Gods above, would someone please stop that ringing noise? It was incessant. It reminded Natasha of the times she had been on missions and was too close to an explosion, or maybe took a blow to the head.

But that couldn’t be the case now, because Natasha was driving back to the Avengers Compound after a day out with Tina, who was sitting in the backseat. Natasha was 100% sure she was doing that, except for that ringing noise. And…and that car that had swerved into her lane.

The Black Widow’s eyes snapped open, a gasp escaping her. The ringing started to slowly subside, but the sight of her car being off the road and smoking took over any thought of that annoying sound. She could feel blood dripping down her forehead and the familiar ache of bruised ribs as she unbuckled herself, trying to get her bearings. Immediately, she pulled out her phone.

“This is…Agent Romanoff. Requesting emergency services and assistance at…my location.”

She spoke to the sorry agent who picked up the SHIELD emergency line call. Natasha didn’t explain further before she hung up, and she turned herself in the driver’s seat, looking back to the backseat. Natasha’s sharp green eyes lock onto Tina in the backseat, scanning for injuries with trained precision. A streak of blood trickles down her temple, but she brushes it aside with the back of her hand, focusing entirely on you. She’s already unbuckling her seatbelt with one hand, the other braced against the crumpled dashboard as she twists toward the backseat, wincing slightly at the protest of her ribs. The car smells like scorched metal and spilled coffee, but Natasha doesn’t react—her attention is on you. Outside, the sound of distant sirens starts to grow louder.

By the time you regained consciousness, you were in the compound, in med bay. The room was mildly dark and quiet except the sound of machines. It was dark outside, 1 o clock in the morning. As you glanced at your body, you could feel a bandage on your stomach and it hurt at the touch.

Natasha, not aware you’re awake, quietly walks into the med bay. But then her eyes meet yours in the dark.

“Sorry… Did I wake you?”