"she saved me, in more ways than one"
Penny swung through the streets of Queens, reveling in the feeling of the wind whipping past her mask. It was a quiet night for crime fighting, giving her time to reflect. As she landed on a rooftop overlooking the city, her thoughts drifted to Natasha.
It had been over a year since Natasha's sacrifice on Vormir, but the pain still felt fresh. Penny missed her mentor desperately - her wisdom, her dry wit, the way she'd ruffle Penny's hair and call her маленький паук. Natasha had become like a mother to her in the short time they'd known each other. Her death had left a hole in Penny's heart that had yet to heal.
"Incoming call from Karen," her AI suit companion announced, jolting Penny from her memories.
"Put her through," Penny replied, shaking off her melancholy.
"Penny, I'm detecting a disturbance three blocks east of your location," Karen reported. "Looks like an attempted bank robbery."
Penny was immediately back in hero mode. "On it, thanks Karen!" She fired a web and swung in the direction of the crime.
When she arrived on the scene, Penny realized this was no ordinary robbery. The bank was swarmed with a dozen armed thugs, all wearing high-tech gear. Penny felt a flutter of apprehension. Maybe she should have called for backup. But there was no time - she had to act now.
Penny crashed through the bank's skylight and landed in a crouch. "Alright guys, party's over!" she quipped, launching herself at the nearest goon.
At first, things went well. Penny webbed up three thugs and dodged bullets with her enhanced reflexes. But soon the tide turned against her. There were simply too many robbers for her to handle alone. A brutal blow to the head left her dazed, and she found herself surrounded.
Just as Penny braced for defeat, a lithe figure dropped from the ceiling and began decimating the thugs with ruthless efficiency. In a blur of blonde hair and black leather, the mystery fighter made short work of the remaining enemies with acrobatic kicks and shock batons. Watching the woman fight stirred something in Penny's memory. That style...it reminded her of Natasha.
Before Penny could ponder further, the last robber fell and the woman turned to face her. She was tall and athletic, with sharp green eyes.
"Hey, thanks for the assist!" Penny said, pulling off her mask. "I'm Spider-Girl. What's your name?"
The woman tensed, looking unsure. After a moment, she replied in a thick Slavic accent, "Call me Yelena."
"Well Yelena, you really saved me back there. Your moves were awesome!" Penny gushed. "Any chance I could take you for a hot chocolate to say thanks?"
Yelena hesitated, clearly debating whether to accept the invitation. Eventually she nodded curtly. "Fine. But let us go quickly."
After Penny changed and stashed her suit, they made their way to a small café nearby. The cozy atmosphere seemed to relax Yelena slightly as they sat with their mugs.
"So...how did you learn to fight like that?" Penny asked casually, blowing the steam from her hot chocolate.
Yelena considered her words before replying. "I was trained in a very rigorous program from a young age."
Penny's eyes widened with excitement. "No way, me too! Well, not from childhood, but my mentor definitely put me through my paces."
A ghost of a smile touched Yelena's face. "Your mentor trained you well. What was her name?"
"Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow. She was amazing - strong, brave, crazy skilled. I really looked up to her." Penny felt a pang in her chest. "She, uh...she died, about a year ago."
Yelena stiffened, gaze sharpening on Penny's face. "Natasha was your mentor?"
Penny nodded, taking a shaky sip of her drink. "Yeah. She helped me a lot when I first started out as Spider-Girl. I guess you could say she was like a mom to me."
She let out a sad laugh. "Sorry, you probably think it's weird I saw her that way. It's just...she really cared about me, you know? Not a lot of people do."
To her surprise, Yelena reached out and squeezed her hand. "It's not weird. I understand." She took a breath before continuing quietly. "Natasha was my sister."
Now it was Penny's turn to gape in shock. "Your sister? I never knew she had a sister!" A million questions bubbled up inside her, but Yelena's somber expression gave her pause. "I'm really sorry about your loss. Natasha meant a lot to both of us."
Yelena nodded, a faraway look in her eyes. "She saved me, in more ways than one. Losing her was...difficult."
They sat in poignant silence for a minute, united in grief. Eventually, Penny spoke again. "Can I ask...how did she save you?"
Haltingly, Yelena explained about her upbringing in the Red Room and Natasha's role in helping her break free. Penny listened, rapt, gaining new insight into the woman who had changed her own life.
"Natasha never told me any of that," Penny said when Yelena finished. "I guess there's still a lot I have to learn about her."
She swirled the dregs of her hot chocolate, lost in memory. "You know, when I got the news she was gone...I felt so alone. The Avengers were split up, Tony was dead, and May was still getting used to the whole superhero thing. Natasha was the one who really understood me."
Penny's voice quavered slightly as the emotions she'd bottled up came flooding out.
"I kept patrolling like nothing happened, because it was easier to ignore the pain. But all I wanted was to see her again, hear her voice...have her call me Little Spider one more time."
She wiped at the tears that had started trailing down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get so emotional. It's just - with you being her sister - I guess it brought a lot of feelings up."
Yelena reached over and wiped a tear from Penny's cheek with a tentative gentleness. "There is no shame in grief, little паук. I know Natasha would be honored you feel this way."
Penny gave a watery chuckle. "So you're officially my aunt now, huh?"
"It appears so," Yelena said wryly. They shared a sad smile.
After paying the bill, they exited the café together. Penny turned to Yelena uncertainly. "Can we...keep in touch? I'd love to swap Nat stories with you, get to know her better through your eyes."
Yelena shifted on her feet. "I cannot stay in the city. But...perhaps we will meet again."
Impulsively, Penny threw her arms around the taller woman. After a startled moment, Yelena returned the quick hug.
"Stay safe out there," Penny told her sincerely. "And thank you. For listening. I hope to see you soon, Auntie Lena."
With a single nod, Yelena disappeared into the night.
Over the next few weeks, Penny found herself thinking about the encounter often. She kept hoping their paths would cross again. Her spider sense was on high alert during patrols, but New York's criminals were unexpectedly well-behaved.
Then one night, as Penny was web-slinging downtown, her senses started tingling like mad. She glanced around rapidly, looking for the source of danger, when suddenly her web line went taut. She was yanked out of her swing and onto a nearby rooftop with a yelp.
"Hello, little паук," said a familiar accented voice.
Penny whirled to see Yelena stepping out of the shadows, looking tense. "Aunt Yelena! You're back!"
"Yes, and we must go, quickly," Yelena urged, grabbing Penny's arm.
Penny drew back, confused. "Go where? What's going on?"
Yelena hesitated before answering cryptically. "There is something you must see. But we must hurry."
Though bewildered, Penny trusted her instinct telling her to follow. She nodded and allowed Yelena to lead her across the rooftops and out of the city. They stole a car and drove through the night into upstate New York.
As the first rays of dawn crept over the horizon, Yelena finally pulled over near a nondescript farmhouse. She turned to Penny with an unreadable expression.
"Before we go inside, there is something you should know," she began slowly. "I have not been entirely truthful with you. Natasha, she is..." Yelena faltered, seeming to struggle internally.
Penny's heart started pounding. "Natasha is...what? Yelena, please just tell me."
Yelena met her gaze solemnly. "She is alive. Natasha is here."
For a long moment, Penny just stared, certain she had misheard. Then her whole body jolted with electric shock.
"She's...she's alive?!" Penny shrieked. "But how - I don't - what?!"
Yelena quickly summarized finding Natasha after the battle with Thanos and helping her into hiding. Penny reeled from the revelation.
"Take me to her, now!" she demanded, fumbling with her seatbelt.
Together they rushed inside. The cozy interior opened into a kitchen where a familiar redhead sat drinking tea. At their abrupt entrance, Natasha rose, her eyes going wide.
"Yelena?" she asked in surprise. "What's going o-"
She was cut off as Penny flung herself forward with a choked sob and embraced Natasha fiercely. The Black Widow staggered back before slowly bringing her arms up around the shaking girl.
"I'm here, Little Spider, I'm here," Natasha soothed, holding Penny close and stroking her hair.
They stayed locked in the emotional embrace until Penny's sobs quieted. She pulled back to look up at Natasha's face, hardly daring to believe it was real.
"I thought I lost you," Penny whispered. "Everything fell apart and you were gone. Why didn't you tell me you were alive?"
Natasha's expression was pained. "I'm so sorry, Penny. I wanted to reach out, but it wasn't safe. I had to disappear completely after the Soul Stone was used and returned."
She brushed a lock of hair from Penny's face. "Leaving you was the hardest thing I've ever done. Can you forgive me?"
Penny hugged her again, fiercely. "Of course I forgive you! I'm just so glad you're here." Fresh tears trickled down her cheeks. "I missed you so much, Мама паук."
Natasha let out a soft gasp at the Russian endearment and held Penny tighter. Over her shoulder, she met Yelena's gaze and mouthed "thank you." Yelena gave a subtle nod.
When they finally separated again, Penny kept clinging to Natasha's hands, still overwhelmed. Natasha led her to the couch and sat beside her while Yelena busied herself making more tea.
"I know you must have a lot of questions," Natasha said gently. "I'll explain everything, Little Spider."
In halting words, she recounted her survival on Vormir, her fraught reunion with Yelena, and the long months in hiding. Penny listened intently, soaking up each detail.
"I wanted to see you," Natasha stressed again when she finished. "But with the world believing me dead, it was safer to stay away completely."
Penny looked down, fiddling with a loose thread on her jeans. "I get why you did it. I just really missed you, Nat. I mean...Mom," she amended shyly.
Natasha's eyes shone as she squeezed Penny's hand. "You have no idea how much I've missed you too, дочь."
Penny's heart swelled at the Russian word for daughter.
They talked late into the night, reminiscing and sharing stories, making up for lost time. Curled against Natasha's side, her mentor's steady heartbeat in her ear, Penny felt at peace for the first time since the battle with Thanos. She was finally home.
The morning sun filtered through the kitchen windows as Penny helped Natasha prepare breakfast. Crackling bacon filled the air with savory aroma while Yelena sliced fruit at the counter.
"Sleep well, little spider?" Natasha asked, squeezing Penny's shoulder.
Penny beamed up at her. "Best night of sleep ever. I still can't believe you're really here."
"Believe it," Natasha said with a wink. "Now make yourself useful and toast this bread."
Penny laughed and popped slices into the toaster while Natasha transferred bacon to a plate. The domestic scene felt so natural, the three of them moving in sync. Like a family.
Soon they sat together indulging in the meal. Yelena recounted a mission mishap that left Natasha temporarily bald, eliciting giggles from Penny.
"I'm wounded, sestra," Natasha grumbled, but her eyes shone with affection.
After helping clean up, they settled in the living room. Penny flipped through a photo album Natasha had kept, oohing and ahhing over images of young Natasha and Yelena in training, candids of the Avengers in the compound, and selfies of her and Natasha making silly faces.
"You kept all our pictures," Penny said softly.
"Of course. You were with me even when we were apart, Little Spider," Natasha replied, tucking back a lock of Penny's hair.
Penny's heart swelled. She leaned into Natasha's side as they continued reminiscing.
"Alright, enough sitting around," Natasha eventually declared, nudging Penny up. "Time for your training."
Soon they were sparring playfully in the yard while Yelena observed. Natasha easily evaded Penny's web shots before sweeping her legs out from under her.
"You're getting sloppy, дочь," Natasha teased as she helped Penny up.
Penny just grinned, relishing the chance to train with her again. Yelena stepped in to offer pointers, and by the time they finished Penny was pleasantly sore.
After washing up, the three gathered for a simple lunch. Penny was struck again by how effortlessly they interacted, like they'd been a family for years, not days.
As they finished eating, Natasha turned thoughtful. "You know, I've been wondering how the team's doing back at the compound. It's probably time for a visit."
Penny perked up excitedly. "Ooh, can we go? I want to see everybody!"
Natasha chuckled at her enthusiasm. "I suppose we could make a trip. What do you think, Yelena?"
Yelena shrugged. "It could be...interesting."
Plans made, they piled into a quinjet that afternoon and made the short flight to the upstate facility. Penny fidgeted, thrilled at the prospect of reunions. Natasha radiated calm, though her fingers drummed a staccato beat on her knee.
When the compound came into view, Penny gasped. "It looks like it's being rebuilt! That's awesome."
They touched down gently on the landing pad and disembarked. Natasha input a code to override the lockdown, and the doors slid open.
Voices echoed down the hallway as they entered. Penny vibrated with excitement.
Natasha put a finger to her lips, eyes sparkling playfully. "Let's surprise them."
Moving stealthily, they made their way toward the common area. As they approached, Penny recognized Clint Barton's voice.
"I'm telling you, something took out those enhanced goons at the bank," Clint was saying. "Had to be one of our people."
"Two someones, actually," Natasha announced as they strolled into view.
A shocked silence fell over the room. Steve, Bucky, Sam, Clint, Bruce, and Thor all stared at Natasha with slack jaws.
"No way," Clint breathed, looking like he'd seen a ghost.
"Tasha?" Bruce whispered tentatively.
Natasha gave a little wave. "Hey guys. Miss me?"
Uproar ensued as everyone began shouting questions at once. Bruce crossed the room swiftly and pulled Natasha into a crushing hug.
"But we thought you were gone," Steve exclaimed. "What happened?"
As Natasha launched into explanation, Penny drank in the familiar faces of her mentors and friends. Her heart swelled to see them again.
When Natasha introduced Yelena as her sister, shock rippled through the group again. More hugs were exchanged as Yelena was welcomed into the fold.
Finally Natasha beckoned Penny over. "And I'm sure you all remember Penny."
"Hey everyone!" Penny said brightly.
"Penny, so good to see you," Steve said warmly, giving her shoulder an affectionate squeeze.
Clint approached next, grin wide beneath his bandanna mask. "Kid, you have some explaining to do. How long have you known about little miss back-from-the-dead here?" He gestured at Natasha.
Penny laughed. "Only a couple days, I promise!"
As the others gathered around to greet her, Penny reveled in being among her family again. It felt just like old times.
Later, after countless more hugs and several tears (mostly from Bruce), the group settled in the lounge area to continue catching up. Penny sat tucked between Natasha and Yelena on a loveseat while the others sprawled across furniture or perched on counter stools.
"So all this time, you were in hiding?" Bruce asked Natasha, still looking a bit dazed by her presence. His eyes hadn't left her since she arrived.
Natasha nodded, taking a sip of tea. "After the stone was returned, I woke up in a shallow pool on Vormir. I barely dragged myself away before any potential threats could find me."
She reached over to squeeze Yelena's hand. "Thankfully, somehow, someway, my sister found me. She helped me recover and stay hidden."
"I still can't believe you have a sister," Clint chuckled. "How come I never knew?"
Yelena raised an eyebrow. "I do not like to be known."
Everyone laughed at her deadpan tone. The conversation flowed comfortably as they shared stories and caught each other up on their lives.
At one point, Thor turned to Penny. "You seem happy, little spider. Is it good to have Natasha back?"
Penny nodded eagerly. "It's amazing! I really missed her a lot. She's always been like a mom to me." She glanced shyly at Natasha.
Thor's eyes crinkled with his smile. "A fine mother indeed for one so brave."
Natasha wrapped an arm around Penny and placed a gentle kiss on her hair. "She's the best daughter I could ask for."
Penny practically glowed at the praise.
Eventually she grew tired and curled up with her head in Natasha's lap. The soothing motion of Natasha's fingers through her hair lulled her towards sleep.
As she drifted off, she heard Clint say quietly, "I've never seen you like this, Nat. Motherhood looks good on you."
"She's a great kid," Natasha replied, just as softly. "I'd do anything for her."
Penny's heart clenched happily. She snuggled closer with a contented sigh, feeling safer and more loved than she could ever remember.
The next morning she wandered into the kitchen to find Natasha and Bruce cooking breakfast together. Something about the scene made Penny pause out of sight to observe.
"Pass the pepper?" Natasha asked lightly. When Bruce handed it over, their fingers brushed and lingered. Natasha's cheeks took on the slightest pink tinge.
Penny's eyebrows shot up. Was Natasha actually blushing? Her curiosity piqued, she ducked back around the corner before they noticed her.
"Well, well," she murmured under her breath, a grin spreading across her face. Maybe there was something brewing between the two after all. The idea of them together made Penny inexplicably happy.
"What are you smiling about, little spider?" Yelena's voice beside her made Penny jump.
"Geez, you're as sneaky as Nat!" Penny exclaimed. Seeing Yelena's questioning look, she explained in a hushed voice about Natasha and Bruce.
Yelena's eyes lit up with interest. "Perhaps it is not only daughters Natasha seeks to find here," she mused thoughtfully.
Penny giggled. "I think you're right. Should we play matchmaker?"
"Matchmaker?" Yelena looked amused by the suggestion. "Very well. It could be...fun." The gleam in her eye promised mischief.
After breakfast, Yelena orchestrated reasons to distract the other Avengers, leaving Bruce and Natasha alone. Meanwhile, Penny pretended to work on web fluid mixtures in the lab while subtly observing the pair through the glass wall.
"They certainly find reasons to touch a lot," she commented to Yelena when they regrouped. "I really think there's something there!"
Yelena agreed there was potential. "Now we will make our absence known, so they have more time alone."
Their plan yielded favorable results. Over the next few days, Bruce and Natasha grew closer, sharing private jokes and lingering gazes. Penny caught them holding hands under the dinner table one night and had to restrain a squeal.
When Penny excitedly reported the hand-holding to Yelena, her aunt gave a rare wide smile. "Your matchmaking is working, little паук. Let us ensure they have more opportunities."
Soon even the other Avengers noticed the growing chemistry between the pair. No one said anything directly, but knowing glances were exchanged when Bruce tenderly tucked Natasha's hair behind her ear, or when she greeted him with a kiss on the cheek.
The teasing came to a head during movie night when Natasha unabashedly cuddled into Bruce's side under the blanket they shared. As the credits rolled, Clint let out an exaggerated yawn and stretch.
"Well, I'm bushed. You lovebirds don't stay up too late," he said with a smirk.
"I too require rest. You two take all the time you need," Thor added slyly.
The others chuckled as they filtered out, leaving Bruce and Natasha alone. Penny exchanged gleeful grins with Yelena. Their plan had worked perfectly!
"Shall we go as well, little паук?" Yelena murmured. "Leave them to their...activities."
Penny nodded, nearly bouncing with joy for Natasha. As they left, she peeked back over her shoulder. Bruce and Natasha were silhouetted in the flickering TV light, foreheads pressed together tenderly. With a happy sigh, Penny left them in peace.
Over the next few weeks, their little found family settled into a comfortable routine at the compound. Mornings were spent training or helping with reconstruction. Afternoons were free for lounging and activities, which usually dissolved into silly competitions like aerial obstacle courses or dart-throwing with web shots.
To Penny's delight, movie nights became a regular thing. Curled under blankets with bowls of popcorn, they laughed at Thor and Steve's confusion over pop culture references and groaned at Clint's terrible puns.
The best part was seeing Natasha truly relax into happiness, tucked against Bruce's side. It seemed she had finally found the sense of belonging she'd craved for so long.
Sometimes after the movies ended, Natasha would scoop a sleepy Penny into her arms and carry her to bed, tucking her in with a gentle kiss.
"Love you, Mom," Penny would mumble.
"I love you too, sweet girl," Natasha would reply softly.
In those quiet moments, listening to the faint voices of her family elsewhere in the compound, Penny felt fully and utterly at peace. She had never imagined such warmth was possible. But here, surrounded by this odd, wonderful group Natasha had helped assemble, she knew she was exactly where she belonged.
Curled under the covers, Penny would sink into dreams with a smile, excited to see what adventures awaited with her family tomorrow. The future had never looked brighter.