Chapter 31
2016, date redacted
"So, how's team blonde going huh?" Tony asks as she and Maria step into the dining hall, fingers intertwined together.
"Less flashy. More... normal."
"What have you been up to these two months though? Some super secret spy stuff?" Sam asks.
"I've been rebuilding. I blew all my covers, I've exposed HYDRA and Red Room to the world. I'm considered a criminal internationally. I had to stay low. There are enemies everywhere. One misstep and its game over," Natasha explains vaguely.
Natasha meets Clint's eyes over the table. He looked different, more haunted, less like the man she knew and was a team with. But she knew the same look was reflected in her eyes. So they would deal with it, STRIKE Team Delta once again.
"Not to put a damper to the excellent mood of our Vodka Aunt returning, but you really gotta help us with our Winter Soldier situation," Tony says.
"How's he doing? Run me through a briefing," Natasha asks.
"He just sits there in silence. Goes nearly catatonic when someone tries to touch him. We leave him food and water, but he does accept it, when we're not around though."
Natasha hums thoughtfully.
She taps fingers on Maria's thighs, and she taps back.
"He's been through a lot. Re-programming takes a long time, and I'm not only talking about re-setting the brain." There's a gasp from Peter.
"Kid, you should leave-"
"No, its fine Mr Stark."
Natasha blinks and slides her gaze over to Peter.
"I'm talking about neural shocks and re-programming, its bound to take some toll on him. Psychological and emotional trauma, another factor. Rules, boundaries he learnt, mechanical defenses, its still present. HYDRA would starve him, then give him tests. Offer him food or water, if he reacts to it in any way, he's failed and goes another few days without them. Touching, do not touch him, especially his metal arm. He's disorientated, he's lost."
'You seem to know a lot about this matter at hand," T'Challa notes.
"With all due respect, Your Highness, one does not get so far in such a career as mine when you have not been made and remade at least once," Natasha mildly says, although her hands tighten under the table and Maria strokes lightly.
'It's confusing. Especially the first few days, or weeks, or months. You just have to pray that he's strong enough and willing to get through. Do take note of triggers too, it might be possible that HYDRA has hidden triggers that are still dormant in his mind."
"Noted,' Tony absently says, and she can almost see the gears in his mind whirring.
"And Steve? Do not, under any circumstances unless explicitly allowed by him, ask him about his past," Natasha warns, and Steve nods.
'Once you are done with your breakfast, General Okoye and I will escort you and Miss Hill to the room Mr Barnes is at?" T'Challa asks.
"Yes," Natasha says and Maria nods.
Maria gives Natasha's hands a last squeeze before she continues to eat.
2016, date redacted
"Don't get shot again," Maria says as Natasha slips into the room.
"I won't," she promises.
The door slides shut behind her.
Natasha carefully walks to the figure of James back facing the door.
"Иаков," Natasha says, and James' attention snaps to her.
"Наталиа," he murmurs.
"Вы стали блондином," James comments.
"How have you been doing?" Natasha switches to English.
James clears his throat.
"Okay, the people, they are, nice," James manages to say.
"Do you want to know the date?"
James nods.
"It's 2016, June 17," Natasha says, and James' eyes widen slightly.
'No 17," James firmly says, even though he flinches.
"No 17," Natasha repeats.
"I'm Natasha now. New name, new life," Natasha continues.
"Natasha," James tests.
'We, or me and the others, have been busy. We've been tracking HYDRA down, destroying HYDRA."
"Red Room?" James asks, and its all Natasha can do as to not flinch.
"Gone. We've relocated the girls found. Many died. Their Madames had failsafes in them, killswitches. Madame B was merciful, I suppose. Only re-programming, not kill switches to be activated during the collapse."
"You've done it again, huh?"
Natasha gives a wry smile.
'Yeah, Black Widow lives to see another day. Leaves behind a trail fo fire and blood, but what does it matter as long as the enemies are gone?"
"We have rules to abide by," James shrugs.
Natasha nods.
"Oh yeah, meet my girlfriend. You nearly killed her, but I nearly did too, so I guess I can't really say much," Natasha casually says, pointing to the transparent walls and at Maria, who nodded.
"Tell her I'm sorry. Is the girl, Yelena, she's?"
"Safe. She's technically mine now," Natasha offers.
'Where am I?"
"Wakanda," Natasha says.
James gives her a blank look.
"A hidden country in Africa. They've developed and have thrived under anonymity. They're peaceful. Their technology could help you, so you were brought here."
James nods again.
"Help, but not save," James notes.
"That is entirely up to you," Natasha replies.
'I'm sorry I tried to kill you. Again," James amends.
"It's fine. Keeps me on the edge, can't have a Black Widow not aware, can we?" Natasha offers a grin.
The corners of James mouth twitch.
"I'll see you later. For now, this, its real. I give you express permissino to eat, drink, sleep, go use the washroom, do what you want. Do not attack anyone unless they harm you, understood?"
James nods.
Natasha slides off the chair and leaves.
2016, date redacted
"You really laid claim to me, huh," Maria teases.
"You're mine, and don't think I don't see how other men and women look at you. I'm very much informing James that," Natasha firmly says.
"Hmm," Maria hums as Natasha lightly brushes her teeth over the flesh beneath her earlobe.
'PDA in public now, huh? You really want the world to know?" Maria asks.
Natasha stops abruptly.
'If its okay with you. I'm done running from my past," Natasha firmly says.
"I love you," Maria declares, and Natasha resumes her exploration of Maria's neck, the sounds she can draw from her, like the huff as she emits as Natasha teases her skin, the sharp inhale as Natasha nibbles, the gasp as Natasha bites down, and the soft moan as Natasha licks the forming bruise.
"We should really take this to the bedroom, the guards that are watching are probably having too much fun," Maria manages to get out.
'We really should, yeah," Natasha says, but continues to leave a trail of kisses down her jaw, a jaw like Maria's was meant to be kissed, and sucks at her pulse point, making Maria gasp and eyes flutter.
"Nat," she warns.
"Maybe I do like the world to know that you're mine," Natasha hums.
"Exhibitionism and marking. Kinky," Maria teases as Natasha finally stops her administrations to open the door.
"After you, my pretty lady," Natasha mocks, opening the door in a grand flourish.
'Such a jackass," Maria rolls her eyes.
"Jackass and hardass, we always have gone well together," Natasha sighs.
Maria resists the urge to dump her over a railing. She'll have to run down in time to catch her, it wouldn't be worth the effort.
Natasha flops onto the bed.
'We should ask T'Challa to give a set of these to us when we get married," Natasha absentmindedly mumbles, sighing into the soft fabric.
Maria freezes.
"Masha?" Natasha frowns.
"Nothing," Maria quickly dismisses.
Natasha sits up and frowns.
And realises.
'You mean you don't want to get married?"
Natasha's a little hurt, she has to admit. Okay, she's very hurt.
They've been together for eight years.
It may have been rocky, but it was a lot.
"I just, you know, didn't expect this to happen right now," Maria breathes shakily.
"So you want to get married to me?"
"Yes, Natasha, goddamnit, I just, wasn't expecting it to happen so suddenly," Maria admits.
Natasha takes in a deep breath.
'When I ask, or you ask, whatever is fine, you'll say yes right?"
"Yeah. Definitely," Maria promises, letting Natasha guide her to the bed.
"Good. Clint can be the flower girl."
Maria laughs, and Natasha smiles at Maria's relaxed, carefree expressions.
"We'll force Tony to be one too, get them into dresses. Imagine, Steve would have his eyes roll out of their sockets," Maria laughs so hard she snorts.
'You're adorable," Natasha muses, and presses a light kiss on Maria's forehead.
"No, you are. We should probably find something to do. We already called the kids and Laura, we really have nothing else to do now."
Natasha's eyes twinkle.
'I know something we could do now," she winks.