Black Widow: Dark House

12. "Better Together"- Jack Johnson

Bold Italics- Russian

Italics- any language besides English

**- thoughts/ memories

Natasha parked the car and took an elevator up to the second floor where a bridge would take them into the second floor of the main building. Entering a large sitting room, adjacent to a state of the art kitchen, Natasha set the one bag they had down on the couch. She let out a breath, relaxing more than she had in the past few months. She was home.

"Damn, this is the Avenger hideout. Fancy" Yelena said, genuinely impressed, "I've seen bigger" she said quickly, as if to hide her astonishment.

"What every woman ever has said to Cap" Tony's voice rang out as he rounded the corner along with Steve.

Steve stopped while Tony continued forward, hand spread, "Really? Was that necessary?"

Tony shrugged, "you win some, you lose some pal" he said, turning back to Natasha. "Good to have you back" he greeted as Steve brushed past him to give Natasha a hug.

"Glad you are safe" Steve said as he hugged her tightly to him. His hand on her shoulders he noticed Yelena, "both of you. And your name?" Steve asked, holding out a hand to Yelena.

Yelena looked down at Steve's hand and then back at Steve, "Yelena Belova."

Tony let out a gasp, "Playing favorites already. Alright, I'll remember that."

"Who else is here?" Nat asked.

"Well, me and Tony-" Steve started.

"Thank you Captain Obvious" Tony quipped.

Steve ignored him and continued, "Clint, Wanda, and Nick. They're in the board room right now"

"Everyone else is out bringing home the bacon. They'll all be back over the next few weeks at different times" Tony added.

Natasha nodded, "Okay, well lets get this over with" she said, looking back at Yelena

They entered the boardroom a few minutes later, Nick Fury at the head of the table, his feet propped up. Wanda a few seats down sitting next to Clint, a wide smile on her face.

Clint popped up, a grin on his face as he sauntered towards Natasha, "Good to see you Nat" he said, wrapping her in a hug. Natasha hugged him back, smiling to herself, allowing the safety that Clint's presence brought to sink into her bones.

"Good to see you too" she said, looking up at him.

"Man, I missed you" he said, his smile wide.

Nat shrugged, "I've been busy."

Clint noticed Yelena, "So I see. Is this her?" he asked.

Nat nodded, "Actually that's a good opportunity for introductions. Everyone, this is-"

"Yelena Belova, born sometime between 1988-1989, parents unknown, responsible for 376 known deaths around the world starting when she was fifteen, an expert in many martial art forms, expert marksman, pilot, who was last known to be one of the late General Andrei Dreykov of the former Soviet Union's top agents. This is who you, Natasha Romanoff have brought to the center of one of the most heavily armed places in the world. Do you know why it is so heavily armed?" Fury asked, his tone deep and menacing.

"Sir-"

"That was rhetorical. It is heavily armed because as of this moment it is the central hub of the country's most precious assets and operations. Operations and assets that Yelena's superiors would love to get their grubby hands on" Fury said, taking his feet off the table.