The Younger Agent - Natasha Romanoff x OC

Chapter 3 - Friends Marathons

Eleanor just wanted to get into some comfy clothes, cry, and watch 'Friends', however, she had told Fury that she would watch the interrogation, and she was going to follow through with it. Stood side by side with Fury in the adjoining room, she was going to see how this played out, praying that Natalia would take her advice. 

Barton asked the standard questions, trying to get a grasp on her personality and what makes her tick. He was finding this incredibly hard. Natalia wanted to follow the advice she was given, but that would involve undoing years worth of training, and that was not going to happen within the space of half an hour. So, she kept up her cold demeanour. Eleanor couldn't help but wince at some of the blunt answers being given, or how she sometimes just ignored some questions. Occasionally sparing a glance at the Director stood beside her to try and gauge his reactions, but he was unreadable.

When Barton had gotten onto the topic of SHIELD defection, this perked the interest of the younger Agent tenfold. 

"I would like to have the opportunity to show that I can be better, but I understand if that is not possible", Barton was told. Eleanor slowly nodded her head, this was the best statement that she had given so far.
"I told you I'd help and pull some strings, I intend to go through with that, Hughes has also shown great interest in making sure this goes successfully". This made the Russian give a quick glance towards the mirror, which did not go unnoticed.

"Yeah, she's through there, you can probably talk to her sometime soon," Barton said nonchalantly. Natalia slowly nodded, the prospect of that made her feel warm, as the younger Agent clearly had good intentions and cared, which was something she was not used to, but she was still incredibly nervous to be face to face with her again after all of these years.

"I'll be back in a few minutes," he said giving the woman in front of him a small smile before swiftly exiting the room. 

---

"Hughes, Fury" Barton nodded towards the two as he walked into the room. 

"She seems to be telling the truth", Eleanor said with a glint of hope in her eyes. However, Fury was still far from impressed with this situation. Although he did acknowledge that she had skill, and so was more eager than he had been to see this play out. 

"How do you want us to go about this sir?".
"Well Barton, I would like you to go back in, tell her that there's still a lot of work to do but that we will try to come to a conclusion as soon as possible". 

Eleanor scrunched her face up slightly behind Fury, thinking that that explanation would leave Natalia thinking the worse when in actuality the situation was looking more promising as time goes on. Barton saw this and internally chuckled, thinking the same. He gave a small nod and went back to the interrogation room to escort her back to the cells. 

Walking in he saw Natalia whip her head around to look at him, he uncuffed her and both she and Fury were extremely confused as to why she was not being restrained. 

Barton had repeated what Fury had told him and told her to follow. As Eleanor had predicted this had indeed made her fear the worst, with it being quite cryptic. Barton wanted to be out of Fury's earshot before reassuring her. They swiftly walked in the direction of the holding cells before turning to look at her. 
"You did a good job, me and Hughes were pleased". 

Externally, Natalia looked neutral, but inside the hope burned stronger than it had since she was a child. She would have to wait in her cell, possibly have some more time in the interrogation room, and hopefully, she would give a good impression. 

---

Watching Barton walk out of the room, Eleanor turned to Fury. "Soooo...?".

He just looked at her, quirking his eyebrow. She signed in annoyance at the director. "You warming up to her yet?".
He paused for a second, "She did better than expected, I'll see you tomorrow for the case review Hughes", and he swiftly walked out, leaving the Agent smiling. She composed herself and finally made her way over to her residential floor.