He knew she was okay, he could feel it, hear her... Still he had to bring his trembling hand to her neck to feel her skin smooth and intact there, free of every trace of blood, of the slightest scrape.

Only now he he could allow his body to relax back into the mattress. The adrenaline of an unexpected turn in the middle of a most pleasant dream had his body wired up, though. His back hard with tension, his eyes searching the room a few times, making sure everything was in order before he pressed his forehead against Natasha's shoulder.

He was still trying to get his breathing under control when he loosened the hold of his arms around her back, afraid to hurt her, just gently placed his hands on her waist instead.

"We're safe, right? We're alone..."