The woman grinned at her, but there was not kindness in her eyes; they were cold and calculating, her smile was harsh and filled with malice.
"When Nazari approached me, offering me a chance to help take down the infamous Black Widow I was sure he was mistaken, there was no way a daughter of the red room would be fighting for the enemy"
"Elena, why would you work with Nazari? What's in it for you?"
"A chance to take you out once and for all"
With that Elena stepped back, revealing Clint and Steve unconscious and bloody, tied up lay on the floor.
Natasha was tied to a chair, still weakened from the drugs in her system. She still hadn't gotten over the effects of the venom the day before and the feeling of helplessness was steadily creeping in. Elena was examining her other hostages, checking they were bound properly before the drugs started to wear off.
Natasha took the opportunity to test her binds, they were tightly fastened but given a moment Natasha would be able to free at least one of her hands...
Elena turned and without hesitation shot Natasha in her thigh. Blood gushed from the wound and Natasha went suddenly rigid from the pain which seared through her body. Managing to keep it together she bit her lip and let no noise slip from her mouth.
Elena strolled slowly over to her, eyes burning into her as she analysed her every movement.
"This isn't going to end well for you Natalia. Our masters have wanted you dead for a very long time. I shall return a hero; the most loyal of children to have killed the sister who became a traitor"
Natasha looked at her defiantly, the longer she kept talking, the closer she got; the better chance Natasha's plan had of working.
"Buy why Nazari Elena?"
"He had information, he too had a vendetta; Враг твоего врага является вашим другом Natalia (the enemy of your enemy is your friend). He knew your location and new occupation; your status as a American superhero has not gone unnoticed however your employment with SHIELD was new information, as was your relationship with the archer"
Elena studied Natasha's face closed for any signs that she'd spoken the truth. Turning back towards Clint and stroking the hair from his face, she smiled as she read confirmation in her expression.
"So it's true, I ask you Natalia; what's so special about him?"
"He is a good man Elena! And so is he" she said, straining to gesture at Steve while she was still bound. "This is between us, why are you bringing them into this?"
"Nazari paid me well to ensure you and the archer die agonising deaths, the masters want the rest of your new 'super' team dead too; a lesson to the others who may be thinking about following in your footsteps"
"You were my friend once Elena, when we were children. Does that mean less to you than blindly following the order of the men who hurt us, starved us, and almost killed us?"
Elena reacted in just the way Natasha had expected; her fists clenched in anger and she rounded on her, leaning in so close her face was just inches away from her own. Natasha didn't wait for her answer but closed her eyes and head butted her hard. Elena was taken back for a moment and stumbled slightly. Natasha used her recently freed arm to grab her hand, bend her wrist and snap it back. A sickening break sounded, and Elena dropped her gun. Natasha kicked it out of her reach, towards Clint and Steve in the hope that they'd wake soon.
