3 Interlude Natasha
Natasha just left a meeting with the president. Idiot! Hundreds of curses in Russian crossed her mind because of him. Doctor Banner was their only chance, and this idiot was going to listen to Ross and go hunting for the Hulk. Great idea! What a brilliant idea! What idiots. Vice President Rodriguez had some secret project. Certainly, Natasha's next mission will be to find out what it was. And Director Pierce was oddly confident. Especially with that mention of Thor. What was Pierce up to? How was he planning on using Thor to capture Loki? Ross was right that sentimentality wouldn't help. Especially since Thor did not at all appreciate what danger his brother was, whose mighty power he described as shameful tricks! She could see Fury was right behind her, but she refused to talk to him. After a while she was out of sight. She was completely alone in one of the ventilation shafts. Her nerves were in shreds. Damn Loki. God of Lies. He deceived them so beautifully. Of course he had an army. Of course he lost out of arrogance then run away and show his true power. Master of unknown magic. So he practically controlled all of reality. One change is enough and the atoms will act as Loki wants. Water may disappear. Breathing air too. People can start dying. Everything was possible. They were at the mercy of Loki. Loki was right they would kneel in front of him. They were so stupid. They were fooled by the God of Lies. They should have known it was not arongation and blindness with power. They should have trusted the myth that Loki was the wisest of gods and that his plan must be more complicated than: I come to conquer you, stupid ants! They were all in danger. It was like sitting on a time bomb. Natasha wanted to redeem her sins. She knew she will never really managed to. The killed remain killed.
And yet she needed this redemption.
Despite Loki's mockery.
Love is for children.
"What are you going to do with me now?" Natasha asked, examining Barton's wounds. They were both sitting on the plane that was taking them to America. They both failed to complete the mission. She didn't kill the politician Guera, and Barton didn't kill her. Budapest has changed Natasha. He gave her hope that she could be free.
"I'll take you my home," Barton smiled.
"You think I'm easily dragged into bed?" Natasha said it jokingly, but her mind was calculating. Most men wanted this from her. Her charms and her sexy body.
"My wife is unlikely to be happy with the three of us in bed. It's too small," Barton smiled impudently.
"You have a wife and you are flirting with me? Didn't you buy me drinks at the Lajos Bar?" Natasha asked. Slowly bandaging Barton's shot shoulder.
"The specifics of working as a spy. Laura understands that," Barton replied. Natasha was involved in a world of corrupt politicians, promiscuous women, secret spies. She knew all kinds of smiles. Barton's smile as he talked about Laura. It was something else. Not artificial. Not condescending. Honest.
"She's probably the most special woman in the world," Natasha made a trivial statement. As should be said in this situation. Barton looked at her. Like the watchful gaze of a hawk.
"You throw the cheapest text there is, and yet you mean it anyway," Barton replied.
"You're Hawkeye. So easy to see through? Maybe I should change my career," Natasha said.
"Hawkeye. I like it. It suits the archer. Robin Hood or Legolas would be too cheesy. If you came up with a nickname for me, I should come up with one for you," Barton said. Nickname for her? She was Agent Romanoff, one of the widows of the Red Room. She didn't need a nickname.
"What for exemple?" Natasha asked.
"Black Widow. Refers to your past. You were just one of the Widows, weren't you?" Barton asked.
"Widow number 506," said Natasha.
"And now you are just Black Widow. One and only," said Barton.
"Why not give me a nickname that doesn't refer to the blood on my hands?" Natasha asked.
"Does not apply to blood on your hands. I read your file. You survived the killer program. You are a survivor. When you meet her, Laura will confirm that too. You are Black Widow because you deserve it. Because Black Widow not have to be a sign of the great evil but your surving. It will be a sign of you. Natasha Romanoff, who managed to survive," said Barton, and he meant it. Natasha felt something. Something she hasn't felt in a long time. However, she did not show anything of herself. Her face was still a professional mask.
"I'm Black Widow because I kill powerful men that hang around me. Usually on orders or for money, Barton," replied Natasha.
"Not Barton. Not for you," Barton said, and grabbed her forearm.
"Then who?" Natasha asked.
"Clint or Hawkeye. Or whatever you want. Not Barton, though," he told her.
Clint. No, Barton.
Loki took Clint.
Clint, who believed in her and extended his hand to her in Budapest. He was even hurt by it. He gave her a family. Him, Laura and the kids.
Laura. Cooper. Lila.
Oh no! How could Nastasha have forgotten about them? What will Natasha tell them? How will she explain? Was Loki a threat to them? He must have known about them since he was on Clint's mind! No no no! She seemed to be suffocating. Her breath seemed to drift away. She had been was choked many times during training and missions, but she knew it was something else. Panic attack.
She read about it.
She had to breathe. Calm down. Yet it seemed so difficult. She could almost see Loki with a crazy smile over the bodies of her family. She couldn't allow it. Loki took Clint. He could hurt her family. He took Banner and eliminated the threat to himself.
They didn't stand a chance.
She told the truth. She could go to him, to Loki. This madman was better than the hypocrites. And yet he could hurt those Natasha loved. She had to find Clint and keep Laura and the children safe. She knew Clint would be angry with her. But she had to notify Stark of them. They will be safer in the Tower. Not on the farm. The panic subsided a little with Natasha's logical thinking. Stark. She knew Stark didn't really like dealing with children, but she had to convince him. Laura and the children had to be protected. She would convince him. She would have used any manipulative technique. Laura and the kids had to be in a safe tower under the watchful eye of Natasha and the rest of the Avengers. She had to find Clint and hit him on the head as soon as she saw him. She had to call. It didn't matter that it was late. She pulled out her cell phone.
"Hello, Nat?" Laura's sleepy voice appeared. Natasha breathed a sigh of relief. Laura was home. Natasha made a call to the home phone that was next to Clint and Laura's marital bed.
"I'm so sorry to call you at this time. I know you were asleep," Natasha said, trying to stay professional. She felt so happy. Loki took Clint, but not Laura and the kids. Clint might be needed by Loki. Laura and the kids don't. Loki could kill them without batting an eye.
"You spies really have no idea about normal life," Laura sighed, still yawning.
"It's true, but you love us anyway," replied Natasha.
"Yes, I married one spy and treat the other as a combination of an adult child, sister and friend," Laura replied, laughing. Suddenly, Natasha heard a noise on the receiver. It wasn't a pistol shot. It was as if someone had hit someone hard against a wall. Loki? Was he on the farm?
"Laura, what's going on?" Natasha asked upset as she stepped out of the vent.
"Clint just took his bow. Some stranger's here," Laura said nervously.
"Clint is with you?" Natasha asked.
"Yes, he came back earlier. Clint!" suddenly the connection was cut off. Clint was on the farm? Did he manage to get away from Loki? Was that Loki's plan? He attacked the farm? Natasha immediately took the communicator.
"Stark!" she shouted into the receiver.
"Rushman, I'm a little busy. I'm having a lecture from Pepper about what a bad boy I am. Did you also know that great Captain America can do nasty tricks?" Stark asked.
"Get Thor and Rogers right now! I know where Loki is. A farm in Missouri, I'll send you the coordinates. I'm already going there, you will join me," Natasha said. Many times she ran quickly to her destination. But now she was running as fast as she could. As if she were a cheetah who chasing a victim.
"Got it," said Stark, and hung up. At least he understood it was serious. For a moment. Natasha hated that Stark took things so lightly. If he was joking now, she would surely like to tear off his head. Natasha's family was in danger!
May they not come too late. Natasha immediately ran for the Shield helicopter. If something happened to them, Natasha would never forgive herself.
She had to save them.
At all costs.