- Duh, no body, no death - Were Tony's first words upon hearing about Christina's connection to Natasha's past and her alleged death a couple years before - Isn't that what they say in CSI, like all the fucking time?
- I don't think they have ever said something like that, actually - Darcy replied frowning in thought for a second - Anyway, I'm forcing Jane out of the tower for a bit, don't annoy my super young-and-murdery-amnesic-grandmother too much, please. I've grown quite attached to you guys - she said, leaving the room without another word. Some of the avengers in the room exchanged a look, knowing the girl wasn't really ok with what she had heard, but deciding to give her some time to get used to the idea.
- I never thought she was really dead - Natasha told Steve, not looking away from the woman as the super soldier came to stand beside her – We’re trained spies. Faking our deaths? That's just another day in the office, but...
- Well, she is certainly not dead - the man replied, when it became clear she wouldn't finish the sentence.
- But she is - the woman answered, and then added - that's not the woman I knew - Natasha kept replaying the meeting with the blonde woman in her head, stuck on the way Scarlett, no wait, “Christina” was looking at her only a few hours before, as if she was a complete stranger, just another thing in her way. Steve was also deep in his own memories, and they both stood in silence for a couple minutes, watching as the woman hummed to some pop songs, seemingly lost in thought as well.
- Bucky wasn't either, you know? - the super soldier broke the silence - The same man I knew - he clarified when she glanced at him - But the moment I saw him I knew I couldn't just give up on him, because somehow I could tell he was in there. Somewhere - he tried to explain, then turned to watch her as he asked - Do you?
- Do I think she is still in there, or do I feel like I could give up on her? - the redhead questioned, raising an eyebrow.
- Both - he shrugged lightly, watching as she walked around him and went right for the door of the interrogation room.
- I don't know the answer to those questions - the spy answered finally - Yet - she added, then opened the door and walked in.
- Hello, old friend - Christina smirked, sitting up straight and then leaning in her direction - Here to tell me something useful, or just to waste your time? - she asked and then added calmly - I'm game either way.
- Sorry, but none of the above - Natasha replied, pulling the chair in front of the handcuffed woman and sitting down. The redhead glanced at Christina’s hands for a moment, knowing she could easily break out of the handcuffs if she really wanted to.
- It’s one of those two, or both, honey. There are no third options - the girl answered, smiling in a way that let the redhead know she had been caught.
- I'm here so YOU can give me information, not the other way around - Natasha replied, after cleaning her throat.
- Ooh, an interrogation - the blonde mocked - Option B then, go on - she waved her hand, signaling for her to continue.
- I want names - Natasha demanded calmly - Provide me with some and we can even talk about your past a little bit.
- Andy, Beatrice, Carlos - Christina gave her a big smile - Is it a boy's or a girl’s name that you are looking for?
Natasha merely glared at her.
- I'm not some common thief, love - the woman continued to smile - hit me up with some info first, prove you intend to pay your price.
- Ask away - Natasha conceded.
- Ok, first where do you know me from? - Christina asked.
- Work - was all the redhead answered. The other woman laughed.
- You’re quite mysterious huh, that's sexy - she said, pursing her lips for a second - Richard Castle, also someone should note that down - she pointed at the window from where part of the team was watching - When was I born?
- 1921 - Natasha answered curtly.
- Man, I look good! - the prisoner whistled, impressed - Jonathan Kent. Why did I start working for Hydra?
- You had to - Natasha gave as little as she could - Name, please.
- Laura Gonçalves. Do I still have someone? - the woman asked, for the first time seriously.
- No.
- Ok - Christina looked down for a moment - Peter Hudson - then looked right at the Black Widow’s face - Why did you leave me?
- I thought you didn't have your memories - Natasha demanded suddenly, the question having caught her off guard.
- I don't - Christina agreed - But we're not together anymore and you weren't surprised to see me alive, only that I didn't remember you.
- I wanted to wipe out the red on my ledger - Natasha swallowed discreetly. The woman stared at the redhead for a bit.
- I see - she nodded finally - Well, there is also Mary Anne Cooper, and take Harvey Harger as an extra, you’re welcome - she grinned half-heartedly, then leaned back in her chair - And that would be all, thank you - she dismissed the redhead and looked at the window - I here now evoke Little Red Riding Hood, please.
- That's all you want to know about your past? - Natasha asked, shocked, thought she hoped Christina would not be able to see that - or is that all you can give me?
- I can't risk my work for anything else - Christina answered simply.
- Not even for the rest of your past? - Natasha tried again.
- Nothing else about it matters - Christina bit back harshly - I got no one, I've been trained for my entire life to become a murderer and the one person I have alive didn't see me as worth staying around for - she calmed down slightly - Guess my past sucked, but life goes on, I got work to do now, and I will not risk it to know trivial things that have already happened.
- What about your family? Don't you want to know about them? And all of the things that made you who you are? - the redhead insisted.
- My family is dead, you just said so - the woman answered calmly - And I am who I am now, nothing about my past will change that.
- You don't think you own it to yourself to try and find out the rest? - Natasha demanded, trying to look calm, but feeling very unnerved by the woman's cold attitude. Scarlett was nothing like that, not about the things and people she cared about - To Scarlett?
- Scarlett died with nothing to fight for - Christina insisted - I don't own her a thing! - she said coldly - Now do I get to have a visit from my baby girl? or do I have to break myself out of those for that...
- Your what? - Natasha demanded in confusion, just as Steve's voice asking for someone to wait was heard through the door.
Not even a second later The Scarlet Witch burst through the door, breathing fast and staring with admiration at the prisoner.
- Mom?