BlackHill | If only

Chapter 6

Maria's POV:

I awoke feeling slightly rattled. I couldn't discern exactly why but it definitely had something to do with Romanoff in that leather jacket. I shook my head to try and get rid of the one thought dominating my mind. Fury had asked to see me at 8 am sharp so I dragged myself into the bathroom, opting for a cold shower.

I managed to reach Fury's office just in time, the shower needing to be a little longer than expected. 
"Agent Hill, so nice of you to join me". I scoffed at the comment, unable to deal with Fury's sarcasm this early I replied, "You wanted to see me, sir".
He nodded and gestured for me to sit in the chair opposite his desk. "As I explained earlier, I have a new mission for you." He pulled up an image of a mugshot on the screen behind him. "The targets name is Ivan Somodorov. He has significant ties to the Russian mafia, and SHIELD has reason to believe he has a direct link to the red room".
I tried to keep my face neutral as I said "Isn't that more Agent Romanoff's area of expertise?" Fury handed me a file whilst saying "That's exactly why the mission is for the both of you, you're my best agents and it will take both of you to bring this guy in." I had to clench my jaw to prevent my outburst of protest.

Fury pulled out another file and began to leaf through it. "Banners notes suggest that Agent Romanoff can be put back in the field within the week. I'm sending you both to Paris in a couple of days to get you settled in before starting the mission".
I snapped my head up "But sir. Romanoff isn't ready..."
Fury's gaze softened slightly "Agent Hill, I know how you must feel about Natasha but she is a fighter, she always has been. Besides, you will be able to keep an eye on her."
My face slightly reddened at the comment. 'Of course he knew dammit!'

"Now Agent Hill I suggest you go and find Romanoff to brief her on the mission".
I still felt uneasy, "Sir are you sure this is the right call?" He paused before saying "I know this is a tough subject for you after the crash, but I assure you Romanoff can handle it."
As soon as he brought it up memories began flooding my mind bringing me back to that day.

Maria's Flashback: 15/10/2014

One year ago

We were heading back to the compound. I had been told to pick up Romanoff on my way to debrief my latest mission with Fury, but due to the fact I had recently upset some extremely dangerous Hydra agents on my mission. I mostly drove down roads with no street lamps, out of sight, out of mind.

Agent Romanoff had unsurprisingly made herself comfortable and put her feet on the dashboard, eventually, she turned to me and said "Do you ever think about the future. You know, life after SHIELD?".
Her question took me by surprise, having to regain my focus on the road I replied "I suppose I've never really thought about it too much. I've always wanted to be with someone, and maybe live in a house somewhere nice like Paris." I paused searching for the right words, "But... I guess I haven't found the right person yet".
Natasha just smirked, "Is it really that, or are you just too afraid to quit your job?"
I allowed myself a low chuckle "No it's not that, it seems silly but I don't think I've found my soulmate yet".
Nat raised her eyebrows and I suddenly became defensive "What? Do you not believe in soulmates?"
She faced me, staring with her emerald eyes that you could get lost in for days. "I do, I really do". She smiled sadly and turned away.

I didn't have time to process anything before a sudden crackling came through on the radio followed by two words."Hail Hydra".
And all hell broke loose.

A heavy thud sounded on the car bonnet and I would never forget that face staring at me. The Winter Soldier. For a moment I stared back in disbelief. I was sure he had been eliminated in the explosion, saw it with my own eyes.
Natasha sprung into action, ever the saviour, she had swung herself in front of me practically straddling me in the process. She pulled out a handgun from her jacket and begun firing through the windshield. I tried not to think too much about where her legs were positioned and instead focused on the road.
Attempting to avoid the cliff, I swerved dangerously close to the edge. Nat screamed while firing "Focus on the road Hill".
I practically scoffed "Well you are sitting on my lap Romanoff".
She briefly turned around, "I'm sorry, do you want to get shot or not!".
I suddenly had a thought and yelled"Hang on!" I gripped onto Natasha and slammed on the brakes, the car drifted to the right as we watched the winter soldier flung over the side of the cliff. That's when I hit the wall.

The entire front of the car crumpled under the sheer force at which I hit the wall, the metal squealing in protest. I then made the biggest mistake of my life, as the impact jolted through my body I loosened my grip on Natasha. I heard a yelp of pain as she was thrown through the windshield, her body slamming into the wall and disappearing out of sight.
My stomach plummeted and I was filled with dread. I raced out of the car, kicking the passenger door open only to see the horror that would haunt me forever.
Natasha lay sprawled on the floor completely unconscious, my gaze drifted to the large shard of metal protruding from her stomach, blood pooling around her. I vomited again and again, trying to get a hold of myself. Kneeling beside her I assessed her wounds. I didn't check if she was breathing. Couldn't bear the thought that she wouldn't be. So I called the only other person I could trust. Fury.

Maria's POV present day:

"Agent Hill... Is everything alright?"
I suddenly remembered where I was snapping out of my haze. "Yes, I'm fine sir I'll speak to Romanoff now".
Fury nodded as I turned and left his office. My breaths becoming shaky. I couldn't bear to see her like that again. Nonetheless, an order was an order so I stalked through the compound looking for Romanoff.