Chapter 94-95-96

Chapter 94: The Return of the Winter Soldier

It was a normal afternoon at S.H.I.E.L.D., and John was reviewing Omega's reports after yet another successful operation. He was absorbed in his paperwork when he received an urgent call from Maria. Her tone was serious, something that immediately caught John's attention.

"John," Maria began. "We need you to go to the infirmary immediately. Natasha was injured on a mission."

The world around John seemed to stop for a moment. He stood up quickly, his heart racing.

"What? What do you mean, injured? What happened?" he asked, his voice thick with concern.

"She was shot in the abdomen. It happened while escorting an Iranian nuclear scientist to Ukraine."

John didn't wait for any further explanation. He hurried out of the office and headed straight for the infirmary. Each step felt heavier than the last, fear growing inside him. Even though he knew Natasha was one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s best agents, the fact that she was seriously injured left him completely shaken.

When he reached the infirmary, he found Natasha lying on one of the beds, with a thick bandage around her abdomen. Her eyes were open, but she looked tired and pale. A doctor was standing next to her, checking her vital signs, and when he saw John enter, he moved away discreetly, leaving the two alone. John quickly approached the bed, kneeling beside her.

"Nat, what happened?" he asked in a low but concerned voice, holding her hand.

Natasha smiled slightly when she saw him, but her eyes betrayed the pain she was feeling. Even so, she seemed determined to maintain her composure.

"Complicated mission..." she began, with a sigh. "I was escorting the scientist as planned. The extraction was going well until we were ambushed somewhere on the Ukrainian border. It was... Him. The Winter Soldier."

John froze for a moment, the name she had mentioned echoing in his mind. He hadn't heard from the Winter Soldier in years. The last time he had any kind of interaction or news of him was on a mission, and now, he was back?

"The Winter Soldier?" John repeated in shock. "Are you sure? No one has heard from him in years. He just... disappeared."

Natasha nodded, her eyes serious. She knew that look of disbelief on John's face, but she also knew he would trust her word.

"I'm sure, John. I recognized him. The way he moves, the precise and lethal method... And that metal arm. It's unmistakable. He was after the scientist, not me, but in the chaos, I tried to hold him back, and he ended up shooting me."

She paused, reaching for the bandage on her abdomen.

"It was fast. I was hit before I could react. If it hadn't been for the extraction team arriving in time, I wouldn't be here right now.

John squeezed her hand lightly, his face hardening. The mere mention of the Winter Soldier brought back old memories. He knew how deadly the man was. A ghost in the espionage world and one of the most efficient assassins he'd ever faced. The Winter Soldier was a dark legend, a name whispered on secret missions, and now he was striking again.

"I can't believe he's back," John said, standing up and pacing restlessly. "And you had to face him alone. Damn you…"

He stopped walking and turned to Natasha, trying to stay calm. His instinct was to go after the Winter Soldier, to hunt him down until he found him, but he knew that would be futile. The Soldier disappeared as quickly as he appeared, always involved in covert operations of the former KGB and, more recently, of clandestine groups that no one could track.

"I should have been there for you," John murmured, feeling helpless.

Natasha shook her head softly.

"No, John. I knew what I was doing. I knew the risks. Besides, he wasn't there for me. He wanted the scientist, and I was just an obstacle in his way."

John stopped beside her, his hand finding hers again. The look he gave Natasha was one of determination, mixed with concern.

"What if he comes back?" John asked, his voice heavy with seriousness.

"He always comes back, one way or another," Natasha replied with a dark look. "But hunting him is useless. He disappears when his missions are done. I learned that the hard way."

There was a tense silence in the room. John knew Natasha was right. Chasing the Winter Soldier was like trying to catch a ghost. The soldier would show up, complete his mission, and disappear without a trace. But that didn't lessen John's concern.

"I just want you to be safe," John said, his voice softer now but still thick with emotion. "He's dangerous, Natasha. If he hurt you once, he might try again."

Natasha looked at him tenderly, knowing and understanding what he was feeling.

"John, you don't have to worry like that. I've dealt with worse. And… I'm still here, aren't I?" She gave him a small smile, trying to ease the tension.

John knew she was trying to be strong, as always. But the idea that the Winter Soldier could hurt her again made him uneasy. He leaned over the bed and gently kissed Natasha's forehead, feeling her warmth in contrast to his icy concern.

"I just want this to be over. This ghost from the past… He's done enough."

Natasha squeezed John's hand in response. She also knew that the Winter Soldier was far from a solved problem. And even if she wouldn't fully admit it, the fact that he had reappeared affected her more than she would have liked. But right now, all that mattered was being here, with John, and recovering from her injury.

"Let's hope he disappears for good," Natasha said softly. — But for now, I just need some rest... and maybe your company, if you can stay.

John smiled lightly, stroking her face gently.

— I'm not going anywhere, — he promised. — I'll stay here with you. Always.

And with that, John sat down next to Natasha, determined not to let anything separate them anymore, even if the Winter Soldier was still lurking like a shadow. He knew that, for now, the best he could do was be by the side of the woman he loved, taking care of her and hoping that, one day, the threats of the past would finally be left behind.

Chapter 95: John's Care

A few days after the incident with the Winter Soldier and Natasha's recovery, she was finally released from the S.H.I.E.L.D. infirmary. She was still a little weak from the wound in her abdomen, but she was eager to return to her normal life.

The recovery process was long and painful, but she was never alone. Throughout it all, John was by her side, more attentive than ever. Natasha knew that John was not the type to show his concern with words; he was a man of actions. And those actions had become more evident since she returned home.

That morning, Natasha woke up to the delicious smell of coffee and something else... something that was not part of her routine. She opened her eyes slowly and saw John entering the room with a tray in his hands.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," he said with a smile, placing the tray on her lap.

On the tray was a cup of fresh coffee, toast with jam, fruit, and a buttery croissant that looked fresh out of the oven. It was a breakfast worthy of a luxury hotel, and Natasha couldn't help but smile.

"You're spoiling me too much, John," she said, trying to sound like she was complaining, but the smile on her face gave her away.

"I told you I'd take care of you, didn't I?" John replied, sitting down next to her on the bed. "Besides, it's the least I can do after what happened."

Natasha picked up a piece of toast and took a bite, still staring at John. He had been different these past few days. It wasn't that John wasn't already attentive, but now there was an intensity in the way he treated her, a total dedication to making sure she was okay. He worried about every little detail.

"You're going to spoil me," Natasha joked, taking a sip of coffee.

John gave a soft laugh, shaking his head.

"You deserve to be pampered, Nat." He watched her for a moment, his eyes shining with affection. "I know you're strong, probably the strongest person I know, but that doesn't mean you have to carry everything on your own. I'm here, and I'll stay here, even if it means making you breakfast every morning until you're fully recovered."

Natasha rolled her eyes playfully, but she couldn't deny how good it felt to have John around like this. She was used to being independent, taking care of herself, but there was something special about being cared for by someone who genuinely cared. And John was taking that to a whole new level.

"Are you a soldier or a butler?" she asked, laughing.

"I can be both, if I need to," he replied with a smile.

After finishing breakfast, John helped Natasha down the stairs carefully. She wasn't fully recovered yet, and any sudden movement could cause pain. He always seemed to be by her side, ready to hold her hand or offer support when she needed it.

"Do you have any plans for today?" John asked as he led her to the living room couch, covering her with a blanket.

"If I tell you I do, you'll say I can't do anything, so… I guess my plans involve staying here, enjoying your hospitality," she replied, feigning resignation.

John chuckled, adjusting the blanket around her.

"Okay, so here's the plan for the day: you're going to relax, watch whatever you want on TV, and I'm going to make lunch. Simple as that."

Natasha arched an eyebrow.

"You're going to cook? That's new."

"I have a few tricks up my sleeve," he replied with a smirk. "You can trust me."

She knew she could trust him, not just with cooking, but with everything. Over the past few days, that trust had only grown. Seeing how much John cared, how he put her well-being above all else, made Natasha feel more connected to him than ever.

They already had a solid relationship, but these small displays of care made her realize how lucky she was to have him in her life. Later that day, as Natasha lay on the couch, her eyes half closed, John appeared with two plates in his hands.

He had prepared something simple but delicious: a pasta dish with fresh tomato sauce and basil, accompanied by generous chunks of Parmesan cheese.

"Voilà," John said, placing the plate on the coffee table. "Italian cuisine, John Hawke style."

"Sounds great," Natasha said, laughing, impressed.

As they ate, the conversation flowed naturally, as it always did between the two. John avoided bringing up the subject of the Winter Soldier, knowing that it was still a sore point for her. Instead, they talked about everyday things, like trips they wanted to take and missions John had recently completed.

As the sun began to set, Natasha, lying next to John on the couch, looked up at him and smiled. — I never imagined you were that kind of man, you know?

John looked at her, surprised.

— What kind of man?

"The one who takes care of everything, who is always spoiling me and protecting me. I always thought of you as the indomitable warrior, the relentless soldier. But here you are, preparing food, taking care of me…" She paused, her smile softening. "I like that. A lot."

John took her hand and held it tightly.

"I can be both, Nat. The relentless warrior out there and the man who takes care of you in here. I don't see why I can't be both."

She looked at him for a long moment, feeling a wave of heat run through her body, not because of the pain or the injury, but because of the love and security she felt with John. He made her feel protected, not because she needed it, but because he wanted it.

"I know," she replied softly. "And I love that about you."

John smiled and leaned in to kiss her softly on the lips.

"I love you too, Natasha." Natasha closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the warmth and intimacy of that moment. It didn't matter what was happening outside, what battles they would face, or what ghosts from the past might come back to haunt them.

Here, in that moment, everything was perfect. And although she didn't need to be pampered, she loved the fact that John did it with such affection. Every gesture, no matter how small, showed how much he cared.

"I think I'll get used to it," she said, finally opening her eyes.

John chuckled softly and pulled her closer.

"You don't have a choice. I'll take care of you all the time, whether you want me to or not."

Natasha kissed him again, feeling completely at peace. Even in the shadows of their lives as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, they had found a safe place in each other.

Chapter 96: Natasha's Return

Natasha had finally recovered from the injury she had suffered on the mission and was ready to return to the field. After weeks of rest and recovery, she was eager to get out of inactivity and resume her routine at S.H.I.E.L.D. Her body was in full shape again, and her mind was focused on the upcoming missions. However, there was one small concern that accompanied her: John.

Since the incident with the Winter Soldier, John had been more cautious, despite knowing that Natasha was the best at what she did. He knew of her capabilities, her strength and skill, but he couldn't help but feel worried.

That morning, as Natasha finished putting on her combat uniform, John watched in silence. He was leaning against the doorframe, his eyes attentive to her every move. She knew he was apprehensive, but she also knew that John trusted her. It was just his way of showing that he cared.

"Ready to get back into action?" — he asked, trying to sound relaxed, although his tone betrayed a certain tension.

Natasha adjusted her belt and turned to him, a confident smile on her face.

"Always."

She approached and ran her hands over John's arms.

"I'm fine, John. It was just a setback."

John sighed and crossed his arms, not looking away.

"I know. It's just… it's hard not to worry after everything that's happened."

He paused, searching for the right words.

"The Winter Soldier… he's not just any opponent. You know that. And after what he did… I just…"

Natasha placed her hand on John's chest, interrupting him gently.

"I know who he is, and I know what he can do. But I also know who I am. And I know how to deal with it."

She paused and looked deep into his eyes.

"Trust me. I won't let anything stop me from getting back into the field. I'm the Black Widow, remember?"

John smiled, even though it was a smile filled with concern.

"I trust you. I always have." He wrapped his arms around Natasha's waist, pulling her close. "But… you're more than just an agent to me, Nat. You're my life. And that makes me worry. No matter how strong you are."

Natasha felt the heat in John's words, and even though she was eager to get back into action, she knew that his concern came from a place of love. She ran her hands over his face and kissed him softly.

"I know. And I love you for it." Natasha took a step back, still holding his hands. "But right now, I have to go. I have an important mission. And, as always, I'll come back to you." John watched her for a few more seconds before nodding slowly.

"Okay. But know that if you need help, I'll be here. I'll always be here."

Natasha smiled again, grabbed her equipment bag, and with one last look at John, walked out the door. Hours later, Natasha found herself in a briefing room at S.H.I.E.L.D., where she was being briefed on her next mission.

It was a delicate operation involving espionage in Eastern Europe, something she was an expert in. It was the kind of work that made her feel at home, infiltration, intelligence gathering, and sabotage.

She listened attentively to her commander's instructions while already mentally mapping out her plan. Beside her, Clint, her longtime partner, smiled at the corner of his mouth when the briefing ended.

"Ready for this, Romanoff?" he asked, his tone light, but with genuine concern in his eyes.

Natasha shrugged, displaying the same confident smile as always.

"I'm always ready, Barton. I've waited long enough to return to the field."

Clint nodded, but he couldn't help but notice the thin scar that had formed on Natasha's abdomen, a consequence of her last encounter with the Winter Soldier. He knew his partner well, knew she wouldn't let a wound like that shake her confidence, but he also knew there was a deeper layer of emotion she rarely shared.

"I know John is worried," Clint said as they both walked out of the hallway, heading for the hangar.

Natasha laughed softly.

"He always worries. It's his way. But I'm fine, and he knows it." She paused for a second, glancing down at the floor. "Still… it's nice to know he cares."

Clint nodded, understanding the subtext of her words. He knew how much John and Natasha meant to each other, and how that kind of bond could be both a source of strength and worry. But at the end of the day, they were professionals. It was time to focus on the mission.

Back in the field, Natasha moved like the shadow of a panther, agile and precise. She was in the heart of a heavily guarded security facility in Romania, infiltrating with ease, as if she hadn't been away for weeks. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, and every movement felt fluid and natural.

As she disarmed guards and accessed communication terminals, Her mind was completely focused on the mission. However, every now and then, the image of John would cross her mind. She knew he was monitoring everything from afar, even if only indirectly. John could never stay completely away when she was in action, and she appreciated that in a way she might never openly admit.

When the mission was finally completed, Natasha returned to the S.H.I.E.L.D. base in the middle of the night, exhausted but satisfied. Everything had gone according to plan, and she was ready to go home. When she entered her apartment, she found John waiting for her in the living room.

"How was it?" he asked, standing up and walking over to her.

Natasha gave him a tired but happy smile.

"It was perfect. There were no problems." She walked over and wrapped her arms around him, feeling at peace to be back. "You can stop worrying now."

John hugged her tightly, relieved to have her back safe.

"I'll try," he said with a smile, but Natasha knew he wouldn't stop worrying, and she didn't expect him to either.

As they hugged, John held her for a while, as if he was making sure she was really there, unharmed. He kissed the top of Natasha's head and guided her to the couch, where they both sat in silence for a moment.

"You were amazing, weren't you?" John asked after a few seconds, a glint of pride in his eyes.

Natasha laughed and snuggled closer to him.

"I always am." She looked up at him, her expression playful. "You should know that by now."

John laughed, but there was evident relief in his expression. Natasha could tell that, no matter how much he tried to hide it, the worry was still there. And that was something she had learned to live with. No matter how skilled she was, John would always worry about her. It was part of who he was, and in a way, she appreciated it.

As the comfortable silence settled between them, Natasha closed her eyes for a moment, feeling completely at peace with John. Even after the mission, even after the danger, she knew that as long as she was by his side, everything would be okay.

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