This is a second part of my story series about my OC and John MacTavish. Nathalie is Vladimir Makarov's daughter and things with her life are quite complicated. If you want you can read the first story too but I don't think it will be too complicated to sort this story out even with the background story.
This story will have more swearing and graphic elements of torture, rape, and maybe sex (if the things work out for Nathalie and John, we'll see) in later chapters. I will put the warnings in the beginning.
Two years passed since the events of the last chapter of Maybe Our Paths Will Cross Again. Do You Love Me After All beginning is set in 2015.
During that time Nathalie and John didn't have many chances to meet. After the Operation Kingfish which was in October of 2013 John came back for the holidays and visited Nathalie on her birthday. From then she only got a few calls from him. Both of them were busy with their military work: Nathalie was keen on making her team worthy of the name they were given "Power of Steel", her training was ruthless at first more to just forget everything about her past and parting with John but later it grew as a hunger to be a strong and worthy leader. And for John hunting Makarov was a priority, no matter how much he tried to deny the fact he saw part of Makarov in Nathalie he just couldn't. His love for her was strong and all he wanted to do was be with her but before he could do that he had to eradicate the evil from the face of the earth.
Nathalie knew she was close to being promoted again. The squad grew stronger and stronger with each day of training and missions that they went to prove that the hard work paid off. Despite the fact that she learnt everything about the combat was from the dark side of her past she did a really great job teaching others the certain ways of killing. Now even in the UK or specifically in the base she was assigned to know her as Karma. Unimaginably beautiful woman that brought people what they deserved. Those who cared about her got her protection and those who despised her and tried to go against felt what complete destruction meant.
Over that period of time Nathalie didn't come in contact with her father at all. She got a few calls from Nikolai asking how she and John were doing but that was the only contact with Russia for her.
"What's taking you so long?" Jason shouted out his question from the living room.
"I am fucking getting ready. Don't you dare to hurry me, you fuckface." Answered Nathalie from the bathroom. She was putting on her make up that she got so rarely to use. It was her birthday after all and she wanted to be pretty. Nathalie begged Lt. Colonel Watson to give a week of vacation for her and Simons so she could celebrate birthday and visit her family. Visiting the family part wasn't going well as they were visiting Madeline's parents so the only thing that they could do was celebrate the birthday.
"Princess, you look great any way..." Whined Simons. He was waiting for a good hour for her to get ready. It usually didn't take her long enough to get ready and the main problem was her checking the phone every few minutes. And Jason was growing restless not really sure what to do while waiting. "Princess, come out no..." The door from the bathroom opened Jason was left breathless when he saw how wildly intimidating and sexy his superior can be. She was wearing a red blouse and black jeans that made it easier to see her feminine but worked out shapes and in addition to the look she had red stilettos. Nathalie walked closer to Jason mashing her phone with sadness and frustration filling her heart.
"Geez. You are hotter than hell." Said Simons standing right in front of her. She was still shorter than him even with the massive heels her shoes had. Jason grabbed and just pulled her phone out of her hand. "Can you even hear me over the stupid fucking hope he will call you? He had a whole year to do it and didn't so forget it. Fuck him. Fuck MacTavish."
"Oh, I'd fuck him real well if he was here." She said and looked up to Jason who threw her phone on the couch.
"Sweet lord, you are a horny woman. Let's go out now." Said Jason and put his arm around her waist to pull her to the door.
Nathalie mumbled something about not having a man for a year while she took her coat from a hanger and putting it on. She sighed looking at Blue who walked up to the door hoping to come too. Silver smiled taking her purse and pushed Jason out of the door trying to keep her dog inside. "You are not coming with us today. Sorry buddy but you'll have to stay."
They walked outside of the building and down the street. There was a nice bar three blocks away and Nathalie insisted on going there by foot. Being honest Jason was still dazed by the change of her looks and her ability to keep going on shoes like that. After years of seeing her in baggy clothes and uniforms the new sight really kept his roof going up. He could barely keep his head straight. Not like he didn't like her appearance or her overall. He admitted to himself that he liked more than he could have allowed to.
The bar wasn't full when they arrived and they settled down at the table with a couple of drinks. Nathalie looked around at the people drinking and dancing, just enjoying themselves. She looked back to Jason and smiled trying to hide the fact that she wasn't happy at all.
"So what do we do now?" Asked Simons taking his beer.
"Get completely wasted, dance on the bar, and get kicked out." Said Nathalie and took a sip from her glass of whiskey.
"You think this is a great way to celebrate your birthday?"
"Well, we can get drunk and talk about the meaning of life." Offered Nathalie and laughed upon seeing Jason's disgusted expression. "I guess that's not a preferred choice."
"No, it's better than dancing on the bar. I am terrible dancer." He said and drank some of his beer. He kept starring at the bottle with mixed feelings that Nathalie couldn't read. Jason looked somewhat troubled and sad. "So, princess," he began saying and looked up to her eyes that were so beautiful. "What is this life for you?"
Nathalie looked down at her hands and thought of what to say. She never searched for the meaning of her life, she just pushed through every day sometimes just trying to survive and at better days trying make the best of it. "I don't think my life has a meaning. The more I think about what I did and what I might be doing in the future just gives me a headache." She said and took another sip of her drink. Nathalie gripped the glass at the thought of her past. "I can describe my past with one word: void."
"Can it really be that bad? How someone as bright and strong as you can think of life as void?"
"Dude, you've seen my scars and not all of them are from the battle wounds. Growing up wasn't as pleasant for me. You can imagine how bad it was if I got to the point of self-harm and even suicide."
"I feel you." Said Jason and Nathalie looked up to him in surprise. He never seemed like a good person but Nathalie never even bothered to think of what made him that way. She didn't take any thought of what was the reason he was acting like a dick and what was hiding deep inside. Jason shook his head and before chugging his beer he said "Life sucks."
"What makes you think so?"
"Everything: My past, my future, and the ways I reach my goals. You know that for yourself."
"True. You're a cunt." Laughed Nathalie at the thought of many times they fought. From the very first time he used her to get into the team to the current day though every time she managed to kick his ass.
"How come we always end up insulting each other?"
"Well it's because you deserve it." Said Nathalie and finished her drink.
"Like you are any better than me, you crazy bitch."
"Take it back."
"Never."
They laughed at their situation but soon their laughter died down. It was somewhat awkward but comforting at the same time. Both of them shared some dark secrets.
After quite a few drinks and hours of talking, fighting, and calling names they decided to go back home. Just as they walked outside Jason picked Nathalie up over his shoulder and started carrying her towards the home. She cried out for help being so surprised of his actions. After a couple of minutes of struggling she gave in and let him carry her. By the door of the apartment block he set her down back on her feet and they entered the building.
"Be my hero and get me to the bed." She said giving him the keys from her flat.
Jason laughed at her and picked her up but this time he held her in bridal style and carried up the stairs to the door. He carefully unlocked the door and entered the flat but immediately Blue started jumping around them. Nathalie started laughing at him and Simons who was struggling to walk forward.
"Mind getting your dog out of the way. Otherwise we won't make it to your bed."
"Ha, you're weak. And what do you mean by 'we'?" Nathalie held tight onto Jason's shoulders and started swinging her legs. "My phone. My phone!"
Simons sighed and walked to the couch in the living room to let her pick up her phone. Nathalie got all excited when she unlocked it and saw a message and couple of missed calls. Before Jason could carry her to the bedroom her expression changed. Sad smile crept onto her face when she read Russian words on her screen. He saw the unfamiliar symbols that brought a little happiness to Nathalie but destroyed all hope that he loved her. Jason carefully carried her to the bedroom and sat her down on the bed and sat next to her.
"I give up." She whispered and threw her phone over her shoulder. Nathalie leaned down to take off her shoes and her hair fell down her shoulders covering her face but Jason noticed tears running down her cheeks. When she sat back up straight he carefully brushed off her hair and stroked her cheek. "I'm stupid, aren't I?" She asked and looked him in the eyes. Nathalie took the silver chain with a heart that John gifted to her and aggressively pulled it off her neck making it pop and leave scratch marks on her neck.
"I am so stupid." She said and crawled over the bed pulling away from Jason. Nathalie opened her nightstand's drawer and dropped it in. All sorts of emotions boiled inside her and she just dropped down helplessly trying to forget everything.
"Princess..." She heard Jason say as he crawled closer to her. "If every time we go drinking you end up feeling, looking, and acting like shit I'm not taking you drinking anymore." He leaned onto his elbow and looked at her smiling. She was still in her coat and those fancy clothes, her make-up was a little smudged from tears but overall for an emotional wreck she looked really good.
"Look how the tables were turned. The person who loves me abandoned me and the person who hates me is now comforting me." Silver said and laughed with a painful expression on her face. She managed to get rid of her coat still lying on the bed and rolled onto her side to be closer to Simons. "This is the worst birthday ever."
"Darling, it's not that bad. I mean you're not alone. And despite the fact that I hate you I don't mind sharing a bed with you." Said Jason and put his arm round her waist. He giggled when Nathalie rolled her eyes. Throughout the years with Silver they got into loads of various situations but it was the first time they shared a bed and in a non-sexual way. Simons had a strange feeling of comfort being with her that he never felt before. He pulled her closer and whispered. "Sleep well. We will have a horrible hangover tomorrow."
Nathalie chuckled and relaxed by his side. He didn't even know that his hangover was going to be worse than her. Growing up in Russia had its benefits.
At the end of the week they were back in the base and Nathalie was bullying Jason. Rank had its perks and putting that annoying dipshit to his place was one of them. The fact that they slept together after getting wasted in the bed meant nothing to Silver except the fact that their friend - enemy relationship grew stronger. She tried to get over MacTavish and Simons was with her for years though John had a place in her heart that she couldn't just let go whereas Jason was just a bond she made over the years of service. Her feelings were mixed up and it was difficult to understand who she hated or liked more.
Because of Nathalie's hard work the team was living up to its name and Lt. Colonel invited the team to briefing about their situation. They didn't have a clear target for mission but there was a person all of their missions were directed at. Makarov. He was getting big with politics in Russia but he was also big in terrorism all over Europe and Asia. Human trafficking was most notable and he was known for selling young women from Eastern Europe into prostitution. Once the "product" reached UK everyone got concerned. They tried to track him, his dealers, his buyers, and trafficking routes. Other British soldier teams tried investigating all of the locations but found nothing useful. Makarov knew how to hide his tracks.
"First you will go on a month long training in Eastern countries. NATO is trying to make sure we cooperate. It's just a walk in a park for you but it will be a great deal for the foreigners." Explained Watson while everyone else just looked through files of information gathered about Makarov. "After that you will follow the tracks of this psychopath. Even though it's all just breadcrumbs now, we might be able to get something more."
"Why the internationals not doing anything about this matter?" Asked Lieutenant mentioning John's task force. She hated the name and rather didn't say it aloud avoiding anything that had to do with him.
"Their leader is an asshole. Says they only take serious information and not random guesses." Answered Colonel thinking of Shepherd. He was the leader of the whole thing and John was just a field commander but he could've nagged him into checking the information.
"So no backup from them? We're in some deep shit if we are on our own, sir." Nathalie shook her head at the thought of meeting her father in battlefield. He was a genius when it came to the fighting; could create the most brilliant strategy when ambushed over the span of five minutes. "Had an encounter with the man. Still gives shivers when I think of it. Russians, people who taught him everything he knows can't deal with him."
"The country is a mess and can't deal with their shit and that's why we are needed. If it was up to me you'd be staying home but I got orders from above."
Nathalie nodded even knowing that it was a fucked up situation. She had a month to prepare herself for whatever was waiting for them in Russia and it wasn't anything good. Everyone knew that it wasn't going to end well.
Nathalie and Jason kept their tradition of making chocolate brownies in the middle of the night every month or so but it was cancelled because they were supposed to pack things for leaving to Eastern Europe. Nathalie felt uneasy knowing that the days to the next encounter with her father were slowly passing. She had some sort of regret for actually joining the military because it's unavoidable to fight against him and to shooting him. It was her job and she knew perfectly that no matter how much she hated him some part of her wouldn't allow killing him. Makarov was still her father and he tried to make it up to her, not to forget even as she was wearing enemy uniform he still saved her life.
Nathalie laughed at her pondering about her father. She knew she was foolish thinking that he could be better at least for her. Every time he looks for a way to get some use out of her. Just to think of it, he saved her from his own hired man and then hired Her to do his job. Then at the factory he knew Nathalie memorised every room in there and which way to exit she would use. Why in the hell he shown up alone? He could have taken Silver and MacTavish with the help of his men but he came there alone. Why? To tear them apart. He got John to hate Nathalie by showing who she was attached to from the beginning of her life and that way he wouldn't get in a way of manipulating her. And well that way Nathalie wouldn't get in a way so Makarov can easily destroy the one who was responsible for Zakhaev's death.
"You sick bastard." She said searching through her bag to see if she packed everything she needed.
"Are you talking about me?" Nathalie heard and jumped immediately grabbing her revolver. She turned to see Simons leaning onto her door from the inside.
"How did you get in here?" She asked putting away her magnum.
"I opened the door, took a couple steps in, closed the door, and saw that you were so uninterested in my presence that you could scare yourself without me even helping." Said Jason catching his breath and trying to not burst laughing seeing her expression. "You look adorable when you are mad."
"I'm going to hang you by the balls if you say that again." She said and took off her bag from the bed and put it underneath it.
"Look at that. You're not afraid of touching my balls; we must take our relationship to the next level." He walked up to her put his arms around her waist and leaned in to kiss her. Just when their lips were about to meet Nathalie leaned back, lifted her arm, and slapped Jason with all her might. "Don't even think about it. We're only friends." She pushed him away and shook her hand because it was pulsating and red. "Sometimes I wonder how I can even stand you as a friend."
Jason shook his head and touched his cheek that was also burning red and pulsating. "Well since you are so cold hearted you could cut it out of your chest and let me freeze my face. If this leaves a bruising it will be hella awkward." He said and took her other hand and pressed its back to his cheek. Nathalie's hands were cold as usual and it felt really good for Jason.
"You pull cat's whiskers and expect it not to scratch you? Madman. You knew what was coming. It's not the first time this happens." Laughed Nathalie and gently patted his cheek with the back of her hand.
"But we weren't friends back then." Whined Simons. "Things changed."
"It took what? Three years to go from enemy to friend. It'll take you three more to go from friend to lover."
Jason sighed and looked at her with his sad puppy eyes. Nathalie shook her head with a smile on her face. It was going to be a long month in a different country.