"I have my boss looking into your case," Natasha begins as she takes her usual seat across from James. She chose to take a detour to the penitentiary before checking in at work. "He hasn't called me about any details yet, but I thought I should inform you."
"Thanks," James nods, his right hand hovering over his prosthetic. "Actually, it's better you stopped by early. I've been signed up for therapy."
"That's good," she warily answers. Therapy… "If you don't mind my asking…" She pauses to stare into his eyes. "What made you seek help now?"
"You've been a bit of an influence." He slouches in his chair. "I need the help-I know I do. And I had a doctor come see me about it yesterday."
A doctor suddenly visiting a new inmate. What are the chances?… The twisting uneasiness in her gut starts to spread. "Who approached you?" she asks in a crisp tone.
"No one from FuturePharm," James promises with a light laugh. "He said he's fairly new to town. Loki," he adds, rolling his eyes at the name. "Ever heard of him? I think his last na-" James stops mid-sentence as Natasha's pupils constrict into two small dots. "Hey…"
She parts her lips, but her throat is suddenly too dry to speak.
"Natasha?" He reaches out to touch her hand. The moment their skin touches, her pupils dilate and the light in her eyes returns.
"He's a colleague…" she remotely answers as her head clears from the brief mental fog. "I should go now," Natasha decides. She scoots her chair back and clutches her coat to her chest. A misstep in her heels nearly sends her stumbling sideways, but she recovers and pretends nothing happened.
Her near fall gives James a mini heart attack. "He's not an ex or anything, is he?" James wonders as she jerks the door's handle.
"My work partner," she sourly gripes as she leaves the room. Natasha snatches her phone and swears to herself as she pulls up Fury's number. As the ringing begins, she storms down the guarded hallway.
"Running late?" Nick drawls upon picking up.
"Barnes is Loki's newest patient!" Natasha hisses into the phone. She roughly swings open an exit door before raising her voice. "Are you aware of this?"
Nick's silence speaks volumes.
She audibly scoffs and plops down on the nearest bench beside a flower bed. "You knew! How long?" she demands.
"Natasha…"
"How long?" she icily commands.
"Loki brought it up to me after you told me you believed Barnes is innocent," he replies in defeat. "He visited the prison yesterday to offer Barnes help."
"I swear, Nick," she growls, "you better tell me that you planned on telling me this…" The last thing she wants is Loki interfering with her circle of trust with Nick. She'll spill secrets with her boss. Never Loki.
"I did," he promises. "But only after I told you that I got into contact with a prison in Switzerland…"
Natasha's anger ends with a single drawn out breath.
"I planned on calling them after I answer my emails," Nick continues, knowing full well that he won't be forgiven so easily.
"I wish you called me about Loki right away," she strictly finishes.
"Next time he comes to me about anything involving this case, I'll tell you first thing," he decides.
Natasha is quiet as she evaluates her trust with Nick. He's never let her down once since they've met, and she can sense the sincerity in his voice. "Alright," she answers. "I'm on my way over now."
As for Loki, he has a strong dose of the cold shoulder coming his way.
She heads straight for Fury's office and once she reaches the door, she stops herself before bothering to knock. Her ears pick up a familiar English accent that beckons her to press her ear against a smooth mahogany surface.
"I intend to tell James that Natasha and I are accomplices on this case."
Natasha wrinkles her nose. Accomplices my ass…
"Natasha's visits will help to further earn his trust. In return, we can only hope that James will encourage her to seek my professional help," Loki continues.
We?We?! Natasha's blood begins to boil and she's ready to break down the door.
"She won't go for that," Nick warns.
Teeth bared, Natasha chooses to hear Nick out. She needs to know what's really on his mind so she can decide on whether or not her boss will be in need of a Seeing Eye dog.
"Romanoff doesn't trust you," he affirms. "She won't seek your help, and I don't want her to feel forced into treatment."
"It will help her, Sir," Loki insists.
"I'd rather leave the decision to Agent Romanoff, so I suggest you leave her be. Our priority is James," Nick sternly orders. "Leave Natasha out of it unless he says anything."
There is a drawn out pause before Loki answers with a firm "yes, Sir."
The discussion feels complete. Natasha saunters away from the door so she can soon re-enter the building as if she is doing so for the first time today. She waits outside and stares past the glass door to see Nick's office door open. Loki emerges, and Natasha reaches for her phone and brings the device to her ear. As her 'accomplice' nears the door, she opens it and brushes straight past him, returning her phone to her pocket as she does so.
"Good morning, Natasha," he brightly greets her.
She responds with the knowing glare of one who has just learned of another's dirtiest little secret. "Loki," she spits out.
"I was just off to pay a visit with Mr. Barnes," he coolly informs. "Care to join me?"
"No, I don't," Natasha scornfully retorts. "Unless you'd like to tell me why you're going."
The glimmer in his sparkling orbs dim as his eyes narrow. "Nicholas warned me about this."
Natasha's stare refuses to leave his face. "Aren't partners supposed to tell each other these things?"
"I planned to wait until later today when you were settled in your office," Loki explains. "I even went as far as packing some tuna casserole for us to share over lunch."
Her nostrils flare as she haughtily exhales. "Next time, I'd rather you call me right away."
Loki gives her a rare stare of displeasure. He doesn't wish to respond to the woman's attitude, but with Natasha Romanoff, everything needs to go her way. No exceptions. "Forgive me," he flatly states. "I only wish to help Mr. Barnes."
"And me. Because I need all the help I can get, don't I?" Natasha whirls on her heel and heads straight for her boss' office. Her fingers reach for the knob just as a lightning fast subtle breeze brushes her cheek.
Loki's palm smacks against the door, forcing the redhead's shoulders to violently seize. "The only thing I wish to help you with, Ms. Romanoff," he begins, his naturally silky voice taking on a threatening tone, "is this attitude of yours."
The smallest smile creeps across Natasha's lips. She casually turns to look Loki in the eyes and proceeds to laugh in his face. A vein in Loki's neck makes itself known as he clenches his jaw. "So we both have a problem with each other? I can live with that," she snorts.
His features relax as he lowers his arm. "Pardon my outburst. That was uncalled for," he apologises, his lips forming a hard line.
"Better you let it all out," Natasha reassures him. "You can't always be Mr. Cheerful." She whirls around to ease open their boss' door. "If you've got a problem with me, then I really don't give a damn." She flashes him a smirk before disappearing behind the director's door.
"Playing nice, Romanoff?" Nick presumes as she takes her usual seat before his desk.
"I won't lie to you, Nick…" Her voice lowers as she crosses her legs and smoothes her skirt. "I heard part of your conversation, so I'd like to genuinely thank you for taking my side."
"Eavesdropping," he drones, shaking his head and tapping the tip of his pen against the desk.
"I do it well."
Nick sets his pen aside and keeps his eye glued to her face. Their gazes lock and he holds his breath, waiting for Natasha to blink. "I meant what I said, Natasha."
She lowers her eyes and absently picks at her nails.
"I want to help you," he continues, "but you're your own woman. You make the decisions. But for now, let's focus on James Barnes."
Natasha takes a deep breath before lifting her head. "I take it you didn't make that call."
"No." He brings his attention to his computer and reaches for his desk phone's receiver. "I'll call now."
"Message me the outcome." She rises from the chair and proceeds to leave. On the walk out, she notices Loki heading for the parking lot. Off to see Barnes… She doesn't know how well the therapy sessions will go, but a gut feeling tells her it's bad news.
"So he spoke with…" James bites his lower lip and swallows. "Him?"
"Only the prison guard," Natasha corrects. "He knows English, but my boss wasn't allowed to talk with him first hand. The guy in charge insisted that he couldn't be doing anything wrong. No Internet, no phone…no visitors."
"Don't pity the bastard," James callously remarks.
"I'm not."
The chains of James' handcuffs rattle as he uncomfortably shifts in his seat. "So am I taking blame for this? This bullshit?"
"I'm working on it," she grumbles. "It's really not easy-it's a ten thousand piece puzzle that I feel like I'm doing alone!" She accidentally raises her voice and doesn't notice until James shrinks his shoulders and purses his lips into a tight line. "Sorry, James," she sighs. "But it's stressing me out, too…"
"I know," he nods, gripping his left arm. "I know."
"James?" Natasha softly asks. "Can I ask how things went yesterday with Loki?"
"Fine," he instantly replies.
Natasha wonders just how much she can pry out of him. "I was considering seeing him for help. So let me know if things continue to go well," she casually lies.
"We just did small talk yesterday," he shrugs. "And I told him this whole jail thing has me anxious…"
"You'll be fine, James," Natasha promises. She holds out her palm and smiles as his hand takes hers.
"He told me I can trust you," James reveals.
How sweet…
"But he said you don't trust him," he warily continues.
"I don't trust many people."
James is quiet as he pulls his clammy hand away from hers. "Can I trust him?"
Natasha doesn't want to interfere with Loki's psychiatric treatment, but she refuses to lie and hurt him even further. "Go with your gut on that one. And don't tell him anything you don't feel ready to admit."
"You work together. Does he suspect me of killing those people?" he worriedly asks.
"No." Her eyes narrow. "Because he trusts me."
Her phone begins to ring on a Tuesday night right after she's settled down on the couch with a plate of leftovers balanced on her lap. Natasha sets her dinner down on the cushion beside her and lurches forward to grab her cell phone from the coffee table. Her boss' name is illuminated as the phone continues to ring. "Nick?"
"Good news, Romanoff." His even tone doesn't give off much enthusiasm, but Natasha trusts his word.
"All ears." She reaches for a fork with her free hand and gives her steaming mixed vegetables a brief stir.
"We had a death in Maryland this yesterday," Fury begins.
"With a missing spleen, I heard," Natasha notes, poking at some carrots and peas. She hadn't been spending much time in the office as of late. Her week was spent visiting James and letting him give her tidbits on how "fine" his Loki appointments were going.
"I talked to the head of James Barnes' prison," he continues.
Natasha lowers her fork and unknowingly holds her breath.
"Given that we've had a murder, Barnes' innocence is showing through. His holders agreed to release him on account that he wears an ankle bracelet and obeys a six pm curfew."
Her mouth gapes open in an 'o' of surprise. "Nick…" James had no wish to leave his cell. She wonders if he'll feel safe in his apartment, lying in bed, staring up at his ceiling fan as he appears… Natasha squeezes her eyes shut at the memory. "Is James really okay with this?"
"I figured you should do the honour," Nick explains. "The head officer says he's taken a liking to you. And between you and Loki's help, his behaviour's improved."
Natasha purses her lips as she contemplates the weight of delivering the news to him. To Fury, this is good news. To James, it will be like throwing a mouse into the lion's den. "I'll tell him tomorrow," she answers. Natasha is grateful that she gets to be the one to break the news. Dr. Laufeyson would announce it and expect James to embrace it. Natasha knows that the news should come slowly and carefully. She picks up her dinner plate and begins to eat, letting the evening news fade into white noise as she plans out tomorrow's visit.
"Morning, Natasha," James greets with a meek smile.
Natasha nods and takes her seat, then takes a moment to carefully observe the man's face. Fury wasn't lying about her and Loki leaving their mark on the guy. Over the course of an entire week of daily visits and treatment from Dr. Loki, James' physical appearance has improved by a mile. He's chosen to take on a clean shaven look, the bags under his eyes are almost non-existent, and she can smell cheap soap wafting in his dark hair.
"Natasha?" He keeps his voice low as he hunches forward. "Did something happen? Is it the…You know-Russia business?"
She snaps out of her daze and shakes her head. "It's nothing too bad, actually."
"Oh, yeah?" He lightly chuckles when he notices her faint smile.
"Are things with Loki going well?"
James nods. "He's been good. I was told I've been making progress, so that's always good."
Natasha moistens her lips as she carefully eyes James. "Does he ever mention taking you out for a session?" she inquires. "Maybe over lunch…"
"No," he sternly replies. "I don't even think I'm allowed out."
"And if you were?" She arches a thin brow.
James begins rubbing his left hand. "The food here is pretty bad," he shrugs. "If you're hinting at going out for lunch, I wouldn't mind," he adds with a sheepish grin. "Is that the news? Loki's buying me lunch?"
"He will, if you want."
"Can you join us?" he eagerly prods.
"I can," she promises. "But what if I were to say that after lunch, you could drop by your apartment?"
His jaw begins to drop at the notion. "I'd rather not."
"Even if you were under protection?"
He utters a vowel and slumps back in his chair. "I told Loki that sometimes I see things," he begins. "He said that it's all in my head, and he's getting me a different prescription, but he's been helping me cope with the fact that what I see…" He glances up at Natasha. "What you've seen, isn't real."
"You haven't seen that thing recently, have you?" she warily asks.
"Not here," James admits. "But I'm afraid of leaving and seeing him again…"
"How about if I come see you if it happens?" Natasha wagers. "You see that thing again, call me, and I'll come to you."
James appreciates her offer, but he just clarified that he hasn't seen the Wendigo since his stay in jail. "I'm safe here, Natasha."
"But now you're allowed to go home," she reveals. His eyes go wide and his jaw drops. "Granted, they'll be tracking your every move, and you have an early curfew, but they see that you're innocent. We had another Monday murder."
"I-I can go?!" he stammers. "I-I know I'm innocent, but I can't leave." He frantically reaches across the table for her hand. "I can't leave. I'll see him again-I'm not safe out there! I-"
Natasha raises a finger to his lips and calmly shushes him until he stops talking, but his lower lip refuses to stop trembling. "I told you, James. If anything happens, call me. I'll give you my number, and even if it's three in the morning, I'll go straight to your place and talk you through this."
"Bu…What if he makes me overdose again-what if I really kill someone?!" he demands, wild eyed.
"You'll have an ankle bracelet," she tells him. "Your moves will be monitored, plus, you'll be given a phone to check in at any given moment. I gave your handler here my information. I'll call you every hour if that will make you feel safe, James."
"I…" He lowers his head and lets wisps of dark hair cover his face. "I don't feel safe in my home."
"Then how about I be the one to take you home?" she wagers. "I'll stay as long as you want."
"That's a shitty promise to make if I don't want you to leave," he mutters.
"If it will make you feel safe, James, then I won't go," she vows. "And I don't make promises that I can't keep."
James' eyes meet hers with a pitiful stare. "You're a good person, Natasha. I owe you one hell of a favour for bailing me out."
"You don't deserve any of this." She shakes her head. "You deserve to live peacefully… so long as you swear to me that you'll do your best to keep yourself sober," she adds with the corner of her lip slightly raised.
His fingers clench around hers. "I'm never going near the stuff again!" he vows. "God, I…I really will change, Natasha." His eyes stare intensely into hers. "I'll listen to Loki, take my meds, and I'll get my life out of the shit hole I've been in."
"That's good to hear, James." She gives him an earnest smile. "Mind if I tell the guard you're ready to get going?"
"I'm leaving now?" There's more fear to his voice than excitement.
"After Loki comes," she states. "I have your papers to fill out and you'll be given instructions regarding your curfew. We should be out in a few hours."
James' fingers loosen and he watches as Natasha scoots out of her chair to leave him alone.
Natasha patiently waits outside the door to James' cell while Loki is supposedly finishing up with their daily appointment. She checks her phone for the time, 1:17. The woman at the front desk said that Loki should be done at one. She hears the faint jingling of keys accompanied with shoes clicking against linoleum as an officer approaches. Natasha spies a black plastic anklet in his hand along with a clipboard and an outdated looking pay-as-you-go phone.
"The paperwork will be approved once we get Dr. Laufeyson's signatures," the older man tells her. "After that, I'll set him up with his equipment and he's yours to take home."
"I appreciate this," Natasha comments with a smile. "Better say goodbye for good. This is the last time you'll be seeing the guy."
"Let's hope so," he gruffly replies.
Loki soon emerges from the room and is presented with a clipboard and pen.
"Thank you," he answers with a smile. Loki gives the pen a click and steps aside so the officer can visit his patient. His grin widens as he spots Natasha leaning against the wall. "James suggested we all go out for lunch," he mentions whilst skimming through the first page of release papers.
"He wants you there?" Natasha haughtily remarks.
Loki chuckles as he marks a blank space with his signature. "Are we not allowed to share friends?"
"Aren't you breaking some kind of doctor/patient rule?" she prods with an arched brow.
"I am merely helping him out by buying him lunch and groceries."
"I can take him food shopping," Natasha interjects. "He told me he wants me there when he gets home."
Loki softly hums as he signs off on another paper. "I can always follow you. He also requires a trip to the pharmacy. I've filed a new prescription for him."
"To help with the visions?"
He licks his index finger and flips to a third page.
Natasha expected the cold shoulder, but it doesn't hurt to try. The steel door before them opens. James is the first to step out in a pair of faded jeans and a grey sweatshirt.
"Mind giving me that number now?" James holds up his temporary phone and slides back the screen to reveal a keyboard. "And yours, too, Doc," he adds, adjusting the backpack clinging to his shoulder.
Natasha takes the phone and inputs her personal and work numbers before handing it off to Loki. "Good to see you in your own clothes, James."
"They do feel better than the jumpsuits."
Loki passes the phone back to James and the clipboard to the officer. "Shall we be off, then?" he wonders. "James, have you decided on where we will get lunch?"
James notes a fake smile plastered across the doctor's lips. "I wouldn't mind some pizza."
"Great," Natasha grins. "Got any recommendations?"
The three head into Brooklyn for lunch, followed by a pharmacy trip where Loki purchases James a month's supply of medication. "I will be in charge of this," Loki instructs once they're outside. He unwraps the bag and reveals a tiny plastic container which he fills with two capsules. "Two in the evening," he orders. "You will receive tomorrow night's pills during tomorrow's visit. Twelve o'clock. Your apartment," he finishes.
"Thank you," James nods.
"We should go pick up some groceries," Natasha suggests. Can't keep Loki help up forever…"
"Very well," Loki nods. "Until tomorrow, James."
The brunette watches the doctor leave before turning to Natasha. "You two fighting?"
"Why?" she prods. "Has he been talking about me?"
James shakes his head and carefully shoves his pill container into his pants pocket. "No. You just seem on edge with him."
"If he ever does bring me up, tell me. Okay, James?" she gently urges.
"You sure you don't have a thing for this guy?" he snorts.
She shoots him a dirty glare as she storms off towards her car.
James laughs as he trots after her. "I'm joking. It's just that you really seem to want this guy to notice you."
"Quite the opposite," she groans. "Trust me."
"Damn, it's freezing in here." James steps through the door and sets down several plastic bags of food before hurrying to the thermostat. He exhales, his breath forming a tiny cloud.
"You bought cocoa. That'll be nice to drink," Natasha offers.
"I figured it's comfort food," he shrugs as he returns to fetch his bags. "I'll make us some once I unpack." He leads Natasha to his kitchen table where the bags are set down. "It's times like these I wish I could cook," he grumbles as he unpacks a loaf of bread.
"That's okay, James," Natasha promises. She begins to separate cans of soup from the frozen foods.
"I'll take you out to dinner once I get a job. How about that?" He flashes her a sly smirk.
She doesn't see him taking no for an answer, so she nods in agreement. "Deal."
Natasha offers to help put the groceries away, but James insists she wait on the couch while he gets his apartment feeling like home. He lets a kettle of water boil while he fills up his barren fridge. Once all the perishables are in place, he rummages through a cupboard for two mugs and presents his guest with a steaming cup of cocoa.
"So?" she hums, bringing the mug to her lips. "Better than prison?"
James answers with a half-hearted smile. "I'll tell you tomorrow if I survive the night…" He lowers his head and watches his reflection in the chocolate liquid.
"You'll be fine, James," Natasha reassures. "Just remember I'm here for you."
"Thanks, Natasha."
They finish their drinks and James decides that he'll be fine on his own. Natasha reminds him to call her and he almost seems annoyed when he replies with a tired "I know."
That night, Natasha finds it hard to sleep. She finds herself constantly checking her phone, not once giving into the thought that James is holding up just fine. When three AM rolls around, Natasha decides to knock herself out with a good dosage of Nyquil.
Come morning, she finds no new messages or missed calls. She breathes a sigh of relief knowing that one of them slept well.