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Chapter 5 – From Russia with Love

To say that Natasha Romanoff wasn't happy to be back in her home country was an understatement, not only was it the location, it was the company. Natasha was used to running missions with Clint Barton, known to some as Hawkeye. The man didn't have an off switch, if he wasn't talking he was eating and if he wasn't doing either of them he was passed out somewhere, preferably up in a place no sane person would ever consider comfortable. Unfortunately Clint hadn't been the same since New York, not since Loki messed with his mind. So Natasha had a new partner, an ex-HYDRA agent who couldn't even talk. Not that Natasha would ever admit is out loud but she actually missed Barton's constant chatter.

So here she was, stuck in the middle of a Russian winter with a man that sat in a silence that any other person would find creepy and for that Natasha Romanoff blamed Nick Fury. For a man supposed to be dead, Nick Fury gave a lot of orders and the orders that annoyed the Black Widow the most were the ones concerning Grant Ward. In fact, Natasha's orders were very specific when it came to Ward, the second she thought he might go running back to HYDRA she was to put a bullet in his head. What surprised Natasha was that so far she hadn't doubted him for a second.

They had crossed into Russia three days ago, pretending to be brother and sister. Their mission was simple retrieval and it was amazing how much information a single guard to a secret, underground base was willing to spill to a pretty girl and a guy he didn't think could hear him. Ward's command of Russian Sign Language was limited but his comprehension of the spoken language was flawless, so while Natasha flirted the information out of the guard, Ward remembered what was said and came up with a plan to enter the facility and then get out, all while hopefully remaining undetected. And even Romanoff had to admit it was a good plan.

So now they were huddled against a makeshift barricade, waiting for change in the guards and Natasha was bored. Ward mainly ignored her, choosing to spend his time scribbling in the note book he constantly carried. Natasha would have burned the blasted thing days ago, if it wasn't Ward's only way of communicating with her. Just because Fury had taught the man sign language it didn't mean he'd taught Natasha, she had never had the need to know it and she wasn't about to learn it to make talking to an ex-HYDRA agent easier. If he wanted to talk to her he could write it down, the problem was he didn't want to talk and Natasha was getting annoyed.

Natasha sighed, if she was going to invade hell with this man she wanted answers, the assassin had learned long ago that not knowing something on a mission was a sure fire way to get you killed and Natasha wasn't planning to die, not today. She didn't ask if Ward would answer her question, that could have led to a no, so she just asked, insulting or not, "What are the chances you'll betray me the second we get inside?"
Ward looked up in surprise, almost as if he had forgotten Natasha was there, he shrugged, scribbling an answer, Why would I?

Natasha held back the urge to laugh, "This is a joint Red Room and HYDRA base and you're HYDRA."

Ward smiled, And you're Red Room.

Natasha looked angry, "Not anymore."

Does that answer your question?

Natasha gave a half smile, "I see your point, and can I ask you another question?"

Ward raised an eyebrow, but nodded, wondering if he would regret the decision.

"Why did you defect?" Natasha asked, straight face as always.

Ward looked thoughtful for a second, the scribbled in his note book again, Have you ever been in love?

Natasha was shocked, that wasn't the answer she was expecting, "Love is for children."

Ward smiled again, That didn't answer the question.

Natasha thought about it, but if she wanted the truth she would need to be truthful in return, "Along time ago, back when I was Red Room. I learned from my mistakes."

What happened?

"He shot me. Twice." Natasha sighed, "Now answer the question, Agent Ward, why did you defect?"

Ward sighed and scribbled a long reply, Your ex shot you, twice, and deep down you still love him. Don't deny it. The girl I love set the Calvary on me, now I can't talk. Yet all I can think about is seeing her, saying sorry and maybe winning her back. Working with Fury gives me that chance. Working with HYDRA doesn't.

Natasha raised an eyebrow, "And if she doesn't forgive you? If you can't win her back?"

Love means making someone else happy, even at the cost of your own happiness. She may never forgive me, I can live with that but finding this cure for Fitz will make her happy and that's a start.

Natasha smiled, "For a man who can't talk you sure have a lot to say."

Ward smiled and shrugged.

Natasha only nodded, looking over the barricade she saw the guards begin to change shifts, "Let's go save your engineer."