Whew! This one took a little bit to edit, but I am quite pleased with how it turned out! I hope you like it!
Chapter 10:
When Sh*t hits the fan,
Get the Hell Out of There
Late Spring 2007, Friday evening.
"You know, somehow I always forget, you have a motorcycle, not a car..."
"Faster travel when you're by yourself or only one other person. Most of the time. In my opinion." Harlow replied, comm devices in the helmets the pair wore. It was something she had worked on in her spare time, figuring it would come in handy and it was already proving to be true. The journey had stretched over two days, she and Natasha alternating between who was driving at points.
Had Natasha looked closer at where this particular carnival was, she would have insisted that Harlow find one closer and not several states away from New York. However, it had been a long couple of years since the younger girl joined, not ever taking a break. Mostly due to the red-heads insistence, wanting to make sure Harlow was properly prepared for anything their missions threw at them. What could it possibly hurt?
The blonde leaned the bike slightly to go around a curve, Natasha gripping the sides of her seat following suit. She sighed with relief as their hotel eventually came into view, buildings and cars a sign of civilization. It felt amazing to be able to get off the bike, toting their luggage inside. Harlow looked around the lobby while Natasha checked in, drifting into her thoughts as her wolf-like senses took over. Something floated into her nostrils, something familiar but she couldn't quite place it as it almost seemed to draw her in.
"Hey, you alright?" Natasha questioned, her voice drawn into a slight whisper. The blonde shook the thoughts and scent away, dismissing it.
"I'm fine. Just tired and I feel like I need a thousand showers." She watched as Natasha held up a room key, gesturing to the elevator with a nod of her head. "Lead the way."
"So this is what it feels like to be clean!" Harlow plopped onto her mattress, wet hair soaking into a pillow as Natasha lounged on the other bed in the room. She had already dried her own and gotten herself together, James Bond T-shirt and gray pajama pants.
"You act as though you didn't ever know what a shower was." The woman smirked, turning the page of her book.
"Hey, I can't stand the idea that I might smell. Is that so horrible?" Harlow retorted before making a popping sound with her lips. "We should go get some snacks or something. I think there was a sign in the lobby for complimentary ones... And then tomorrow THE CARNIVALLLLL!"
"Let me change into-" Natasha felt the girl jerk her off her bed, book falling out of her hand.
"Come on Nat. I am starving. Besides, no one is going to care. Especially since we're both so good looking." Harlow noticed the woman's cheeks turn pink as she cleared her throat at the remark.
"Will you please calm down?" Natasha rolled her eyes as she slipped on a pair of shoes, the blonde following suit. Harlow grabbed a key-card and shoved it into her pocket, before they headed downstairs both in their sleep clothes. Once they made it to the lobby, the red-head watched as Harlow practically flounced over to the front desk, asking the lobbyist a few questions.
She studied how Harlow twiddled a few bits of her blonde hair between her fingers, smiling brightly at the man behind the counter. The girl seemed to be asking questions about the hotel and where things were or possibly what came with the room. After a moment, Harlow nodded seeming to find out what she needed and made to walk away to join Natasha before being spoken to again. The blonde turned around to see what the man needed.
He laughed nervously before handing Harlow a piece of paper, her hazel eyes studied it before she looked back at him. Natasha watched as her happy expression soon faded to one that said, 'oh that's okay I'm not interested.' Panic seemed to wash over her and that's when the red-head decided to move forward.
"Did you find out where the snacks were Harley?" Natasha wrapped an arm around Harlow's shoulders, protective instincts taking over. Harlow seemed to perk back up a little, confidence returning.
"Yeah, he said they were down the hall. Gave me his number right after." Harlow watched the man seem to shrink under Natasha's hard stare. "I'm sorry, but I'm not interested." The blonde slid his number back on the counter and he shoved it in his pocket before fumbling over an apology.
"Well that's that then. Let's eat." Natasha guided the girl along and made sure to narrow her eyes at the man as they walked past him. She was sure that he would avoid them both the rest of his shift now. The woman felt somewhat proud of herself at the exchange, her friend having accepted the rescue without complaint.
"SO are we gonna talk about the fact you just gave me a nickname? Or the fact that you practically melted that guy with your laser eyes?" Harlow plopped a plate of nachos on their table, Natasha following suit.
"It's a secret power. Don't tell anyone." Natasha crunched a chip as Harlow chuckled slightly. "As for the nickname, it just slipped out."
"No worries, I like it. Something I never had before...You could be Tasha-" Harlow took note of the crinkle of Natsha's nose, her drawn down brow. "Okay, so that one's out. What about Nat then?"
"I don't hate it...I think Clint tried to call me that once years ago but I think I threatened to tear him apart or something."
"NO...You threaten someone? Never." Harlow squeaked as Nat threw her straw paper at her. "Hey, what else you wanna do while we're out here? I mean Missouri is fun I'm sure if we figure out where to look."
"Lets just do one thing at a time. My brain is starting to shut down." Although, something did pop into the woman's brain, it couldn't hurt to visit him when they were on their way back to New York. Her thoughts were interrupted by a yawn from Harlow across from her. "And it seems like I'm not the only one who's tired."
"I mean I did drive the last portion."
"Only because I "supposedly" scratched your baby." They both stood, clearing their trash, Harlow turning slightly red.
"You totally did! I told you not to park it too close to the lines at that rest stop and look what happened. Someone dinged it, ergo it's your fault Nat." The woman rolled her eyes as Harlow trailed after her mumbling the entire life story of her motorcycle. It was shaping up to be an interesting trip indeed and the red-head found she didn't mind the change.
Saturday morning, 11:00 am.
The sounds and smells caused the entire field to teem with life despite the small bit of chill in the spring time air. Both Natasha and Harlow were in awe of how much there was actually to do in a place like this. It was a little disappointing how much tickets cost and that was what you needed to use for rides and game booths. However, to Natasha's surprise, Harlow promptly bought an ungodly amount of tickets at the front gate and the woman was sure there was no way for them to spend them all.
"Harlow, there was no reason to spend that much." Natasha let the blonde hook an arm through hers, dragging her around. "I'm certainly not going to-"
"Nat stop. We both deserve this...I have plenty in savings. It's fine." Harlow stopped suddenly, looking up at the ride before her, the coaster swooping about. People laughed and screamed on the ride, while others waited in line, smiles on their faces. "WHOA."
"Absolutely not." Natasha found hazel eyes almost pleading and the woman sighed rolling her eyes. Her stomach was flip-flopping, but the woman prayed it was just nerves. "You are such a child."
"Don't tell me THE Bada** Natasha Romanoff is scared to try this with me." Harlow felt the woman clap her on the back of her head. The blonde snickered as they took their place in line, the wait time seeming like mere seconds as they neared the ticket taker. The girl felt the color draining from her face...Maybe this wasn't the first thing they should try. "Hey Nat-"
"Ten tickets please."
"Pay the man Harley." Nat told her friend, arms crossed. She took note of how Harlow's face was looking, but figured if she didn't want to ride any longer she would tell him so. Although, she found the blonde handing over the tickets, forcing a smile onto her face. "You know, we don't have to...Though you insisted."
"It's fine. It'll be over in a flash...right?" She asked as they headed through the turnstiles and picked a middle spot in the car, soon strapping themselves in.
"It will be a piece of cake." Natasha told the girl as attendants checked everyone's seat-belts before giving each other thumbs up.
"Nat I don't want to ride it anymore."
"I think you're a little late blondie." The red-haired woman looked over to find Harlow's eyes were scrunched shut as the roller-coaster moved out of the loading station and up a hill. She smiled slightly at the thought that they were both trained agents able to do many unthinkable things and yet, something as simple as this was unsettling them both. "Open those eyes you brat."
For a brief moment she did open them as they crested the hill, able to see for miles around, the sun cascading on the field, trees, and buildings beyond. As they felt the ride go down sharply, their stomachs flip-flopping all the while, Natasha felt Harlow take her hand, squeezing tightly. At one point she could hear the girl cussing like a sailor the wind carrying the words away. For as quickly as the ride started, five minutes later it ended.
"Welcome back riders, how was that ride!?" Everyone seemed to cheer, including Natasha, all save for one person. The woman found Harlow shakily letting her hand go, getting out of the car and speed walking out of the exit. Natasha undid her belts and jogged after the girl only to find her at a nearby trashcan, her body betraying her breakfast.
"Oof. First time?" A husky voice poked through the ambient crowd noises. Harlow eventually regained her composure, finding a chestnut haired man before her. She wiped her mouth with the inside of her shirt before replying.
"What made you guess?" He laughed, handing her a box. The words 'Dramamine' in bold letters.
"Just a hunch. I'm the same way. I love coasters, but I get mad motion sickness. Figured you could use some." Harlow took a sleeve from the parcel before handing it back to him.
"Thanks for the assist."
"You're welcome." He nodded and went on his way and Harlow popped two pills before putting the rest in her pocket.
"He was cute." Natasha watched as Harlow turned at as red as a beet before elbowing her side, causing her to laugh. "Come on pukey, lets get you something to drink."
"You're never gonna let me live this down are you?" Harlow mused shaking her head as Natasha continued to laugh at her expense.
Saturday afternoon, 3:00 pm.
"The looks on their faces!" Natasha smiled softly as Harlow continued to laugh to the point of tears. "You stole the show on that gun game." She watched the woman make a gun shape with her hands and spout off a few pew, pew, pews.
"And so did you on the milk bottle thing...Though I supposed you had a secret up your sleeve too." The red head tilted her head, raising an eyebrow to which the blonde raised a hand briefly. A toothy grin appeared on her face.
"I can neither confirm nor deny that super strength had a part to play." She replied, holding a stuffed dragon and a few other prizes they had procured.
"You know, we don't have any room for those things."
"I know. I know. Figured when we were done we'd give'em to some little kids or something. There's always someone who can't afford stuff like that." Natasha found her heart clench slightly, knowing that Harlow spoke the truth. After all, they were perfect examples of that. "Hey, you want anything to drink or something?"
"...Ice cream doesn't sound bad...Is that okay?"
"Don't worry about it." Harlow smiled at her, corners of her eyes crinkling slightly. "I'll be right back, alright?"
Natasha nodded and watched as Harlow ran across the way towards a family group, a few kids seeming to cry. The blonde had a softened expression on her face as she talked to the kids father, nodding slowly. He promptly hugged her tightly in gratitude, a weight seeming to slide off his shoulders.
Harlow knelt down, handing the children hers and Natasha's prizes, their eyes coming alive. Smiles sprang to their faces and they peppered the girl with hugs, causing her heart to warm.
"You're very welcome. Now I want you guys to do me a favor okay?" They all nodded, even the father. "You make sure you go thank that nice brooding lady over there alright?" She pointed over at Natasha, who narrowed her eyes at the blonde. Harlow only waved at her, to which the red-haired returned it, albeit suspiciously.
"And before you do that-" She pulled out her small spool of tickets, pulling off a big chunk and handing it to the man. "Make sure you have some fun on me okay?"
"Thank you...This means so much. More than you know." He pulled her into a hug again before taking his kids over to the woman Harlow had pointed out.
She smiled at them briefly before making her way over to an ice cream stand, the line seeming to snake all over the place. Harlow let out a low whistle but decided to just fiddle around on her phone to pass the time. However, a few minutes later it began to ring Natasha's picture showing up on the screen. The girl laughed as she slid her thumb over the green button, bringing the cell to her ear.
"You a**."
"Nat, I thought you would be tickled."
"...Fine. It was cute...You did that on purpose."
"Ladies and gents, the Grinch's heart has grown-"
"Shut up Harley."
"Okay okay. It's actually perfect timing. What flavor did you want?" The hairs on the back of Harlow's neck stood up and she looked around, but found nothing out of the ordinary. Her stomach knotted, but she ignored it.
"Rocky Road or something like it."
"Next!" Harlow stepped forward, pinching her phone to her shoulder with her cheek as she pulled out her wallet.
"I need a three scoop of rocky road and-" She stopped, feeling a flare up inside, senses turning to high alert. Harlow shook her head to push it away, powering through her order. "Two scoop of vanilla."
"You're so basic." Nat teased on the other end as Harlow paid and grabbed the cones, promptly taking a few licks of her own.
"Noooo I'm not. I just have better taste than you..." She replied as she felt someone brush past her but her body froze as words floated to her ears.
"White Fang." Her phone fell to the ground, Nat's garbled voice still coming through the receiver. The cones seemed to fall in slow motion as her body hunched over, blood burning. A scent hit her nose reminding her of what she smelled at the hotel and just now at the stand. Her eyes desperately searched about, but her brain was foggy as the wolf inside barreled through her like a freight train.
Her bones were on fire as the change ripped through like never before and the only word she could get out was calling for Natasha in Russian before her mind shifted, the monster within taking over.
"Harlow? Harlow?" Natasha stood, unable to hear the girl if she was replying. However, in the next moment, screams entered the air. The woman's blood curdled and somehow, the red-head knew it had to do with the blonde that had disappeared fifteen minutes earlier. She shoved her phone in her pocket and sprinted towards the commotion, having to push through waves of people.
Eventually, the red-head skidded to a stop, finding a familiar six foot black wolf in the middle of food stands, giant paws crunching on the hay laden ground. It shook its head back and forth as if it were fighting off an unseen voice. Natasha pulled a gun from the back of her pants, unable to truly rest unless she stayed prepared. She didn't raise it, but slowly she moved forward towards the jet black figure.
"What the hell are you doing lady?!" A security guard shouted at her. "Get out of here!"
This caught the wolf's attention and its ears flattened and fur bristled, eyes glistening. However, Natasha noticed something was wrong with them. They weren't their usual golden color, full of life and mirth.
In this moment, they were dull reddish amber hue and this made Harlow all the more terrifying. Especially now since she was stalking toward the security guard who raised his gun. Deep growls came from the creature as her teeth glistened with saliva. A pink tongue lolled about about, snarl ever present on the wolf's face.
"NO! DON'T-" The red-head shouted at him a moment too late as a bullet flew from his gun, striking the animal. A loud yelp came from the creature and it stumbled slightly, eyes blinking rapidly. Blood pooled on the black fur, some dripping steadily onto the ground. Natasha saw a bright gold return in them, catching her gaze and she watched as Harlow shrunk in on herself.
Her fur was no longer taut as her ears now laid flat in shame, tail between her legs before she flinched at the wound. She almost seemed to think it was her fault. Natasha opened her mouth to say something but before she could, Harlow turned around and sped out of sight into the nearby woods.
"Sh*t!" Natasha tucked her gun away, only to feel a tap on her shoulder. She found the father and children Harlow had gifted their prizes before her. The man held a small pile of torn clothes, keys and a cellphone sitting on top.
"Go." He told her, handing her the clothes. "Keep her safe. We won't say anything."
"Aren't you scared?" She asked him, and in that moment, it felt is as though she was asking herself.
"Yes, but she helped us but...We...We want to help." This made the woman stand a little straighter, almost as if that was what she needed to hear.
"Keep her safe lady." Natasha's eyes fell upon the little girl holding the dragon. "She needs you." Natasha nodded, now sprinting towards the front of the carnival, hoping she could find Harlow's bike and Harlow herself before it was too late.
Sorry for leaving it on such a cliffhanger. I have an idea where I want this to go, but I'm not sure how much of a current issue I want it to be.
Eventually this will fall into the Iron Man 2 universe when Natasha makes her first MCU appearance but I have a feeling that's going to be a bit yet. However I promise it will make sense later!
See you next week! ^^