Work Text:
One
Nat was busy beating up a punching bag when Steve came up to her. He stood behind her uncertainly for a few minutes before Nat spoke.
"What do you want Steve?" She huffed out between punches.
"We have a situation Nat, and I don't exactly know how to tell you." The compassion in his voice made her turn around.
"Is Yelena alright?"
His eyes widened slightly, "yeah she's fine. This isn't about her."
"Then what's it about Steve?" Her patience was almost up.
Steve sighed and said in a rush, "a girl showed up about an hour ago asking for you. She claims to be your daughter."
Nat just looked at him for a moment before a wave of anger washed over her. "That's not funny. You know the Red Room sterilized me when I was 13. I don't, and can't, have kids." She turned back to the punching bag and beat it with a new fury.
"Natasha. You know I wouldn't joke about this. Bruce is doing a dna scan on her as we speak. But Nat, she looks just like you." He put a hand on her shoulder and she shrugged him off.
"Then she's a distant relative. Maybe. Or maybe, it's high tech masking. Either way, I don't have a daughter." She emphasized daughter with a punch that she felt split her knuckles through the glove.
"She's in interrogation 5. At least go watch, if she's lying what better person to catch it than you?" He walked away and she kept hitting the bag.
Slowly her fury gave way to new emotions. Confusion, worry, grief. She had come to terms that she would never have children, and for the most part, she was ok with it. How could an international assassin possibly be a good mother? The Red Room certainly was no role model on raising children. They actively discouraged it. So much so they took all the widows uteruses.
But they never said what happened to them.
A nagging thought started and no matter how hard she hit the bag, it wouldn't go away. Her hits became slower and slower until finally they stopped. She grunted in frustration because she knew she'd never be able to rest until she found out about the girl.
She took off her gloves and winced at her split knuckles. She headed to the locker room and showered. After she got dressed in her uniform and bandaged her hand she headed for the elevator. Pressing the button for the sub basement she tried to calm her nerves. She knew the girl couldn't be hers, but she couldn't shake the jittery feeling that was coursing through her.
She walked over to the viewing room for interrogation 5 and found Steve, Wanda, Tony and Bruce there. They all stopped talking when she came in but she ignored them and instead went to the one way glass and stopped breathing.
Steve was right. The girl in the interrogation room looked just like her. Well, her 15 years ago. The girl looked to be around 16. Long red hair, green eyes and freckles over her nose. And a bored expression. She had her headphones in and was picking at the hem of her sleeve that was pulled over her hand.
Bruce came to stand by her while she looked at the girl. "Well?" She asked not looking at him.
"She said she won't talk to anyone but you." His voice was soft and gentle, not in pity though, and Nat appreciated that.
"Not what I meant." She mumbled.
"I know. The blood test came back a few minutes ago. Are you sure you want to know?"
Nat looked over at him, her expression hard to read. "I need to know Bruce." But she already knew, just by the look in his eyes, and the feeling in her gut.
"The dna is a match. She's yours Natasha."
************
Two
Nat stood outside the door to interrogation 5 holding a bottle of water and a bag of chips. She took a deep breath before going into the room and closing the door behind her. She could feel the girls eyes on her as she took a seat at the table. Nat steadied herself before looking up into the girls eyes. She was leaning back in her chair, arms crossed, watching Nat. She had her sleeves pulled down over her hands and her thumbs poking through a hole in them.
Nat held the water bottle and chips out to the girl, "this is for you." The girl didn't move and Nat set them on the table. They looked at each other for a few minutes, the girl taking in every detail of the woman in front of her, before Nat spoke again. "What's your name?"
She thought the girl wasn't going to answer but finally she said, "Elodie." She grabbed the bottle and opened it before sliding it to Nat with a raised brow.
Nat smiled softly at her and took a drink before handing it back, "it's nice to meet you, Elodie."
"You too," Elodie said before taking a long drink.
"I'm sorry about all this, It's just a precaution. It's not everyday someone shows up claiming to be your child."
"Lucky you, huh?" Elodie said with a wry smile.
"So how did you get here?"
"A bus."
"Not what I meant."
"I know."
Nat leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. "Why are you here?"
"For the fantastic company of course."
Nats eyes narrowed slightly and Elodie smirked.
"Come on Natasha, Is that the best you can come up with? I expected more from the famous black widow." She opened the chips and started to eat them.
"I'm hardly famous."
Elodie scoffed, "yeah right. All Draykov ever talks about is the widow who went rogue and joined the good guys."
"Drakov? You're from the Red Room."
"Ding ding, obviously. Where else would I have come from?" Elodie leans forward. "He was so proud of his little spy, the youngest to ever graduate. He was so proud in fact that he made me, because what's better than one perfect spy? Two perfect spy's."
"How did he make you?"
"Your eggs of course, and a mystery sperm donor, then an artificial womb. It was all very sciencey." She leaned back in her chair watching Natasha.
"How old are you?" Nat asked quietly.
"17."
"Did you graduate?"
"Two years ago. You still hold the record for youngest graduate, but it's the only one I didn't beat."
Nat stood up suddenly and her chair tipped over, startling Elodie. Without a word, Nat left and went to the elevator. She took it to the roof and stepped out into the cool night. She walked over to the edge and screamed. She screamed out all her frustration and anger. She dropped to her knees and did something she hadn't done in a long time. She cried.
She cried for a long time and then sat staring out over the city. She didn't know how long she stayed there but eventually a voice came from behind her.
"Nat? Are you ok?" Wandas voice drifted on the breeze. Nat turned to look at the young girl. Worry was etched into Wanda's face.
"I'm ok kid."
"I'm not a kid." Wanda said with a smile. Out of everyone in the tower, Wanda had bonded with Nat the most. Wanda came and stood beside Natasha looking at the city with her. "So... what's the graduation you asked Elodie about?"
Nat sighed, "in the Red Room when we pass our training, we have an operation. They call it graduating, but it's really just them sterilizing us. Mine happened when I was 13. If Elodie really did graduate, then they did it to her too."
Wanda put her arms around Natasha. "I'm so sorry."
"It's ok kid. It was a long time ago." Nat rubbed the girls back until Wanda let her go.
"I knew it had to be bad for you to leave like that but nobody would tell me."
"It's not something I talk about a lot." A clock chimed in the distance. "I guess I should get back, huh?"
"You've been gone for a few hours." Wanda told her.
"Is Elodie ok?"
"Yeah she fell asleep about an hour ago."
"Did they move her?"
"No, I don't think anyone really knows what to do."
"Me included." Nat rubbed her head, just realizing how tired she was. "Come on, we should get back."
They went to the elevator and took it back to the interrogation room. Wanda didn't say anything as they went into Elodie's room and found her asleep on the floor using her arm as a pillow. She looks peaceful, Nat thought.
As gently as she could, Nat picked up the girl, surprised at how light she was. The girl nestled her head against Nat's chest and made a soft content sigh. They got her into the elevator and Wanda hit the floor for Nat's room. The ride was silent, neither of them wanted to risk waking her up. They got to Natasha's floor and they got Elodie into Nats bed without waking her up.
"Thank you Wanda."
"No problem. Have a good night." And with that Wanda was gone.
Natasha looked at the girl in her bed and felt something she hadn't felt for years.
Hope.
************
Three
Elodie woke in a soft bed in a strange room. She sat up slowly and looked around. Besides the absolutely huge bed she was in, there was a couch that had clearly been slept on and a desk. Two doors were opposite the bed and one off to the left. All the available wall space was taken up by bookshelves overflowing with different books.
She got out of bed and went over to the desk. There were a few open books and a picture of Natasha with a blond woman. They looked happy and a slight spark of anger made Elodie put the picture face down.
She walked towards the doors opposite the bed and found one was a huge closet and the other a bathroom with the sound of a shower coming from it. She went back to the closet and grabbed a change of clothes. As she sorted through the surprising amount of name brand items she moved a shirt and was greeted with a row of weapons on the wall. Of course the famous Black Widow would have weapons in her closet. She picked up a throwing knife and took some pants and a shirt and sweatshirt.
After changing she slipped the knife up her sleeve and walked to the third door and To her surprise it was unlocked. She went out into the hall and headed towards the elevator. Once in she debated on where to go, finally deciding on the roof. Being in that small room yesterday really messed with her. After the Red Room she loved open spaces. Once on the roof she walked around until she found a secluded perch.
Settling in she watched the city below. She'd rarely ever been out of the Red room and she loved the city. All the hustle and people and different sounds and smells. A light breeze started up and ruffled her hair.
"You look just like her." A voice said from behind her. Startled she turned to find a young redhead, probably not much older than her.
"Who are you?" She eyed the girl cautiously, fingering the knife.
"I'm Wanda." She said with a smile. Her nose did a cute crinkle when she smiled, Elodie thought.
"Elodie."
"I know. You are quite the topic of conversation around here." Wanda said coming to sit by Elodie.
"Great, just what I've always wanted, to be the topic of discussion for a team of superheroes." She said sarcastically turning to look back out at the city.
"At least they aren't hunting you down like they did me." Surprised Elodie glanced at the girl. What could she possibly have done that made a group of enhanced people want to hunt her? She looked so soft and innocent. "I'm not as innocent as you think. I killed a lot of people."
"How did you...?"
"Same way I know you think my smile is cute. I can read minds." Wanda grinned at her as Elodie looked away, her face burning.
*******************
Natasha got done with her shower and came out of the bathroom to an empty bed. A slight panic welled up in her. "Friday," she called.
"Yes Miss? How can I help?" Came the chipper voice.
"Locate Elodie."
"Right away miss. She is on the roof with miss Wanda."
Relief washed over her. "Thank you Friday."
"You're welcome miss. Will there be anything else?"
"Actually yes. Yelena is supposed to be coming home today. Any idea how far away she is?"
"Judging by how fast she's flying the jet she should be here within the hour."
Nat chuckled, that was her sister for you. "Thank you Friday, that'll be all."
While Nat wondered what to do for the next hour her stomach decided for her. Leaving the room she headed for the kitchen.
*************
Four
Nat was busy making pancakes when she suddenly got lifted and spun around. A familiar laugh greeted her.
"Yelena put me down." She laughed out. She got set back down and looked at her sister.
Her blond hair was braided back and her blue eyes were shining. A familiar grin on her lips, "I missed you sestra."
"I missed you too little sister," Nat said as she turned back to the now burnt pancakes. She scraped them into the trash and spooned more batter into the pan.
"So I have a niece huh?"
"It looks that way." Nat sighed. "Draykov apparently made her in a test tube."
"Bastard." Yelena grumbled while taking a pancake.
"Friday can you tell Wanda and Elodie that breakfast is ready please."
Nat set four places at the bar and divided up the pancakes and went to the fridge and grabbed the milk and orange juice and a bowl of mixed fruit. She just got done setting things out when Wanda and Elodie came in laughing. When Wanda saw Yelena she rushed over to her and gave her a hug.
Elodie stood by the bar looking around awkwardly. Nat gave her a small smile and Elodie looked away fidgeting with her sleeves. The sleeves of a very familiar sweatshirt. And pants.
"Are those my clothes?" Nat asked.
"Oh uhh yeah. Sorry. I didn't exactly bring anything."
"It's fine, keep it. It looks good on you. Maybe later we can go shopping." Nat offered.
"Yeah maybe." Elodie looked uncomfortable.
"Should we eat?" Yelena interrupted.
"Yes please I'm starving." Wanda said picking a seat. Elodie sat next to her with Yelena opposite and Nat beside her. "How was your mission Lenny?"
"Fantastic!" She said through pancakes, "I blew up so many buildings and went to this cafe that had delicious Macaroni. Oh and I met this Bulgarian heiress at a club and we spent the rest of my trip in my hotel room. she was absolutely gorgeous, long black hair, legs for days and great big boo-"
"Yelena!" Nat warned with a look at the kids.
"What?" She asked innocently.
"Yeah Nat, why'd you stop her? I wanted to hear about her big boobs!" Wanda said laughing.
"I have a picture, you want to see?" Yelena said pulling out her phone.
"Of course!" Wanda said as Yelena turned her phone towards the girl. Wanda whistled slowly when she saw the picture, "niceee." Yelena turned her phone towards Nat and she had to admit the girl was beautiful and exactly as Yelena described. The picture left nothing to the imagination and Nat shook her head slightly, how did Yelena manage to find this many women?
"You want to see?" Yelena asked Elodie.
Her face turned red as she stammered, "uhh I um" her eyes went wide at the picture and Yelena laughed.
"Beautiful isn't she?" Yelena said putting her phone away.
"So you're..?"
"Gay, yes." Yelena finished for her. "You?"
Elodie's face turned even more red and she mumbled something they couldn't hear. Wanda bumped her shoulder, "it's ok El, Yelena can be a bit much sometimes. You don't have to answer her."
"It's fine, I'm just not used to people being so open about it."
"We had to hide it while in the Red room, but here we don't have to." Nat chimes in.
"We?" Elodie asked.
"Yeah we, Yelena is gay, I'm Bi."
"I'm pan." Wanda said.
"Gay must run in the family then," Elodie mumbled. "I'm gay." She said louder.
"Hi gay, I'm auntie." Yelena laughed.
"Aunt?"
"Yelena and Nat are sisters." Wanda explained.
"I didn't think Dreykov allowed siblings?"
"He doesn't but we aren't blood related. Blood isn't the only thing that makes a family. Sometimes it's people that you've been through hell with, people you choose to be your family." Nat said looking at Elodie.
"Family means a lot around here huh?" Elodie said, looking back at Nat. "If it means so much, why did you never come for me? Dreykov said you knew about me, that you agreed to them making me. You talk about family but you LEFT ME BEHIND!" She finished with a yell as she stood up and stormed out.
All Nat could do was stare after her, tears starting to form in her eyes.
************
Five
Nat found Elodie in the library of all places. She was in a far corner sitting on an overstuffed chair reading a book. Nat watched her for a few minutes before finally speaking.
"I didn't know." She sad softly. "I didn't know about you. And if I did, I never would have left you there." Elodie didn't look up from her book so Nat went over and knelt beside her. "Elodie, please. I don't know what Dreykov told you, but I swear to you, I had no idea."
She reached out and touched Elodie's arm and the girl jumped at the contact and hissed, "don't touch me." There was a fire in her eyes that Natasha knew well, it was one she saw in herself sometimes.
"I'm sorry."
Elodie stared at her for a long moment before getting up and leaving Nat in the library. She needed to hit something so she made her way to the training room. It took her forever to find it in this ridiculous building. Once there she saw Wanda meditating. Ten feet off the ground, surrounded by a red glow.
"Holy shit." She said, her voice ringing around the room.
Wanda smiled and opened her eyes. She laughed at the expression on Elodie's face and flew over to her before setting herself on the ground.
"How did you do that?" Elodie asked in amazement.
"Magic." Wanda said simply.
"So you can read minds and fly. Is there anything you can't do?"
"Hmmm," Wanda thought, "I can't drive."
Elodie laughed, "you can't drive?"
Wanda feigned a hurt look, "well you can't fly, so I think that makes us even."
"Yeah I guess so." The smile faded from her face as her dark mood returned.
Wanda noticed and gave her a look. "You ok?"
"Not really but it's fine."
Elodie looked around for a punching bag and spotted them in the far corner. She took a few steps towards them but didn't get far before Wanda stopped her. "Spar with me?" She asked.
Elodie debated on it, wanting a chance to see what Wanda could do but not wanting to hurt her at the same time.
"You won't hurt me." Wanda told her heading for the ring.
"Get out of my head," Elodie muttered.
"Your thoughts are loud, it's hard to block them out."
Elodie followed her to the ring and they started sparing. Gingerly at first, testing the waters. Then harder with more intent. Elodie had to admit the girl was good, even without her powers. Elodie managed to pin Wanda on the mat and held the girls hands above her head.
Wanda smiled and raised an eyebrow as Elodie's thoughts came through loudly. Wanda took that opportunity to flip Elodie off her and pin her. "I win," she said triumphantly before getting off the girl.
*****************************
Tony and Steve were in the conference room talking in hushed voices. "I don't trust the girl." Tony was saying.
"I don't either. It's odd that she just showed up."
"From what Natasha and Yelena have told us, escaping the Red room isn't easy. And she doesn't look to have a mark on her. So how'd she get away? I say we put her back in the cell until we get answers" Tony ranted.
"Nat will never let us interrogate her, Tony." Steve said rubbing his head.
"Then we get Wanda to do her mind voodoo thing."
"I want answers as much as you do, but we need to let Nat do it her way. We have to trust her."
Tony sighed, "I hope you know what you're doing Cap."
Me too, Steve thought.
****************
Six
The girls were laying the boxing ring staring at each other. After their sparring session they had collapsed in the ring.
"So why were you in such a bad mood earlier?" Wanda asked her.
"It's just frustrating."
"What is?"
Elodie sighed as she sat up, Wanda following her. "This. All of this." She waved her hand around them. "Natasha knew how bad the Red Room is, and yet she's living here, safe and happy, while the rest of us were stuck there."
"El, are you mad at Nat because she got out or because she didn't know about you?" Wanda asked gently.
"She knew. She can deny it all she wants, but she knew about me." The hate in the girls voice was unmistakable.
"How do you know she knew?"
"Draykov told me. He had documents that she had signed saying that she gave up all rights to me. Giving him permission to do what he wanted with her dna."
"He could have been lying though."
"Why would he?" The thought had occurred to her in the past, but Draykov was the only family she had.
"To get you to hate Natasha. So that maybe, one day, you could get close enough to kill her."
Elodie bit her lip as she thought about that. Finally she sighed, "either way, she should have been trying to take down the Red Room."
They sat in silence for a few minutes until Wanda said, "I may have an idea."
"For what?"
"A way for you and Nat to learn the truth about things," she said slowly. "If you want?"
Despite everything, Elodie did want.
It didn't take long until Natasha had joined the girls in the boxing ring and they all sat in a circle.
"Ok now we all need to hold hands," Wanda told them as she took their hands. Nat hesitantly offered her hand to Elodie, who took it softly. "Now I'll do most of the work and you guys just try not to get lost."
"Get lost?" Elodie asked confused.
Wanda didn't answer, instead she shut her eyes and a glow surrounded them. She looked over at Nat who also had her eyes closed and after a moment she closed hers too. A second later there were images flashing though her mind. Images that weren't hers. Images of the Red Room, of Draykov, of a young Yelena and people Elodie didn't recognize. With the images came feelings of anger and fear. So much fear it was overwhelming. Then the images changed and so did the feelings. Images of the Avengers and a now older Yelena and with them came a flash of happiness.
The last image Elodie saw was one of her. She felt how terrified Nat felt when Bruce told her the results of the test. Felt the rage and frustration when Elodie had told her she graduated. Felt the hope and uncertainty that Natasha feels when she looks at her.
Across from her Nat was seeing things too. She watched Elodie grow up. Watched her deep buried memories of all her firsts, her first step, first word, first love and first kill. She watched Draykov harden her and poison her against the Avengers. She saw the papers that draykov had showed her with Natasha's signature on them, giving her up. She saw herself through Elodie's eyes. Saw how much Elodie wanted a family and wanted to believe Natasha, even through all the hate.
When they finally opened their eyes, they were both crying. But a new understanding passed between them and they didn't let go for a long time.
*********
Seven
After the mind meld as Wanda called it, Nat decided that it was the perfect time to go shopping. So after finding Yelena who was chatting up Maria Hill, they all took one of Tony's cars and went shopping. They went to store after store and at first Elodie was nervous to even touch things. She had never been shopping like this, all her clothes were given to her at the Red Room. But after some persuasion and insisting, she finally started to relax and enjoy herself.
She didn't get nearly as much as the others and each time it came time to pay, Nat handed over a black card. "Being an Avenger must pay well," Elodie said after yet another hefty bill.
The three girls looked at each other and started laughing while Elodie looked at them confused, "oh sweetie," Nat said, "it's Tony's money. The guy is so rich that he's probably already earned back what we just spent."
They spent hours shopping and when they finally stopped to eat it was late. They piled everything into the car and went to a sit down restaurant. They got shown to a table and Nat immediately took the chair with the beat vantage point of the restaurant, her back to the wall. Yelena chose the chair next to her and Elodie and Wanda with their backs to the restaurant.
Logically she knew that nothing bad would happen here, but her nerves were on edge all the same. The first time the waiter showed up by her she nearly jumped out of the chair. Her leg wouldn't stop bouncing and she bit her lip until she tasted blood. Wanda and Yelena were in a deep conversation about Yelena's heiress and Nat would occasionally ask a question.
Elodie was picking at her sleeve when a nudge on her leg made her look up. Nat was looking at her with a knowing look, "wanna switch?" She offered.
Elodie nodded gratefully and they switched, her nerves calming significantly now that she could see the restaurant. The food arrived quickly and they ate in relative silence, occasionally talking about something random. Once they were done they headed back to the tower. The drive was beautiful with the city glowing and it didn't take long before they got back. They all said goodnight and then headed towards their rooms.
Exhausted from shopping all day, Elodie fell asleep as soon as she laid on Nat's bed. Her soft snores filled the room and Nat watched her from the couch. She still marveled at Elodie, at how alike and yet very different they were. Today had gone better then she could ever have hoped and with any luck tomorrow would be even better.
Natasha settled back on the couch and soon fell asleep, but not for long. It didn't take much to wake her up and with someone else in the room it was even easier. She wasn't sure what woke her up, only that when she did, Elodie was muttering in her sleep.
"Нет. Пожалуйста, нет."
No. Please, no.
Nat got up and went to the bed, sitting by Elodie. She was still muttering in her sleep and Nat reached out to comfort her, but when she touched her, Elodie flinched away.
"Не снова."
Not again.
"Elodie wake up," Nat said softly as she slightly shook the girls shoulder.
Her eyes flutter open and all she saw was a dark shadow sitting by her and she yelled, "no!" She tried to scramble away but couldn't go very far became of the wall.
"It's me! It's... Natasha." Nat said gently, "you're ok, you're safe, I promise."
A few moments passed before a shaky reply came, "Nat? What happened?"
"You were having a bad dream."
"Oh."
Neither of them moved for a minute and finally Natasha asked, "do you want to talk about it?"
"No," Elodie said quickly. She moved back to the spot she had been laying in and looked at Nat. "Sorry I woke you."
"It's ok. I'm here if you need me," Nat got up and was about to go back to the couch when a hand on her arm stopped her. She looked back at the girl in her bed who was looking very uncertain.
"Could you... could you stay?"
"Of course," Nat got into the bed and laid down beside her stiffly, not wanting to do anything to make Elodie uncomfortable. They stayed like that for a while, side by side, until Elodie took a deep breath and snuggled up into Nat's side. Nat wrapped her arms lightly around the girl who sighed heavily and grabbed Nat's shirt. Elodie never said a word and neither did Nat, but soon she was asleep.
Natasha didn't sleep that night, she stayed up just in case Elodie had another bad dream.
********
Eight
For the next week Nat and Elodie shared the bed. They never spoke about it, but after that night something shifted between them. Some days they would train together or spend time with Wanda and Yelena, but every night when they'd get into bed, they'd lay awake in the dark and talk. They spent the week getting to know each other and often staying up late into the night. They never pressed each other for answers, knowing that some things were too painful to talk about.
Nat hung on Elodie's every word, hating that she had missed her grow up. But more than anything, she hated that Elodie had grown up the way she did. And as much as she wanted to ask how the girl had escaped, something inside her told her not to.
Elodie loved listening to Natasha's stories about life with the avengers and life after Nat escaped. She had come to realize that what had happened to her wasn't Nat's fault. She had seen how the widow interacts and talks about about her family, and she knew now that if Nat had known about her, she would have set fire to the planet to get her.
Tony and Steve still didn't trust her but that was fine, Natasha did and they trusted her. After that first day they didn't come around very much. Rumor had it that they were planning a mission and that was keeping them busy. And that was just fine with Elodie, she didn't particularly like being around the men, mainly because they were men.
After a week of being in the tower Elodie was getting antsy and it just so happened to be the first day that Nat couldn't spend with her, so she went to find Wanda. She finally found her jamming out in the kitchen making something on the stove as she danced. Her hair was pulled over one shoulder and she was completely lost in her own world. She looked so happy that Elodie hated to interrupt her so she took a seat and watched her.
And when Wanda turned and finally saw her, she threw a knife at her head.
Luckily she also stopped it before it hit its mark. "Oh my god! I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed as she rushed over to the girl she had almost skewered. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine," Elodie told her as she ran her hands nervously over her as if she didn't believe she hadn't in fact hurt her. "I didn't mean to scare you, you just looked so happy I didn't want to interrupt." Her hands left Elodie's skin feeling heated even through her shirt and She shrugged out of Wanda's grasp.
"Nat would have killed me if I had hurt you," she looked around as if the woman was going to jump out of nowhere and get her.
Elodie laughed slightly at her expression, "I think you could take her."
"You've never seen her fight."
An image of the Red Room flashed through the girls head, a memory of a video she had to watch over and over of Natasha fighting. Dreykov used to make her watch it for days on end to learn Nat's moves.
"I'm sorry," Wanda told her as she saw the memory.
"It's fine, we all have things we'd rather forget that we can't."
"So why were you sitting here like a creeper?" Wanda asked changing the subject.
"Oh! Well I was wondering, if maybe, if you wanted to get out of here?" The girl was suddenly nervous that maybe Wanda wouldn't want to hang out today.
"Cabin fever setting in?" Wanda went back to the stove and turned it off.
"Yes very much so."
"Well I did burn lunch so how about we go out to eat?" Wanda said as she turned back to the girl. "I know a great cafe a few blocks away."
"That would be great!" Elodie jumped up in excitement causing the witch to smile at her enthusiasm.
"Ok let me change and I'll meet you back here in 20?"
"Ok! See you in 20."
And exactly 20 minutes later the girls left the tower and walked the few blocks to the cafe. It was a nice quiet place with an outdoor patio. The girls got their food and sat outside, enjoying the nice summer day. The sun shone down on them and Elodie couldn't help but notice the different hues in Wanda's hair and how the sunshine made her green eyes look deeper. She wondered if it would be weird to compliment Wanda about it.
"It's not weird," the Witch said over teacup.
Elodie's face turned bright red, "I keep forgetting that you can do that."
Wanda set her cup down but didn't let go, her ringed fingers clinking softly on the glass. "I try to block out what I can but sometimes people have very loud thoughts," she smiled in a teasing way at the blushing girl. "And for what it's worth, I think you're beautiful too."
********
Nine
A few days later Elodie and Wanda are sparing when Nat comes into the gym. She goes over to them, a guarded expression on her face. "Hey can I talk to you? Alone." She looked at Wanda pointedly.
"I'll catch up with you later El," Wanda said before heading off.
"What's up?" Elodie asked as she started to take off her boxing gloves.
"I'm going on a mission."
The shift in Elodie was almost unnoticeable, from carefree to tactical in a split second. "When?"
"In an hour."
Elodie's eyes snap to Nat, "where to?"
"Budapest," Nat sat down by the girl and hesitantly put her hand on Elodie's arm. "There's a cell of Widows there and our hope is that we can free them."
Elodie stood and shook off Nat's hand, "you won't be able to." She threw her gloves on the bench and crossed her arms, "you have no idea what Dreykov has been up to since you left. The only reason you found those Widows is because he wanted you to."
"We still have to try. I can't stand the thought of them being his for any longer." Nat stood and put her hands on the girls shoulders, looking into her eyes, "I will come back, I'm not going to leave you ever again."
A moment of vulnerability flashed across Elodie's face as she said, "promise?"
Nat pulled her into a fierce hug, "I promise."
And for what it was worth, she did come back.
She was just dead.
But luckily Bruce managed to restart her heart and then he got to work on her gunshot wounds. Elodie watched the monitors that Nat was hooked up to. The beeping started to get slower and slower and Bruce rushed over to her, "I need your blood."
"What?"
"She's bleeding out, I need your blood." He didn't wait for a reply but instead grabbed her arm and dragged her to a chair, "sit and hold out your arm."
Elodie was used to taking orders so she did so without question. When she pulled her sleeve up the white scars that crisscrossed her arm stood out under the harsh lights. Bruce paused momentarily when he saw them but then he quickly hooked a needle into her and she watched her blood flow into Nat. They watched as the beeping got stronger and Bruce started to work on Nat again. Elodie focused on the rise and fall of Nat's chest and fought the feelings that were rising up in her. Feelings that surprised her.
Just because Nat was her...
Elodie shook her head trying to clear it. This was no different from when she had given blood in the Red Room. After a few minutes Bruce unhooked her and she went to get some juice. In the kitchen she found Steve who was making a sandwich. When he saw her he looked worried, "are you ok?"
"Need juice, Bruce took blood." Apparently he took more than she realized because her vision turned spotted.
Steve rushed to her side and helped her to a chair and then brought her some juice. He stood watching her as she sipped it slowly. "Can I ask you something?" He finally said. Elodie tensed slightly as she looked at him, but nodded. "Why are you here?"
"I had nowhere else to go."
"You could have stayed in the Red Room."
She gave him a sad smile, "yeah I could have. I could have stayed and been constantly told that I'm not as good as Natasha. I could have stayed and been sent to kill people who probably didn't deserve it. I could have stayed and been mentally and physically abused. What a way to spend a life."
Steve looked slightly uncomfortable but he still continued, "how'd you get out? Nat and Yelena had to fake their death to get out. How is it that you don't have a scratch on you?"
Elodie sighed and stood up, "who says I don't?"
*******
Ten
Nat woke up a few days later to find Elodie sleeping on the floor in a pile of blankets. She tried to move, groaning softly as she did, and Bruce showed up at her side. "Careful," he said softly, "you'll rip your stitches."
"How bad?"
"You have a bullet wound on your right leg and shoulder. It was pretty bad, you were technically dead when the team brought you back here. You lost a lot of blood but luckily for you Elodie has the same blood type."
Nat looked down at the sleeping girl, "how long has she been down there?"
"Two days, she refused to leave," he sighed heavily. "There's something I think you should know. About her."
The Widow looked back at Bruce, "is she ok?"
He ran a hand through his hair in a worried way, "I'm not sure. She has... marks on her arm."
"Marks?"
"Cuts. Nat they look self inflicted."
Natasha leaned her head back and closed her eyes, breathing deeply. After several breaths she looked back at bruce, "so what do we do? How do we help her?"
"I don't know, but none of them looked recent."
Nat nodded, her mind churning. "Can you tell Tony that I need to see him?"
"Sure thing," Bruce said before going to find the billionaire.
When he was gone Nat turned back the sleeping girl. She reached down and softly stroked her head, waking her up. Elodie sat up quickly when she saw that Nat was awake. The Widow smiled at the girl, "I'm pretty sure the bed in our room is a lot more comfortable than the floor."
"It felt weird, being alone in there." Elodie shrugged, "besides, Bruce may have needed more blood for you so I had to stay close." An obvious lie, but one Nat knew was based on fact.
"Thank you for that, by the way."
"It what you do for family." Elodie's face went red as she realized what she said, "I mean technically we are both Widows, and it's our duty to help each other."
"Well isn't that sweet?" Said a sarcastic voice from the doorway.
Nat rolled her eyes as she greeted the man, "hello Tony."
"Romanoff. Baby Romanoff." He came over to them and pulled up a chair, "Banner said you wanted to see me?"
"Yes I did," she turned to Elodie, "can you give us a minute?"
Wordlessly, the girl got up and left, deciding to go and take a shower. She made her way back to Nat's room without passing anyone, and got in the shower. Out of everything in the tower, she liked the shower the best. When she was done she went to the closet and went over to Nat's side and ran her hand along the clothes. Even after they had gone shopping, she still liked to wear Natasha's clothes. Something about the way they were worn in was comforting. She grabbed a sweatshirt, leggings and a book from one of the many shelves and got in bed.
She read for hours before she finally passed out and dreamed of the Red Room. It was always the same, Dreykov and his experiments. When she finally woke up a few hours later, the walls of the room felt like they were closing in on her so she headed up to the roof. The wind was blowing but it was a clear night and she could make out the stars. To her surprise someone else was there too.
"Hey," Yelena called when she saw Elodie.
"Hi," she said awkwardly as she made her way the blond Widow.
"Sit with me," Yelena said as she patted the blanket she was laying on. "I'm sorry we haven't talked much since that first morning," she said when the girl was beside her.
"It's fine," Elodie told her as she gazed up at the stars.
"Have you been settling in alright?"
"I guess, I mostly stay in Nat's room or with Wanda."
"Aahhh you and Wanda have gotten pretty close huh?" Yelena wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"Not like that!" And for the second time that day, Elodie's face went red.
Yelena laughed at the girls expression, "it's alright you know."
"What is?"
"To like her. Out here, it's safe to be who you are."
Elodie bit her cheek for a moment, "I'm not sure how I feel about her. I like hanging out with her, I've never really had a friend before."
"Yeah the Red Room isn't really a place to make lasting friendships." The bitterness in Yelena's voice made Elodie look at her.
"What was it like? Growing up there with Nat?"
Yelena thought for a minute before answering, "the first few years I knew Natasha, we were on a mission, but I didn't know it. I was six and she was twelve, and we had a mom and a dad, and I thought we were just a normal family. So when the mission was over and we were returned to Dreykov, I didn't see Nat again for almost twenty years. And when I did, we tried to kill each other."
"Why?"
"We didn't know if we could trust each other."
"You guys obviously got past that."
"Yes thankfully," Yelena breathed deeply, "that was a few years ago. She brought me on as part of the Avengers and now they are like family. And so are you, you're family."
"Family is a weird concept."
Yelena nudged the girl, "I'm glad that you are part of my family, and I know Natasha is too, even though she can find it hard to express it sometimes."
Elodie thinks back to all the times that Nat has comforted her and held her during her nightmares, "she does alright."
*******
Eleven
It took a few weeks before Natasha was healed enough to move from the lab, and during that time she almost drove Bruce crazy. Widows did not do well on bed rest. Elodie had pushed another hospital bed up against Nat's and they spent those weeks playing games and talking, opening up more and more. Nat noticed that the girl smiled and laughed more easily now and shared more. She also noticed that Elodie and Wanda seemed to be spending a lot of time together.
Nat decided to bring it up one day while they were playing cards, "so you and Wanda," she started and Elodie glanced quickly from her cards to Nat and back, "I'm glad you guys have become friends."
"It's nice to have a friend, never had one before," Elodie told her in a slightly guarded voice.
Nat watched her carefully, "are you... just friends?"
"Yes," the girl said, "but.. I think I.. might like her. As more than that." She confessed as she glanced at Nat who was smiling softly at her.
"Have you told her?"
"No, but she knows."
"How would she know if you haven't told her?"
Elodie groaned, "because she's always telling me how loud my thoughts are."
Nat laughed loudly, "and what exactly are you thinking so loudly?" She laughed harder when the first face got bright red and it took her a few minutes to regain her composure. When she finally did she told her, "you know, hearing someone thinking about how they like you, and being told that they like you, are two very different things."
"So, you're ok with me liking Wanda?" She knew that Nat would be, but she still needed to hear it.
Nat put her cards down and looked at Elodie, "of course I'm ok with it. Wanda is a good person and she has a good heart. She's good in a fight and she's fiercely loyal and protective of the people she loves. There's nobody else I'd trust with my- with you."
"Thank you," Elodie said, and she meant it. Dreykov had never been supportive of her attractions, had found it to be rather disgusting, and had told her on many occasions. But here, it was different. Here she was accepted for who she was and that meant a lot. "I actually haven't seen her for a few days, she said she had something to do and then left."
Nat got a mischievous look in her eyes, "she's setting up the cabin for us."
"What cabin?"
"Tony's. He's letting us use it until I'm fully healed. We leave in a few days."
"We?"
"Me, you, Yelena and Wanda of course."
As much as Elodie wanted to be excited about the prospect of leaving the tower, she couldn't help but be worried. "Is it safe?"
"Nobody will bother us there. The only people who even know about the cabin are the Avengers. Tony set it up to be a safe house in case one of us had to disappear for a while." Nat saw the worry written on Elodie's face and took the girls hand, "I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."
"I know, I trust you." And oddly enough, Elodie did trust Natasha. She didn't know when it had happened or how, she just knew that Nat would keep her promises. "So what do I need to bring?"
They spent the next few days packing and Nat told her all about the cabin and where it was. When they finally left in one of Tony's cars that Yelena 'borrowed' and drove far too fast, Elodie was jittery with excitement. Partly to finally see the cabin but mostly to see Wanda. She had realized that Nat was right, she should tell Wanda how she felt.
The drive took several hours and somewhere on the way, Elodie fell asleep. She woke up to Nat waking her shoulder gently and telling her that they had arrived. She followed the others out of the car and grabbed her and Nat's bags from the trunk before following them up to the cabin.
Wanda was waiting for them inside and she smiled when she saw them, "you finally made it! And just in time for supper."
*******
Twelve
Supper that night was a very relaxed affair, Wanda had made some soup and they ate in the living room while watching a movie. Afterwards they all headed upstairs to the bedrooms to get settled in. The cabin was big enough that everyone could have their own small room. Nat took one closest to the stairs and Wanda had already taken one towards the back of the cabin. Elodie took the one next to Nat, for strategic reasons, she told herself.
The rooms were a lot simpler than the ones in the tower, just a bed, some side tables and a small bathroom that connected to Nat's room. Elodie put away her things and went to the window. The cabin overlooked a large lake with a dock leading out and a small shed. Nat hadn't been lying when she said it was like paradise here.
A soft knock came from her door and she turned to find Nat standing there. "You settling in ok?"
"Yeah, there's not much to put away."
"We can go shopping again when we get back if you want?" Nat offered.
"Maybe. I don't need a lot."
Nat yawned and Elodie notice that she was already in her pajamas, "I came to tell you that I'm gonna call it a day. Feel free to look around just don't leave the cabin tonight, there's big animals out there."
"Ok, I'll probably go to bed soon too." Despite her nap she was still tired.
Nat hesitated a moment, "if you need me, don't hesitate to come over."
Elodie nodded at her and Nat left to her own room and the girl started to get ready for bed. She took her time hoping that she'd fall asleep faster when she finally made into the bed. But she didn't.
After a few hours of tossing and turning, Elodie finally gave up on sleep. It was ridiculous, she thought, she's never had trouble sleeping before. But then again she never really slept in the Red Room. You couldn't when at any moment you could be taken and sent somewhere. And now it appeared that she couldn't sleep without the sounds of someone next to her.
She got up and pulled her hood over her head before going Into the bathroom and opening Nat's door. At first she thought the Widow was asleep, but when Elodie stood there hesitating, Nat lifted the blanket for her and the girl crawled in gratefully. She tried to get comfortable and accidentally kicked Natasha, "sorry," she whispered.
"It's fine малышка (babygirl)." Nat said sleepily as she slung an arm around Elodie and pulled her close. Soon Nat was snoring softly and not long after, so was Elodie.
******
Thirteen
The next morning the girls woke to the smell of someone making breakfast. "That better not be Yelena," Nat grumbled as she rolled out of bed.
"Why?" Elodie asked under a pile of pillows.
Nat groaned as her joints popped, "because that girl burns water."
When they made it downstairs they discovered that Yelena was in fact in the kitchen. But thankfully, Wanda was cooking.
"You're up early," Nat said as she got a cup of coffee.
"We have been up for hours," Yelena told them, "I got tired of waiting so we made food."
"We?" Wanda teased.
"Ok fine, Wanda made food."
"Thank god for that," Nat muttered.
"Hey! I'll have you know that I've gotten very good at making Mac and cheese. And it's not like you can cook either."
"Yes I can!" Natasha argued.
Elodie looked between the two bickering sisters and smiled softly. It still amazed her how relaxed the two Widows were. They might not be blood related but they sure argued like a real family.
"Hungry?"
Elodie jumped as Wanda appeared by her side, "not as hungry as Yelena but yeah."
"Nobody is ever as hungry as Yelena," she said with a laugh. A laugh that was quickly becoming Elodie's favorite thing.
Wanda magicked all the food onto the table and they all sat to eat. It was nothing but chewing for a few minutes until Nat broke the silence. "So what are our plans for today?"
"A nap," Yelena said through a mouthful of food.
"You came all this way just to sleep?"
"You try sleeping when your room is next to the Green Bean."
"What about you two?" Nat asked as she turned to Elodie and Wanda.
"I've got nothing planned," Wanda told her.
"Actually, I was wondering if maybe you'd want to go for a walk with me?" Elodie asked Wanda nervously.
Wanda smiled, "yeah of course. There's some beautiful scenery around here."
"Can we?" Elodie asked Nat, suddenly unsure if she needed permission or not.
"Of course, just be careful."
"We will." Wanda turned to Elodie, "meet you on the porch in 20?"
"In 20," Elodie confirmed with a nod.
Wanda went to get ready and after a minute Elodie followed. She didn't have many outfits to choose from so she just went with her usual leggings and a long sleeve. She had just finished changing when a knock on the door sounded.
"Come in," she called as she started to put on her boots.
Nat walked in carrying a small backpack and sat it on the bed next to Elodie, "I packed you some water and snacks."
"Thank you," Elodie said, surprised by the kindness.
"So this walk," Natasha started, "are you gonna tell her?" Elodie nodded and Nat came and crouched in front of her. "Not that you'll need it, but good luck."
"What if she doesn't feel the same?"
"Then that's her loss. I know we haven't known each other long, but you are an amazing person Elodie. And anyone would be lucky to have you in their life."
"Thanks Nat, and for what it's worth, you're pretty amazing too."
When Elodie made it downstairs Wanda was already waiting for her. "Ready?" Wanda asked.
"Very," Elodie replied as they headed off. They chose a random trail and walked in silence for a few minutes, taking in the sights. Elodie was also working up the courage to ask Wanda out. Just do it, she told herself, you've done scarier things. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "umm Wanda?"
"Yes?"
"I need to tell you something." Elodie stopped walking and turned to look at Wanda, who had a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "You've heard me thinking this a few times, but someone told me recently that that's different then actually saying it. So, Wanda I like you and if you like me too, then I was wondering if you would like to go on a date. With me. When we get back to the tower."
The smile finally won and Wanda took Elodie's hand, "I'd be honored to go on a date with you."
"Really?"
"Yes really," Wanda nudged her gently, "took you long enough to ask."
"I was nervous!"
"The big bad Widow was nervous?"
"Yes! I can do a great many things, but talking to beautiful women has never been one of my skills."
Wanda grinned and raised her eyebrows teasingly, "so you think I'm beautiful huh?"
******
Fourteen
The next few days were spent lounging by the lake, exploring the woods and getting some much needed rest. None of them realized just how stressed and cooped up they had been until they finally relaxed. They spent the third day at the lake. Elodie was lying on the dock tanning in a pair of shorts and her usual long sleeve. The bottom of the shirt was pulled up, exposing her toned stomach. Wanda was laying next to her in a bikini.
"You're gonna get a weird tan line," Wanda told her.
"It's not like anyone is gonna see it," the girl replied.
Wanda rolled towards her and placed a hand on Elodie's stomach, "does that include me?" She traced the tone lines of the girls abs, causing her to shiver slightly.
"You can see whatever you want."
Wanda's hand hesitated at the words, "can I.. see your scar? Here," she tapped softly on Elodie's abdomen where she thought it would be.
The girl took a breath but slowly nodded, "it's here," she said softly as she pulled her shorts down just enough to show Wanda. A faint scar about two inches long just below Elodie's bellybutton greeted her. She ran her fingers softly over it expecting it to feel different then the rest of her skin, but it didn't.
"I'm sorry they did this to you," Wanda whispered.
"They did it to all of us, me, Nat and Yelena. Who knows how many more."
"Do you have any others?" Elodie's arm twitched slightly, something that didn't escape Wanda's notice. "Can I?" She asked. Elodie didn't reply, she just moved her arm closer to Wanda who pulled up the sleeve gently. "Oh baby," she said softly at the sight of all the scars. "Did you...?"
"No. I know what they look like, so it's easier to just keep them hidden rather then to explain what they are really from."
"Does Nat know?"
Elodie sighed softly, "I don't know. Bruce saw them when he took my blood so it's possible he told her." Not that Elodie expected Natasha to talk to her about it if she knew. Widows don't share emotional things.
"She loves you, you know."
"What?"
"Natasha. She loves you. I can feel it every time she looks at you." Wanda moved to look at Elodie's face, "and she's not the only one El."
Elodie smiled at her softly, "yeah Yelena is a pretty cool aunt."
Wanda hit her shoulder gently, "dork."
Later that night they were eating supper and playing a monopoly. "$200! Pay up!" Yelena exclaimed happily.
Nat groaned as she handed over the money and Yelena put it in her already tall stack. "How are you winning?"
"Because I am amazing," the blond said with a grin.
"Ok my turn," Elodie said she rolled. "Eight." She moved her piece and landed right on one of Yelena's property. Yelena laughed happily as Elodie handed over her money.
"Moving on! Wanda it's your turn. Wanda? Hey Wands!" Elodie waved her hand in front of Wanda's glazed over eyes.
Suddenly the girl yelled, "get down!" Just as bullets started to rain into the house. They all hit the floor and took cover as best as they could. Wanda put up a shield to help protect them and after a few seconds the bullets stopped. Nat and Yelena waisted no time in pulling out their own guns from under the table.
"Is everyone alright?" Natasha asked them.
"Fine," Wanda replied.
"Pissed off," Yelena answered, "I was winning."
"Elodie?" Nat came and crouched in front of the girl and cupped her face gently, "Elodie, baby, are you hurt?"
Elodie slowly focused on Nat and blinked a few times, "what?"
"Are you hurt?" When the girl shook her head Nat pulled her into a tight hug. "Can you walk?" She asked when she pulled away. A nod from Elodie. "Wanda stay with her, get to the lake. There's a boat in the shed. Yelena and I will hold them off. If we aren't there in five minutes, leave."
"Got it," Wanda said as she took Elodie's arm and hauled the girl to her feet.
"Be careful," Elodie told them.
The two Widows looked at her with somber expressions, "always."
So while Nat and Yelena returned fire out the front windows, Wanda and Elodie escaped out the back. They ran across the open lawn as bullets flew around them. They almost made it to the shed when a group of soldiers ambushed them. "Go!" Wanda yelled, "I got this." Her hands lit up and her eyes turned to flashing embers as she started throwing people around.
Elodie made it to the shed and jumped in the boat and started looking for the keys. A voice spoke out behind her, one she hadn't heard in months, "hello 943." She turned around and there was Red Room Doctor Orlov. She charged at him but just as she got to him he smirked and said, "os'minog." Elodie collapsed and her vision went dark.
******
Fifteen
The cell that Elodie was in was an old friend. She had spent years in it, knew each crack and crevice intimately. The only light came from a slit in the bottom of the door. There was no furniture, no blankets, no sense of comfort. Just the icy cold floor and walls to keep her company. She didn't know how long she had been in the cell, time moved different when you have no way of telling time.
"You failed your mission myshka."
Elodie's eyes napped open and there was none other then Dreykov crouched in front of her. She pressed as far as she could against the wall, trying to get even a few inches away from him. His mouth twitched slightly at the sight and he flicked his hand. A crackling noise followed by Elodie's muscles convulsing and she let out a small cry. Though it only lasted a few seconds, she had forgotten the feeling of it.
"Oh myshka, what have they done to you? You have gone soft on me." He shook his head as she stood and looked down on her, "not to worry, we will fix that soon enough. And then you'll be back to my perfect Widow." He turned and walked away, only pausing to look at her over his shoulder, "see you soon daughter."
As the cell door clanged shut, Elodie closed her eyes and breathed deeply, "see you soon papa."
The next time she woke up she was strapped to a table. She had no memory of them coming for her but that wasn't unusual. She was in a brightly lit room and she recognized it instantly- it was the lab where Dr. Orlov did his mind control experiments. She had been there many times, each session more painful then the last.
The door opened with a clang and the Doctor came in, his white lab coat glowing under the lights. "It's been too long 943," he said excitedly. He crossed to a table and wheeled it over beside her. He ran his fingers lovingly over the instruments before stopping on a scalpel. He picked it up and inspected the edge, "you remember our old friend here, don't you 943?" He cut the sleeve of her shirt in one fluid motion revealing the scars on her arm. "Should we add another to the collection?" He didn't wait for an answer before he cut her, the pain searing through her. She felt her blood running down her arm and pooling on the table, soaking into her shirt. He leaning down close to her face and smiled sickeningly at her, "it is so good to have you home 943."
*****************************
Across the world Natasha was trying to break out of Bruce's lab. She had a mild concussion and a few broken ribs, but thankfully, that was the worst of the injuries any of the girls had sustained. Yelena and Wanda had walked away with only scratches.
"Bruce I swear if you don't let me out of here, I'll turn hulk into a eunuch." She made a snipping motion with her fingers and the man visibly paled.
"It's Tony's orders Nat."
"Screw Tony! I have to find her!" She got off of the bed and took a few wobbly steps before Bruce caught her.
"You're in no condition to help her," he said as he put her back on the bed. He gives her a shot of something and her eyes start to close. "Just rest Nat."
She's half asleep and looking at him with pleading eyes, "they have my kid Bruce. My kid." Her eyes close and she falls into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile Wanda, Yelena and the others are in Tony's conference room coming up with a plan. Unfortunately, the only one they can think of is a suicide mission.
"How'd they even find us Tony?" Wanda demanded.
The billionaire rubbed his eyes as he answered, "I have no idea. The girl must have had a tracker or something on her that activated when she left the city."
"You are blaming this on Elodie?" Yelena accused.
"Who else would they have been tracking?" Steve asked.
"If they tracked her then surely we can too?" Wanda turned to Tony, "don't you have something that could find her?"
"Jarvis is already looking but so far there's nothing."
"Even if we find her, how do we get her back? I don't think they'll just let us walk in and take her." Steve turned to Yelena, "do you have any idea where they would have taken her?"
"If I did I would already be on my way."
"So there's nothing we can do?" Wanda asked as her voice broke slightly.
"There's the emergency number," Natasha said from the doorway, with Bruce behind her. Yelena quickly got up and helped Nat to her seat.
"Didn't I tell you to sedate her?" Tony asked Bruce.
"I did, but, it's Natasha." He shrugged apologetically.
"What emergency number?" Wanda asked.
"You can't be serious.." Yelena said, but she knew by the fire in Nat's eyes that she was. "Does it even still work?"
"Only one way to find out," Nat said.
"What emergency number?" Wanda asked again.
"The one all Widows know by heart. The one for when things go so sideways on a mission that you have no choice but to call for an extraction."
"So you're just going to call Dreykov?" Steve asked.
The two Widows looked at each other and then at the others, "yes," they said together.
*******
Sixteen
Days passed in that lab with the Doctor 'conditioning' her once more. Elodie had retreated into her mind, becoming numb to the world around her. If the doctor minded he didn't say. He worked on her for hours every day, cutting, injecting and anything else he could think of.
One day Dreykov came in and made him stop. He went over to Elodie and stroked her head gently, "I have some good news myshka. Soon your family will be joining us."
"I have no family," the girl mumbled.
"True, true," he said, "but you'll always have me. And soon, I'll have both of you. Both of my Widows come home at last." He nodded to the doctor and then left.
Natasha was coming. For her.
The thought gave her hope, but only for a second. Then the hope turned to fear. Fear of what would happen to Nat when she got here. And if Nat was coming, then so we're the others. So was Yelena and Wanda. If something were to happen to them while they were trying to save her... she would never forgive herself.
A sharp poke in her arm and her vision turned black. When she woke up again she was tied to a chair and Natasha was tied to one in front of her. When Nat saw she was awake, relief flooded across her face. "Are you ok?" She asked, "did they... hurt you?"
Elodie smiled slightly, "they tried, but it takes more then a few scratches to break me." She looked around before asking, "are the others ok? Yelena and Wanda?"
Nat nodded, "they're fine. Worried about you, we all were."
"Isn't this a touching reunion? Mother and daughter, together again." Dreykov said as he came into the room. He went and stood behind Elodie, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't touch her!" Nat hissed at him.
"Oh I'll do much more then touch her Natalia, I assure you. I'm going to make her better then you ever were." He caressed Elodie's cheek and the girl jerked away from him. "After we remove some... problem areas. The things they can do with prosthetic limbs these days is truly a miracle." The door opened and the doctor came in with a wheelchair and a large burly guy. They came over to Elodie and the guy moved her from the chair to the wheelchair.
"Time for surgery 943," the doctor said gleefully. "My first limb removal and prosthetic attachment. What a wonderful day."
"If you hurt my kid I'll kill you all!" Nat yelled.
"And how will you kill me if you're being vivisected?" Dreykov asked her. "Take her." The doctor started wheeling Elodie towards the door.
"Don't touch my kid!" Nat yelled.
"Momma!" Elodie screamed as she was taken from the room. The sounds of Natasha yelling was cut off as the door closed behind the doctor.
"Enough of that," he told her as he swatted her in the head. "This is a privilege 943, you should be thankful and grateful to be part of this."
"If I survive this, I'll kill you."
"I have no doubt," the doctor said.
**************
Back in the holding room Natasha was glaring at Dreykov who was regarding her curiously. "Tell me Natalia, why did you come for the girl?"
"She's my kid, part of my family. Not that you'd understand family."
"Wouldn't I? You were like a daughter to me, all of you girls are like daughters to me. I care deeply for each and every one of you."
"You sure have a funny way of showing it," Natasha scoffed.
"I only want the best for my girls. That's why I had the good doctor develop this program. To make my girls better, stronger. And who better to be the first subject then my own child." He grinned as he said it and it only got bigger at Natasha's outrage.
"She's not your child, none of us are."
"Isn't she though, Natalia? Did you not wonder who gave her half of her genetics?"
"She said it was a mystery donor."
"You were my greatest creation Natalia. Beautiful, lethal, but none too bright. Before you left, I had a vision of a hundred just like you. So I made 943, donated my genetic material. I had hoped that she would be the best of both of us, but she turned out just like you," he said bitterly. "But now I'm going to fix that." He went and opened the door and called over his shoulder, "enjoy your vivisection, 933."
*******
Seventeen
Elodie was back on the table, the doctor drawing on her head with a marker as he traced along her hairline. He chatted gleefully about the surgery as if it was the best thing to ever happen to them. And for him it probably was. When he was finally ready he filled up a syringe and came over to her. "When you wake up, you'll be all better 943." He stuck her with it and almost immediately she started to feel sleepy. She struggled against the restraints, her tugs becoming slower and slower. Eventually they stopped altogether.
When she woke up alarms were blaring and the emergency lights were flashing. Something tugged at her leg and she looked down to find Natasha undoing her restraints. "Momma?" Elodie said groggily.
"I'm here baby," Nat said as she moved to the wrist straps.
"How?" Elodie asked as she tried to focus. "Why the lights..?"
"They never changed the emergency protocols. Who knew one little match could cause so much trouble," Nat told her mischievously. She got the straps open and helped Elodie sit up. Nat pulled her into a tight hug before helping her down from the bed. Elodie wobble but stayed up and they headed towards the door. Her foot caught on something and she looked down to find the Doctor gripping her ankle weakly.
She took a scalpel from his tray and couched down, "I told you if I survived I'd kill you." She plunged the scalpel into his heart and watched the light fade from his eyes. She stood back up and found Natasha watching her. "We have a history," Elodie told her as she gestured to her arm.
"You good?" Natasha asked her.
"Getting there," Elodie told her as she joined Nat by the door. "So what's the plan?"
"The plan is not to die," Nat told her as she looked out the door.
"Natasha," Elodie said in a bewildered tone, "do you not have a plan?" Nat just looked at her and gave her a weird smile and looked back out the door. "So you came in here with no backup and no plan? Why?"
"For you. To get my daughter back with her family." Nat looked at her softly, "I know I'm not the best at expressing myself but I just want you to know, in case something happens, and I should have told you before now, but, I love you Elodie. And I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. I have 17 years to make up for and I'm going to start by taking this place down." She looks out the door again and whispers, "stay here." She takes off and there's the sound of yelling and a scuffle and then she's back carrying two guns, spare ammo, and a bulletproof vest. "Here," she handed a gun and the vest to Elodie who took the gun but raised a brow at the vest.
"Really? You do realize I have the same training as you right?"
"I just got you back, I'm not going to risk losing you again. Now," she said as she pushed the vest into the guts chest, "put it on."
The look in Nat's eyes stopped Elodie from arguing, so she put it on and together they headed into the hallway. They passed the guards that Nat had taken out and when they came to an intersection they glanced down the halls. "Where to?" Elodie asked.
"We need to send a signal to the team so they can come pick us up."
"Ops is gonna be packed with agents," Elodie said as she thought out loud. Then an idea came to her, "we could go to Dreykovs office. He has a personal hardline to the outside."
"That'll work. And with any luck he'll be there," Nat nodded at her and continued, "let's go. Stay behind me, and no arguing," she said as Elodie started to argue.
They set off for Dreykovs office meeting only a few guards on the way that they quickly dispatched. Before long they were outside the door to Dreykovs office and they looked at each other and nodded before going in. Dreykov was there at his desk as if he had been waiting for them. "Welcome girls," he said with a smile. "You're losing your touch Natalia, I expected you five minutes ago."
"So sorry to keep you waiting," she said sarcastically.
"It's no trouble," he said as he hit a button. All the flashing lights and alarms stopped and then Widows flooded into the room. They aimed guns at Nat and Elodie who dropped theirs. "I really must thank you 943, for delivering me Natalia. Even though your mission was to bring me the witch."
"What's he talking about?" Natasha asked as she looked at Elodie.
"I don't know," the girl said with a sinking feeling in her stomach.
"Did you not wonder how your precious Elodie escaped? How she found you? The answer is very simple- I let her go. I placed her blocks from the tower, with a single thought, find the avengers and bring me the witch."
"That's why..."
"Yes, dear daughter. That's why you were so infatuated with the witch. Because I told you to be."
"No, I don't believe you. Wanda read her mind, she didn't find any hint of this." Nat said definitely, still defending Elodie.
"Well that's all thanks to Dr. Orlovs little experiments. Like this one- os'minog" at the word Elodie collapsed and a Widow picked her up.
"What did you do to her?" Nat tried to rush the man but the Widows swarmed her.
"After you escaped, I installed a failsafe." He stood up from his desk and came over to her, "I really had hopes for you Natalia, but I see now that you are beyond helping." He patted her face gently and walked away. "Bring the girl," he ordered the Widow carrying Elodie. "Kill her," he said gesturing to Natasha.
He left the room and all but five of the Widows left with him. "Just us now ladies, you don't have to do this." She told them.
"We know," one of them said, "but we want to, traitor."
*******
Eighteen
Natasha stood over the bodies of the five Widows. Her shoulder was dislocated but she fixed it by quickly slamming it into a wall. She went to the desk and sent out a signal to the team and prayed that they were close by. Then she grabbed weapons from the Widows and ran after Dreykov.
The sounds of distant explosions drew her up a few flights of stairs and out a door into the sunlight. She blinked a few times as her eyes adjusted and wind whipped around her. Now that she was outside the sound of a constant humming filled her ears. Soldiers and Widows where running around trying to put out fires, while others were starting up jets.
Another explosion caused the entire structure to shudder and lurch to the right. Jets and people went over the railing, screaming as they fell. Nat held onto the railing as her feet were swept out from under her and she looked down- something that turned out to be a mistake. Her stomach lurched as she saw that they were thousands of feet in the air on a giant ship.
The ship hummed and groaned as it struggled to righten itself. Jets were flying all around and she recognized Tony's jet among them. As she watched, Tony jumped out the back in his suit and started flying around, blasting jets.
After a long minute the ship was finally level again and Nat moved down to the deck. Nobody really paid her any attention, they were too busy dealing with the destruction and the Avengers. She scanned the deck looking for any signs of Dreykov or Elodie. At the far end of the deck she spotted a heavily guarded jet and there he was- Dreykov talking to one of the Widows.
She took off towards them, dodging fires and people until she got to the jet. Crouching behind a crate, she readied her weapon and just as she was about to attack, the jet exploded in a ball of red.
**********************
Elodie woke up tied and gaged in the back of a jet. She could hear yelling and explosions outside and the sound of Dreykov talking. She truffled against her restraints, she was really getting tired of being tied up. She managed to slip out of the cuffs and remove her gag, then she crept to the window of the jet. Outside she could see people fighting and and the Avengers jet.
"Elodie? Can you hear me?" Wanda's voice came into her head.
"Wanda?" She whispered.
"I can hear you. Are you and Nat ok? Where are you?"
"I'm in a jet at the far end of the runway. I don't know where Nat is we got separated. What's going on?"
"We came to get you. Can you get away?"
"I don't think so, Dreykov is right outside and there's too many to fight. Wanda," she said in a resigned tone, "you have to kill him. No matter the cost. He'll be on the jet in a minute, I can see him. You have to destroy the jet."
"What? No!" She cried, "I can't do that, that would kill you!"
"We don't have a choice Wands. He can't be allowed to get away. If he does, all this, starts over again."
"El, I can't..."
"Yes you can. You're the only one who can." Dreykov started to get on the jet, "wanda! He's getting on! It has to be now." She scooted back to where she was just as Dreykov got onto the jet.
"Good, you're awake. Just in time to see your friends die." He got into the Pilot seat and started to flip switches. The jet hummed as it came to life.
"Wanda! Now!" Elodie hissed, hoping that the witch could hear her.
"Who are you talking to?" Dreykov asked.
"Nobody."
"What is that? What are you doing?" He looked at her with confusion.
Elodie looked down and she was glowing red. She smiled at Dreykov, "goodbye papa," she said just as a surge of red came out of her and the jet exploded.
**************
Wanda watched from the Avengers jet as the jet Elodie was on exploded. She let her magic fade as tears fell from her eyes. Chunks of the jet went over the side and looked away, not able to watch what she had done.
"Wanda!" Elodie screamed in her mind. "I'm falling!"
Without hesitation Wanda jumped from the back of the jet and used her magic to fly around the other jets. She sent out a blast of magic trying to find the girl and she finally spotted her, a hundred feet below her and falling fast. Wanda dove for her, using her magic to propel herself faster.
She slammed into the girl and wrapped her arms around her. The ground was coming fast and there was no time to fly away. A bubble of magic surrounded them just as they hit the ground.
*******
One year later
"Romanoff, target is heading down Burk and 3rd," Tony through the coms.
"On it," Natasha and Elodie both replied.
Elodie took off across the roof she had been perched on and Natasha did the same. "I got it," Natasha told her.
Elodie laughed, "not if I get it first." She picked up speed and jumped across a gap in the roofs. "Wands where are you?"
"Look up," came her reply.
Elodie glanced up long enough to see Wanda flying above her, the beautiful red glow that she loved swirling all around. "Give me a boost baby," she said holding up her hand. Wanda grabbed it and Elodie's feet lifted off the ground.
"Cheater," they heard Nat say in the coms.
Soon they spotted the target and Wanda flew lower, "drop me," Elodie told her when she was right over the target. Wanda let her go and Elodie slammed into the targets back, sending them to the ground.
"I think you broke a rib kid," Steve groaned from under her.
"No I'm fine, I had a soft landing," she joked.
"I'm sure you'll be fine Steve," Natasha told him as she came out of an alley. She turned to Elodie, "you know this doesn't count right? You cheated, so dishes are on you tonight." She hauled Steve to his feet and the guy held his side gently.
"Oh you're just mad you're getting slow momma," she said with a grin.
"I'm not getting slow," Nat grumbled. She put an arm around Elodie and asked, "ready to go home?"
"Absolutely."