Redback Widow V I Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. [16]

Rewind

"What you said in the Framework--was it true?" Mack asked. We were sitting in the crowded cafeteria, having our lunch break.

"I said a lot of things in the Framework. Care to refresh my memory?" I replied.

"About kids," he said quietly, and I sighed.

"They call it the Graduation Ceremony. It's efficient. One less thing to worry about. The one thing that might matter more than a mission. It's makes everything easier. Even killing," I admitted, staring at the table. I felt a warmth on my hand, knowing he had set his on top of mine.

"I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that," he told me.

"...I wanted to graduate. The quicker I did, the quicker I could get out. I just...I didn't know they were going to..." I trailed off.

"How did you get out?" he asked.

"It was a large and complex plan, too complex to explain here. Basically, I faked my death and ran. Or, tried to. Apparently, they never lost sight of me," I said.

"Well, I stand by what I said. You would have made an excellent mother," he said.

"Maybe one day we could find out," I said quietly.

"What are you talking about?" I sighed, leaning back slightly and running a hand down my face.

"After the operation, they froze the...removed material. So, the night before I left, I snuck in and stole it back. Hid it in a freezer in the wall of the Playground," I admitted.

"So, what you're saying is--" he started.

"Yes. I can still have kids. Just not the normal way," I finished. "Maybe we could have our own Hope one day."