Chapter 19
AN: Thank you for the support. Hope you like this chapter.
March 12th 1962
Ever since her first Christmas as a Carter-Stark Natasha has become even more comfortable with her parents, and extended family.
It's Monday morning and Peggy, Howard, Natasha, Ana and Jarvis, are in the kitchen having breakfast together.
"It's sports day later this week, and I want to take part, but I can't right? because of what I can do?" Natasha asks, as it has become clear that she is faster, stronger, and more durable than regular children.
"You can," Peggy tells her daughter. "But Tasha, you have to be careful. If you put too much effort in, or even really try, then that wouldn't be fair to the other students," Peggy explains.
"Tash, you have abilities that means you can do things others can't which is incredible," Howard assures his daughter. "There are times when you use your abilities, a competitive sport is a time where you don't," Howard explains to his daughter.
"I know," Natasha says, and as she does all the power in the house goes out.
"This on the other hand is a time where you might have to," Peggy says, as she pulls a gun. "Tash, go with Ana to the safe room," Peggy says, knowing that Natasha knows exactly where that is as it was one of the first things that Peggy and Howard told her about.
"But I can…" Natasha starts to say, but as she does everyone sees movement in the backyard.
"Tash go!" Howard stresses, looking worried.
"Come on, Tasha," Ana says, standing up, and Natasha looks hesitant.
"Listen to your parents, Miss Tasha," Jarvis says, and reluctantly Tasha goes with Ana.
Just as Ana and Natasha get into the hallway Ana and Natasha hear the sounds of the kitchen windows and daughters being broken in, followed by the sound of gunshots.
"MOM! DAD!" Natasha yells in terror, not even realizing that she called them Mom and Dad for the first time, and she goes to run back into the kitchen, but Ana puts her arm around Natasha and picks her up. Even though Natasha is a lot stronger than Ana, she is also very small, and so Ana is able to pick her up, but she knows that she doesn't stand a chance if Natasha starts to fight her.
"Ana, no. we've got to get to Mom and Dad!" Natasha argues, and she purposely uses the right amount of force to get Ana to let go of her, but not enough to hurt her.
"Tasha, what your parents care about most is you begin safe. Come on," Ana says, grabbing Natasha's hand and pulling her towards the safe room. Before they take more than a few steps the window a few steps ahead of them is broken in and a man blocks their path.
"There you are. You're coming with us," A man says, in Russian, to Natasha, as they all hear more gunshots.
"I'm not going anywhere," Natasha says, also in Russian.
Acting on instinct Natasha lunches forwards, and starts to fight the man. Using her strength and speed to her advantage, she hits him in the stomach, and then using that as leverage she gets onto his shoulders and uses her thighs, and strength to break his neck, causing him to fall to the ground, with Natasha on top of him.
"Tash, come on," Ana says, taking Natasha's hand once more, knowing they will have to deal with what Natasha just did at some point.
"But they're after me… Mom, Dad, Jarvis… their…" Natasha says worried, as she allows Ana to pull her along.
"Fighting back, and they can do more when we're safe," Ana explains, and her words cause Natasha to realize what is best, and she actually starts to run.
Even though she is a lot faster than Ana Natasha purposely doesn't run as fast so that they can stay together, and they finally get to the safe room, which they get into and once they are inside Ana activates the safety features.
"How long will we have to stay here for?" Natasha asks Ana.
"Until it's safe," Ana explains, knowing that it could be a little while.
In the main area of the house, specifically in the dining room, Peggy has finished tying up the last of the 'uninvited guests', at least those who are still alive.
"I've called Mr. Carter, Mr. Sousa, and Mr. Thompson," Jarvis explains.
"Thanks Jarvis," Howard says, relieved. "Peg, they were after Tasha," Howard explains worried.
"I know," Peggy say, sounding just as worried. "We got the alert that they made it to the safe room, and the body in the hallway indicates that, so I think we should wait to give the all clear until Daniel, Michael, and Jack get here," Peggy explains, as even though she would like to check for herself that her daughter is okay, she would rather wait until it is safe to do so.
After a bit of time that felt like an eternity to Peggy, Howard, Jarvis, not to mention Natasha and Ana Daniel, Jack and Michael have finally arrived at the Carter-Stark estate.
"Interesting breakfast guests," Michael comments.
"Compeltley unwanted too," Howard comments, as Peggy hurries to the safe room.
Once she gets to the safe room Peggy answers the double entrance codes so that the door opens.
"Mom!" Natasha says happily before throwing herself into Peggy's arms.
"Are you okay?" Peggy asks her daughter concerned, holding her close, as she holds her close, and despite everything feels overwhelming joy at being called Mom for the first time.
"Yeah, are you?" Natasha asks her mother.
"Yeah," Peggy confirms. "Ana?" Peggy asks concerned.
"I'm okay," Ana assures her. "Edwin? Howard?" Ana asks concerned.
"They're okay," Peggy says, as they head out of the safe room together; Peggy carrying Natasha as they go.
When Peggy, Ana, and Natasha get to the dining room the find several men tied up and Jarvis, Howard, Daniel, Jack, and Michael looking between the people who are tied up.
"Dad!" Natasha exclaims as Peggy puts her down and she hurries over to her father, who is amazed at Natasha calling him dad.
"Are you okay, Kiddo?" Howard asks worried, as he hugs his daughter, while Ana and Jarvis also hug.
"Yeah," Natasha assures her father.
"Tash, I need you to go to SHIELD with Uncle Daniel and Uncle Jack," Peggy tells her daughter.
"What? No? they were after me!" Natasha objects.
"That's exactly why you need to go somewhere safe, Kiddo," Howard says to his daughter.
"But I can help! I killed one!" Natasha objects.
"Which is something your Dad and I never wanted you to have to do," Peggy says, a sad edge to her voice. "Darling, your Dad and I need to figure out things here. So, we need you to know that you're safe," Peggy explains as even though she knows Natasha can protect herself she is still Natasha's mother and wants to protect her.
"You'll be safe at SHIELD with your Uncles and Aunts," Howard explains.
"But I can protect myself," Natasha objects.
"We know that Honey, but we're your parents. We want you to be safe," Howard explains.
"It will be fun, Nat. you love SHIELD," Daniel says to her, trying to make her feel better.
"Uncle Daniel's right, everything will be okay, and you'll have fun," Michael assures her.
"Okay, I'll go," Natasha says, as she looks between all the people she cares about.
"Take the most direct route, don't stop, drive fast," Peggy says to Jack in a quiet voice.
"We will," Jack promises. "Come on, Nat," Jack says and he, Daniel and Natasha leave together.
"What do we do now?" Jarvis asks as he, Peggy, Howard, Michael, and Ana hear the sound of the car leaving.
"We get some answers," Peggy says, walking into the kitchen to get a glass of water.
Once she has the glass of water Peggy walks back into the dining room and throws it in the face of one of the man, causing him to wake up with a start.
"What do you want?" Peggy asks, and the doesn't answers. "What do you want?" Peggy asks, switching to Russian.
"The girl," the man says, in broken English. "She's one of ours. We trained her. We want her back," the guy informs Peggy, Howard, Michael, Ana and Jarvis.
"That is not going to happen," Howard says, as he is not going to let his daughter go.
A few hours later Natasha is at SHIELD in Daniel, Jack, Michael, Land Rose's office, because she was meant to be at school Natasha is doing her schoolwork at her uncles desk while Daniel, Jack, Lian, and Rose look after her.
As Natasha works the door to the open opens and acting on instinct Daniel, Jack, Lian, and Rose pull the guns, but it is Jarvis and Howard who walk in, and so they all put their guns away.
"Dad, where's mom?" Natasha asks worried.
"She's working to make sure we're safe," Howard explains to his daughter. "Daniel, Jack, Lian, Rose, Peg's got work for you upstairs," Howard explains, and the four of them nod and head out of the office.
"Are you okay, Miss Tasha?" Jarvis asks concerned.
"Yes," Natasha answers, with a nod. "When can we go home?" Natasha asks curious.
"Soon," Howard says, as he sits down on the desk next to his daughter. "We've found out more information about the people who came to our house, they have a safe house. So, your Mom, with your Uncles and Aunts, are going to raid it," Howard explains. "Once they do that we can go home," Howard explains.
"What if they keep coming after me?" Natasha asks, looking vulnerable. "Dad, I don't want to go back there. I don't want them to take me back," Natasha admits, becoming upset.
"Your Mom and I aren't going to let that happen," Howard promises, as he puts an arm around Natasha and kisses her head.
A little while later outside a derelict house in New York, Peggy, Jack, Daniel, Rose, Lian, and Michael are all geared up.
"How many people are we expecting?" Daniel asks curious.
"About ten," Peggy answers. "This was a splinter cell, after we saved Tash they followed the leads. According to the man back at our house they were waiting until they had Natasha to report back," Peggy explains, knowing that that is a good thing and hopefully no one else knows about Natasha.
"Which means we stop them here then Nat is safe," Michael realises, looking relieved.
"Michael, you, Lian, and Rose take the back. Jack, Daniel, the three of us will take the front," Peggy reveals, and they all get into position.
Once everyone is in position they head into the house and sounds of gunshots follow.
Back at SHIELD Natasha is with her father, and Jarvis, in Peggy's office. Due to all her training Natasha can tell how tense her father, and Jarvis, are and she is able to pick up on every time her father checks the clock.
"You're worried about Mom," Natasha realises.
"Yeah," Howard confirms. "Tash, your Mom is incredible, she's pulled of miracles since I met her, and she is the most skilled, soldier, spy, and agent there is, I never doubt her skills or abilities," Howard explains.
"But you still worry?" Natasha asks, trying to make sense of things.
"Because I love her, and I worry about her, even knowing that she can handle herself," Howard explains.
"So, it's irrational," Natasha realises.
"That's love," Jarvis answers, feeling like Howard has handled this conversation pretty well, and to his, Howard, and Natasha's relief Peggy walks in.
"Mom," Natasha says relieved, and she hurries over to her mother and hugs her. "Are you okay?" Natasha asks worried.
"Yeah, Tash, I'm okay," Peggy assures her daughter as she returns the hug, having purposely delayed coming back to her office until her healing took care of the minor injuries she did get. "Let's go home," Peggy tells her daughter, and she, Howard, Natasha, and Jarvis leave together.
June 30th 1962
Since Peggy, Howard, Natasha, Ana and Jarvis were attacked in their own home, which has been repaired, MJ has turned three, Natasha has continued to call Peggy and Howard mom and dad all the time, finished her first year at American School, and ever since the attack she has been closer to her parents, have become clingy to a degree.
It's a beautiful summer, Saturday afternoon and Natasha and Peggy are out in the backyard training together.
"That's good, Tash, good control," Peggy tells her daughter.
"I learnt it when I watched the training in the SHIELD gym the other day," Natasha explains, as that has become her favourite spare time activity, watching, and taking part in, shield training.
"Well you did a good job learning," Peggy tells her daughter. "Now, try using your speed, to dodge, and get close to me," Peggy explains to her daughter.
"Okay," Natasha says, and waiting for her opening Natasha moves and while Natasha is fast Peggy knows her daughter well enough to know the opening she is going to take, and so Peggy is able to grab Natasha. "Got you," Peggy says, and she starts to tickle her daughter.
As Peggy tickles Natasha, Natasha tries to do the same to her mother, while attempting to get away, and it ends with the two of them falling into the pool in their clothes.
"You okay?" Peggy asks her daughter concerned when they get to the surface, as while she knows Natasha can swim now she doesn't know how comfortable Natasha is in water.
"That was awesome!" Natasha exclaims, and because of the smile on her daughter's face, Peggy can't help but smile too.
Six weeks later
For the rest of the summer Natasha just enjoys spending time with her parents and extended family. It's a couple of days before Howard's birthday and because she is feeling a little bored Natasha has found her way into her father's home lab; having first gone to her mother's office, but because the door was closed she knew not to interrupt.
"Hey Dad," Natasha greats, as she walks into her father's lab.
"Hey Kiddo," Howard greats.
"What are you working on?" Natasha asks curious.
"A new form of communicator for missions," Howard explains. "When I'm done it will increase the distance that agents can commutate, and it would be smaller than the tech currently in use," Howard explains.
"That sounds cool," Natasha says with a smile. "Can I help?" Natasha asks curious. "I don't know a lot about building things, but I know a little," Natasha admits.
"We'll I'll be happy to teach you," Howard tells his daughter, and the two of them start to work together.
About an hour later that is exactly how Peggy finds them, working side by side in Howard's lab, and rather than telling Natasha it is her bedtime she gives them an extra half an hour.
September 7th 1962
After enjoying the last few weeks of Summer Natasha has returned to school for her second year at American School, even though she is smaller, and hasn't gotten older, it isn't noticeable and so Natasha is able to move forward at the same school.
It's a Friday night, and needing a break from reading Natasha, who has been reading in the front room of the Carter-Stark estate is looking around, and as she does she is drawn to the record collection. Looking at the various records Natasha finds a particular one that she is interested in and so she picks it up and starts to play it.
As the music plays around the room Natasha hesitates, but then she feels the music and starts to dance, doing the ballet moves that she knows all too well. Having heard the music Peggy, Howard, Ana, and Jarvis have found their way into the living room and are watching as Natasha dances.
Doing a Pirouette, Natasha sees her family and so she tries to stop herself and it results in her falling to the ground.
"Tash, you okay?" Peggy asks worried as she, Howard, Ana, and Jarvis hurry over to her.
"I'm fine," Natasha says as she gets back onto her feet.
"I didn't know you could dance," Ana says to her.
"Back where I came from, they trained us for our covers as well as everything else they trained us to do," Natasha explains. "Our covers were dancers, ballet specifically," Natasha explains.
"Just like Ms Underwood," Jarvis realises.
"Things haven't changed much since Dottie," Natasha admits, having learnt more about the woman who died protecting her since she was adopted. "I used to hate the hours we were forced to spend dancing, I kind of miss it now," Natasha reveals.
"We can sign you up for Ballet lessons, no problem," Howard assures her.
"No," Natasha says quickly, shaking her head. "I don't want to dance in public," Natasha tells her parents, shaking her head.
"Okay," Peggy says, being able to tell that this is quiet the depressing topic for Natasha. "If you change your mind you just have to tell us," Peggy explains.
"Okay," Natasha says, with a nod, and she starts to dance again. As she does Peggy and Howard exchange looks, both thinking about what they can do to help their daughter.
Three days Later
"Have you got much homework, Miss Tasha?" Jarvis asks curious, as he and Natasha arrive back home.
"A little," Natasha says as they walk into the front door. "I might go get it done before Mom and Dad get home," Natasha explains, as she heads to the stairs.
"Tash," a voice says and Natasha turns to see her parents standing in the front room, it being her Dad who talked.
"Mom? Dad? I thought you were working late," Natasha comments, as she walks over to her parents.
"We were going to, but there's something we want to show you," Peggy explains, and with a confused look on her face Natasha looks at Jarvis, who gives her an encouraging nod, and so Natasha follows her parents through the front room, into a corridor, past the library, and gym, and to a room that Natasha is pretty sure was empty but now resembles a ballet studio.
"What is this?" Natasha asks shocked as she looks around.
"Your Mom and I heard you when you said you didn't want to do public ballet lessons," Howard tells his daughter. "But we thought if you had this then you could dance whenever you want," Howard explains.
"You built all this in three days?" Natasha asks amazed as she looks around.
"Yes, it's seemed like something important to you," Peggy explains to her daughter.
"Thank you," Natasha says, feeling amazed, and she runs to her parents and hugs them. "Thank you so much," She says as she hugs them tightly.
October 16th 1962
Ever since her parents built her a dance studio Natasha has used it on occasion, even more than she was expecting. It is extremely early on a Tuesday morning and Natasha is sitting on her parents bad as both of them pack bags.
"So, Jarvis and Ana are going to be with you, and we'll call every day," Peggy explains to her daughter. "Every morning and every night,"
"Why can't I go to DC with you?" Natasha asks her parents.
"You have school," Howard tells her.
"Tash, I know you've been paying attention to the news, so you know what is going on right now," Peggy explains to her daughter, as she sits down next to her.
"Yeah," Natasha confirms.
"Your Dad and I have been called to Washington to help try and deescalate the situation as we can't give the help needed from here," Peggy explains. "So, we're going to be in meetings all day, and all night, not to mention potentially doing other things as well. It's better for you to be here with Mr Jarvis and Ana," Peggy explains.
"How long will you be gone for?" Natasha asks, as Howard walks over.
"Maybe a couple of weeks, Kiddo," Howard answers, as he sits down with his wife and daughter, and Natasha looks worried as while her parents have been on missions since they adopted her, her mother especially, this is potentially going to be for longer.
"Darling, our job is to protect people, and sometimes that might take us away from you, but that doesn't mean we don't love you; and we're always going to do whatever we have to do to come home to you," Peggy tells her daughter. "Okay?" Peggy asks.
"Okay," Natasha confirms with a nod.
"Kiddo, if you need anything Jarvis and Ana will be here," Howard promises, and Natasha gives a nod.
"We love you Tash," Peggy says, before hugging her daughter, tightly, and kissing the top of her head.
"We love you," Howard says, once Peggy and Natasha break apart, and he hugs her too.
"It's time Darling, your Dad and I have to go," Peggy explains.
"Okay," Natasha says, and both Peggy and Howard stand up, and pick up their bags.
"We'll call you tonight," Howard tells his daughter, and he and Peggy leave.
Second after Peggy and Howard leave Natasha follows them, and stands on the stairs as she watches them leave. After they leave Ana walks up and puts her arm around Natasha's shoulders.
"They'll be back before you know it, Tasha," Ana assures her.
"I hope so," Natasha responds.
"Mr Jarvis has breakfast ready in the kitchen, and I think, with some persuasion, he can be convinced to put one of those brownies in your lunchbox," Ana explains.
"You think?" Natasha asks, looking excited.
"Let's go find out," Ana suggests, and she leads Natasha towards the kitchen.
Six Weeks later
After spending two weeks in DC, where Peggy and Howard were on the front lines of, and paid key parts in, the Cuban Missile Crisis, they returned back to New York.
It's early morning on a Tuesday and for the first time since Howard gave her the stabilising agent Natasha has woken up feeling unwell, and so she hasn't gotten up when she usually does.
"Miss Tasha?" Jarvis asks concerned, as he knocks on Natasha's door and walks in. "Breakfast is ready," Jarvis says, and as he does he sees that Natasha is still snuggled up in bed. "Miss Tasha? What's wrong?" Jarvis asks worried, as usually Natasha doesn't need persuasion to get up.
"I don't feel well Jarvis," Natasha admits.
"I'll go get your parents," Jarvis says, before leaving.
A few minutes later Peggy, Howard, Ana and Jarvis hurry in.
"Tasha Darling, what's wrong?" Peggy asks worried as she sits down on the edge of Natasha's bed.
"I feel tired, and sore, and like have no energy," Natasha admits, before coughing, as Howard puts his hand on her head.
"You've got a bit of a temperature," Howard realises, as he and Peggy exchange concerned looks. "I think you've got a bit of a flu," Howard suspects.
"I didn't think I could get sick," Natasha admits.
"You can, you just won't get sick that much," Howard explains to his daughter.
"Tash, we'll be right back," Peggy tells her daughter, who nods, and seeing the nod Peggy, Howard, Ana and Jarvis head into the hallway, closing the door behind them.
"I have the same question as Miss Tasha. I thought she couldn't get sick," Jarvis comments. "Aren't her cells protected?" Jarvis asks concerned.
"They are, but with her nutritional problems Tasha can still, on occasion, get sick," Howard explains, knowing that it will happen when Natasha is exposed to a lot of diseases as due to her nutritional problems she won't be able to fight all of them off at once.
"Should we call a doctor?" Ana asks. "I know she cannot see a regular doctor, but what about a SHIELD one?" Ana asks.
"We'll see how she goes today," Peggy comments, feeling worried about her daughter, and knowing that she will call Doctor Matheson if needed, but it is better not to need it as it will lead to awkward question.
"I can't stay home. If I don't turn up at the meeting Stane will take more control," Howard says, feeling torn as he really doesn't want to leave his daughter, but he knows how important it is for him to be at the meeting.
"It's okay. I'll stay with Tash," Peggy assures him.
"I'm going to go say goodbye before I have to go," Howard says, before heading into Natasha's room.
"Miss Carter-Stark, don't you have a mission briefing to run?" Jarvis asks.
"I'll call Daniel, ask him to run it," Peggy says, as in the operations side of SHIELD Daniel is her second in command.
"Peggy you know Edwin and I will look after Natasha and call you if anything happens," Ana tells Peggy.
"I know, there is no one we trust Natasha with more than the two of you," Peggy assures Jarvis and Ana. "But this is the first time Tasha's been sick. I want to be here with her today," Peggy explains.
"That's understandable," Jarvis admits, as the three of them head back into Natasha's room.
A few hours later Peggy is down in the living room working on report that she can do from home when Natasha walks in with her dressing gown on and sits down.
"Tash, how you feeling? You should be resting," Peggy says to her daughter in concern.
"I'm feeling a little better," Natasha admits. "I wanted to get out of my room," Natasha explains, as Peggy grabs the blanket.
"I understand that," Peggy comments, putting the blanket over Natasha.
"What are you working on?" Natasha asks curious.
"Translations of intel," Peggy explains.
"Can I help? I do know a lot of languages," Natasha comments, as the Red Room took advantage of the fact that kids learn languages well and taught her a lot of them.
"Are you sure you feel up for that?" Peggy asks concerned.
"Yeah," Natasha confirms.
"Okay," Peggy says, and against her better judgement she gives Natasha one of the reports, and together mother and daughter work on translating the intel reports together.
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