The Romanoff Built to Kill

Chapter 16: Catching Up With Ghosts

Neo

"I've notified the team, I think they're pretty chill with it". Natasha informs both Maria and Neo as she enters into the young girls' new room. "Tony's a bit...iffy...about me not telling him anything earlier but I'm sure he'll come around eventually".

"Well, that sounds good enough for the time being". Maria sighs.

Natasha looks down to Neo and gives her a warm smile. "How do you find your new room, kid?"

Neo shrugs. "It's fine I guess".

"Not much in comparison to you fancy ass apartments all over the world, eh?" Natasha smirks.

"Once you've had a penthouse view of the Place Vendôme, pretty much everything is an instant downgrade". Neo replies.

"You can't tell me that you've got a bad view here. Look, you've got all of New York outside your window". Natasha exclaims as she motions her hands towards the large window that faces out to the city.

"Yeah, but it's also January and winter. You can't see fuck all outside a window when it's all grey and groggy". Neo says back.

Natasha thinks for a few seconds. "Fair play. But anyways, it beats the cell, right?"

"Yeah". Neo nods. "I think most things would".

Natasha grins. "Well, I know it's coming up to lunch time and I'm pretty sure Vision and Pepper made a chicken salad. You haven't eaten anything all day so I'd like to get some food into you before you pass out due to starvation". The redhead says. "You have a choice, you can either eat in here or you can come and eat with the rest of the team. Which would you like?"

"You mean like, meet the team?" Neo's eyes widen slightly. Maria, who is sat next to Neo on the bed, puts a comforting hand on the girls' back.

"Only if you want. It's not a problem at all if you want to eat in here. We'll completely understand". Natasha assures in a soft voice. "We don't want to make you uncomfortable with meeting a bunch of new people".

Neo pauses for a few moments. 'I shouldn't prolong the inevitable. I'm gonna meet them eventually. I'd rather they don't think that I've pussied out on the first opportunity to do so.', Neo thinks to herself. She exhales. "I'll meet them".

Natasha smiles slightly. "Are you definitely sure, we don't want to pressure you into anything you're not okay with?"

"I'm sure". Neo says.

"Okay, then. How about we head down now so we can introduce you to the rest of the team?" Natasha places her hands on Neo's shoulders as she speaks.

"Um...okay". Neo says, hesitantly.

Natasha pats Neo on the back and motions for her to stand up. The redhead leads Maria and Neo down the corridor, keeping a close eye on her daughter, and eventually they stop outside an archway. Natasha looks down to Neo. "Are you definitely ready, sweetheart?" She asks softly.

"Natasha, I'm not a child. I can handle some guys with superpowers and super suits". Neo replies with a hint of sarcasm.

Natasha puts her hands in front of her in defence. "Okay, okay, I get it". She says with a laugh. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay with it".

"I'm fine". Neo assures.

"Okay, let's head inside". Natasha says.

Neo's face shows more hesitance despite her previous reassurances but Maria gives her an encouraging smile and they head inside.