Natasha slept hard, but woke abruptly at midnight and could not make herself go back to sleep. She tossed in her bed, restless. Finally, she got up and stretched, making her way to the window. On any other day she would simply use the time to train, but her body was still healing from her ordeal, and she knew she would hear it from Nanali if she tried to overdo it. She wandered to the mirror and examined herself. The rings of exhaustion around her eyes had faded, and the color of her skin was back to a healthy pink glow. Her proximity to Steve the past few days had accelerated her healing nicely. She flexed her arms and rolled out her neck, still a bit stiff.

Natasha stared into space for a moment, frowning slightly. She had confined herself in her room with Steve the last few days, but something was nagging at the back of her mind, a loose end that needed attention. Abruptly she grabbed her robe and pulled it over her shoulders as she swept out of her room and down to the holding room wing.

Valeria. She turned the girls name over in her mind as she walked purposefully toward her cell. As she drew near she slowed. This girl had been through everything Natasha herself had growing up, and if she had graduated she had certainly been made to kill. She was dangerous and young, unpredictable in her youth. Natasha fought back a sudden rush of dislike for this girl who brought back so many memories she had worked so hard to forget. Still, she could not fight her curiosity, and she found herself peering through the cell window at Valeria.

Clint had arranged for the cell to be made into more of a bedroom. There was a nightstand with a lamp, a small desk with paper strewn over it, and a bed. The coverlet was covered in flowers, a girly touch inspired by Clint's own daughter no doubt. Curled up under the covers on her side facing Natasha was Valeria, deeply asleep. Her dark hair spilled over the pillow, her slight frame barely visible under the thick blankets. She had one arm stretched above her head touching the headboard. Natasha hissed softly to herself when she realized why. Valeria was used to being handcuffed as she slept. Natasha noted the ring of reddened skin around the small wrist that confirmed her theory. She subconsciously rubbed the skin of her own wrist, a rush of memories flooding her. She scowled and turned to leave.

But it was Valeria's face that made Natasha stop and look again. It was smooth and peaceful, her mouth slightly open. She looked even younger than she usually did, a child really. Natasha sighed and rested her forehead against the glass, considering her. Here was another life stolen by the Widow Program. What would she do now? She stared at that young peaceful face a moment more, and then abruptly punched in the number on the keypad to unlock the door. She let herself in quietly and locked it behind her. Valeria hadn't moved. Natasha shook her head, this girl really wasn't cut out to be a Widow. If she had continued in her training, she would have gone the same way as Sasha and all the other girls who couldn't make the cut.

That face… had she Natasha ever looked so peaceful? Even in sleep? Maybe there was hope for a normal life for this girl. She stood for a while looking at her, then approached on silent feet, drawn by some unknown force. She sat gingerly on the edge of the bed, and suddenly, the calm atmosphere of the room erupted into chaos. Valeria seemed to jump out of her skin, her green eyes fierce as she threw the blankets off her and moved to strike Natasha. Natasha jumped to her feet and caught Valeria's wrist in an iron grasp. She aimed a kick at Natasha, which she dodged yelling, "Valeria stop!" Bewildered, Valeria stared at her open mouthed; recognizing who her intruder was even in the dim light. She stilled immediately, and her fierce expression was replaced with one of fear.

"I knew you would come," she whispered, eyes wide, her wrist still held in Natasha's crushing grip. She did not struggle, but sat back down on the bed, the fight draining out of her. "I knew you would come for me next."

Natasha frowned and released Valeria as if contact with the girl's skin was burning her. "What?" She whispered in horror. "What is it you think I'm going to do to you?"

Valeria massaged her wrist and lowered her gaze, "I get it," she whispered, "I helped them hurt you and your friends. I get it." She shuddered just slightly, then jutted her chin up high and with a determined look met Natasha's horrified gaze, "Just do it."

A lump raised suddenly and inconveniently in Natasha's throat. She swallowed hard but it didn't budge. She sat down heavily on the bed next to Valeria and rubbed her forehead in distress. Valeria's expression was shocked and suspicious, but she did not try to move away.

"I'm not here to kill you Valeria." Natasha's voice was hoarse.

Valeria only stared at her, her expression carefully blank. Natasha looked up and knew that Valeria did not believe her. Slowly, cautiously, Natasha took both Valeria's hands in her own. "I'm not here to kill you," she whispered again.

"Then why are you here?" Valeria asked stiffly.

Natasha stared at her, and Valeria stared back, their green eyes so similar. "I… I'm not sure." The silence stretched between them awkwardly. Natasha stood suddenly, intending to leave, but Valeria flinched hard, making Natasha turn to look at her. Natasha scowled, throwing up her hands, "I'm NOT going to kill you!"

"There are worse things than death!" the naked fear on the girls face made Natasha feel sick. Valeria's hands were balled into fists, and she had risen to her knees on the bed. Her dark hair was as wild as the expression on her face.

The silence was thick in the space between them as they regarded each other.

"I know," Natasha said, more softly now, "I know there are. I'm not here to punish you for what you did."

Valeria's frown bespoke her mistrust.

Natasha sighed and tried again, "Being recruited for the Black Widow Program is never a choice. I remember everything. You and me, we have a lot in common. That time of our lives is over now…. I guess I came here tonight to remember that."

Valeria sat back down with a sound like she was choking. Natasha's face was sad, and Valeria scrutinized her every expression. She trembled, and her eyes were bright with tears she fought valiantly not to shed. "Don't you lie to me," she gasped, "I know you hate me." She swallowed hard and turned from Natasha, desperate to regain her composure. Natasha approached cautiously and laid a hand gently on Valeria's shoulder. She stiffened, and Natasha felt a rush of both exasperation and compassion. This girl probably had no memories of being comforted. It wasn't the Widow way.

"If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't lie about it. I would just do it." Valeria looked at her and Natasha gave her a wry smile. Tears began to spill down Valeria's face, much to the younger girls panic.

Natasha hesitated, drawing on her experiences with Lila to guide her in what to do next. Moving slowly so as not to alarm the girl, Natasha drew her in closer until her arms were wrapped around her. Valeria resisted for only a moment before clutching at Natasha, soaking her in tears.

Natasha rocked her gently, making comforting noises and speaking in a low voice to her, "I don't hate you." She sighed as Valeria continued to shudder, "You remind me of a lot of painful memories. I see you and it's like I'm living them all over again."

She rocked the girl in silence until her breathing slowed, and Valeria pulled away sheepishly, embarrassed at her outburst. She wiped her eyes and looked down at her lap, "I thought you were going to… to.."

"No," Natasha interrupted with a shudder, remembering her own punishments. "Things are different now. Your life can be whatever you choose. No one will take that choice from you ever again."

Valeria looked at her blankly, "I don't know what would even look like."

Natasha nodded, "I know. I'll help. You're safe here." They sat awkwardly again, side by side on the bed.

"Thanks for helping them find Steve," Natasha said finally, not looking at her. Valeria shrugged. The silence stretched on a moment longer.

"Did you kill Ivan?" Valeria's voice was hushed, hopeful.

Natasha pressed her lips into a thin line, "I never saw him. I had hoped they were bluffing about Ivan. He really is still alive?"

Valeria looked crestfallen. She nodded, swallowing hard. "As long as he's alive, neither of us will ever truly be safe. That man is the devil himself."

Natasha looked at the girls ashen face and patted her knee, "It's not for you to worry about now. You have a new life to start."

Valeria gave a derisive little laugh, but didn't argue. Natasha carefully noted her cynicism, but said nothing.

"Valerie is a good name I think."

"What?"

"The Red Room gave you your name. It's time to take it back. How do you feel about Valerie? You can use it to start over."

To Natasha's bewilderment, the girl flung her arms around her and began to cry again. Natasha patted her back awkwardly, until suddenly the door to the cell flew open, and Clint burst in, his face fearful.

Natasha took in his expression and looked at him incredulously, "Oh my God Clint, I am not here to kill her! You both are ridiculous!"

Clint exhaled in relief, "It's not a huge leap of imagination ok Nat? You've been… scary lately."

She softened, "I know, and I'm sorry. Truly."

He smiled at her, then looked at the younger girls tear stained face with concern, "You ok Valeria?"

She sniffed, wiping her eyes, and smiled at him shyly, "It's Valerie now actually."

Clint looked between Natasha and Valerie with pleased surprise. Natasha smiled at him wryly, then stood and looked at Valerie. "I think it's time we move you out of this cell and into a proper room… At least until we figure out what the next step is for you."

The look of hope blossoming on Valerie's face made Natasha's stomach twist with memories of Clint saying almost the same thing to her after she had been brought in. She looked at Clint, and knew by the glint in his eye that he was thinking the same thing. He checked his watch, "Well Valerie," he smiled as he tested the new name, "There are still many hours until dawn. Why don't you see if you can sleep anymore."

She nodded and flopped back on to her bed, staring at the ceiling, and Natasha and Clint slipped out of the room. Closing the door behind them Clint grabbed Natasha's arm to stop her from leaving, "Hey," he said, his voice low, "That was an amazing thing you did in there. I know being around her is hard for you."

Natasha shrugged, "I'm just paying it forward." She smiled a sad smile at him, "Have I thanked you for seeing the good in me even when I was at my worst?"

"All the time."

"Well…thanks." She hesitated then pulled him into a hug. He hugged her back tightly.

"Ivan is alive," she whispered into his shoulder. Clint's eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he just gave her a squeeze in response, "You're safe here."

She shuddered, "I can't go back to the Red Room, I need that chapter to be over. Valeria just brings it all back."

"It's Valerie," he reminded her gently, "And Ivan is an old man now. What can he do?" He pulled away and took her face in his hands with a smile, "You've been through a lot. You both have. But it's over now and you two will help each other get through it." He kissed her forehead lightly, "You'll see."

She smiled and wiped her face on her sleeve with a sigh, "You're a good friend."

"I know" he said with a grin. She swatted at him but missed as he dodged her. "Ooo getting slow!"

"Give me a break I've had a rough week."

"Excuses, excuses." Clint flinched suddenly, his hand going to his thigh. Natasha looked at him sharply.

"Is it your wound? Clint I forgot all about that! You should be in the hospital wing!"

Clint grimaced sheepishly as a circle of blood slowly seeped through his pants and out from under his hand, "I was, until I started to suspect that you had a mind to murder my young charge in there."

Natasha pinched him hard in the arm, her lips pursed.

"Ow!"

"That's for not taking care of yourself."

"Nat! I don't think- Ow!"

"And that's for suspecting me of murdering a child. If I wouldn't kill Darya I wouldn't kill Valeria."

"Valerie," Clint grumbled under his breath.

"Valerie," Natasha agreed, "Now let's get you back to the hospital wing."

Clint lay resting in the hospital wing of the tower, his gunshot wound wrapped expertly by Nanali after a thorough scolding by the stern Doctor. He slept lightly, his mind unable to rest fully after all that had happened. A nagging sense of being watched pestered him, until finally he cracked an eye to check. Natasha sat in the chair near his bed watching him, her eyes filled with what he recognized as guilt.

"I didn't mean to wake you."

"You're staring a hole into the side of my head Nat," he muttered sleepily. "Thought you went back to bed?"

"Too much on my mind."

Clint turned his head to look out the window, the sky was just turning a light pink. He looked back at Natasha, who was staring thoughtfully into her hands.

"What is it Nat?"

"I'm really sorry," she whispered to the ground, "I never meant for you to get hurt. This whole thing was just so awful."

"I should have seen it coming," he said with a shrug. He winced and gingerly sat back against his pillow, "I was distracted." He smiled at her, "How's Steve?" Natasha couldn't help the smile that spread slowly across her face, "He's good," she said with a shrug, "We're good." Clint watched her face with a growing smile which she dutifully ignored. She stood and went to the window, watching the early morning sun rise above the city, washing each building with golden light.

"How is Laura handling all of this?" Natasha shifted slightly, her arms crossed tightly across her chest.

"I would be lying if I said she wasn't worried," Clint watched Natasha critically, "Nat what is it? What's bothering you?"

Natasha turned to him, "She's right to be worried. Darya and Anka are still alive, and if they are alive, they are a threat. Not to mention Ivan..."

Clint shook his head, "Nat they are in a maximum security prison, being guarded around the clock. They aren't going anywhere. And Ivan is old."

Natasha sat on the edge of his bed, "They won't talk. We were trained not to talk, it doesn't matter what you do to them. What use are they? As long as they're alive I will never be able to rest easy Clint. I have people I love now; People that matter to me." She looked at her hands, "I have already experienced losing all of you. I can't do it again."

Clint put his hand on hers and gave it a squeeze, "I get it. I really do. There's nothing to be done about it now. We're all safe, and they are far away locked in some hole somewhere. What does it matter what happens to them as long as they are unable to hurt anyone ever again? Be content with what you have."

Natasha looked at him solemnly, then gave him a wry smile, "I'm really glad you're ok. They made me think you were my brother, did I tell you that?"

Clint shook his head, "No you didn't. Well they got that right at least, you are family." A sound from outside the door made them both look up. Clint smiled, "Speaking of which…"

The door burst open and Lila came running into the room. When she saw Natasha she stopped, frozen in her tracks. Her brother pushed in past her, followed closely by Laura and the baby. Natasha stood, her heart swelling to see them again at last. She noted how whole they were, the pink in Lila's cheeks, the fat chubby rolls of the baby. They were alive and healthy, despite everything.

"Aunty Nat!" Cooper ran to her and threw his arms around her, and Natasha caught him up in a hug so tight he protested loudly. Laura followed after him, giving her a quick once over before pulling her into a tight hug. Nat quickly brushed away tears that were rolling down her cheeks unchecked, gave Nathaniel a big kiss on his pudgy little face and another on Laura's cheek, but Natasha's eyes stayed on Lila, who had remained rooted to her spot. Stepping away from the others Natasha looked at the little girl. Lila looked back at Nat, her eyes overbright, her expression doubtful.

"Everyone thought you went to heaven."

Natasha's heart constricted, "The bad guys tricked everyone. Even me. They told me you all were… that you went to heaven." She cleared her throat. Kneeling down Natasha looked at Lila on her level, "I'm here now. I had to leave for a while to get the bad guys but I'm here now."

"That was a mean trick. I was really sad." Tears rolled down Lila's cheeks and still she did not move. Laura made to comfort her but Clint stopped her with a glance. Lila's voice cracked as more tears spilled down her little face, "Were you really sad?"

Natasha closed the distance between them and snatched Lila up into her arms, pressing her tightly to herself. Lila hugged her neck tightly, and Natasha let her emotion show in her voice, "I was so sad solnyshka, I couldn't even think straight. I was so, so, sad." Lila hugged her even tighter. "But the bad guys are gone, and we are together because we were both brave. Isn't that right?" Lila nodded without letting go of her, and Natasha gave her another squeeze. "Don't be sad anymore. I'm here." A piece of her heart seemed to return to her, filling in a hole that Darya and Anka had so brutally carved out.

"I love you sweet girl," Natasha whispered into Lila's hair. After a shuddering breath Lila whispered back, "I love you too." Natasha set her down gently and smoothed her hair, brushing the tears off her face.

"Hey! Don't I get a hug? You came to see me didn't you?!" Lila looked up at her Dad and giggled even as she wiped at the tears on her cheeks, trotting over to his bed and planting a kiss on his cheek. Natasha stood and looked mournfully at Laura.

"What could I possibly say or do to make up for all of this?"

Laura shook her head, pulling Nat in for another hug, "Just… live. Be happy. Maybe take some time off, play with the kids, read a book. You know, normal stuff."

Natasha shook her head at her, "What about the ranch?"

"We're being relocated. Shield has a new place in mind. Frankly I'm glad not to be going back there, too many traumatic memories," she looked at Lila with concern. "She really took your death hard Nat. She hasn't been herself since." Laura looked hard at Natasha suddenly,"Nat I know your work is dangerous, but I need you to be careful. You mean a lot to my family."

Natasha looked back at her seriously, "I will. I promise. Laura I'm so sorry." They hugged again and smiled tearfully at each other. Natasha wiped her eyes with the back of her back, "Ugh so much CRYING. I'm losing so much water I'm going to turn into a raisin." Lila giggled and Natasha snatched her up again, planting a big wet kiss on her cheek.

"Eeewww!" She exclaimed, trying to wriggle her way out of Natasha's arms. Natasha held on, tickling her until she shrieked with laughter. Natasha laughed too, her heart growing lighter. As she moved to set Lila down, she noticed Steve had appeared in the doorway. He watched her with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes.

"Uncle Steve!" Lila and Cooper shouted in unison, running up to him in delight. Steve scooped them both up easily and bounced them up and down, making them laugh.

"Were you on an adventure?" Cooper asked.

"Did you get the bad guys?" followed Lila.

"Where's your shield?" said the boy.

"Easy now! So many questions!"

Natasha leaned back against the edge of Clints bed, watching with a smile as Steve deftly fielded their questions, making them giggle and spinning them around. He set them down and his blue eyes met hers. They smiled at each other.

"Morning," she said softly, walking up to him.

"Morning," he said with a smile, planting the softest of kisses on her cheek. She smiled and turned to face Clint, leaning into Steve's side slightly. Clint's eyes went wide briefly, but then he grinned. With a sigh he flopped back onto the pillows. Laura took his hand and squeezed it, looking around at the happy faces all around her.

"It's time for a little normalcy around here."

Clint snorted, his eyes closed, "I'd settle for no one shooting at me for the next few days."

Steve chuckled, "I think we can make that happen."