Three Weeks Later
Kayla parked Steve's truck outside The Brewhouse on Saturday morning. She checked her phone, seeing that she was running late, but her seven-week-old daughter had a fever and sobbed all through the night, keeping both parents awake. As the sun began to rise, her fever finally broke, and Steve finally relaxed enough to get some sleep. Kayla, however, did not, and stayed awake with her daughter until Steve woke up again three hours later.
Now, with Steve taking care of the kids, Kayla was able to spend a little time out and about. Her favorite new routine was Saturdays and Sundays when she treated herself to a late morning visit to Tessa at The Brewhouse. The old coffee shop was connected to a little diner downtown, but it was very much its own establishment. The inside was all dark wood and the black marble counters that gave the coffee shop a sexy, adult feel. A large black chalkboard hung above the counter with the menu written in shimmering silver chalk. Little booths with dark red covers lined the windows as a handful of little two-person tables dotted the far wall, housing about twenty people on a busy day.
The little bell above the door jingled as Kayla pushed open the glass door, walking briskly up to the counter. Jason, one of the four teenagers who Tessa employed at The Brewhouse, swallowed hard under Kayla's gaze, feeling self-conscious around the beautiful woman. Kayla wore a short, sporty dress and heeled tennis shoes with her hair pulled away from her face by her bright green sunglasses. She smiled sweetly at Jason after looking around the shop, "Is Tessa here?"
"You're late." Tessa barked as she stormed from the back, but Kayla could see she wasn't angry because she was trying to hide her grin. "I was starting to think you were standing me up."
"I'd never stand you up, Tess," Kayla whined, leaning against the counter as Jason moved away, allowing Tessa to approach the customer. "Give me the strongest drink you got."
"Long night?" Tessa asked as she began working on a long Machiatto for her friend. She looked up through her thick lashes to see Kayla massaging her temples before rubbing her eyes with her fingers.
She sighed as she met Tessa's chocolate eyes, yawning through her explanation, "Sarah was up all night with a terrible fever. Steve and I were both up all night with her. She kept screaming, she was so uncomfortable. I felt so terrible."
"She's sick a lot isn't she?" Tessa pressed gently, covering the strong beverage in whipped cream for her auburn haired friend.
"Yeah. Gets it from Steve I guess. He says he had a rough childhood. That's why he works so hard to stay healthy and fit now because he used to struggle so much. She's just so little. Her two-month checkup is next week, and I'm hoping the doctor will have some suggestions." Kayla forced a weak smile as Tessa handed her the beverage, not bothering to ring it in.
Tessa nodded slowly, looking from Kayla to the door, "I'm sure they will. She'll grow out of it."
"I hope so." Kayla agreed, lifting her drink in a subtle cheer before taking a long drink of the beverage, "This is delicious by the way."
"It's like I do this for a living." Tessa countered and Kayla snorted, taking another drink before gesturing toward the booth at the window. The little bell above the door ran again, and Tessa greeted the new customer as Kayla took a seat at their usual spot, waiting patiently for Tessa to take a break.
After a few minutes, Tessa plopped down across from Kayla, wiping her sugary hands against her black apron, "You still up for sunrise yoga tomorrow morning?"
"As long as my daughter lets me sleep, then most definitely," Kayla mumbled as she took another drink, her eyes darting from Tessa to the window, seeing a police car pull up in front of the shop, "Everything okay with Ryan?"
Tessa looked up and saw what Kayla was gazing at and her eyebrows furrowed as her boyfriend got out of the car. "Yeah, as far as I know... I'll be right back."
Kayla watched intently, trying to read their lips and catch what was so important that Ryan came to see Tessa at work. He could just be getting coffee, but the nervous frown made it seem like it wasn't a social call. Kayla made out the words 'Washington' and 'America'. But it wasn't until she saw him say the name 'Ellis' that made her heart stop in her chest.
She pulled out her phone and began typing feverishly, keeping her eyes on Tessa and Ryan as they continued to talk. She saw Tessa grab her mouth in shock, looking down at the ground as Ryan grabbed her shoulders, smiling down at her reassuringly.
I think Ryan knows. I'll keep you posted. If I'm not home in an hour, take the kids somewhere safe.
Kayla pushed herself up out of the seat as she shoved her phone in her purse before grabbing her keys and heading toward the door. Once she opened it, she walked around the side slowly until she was in Ryan and Tessa's sights. She drug her feet over to them, shoving her hands into the pockets of her dress as she looked to the lanky cop, "Hey Ryan! Everything okay?"
"Hey, Katie! Yeah, everything's fine-well, kind of." Ryan corrected himself, shuffling his boot a little, "The Chief assigned several of us to a special case. President Ellis has been pulling strings on the Hill and has every town in New York looking for his grandson."
Kayla willed her face to not drain itself of color as she heard the words, but she couldn't stop her green eyes from bugging out of her head in shock, "Wow. That's insane. What... what happened to the kid? She got executed I remember. Does the father have him?"
"Dad was the old Captain America. He's dead too. The boy's only living relatives are his grandparents and they want him back." Ryan explained with a shrug, "Seems a little extreme personally, the kid's probably already dead."
"Where do you even begin in a situation like this?" Tessa asked, staring across the city street thoughtfully as she spoke.
"It's really not that hard. They know who was with him the night he disappeared."
Kayla felt her heart plummet into her shoes as she shifted her weight, "Really? Who?" She asked, acting genuinely interested despite already knowing the answer.
"The Black Widow."
"Wasn't she in the Avengers? Why would she steal someone's son?" Tessa asked, looking up at Ryan curiously.
"Captain America reported that she was living with Kayla Ellis before the trial. She was the last person that they know was with the child. He was never seen again after the incident at the gala, and as I said, I don't think a child could survive five months with an assassin on the run. She can hide, but she can't hide him. They are checking anywhere and everywhere she could possibly be. Ellis is sparing no expense at finding the kid." Ryan explained as he placed his hand on his car and leaned into it. "I've got to get to work. Just stay safe, okay. I love you." He pressed his lips to Tessa's temple before opening the door and sliding into the driver's seat. He blew Tessa a kiss before driving away.
Tessa turned to Kayla, who watched the cop car drive away, considering his words. They were searching for her son. They were searching for James. He was right under their noses and they didn't have a clue- which meant he was safe.
But Natasha was not.
"I'm a little shaken up Tess. That could be me. That could be my son. I... I think I need to go home. Just for peace of mind." Kayla stammered with a quivering jaw.
Tessa wrapped her arms around her taller friend, patting her back supportively, "I totally get it. Go home to James and Sarah. Make sure they are okay. I'll see you in the morning?"
"Yes. I'll be there. I promise." Kayla murmured, pulling away and looking down at her friend. "Get back to work slacker."
"Screw you." Tessa laughed, shoving Kayla away as she trotted back into her store.
Once Tessa was out of sight, Kayla sprinted toward the large grey pickup. As soon as she had the door closed, she yanked out her phone and began calling her husband. "Steve?"
"Kay, what the hell's happening? Do you need us to run?" Steve yelped from the other end of the phone. Kayla could hear the fear in his voice.
Kayla clamped her eyes shut as she breathed deeply, "We're fine. Our cover is intact. But they are searching for Nat."
"Who is?"
"Everyone."
Kayla slammed the door and locked it behind her, pressing her back against it as she panted. Zawadi barked loudly, jumping up and putting his paws on Kayla's chest as he tried to lick at her face. She let herself sink to the floor and the dog nuzzled his large face against her, trying to comfort his owner as she sat in a daze. She heard the familiar squawking of her son as he began pattering toward her clumsily.
"Hey, handsome." Kayla reached out with both arms and motioned for the toddler to keep walking toward her. "Come on little man, you got this." James stumbled into her chest, falling against her as she wrapped her arms around him, stroking his blonde hair lovingly. The little boy latched onto her dress and wouldn't let go, studying the green fabric in his little fists.
"Kayla- Kayla what the hell's happening." Steve came barreling into the room, kneeling next to Kayla with Sarah protected in his arms. "What's going on with Nat?"
"My father is endorsing a state-wide manhunt for Natasha. He thinks she still has James. Every police force in New York is looking for her. Can we get a hold of her?" Kayla asked, holding James's back with one hand and reaching out for Steve with the other. "We need to find her."
"And do what exactly? If she comes here, they'll not only find her, but they'll find James, and us... What happens if they find us? If they find you?" Steve asked, pressing a firm kiss to the back of Kayla's free hand.
Kayla stared at him blankly, stroking James's back as she tried to come up with a solution. "It's just me, Steve. You can have the kids, they are yours. Nobody can take them from you. There's no proof that you are dead. We have to help Natasha, she risked everything for you and me to have our family. Get a hold of her, Steve."
Steve leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Kayla's pale lips before passing Sarah to Kayla's free arm. He rocked himself back onto his heels and went into the kitchen to find his burner phone to find Natasha. He pulled open the top left drawer and grabbed the dark flip phone that only held three numbers: Natasha. Bucky. Tony.
He dialed his former partner and wandered toward the sliding glass door leading past the kitchen table out to the backyard as the phone rang. And rang. And rang. "Come on Natasha," Steve growled as he waited impatiently for her to answer. He got her machine and after the beep, he left a frantic message to the Black Widow. "Nat. It's Steve. Call me back as soon as you get this."
Within moments of Steve hanging up, the phone rang again. "Natasha?"
"I can't talk long Rogers. What do you need?" Her curt voice cut through the line, but Steve could tell her usual playfulness was missing.
"Come to the house. You know the address. We'll hide you here. Kay wants to protect you." Steve ordered quickly but she cut him off.
"No. It's too dangerous. Take care, Steve." Natasha hung up the phone, and Steve clenched it tightly, only releasing his grip when he began to feel the phone cracking. He groaned and threw his head back, looking up at the ceiling. He felt his wife's gentle hand on his shoulder and turned to face Kayla, shaking his head disappointedly.
"It's okay. She knows where to find us if she needs us. She's gonna be okay. If anyone can survive this, its Natasha Romanoff." Kayla assured her husband as she gave him a supportive squeeze on the shoulder. "We'll lay low for a while. Just to be safe." Kayla mumbled, pressing her lips against the soft fabric of Steve's t-shirt.
"Natalia." Bucky's hushed voice rumbled through the empty apartment. Sam was meeting with Mathew and Sandra Ellis, coming up for a plan to find their grandson. He needed to find James as much as they did- James was Steve's son. Natasha didn't have the right to keep him for herself.
Years of running together wiped away by a single action. Sam felt sad and betrayed, but he had a duty now that went beyond being a renegade soldier. He was Captain America, and his first mission would be to ensure his friend's only living relative was safe with family. Sam Wilson was leading the hunt for Natasha Romanoff.
The redhead peeked around the door of the closet, looking over Bucky's broad shoulders as he appeared in the bedroom doorway to make sure he was alone. Her long red-blonde hair sat limply around her shoulders, reminding Barnes she hadn't showered in a few days of hiding. Her eyes were sad and maybe even a little scared. She had nowhere to run that was safe.
"Natalia." Barnes tried again, using her given name as he stared at her expectantly, "You need to go."
"I know. I'll head to Barton's place. It's off the map enough. He already knows I'm coming." She answered quietly, still not trusting that Barnes was alone. Her green eyes were laser focused on the soldier as he looked around his bedroom, trying to word his next question.
"So what are you waiting for?"
"I'm waiting to see if you've sold me out or not."
Bucky balked at her accusation, crossing his arms defensively as he set his jaw. "I didn't. But Wilson will be back soon. If you don't want him to find you, I suggest you move. The whole state's looking for you."
"Steve called me today. He got word that they're expanding the search." Natasha told Barnes quietly, stepping out of the closet with her black duffle already slung over her shoulder. "You should check in on them. Make sure they're okay."
Bucky gave the other assassin a firm nod, "I will. But it's too soon right now." Barnes looked up as he heard the door to their apartment unlocked. He turned to Natasha with a knowing smile, "Time to go."
Author's Notes:
Siobhan- I know, their regular lives come and go, but I think I'm going to simmer down and dig deeper once the kids get a little older. I just don't want to make the story too boring! But I'm glad everyone is enjoying it! Oh, we'll be seeing a lot of Tony, Pepper, Morgan, Natasha, and of course Bucky Barnes! But as for everyone else?... maybe... maybe not. The circle is small. And they want to keep it that way.
Nikkita Starr- As I said, four bottles is nothing lol. Next time you come visit I'll show you! (Note for others reading, I've known Nikkita almost my whole life. :)