Natasha was livid. She was mad at herself for letting Cassie out of her sight. She was mad at Steve for giving her the nod, insinuating it was a good idea in the first place. She was furious with whoever had taken Cassie, and she was exasperated that Cassie had tried to take on the terrorists alone.
It didn't help matters to realize Cassie was behaving just like she would have behaved under similar circumstances. Why had she agreed to teach the girl anything? One thing was clear to Natasha as the quinjet landed in Wakanda, she should never have attempted to raise a child. People like her didn't need to be parents. The Red Room had gotten one thing right. Sterilization was the right choice.
As they got out of the quinjet, Steve took Natasha's hand. "We will get her back, Nat. I promise."
"Don't make promises you can't keep, Steve," Natasha scolded as she rushed to meet Okoye.
"Your child is an impressive warrior," Okoye said as soon as Natasha was close enough to hear her. "We would all be lost without her quick thinking. She held her own well until they stopped coming at her one at a time."
"Any word?" Steve asked before Natasha could respond.
"It was a paramilitary group from Uganda. They were exacting revenge on us for failing against Thanos. We have a video. They are offering us our people back for a hefty price."
"I'll pay it," Tony said quickly then he looked at Steve. "Not a word about how we don't bow down to terrorists."
"I wasn't go to say anything other than thank you, Tony," Steve assured him.
"They don't want money," Okoye replied. "They want us or rather those of us they consider responsible. They want Captain America, Iron Man, the Black Widow, and myself. They want a public trial and an execution."
"Us for them. I say it's a fair trade," Natasha replied coldly. "Cassie shouldn't be there. I'll go."
"Red, you do realize it won't be a fair trial, right?" Tony asked.
"They won't live long enough to hold one," Natasha said with conviction. "I just Cassie safe."
"We are on the same page," Okoye replied.
"Guess we better make a plan," Steve agreed.
Tony nodded. "For the kid, I'm in."
Darcy came running to join them. Natasha noticed her tear stained face. "I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. She said she was sick. I shouldn't have left her."
"She's a teenager. You couldn't have known what she was planning. And, you definitely couldn't have known about the attack," Natasha replied. She really wasn't angry with Darcy. Cassie was her responsibility, and she was the one who failed.
Soon, the group had their plan in place and a location for the exchange was chosen. They were meeting just outside of the shield surrounding Wakanda. Natasha couldn't help but think of the battle they'd fought there a few years before as she, Steve, Tony, and Okoye took the long walk.
If Natasha hadn't been there for the battle, she wouldn't have realized a battle had ever been fought on the Wakandan soil. It felt odd seeing how quickly the land had healed when the world still reeled from the loss.
Everything changed with the Snap. Sure, some things were back to normal. The world's economy had recovered. Schools still taught their students. Politicians were back to lying about their true agendas. But, so many houses still sat empty in the states. So many children still overcrowded the foster home system after their parents had disappeared. Holidays were much more subdued. Time had been relegated to before the Snap and after the Snap. Thanos' name was the curse word of choice in the world they now occupied.
Natasha had once been proud of the fact that Cassie didn't meet the fate other Snap orphans had met, but now she wondered if it wouldn't have been the better option. Natasha knew two things with absolute certainty. One, she wasn't going to rest until Cassie was safe, and, two, she was going to kill each and everyone of the terrorists who had taken Cassie or she was going to die trying.
As they arrived at the designated location, Natasha scanned the crowd for Cassie. She felt a little naked without her weapons, but coming unarmed was part of the deal. They were here to surrender as far as Cassie's paramilitary captors were concerned. Of course, the other guys were heavily armed. They were outnumbered, too. There were probably twenty soldiers standing with their guns ready. The Dora Milaje and Cassie were behind them. They were chained together with cloth sacks over their heads.
Natasha's blood boiled as worse case scenarios of what Cassie might have endured in the last twenty-four hours came to mind. She desperately wished she could at least see the girl's face. If she could get a good look at Cassie, she'd find the answers she was seeking.
When the soldiers gave the signal to trade, Steve demanded the bags come off the hostages' heads. "We need to be sure these are our people," he demanded.
Natasha watched closely as Cassie's bag was removed. She looked terrified, but there were no obvious signs of torture. Natasha was grateful. She gave Cassie a slight nod before following Steve across the line.
As soon as the newly released prisoners were safely behind the shield, Tony pushed the button on the small device in his pocket. Immediately, a rocket was shot from the cloaked quinjet above them. Natasha and the others covered their ears and closed their eyes just before the loud boom and flash of bright light hit. This was their distraction. From that point forward, it was all fighting.
They disarmed the disoriented men and took them out in hand-to-hand combat. Natasha snapped the necks of everyone she took down and was pleased to see Okoye doing the same. These men didn't deserve mercy, and they'd get none from her.
The quinjet landed in the confusion and the others joined them in battle. It was quick and messy, but the Avengers were victorious.
Once they arrived back at the palace, Cassie ran to Natasha and threw her arms around her. "I'm so sorry."
Natasha just held Cassie tight for a moment then looked her in the eyes. "Did they hurt you?"
Cassie shook her head. "Not much. I was afraid. They said they were going to kill you."
"They didn't get the chance."
"I knew you'd come for me. I thought I was going to lose you. I'm so sorry. I don't want to lose another mother."
Natasha felt a lump form in her throat. "I'm here. You're safe," she whispered softly as she patted Cassie on the back.
"You are, you know," Cassie whispered.
"I'm what?"
"My mom. I mean, in my head, you're my mom. Is it wrong? I feel guilty sometimes, because I had a mom but-"
"Sh, don't feel guilty. I get it. I never thought I'd have a daughter, but if I did, it wouldn't be possible to love her more than I love you. You gave me a gift, Cassie. You let me have something I never thought I'd have."
"But, I'm still in a lot of trouble, aren't I?" Cassie sighed, finally beginning to calm down.
"So much trouble," Natasha replied softly, "but not today. The queen wants to give you an award for saving so many of her Dora Milaje with your quick thinking. I hear you took out several one on one."
"I did."
"So, today, you accept your honor. Tomorrow, we go home and you train twice as hard."
"I thought you'd probably make me stop completely."
"You took out armed men one on one, but you didn't do very well when they came after you in groups. I get that you aren't going to quit even if I stop teaching you, so I'm going to make sure you always win," Natasha said firmly. "You'll have plenty of time to train since you're grounded for the foreseeable future. And, Darcy deserves an apology. Got it?"
"Got it, Mom," Cassie replied experimentally.
Natasha hugged her a little tighter before letting go, so Steve could have his turn. Her eyes locked with Steve's for a moment, and he smiled at her. She was a mom, even though she hadn't meant to become one.
Okoye came up beside Natasha while Cassie made the rounds with the other Avengers. "She is quite a warrior," Okoye declared. "You've trained her well."
"She's determined. That's for sure," Natasha replied, not taking her eyes off Cassie. "Do you have children, Okoye?"
"I do not. W'Kabi and I were trying to have a child before the Snap. Afterward, there was much to do then Shuri started working with your friends to turn back the clock. I do not want to bring a child into the world only to rewind time and lose it. I will wait until we succeed."
"That's actually pretty wise," Natasha replied.
"Is it the reason you and Captain Rogers have not had a child together?"
"No," Natasha replied. She didn't usually give details, but for some reason, she wanted to share them with Okoye. "The Red Room made sure I would never have a baby. They sterilized me. There's too much scar tissue. Cassie is it for me, and when we fix this, if we fix this, she'll get to be raised by her own parents."
"Hmm," Okoye replied, "yet you fight to change the present. You are a noble warrior."
"I don't know about that. We lost a lot of people. I want them back, and I want Thanos dead. That's why I keep fighting."
"If you ever tire of the Avengers, I would gladly have you fight by my side. Now, let's go to the celebration. We won the day. Our people are safe. It's time to enjoy our victory."