A/N: Thanks for reviewing!

These roots have no home

Though some of the information yielded from the Portugal mission was useful, it was mostly a bust. The same could be said for the facilities in the Czech Republic and Poland. The places they were infiltrating looked hastily cleared out and the intel she could resurrect from the hard drives was not particularly helpful. In fact, it was feeling more and more like they were on a wild goose chase.

Good thing Barnes was there – a solo mission like this would have made her start to doubt herself. He voiced the same opinions she had about what they found, so that went a long way toward reassuring her. It wasn't like being on a mission with Clint or with Steve. More like with Clint – Barnes thought more like a spy than Steve did. But it was a different experience, having someone there who was always on the same page. It had taken a while for her to get that way with anyone else – and this was the first time they'd spent any significant time together.

There was the Red Room, of course, but who knew if he remembered that? Besides, they weren't the same people they'd been then. Or that's what she kept telling herself, whenever he gave her that look. The look where he just regarded her, watching her thoughtfully with those big eyes, waiting for something or content to stare at her forever, she didn't know. It was unsettling, to say the least.

She'd been over this. Even if he remembered, it wouldn't be the same now. What, were they going to sneak around and not tell anyone? Although… it would be safer this time, because even if someone found out, it wasn't like they'd be punished for it. So, actually, that was tempting.

But it wasn't exactly something one would just bring up, so she let it go. If she wanted this (did she?), it would have to be a step toward normalcy, not away from it. And she'd had enough upheaval in the last couple years.

Focusing on the mission at hand, Yelena was avoiding them easily. Which was concerning, because Natasha had always been able to find the people for whom she was looking. Barnes had faith in her – but better not think about that right now. The intelligence she'd been able to gather indicated that AIM or HYDRA or whatever Lukin was calling his current organization was taking lab scientists to harness a radioactive material. What exactly their intentions were after that was not clear.

Fury had sent her a list of names of other scientists who had disappeared. They were all in the same field but were taken using a variety of methods, from labs all over the world. She didn't expect that they would provide much in the way of leads. But there were alerts out for them, so, if they were spotted, she would get word. And potentially have another place to investigate.

The fourth place they went to search was in Brussels. Barnes seemed more comfortable with flying now than he had been on the first few flights they had shared. There was a safe house here and she led the way there once they landed. It was late and she was tired. Tired of chasing someone who didn't want to be found – someone who thought replacing her was an option. What if she could? What if Natasha Romanoff was obsolete?

Maybe that wouldn't be so bad. Assuming Yelena didn't think it necessary to kill her in order to take over the title. She could settle down somewhere, take up a hobby or two, live like a normal person. Tempting as the idea was, she couldn't face the reality that she probably wouldn't be good at it, that normal people would be able to spot her ruse quickly. This was what she could do, and do well, so she would just keep doing it. Until she couldn't anymore. But retirement wasn't something most spies had the luxury of considering.

"I think I've been here before," Barnes said suddenly, stopping.

She turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow. "You think so?"

"Yeah." He paused to consider. "Not as – not recently. In the war, maybe."

"I'm sure it's changed quite a bit," she offered when he didn't continue.

He was staring intently at the alleyway, clearly not in the present. She waited to see if he would snap out of it. When he did, he glanced at her quickly then looked away, the flicker of a smile on his face. "Sorry, let's go."

As she kept walking, she considered whether or not to press him about what happened. Curiosity won over circumspection. "What was all that?"

"Just remembering some things."

"Nice things?"

His smile returned. "There was a girl in the Resistance."

"Ah," she managed to say in a knowing tone.

"She was nice. Pretty redhead. Never was sure if she liked me or was just glad I was there to help out."

His tone was more amused than anything else, but she didn't think it wise to look at him. Not until she was sure of herself again. "Yeah? You didn't pursue her after?" She didn't know what exactly he would have been doing in Brussels – was it during the Occupation?

He cleared his throat. "Might have, if I had lived much longer," he replied blandly.

"That would put a damper on a relationship," she agreed.

"Yeah. Do you ever, uh, do that?"

It sounded like he wanted to take it back, and she glanced back to confirm – he looked uncomfortable. "Do what? Die? Not so far. Put dampers on relationships? Probably more often than I realize."

He smiled self-effacingly. "Right. I meant, you know, date anyone."

"Why do you ask?"

After a moment of consideration, he took a deep breath and she was terrified of what he might say. "I kinda thought you and Steve might be a thing. Before. And Barton's married, so I … I was just curious," he ended lamely, looking away.

It was rare that someone asked her about her personal life. She kept it to herself. Those trusted enough to know anything about her were rare and valued what confidences she was willing to bestow – they didn't ask for more. She knew she was a hard person to get a read on, and that was an important part of her job. But James was standing there awkwardly, glancing up at her like he was afraid she'd send him packing for it.

They had reached her door and she set about opening it. He seemed to relax a little when she didn't say anything. "There was almost a thing with Bruce Banner before he left," she told him quietly as she finished with the lock. "But I do better alone."

It took him a moment to follow, clearly surprised. He caught up with her and shut the door behind them, barely glancing around at the dusty place. "Are you sure about that?"

His voice was just as quiet as hers had been and her breath caught in her throat. She forced herself to keep scanning, to make sure they would be safe. At least from any external threats. It was already late – they had work to do. Pursuing this conversation would be dangerous and make them even later. So, when the scan was done, she pulled her weapons out of her bag.

"I don't know. But we'd better get a move on if we're going to be done before dawn," she warned him. He nodded and she forced herself to ignore his disappointed expression.

The place they were investigating was a warehouse – all of them had been. It was a little different this time, however. For one thing, it wasn't empty. For another, there were a lot more prisoners – scientists – held in cages on the second floor down. By the time they got down there, they had taken out four sentries and six guards. An alarm started to sound just as she was starting to work on the lock.

"Oh, perfect," she muttered.

"I'll cover you," Barnes insisted, turning his back to her so he could face the door.

"Hey, scientists. Any of you seen a blond woman, about my height?" she called over the noise, her hands busy with the door.

The resulting cacophony of at least five different languages was a bit hard to follow, but was clearly a yes. Yelena was not particularly popular with this crowd. As the lock snapped open, she was able to glean that Yelena was likely just downstairs. Then the doors opened and AIM agents poured in. So things were busy for a few minutes until she and Barnes had made short work of them.

"Where do they find these guys?" she wondered in disgust. Her masters would never have sent out people so woefully unprepared to defend themselves.

"Maybe they grow 'em," Barnes suggested, causing her to smile at the thought. "Yelena's here, it sounds like. What's the plan?"

"You get the civilians to safety. I'll go get her."

He didn't like that idea, but he nodded. Reinforcements were likely on the way, so the window for escape was short. Especially as AIM tended to booby trap their facilities and who knew how long the building would be intact? Not to mention Yelena still had that book, so getting Barnes out of here was preferable. She turned to head for the stairs when he caught her arm gently. "Hey. Be careful, Natalia," he murmured, looking her in the eye.

"I will," she promised in surprise. With a nod, he released her, and they split up. She took the stairs two at a time, but the training rooms and office below were empty. Jogging along, she saw that there was a door just swinging shut – she didn't know where it went, but she ran for it. Once through, she was in a poorly-lit concrete corridor. And she was not alone.

Yelena had a few guards, but she sent them on ahead and turned to face Natasha. "I thought I was at least a couple hours ahead of you," she said with a smile.

"Maybe you should reconsider your goal here, because speed is a pretty vital part of being the Widow," she replied, approaching warily.

"Not a chance, Natalia. I've worked too hard for this."

"Then you're pretty misinformed about what the job requires," was her bitter response.

Yelena just continued to smile. "Come show me, then."

Natasha wasn't one to be baited by an opponent, but it was with a certain degree of pleasure that she closed the distance between them to attack. Yelena was ready, of course, but underestimated the power Natasha could unleash. Driven back a few feet, Yelena's smile disappeared as she focused and she was able to counter the second assault more effectively.

It was strange to fight someone with her own style again. Not since the Red Room had she faced anyone with the same moves. So it was more like a dance than anything else. Anyone watching might have enjoyed it. Yelena landed as many blows as she did, and both were tiring out and in pain. Their attacks and counterattacks had moved them along the corridor, past where Yelena's guards were waiting by a helicopter, and to the edge of the frozen Zenne that ran alongside the facility.

Natasha made contact with a particularly hard kick, and Yelena was driven back a meter or so. Both paused to catch their respective breaths. "I don't want to kill you, Natalia," Yelena said suddenly, as though she were winning.

"You won't," Natasha reassured her.

Smiling grimly, Yelena pushed a button on her belt. An explosion could be heard from the warehouse, and she looked there sharply, worried about James. Yelena took advantage of her distraction to kick her, knocking her over the handrail and onto the frozen surface of the river. Settling her footing, Natasha looked up with a smile, about to taunt the other woman. But Yelena pressed a different button and suddenly there was an explosion under the ice. She had a moment to try to jump for land before everything plunged into the water.