Chapter 4: A familiar face

1 week later...

Nat and Steve had both begun to get restless. The bunker was cold, uncomfortable, unpleasant, and it was small. They had no privacy from one another, and they had no means of showering or bathing. Nat had begun to get snippy and testy at the smallest things, and Steve had taken to long walks that lasted way into the night, long after Nat had fallen asleep.

"Steve, do you think it's time we moved on? To a new hideout?" Nat was standing by the hole in the ceiling, sunlight flooding into the room, illuminating the back of her head."And where would you go, Nat?""We could contact Clint? Ask if we could stay for a short while?" Nat looked earnestly at Steve, she didn't look great. Her skin was paler, and she had dark circles under her bloodshot eyes."I don't think I have any service out here.""Then let's go drive somewhere where there is service." There was a desperate look in her green eyes that overpowered the rest of his senses."Fine. Do you want to walk to the edge of the woods and I pick you up there, or do you think that you can manage the drive?""I think I can walk, but drive close to my side just in case. This morning sickness is a nasty piece of work." Steve nodded as he packed up their belongings. They headed out towards the truck, the sunlight dancing through the leaves above, creating glittery patterns on the forest floor. Steve put the bags in the back seats whilst he took his usual spot in the driver's. He started up the engine and back slowly driving out, with Nat following, her hand on her small bump. He kept the window open, chatting to Nat as they continued towards the road. "How long we're you thinking?" Steve asked, a few minutes after they had left."A week or two. Depends on how long they think it's ok for us to stay there for.""You sure you don't want to get in?""I'm sure. If you want me to, I can walk faster.""Do what you think is best, 'Tasha." Nat sped up, Steve keeping up with her."Are we going to tell them?""What, that I'm pregnant? Maybe, I'm not sure, not unless I think that there is any need to.""C'mon, he's one of your best friends, you're gonna have to tell him.""Jeez Rogers, stop telling me what to tell my friends." Natasha smirked, glancing over at Steve's concentrated face as he looked at the tracks ahead. She began to get out of breath, panting slightly with each step she took."Are you sure you don't want to get in?" "Yes, Rogers, I'm sure." She panted."Natasha, stop. Get in the truck, you're gonna knock yourself out.""I'm- fine-..." Nat was gasping at this point."No, you're not. Get in before I stop and carry you in.""Fine. But- go slowly- " Steve stopped the car as Nat doubled over, one hand still on her bump, the other on her thigh, stopping her from keeling over any further. Once she had regained control of her lungs, she made her way slowly to her door. Steve opened it from the inside and pushed it open. Nat caught it and sat down. The truck began to move again, slowly like Nat wanted, easing over each bump and into each hole in a way that was less uncomfortable than the original journey there."Better, thanks."

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About half an hour or so later, they had settled themselves in a coffee shop on the edge of the nearest town. Steve was outside phoning Clint on their burner phone, Nat inside, sipping a carton of apple juice, watching him from her window seat, her hood up. She watched as he hung up and turned towards the front of the shop and nodded at her. Steve then made his way back into the cosy building and sat in the seat next to her. "Clint's coming to get us, and he'll be here in about an hour or so, depending on traffic.""Good. I can finally have a shower.""Is that all you're looking forward to, Nat?" Steve grinned, looking over at her. When he got no response, he gently nudged her shoulder with his elbow. She startled slightly."Sorry, Steve, I'm just really tired, and I know its not your fault, you've done your best, but- ""'Tasha, I know, I know. You don't need to apologise. And there's nothing we can really change either, if I could, then I would." He leant over for an embrace. Natasha leant her head on his shoulder, trying to keep her eyes open. "What's going to happen in terms of transport, is that we are all going in Clint's car over there, then you're going to stay whilst Clint and I go and get the truck.""Ok." She murmured softly, cradling her bump. Gently she dozed off, with Steve staring at the beautiful woman beside him, carrying his child. The idea of having a woman like her, so stunning and confidant as his teammate seemed astonishing to him, let alone having this weird and complicated relationship with her. It was strange: he felt like they were together, but they weren't, exactly.

After a while, she began to stir, her eyes beginning to open again. "Natasha," Steve whispered, "Natasha, there's something I need to tell you.""What is it?""Natasha, I- " At that moment, Clint walked through the door, saw them, and moved towards them."Hey you two," Clint greeted them, taking a seat opposite them. "How're you doing?""Never better." Nat muttered, sarcastically, lifting her head off of Steve's shoulder."It's been tough." Steve answered, glancing over at her and placing a hand on her thigh."Do you guys want to get going then? We have an hour on the road to get there, and it's going to take us three if we're gonna collect the truck.""Yeah, let's go." Steve replied as he went to help Nat up. She gave him a look which shut him down almost immediately. Clint just stared at them as Steve then proceeded to place cash on the table before they headed out.

They opened the doors to Clint's car and took their seats, Steve in the front passenger with Nat in the back. "So, anything new happen?" Clint broke the silence as they drove towards the highway."Nothing much," Nat lied, "How about you?""Nothing over here either. You guys are the first I've since in months." Nat began to feel a slight wave of nausea overcome her."Do you have a small plastic or paper bag?" She whispered, clutching her stomach lightly, her head hitting the headrest behind her."Uh yeah, Rogers there should be some in the glove compartment. Are you feeling alright, Romanoff?""Mmhmm." She said, moaning slightly as Steve handed her a bag. Clint looked over at Steve, an apprehensive looked etched between his brows, and then checked Nat in the mirror. She gagged a bit, tilting her head towards the bag."Do you need me to pull over at all?" Nat shook her head, keeping her mouth shut so that she didn't end up making a mess of his car. "Alright then, not long until we're there. But I've never known you get travel sick before?" Steve turned around to face Natasha as best he could."Natasha, I really do think that you need to tell him.""Tell me what?" Nat took a deep breath and swallowed."Clint. No one else knows, and we would like to keep it that way, for the time being.""Natasha, what is going on?""Clint, I'm pregnant.""Oh, wow, congratulations." He turned to Steve. "And I take it you're the father?""Yes." Steve replied."Wow, I'm really happy for you guys.""Thanks, we appreciate it." Steve smiled."Hey Nat, I've got some seasick bands in here as well if you want to use one. They really helped Laura." She thought for a moment, before nodding her head and reaching out her hand. "Steve they should be in the compartment, underneath the CDs." Steve rummaged around before feeling the soft ring of cloth and handed it backwards towards her. She put it on, and immediately felt some relief.

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Clint's car drove up the gravel driveway, and pulled to a haunt outside the house. They each opened their doors and got out. Nat staggered slightly up the porch steps and towards the front door. "Auntie Nat!" Nat turned to see a little girl running towards her, and bended down to embrace her. "Lila, be gentle, Auntie Nat's- " Clint began, before being cut off by Nat."Auntie Nat's fine."

They followed Clint inside, and stepped into the kitchen, Steve pulling up a chair with Nat and Clint leaning up against the countertops. Clint looked up at Nat, and asked "How long are you planning on staying here?" Before she could answer, Steve butted in."As long as you're comfortable with us here." Clint nodded, "Stay as long as you like. Laura's upstairs sorting out your room- ""Auntie Nat, come and see my room!" Lila laughed, tugging on Nat's hand."Go on," Clint sighed, signalling the end of their conversation, "Shall we go and your truck then, Rogers?"

Lila ran down the hallway and up the stairs, with Natasha following close behind. As she climbed the last step, she suddenly felt light headed and out of breath. She eased herself down in the step and sat with her head between her legs. "You alright?" Laura came and sat down beside her."I don't know." Nat muttered, rocking gently on her heels."What's up?""My head is spinning, and I'm out of breath.""It's going to be ok." Laura said, placing a hand on Nat's shoulder."That's what everyone keeps telling me.""Auntie Nat, are you coming?" Lila asked from the doorway."Yeah, I'll be there in just a sec." She called from over her shoulder. After a few moments she got up and followed Lila.

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After the kids had gone to bed, the adults went and sat in the living room. Laura went to pull out 4 beers, but Nat turned her down. Laura looked at her as she sat sat down, looking concerned."Nat is everything ok?""Yeah, everything's fine. Why'd do ask?""Well, you nearly fainted on the stairs earlier, you don't want a beer...""Wait, you nearly fainted?!" Steve exclaimed."Steve, I'm fine. I nearly fainted, that's all.""Alright, what's going on?" Laura asked, somewhat impatiently."Laura, I'm pregnant.""Oh my gosh!" Laura squealed, "How far along are you?""7 weeks, so no one else knows." Laura reached over and hugged her, nearly spilling her drink down Natasha's back.

They talked and caught up with each other, until it was nearing eleven and Nat was beginning to doze off on Steve's shoulder. "Right, I think it's time we went to bed, we haven't slept well for the past week." Steve yawned, nudging his sleeping beauty awake."Wha- oh, yeah." She yawned, rubbing her eyes and she lifted herself upright."Well, have a good night's sleep, and don't rush to get up in the morning." Clint said, as he picked up the empty beer bottles off of the table and moved towards the recycling bins. Steve wrapped his arm around Nat, holding her close as he took her upstairs, where she fell asleep almost immediately after her head touching the pillows.