AVENGERS: The Switch.

PART 12.

GALINA POV:
Once I've done what I can for the two bullet wounds and his head wound, I move to get out, but Barnes grabs my wrist “Thank you.” “You're welcome.” I slip out and walk over to the other three, who are standing talking. Natalia looks to me “He alright?” “Yeah, could do with some rest, but he'll be fine.” I see some black vehicles approaching “What now, Romanova?” “What do you mean?” “Am I dropping you all off at your quinjet, so you can fly back to America, or do you need to stay here the night?” “If you don't mind, I think staying the night would do us all some good.” “Alright, I'll sort it.” I walk past them and over to the parking vehicles. One of the men approaches me, I recognise him “Galina, this is for you.” He offers me an envelope and I take it from him “Thanks.” I open it, expecting it to be the address and key for my new residence, I know that my people work fast. But it isn't, it's a letter ‘Yakovich, you've found your soulmate and should be with them. I'm retiring you, on your behalf.’ I roll my eyes.

Why does Tarasovna have to be such a softie?

‘Even if you chose not to move in with Barnes yet, you should at least move to America. I've booked you into a hotel just for tonight. I booked two twin rooms, I'm sure you'll make it work between you. All of your belongings have been packed up and sent there for you, just show the reception the reference number at the bottom of this letter to get entry. Good luck and I expect to be a Godmother.’ I shake my head with a smile on my face. I look at the address on the letter and head over to my car, where all four of our visitors are talking. I get into the driver's seat and shut the door behind me, they hurry to get inside. Natalia asks “Where we heading?” “Hotel.” Throughout the journey, they all talk, but I stay quiet, trying to decide what I'll do tomorrow.

I've got enough money to get myself a place, but if I get to live with them, maybe I should. I don't know, I'll see if anyone brings it up tomorrow.

After stopping somewhere to get dinner, we arrive at the hotel. I exchange the reference number for two key cards, we walk up the stairs to the right floor and find the two doors, opposite each other down the hall “Right, we've got two rooms, how we doing this?” Natalia sugests “Girls, guys?” I chuckle “In the morning Barnes I will switch.” “Ah, right. How about you and Barnes share then?” I look to him “You cool with that?” “Uh, yeah, sure.” I swipe one of the key cards and open the door, I do the same with the other and walk into the one where two suitcases are on the floor “That your stuff?” I nod “All my stuff. Apartment was compromised, can’t live there anymore.” I head into the room and open both cases, looking for things I need tonight and for the morning. Barnes says good night to his friends and closes the door behind him, he visits the bathroom and then comes back into the main room. I can sense him standing in the doorway, watching me “Sorry for getting you caught up in everything.” “It's not your fault and besides, I'm an Avenger, I'm used to danger.” “Doesn't make it okay.” “I'm fine, I'm more worried about you.”

Me? Why's he worried about me?

I stop sorting my stuff out and look over to him “Why?” “When we switch in the morning, you'll be back in this body. I got you shot.” I shrug “I've been shot before.” “Oh.” “It's no big deal.” Then I realise something “You don't actually know who I am, do you?” “Not really.” I stand up and approach him, I stop a few feet in front of him and look to down at him, which is strange “Galina Yakovich, Russian government spy.” “Ah, explains the pistol on top of the fridge.” “Yep.” We decide to get to know each other a bit better, we each sit on a bed facing each other and just talk for hours.