Winter's Widow

Chapter 99: His Worry is Completely Justified

Natasha's pov:

I'm waiting behind the gas station again, doing another delivery. He's five minutes late. A black truck pulls up and a man holding a briefcase steps out. He sees me and instantly approaches me.

"Do you like candy?" He asks.

"Snickers, Twix, Three Musketeers." I respond with the code words.

He hands me the briefcase.

"Hail Hydra." He nods to me before heading back for his car and taking off. Again, I don't respond. I don't hail Hydra. I'm just one of their pawns.

When I'm on my way to the abandoned neighborhood again, to meet up with Alexei, I can't help but wonder if he'll hit me again. I pull over and see his car already here. Shit. I'm late again.

I step out the car and approach him. He's standing on the sidewalk, waiting for me.

"He was late again-"

He cuts me off with a slap across the face.

"Here's. The package." I glare at him and hold out the package.

He snatches it from my hands.

"What's in it?" I ask.

"Nothing of your concern, Natalia."

I turn to walk away but he quickly pulls me back. He keeps a tight grip on my arm, and we're inches apart.

"I haven't told you your next mission yet. Another package. You know the drill by now."

"When are you going to let me go?" I narrow my eyes.

"When you retire."

"You can't make me work for you forever."

"We'll keep you as long as we need you. We're working on more agents now, you're welcome."

"You know, SHIELD will find out about this eventually. I can't hide it forever. They'll put two and two together."

"Hide it as long as possible. When they kick you out of SHIELD for being a double agent, you will come back to us."

"Never. I'd never join Hydra again. I was lucky to escape temporarily."

"Not forever Natalia. Now go. Run right back to the asset. You'll regret it eventually, Natalia. I could have offered you so much." He speaks lowly.

"You could have offered me torture." I sneer.

He cracks me in the jaw again, which will only make the bruise from last time worse.

"...You fucking whore!" He kicks me to the floor.

He kicks my arm. Hard. That's going to be a nasty bruise.

"Maybe that'll teach you some manners, bitch." He stalks off.

 I get up and see his car speeding away.

I walk into my room, and see that Bucky was already waiting here for me. Why is he up at this hour? It's only 5!

"James, why are you up?" I shut the door.

"Because you were. Another mission today. Lemme guess, also classified?" He arches an eyebrow.

He's sitting on the edge of my bed with his elbows on his knees.

"Yup."

"Tell me he gave you a break?"

"Another mission tomorrow. Same time and all."

"Ok, what the fuck is up with Fury? What's with all of these classified missions? Are you ok?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Just private stuff."

"...What do you mean?" He voice goes low.

"I mean it's none of your business James."

"I'm concerned! The bruise you left with got worse!"

Dammit. I knew that would happen.

"Another fight. Being a spy isn't easy, James."

"You're not going on another mission. Tell Clint to take the mission."

"Can't. It has to be me."

"Why?"

"Because, I'm working with someone on the missions. He knows me, so it has to be me."

"Who are you working with? I thought these were solo missions."

"Ok, well I'm working with someone. He knows me, not Clint."

"Tell Clint what to do. He can get a job done. They don't have to be friends to do their jobs."

"It's not that simple James. Trust me. It has to be me."

"I can tell you're tired."

"No I'm not."

"Yes, you are. I'm telling Fury to cancel tomorrows mission. I don't know what missions you're getting, but they're wearing you out. You need a break."

"No, he can't do that."

"Yes he can. He doesn't want to, but he can."

"The date is already set James. There's nothing you can do. Let me do this."

"You're tired. These missions are getting to you, I know they are. I wish I knew what he was making you do."

"Classified."

"Is anything not classified with you, Natalia?"

"I hate these missions."

"I knew you were tired." He crosses his arms.

"But I have to. Bear with me."

"I need you to tell me what he's making you do, or I'm going to ask him myself."

"No, it's fine. I can take a few missions. They only last a half hour."

"One tiring half hour."

"I can take it. Just stay out of it."

"I can't! Being worried right now is completely justified!"

"I don't blame you. It's looks suspicious, but you have to bear with me on this."

"I don't like seeing you in pain. How many more missions?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know? How is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"It's not. It's just honest."

"You're going to be the death of me..." He buries his face in his hands.

"Well, you chose me. That wasn't required. That was your mistake."

He stands and approaches me.

"What are yo-"

He pulls me into a hug. I hug him back. He starts pacing back, and falls back on the bed, taking me with him.

"Stop putting so much faith in gravity! You're missing an arm because of the bitch!"

"Woah, chill..." He brushes my hair with his hand.

"You scared me..." I mumble.

"Awwww..."

"Shut up."

I feel the rising and falling of his chest in sync with his breathing. He's warm. He's my safe place. How could I not be comfortable here? I close my eyes and fall asleep to the rhythm of his heartbeat.