In Recovery

[Natalya Romanov]

"See, I have another visitor." She grinned at Sam. "Come on in," she called towards the door.

[Samantha McManus]

Samantha nodded to Stan.

[Stan Bowen]

Stan entered, smiling.

"Welcome back, agent Romanov."

[Natalya Romanov]

Natalya winced slightly at the "honorific". "Just Natalya, unless you want me to start calling you Dr. Bowen."

[Stan Bowen]

Stan nodded, smiling.

"Fair enough. I get the feeling the virtues of Super-spy agencies are not at the top of you two's list of catch-up topics."

[Samantha McManus]

"Just talking. You're not interrupting anything."

[Natalya Romanov]

"They told me you figured out how to use my buddies to help me out. Thanks, Stan."

[Stan Bowen]

"Just doing what I could. and glad Sam was there to guide you out of your shell."

Stan was checking some displays over her bd as he spoke.

[Natalya Romanov]

"I don't do things by halves, I guess."

[Samantha McManus]

"Really, it's remarkable that you survived."

[Stan Bowen]

Stan nodded.

"You freezing your body really did give you a fighting chance.. The injuries were really horrific."

[Natalya Romanov]

"I've never done that before. First time for everything. Not in a hurry to do it again though."

[Stan Bowen]

"Would've been nice if Carter had given us any sort of help at all.." Stan said, grimly.

[Samantha McManus]

"They've never been fond of each other."

[Natalya Romanov]

"Sam is so polite about it."

[Stan Bowen]

Stan sighed in frustration.

"Suddenly, I'm remembering one of the reasons I got out of the business to something saner, like mad science."

[Natalya Romanov]

"If it hadn't been for the damn MRA, I wouldn't have gotten back in."

[Samantha McManus]

"Some things Carter doesn't want to let go."

[Stan Bowen]

"Whatever happened between you two.. It almost killed you. Can I go yell at Steve Rogers now?" Stan mused, checking Nat's chart.

[Natalya Romanov]

"She hates me because I'm beautiful..." Natalya said, smirking.

[Stan Bowen]

"You're coming along very well.. I'd imaging we could transfer you to the infirmary at the University in a few days, if I'm reading this chart right.."

[Natalya Romanov]

"I leave that up to you and the other doctors. I think I've proved to be the queen of bad decisions lately."

[Samantha McManus]

"Mind you, there'd be less privacy if we moved you to Maldon."

[Natalya Romanov]

"As long as I don't become an object of curiosity, I think I can deal."

[Stan Bowen]

"We'll keep it quiet. Right now, I think a quiet place with friends is what we should aim for your recovery."

[Natalya Romanov]

"В гостя́х хорошо́, а до́ма лу́чше*," she said with a slight shrug of her shoulders.


((* Roughly translated as "Visiting is nice, but home will be better"))

[Stan Bowen]

"Дом там, где сердце."

((Home is where the heart is))

[Natalya Romanov]

"For me it's always been where I hang my hat though, Stan," she said. "Though I'm really not the hat-wearing type. Maybe I should start." Her medication seemed to be getting to her.

[Stan Bowen]

"We'll talk about your recovery later, Nat. Get some sleep."

[Natalya Romanov]

"Yeah... that's probably good." She yawned.