Black Widow: Dark House

69. "Repeat Until Death"- Novo Amor

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Italics- any language besides English

**- thoughts/ memories

Yelena landed the helicopter near where Melina and Alexi had also landed. Melina had shepherded some of the widow survivorsh, and saved a few of them as they has escaped from the Red Room.

Natasha jumped out after Yelena, who was still giving her the cold shoulder.

She gave her some distance and went to Melina.

Noticing the ground around Melina, she gave a small smile as how nurturing Melina was being to each one, answering their question, calming their fears, giving them a gentle encourage touch then they needed it.

Melina noticed her and made her way to her.

"Where is Ana?" she asked.

Natasha shook her head, biting her lip to hold back her emotions, "I don't know. Tony and the others are looking for her" she paused looking at the massive field of devastation they had wrought, "it's Antonia. She's the serum. Dreykov knew the only way to take down a Task Master was with another Task Master."

Melina's eyes went wide and reached out to hug her, "I'll do sweeps from the air" she said, a turned towards the helicopter.

Natasha noticed Yelena, who didn't regard her at first a she stood, scanning the horizon with her arms crossed.

"Hey, I love you" Natasha finally said, looking over at Yelena.

Yelena stiffened, trying to be stoic, but Natasha saw the slight quiver of her chin.

Taking a chance on possibly getting punched, Natasha reached out and grabbed Yelena by her vest and pulled her into a hug.

Yelena collapsed instantly and gripped her tight, "I thought I lost you" she sobbed.

Natasha hugged her tighter, "It takes a lot more than that to kill me."

"Really? Cause in my book that was a lot" Yelena retorted, sniffing.

"You should have been there for New York" Natasha joked.

Warm air surrounded them as Tony landed near them. Yelena and Natasha broke their hug and looked at him expectantly.

"I didn't see anything, but Cap and Clint are in the jet doing fly overs. We'll find her" he said before taking off again.

Yelena went over to the other widows and helped Melina talk with them as Natasha leaned against the helicopter, scanning the horizon and watching the Red Room burn before her. And sense of surrealness overwhelmed her, making her heart slam in her chest.

It was over. It was finally over.

"Nat!" Yelena yelled, getting her attention. Natasha looked over at her and saw Yelena pointing. Following Yelena's direction she spotted something in the distance, coming out of the pluming smoke.

A figure, dark and tall.

Natasha took off running, hope rising in her chest as she bounded forward. She soon slowed however, when she saw that figure carrying something.

Antonia stalked forwards her solemnly, her eyes red and tears streaming down her face as she carefully handled Ana in her arms. Natasha redoubled her pace, fear and bile rising in her throat.

Antonia stepped over a large piece of metal and stumbled, her body exhausted, mentally and emotionally. If not for Natasha steadying her to the ground Ana would have gone sprawling in the dirt.