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ladygrendelTitle: The Lion-Hearted Girl
Fandom: Marvel Earth-616 and Earth-3490
Characters/Pairings: Steve Rogers, Natasha Stark, Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Stephen Strange, Danny Rand, Clint Barton, Carol Danvers, Donald Blake, Sam Wilson, Jarvis (Steve/Tony pre-slash, established Steve/Natasha)
Spoilers: set post-Siege
Warnings: bodyswap (Tony to Natasha and vice-versa), alien invasion, survivor guilt, loss of spouse and child, mentions of depression and alcoholism, language, sexual content
Chapter Three
>>>>>
“What in the hell do you mean, he doesn’t remember?”
Steve paused outside the kitchen doorway, unsure as to why he felt compelled to eavesdrop on his own friends. He had just seen Natasha to Tony’s old room and her snoring could be heard through the door, which was the only reason why he was fairly sure that Jessica Jones’s shrill tone wouldn’t wake her.
“According to Richards that ain’t even Stark,” said Luke.
He snuck a quick look around the corner and saw Jessica managing to tower over her husband angrily while gently bouncing her baby. Some of the other heroes from the meeting earlier were there, including a few who hadn’t been.
“I believe it,” said Don calmly. “He didn’t even recognize me but he knew Steve right off the bat. Thor either doesn’t exist in that universe or he and Natasha Stark have never met.”
“That’s weird. I mean, Thor’s a founding Avenger,” said Spider-Man. “For you two to not have met is, you know, wrong on so many levels.”
“I don’t know,” said Danny. “I don’t think she had ever heard of Dr. Blake before today. She didn’t even know that he and Thor are the same person.”
“She?” asked Clint, sounding vaguely amused.
“Well, she is a girl. Er, woman. It just feels right is all.”
“I don’t trust him,” said Carol stubbornly. “Just because Reed Richards is a genius doesn’t mean he doesn’t make mistakes.”
“What do you suggest we do then?” Strange was as composed as always. “I don’t believe that Steve will approve of anyone interrogating Miss Stark.”
“You’re right,” said Steve, deciding now was the time to make his entrance. “No one is interrogating anyone. Right now she’s our guest here. I’ve already decided to call Charles Xavier tomorrow so we can get this worked out as quickly as possible.”
“What in the hell do we do with him in the meantime?” demanded Jessica.
“Her,” he corrected. “And let me worry about that. I’m going to bed now, and I expect to find Natasha they way I left her when I wake up bright and early tomorrow. Understand?”
None of them quavered under Steve’s stare precisely, but a few did shift in their seats or refused to make eye contact. Satisfied, he bid them good night and left the kitchen. How exactly he was supposed to get a good night’s sleep with so much on his plate was beyond him, but he was going to try.
>>>
He’s standing on the roof of the Mansion and is looking at the silhouette of a person sitting in front of him. Beside her is what appears to be a bottle of liquor, and she’s holding a small tumbler to her head like an icepack.
“Um, hello?”
She jumps in surprise and whips around, keeping the tumbler in place and not spilling a drop. It’s the woman from his last dream, but she’s much younger here and is sporting the pixie cut that Jan had been so fond of. The tumbler is covering her left eye and he can see that the glass is sweating in the evening heat.
“Steve? What in the hell are you doing up here?”
She sounds slightly panicked and quickly puts her back to him again, spine stiff. It’s obvious she wants to be left alone but he can’t leave, all he can do is sit back and watch what happens next.
“Are you okay? I mean, it’s none of my business, but I was worried. I saw that your car was here but you didn’t come to dinner so…”
He takes a seat to her right, staring straight ahead in an attempt to ease her discomfort. The view from here isn’t the least bit spectacular, but he supposes it is a good place to hide from the world for awhile. Of course his presence has obviously ruined that for her.
Tentatively she lowers the glass into her lap, cradling in both her hands for a moment before draining it in one gulp.
“Cap, you’re going to probably see some ugly headlines in the newspaper tomorrow,” she says suddenly. “I just want you to know that it won’t affect my bodyguard’s ability to go out in the field.”
He stares at her, uncomprehending. “What are you talking about?”
“Tiberius and I got into a bit of an argument earlier tonight and…well, I’m once again one of Forbes’s Most Eligible Bachelorettes.”
“You mean he broke off your engagement?” he asks, sounding stunned.
“No, that was me,” she admits.
“Oh.” Reaching out, he gently lays one of his massive hands over hers. “Are you okay?”
“Not really, no. And by ugly headlines I don’t mean the press is going to drag my name through the mud exactly, but our engagement didn’t end on the nicest of terms.”
Without knowing why, he cups her chin in his other hand and turns her head. She doesn’t resist him but now he can see why she refused to let him view her face head-on. Her left eye is well on its way to becoming an impressive shiner. Even without knowing her, he wants to hunt down the one who hurt her and make them sorry. Maybe he’s old-fashioned, but he’s a firm believer that a man should never hit a woman.
“Steve, please. You don’t have to defend my honor or anything.” He realizes that she’s gripping his arm tightly, trying to keep him from going off to no doubt seriously maim her ex-fiancé. “Honestly, I haven’t had any honor to defend since I was fifteen. Just ask Rhodey.”
She gives him a self-deprecating smile that he hates and instantly makes him angrier.
“How can you say that? You’re such a great dame-”
“Well, you’re an exceptionally great guy, Cap. Any dame would be lucky to have you.” The woman waggles her eyebrows at him suggestively. “Speaking of, have you found any yet?”
He blushes. “No, I think it’s going to take some time for me to get used to the women of this time period.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure the right one will show up eventually.”
You’re the right one, he wants to say, but can’t take control of his mouth to tell her.
“I hope you don’t mind,” she continues, “but you may be seeing more of me. I’m thinking of moving back into the Mansion.”
“It’s your house, of course I don’t mind.” He gives her a painfully platonic pat on the shoulder. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re an Avenger, too.”
>>>
When Natasha finally rolled out of bed, the clock on the nightstand told her it was half-past one in the afternoon. She’d had a feeling that Steve would let her sleep in but she hadn’t expected him to just forget her. Preferring not to dwell on that, she invaded Tony’s wardrobe. All of his suits had designer labels but the shirts and jeans he obviously wore while working in the garage were well-loved. He really was a man after her heart. She threw on a pair of jeans, one of his Black Sabbath t-shirts, and a pair of sneakers before venturing out.
This part of the tower felt very much lived in. The carpet was worn, the furniture beat up, and yet the main living room was squeaky clean. Unless she was mistaken, there was only one person who could possibly keep a place like this habitable.
She found Jarvis in the kitchen making what smelled like tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Her mouth started to water, but she paused just inside the room, unwilling to disturb the scene. It had been several years since Jarvis had last cooked anything for her on a decent stove, although the man had been very good at preparing meals using a simple Bunsen burner. He turned, no doubt sensing her presence, and smiled kindly.
“Ah, Miss Natasha. Master Rogers informed me that you may sleep late, but I don’t imagine he meant this late. I’m afraid he didn’t take your being Master Tony’s counterpart into consideration.”
“Probably not,” she agreed.
With no notice, Natasha crossed the kitchen and gave the man a hug. For a moment he just stood there, caught off guard. Then Jarvis sighed and hugged her back just as tightly. He quickly regained his composure and pulled away, sniffling discreetly.
“Right. You need to eat to regain your health.”
“You just want to fatten me up while you have the chance,” she teased him.
“You’ve discovered my insidious plot,” he retorted sarcastically.
She laughed, which brought a smile to Jarvis’s face. When he laid her lunch out on the table Natasha ate everything, feeling hungrier than she had in ages. He watched her like a hawk from his seat next to her. It was nice to know that Steve hadn’t just taken off without making sure someone would check-in on her, but it would have been a nice if he had joined her for lunch.
“Master Rogers will return later this evening.”
“How’d you know?” she asked, surprised. The only answer Jarvis gave her was a shrewd smile as he cleaned up. She sighed and shook her head, not the least bit surprised. Ignoring his protests, Natasha helped him wash the dishes. “Does Tony have a workshop here?”
Jarvis stopped scrubbing a plate, hesitant.
“There is the subbasement. It’s where he used to work on the Iron Man armor. But I doubt that Master Rogers would like you doing anything too strenuous for awhile…”
She rolled her eyes. “C’mon, Jarvis. You know me. Since when have I ever followed doctor’s orders?”
“I don’t know you,” he said. “But I do know Master Tony, and he makes for the worst patient.”
“Oh? I’m liking this guy more and more.” Natasha gave him her best puppy eyes. “Please, Jarvis, won’t you let me into the subbasement? I just want to take a look around, promise.”
“I would feel much more comfortable if Master Rogers accompanied you down there. However, I’m more than happy to show you where the training room is located.”
>>>
"So who all have you told?"
“I haven’t talked to Pepper or Rhodey yet, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Steve didn’t mean to snap at Sam, but his temper was frayed. Nothing aggravated him quite like trying to talk to politicians. He knew that they were an important part of America’s democratic process, but the fact that all they did was talk got old fast. How in the hell had Tony managed as Secretary of Defense without going postal? Sure, he had eventually lost the job, but not without a little help from Wanda.
“Hey, man.” Sam held up his hands, trying to mollify Steve. “I’m on your side.”
“I know, I’m sorry. This is just so different from being in charge of the old Avengers. At least then we took turns and there wasn’t a single specific person we had to answer to. I feel like I’m being pulled in a hundred different directions and…”
“You know you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to, Steve.”
Steve sighed and held the door of the deli open for Sam to go through. His headache was much better now after getting a decent meal. He wondered if Natasha was awake yet or if she was still out cold. He hoped she was up by now, as it was already about five o’clock.
“Yeah, but the president himself asked me. And I do want to do this.”
“Well, if anyone can do this job it’s you,” said Sam cheerfully.
“Thanks. You coming back to the tower?”
Sam shook his head. “Nah, I’ve got some work to do. I’ll probably stop by later this week.”
As Steve walked back alone, he started to imagine different scenarios in which he told Rhodey and Pepper about Tony. He didn’t think anyone would punch him, but he had a feeling that both would want to hit Tony out of exasperation, who wasn’t home right now.
Jarvis was standing there when he got off the elevator, the very picture of patience. Steve stared at him for a moment before his brain finally caught up.
“Is there something wrong?”
It was a stupid question to ask, but Steve couldn’t think of anything else to say. Jarvis somehow managed to roll his eyes without actually doing so, and cleared his throat.
“Miss Natasha has been fed lunch and has spent the last several hours in the training room. She’s asked to see the subbasement, but I thought that you might prefer to give her the tour.”
“I’ll do it tomorrow,” he said, stepping around Jarvis. “Tonight I need to-”
“Sir, if you don’t do it now, I fear we may all wake tomorrow to find that she has accidently put the Tower on lockdown while attempting to break into the workshop.”
Steve gaped at him.
“You don’t…you don’t really think she’d do that, do you?”
arvis gave him a stern look, clearly fed up with beating around the bush to get his point across.
“I do. She is a woman and a Stark. Just the fact that she essentially is Tony should give you a hint as to what she may or may not do.”
He walked off to the kitchen without waiting for a reply. Steve took that as a not so subtle hint to go have a talk with Natasha.
>>>>>
Chapter Five
Fandom: Marvel Earth-616 and Earth-3490
Characters/Pairings: Steve Rogers, Natasha Stark, Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Stephen Strange, Danny Rand, Clint Barton, Carol Danvers, Donald Blake, Sam Wilson, Jarvis (Steve/Tony pre-slash, established Steve/Natasha)
Spoilers: set post-Siege
Warnings: bodyswap (Tony to Natasha and vice-versa), alien invasion, survivor guilt, loss of spouse and child, mentions of depression and alcoholism, language, sexual content
Chapter Three
>>>>>
“What in the hell do you mean, he doesn’t remember?”
Steve paused outside the kitchen doorway, unsure as to why he felt compelled to eavesdrop on his own friends. He had just seen Natasha to Tony’s old room and her snoring could be heard through the door, which was the only reason why he was fairly sure that Jessica Jones’s shrill tone wouldn’t wake her.
“According to Richards that ain’t even Stark,” said Luke.
He snuck a quick look around the corner and saw Jessica managing to tower over her husband angrily while gently bouncing her baby. Some of the other heroes from the meeting earlier were there, including a few who hadn’t been.
“I believe it,” said Don calmly. “He didn’t even recognize me but he knew Steve right off the bat. Thor either doesn’t exist in that universe or he and Natasha Stark have never met.”
“That’s weird. I mean, Thor’s a founding Avenger,” said Spider-Man. “For you two to not have met is, you know, wrong on so many levels.”
“I don’t know,” said Danny. “I don’t think she had ever heard of Dr. Blake before today. She didn’t even know that he and Thor are the same person.”
“She?” asked Clint, sounding vaguely amused.
“Well, she is a girl. Er, woman. It just feels right is all.”
“I don’t trust him,” said Carol stubbornly. “Just because Reed Richards is a genius doesn’t mean he doesn’t make mistakes.”
“What do you suggest we do then?” Strange was as composed as always. “I don’t believe that Steve will approve of anyone interrogating Miss Stark.”
“You’re right,” said Steve, deciding now was the time to make his entrance. “No one is interrogating anyone. Right now she’s our guest here. I’ve already decided to call Charles Xavier tomorrow so we can get this worked out as quickly as possible.”
“What in the hell do we do with him in the meantime?” demanded Jessica.
“Her,” he corrected. “And let me worry about that. I’m going to bed now, and I expect to find Natasha they way I left her when I wake up bright and early tomorrow. Understand?”
None of them quavered under Steve’s stare precisely, but a few did shift in their seats or refused to make eye contact. Satisfied, he bid them good night and left the kitchen. How exactly he was supposed to get a good night’s sleep with so much on his plate was beyond him, but he was going to try.
>>>
He’s standing on the roof of the Mansion and is looking at the silhouette of a person sitting in front of him. Beside her is what appears to be a bottle of liquor, and she’s holding a small tumbler to her head like an icepack.
“Um, hello?”
She jumps in surprise and whips around, keeping the tumbler in place and not spilling a drop. It’s the woman from his last dream, but she’s much younger here and is sporting the pixie cut that Jan had been so fond of. The tumbler is covering her left eye and he can see that the glass is sweating in the evening heat.
“Steve? What in the hell are you doing up here?”
She sounds slightly panicked and quickly puts her back to him again, spine stiff. It’s obvious she wants to be left alone but he can’t leave, all he can do is sit back and watch what happens next.
“Are you okay? I mean, it’s none of my business, but I was worried. I saw that your car was here but you didn’t come to dinner so…”
He takes a seat to her right, staring straight ahead in an attempt to ease her discomfort. The view from here isn’t the least bit spectacular, but he supposes it is a good place to hide from the world for awhile. Of course his presence has obviously ruined that for her.
Tentatively she lowers the glass into her lap, cradling in both her hands for a moment before draining it in one gulp.
“Cap, you’re going to probably see some ugly headlines in the newspaper tomorrow,” she says suddenly. “I just want you to know that it won’t affect my bodyguard’s ability to go out in the field.”
He stares at her, uncomprehending. “What are you talking about?”
“Tiberius and I got into a bit of an argument earlier tonight and…well, I’m once again one of Forbes’s Most Eligible Bachelorettes.”
“You mean he broke off your engagement?” he asks, sounding stunned.
“No, that was me,” she admits.
“Oh.” Reaching out, he gently lays one of his massive hands over hers. “Are you okay?”
“Not really, no. And by ugly headlines I don’t mean the press is going to drag my name through the mud exactly, but our engagement didn’t end on the nicest of terms.”
Without knowing why, he cups her chin in his other hand and turns her head. She doesn’t resist him but now he can see why she refused to let him view her face head-on. Her left eye is well on its way to becoming an impressive shiner. Even without knowing her, he wants to hunt down the one who hurt her and make them sorry. Maybe he’s old-fashioned, but he’s a firm believer that a man should never hit a woman.
“Steve, please. You don’t have to defend my honor or anything.” He realizes that she’s gripping his arm tightly, trying to keep him from going off to no doubt seriously maim her ex-fiancé. “Honestly, I haven’t had any honor to defend since I was fifteen. Just ask Rhodey.”
She gives him a self-deprecating smile that he hates and instantly makes him angrier.
“How can you say that? You’re such a great dame-”
“Well, you’re an exceptionally great guy, Cap. Any dame would be lucky to have you.” The woman waggles her eyebrows at him suggestively. “Speaking of, have you found any yet?”
He blushes. “No, I think it’s going to take some time for me to get used to the women of this time period.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure the right one will show up eventually.”
You’re the right one, he wants to say, but can’t take control of his mouth to tell her.
“I hope you don’t mind,” she continues, “but you may be seeing more of me. I’m thinking of moving back into the Mansion.”
“It’s your house, of course I don’t mind.” He gives her a painfully platonic pat on the shoulder. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re an Avenger, too.”
>>>
When Natasha finally rolled out of bed, the clock on the nightstand told her it was half-past one in the afternoon. She’d had a feeling that Steve would let her sleep in but she hadn’t expected him to just forget her. Preferring not to dwell on that, she invaded Tony’s wardrobe. All of his suits had designer labels but the shirts and jeans he obviously wore while working in the garage were well-loved. He really was a man after her heart. She threw on a pair of jeans, one of his Black Sabbath t-shirts, and a pair of sneakers before venturing out.
This part of the tower felt very much lived in. The carpet was worn, the furniture beat up, and yet the main living room was squeaky clean. Unless she was mistaken, there was only one person who could possibly keep a place like this habitable.
She found Jarvis in the kitchen making what smelled like tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Her mouth started to water, but she paused just inside the room, unwilling to disturb the scene. It had been several years since Jarvis had last cooked anything for her on a decent stove, although the man had been very good at preparing meals using a simple Bunsen burner. He turned, no doubt sensing her presence, and smiled kindly.
“Ah, Miss Natasha. Master Rogers informed me that you may sleep late, but I don’t imagine he meant this late. I’m afraid he didn’t take your being Master Tony’s counterpart into consideration.”
“Probably not,” she agreed.
With no notice, Natasha crossed the kitchen and gave the man a hug. For a moment he just stood there, caught off guard. Then Jarvis sighed and hugged her back just as tightly. He quickly regained his composure and pulled away, sniffling discreetly.
“Right. You need to eat to regain your health.”
“You just want to fatten me up while you have the chance,” she teased him.
“You’ve discovered my insidious plot,” he retorted sarcastically.
She laughed, which brought a smile to Jarvis’s face. When he laid her lunch out on the table Natasha ate everything, feeling hungrier than she had in ages. He watched her like a hawk from his seat next to her. It was nice to know that Steve hadn’t just taken off without making sure someone would check-in on her, but it would have been a nice if he had joined her for lunch.
“Master Rogers will return later this evening.”
“How’d you know?” she asked, surprised. The only answer Jarvis gave her was a shrewd smile as he cleaned up. She sighed and shook her head, not the least bit surprised. Ignoring his protests, Natasha helped him wash the dishes. “Does Tony have a workshop here?”
Jarvis stopped scrubbing a plate, hesitant.
“There is the subbasement. It’s where he used to work on the Iron Man armor. But I doubt that Master Rogers would like you doing anything too strenuous for awhile…”
She rolled her eyes. “C’mon, Jarvis. You know me. Since when have I ever followed doctor’s orders?”
“I don’t know you,” he said. “But I do know Master Tony, and he makes for the worst patient.”
“Oh? I’m liking this guy more and more.” Natasha gave him her best puppy eyes. “Please, Jarvis, won’t you let me into the subbasement? I just want to take a look around, promise.”
“I would feel much more comfortable if Master Rogers accompanied you down there. However, I’m more than happy to show you where the training room is located.”
>>>
"So who all have you told?"
“I haven’t talked to Pepper or Rhodey yet, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Steve didn’t mean to snap at Sam, but his temper was frayed. Nothing aggravated him quite like trying to talk to politicians. He knew that they were an important part of America’s democratic process, but the fact that all they did was talk got old fast. How in the hell had Tony managed as Secretary of Defense without going postal? Sure, he had eventually lost the job, but not without a little help from Wanda.
“Hey, man.” Sam held up his hands, trying to mollify Steve. “I’m on your side.”
“I know, I’m sorry. This is just so different from being in charge of the old Avengers. At least then we took turns and there wasn’t a single specific person we had to answer to. I feel like I’m being pulled in a hundred different directions and…”
“You know you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to, Steve.”
Steve sighed and held the door of the deli open for Sam to go through. His headache was much better now after getting a decent meal. He wondered if Natasha was awake yet or if she was still out cold. He hoped she was up by now, as it was already about five o’clock.
“Yeah, but the president himself asked me. And I do want to do this.”
“Well, if anyone can do this job it’s you,” said Sam cheerfully.
“Thanks. You coming back to the tower?”
Sam shook his head. “Nah, I’ve got some work to do. I’ll probably stop by later this week.”
As Steve walked back alone, he started to imagine different scenarios in which he told Rhodey and Pepper about Tony. He didn’t think anyone would punch him, but he had a feeling that both would want to hit Tony out of exasperation, who wasn’t home right now.
Jarvis was standing there when he got off the elevator, the very picture of patience. Steve stared at him for a moment before his brain finally caught up.
“Is there something wrong?”
It was a stupid question to ask, but Steve couldn’t think of anything else to say. Jarvis somehow managed to roll his eyes without actually doing so, and cleared his throat.
“Miss Natasha has been fed lunch and has spent the last several hours in the training room. She’s asked to see the subbasement, but I thought that you might prefer to give her the tour.”
“I’ll do it tomorrow,” he said, stepping around Jarvis. “Tonight I need to-”
“Sir, if you don’t do it now, I fear we may all wake tomorrow to find that she has accidently put the Tower on lockdown while attempting to break into the workshop.”
Steve gaped at him.
“You don’t…you don’t really think she’d do that, do you?”
arvis gave him a stern look, clearly fed up with beating around the bush to get his point across.
“I do. She is a woman and a Stark. Just the fact that she essentially is Tony should give you a hint as to what she may or may not do.”
He walked off to the kitchen without waiting for a reply. Steve took that as a not so subtle hint to go have a talk with Natasha.
>>>>>
Chapter Five