Ghost

Chapter Eighty Three

Spencer's POV

    "Right, so.." I drift for a moment, trying to actually figure out how to talk about this.

       "Yes?" Carol encourages me.

I offer her a smile in thanks and take a deep breath. "Sorry, it's just harder to actually talk about than I thought it would be."

"It's okay, bub. Take your time." Nat places her hand on my thigh in solace.

"Thanks, love." I place my hand on hers and entwine our fingers.

Okay I'm just going to say it. Blurting things out seems to work well for me.

"I'm hiding it at the house my parents were killed in." I rush it out in a long breath, but I said it.

There's a moment of silence before either of them says anything.

  Nat speaks first, "wow, Spence. No wonder you haven't gone near it since. Are you okay?"

"Uh.. yeah. I think so. Talking about it is still going to be easier than actually going. And now that I'm thinking about it, it's probably a good thing I'm not going alone." I give Carol another smile, trying to show I'm thankful she'll be with me.

I feel Nat squeeze my thigh at this interaction, in jealousy, maybe?

I wish it was her going with me, too. I would rather go through this with her than Carol, but I have to go with what Fury says. And apparently whatever he said was enough for Nat, so it's enough for me.

The more I think about it though, the more I'm sure Nat should be with me. I'll have to talk to Fury myself. Maybe if he knows the location, he'll agree to let her go.

"Actually, before we talk about it further, maybe we should include Fury?"

"Are you sure? There's no pressure if you don't," Nat says.

"I am. It'll be easier to get it over with now, all at once, no matter how difficult it'll be to talk about. It's not going to be easier to talk about it afterwards. And I guess it's information all three of you should know before we do this." I confirm.

I know I should have thought about this before Fury left the room, but I needed a moment, okay?

"Okay. Whatever you're comfortable with Spencer. I'll go get him," Carol says as she stands to leave.

"Thank you." I give her a nod as she walks out the door.

"Are you sure about this? I know you were just unsure about even letting anyone know. We don't have to do this if you don't want to," Nat speaks softly as she brings her free hand to grab our entwined ones.

I let out a shaky breath before I look up at her. "I am. It's not going to get any easier to talk about or do. Fury is going to want the stone sooner, not later, and I would rather get this over with now. Besides, I don't think he'd like it if I backed out now," I say, pretty sure of my answer.

"If you aren't ready, I could talk to him. You did just get out of medical. He can't push that. Actually, are we even sure you should be going? Maybe we should ask Bruce.."

She drifts off in thought. I'm sure trying to think of a way out of this for me.

"I'm feeling pretty good, I think. Physically, anyway. And I have you here with me. I can do anything," I give her my biggest smile, trying to convey how much having her with me means.