Chapter 1
Valeriya was nervously walking down the street with a chipper little boy. Nikolai was soon to be five, and with age came new responsibilities. For Nikolai, that meant going to the store by himself. Valeriya was very much an overprotective mother ‘for good reason’ she always told herself. But, either way, that meant there was no way in hell she was going to let that happen. At first. But after at least one whole month of begging and showing how grown up, he was. Although, admittedly Valeriya thought it was rather adorable, him shuffling around the kitchen with a backward shirt on, a missing sock, and no pants on while trying to figure out how the toaster works. She was finally ready to let him try it. So there she stood, kneeling in front of Nikolai she repeated the instructions he’d heard a thousand times. “So I want you to walk through those doors right there, and buy everything on this little list, use your manners, and once you’re done you come right back here, where I’ll be waiting, okay маленькая мышка? little mouse” “хорошо, мамочка” okay mommy he so sweetly replied. With a sigh, she hugged him tight inhaling at the top of his head, where he stilled smelled the way he did when she first held him, she let him go. Noting that they’d have to work on his English, as to not draw too much attention.
Nikolai skipped into the store, simply bursting with excitement. Grabbing a trolley much too big for him, he unfolded the note and tried his hardest to read it. The boy often found himself wishing his mom would simply communicate with him in a way he understood. Of course, the boy was smart, much smarter than all his peers in fact. But six months is not nearly enough to master the ins and outs of the English language. Slowly reading off the items he set off to gather what they needed. After slipping in one or two chocolate bars that he may not have gotten explicit permission to get, he was down to the last item on the list. The condensed milk for the kartoshka he’d begged his mom to make. Finding his way to the aisle he reached and reached for the condensed milk. While it was no surprise that at 3’3 he couldn’t reach the top shelf, the prospect of not completing his mission still saddened the boy.
Looking around, he saw a tall enough redhead and approached her. Remembering what his mom said he politely asked while pointing “Excuse me miss, could you grab a can of that up there for me please?” In awe of how well-mannered the adorable little boy is Natasha kneeled in front of him and responded “Of course sweetheart, what exactly did you want from up there, powdered milk, condensed milk, or evaporated milk?” Confused by the jumble of unknown words he simply tilted his head while staring quizically at the woman. After cooing at how much he resembled a puppy just then, she repeated the question which only resulted in an even more confused Nikolai. Trying something different to help the boy understand she pointed to each item as she spoke: “Ты бы хотела сухое молоко, сгущенное молоко или сгущенное молоко, малышка?” Would you like, powdered milk, condensed milk, or evaporated milk, little one? Smiling broadly he responded “Одну банку сгущенного молока, пожалуйста, мэм.” One can of condensed milk, please, ma'am. She chuckled as she reached up and grabbed the can she spoke again “Зови меня Наташа, ты заставляешь меня казаться старой, когда называешь меня мэм.” Call me Natasha, you make me seem old when you call me ma'am. “Хорошо, Наташа, спасибо, что помогла мне.” Okay, Natasha, thank you for helping me. “Конечно, милая, тебе нужна помощь в выезде?” Of course, sweetheart do you need help checking out? After the boy nodded she gently took his hand and helped him in pushing his trolley to the front. Assisting the boy with putting his items on the conveyor belt she watched in adoration as he pulled out his tiny spiderman wallet and gave the clerk the money. After nearly melting from his cuteness she carried the few bags while walking out.
“Твоя мама здесь?” Is your mom out here? She asked. Shaking his head Nikolai pointed at a woman that Natasha thought looked very young to be his mother. Approaching the lady somewhat reluctantly she put on a friendly smile “Здравствуйте, вы его мама?” Hello, are you his mom? Valeriya immediately tensed, ‘why was she speaking to her in Russian? Why would she be escorting your son out of the store?’ Pulling her son behind her she spoke in hushed tones to the woman “I don’t know who you are but, just know that if you ever come near my son again I will find you and kill you along with anyone and everyone you hold dear, do you understand?” Stepping closer to the woman Natasha spoke peering over her shoulder at her son “I’d love to see you try it sweetheart” The non-verbal threat that Natasha knew she had no intent on going through with struck a chord with the woman and even before she could react she felt a sharp pain go through her leg. Looking down with wide eyes, swallowing a groan of pain, she saw a knife in her thigh that Valeriya slowly twisted while whispering “Follow me, baby, I dare you, but I can’t promise you’ll leave alive” she said with a smirk.
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Natasha rushed back to her car shaken, more so than she’d ever been. It was not the fear that nearly every other person had failed to strike in her. It was how shockingly aroused she was. She’d just been stabbed and the only thing she could think of was what the woman’s plump lips would taste like, what she’d look like undressing, what she would look like panting after being given orgasm after- snapped out of it by the honking of a car behind her she dashed towards the compound. Arriving at the compound Natasha hastily hobbled to the elevator, impatiently waiting.
After calling out to Bruce, not willing to walk any farther she was whisked away to medbay. Bruce laid her down and patched her up for a few minutes and when he was done he rolled a stool to her bedside to speak. “Natasha, what happened you said you were just going to the market?” “I was but when I was walking out, this lady and I had some sort of heated conversation and she threatened me then I threatened her, and then she stabbed me and left.” “and that’s all that happened?” he questioned. “Well, no but I didn’t do anything wrong. Her son was in the store but needed help grabbing everything so I helped him then walked him out to her and then she just got really upset, she seemed super paranoid.” “well whatever you said most of upset her because I think she’s sent you a warning” Puzzled, Natasha eyed him curiously. With a sigh, Bruce explained, “Natasha she struck you just an inch away from your artery. I don’t know who you think you ran into but that is not just some normal woman, the arteries are not easy to find to the naked eye, she must have some training from somewhere” Stunned her mind began to race with possibilities. Who trained her? Her son is Russian, so she’s Russian…does she know who I am? Did someone send her? “Snap out of it Nat, we just need to be more careful ok? Now, I think you should take it easy, don’t walk too much if you can help it.” Nodding, Nat got up and limped to her room.
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Picking up her son, she tried her hardest to get a grip. They found us, I should’ve been more careful. This is my fault. God, and now we can’t stay here. Stopping her rapid thoughts before she passed out from hyperventilation. Trying to at least appear calm she softly whispered to her son “Hey, sweetheart we have to go somewhere for a little while so we’re gonna swing home and grab a few things then head out ok?” trying not to sound as dejected as he now felt he replied “хорошо, мамочка” all right, mommy. She briskly walked home trying not to draw too much attention.
Finally, having made it back to the apartment after a few minutes, she set him down and grabbed their emergency to-go bag. Being, put together after they’d escaped Russia the bag had first aid flashlights and whatnot. Pulling out two duffel bags she slid one over to Nikolai. “Nicky, baby, I need you to take that bag and pack your clothes and a pair of boots a few coats, and your blankie, can you do that for mommy?” Silently agreeing, he dashed to his room understanding from experience how urgent it was when they had to pack up like this. Running back to her own room, Valeriya shoved her clothes, a pair of boots, coats, and lastly a small picture frame with an image of her sister and her at their childhood home just before they were taken. Pulling herself together she sprinted to Nicky’s bedroom and asked “done sweetheart?” when Nikolai nodded she instructed him to put his bag by the door and sit at the dining room table. Pacing up and down the hallway, she dialed a number that she knew by heart. Waiting for him to pick up the phone only made her more nervous. Come on, come on, pick up the phone. Eventually, on the last ring, he picked up. “Val?” “yeah, uh hey Tony, I was wondering if that offer still stands?” “Of course, sweetheart. I’ll set up a room, now”