Chapter 20
AN: Thank you so much for the support. I really hope you enjoy this chapter.
February 4th 1963
Ever since Natasha woke up six she hasn't been sick again and so she was able to enjoy her second Christmas as a Carter-Stark.
It's early in the morning on a Monday and Natasha, Peggy, Ana, and Jarvis are in the kitchen together having breakfast.
"Where's Dad?" Natasha asks curious.
"In the lab, he's been working on something since last night," Peggy answers, knowing that Howard never made it to bed last night.
"Dad's never missed breakfast when he's home," Natasha comments surprised, as while he has been in the lab working so that he misses dinner, or lunch, he has never missed breakfast.
"I gave Mr Carter-Stark coffee earlier. He said he would come to breakfast," Jarvis explains.
"And I'm here," Howard says, walking into the kitchen.
"I'm assuming you figured out whatever was so fascinating last night?" Peggy asks her husband curious.
"Yep," Howard confirms, as he piles his plate with breakfast.
"Don't leave us in suspense," Peggy requests, as she knows it must be big for Howard to have spent all night in the lab, and risk missing breakfast.
"Tash, you are officially eight years old," Howard explains.
"Are you sure?" Peggy asks curious.
"Of course," Howard answers, with a tone which is like 'that shouldn't be a question,', and causing Peggy to roll her eyes in a playful way.
"What does that mean?" Natasha asks curious. "Does that mean you can track my getting older?" Natasha asks interested.
"That's what I was doing last night," Howard admits. "I was comparing the samples of your blood that I've taken over the past two years, and I was able to track how your cells work, how they function, and how they get older," Howard explains. "Tash, it will take you two years and two months to age a year," Howard explains to his daughter.
"Huh, good to know," Natasha says, not sure how to feel about that, and they drift into silence as they have breakfast together.
March 26th 1963
Since discovering how long it takes her to get older Natasha has adjusted well, and is actually glad to know how long it will take her to get older, and Gabe has revealed that he and his wife are expecting their first child.
It is early hours on a Tuesday and Natasha is fast asleep in her bed until her parents shake her awake.
"Tash," Peggy says, as Howard turns on the light.
"Mom? Dad?" Natasha asks confused, as she wakes up. "What's wrong?" Natasha asks, imaging that her parents can't be waking her up in the early hours of the morning for any good reason.
"Tash. Your Dad and I have to go on a mission," Peggy explains to Natasha.
"Now?" Natasha asks surprised as she sits up.
"Yeah, it's important Kiddo," Howard explains, knowing that that is an understatement. "Aunt Lian, and Uncles Jack, Daniel, Michael, Dugan, and Gabe are coming with us," Howard explains.
"Where are you going?" Natasha asks curious. "How long are you going to be gone for?" Natasha asks.
"We'll be gone for a few days, maybe a little longer," Peggy explains to her daughter. "And we can't say where we are going," Peggy admits, while she and Howard decided to tell Natasha as much as possible about what they do there are still things that they cannot tell her.
"I'm assuming that means you can't call," Natasha realises.
"That's correct Kiddo," Howard says. "But Ana and Jarvis are going to here, and Aunt Rose isn't far away if there is anything else you need," Howard explains.
"I love you, Darlings," Peggy says, before hugging her daughter.
"Love you too, Mom," Natasha says, as she returns the hug, and feels her mother kiss her head.
"I love you, Kiddo," Howard tells his daughter, before he too hugs her.
"I love you, Dad," Natasha responds.
"Go back to sleep, Darling. We'll be home as soon as we can," Peggy says, as Howard and Natasha break apart, and once they do Natasha lies back in her bad, while Peggy tucks her in.
"Bye Kiddo," Howard says, as he and Peggy leave, turning off the light and closing the door as they go.
Three days later
Ever since her parents left to go on their mission Natasha has been getting used to staying with Ana and Jarvis, as much as she loves them she does miss her parents. As school has finished for the day Natasha is arriving home with Jarvis.
"It was fun, thanks to all the control practicing I've been doing with Mom, I was able to play basketball, and not use my abilities," Natasha explains to Jarvis.
"That's great, Miss Tasha," Jarvis says, as they walk into the house where Michael is waiting.
"Uncle Michael!" Natasha says happily. "if you're home does that mean Mom and Dad are too?" Natasha asks, wondering where her parents are.
"No Nat," Michael lies. "Your Mum and Dad had to handle something else, but will be home in a couple of days," Michael says, feeling bad about lying to his niece, but it is necessary.
"Oh," Natasha says, looking disappointed.
"Well, you know, tomorrow is MJ's birthday so your Aunt Rose and I thought that you could sleep over the next couple of nights, make it a real party," Michael explains. "What do you think?" Michael asks, hoping she says yes otherwise they are going to have to get even more creative.
"That sounds awesome, can I Jarvis?" Natasha asks, turning to look at Jarvis to ask.
"Of course," Jarvis answers, as he knows that it is all part of the plan.
"I'll go pack a bag," Natasha says excited, and she hurries upstairs.
As Natasha gets upstairs Natasha heads towards her bedroom, but just as she gets near her bedroom she hears the door to her parents room open, and so she quickly ducks into her room, but peeks out the door, where she watches Ana walk past carrying a box, but Natasha can't tell what is in the box.
Finding something strange about that Natasha makes a note of it, to think about later, and starts to pack her bag.
Hours later Natasha has had a very enjoyable afternoon, and evening with her Aunt, Uncle and Cousin. While her cousin is fast asleep on the bottom bunk Natasha is lying awake. Even though she had a truly great time with her family she can't help but think about what she saw earlier, and suspect that there is something going on.
Wanting some answers Natasha sneaks out of the room, and downstairs, it being an instinct of hers to move as quietly as possible. As she gets to the top of the stairs Natasha hears her Aunt and Uncle talking and so she pauses, and listens.
"That could have been so much worse," Rose's voice says, and Natasha can hear the worry.
"Tell that to Peggy and Howard," Michael responds, and because she can hear the pain in her Uncle's voice Natasha feels terror rise up inside of her.
"Are they really that badly hurt?" Rose asks, sounding worried.
"If they were anyone other than them they probably would be dead," Michael admits, and Natasha has to cover her mouth to stop herself from screaming. "Thank god for the fact their cells are protected," Michael says.
"And they really think they will be healed in a couple of days?" Rose asks.
"They seem to think so, and even if they are not completely healed they feel like they will be able protect Nat from the worse of their injuries," Michael explains.
"Hopefully, it sounds like if Nat saw them now then she'd be pretty horrified," Rose admits.
As she cannot listen to anymore Natasha sneaks back upstairs. Once she is upstairs Natasha leans against the wall to collect herself. Needing to know for herself how badly her parents are hurt Natasha heads to the other end of the hallway, pass the bedrooms, and being as quiet as possible she opens the window, and with ease, climbs down to the ground. Once she has landed on the ground Natasha starts to run, knowing that with her abilities it is the quickest way for her to get home.
After a run that took even less time than she was expecting, Natasha gets home to the Carter-Stark Estate. Once she is home Natasha runs upstairs and goes straight to her parents bedroom. Throwing open her parents bedroom door, using more force than she should have, Natasha finds her parents lying on the bed, both having what looks like some serious burns and wounds.
"Oh my god," Natasha says horrified.
"Tash…." Peggy starts to say, feeling shocked at seeing her daughter.
"I knew it!" Natasha exclaims. "You had everyone lie to me, but I knew something was going on!" Natasha says, getting upset.
"Tasha, we were trying to protect you," Howard explains.
"By lying?" Natasha asks shocked. "That never protects anyone, it only hurts them!" Natasha exclaims, and both Peggy and Howard can't help but flash back to a fight that they both remember.
"Tash…" Peggy starts to say.
"You hurt me," Natasha says, her voice breaking, as even though her life before was full of lies, she never expected it from Peggy and Howard, and so she storms out of the room, hearing her parents calling for her as she goes, but not caring.
A little while later Natasha is in her room, crying into her pillow when she hears her door open and her parents, with a degree of difficulty, walks into Natasha's bedroom.
"Tash," Peggy says, as she, with difficulty, sits down on Natasha's bed.
"Go away!" Natasha tells her parents.
"We're not going to do that, Kiddo," Howard says, as he, with just as much difficulty as Peggy, sit down on the edge of Natasha's bed.
"Tash, your Dad and I love you very much," Peggy explains to her daughter. "We are going to heal, pretty quickly actually," Peggy says as Howard's theory is that they will heal within a few days because of where their skin cells are in their loop. "So, we wanted to protect you from seeing how badly we are hurt," Peggy explains to her daughter.
"Lying doesn't protect me," Natasha says, Turing to face her parents. "My whole life all I knew was lies, I never expected that for you two," Natasha admits, as she sits up.
"We're really sorry Tash," Howard tells her.
"You know I once punched your Dad for lying to me because he was trying to protect me, I should have remembered how much that hurt. I'm sorry, Tasha," Peggy says, sincerely.
"I'm sorry too," Howard tells his daughter. "Tash, your Mom and I made a promise to each other a long time ago that we won't lie to each other, and whenever possible we're going to do the same with you, but there are times were we might not be able to tell you everything that is going on," Howard explains. "But that means you do the same for us, Kiddo," Howard says.
"Okay," Natasha says, with a nod. "Are you really going to be okay?" Natasha asks her parents.
"Yeah, it's going to take a few days," Peggy explains.
"Good,"
"Tash, we've also got to talk about what you did tonight. You scared your uncle and Aunt tonight," Peggy tells her daughter.
"I didn't mean to, I just wanted to know the truth," Natasha admits, looking a little sheepish.
"We know Kiddo, but you still should have told your Uncle Michael and Aunt Rose," Howard tells her.
"How did you get from the second floor of your Aunt and Uncle's house to here?" Peggy asks her daughter curious, as while she isn't surprised that she pulled it off she is interested to know how, and so Natasha starts to explain.
May 10th 1963
Ten weeks have passed since Peggy and Howard got seriously hurt on a mission and just like they told Natasha they healed within a few days thanks to the serum.
It is a Friday afternoon and Natasha is having a very enjoyable lunchbreak with the other kids at school out by the playground.
"No one has ever climbed that high before," One of the other students tells Natasha.
"I can," Natasha argues, using her American accent which is becoming more of her regular accent due to how often she uses it.
"Whatever you say, Carter-Stink," Another student, one who isn't nice to Nat, says. "You're tiny, a tiny little girl, there is no way you can do it," the student says.
"Just watch," Natasha says, and with complete ease she is able to climb to the top of a very high structure, quicker than anyone would think possible, it isn't until Natasha gets to the top that she realises she shouldn't have used her abilities, but she is too proud of herself to admit that. "Told you," Natasha yells from the top, and before she even realises what is going on there is a huge gush of wind, and due to her small size she falls, and lands on the ground in a hump.
"NATASHA!" One of the teaches yells, running towards her.
"I'm fine," Natasha says, jumping to her feet, feeling fine and knowing that that is because of her durability.
"But that was at least fourteen feet," the teacher says, sounding shocked.
"I guess I landed in a good way," Natasha says, trying to come up with a cover.
"You landed in a heap, I just don't understand," The teacher says shocked. "We've got to call your parents," the teacher says.
"Is that really necessary," Natasha says, feeling pretty sure that she is going to be in trouble for using her abilities to show off.
"Yes, it really is. We're going to the principal's office," The teacher tells Natasha, who curses herself as they head to the principals office.
A little while later Natasha is sitting outside the principal's office when both her hurry up to her.
"Tash, are you okay?" Peggy asks her daughter concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Natasha assures her parents. "I just might have screwed up a bit," Natasha explains to her parents.
"Mr and Mrs Carter-Stark," The principal says, coming out of the office.
"We'll be right back, Kiddo," Howard tells his daughter, and he and Peggy head into the principal's office.
"Principal Jackson, what's the problem? Natasha seems perfectly fine," Peggy comments, as she and Howard sit down across from the principal.
"That's what we need to talk about," The Principal explains. "Natasha was out in the playground with other students. She climbed to the top of the play structure. Once she was on the top she fell, about fourteen feet," The Principal explains. "Natasha assures she is fine, but one of our teaches doesn't feel that that would be possible considering what happens," The principal says.
"Natasha knows how to land," Peggy says, trying to come up with an excuse as she knows that it is likely thanks to Natasha's durability that she is okay. "She knows how to land when falling so that she doesn't get hurt," Peggy explains.
"Our teacher was sure she landed badly, and from what she said I agree," Principal Jackson says, causing Peggy and Howard to exchange concerned looks.
"Principal Jackson, I think what matters most is that Natasha is alright," Howard says. "I think it would be best for her mother and I to take her home for the rest of the day just to make sure no injuries manifest, after all no one would want that," Howard says, trying to be as convincing as possible. '
"Of course, I understand Mr Carter-Stark," the Principal says.
"Thank you," Peggy says, and both she and Howard head out of the office.
A little while later Peggy, Howard and Natasha are in the car home with Jarvis. Even though they have only been driving a few moments Natasha is already feeling pretty uncomfortable with the silence.
"How much trouble am I in?" Natasha asks her parents.
"That depends. Why did you climb up to the top of the structure?" Peggy asks her daughter.
"I knew I shouldn't have; I knew that I shouldn't use my abilities like that, but they said I was tiny, a little girl, and couldn't, and called me Carter-Stink, so I had to show I could," Natasha explains.
"You Mom would have done the same thing," Howard says. "In fact I think your Mom has, more than once, done something because people said she couldn't," Howard explains, giving Peggy a teasing look.
"Like you haven't," Peggy comments, giving Howard a look. "Tash, we get it, it's not a nice feeling when people believe you can't do something," Peggy tells her.
"Really not," Natasha confirms.
"We never want you to be ashamed of your abilities Kiddo, because there is nothing to be ashamed of," Howard assures her. "But you do need to be careful, if people start asking questions it could be dangerous for you," Howard explains to his daughter.
"I know," Natasha confirms. "I didn't like how they were making me feel," Natasha admits. "I knew what I could do, and it made me feel really bad to know that people didn't believe in me because I'm a little girl," Natasha explains.
"Tash, what matters is that you know what you can do," Peggy tells her. "Tash, you know your value, as hard as it is, try not to focus on what others think," Peggy explains, as she learnt that the hard way and she knows it is something Natasha has to learn.
"I'll try," Natasha admits. "What happens now?" Natasha asks curious, as she looks between her parents.
"We'll see how things go, see if the questions die down," Howard explains. "If they don't you might have to move schools come September," Howard explains. While he and Peggy suspected that Natasha would have to move schools eventually, to avoid questions, they didn't think it would be this soon.
"Okay," Natasha says, and they drift into silence.
June 14th 1963
For the rest of the school year Natasha faces awkward questions about how she was un-injured in the fall and because of that Peggy and Howard have elected to have Natasha move schools come September; something which Natasha isn't too sad about as she doesn't really have many friends.
It is a Friday evening and because Jarvis told her that her parents want to see her in her mothers home office Natasha has headed down there.
"Yeah, that works," Howard says, into the speaker phone, from where he is sitting on the desk, as Natasha walks in.
"We'll see you then," Peggy says. "Bye,"
"Goodbye," a voice Natasha doesn't recognize says, and Peggy hangs up the phone.
"is everything okay?" Natasha asks her parents concerned, as she sits down in the chair across from her parents.
"Yeah," Howard confirms.
"Tash, you know better than most that there are things that most of the world don't know about," Peggy says, and Natasha nods. "There are also places," Peggy explains and Natasha looks interested. "One of those places is called Wakanda," Peggy tells her daughter.
"I've never heard of it. Not even when I was back in the Red Room," Natasha comments.
"That's a very good thing," Howard comments, as he can imagine what the Soviets would do with information on Wakanda. "Your Mom and I have spent a bit of time in Wakanda, and we're good friends with the King," Howard explains.
"Wow," Natasha says, impressed.
"Your Dad and I stay in contact with King Azzuri, and he's asked that the two of us, and your Uncle Michael, come to Wakanda to assist with something," Peggy explains.
"Oh," Natasha says, trying to hide her disappointment. "Am I going to stay with Jarvis and Ana?" Natasha asks, as that is what she assumes.
"No Kiddo," Howard tells her. "You, and Aunt Rose, and MJ are going to come with us," Howard explains, and Natasha looks excited.
"It's just really important that you don't tell anyone about anything you see, or learn, in Wakanda," Peggy explains to her daughter.
"I won't," Natasha promises her parents.
"Good," Howard says relieved. "Kiddo, we leave on Sunday, I'll be flying us," Howard explains, and Natasha nods, and as he does Jarvis walks in.
"Dinner is ready," Jarvis reveals.
"Let's go eat," Peggy says, and the four of them head to the dining room and have dinner together.
Three days later
After a complicated flying pattern Howard finally touches down in Wakanda, having gotten special clearance from Azzuri, with Peggy, Michael, Rose, Natasha and MJ in the back of the jet.
Once the plane touches down Howard, Peggy, Michael, Rose, Natasha, MJ walk down the stairs and to where Azzuri is waiting with Nanali and two young boys who look like they are only a little older than Natasha.
"My old friends, it's good to see you," Azzuri says.
"It's good to see you too, Azzuri," Peggy says, as Azzuri greats her, Howard and Michael with hugs.
"Azzuri, I would like you to meet my wife, Rose, and our son MJ," Michael introduces.
"And Peg and I would like you to meet our daughter, Natasha," Howard introduces.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Azzuri says, looking between them. "These are my sons T'Chaka and N'Jobu. T'Chaka, you were too young to remember but you've met Peggy, Howard and Michael before," Azzuri explains to his son.
"It's nice to see you again," T'Chaka says.
"Father, can we play tag with Natasha?" N'Jobu asks.
"Sure, if Natasha wants to," Azzuri says.
"I want to," Natasha confirms.
"Me too!" MJ says, looking quiet excited.
"Come on, we'll tell you the best places," T'Chaka says, and as soon as he does he, N'Jobu, Natasha and MJ run off together, MJ struggling to keep up with the older kids and doing his best, leaving Peggy, Howard, Azzuri, Nanali, Rose, and Michael to head inside to talk business.
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