Chapter 34: Mrs Barnes and her family return

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Summary: James and Natasha return from their trip to Bartons. A little celebration is in order. The Black Widow has a talk with Fury and starts to subconsciously remember a few things from her past. Bruce makes sure Nat is healthy.

DarylDixon'sLover has asked for smut and pregnancy for the next chapter. So here we go. (Foreshadowing and stuff too, but well ^^ we've only just started the quest for the new assassin baby)

Thank you Sassiebone, Darylslover33 / DarylDixon'sLover, Kerry, Jennifer, hello-sebastian, RLG, BondLocker (Daughter _Of_The_Reactor), Zireael07, kalilje, jeudday and guests for the reviews.

The two Russian translations are from google, so I already apologize in advance XD

I haven't watched the last Avengers yet. Was it good? (I never mind spoilers ^^)

EDIT: Okay, after hearing from you guys, I have decided not to watch it just yet. Endgame would destroy the last bit of hope I've felt and I don't want my heart breaking only for the awesome animation and effects and acting. Having all the Endgame plot in my mind would constantly influence my fanfic and discourage me. So nope. I might watch it when it's on tv.

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"Mrs Barnes and her family have arrived on the helipad." Jarvis declared with a monotone voice.

Tony, who was currently doing some fine tuning on his repulsor, rammed the screwdriver right through the delicate structure of the wiring. "What?"

"Just a little hint, Sir. I know these things usually pass you by, leading to an awkward moment." Jarvis offered.

"Thanks for the preparation then. But maybe next time… try to announce it while I'm not working on tech I might destroy." He sighed and put the tools aside.

"Noted, Sir." Jarvis assured him while his creator made his way to the lounge area.

James was carrying the two heavier duffle bags while Natasha rolled the trolley behind her. As much as he loved the Barton brood the kids could come up with quite difficult questions and he was now glad for the peace back at the tower.

"Hi, Tony." The mother greeted as the doors closed behind them. "We're back from our little trip."

Tony saw the glint of a diamond on Natasha's finger. "You got anything else to announce?"

The Black Widow knew that Jarvis must have hinted it but she still accepted his congratulatory hug. "We've sealed the deal before anything could come in between."

"Grats, both of you. Pepper will be so angry at you for taking away her chance to be your wedding planner." Tony stated as he gave Barnes a clap on the shoulder.

"I already sent her pictures from the wedding, so since she was the first to know she's satisfied enough."

"Finally making an honest woman out of her, ey, Barnes?" He searched through his booze cabinet. "That practically screams for a party. I've got some scotch that should have aged by now. This is a reason to bring out the good stuff."

Natasha wanted to thankfully decline just when the Captain joined them.

"Buck, Nat, you're back!" Steve greeted them, almost having a girlish leap in his steps as he entered. "Congratulations." He came to a stand before his friend and looked at him with a sheepish grin.

"Thanks, Steve." He gave him a hug but knew his friend could feel the tremor. It was still a bit too much attention, too many emotions both inside of him and from the others around them.

"Hey, Cap. I'll invite all of you to celebrate the good news. You wanna join in?" Tony asked.

"Sure, why not?" Steve shrugged. "No mission planned for tomorrow. So I guess duty doesn't call."

"Okay, so Spangle's with us. Is Winter coming?"

Natasha snorted because she knew what he was referencing. "That would be up to me, right?"

James still tried to grasp the last sentences while Pepper joined them as well.

"Hey, you three. Congratulations. Welcome back." She approached Natasha with a wide smile. "That dress was amazing, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, thanks for helping me pick it." The married woman chuckled.

"I hope the lingerie didn't disappoint either." She whispered so only James could pick it up, making him blush. Pepper saw it in the corner of her eyes. "Well, that answers it, I guess."

Slowly the others arrived at the scene.

The more friendly hugs James received the more surreal everything became. He was overwhelmed by all the attention and couldn't wait to be in their private rooms. Pepper was now talking to Alexei and he listened in.

"I haven't seen you a few days and you're already a young man." She was joking of course. The boy was about the height of an eight year old.

James was watching how his son blushed. The kid had certainly gotten all and only the best aspects of his parents which the Soldier was grateful for. Not just the looks but his character. He could see himself in him as a young man. Even the cockiness was there but at a charming level. Honesty, kindness and respect were words he lived his life with. It was as if Natasha and James had taken every single good aspect of themselves and created a child from it. It made the Soldier believe that there was still a chance for redemption, when there was enough light in him to father such a wonderful being.

Tony had noticed how many miles away Bucky was in his mind, so he chose this moment to engage. "Hey, Barnes. I've got a wedding present for you."

The Soldier turned towards the engineer, eyeing him suspiciously.

"I finished the design for a nano robot sheath for your arm. We could test it out tomorrow. Party first." He glanced at his collection of the finest liquors. "Although maybe we shouldn't aim for the Asgardian stuff, right Barnes?"

James blanched for a moment. "Better not." He had seen Natasha's sharp look at Tony's mention.

"Okay, I guess Mini-Barnes will have an early bedtime. Need a babysitter for him?" Stark asked as he prepared some glasses.

"Oh, don't bother." The boy who had still been talking to Pepper said. "Miss Potts just mentioned that since I won't fit in my old bed soon enough I can redecorate my room. Jarvis will help me pick out some things. That'll keep me busy until it's time to sleep." He knew his parents needed the evening all to themselves. The days with the Bartons had been fun but he longed for some quiet time to work on some of his own projects with Jarvis. At least the AI didn't treat him like the child his body reflected to the outside, completely hiding the mind within him.

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Natasha sipped on her ginger ale while she had a little chat with Pepper.

"I see you're trying again." The woman casually remarked when she was sure the men were out of earshot.

"Yeah, we don't know anything for certain yet but I don't want to risk it." She put the glass aside as Jarvis announced that dinner had arrived.

Pepper and Natasha made their way to the door where Happy was waiting for them with a tower of fast food higher than his head. Since most of them didn't have real preferences Tony had Jarvis order whatever had come up most regularly on the wishlists of the Tower's occupants.

"Let me help," Pepper grabbed two of the bags hanging from his pinkies while Natasha carried ten of the pizza boxes.

"Congratulations, Mrs Romanoff." The man said with an awkward smile.

The Black Widow grinned at him. At least he had gotten the last name thing right. "Thanks, Happy."

They barely had time to set everything on the table when the hungry men attacked the dinner.

"Here's to the good old times!" Thor announced as he got himself three of the shawarma portions.

"And to all the good ones to come!" Tony chimed in.

"Come on Happy and join us." Pepper said before the man could leave. She pushed a Hawaii pizza into his hands and motioned towards a free spot on the couch.

The smell of the variety of food made Natasha's head spin. She knew it was way too early for a morning sickness but after the good meals Laura had prepared it was a bit much. "Excuse me for a moment."

James was next to her in an instant when she moved away from their group. "Everything alright, doll?"

"It's fine. I just need a minute outside. It's too noisy and full in there." Natasha said with a smile before kissing her husband and venturing out on the balcony.

"You really don't want me to accompany you?" His body wanted to stay close to her.

"Don't tell me your overprotective side is showing already?" She mused. "I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."

She took a few moments to calm her mind while listening to their group of misfits talking about the good old times. Some peace hadn't been the only reason she had come out to the balcony. "I know you're there, Nick."

The man stepped out of the shadows. "Natasha. I've heard the good news and wanted to congratulate you myself."

"Don't you want to join us in our celebration?" She knew he wouldn't but asked anyway.

"No, I'm not really the type for that. And I don't think your husband could tolerate yet another well-wisher, especially not me. Too many bad memories and guilt." He eyed her glass suspiciously. "I see you're not drinking alcohol. Did Stark's present fail?"

Natasha focused on the stars above them. "We didn't even use any. It's too soon to be sure but I don't want to risk their health."

"I always knew you'd be a great mother. Alexei is already one of a kind. I'm sure he's got it all from his mom." He gave her an appreciative look.

"He's a great kid." Better than she might ever deserve. "But I can see more of his father in him."

"Polite and cocky." The former director chuckled. "He's gonna be a handful during puberty with his parents' looks. He's got your cunning wits." There was an underlying warning beneath it. "Will you teach him in your craft, Romanoff?"

Natasha eyed him cautiously. "He won't become a spy. If he wants to he can become an Avenger but he's not the type for the darker side of the business. He'll be a figure that inspires greatness in others."

Fury actually chuckled at that. How right she was. The boy was nothing like HYDRA had wanted him to be. "And the next one?"

The suddenness of the question brought some of her defenses down and also sparked a mixture of a memory and hope. "Roses may have thorns but their beauty is fragile and precious."

Fury knew these words had slipped out without her consent. She had a hand gently placed on her belly and that faraway look on her face. "So, a girl?"

"What?" Her own words had by now reached her consciousness and she furrowed her brows. "Well, I guess… Since we already had a boy I thought the odds are tipped towards a female child."

He remained silent, studying the different emotions playing over her face. Hope, love, yearning and then… She cringed as if a headache was bothering her. "What have you remembered of your past? The treatment we used on Barnes also affected you."

"What are you implying?" Natasha was sure he knew something he didn't want to tell her.

"You will find out yourself in time." There was a trace of sadness in his tone. He was glad she didn't push him. After a few moments of silence the man spoke again. "Rose is a beautiful name."

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Natasha and James had excused themselves from the party shortly after midnight to get some rest. Although it didn't seem like sleep was all that high on their agenda. Since Alexei shared the quarters with his parents they had decided to indulge somewhere else.

"When I came to the conclusion it might be a good idea to bring them back together…" Tony started but simply couldn't finish when he heard another female scream, followed by a dark growl and then a series of loud moans. The furniture protested audibly before the noise of wood breaking was heard.

"This is more than you expected?" Thor asked him with a smile. It was more common on Asgard to show love for another with loud shouts. Yes, it was frowned upon in public, but whatever happened in the private chambers, audible or not, was entertainment on Asgard and totally normal. "I hope their attempts are fruitful." He added after a few seconds of silence, except for the loud screams one floor below.

It took the Man of Iron a couple of moments to understand this statement. "Well, I hope they make good use of my present. Jarvis, would you please put anything utile for soundproofing the walls on tomorrow's shopping list?"

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Steve didn't seem to notice him, his head swinging from side to side as if...

Bucky walked up to his friend, pulling out one of the headphones out and sticking it into his own ear.

The Captain almost jump, a startled gasp leaving his mouth. "Bucky?"

"What are you listening to?" He quickly pulled the thing out. "Damn, why's the volume up this much?"

Steve's face got red and he chewed his lower lip, trying to find an appropriate answer. "I have enhanced hearing."

"Then why...?" It clicked in his mind. With a wide grin on his face he tried to suppress his laughter. "That loud, eh?"

"Every... word." His skin was already past crimson.

"Oh, come on. See it as an education." His fingers hovered over the fruitbowl before he selected one of the grapes.

"Bucky, please." He gave him his best 'serious Captain' expression. "Five hours of... fondueing isn't normal."

"You still use that word?" The Soldier popped the grape into his mouth and chewed quickly while he spoke. "No wonder Sharon is still single. Grow up and grab it before someone else does."

Steve grimaced. "Please don't talk about her like that."

"Do it or I'll invite her to a threesome." Bucky teased good-heartedly.

"Oh come on. Don't joke about this. It was always easier for you with the women. Also, if we can't rely on Natasha during a mission because she is... sore, then what?" Why wasn't there a portal opening up beneath him so he could fight some bad guys instead of having this talk?

"Don't worry. It's good training. She's already much more flexible."

Steve blushed again. "Just go." In an afterthought he added: "How long?"

"Maybe two or three hours."

The Captain merely shook his head and put the earphones back in.

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"Your parents still at it?" Tony asked bluntly while he finished screwing the metal plate to his suit.

Alexei hopped up on the desk and looked at the machines around him. "Yep. Thought I might join you and see if I could be of use."

If the boy had been any other teenager Tony would have shushed him out of his sanctuary but Alexei had a sharp mind and somehow he reminded him of himself at that age. So the mechanic pulled up a few diagrams and calculations on the screen. "I'm trying to get the energy beam more focused so I can do a very long range attack on a single target."

The boy studied the screen for a little while before entering a couple of commands himself.

Tony wasn't sure if the kid only wanted to show off but there was actual knowledge behind the programming.

"Try again." Alexei urged him.

"Kay." Tony flipped the switch and suddenly a thin beam shot out of the repulsor as bright as lightning. The barrier to prevent damage to his building was cut through as if it was made out of wax. Stark turned it off just before the material was entirely dissolved.

Alexei looked at the tiny glowing hole in the metal with a grin. "Is that focused enough for you?"

Tony gulped.

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There were only few things more invigorating than combat training with Barnes. And most of them had to do with the Soldier as well.

Right now he was holding her down on the mat with her hands above her head in his tight grip. Natasha could feel his maleness grinding between her thighs. "Тебе нравится видеть меня склонным и готовым для тебя? (Like to see me prone and ready for you?)"

"Я могу только ждать, чтобы трахнуть тебя. (I can barely wait to fuck you.)" He admitted with a growl before leaning down and kissing her neck. He could feel her rapid pulse beneath her skin, taste her lust and readiness. He was so finely attuned to her that he could smell her hormones, telling him that she was fertile, waiting for him to fill her with his seed. And, hell, he would make sure to flood her with his essence.

"Let's shower and continue there in privacy," Natasha suggested and slid her leg over his thigh until she had him in a good hold. With a quick move she turned them around. "Come on." The spy pressed a quick kiss against his lips before helping him up.

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"Nat, I know it's not a topic you like to talk about but…" He sighed. "Since you're intimate with Barnes I want to check if everything's okay."

She could see how much it had taken him to even ask so she reciprocated in the same open way. "I feel fine. As good as new down there."

"I would like to be certain. Please. You haven't been examined since the day you left for your own quarters." He put a hand on her upper arm to assure her that his touch wouldn't mean discomfort.

"Okay, but make it quick." She gave him a cocky grin. "I have places to be."

Bruce led the way so she wouldn't be able to see the blush on his face. They reached the lab within minutes. "Let me draw some blood first of all." He did quick work on her and put the vial into a machine to analyze it. "Jarvis, lock the door and close the blinds."

"Of course, sir." The AI responded.

Once she was dressed in the loose gown and situated on the chair Natasha closed her eyes and waited for Bruce to finally do his job.

The doctor put a blanket over her legs and pulled the gown up to check for the incision. It was barely visible and the muscle tissue beneath had healed perfectly. "Any problem with movements?" He used his fingertips to carefully push against her belly, searching for any abnormalities.

"No. Like I said, I'm as good as new." Natasha bit her lip, knowing what would come next. At least she had showered after her rather… sweaty training with James today.

"Sir, the blood test results are ready." Jarvis announced.

"Perfect. Show them on the screen." Bruce was all business, his hands readying the equipment while his eyes scanned the numbers. "Nothing to complain." He did a short outer examination before putting gel on the speculum. Above Natasha flinched and took a deep breath. He had to keep her distracted before she decided to show him what her legs were capable of. "You're still thinking about another child?"

"Yeah, we talked about it." Natasha admitted.

He glanced at the screen for a moment. "Your blood work indicates a normal cycle. Actually," the numbers turned in his head, "you've ovulated a few days ago. So next month you can try in earnest." He was about to start inserting the metal object. "You have been protecting?"

Natasha chuckled and became aware again of the awkwardness of their situation. Bruce was exactly where James had been three hours ago. She felt the metal sliding into her easily. "No, we haven't." It seemed like the Soldier's acute senses had picked up the signs of her fertility quite well.

Bruce halted just as he carefully spread her apart. Coughing he tried to hide his embarrassment. "Well… that I can see now."

Natasha grimaced and suppressed her laughter. The shower might have cleaned her outwardly but James had filled her enough to knock her up ten times. "Sorry."

"It's okay. Your health is more important than dignity." He tried to say with a steady voice.

"Since our dignity seems to be crushed anyway I have a few questions concerning protection. I know hormonal contraceptives don't work on me properly and no version of a condom is truly… safe when it comes to Barnes and me. Can you give me any useful option for the time when we want to take a break from our 'be fruitful and multiply' trip?"

Bruce sighed. "I would have to ask Tony for help. And I'll need samples of Barnes' sperm since I suspect it's much more potent than normally because of the serum. Even having sex right after your period still holds a strong chance of getting you pregnant. His swimmers could wait at least ten days in hostile environment and find their target."

"Sniper indeed…" Natasha murmured with a grin.

He quickly took a sample and finished the exam. "This here should suffice for now."

"Everything okay?" She asked as he pulled out and handed her a paper towel to clean herself. Glad that it was over Natasha jumped from the chair and grabbed her clothes to get dressed.

"Yeah, you're good to go and continue on your… quest." Bruce took off the gloves and lifted the tray to tidy up the equipment. With a grin he added. "Maybe there is already a little cluster of cells growing inside of you. I can't tell yet but soon we can do a test if you want to be sure."

Natasha nodded as she subconsciously put a hand on her belly.

"And I would advise you to take a leave from missions then."

"Of course." She wouldn't risk anything.

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I am not sure if you guys want me to keep posting. I kind of already expect dozens of people unfollowing the story as soon as they get the alert and I fear my reaction to it.

But I don't want to leave this work unfinished. I have over 200 pages waiting to be posted.

Do you want me to continue?