Traces of Contrition
There hadn’t been any word on Bykov in two days, but Nat was finding it easier and easier to let the team worry about the threat for now. She’d be there when he went down – Maria wouldn’t take that from her – but that would be when all the chips were in place. When putting an end to this would be all but done.
She’d almost called Hill a couple of times, but Barton had warned her before he left to just let them handle it before he’d headed out on his own mission.
Wanda had let go of the awkward nature her denial had caused on their first night, but they still had spent less time together than she’d thought they would – though the kids had taken a liking to Wanda and hauled her off to play at every opportunity that they could.
This morning was no different. Nat had planned on cooking breakfast this morning – Nate had woken up early and she’d quickly taken over caring for the little guy. Up until she’d come around Clint’s family, she’d had little experience with children, but having helped with the older two she was comfortable to leave Laura sleeping.
Nate was currently drooling onto her shoulder as he pressed his gums into it, clearly starting to teethe. “Alright little man, that’s fine for now – but the second I feel a tooth you're getting the frozen rubber thing.” She speaks quietly, dancing from side to side as she fiddled about the kitchen. Cooking bacon and eggs was significantly harder with one hand.
“Would you like some help?”
Nat turns to see Wanda had stopped in the doorway, watching her dance around with the baby.
“That may make this go a little faster.”
Wanda laughs, “Two hands are better than one.” She crosses the room and holds out her hands to him, and Nate instantly reaches his little hands towards her.
Nat cranes her neck to look at him. “You really are a traitor, aren’t you?”
“Oh shush, he just likes me slightly more.” Her nose scrunches at the baby and Nat thinks it’s the cutest things she’s ever seen.
“That’s not any better.” Nat throws back as she swipes at the drool on her shoulder. “Careful he’s currently noming on anything he can get his mouth on.”
She turns her attention fully to getting breakfast ready for everyone, but the attention doesn’t last long when Wanda starts dancing around, making Nate laugh and coo at her with every movement. It was an incredibly domestic scene and the older woman can’t help but think about Wanda with a little one of her own.
“No crying baby, breakfast is cooking, and the older ones aren’t screaming for anything.” Laura is rubbing sleep from her eyes as she steps into the kitchen grinning at Nate as she passes him. “Can I just move you two in permanently?”
“Yes,” Wanda answers for them and Nat laughs at how quick the response had come. She really did fit in and Nat adored that fact.
“It is tempting.”
“With clint gone so often, it is nice to have adult company.”
By the time evening rolls around Nat finds herself on the front porch, sipping on a cup of coffee that was starting to run cold – telling of the time she’d been sitting there. The kids had strong-armed Wanda into giving them a light show when they learned she could do magic. It was something to see, that was for sure. She’d alternate between letting them chase little balls of red-tailed energy, and having it snake around them eliciting fits of laughter.
“If you don’t claim her I might.” Laura jokes from beside her. “She’s going to have them sleeping like babies tonight.”
Nat nods, not taking her eyes off the younger woman. “She’s so different here – I think being around an actual family – not our messed up chaotic one, is making her happy.”
“I thought it might when Clint told me you two would be joining us.”
They both settled into watching the scene before them before Wanda was chasing them towards the house with the magic, the downing sun indicating that bedtime was approaching.
“Go.” Wanda laughs as Copper realizes that their fun is coming to an end. “We’ll pick up again tomorrow.” She reasons, showing the kids into the house with her hands.
“They are in love with you,” Nat announces before downing the last of her cup.
“I’m lovable.” Wanda shrugs smiling. Her eyes catch Nats and the older woman catches the double meaning.
They stay like that for a moment and Laura takes the chance to make her exit. Someone would need to make sure they brushed their teeth and didn’t go to sleep in their clothes.
“I’ll see you two later.”
Nat stands and walks to Wanda, she was about to reach out and pull her into a kiss – something she’d been doing more and more since they’d arrived there – but her phone comes to life in her pocket, ringing out and breaking whatever thoughts she’d been having.
Disappointment flashes in Wanda’s eyes as the caller ID reads Maria’s name. Nat frowns then mutters a quick apology before pressing the phone to her ear.
“Romanoff.”
On the other end, Maria tells her they are closing in, but nothing can be done yet – getting that part of the conversation out of the way before Nat can even ask.
“Then why are you calling?” She asks, a little annoyed at the interruption now that she knew it wasn’t something to do with Bykov.
“Tonight? What?”
She watches Wanda’s face turn curious.
“What happened to keeping me hidden away and safe?”
Nat listens as Hill tells her they need her to go on a mission, undercover, one that no one else could do as she’d already done so once, on recon. She was a solid in, that they could utilize, and it would be much faster than getting someone new up to speed and trusted by their target. A target that Natasha has never planned on seeing again.
“I don’t think –“
Maria explains that there is a shipment of high-tech bombs being sold by their target, ones that were made from the debris left over in New York, from the alien tech.
Shit.
“Get me everything I need; I’ll meet you on the jet when you arrive.”
“You’re leaving?” Wanda asks, clearly not liking the idea. They were there for a reason, and that was to keep her and Natasha out of the crosshairs of Bykov.
“We need a quick in, I’ve already had contact with the target. It’s the smart play and the fastest. Alien weaponry is being sold to a known terrorist, and I’ll intercept before it can even leave wherever it’s being held.” She holds out a hand waiting for Wanda to take it. When she does Nat pulls her in, wrapping an arm around her waist. “I’ll be back by tomorrow evening.”
“What about Bykov?”
Nat almost melts at the pure concern in the younger woman’s voice. “I’ll be worlds away from him. Even if he were in the same city, I’m the world's best spy, or didn’t you know?”
Wanda rolls her eyes. “You’re awful sometimes.”
“Confident.” She corrects, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. “Come on, help me pack?”
“You know, it’s hard to believe that someone like you could still go undercover, you’re an avenger, all your aliases were dumped onto the net – by you I might add.” Wanda voices her concern from her spot on the bed, watching as Natasha gets a small bag ready.
“Helena is well aware of who I am, it’s her friends that don’t know. They’ve never seen my face, and never will. She’s… a bit of a grey area in the world of weapons. She usually carries the biggest stick in the room, but also has no issue trading the sticks for a helluva sum of money.”
“So why don’t they just send someone in to outbid the buyers?”
Nat pulls the zipper on her bag closed, leaving it sitting by the door before she turns to Wanda. “Because selling to someone new won’t work. Took me a year to break into the inner circle last time – they don’t have the time for that.” She tilts her head. “There’s nothing to worry about, Helena likes me, she’ll deal with me.”
There’s a flash in Wanda’s eyes that Nat doesn’t miss, but also doesn’t touch on. “You can stay here, I shouldn’t be gone more than a day.”
“It’ll be weird with you not here.”
“Little Bartons will have you so busy, you won’t even notice I’m gone.” She comes to a stop in front of her.
Wanda laces her hand through Nat’s, “Just be careful?”
“Always am.”
“Tell that to someone who hasn’t seen you on mission.” Nat laughs at that.
“Are you calling me reckless, Maximoff?”
“You’re foolish enough to do what needs to be done,” Wanda warns and Nat can’t deny it.
Not long after Maria arrives and Nat says quick goodbyes before taking off, headed for Russia.
She hadn’t given much thought to the fact that she was going to see Helena again, the last time had been interesting. She’d stayed beyond her mission, stayed for the woman. It felt like a lifetime ago – in her earliest days of shield when she still wasn’t sure she would be staying with them – or just using them as an out from the life she’d lived with the KGB.
“Is there anything else?”
Nat finds herself asking when the jet touches down Volgograd, a city nestled in the western banks of Volga, a City that had gone by another name – where blood had been shed on its shores, cementing a name for itself in history – Stalingrad.
“No, you have everything you need. When did you say Helena was meeting you?”
“In an hour.”
Maria nods and Nat starts towards the exit. “Stay close, It shouldn’t take more than a few hours to have a location on the weapons.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She nods once before calling to Nat again.
“Yeah?” Nat turns.
“Just make sure you walk away from her this time?”
“That’s not fair,” Nat says but understands why Maria had said it. “I’m not the same person.”
The moment she walks into the room where Helena had instructed her to meet, she had to remind herself of that fact. It was like walking through a doorway that led to another time. Helena was perched on the edge of the bed, dressed pulled up her thigh, wine glass dangling from her fingertips.
It was a sight she’d seen before – one that would not be leading to where it had in the past.
“Natasha, I was surprised to hear from you.” She states, flicking her hair to the side. There was no ignoring the dark beauty this woman possessed, beyond the fair skin, icy eyes, and charcoal hair.
“Were you, really? A movement of alien weaponry is a sure way to get stark’s best on your tail.” She challenges.
“As entertaining as teasing Maria Hill would have been – I’m glad it's you they sent.”
“I’m just here to make sure the right people get their hands on those weapons.”
Helena stands, taking a long drink from the wine glass, eyes glued to Natasha the entire time. “And what about those hands of yours, I know just how hands-on they can get.”
Natasha smirks – this woman did know how to be persuasive. She crosses her arms over her chest, a feeble attempt at a creating a barrier between them. She arches a brow lips pursing in thought.
“I’m sure you’ve got lots of women you could call on that can do just as well as I can.”
Helena laughs. “You’re getting boring in your old age, Natasha.” She draws out Nat’s name in a way that elicits more than enough memories for the spy.
“Here to do a job, not the beautiful woman.”
“Pity.” She turns setting the glass down on the table Nat had come to a stop at when entering the room. “So, with Stark money, I’m sure you could outbid my buyer easily?”
“I can.”
“Why should I – this sale is a play on trust. I let you take it and word gets back to them then I’ll be blacklisted.”
“Please, you’ve got more pull than that.”
“At one point I did. There are more players on the board Natasha – some of which are not as friendly as yours truly.” There was a worry in her eyes that made Nat’s stomach bottom out.
“Got a name?” She almost feared the answer she’d get.
“Another Russian, out of Romania.”
“Bykov?” Helena doesn’t show any surprise at her. He must have outbid the original buyer.
She nods, “Unruly man but seems to be pointed in his mission.”
“You can’t sell to him – Helena, please.” She didn’t bother with diplomacy – pleading with the woman before her.
“What’s going on here?”
“His mission? Me – he wants me and the Avengers dead. And he’s going to save me for last.” She knew he would – because that way she d have to watch her family fall – and their blood would be on her hands. Her eyes widen – what is he knew coming to Helena for something like this would draw Nat out.
“Well, the plot thickens.”
For once she wished for nothing more than a simple mission, one that wouldn’t lead back to this mad man.
“Did he know you were the seller, or are you still using others for the face of sale?”
“You know me better than that. I stay safe, and I get rich.”
“Mm, also a lot of blood on your hands.”
Helena chuckles. “You can’t save who doesn’t want to be saved, darling. Thought you’d learned that the last time?”
“I did.” She smiles at her, remembering just how well she did know this woman.
“Though, I won’t let someone kill you with my weapons. That blood I don’t think I could scrub off.” Intimacy laced her tone in a way that Nat almost missed.
“How sweet.” She says.
“Can I help?” She asks suddenly and Nat is surprised at the offer.
“Helping an Avenger, that will get you blacklisted.”
“But helping a woman I once loved stay alive? Some will understand.”
Nat doesn’t bother responding, instead, she looks away from those steely eyes.
“Keep the meetup, I’ll have Maria set up a sting, bring him in.” It was a risk, but they were close and he may have no idea. Time to set a trap of their own.
“He won’t be there, but I’m sure you’ll have a way to get all the information from the man he sends. From my understanding the gentlemen is close to Bykov – his second I’d dare to guess.”
“Works for me. When is it?
“I meet him tonight, and if terms are accepted then I’d take him to the shipment in the morning.”
“Tell me everything, I’ll pass it to Maria.”
Helena gets a sly look on her face and Nat doesn’t like it one bit. “One condition, darling.”
“Which is?” Nat deadpans.
“You stay with me until this is done.”
“I can’t risk being seen with you – that would lead…” She’s cut off by Helena laying a hand on her cheek.
“Oh, we won’t be leaving this room.” Her voice took on a familiar husk, one that reaches across Nat’s skin – a ghost of the past.
“I already told you – I’m not here for that.”
“So you said.” She chuckles and takes a step back. “Challenge accepted, Agent Romanoff.”
She pushes the memories back, letting the more recent almost of her and Wanda as she hovered above her, need clinging to every inch of her. She was wondering now, with the same need ache in her roaring up again, why she’d held back.
“Have you finally found someone?” Helena asks, a knowing look leveled on her.
“I think I have.”
“Pity.” She chuckles. “Will you tell me about her?”
“No, I don’t think I will.”
Maria had wanted to pull Natasha from the field the very moment she let her know that Bykov was the buyer – but she’d convinced her that she’d be fine with Helena – her security measures rivalled Stark’s. She’d be safe and wouldn’t be anywhere near the meet. It was a chance they should take, and Maria couldn’t ignore that.
The day led into night quicker than Natasha had realized, but the darkened skies tell her of the time outside the hotel suite she’d be copped up in all day with Helena. They drank glasses of wine, sharing events from their life in the time between their meetings. Helena had come and gone a few times throughout the day, Natasha hadn’t bothered asking what for – she’d never like the answers.
This time however when the door slides open Nat was at the ready. “How did it go?”
“Our man is caught, Maria even made to arrest me – ensuring it didn’t appear as though I was siding the Americans.” She pulls off the coat she’d been wearing, and Nat’s jaw clenches at the sight before her. Before returning to the room Helena had stopped of to change into the smallest lingerie the spy had ever seen.
“Helena…” She draws her name out, a warning in it. Though she wasn’t entirely convinced that the warning wasn’t to herself, not the other woman. Who was approaching her in deliberate steps, hips swaying.
“Tell me you don’t want to throw me on that desk and let out some of that pent-up energy.” A finger drags from her clenching jaw, over her collar bone and down her chest. When she doesn’t reply, the other woman presses on, pinning Natasha between the desk and herself – her knee pressing into Natasha’s core. An action that pulls a moan from the spy.
“Would it help if you were to think of the witch?”
Nat leans back, staring at Helena for a beat.
“Please, you should see the look on your face when you talk about her.” Helena leans in, nipping at her jawline. “I bet she drives you crazy, makes you want to take her – to taste her.”
Nat doesn’t know when her chest started heaving but it was, and she reaches up, hands gripping at Helene’s hips. She had every intention of pushing the woman away, but a hard bite to her neck sets her skin on fire.
Helena lets out a triumphant laugh into the rough Nat is assaulting her with.
She flips them quickly, in no way being gentle in a swift movement she lifts the woman up onto the desk, sliding between her legs with ease. She reaches down, sliding the silk fabric to the side to find Helena’s clit with fast fingers. The other woman lets out a moan, breaking the kiss entirely when her head falls back.
Nat takes the opportunity presented to her, nipping at the now exposed skin on her neck, then her collar bone, and finally she bites down on the soft skin of Helena’s breasts. The noises she was pulling from her spurred her one, fanning the fire that was only growing.
“Don’t make me beg.” Helena’s hips jut forward, searching for more contact from those experienced fingers and Nat doesn’t disappoint. She pushes into her with no warning, three fingers knuckle-deep before she starts a fast rhythm.
“Fuck!” Helena calls out loudly. Her words become inaudible as she rides Natasha’s hand, not caring about the bruises Natasha’s hold on her will leave the next morning.
Nat holds her in place with her free arm, fingers biting into her skin. She can tell Helena is almost at her peak as the walls around Nat’s fingers clamp so hard, she’s almost pushed out entirely. Her grip tightens and she leans in, biting down on one of the woman’s nipple, then pushes into her harder and faster. Suddenly Nat leans down, knees digging into the carpet as she pulls the woman forward enough to delve in and taste her.
She returns her fingers to their previous position, letting her tongue wrap around Helena’s clit in a way she remembers driving her wild.
“Nat, oh go..“ Her words are cut off by a scream of pleasure and Nat grins into the skin of her thigh, triumphant.
With chests heaving they both still for a moment, sucking in the sex-soaked air before either can speak. She stands, knees protesting the position. She’s about to open her mouth, to tell her that was it – she needed to leave, but Helena doesn’t give her the chance as she kisses her again.
A nip at her lip causes a moan to pull from her throat and she loses all thought of leaving, clouded by the ache between her legs and the familiar touch of this woman. She doesn’t fight and doesn’t let her mind wander further than the pleasure she was receiving. Helena pushes her back on the bed after stripping her of her pants and slides on top of her. She knew the angles needed and wasted no time in grinding her very soaked clit into Natasha’s setting a fast and hard rhythm when the woman beneath her grips at her ass.
When Natasha wakes hours later in the dead of night she’s surprised to see Helena is still splayed out beside her, sleeping peacefully. Guilt dances through her mind at the events of that evening. In the moments that followed the only thing she could think about was the little witch – probably worried about her as she sat on the farm.
She needed to leave this place. A quick call to Maria had woken the woman – who was not at all happy about that fact – hearing the way Nat spoke though she’d given her the room number to her own room, telling her to join her there. Natasha knew she didn’t have to tell her what happened, Maria was smart.
“Come on.” Nat was dancing from foot to foot outside her door and lets out a breath when the door pulls open and Maria beckons her inside.
“I fucked up.”
“I was worried you would – but I thought.”
“She’s going to hate me.”
“This isn’t high school Nat. You’re a grown woman and as far as I know, you two aren’t exclusive?” Maria was tired and that fact meant she was even less likely to coddle someone than usual.
“No.” Nat falls into the bed on the side that Maria hadn’t been using. “that’s not the point though.”
“Uh uh – go shower before you get in my bed.”
Nat gives her a disbelieving look. “Oh, I’m serious" The look on her face only proved her words further. She points towards the bathroom. "Go shower.”