The Rogue Assassin | Kate Bishop x Reader

chapter 16 - reality

y/n's pov -

I wake the next morning feeling well rested. It's the first time in a while. A faint murmur comes from beside me along with a light tug on my arm. Kate. I smile, remembering the last night's events. I carefully roll over so that I am facing her. Kate's eyes are gently shut. She looks so peaceful. The Sunlight from the window highlights her features, she's glowing. I reach my free hand out and gently brush her cheek. Her skin is soft and warm compared to the cool air. I desperately want to cuddle up against her. Her eyelids twitch and she takes a deep breath. My own breath catches. Her eyelids flutter open. Shit! What do I do? I freeze and just stare at her.

Kate's eyes lock onto mine and she smiles, "good morning"

I smile back, "good morning." A chill runs through my body and I realize one of my arms is still above the blanket.

Kate's eyes narrow, "are you cold?"

I nod in response.

Kate rolls onto her back and opens her arms. I take the invitation and move toward her. I rest my head on her chest and lay my arm across her stomach. My eyes are beginning to feel heavy once more.

"You're so warm," I whisper, tightening my grip around her torso.

Kate chuckles, "thank you... I think"

"you're welcome" I whisper back.

kate's pov:

Y/n's head rests on my chest and her arm is wrapped around my stomach. I hear her breathing slow and fall into a rhythm. She's so pretty... I feel myself drift back into a comfortable sleep as well.

y/n's pov:

When I wake, I'm alone in the hospital bed. I roll onto my side and see a post-it note sitting on the chair. I use my bottom arm to prop up my body then swing my legs over the edge. I slowly shift my weight onto my feet and lean over to grab the paper.

y/n,
had to get up for training. i hope you get some rest. i'll be back later with some food!! :)
love, kate <3

I smile, remembering the night prior. I sigh and settle back onto the bed.

A few minutes later Dr. Banner enters the room, "good morning y/n!"

"good morning Bruce!" I greet.

He walks toward the monitors and begins typing. After a minute or two he speaks up again, "Were you able to get some rest last night?"

I nod before realizing he's not looking up, "-uh Yes sir."

"Good.. good.." he mutters, "Did you have any nightmares?"

"Nope!" I announce with a hint of pride in my voice. I hadn't thought about it, but I should have had one. It would make sense.

Bruce begins typing rapidly again.

"How soon could you do the procedure?... to uh free me of the mind control permanently?" I ask.

Bruce stops typing and sucks in a breath. "About that... that's not something I can do here. It's not really even something that I can do. We would take you to a country called Wakanda. There's a scientist there, Shuri.  She can perform the procedure as well as assist in recovery."

"Great! When can we leave?"

Bruce sighs again, "Y/n, you do understand this wouldn't be a one or two-day trip right?"

"Oh.." I mutter. How long?

"You would be gone for approximately 2-4 months... Bucky had a similar procedure done, however, we believe he received more intensive phycological conditioning"

I nod trying to process what Bruce has told me. I would be gone for another long period of time? Away from the people in which I've found a home? This is something that needs to be done though... I don't want to live with the fear that Hydra may come back to get me.

"Now I absolutely do not wanna rush you," Bruce says, "This is a decision that you need to think about."

A knock on the door and the smell of freshly cooked bacon and eggs interrupt my train of thought. 

"Heyyy" Kate sings in the doorway, "I'm not interrupting anything am I?" I turn to Bruce for an answer. 

"Nope. She's all done, free to go!" He says, smiling. 

Wait. Done? Free to go? "What do you mean?"

Bruce turns to me now, "You passed. You're still not clear for missions yet, but you no longer need to stay here."

Kate's eyes brighten and wide smile spreads across her face, "yay!!"

But I feel nothing. I don't know how I feel or really how I am supposed to feel. I don't know what I want. I mean, I know I want all of this stupid mental conditioning out of my head but at the same time, I don't want to leave here. The only place that I has ever felt like home. I guess. But what do I know because I've never had a home. I recognize silence in the room and realize they are waiting for me. For my reaction, my response. I turn my head slowly toward Bruce and smile, "Thank you."

"Well," Kate speaks up cheerfully, "shall we eat outside then?"

I turn, trying to seem happy, "absolutely!"

A/N: Cut just a tad short, but it felt like the right place to end this chapter. Finally getting back into writing again and I am grateful for everyone who has been so patient and kind. Feel free to leave suggestions about where you would like the story to go, I would love to hear what you think!