Chapter One- Goodnight Moon
"She's still good and as fast as I remember, but I don't worry too much because I helped train her. A long time ago, Natalia Romanova made me remember...what it was to feel human. They punished us both for that in different ways. Fighting her now is like punishing myself all over again. By the time I see my move, I'm actually wishing this was one of Karpov's missions...and that those damn machines would be waiting when I was finished. To wipe my memory again. I'm sorry Natalia, I never wanted to get you into trouble." Natasha read Bucky's letter over and over again, tears gathered in her emerald hues.
"It's for the best, Nat." Bruce tried to comfort her.
"I understand why Bucky froze himself but, that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to grieve him. It's happening all over again. Who knows when he'll be back? Fucking Luke Skywalker." Natasha stands from the table brushing past him, as Steve Rogers gets off the elevator.
"Nat, where are you going?" Bruce called after her...she didn't say anything. Natasha hopped onto the elevator alone.
"Bruce don't. It's not a good idea to talk to Nat right now. She will kill you, no Fuck's given. Buck was a big part of her life, mine too. I know you didn't care for him but, please understand that he has people that love him." Steve put an arm out to stop him. They'd just gotten him back just to lose him again, Bucky hadn't alerted Steve or Natasha...just asked Bruce to do it.
"We didn't get to tell him goodbye, he'll be back I know but it still hurts all the same."