Venomous

45. Old Friends, New Enemies

I've been compromised, I'm getting out. Go to stage 2.

I glanced at the cryptic text message from Natasha on my phone for the hundredth time, peering around the corner from my hiding spot, waiting for anything that would give me eyes on her to ensure that she was alright. According to Tony, Natasha had betrayed the team by preventing T'Challa from catching Steve and Bucky, and they were coming for her. Just like they were coming for all of us that were left.

We had watched in horror, still invisible, from the roof of the parking garage at the airport as a collar was placed around Wanda's neck and she put her own arms willingly into the straightjacket before it was fastened. Her eyes were a dull green, and she didn't resist. Steve and Bucky were gone. Sam and Scott got marched off by guards as well, and judging by the bits and pieces of conversation I was able to pick up, they were headed to a place called the raft. I didn't know what that meant, but it didn't sound good, and I didn't want any of them to have to stay there longer than was absolutely necessary.

I hated watching my friends get perp walked out of an international airport when I knew they were in the right – especially since I knew I should be with them, and the weight of the guilt on my chest was almost crushing. But I couldn't do anything to help them if I was locked up too, and right now Natasha needed me. I cleared the recent memory from my head with a violent shake and focused again at the task at hand.

After Tony and Natasha's little 'chat,' we had agreed to meet at a rendezvous in upstate New York – hopefully far enough way from the eyes of Secretary Ross and his goons that we could make a quick exit.

"First problem. After I got taken by Ultron, Tony had a tracker put in my suit." Natasha's raspy voice sounded from between the trees before I had even gotten eyes on her. My eyes rolled predictably.

"It's good to see you safe and sound and in one piece too, love," I snarked back gently. I smirked when AV's tendrils rippled up my arms in response to a rustling sound behind our position. "It's okay bubs," I murmured. Natasha's red hair poked out from between the trees, and her wry smile told me everything I needed to know. She was okay. Natasha chuckled, jabbing me in the shoulder as she moved past, go-bag already slung over her shoulder. Mine was firmly gripped in my hand. Never go on the run from the governments of the world without one.

"How do you feel about playing decoy?" I glanced up to see Nat's bright green eyes shimmering in amusement, and I couldn't keep the smile off of my face, despite the circumstances.

"Not even going to say thank you or give me a kiss before trying to get me killed? Again?"

The air left my lungs as I was tackled forcefully to the ground by a petite but insanely strong former assassin, whose laughter and red hair was all I could see for several minutes as I tried to maneuver around the koala weight suddenly on my back. Natasha was grinning by the time she relented and let me roll over as she straddled my waist.

"Now this looks familiar," she chuckled, winking. I scoffed and rolled my eyes.

"In your dreams, princess." My hands tangled in her hair, finally dragging her down for a long-overdue and much more heated than anticipated kiss. Going on the run apparently worked for the widow. Good to know. After a few moments when we separated for oxygen, Natasha settled on my chest, my fingers running slowly through her hair. "Where are we headed?" I asked softly. She shifted her head slightly so she could look at me.

"I know a guy."

...

The next day, I was once again standing invisible on a rooftop from several buildings away as I watched the chaos descending below. We had decided to leave the suit in the train station – a nice, central area with multiple escape paths. Ross should know better than to underestimate her – and he had no idea what to expect from me.