DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN AVENGERS.

AUTHOR'S NOTE! THIS IS A PREQUEL TO MY STORY THE FAMILY WE GAIN! JUST A WARNING!

Stark Tower is the new home for the rest of the Avengers team. It started a few days after Loki's invasion with Bruce's arrival to the Tower. Bruce had been hesitant to accept Tony's invitation but with a little pushing from Pepper, Bruce soon joined them at Stark Tower. Tony had anticipated he'd be having houseguests and had since begun redesigning some of the structure to fit that need. Two weeks later, Thor arrived from Asgard. SHIELD, not wanting to house the God, asked Tony to house Thor. Tony has anticipated this as well and welcomed Thor to his home. Pepper was glad to meet another member of the Avengers and Thor was amused to find the lady behind the Stark. Next came along a Spider, Natasha. After a particularly stressful mission where she managed to get a concussion (how she managed that is a mystery, she has about the same durability as Steve), she had been given leave to rest for a few weeks. With nowhere to go, Pepper offered her a room at the Tower and that soon became Natasha's home. Next flew in a Hawk, quite literally, with Tony's new quinjet that he had bought from SHIELD. SHIELD had also put him on leave because of his involvement with Loki in the Invasion. He had spent the past few weeks in a SHIELD psychiatric ward, which he frequently broke out of the hell of it. The last to come was the Captain. According to Stark, he was the hardest to get to move.

The knock at Steve Rogers' door startles the man as he reads a book on the Korean Conflict (I refuse to call it the Korean War, America never declared war officially). The Captain walks over to his door and looks through the peek whole. He sees Tony Stark standing outside of his meager apartment. Oh, this couldn't be good. Steve opens the door and looks Tony in the eye.

"What can I do for you, Stark?"

"Well, I was wondering if you were free for dinner. The rest of the team and I are going out to eat at that shawarma restaurant and we wanted to know if you wanted to come." Steve considers it a minute. He was planning on oven pizza for tonight. "You can even meet Pepper. Come on Cap, please?" Tony whines give his best puppy dog eyes. "Pepper really wants to meet you."

"Alright Tony. What time?"

"I have a car waiting downstairs," Tony answers. "The rest of the team and Pep are already there."

"Let me grab my jacket." Steve leaves the door open as he walks to his kitchen table for his jacket. Tony steps inside the apartment and looks around at the drab and lonely looking place. Figures SHIELD would get him one of the worst apartments around. "You have that this needs to be demolished and rebuilt face on that Howard used to give me," Steve states slipping on his coat and walking over.

"How can you stand this place?" Tony questions as they walk for the door.

"It's functional, Tony."

"You could move in to Stark Tower. I have a lot of spare rooms still," Tony tempts as they walk out and Steve locks his door.

"Tony I couldn't impose. Besides, you and I would try to kill each other within a week," Steve laughs.

"Steve, it's no problem. Just, keep that in mind." Steve nods as he and Tony walk down the steps of Steve's apartment building and to Tony's car. The pair climbs into the car and drive across New York to the restaurant. Steve holds the door open for Tony and the billionaire smiles at the soldier as they walk in. The rest of the team smiles as they enter the building restaurant, which was strangely empty.

"Captain, it is good to see you again. Are you well?" Thor asks shaking Steve hand.

"I am well, Thor. I didn't know you were back on Earth."

"We have repaired the Bifrost. I can travel here and home as I please," Thor answers with a big grin.

"Hey Cap," Clint chuckles from across the table as the Archer sips his drink. "I see Tony did manage to find your apartment."

"Shut it, Legalos. At least I didn't need a GPS to find this place again," Tony counters.

"Boys, play nice," a red head sitting next to Natasha warns. She stands and holds her hand out to Steve. "Captain, I'm Pepper Potts. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Likewise, Miss Potts."

"Come sit by me Steve," Natasha prompts motioning to the open seat next to her.

"Thank you, Natasha." Steve sits down next to Natasha as the waitress walks up.

"What can I get everyone?" she asks. The group quickly orders their foods, most ordering the same as they had last time they were here, along with another round of drinks.

"So, what have you been up to Cap?" Clint inquires.

"Doing jobs for SHIELD and trying to get used to this time still," Steve answers.

"You know we could help you with that," Natasha offers. "I mean, it was an adjustment for me but for you, it's probably shell shock, right?" Steve cocks an eyebrow and looks over at Natasha.

"Not many use that term anymore, Natasha. I believe it's combat stress reaction now," Tony points out.

"I know what it is Stark. They used that term back in the War. I've seen a number of soldiers with it. Yes, Natasha, it is quite a bit like shell shock," Steve replies before taking a drink.

"Cap, we're all here for you if you need any help readjusting," Bruce insists. "Tony has helped me get used to being in New York again. And we've all helped Thor learn more about Earth. We'd be happy to help."

"I'll think about it, really. So, what have all of you been up to?" Steve inquires to the group. Pepper pipes up first.

"Driving me nearly insane," Pepper answers. "With all of them living at the Tower and rough housing all the time, it gets interesting. Not to mention every time one of Tony and Bruce's experiments goes wrong and blows up half a floor." Steve cocks an eyebrow at Pepper's statement.

"You all live at the Tower?" Steve questions.

"Yep. It started with the Doc, then Thor, then Tasha, and me," Clint answers. "It's really fun Cap. You should move in too. I'm sure Bruce and I can keep you from killing Tony." Everyone at the table laughs at the joke including Steve and Tony.

"I'm content at my apartment."

"Then at least let me redecorate the place," Tony pleads. "Or give you a bigger TV. SOMETHING!"

"You'll lose the argument," Pepper says as Steve opens his mouth to tell Tony no. "I'll hold him back as long as I can, but that might only be a week."

"Thank you Pepper." Tony's phone goes off and he answers it.

"This is Tony Stark, who is this?" Tony says with a cocky smile. "Well hello Fury! Yes, we're all together. Seriously? Fine." Tony hangs up and looks at the waitress. "We'll need those to go. We got a mission."

"Where?" Natasha inquires.

"I don't know, he didn't tell me." Steve shakes his head. The mission turns out to be next to nothing. Essentially, it was guarding a few of the high profile targets while they go from the Middle East to the US. Unfortunately, nothing is easy with the Avengers.

"STEVE!" Natasha screams as she runs from her SUV to the area where Steve's SUV had previously been before it was blown sky high. "STEVE!"

"Natasha!" Natasha runs toward the voice and finds Steve and the target sprawled out on the ground next to a building. Steve groans as he gets up. Natasha quickly pats out the fire on his suit as Tony flies in and takes the target to the next SUV.

"How bad is it?" Natasha asks.

"Doesn't hurt that much," Steve answers.

"Steve, you have burns, extensive burns!" Natasha counters as she sees the burned skin under the suit.

"Just help me up, Tasha." Natasha puts Cap's shield on her back before helping the soldier to his feet. Clint pulls up in a SUV and Natasha helps Cap inside. She climbs in on the other side and Clint takes off to catch up with the rest of the convoy. Natasha pulls a first aid kit from the back of the SUV and starts to treat the wounds.

"Steve, you were shot," Natasha whispers as she sees the blood trickling from a hole inside of the burn zone.

"Oh, didn't feel it," Steve mutters. Natasha shakes her head and makes a compress.

"Do you feel light headed?"

"No."

"All right, we're at the air base," Clint says. The rest of the team gets the targets on their plane and Tony follows them until they're far away from the base. Bruce treats Steve on the flight back to the helicarrier. The doctor removes the bullet and patches of Steve until they get back to the helicarrier and they patch him up even better.

"I'll be fine, I don't need anyone to monitor my condition," Steve snaps as he tries to leave the infirmary.

"Captain Rogers, you have been burned and shot," the doctor protests.

"And I'll heal completely within a few days. I am fine!" Steve shouts.

"I'll watch him," Natasha's voice says from the doorway. The Black Widow is leaning in the doorway in jeans, a red shirt, and a black leather jacket. She loves that combination. "I'll call if anything happens, Doctor. Come on Steve, I'm driving." Steve scowls her for a moment but follows the Widow out of the room.

"You are not staying at my apartment," Steve says sternly.

"It'll be two nights at the max, Captain, I'm sure you can tolerate sharing a space with a woman for that long," Natasha mutters. "We'll get there about midnight."

"Like I'll be sleeping tonight," Steve scoffs.

"Medication?"

"Doesn't work."

"They have the powerful stuff for those with serums, Cap. All you have to do is ask for some," Natasha points out. Steve shakes his head and follows Natasha to the transport that would take them to the ground base. Steve can tell he's tired because of how crabby he's getting. He supposes that's because he's been up for over two days straight without sleep. Natasha notes the behavioral difference in Steve and is slightly worried. What would cause the Captain to act so differently? Especially to a woman? Natasha's concerns start to smother all professionalism in her.

Natasha drives to the apartment building silently with Steve staring out the window. Natasha presses a button on the radio and suddenly the sound of forties music fills the air. Natasha starts humming along to the music with a soft smile on her lips. Steve looks over at her with curiosity. Why would someone not from his time like that type of music? It just didn't make any sense to the Captain at all. Natasha pulls into the parking spot next to Steve's motorcycle and grabs her bag from the back seat. The pair walks up the stairs to his apartment and Steve unlocks the door silently. Natasha nods to him as he lets her in first and he follows. The Captain tosses his keys in a bowl next to the front door after he locks all three locks on his door and activates the alarm system.

"I'm surprised you have an alarm system," Natasha comments.

"This is a SHIELD building for the most part. They come standard," Steve answers. He strips off his jacket and places it on his chair at the kitchen table. "You can use my bed. I'll sleep on the couch."

"No, you sleep in your bed. I'm used to couches. I spent enough of my vacations on them," Natasha counters. "Go sleep Steve. I'll be fine."

"All right. Let me know if you want to use the bed. Night Natasha."

"Night Steve. Sleep well." Steve nods and goes into his bedroom. He falls onto his bed after taking off his work clothes. He groans as he agitates his burn but passes out. Natasha uses Steve's bathroom to change into some lounge clothes before checking on the soldier. No one had ordered her to watch over him but she knew that the doctors would want him over night. However, the doctors knew not to mess with Natasha Romanoff too. In all honesty, when Steve's SUV had blown up, Natasha's heart nearly gave out in fear. She couldn't imagine Steve gone. Natasha spends the night on the couch worrying about Steve but drifting off to sleep.

A shout pierces the darkness of Natasha's dreams. She notes the time as four o'clock as she rolls out off the couch and dashes into Steve's room. The soldier is sweating badly while tossing and turning on the bed. Natasha realizes that Steve was sleeping. She sees blood on his bandages since he's not wearing a shirt. She hurries to his side and sits down on his hips. She uses her body to pin Steve down.

"Steve! Steve, wake up! It's just a dream! Steve, wake up!" Steve wakes with a start, his chest rising sharply as he gains consciousness. His eyes widen as he sees Natasha as she climbs off him. He rolls to the side and chokes out a sob. Natasha sits on the edge of the bed and sets a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, Steve, talk to me here," Natasha coaxes. Steve looks up at her hesitantly. She can see the tears brimming in the corners of his eyes. She didn't know that Captain America could cry. "Steve, what was the dream about?"

"The war, I lost Bucky." Natasha's heart pangs painfully. She wishes she could tell him that she knew Bucky as well, but by the name Winter Soldier. "Sorry I woke you."

"Don't be. Steve, have you ever been tested for some of the disorders that come from being a soldier?" Natasha inquires.

"No."

"Maybe you should have Bruce do an evaluation and then if he thinks you should seek some help, seek some help."

"Tasha, no."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm not that weak," Steve snaps back. "I don't need to be told I have some disorder."

"Tony has PTSD," Natasha says quickly before she can realize what she's saying. "He talks to Pepper about it. You could talk to me or someone on the team about it."

"Tony has PTSD?" Steve questions sitting up.

"Yes. Don't you know how he got the arc in his chest?"

"He has shrapnel around his heart," Steve answers.

"Steve, he spent three months in the hands of terrorists. They water boarded him. That arc reactor, it used to be just an electromagnet connected to a car battery. He made the first arc reactor in a cave. He still has nightmares about it," Natasha tells him. "I have nightmares about the wars. Clint, his nightmares are about Loki and his past. Thor and Bruce have them too." Steve looks at Natasha.

"Wars? Plural?" Steve questions.

"I'm older than I look, Cap," Natasha says with a smirk. "Hell, you, Logan, and my guardian Ivan rescued me back in the War." Steve thinks back trying to recall the occasion. He looks back up at her with realization. "I'm almost as old as you."

"Wow. How are you?" He motions up at down.

"Red Room Serum, it was variant of your serum. I'm called the Black Widow because I'm the only one that survived," Natasha explains. "I know now how the memories hurt, Steve. I really do." Steve crosses his legs and Natasha moves so she's sitting criss-cross on the bed as well. She puts a hand on his hand and looks him in the eyes. "Tell me, please."

"Bucky was only friend before I became Captain America. We grew up together. During the war, we fought together. There was a mission to stop a train and get a target off it. There was a battle on the train. The side of the car was blown open and Bucky was holding onto it as best as he could. I tried to reach him, I really did, but he fell into an icy river. I lost my best friend. I didn't even have a body to bury," Steve whispers. "I have nightmares about it sometimes. I lost everyone from my life back them," Steve murmurs softly. Natasha places a hand on Steve's shoulder comfortingly. "Well, Peggy is still alive, but I don't know if I could ever see her again."

"Well, we're here for you now," Natasha insists as she squeezes his shoulder. "I still have nightmares about when I lost my mother. The Nazis set fire to the building we lived in. She threw me out the window to a soldier below, Ivan. I can still hear her screams." Now it's Steve's turn to comfort her. He puts his hand on her shoulder and gives her a soft squeeze.

"You're one of the bravest and toughest women I know," Steve tells her.

"Thanks Steve. Try to get some sleep," Natasha insists.

"Natasha, I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but would you mind staying in here?" Steve asks.

"Not at all, Captain. I'll be here to help chase away the nightmares. But first, let me change that bandage," Natasha says pointing the red dyed white cloth. Steve nods and lies down since the bandage is only on the front half of his torso. He falls asleep at some point as Natasha changes the bandages. Natasha smiles and pulls the comforter up over the soldier. She grabs the blanket from the couch and comes back into the room. She lies on top of the comforter and curls up in the blanket. An hour later when Natasha's nightmare wakes up Steve, he's right there to comfort his comrade.