The Red Widow

Chapter 6 - New York

"Take care of yourself... and be careful. Remember your training, everything we taught you." Okoye mutters in my ear as she holds me against her in her sincere embrace. She holds my shoulders and faces me, "Be strong. We know you are." She smiles. Tears well and I nod. Next to her is Ayo; and the tears really begin to fall, not just from my eyes. Her lip quivers for a moment and she squeezes me tightly. "Remember that this is home, Ksana; always. You will always be welcome here." I whimper, "Thank you, Ayo. Truly, for everything. You've been my deepest friend, I owe my life to you." She sniffles and whispers, "You never owe your sister; it's what we do." I squeeze for one more second before pulling away from her. My chest aches and she quietly places a metal handle in my hand; a Dora Milaje spear.

"Ayo-"

"Don't start with me, umntwana (child)." She cuts me off. Firmly, she forces my fingers closed around it, "Take it. Use it only when you need to, but take it." A huge sense of pride comes over me, drying my tears. I hold her eye contact and nod in assurance. She grabs my face and kisses the top of my head, in a motherly manner and I move onto Shuri and Riri in my departing lineup. They both smile and I pull them in for a group hug. "Don't forget about us in New York," Shuri warns with a grin.

"Never." I reply to her. Riri does a little dance, "And don't be confused when you see me knocking on your door for a place to crash when I come to visit." I giggle with them for a moment and Yelena calls from the open door of the plane, "Ksana, we have a long flight." I turn back to the girls and hold their hands, "You both saved me. Thank you."

"We're right here whenever you need us." Shuri smiles.

"You're gonna miss your plane, girl, Lena is gonna shut the door without you." Riri laughs with a little push. I climb the few steps and turn to them one more time. They all wave and I do, too. Yelena shuts the door behind me and I settle into my seat as the engine revs loudly. She settles in her seat with a book and props her legs up, "Take the bed, get some sleep. The time difference is going to throw you off, but everyone will be so excited to meet you when we get there."

   "I'm really not one of a big fuss." I inform her. She chuckles, not even looking up from her book, "I'm sure. Everyone knows your story and I've told them to dial it back for a few days while you adjust. The only one I worry about is Kate Bishop." 

   "Why Kate Bishop?" I ask, wearily.

   Yelena shakes her head and smiles, "That girl is a bouncing sunshine ball twenty four-seven. Her version of 'dial it back' is NOT movie marathons and painting each other's nails the moment you arrive."

   I let out a somewhat relieved chuckle and get comfy in the small, but oddly comfortable twin sized bed in the back of the plane. I sit up first and watch out the window as the tarmac moves faster and faster under the wheels until eventually, we glide into the air. Wakanda fades into tiny specs until we break through the barrier and the lively city becomes small huts and farms. With a sigh, I lay back and get comfortable, pulling the blanket over my shoulders. Yelena hears my huff and peaks at me, "You ok?"

   "Im fine." I assure her. She watches me for another second then returns to her reading. I close my eyes and let myself slip into sweet unconsciousness.

...

"Like I said, they're all excited, but they know to back off." Yelena reminds me as we make our way to the entrance of this massive compound. A huge metal and glass building in the middle of nowhere in upstate New York. I stay close to her, my trust issues not letting me relax. She scans her fingerprint and a set of glass double doors open and we enter. We enter the massive open room that has a few couches and sofas. For a metal and glass building, it's surprisingly cozy here. Yelena sets down her things on a small table near the doors and something tells me to turn around and move. Just as I do, I'm lifted off the floor in a jolt. A massive, bearded bear man is spinning me around with a boisterous laugh.