Kiev, Ukraine
June 7th, 2015
The low hum of the car's engine broke the silence of the misty Kiev night. The headlights sliced through the fog, revealing the skeletal outline of a shipyard ahead. Rows of rusting containers loomed like silent sentinels, and the faint smell of brine and oil hung heavy in the air.
Inside the car, Yelena sat slouched in the passenger seat, boots resting on the dashboard, lazily flipping through a half-empty bag of sunflower seeds. Natasha, gripping the wheel, cast her a pointed glance.
"Do you have to do that?" Natasha muttered, eyes scanning the dark perimeter.
"What? Eat?" Yelena popped another seed into her mouth and cracked it between her teeth.
"Eat like a raccoon," Natasha countered, swiping a stray shell that had landed on her side of the car.
Yelena grinned, completely unbothered. "You're just mad because I have snacks and you don't."
Natasha rolled her eyes, parking the car just outside a shadowy dock. She killed the engine, plunging them into silence but for the distant clanging of metal and the low lap of water against the pier.
"This is it?" Yelena asked, craning her neck to peer through the windshield.
Natasha opened her door, pausing to glance back at her sister. "Stay here."
Yelena's brow shot up. "Excuse me? Stay here?"
"Yes. In the car." Natasha stepped out, slamming the door behind her before Yelena could protest.
Yelena rolled down the window and leaned out. "What am I, a dog? Should I bark if I see something suspicious?"
"Grown up stuff," Natasha fired back. "Plus you need to sleep and heal."
"Fine," Yelena said. "I'll stay here while you go make out with Captain America."
Natasha smirked faintly but didn't answer, her boots crunching on the gravel as she made her way toward the point she told Steve to meet her at.
Natasha slipped silently through the shadows of the shipyard, moving like a ghost, weaving between the rusting shipping containers until she reached a narrow alcove overlooking the meeting spot. It was perfect for watching without being seen.
Her fingers traced the cool edge of a metal container as she pressed her back against it, letting the shadows envelop her. She knew Steve would arrive soon; he was always punctual, almost to a fault. She could already imagine the familiar sound of his boots on the gravel, the steady, deliberate pace that was so unmistakably his.
Her heart, steady in battle, fluttered uncharacteristically. The after effect of the Accords turning their lives upside down, scattering the Avengers like leaves in a storm, still weighed heavily on her mind. She had no idea if this meeting would bring them closer or confirm her worst fear—that the chasm between them had become too wide to bridge.
Natasha clenched her fists, then forced herself to release them, flexing her fingers against the cold. Why am I like this? she thought. She was the Black Widow. Fearless. Calculating. A woman who always had a plan.
But Steve was different.
She could still see the way he had looked at her the last time they spoke after she turned on Tony's team and helped him escape. The confusion, hurt of her decision still, but hope. At least she thought it was hope, she wanted it so badly to be hope.
She shook her head, as though the motion could cast away the insecurities swirling in her mind.
A faint crunch of gravel broke her thoughts. Her body tensed, every instinct sharpening. She leaned slightly forward, peering from the shadows.
There he was.
Even in the dim light, she recognized the broad shoulders, the determined gait, the golden hair catching faintly under the overhead lamps. He walked with purpose, scanning his surroundings, as though he knew she was watching. She smiled a bit at his 'disguise', which as usual was just a baseball hat and a larger jacket, as if that did anything to make him not appear as Captain America.
Natasha pressed her back against the container, her pulse quickening. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed him until now, seeing him so close yet still out of reach. But she hesitated, her confidence wavering.
What if he doesn't forgive me?
Her fingers tightened on the edge of the container, grounding herself. What if he doesn't love me anymore?
She took a steadying breath, pushing all the insecurities to the side for now. Regardless of his feelings towards her, she did need his help with this, and after that he still deserved to be with his son. Whether she was by his side or not.
"I think I should accept it at this point that you think the whole baseball hat is the perfect disguise," Natasha said, coming out of the shadows.
She still had her hair braided down and a black jacket over her tank top which was covering up her severe bruising quite nicely. Taskmaster had done a number on both her and her sister, and she didn't need Steve to worry about that right now.
She was happy to see him though, after all of this time. She resisted the urge to go to him right away though, still internally worrying about what he would have to say to her for what she did.
He made no move to approach her, though his fingers twitched. He stuffed them in his pockets. "Or maybe I just like annoying you," he said, lips almost upturned. His eyes darted around, scanning. "Where's Yelena? Wasn't she with you?"
"She's in the car sleeping," Natasha said. "She took a decent hit in Budapest and needed the rest."
'And to give us this private time,' Natasha mentally added. She jumped down from her overlooking spot and into the light a bit better and the bruising over her face showed a bit more, from the shots she took when Taskmaster almost blew her off the bridge.
"Steve I," Natasha said, then faltered as the words failed her. She practiced this so many times on the car ride here, but she just wasn't able to form the words now. "I'm just so sorry. I thought I was doing the best thing for our family, but I just tore it apart. I shouldn't have made you choose between Jamie and I, and his namesake. That was something beyond forgiveness and I understand if you want to go our separate ways after this. I know how I feel about you and I don't want to lose you ever again, but you should have the choice."
He walked towards her, and she could see he was surveying the bruises on her face, probably wondering if she had any more. His hand came up instinctively to touch the bruises on her face, but he paused a bit. Natasha looked him in the eyes and saw the hurt that was still there for all of her actions, but she also saw the same look she had seen so many times.
The love they shared for each other.
He brushed his fingers lightly along the bruises on her cheek. Then he leaned in and kissed her gently. Natasha closed her eyes and leaned into the embrace, missing this most in the world. She melted into his embrace and let him hold her.
When he pulled back, he kept her wrapped in his arms and said, "I'm sorry too. I got so wrapped up in the situation with Bucky that I neglected you and I neglected our son. I never wanted to make you feel like I had chosen someone over you. I love you. And I forgive you."
Natasha just closed her eyes as a single tear came out. She leaned forward and pressed her head against his chest and just took in the moment. She was still way shorter than him, so this is approximately where her head reached. She let out a huge sigh of relief at his words, glad she hadn't lost him after all and vowing to make this better.
"Jamie learned how to say Dada," Natasha said, letting Steve know this. "Ava was showing him pictures of you and he said that. You were his first word. I have it recorded of course, I'd show you but my official phone broke, so I'll have to wait till we can get it off my laptop."
Steve's eyes were shiny and red-rimmed all of a sudden. "I'm sorry I missed it. I'd have loved to see that. I can't wait to hear him say it in person." He stepped back and wiped at his eyes with the back of his forearm, slowly falling back on his clinical captain persona. "Okay. All this talk of family and I've never met your sister. Shall we wake her up?"
"I'm already awake," Yelena said from above. "And I had to vomit a few times while you guys were making up."
Yelena was sitting on top of one of the shipping crates, green vest on with all the pockets and bandage still on her arm.
"Steve," Natasha said. "This is Yelena. Yelena this is,"
"The famous Captain America," Yelena said, hopping down and walking over to them. "I know who he is of course. Da used to tell us all these stories about the great battle between the Red Guardian and Captain America. I wonder what's going to happen when they finally meet."
"It's nice to finally meet you. I hoped it would be under better circumstances but..." He shrugged his other shoulder, head bowed in an almost guilty way. "... those're a little low in stock these days. I've, uh, never encountered a Red Guardian, I don't think." He glanced at Natasha.
"The Red Guardian was the Soviet's answer to Captain America," Natasha said. "They developed a serum, working closely with Hydra, to create the super soldier serum. Hydra's version was given to the Winter Soldier, the Soviet's were tested on the first batch of Widows, which included me, and attempted to be strengthened, which was what was given to the first Guardian, the first husband that I told you I had back in the 50s. When that serum killed his mind and I had to put him down, they did a lot more testing and Alexei Shostakov became the, mostly, stable Red Guardian."
"It had mixed effects," Yelena said. "While the strength was there, the mind suffered, which is why it wasn't used again."
"He did work closely with Dreykov though," Natasha said. "The current head of the Red Room. If anyone knows where he could be hiding the remnants of that organization, it's him."
"So where is he? Let's ask him," Steve said, clearly in business mode.
"Well," Natasha said sheepishly, not mentioning this over the phone.
"Oh you didn't tell him," Yelena said, a huge smile on her face. "No, this is going to be great. I will love to watch this."
"Zamolchi," Natasha spat at Yelena and then turned back to Steve. "He's being held at the 7th Circle Prison. It's in a very remote part of Siberia."
"It's almost impossible to get into," Yelena said. "It's the most well guarded prison in Russia."
"And I have a plan for it," Natasha said. "I just might need some extra help."
She looked at Steve then, knowing he was the extra help. It was far from the only reason she called him, hell it would be messy but she and Yelena could probably break out Alexi just fine. But she needed to talk to Steve for other reasons.
Steve's lips twitched in amusement as he watched Natasha and Yelena bicker and just nodded, "Sounds like a challenge. Good thing I warmed up on the flight here."
"We'll need to get something that can fly," Natasha said. "We can't get there by car, nor could we escape with one even if we did get there by car."
"What about Mason," Yelena said. "He could get us something that could fly."
"I'll give him a call," Natasha said, nodding in agreement. "We're gonna have to get to the outskirts though. Steve, you rested enough to drive while I catch some sleep and Yelena dozes, but more likely talks your ear off?"
"It would be my pleasure," Steve said. "Lead the way."
Yelena and Steve started back towards to the car while Natasha followed, getting her phone out and dialing the number she knew to be Mason. It took him a couple rings to pick up, but eventually his voice came over the line.
"Romanoff. Always a pleasure when you call me out of the blue," he said and Natasha smiled.
"Mason," Natasha answered. "I need the winter survival pack I had you put together. And something that can fly."
"Of course you do," Mason said with a groan. "And here I thought I'd get at least a week without a favor."
"This isn't a favor, it's business," Natasha replied, her tone clipped. "I'm on a clock."
"Business? Right," he muttered. "Alright, what's the time frame and the drop zone?"
"I'll be at the Russian border as soon as I can get there from Kiev," she said. "Estimate six hours, maybe seven if the roads are bad."
He let out an exaggerated sigh. "The Russian border in summer? That means humidity, mosquitoes the size of birds, and heatstroke for dessert. You don't make this easy, do you?"
"That's why I'm calling you," Natasha said smoothly. "You're resourceful."
He barked out a dry laugh. "Flattery doesn't make this easier, Romanoff."
"Do you want me to call someone else?"
"No," he shot back quickly. "I like getting paid too much. Fine. I'll dig up the survival pack and see what I can find that'll fly in this weather. But don't expect luxury. You'll be lucky if it's got heat."
"Just make sure it works," Natasha replied.
"Yeah, yeah," Mason grumbled, pulling up his notes. "Alright, let's say...meet me at the checkpoint near Vietka. That work for you?"
"It's perfect," Natasha said.
"Great," he muttered. "Give me at least six hours. This is cutting it tight, even for you."
"I trust you, Mason," Natasha replied with a smile.
"Sure you do," he said before Natasha heard the line click dead and she continued on to the car.
Yelena and Steve were already in the front seats, Steve behind the wheel and smiling as he saw Natasha walk into view. She just smirked at him and climbed into the back seat, laying down.
"Where are we headed?" Steve asked.
"Vietka in Belarus," Natasha said. "6 hours or so, Yelena will help you get through the border clear."
"Yeah yeah," Yelena said. "You go to sleep, you old woman. Now Steven, Natasha doesn't think it's so great but you can definitely see the appeal in this many pockets, right?"
Natasha just chuckled as she drifted off to sleep as the car went into motion.
Vietka, Belarus
June 7th, 2015
Steve drove the car up to a small cabin outside the outskirts of Vietka, and Natasha could see Mason standing there with a duffle bag and a very beat up looking helicopter behind him. Yelena just gaped and Natasha was a little worried.
Steve brought the car to a stop and Natasha stepped out and headed over to Mason, Yelena and Steve following.
"I said I needed something that could fly," Natasha said to Mason. "Can this thing even get off the ground?"
"Yeah it will, but you know what you didn't give me?" Mason shot back. "Time. Or money. I'm not made of jets."
"I thought you were supposed to be the best," Yelena said, walking up behind her. "Like a real pro."
"Oh," Mason said, turning to Yelena. "I beg your pardon, tsarina. Was the free flat and lifetime supply of kissel not to your liking?"
"Ha," Yelena snarked, walking to look over the helicopter.
"Don't let her wind you up," Natasha said, then made introductions. "Steve this is Mason, he helps me get a lot of things overseas and maintains some of my safe houses. Mason this is..."
"Captain America," Mason said, reaching his hand out to take Steve's. "I've heard a lot about you. Natasha literally mentions you every time she talks to me."
Steve nodded and pulled his hand back from what he'd aimed to be a firm handshake without overutilizing his strength. He wasn't trying to be intimidating, but Natasha could see Steve making sure Mason knew what was up with him and Natasha, which Natasha was just fine with.
"All good things, I hope," he said with a quirk of his lips. He gestured at the duffel bag. "So what've you got for us?"
"What Natasha instructed I provide," Mason said, sliding the duffle bag over.
"I doubt it's all there," Yelena said and Mason threw up his arms before opening it.
"Oh come on," Mason said. "I do take exception to impugning my professionalism."
"Well you did set me up with a generator that crapped out after like six hours," Natasha said, moving away from the duffle for now to look at the helicopter herself, speaking of the cold night she spent in Norway with Ava and James in their first safe house, before she had to leave to get gas when she was attacked by the Taskmaster for the first time.
"Tag team huh?" Mason said, shaking his head and then glancing at Steve. "Honestly, good luck man."
Natasha just smirked as Mason opened the bag. Yelena was there in a second, looking it over and grabbing a white suit meant for her and some granola bars, walking away.
"Oh I stashed this food like five years ago," Natasha said, Yelena ignoring her and biting into the bar right away. Natasha could see her working on it and held in a laugh. "How is that?"
"It's dry," Yelena said, before climbing into the helicopter. "It's really dry."
Natasha just laughed and pulled out a white suit for herself and then pulled what used to be Steve's stealth suit back in his Shield days, but completely tracking chip free and now a white and light gray combination. Star still visible on the front, she unfortunately didn't have the helmet.
"Will this work?" Natasha asked, holding the suit out to Steve.
"That's perfect," he said, accepting the suit. "The helmet was a little too recognizable anyway. Besides, I've got a tough noggin. Always have."
"Though you've tried too many times for my taste to test that theory," Natasha said. "Thanks Mason."
"You know you're getting dangerously close to running out your tab," Mason said, serious now that Yelena was gone. "Supplies I can tally, but you bring me attention from the authorities, all my prices go up."
"What's that supposed to mean," Natasha said, confused and now slightly on the defensive.
"Your mate, Secretary Ross," Mason said. "Has been sniffing around my affairs to the point at which I've got contacts declining my calls. I'm a private contractor."
Natasha looked at Steve then. Not only was Secretary Ross after her, but he had some top guys on this and was close on her tail. Mason was a very close contact of hers, one that really wasn't out in the open that much. Either the US Government had some really good people looking for her, or there was someone feeding them information.
"That's... unfortunate. I don't know how much we can do about Ross right now," Steve said, and Natasha knew he was right. She smiled and turned back to Mason, hoping her word would settle this for now.
"I'll find a way to make it up to you," Natasha said with a promise.
"Uh-huh," Mason said, skeptic, although a knowing look on his face showed that Natasha didn't usually go back on what she said. "That's what you always say."
Natasha just smirked and grabbed the rest of the bag and headed onto the helicopter.
"Keep an eye on her," Natasha overheard Mason said to Steve. "If she's taking on what I think she is, it's gonna be rough. Especially with what just happened in the world."
He clapped Mason on the bicep. "I take care of my family. You don't have to worry. That's my job."
7th Circle Prison
June 7th, 2015
The brisk cold air of Siberia stung Natasha's eyes as they flew towards the prison. Even this far North, no matter that it was summer, there was still plenty of snow on the ground. Natasha took a deep breath as she prepared herself for the mission that was coming. They had already sent ahead the little Red Guardian doll with the earpiece in it for Alexi to receive to help him break out. Natasha was snug in her new white suit. She had stashed this one before she had James and the pregnancy that came with it, so it was a little tight in the hips. It was, however, heavily insulated, which would help against the cold of the Siberian front outside.
The Seventh Circle Prison was one of Russia's most remote and secure prisons in the entire country. Gorbachev established this place in some of the last days before the Soviet Union dissolved and locked away the key for numerous political prisoners. Secret leaders of the KGB and Red Room that were still active used it when needed, as did Putin, although he kept it under wraps. With no civilization for hundreds of kilometers in any direction, it was perfect.
You either stayed there, or died to the cold and wilderness.
Natasha looked up and smiled at Steve, who was wearing his own white suit. Yelena was in the pilot's seat, picking up on how to fly the jet pretty quickly.
"Seems like you should have been meeting my parents before you got me pregnant," Natasha said. "Though we haven't exactly gone the most traditional route in our relationship."
He pulled tight on his gloves, the leather creaking under the pressure as he wiggled his fingers to get the fit just right. He smiled at Natasha, checking her out in this suit as well.
"You know me, darling. I'm a pretty traditional guy. If I had known your parents were reachable I'd have broken them out of prison forever ago just to talk to them."
"We'll see if you hang onto those words after meeting him," Natasha said, finishing the last of her braids and getting up, patting him on the backside and heading to the co-pilot's seat. "How are we looking?"
"We're approaching the prison now," Yelena said. "We'll only have a bit before they see us, so whatever you're going to do, let's start now."
"Well let's hope he still has some Guardian left in him," Natasha said, as she got a flashing that the comm they sent to Alexi was now active.
Natasha typed in a few commands on the console they secured and immediately had control of the prison and all of their camera systems, shown up on the monitors for Natasha, Yelena, and Steve to see. Natasha cycled through and found what was a very grizzly old man with a long beard, numerous tattoos, and a bit of a beer belly.
"Today is your lucky day Alexei," Natasha said into the comms, getting the man's attention. "Move to the door on the south wall."
Natasha hit a few commands and that door opened up for him to move through. Natasha followed his tracking and continued giving him direction.
"Go left," Natasha coached. "Just don't make a scene."
About thirty seconds later, alarms started blaring and warnings popped up on all of their screens. Yelena rolled her eyes and Natasha bit back the urge to sigh.
"You made a scene didn't you," Natasha said.
She could hear the sound of punches being thrown and grunts and knew Alexi was in a dogfight headed out. Yelena brought the helicopter over the top of the yard of the prison and they looked down. About a second later, a door burst open and Alexei charged out. He got to the middle of the prison and raised his hand to his ear, as if this is how he had to activate his comm. Same as Steve used to do, which caused Natasha to have a small smile.
"What now?" he asked, slightly frantic.
"We're getting you out of here," Natasha said and nodded to Yelena, who brought the jet down to where Alexei could see them.
Alexei looked up and saw the helicopter and was in awe. He didn't have long to marvel though, as the rest of the prison broke out as well. Guards weren't long after, starting to fire suppressors against the prisoners. Alexei jumped and dodged and overall didn't know what to do. Natasha knew at this point they would need to help.
"Get to the upper levels," Natasha said into the comms, getting herself up out of the co-pilot's seat. "Move your ass super soldier."
Alexei started on that while Natasha headed for the back.
"He's never going to make it," Yelena said, watching Alexei struggle as he just got shocked by a stun baton, dropping him.
"Get us closer," Natasha said, getting a rope ready to jump out.
Yelena just looked back at her with an incredulous look. "Seriously?" she asked.
"You got a better idea," Natasha said, looking over to Steve. "Ready for the first Cold War battle Captain America?"
"Pretty sure I slept through that one," he yelled back. He gave the rope a tug to make sure she was secure and then gestured for her to jump first, bowing back in a gentlemanly sort of way. Natasha smiled and jumped out of the helicopter.
As Natasha swung through the air and came down on the catwalk in her typical landing/ready stance, she could hear Yelena quip through comms.
"Such a poser."
The biting Siberian wind cut through Natasha's suit as she ducked a baton swing, the guard's strike whistling past her ear. She caught his wrist mid-swing, twisting sharply until she heard the satisfying crack of bone, followed by his pained yell. With a swift kick, she sent him sprawling onto the catwalk.
Below her, chaos erupted in the yard. Prisoners brawled with guards, their shouts and grunts blending into a deafening cacophony. The floodlights above flickered, casting erratic shadows that danced across the snow-dusted ground.
Natasha spared a glance over the railing. Alexei was somewhere in that mess, shoving his way through the riot toward the north gate.
"Alexei, you better not get yourself killed," she muttered under her breath before spinning to block a punch aimed at her ribs.
The guard was bigger than her, his face twisted with rage as he swung again. Natasha ducked, stepped inside his reach, and delivered a sharp elbow to his throat. He staggered back, choking, and she didn't hesitate—one sweep of her leg sent him crashing onto the grating.
"Natasha, we've got to move!" Steve's voice rang out above the chaos.
"I'm a little busy!" she shot back, pivoting just in time to dodge another blow.
She caught the baton this time, yanking it free from her attacker's grip before slamming it into his stomach. He doubled over, and Natasha followed up with a strike to the back of his head, sending him crumpling to the ground.
Steve was a blur of motion in her peripheral vision, tossing guards aside like they weighed nothing. But even he couldn't cover them both for long.
Up top, Yelena was hovering until the helicopter started to get peppered with heavy machine gun rounds. They pelted through the side of the body of the helicopter and it forced her off course a bit. Yelena was also between a bunch of structures, which made it hard to stay upright. The helicopter descended further as Yelena tried to keep it in the air.
Natasha heard the woosh a second before and just had time to duck before the back rotor almost took her head off, knowing Steve was probably having to deal with the same thing.
"Seriously," Natasha exclaimed, looking at the helicopter in basically a free fall.
"Whooo!" Yelena said, leveling out the jet a bit. "Sorry."
"Back up," Natasha commanded, getting out her batons to beat back the last couple of guards.
Yelena just held up a thumbs up, Steve would be able to see it mostly.
"We're all doing a really good job," Yelena said, bringing the helicopter up out of harm's way.
Natasha kept fighting as Yelena dealt with whatever was firing at her. She mopped up another guard and looked to try and find Alexei again when the tell-tale sign of a rocket being fired reached her ears.
Natasha heard the explosion and looked over at the now ruined tower. It was loud, very loud. And with the surrounding mountains, that could only mean one thing. The snow began to come forward as the rumbling of the avalanche reached their ears.
"Whoa," Yelena said, obviously back on comms now. "This would be a cool way to die."
Steve managed to get down to Alexei and started moving him forward. Natasha saw the rope from the helicopter was starting to move off the catwalk and had to jump off herself to hold onto it. Yelena started to circle and brought them around. Natasha could Steve almost have a hold on Alexei and as they went over, he legitimately threw the Red Guardian into the air.
Alexei yelled as he traveled through, managing to grab the rope above Natasha and gripped the rope dear life. He finally looked down and Natasha punched him in the back of the leg from her place at the bottom.
"MOVE!" she yelled and he started climbing up.
"Yelena we need one more pass," Natasha said through comms.
"It's gonna be tight," Yelena said.
"You get me back down there now or I'm jumping off," Natasha demanded and it was enough for Yelena.
She managed to make another lap and they were speeding towards Steve, snow right on their tails. Natasha could feel the cold rushing behind her and knew she wouldn't subject Steve to this. Not again, never again. Yelena swung around and dipped down to where Natasha was level with Steve and speeding by.
Steve had managed to climb up to a higher platform and Natasha met his eyes. They wouldn't be able to get low enough, but Steve could jump. He took one last running start and jumped with all of his might. She reached out her hand, knowing that it wasn't going to be an easy task, but her adrenaline was pumping as the wall of snow was about to crash into both of them.
Their arms locked together and the force of the horizontal pull threatened to pull Natasha's shoulder out of its socket but she managed to hold on, Steve grabbing the rope a second later and securing himself by wrapping the very bottom around his ankles, his head about even with her stomach as she was higher up on the rope than him.
Natasha clung to the rope and to Steve, pulling him close to her and not letting him go.
"I'm sorry," Natasha said. "About the snow and the cold. I'm so sorry."
As Yelena pulled them out of there and away from the snow that effectively buried the prison, Steve wrapped an arm around Natasha's waist and finally opened his eyes. Natasha could feel the tension leaving his body and he leaned his head against Natasha's stomach, holding her tight as well.
"I'm okay. I'm okay. We're okay." Another deep breath and then he pulled his head back. "Let's get inside, where it's warmer."
"Yeah that sounds good," Natasha said, glancing up where Alexei was already making his way inside the helicopter. "Go ahead and go first, just so I can make sure you get inside okay."
She gave him a supporting smile, knowing that she meant the best and was just worried about him.
"Besides," Natasha said. "Then I get to see how well you look from behind in that suit. I heard in the ladies locker room at Shield that it almost made a bunch of them faint."
He just laughed a breathless laugh, tension breaking a bit as he started to climb, "I could've lived my whole life without hearing those 'America's ass' rumors you keep telling me about."
"Are they really rumors if there is factual evidence to back them all up," Natasha called back as she climbed up.
Once she got in the helicopter, the door closed and she looked over where Alexei was staring at both of them. More specifically in the moment, at Steve, who he definitely recognized.
"Captain America," Alexei said. "Our long awaited meeting has come at last."
"Relax Captain Soviet," Natasha said, rolling her eyes and heading up to the front. "The Cold war is over."
"Besides," said Steve as he pulled off his gloves and rubbed them together for warmth. He sat down on the bench across from Alexei. "From what I hear, we've met before. When was it, again? You'll have to remind me."
Alexei looked ready to launch into a full story, when Yelena abruptly cut him off.
"I wouldn't bother," she said. "He'll spew some weird propaganda at you."
Alexei was distracted at that point and looked over, smiling when he saw Yelena there as well. His two daughters were there to rescue him, what a day.
"Wow," Alexei said, moving over to the pilot's area where Natasha and Yelena were. "Oh that was exciting, I'm so proud of you girls."
Yelena didn't waste any time, rearing back and punching Alexei right in the face, and Natasha tried not to laugh.
"Owww," Alexei complained, holding his nose. "Why the aggression? Is it your time of the month?"
"I don't get my period dipshit," Yelena said bluntly. "I don't have a uterus."
"Or ovaries," Natasha added, knowing the details of the new Graduation Ceremony.
"Yeah that's what happens when the Red Room gives you an involuntary hysterectomy," Yelena said, looking back at the Guardian then. "They just kind of go in and they rip out all of your reproductive organs."
Yelena was demonstrating with her hands at this point, and there was an increasingly horrified look on Alexei's face.
"They just get right in there and they chop them all away," Yelena doubled down, getting a little enjoyment out of this. "Everything out, so you can't have babies."
"Okay okay okay," Alexei said, putting a stop to it. "You don't have to get so clinical and nasty."
"Oh," Yelena said, turning back to face the front. "I was about to talk about fallopian tubes, but okay."
Steve intervened at this point, and Natasha could see he was trying to rescue Alexei from his own stupidity. The time of the month comment was a really bad start.
"Anyways," Steve said, holding out his hand to Alexei. "It's nice to meet you. Officially."
Alexei just looked him up and down and shook his hand after a bit, the strength matching Steve's in every bit as the same strength of super soldier serum was in his veins as well.
"So are we expecting any other Avengers?" Alexei said.
"No," Natasha said. "Steve is here to support me as my partner and help me through this mess."
"Partner?" Alexei said, looking incredulous at Natasha and then back to Steve.
"That's not all," Yelena piped up. "They also made a baby together. Guess the Red Room should have gone to the full hysterectomy sooner than just chemical sterilization."
"Yelena," Natasha spat, not wanting to get the Guardian pissed or whatever reaction he would have to that news.
"Why did you not come and tell me any of this?" Alexei asked.
"You were in one of the most remote prisons on the planet," Natasha said bluntly. "Putin could have me arrested for thinking about it."
"Still you made the effort now," Alexei said.
"Because I need you to tell us where the Red Room is," Natasha said, getting down to why they were there.
"Well well well," Alexei said. "Look at you? Right down to business."
"Trust me this isn't pleasure," Natasha fired back, rolling her eyes in the process.
"Little Natasha," Alexei said. "All indoctrinated into the Western Agenda. Indoctrinated in so many different ways."
He sent Steve a look after that, heavily implying the relationship between Captain America and the former Russian assassin, plus the family with that man making his point. Natasha turned, knowing that something like that could get him punched by Steve.
Steve frowned deeply, crossing his arms and facing Alexei fully. Even though Alexei also had the serum, Steve cut a much more intimidating figure with the suit and the disapproving expression and the not having been in jail for a good portion of his life. He didn't throw a punch but everything about his stance said that he could at any moment, should Alexei push even a little bit more.
"No one indoctrinated her. Unlike how you remember her, she's an adult who broke away from your toxic environment to make her own decisions. You don't get to judge her for them," Steve said, Natasha telling he was holding back a lot.
"I chose to go west to escape the shit hole of a life I had," Natasha reiterated. "I made friends, got a family."
"Oh yeah," Alexei said. "Where are all your friends and family now? I see one."
Natasha just pushed on, knowing the mental stability of Alexei could be temperamental at best and he had a tendency to be decently standoffish.
"Tell me where the Red Room is," Natasha demanded.
Alexei paused for a second, looked at both Natasha and Steve, and then flopped down on one of the seats.
"I have no idea," he said, throwing up his hands.
Yelena sent a look towards Natasha, knowing the red head would have been fed up at this point, and indeed she was. Natasha got up from the co-pilot's seat, slamming down a headset she was about to put on to head to the back.
"You must know something. We can always turn around and send you back," Steve said, continuing the impromptu interrogation they were in.
"What are you going to unbury the prison from all the snow," Alexei scoffed at Steve, calling his bluff.
Natasha sat down across from him, glaring at the former Soviet super soldier.
"Come on," Natasha said. "You and Dreykov were like?"
"Oh, General Dreykov, my friend?" Alexei said, rolling his eyes. "Gives me glory. Soviet Union's first and only super soldier. I could have been more famous than Captain America here. Then he buries me in Ohio on that stupid mission. Three years! So tedious, boring me to tears. No offense, huh?"
Natasha took slight offense to that and she was sure Yelena did too. That was a happy three years for the both of them, one where they really felt like a family.
"Then puts me in prison for the rest of my life," Alexei continued. "Why, huh? Why? Why would he put me in… You know why? 'Cause maybe I want to talk about the withering of the state. Or maybe I don't like his hair or something and I say something casually about that. Maybe, you know, I want the Party to feel actually like a party instead of this sourpuss organization. But instead, no. He puts me in prison for the rest of my life. He just runs off and hides, huh? I'm not even the one who, uh, you know… I'm not the one who killed his daughter."
Natasha's heart climbed in her throat there. That was one of the biggest regrets she had in life, the killing of Dreykov's daughter. It was the only way that she was able to verify that Dreykov was in the building, but it still haunted her. It had been one of the many things she divulged to Steve during the nights where she woke up screaming from nightmares and he tried to soothe her back to sleep.
"Okay, that's enough." Steve slammed the button that opened the helicopter's door. Wind and snow burst in, swirling in all directions and roaring too loudly to talk normally.
"He clearly has nothing useful to say. All he does is insult you and I'm not going to stand here and watch. Let's send him back." They weren't high enough for a fatal fall, just enough for some broken bones and frostbite. "What do you say, ladies?"
"I think we should wait until we get to a higher altitude," Yelena said, about done with him too.
"Why don't you just ask Melina," Alexei said in Russian, not moving and clearly not bothered by the threat.
"Wait," Yelena said, pausing when she heard that name. "Mom Melina?"
"We thought she was dead," Natasha said, gesturing for Steve to shut the door.
This was the first tangible and credible lead they had, and they unfortunately needed Alexei to get it. Steve hit the button again, closing the door and halting the noise so they could actually hear each other without yelling again.
"Of course she's alive," Alexei said. "You can't kill a fox that swift."
"Ew," Natasha said, not wanting that imagery on people she still considered her surrogate parents.
"What?" Alexei said, not knowing what was wrong. "She was the scientist, I was the muscle. She worked directly with Dreykov far more than I did. Even with your status, Dreykov still trusted more information to her about the mission."
"Wait," Natasha said. "Are you telling me that Melina works for the Red Room present day?"
"She works remotely outside of St. Petersburg," Alexei said.
"Uh," Yelena said, looking at the gauges on the dash. "I don't think we have enough fuel to make it to St. Petersburg."
"No we're good," Alexei said, not even bothering to look at the gauge. "We'll make it."
"Okay," Yelena said, not bothering to argue and knowing this was going to go poorly.
Outskirts St. Petersburg
June 7th, 2024
Steve just sighed. "I told you so."
The four of them stood outside the crashed helicopter, smoke billowing from the engine. Steve had suggested during the ride that they should stop and get some fuel or find another mode of transportation, but Alexei just vehemently denied it. Natasha wanted to agree with Steve, but she had no idea where Melina lived, and Alexei did.
It was a bad decision to agree with her father.
"You should have brought the Avengers superjet," Alexei commented, looking at the wreck as well.
Natasha glared at him, making sure Steve was okay after the crash due to his own PTSD and Yelena just rolled her eyes.
"I swear if I hear one more word from him, I will kick him in the face," Yelena said, walking down the road they needed to go to get to where Melina was.
"He's the worst," Natasha agreed, saying that softly to Steve as she led them down the path as well.
"Natasha. Natasha. Natasha," Alexei said, kind of frantically as he realized he was being left behind. "Come here, I want to ask you something. Come, it's important."
Natasha sighed and stopped, urging Steve to keep walking with Yelena.
"What?" Natasha snapped as she stayed back to walk with Alexei
"Did he talk to you about me?" Alexei asked quietly so that Steve and Yelena wouldn't overhear.
"What?" Natasha said, clearly confused.
"Did he talk to you about me," Alexei said, powering through like it was obvious. "You know, trading war stories?"
"Who the hell are you talking about?" Natasha asked, not connecting the dots at all.
"Captain America," Alexei said, gesturing towards Steve. "My great adversary in this theater of geopolitical conflict."
"You haven't seen either of us in 20 years and you're going to ask me about you," Natasha exclaimed, slightly losing her composure again.
"What is with this tension?" Alexei asked, clearly still oblivious. "Have I done something wrong?"
"Is that a serious question?" Yelena asked, peeved as well.
"I think it is," Steve answered dryly, more of an aside to Yelena than an actual expected response.
"I only ever loved you girls," Alexei said, defending himself and speaking very genuinely, Natasha could tell. Begrudgingly, but she could tell. "I did my best to make sure you would succeed to achieve your fullest potential, and everything worked out."
"Everything worked out?" Natasha demanded, remembering the almost decade long after the Ohio mission that she was still being controlled by the Red Room.
"Yes," Alexei exclaimed, wondering how they didn't see the logic. "For you, yes. We accomplished our mission in Ohio. Yelena, you went on to become the greatest child assassin the world has ever known. No one can match your efficiency, your ruthlessness."
Yelena looked at him like he was crazy, wondering if he heard the words that came out of his mouth.
"And Natasha, not just a spy, not just toppling regimes, destroying empires from within, but an Avenger. Not just that, but a mother to the greatest scientific feats from the Soviet Union and United States. A son with two different super soldier serums inside of his veins. He will be the peak of all humanity."
Alexei reached out and grabbed both of their hands, almost tearing up at this point.
"You both have killed so many people. Your ledgers must be dripping, just gushing red. I couldn't be more proud of you."
Natasha just scoffed and shrugged out of his grasp and kept going without saying a word. Yelena was pulled into a tighter hug and fought out of it.
"Okay, you can let me go.." Yelena said, struggling and then finally getting free. "Let go of me now. You smell really bad."
Steve followed Natasha after she pulled away from Alexei, gently brushing her hand to offer some reassurance. "How are you doing?"
"It's a lot," Natasha said, trying to keep her mask on at this time, resorting to her training to stay composed. "Everything coming up the way it did, at the point where I was. I mean the timing couldn't be worse. And even when I knew back in Ohio that it was just a mission and that all of it was fake, it was still a period of three years where I didn't kill a single person. Where I didn't have to seduce some sleezeball or torture anyone for information. I went to high school, I made friends. I spent time with Yelena and we were like sisters."
Natasha glanced back and shook her head.
"But with all of this here, I'm just reminded more and more how none of it was real," Natasha said. "Just another fucked up thing the Red Room did to me. All I know is it was the beginning of the end of my time in the Red Room. Ten years later I ran that mission to capture Yinsen and dispose of his family, but that was the breaking point. Clint found me three months later in Istanbul and I was ready to die, he made another call."
Natasha took a deep breath and decided to tell Steve yet another one of her secrets that she hadn't been able to tell him ever, one of the things that still haunted her to this day. She had told him a bit about this mission, enough to where he knew the light details of her defection and some of her nightmares, but not all of it.
"Part of my defection was my promise to kill Dreykov," Natasha said. "It was going to be the final thing that got me citizenship to the US and my past record forgotten. Fury was running the operation and Clint was my overwatch. I tracked him to a building in Budapest. I watched that building for days straight and we rigged it to explode. But I never had concrete evidence that he was there. Then, I found my ace. Dreykov had a daughter, young, elementary school age. But I knew he cared for her and he wouldn't trust anyone aside from himself to watch her. We got word she was flying in from Russia and once she entered the building, I saw through a window that he greeted her and I gave the all clear, and we blew that building sky high. With everyone in it."
Steve listened intently, nodding his head and slowing his walking pace to match hers as they talked.
"That whole situation was messed up," he said quietly, reaching to slide her hand in his. "You were in a tough spot and you made a hard call. Those choices... they can be impossible. There's no right answer. And they haunt you." He wasn't looking at her. Instead, he was gazing straight ahead of them, eyes a little unfocused. "People have died because of me. Innocent people caught in the crossfire. Any friend will tell you that it wasn't your fault. That it was war and all's fair. That it was the circumstances. That you didn't have all the info. But that never feels right. It'll always be my fault those people died. There's no getting around it. But what can I do about it now? Nothing for those people. But I can make life better for others. I can avoid making the same mistake again. I can learn. And you, Natasha, have learned. You save people. You make amends. And you never, ever, forget. Sometimes that's the best you can do. Those bad calls? They don't define who you are. They affect you, sure. But we define ourselves by how we react to them."
Natasha just squeezed his hand back in a silent thank you. Those words were always what she needed during times like this. Whenever she decided to unpack something to him, it was never easy and always came with numerous unpleasant memories, and he was always there to bring her back. She honestly didn't know what she would do without him.
"So," Yelena said, bringing the two back to the main conversation. "Are we there yet?"
"You'll know when we're there," Alexei said with a smile on his face, and then began snorting like a pig, confusing both Natasha and Yelena simultaneously.
The walk there took about another thirty minutes and it was mostly in relative silence. As they got closer, Alexei seemed to take the lead at some point, walking in a sort of daze but also determination. When they saw the farm come into view, he seemed even more motivated.
As they made their way down, she was finally spotted. Melina was standing there, holding a high powered sniper rifle no doubt. Natasha was watching her warily, keeping her emotions in check but making sure she didn't snap and start firing on them. Who knows what the Red Room did to her after their mission in Ohio. She never did see Melina again.
Alexei however, wasn't even scared. He walked right up to the fence, eyes never leaving hers.
"Honey," Alexei said, with a softness Natasha didn't even know he possessed. "We're home."
A/N
Here it is, another chapter. Natasha reunites with Steve and her parents, and we already get a little taste of how Steve and the rest of the Avengers will interact with Natasha's family. Looking forward to the next chapter!
Chapter contribution to A Velvet Rose