His eyes scanned the roads behind them as they drove as fast as he could push the speed limits in the airport. They had time, so long as they were not followed from the hotel. It would only matter when they reached the airport to find an appropriate time for guards to change and to steal a uniform for him and set Natalia up in the crowds since she blended better there.

"Was there any indication that there are other mules?"

Natalia looked for the car as well. Once both of them spotted the car, she quickly got inside and buckled up. Instead of sitting back and watching their environment, she went to check the car for any GPS devices. They were kind of on the run so being able to be located. Or it could feed their paranoia of having assassins on the run. Most likely the later option. "What if the car is being located? They will want to get us and explain Burkhard's death."

She sighed and kept on going through the unusual empty vehicle. Natalia even ignored the fact that he had asked her a question. Perhaps it would've been smarter to leave one person behind for some kind of explanation even if it was a lie. "I don't know...", she answered honestly and closed her eyes. She went through each detail trying to see the hotel suit behind her closed eyes. "There might be a second one on the way to Paris. But I'm not entirely sure.", she admitted. There hadn't been any indication for more mules but the one they were after. Except for a travel guide to Paris. It was unlikely that the guy would've gone for private reasons to that capitol. Things were slowly confusing her.

"For now, worry only for your mission, and not of their thoughts."

For now... a curious thing to say. He never worried for anything besides his mission. He glanced at Natalia who dismantled the Gps. He worried over her success... often he did, now even on a mission. But that was because of a mission, yes, of a longer mission he was also given.

"Paris is too far," Too far on their timetable, that could be assured. Once the phone rang, he would answer, and the Soldier would tell them of his plans for the mission. Then it would be out of their hands, they needed to work with the time they had. "That can be Intel we provide after," After this mission was a success.

They reached the airport and the Soldier hid the car so cameras or spying eyes couldn't locate it and present future troubles. The gang members would be on the lookout if their loyalty was to the man instead of the paycheck. It was a variable they didn't want to work over.

"Now is the time to gain access to security for me," He looked at her, and the drugs and money. "And for you? We need to be on both sides of the target."

She looked at him with a frown. That was unlike him. She had never heard him say something like this. This wasn't like the man who she grew up with. He acted like someone else but she couldn't tell why. It made her think of the file again and the redhead frowned. "But their thoughts will keep me alive or kill me in the end.", she argued and continued "I ignored their order voluntarily and...and now we're both on the run, if I'm wrong about this." Eventually she threw the GPS out of the window. The small device landed on the street and would give them a bit of time if they chose to look after them.

Natalia regretted not knocking him out there at the hotel. She was sentimental about this man who she always thought of to be an older brother of some sorts. He had helped her more than anyone to become who she was today and he was the only one she actually really trusted. It was wrong to say but she had actually never trusted any of her higher ups. Moments like that one in the hotel just proved that those men and women didn't care about their spies. They were human and therefore disposable.

Eventually they reached the airport and Natalia stepped out. Suddenly she felt an urge to hug this man. She tried to keep it together, she had never done it. Even when she had been smaller and felt like it. Such sentiments were dismissed because they endangered a mission. Yet she walked over to him and hugged him once he stepped out of the car as well. "Sorry... I shouldn't have pulled you into this", she whispered, placing a peck on his cheek and quickly released her hug. The sentiment of remorse was gone as quickly as it came between them.

To bystanders it might look like she bid her farewell to a friend or a family member. "I'm going to get inside as a passenger. Gonna wait around that gate for an overly nervous and sensitive person.", she said and grabbed the package drug and stuck it underneath her waistband to her skin. She even used the things in the car to give it a shape. Eventually she ended up looking like she was in an early pregnancy. It might give her advantages in the security and cover the drugs properly without having to cut herself open.

"Perhaps, but the mission is what matters," He spoke, and the words were a familiar melody on his tongue. Spoken again and again, methodically repeated and carved into his limited memories until they were true. They came to him as easily as a weapon did, as easily as breathing. As easily as his compliance. This was a normal mission, and his mind fell into its usual work. There was no room for failure, only compliance to the mission's success. They would not run and they would not fail. He trusted that Natalia was not wrong, and they would comply after they fulfilled the betterment of the mission.

He pulled himself out of the car and the Winter Soldier pulled the locker key to make sure he still had it. They would want it once they apprehended the target. He'd walked around the car, scanning the area to access the situation. Natalia coming up in his peripheral area was no worry to him, and that was why he was caught on guard when she stepped up within reaching space and wrapped her arms around him.

The Soldier's blue eyes traced the top of her head slowly and quizzically. He stood still, unsure how to respond... entirely unsure, even his thoughts suddenly felt scattered and incomplete. The gesture was foreign to the Soldier, he had nothing to compare it to and no previous experience, and yet it didn't feel entirely alien. That didn't mean he knew what to do with the redhead's warm body pressed against him momentarily.

She leaned up and kissed his cheek, too, which felt less overwhelming but still as odd. He also didn't understand where this sudden bout of affection, since it must be that, came from. She spoke of this again, was it guilt? Or worry? Or something else entirely.

"It is our mission," He repeated, but the usual strength and assurance he usually spoke of his missions with had fled. "And I believe I brought myself Natalia." He added.

She shifted swiftly into her mission and the Soldier attempted to pull himself into focus as well. Natalia transformed her appearance some and as she started to move from the car he reached out to grab her wrist. He didn't tug hard, or he'd tear her ligaments, but raised the suitcase full of cash and set it in her hand.

"I will blend into security first so you can get through the gates. Look for me there and wait for me to check you through. The money can be a backup in case we need a bribe for an official or this mule."

Natalia shook her head as he kept repeating himself. She was used to it yet it sounded stranger each time she heard it. Nothing mattered more than the mission. The Winter Soldier didn't draw a line when things would become too serious or too dangerous. Eventually all these missions would cost him his life. Not that she actually feared for hers anymore. In truth she had eventually made her peace with dying for the government eventually. It was something she needed to do anyway so she preferred coming to terms with it. But she didn't intend on taking him with her to hell.

As soon as he pulled her with her, she frowned and scolded "Be careful of the baby! I don't want to give birth to some pills or whatever that stuff is!" She took the briefcase from him and carried it along. "I'll see you at the security check", she agreed and walked inside the airport acting like she didn't know him anymore. Natalia walked up to a shelter and asked for a ticket to a random city. She didn't care where to go and didn't have any luggage to check in. She simply wanted to appear like a normal traveler and part of that was having an actual boarding pass. In case someone pulled her over who wasn't the Soldier.

The redhead placed a hand on the small bump on her stomach acting like it was a real baby. Yet it felt very alienated to her. Obviously she never actually had a baby or intended to have one. Kudrin had recently spoken to her about the graduation ceremony of the Red Room. Natalia wasn't even sure if the Winter Soldier knew what was ahead of her. But they wanted to remove her ovaries. It just felt so strange agreeing to such a thing. Natalia had no idea what she wanted from life or her future but apparently the government didn't want children from her. She wasn't supposed to have children, a husband or any of these things which people would call a normal and sheltered life. Of course she had almost instantly agreed to the ceremony eager to please people and finally become a real spy. But the more she thought about it, the more odd it felt to her to make such a permanent decision.

Once she spotted the Winter Soldier at the Security check. She walked up to stand in line. Eventually she was pulled over by him and went to show him her briefcase and walked through the metal detector. To her relief it didn't beep which meant that she didn't need to persuade a woman not to touch her belly because there obviously was no legitimate reason on why she shouldn't. "Thank you.", she said and took the case from the Winter Soldier again. She gave him a short nod and was gone again. None of those security guards seemed to think that something was off.

Natalia went through various stores and even purchased a pen and a small booklet. Eventually she was seated at the gate, where the mule was supposed to appear sooner or later. She read through the Captain America book and even started to line certain paragraphs once this James Barnes was mentioned. It didn't make sense yet but at least it would keep her somewhat busy until the mule would come.

After some hours an ill looking man appeared. He was sweating a lot and seemed like he was about to vomit soon. She kept an eye on him and watched his appearance as well as demeanor. The man was looking at his watch at the gate too often than for it to be impatience. He even held his stomach like it was hurting. Eventually Natalia stood up keeping the briefcase on her and walked up to the man.

"Excuse me, Sir?", she began and continued apologetically, "Might you be so kind and tell me what time it is... I kind of lost track of the time and don't want to miss my flight." She smiled warmly at him and hoped he would be helpful. The man looked fearful and seemed to visibly relax as he spotted a pregnant young woman in front of him. That was the moment Natalia knew she had found the mule.

"It's around 3:30pm.", he spoke curtly and went to ignore her. She hoped the Winter Soldier was watching so he could ask him to leave with him as she was already thinking of how to ask him to come with her. '

"Are you alright?", she asked him worriedly and continued, "You seem to feel under the weather a bit."

"Just leave me alone and mind your own business!", the man said hurriedly trying not to gain any attention and tried to shove her harshly away. Natalia stumbled a bit and let out a moan of pain as he touched her stomach, placing her hand protectively on the fake bump. This would be enough of a show to give the Soldier a reason to pull the man out. So she hoped that he was around to watch.

An amused smile, although it turned out to look more confused on his rigid facial features, popped up as she spoke of not hurting her baby. Ah, Natalia was always being playful. It never hindered her training or missions, so he never minded, but he just shook his head at her.

He nodded as she departed and with one last look at her, the Winter Soldier disappeared into the throng of people. It took time to get the security outfit, he needed to wait for one to leave and take his uniform. One left right away, but took his uniform with him and it took until the third guard change for him to acquire what he needed.

It would still be tricky, being with people who knew each other. But for the few hours he needed to be here, he could play off being new. The Soldier would simply avoid any managers or supervisors. After he had found his way to check Natalia and the drugs through, which took distracting the other security officer as well, he disappeared for a few hours and watched from a closed off area and hid from camera's.

The longer he spent on the floor, the easier his cover would be blown. Security was tightly niched here and would know one another. Thankfully it was a big airport, and a new guy was not uncommon it would seem. But as they grew closer to the deadline he reappeared and found Natalia after he roamed and scoped out the area for the best place to take their target through. Easiest to the entrance and with fewest guards. He'd have to knock them out on their way out, because they would stop and ask him what he needed.

Natalia did her part, which was to find their target. A needle in a haystack but he trusted her instincts and he'd been right to do so. She even initiated a small, harmless fight between them and gave him perfect cause to 'detain' him. He jogged up at a quick pace, the blue uniform shirt and tie making the man suddenly shake some.

"Are you alright, ma'am?" He asked, coming up with 'concern'. He was still amused how well she put her drug 'baby' to use. "You're both going to need to come with me," He told them sternly, and his metal arm grasped around the target's arm so he couldn't try to run. The man gave him a short tug, and seemed disappointed when it yielded no results.

"Is that really necessary, s-sir?"

"Yes. I just need you two to fill out an incident report, you can report any injuries there, ma'am."

He took them the long way around that he had found and it went smoother than anticipated. The target grew more nervous, glancing around for signs for the office and sending Natalia nervous glances. Likely afraid she'd make a big fuss out of it.

It wasn't until they reached the side exit, not for use except for terminal officials, that they reached trouble.

"Hey where are you-" One of the guards began to ask and the Winter Soldier threw a fist out to connect with his jaw. He never let go of the target, who was trying desperately to get out of the metal hand's grip. The officer stumbled and with a hard shove with his boot to his gut went down. There was the matter of the second guard, and he could shoot him, but he had an idea Natalia was going to be able to handle him, drugs and all.

"Who are you, please, please I'm doing exactly like they said. Don't hurt me, I-I didn't want any part of this!" The man broke into sputters and patchy sentences as his breathing got faster and faster. The Soldier spared him nothing, it was wiser to leave talking to Natalia and shoved them through the doorway. He shed his security shirt with a quick tug to the buttons and changed his grip on the man's arm so it looked more friendly.

"You will stop struggling," He ordered the man, though his words had the opposite effect on him.

"I-I don't know...", she spoke, trying to sound unsure of her state. But she was glad the Winter Soldier had seen the scene. It made things a lot easier for all of them. "He just pushed me for no reason! I was just asking for the time and he got mad...", she spoke, sounding emotional over what had happened. Natalia did get way too much fun out of this whole ordeal. She nodded dutifully and followed the Soldier away from the crowded area. "I will do so. I just hope my baby is fine!", she said, placing her hand once again on the fake bump.

Natalia walked ahead a bit as a second guard appeared. "You're not allowed to be here, ma'am!", the guard said, reaching for his gun. The redhead looked surprised and started to ramble on "Oh that is my bad! The door was open and I really needed to use the facility... I thought this was the right way." But as soon as the guard was near her she raised the briefcase quickly and brought it to the man's temple, making him fall down unconsciously by the force.

She walked back to the man and the Winter Soldier."Hey, it's okay...", she spoke soothingly and added "My name's Natalie Rushman and this is my colleague, Steve Barnes. We are trying to help you. We are from the CIA and have been trying to blow that drug ring for months now. We want to help you! All you need to do is follow us out of this airport and we will protect you. I promise! What's your name, Sir?" She placed her hand on his arm and squeezed it gently. Natalia came up with those names on the fly and the lie came from her lips like it was the truth. Lying came natural to her and she seemed so gentle with him that he fell for the lie without even asking for their FBI ID. In fact he seemed to relax and nod slowly "I-I'm Russel O'Byrne."

"Okay, Russel. My colleague is going to let go of your arm now. You're safe with us. Just don't run away or scream. We cannot get you out of here safely. Do you understand?", she spoke and he gave her a curt nod. Natalia shortly made eye contact to make sure he would let go off the man's arm before she continued "But before we go. It is necessary that you tell me if you have any drugs on you..."

The man grew nervous again and squeaked "Why?"

"Because we need to know if you need medical help. It's a new drug and the FBI isn't sure yet what kind of side effects it might have.", she told him enough truth to make him believe her.

"I- They... It's inside me.", he said and gestured to his stomach as he almost sounded pleading "You can help me, right?"

"Of course, we can, Russel. You just need to follow our instructions. Can you do that for me?"

The man nodded nervously giving his okay.

She did not attack as efficiently as she could have and the Soldier was confused by that. Natalia was not usually one to falter. She was capable of doing it better, easier, yet she did not. It wasn't until she turned to the target and began to soothe him, that understanding dawned on him.

She was still putting on a show. It was simply for the target now. Hm, a good way to make him comply. Easier in their situation than violence. Easier for her, anyways, for him he would never be believed. He would need to remember to utilize that in any future missions between them.

The whimpering man sought help so much that he barely questioned Natalia's story. He only nodded along with her and when she looked at him and silently asked him to comply, he let go of the man's arm and patted the side of it for her effect.

... and she did it. He told them he had them, their insurance and the man let them lead him right out of the airport, moving quickly and as quietly as he could to assist them. It was almost sad, but the Soldier did not care for that. He only saw his mission drawing closer and closer to success. It made him more weary and he was quick to take them through places with the most coverage to the car he'd hidden earlier.

"This is the car?" The target asked questioningly. The small black car did not fit the bill, but did he expect the FBI to sneak into a place and wave their true colors just outside the doorway?

"We need to be discreet, to not draw the attention of who did this to you," He said in perfect English and held the door open for the target. "Just until you are safe,"He prompted and the man nodded and scrambled into the car. He held it open for Natalia, to ensure she would enter in the back with the target. Then the Soldier circled around the car and got into the car to get out as reasonably quick as they could.

When they were within a good range, and at the first red light, the Soldier turned to face the back seat and threw his fist into the face of the target to knock him out. He roughly shoved him onto the backseat floor so nobody looking inside the car would see him slumped over.

Natalia was relieved and almost sighed audibly. But she reminded herself that she needed to act like the man was thinking she would. She followed them out and things were going smoother than she had expected them to go. They had their mule and the mission was completed. At least she hoped the Winter Soldier was correct about that being their insurance or mainly her insurance. She was sure they wouldn't be pleased with him but they wouldn't get rid off him like they would of her.

She followed their target into the back of the car and patted the man's shoulder comfortingly. "Just a bit longer until we're at our hideout. A doctor should arrive there soon.", she told him and buckled herself up. She watched their target for a moment before looking forward to the Winter Soldier. He had shown no sign of recognition towards the names and she slowly doubted the file was actually real. What else was she supposed to do? Or was she simply trying too hard? Natalia ran a hand through her red curls.

As soon as the Winter Soldier turned around and knocked the man out, she clicked her tongue annoyed. "Oh come on! Now he's going to drool on my shoes... He was being cooperative. That wasn't necessary!", she told him but leaned forward and pulled the man's shirt up as she placed her feet over his unconscious body. "He has a fresh wound on his stomach... I think we've got the package.", she said and started to remove all the tapes from her stomach. "That was easier than expected. The man wasn't the brightest bulb on the porch.", she spoke more to herself than the Winter Soldier.

"It was necessary. Never endanger the mission by pressing your luck," He said quietly, but the saying didn't quite sound right in russian. He didn't know why... but he turned left and looked down at the clock to their time. They would head to rendezvous instead of the hotel, there they could be extracted quickly and efficiently.

He smirked as she muttered, no... he really hadn't been. Who did not ask for ID? "He may not have been, but your skill in persuading him was complimentary."

"You still have all the drugs from the hotel, yes?" He asked, concerned as they drove closer to extraction. Their story needed to be tight as well, but he felt less concerned about that. Their actions were in line with the truth.

"Yes, but it's not your shoes he's ruining, Soldier!", she complained and crinkled her mouth. Natalia wasn't sure why she was so pushy on the topic. She was aware that she had pushed her luck today but this had been unnecessary for her. They wouldn't need to deliver the man alive but having him cooperate was still easier. At least she thought so. Natalia had a knack for keeping things simple and wrapping them around her little finger rather than fighting her way out. Unless she was angered and slashed out. She had become so good, Natalia was perhaps even able to take the man out in front of her. But she definitely wouldn't like to try that one out.

At his compliment, Natalia raised an eyebrow and a smile appeared on her lips. She was glad that he was at least satisfied with her mission to a degree. If she was honest with herself, she was still afraid that he was disappointed in her. "It was just pure luck and saying exactly what he needed to hear.", she simply stated and brushed it off like it was nothing.

"I've got them all here.", she spoke and looked at the blue package in her hand. She grew somewhat nervous knowing this was the moment which would decide her own fate. Whether they would make her a Black Widow or dispose of her. She took a deep breath and looked out of the window concerned. She wondered what was so special about these drugs that the Red Room made such a fuss about it. But she had learned to hold her tongue about it. Sure, she was still bad at keeping quiet in front of the Winter Soldier but this was not the moment to question things. She needed him on her side after all.

She teased him about her shoes and he shook his head as he turned a block away from extraction. She was quite amusing, as usual, and the mission was nearly complete. She argued the point and he wondered why she doubted her skills now. She had not hesitated during her mission, but she undersold herself now.

Then again, maybe it was a habit left from her time before he started to train her. When she refused to fight or take hold of her life. The time for that, and her training, was growing to a close.

"No, you knew what to say to him." He argued back, then simply stated. " I was impressed."

He nodded as she confirmed they were all there, "Good. We are here," He declared and pulled up to the park. He quickly got out of the car, not bothering to close the door and he threw his hands up on the back of his head. As predicted the car had been quickly surrounded by the state's men, since it was not identified as their own.

"On your knees!" One of them said, taking in his attire.

"Soldier." The handler for his mission this time stated as he broke through the crowd of men, guns aimed at him and the other car doors.

"Ready to comply,"He stated, his eyes meeting the handlers. The handler looked around and motioned for the men to lower their guns.

"Explain, Soldier." It was not a question, it was an order.

"Romanova found information of a mule, escaping with more of the drugs," He explained in the same monotone. "We followed, extracted, and returned to extraction with the drugs and mule."

"And Burkhard's death?"

"Inevitable for extraction of the rest of the missing drugs."

"Very good," The handler said and turned to look behind him. The Soldier did not move, or make an attempt to look at who he was addressing. He simply stayed in place, metal and flesh fingers locked behind his head, until he would be ordered to do otherwise, his mission was complete now. "Romanova, is this what happened?"

"I know. Like I said I wrapped him around my finger. Do you sometimes wonder if I did the same to you?", she asked curiously and raised an eyebrow teasingly. Natalia hadn't done such a thing with the man in front of her or at least not consciously. She genuinely liked him properly more than she should. He had her loyalties not the KGB and if people were to find out eventually, she'd be in trouble. But that was for her to worry another time.

She gave him a short nod and followed him out of the car. But she closed the door leaving the drugs, the man and the money in the back of the car. She quickly raised her arms and in an instance started counting the weapons. It would come in really helpful, if they decided not to believe their story.

Natalia knelt down involuntarily and kept her gaze at the concrete ground. She was unusually aware of her surroundings listening to the slightest sound, which indicated that things weren't going their way.

"Yes, one package is still inside the mule. He lies in the footwell of the car. The other package is on the seat on top of the suitcase with money.", she said calmly and could feel someone pointing a gun at her head. She suppressed the urge to disarm the man and get a hold of the gun. Natalia was very well aware that before she would be able to hold the gun properly a bullet would have blown a hole into her skull.

"Check the car!, the man with the aimed gun ordered. One of the men stepped forward and started to rummage through the car. "Everything as stated., the man said and pulled out the unconscious man from the car. He pulled out a knife from his belt and sliced the man open to see if there really were drgs. "The second package is here", the man confirmed and the gun was withdrawn from Natalia's temple.

"No, I trained you," He said with a shrug. Perhaps he should wonder, he had taken unethical steps around her mistake, determined as she was that she succeeded. But that was his mission, just... a different one? Natalia was not manipulative towards him, though, she saw him equally in standing, as he now did her.

They checked for the product and he waited patiently for them to return and give him orders.

"Good. Soldier, get up," The handler spoke and he obediently rose to his feet and let his arms slid down to rest at his sides. They packaged up the drugs and the men started to disperse. It was then that someone approached who had been standing hidden by the building.

It was Lyudmila Kudrin. His handler talked to her briefly and with a nod to the Soldier he turned and stood to the side. Kudrin walked up, ignoring the Soldier and smiling quite proudly down at Natalia.

"Stand up, girl," Kudrin said, her voice filled with the same pride. Happy, for her own benefit, that her student had passed this final test. The Soldier knew Kudrin was quite sure of the fact that all of Natalia's successes were her own doing. That was beneficial to the state. "And know that you will stand as a Black Widow from now. You will graduate."

Author's Note: This is the first story of a full series around Bucky and Natasha's unseen past in the MCU. Stay tuned!

Leave a kudos or put it in the comments what you think will happen next or what you loved! It'll be great to hear from you! If you enjoyed the story, feel free to treat me to a coffee on KoFi! ko slash fi dot com slash fatedmuses