Chapter 3
Natasha would not allow Yelena's feet to touch the floor. She wanted her close and as they walked she thought of how that girl, Maria was able to calm Yelena so easily. Melina couldn’t even calm the girl when asked to watch her, why was this stranger different?
The group of four continued through the mostly empty hallways and up several flights of stairs. Natasha refused to enter the elevator, not wanting to be forced in a closed space with others while she was cuffed and had her daughter to protect.
Once they reached a set of double doors labeled "medical wing" Natasha was shaking. She couldn't control it, the second she smelt the antiseptic her breath was catching in her throat.
"We will be meeting with Dr. Helen Cho. She's my favorite, I think you'll like her."
Natasha shivered, this is wrong, it's all wrong. She watched as a nurse approached Barney and led them to a room. She has to get out, she's being led into a trap.
The nurse explained how she would have to change into a gown and in an instant her handcuffs were removed. The nurse exits the room followed by Clint and Barney. Only then did Natasha set Yelena down on the exam table.
She quickly changed both of their clothes. The doctor entered the room and Natasha put an arm in front of her little girl protectively. Her posture was rigid and she felt foolish for trusting Barney.
“Hi, I am Doctor Cho but you can call me Helen, before we get started, is anything bothering you today?”
“No ma’am.”
“Alright, let’s get started, if you feel uncomfortable with anything just let me know and we’ll figure out how to work around that.”
Helen saw Natasha nod slightly. She could almost feel the nerves radiating off of Natasha.
“Can you give me your full name and date of birth?”
“Natalia Alianova Romanova. January 1st 1973.”
“You are 20?” Helen knew that couldn't possibly be right, the woman looked barely 18.
“Yes ma’am.”
“There is no need to call me ma’am, can you tell me when your last period was?” Yelena began to get bored of this situation and started whining. Natasha picked her up with ease.
“I don't understand.” Natasha furrowed her eyebrow.
“Your menstruation cycle? Time of the month?” Helen tried thinking of different slang words for a period that Natasha may know.
“I don't, I don't know what you are asking?” Natasha began to worry at her inability to provide an answer. God this is it, they're going to give her back.
Instead of getting upset Helen just smiled, “Would you like me to look up the Russian terminology?”
“Да.” Natasha was desperate to supply an answer, she needed to prove her worth, she could only imagine what the doctors would do to her otherwise.
Helen typed on her computer and turned it so Natasha could read the translator, “менструальный цикл”
“This, when did you have this last?” Natasha looked at her in subtle fear, her brow was furrowed and she was clearly confused, “Do you understand what it is?”
“нет.”
“It is essentially the shedding of the uterus lining.” She types this into the translator just to make sure Natasha could understand her.
“I don't have that.”
Helen gestures for her to elaborate further.
“I don't have a uterus, I had a гистерэктомия.”
Helen is now confused, she provides her device so Natasha will be able to type into the translator.
“A hysterectomy?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Do you know why? Did you have cancer?”
“I would not like to talk about that.” At this Helen took the hint, she was instructed not to push the girl too much considering they didn't know her history with medics. Clearly her past experiences were not pleasant.
“Okay, that’s okay, do you know when you had the surgery?”
“I was 19.” She was 14.
“And was this after you had Yelena?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ever menstruate before your hysterectomy?”
“Not sure.” There were holes starting to form in Natasha’s story.
“Alright have you had any other illnesses, long term injuries or prescribed medication?”
Natasha tried hard not to scoff, they would be here a long time if she had to list every injury she ever had.
“No ma’am.”
“Alright, I'm going to do a head to toe examination.”
Helen took care in explaining everything she did before she did it. She checked Natasha's vision, hearing, height, weight, lungs, blood pressure, pulse, the whole works. Helen’s gaze never lingered on the scars that littered Natasha's body although she did take note of the thick white lines near her abdomen.
“Are you up to date on all your vaccines?”
Natasha visibly shuddered, it wasn't a controlled response, she could just feel the poking and prodding of the experimental drugs, poisons, and anecdotes.
“I don't know what they gave me.”
Helen nodded, “That's okay, We can get you up to date, I have a list of vaccines I'll have you look through and we can figure out which seems like a good option, Okay?” Helen could tell Natasha wouldn’t handle the shots well, It was clear the girl was visibly scared of the idea. Natasha had start to breathe heavier and Helen knew it was time to move on from the topic.
Helen next started with Yelena’s paperwork and asked Natasha a few questions about her appetite and if she had any concerns. Helen then tested Yelena the same way she did for Natasha. Only difference being that Yelena was much more easy going and less afraid of the doctor.
“Do you know if Yelena has received any vaccinations?”
Natasha shook her head. She never wanted her daughter to go through what she did in the Room.
“Alright, at two years we need to get her the DTaP, IPV, Hib, MMR, HepB, varicella, rotavirus, and pneumococcal vaccines.” Helen quickly shut her mouth when she realized the overload of information she had given Natasha.
“I won't let you poison her.”
Helen smiled and sat down, “ I will explain to you what each one of these vaccines do and how they will help your daughter. You will also need similar vaccinations, if it makes you feel better we can administer your vaccines first.”
Natasha bit her lip, “Tell me what they do please, I want to see each one and see you prepare it.”
Helen nodded and called in a nurse to start bringing in the list of vaccinations. While the nurse started bringing them in Helena explained each vaccine and showed Natasha a list of recommended vaccines Natasha herself should get. Helen recommended about fifty different shots that Natasha should have been getting since birth, However she knew fifty would be too many vaccines all at once, some vaccines also needed to be given six months after the first dose. They narrowed the list to fifteen that Natasha would get now and the rest would be given over the course of the year. Every two months Natasha set a date she would come in to receive her vaccines.
She felt fine up until the time came to draw the first shot. Helen explained everything she was doing and made sure Natasha knew she would be feeling a slight pinch. Natasha went through six of the fifteen planned vaccines before she started to hyperventilate. Cho decided to stop there, they would get to those ones eventually. Instead they waited for Natasha to calm down before getting five shots ready for Yelena.
Natasha held the girl as she received her vaccines. Yelena screamed and cried and Natasha cried a little with her but she understood that these weren't shots full of poison. They were much different from the vaccines Natasha received growing up.
By the time it was over Natasha was feeling the aches in her arm. Helen confirmed their next appointment and gave Natasha her and Yelena’s vaccination cards. Yelena still sniffled a little but when Helen offered her a lollipop she stopped crying all together.
Natasha was then reunited with Barney and Clint. Barney decided to take them to the cafeteria to get some food before showing them to their room. Natasha walked at an even pace with Barney, Clint was speed walking to catch up to them.
“I heard they have mac and cheese today.” Clint piped up, wanting to feel included.
Yelena lifted her head at that, “mac n chee.”
“Yes mac n chee.” Clint grinned.
Barney sat with Natasha and Yelena at a table and sent a client to get four servings of mac and cheese. When Clint returned Natasha took the food from Yelena and mixed it thoroughly before tasting it. She then handed it back to the girl and did the same with her own. It wasn't until halfway through the meal that Clint pointed out Natasha didn’t have her handcuffs on.
“I didn't put them back on, It's okay for now while she eats Clint .” Barney responded. Natasha was shocked that Barney didn't immediately re-cuff her at the realization. She could see real differences between SHIELD and the Red Room.
As they continued to eat Barney brought up a topic that had been weighing on him.
“Natalia, I spoke with you about the deprogramming, yes?”
“I guess so?”
Barney tapped his hand against his leg anxiously.
“Director Fury spoke with me and he believes it will be best to have someone else help you care for Yelena during that time as it will be very- strenuous, mentally.”
Natasha shook her head, “I will be fine, I do not need help.”
Barney sighed silently, “This is not up to you Natasha, while going through this process you will be unfit to care for a child, I'm just informing you now that I will be setting up someone to help you care for her.”
“I don’t want that. I thought- you can't just take her from me.”
“We aren't, I promised, remember? I'll have to talk to Fury to go over more details of how it's going to work. I just wanted to let you know ahead of time.”