Baggage

The night of Thanksgiving Steve had stayed at Nat’s well past midnight. After Natasha saw Peter to bed, her and Steve watched an old movie on the television. As the movie continued Natasha grew tired and eventually fell asleep. Steve smiled at the fact she was comfortable enough to do so around him, and draped a blanket over her frame. After he saw himself out of the house careful to make sure the door was locked when he did so.
When Nat woke up the next morning with a craned neck and confusion as to why she was on the couch it all hit her. She did not really know how to feel, first and foremost she was scared that Rumlow may be on her trail and could do harm to her son. Next, she felt oddly grateful for Steve’s presence last night. It was so foreign for her to feel comfortable around a man, she had not dared to do so in years with the exception of Fury. Feeling the ghost of a smile play on her lips, she stretched out her limbs and prepared breakfast for when her son woke up.
/
It was a slow day down at the station. Steve was a bit sleepy from getting home so late, he yawned loudly as Bucky nudged him.
“You left early last night man, where did ya go?” Bucky questioned in a mischievous tone.
“Home.” Steve said tensing, I mean it was not a complete lie.
“Liar.” Bucky scoffed.
“Uh,” Steve stuttered, suddenly nervous. He sucked at lying.
“Rogers!” Fury yelled interrupting the conversation.
“It’s alright bud, I’ll figure it out.” Bucky winked.
Steve gulped, to which Bucky chuckled. Steve hurried from his chair and into Nick’s office.
Steve sat on leather upholstered chair just in front of the man's desk.
“Sir.” Steve said nodding cordially.
Sure they saw each other out of work, and he knew that Fury did not hate him by any means. However, Steve can’t help but shit his pants a little every time he puts on his stone cold face and calls him into his office for a ‘chat’.
“Captain Rogers I have an urgent matter to discuss with you.” Fury began looking up from his papers to meet Steves terrified eyes.
“Okay.” The blonde nodded sitting up a bit straighter.
“It’s about Miss Romanoff.” He said finally.
Steve mind ran rapid. What about Natasha? Was she okay? Is she in danger? Did Fury think they were together? Nick must have seen as all the thoughts raced in his head, for he cut Steve off.
“There have been reports of someone snooping around her property.” Fury claimed telling the lie flawlessly.
Steve nodded for him to say more.
“She’s worried. She’s in a new town, new people, and she’s got a great kid she looks out for.” He finished.
However, Steve did not seem satisfied with his answer, and looked for him to say more.
Then Nick felt his palms grow clammy. Why was he nervous, it’s just Rogers? However, he knew exactly why. Natasha was hard to read by virtually everyone expect for him and as it seemed to be Steve. The redhead clearly felt something more than platonic for Steve and he did not want to fuck up her happiness by spilling her life story before she was ready.
“Look,” He softened.
“Nat is an old friend of mine. Closest thing I got to a daughter, I’m the one who convinced her to come closer to me and I just don’t want to let her down.” Fury said being unremarkably emotional.
This time Steve let up, and offered a small smile.
“Just look out for her, check in. Plus you live right next door so keep an eye out, if I did it would just seem suspicious and piss her off.” Fury said slipping back into his ice cold front.
“Got it sir. Will that be all?” Steve questioned.
“No, Rogers go home. You look exhausted, the station is full enough.” Fury ordered.
Steve was not one to protest to that, so he got up and placed his hand on the door.
“And Captain,” Fury called back.
“Yes sir?” Steve asked.
“Tell anyone what I told you, and you’ll regret it.” Fury said not looking up from his papers.
“Of course sir.” Steve said nervously, finally closing the door and leaving.
/
Steve had been gone for about an hour and Bucky was bored senseless. Fury was talking intently to Hill in his office for she just got back from some top secret, all important intel for a case. No calls had come in, Wanda was busy with something at the hospital, Steve was out, and Barton was working on that damn case. Despite Clint looking hard at work Bucky decided that was his best shot at some entertainment. Quietly lifting himself from his chair he tiptoed over to Barton’s desk and peered over his shoulder planning on doing a jump scare. But then something caught Barnes eyes. A photograph of a young girl, cuts all over her face, one eye swollen shut. The thing that caught his attention is how familiar she looked to him, but he could not put his finger on it. Since Bucky had been occupied observing the photo, Clint picked up on his presence. Slamming the file shut, he turned to sneer at Barnes.
“What the hell are you doing?” He asked angry.
The brunette shook from his trance.
“I was getting up here to scare you but hey, who was that? Feel like I know em’.” Bucky questioned reaching for the file.
Nervous, Clint clutched the file before Bucky could get his hands on it.
“No one, It’s no one. Just the russians again, go back to work Barnes.” He demanded more than suggested.
Bucky knew there was more to it, but decided to leave it alone. I mean, he did always figure out everything eventually.
/
“Hey Nat, I’m coming over we need to talk.” He said to which she replied okay, and he hung up the phone.
He rallied his people and started for his house.
/
Not even ten minutes later a knock sounded on her door. She jumped a bit despite knowing who it was. Walking toward the door she opened it wide for the trio in front of her.
“Hey, mind if we come in?” Clint asked.
“No of course.” She said stepping aside to make way.
“Where the boy?” Fury asked looking around.
“He’s spending the night with Tony. Thought it might be safer and he begged me too.” Nat said turning to grab a mug filled with tea.
“Ah.” He replied with.
“So what is all this about?” Nat asked breaking the ice.
“Your case.” Hill answered pulling some papers from her bag.
Nat has known Maria for sometime now. After meeting Fury she was quickly introduced to his right hand.
“What about it? I know Rumlow and Rollins poked around my old place in the city but I thought it was okay?” She said tensing.
“It was,” Clint began, “IN mean it is.” He finished.
“So then what is this all about?” Nat asked.
“I was sent out to investigate the lead this past week. Your landlord gave them no information and said they’d never seen you around,” She explained to which Natasha sighed in relief.
“But I followed Rumlow and Rollins when they left the city. They drive to Connecticut, New Port that is.” She finished.
“That's good right? Means they’re getting father?” Natasha said trying to settle her voice.
“He’s in the states.” Fury said throwing down a grainy photo of Alexi pacing around a large looking home, as he talked on his phone.
A gasp escaped Natasha look as she was in shock to see a photo of him for the first time in years. It was too soon, it hurt too much.
“We know he has been a few times. Looking for you or handling business but he bought an estate in New Port. It’s not the best news but nothing to panic about. This just gives him more access to follow leads easy. But essentially he has none and it will be easier to catch him doing now that he is under our noses.” Clint assured but Natasha could sense the uneasiness in his voice.
“But that's not all.” She added.
Fury pulled out three more photos.
“Ivan and Thanos.” He said pointing to two individual shots.
“Sitwell and Pierce.” Fury said handing her a single photo with the two men in deep conversation.
“I don’t understand if they are all criminal in the same place why can’t you just arrest them!” She yelled.
“Went I went in to raid the home they were all gone. The place is like a fall back thing probably where they go to regroup we have some survallig it looking for activity. But we can’t get a warrant to search.” Maria explained.
“Why?” Nat questioned.
“Land isn’t under any of their names.” Clint answered.
“Then whose name is it under?” Nat asked.
“Adrian Eduard Romanova.” Fury said a bit reluctant.
Fury slipped over a paper with the signature of those letters scrawled at the bottom. However Natasha had no idea if that even looked like her fathers real signature. He burned to a crisp along with her mother when she was a young child. The fact if he was alive was not in question, he was ashes no. The fact that Alexi and his goons were sick enough to pose as her late father made her sick to her stomach.
Tears pricked her eyes and before she knew it one had slipped out.
“Thank you all for coming. I think it is time you go.” She said doing her best to remain composed and steady as she walked and opened the door.
“Nat-” Fury pleaded.
“I’ll call when I’m ready.” Was all she answered with.
She did not look up to see their faces but she heard two pairs of feet go to the door, as someone shuffled papers.
Slamming her hand atop the manila folder.
“Don’t. Leave it.” She demanded to Hill.
“I-” Maria began.
“It’s okay Let’s go.” Fury assured.
The trio left as Natasha was left in her home. Alone, scared, as demons from her past sat atop of her counter in the form of a photograph.
/
When Clint got home he just felt sad. Sad for Natasha in the life she was leading. Sa dhow thos news had affected her and ultimately how it will effect her son. Sad he couldn't do his fucking job and solve the case that’s been haunting him for well over a year now. Laura picked up on the fact too, but decided to address it when the kids weren't listening. So as Clint clambered into bed after a long shower, Laura placed her book on hr chest and turned her head to meet his eyes.
“What’s up?” She asked knowing all too well.
Clint sighed, his facade crumbling in that breath.
“You know my case.” He began.
“The one with the russian ballerina? Sure.”
“You know Natasha. Red hair, went to Wanda and Barnes for Thanksgiving?” Clint asked.
Laura nodded.
“Yes, she was lovely. But I am not seeing the correlation.” She stated.
“Natasha is the russian ballerina. Natasha is Natalia.” He told her.
“Oh my god.” Laura breathed.
“She in witness protection so no one can no about this, not that I think you’ll tell but hell I’m not even supposed to know. I put it together myself, Fury moved her out here to keep a closer eye.” Clint explained.
“Okay, but isn’t that a good thing. You can keep a better watch?” Laura suggested.
“Sure it is. But we just got wind that the crew after her has relocated to the states and signing legal documents under her deceased father name, it just wasn't fun telling her.” He said sadly.
“I know, but you’re doing your best. Of course it was hard telling her, but it would have been harder keeping the fact from her.” Laura stated.
Clint nodded.
“You’re right.” He agreed.
“I know, now get some rest and try to relax.” She said flicking off the light, and kissing his cheek.
“You’re doing good Clint, don’t forget that. I love you.” She told him.
He smiled and she could see even in the darkness.
“I love you too.” He said snuggling up to her as they drifted to sleep.
/
It was late. Natasha knew that much. She has been staring at these pictures for hours. Reading over the real estate contract over and over as her eyes drew to the scrawl at the bottom. Her eyes stung and were no doubt as red as her hair. The only reason she pried the file from her hands was the loud knock that sounded through her home. Jumping, she grabbed a nearby weapon of choice and slowly approached the door. Throwing it open she put the candle stick down on the nearby table.
“Natasha.” Steve said smiling a little.
Not wanting to speak, she widened the door for him to step through. Her face was not clear to him as it was dark outside.
As he stepped into her home and under the lights he looked in her eyes. Sad and full of unshed tears. Her face flushed and cheeks stained with tears. Steves blue eyes softened and filled with concerned taking in her appearance. However he did not look disgusted by the way she looked, scared of her vulnerability. He just looked worried for her and that he wanted to help. It was touching really and if Natahs were not so damn upset at the moment she probably would have smiled.
“What’s wrong?” He finally questioned.
Natasha tried to speak. Say anything. But she cracked. No, she broke. Steve was there in an instance his strong arms catching her from her head from colloding to the floor, instead slowly bringing her to her knees and wrapping his arms around her. He stroked her hair gently as he whispered he was here for her continually. \When he sobs subsided her escorted her to the couch and gave her a glass of water.
“I’m sorry.” She said to him embarrassed.
“What are you sorry for?” He asked softly.
“For you having to see that.” She said her eyes trained anywhere but on him.
“Don’t apologize okay? I’m here to help you.” He said it so seriously she couldn't even argue with the fact and she didn’t have the energy anyways.
“You’re not gonna ask why? Run for the hills?” She said her self doubt creeping in.
“You’ll tell me when your ready.”The blonde stated.
Her eyes softened as she met his baby blues. This man was perfect.
“As for running, I came over here so.” He joked.
“Why are you here? Not that I mind.” She asked.
He shrugged.
“How about a movie?” He asked.
She nodded. Why did this feel so right?
“Horror.” She demanded.
“What if Peter hears?” He asks grabbing the remote.
God he cared about her son too.
“He’s staying with Tony for some slumber party.” She waved off.
He chuckled and fired up Netflix.
They settled on some cheesy horror movie, and somehow Natasha had fine herself tucked into his side as a blanket draped over them. Natasha was too tired to care about how close she had gotten and too said. Just as she was about to ask Steve why he had really come, she remembered his words from the previous night.
I didn’t want you to be alone.
Natasha smiled to herself and continued enjoying the moment, as the world slipped away.