When I woke up, I could barely remember what had happened all I knew was my side hurt like a bitch and that Nat was here. It was all I really needed to know because once it became more complicated the small bliss I was feeling had lapsed. Nat's arm was in a sling after being shot and I had been shot, twice in the side. I had gotten discharged from the Med bay but still was too weak to even look at a sparring mat.
"Mr. Rider, Ms. Victor is here to see you…" SAM had been watching my room until I got better
"Let her through!" I huffed. Nat entered slowly at first than joined me on the bed. Nat was my everything.
"Hey, Flint I had SAM start on a double bacon cheeseburger for you when you're hungry of course," She carefully wrapped her legs around my hips being wary of the bullet wounds. I knew Nat, I knew she was hurting.
"You are the best," I laughed
"Like I didn't already know," She smirked at me her eyes broken
"Hey, Natty I am fine, you are fine, we survived and isn't that the goal." I placed my hand on her lower back.
"I know, I am glad that we are both okay at this point okay is all I need." She huffed.
"Okay is alright, nothing was ever wrong with okay…" I chuckled falling back into my pillows.
"Do you want the burger now or should I have SAM keep it warm?" She asked lightly tracing her finger from my sternum to my naval.
"It would be a waste not to eat it," I shrugged at her. If there was one thing I could count on Nat for it was feeding me. She understood my bottomless pit of a stomach.
"Of course," She kissed me gently. It felt good to be back but the team was more unstable than I had ever seen. If it had been tense before, now it was double. Sterling and Mckinley couldn't be in the same room together. Nat was buried in files trying to keep herself out of the cross fire. She was so strong and tough even when she was hurt.
"Natty, how late did you stay up…"
"Flint...I am fine" She muttered softly
"Nat…" I whined
"Flint," she insisted
"Fine but you don't need to be strong all the time Nat, everyone already knows your strong it wouldn't kill you to take care of yourself," I brushed her hair behind her ear something I knew she loved
"You think that I am strong," She locked eyes with me
"You are the strongest person I have ever met," I touched my forehead with her's
"Flint, thank you for this for all these years, for the first time I felt I might lose you and it was terrifying," She whispered kissing me deeper
"Natty," I muttered
"Flint, only you are allowed to call me Natty," She giggled and kissed me while moving off me.
"I am glad, I like it for you, hot sauce," I winced it hurt to laugh.
"Okay lay still I will be back with your food," Nat pushed me down and kissed my forehead softly. I loved her so much. I turned to grab the remote and winced again. The injury wasn't the best thing to happen to me but it could have been a whole lot worse. Mckinley and Sterling were shook up and trying to blame each other instead of dealing with the many variables. Nat however just wanted the intel, she just needed the facts. She just wanted what she could touch, hear, and see for herself.
"Flint?" Sterling was in the doorway
"Yeah, sup man," I croaked masking the pain from my voice
"I came to apologize to Nat and to you. It's my fault you both got hurt." Sterling hung his head.
"Apology accepted. I understand what you did…" I said in a relaxed manner trying to adjust myself up.
"You do?" He sat down on the edge of my bed
"Sure, if Nat ever went rogue I would jump to her defense no matter what." I said lightly "Actually if any of you guys went rogue just Nat especially," I shrugged
"Well Amanda just met with the mentors as they are concerned about all of our mental health." Sterling spoke sadly
"Our mental health should be fine, I can speak for myself when saying that but I can't speak for everyone on the team." My body ached and my stomach growled. Then as I started to think about food. Nat entered the room
"Hey Nat." I smiled looking at my beautiful partner holding an equally beautiful burger.
"Hey Flint, Sterling," She smiled at the both of us and handed me the plate
"Nat, I am sorry for what happened at the wharf, Barns is my best friend and I…" He spoke shakily.
"Sterling I don't blame you...you did what you thought was right...I can't blame you for that,"
"Well. Mr. McKinley certainly does." He bit his lip.
"McKinley doesn't understand he is self obsessed and doesn't exactly form the kinds of bonds needed to understand what you did." She said flatly. I heard a quiet rap on the door.
"I got it," Nat turned around to open the door.
"Hello," I heard her voice say but I could not see who was in the doorway.
"Meeting in 30 minutes for anyone who is strong enough, Flint if you don't feel well enough we can video call you in." Agent Barton and Romanov walked into the room.
"Thanks but I am feeling fine, Natty has been taking great care of me." I laughed from my bed "I am just being lazy," I winced again after laughing a bit.
"Yeah well. If you are feeling up to it then you should head down." Natasha smiled
"Barton" Clint flicked the light on
"Romanoff" Natasha flicked it off.
"Barton" Clint flicked it on again
"Please don't say you are doing that again." Cap walked by, "Both of you start setting up for the meeting." He ordered
"Yes Sir." Both agents spoke in unison,
"Romanoff" Natasha flicked the light off one last time then ran off.
"You just have to win every time!" I heard Clint yell from a distance
"Alright, Flint you need me to help you up?" Nat looked at me sweetly her eyes glittering invitingly
"I got it Nat," I smiled at her and managed to get out of bed. I winced again at the pain creeping up my side.
"Flint are you sure…" She looked at me in concern.
"It has been two days I am cleared to walk…" I sighed managing to walk to the dresser and pull out some clothes.
"Have you changed your bandages lately?" Nat could be a nag
"Yes, I did, I swear it is like you are my wife…" I laughed. She flushed, talking about the future with Nat was like talking about your private life to a stranger. It wasn't bad at all I felt the same about it I felt too young to talk about stuff like marriage.
"Well, If you get yourself killed I will have to look for another partner and that will too much work," She smirked.
"I am glad that I can save you the effort," I laughed the pain shooting through me.
"No problem." She smiled as we hobbled into the meeting room
"Alright, kids!" Tony stood in the center as Nat helped me down. I wiggled around in my seat trying to get comfortable which was hard. Nat looked at me in concern.
"Baby, if you need to head back up…?" She whispered softly into my ear as we waited for the team.
"Nat, I am fine if I can't handle the heat, I'll get out of the kitchen." I chuckled. It was getting really annoying to be in pain when laughing.
"Flint, please, I need you," She said softly
"Relax Nat," I put my arm over her and she winced. "Oh sorry," I removed my arm. Her arm was still in a sling.
"No problem, my arm is feeling much better already," she pouted after two weeks of staying in the medical treatment center both of us were ready to be healed up. Nat and I had been shot a lot. Well counting now, Nat had been shot seven times and I had been shot five times.
"I'd hope so," I huffed
"You two are just a wonderful couple," Stark laughed at us.
"Thanks," Nat smiled shifting her weight. I noticed the pain on her face.
"Let's get straight to it…" Steve Rodger began
"You guys as a team are successful and efficient the missions you complete are incredibly performed but the past two have been below your normal standards," Natasha said flatly pulling up mission footage onto a screen.
"The common thread seems to be Jack Farmer so as of now… the Jack Farmer investigation is now the priority of the Avengers you are tasked with the new metal." Capsicle said quickly
"But sir…" Nat leaned forward suddenly
"Ms. Victor your work has been stupendous and your record in nearly spotless but that wound in your shoulder says it all you guys can not handle a threat like Farmer." Steve said again
"But who's to say you won't shoot first ask questions later. Please Cap, Barns was my only friend growing up he is my best friend I thought he was dead for nearly five years I watched him die, I can't lose him again especially to my own team mates." Sterling stood up enraged
"Sterling, I know what you are going through but I give you my word that we will bring Barns in alive." The look between the two was one of complete empathy.
"No! What if he hurts someone else again, like it or not Barns is a threat and if we have to take him out we should," Now Sam was standing up in a rage.
"McKinley, you wouldn't understand, you don't have the bond with anyone to understand it." Nat snapped annoyed. "If Flint went rogue I would do the same, Flint was my only friend for five years and I love him so if he went off the deep end I wouldn't want anyone to kill him or wound him in anyway, because no matter what he is my Flint." She huffed practically in tears.
"That makes you weak." McKinley whined
"Look, guys until the time comes we shouldn't talk about Barns," I groaned trying to stand
"Flint!" Nat rushed to my side.
"I'm fine Natty," My mouth let out a deep sigh
"See how can you defend Barns when he did this to Flint!" Amanda whined jumping next to Sam
"Because Amanda, Barns, deserves a chance if Sterling thinks there is a chance to bring him back he could be an asset." She said so calmly and rationally it was easy to see the advantages.
"Or he could kill someone," Sam snapped
"Guys please this discord is not helpin' anyone," Bobbi pleaded
"Bobbi is right, the Barns investigation is not ours anymore, we should focus on the metal," Landon said looking around the circle
"Fine, I can contact my friend Katrina in Russia she should be able to help." Nat started getting up.
"Nat you are too weak for another mission," Sam started
"I will be fine Stark is bringing in new tech for us." she waved the question away.
"It is true the tech should arrive in a week so plan quick kids you will have two to three weeks before you ship out to Moscow," Stark replied
"Alright then what is the next thing you wanted to talk to us about," I huffed ready to get back into the lab with Nat, Bobbi, Sam, and Landon.
"Well, not much Mr. Rider, only a few more announcements," Clint smiled at the all of us.
"A promotion to , she is back to ground leader, Mr. McKinley you are the leader of the research team and weapons development, you are still the leader of NAI team but you are on careful reserve." Captain Rogers said flatly "Congratulations on your promotions, you have the rest of the night off to celebrate.." Cap said flatly and we all stood up. Nat and I went to the lab and started looking over the bullets.
"Flint do you think that you are strong enough to fire a gun?" I asked softly
"I think so, why?"
"We are going to test the bullets," Nat smiled evilly "The recoil is too much for me with one good arm," she shrugged
"Okay, I am down." She disappeared and emerged with a dummy.
"This dummy is rigged with sensors for speed, velocity, force, and temperature. The dummy is as close to a human as we are going to get without a kadvar, we are going to test it with kevlar, with our suit designs, and bare but first to collect data…" we analyzed the data the lack of wounds the zero zero readings. Then we did the test with regular bullets and got the expected results the kevlar and suits caused the bullets to bounce back. We then catalogued the wounds left and the readings then picked up the special bullets. Those terrified me to the core, the force that it hit the target with was unrivaled and it tore through the kevlar like satin and made a mockery of our suits.
"Damn it," I huffed as Nat scribbled down our findings.
"The damage is impressive it makes sense how we were able to be shot even when suited up, Barns was using these bullets...now we needed to find a material that will not allow the bullet to cause any real damage.
Right when Nat and I entered our data into the system, Sam and Bobbi stumbled in lips locked together. Nat looked at me sadly, Sam had done such a good job with Manda we thought that maybe he could last in a monogamous relationship, we were wrong.
"Sam we are working in the lab right now but basically the whole training room is open for you two," Nat huffed and continued to analyse our results.
"You two are working!? But you guys are missing out on a classic party…" He chuckled
"Where is Manda?" Nat asked cocking her eyebrow.
"She is asleep, said she had a headache, now don't bring this back around on me you Nat, I was never into monogamy at least right now and Bobbi isn't looking for anything serious… Manda won't know about and she doesn't need to, goodbye guys I will see you tomorrow in the lab," I let out a very loud sigh as those two exited the lab.
"Manda…" Nat looked very upset
"Nat we knew this could happen when new people were brought into the equation…" I pouted "We just have to know, Sam is Sam and this is who he is, Bobbi seems nice and she doesn't seem like the settling type like Manda so maybe he needs someone like that someone who is not looking for the picket fence…" I tried to justify for Sam. Nat nodded
"Yeah, I just wish Manda wouldn't be hurt…" She leaned into the desk.
"Come on Hot sauce time to get back to our room," I laughed gripping my side.
"Sleep sounds nice." Nat yawned as we climbed the stairs on our way to a peaceful night's rest.
When we woke up we decided that it had to be up to us to hide the occurrence with Bobbi. I stood up slowly my side aching. Nat redressed her shoulder wound and helped me redress mine and then we headed to the training center. Nat traced Sam's Stark phone it blipped in the theater, it made sense it was a room full of couches and recliners. When we showed up the two of them were still asleep.
Nat face palmed
"Alrighty you two up up up! It is five in the morning the team usually wakes up at six on training days which gives you an hour to get back assimilated to your rooms." Nat threw pjs at them.
"Agh!" Sam groaned dodging a pair of sweats.
"Up!" Nat said again. Bobbi was up and had pulled a surfer change. Now she was in a pair of Nat's pjs.
"Thanks Nat," She smiled
"No prob," She brushed it off. Nat's phone rang.
"It's Manda." She whispered
"Hi Manda," Her voice rang out in a high voice. That I knew Nat used when starting a phone conversation.
"No I haven't seen Sam...but I am with Bobbi she was trying to find her way to the hot tub, I found her wandering when I came to get my widow's bite," She said covering so smoothly "Flint is here too yes, he wanted to make sure I was okay," She stuck out her tongue at me
"I will be on the lookout he probably probably passed out drunk and is ready to get back." She laughed "Alright Bye!" Nat said sweetly and hung up the phone.
"So who heads up first?" I questioned looking at Nat
"I will take Sam with me, I will tell Manda he fell asleep while watching the movie Titanic," I decided
"Smart," Sam commented
"Okay Bobbi, you want me to take a dip in the hot tub with you?" Nat smirked
"That sounds nice, my muscles are a bit sore.." She scoffed and McKinley looked so proud of his infidelity. "But your shoulder wound…" She looked at Nat in concern
"It is fine, I will just dip my toes in." She chuckled
"Alright, Goodbye boys…" Bobbi and Nat then left us together.
"Sam, I think of you as one of my closest friend, but what the fuck man? Cheating on Manda?" I locked eyes with him
"Flint, I feel guilty enough without you on my ass, I just don't know I have never dealt with ending a long term relationship…" He pouted
"Sam...I don't think you want to end your relationship with Amanda...I think that because she wants to get more serious you are backing out…" Good job Flint noice psychology.
"No, Amanda is the marrying type and I am not ready to come anywhere near an altar…" He shook at the idea.
"Okay, I kinda get that, I mean this one girl, I kinda dated for awhile when Nat and I were in Seattle, but it didn't work out because I only wanted to be with Nat." I tried to relate but I was loyal.
"You really don't get it…" Sam shook his head.
"I love Nat, I am loyal, Nat and I we have the kind of bond that is pretty strong, but Nat and I would never think about marrying each other or settling down. We are too young for that" I chuckled
"You two are so perfect," He pouted
"That is because we found our 'soulmates' in each other, you just haven't found the right person for you yet," I shrugged "Now come on if you don't want to Amanda to know we have to get up about now." I pointed at the door.
"Okay," He huffed and we stood up.
Sam, Nat, Bobbi, Landon, and I were analyzing the data from the bullets all of us in shock.
"So, this metal, is stronger than any bullet, which explains why you two were able to be shot…" Bobbi swiped at her screen.
"Nat, what do you think?" I turned to her
"I am thinking that the ring of metal smugglers is not exactly a priority, but I think finding something resistant would be good, so then Barns wouldn't be able to shoot Flint or anyone else again…" She looked on the computer.
"Yeah, but it is not fair just because Sterling can't handle taking Barns doesn't mean everyone else can't." Sam pouted
"I know but a team without a leader is not a team at all," Nat shook her head "Look Barns, should be our task I don't disagree it is just, we don't even understand the situation, the Avengers do…" Nat shrugged and winced at the pain in her shoulder.
"I agree with Nat," Bobbi said lightly "Hun, one thing I have learned is leadership makes the team...and a person with experience in a situation should be in charge of it." Her voice sang in that southern accent that reminded me of my Aunt Martha Lee
"Should be in charge of what?" Ashlyn raised her eyebrow at Bobbi and Sam.
"I think that I should lead" Sam said boastfully
"But Sterling was put in charge by our mentors. If there is one thing I learned from my old training camp with Hydra is that a leader who wants to be leader just so they can lead has the wrong intentions." She huffed.
"Oh. She roasted you!" Thomas came behind her.
"Shut it STD's." Ashlyn snapped at Thomas.
"Hey Nat, Flint, she is bullying me!" He whined, I chuckled
"Lyn, sweetheart, just because you and Thomas have sexual tension doesn't mean you can snap at him. " Bobbi smirked
"Wha…" Ashlyn fumbled with words before her face turned red.
"I don't understand why I am ground leader again. It is easier for me to take orders…" Nat huffed
"Exactly you will lead the ground based off what Sterling thinks is best and I don't know you did a hell of a job in San Francisco." Landon shrugged
"But people got hurt…" She huffed
"Everyone get's hurt at some point. You minimized it better than any other person would." Bobbi smiled.
"Thanks Bobbi," Nat managed a small smile
"Besides, you handled your two ground infiltrators and their shenanigans surprisingly well." Scarlet whose hand was clasped tightly around her fiance's as they walked by the lab joined in.
"Glad we're getting included in this conversation." Thomas growled.
"C'mon STDs, let's go tinker with some toys." Ashlyn smiled eyeing a large piece of machinery.
"Stop it," Thomas whined again loudly
"Whatever you do don't touch that button"
"Why not?" Ashlyn smiled, "cause it will set off the bomb immediately and we will all be dead?"
Ead
"No because it turns off the air conditioning in the entire building unit," Nat rolled her eyes
"Oh shoot Lyn, don't touch that button. . .I left our gallon of ice cream on my bed, it will melt if you touch it!" Luna burst in.
"Fine, but if I am ever angry…" She threatened
"You guys wouldn't be a big fan of me...angry," Bobbi winced away from the conversation
"So, Mr. McKinley I was wondering if you always get drunk at parties," Ty walked in, holding up his phone that was plastered with selfies of McKinley clearly drunk.
"We don't have many parties…" McKinley responded nonchalantly
"The is a bit of a consolation," Ty huffed and looked at the image of vibranium
"What are you guys doing?" He looked like he had been trying to train.
"We are analysing a new kind of metal…" Nat said flatly
"Well, I just wanted to complain and tell you both that the tech for your gun wounds is ready, I just used it," He smiled a bit then turned and walked out. Ty seemed chill but so far he had been so stoic that it was hard to get a read on him.
"Alright Nat you wanna go first?" I asked her. She looked up at me.
"If it is not too much, I mean you were shot like three times…" Her eyes scanned my body for any signs of pain.
"Well yours will take a shorter time and besides your cabin fever is pretty evident," I chuckled
"Alright, you promise…"
"Nat, Go!" I laughed. She walked away disappearing into the hall on the way to the Medical Center.
"It was sweet of you lettin' her go ahead like that," Bobbi smiled
"I do that all the time for Nat," I chuckled
"Well, still very noble of you," Luna giggled. I let out a large sigh and then before long Nat returned to get me.