Baggage

The day following Natasha birthday she rose early for work. Natasha was not looking forward to today, this particular time of year had been busy for the hospital. A slew of people who stupidly tried hunting their own turkey;s or burns from experimenting in the kitchen and even someone who got hit by a car during the Thanksgiving day Parade, it was bizarre. The worst part about it all is all these patients with the odd injuries just reminded her more of the holiday. Natasha had actually never celebrated Thanksgiving. It wasn't a russian holiday and every year she had been in AMerica for it she was alone, so what was even the point? This year however, she had Peter. She wanted nothing more to give him what he deserved even if that meant celebrating a holiday that was a foreign concept to her. Throwing her pen down a bit aggressively she groaned and tugged her hair.
“Frustrated?” A feminine voice asked.
“These are just all so stupid! Someone came in because they shot themselves in the foot trying to catch a wild turkey.” Natasha said annoyed.
Wanda chuckled.
“Drinks after work should ease your mind though right?” Wanda winked.
“Right, I have it all set, seven right?” Natasha asked again.
The brunette nodded as she went to do rounds on her patients.
Within the past weeks Natasha had settled into her new life and work she found solace in Wanda. Wanda was a woman, around Nat’s age. She explained that a few years back her brother asked if she could oversee some property he owned around here whistle he rebuilt houses for those in need globally. Wanda accepted the offer and after months of living in her twins home, he called saying that he wouldn't be back. There was a terrible wreckage in a country and he was making it his life's mission to fix it, he also offered Wanda his house. She gracefully said yes, and got a job at the local hospital. Just some months into her new job a man came in. A young amputee who was looking for nothing more than someone who could make him better, Wanda never thought that someone would be her. Her and BUcky fell in love quickly, and he even moved in with her not too long after. The pair was happy as could be and now Wanda was awaiting for him to finally pop the question.
Recalling the information Wanda had shared in previous weeks, Nat smiled to herself, hoping she too could have a good experience here. Delving back into her paperwork, she was so focused, she didn't even notice the man standing over her.
“Natasha.” The stern voice called.
Her head snapped meeting his.
“Oh hi sorry.” She said embarrassed.
“I got an important patient coming in for his routine check up, mind helping me out?” Stephen Strange asked.
Natasha nodded and slid her paperwork into the appropriate cubby.
“Normally Wanda does this sort of thing, but he hasn't been in for sometime and things have changed.” Strange said leading her to a nearby room.
They stopped sometime down the hall, and he turned to her.
“Just get the protechic off best you can/” He instructed her as he turned the knob.
She nodded and walked into the room. She found a pretty built man with brown hair that looks freshly cut, and a beard. He was slumped over in a white tank top and a discarded uniform of some sort pooling at the floor.
“Hi, I’m Natasha I’ll be your nurse.” She smiled, reaching to the closet for some gloves.
Turning back to him she offered him smile which he returned.
“Doctor Strange asked we remove the proethic for today's appointment. I’ll be as careful as I can, if anything hurts don’t bother to tell me.” Nat said sweetly.
He nodded. Gently placing her hands on his arm she pulled at it. He winced loduly, to which Natasha pulled away her hands and he gave her a lazy grin.
“Just hurts a little, nothing I can’t handle, may help if we talk. Distracts me.” He explained.
Natasha reached for his arm again and tugged, this time speaking.
“Feel alright>” She asked checking in.
He nodded in response, his eyes squinted.
“So Natasha, you're new around here, I come around more than the average guy, never seen ya.” He questioned.
Natasha nodded, he looked vaguely familiar.
“Just started here three weeks ago and moved into a house on Wakdana lane.” The red head told him.
“I used to live with my buddy there. Nice place.” He finished.
“Yeah, it is.” She agreed taking a bit harder.
Bucky yelped/
“Mr.Barnes I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-” She began.
He waved his hand.
“No it’s fine. I’m just used to Wanda is all.” He said politely.
“Would you like me to page her?” Natasha questioned.
He shook his head.
“No, it's fine it's probably against some rule,” He mumbled.
Natashas barely caught it but, heard it.
“Plus you’re doing well Natasha.” he added.
She smiled and placed her hands back to their former place.
“Against protocol huh?” She teased.
“Yeah, Wanda’s my girlfriend.” He stated proudly.
This time Natasha pulled away, not because she was hurting him though.
“Wait Bucky?” She asked surprised.
“Yep.” He said popping the p.
“I think we saw each other briefly at the Lang’s and Wanda doesn;t stop talking about you.” She laughed. Bucky chuckled.
“Yeah I remember now, and you called about your car two weeks back?” He said it now all making sense.
“That’d be me.” She declared.
They went into silence for a brief moment.
“Well Wanda talks about the nice new woman she works with all the time, assuming she's not referring to the old guy in the front.” He joked.
This time Natasha laughed, and they entered into casual conversation. They were engrossed in exchanging tales about Wanda that Bucky had not even felt the protechic slide swiftly from his stump of a shoulder.
“All right you’re goof. Now for vitals.” She told him.
Turning to the cabinet with the supplies, she heard a knock on the door, Bucky said come in as she heard feet shuffle across the floor. Figuring it was Strange she continued organizing the gadgets she would need for the routine check up. Hearing a thump of someone's body on the plastic chair, well that definitely was not Strange.
“You’re late punk.” Bucky said, but no annoyance evident.
“Well I was busy, too bad your a baby and couldn't come alone.” The voice joked, and she heard it clear as day.
It was Steve.
Turning apprehensively holding a thermometer, she looked to Bucky.
“Alright, open wide.” She instructed.
Bucky stuck his tongue out, and added an ‘ah’ for effect. AT this point Steve was slipping his phone into his pocket because he recognized Natasha’s voice, like she had to his.
“Natasha.” Steve said, his face practically glowing.
She couldn’t help but smile back.
“Hi Steve.” She added her teeth baring into a smile that Steve was sure could kill a man.
Bucky grumbled something with his lips clamped around the small stick.
“Shh.” Natasha hushed teasing a bit.
Seconds later, Natasha retracted the device and jotted down his perfect temperature.
“You two know each other?” Bucky said exasperated.
“Sure. Nat lives in Erskine's old place.” Steve explained.
Bucky suggestively wiggled his brows, recalling a conversation Steve had mentioned how he like his new neighbor.
Natasha carried on with her duties, and Steve admired how gentle she was. Not to mention the green scrubs she wore looked so fucking perfect with her eyes it's a sight he could never get bored of.
“All done. Strange should be in any second. Enjoy the rest of your day Mr.Barnes.” She smiled at him.
Bucky returned the gesture.
“You too.” He added.
“Nice seeing you Steve.” She said softly to the blonde like it was just a secret for them two, but Bucky of course heard.
“See you later Nat.” He replied in a low tone.
Smiling one last time, she left the room.
“Oh my god!” Bucky exclaimed.
Steve couldn't stop smiling.
“Stevie likes a girl!” Bucky said excited with wide eyes.
“Shh, she might hear.” Steve chided embarrassed.
“It's here, the one you were talking about down at the station.” Bucky recalled.
Steve blushed, and Bucky already had his answer.
“I can’t believe this. I gotta tell Sam!” Bucky said pulling out his phone. Before the conversation could carry Strange came in.
/
Bucky’s check up went seemingly well. Everything looked good following the surgery and he was able to get off of some medication from the good progress. Steve and Bucky left in good spirits, and of course teasing from Bucky about Natasha.
/
At seven Wanda and Natasha piled into their cars and drove off to a local bar. Natasha was grateful for tony, surprising right? He agreed to watch Peter some more so she would unwind, Stark claimed he could eat the kid up. Tony's only condition was that if she gets drunk that she, and quote: ‘Do him, and not some other guy’. Natasha just scoffed and kissed Peter bye.
/
Peter and Tony were lounging on the couch watching a rerun of some kids show. Currently the young boy was having a heart to heart with his son about something that was blown out of proportion.
“Mr. Stark.” Peter asked.
“Yeah kid?” Tony said, not averting his eyes from the television.
“Will I ever have a dad?” Peter asked.
Tony's head snapped his small brown eyes glued to his.
“I love Mama, but she never talks about him, and everyone else has one.” Peter said a matter of fact.
“Come ‘ere.” Tony said extending his arms.
Peter crawled across the cushions and collapsed on Tony;s lap.
“I never had a dad kid.” He explained.
Peter looked up.
“You didn’t?” He questioned.
“No. And, I turned out good, wanna know why?” He asked the kids instinctively stroking the child's hair.
“I had amazing mom just like you. I also had so many other people helping me that they almost felt like a father you know?” He questioned.
He felt Peter nod.
“Thanks Mr.Stark.” He said appreciative.
Tony nodded and patted his shoulder.
“No problem kid, you know I’m here for you.” He stated.
Damn Tony was soft for this kid.
/
Natasha and Wanda were enjoying themselves. Spending the first half of their time together about Bucky and how Wanda thought it was hilarious how she ended up as his nurse.
“Surprised Buck wasn't in a mood” Wanda hiccuped.
“Why?” Nat asked.
“The past few days he's been uptight about Thanksgiving, he does the cooking.” She explained downing some liquor.
“What’re you doing for tomorrow?” Wanda questioned.
“Nothing, I’ve never celebrated.” Natasha said a bit ashamed.
“What!” Wanda yelled.
“No, you’re coming over tomorrow.” She said as if it were not up for question.
“No I couldn't, It's a burden with me and Pe-” She began to protest.
“Please, Peter won’t be an issue. Plus the Barton;s will keep him busy. Please Nat.” She begged gripping the red heads wrists and whining.
Natasha chuckled at the childish gesture, and rolled her eyes.
“Fine.” She reluctantly agreed.
“Yay!” Wanda clapped.
Natasha had no idea what she just agreed to.
/
“Huh.” Bucky breathed out.
“What is it?” Steve questioned, downing his beer
“Nothing Wanda just told me someone else is coming tomorrow.” Bucky explained.
He shrugged.
“Ah what's one more.” He said.
“Wonder who?” The captain questioned.
“I dunno man, maybe I finally got a girlfriend.” Bucky jokes.
Steve laughed out loud.
Bucky plopped next to his friend on the couch.
“Do you want it to be someone particular?” He teased.
“Maybe a specific redhead nurse?” He poked his friends chest.
“Knock that off, she’s probably busy anyways. She had other obligations.” He said mysteriously.
“Like what? A husband? A boyfriend?” Bucky questioned.
“A kid.” Steve finished.
Bucky looked perplexed.
“He’s about two, adopted. He’s the cutest thing ever, not to mention how Nataha is with him makes me want her more.” He said seeming in a daze.
“That doesn't turn you off? Its alot to handle.” Bucky said bewildered.
“Not at all. He’s the best kid I’ve met, she's doing great makes me respect her more. I mean sure if it was anybody else maybe, but with her it's different.” He said infatuated.
“I mean she could an assassin for all I care, and I’d still want her man. She’s so amazing I mean I can tell there's more to her but I don't even care because what she presents is so spectacular. BUt, there's a sadness in her eyes sometimes I just wish I could hold her.” He explained
The room fell silent.
“Some speech Rodgers.” Bucky commented.
Steve laughed.
“An assassin was the best you could come up with?” Bucky teased.
Steve chuckled.
“Yeah I mean I bet she would look so good in a cat sit, or anything really.” He explained, shrugging.
Bucky choked on his drink.
“Okay Rogers, lets lay off the beer. You got a big day tomorrow.” Bucky said snagging his bottle.
Little did Steve know how big his day would really be.