Covert Affair | Natasha Romanoff

Chapter 47: Prove your loyalty

An: I love reading everyone's comment so much. You guys are so sweet and funny.

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After Natasha stepped out into the corridor, her heart heavy with regret, she couldn't shake the feeling of Jenna's piercing gaze burning into her back. The weight of Jenna's words hung heavy in the air.

Jenna remained alone in the quiet of the room, her mind consumed by a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, hurt, and betrayal mingled together, forming a potent cocktail of darkness that threatened to consume her from within. She paced the length of the room, her steps echoing in the silence as she struggled to make sense of the chaos raging inside her.

Then, A flicker of something else sparked within Jenna—Her thoughts turned. Natasha had betrayed her, used her as a pawn in a game she never consented to play, and now it was time for Jenna to turn the tables. But instead of seeking revenge, she saw an opportunity to reclaim what she had lost—to bring back the one person she could trust with all her heart: 

Bucky.

Jenna knew she couldn't do it alone. And there was one person who fit that description perfectly—someone from her past, someone inside Hydra who had once raised her, molding her into the person she did not want to become. Marcus.

Jenna rushed out of the compound, her heart pounding in her chest as she drove to a secluded park on the outskirts of the city. She found herself drawn to a familiar bench tucked away beneath the shadow of a towering oak tree, its branches reaching out like skeletal fingers clawing at the sky. She remembered the first time she had sat on this very bench-

She was nine beside her was Marcus , his demeanor imposing. His features were weathered, "Watch closely, little one" had said, his voice low and commanding, yet with a hint of warmth. "People are like books, their body language revealing the words they dare not speak aloud."

Jenna had listened intently as he began to explain, his words painting vivid pictures in her young mind. He pointed out the subtle cues—the way a furrowed brow betrayed inner turmoil, or the way a smile could mask a multitude of secrets. He showed her how to read the tension in a person's shoulders, the guardedness in their gaze.

"Every movement tells a story," Marcus had continued, his tone measured and deliberate. "By observing carefully, you can learn to understand what lies beneath the surface. Trust your instincts. They will guide you when words fail."

As Jenna sat there, her fingers trembling with anticipation, a figure emerged from the shadows—a man cloaked in darkness and mystery, his features obscured by the dim light of the moon. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized the familiar silhouette, "You've still been watching me after all these years," Jenna remarked, her voice cold. 

"Always my dear child" Marcus replied cryptically, his tone betraying nothing of his intentions. "You can never truly escape your past, Little Inferno."

"Are you done playing dress-up with those superheroes?" the man said, his voice low and gravelly.

The man regarded her with a knowing look, his eyes glittering with a dangerous intensity. "It's time to come back home" he said, his words sending a shiver down Jenna's spine. 

Jenna hesitated for a moment, her mind racing as she weighed her options. She knew that returning to Hydra meant embracing a darkness she had fought so hard to escape, but she also knew that she needed Bucky more than anything right now. "I want back in" Jenna replied, her voice cold. "I want the Avengers gone. I want to reclaim my place back in Hydra."

"Prove your loyalty then" the voice said, a hint of excitement creeping into its tone

After the meeting, Jenna returned to her apartment, her mind still swirling with thoughts of her newfound alliance with Hydra. She knew that her decision to rejoin their ranks was risky, but she was willing to do whatever it took to bring Bucky back into her life.

As she stepped through the door, the familiar scent of her apartment enveloped her like a comforting embrace. She glanced around the dimly lit space, feeling a sense of nostalgia wash over her.

And then, as her gaze fell upon the couch, she saw her—a small figure curled up beneath a blanket, her chest rising and falling in the steady rhythm of sleep. It was Lily. A smile tugged at the corners of Jenna's lips as she watched Lily sleep, her heart swelling with affection for the girl who had become like family to her. 

Gently, so as not to wake her, Jenna reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair from Lily's forehead, her touch light and tender. In that moment, she felt a surge of gratitude wash over her, grateful for the unconditional love and support that Lily had always shown her. But amidst the warmth of Lily's presence, a pang of guilt tugged at Jenna's heartstrings.

Despite the guilt that gnawed at her soul, Jenna couldn't bring herself to regret her decision. She knew that rejoining Hydra was the only way to bring Bucky back into her life. Bucky, the one person she needed more than ever. He had been the only constant in her tumultuous life, the one who had protected her since she was a child. He would never intentionally hurt her like them right?

Even when he had been transformed into the Winter Soldier, a shadow of his former self, Jenna had still seen the flicker of light in his eyes—the same light that reminded her of the man who would wake up at midnight every 14th of February to wish her a happy birthday. The same man who gave her his bread despite him not eating for days. Bucky had always been there for her, and now, she needed him more than ever.

As Jenna sat there, lost in her thoughts, she heard a soft rustling sound behind her. Turning, she saw Lily stirring from her sleep, her eyes fluttering open. With a yawn and a stretch, Lily blinked sleepily before her gaze focused on Jenna. "Jenna?" Lily said, her voice tinged with sleepiness and confusion. Then, as realization dawned on her, her eyes widened with excitement. "You're back!"

Before Jenna could respond, Lily bounded off the couch and threw herself into Jenna's arms, wrapping her in a tight hug. "I missed you so much you brat, Where have you been?" Lily exclaimed, her voice muffled against Jenna's shoulder.

As Jenna felt Lily's arms wrap around her, she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotion. Tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged Lily tightly, her heart aching with the weight of everything she had been through.

"I missed you too, Lils," Jenna whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I'm sorry for disappearing there."

Lily pulled back slightly, her eyes searching Jenna's face with concern. "Hey, it's okay," she said, her voice gentle. "I'm just glad you're back now. But seriously, where have you been? I was about to send out a search party."

Jenna hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much she should tell Lily.  "I...I think me and Natasha are over". Jenna admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. 

Lily's expression softened, her eyes filled with sympathy. "Hey listen to me, she wasn't that hot anyways." she said trying to lighten the mood.

"Thank you, but you know you're lying." Jenna said, her voice trembling with emotion. 

Lily smiled, reaching out to wipe away the tears that were streaming down Jenna's cheeks. "A little bit, but I would kill her for you if you asked" she said, her voice soft but determined.  Jenna couldn't help but smile through her tears.

As Lily wiped away Jenna's tears, Jenna took a deep breath, composing herself before speaking again. "I need to tell you something," Jenna began, her voice soft but resolute. "I... I need to go away for a bit. Just for myself, you know?"

Lily's smile faded slightly as she processed Jenna's words, but she nodded understandingly. "I get it" she said, her voice gentle. "You've been through a lot lately, and you need some time to figure things out. But promise me one thing—you'll call me. And you'll come back once in a while to party with me, okay?" Jenna's heart swelled with gratitude as she looked into Lily's eyes.

"I promise you doof" Jenna said, her voice filled with sincerity. "I'll call you. And I'll come back to party with you whenever you want as long as its not every week."

Lily grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief once again. "Good," she said, her voice teasing. "Who else am I suppose to cheat off of when finals comes around" Jenna laughed, the sound ringing out like music in the quiet of the room. 

The game had only just begun, and Jenna was ready to play. But this time, she would play to win back what she had lost—Bucky. The last two piece on her board.