Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Everything belongs to their rightful owners and I am not making any profit from this.

AN1: Thank you so much for your response to this story. It means a lot to me. This will be a multi chapter fic, though I'm currently not sure how many chapters it will be exactly though I do have a plan.


After eating rather quickly Melinda and Natasha are back on the road, the only difference from before is that this time Melinda is driving. They drive for another few hours before arriving back in DC and heading near where they know they will find Maria Hill.

"So how do you want to do this?" Natasha asks as because of the fact that it's Melinda who needs to talk to Hill she decides how they proceeded.

"I'll take out the surveillance team and corner Maria to talk to her." Melinda says.

"The alley would be a good place to do that." Natasha says and Melinda nods.

"Then I'll ask her my questions." Melinda explains.

"You'll have a couple of minutes max before the FBI swops in." Natasha points out.

"Guess I better make them count." Melinda comments.

"I stay in the car, keep an eye on things, get you out of trouble if you need it." Natasha says to Melinda.

"Thanks." Melinda responds, "See you in about ten minutes." Melinda says getting out of the car.

"Good luck." Natasha says once the door closes.

After leaving Natasha Melinda makes her way to the building that Maria should be exiting out of any minute. As soon as Maria exits she start to take down all of the surveillance package and then to the alley where she has a conversation with Maria about Coulson, Fury and T.A.H.I.T.I.

"You should contact Natasha." Maria informs Melinda, "One of the first things she asked me when she saw me after she found out about Hydra was where you were stationed." Maria reveals.

"Already have." Melinda tells her friend, "She's waiting in the car." Melinda explains as they hear the sirens get closer, "See you Hill." Melinda says before disappearing into the night and making her way back to her wife.

As Natasha waits in the car she becomes worried as she hears the sires getting closer even though she knows that Melinda can look after herself better than anyone she knows,

"Come on Mel. Get back here." Natasha says to herself as the sires get very, very close.

"Drive." Melinda says getting back into the car

"What did Maria have to say?" Natasha asks curious as she drives.

"She said that she didn't know who Fury took orders from, but she gave me a clue about where I could find some answers." Melinda admits.

"Where?" Natasha asks curious.

"Maria said that when she asked Fury about who was behind the T.A.H.I.T.I project that he said that he decided to burry that information when he decided not to burry Phil." Melinda says, "If that means what I think it means then I know exactly where to go." Melinda tells Natasha.

"Phil's grave." Natasha says without a pause, both of them knowing Fury well enough to decipher his cryptic, "You want to dig up Phil's grave." She realises.

"Yep." Melinda answers, "You don't have to come with me." Melinda tells Natasha, knowing that asking her to help her dig up the empty grave of their friend is a lot to ask of your estranged wife.

"Of course I do." Natasha comments with a grin, "Plus it's been a while since I've done any grave robbing, could be fun." Natasha jokes and Melinda rolls her eyes, though she is glad to have Natasha's help, and company.


Once they realise that they need to dig up a grave Melinda and Natasha stop to get supplies before heading to the cemetery where Coulson's empty coffin is.

Once they get to the cemetery and reach Coulson's grave Melinda just stairs at the headstone for a couple of minutes.

"Mel?" Natasha asks concerned.

"It was weeks before Nick told me Phil was alive. After, when you saw me I still believed the lies." Melinda explains, both of them remember after Phil's 'death' when Natasha found Melinda in her apartment mourning the loss of her best friend with scotch and almost self-destructive anger.

"He's alive Mel." Natasha points out, "This is just an empty grave."

"You're right." Melinda says looking away from the grave and to Natasha, "Let's start digging."

"Yes Ma'am." Natasha responds with a grin.

Even with two of them it takes the better part of a few hours to dig up Phil's grave.

"I think I've found it." Melinda says and Natasha walks, inside the grave over to her.

"A flash drive?" Natasha asks.

"Makes sense considering." Melinda says and they climb their way out of the grave, as they do there find a man with flowers standing there.

"My condolences." Melinda says as they walk past him and head back to the car.

"Let's see what we've got here." Natasha says pulling a laptop out from underneath the seat.

"T.A.H.I.T.I project supervisor to director Fury, finale report." Melinda reads when she sees what comes up on the screen.

"Exactly what we want." Natasha comments, "Guess it's a good thing we learnt to decode Nick's cryptic a long time ago." She says.

"Yeah, it is." Melinda says as she presses play and along with Natasha they watch the video with surprise.

"That's not what I was expecting." Natasha comments once the video stops.

"Me either." Melinda responds, "We need to warn him. He needs to know what could happen." Melinda comments as Natasha feels her phone vibrate so she pulls it out of her pocket.

"He and Maria are on their way to LA." Natasha reveals.

"They are?" Melinda asks surprised as even though she knows that Natasha tends to know everything she is confused about how she could know that.

"Maria just texted me to tell you." Natasha explains, "Guess we're going to LA." She says starting the car.

"We?" Melinda asks wondering if, and hoping that, Natasha means what she thinks she means.

"We." Natasha confirms as she turns onto the main road.


Because both Melinda and Natasha are worried about what could happen if they stop they take turns sleeping and driving, so that they only stop if they absolutely have to.

"Did Maria say where she is going to meet us?" Melinda asks curious as they arrive in LA, Natasha driving as they switched a couple of hours earlier.

"Yep." Natasha answers, "We should be there in about five." She reveals.

"Good." Melinda responds and a few minutes later they park the car and they both get out.

The meeting place that Maria said she would meet them is another alley because with all the security issues around it is a location that they can control.

Melinda and Natasha wait for a few minutes until they see a figure walking towards them. Because they can't see the person's face they both prepare for a fight until they realise it's Maria, when they see her they relax a bit, though they are both still completely on alert.

"I've got bad news. A lot of bad news." Maria says looking at Melinda.

"Of course you do." Melinda says with a sigh, "What happened?"

"Well to start with Ward's Hydra, and Garrett's alive." Maria reveals.

"Ward is Hydra?" Melinda asks her voice dangerously low.

"Yeah." Maria responds, "He took Skye."

"Is she okay?" Melinda asks the anger that was in her voice completely gone and having been replaced with concern.

"Yeah, Phil rescued her, but Ward shot Lola." Maria reveals.

"He shot Lola." Natasha and Melinda respond in shock as both of them know what Lola means to Phil

"Does he have a death wish?" Natasha asks curious.

"He called you eye candy so he might." Maria reveals.

"He did?" Natasha asks and Maria nods, "Might have to have a conversation with him." she comments.

"Where are Ward and Garrett now?" Melinda asks curious.

"No idea. They have your plane though." Maria responds, "And Phil's going to go after them."

"Where is Phil?" Melinda asks, "And my Team?"

"A hotel. The Sleep Easy about twenty minutes from here." Maria explains.

"Then that's where I'm going." Melinda says, "I have to tell Phil what I found and I can't let Ward get away, not after what he did." She says and as she does Natasha realises that there is more to the story of Ward than what Melinda has said.

"Think Phil would mind getting another team member?" Natasha asks curious causing both Melinda and Maria to look at her surprised.

"I thought you wanted out." Melinda says to her wife, "That you were done fighting, spying."

"I told Steve that I burned all my covers and that I needed to figure out a new one." Natasha says, "Well I think I've figured it out, what I want to be the most at the moment is your wife. If you'll have me that is." Natasha tells Melinda, putting herself out there more than she usually does as she wants a chance to make things right with Melinda as even with everything that has happened between them Melinda still means a lot to her and she hopes that she means a lot to Melinda.

"Of course I will." Melinda responds, without hesitation, and the pair once more exchange a kiss as Maria mutters "Finally." As she has been waiting for three years for them to get back together.

"Are you sure that you're okay with fighting?" Melinda asks ignoring Maria, wanting to make sure that Natasha is okay with her choice.

"As long as I'm fighting alongside you, yeah." Natasha responds, not completely alright with what she knows she is going to have to do but because she wants a chance to work on things between her and Melinda it makes it what she wants to do.

"Okay, I'll be going now." Maria says interrupting the look that Melinda and Natasha are exchanging, "Call if you need anything." She tells them.

"We will." Melinda responds and with a nod Maria disappears from the alley and Melinda and Natasha head back to their car.

"So what's the full story with you and Ward?" Natasha asks interested, managing to hold out a few minutes before asking.

"I was wondering when you would ask about that." Melinda comments and she sighs, "A few months ago we found an Asgardian weapon known as the Berserker Staff." Melinda explains, "If you touch the staff it causes you to get superhuman strength rooted in rage supplied by your darkest emotion and memories." Melinda explains.

"You fought with it." Natasha realises and Melinda nods.

"So did Ward." Melinda adds, "Afterwards we started having sex to deal." Melinda explains, there being no emotion in her voice, it being clear that she is just stating facts "I ended it when I thought he was getting attached and I realised he was in love someone else, wonder if that was an act." Melinda muses.

"Guess that's two things I want to have a conversation with him about." Natasha comments, "That staff doesn't seem like fun." She comments wondering what it did to Melinda to hold it, to fight with it, but deciding not to ask directly.

"It's not." Melinda tells her, "Are we still good?" Melinda asks, internally hoping that she hasn't screwed things up with Natasha just as they are starting to be okay between them again.

"We've been separated for three years Mel, a lot has happened." Natasha points out, "Hell a few days ago I kissed Captain America." Natasha reveals.

"Wow, better not tell Phil that he would be extremely jealous." Melinda comments and Natasha laughs

"He really would be." Natasha confirms, "We need to start fresh. After everything it's the only way this is going to work." She tells Melinda, knowing that between them they have a lot of baggage.

"Agreed." Melinda responds as she start the car.


Fifteen minutes later Melinda and Natasha arrive at the hotel where Coulson and the rest of Melinda's team are.

"That your team?" Natasha asks curious as they spot people by the pool.

"Yeah." Melinda confirms.

"Who's who?" Natasha asks curious.

"Well Tripp is the one who just got pushed into the pool." Melinda explains as they watch what's going on from the car park, "Skye's the one who pushed him and Simmons is the one laughing with Skye and Fitz is the one running away from Skye and Simmons before they push him in." Melinda explains, glad to see them being so relaxed and carefree after everything they have gone through.

"And Phil is attempting to tell them off." Natasha comments, "So how are we going to do this?"

"Sneak into Phil's room works for me, what about you?" Melinda asks.

"Sounds good to me." Natasha confirms and they both sneak into Coulson's room. Melinda stands in the shadows but more in the light that Natasha while Natasha stays more in the dark so that she cannot be seen.

Melinda and Natasha have only been waiting for a couple of minutes when the door open and Phil walks back in.

"I was hoping you would come back." Coulson informs May, "Ward's…" he begins to say.

"I know." Melinda says before he has a chance to say anymore, "Hill told us." She says, "There is something you need to see." She reveals.

"Us?" Phil asks confused, "Who's us?"

"I'm surprised you have to ask Phil." Natasha says walking out from where she is standing, "And while I want to talk to you about the fact that you're alive and the fact that you shot my wife in the chest, there is something that you need to see first." Natasha explains.

"Good seeing you too Natasha." Phil comments, truly meaning his words, as he has missed his friend, "What do you need to show me?" he asks looking between Natasha and Melinda

"You wanted to know who was behind The T.A.H.I.T.I project, well this is what we found." Melinda tells Coulson grabbing the laptop that she and Natasha brought with them and pressing play.

As the video plays Natasha and Melinda watch Coulson for his reaction.

"Huh." Coulson says when it finishes.

"Not the reaction I was expecting." Natasha comments.

"Phil?" Melinda asks.

"So I could go crazy at any moment." Phil says.

"At least now that we know what to expect. We can keep our eyes open." Melinda tells Phil.

"Are you sticking around?" Phil asks them both, though he is looking at Melinda, interested.

"We both are." Melinda answers with a nod.

"I'm sorry for what I said." Phil tells Melinda, "For what I did." He says, "I was mean and you didn't deserve that." He tells Melinda.

"I did lie." Melinda says.

"For the right reasons." Phil says, "You lied because you cared and I never should have doubted that." He tells Melinda, "I'm sorry." He tells Melinda.

"So am I." Melinda responds.

"Aw I've missed the entertainment you two give me." Natasha comments amused, "But we still need to have several conversations Phil." Natasha tells her friend, the amusement that was in her voice disappearing.

"Sure." Coulson responds, not surprised by it and knowing that he owes Natasha several conversations.

"First I'm glad you're alive." Natasha says hugging Coulson, "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." Coulson responds.

"Second don't even think about shooting Mel again." Natasha tells Coulson, her voice completely serious and having an undertone of a threat present.

"Nat." Melinda says, slight annoyance to her voice.

"It's okay Melinda." Phil says, "I kind of deserve it." He admits.

"More than kind of." Natasha tells him.

"Where is the rest of the team?" Melinda asks before Natasha or Coulson can say anymore.

"Rooms 113 and 114." Coulson tells Melinda, "I'll go get them." he says leaving the room.

"Threatening Phil? Really?" Melinda asks Natasha as soon as Coulson leaves the room.

"He shot you." Natasha says in a defensive tone, "And I know you well enough to know that you wouldn't have said anything about it, so I did." Natasha explains.

"I thought you would have been more angry about the fact that he kept the fact that he is alive a secret." Melinda says walking over and sitting down next to Natasha who is sitting on the bed.

"He was following orders." Natasha says with a shrug, "I get it, I don't like it but I get it." She tells Melinda as the door opens.

"You're back." Skye says happily as Melinda and Natasha stand and Skye comes over and gives Melinda a hug.

"Yeah I am." Melinda comments awkwardly returning the hug as she looks at Natasha who has a look of amusement on her face.

"Skye, Tripp, Fitz, Simmons there is someone I would like you to meet." Melinda says, "This is Agent Natasha Romanoff, my wife." Melinda introduces and Melinda, Natasha and Coulson are amused about the looks of complete shock on Tripp, Skye, Fitz and Simmons's faces.

"You're married?" Skye asks shocked, "To an Avenger?" she asks and Melinda nods, "That's soo cool." Skye comments and Natasha laughs.

"Glad you think so." Natasha responds amused.

"So the S.H.I.E.L.D rumours were right?" Tripp asks curious.

"There are always some bases in truth when it comes to S.H.I.E.L.D rumours." Natasha comments though she knows how ridiculous some of them can be.

"But not a lot." Melinda says knowing that Fitz, Simmons and Tripp would have heard the rumours and will tell Skye the rumours as soon as she asks so looking at Natasha they have a conversation without talking and decide to tell them the basics of their story. "We got married six years ago. Have been separated for three, that's all you need to know." Melinda tells her team, all of whom nod.

"We should get a room." Natasha comments, "I'm guess you didn't get a spare one." She says looking at Coulson.

"Sorry." Phil responds.

"It's okay." Melinda responds, "We'll see you in the morning." Melinda says leaving the room with Natasha.

"How did I not know that May was married to Romanoff?" Skye asks shocked.

"May's a private person." Coulson answers, "The things that matter the most to her are the things that she talks about the least." Coulson explains, "Natasha's top of the list, you should feel privileged that she has shared what she has shared." Coulson explains, "Go back to your rooms, get some sleep. Starting tomorrow we'll go on the offensive." Coulson says and the others, with the exception of Skye leave the room, "What is it Skye?" Coulson asks curious.

"You know I thought for sure that there was something going on between you and May, especially considering the last few weeks." Skye comments.

"May's my family, she has been for a long time." Coulson tells Skye.

"Ah right, night AC." Skye says before leaving deciding not to push Coulson anymore tonight.


After they leave Coulson's room Melinda and Natasha get their own room and go there only going back to the car to grab out something for them to sleep in because neither of them feel like sleeping in jeans and leather, not again anyway. Once they have stopped by the car they head to their room and after checking to make sure the room is secure they start to get changed.

"Is this my top?" Natasha asks curious as she notices just what the top Melinda gave her has on it, "It is." She realises, "When did you take this?"

"I don't know." Melinda responds though she knows that she may have purposely hung onto after they separated.

"Of course you don't." Natasha answers as both she and Melinda remove their clothes to put on the clothes that they are going to sleep in. Just as she puts the top on Natasha notices that Melinda, who she is watching getting change, has scar that she has never seen on the top of her chest, "How did you get that?" Natasha asks, walking over to Melinda and running her hand over the scar, worried about what caused is as ever since the last time Natasha saw Melinda without her clothes on she has been in Admin which means she hasn't been in situations dangerous enough for Melinda to get scars at least until recently.

"It was a few months ago, Italy." Melinda answers, "A member of the Italian police force who was working for Cybertek stabbed me. I pulled out the knife and used it to escape." Melinda explains, "I'm betting I'm not the only one with new scars." Melinda says to Natasha.

"No, you're not." Natasha confirms moving her hand from on May's chest to around her waist and using them to pull Melinda closer,

"You know we really should get some sleep." Melinda comments as she starts to run her hands up and down Natasha's side and going up under her top.

"Since when have we ever done what we're supposed to?" Natasha asks.

"Not very often." Melinda responds and the pair kiss once more though unlike the other times they have kissed in the past few days this one is more hurried, clearly leading to something more.

"Are you sure?" Natasha asks as they break apart, both trying to catch their breath, Natasha wanting Melinda to be sure so that she won't regret it as even without saying it they both know that this will mean something to them both, it won't be a onetime thing, not after everything that has happened between them, everything that has happened to them both.

"Positive." Melinda responds pushing Natasha back on the bed, glad to be with her wife again.

"Good." Natasha responds pulling Melinda down on top of her and kissing her once more.

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