The Eternal Avenger

Epilogue

(Natasha's POV)

"You mean to tell me this actually worked?" I heard Rhodey's voice behind the veil of tears that was welling in my eyes.

"Did we get them?" Steve asked, his eyes traveling around the room.

"Nat, where's Claray?" Tony asked. The tears would no longer stay put. They fell from my eyes, splashing across the ground, angrily. Clint looked up at the rest of the team, his arm comforting around my shoulders as he shook his head.

"She's gone," he whispered softly. Steve approached me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders, taking Clint's place.

"I can't," I whispered. He nodded his head in understanding.

"She loved you, Natasha," Bruce added.

"I know," the sentence left my mouth with a low, pained moan as I sank to my knees. "We have to make this worth it," I looked up expectantly. The team were all nodding their agreement.

"We will," Clint assured me. "We're going to bring everyone back." I nodded, refusing to say the only thought that crowded in my brain. Not her.

...

Meanwhile, on Vormir:

The hybrid stirred, moaning softly before her eyes fluttered open, staring up at the cliff she had launched herself from in a desperate attempt to save not only Natasha, but also the people who had been snapped away. She was drained, weak and hungry and could barely get her limbs to move as she slowly regained recognition of what happened, and the situation she was currently in. Claray sighed, gradually moving from her position as soon as some of her strength allowed, moving away from the cliff face towards the rippling water in the distance. Shit.

The first chapter for the Eternal Avenger: Book Two has now been published.

A/N: I am grateful for all of you who have read and voted on this story. Who's ready for part two? I have a basic plot outline, but welcome all suggestions or things you'd like to see.

I also have a few ideas for new stories. Which should I work on first?

1) Refuge - a Sokovian exchange student with a secret who doesn't speak or touch anyone befriends Wanda at college as part of a Sokovian support group. Will the secret ruin the budding relationship, or will Wanda adapt?

2) From Budapest with Love: When Natasha left her past behind, she left a person behind too - her ex. Captured by Drykov and forced to become another Widow to replace the deserter, the woman's eidetic memory makes her runner up to taskmaster in her ability to mimic the fighting styles of others. Will her new relationship with Wanda survive the pressure of being thrown together with her Ex? Or will old love win out in the end?