Avengers The Captain's Secret Book 2: Waiting for Thor

Part 35: Familiar Territory

There was no time to waste.

Thanos. Thanos was coming.

And where was Tony? Where was Thor?

Even as Steve's comrades arrived, I didn't know. All I knew was all I cared about and loved was about to be threatened.

I watched them walk into the palace toward the lab, talking about what could be done, when I sensed eyes on me. Steve stopped, his eyes poring over me from head to toe. They all looked at me. Natasha was the only one I knew, and she nodded. He began to move again and I joined the group , and we began to move again. "Don't you dare try to keep me out of this."

"Sedi--"

"According to what I heard at Bucky's--" I saw Steve give Bucky a look. "This Thanos is a huge problem."

"Understatement, we need all the help we can get," Sam muttered. "Who is she?"

"His wife," I said quickly. Evidently Sam wasn't entirely up to speed. I raised my chin in defiance, waiting for Steve to say something. He didn't.

"You are Cap's wife?" Sam asked me.

Steve finally spoke. "Yes, Sam."

"You are Mrs. Steve Rogers?" He directed his next comment to Natasha. "Did you know?"

"Yes, I was told, but not long ago," Natasha said tonelessly. "Hey, Sedi."

"Hi." I nodded and managed a small smile.

"A wife?" Vision said and Wanda shared a look of surprise before he spoke again. "Congratulations, Captain."

He nodded. Nodded! I felt as if he wanted no one to know I existed. I suddenly was happy I left Steven where he was. In all the time of this--this ride we were on, I never thought Steve didn't want me. I swallowed the lump in my throat as we entered the lab, and I was quiet as I watched Shuri and Bruce discuss Vision's situation.

"You are not fighting." Bucky touched my hand. "Right?"

I frowned at him. "I don't think that's your decision."

"It's mine."

Bucky and I both looked at Steve. I glanced at Bucky who looked relieved.

Steve wasn't even looking at me. "You are not fighting."

"I can take care of myself." I had been doing that more than anything the past six years!

"She's expecting, Cap." Bucky blurted.

"Yes, Shuri showed me on her monitor," Steve's jaw tightened. That was a bad sign. "Protect this lab and in turn the palace. Get the elders' children to safety, and then I want you to hide if it gets bad."

"Steve, I can help in the field. You know I can!"

"I can't concentrate if you're out there." He bit out, still looking out of the window.

"But I am more powerful than you are!"

He turned. "And I am your husband!" The room became deadly silent. His back was to everyone, and I saw the stares. "I hate to go all nineteen forties on you, but I forbid you to go on that battlefield! You will safely carry our second child and protect our first! Is that clear?!"

I stood in shock. He'd honestly never raised his voice at me before. A lump formed in my throat so I tried to clear it and get some composure. Banner was observing everyone quickly, though surprise never left his face. Natasha, T'Challa and Suri were in full agreement with Steve; their looks told me that much. Sam's mouth was still slack-jawed, eyes getting bigger than they had been. Vision's expression was soft, one of understanding more than agreement, and Wanda the Scarlet Witch, who held hands with him, nodded. She seemed to be the only one who understood how I felt. Bucky shook his head, clearly on his best friend's side.

"Is. That. Clear?" He grated.

I nodded slowly, tears filling my eyes. He was worried, and so was I, not to mention humiliated. I averted my eyes not wanting to look at anyone. He rejoined what I could only see as the soldiers ranks, looking out the window.

Steve's expression had softened as his gaze met mine. He strode back to me. He caressed my face. "I can't concentrate if I worry about you being out there. I need to know you, Steven, and the baby are out of harm's way. I need to know that. Do you understand?"

I nodded again, covering his hand with my own. "I understand." Once again, I was told not to show or use the extent of my powers, first to protect myself from SHIELD, and now to protect the palace instead of fighting out there where it could count.

He kissed me tenderly. Then he whispered "Joseph or Sarah" before kissing my temple and he was gone.

It took everything not to cry. Those were the names of his parents. He had named the one on the way as if he might not return.