Someone needs to Genius Interruptus her.

[geniusnotclever]

-Another nightmare had plagued Natasha Stark so she's down in her workshop working and welding away at different things. Sparks are flying and she's working on minor improvements to her suit.-

Comments

[ohpleasetony]

[Pepper recoils a little at the comment. She cried over Phil's death and still feels upset whenever she thinks of it. A few days ago she was chatting with him on the way to the airport and now he was gone. It was horrible and terrifying and wrong.

And it could've been Natasha. She swallows.]

I know.

[geniusnotclever]

Then you won't blame me for wanting to fix that.

-she doesn't move to follow Pepper-

[ohpleasetony]

[Pepper swallows and shakes her head slightly.]

It's not something that you can fix, Tasha. Phil was a SHIELD agent. He knew was he was getting into. Just like you know every time you put on that suit it may be the last time. You can make things safer, you can make things better, but you won't be able to fix this. This... wasn't your fault.

[nstark]

I could fix it! I could--I can fix things, Pepper.

-her voice cracks and she's so tired and she sways a little, leaning heavily against her work bench, pressing a shaky hand to her forehead-

[ohpleasetony]

[Okay, negotiation time is over. Pepper moves forward and wraps her arms around the other woman.]

You can fix a lot of things, and you will but right now you need to get some sleep. Please, come back to bed with me.

[nstark]

-Natasha is really trying to stand tall on her own but she practically collapses in Pepper's arms, holding onto her tightly-

I could've fixed the Helicarrier in time. Got to Phil faster.

[ohpleasetony]

[Pepper tightens her arms around her.]

Phil wasn't your fault. You did what you could and you did it as fast as you could.

[nstark]

I--I could have saved him, Pepper. I could've--

-she hangs onto Pepper tighter-

[ohpleasetony]

[Pepper starts steering her towards the door.]

He wouldn't want you to do this to yourself. Phil... [She takes in a shaky breath. She can't believe she won't ever see him again.] had faith in you. He would've wanted you to save those other people first.

[nstark]

-she gives a broken laugh and holds onto her-

At least I can protect you. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you, Pep.

[ohpleasetony]

[Pepper stops, reaching out and gently turning Natasha's mouth towards hers. She gives her a light kiss, her fingers trailing the softness of her cheek.]

You won't. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere.

[nstark]

-she kisses her back and holds her tightly, laying her head on Pepper's shoulder-

[ohpleasetony]

[Pepper wraps her arm around Natasha's shoulder and pushes the door open. She crowds her through the door and up the stairs.]

Come back to bed.

[nstark]

-and she lets her guide her this time because her body practically is sagging in exhaustion-

Might need a face lift soon if I keep pushing myself like this.

[ohpleasetony]

[Pepper says nothing as she leads Natasha back to bed. Eight is going to come much too early and there are a million things Pepper needs to get done before her ten o'clock conference call but she'll take this victory.

It's not the first time she's peeled back the covers and poured Natasha into bed, though sliding in behind her and wrapping her arms around her is still fairly new. Pepper presses lips lightly against Natasha's neck and whispers.]

Sleep.

[nstark]

-She holds onto Pepper's arms as she settles in bed again. Natasha passes out faster than anyone can say anything. For now, the nightmares abated. At least enough for her to rest between now and eight or ten-