One Too Many Covers

Chapter One

Natasha had gotten off the grid and government radar after things started to settle down again. Of course, Tony had offered a spot still at the compound to her but she'd disappeared the next day, obviously declining. She dropped by Clint's home for a few minutes, checking in on his family but not saying hello. She wanted to make sure they were okay but hadn't wanted to put them a in any sort of danger.

She'd picked up a new cover in Italy during that time and she secured a remote villa in the more northern part of the Mediterranean country amongst the hilly and mountainous landscape. There was a quaint, technologically retro village about ten minutes away where she could pick up groceries when she needed to.

She'd had the villa up her sleeve for something like this but it wasn't until now that she had moved in. It had been used as an old SSR base back in the day, making it a highly secure hiding spot, plus it had been thought to have been blown up at some point. Luck was with her in this.

It was comfortable lodging and as said, highly secure, being a regular villa above ground. But only above ground. Natasha kept the basement locked up, not wanting to wake up any blips on someone's radar by messing with something.

So far, it had been a month since the whole ordeal with the Accords and chasing down Barnes. The Avengers were broken and she was scared they would never get back together again. Natasha had been hiding out there for a good part of that month but it wasn't until now that she felt off. And alone.

She felt nauseous, bloated and achy but she couldn't get someone's second opinion about what was wrong since she stayed isolated, not talking to anyone whenever she went into the village. She only stayed in contact with T'Challa since he was of no danger to her or visa versa.

Presently, she laid on her bed, gazing at the slightly cracked ceiling. She added that to a small list of things she had to attend to that day. Her balcony doors were open, letting the curtains flutter in the cool morning breeze. The breeze slid up her bare legs and she slowly closed her eyes, humming quietly at the luxurious feeling. She really didn't have to get up yet if she didn't want to. Sliding her fingers up, she traced her stomach and then stopped. Realizing that it was firm instead of soft like fat would create, she frowned and pressed her palm to it. That definitely was not normal. Her pulse quickened a bit as possible conclusions fluttered through her head, the last one causing her to sit and stand in one fluid motion.

Padding across the cool floor, she approached her dresser and opened it, sliding on pants and a shirt. She used her hip to close the drawers as she gathered her fiery red hair up into a messy bun. Her feet met the stairs in a matter of minutes, leading her nearer to the front door. This couldn't be possible but it was the only logical explanation. Grabbing her phone and wallet, she paused at the door, slipping her feet into her boots. Her jacket was pulled off its hook and put on along with her black, knitted hat that covered most of her hair.

She gazed at herself in the mirror and blinked a couple times, noticing the slightly more full shape of her face. Her brows furrowed a bit but she pulled a few strands of curls out to frame her face to contrast it. Humming in satisfaction, she opened the front door.

Natasha stepped outside, closing the door behind her. She paused on the steps as she thought through a few things. Shifting her feet slowly off the steps, she quietly made her way to where she parked her small car. She unlocked it and slipped inside, sighing quietly.

Her pale hands clasped the leather wheel and her head rested back against the seat. "Mm.." She stretched her fingers and then pushed her keys into the ignition, starting her car's engine.

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Natasha entered the drugstore and smiled at a few of the customers as she walked by. Keeping a careful eye out and avoiding showing her face to cameras, she made her way down towards the section she needed. Her fingers reached out for the product and then froze. Who was she kidding? This wasn't even possible. Not after what the Red Room had done to her. Her fingertips tapped the box slowly. Right?

She bit her lip and took the box quickly off the shelf, shuffling away towards the checkout counter. *"Hello." She smiled softly, using her knowledge of Italian as she spoke. "Just this please."

The cashier looked up and then scanned the item, ringing it up. "Are you and your partner trying for kids?" The woman asked kindly and Natasha blushed softly, ducking her head.

"Yes." She lied and pulled a bill out of her wallet to pay for the pregnancy test. No, she really wasn't. She wasn't even with anyone anymore. The lady nodded and pointed to where Natasha had just been standing.

"You can grab another for free, it's better to double check, yes?" She handed Natasha the change and the redhead opened her mouth to protest before smiling.

"Thank you so much." She murmured and turned away, awkwardly swiping another test from off the shelf as she walked by. She tucked both slender boxes into her jackets pocket and exited the store.

Chewing on the inside of her cheek, she looked up and down the street before deciding to pick up a few groceries since she was already out and about. Natasha went down to the small market and purchased a few bags of things before making it back to her car.

She sat into the car with the darkly tinted windows and locked the doors, letting out a shaky breath. Her balance was off. Usually she was super alert but she'd zoned out multiple times while she was out shopping. She needed to calm down.

Her delicate but gently calloused fingers reached out, fumbling with the knobs before turning on the radio. She turned it on to a local music station and then closed her eyes, opting to wait in the car for a few moments before turning it on.

*I don't speak Italian so this section all dialogue was spoke in Italian*
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Positive. Both tests were undoubtedly positive with the two little, dreaded lines on the plastic screen and Natasha once again found herself laying on her back on her bed.

"Shit." She muttered and closed her eyes. "You're Steve's.." Her hand drifted over what she now identified as her baby bump as she addressed the child growing within her. She sat back up and leaned her back against the headboard. It only makes sense he would be the father. She had only been intimately involved with Steve in the last year. Whatever the Red Room had done to her must've healed over the years away from their procedures.

This was a huge problem. In many levels.

One, she was on her own in hiding with no way to get help with this pregnancy. There was always the option of not continuing the pregnancy but Natasha thought about who the father was and couldn't even seriously think about going through with said option. She loved him too much. Two, Steve was a fugitive and who knows where he was. Well, she knew he was most likely in Wakanda because she'd been in some contact with T'Challa; there were some hints she picked up on. "Besides, I can't just bust him out of hiding for this.." She whispered and pulled her knees up while shaking her head. Her face buried into her knees and she squeezed her arms around them.

Her mind raced through the different consequences, hyperventilating a bit before taking a slow, deep breath. She shuddered, whimpering and then dug her nails into her skin. "You've always wanted a family, Nat. So.. so do what you have to do." She persuaded herself and slid her fingers down her legs slowly, making marks. "Do what you have to do... Do what you have... To do." She breathed in and out, relaxing her hands before sliding back to a laying position.

"I can do this."