UNDERCOVER ⧗ BLACKHILL

Next Moves - 22

~ Maria's POV ~
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"So far, it's been going well. I've successfully made them think I'm one of them, and there's so much more we could get them with. There's still a lot of technicalities they could get out on, so it's going to take a little longer to be able to nail them," I explain over the phone.

"You're doing an amazing job, Maria," Fury reassures me. "Exactly why I chose you for this mission. The only one I know brave enough to stay."

I accept the compliment, "Thanks. Oh, how is everyone there?"

"Everyone's good, but we all miss you, we can't wait to have you back here with us."

"I miss everyone there too," I reply, thinking about all the things we did together as a group. I wish there were a way I could see them without compromising the mission.

"Well, you better get going."
"Bye, Fury."
"Bye."

I hang up the phone, wanting to see them, but also wanting to stay. A little while after I joined the team, they became my family, the ones I turned to.

Although, I do get a weird sense of family here, also. It's like one of those where, sure, there are morally gray lines left and right, but you'll protect each other no matter the cost. You stick together.

Thinking of a way to get out of the house, I figure that I can do some thinking, and maybe some buying, because why not?

"I'm going to go out for a little," I approach Natasha, so at least one person knows where I'm going.
"Is that safe? We're the bug repellent of humans," she instantly looks up from her book.
"Completely."
Natasha raised her eyebrow, "And how would you know?"
"Because you and me both know that if the police knew there was a new player in the organization, I'd be all over the news. I don't see a single thing about anything or anyone new about this organization."
"I guess you're right," she calms down. "I wish I could come with you."
"Someday, ok? Promise."
"Ok," she reluctantly agrees, going back to reading her book.

Well, that was easier than I thought it would be.

Heading out of the house, I think of the places I could go. There's a shopping center nearby that I was always meaning to check out, but work always manages to find a way to put that on hold.

Instead of thinking where to I would go first, I let my car lead me to a store in the shopping center, a clothes one. Truth be told, I haven't bought any clothes in literal ages, it would be nice to get a new shirt.

The store has racks upon racks of clothes, and people shuffling through them one by one. I don't know how anyone has the patience to go through everything. Twenty minutes maybe half hour max and I've lost it.

Searching through the t-shirt section, I see a few urban style t-shirts that are cute, so I throw those in the shopping cart. There's not a lot I like, after all, you'll mostly find me in work clothes. Absolutely no need for me to have many clothes for outside, until this mission really.

—-

Suddenly, I let out a little yelp feeling a figure jump onto my back. Going into defensive mode, I realize there's not a need since the person would've attempted to take me down.

"What are you doing here?" I turn around as Yelena embraces me in a hug.
"Shopping, I could say the same for you?"
"Same, duh. Excuse was that I'd be all over the news if they knew about me being in the organization."
"Smart one," I hear another voice I recognize as Peter behind me.

I also embrace him in a hug, "Hey! How are you guys?"
"Everyone misses you," Peter gestures over to Yelena, who's still holding onto me like a koala bear.
"I miss everyone too."
"Anything new?" Yelena mumbles.
"Not really, nope. Convinced them I'm fully one of them, though."
"Ok that's good."

"You shopping too?" I turn my attention back to Peter, who I know isn't as a big a shopper as Yelena.
"Eh, if I see something I'll get it."
"Ok, let's go, I'm buying," I tell the pair, and that gets them jumping around like little children.
"So, how did you two get here?"
"We walked," Yelena says proudly.

---

After we got everything, we go up to the cashier to pay, Peter eventually found a shirt he liked while Yelena took full advantage. Knowing that it's risky if we're seen together, we part ways as they head back to the tower, and I head back to the house.

"What did you get?" Natasha asks me as she sees me coming back in carrying a bag.
"Some shirts, oh I also thought you would like something," I dig around in the bag, looking for the shirt that I had to get for her.

Walking over to her, I hand her the shirt, which has a cute half blue & half black two different shirts that were sewn together style, with California written across the top and a picture below it.

"I love it, thank you," she says sincerely, looking at it. "I've never found one of these, I always thought they were cute."

"Which is exactly why I got it for you."
"Hold on," she puts her bookmark in the book she's reading and runs off towards her room. 

Not even what I think is seconds later, she comes back out with the shirt on, it fitting her perfectly. 
"That fits you perfectly," I compliment her as she does a spin with her arms out. 
She looks down at the shirt, "It really does."

"Where'd you get that?" Loki asks, seeing Natasha's new shirt on. 
"Mar got it for me." 

"Mar?" Loki and I say at the same time, surprised by the new nickname from her. Honestly, it reminds me of Yelena calling me it.  
"Marci, sorry," she quickly apologizes, but I cut her off.
"No stop that, I love it," I correct her, and the biggest smile moves across her face. I missed hearing it.  

"I'll let you be," Loki dismisses himself, heading off to his room. 
"Oh my God," Natasha stars laughing hysterically, and I just look at her in confusion. 
"What?"
"He," she laughs some more, trying to gain her composure. "He thinks we're gonna, well, you know," Natasha attempts to explain, and all of a sudden, it clicks in my head. 

My face drops to the floor in a look of shock before laughing along with her. I mean, after Natasha told me that we weren't too good at hiding what's between us, I see the point but I would never have the confidence to say something like that. 

"Don't deny it!" we hear from down the hall, and that only makes us laugh even harder.

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A/N: i thought it would be a nice for a happy cute chapter with a laugh