After the sound of the three shots, Natasha just kept her hands over James' ear and stared terrified at Sam's body on the floor.

Soon after, Natasha saw Steve running and bending over Sam's body. Steve knelt beside his friend and turned him around to look at him and try to save him. Steve started a useless cardiac massage to try to revive Sam Wilson, but he was already dead.

In the next scene, Tony, without the helmet of his armor, approaches them and tries to say something to Steve, who doesn't accept what he has to say and pushes Tony back.

Steve shakes Sam's body, then hugs him with tears in his eyes.

Natasha didn't notice that while all of that, James was crying scared, not understanding what just happened.

Natasha approached Sam's body and stared at Steve. As always, Natasha could feel his pain.

- What were you expecting to happen?

Natasha glanced down the hall, following the sound of that voice and she saw Nick Fury in his wheelchair with a gun in his hand.

NF: Don't look at me like that! Even being retired, I still have to avoid catastrophes because you guys are too pussy. Oh my dear friend, oh my poor child, bla bla bla... Lame!

N: Fury!

NF: What is it? Are you as soft as all these assholes? Were you going to let him infect your child, this unknown child or all of us that live here in this hell?

Nick looked impatiently at Steve.

NF: Stop crying! Your friend has been gone for a long time, this is not Samuel Wilson. Don't cry for him.

N: Fury! Stop it!

NF: Well, you're all welcome.

Nick Fury turned the wheelchair and started spinning the wheels to leave, Natasha didn't know whether to stay with Steve to support or if she should follow Nick.

Curiosity was killing her, she ran to Nick.

N: Nick! How did you know?

NF: I have an eye everywhere, Romanoff. Do you really think I don't know what's going on here? I saw all this upheaval of you up and down, my wing, my dorm has no acoustic protection, you mothafuckers won't let me sleep. And you... The biggest Russian Spy, ask me how do I know that two epidemics in a row were caused on purpose! Doesn't it seem suspicious to you?

N: Of course, yes, I mean... But...

NF: So, there you go. I eliminated the pawn from the game for you, now all you have to do is eliminate the rooks and the queen. Time doesn't stop. Tic, tac.

Nick Fury withdrew and Natasha turned her attention to Steve, who was more in control now.

Steve looked at Tony and Natasha.

S: He's right.

T: What?

S: Sam already died a long time ago and I didn't realize, they turned him into something else and I failed to save him.

N: You had no way of knowing that, Steve. It's not your fault.

S: It's not his fault either.

N: Of course not.

S: We need to arrest the doctor.

N: Not just the doctor.

T: He had more help, he couldn't do all this without other people.

S: The question is how many people did he recruit on this mission?

N: Tony, there is a device to test if someone has a virus, right?

T: Right. Let's test the entire F-Wing team. Anyone who's infected we will know they're under Dr. Berman's domain and we'll arrest them.

S: We can't arrest them, we don't know if they are some type of time bomb, just waiting our attack to do something bad, we have patients down there.

N: We have to kill them.

T: Kill?

S: Yes.

T: Guys...

S: We can't take that risk again. I lost my daughter because I was weak. If I had expelled Bruce before, that wouldn't have happened.

T: We are talking about 25 people. 25 workers.

N: None of them are reliable, even being virus free, they knew there was something wrong, so they were being complicit.

T: We can't prove that.

N: What do you suggest, then, Tony?

Steve got up and approached Tony and Natasha.

S: I believe that anyone who is healthy should be interviewed by Professor Xavier and that young lady who can also read minds.

T: And the others?

S: Eliminated. Do you agree?

T: In that case, yes.

Tony just nodded.

N: I think we should first isolate all of them, separate the healthy from the infected, and then we should announce what we intend to do for the entire bunker population, after all, we're still a society, and they should be entitled to say what they think about it.

S: This is important, Nat. Otherwise they'll see us only as dictators soon. Everyone here works and help so everyone has the right to decide with us.

Steve and Tony looked at each other, then looked at Natasha and nodded.

...

For the next four months, Dr. Berman and his allies were Judged. Some of them were sentenced to death, some were expelled, and others just arrested.

The epidemic was controlled and one of Berman's ally agreed in revealing the cure in exchange for a more soft sentence.

Maria Hill left the F Wing without any sequel and Bucky was released because it had been proven that he wasn't the transmitter of the epidemic.

Steve mourned his friend for almost a month, but he was slowly recovering and realizing that the one he saw dying wasn't Sam. Sam was a good friend, a good person, and he would never do the things he did on his own. Steve would trust his life to Sam and if they were living in the outside world, Sam would be the godfather of Steve's children, because he can't imagine anyone better to replace him as father than Sam Wilson.

...

Steve thought the doctor was keeping Sharon crazy inside F Wing, but even after the doctor's departure she still had the same hallucinations about her daughter, but she made a new friend: Bucky Barnes.

During the period of isolation of Bucky, they get to know each other better. Sharon's chamber was facing Bucky's and every day he tried to establish some kind of communication with her and he had to insist a lot until Sharon smiled at him.

...

Three more months later, Tony was opening the second and more complete recreation area of the Bunker.

Designed by Pepper Potts and built by Clint Barton, the new recreation area had artificial trees, lawns, benches and even a large swimming pool, with showers dotted around.

Tony was boasting to Clint and Pepper about the sustainable construction of the new recreation area. The water was collected directly from the groundwater and the water passed through a system of renovation to avoid waste.

Thor approached the recreation area with his daughter Torunn, he was wearing only a bathing shorts and Torunn wore the same swimsuit as the other children, made by the bunker artisans for all the girls.

Thor: This is a beautiful job, Pepper.

Clint: And Clint!

Tony: And Tony!

Pepper: And all the builders!

Clint smiled excitedly, Thor smiled sympathetically.

Thor: Good job, everyone.

Torunn: Bath, daddy!

Thor took Torunn to the pool.

Hill approached the area too, wearing her usual outfit and a pair of sunglasses, even tho, the sun was artificial, but the light was strong anyway.

T: Hill, didn't you received a bathing suit?

H: I did.

T: Why aren't you wearing it?

H: Because I don't want to.

Natasha was approaching, wearing a robe and carrying James in her lap.

Tony looked at Natasha.

T: There's who I expected to see here.

N: Don't get excited, Tony, I won't get in the water.

H: Why are you in a bikini, then?

N: Because my son will get in and if necessary, I will get in to rescue him or something...

C: He won't drown, this kid is smart. Come with Uncle Clint, James.

Natasha put James on the floor and Clint held out his hand to James.

N: You can go, James.

James looked at the pool and the children in the water, then held Natasha's hand and stared at her with beady eyes.

N: James, I'm not going in, if you want to go, go with Clint or we can stay here.

James bowed his head and was quiet.

C: Come on James!

Laura started shouting Clint from near the pool area, calling him to stay with Francis and Lila.

C: Last chance, James...

James buried his face in Natasha's leg.

Tony approached Natasha and spoke lower.

T: You should go, Tasha... I mean poor child... Seeing all his friends in there... C'mon.

N: Tony! You're despicable, you know that?

Tony looked at James over his glasses.

T: Hey kid, do you want a stepfather?

Natasha rolled her eyes and walked with James away from Tony. Hill joined Natasha.

H: Everyone in this bunker is getting fat, there's only Thor to admire and that Scott Summers guy.

N: He's very young.

H: So what? He's 18, he's ready for me.

N: You are disgusting.

H: Well... I've been without sex for ten...

N: Months?

H: Days! Are you crazy?

Hill stared at Natasha in shock.

N: Hill! With who? Forget it, I don't want to know.

H: I'm tired of all them, I want something new like... Like... That mutant.

N: The Beast?

Natasha laughed at her own joke.

H: It's not me the one who enjoys a monster if you know what I mean.

N: That's not nice to say.

H: The truth hurts, right?

N: Logan?

H: Yes! He's always in a bad mood, that guy really needs... You know, he and me... we could help ourselves, I'm sure. And you, how long have you been without...?

Natasha frowned and shook her head.

H: Natasha Romanoff! One month? 2? 3? God!

Natasha took a deep breath and looked away.

H: My goodness, Natasha! You've been with Steve all the time, you guys go that wing down there every fucking day and I thought you were there to...

N: No! God, no. We only train and Steve is still recovering from Sharon and...

H: Oh c'mon Natasha! It's been a long time already, he's already got over it. He's already happy again, his mood has improved a lot.

N: He is, I know, but...

H: But what? He doesn't want?

N: I guess he doesn't.

Natasha frowned and lowered her tone as she answered.

H: I don't admit it, Natasha. You're my friend and you're beautiful and you're hot, like very hot, I would fuck with you and if he doesn't want you, he can fuck off. The armless one is crazy about you, why don't you give him a chance?

N: Barnes? Hill... I don't want to play with Bucky's feelings. He's a nice guy and he's good to James, I don't want to ruin it.

H: You can't and I will not let you wait for Steve forever. Say what you feel and tell him to decide!

N: It's not simple like that.

H: Yes, it is! You put him against the wall. Say everything you have to say and If he doesn't take some action, kick his ass! C'mon, you're the one who taught me to not run after a man.

N: You took my advice too seriously, I never said that you couldn't trust any man ever again.

H: Well, I don't trust them.

N: Not all of them are like John, Hill. They won't hurt you, you know how to fight now.

H: Don't come like a therapist over me, I'm fine and we're talking about you and that sick platonic passion you have for Steve.

N: It's not... It's not so platonic. He gave me some signals, you know? But he just kisses me and then he says he doesn't know what's gotten into him and it's just those damn signs...

Natasha shook her head and sighed.

H: So, Natasha. Be the Black Widow! Wake up!

Natasha looked at her friend and nodded.

N: You're right... I'll tell him and it's his last chance to decide!

H: And if he doesn't want you, grab the armless one! Show him what he's missing.

J: Daddy!

James pointed to Steve arriving in the recreation area with his friend Bucky. Natasha and Hill looked at both of them and silenced.

James released Natasha's hand and ran to Steve.

J: Daddy!

Steve was greeting Tony and Pepper, but he left everyone waiting to crouch and hug his son.

S: James, have you taken a dive in that pool already?

James shook his head and pointed to the pool.

S: Why didn't you go?

James pointed at Natasha. Steve looked at her.

S: Didn't your mother take you there?

James shook his head.

S: Daddy will dive with you, ok?

James smiled and nodded.

Tony folded his arms.

T: You're not going to be in a swimsuit here, are you? I heard you have a tummy and you better not embarrass yourself in front of others...

Pepper: Tony, you're the one with a tummy here. Steve looks great as always.

S: Are you coming, Bucky?

B: No, I'll stick around here only.

Steve put James on the floor and took off his shirt.

Hill and Natasha just watched from afar.

H: Mercy!

Natasha cleared her throat.

Steve just kept his diving shorts one, also standardized for all the men in the bunker, he held onto James's hand and walked toward Natasha, who tried to look away and pretend to be paying attention to the children in the pool.

S: Ladies.

Natasha looked at Steve.

S: I'm going to take him to the pool, okay?

Natasha just nodded.

Steve turned to head towards the pool, but James held in his mother's hand to pull her along.

N: James, I said I won't go in.

James looked down and looked like he was about to cry.

Natasha crouched and looked into his eyes.

N: James, your father is going with you, you will be safe. I'll be right here if you need me.

S: Come on, James.

Steve pulled James by the hand, but he stamped his foot and continued to pull Natasha.

J: Come on, Mommy.

Steve looked at Natasha.

S: Come on, Mommy...

Steve smiled and Natasha sighed.

N: I hate you.

S: It's not that bad, pool is fun.

N: Not for me.

James had tears in his eyes already.

N: Don't cry, James, I'll go, okay?

Natasha unzipped the robe and pulled it out.

N: I'm going, see?

Natasha turned to deliver the robe to Hill to hold and Steve couldn't help but look at Natasha's body, she was wearing a swimsuit, but he knows and remembers very well of everything underneath it.

Tony looked dismayed.

T: Okay, bring the artisans here, who ordered a swimsuit and not a bikini for Natasha?

Pepper: You're very despicable, Tony.

Pepper got angry and walked away, Tony ran after her to apologize.

Steve wasn't the only one checking Natasha's body, Bucky watched from afar as well.

When Natasha turned around, she could tell how Steve was red and that he was checking her body when she turned, but Natasha pretended not to notice and ignored.

James extended his arms to Natasha, asking for a lap.

N: No lap now.

S: Come on mine, son.

Steve lifted James up and shook him which made James laugh out loud. Steve walked toward the pool next to Natasha.

N: That's great, I say he can't have a lap and you give him a lap.

S: I don't see how a lap can be bad.

N: The bad is you contradicting my orders.

S: I didn't mean to, I just wanted to make him smile.

Natasha rolled her eyes and sighed again.

N: No problem.

S: Okay, let's go inside.

N: All right, but hold him all the time, he doesn't know how to swim.

S: I know that. Relax, Natasha.

Steve went into the water with James.

As soon as he stepped in, Steve reached out to help Natasha down the stairs, but she dismissed him and took a good jump in the water.

Natasha swam under the water until she reached Steve. James knew it was his mother and thought she was going to get him, he lifted his legs and hugged Steve, screaming and laughing at the same time.

Natasha emerged with her hair all back and smiled at James who threw himself into Natasha's lap.

N: Your turn...

Natasha tried to put James in the water, but he opened and lifted his legs up in the air like a frog and grabbed the handle of Natasha's bathing suit.

N: James, are you scared of the water?

S: You don't have to be afraid, look...

Steve dove in and swam around Natasha. James stared, and again he thought it was some catch-and-play game, he screamed and laughed.

Steve emerged from the water and for Natasha, it seemed she was watching a movie scene... That spontaneous and loving smile, the movement of the head to remove the excess water, those drops sliding through the middle of his pectoral until passing through the labyrinth that his abdomen forms...

Natasha shook her head to wake up and took a deep breath. Hill's right, I need some... Action... Urgent! Natasha thought.

Out of the water, Hill looked at Steve's friend, who as always, seemed out of place. She walked over to him and gave him a small smile.

H: You're not a fan of water, huh?

B: I don't have good memories with water tanks.

H: Yeah, I don't think so...

B: But I like to see people happy...

Hill looked in the direction of the people and then at the people that Bucky was actually looking at. Steve and Natasha.

H: Do you think they're happy?

B: Huh?

H: These people?

B: They seem to be. In a way, I think we're learning to live here, but I'm not sure if we should get used to live down here, like that.

H: Do we have another option?

B: Yes. Fight!

Hill smirked.

H: Maybe you're right, but to fight, we need reinforcements. We barely know our enemy.

B: That's the problem. We need to know them.

...

After a few hours, James, who was already much safer in the pool, began to yawn and show signs of sleep.

N: Finally.

S: It's almost lunch time, we're not going to put him to sleep, he needs to eat.

N: Okay.

Natasha said as she stepped out of the pool, followed by Steve with James in his arms.

Natasha approached Hill and Bucky.

Hill handed Natasha's robe and she put it on.

Bucky looked at the floor to hide as much as he could that h was staring at her too.

S: You two should have entered, the water was great.

H: We had fun from here.

N: I'm going to change James and I see you in the refectory.

S: I'll take him to the room for you.

N: No need.

S: I want to.

Natasha looked at Hill and Hill nodded.

Natasha let Steve carry James to her room.

At the door of the room, Natasha picked up James, who was already sleeping.

Natasha looked at Steve.

N: I need to talk to you.

S: What is it?

N: Not here...

S: Is something wrong?

N: Yes, but... I'd rather be alone with you.

S: Of course.

N: After lunch, I'll ask Hill to stay with James and we can go to the gym.

S: Our gym.

Steve joked and smiled. Natasha nodded and she was so nervous she just gave a small smile.

S: I'm going to change, too, but I'll be there.

N: Okay.

Natasha entered the room and closed the door. She stood for a few seconds with her eyes closed, thinking of how to tell Steve that she is in love with him, that she has loved him for many years and has never stopped loving him for all this time... How to say that? Would it be decent to confess her feelings? She waited so much, already. How much time was necessary to respect his mourning? Natasha had many doubts in her head.

I need to tell him and he can't fool me anymore, it's now or never. Natasha finished in thought.

N: James! Don't sleep.

Natasha bathed James and changed his clothes. She also took a shower and when she left the bathroom, James was already sleeping in the crib. She needed to wake him up, and he complained and cried a lot. He cried even when she went to the refectory to eat.

B: What happened to him, Natasha?

N: I had to wake him up and he gets a bad mood when he's sleepy.

H: I think we know who he's like, then.

N: Shut up.

They all had lunch and by the end of the meal, James had already fallen asleep again. Natasha got up and put James on Hill's lap.

N: Stay in my room, so he won't strange.

H: You can trust me, I'm a good babysitter.

Natasha looked at Hill and the way Natasha looked at her, made Hill aware that Natasha was nervous. The good thing is that Hill knows how to encourage Natasha with just the look and immediately Natasha felt safer.

Natasha looked at Steve who was distracted by Bucky.

N: Steve?

Steve looked at Natasha.

S: Now?

Natasha nodded.

S: I haven't finished yet...

Steve noticed the worry on Natasha's face and it must have been something really serious for her to be like that, he wiped his mouth on his napkin, apologized, and withdrew from the refectory with Natasha.

As soon as they arrived at the gym, Steve was dying of curiosity.

S: Natasha, what do you want to tell me?

N: I...

**Will she tell him? Will he correspond?**