𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐋, natasha romanoff

𝟎𝟎𝟐; Rumour has it

— chapter two

"AGENT HEART, it's good to see that you're being yourself." Remarked Agent Hill as she entered the SHIELD academy's gym, not even surprised at Hazel who was trying to balance on two knives with her pointe shoes.

Hazel stepped off the knives, massaging her ankles. "Well, Hill, it's like some of us actually have old talents we want to return to." She said, rolling her eyes.

Maria raised an eyebrow. "I've told Romanoff countless of times about you and how you two could be ballet buddies but she keeps on denying. Any idea what that could be about?"

A sarcastic laugh escaped Hazel's throat. "Why would I? I've never talked to the woman. Anyway, what are you here for?"

Hazel and Maria had a rough beginning, years back at the SHIELD academy when they were trainees themselves. They were best friends at first, then turned lovers but all it took was one mission in Germany for the two fall apart. Now they were colleagues, who had an awkward and bitter air around them. If anyone seemed to notice, they didn't bring it up in fear of getting attacked.

"Nick said he wanted so speak to you at headquarters, didn't tell me what about, though."

Hazel shrugged. "I guess I have to get going then."

Maria nodded and watched as Hazel untied her pointe shoes, and instead put on her trainers. When she was finished, she hauled herself up and walked out of the gym alongside Maria, the two walking in silence.

It was Maria who broke the silence. "Remember how we walked down this very corridor right before our first mission ever?"

Hazel didn't reply for a few seconds, chewing her lip. "Vividly. I remember my nerves going through the roof, but I was so excited at the same time. First mission, assigned by Nick Fury himself."

"Yeah, well, those times are over now."

Hazel scoffed, shaking her head. "Why bring it up then?"

"No reason."

"You should know that I compartmentalise better than most people." Said Hazel coldly before leaving Maria who stopped in the middle of the corridor, her eyes trailing after the brunettes figure.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Walking into the SHIELD headquarters, wearing a black turtleneck and SHIELD logo'd jacket along with a pair of black wide leg jeans, Hazel felt as she blended into the crowd. That was a good thing. She didn't like being the center of attention.

Making her way into the lift, she leaned against a wall and stared at her shoes, finding an immense interest in them as another person entered. She didn't bother to look up, but out of the corner of her eye, she could see bright ginger hair that was styled to perfection.

"Floor?" The person asked.

"41st." Hazel responded.

"Authorisation and clearance?" Asked a robotic voice from the lift and a scanner beeped on the wall.

Hazel dug her SHIELD ID badge from her jean pocket and held it in front of the scanner.

"Hazel Heart, clearance level 9, authorisation confirmed."

The woman beside her tilted her head. "Hazel, huh?" She asked with a hint of dislike in her voice.

Hazels head snapped up, making eye contact with the one and only, Natasha Romanoff. Her green eyes were striking and the bright lift light seemed to make them shine. "Natasha Romanoff, huh?" She mocked back with the same tone.

Natasha rolled her eyes. "You have no idea how much Hill talks about you. It's almost an infatuation or something."

"Gosh, I didn't know I was that popular? All good things, I hope?"

"No, she said your field experience is appalling."

Hazels lip curled. One thing she hated more than anything in the entire world was people putting her skill down and not in the fun-teasing way. "Then I guess there's no need for us two to work together then."

The rest of the ride was silent, harsh squeaks occasionally coming from some metal parts of the lift system. When the 41st floor finally arrived, Hazel couldn't be any happier.

Her eyes met Fury's as soon as she stepped out of the lift, and in her SHIELD assigned jacket, she felt severely underdressed. Nick Fury stood in front of her, in all his glory, dressed in all black accompanied by a rather fashionable trench coat.

"Agent Heart." He nodded.

"Fury." She greeted back.

"Let's walk." He gestured with his head to a curling corridor and she nodded, adjusting her stride to match his.

"As you know, or may not, things have been going tricky around here. I'm sure word travels fast?"

"Oh, it does. You wouldn't believe half the things I hear. Some stuff about how Captain America wears underwear with pictures of red, white and blue donuts."

Fury chuckled. "He does indeed." He lowered his voice. "You and Hill are the only ones I can trust, as painful it is to say that."

Hazels eyebrows shot upwards. "Not even the Avengers? Damn."

Fury nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Damn indeed." There was a moment of silence as they listened to some birds chirping outside. "You know how Rubik's cubes are sort of your speciality?"

"Yes." Answered Hazel, frowning at where this was going.

Fury took a Rubik's cube from his pocket. "I bet you can't get a full red side."

Hazel smirked. "Challenge accepted." She stopped walking to twist it and soon enough, she had a full red side.

It surprised her when the red side opened like two little doors, revealing a USB stick that was stuffed inside. Hazels eyes widened and she quickly closed the doors, twisting the cube so it was messed up and the colours were all over the place.

Fury nodded discretely. "I'm sure you can... save it for a time when you need it most... you certainly will know when time arrives."

Hazel agreed. "Yes, sir. I will certainly do that."

She stared at the cube in her hands that held the USB. Fury told her it was for a time she would need it most at. What would she need it for? Unless it was... no. No, it couldn't be.