Covert Affair | Natasha Romanoff

Chapter 84: Dr. Vostokoff

Jenna stirred from her sleep, feeling the gentle sway of the aircraft. Her head was nestled against Natasha's shoulder. The cabin was enveloped in silence. Suddenly, a loud beep echoed through the helicopter. Natasha's instincts kicked in as she swiftly reached over to buckle Jenna's seatbelt securely around her.

Before anyone could react, the aircraft plummeted downwards, causing stomachs to lurch and hearts to race. Gripping onto anything they could find, they braced themselves for impact.

With a heavy thud, the plane crash-landed in a nearby field, jolting everyone inside. Groans filled the cabin as they assessed their condition, relieved to find themselves relatively unharmed.

Natasha leaned over to Jenna with a soft smile, her voice barely above a whisper, "Morning, sleepyhead." With a soft groan, Jenna pushed herself upright as Natasha moved to open the helicopter door. Stepping out onto the soft ground, she took a deep breath, the scent of lavender filling her senses.

Natasha led the way, Jenna trailing close behind her out into the field of lavender. Yelena and Alexei followed suit.

Natasha crouched down, plucking a flower from the field. She turned to Jenna, a silent apology in her eyes as she handed her the delicate flower. Before they could exchange any words, Alexei's voice cut through the tranquility, "You should've brought the Avengers' superjet" he remarked, prompting Natasha to roll her eyes in exasperation.

Jenna and Natasha approached Yelena, who was clearly growing weary of Alexei's constant comments. "I swear, if I heard one more word from him, I will kick him in the face," Yelena muttered, her frustration evident.

Natasha nodded, "He's the worst" she replied. However, their moment was interrupted when Alexei yelped in pain once again.

Turning to see what had happened, they noticed his smoking shoes, prompting Alexei to complain, "Can you make her stop doing that?". They all turned to Jenna, whose eyes were glowing with an orange hue underneath the mask, before returning to their normal color, leaving Alexei bewildered and the rest of them suppressing their laughs. They continued walking, Alexei called out to Natasha. Ignoring him at first, Natasha eventually stopped, her patience wearing thin. "What?" she asked.

"Natasha, come here, I want to ask you something. Come, it's important," Alexei insisted.

Natasha sighed, "What is it?" she asked.

"Did he talk to you about me?" Alexei questioned "You know, trading war stories?"

Confusion flashed across Natasha's face. "Who? What are you talking about?" she inquired.

"Captain America. My great adversary in this theater of geopolitical conflict. Not so much a nemesis. More like a contemporary, you know? Coequal. I always thought there was a great deal of mutual respect..." Alexei explained, his voice trailing off.

Natasha's eyebrows furrowed. "Wait. You haven't seen either one of us in 20 years, and you're gonna ask me about you?" she retorted incredulously.

"What is with this tension? Did I do something wrong?" Alexei asked.

Yelena couldn't help but turn around and interject, "Is that a serious question?"

"I only ever loved you girls. I did my best to make sure you would succeed to achieve your fullest potential, and everything worked out," Alexei continued.

Natasha couldn't hide her disbelief. "Everything worked out?" she repeated incredulously.

"Yes. For you, yes. We accomplished our mission in Ohio. Yelena, you went on to become the greatest child assassin the world has ever known. No one can match your efficiency, your ruthlessness. And Natasha, not just a spy, not just toppling regimes, destroying empires from within, but an Avenger. You both have killed so many people. Your ledgers must be dripping, just gushing red. I couldn't be more proud of you," Alexei concluded