Yelena Belova Imagines

Surprise

Friendstine had been arranged for weeks. Your phone sat on your desk at the office, pinging as plans filled the group chat. A notification for the news came up and you saw several of your co-workers checking their phones.

The last time the Avengers had fought in the city there had been an evacuation alert. Glancing at it you saw it was just a news alert stating someone was on the run through the city. There would be a lockdown on the buildings until they were cleared. The train home wouldn't be running. Opening the group chat you updated what was going on. A few of your friends complained while others were glad they had the day off. One friend who worked in the same building offered to take you back to their house as they lived nearer the office. By the time the building had been cleared the threat was announced to the public. While waiting outside in the chilly air for your friend to meet you, you watched the billboard on the building opposite. You didn't recognize the names that listed off on the large billboard. But when they showed a face you frowned. They had no name for her but you recognized the woman. She had spoken to the black widow at an event a while back. Tony Stark gave a speech and she stood behind him with the other Avengers. Your office had been running numbers or something for Stark Tech and had been given free passes. The blond woman had been nearby and spoken to you. Then she'd hurried off to talk to the black widow who hurried her out of sight. You'd thought at the time she looked a little like the woman who served you your morning coffee. She had an accent you couldn't place. Dark brown, almost black bob and gold jewellery. She greeted you each morning cheerfully. But this woman had been blond so the thought passed from your mind.

"Ready?" Your friend asked. You nodded and pulled your eyes away from the board. Walking back with her the two of you swapped stories of your last lockdowns. Both of you agreed that you were glad for the day off that would follow due to the interruption of Avenger activity. It was protocol now, to keep casualties to a minimum. The hulk had run through the city and knocked out two floors below you. She had been home when the apartment building next door had been hit with Captain America's shield. He'd pulled it out which caused the building to start collapsing. The meet up was cancelled. Everyone decided to celebrate Valentines with the group when there wasn't a chance of the Avengers bringing the city down around you. When you saw on the news that the trains were moving again you left your friend, who assured you if the rush to get home was too much that she had space for you.

The trip home was hectic. People shouted and pushed as they got on the trains. Finding yourself jostled and squished into the crowd you counted the stops eagerly until you could get off the train. You hurried home. It was starting to get late and you didn't want to get caught out by some kind of villain. Two blocks over had been robbed by someone who was stopped by a super strong woman who vanished into the night. You wondered if they worked with the people on the news alert. Unlocking your apartment you were grateful to hurry into the building. You turned the lightswitch on and pressed the button for the heating. Hearing the satisfying click and whir of the boiler heating up you kicked off your shoes and headed into the kitchen. Rummaging through the fridge you sighed. You couldn't be bothered to cook now and no one would be delivering after that news report. Digging a frozen ready meal out of the freezer you removed the cardboard, stabbed the plastic covering the top and shoved it in the microwave, going to get changed as it whirred.

"Don't freak out." A voice said as you opened your bedroom door. You yelped and hurried out, finding yourself unfollowed, you went back.

"You're... the barista. From... why are you... how did you get in?" You asked. She chuckled and pulled at her hair which fell away revealing blond pinned up hair.

"I needed somewhere no one would look for me. I've been framed and I cannot reach my sister." She explained. You stared at her. Unable to move and blinked several times, trying to process what was happening.