Project: A Stark Winter

Chapter Twenty-Five: Panic on the Dance Floor

The week leading up to the party was a blur and filled with more commotion than you had seen since you arrived. In between your time at Stark Industries and working with Pepper, you were roped into all the planning and organizing that it took to pull off a Stark event. Tony wanted it grander and grander every time you met to discuss details, with Pepper reeling in his wide-eyed enthusiasm to a classy level of extravagance. In a way, it reminded you of all the fundraisers, stakeholder meetings, and wild-themed nights your dad had thrown in your own universe. He always made sure everyone was having a good time and schmoozed the crowds of hundreds with ease and style. It felt as close to regular life as you could get. That was until you would make your trips to the med bay to see Dr. Lee. With the stress of the party, it seemed to have hyped up the effects of the poison. You never fully dreamed or had the nightmares you were accustomed to, but you would hear whispers and taunts just before drifting off. When you had told Dr. Lee of what was happening she shrugged and upped your dose.
"I've never dealt with this type of thing before, y/n. The best I can offer is more dosage." She had announced as she pulled out an IV drip bag filled with the blue liquid. Your eyes grew wide at the sheer volume of the next dose, but silently bit your lip and nodded. Dr. Lee hooked you up to an IV and sat with you as the medicine worked its way through your system. The familiar sting and burning sensation causing your eyes to tear only slightly. The frequency of your visits had grown to almost every day as you prepped for the party and each time Dr. Lee sat and talked with you over just about every topic under the sun. She told you of her mother, how her father had passed away a few years prior. You bonded over shared experiences and laughs about life's misfortunes. It felt so comforting and nice to have someone to talk to that didn't know just about everything there was to know about you. There was no Dr. Lee in your universe and you enjoyed the experience of making a new friend. You finished up your dose for the day and waved goodbye to Dr. Lee as you took the elevator up to the kitchen for a late-night snack. You open the refrigerator door and scrounge around for something that looked good, settling on Pepper's cheesecake. As you softly shut the door you practically jump like a scared cat as you are met face to face with an angry look Natasha. You give a soft squeal at being spooked, but place a shaky hand to your chest to calm your breathing.
"Jesus Christ, Nat. Don't sneak up on people like that. One of these days I'm going to have a heart attack." You scold her half-heartedly as you turn away to grab a fork. She grabs your shoulders sharply and turns you to face her. You gasp in shock and pain as her fingertips dig into your shoulders and try to wiggle away.
"Nat, you're scaring me." You whine as you try to shrug off her hands, but she's too strong.
"Good. You should be. What are you doing in the lab with Dr. Lee every day this week?" She asks with emotion drained from her face. You stare at her and try to analyze what it is she was doing; coming up empty.
"Wha-nothing. She's giving me my treatments so I don't puke up black goo and shit. You knew that, Nat. Let. Go." You grumble in irritation as you finally give a firm shove and release yourself from her arms. She takes a small step back and fixes you with an annoyed look.
"Y/n, I'm not talking about the treatments. You two spend a lot of time together doing-" She begins but you cut her off abruptly.
"Ah, are you jealous?" You ask in a mock innocent tone as you turn to retrieve a fork from the draw once again. Natasha swiftly slams the draw just as you're opening it.
"I'm serious."
"And so am I, Nat. Nothing is going on and I'm sure you'd be the first to figure it out if I was plotting something which again, I'm not."
"I just don't trust her."
"You don't trust anyone. Now can I please eat my cheesecake in peace?" You ask in a hushed tone, annoyance seeping through your words. Natasha takes a step back from the draw as you move to grab a fork. As you're about to stab it in the cake to take a bite Natasha grabs your wrist. You tilt your head to look at her face; contorted in a mixture of emotions you don't usually see on her.
"Just...be careful, y/n. Not everyone has our best interest at heart." She implores, her voice wavery as the words come out. You smile at her and lean your head against her arm affectionately. She smiles and pulls away; sauntering in the direction of her room. You take a big bite of your cheesecake and call after her down the hall.
"Not everyone is out to get us either."