Laura concluded her therapy session and walked out of the office and saw T'Challa and a few Dora Milaje waiting for her.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. That session went a little longer than I though it would." she apologized as they began leisurely strolling back to the palace side by side.
They walked in the streets, among the people who weren't paying any attention to them as they went about their business.
"It's not a problem. I hope they are helping." T'Challa replied.
"I still don't like them but I can't say they're not 100% not helpful. It's just they won't get rid of my legitimate fear of the future." she told him seriously.
"The future?" he asked confused.
"Yes. What's out there!" she pointed at the sky.
"Is what I'm terrified of. I saw it. I saw it with my own eyes T'Challa. They're going to come back and no matter what scenario I think of when they do I really don't…" she rambled, failing to hide her fear but he clasped one of her hands into his.
"What ever happens we will face it. Together." he reassured her.
"Together?" she asked surprised.
"Of course. And after that little adventure of yours mama and baba won't be pleased if I let you out of my site just yet." he joked and she frowned.
"Hey to be fair I was not the one who threatened a terrorist. And the homing beacon did work by the way." she held up her wrist that had her bracelet.
"It did. What were you doing in Tennessee?" T'Challa asked.
"It was where one of Killian's misfires went off but SHIELD, the FBI or anyone didn't label it as one so Tony and I were going to investigate it but kinda ended up crash landing there. Met a good kid though. I liked him." she smiled faintly, hoping Harley was enjoying his new workshop.
"And yet you don't say you get into trouble." he teased her.
"Hey, to be fair with friends like mine they don't make it easy but I can promise you that for the near future at least should be trouble free." she joked back.
"So, you plan on staying longer this time?" he asked and she nodded yes.
"Yep. Tony is recovering from his surgery and he and Pepper won't be missing me so I'm all yours." they kissed each other.
"Good. Because I planned on keeping you around anyway." he joked and they began walking while holding hands.
"And if we're on the page about me being more open with myself there is something I wanna tell you." they stopped walking and stared at each other.
"I know our relationship hasn't exactly been traditional and I haven't exactly been a relationship "type" before but there is something I feel about you. And I'm not sure how exactly this goes or…" she rambled incoherently but T'Challa grabbed her and got her to look up at him.
"I think I know what you're trying to say." he smiled.
"You do?" she asked hesitantly.
"Yes, because it's the same way I feel about you." he admitted.
"Really?" she asked incredulously.
"Yes, it is Laura. There is no other woman like you Laura." he complimented and she blushed.
"You're still smooth." she joked, trying to be smooth herself.
"I try." he joked back.
"Well good because I do love you T'Challa." they leaned in to kiss each other.
"I love you too Laura." they eventually broke their kiss and began walking back to the palace.
"Spear works great by the way." she joked while nodding at it.
"Do I even want to know?" he joked amused.
"Don't worry I only used it take down a helicopter, slice off some limbs and blasted who knows how many guards but it was in complete self defense." she smiled.
He smiled back and they leaned in to kiss each other.
A few weeks had gone by and Laura was enjoying her extended sabbatical from work and her life in New York and a break from work, recommended by her therapist.
Her and T'Challa were even acting like a normal couple.
Well as normal for the two of them anyway.
That night, the two were sleeping in his bed when her glasses vibrated on a side table, receiving a call.
She groaned while rolling over to put them on.
"SHIELD secure line. Watson, Laura, R. confirmed." the lenses biometrically scanned her eyes.
"Shit." she got up and ran to the bathroom and closed the door, knowing who was calling.
"Watson?" Fury's voice was heard.
"Yeah..." she yawned.
"I didn't know I'd be waking you..." he checked his watch, seeing "8:15 pm" on it in his office at The Triskelion thinking she was in New York.
"No its fine. So what do I owe this call?" she asked.
"There's a project that was just approved by the World Security Council that I'd like you to consult for us." he asked.
"Yeah no offence to you in particular but I'm done with SHIELD. I don't like being lied to." she crossed her arms.
"It's similar to the last one you worked on for us and this time the council and the Secretary has given you our highest security clearances." he peaked her interest and she sighed, hating that he did.
"What is it?" she asked.
"I'll need you to fly down here tomorrow so I can explain the situation to you in person. It's highly classified." he explained.
"Can you at least give me the name of this top secret project? This is a secure line Nick." she asked sarcastically and he sighed.
"Project Insight."
"Fine. I'll fly down first thing in the morning." she hanged up.
She sighed and checked over herself in the mirror above the double sinks, no longer seeing bags under her eyes and opened the door.
"What is it?" T'Challa asked he after waking him up.
"I've gotta be in D.C. first thing in the morning." she pouted while getting back into bed.
"We knew this day would come." he said while wrapping his arm around her.
"Yeah, I know. It was nice while it lasted."