replacement
Day eight comes and goes and Yelena has officially reached her limit. She hadn’t even realized that there was a limit but Maria stops and stares at her when she sees her first thing in the morning and pulls out her phone.
Yelena only understands who she called when Bobbi shows up on their doorstep an hour later and sweeps Yelena up into her arms in the way that only she and Natalia could.
Yelena likes Bobbi. Bobbi helps but she cannot replace or be used as a substitute for Natalia.
Yelena then understands that Maria also thought she could manipulate Yelena with Bobbi. They're meeting the last psychiatrist that day and Maria mentions how Bobbi could go too.
Bobbi finds it amusing that Yelena likes her so much that Maria thought she could bribe Yelena with her but she also tells Maria that she’s a person who will go wherever she wants and do whatever she very well pleases.
Maria then reminds her that she’s an agent of SHIELD and Bobbi reminds her that they’re on vacation and Bobbi’s there as a friend, not because the Deputy Director ordered her to.
Yelena watches them exchange barbs, too exhausted to protest very much. She’s gotten about two days of sleep in the nine days that she’s been with Maria and she’s running herself into the ground as she waits for Natalia to make her way back or contact her.
The four of them walk down the streets. Skye seems to sense that Yelena doesn’t want to speak much so she does all the talking, still pointing out funny things happening. Yelena gets to watch a man sneeze so hard that he drops his hot dog all over his suit and a woman who freaks out when a pigeon poops on her shoulder after she shoos it off for trying to eat her sandwich.
This psychiatrist’s office is much bigger than both Ingrid and Timothea’s combined. It’s not chaotic but it’s not super neat and tidy either.
The woman’s name is Cheryl Rogers and she jumps straight into questions. She mentions that Maria was searching for someone who specialized in victims of trafficking and asked if they were trafficked together.
Yelena doesn’t reply but she knows Skye was curious at the tidbit of information that Yelena had never shared with her.
Cheryl asks about their childhood and parents and Yelena thought it was going okay. Cheryl would move past a question when they didn’t reply and give them a pleased smile when one of them hesitantly questioned.
So it baffles Yelena when Cheryl stops her questioning, checks her watch, and then looks up at Maria. “I’m sorry.” She says apologetically. “I don’t think that we’re going to be a good fit.”
“You still have fifteen minutes left,” Maria points out in an unimpressed tone.
“I understand that,” Cheryl frowns, smoothing out invisible wrinkles in her blouse. “But I don’t think I’m the right person to help.”
Maria stares at her for a few moments before she dips her head down in a nod. “Very well.” She says, her eyes flickering to the two teenagers still seated. “Come on.”
Yelena stands first, reaching out to brush her hand against Skye’s to offer comfort. She can’t help but wonder what Cheryl saw or what they did to make her decide that she didn’t want them. Did they do something wrong? Did they make a mistake?
Yelena thought Skye had been doing fine and Yelena doesn’t think she did anything wrong but she’s not sure because she’s been exhausted and exhaustion causes mistakes.
Bobbi sets her hand onto Yelena’s shoulder, her fingertips brushing against the nape of her neck to comfort her. “Are you okay?” She questions as they step out onto the busy sidewalk.
Yelena’s quiet for a few moments as she sorts through her thoughts. “Did I do something wrong?” She finally questioned in Russian, peering up at Bobbi.
Bobbi looked displeased for a second but her face smoothes out. “Of course not.” She replies. “It was a little rude for her to reject you like that but it’s for the best. She was honest in the fact that she doesn’t think she can help you and didn’t waste anybody’s time or resources,” Bobbi’s fingers move to brace the back of Yelena’s neck. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Yelena doesn’t really know whether to believe her. It sounded like she was telling the truth so Yelena nods, too tired to argue about it.
Bobbi then abruptly stops walking and Yelena does too, her eyes scanning the streets for danger before peering back up at Bobbi. “What’s wrong?”
Bobbi looks down at Yelena. “You ever had a piggyback ride before?” She questioned.
Yelena stares at her, not expecting the sudden question. “Yes. Natalia used to give them to me when we were little…”
“Come here, on my back,” Bobbi instructs, crouching down slightly. Yelena stares at her, unsure if she was joking at first but she has come to know when Bobbi’s joking, and right now the woman is completely serious.
“I’m heavy,” Yelena protests. “And big. And I’m not a child.”
“Are you calling me weak?” Bobbi teased and that spurs Yelena to slowly move forward, leaning to rest her weight onto Bobbi’s back and wrapping her arms around Bobbi’s neck. She tries not to yelp when Bobbi lifts her up, her arms hooking under Yelena’s knees, and hoists her up into place on her back. Maria and Skye had noticed them lagging behind and had stopped a few dozen feet up ahead. “I won’t drop you.” Bobbi promised.
Bobbi doesn’t break her promises if she can help it. Yelena is a little embarrassed at her position and she realizes just how easily she could snap Bobbi’s neck if she wanted to. But Bobbi starts to walk and Yelena loosens her grip around her neck slightly.
Maria and Skye don’t say a word when Bobbi catches up with them and Yelena’s grateful that they don’t point it out.
Bobbi is warm and Bobbi is safe.
Yelena can watch for danger and not have to worry about where she’s going. She tentatively rests her cheek against Bobbi’s shoulder.
Skye falls into step next to Bobbi, tilting her head up to look at Yelena, and continues to point out funny things. Yelena doesn’t know how she finds them but Skye seems to have an eye for people watching.
Yelena’s arms drape over Bobbi’s shoulders and she can feel her heartbeat through her chest when her fingers brush against the collar of Bobbi’s shirt.
Bobbi carries her the whole way back, not once indicating that Yelena was heavy or that she was a burden for being carried.
Yelena doesn’t even protest when Bobbi carries her up into the apartment and into Maria’s office where her bed was set up. Bobbi sets her down on the bed, kicks her own shoes off, and gives Yelena a look.
Yelena doesn’t protest, kicking her own shoes off and moves to cuff her wrist. Bobbi lays next to her and coaxes Yelena to take a nap.
The ninth day arrives with no contact and Yelena is irritable and grouchy. Bobbi spends the night and wakes Yelena up multiple times from night terrors.
Yelena gets so frustrated with her mind's inability to let her sleep that she cries. She knows that she’s keeping Bobbi up but she has gotten so used to relying on her sister to feel safe that she can’t sleep without her.
Bobbi doesn’t get upset with her. If anything, she’s much like Natalia and pulls Yelena into her lap to wrap her up in her arms.
“Why won’t she just call me?” Yelena demands, shoving her face into her hands to hide her tears.
“Maybe they had to lay low and the phone ran out of charge? Maybe the phone broke?” Bobbi suggests before sighing. “I’m sorry, kiddo.”
Yelena curls into Bobbi, wishing that it was Natalia instead.
When morning comes, Maria doesn’t interrupt them to wake them up. Yelena wonders how long she’d let them sleep for but when the clock hovers around noon then Yelena realizes that Maria would let them sleep for however long they could.
Bobbi does have to leave before dinner but tells Yelena she can call at any time.
That night, Yelena doesn’t really want to head to bed and Maria doesn’t make her. Maria lets her sit on the couch and watch movies, even though Maria sleeps on the couch. Maria sits with her laptop and works into the night as Yelena explores different genres of movies and shows.
It’s nearing two in the morning when Maria gets a phone call. She answers it, pauses, and then holds the phone out to Yelena. “It’s for you.”
Yelena glances at Maria before reaching out to take the phone. “Hello?”
“Yelena…” Natalia’s voice is soft and guilty.
Yelena shoots upright in surprise. “Nattie…” She breathes out before the pang of longing and frustration hits her. “Where are you? Why didn’t you call? Are you hurt? Are you coming back? Why--”
“Lenochka,” Natalia interrupts and Yelena goes quiet at the nickname. “I’ll explain everything as soon as I’m back. I’m coming back right now, I’m on my way.”
“You said you’d call…” Yelena doesn’t mean for the whine to creep into her tone but it’s been ten days of silence and Yelena needed Natalia.
“I know,” Natalia’s voice is full of regret. “Something came up and I couldn’t but believe me, I wanted to.”
Yelena had wanted Natalia to call so badly but now that she’s on the phone, Yelena doesn’t know what to say. “I missed you.” She finally settled on.
“I missed you too,” Natalia spoke softly. “Are you okay?”
Yelena doesn’t want to think about that. “Fine.” If Natalia wants to skirt around questions then she can too. “When will you be here?”
“Uh…” Yelena can hear Natalia speak to who she presumes is Clint. “Four hours.”
Yelena sucks in a breath. “Are you hurt?” She finally asked. She doesn’t want Natalia to have to go directly to medical on the helicarrier.
“Just some bruises. I’m fine, cross-my-heart promise,” Natalia said before letting out a long breath. “I haven’t been able to sleep without you.”
“Me either,” Yelena admits quietly, pulling her knees up to her chin. “You’ve been gone for a long time.”
“I’m sorry,” Natalia says honestly. “I’m coming back. I completed my defection.”
Yelena knows that she’ll explain everything when she gets back. “I love you.” She murmurs into the phone cradled to her ear.
“I adore you so much, Lenochka,” Natalia spoke softly. “I have to hang up but know that I will be there as soon as I can.”
Yelena swallows hard. She can’t say goodbye, that’s too hard. “Okay.”
Yelena has to force herself to pass the phone back to Maria when she hangs up. Maria takes it, tucking it back into the pocket of her sweatpants and focuses back on her laptop. Yelena hadn’t realized how stressed she was over their mission until she sees the way that she relaxes now.
It takes a little more than four hours before there’s a knock on the front door and Yelena forces herself to not fling the door open. That would be stupid and Yelena’s not stupid.
Maria answers the door instead and Clint stumbles in, looking like he just got done rolling around in a pile of dirt in the hot sun. Natalia was right behind him and Yelena immediately moves toward her.
Natalia’s a little dirty and smelly but Yelena doesn’t care because she had missed her sister so much. Falling into her arms was like coming home.
Natalia holds her tightly, pressing their foreheads together and brushing her fingers over the back of Yelena’s neck. “Forgive me for the silence.” Natalia whispers to Yelena. “I tried--”
“I’m just glad you’re here,” Yelena interrupts her quietly. “What took you so long?”
Natalia was quiet for a few moments and as much as it pains Yelena, she pulls away to peer up at her big sister’s face. “He’s gone…”
Yelena narrows her eyes at Natalia. “Who?” She questioned. Nobody told her anything about Natalia’s defection.
“The General,” Natalia spoke after a pause and Yelena sucks a breath of air in. “I killed him. It’s over.”
Yelena wrenches herself out of Natalia’s hold, backing up to analyze her body language. “Don’t lie to me.” She snaps at her.
“I’m not,” It’s a little desperate and Natalia reaches toward her again.
The General can’t be dead, he was too hard to kill. Many have tried but none have succeeded. Yelena wraps her arms around herself, shying away from Natalia’s touch. “I don’t believe you.” He can't be dead. It can't be that easy.
Yelena takes advantage of her sister’s stunned silence to slip past her and out the front door. She doesn’t know where she’s going, just that she has to get away.
Why would her sister take down the Red Room and not let her help? Why did she get to kill the General? Why did she take Clint? Why didn’t she call?
Yelena can’t think. Her head’s too noisy and there are too many thoughts.
Yelena does what she does best when she’s afraid.
She runs.