Locked, Loaded, Loved ✔️ COMPLETE | UNDER EDITS

Chapter 8.3--Natasha

The next morning, I snuck out of the room early to get a few rounds in by myself in the training room. I worked on my aerial skills before moving over to the wooden poles we sometimes used to fight each other.

Tracker in my ankle...poison spreading. My DNA showed up on facial recognition? Well, of course it did. It was my face, just not actually me. How did Kristina get my DNA in the first place? Was it from the device Alexei used? Is that how Kristina was connected to Alexei? Why did I block out the memory of Kristina controlling Bucky? I was in love with him...No, focus. Why did Kristina manipulate Katya? What does she know? Why did Kristina go after Emery at Alexei's apartment? Did Emery really set off those explosions? We were together the entire time! Steve...damn it, why did Steve have to be so good at making me feel...so good?!

I was so absorbed in what I was doing, I didn't hear Steve come into the room until he coughed. 

"Hey," I said, wiping the sweat off of my forehead. "How'd you sleep?"

He crossed the room to come join me. "Pretty well. I usually enjoy it better when my girlfriend is still in bed with me at—" he checked his watch "—six thirty in the morning."

I smirked. "Well, I guess that just means you'll have to take me out to breakfast." I tossed him a pole and we sparred for a few minutes before calling a timeout.

"Breakfast I can do," Steve said. He nodded to my arm. "How're you feeling?"

I shrugged. "Sore, but that's to be expected."

"How were you able to get dressed alone if you were in pain?" he asked.

"I just worked through the pain. It comes with the territory of being a spy." I walked toward one of the mats and sat down. "Hold my feet?"

"Nat—" Steve grunted as he crouched down. "If you're in pain, you should be resting."

"Steve, we're leaving for Budapest in a bit. I have all this adrenaline—I can't be resting right now."

"Are you sure a workout is the best way to work through the adrenaline?"

I smirked, sitting up and placing my hands on my hips. "Did you have a better idea?"

Steve opened his mouth to say something, but we were interrupted by someone else entering the training room.

"Romanogers, wheels up in fifteen!" Emery called out to us.

After we gave her acknowledgement, I shook my head and laughed. "I'm never gonna let Tony live down giving us that name."

Steve held out a hand and helped me to my feet. "I think it's cute."

I rolled my eyes but smiled. "C'mon, super soldier. Let's go finish packing."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Ten minutes later, I lugged the bags we needed for our trip down to the jet that was waiting for us at the compound hangar.

"Woah, Nat. Let me help you with those," Steve said, coming to my aid and I struggled to make my way to the jet. Normally, I wouldn't have been as accepting of his help, but considering the weakness in my right arm, I was grateful.

"Thanks, Steve." I handed him two of the bags that contained our weapons for the trip, and I carried my bag of clothes on my good side.

Once the jet was packed, we met the rest of the group who were waiting to see us off. Pepper and Wanda took turns hugging me.

"Be safe," Pepper said. "And take care of each other."

I nodded. "We will. See you soon."

Tony handed me a bag. "Surveillance equipment, extra comms units. And if you need us, we can be there in a jiffy."

"Thanks, Tony."

The four of us boarded the jet and Emery started it up, as she was going to be piloting. It took a bit to get us up in the air, but once we were, we discussed our plan for the trip.

"I booked us two adjoining rooms in a hotel in the downtown area. It should be close enough that we can keep tabs on the casino but far enough that we won't be under suspicion," Bucky said.

I nodded. "Good. We should plan on attending the casino to scout out any potential leads. The sooner we can track down Alexei the better."

"We'll also want to take a look at his warehouse." Emery clicked some controls on the piloting board. "See what we can find and what we can hold against him."

"I agree," Steve said. He sat next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

I leaned my head on his chest. "You're a damn good pillow, Rogers."

Steve laughed. "Glad I'm useful for something."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Fourteen hours later

I woke up to the sound of the jet extending the landing gear. Steve and I had passed out on one of the benches partway through the flight. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Bucky sat across from us, already geared up.

"Hey, how far out are we?" I whispered.

"About half an hour." He nodded to Steve. "You wanna wake up sleeping beauty over there?"

I smiled. "Sure thing." I leaned down and kissed Steve's cheek. He stirred slightly, so I moved to his mouth and intensified the kiss.

He opened his eyes and smiled at me. "You know you drool when you sleep."

I sat up and gasped dramatically. "I do not!"

Bucky stifled a laugh and I shot him a look.

"It's ok. It's cute," Steve said.

"Eww!" I wriggled out of Steve's arms. "Alright, Einstein. I'm gonna go get changed. And you are on probation."

Steve saluted me. "Alright, officer."

Bucky stood up. "If you two are gonna foreplay, you might wanna take one of the bunks." Otherwise, I'm gonna go wash out my ears." He shuddered.

I rolled my eyes. "I'll be right back." I took my duffle with me to the bathroom and changed into fresh clothes. I switched out the bandage on my arm and then zipped up my vest over my top before heading back out to the main part of the jet.

The guys took turns changing in the bathroom and we all ate a little food before buckling in for landing.

"Alright, team," Emery said. "Welcome to Budapest."