NCIS and SHIELD Divided c25
1 week later Sam had managed to convince her family to go home, all except her mother which Sam relented and did not mind her staying. Ellie had not dropped by since she was told that Sven was caught, her brothers and father had gone to her apartment back in DC before leaving. Sam was curious as to why she was avoiding her, her mother had said she was back at work on light duties and was busy with that. Sam knew there was more to it, she had asked Bobbie about the tension between SHIELD and NCIS, it was still there.
Today she was trying on a prototype for a prosthetic Fitz had worked with Jemma on it and Tony had added his own ideas to it. Jemma was being careful as she placed it on, Tony and Fitz were standing behind her both looking anxious. Bobbie was on her other side being her anchor, she could feel her nerves over it. Maria was standing back with Natasha and her mother was standing with them. Maria was keeping her calm as Jemma placed it on, Sam's only reaction was pulling a face as she felt it pinch. It ended up clicking onto her arm she knew it was so that she would be able to move it normally but still it hurt.
"Alright, it is set up…try to move a finger." Jemma was telling her she was in doctor mode as Sam focused on it she started shaking her head, it felt wrong…
"Take it off." Sam stated
"Just give it…"
"Take it off Jemma…please." Sam snapped, Jemma sighed but obliged
"If you tell us what was wrong with it we could fix it." Fitz stated but Sam was shaking her head leaning back against the pillow she placed her other arm over her eyes.
"I want to be alone." Sam stated without moving her arm
"Sam…" Bobbie started to say but Sam interrupted
"Go…please, just leave me alone." Sam snapped again… taking her arm off she looked around the room the others had all left except Maria, Sam sighed. "I was hoping you left too…" Sam choked back a sob her hand going to her collarbone where Maria had marked her. "I-I'm sorry." Sam stuttered out looking to the ground.
"You know they are only trying to help." Maria replied
"I-I know, I-I just need time." Sam stated still not being able to look at Maria
"Sam, look at me." Maria stated instantly Sam looked up at her. "I am not mad, what is going on? You gave your input on the design." Maria stated
"It felt wrong, this… it all feels wrong. I know there is no magic cure, I know that I need to get use to this but we are having trouble adjusting…seeing the prototype…it somehow makes it real."
"You have been ignoring what happened, hiding it…you have not accepted it." Maria stated, this was not a question it was an observation.
"Can't really hide anything from you, so no point in trying." Sam mumbled, she ran her hand through her hair. "It is hard to accept. Everything is going to be different."
"We have agents with prosthetics." Maria stated
"Informants or admin, they don't go on high level missions." Sam replied (AN:I know that in the show Yo-Yo and Coulson both were in the field but in this story that never happened) "Do you remember Mark? He was one of our best pilots not compared to May but when she was on admin he was your go to guy to get agents out of sticky situations. He lost a leg and was transferred to watch over scientists…Do you know where he is now? He left SHIELD 6months later…but they blacklisted him he could not pilot again and it broke him. I am sure you are about to make me promises but you can't keep them…you…"She stopped her rant as she rubbed her mark. "This bond is annoying." Sam stated she really wanted to look away from Maria but considering she was still under the look at me order she could not.
"This is different." Maria stated
"Because I am part of the pack? Look how well that worked out for Aldridge." Sam stated, Maria heard the bitterness in her tone she could tell that she wanted to look away but was not able to Maria moved closer to her, she looked deep into her eyes even though she knew it made Sam uncomfortable.
"You are loved Sam, we will not abandon you." Maria stated, Sam was the one to break eye contact looking down before looking back up at her.
"I'm sorry." Sam stated after a moment of silence
"I am going to bring in Jemma and Fitz only them, you should talk to them." Maria stated going out of the room Sam followed her with her gaze when she was gone only then did Sam sigh. Fitz and Simmons entered the room, Maria did not come with them but Sam could feel her across the link.
"Leopold, Jemma I'm sorry I snapped."
"No we're sorry for pushing, it was a lot to take in. We never considered it." Jemma stated before this turned to an 'I'm sorry no I'm sorry' competition they started discussing the design and where it went wrong. They ended up talking for an hour before they left her to go and start the changes. Sam was on the bed for a few minutes by herself when she wanted to see Bobbie so she was not surprised when Bobbie came in. They ended up talking for several hours clearing the air between them, Bobbie ended up lying next to her hugging her as they spoke before they settled down for a movie.
"You know I did not think it was possible but I am bored of movies." Sam complained Bobbie mumbled something back but as she was kissing her head it was lost in translation.
Things happened fast after that, between Fitz-Simmons and Tony they made a pretty decent prosthetic. Dr Cho ended up helping with her legs, she had a machine that fixed the damaged tissue so much so there was not even a scar by the end of the fourth week at the facility she was up and moving around. Much to her relief she ended up moving out onto the couch out in the main lounge. Wanda and Alexa were with her sitting across from her they were playing some card games, Alexa was getting back at Sam for when she was hurt…she could understand what she was going through. Sam was missing Bobbie but she was called into work with Izzy.
"I want to go out." Sam stated
"Out where?" Alexa asked noticing how Sam was fiddling with her arm. But she did not answer Alexa instead she got up dropping the cards onto the table and walking off.
"I second Alexa's question, out where?" Natasha stated walking up behind her making Sam sigh.
"For a drive." Sam replied
"You have yet to test it…" Natasha pointed out knowing that Stark and Fitz had been testing what the hand could do they had yet to test its driving capabilities.
"Consider this a test." Sam stated only to stop when Natasha grabbed her good arm. "Nat please I have been inside for way too long." Sam all but whined she was frustrated that was clear.
"I will drive…"
"I want to be alone." Sam stated, she had not actually been alone since the accident.
"Not today, I drive only offer."
"Then I will take the bus." Sam stated but this got a not impressed look from Natasha and Sam couldn't help but look down in apology. "Please Nat I need some me time. Away from everyone."
"You can spend alone time in your room, if you are going out someone will go with you." Natasha stated
"I am a grown woman I can go where I like." Sam stated
"If you are going out someone will go with you." Natasha repeated
"But why?" Sam asked "Sven was caught, Ward was caught…no one is after me. Why must I be supervised?" Sam asked looking Natasha in the eyes but her wolf stirred inside making her look down.
"It has only been two and a half months, you think you are ready?"
"It is just a drive Nat, I am not going back in the field, hell I am not even working at the moment. I just need some space." Sam stated trying to pull her arm out of Natasha's grasp.
"We nearly lost you Sam, do you know how close to death you were? You can't pretend that did not happen, you can't expect us to pretend that did not happen." Natasha stated firmly "You want to drive, fine, but for now someone will be going with you." Natasha stated with less of an edge but it still held no room for arguement and watched as Sam closed her eyes, sighing deeply before looking back up at her.
"Fine, but you're a shadow. Also note it is under protest." Sam replied holding out her hands for the keys knowing that Natasha had her black corvette stingray. Natasha gave her a pointed look. "I was going to borrow one of Stark's cars but you have your car here yes?" She asked when Natasha did not hand over the keys right away.
"I only drive it." Natasha stated
"Maria's driven it, Bobbie's driven it and Mel has too…"
"As I recall Bobbie pointing out that you are not the…"Natasha stopped herself as she saw Sam's reaction it was almost like she was daring her to finish that sentence.
"You want me to feel better about having a babysitter?" Sam asked she was smirking now and Natasha's face was expressionless.
"That hand glitches I am driving, you even come close to hitting another car we stop and change over. You have one chance, not even a scratch." Natasha stated before pulling out her keys she reluctantly handed them over as they moved to the garage. Sam loved the feeling of driving, not just because it was a fancy car or that it was Natasha's but because she was driving away from the building that she had been stuck in for a month and a half. She ignored the gentle reminders from Natasha as she drove along the road. The first place she stopped at was a diner.
"The first place you go to when you get your freedom is a diner?" Natasha asked at which Sam shrugged.
"What can I say? I love my food." Sam stated ordering a coffee with pancakes Natasha just having a coffee. They were there for 30 minutes before Sam once again took to the road, this time she was just driving around New York. Pointing out the dedications to the Avengers for saving the world. Pointing out paintings of Natasha and Clint. Natasha was ignoring her commentary over what was written about them online.
"I am not that bad at driving." Sam stated as she stopped at a red light she ended up driving to a bus station.
"Sam?" Natasha asked as Sam slowed down "Why are we at a bus station?" She asked
"Figured you won't let me drive this thing to Washington, so bus it is."
"Washington? Why do you want to go to Washington?" Natasha asked as Sam parked perfectly she went to take out the keys but Natasha stopped her with a growl when it became clear she was trying to ignore her. Sam looked up at Natasha who was glaring this made Sam lower her head and tilt it to the side revealing her neck.
"Nat…stop it please…I-I'm sorry, I won't ignore you again. Just stop the growl." Sam stated Natasha stopped but didn't lighten up on the glare. "You took me from DC, I need to sort things with Ellie…I-I need to see Maria." She stumbled over an explanation still not being able to look at Natasha in the eyes.
"Change seats." Natasha stated
"What?"
"Change seats." Natasha stated and Sam got out of the car moving around to the passenger seat as Natasha climbed over the seats inside. She ended up driving and Sam sent a glare at Natasha.
"You had a problem with my driving?" Sam asked but as she saw the direction that Natasha was taking Sam couldn't help but frown. "This is the way back to the Avengers facility." Sam pointed out. "Nat, so it is fine for you to ignore me? I ignore you and I get growled into submission…but"
"Sam." Natasha stopped her ranting that was more sort of mumbling but Natasha could still hear what she was saying.
"Sorry." Sam mumbled looking down again, she knew this was because of the new bond with Maria and considering that Natasha was her beta and mate it had more of an effect on her.
"The easiest way to DC is quinjet." Natasha stated
"You are letting me go to DC?" Sam asked
"Yes, we were planning on moving you back to the pack house at the end of the week, guess that can be moved up. Why do you want to talk to Ellie now?" Natasha asked
"I haven't really spoken to her since being here, when we spoke on the phone she seemed different. I need to speak to her face to face, find out what is bothering her." Sam stated looking out the window. She had been calling her for a week now but each time it went to voicemail, she knew she was fine. Bobbie had said she had checked up on her but Sam was confused as to why she was getting the cold shoulder from her so that is why she really wanted to go to DC.
It turned out they were not the only ones heading back to DC, Alexa and Wanda both joined them on the flight back. Sam sat up front with Natasha considering Natasha did not let her fly. She was upset all of two minutes before she was lost in the beauty of the view outside. She always found it relaxing in the cockpit and most of the time found the views stunning.
"You know, I could get used to it." Sam stated
"What?" Natasha asked
"Being a pilot, leave SHIELD…"she stopped herself with a gasp her hand went to her shoulder where Maria's mark was as pain radiated through her. "Fu…" She couldn't even bring herself to finish her curse as she ended up passing out in the seat. Natasha looked at her, Wanda and Alexa moved up they had felt her pain flare across the bond.
"What happened?" Wanda asked looking at her with concern.
"She is alright, learnt one of the side effects of the new bond is all." Natasha stated Maria had informed her that she would be alright and what had happened.
"What is that?" Alexa asked
"She was thinking about leaving." Natasha replied
"Leaving us?" Wanda asked confused
"Did she find out?" Alexa asked
"No, not yet." Natasha stated, but couldn't help but think that Sam would want to leave once she did find out. They were keeping something from her, something that she and Maria were outvoted on…she only hoped that they would be able to work through her anger…then again she won't be able to stay angry at Maria thanks to the new bond she just hoped she would not resent her when she found out.
AN: So what do you think it is they are keeping from her? Will things be sorted between NCIS and SHIELD? Tell me what you think...until next time