BlackHill | If only

Chapter 15

Natasha's POV:

Maria Fucking Hill...

God, she was incredible, words couldn't describe how deep I had fallen. If anything were to ever happen to her I would tear apart the person responsible.

After exhaustion had claimed Ria, I watched the steady rise and fall of her chest while she slept. I stayed there for what felt like hours, just gazing at her peaceful face. 

Although all good things must come to an end. The day of the mission had crept up on me without warning. Perfect timing as usual. 

S.H.I.E.L.D had gotten word there was an enemy base located in Siberia and possibly an underground red room. Fury had said we needed all the espionage agents possible, so Yelena, Hill, Steve and I would all be headed to take down the red room. Horror racked through my body as I realised the three people I cared about most, were being sent off to face my enemy. 

If it came down to it, I had to sacrifice myself to save them. The red room being operational was my fault, so if my death would bring it down then so be it.

I was tempted to lay there forever, remaining in this perfect moment. But not this time, happiness could wait until my sister was safe. I detached my arms from Ria's body, determined to let her remain in that peaceful state. I then knew exactly what I had to do.

Ria would not go on this mission.

I don't think I could live with myself if something happened to her. The red room was no joke and I wasn't about to let the woman I care about most, get taken by the red room.

I had to stop her from coming. It was the only way to protect her. Whilst Ria slept I packed a bag silently, most of my tactical gear was already on the ship. So it only took me a few minutes to get the essentials.

I hitched the bag over my shoulder and paused by the bed to glance at her face. I memorised every detail, in case I never got to see it again. This was the best memory possible. The best way to leave, in case anything happened on the mission.

I decided to leave a note, it's the least I could offer her.

Ria,

These days with you have been the best of my life,

I couldn't bear for anything to happen to you which is why I've gone on the mission without you.

Do not try to follow me. The red room is dangerous. Please understand.

All my love
- Nat  x

I placed the note on her folded clothes, and with one last glance at her face, I left.

As I marched into the hangar, Steve and Yelena were already waiting by the ship. Yelena greeted me with a grin, but it soon faded as she saw my sombre expression.
"Hey sis, everything okay?" her voice radiated concern and I had the urge to just spill everything. But I wasn't sure Steve could handle the idea of keeping such a big secret from Fury.

"Yea. I'm fine, let's just do this ok."

Steve spoke up whilst I tossed my bag into the jet, "Where's Agent Hill? Isn't she supposed to be on this mission?"

I didn't have the energy to come up with a clever response.
I could only muster "She's not coming. Fury wanted her on-site instead".
He cocked his head at me but only nodded.

We remained in silence on the jet. I figured everyone had sensed my lack of energy and opted to keep to themselves rather than break the silence. Yelena never said anything she only studied me with watchful eyes throughout the journey.

My mind remained on Ria, thinking of when she awoke to the note. How she would hate me when I returned. I was in deep shit but it was the only way to protect her. I couldn't lose any more people I cared about.

It felt like hours had passed but Steve finally announced that the ship was about to land. We readied our gear and hopped out into the powdery snow. The Siberian wind bit at my cheeks, snow swirled around us like the tempest itself. The only evidence we had arrived was the trail of footprints as we marched towards the base. 

As we reached the facility Yelena began to try and hack the door. She typed furiously at an electronic screen. Occasionally swearing in Russian under her breath.

Suddenly the door clicked with a whirr and swung itself open. Revealing a dark hallway.
Yelena only grinned "See Natasha, you do need your little sister around".
I rolled my eyes, she was awfully cheerful on such a serious mission.

Darkness engulfed us as we entered and my face chilled at the cold air whipping on my face. I pulled out a torch and shone it around me, searching for any sign of life.

Steve's voice echoed in the darkness "What is this place?"
I didn't get the chance to answer as something thudded to the floor in front of me.

My light rested on a face, the pale skin illuminated like a ghost.

"Bruce?"