Chapter Fourteen: Training Day

Emma thought for sure that she was going to die, even with her superior biology, as her sudo-parents put her through the ringer. Her training had started a couple of weeks ago and she was trying to get used to the grueling workout that they were putting her through. She was still getting used to the fact that she didn't have to worry anymore about having an asthma attack when she pushed herself. Emma groaned as she was thrown onto the mat by Natasha Romanoff and she laid there for a moment, glaring at the redhead.

"I know it doesn't seem like it but you're actually getting better and you're learning faster than the other people I trained," Natasha said as she took a drink of water. "Don't worry, krolik."

"I wish you wouldn't call me that," Emma said with a sigh.

"What's wrong with it, little bunny? It just means you're small and cute like one," Natasha said as she leaned down and pinched Emma's cheeks.

"That's very demeaning, Nat," Emma replied with a mock glare.

There was no use in really arguing with Natasha over it as she used in affectionately and plus, it'd be like trying to argue with, well, a spider. Secretly, Emma liked it. Natasha was slowly becoming like a mother to her and looking older than she was it was possible for her to be either her mother or grandmother, though she wasn't. Natasha was born in 1928, only ten years younger than her grandfather, and it was because of the serum that the Red Room had given her that allowed her to look only 30 years old.

Laughing, Natasha held out a hand and helped her up. Emma took a good long drink and wiped sweat off the back of her neck. For the past couple of weeks she has been back and fourth between the two of her sudo-parents, sometimes taking on the both of them, and while it was difficult she found it to be quite enjoyable. There was a certain freedom in being able to exert herself without choking on the air surrounding her.

"I'm proud of you, krolik, you know that. You will soon be able to take on me and that's no easy feat. You are working very hard and it shows," Natasha told her.

"Aw, look, Natasha Romanoff's getting all sweet and everything. Look out, world, the Black Widow has soft side," Emma said teasingly and Natasha narrowed her eyes at her. Emma smiled gently, pausing. "Thank you, Natasha, your faith in me means a lot."

Natasha smiled at her and together they moved to leave but before they could someone blocked their path. Emma shrieked, dropping her things. Bruce Banner stood in the doorway, holding a bouquet of bright yellow chrysanthemums. They were her favorite flower and though she preferred the red ones, she also loved the yellow ones especially when they came from her favorite guy. Emma threw her arms around Bruce and planted a quick kiss on his lips.

"I thought you weren't supposed be here until tomorrow," Emma exclaimed happily.

"I wanted to surprise you," Bruce said shyly.

"Well, good job, it was a very good surprise," Emma said grinning and whispered the next part into Bruce's ear. "Too bad I'm all sweaty. I need a shower, want to join me?"

"You have my permission to beat me up if I ever say no to that question," Bruce replied and Emma laughed.

"Well, come on, then," Emma said, pulling him out of the room.

"Bruce, hold up!" Natasha called out.

Bruce turned around and Natasha pulled him away, out of ear shot. Emma couldn't hear what they were saying but whatever the Black Widow was saying to him was clearing making Bruce very nervous. After they were done talking, Natasha released him and patted him on the back, smirking at Emma as she left.

"What did she say to you?" Emma asked when he returned to her.

"She said that if I hurt her little bunny then she would do terrible things to me," Bruce said. "I was too afraid to ask what terrible things she'd do to me."

"Don't worry, babe, I know you would never hurt me," Emma replied, kissing his check. "You don't have to worry about her."

After they enjoyed their shower and reluctantly got dressed, they went to grab some lunch. The couple spoke quietly during their meal but it wasn't until the near end that Bruce brought up the most important topic: the serum.

"So, Tony thought of a name for our project," Bruce said.

"Oh, he did, did he? Dare I ask?" she asked.

"Yeah, he calls it Carbanark," Bruce said with a smile.

"Carbanark?" she asked.

"Yeah, he said you should figure it out for yourself," he replied.

"Of course he did," Emma said, rolling her eyes and paused to think. "OH, does it. . .?"

"Yeah, it does," he replied and Emma laughed.

"I actually kind of like it," Emma grinned. "Speaking of the project, heard back from the FDA?"

"I don't want to get your hopes up but their currently reviewing to see if we qualify for accelerated approval. If we get that then that means the review process might be shortened and the sooner we get approved, the better. It looks like we might get it too. They said that it looks promising and could be the first step into one day finding a cure," Bruce said. "I don't want to get your hopes up though because it might not happen for years."

"I'm not going to get my hopes up. I'm hoping for the best because I know that this will happen and it will be all thanks to you and Tony," Emma said.

"You helped too," Bruce replied.

"You and Tony did the science," she said blushing.

"But we would have never had done it if you hadn't brought it to our attention," Bruce said, taking her hand. "You're smarter than you give yourself credit for."

They enjoyed the rest of their meal in comfortable silence, thinking about the future and what might come for the both of them. Emma hoped Bruce was in it.