If I Got Everything That I Wanted (Book 2 of Love, Monsters and Magic)

Chapter 2

“All I can ask is that you wait a few days before you guys move over. It's just I haven't had time to spend any time with Pepper, and you know it's been a while since we've been alone-”

“That's fine, Stark, we get it.” Steve interrupted, his cheeks flushing red. Poor guy, he still gets embarrassed by that kind of stuff.

“Aw, so you won't want the details when you come over?” I pouted. “I thought we could make a night out of it and paint our nails.” Natasha choked back a laugh. I turned to her. “I know that you're not part of the team any more but I'd be more than happy for you to move in too.” I offered.

“Thanks, Tony. I think I'd miss you all to much if I was anywhere else.”

“Look at this. She's agreed to move in with me before, Barton! You've got some competition.” I teased, but Clint didn't laugh, he just glowered at me. Bruce chuckled though, thank god, at least my good humour wasn't going to waste.

“Well, then, ladies and gentlemen, it's sorted. You will more to Stark's once he's given you the all clear to do so. Dismissed.” And with Fury's final words we all milled about, carrying out our routines. Natasha grabbed my arm.

“Can I borrow you?” she asked.

“Sure thing.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and walked out of the room with her but not before I threw Clint a thumbs up and flashed him a grin. He seemed pretty tense around me. It's not my fault his girlfriend likes me better. I laughed to myself with that one.

We walked aimlessly around the ship, heading in a direction of somewhere, anywhere, to sit and talk. Our walk was quiet. We reached the lounge, threw ourselves on opposite couches and stared off, not sure of what to say. Natasha was quitting and she was pregnant. Wow. I knew she liked Barton, but really? A baby?

“I want to come back to Stark Industries.” Natasha state breaking through the silence. Perched up on her elbows, she stared right at me with a serious expression. I raised my eyebrows.

“Seriously? Like you want the job?” I wasn't even sure with my own voice.

“Yeah, the job you offered? I'm holding you to it.”

“'Tasha, that's great news. You can have the job, it's yours. Man, Pepper is going to be so happy.” I cheered. “I don't need to go back to calling you Natalie, do I?” I teased. I don't think I could handle the alter-ego thing again.

“No, no,” she laughed. Her laugh trailed off and all became silent once more.

“So Barton, huh?”

“Yeah,” she mused. “This is a pretty big thing for me. I mean it was a shock, I guess it still is but I think it was the kick I needed to get out of S.H.I.E.L.D. You guys here are like my family, but the job aspect of it, I just can't bare to see any more of you getting hurt. Now, I'll have a kid to worry about.” She told me in a sincere tone. I knew what she meant.

“I get what you mean. I've got Pepper to worry about. I need a break away from here. Just me and Pepper.”

“She worries about you, you know?” She pointed out.

“I know, I know. It isn't fair on her. I'm away from her for weeks at a time and she never knows if I'm even going to come back.” I choked a little on the last sentence. “I'm going to go home today. I won't tell her. I'll surprise her.” I said, firing out ideas. Natasha nodded.

“She'd like that. Bring her dinner.” Nat suggested. Then a light went off in my head.

“Hold that thought,” and with that I dashed to my room to grab something before I ran back to the lounge to find that Natasha hadn't moved at all. “This, what do you think of this.” I threw the little black box to Natasha that she caught with ease. She glared at the box with wide eyes, inspecting it thoroughly before looking back at me.

“Is this what I think it is?” Natasha asked. I nodded. “Oh, Tony!” She prized open the box and he gaze fell softly on to the gold two band ring. In between the two bands was dazzling blue sapphire, because Pepper had told me that she didn't like diamonds, something about them looking tacky. Along the bands there were smaller sapphires encrusted into the ring. Natasha's eyes were glazing over as she held the little box in her hands. “Oh, Tony, she is going to love it!” She cried. She jumped up and hugged me. “I'm proud of you, Tony, she's good for you.” What a perfect time for Clint to walk into the room.

“What's going on?” He snapped, taking in the scene before him. Natasha jumped back and Clint took in her watering eyes, her soft smile and then he eyed the open box in her hand. Shit was about to hit the fan. “What the hell, Stark?” Clint hissed taking the box from Nat's hand and staring at the ring he obviously thought I had given to Natasha.

“I'm eloping with your girlfriend. That's the ring. Nice don't you think?.” I stated very matter of factly.

“Tony, play nice,” Natasha warned, slapping me. Clint's body tensed up and his face went crimson and I'm pretty sure all her could see was red. “Clint, relax, it's not for me.” She placed a hand on his arm and took the ring from his hand and gave it back to Tony. “It's for Pepper.” With that Clint relaxed against Natasha, and a smile actually crept across his face. He was probably thinking of Natasha and his unborn baby.

“You keep telling people and Pepper is going to know before I even get the chance to ask her,” I jested. Natasha threw me a guilty look. “I'm going to go and pack my things. We'll talk business later, Nat. Look after yourself. And Robin Hood? Anything happens to her and I'm coming to you.” Natasha rolled her eyes and I flashed her a grin before walking from the room. I proceed to the lab to gather my stuff and then to my room.