POV

Natasha ripped the note apart and threw it in the air. The pieces fell slowly to the floor. She put her hands on her hips and breathed fast. It looked as if she almost had some sort of asthma attack.
"Nat?!" I said terrified and she looked at me.
"I'm fine." She said holding out a hand in the air. I looked at Emma in my arms who watched her mother intensely. "He's coming. Soon. Very soon." Natasha said as she sat down on a chair that wasn't broken.
"The we'll fight." I said and she nodded.
"I'm sorry." She said while shaking her head and looking down at the floor.
"Don't say that. We'll make this." I said as I swallowed hard.
"Why would he give me a heads up?" She said suddenly. "Why would he warn me that he was coming? What's his plan?" She started to mumble the words and I listened carefully. Why would he warn us? I looked at her and she suddenly looked up at me.
"He wants a fair fight. He wants me to kill him." She said and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. "And he'll get what he wants." She said and I stood quiet, not knowing what to say.

Natasha's POV

All my mind focused on was my past. It was as if it ripped all my wounds open. I remembered more. I saw more. Every touch, every shot, every murder. It all kept replaying in my head. I was angry. Furious.
"Nat?!"
"What do you want?!" I sneezed and Steve went quiet. I looked at him and saw his almost hurt face. I sighed.
"I'm sorry. It's just, I..." I began and he sat down next to me. He didn't say a word. Instead, he wrapped his arms around me in an embrace. He kissed my head and I relaxed in his arms, letting go of most of the anger that controlled my body.
"You can't win this fight alone. And you shouldn't obsess over it. He's trying to get inside your mind." Steve said and I knew it probably was the truth.
"I need to kill him." I said honestly and Steve sighed.
"I get that."
"Then let me."
"I will, but I won't let you do it alone. We both know he'll be here soon. We'll hide Emma at Laura's and wait for him to come." Steve said and I sighed with a nod.
"Fine." I said as I looked over at Emmas crib. She was sleeping peacefully. Her blonde hair was messy on her head and she had her favourite toy squeezed against her chest.

We knew he would come. We didn't know when exactly, only that it was a matter of days. I had talked to Clint who understood and Laura was happy to take Emma for a while. It had been hard leaving her there. I wanted to have control. I wanted to be the one to make sure she's safe. But for now, she wasn't safe around me.
"We'll see you soon baby girl." Steve said to Emma as he hugged her tight and kissed her forehead.
I turned to Lila who stood a few feet away. I waved for her to come and she smiled happily. I bent down and whispered in her ear.
"Take care of her, alright? I trust you." I said and Lila nodded.
"I promise." She said and I smiled at her.
"Good." I whispered and kissed her cheek. I went over to Steve and he handed me Emma. I smiled sadly at her as I looked around.
"Can I have a few minutes?" I asked and Steve, Laura and Clint nodded as everyone stepped outside, leaving me and Emma alone. I sat down at the sofa and put her in my lap so I could see her face.
"Mommy don't want to leave you. You should know that. But I need to fix somethings, so that you'll be safe." I said, putting my hand on her cheek. She smiled. "Daddy and I'll be back soon. I promise. And don't you dare fall in love with Nathaniel." I said with a little smile as Emma kept smiling brightly with her hand around my finger. I sighed and felt a rush of sadness come over me.
"In case I wouldn't come back. Just in case. I want you to know that I love you, and daddy loves you. Very, very much." I said feeling a sob in my throat. I felt a tear slowly run down my cheek and I wiped it away quickly. I knew what was facing me. And to be honest, I wasn't sure if I would come out of it alive. "You're braver than me. You're brave just like your dad. Don't forget that." I said and for a second I thought she nodded. "I love you." I whispered again as I kissed her cheek, nose and forehead and carried her up. I walked outside and quickly handed Emma to Laura before I walked to the ship. I didn't look back but I could feel the looks on my back. Clint and Steve soon stepped onboard and I looked out of the little window at Emma. She still smiled and I knew it was all okey. I sat down and breathed a little deeper as Steve sat down beside me.
"She'll be fine." He said.
"I know." I said and he looked at me.
"Then what is it?" He said, taking my hand in concern.
"I'm not so sure we'll be." I said as I bit my teeth together.
"We'll be fine." He said and I laid my head on his shoulder. "We'll win this. We always do." He said and even though his words could be anything but true, I found it comforting.