Steve woke up before Natasha did the next morning.  He decided to go for a jog, leaving a note in the kitchen for Natasha in case she wondered where he had gone.  After six miles, he turned around and jogged back home. He walked into the house, heading straight for the kitchen to get water.  He had barely taken a sip from his glass when he heard what sounded like retching coming from their bathroom. He set down his cup and walked towards the sound curiously.  As he stepped into the bathroom, he found Natasha leaning over the toilet dry heaving.

"Natasha!"  he exclaimed, dropping down beside her.  He gently pulled back her hair and she slumped against his chest as she leaned back.  "You must have gotten Morgan's flu," he sighed, helping her stand back up.

She rinsed out her mouth, thankful she didn't immediately vomit again afterward.  Steve carried her back to the bed and laid her down gently. He pressed his hand against her forehead and frowned when she didn't feel that warm.

"You're not warm,"  he told her. She just groaned and burrowed further under the blankets.  "Do you want me to stay here today?"

"No,"  she said, looking up at him from the bed.  "I'll be fine. It should go away soon and if it doesn't, I'll call you."  Steve was still hesitant to leave her, but she insisted. "I'm just going to sleep it off; I won't need anything."

"Alright,"  Steve said hesitantly.  He kissed her forehead and stepped into the bathroom to flush the toilet and shower quickly.  When he came back out, Natasha was fast asleep in the bed. He sighed and got dressed quietly, leaving for the Compound after a quick breakfast.  He'd come back at noon and check on her then. If she still wasn't feeling good, he'd stay at home.

* * *

It took two hours before Natasha felt like she wasn't going to throw up if she moved.  She slowly got out of bed and pulled on a pair of leggings. She kept Steve's shirt on as she walked down the hall and into the kitchen.  He'd left some eggs in the fridge for her, but the thought of eating made her stomach churn, so she grabbed the orange juice instead.

She made her way to the living room, grabbing her laptop and opening a project she'd been working on.  She wasn't sure how long it had been since she woke up, but she was suddenly struck with the feeling of someone watching her.  She looked up from her laptop, looking around the house carefully. She hadn't heard anyone come in, but that didn't mean she was safe.  She got up from the couch to look around the backyard. Just like the house, she couldn't find anyone in either the back yard or the front yard.

The sound of the door shutting made her jump.  She quickly looked at the coffee table where she kept a gun despite not being on the field for five years.  She silently stepped towards it but stopped when Steve walked into the living room. He frowned as she visibly relaxed and looked around the house for what had set her on guard.

"What's up?"  he asked, walking over to kiss her.

"You just scared me,"  she answered, kissing him back shortly.  She turned her head when he tried to kiss her again and smirked when he frowned at her.  "I'm sick, remember?"

"Clearly you're feeling better if you're up,"  he reasoned, trying to kiss her again. Natasha ducked, grinning when he tried again.  "If you don't want to kiss me, just say so," he teased.

"I don't want you to get sick,"  she replied, walking into the kitchen to find something for lunch.

"I can't get sick,"  he reminded her happily.  "Perks of being a super soldier."

"Better safe than sorry,"  she smirked. Steve rolled his eyes and joined her in the kitchen for lunch.  He spent more time than usual at home, taking his time to eat and trying to figure out if Natasha really was feeling well enough he didn't need to stay.  Apparently she figured out what he was doing though, because as soon as they'd finished washing the dishes and he was trying to think up excuses to stay longer, she turned to him with a smirk and said,  "I'm fine, Steve. Go do your thing at the Compound. I'm not going to die in the three hours you'll be gone."

"Maybe I just want to spend time with you,"  he tried, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her to his chest.  She smiled and stretched up to kiss his lips.

"I'll be fine,"  she promised. Steve still looked unsure.  "I'm going to take another nap and I'll text you as soon as I'm up.  If I get so much as a headache, I'll let you know."

"Okay,"  Steve sighed.  He hugged her tightly then left back for the Compound while Natasha went into their bedroom to take a short nap.