DISCLAIMER: I do not own Marvel, Disney, any of the characters, etc.
A/N: I really hope you guys like this story. Chapter Two will hopefully be tomorrow.
Snowstorm
By SerenityWinter
Chapter One: Bad Girls
File Number: 198466
Subject: Natasha Romanova aka The Black Widow
A phone conversation with two Russian agents, Abraham Strolovksi and Igor who will be acknowledged from now on as Agent X and Agent Y.
Agent Y: What about the Romanova girl?
Agent X: A ruthless assassin is nice to have, but things can get messy.
Agent Y: Of course things are going to get messy. We're working with fucking assassins here Igor. What did you think was going to happen?
Agent X: What information could you get?
Agent Y: Most of the files were redacted.
Agent X: So? Do your job, Agent Katrovoran
Agent Y: You didn't let me finish. I was going to say that most of the files were redacted, but I was able to salvage some of the information.
Agent X: Well, what did you find?
Agent Y: From what I gather, Romanova did have a history of insubordination, but could be an extremely valuable asset. Most of the insubordination began after she left the Red Room.
Agent X: Are we seriously considering Romanova? She's a cold-hearted bitch and tough to handle.
Agent Y: Of course she is, that's why we want her.
Agent X: [chuckles] I'd be open to the idea of hiring her, but how do we contact her?
Agent Y: Not sure. She's been hiding out. Escaped the Red Room years ago.
Agent X: Escaped or graduated?
Agent Y: Doesn't matter. How do we find her?
Agent X: Maybe we should give up. We don't have a clue where she is.
Agent Y: Think about what a valuable edition she could be
Agent X: We can try. Two secret agents and an assassin graduated from the Red Room, what could go wrong?
Agent Y: [laughs] Just-
Agent Y:...
Agent X: Hello? Abraham? Agent Strolovksi, are you alright?
Agent Y: We can't talk here. The line isn't secure, someone's listening.
Agent X: Shit. Who?
Agent Y: I don't know. It could be S.H.I.E.L.D or anybody else. Hydra, The Hand, anybody. It isn't safe.
Agent X: We should talk in person. It's safer.
Agent Y: Alright, meet me at the regular place. The covered winter bridge by the Christmas palace.
Agent X: See you then.
Call Terminates
Natasha Romanoff wondered how to cold managed to seek out and bite every part of her exposed skin. Of course, it had been a while since she'd visited Russia. And even the last time she was there wasn't exactly a visit. The cold did take some getting used to, even in Spring.
She pulled the warm hat further down her head and wrapped the heavy jacket around her. This place held so many memories, not all of them good. She heard a voice behind her, "What are you doing here, Natasha?"
Natasha turned around, "You're not as stealthy as you think, Agent Barton. I could hear you mouth breathing at full volume behind me. How'd you track me down?"
"We're the same," Clint said, "when you're in trouble, go to the place no one would expect. The place that holds the most trauma."
"We're not the same," she snapped.
Seeing the look on his face, Natasha immediately regretted her harsh tone. "I'm sorry, Clint. I did what I had to do."
"Doing what you have to do and faking your own death are two entirely separate things. I noticed you didn't put that much effort into it this time. You must be getting lazy, Nat."
The assassin sighed, "The circumstances were… special. Things are different now."
Clint stepped towards her, "Something monumental would have to change for you to run like that."
"They're after me, Clint."
"It can't be-"
She cut him off, "It is."
They both knew what was going on. There were only a handful of things that made Natasha scared and only a few weren't dead. But there was the thing she feared most. The people that had made her life a living hell and the place she was trapped. The Red Room. "I know what you're going to say, but staying and fighting isn't an option. Not this time."
"We can help you," Clint said.
Her voice softened, "Not this time. Just let me go. I can't risk you or the rest of the team. You have no idea how dangerous these people are, Clint."
"That doesn't mean you just give up!"
"I'm not giving up," Natasha insisted.
"Yeah, you are, Tasha. You told me that we should just stop trying."
"I'm not saying that-"
"You are!" Clint's voice got louder, "That's exactly what you're saying. I thought I knew you, but I guess I don't. Not anymore. I'm disappointed in you, Tasha."
With that, the archer turned and walked away. A few minutes, and he was out of sight. Natasha stood there alone, freezing in the darkness. How fitting.
She remained for a few moments while the cold winds blew in her hair, sending chills through her bones. Natasha didn't really care about the cold anymore despite the memories it brought back. Over the years, Nat had perfected the art of shoving the memories into the dark place in the back of her mind. The place where no one could ever find them. Especially the place that she'd never think about those thoughts again.
She had to will herself to go back to the hotel room she had gotten with cash and a fake name, of course. Despite her extensive knowledge and training, she couldn't risk anything.
The flight to Africa was in the morning, hopefully, she could disappear there for a little while. Natasha changed and crawled into the cheap bed. The cold air seeped through the thin sheets and she wrapped the blankets more tightly around her. She had to be up early the next morning, Natasha knew that.
Natasha couldn't sleep, no matter how hard she tried. It definitely wasn't the cheap and cold room that was keeping her up, though. The people who were after her, they were dangerous. Sleeping with one eye open wasn't enough. They were coming for her, and they wouldn't stop until they got what they wanted.