𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐂 𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐌

𝐭𝐞𝐧

- ⧗ NATASHA ROMANOFF ⧗ -

   "NICK, I ALREADY SAID SORRY. Please just forgive me already."

   Fury looked back at Natasha, an unimpressed look upon his face. "I told you, you can only work this case if you're going to prioritise your own safety."

   Natasha sighed. "I wasn't in any danger. It was the same situation as every time before."

   "No it wasn't and you know it. You can't just go in and talk to her without any of us on the other side. There were no agents on standby or anything."

   "And as I've told you, I can protect myself."

   Fury raised an eyebrow. "Tell that to the bruise around your neck."

   Natasha sighed again, swaying on her feet. Beneath the concealer on her neck lay the small gift she'd received the other day, but as she'd already told Nick, it was practically healed.

   "Listen, Nick, I'm sorry okay? I won't go in without telling you again but you can't take me off this case. I might finally be getting somewhere with her."

   Fury looked back unimpressed but he knew he couldn't deny Natasha was telling the truth. The girl was finally speaking and Natasha couldn't lose her progress now.

   "Fine," Nick replied finally.

   Natasha smiled. "Thank you."

   Nick shook his head. "Now get out of here. Go get yourself breakfast or something."

   Natasha's smile remained as she turned to leave his office. In the elevator down she was grateful for the soft spot Nick had always held for her. Without it, she might not have gotten away with so much.

   Of course he hadn't liked the fact she'd spoke to the girl unsupervised. As much as she didn't like to admit, it had put her in some sense of danger. She was actually surprised Nick hadn't called her out last night, but apparently he was in a meeting until late.

   A slight sense of pride running through her, Natasha made her way back to her own office. She planned to start on that mission report for Maria and get it handed in by the end of the day. She's found it was always best to keep her mind occupied with such things.

Sitting at her desk, as she fired up her laptop, Nat heard a knock at the door.

   "Come in."

   An agent in SHIELD uniform entered, a USB in his hand. Natasha recognised him as the agent from the surveillance room the other day.

   "Agent Romanoff," the man said in introduction. "I was told to give this to you. CCTV footage to add to your report. Director Hill's orders."

   The agent passed her the USB stick as Natasha smiled in gratitude. She thanked him and sent him on his way.

   "No problem," the agent replied, reaching for the door handle. "Oh, by the way, I think maybe the thing you were looking for happened last night."

   Natasha's head whipped up from her computer. "What,"

   The agent shrugged. "The other day when you asked to see the footage of the girl and nothing happened. Well something did last night."

   The redhead's eyes widened. "Show me."

•••

   Back inside the surveillance room, Natasha once again leaned over the shoulder of the SHIELD agent. He pulled up the tape from last night, speeding through it until the time in the corner read two am. The footage paused, then began to play in normal speed.