18

Natasha can be pretty fierce, but after a split second's thought, you shake your head. "No, Tasha," you say. "Steve wouldn't leave me behind if I were compromised."

Together, you and Tony get Steve up off the ground. Tony's bearing most of his weight, because a Super Soldier is no laughing matter and the armour is more than a match for him - and then suddenly there's a hail of bullets and something hits you hard in the side (flash of red-and-gold; Tony's throwing you out of the way) and everything goes black for a second.

When you can see again (and damn, that blow to the ribs is painful), Steve is collapsed in a corner, fresh stain on his uniform, and Natasha is shouting through the faceplate of the Iron Man suit. The repulsors and the little LED lights are all dark.

You're pretty sure that's not supposed to happen, and when Natasha looks at you, she confirms it. "He won't wake up."

Oh. Great.