A/N: I know people want Wanda and Nat but I kinda need to finish this cute Natasha/Pepper moment. But Pepper and Wanda moments will also become a thing so yeah, girl power fanfic, I guess. What I am trying to say is. I'm just doing what I enjoy and feel is right. That's all.

As I keep writing this and read through it I'm realizing this is the kind of chapter people either will like or hate. But you know what. I like it.

S-B

Pepper woke up when she felt a swift motion besides her and turned around just to see Natasha rush out of bed. Pepper wasn't sure what was happening, all she knew was that Natasha was now out of the bed slamming the door to the bathroom close behind her. Pepper threw a look at the clock on the wall. It was only 5 am meaning they had only slept two hours or so. Pepper looked at the bed where Natasha previously had been sleeping. Like she suspected it was a few blood marks from Natasha's shoulder. She had felt the woman twist and turn a lot in the bed probably rubbing and irritating the wound.

Pepper walked slowly towards the bathroom door when she heard a loud cry from the bathroom.

"Natasha, are you okay?" Pepper called leaning close to the door trying to hear what was happening on the other side of the door. Pepper heard as the woman let out yet another distorted cry. Clearly, it was no decision making here. "Nat, I'm coming in!"

Pepper didn't give her a chance to respond as she opened the door carefully. Natasha was lying over the toilet looking like she just had been punched in the stomach. Her body was shaking uncontrollably and her face had lost all colour. It almost looked like she was crying, except it was no tears.

"Natasha," Pepper said with a calm voice as she sat down beside the woman. Natasha only looked at her with tired face probably to exhausted respond. Pepper looked at her studying the other face. Her skin was pale and she looked more ill than injured. She had still some dirt on her from her previous mission.

Her eyes moved from the cut above her eye before it fell on her shoulder again. The bandage was soaked in blood and needed some serious attention. Without a word Pepper left the room to get the first aid kit again. Being with Tony she was pretty familiar with injuries by now. Still, it was something different watching the world's deadliest person lying over a toilet shaking in pain.

When Pepper walked back into the bathroom Natasha was throwing up in the toilet shaking intensely struggling to support herself. Felling helpless in the situation Pepper just sank down behind her supporting the other woman making sure she wouldn't fall. The woman slowly started moving her hair away from her face as she was trying to comfort the other woman.

"Because of the pain or something else?" Pepper whispered as the woman started to calm down again leaning back on Pepper letting her hug around her.

"Pain" Natasha whispered back followed by a low cry. Pepper hugged around her feeling the smaller woman trying to take some deep breath. Pepper got that Natasha didn't want to have this conversation now, but she needed to know. She felt Natasha starting to move in her arms and let go of her slowly before she looked at her and asked.

"Does this happen every month?" The other woman didn't seem to want to answer right away so instead of pushing her more Pepper started to slowly unwrap Natasha's shoulder while waiting for Natasha to answer. The woman was now leaning up against the opposing wall from the toilet with her eyes closed. She shook her head slowly indicating a no.

"What about last month? You seemed fine then?" Pepper continued trying to stay as calm as possible.

"Fine. No pain" Natasha mumbled back.

"Does anyone know?"

"No"

"You haven't told anyone?!"

"Wanda knows it can be bad. Gave her some of my the painkillers after the incident. Haven't seen how bad yet. Laura and Clint know. Laura has seen, not Clint." Natasha's sentence was short and clear.

"This is really bad Natasha" Pepper mumbled more to herself than anyone. As she finished up wrapping the shoulder for the second time she started to wonder what Natasha usually did when it did get so bad. Of course, she wouldn't usually be in the same situation as this, considering she was also injured in multiple places right now. But still.

"So, when it does get so bad as this, you do what exactly?" Pepper asked slowly taking a looking at the other woman in front of her.

"Tell Friday to close off my room and sleep," Natasha answered with a tired voice. Pepper wanted to protest and tell Natasha that was no way of handling it. But she knew it wouldn't make any difference. Or at least not now.

Changing the subject Pepper decided to try to get her off the floor.

"Can you stand?" Pepper asked. She got that Natasha was tired, but Pepper really didn't want her sleeping on the bathroom tiles. Natasha opened up her eyes and two green eyes locked with hers and Pepper noticed how Natasha's usual fiery eyes were now switched out with two tired and almost scared once.

Instead of answering the question the spy just started to slowly pick herself up from the floor. Pepper was right beside her as support, slowly helping her up on her feet before slipping Natasha's right arm over her left shoulder and neck. Pepper let out a small groan as she felt Natasha's whole bodyweight fall on her left side.

Slowly they started to move over to the bed. Natasha was limping heavily making Pepper struggle to keep her up straight. Pepper had completely forgotten her injured ankle and it seemed like she had underestimated it earlier.

Pepper and Natasha eventually made it to the bed again. Pepper watched as Natasha swallowed yet another pill and fell back into the bed. Pepper was unsure what to do with herself but didn't get much time to wonder before Natasha waved her over to the bed.

"Stay with me until I fall asleep again?" Natasha whispered. Pepper was surprised the girl even wanted her in the room. Again, Pepper wasn't used to Natasha ever wanting help. Maybe this had something to do with what happened when she was captured with Wanda. But if it was it made Pepper really worried.

The CEO walked over to the bed and laid down beside Natasha. Natasha looked at her and Pepper couldn't help but smile a little. It's been a crazy three hours, but Pepper was happy the spy at least trusted her.

Pepper woke up two hours later feeling a lot more relaxed than last time. She had at slept close to four hours tonight and honestly, it could have been a lot worse. What Pepper really wanted was to lay in bed all day and do nothing, but she already knew her phone would be drowning in messages and calls if she didn't do something soon. She was supposed to be in the office at 8:30 and now it was 7:45. In other words it, not going to happen. Sure she could just call in telling them she would be late, but again she kinda didn't want to. And really this was the first time in ages she took a sick day off, it was fine. The CEO texted a few people including Happy calling in sick. She knew rescheduling would be hell later on, but it didn't matter now. It was Friday so that wouldn't really be a problem before Monday.

Pepper got up from the bed and slowly started to move around in the room, careful not to wake up the sleeping woman. Natasha had fallen asleep around 30 minutes after they went to bed, but she seemed to be in a lot of pain even then. Now she looked pretty relaxed which was nice. The cut over her eye seemed to get better. While it had only been a few hours Pepper could swear it at least looked like it was going the right direction. She had kicked off the cover in her sleep and Pepper could see her ankle was swollen again. She should probably get her some ice. She also needed a restock in both first aid kits.

As Pepper moved around her eyes fell on the reflection in the mirror reminding her that she still had the same clothes on from yesterday. Her once white blazer was now covered in bloodstains. Deciding she needed to get some new clothes on she moved over to Natasha's closet. The woman had a way bigger wardrobe than Pepper thought. She also realized how well-dressed Natasha really was. Her surprisingly big closet was filled with beautiful cocktail dresses and blazers in every colour. And even though Pepper realized most was probably bought and used for SHIELD purposes she really did find the collection quite amazing.

Pepper picked out a white shirt and black pants with a black belt. It was something she was sure "Natalie" would have worn. Concluding that the outfit looked good enough she slowly made her way over to the door throwing one last look at the sleeping woman. Pepper didn't really want to leave the other woman, but she needed some food and she also really wanted some tea. She could also get the ice and first aid equipment on the same run. Pepper didn't know how long she would be gone, but she didn't want to seem like she just had left Natasha alone so she decided on leaving a small note. "Need some breakfast. Be back very soon. If you need anything, text me." Pepper put down the note with a new glass of cold water before slipping out of the room.

"Friday. Don't let anyone except me inside okay. Seriously, nobody" Pepper said as she walked down the hallway. This was when she started to miss the old Avengers tower when everyone had their own floor instead of just living on one really big apartment building. Because even though she had no problem with the Avengers usually she really didn't want to bump into them now.

Pepper tried to be as quiet as possible as she worked in the kitchen. The kitchen in the Avengers faculty was one of Peppers favourite rooms in the building. Because of the big window the morning sun always shines thought and kept lighting up the room most of the day. The room was filled with a warm orange colour reminding her of the old house in California.

She just finished making her avocado toast and was just waiting for the water in the kettle to boil before going back to the bedroom. Besides her she had a small bag with a few unused ice packs and a stack of bandages in various shapes and sizes.

Pepper was just finishing making her tea and was now considering getting a tray for her plate and mug instead of having to balance everything in just her hands.

Pepper almost screamed when she noticed Wanda sitting in one of the windows. She hadn't noticed her before, and the girl looked tiny in the big window. She had close eyes, but she seemed pretty aware of Pepper. Had she been there the whole time?

"Wanda?" Pepper tried carefully. She didn't know the girl too well, but she at least wanted to make sure she was okay, for Natasha's sake. The younger woman turned her head and looked at her with a small smile. Pepper could tell she was tired, and she was wondering if she had slept at all.

"Hi, Pepper," Wanda said with a low voice. Pepper noticed how her accent wasn't as thick as it was before. Weird she hadn't noticed that earlier.

"Are you okay Wanda?" Pepper asked trying to sound as calm as possible. She moved back to the counter with her tray carefully placing her mug and plate on it.

"Um, yeah. I'm just… I have a lot on my mind." The other woman answered before moving over to the kitchen. Pepper smiled at her. She could tell Wanda was having some second thoughts about this conversation. The other woman sat down on the barstool close to the island in the kitchen.

"It's just that after… what happened, and Natasha gone. I've just not felt quite like myself. In the room, I was held. Um… they tried experimenting on me. They tried to experiment on my powers. So, they told me their goal was to make me stronger because I was gifted with these powers, they told me we, or they, needed to make the most of it. Whatever they did it made my powers change in ways I can't describe. And it's times I don't trust myself at all. I'm scared I will hurt anyone. Hurt anyone I love and care about. And I can't lose anyone. I just can't." Pepper heard how Wanda's voice drifted off as she said the last sentence. The young girl had lost her parents and her brother early on. Pepper couldn't imagine losing everyone you cared about as she had. She was only 20 but still, the girl seemed so much older. She seemed so vise in a lot of ways.

"What about sleep? Have you been sleeping lately? You look tired" Pepper asked. She looked at the other woman with a serious look.

"I've tried. And I slept a couple of hours. But I've just been so scared. Scared if I would hurt someone in my sleep. Like I did." Wanda's green eyes locked with Pepper's and she could tell the girl was concerned. This was real fear.

"Wanda, I understand you are scared. But everyone around you trusts you. But we also need you to take care of yourself. And heal. I know you won't hurt anyone on purpose, but I seriously believe sleep is key here. If you need any other pointers, I am sure the rest of the team will agree with me here." Pepper looked at her, and the girl nodded back.

"I am also sure the team would love to hear what you have to say. You don't have to explain anything if you don't want too, but I am sure they would appreciate you sharing. If you want too." Pepper looked at her with a warm smile before she lifted up her tray.

"Thank you, Pepper," Wanda said and smiled back, and Pepper could tell it was a genuine smile.

"You are very welcome, Wanda. I won't ask for anymore if you don't want me to, but just know I'm here to listen if you want me too." Pepper said with a warm tone as she passed the other girl and walked towards the door. To her surprise, Wanda actually followed after her. She was probably going back to the roof or her room which was down the hallway. But walking with Pepper was a good sign.

Pepper decided not to push at all and just smiled at her before they continued to walk in a comfortable silence. Their short conversation had made a strong impact on the younger woman she could tell. The comfortable atmosphere was sadly short lasted and got interrupted by a loud voice.

"Friday what do you mean locked. LET ME IN!" Both Wanda and Pepper looked at each other before speeding up before following the sound.

Pepper's heart raced as she realized what the commotion was all about. Steve was standing in front of Natasha's door with an angry look in his face. Just as Pepper and Wanda turned around the corner Peter came running down the hallway from the other direction.

"What is going on Steve?" Wanda said with a worried voice running up to Steve with a before throwing a looking at her mentors closed and locked door.

"The door is locked, and Friday won't let me in," Steve said nodding at the closed door.

"But that's Natasha's room, isn't?" Peter said as he caught up panting from his run.

"Apparently she came home last night. I didn't know before right now." Steve said still with an annoyed tone.

"Natasha is back?!" Wanda exclaimed. Pepper looked at Wanda's happy face before it turned to a concerned look.

"Is she okay?"

"I don't know before FRIDAY LET'S ME IN"

"But shouldn't Friday open the door or is she not working properly?"

Pepper watched the three of them discuss back and forth. As they kept on talking all three of them were starting to look more and more annoyed by the stubborn AI who at this point wasn't even responding anymore.

Pepper was happy Friday hadn't motioned her yet because she really didn't want to explain everything now. Plus, it would be wrong of her to even try to explain because it wasn't her story to tell in the first place.

She wasn't planning on saying anything before she noticed a red glow in Wanda's hand.

"Wanda, you can unlock it right?" Steve said. Where they seriously planning on knock down the wall?

Wanda nodded and was ready to blast through before Pepper jumped in front of the door.

"GUYS!" Wanda slowly put down her hands and the red glow slowly died out.

"What are you doing?! I don't think yelling at the door will help. And I KNOW breaking into the room won't do any good either. I'm sure she'll let you in, eventually." Pepper said looking at Steve with a strict look. She could tell he wanted to protest but the CEO walked closer to him pushing him away from the door. Wanda only nodded before backing up.

Pepper could tell they wanted to say something against her, but she didn't let them. Pepper only shook her head before pushing them on their way. She looked at them as they walked down the hall following close behind to try not to be suspicious.

Just before they turned around the next corner down to the elevator Pepper stopped. She had to break away from the group. "Actually, I'm going to go eat in the living room" turning her heel around and almost running away from them not letting any of them respond.

"Friday. Open the door now and lock the second I close it again" Pepper pushed down the handle and as she closed the door, she could faintly hear Steve call after her before the soundproof wall muffled the sound completely.

A/N: Was actually planning on doing one looong chapter but I then I fell behind on my schedule so just had to post, I guess. Kinda sucks but I need to keep up the time plan. Which also means Wanda Nat moment won't be back next chapter. But the chapter after that I can almost guarantee.