A blaring alarm ripped through the bedroom of a New York City apartment. "Fuck me," an arm flew out of the mound of blankets, grabbing the phone to turn off the aggressive ringtone. "It is way too early for this," the time staring back at the woman who had slightly emerged from the covers read 2:45am. "I do not recall signing up for this," she groaned into a full body stretch trying to get her limbs moving. Okay so she didn't need to get up that early. Her shift didn't start until 6 but she wanted to get a run in beforehand. Yelena Belova was starting the first day of her second year of medical residency at the Metropolitan Hospital Emergency Department. She finished med school at the University of Ohio top in class as well as her first year of residency but recently decided to make the move to New York. Her sister had a two bedroom apartment in the city that she shared with her girlfriend and had been begging her for years to move away from the farm and into the city. "Come on Yelena. You are not a farm girl. The city needs you. I need my baby sister with me," was the argument she had heard over and over again. When she started pulling out the big sister card, there was no way Yelena could resist. Luckily Natasha's apartment on east 94th street was a short walk to the hospital. The apartment itself was beautiful. It boasted a very modern kitchen with a large living area, dining room, laundry room, 2 beds and 2 baths plus a terrace off of the living room. Natasha's girlfriend was chief of surgery at the hospital because there was no way the sisters would be able to afford something like this alone. Yelena had only moved to the city a few weeks ago, reluctant to move at all until her mother told her they would be fine and that she needed to pursue her dreams. "The moment is right, my love," was exactly what her mother had said to her when she decided she would transfer to the city to finish her residency.

Yelena pushed herself out of bed, ready to tackle the day. Quickly changing into shorts and a sports bra and made her way to the gym after filling her water bottle. She loved going to the gym early because it was always empty and she could take her time on her weight lifting days without the burden of people staring at her or offering tips on how to use the equipment. She had spent an hour on the treadmill and then another half an hour focusing on her back and arms and still had plenty of time to make it back upstairs to shower, change and eat breakfast. The gym being located in the building was a perk that she used almost daily since her arrival. Though she did miss the treadmill at the farm with the views of the animals. Yelena came out of her room wearing a pair of joggers and a hoodie since she would change at the hospital before her shift started. The sound of movement outside the door alerted her that someone was home. The door opened and a very tired red head came walking into the apartment. "Eggs?" She walked over and helped herself to a fork full of Yelena's breakfast. "So good."

"Rude. I made this for me. Yours is still on the stove. It's like you have no manners," she grumbled as the other woman kissed the top of her head before turning to her own breakfast. "We came from the same place, Natasha. I must have gotten all of the good qualities."

"Funny," she spoke with her mouth full, "I don't remember them teaching us manners in that orphanage."

"Yes I suppose," she rolled her eyes, "but you are well into your 30s. Learn some."

"I'll see what I can do," she reached behind her into the fridge, grabbing the ketchup and squirting it all over her eggs.

"Ты сошел с ума? How could you put that on my eggs? They are perfect? No?"

"I do it because it's good but mostly because it pisses you off. My favorite thing about you little sis is how you still speak Russian when you are feeling."

"It slips," she couldn't help being defensive even though Natasha was right. Russian slipped more around her because she knew that she would understand her.

"Sure it did, сестра," she looked at her phone checking the time. "Half an hour before it's showtime. Are you nervous?"

Yelena shrugged one of her shoulders, "not really. I was an intern last year. Now, that was terrifying."

"But it's a new hospital. New doctors. Not to mention crazy New York patients."

"Do not try to scare me, Natasha. It will not work. Top of my class. Never missed a day. I have experience in emergency medicine. How can I fail?" She could think of at least a dozen things that could go wrong but her hope was that this new adventure was her path in life. "Besides, it's not like I don't know anyone there."

"There is Wanda. Essentially your boss. Does it intimidate you that your sister's girlfriend and your other roommate is your boss?"

"No," Yelena hated the teasing tone of her sister's voice. "I will pretend I've never met her before."

"Won't work. Everyone there knows me. They know I'm with Wanda."

Damn the fire station for being across the street from the medical center. Maybe she should've picked a different hospital. "Well it's not like they know I'm related to you."

"I told Wanda to hang a sign on your locker. Happy First Day at Work Yelena. Love you big sister, Natasha."

"Like Wanda would do that," she crossed her arms.

"I said I wouldn't sleep with her for a week if she didn't."

"That sounds like a week full of decent sleep to me."

Natasha smirked, "we gave you those ear plugs when you moved in as a housewarming gift."

"Believe me," Yelena stood up, clearing her place setting. "They have been a gift from the gods. Now, I must go. Will I see you for dinner?"

Natasha shook her head, "nights all this week. I'll see you in the morning."

Yelena kissed her sister on the cheek before grabbing her backpack and heading out, "stay safe."

"You too! And try to make some friends, dear," she heard her sister calling to her after the door was already closed. "Such a pain in my ass," the blonde grumbled with a smile on her face.

It was the middle summer in the city, her transfer happened just after completion of her first full year as an intern. New York in the summer was sticky and gross. She much preferred winter temperatures but thankfully her walk to work was only a couple of blocks. It was definitely strange to be surrounded by tall buildings with streets full of people and cars everywhere. It was very different from the rural area she was used to in Ohio. Her favorite thing about the city was all of the dogs. She always wanted a dog. Maybe after her residency when things settled down, she would be able to invest time into owning a dog. Yelena made sure she stopped to pet every dog she saw on her way to the hospital. She was just finishing her cigarette when she stopped outside of the main doors to the hospital and saw a girl staring at her, "funny no? I'm going in there for my first day as a doctor here and I'm out here smoking. Well second first day."

The girl looked at her and walked away without saying anything, "yep. Fuck me, I guess." Yelena put her cigarette out in the receptacle before taking a few deep breaths. She walked into the hospital and went straight to the receptionists' triage desk, "hi."

"How can I help you, dear?"

"Yelena Belova. I'm new here. Second year resident. I'm just not really sure where I'm meant to go."

"Yes, Chief Maximoff told us you'd be joining the team. Emergency medicine right?" Yelena nodded appreciating her roommate more and more by the minute. "She told us to be on the lookout for you."

"Perfect. Where is the locker room?"

"First you need to complete paperwork with the hospital lawyer. Then you and the other second and third years will meet in the locker room before the interns are assigned."

"Perfect," Yelena internally rolled her eyes. A group of infants was not what she needed today or ever if she was being honest. "Where do I find this lawyer?"

"You'll want to take the elevator to the 3rd floor and follow the signs to the administration wing. She's got the big corner office. Can't miss it."

Yelena thanked them for their help and proceeded to the elevators. There were other people already on so she squeezed into the side and asked for the 3rd floor. "This place is a maze," she grumbled to herself as she made the long walk to the administration wing. She stopped outside the lawyer's door and knocked after hearing a woman's voice telling her to come in, "Ms. Walters?"

"Please," the woman spun around in the corner of her room in front of a printer, "call me Jen."

The short curly haired woman look rather young to be a lawyer but Yelena didn't question her, "the receptionists sent me up. I did not know lawyers started at 6am."

Jen laughed, "I don't usually come in early except on new recruit day or if there's a legal matter. I'm not a morning person. Or a night owl. I'm a solid 2pm kind of woman."

"Noted," very friendly and a little weird but Yelena appreciates her honesty. "So, I'm signing my life away?"

"Please sit," Jen pointed to the seat opposite her desk. "Just your paperwork. Non disclosure agreements. Emergency contact and direct deposit information. You do want to get compensated right?"

Now that made Yelena laugh, "yes. Getting paid is a priority. Everything is so expensive here." Jen handed Yelena a large pile of papers, explaining everything she was signing and what their purposes were. "There is a lot here."

"Couldn't be more than when you signed up for the army."

"No," Yelena shook her head. "I swear my hand cramped up. It was awful and they did have this nice fountain pen. Very lush," she chuckled when the lawyer blushed.

"So what's the story there?"

"What story?"

"From what I've heard, you were on your way to entering medical school through the military to become a field surgeon. Why the change to Ohio State?"

Yelena frowned, "I thought I already passed my interview for this residency."

"Sorry. I was just trying to get to know you."

"I had a bad run during my last tour. Lots of shit went down and instead of reenlisting I went home back to Ohio."

Jen nodded, "I see. That's all I get?"

"For now," Yelena smirked, "I have not decided if I like you or not yet."

"Fair enough but after you meet your interns, you'll be begging for my company."

Yelena groaned, "fuck me. I forget about the infants. How many do I get?"

"Three. And I would hope your future sister-in-law would give you the good ones. But as a surgical resident… your attending assigns them."

"And who is my attending? Should I be scared?"

Jen gave her a look that told her she definitely should be scared and slid her over her list of interns which also had the name of the attending, "Dr. Hill. Why does that name sound so familiar?" She looked at the lawyer who seemed pained waiting for her to figure it out, "this isn't Maria Hill is it? As in my sister's ex-girlfriend? As in the woman Natasha left for Wanda?" Yelena groaned and closed the file not wanting to see more, "well I am fucked."

"Maybe Maria won't know who you are. You have a different last name," Jen was grasping. They both knew that Natasha's mouth was big enough to hear from the fire station. "She's usually reasonable as long as you keep your interns in check and don't make her look bad. You've been around drill sergeants that I'm sure were worse than her."

"We will see," she looked at the time and gathered her file. "Am I free to go? Don't want to piss her off on the first day more than I already will just by existing."

Jen stood, "let me walk you to the locker room."

"I suppose that's the least you could do after giving me this awful news," she pretended to be mad.

"This one," she pointed to the elongated room on her right, "is for the interns." They walked a little further, "and this one is for the second years and up who make it past internship. We lose a lot of residents but this is a hard program so it's not a surprise. Here you go." She handed Yelena a badge which would get her through all of the doors in the hospital and her work issued cell phone.

"Thanks. I appreciate the kindness."

"So I eat lunch everyday in the cafeteria. If you ever want to meet me there you know where to find me."

"Are you asking me to lunch, Ms. Walters? Didn't we just meet?" She smirked as a blush appeared again on the other woman's cheeks. "I'm only fucking with you. I would appreciate the company."

"Great," she tried not to show her embarrassment. "Meet you here at 1?"

"Perfect." Yelena said her goodbye for now and walked into the very luxurious room. There were benches, chairs, lockers, showers, toilets, and places to lay down. It was a step up from Ohio that was for sure. She saw her name on one of the lockers furthest away from the bathroom, facing the door. Yes, Wanda knew her well. At least there wasn't a full embarrassing sign, just a name plate. She would have to thank the Chief when she saw her.

One of the other residents was putting his scrub top on, "I can't believe we get our own interns this year." Another guy sitting next to him had responded, "yeah bro. It's wild."

Yelena rolled her eyes, turning her back towards the room but kept her eye on everyone, she reached into her locker and pulled out a pair of olive green scrubs. Great, she couldn't get rid of the military colors even after leaving. "Hey new girl," a woman with short pixie cut brown hair came walking over toward her. The girl stopped at the locker next to hers. "I'm Sonya Kozlov."

"Yelena."

"Я знаю. Я прочитал твой тег с именем. Я рад, что здесь есть кто-то, кто говорит по-русски, чтобы мы могли поговорить обо всех этих идиотах."

Yelena found herself laughing with the other woman, "Они действительно такие плохие?"

"Da," the woman confirmed while putting on her scrubs. "So what brings you here from Ohio? Country life not for you?"

"Not sure yet. I guess we will see. What's your specialty? Mine is emergency medicine/general surgery."

"Must be why the Chief put you next to me. I'm the same," Sonya quickly changed into her own scrubs. "I heard you were military?"

Yelena nodded, "five years. I expect I'm older than most people here."

"But you have more experience than any of these idiots. Trust me. That one," she pointed to one of the bro dudes from earlier, "he botched a surgery last year. I can't believe he has lasted this long."

"How is Dr. Hill?"

"She's hot. Maybe I'll have a chance now that I'm no longer an intern," Sonya laughed.

"That's not what I was talking about," Yelena laughed. "Useless lesbian."

"Can't help but appreciate how good she looks. And when she's being mean to everyone, even hotter. I don't make the rules of the hotness scale. I do enforce them though."

Yelena was still laughing, "Чертова бесполезная лесбиянка." She knew she had at least one person she'd get along with. Natasha would be glad to hear that she had made one friend. Well two if she counted the lawyer and she did get good vibes from her. "Hill was dumped by my sister."

"You are Nat's sister?"

"So everyone knows everyone around here," Yelena sighed. "Guess there's no chance Hill won't know who I am. I'll just stand behind you so she can unleash her angry hotness at you and I'll be saved."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take for you." She closed her locker, putting her cell phone in the locker and her work phone in the front pocket of her scrub top.

Yelena tucked her shirt in and tied her scrub pants, putting her phone in her pants pocket. "Okay. I am nervous."

"It'll be fine. Hill won't fuck with us if we keep our interns in line. That's how she was last year with the second years over us. The sister thing is unfortunate but I think you will be fine. Come on," she started walking towards the door. "Do you know your interns names? We have to go pick them up for babysitting. Thank the gods I'm not on call this week."

"Neither is my team."

"Your team. That's cute," Sonya chuckled. "So you are going to be nice to your interns."

"Aren't we all on the same team? We all have the same mission… to save lives. I'm not sure why I wouldn't be nice."

"Everyone here is out to one up the next person. These fuckers will throw you in front of a bus before taking the blame for anything. Tell you what," Sonya stopped outside of the intern locker room, "you watch my back and I'll watch yours."

"Deal." They entered the locker room and Yelena felt old. She was a good six or seven years older than everyone in this room. "Infants," she whispered to Sonya.

One of the dude bros followed them in, letting the rest of the older residents in, "listen up. We are going to say our last names. You know who you are assigned to. If you get left behind, that's on you." One by one the residents started announcing their names, collecting their little interns like bees to honey.

"Belova," Yelena called out and saw the youngest two looking interns walk over to her. "Where's number three?"

"Umm," the boy intern shrugged, "we were told he already dropped out. It's just the two of us, Dr. Belova, ma'am."

"Name?" She wasn't too annoyed now that she would only have two kids to babysit.

"Peter. Peter Parker. Dr. Parker I guess."

"And your name?"

"Dr. Cassie Lang."

She seemed more confident than the boy intern but still unsure which Yelena wouldn't have expected anything less. "Boy, girl. Follow me. We will start with rounds then we will go from there. We will be rounding with Dr. Kozlov and her interns. Try not to make me look like an idiot on the first day."

"Isn't it your first day too?" Yelena turned to look at her boy intern as if he had the nerve to be speaking with her. "Ma'am? I just meant we heard you were a transfer resident."

"They said you came from OSU. Not a bad school." The girl intern spoke next to try to clear some of the air for her friend. "We are both here to make you look good, Dr. Belova."

Yelena nodded and turned to the boy, "you should let her do all the talking for the both of you." She smiled when she heard him whisper, "her accent makes her really scary," and the girl responded, "I think it's hot."

The morning went off as smooth as it could have with the three of them tagging alongside Sonya because none of them knew their way around the hospital. After rounds, Yelena felt a little more comfortable with the layout of the hospital. It was massive compared to where she did her internship but she was excited because they were finally going to the pit. "Boy," she called for Peter, "do you want to do charts or work down here? You get the choice today and girl will get it tomorrow."

"I'll work with you," he looked over at Cassie, "sorry."

"I'd have made the same choice," she gave him a smile before getting her assignment from Yelena.

"Dr. Belova," Peter tried to get her attention.

"What is it?"

"Dr. Hill is coming our way."

Yelena grabbed the chart closed and sent an appreciative look towards Peter, "thanks," she whispered.

"Dr. Belova?" Yelena turned to face the woman who was not so subtly giving her a once over. "I've heard a lot about you. Professionally and otherwise."

"I appear to be dual state renowned," she smirked when she saw Peter's mouth drop open.

"She's a smart ass," Dr. Hill addressed Peter. "Go find some sutures to attend to."

"Yes, doctor l." Peter left quickly and Yelena felt a little sense of dread without her infant to stand behind.

"Dr. Hill," Yelena cleared her throat, "I really hope we can get past any animosity you may feel towards me because of my sister. I'm here based on my medical merit and not because of family connections. I don't know what happened between you two, I was deployed at the time so I hope we can maintain a sense of professionalism when working together. I am here to make you look good."

The answer seemed to appease Dr. Hill at least for the moment, "well then I suppose you'll have to show me what you can do. You are scrubbing in with me. Car accident. Driver has ruptured internal organs. No time to waste."

Yelena nodded and sent a quick message to Jen who had conveniently been programmed as a contact to let her know she might be late getting out of surgery, "I'm ready."

The blonde was flying high after the four hour surgery with Dr. Hill. Aside from getting to provide hands of help during the surgery, Yelena loved the fact that her attending let her pick the music they listened to while they were operating. To her, that job was almost as important as the surgery itself, "not bad in there Belova. I'm not easy to impress but you handled your first big surgery here well."

"Thank you, Dr. Hill," Yelena finished scrubbing out, throwing her gown and hat into the wash bin. The pair went to deliver news of the outcome with the family before they separated. Yelena went to check on her interns. Cassie was still working on their patients' charts.

"You are still alive! Peter texted saying you got called into surgery with Dr. Hill. We were about to make bets on if you'd come out alive."

At least Yelena was finding her infants amusing, "unfortunately for you I'm not dead yet."

"Trust me. It's fortunate. I could've been stuck with one of them bro dudes. I'd rather have the hot scary Russian doctor as my lead," Cassie's eyes grew big. "I don't really have a filter. I need to work on that. I apologize for stating the obvious. I'm sure you've seen yourself in a mirror at some point."

Yelena couldn't fault the girl. The no filter thing was endearing until it got them in trouble. They would have to work on her bedside manners at some point. "Take a break, girl. After lunch, you can come down to the pit."

"Thank all of the gods. This shit is so boring," Cassie rolled her eyes.

Yelena had to laugh at her honesty, "it really is."

"If you ever get assigned a third intern, I say they should be stuck with chart duty for showing up to the program late."

Yelena laughed, "I suppose we will see about that."

She had told Cassie to meet her in the ER around 2 and be ready to do whatever was needed. Hopefully Peter wasn't getting into trouble down there on her behalf. Yelena had a quick bite to eat with Jen and it was actually quite enjoyable. She talked about the surgery she was in and added Jen as a friend on Apple Music because it seemed the lawyer needed some assistance with her taste in music. On the way out of the cafeteria back to the ER, Yelena bumped into Wanda.

"I was wondering if I was going to run into you today, dear," Wanda nodded at the younger woman. "How is your first day going? Everyone being nice to you?"

"Did Natasha put you up to this?" Yelena was always suspicious of intentions no matter if she felt Wanda was truly there on her own accord.

"I haven't spoken to your sister today. I heard you were in surgery with Maria earlier and I just want to make sure you are okay."

"She is not as scary as everyone says she is," Yelena smirked. "It's been a good transition for me. If my sister asks, I made two friends."

"I had hoped Maria wouldn't make things hard for you. You are a gifted surgeon and anyone with eyes can see that. It's been a few years since they broke up, though I understand never being able to get over Natasha."

"Ew gross. That is my sister," Yelena pretended to gag. "I do not need to see you making heart eyes over her at work. I see enough of that garbage at home. Speaking of home, will you be there for dinner or will I be on my own again?"

"I should be there. Barring any emergencies here at the hospital. Natasha is working nights this week. Hopefully soon we can coordinate our schedules so we can spend more time as a family."

"If being on call means not having to hear the two of you coupling, I volunteer myself as tribute," Yelena laughed when Wanda shoved her.

"It's not wise to make fun of the Chief of Surgery on your first day."

Yelena shrugged, "I've seen you in a deer onesie. I do not think I need to abide by those rules."

"Yelena Belova banned from the OR on her first day," Wanda smirked.

Yelena's mouth fell open, "you wouldn't dare."

"What is it those American kids say?"

"I need more context than that…" Yelena saw Cassie walking by on the way to the ER. "Girl, the Chief needs your help." She pulled on Cassie's sleeve until she stopped next to Yelena. "Here's an American kid."

"Chief Maximoff, Dr. Belova, how can I assist you?" Yelena raised an eyebrow at the level of professionalism Cassie was exhibiting.

"Your name, dear?"

"Dr. Lang, Chief. Or Cassie."

"Cassie. What is that saying you American kids use if someone is trying their elders."

"I said to the Chief that she wouldn't dare," Yelena smirked.

Cassie thought about what courage Yelena must have to approach the Chief so boldly on her first day, "I think the phrase you are looking for is fuck around and find out."

"Exactly, thank you Dr. Lang, you may be excused." Cassie walked away from the pair and heard the Chief repeat the phrase to Yelena who immediately started laughing.

Yelena parted ways with Wanda and made her way back to the ER. It was a slow day in the emergency room. She found Sonya leaning against the desk talking to some of the nurses, "is she bothering you?" Yelena interrupted the conversation.

"There you are. I thought Dr. Hill may have killed you," Sonya laughed. "I've been babysitting your infant. He's very nervous but he has an excellent bedside manner. The older ladies love him. So do the children. I'm think geriatrics or peds for him."

"You did not have to babysit. I was coming back."

"He's more entertaining than the idiots I got stuck with."

"Posers?"

"Definitely. They won't make it through the first month."

Yelena laughed, "should we bet?" Just as they were about to suggest terms of the bet, Peter came walking over to the two of them handing Yelena a chart. "What is it?" She grabbed the chart and handed it to Sonya.

"Looks like a broken wrist and a lot of cuts and scratches. She said it wasn't a fight but I'm not so sure," Peter pointed them in the direction of the room.

"Oh," Sonya rolled her eyes. "A frequent flier. Comes in all the time with mysterious injuries and never offers any reasons. I thought she was a junkie but after a while she started refusing all pain medication. I still haven't ruled out her being a junkie but I'm not sure what her deal is. Do you want to take her?"

Yelena shrugged, "why me?"

"Your intern found her. Losers keepers," Sonya laughed and turned back to the nurses.

"She's refusing X-rays. She asked me to just set her wrist and cast it so she can leave. She doesn't want any medication or for me to stitch her up."

"Thanks, I'll take care of it," Yelena patted his shoulder. "Go stick with Cassie. You can acquaint her with any of your patients if they are still around."

Yelena ran through the chart quickly. Female, age 23, presenting with swollen wrist, possible fracture, multiple lacerations on her arms and face. Bruising on the left side of her jaw, "damn." She walked over to the computers behind the nurses station to see a brief history of the patient since Sonya said she comes to the ER frequently enough for her to recognize her by name. "Okay," she had seen enough. The girl had been in the ER 18 times since the beginning of the year. "She must have killer insurance," she laughed at her own joke and made her way to the patient's room. She knocked on the door and heard a "come in" from behind the door and the pulled curtain. "Hi," she pulled the curtain back and smiled at the battered brunette. "My name is Dr. Belova. What brings you in today, Kate Bishop?"