a wolf is always shot

Don’t do that. Don’t tell me you’re fine. *Bucky reaches over and takes the syringe from her, then brushes some hair off her forehead*

*he cuddles up to her*

*sways* I’m sorry to have worried everyone, it was just a little case of the ninja stab. Some stupid poison shouldn’t have taken me out..sloppy. Never should’ve gotten so close to begin with…

*long sigh* I was...all right a second ago. *there is a fading quality about her. One can actually see veins pulsing faintly under her skin*

Don’t do that. Don’t tell me you’re fine. *Bucky reaches over and takes the syringe from her, then brushes some hair off her forehead*

*he cuddles up to her*

*sways* I'm sorry to have worried everyone, it was just a little case of the ninja stab. Some stupid poison shouldn't have taken me out..sloppy. Never should've gotten so close to begin with...

Don’t do that. Don’t tell me you’re fine. *Bucky reaches over and takes the syringe from her, then brushes some hair off her forehead*

Don’t do that. Don’t tell me you’re fine. *Bucky reaches over and takes the syringe from her, then brushes some hair off her forehead*

That injury you took in the foot poisoned you. We’ve got you in the Tower while Betsy Braddock follows up some leads. 

*his hands bunch in the bedspread*

*he picks up her hand and kisses it*

That injury you took in the foot poisoned you. We’ve got you in the Tower while Betsy Braddock follows up some leads. 

*his hands bunch in the bedspread*

[Threat detected]

*light plays off the metal arm, and James moves closer, close enough so that she can see the interplay of circuitry in his palm, the trust in his eyes*

*she knows the one on the right.  She's seen him before.  It makes sense that he's here.  She doesn't know the scientist.*

*She knows the scientist.*

*He isn't wearing a coat.  He's wearing a t-shirt.  She knows this t-shirt.*

*There is humming under the fist that is clenching the t-shirt.  He is not supposed to be here.  Wait, where is here?*

*Natasha blinks.*

*This looks like the Avengers Tower.  James isn't supposed to...  Yes he is.*

*Identity crashes back into place like a well-oiled elevator; you can almost hear the ding.*  Ah.  OK.

*Bucky’s jaw works, looking down at Natasha*

Give me something to punch and I’ll do that. I’m real good at punching. But until i can do that, I ain’t leaving her. I made a promise. I think you understand that.

*he looks at Tony*

*Natasha’s eyes seem to fill the entire world:  wide and blazing in a face so pale it looks translucent.  All of her seems translucent, in fact, as if she is fading, except for those eyes*

*still holding Tony down with one hand, takes the needle from him with the other.  She moves slowly now, almost meditatively*

*Bucky’s jaw works, looking down at Natasha*

Give me something to punch and I’ll do that. I’m real good at punching. But until i can do that, I ain’t leaving her. I made a promise. I think you understand that.

*he looks at Tony*

*Natasha's eyes seem to fill the entire world:  wide and blazing in a face so pale it looks translucent.  All of her seems translucent, in fact, as if she is fading, except for those eyes*

*that’s pretty much as much of an answer as she gives.  They’re up and over the ledge.  It takes a little while, but soon, Felicia’s up and moving again, carrying Natasha, able to move faster now that gravity doesn’t have as much of an advantage on them.*

Avengers Tower…dump me on the doorstep.  I'm not dying…on this roof.  Everything…for a reason.  

*she slams her glove into the wall, a bit higher, pulls them up from the grappling line.*

She stops running, the smile melting right off her face, and she turns around to see Natasha plummet.  For a second, she freezes, a chill and a fear she hasn’t felt in a long, long time racing through her.  …She looks almost angry when she realizes what she has to do.*

Ah, son of a bitch…

*and she jumps, falling with her body straight so that she can gain velocity and catch the falling woman.  It’s a split second - once she does, she shoots out her claw grappling hook.  They’re too low by now though, and she puts out her feet as they meet the side of the building at some impressive speeds.  Thank god these aren’t just any old boots.  Getting up, now, was going to be difficult.

She looks up and shakes her head, holding up her gloved hand like a claw ready to strike and she plunges it into the building face.  Climbing up was going to take a while but she could do it.  This had better be worth it.

*She slipped.  She never slips.  There is something very, very wrong.  Heart pounding, she tries to wiggle her toes.  Loss of sensation in extremities --how about moving?--  was that a blackout? will there be another one?  The realization comes to her, cold and inevitable, that she will not make it like this, not to Brooklyn, not to the clinic in Hell's Kitchen, not to the Stark Tower.*

*And yet perhaps there's hope.*

*Natasha breathes out*

*her tone is different, and the word wouldn't be heard if it wasn't for the wind.*

*Sometimes it takes one perfect, careful step to shift fates; sometimes, a mad leap.*

*Sometimes, there is another option.*

Yeah, I have.  *she scampers to the edge of the rooftop just like a stray running from a restaurant from which she’s just stolen food.*  Several times, in fact.  Diplomacy doesn’t suit you, honey.  This is much better.

*she jumps like a gazelle from one rooftop to the next.  And the chase is back on.*

Then action you'll get!  

I see what’s going on here.