I have a ton of other fics to be updated, but this one can't leave my mind. I'll try to update once a week (at least that's my objective ^^")
This story actually came out of a dream; just one part and then I built around (I'll pinpoint which chapter later on)...sometimes my mind really surprises me :s
No betas, so all mistakes are mine.
Enjoy!
STRAYS
*Prologue*
The Jardins du Luxembourg were in full bloom. It wasn't the most private place existing, but some copses were large enough to shield a bench or two. The weather wasn't quite warm but warm enough to keep tourists flooring on the chairs around the main basin. Had she been here on vacation, Maria Hill would have probably chosen a spot to stretch her legs. But she wasn't, so she kept walking. It had been a very long month: three major international threats had to be taken of, minor fiascos within the Helicarrier, Agent Barton -Clint, her best friend -was still recovering from his latest injuries...
And just yesterday she had jumped into a plane for Paris. The reason?
The Black Widow had been spotted twice at the Luxembourg. Finding her had been Hill's quest for the past nine months and she wouldn't let any opportunity slip.
The assassin known as Natalia Romanova was currently sitting on a bench, right under the shade and behind one of the statues of a French Queen. If Hill hadn't been looking for her specifically, she wouldn't have noticed her at all. The young woman had died her hair brown, wore a plain dark blue tunic and black leggings. And she was currently trying to appease a crying baby. Hill tightened her fists and stiffened. If her suspicions had been right, then…
She took a deep breath and melted into the role of a mere passerby, admiring the gardens. As she approached the Widow, she heard her whispering in English:
"Please be quiet. You're safe, everything's fine, so please be quiet."
The baby looked about one month old, perhaps less, but clearly determined to make a fuss and embarrass his/her mother. Said mother looked truly exhausted. Reports stated that the Widow could spot an enemy's gaze a mile away. Either the intel overestimated her abilities, or the young woman was too tired to keep her guard up. The brunette would bet on the latter.
"Please" Romanova repeated, her voice wavering. "You're safe."
She started humming a song, rocked back and forth, holding her baby close to her chest. Hill watched in bewilderment a tear forming on the corner of the assassin's eye and slowly glided along her cheek. She was exhausted and also scared Hill realized. The Black Widow may be a fearless assassin, but Natalia Romanova was still barely twenty. Having a baby at her age and situation was scary.
The medical letter torn into pieces she found in Clint's bathroom back then had to be genuine. Romanova was pregnant when she left Barton bleeding on the carpet. Was that child Barton's, and why did she keep it were other questions to be answered, but not today. She vaguely wondered how the assassin had managed to hide all this time.
Focusing on the task at hand, she walked up to Romanova and said:
"Maybe you should take a few layers off; looks like this kid is about to suffocate."
The young woman nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the unexpected voice. Hill watched her assessing her as a threat or not. For once, Hill was glad they had never met in person before.
"You say he's too warm?" Natalia asked eventually. Maria took the question for an invitation and sat next to her on the bench.
"May I?" she asked, hands opened in the baby's direction. Romanova hesitated, but in the end turned the baby towards her. The brunette pressed her palm against the toddler's forehead, frowned, then touched his chin. "Definitively warming up. You should definitively take a few things off."
"Thanks" the younger woman replied gratefully as she just started undoing her child's jacket. "I tried everything before but…"
Hill waved her thanks away.
"It's all right; everyone's got to start somewhere. Mine gave me a lot of trouble too when they were born."
The tidbit of information caught the redhead's interest.
"You have kids?"
"Twins girls. They'll turn two in a couple of months." Hill said fondly before nodding towards the baby. "What's that little one's name?"
"Jeremy." The Russian replied. As she pulled off the extra clothes, the baby's face turned towards the brunette. Hill's heart skipped a beat as a realization crossed her mind. The face was definitively Romanova's, but those big blue eyes…No mistake here, she was facing Clint's son. The moment Romanova retrieved the jacket, the baby stopped fussing, stared at her, and there were no doubts left. Natalia smiled slightly when he waved his arms aimlessly.
"He's kinda restless." Hill observed.
"Has been from the start." The young woman muttered. She poked the child's nose and made goo-goo sounds to him. The baby replied with odd, content noises. Hill couldn't help but smile.
"He must be giving you trouble."
"A little." Natalia admitted. "But he's worth it. I know he'll be in the end."
Hill wondered what the assassin had planned with the baby, if she truly believed she could raise it, or would give him away. Romanova suddenly grabbed one of his small hands and tugged upwards. The baby shrieked weakly in protest but didn't put up a big fuss. Instead, he blinked sleepily. The corner of the brunette's lips tugged upwards, very subtly; the fearless assassin looked so normal!
"He looks a lot like his mom." Hill said quietly, bracing herself for what would come next: "But he has Clint's eyes."
The words had barely left her mouth that Romanova had jumped off the bench and was reaching for a weapon, but Hill was fast too and caught her free hand in a tight grip. Natalia gritted her teeth; her right arm was busy holding Jeremy, she couldn't pick up a weapon without dropping him. Given the protective behavior she had, Hill assumed safely that she wouldn't.
"Who are you?" the Widow hissed, eyes narrowed and waiting for an opening. Hill kept an impassible mask on her features.
"I'd recommend you not to put up a fuss. People will be watching."
"Then let them watch."
"I'm not here as your enemy Natalie." Hill went on, imperturbable. The younger woman's eyes widened in surprise. She had only been going by 'Natalie' for eight months and not many women knew her then; especially women she had never met.
"You're Maria Hill." the redhead whispered, somehow recognizing her. Hill nodded. Now, Romanova knew she was facing not only a friend of Clint, but also the second in command of SHIELD, one of the most powerful underground organization existing. Running away now would be a stupid move.
"Whatever you have in mind for me, don't harm him." The redhead whispered, her one-arm tightening on her son. "He's innocent."
Hill snorted at the very thought of harming a child.
"You seduced and nearly killed one of our best agents and a close friend of mine. Believe me when I say I really want to put a bullet through your skull right now." Romanova tensed further. "But I don't touch kids. Actually, there is something I'd like to discuss with you." Hill added slowly, "When I release you, you will sit and listen to my offer. If you take off, I won't stop you but next time, I won't be so lenient. Got it?"
Romanova glared at her but reluctantly nodded. Hill released her and the redhead immediately wrapped her arms protectively around her son. Hill thought it was a very good sign and couldn't help a predatory grin to grow on her face. If everything worked out as she wanted, SHIELD would gain an incredible asset.
"What are we talking about?"
Hill waited until the assassin was seated to join her and started:
"I'm starting a new program named STRAYS, and I think you'd be the perfect test subject."
I hope the characters weren't too OOC...Tell me what you thought please :3?
Next chapter will be a big jump in the future. But there will be flashbacks from time to time...Thank you for reading!
