Whatever it Takes: Black Widow

Chapter 4

The next day the couple went to Budapest. They left by 3:00 a.m. and got there 32 hours later. Natasha led the way to the safe house and stopped to get her gun that she left near the elevator. Better safe than sorry when you're dealing with a Black Widow and for all Natasha knew, Yelena might not be the same as she was the first time.

When they were in the elevator Natasha told Bruce to stay in the hallway while she faced Yelena.

"I know you're out there," Yelena said as Natasha reached the doorway.

"I know you know I'm out here," Natasha said as she reached for her gun.

"Nat, what-" Bruce whispered, referring to the gun.

"Trust me," she mouthed to him, then drew out her gun and shut the door behind her.

Before Natasha knew it, they were fighting like two trained Widows. Natasha eventually got the upper hand and called a truce. She commented that Yelena had grown up, but her sister wasn't having it.

Natasha got up, opened the door and stuck her head into the hallway, signaling Bruce to come in. He came inside, wringing his hands in nervousness as he looked around the room before turning his attention to Yelena.

"Bruce this is Yelena. Yelena, this is my boyfriend, Bruce."

He waved shyly while Yelena nodded in a silent greeting, and he turned his attention to Natasha.

"You okay," he asked her.

"I'm fine," Natasha replied while taking his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze to reassure him she was telling the truth.

"Are you going to be my big brother?" Yelena teased him.

"What," Bruce asked, as if slightly taken aback.

"Yelena, I'm not getting married," Natasha told her as all three walked toward the kitchen area. "Stop paying attention to the tabloids."

"Aw, come on. I want a big brother," she whined.

"Take it up with him," she pointed to Bruce, then changed the subject. "You had to come to Budapest, didn't you?"

"I came here because I thought you wouldn't," Yelena said. "But since you're here, what bullet does that?"

Natasha followed Yelena gaze and pointed hand to the wall behind her in the kitchen.

"Not bullets. Arrows," Natasha said as she turned her attention back to Yelena.

"Ah, right."

"If you didn't think I'd come here, why'd you send me this," Natasha asked as she took out the antidote and pictures, laying them on the table.

"You brought it back here?"

"You need to tell me what that is," Natasha said, in a scolding tone while following Yelena into the other room.

"It's a synthetic gas," Yelena said. "The counteragent to chemical subjugation. The gas immunizes the brain's neuropathways to external manipulation."

"Maybe in English next time?" Natasha said as she made her way to the clothes rack to change her shirt.

"It's an antidote to mind control," Yelena replied in Russian.

"Real mature," Natasha snapped back in the same language.

"But you knew that already," Yelena said in English. "You don't tag along Dr. Bruce Banner and not know what it is."

"Bruce and I are on the run," Natasha said, changing the subject. "You could have gotten us killed."

"Well, what was I supposed to do? You're the only superhero person that I know," Yelena said as Natasha quickly changed her shirt. "That was the whole reason I sent it to you. I like that one by the way. Is it as serious as the press says?"

"Yeah," Natasha replied. "We've been serious for a little over a year."

"He's nice. Out of curiosity, how were you able to overcome everything the Red Room did? You had the worst training out of all of us. Mind control with Dreykov's temper and Madame B's teaching. Being in any sort of relationship should be impossible."

"It took me years to get past that," she said truthfully. "Bruce is...He understands me better than anyone. He's gone through his own unfairness and is still the best person I know."

"Marry him," Yelena joked, but she must have seen that Natasha's face was serious because then her tone shifted. "The second he appeared in the doorway I saw a difference in you. You're comfortable around him and it shows. He clearly cares for you as well."

"I know he does."

"Have to say, it wasn't the relationship any of us saw coming."

"Who did everyone think I was going to end up with," Natasha asked with confusion in her voice.

"Steve Rogers. I like Bruce as a potential big brother better."

Natasha rolled her eyes, but secretly she was glad Yelena approved. Truth to be told, she was more worried about introducing Bruce to Alexei.

Natasha and Yelena went back and forth about the antidote switching from Russian to English as they walked into the hallway while Natasha put her jacket back on.

"Does he speak Russian?" Yelena gestured by tilting her head to Bruce.

"Fluently," Natasha answered.

Yelena tested Bruce's Russian, which was perfect, making Yelena yell out, "Natasha, I'm serious. I want him to be my big brother."

Bruce blushed a bit and Natasha smirked.

"I kept checking the news expecting to see the Hulk bringing down the Red Room," Yelena said.

Natasha exhaled. She knew it was coming, but hearing the words made it feel more real.

"Taking down the Red Room? What are you talking about?" Natasha played dumb. "It's been gone for years. Dreykov's dead. I killed him."

"You don't actually believe that do you," Yelena asked with a smirk. Natasha knew her face was serious because her sister said, "You really do believe that."

Natasha didn't notice that Bruce was beside her until his hand took hers and squeezed it in comfort. She didn't have the energy to go back and forth with her sister anymore and let out a sigh, then looked at Yelena, who was already looking at her.

"Tell me what happened. Tell me exactly," Yelena said.

"We rigged bombs," Natasha said.

"Who's 'we?'"

"Clint Barton. Killing Dreykov was the final step in my defection to S.H.I.E.L.D."

Yelena made a face and shrugged. "Simple as that?"

"Yeah, sure. Simple," Natasha replied. "That's what I call imploding a five-story building and then shooting it out with the Hungarian Special Forces. Took 10 days in hiding before we could even get out of Budapest."

"And you checked the body? Confirmed the kill," Yelena asked, while Natasha freed her hand from Bruce's and took a shot of vodka.

Natasha set the glass down and stared at her sister for a few seconds, then said, "There was no body left to check."

"You're forgetting Dreykov's daughter."

Before Natasha could respond, footsteps were heard above them and then an explosion went off above their heads.