Chapter Eleven,
Steve was confused, no correction, the entire team was confused. First Natasha woke and tried to leave the bed, then the second time she successfully made it out without us noticing. Steve could understand not wanting to be stuck in bed but what he couldn't get his head round was why after managing to escape her room, would she go and sit with Bucky and hold his hand.
That was how they had found her, asleep in a chair holding Bucky's hand and when they'd gone to remove her she woke up and fought back. Short of sedating her they had no choice but to just let her stay, much to Barton's chagrin. They'd compromised and moved another bed in there and she settled down enough to be examined and given a third IV.
Steve knew he didn't imagine the way she would look over at Bucky before closing her eyes, she was definitely doing that and he knew Stark and Banner had caught on as well. Something was going on here but for the life of him Steve couldn't figure out what, he had guessed Romanoff may have taken a liking toward Bucky but that still didn't explain why she's so adamant to stay with him.
"I see it too" Steve turned to face Sam as he approached, they were both watching from the doorway as Bucky and Nat slept. "Either somethings been going on between then since he arrived or she's not telling us something"
"It's Nat, she's not telling us something. As soon as she's better I want her moved back to her room and kept away from Bucky"
"Stev-"
"No!" Steve stopped him from interrupting "Bucky has been used, manipulated and lied too for too long, I don't know what she's playing at but until I can trust her intensions are good she is to be kept away from him. "
Sam sighed but knew Steve wouldn't listen to anything he had to say at this point, when it came to Bucky no one else mattered.
"Jarvis, alert the team to a meeting tomorrow at noon, in the conference room."
Certainly sir,
"Steve maybe you should get some sleep, standing watch like you've been doing isn't exactly healthy."
"I'm fine Sam."
"Really" his sarcasm was evident "When was the last time you ate"
Steve for the life of him couldn't remember.
"That's what I thought come on downstairs, let's get some food in you"
"I'm staying here." His tone left no room for persuasion and so Sam set off on his own to bring Steve some dinner. On the way he ran into Barton who had just finished eating.
"Hey, you got any idea what this meeting is about? Something to help Buck?"
"Nope, it's about Natasha behavior, its bothering Steve, he's not left her or Bucky alone since we found her in his room. The guys going to wear himself out at this rate"
"I can understand the feeling, I've known Nat for years now and I've never really seen her this way. I've seen her at her best, her worst and I've even seen her in Budapest and trust me no one wants to see her that way and yet. She's different and its worrying, she's losing herself over Bucky and I can't figure out why."
"That's what everyone been thinking, I suppose we'll all just hash it out tomorrow, but tonight we all need to eat, sleep and just take our minds off it for now."
"Yeah" scrubbing his hands down his face Barton nodded "I know you're right, it's just real frustrating"
Sam clasped his hand on his shoulder "Go get some rest, tomorrows a new day"