Mostly OC-Centric, with some split offs of other character's POV.

Warnings will be at the head of each chapter.

Story-wide warning: This IS an action story, there will be blood and injury and death. There will also later come some themes of suicide, depression, panic disorders, etc. If you are uncomfortable I assume you'll stop reading. Although I will admit I'm tamer compared to some writers.

No smut. Only fluff. No hard swears...

Be warned: The first 10 chapters or so were written several years ago. I have improved in my writing since then, so once you get past those, it'll get much better.

Well. I hope you enjoy, there are some fun characters and wacky situations to come, so BE EXCITED. ;D

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Prologue

They said the Norns had been awoken. After 4,000 years of silent slumber.

Why or how, it was not known. But the realms had begun to recognize their hand again, weaving the fates of everything living.

It was beautiful.

It was terrifying.

Magic shifted, life evolved, things... changed.

The ancient ways of their disciples resurfaced and entire planets feared their cult. But the Aesir, always vigilant in protecting the Nine, contained the threat as far as they saw fit.

The Nine Realms were safe.

Or, at least, that was how the legends told it.

Natasha Romanoff took a deep breath. A dim light flickered and the woman glanced around the shuttle. Agents stood ready in combat armor and heavily armed. Waiting. The mission was simple. Take down and round up the enemy while Agent Romanoff extracted the artifact.

Natasha took in another calming breath. Then why do I feel so... wrong? She thought. The agent felt the shuttle slowing and shook off the uneasy feeling. It was time to move.

The shuttle stopped, the door slid open, and all hell broke loose.

Agent Romanoff made her way quickly throughout the halls of the facility they were attacking, taking out anyone she met along the way. So far, everything was going according to plan.

The redhead followed the memorized layout and stealthily entered the main laboratory. Her brows furrowed at seeing the middle-aged scientist with his back to her. No one was supposed to be here. But she was good at improvising.

The agent fired 3 shots at the man with her handgun. She saw the bullets make contact, blood began to slowly seep through his lab coat. But he didn't collapse. He didn't even flinch. Natasha's eyes widened. Something started glowing behind the man and Natasha watched in horror as the scientist slowly turned around. Agent Romanoff stared in fear at the sight before her. The man's eyes were glowing with a bright whitish green light, an awful grin was plastered across his pale face, and his spindly fist clutched a glowing object.

He laughed, spurring Natasha into action. She unloaded her gun on the terrifying sight and blood splattered over his surroundings, soaking his lab coat and shirt in red. Nothing phased the scientist. He continued laughing.

Natasha leapt over a desk, reloaded her gun, and continued firing at the man. The object he was clutching crackled and shone brighter and glowing cracks started forming across his face and hands.

Natasha was terrified. She had never faced anything like this. It was so far out her sphere of experience.

Apparently her shooting was starting to get his attention though. The scientist's eerie glowing eyes locked on to Natasha. Her own eyes widened and she stepped back. She reached for her communicator. The cracks in the man's skin were growing wider and brighter and his back was slowly starting to arch.

Natasha called into her communicator, "Clint, I-"

Suddenly a flash. She was suspended in a world of white light and hot pain. She hung there, burning and freezing from the inside out, for what seemed like an eternity.

And then, mercifully, she lost consciousness.

Natasha awoke, disoriented, in the helicarrier medbay. A medic noticed her consciousness and quickly notified her of the most immediate symptoms. Nothing vital had been damaged and her body simply needed rest. After the quick briefing, the medic left, letting Director Fury enter the room.

"What happened?" Natasha asked when Fury sat in the armchair next to her bed.

"That's what I'm hoping you could tell me." Fury said quietly. "The official story is that an explosion went off in that lab, the artifact was destroyed, and you just happened to survive by taking cover behind a desk or some crap like that."

Nat simply stared.

Fury continued. "I think we both know that something else happened. And I need to know. There's been some…" he hesitated, "concerning… evidence brought to the table and it directly involves you, Romanoff."

Natasha's brows furrowed and she took a breath. "Well, it's… a bit hard to believe…"

Fury waited for her to continue.

Nat told him everything.

After Natasha had finished speaking, Fury sat still in the armchair for several minutes, silently mulling over her words.

"Agent Romanoff, how are you feeling?"

The question caught her a bit off guard.

"A bit disoriented and sore, but otherwise fine." she said.

Nick nodded slowly. "Hm."

The woman looked to him for further clarification of his intentions.

"Well, Miss Romanoff, I have an assignment for you."

Natasha blinked, confused.

"First of all, you are going to stay here for a week and recuperate."

Nat nodded, still slightly confused.

"Then I have a very special mission for you. You're going deep undercover for quite a long time. I'm having you set up as a translator at the World Trade Center. You'll be partnered with one of our newer agents, Joseph Larkford. He is simply there for added protection and a helping hand."

"If you believe it's necessary, sir." Natasha said.

"I do." Fury continued, "I need you to know that this is highest level security. You are going very very deep undercover."

"Yes sir." Agent Romanoff said. She was ready and willing for any mission he had for her.

"Good." Fury stood up, making his way towards the door.

"Sir" Romanoff stopped him. "May I know the purpose of this mission?"

Fury paused, then spoke quietly, "Agent Romanoff, your mission is to raise a child."

Natasha's eyes widened. "Sir. I- I don't think I understand. I'm- I mean…"

Fury smiled briefly. "Relax." he paused once more. "We don't know why or how, Miss Romanoff. And frankly it was physically impossible. But something about that explosion with the artifact caused that miracle to occur…"

"What?"

"Congratulations, Natasha Romanoff... You're Pregnant."