S.H.I.E.L.D Helicarrier
"Peter Parker's shoulder needs surgery. Even is superpowers aren't helping him this time. Ligaments and cartilage torn. They're prepping him now, said Director Fury walking into the medical unit Natasha and Clint were in. Natasha had some bruised ribs and a bump on her head from the crash. Clint had a shiner that was spreading down his face where he was kicked.
"That's two heroes down, two sections of the city that aren't being patrolled," spat Clint in disgust.
"NYPD will hold it down. The city isn't our problem. These so called hero hunters are. Who sent them?" asked Fury.
"The one I talked to didn't know who gave him the drugs that hopped him up. They were offered drugs on the condition they fight heroes. No names, just drugs," supplied Natasha.
"Mine said something else. He was different. Not a druggie but a military man. It was almost like he was there by choice. He said the same thing as the one from the other night, that this was only the beginning. He also said that "our doch" knows who they are. He was talking about Natasha," he finished.
"Agent Romanoff, what's going on? This isn't about you and your secrets anymore. Our allies are being hunted," said Fury. His voice demanded an answer. Natasha looked up at him.
"They called me "doch": daughter. In this context, the only conclusion there is to draw is that these people are associated with the Red Room," she replied.
"And what would the Red Room have to do with hero hunting?" asked Fury?
"Well it can't be the Red room can it? They've been dissolved since the Cold War," said Clint.
"On paper, they're gone. But then we never really die do we? Those who walk around in the shadows aren't afforded the luxury. We may disappear but we always come back. Who's to say it isn't some Red Room left overs? They're the only ones who'd call me that," replied Natasha. Her voice sounded distant, as if she was remembering something neither man could see.
"Okay, fine, but this is Super Serum stuff right? Germans and Americans in World War II, the stuff that makes Steve strong and the failed attempts that make the Hulk smash right?" asked Clint.
"That's just it Clint. It wasn't just the U.S. or Germany that was interested or succeeded in some capacity," she said glancing at him.
"So it wasn't just brainwashing with you then?" Clint asked. Natasha flinched almost imperceptibly at the word.
"I'm afraid not, no. It's not like it is with Steve though. Obviously. It's just heightened ability to heal, some strength and speed. I'm no Super Soldier. I'm not even as strong as these hero hunters," she said, avoiding Clint's eyes.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has already issued a warning to all known superheroes. They're to remain on high alert. You two are going to Russia," said Fury.
"Why us? Or rather, me? Natasha's got the connections, sure. But they're more in Steve's league than ours," said Clint. His tone was guarded. Natasha could hear the hurt and inwardly sighed. She'd hurt him, she knew she did. He wouldn't have tried to pawn the mission on Steve if she hadn't.
"I don't need Captain America running around Russia. A little ostentatious don't you think? No, I want information. For that I need spies and assassins. You're flying in low key, red eye out of La Guardia airport. Don't draw attention to yourselves. I want to know who wants our heroes dead," answered Fury.
Red Eye from La Guardia to Moscow
The plane was overly crowded. A baby in the back was crying. Turbulence made the plane feel more like a ship on the ocean than a bird in the sky. Natasha and Clint side by side, Clint at the window. It wasn't a secret Clint liked heights. He didn't like the cage that was the plane, however, and the window made him feel a little more free.
"Are you ever going to talk to me again?" Natasha asked bluntly. A small short laugh escaped Clint.
"I'm not the one who's been quiet recently," he replied softly.
"I'm sorry Clint, I really am. I've done a lot of things I'm not proud of,' she started. She twisted a napkin nervously in her hands.
"Red on you ledger." it wasn't a question.
"The color of blood and that ledger is dripping with it. So much of it is tied into the Red Room. They messed my brain up before I was old enough to know right from wrong. Ever since you...you saved me, I've been running from them. From my past and the people in it. And now we're waltzing right back in. I haven't been back here since we left," she said, her voice trailing off.
"Super Serum?" he asked. He couldn't help it. Of all the things he was learning about Natasha, the serum made him the most nervous. They all had their skills that made them valuable agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. but he'd always found comfort in the fact that at least Natasha was human. In a world of demi-Gods, flying suits of armor, and green monsters, he liked to know that at least he had Natasha. They were amazing in their own right, but humans too. At least he was.
"Clint I'm a spy. You know that. S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't know everything about me, nobody does. The serum? It makes me better at what I do, but it's not who I am," Clint looked up, catching her eyes, "I can change my motivation. I can choose to do the right thing. I can choose to be better. But I can't change who I am. I can change why I do something, but not what I do. Maybe that means I can't be trusted, I don't know. But I am who I am," she said with a sadness in her eyes that broke Clint's heart. He grabbed her hands, interlocking his fingers with hers.
"I wouldn't want you to change Tasha. And I trust you. I guess I just forget that you're the Black Widow, not just Agent Romanoff," he said with a smile.
"A mistake you won't make in Russia, I guarantee it," she said darkly.
A/N: It's been awhile and I'm sorry. I've gotten crazy busy, but hopefully I should be able to update more frequently. Please leave a review if you've got the time. Thanks for reading!