The Torn Soldier: The Untold Story

405.

On the first night of hiding out, they both went to an old motel on the outskirts of New York.

Natasha had managed to get some food for them yet in the end, only one plate was served.

Karolina stayed in bed the entire time.

From the moment they arrived, she hadn't done anything else but lay in bed. Her eyes never closed as she faced the window, the blinds closed.

Some light peeked out from underneath from the street lights. Natasha decided not to pry yet. She couldn't lie when she looked over, her body filled with concern. Natasha put up a good front around the older woman but they both had a connection there was no use in fighting. What they say is true, a history with someone means more than what you think.

That emotion in Karolina's eyes when she was able to break through the block in her head, it didn't leave Natasha's mind. Natasha didn't know what had happened to Karolina all those years ago. That same question looped around Karolina's head. They both would have to learn how to be around each other again.

It'd take time.

The day passed into the next.

At around 5:00 A.M. Karolina got out of bed and opened the fridge to see the food Natasha set up for her.

She grabbed the plate and ended up staring at the food for another hour.

Fragments of old memories came back as flashbacks before her eyes.

Not only of her time in the Red Room or HYDRA, but of her time in the war. From mixing random mixtures of chemicals, trial onto mistrials, to seeing most of her platoon getting killed in front of her eyes. Disintegrated, blown-up, or just massive blows that slowly took the light out of their eyes. She couldn't save anyone. She lost. She lost everyone. She was gone. She lost Bucky, Steve, Howard, Peggy. She couldn't -

"Good morning." A low, quiet voice took her out of her thoughts. Karolina's eyes snapped up from the table. She forgot where she was for the moment. It took a second for her to gather herself and to release her hand from its tightened position. She looked down as Natasha gave her one last look before making coffee.

Silence brewed just as the coffee did.

Karolina stared at the coffee table before hearing Natasha disconnect the pot of the coffee machine, causing the woman in front of her to tense up even more.

Natasha quickly stopped all movements and saw Karolina's body language before she saw her get up, toss the food in the trash, and retreat into the restroom. A sigh escaped the redhead's lips as she put the pot of coffee down on the counter next to the kitchen stove. She pulled the burner phone out of her pocket to see where they would be heading for the next hideout.

The next week.

It was past midnight, the moon shining through the blinds. Natasha made a mental note to keep them more open from now on.

Karolina hadn't slept the entire time. Natasha thought after a week Karolina would at least get a few hours but she didn't. Not even a wink.

Karolina did at least get out of her old clothes that second day when she showered. A new pair of clothes Natasha had gotten for her were in the lower cabinet of the restroom.

Karolina's hair was hidden in a hat most of the time. The night was quieter as the wind died down, only picking up every couple of hours. Time went into the later hours of the AM before Natasha heard Karolina shoot up from her bed in a panic.

Her breathing was ragged as she frantically got out of bed and headed for the door.

"Hey, wait." Natasha quickly got up and reached for the door. Her hand lay on the metal as she had Karolina's back facing her.