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Yelena was about to take out Fanny for a walk around the block of her DC apartment when a sharp knock at the front door surprised her. She wasn’t expecting visitors, and in her world, unexpected visitors rarely meant anything good. She abandoned Fanny’s leash on the kitchen counter and grabbed the pistol above the fridge. She carefully made her way to the front door, mindful of the creaky floorboards she had mapped out on her first night in the apartment. With her finger on the trigger, she peeked through the door view, only to find a familiar streak of purple hair.
She sighed, loud and dramatic enough for Val to hear, and swung the door open. “What is it now?”
Valentina had her heels on, the ones the made her taller than Yelena, who didn’t even have socks on. She blinked innocently at Yelena like she was just stopping by to ask to borrow some sugar instead of sending her out to assassinate someone. “Yello Yelena,” she greeted, heels clicking as she stepped into the apartment.
Fanny kept her distance from Valentina, she was one of few frequent acquaintances that Fanny didn’t excitedly jump up on, instead Fanny hurried over to the living room to settle into the couch. Yelena frowned, glancing between Fanny and Valentina. “We were about to go for a walk.”
Val waved one hand in the air as if trying to calm some great beast. “It’s not urgent. I just need you to clear your schedule for next Saturday.”
“Because?”
“Because I need security for an event. My usual guy’s in the hospital. It’s last-minute, but I can’t cancel.”
Yelena’s brow furrowed. “I don’t do security.”
“I know,” Valentina replied. “But I trust you to keep me safe.”
“What’s the catch?”
“Catch?”
“You wouldn’t bother me with this nonsense if there wasn’t a catch.”
Valentina tilted her head to one side. “Well... You’d also be my date.”
Yelena snorted, in disbelief at the ridiculousness. “So you need someone pretty. That’s why you came to me?”
Valentina gave her a grin. “You are very pretty.”
Yelena looked away, opting to stare at the dirty dishes in her sink. “I don’t get paid enough for this.”
“Oh, you’ll get a nice bonus,” Valentina promised, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a wallet. She handed Yelena a black credit card. “And go buy something nice to wear.”
-
Any Widow was familiar with Madripoor and Yelena was no exception, though it wasn’t a place she preferred to frequent. She was glad to be in Hightown, where trouble seemed less likely, but hated all the eyes she could feel. Whatever event they were at, it was being hosted by someone very important. Half the guests were undercover security.
“I know we’re technically here for business,” Valentina whispered into her ear as she guided Yelena through the well-dressed crowd. Her hand was on Yelena’s back, a gesture Yelena would shake off if it weren’t for the part she was meant to play. “But we are allowed to have a little fun.”
“What business are we here for?” Yelena asked. Val had dodged all her questions on the jet, instead lavishing praise on the white pantsuit Yelena had bought with her card. And it had been a long plane ride.
Val discreetly nodded her head at the stage, a few paintings were displayed atop it, and a blonde woman was near the podium preparing for the auction. “Recognize her?”
Yelena did, but only vaguely. “She’s American.”
“Yes, Sharon Carter,” Valentina explained. “Niece of SHIELD’s founder. Had to leave in disgrace after the Avengers messed around in Germany. It was a bit sad, but she’s made a name for herself in Madripoor.”
“What do you need from her?”
“Nothing,” Valentina shrugged. “Not now, at least. But in my business, allies are important. And she’d be a powerful ally. Intel says she has super-soldier serum stashed somewhere.”
“You already have Walker,” Yelena reminded, skeptical of Valentina’s intentions.
“Yes, well,” Valentina snatched two flutes of champagne from a wandering waiter, handing one to Yelena. “He’s a bit recognizable.”
“I don’t like champagne,” Yelena stated, staring down at the bubbly liquid in her grasp.
“I’ve got a bottle of vodka with your name on it back on the jet,” Valentina promised. She turned to pat Yelena’s head, then gave her a quick kiss. “Be a good girl, drink your champagne, and make sure nobody kills me.”
Yelena glared at the back of her head as Valentina walked off into the crowd. She flipped her head back, downing the champagne in one swallow. It was going to be a long night.
-
Yelena thoroughly investigated the food, which was passable, and watched as the art auction commenced. Most of the paintings weren’t her style. The modern pieces were bland and the older pieces far, far over-priced. Some sold for such outrageous prices that she wondered if the event was legitimate or a tax-evasion scheme. There was one painting that caught her eye, a classic abstract Kandinsky full of his signature colorful dots. Yelena’s bedroom wall was covered in colorful posters, it would fit right into her new style. She had spent many years in all-black and she was always eager to bring in color where she could.
When the auction was over, Yelena made her rounds again, retracing the best exit strategies should some Lowtown mercenaries crash the party. It seemed unlikely, considering the security, but there was little else to do and Yelena found most of the party’s guests too stuffy for a decent conversation.
Valentina was chatting with Carter. She was putting on a whole show, using her most charming qualities to her benefit. It was hard to tell if Carter was amusing her or was truly amused by her, but it seemed the conversation was going well. Val wouldn’t be cranky on the ride back, at least. She caught Yelena’s eyes had motioned for her to join them. Yelena humored her, coming to her side and smiling at both women.
“This is my beautiful girlfriend Sofia,” Valentina introduced, wrapping an arm around Yelena’s waist. “She picked out this suit, isn’t it just gorgeous on her? She’s planning on becoming a stylist—”
Sharon’s demeanor had shifted considerably as she eyed Yelena. “Why’d you bring a Widow into my party?” Carter asked bluntly, crossing her arms in front of her chest as she glared at Valentina.
Val faltered, blinking with her mouth agape. “Well, I guess I should have known you’d recognize her,” she stated, avoiding Sharon’s glare in her embarrassed state. “Simply a security precaution. You know how Madripoor can be for us ladies.”
Sharon nodded, shifting focus on Yelena for a moment before stepping back. “I have other guests to entertain. Thanks for coming, Valentina,” she said. She paused her movement, meeting Yelena’s gaze once more. “I heard about what you and your sister did. It was very brave.”
Yelena was taken aback, but managed a “Thank you.”
Sharon nodded once more, then walked away, leaving Yelena and Valentina alone.
“Regret bringing me?” Yelena asked as they watched Sharon leave.
“No, sweetheart,” Valentina assured. “I knew she’d recognize you.”
Yelena raised an eyebrow, eyes snapping to Valentina beside her. “Explain.”
Valentina pointed at Yelena, finger poking her bicep. “Your Natasha Romanoff’s sister. Natasha was friends with Captain America, past and present. And Sharon respects kickass ladies, she said it herself.”
Yelena blinked, frowning at Val. “I was part of the plan all along.”
“Maybe,” Valentina sing-songed, shifting her weight from side to side. “Possibly. Yes.”
Yelena sighed. “It better be a big bonus.”
-
The rest of the event was uneventful enough that Val mostly kept to Yelena’s side, quietly gossiping in Yelena’s ear about other guests. Once the crowd began to thin, Val called up their limo and they headed back to the hangar where Val’s jet had landed. Back inside the jet, Yelena shed her suit jacket and began rummaging through the cabinets for the promised vodka.
Val barked out a laugh. “Just wait a moment, I have something to show you.” She impatiently waved for Yelena to follow her to the back of the jet.
“Just bring it in here.”
“It’s too heavy!”
Interest peaked, Yelena followed Valentina. Among Val’s luggage, there was a covered canvas. “You bought something?”
“Well, I had to be a good guest,” Val said. “And I am trying to get on Sharon’s good side. Go ahead, take a peek.”
Yelena carefully uncovered the painting, revealing the colorful abstract painting she had come to favor earlier that night. She was surprised she hadn’t noticed it was Val that had purchased it, though they were separated for most of the auction. “It’s beautiful,” Yelena remarked.
“It is isn’t it?” Val agreed, then hummed. “Well, it’s yours, if you like it.”
Yelena blinked, unsure of the proper response to a gift of a priceless art piece.
“It’ll look nice in your apartment,” Val went on. “And it isn’t really my style. All those... bright colors.”
Yelena re-covered the canvas. “Thank you.”
“You can sell it,” Val offered. “I know a guy. Hell of a bonus, huh?”
“No, I’ll keep it,” Yelena stated, letting herself give a small, genuine smile. “I like it.”
“Good,“ Val replied, a self-satisfied grin stretching across her face. “C’mon, let’s go drink.”
-
Yelena was still a bit buzzed when they landed in DC. Val already arranged for a ride for Yelena in a truck big enough to transport her gift safely. They watched the canvas being loaded into the vehicle. Yelena, feeling a little sentimental now that the night had ended, offered, “If you ever need any last-minute security, give me a call.”
Valentina rose an eyebrow, smirking as she replied. “So you enjoyed being my girlfriend for the evening?”
Yelena rolled her eyes. “Y’know, I actually thought you invited me because you thought I was pretty. I’m a bit offended it was because of my background.”
Val placed a hand on Yelena’s cheek. “You are pretty, I can promise you that. When I need a date, you’ll be the first I call.”
Yelena fought back a grin at the compliment, pressing her lips into a line. Val’s hand felt very warm on her cheek. “You always sound so desperate,” she joked, hoping to ease some of the tension in her chest.
“I think you like it,” Val teased. “You like being wanted, no matter the context.”
Yelena bit the inside of her cheek, surprised by the tone in Val’s voice. She was always playful, but it never edged so closely into flirtation as it had just now. Yelena was lost for words. Valentina chuckled, retracting her hand, heels clicking as she stepped back.
“Alright, go, I’m only paying the dog-sitter for another hour.”
Yelena waved goodbye before hopping into the passenger’s seat of the car, breaking into an uncontrollable grin. Valentina was an evil woman, Yelena knew more than most, but even she had some redeeming qualities.