What if...? // K A T E L E N A

Chapter Five: Bar to Bed

"Haha!" Yelena let out her iconic laugh, realizing the situation. She took a step back, laughing, pointing a finger at Kate and then at herself. "You and me? Ha! Ha! That is so weird! That is very much weird."

Kate swallowed, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment wash over her. "Yeah... I know..."

Yelena's laughter faded as she saw the genuine look in Kate's eyes.

She sighed, shaking her head with a smile that was both affectionate and regretful. "I never thought of that, actually, Reindeer."

Kate almost choked on the cocktail she was drinking when she heard Yelena call her Reindeer. She remembered how Yelena asked about it back in New York.

"You," Yelena continued, looking directly into Kate's eyes with a flirtatious glint.

"Me,"

"sitting in a tree,"

"K-I-S-"

"Okay! Stop, stop," Kate protested, her face turning red with embarrassment and drank her cocktail again.

Yelena just laughed harder, the sound echoing through the bar. "Oh, Kate, you're so cute!"

Despite the awkwardness, Kate couldn't help but smile at Yelena's infectious laughter. It was a strange, unexpected moment, but somehow, it made the tension between them ease.

Just then, Kate nearly jumped in surprise as the big, bearded man with a hat slammed his hand on the counter.

He barked something in Russian to Yelena, who responded curtly and went to fetch beers.

Turning to Kate, the man leaned closer, his voice booming in Russian-accented English. "American! Beautiful American. Your name?"

Kate hesitated, a bit unnerved by his imposing presence but managed to look at him. "Kate," she replied cautiously.

From behind the liquor wall, Yelena's voice cut through in Russian, "Ostav' yeyo v pokoye, Dmitriy!" Dmitri chuckled, unfazed.

"Ah, Elena, your friend?" Dmitri asked, Kate nodded, pouring herself a drink.

Yelena emerged with four glasses of beer in hand, sliding them across the counter to Dmitri without breaking eye contact.

They exchanged a few words in Russian, their tones tense but controlled then Dmitri walked away with the beers in his hands.

The bell chimed as the bar's door swung open, a signal of an incoming guest. Yelena glanced towards the door, and so did Kate when she spotted Yelena.

A Russian man entered with three American young girls, and he called out to Yelena, "Elena! English people!"

The three women approached the counter to speak with Yelena.

"Thank god! We don't know much Russian. I'm Cassie, this is Kamala, and America. We're a bit lost. This map on my phone says there's a hotel here in this area, but we've been walking in circles trying to find it."

"Oh yeah, you have to go down there in this corner to see the entrance," Yelena replied, gesturing with her arms wide to her left.

"I can definitely take you there," Kate offered but as she got up from her chair, the effects of the cocktails she had been drinking hit her suddenly, causing her to stumble.

Cassie caught her before she fell. "Whoa, are you okay?"

Yelena looked worried but could only watch from behind the counter.

"I can't believe I'm this tipsy, thanks." Kate holds onto Cassie's shoulder for support after stumbling.

Yelena stared at Kate's hand on Cassie's shoulder with a mixture of concern and a hint of disapproval. She rushes around the counter to check on Kate, expressing concern and offering assistance.

"Thank you, Cassie. You guys can go, I'll take care of her," Yelena said, gently wrapping her hand around Kate's waist for support.

The three girls bid their goodbyes to Yelena. Meanwhile, Kate, smiling warmly while looking into Yelena's eyes, their face so close, Kate leaned slightly into Yelena's touch, feeling reassured by her presence and caring gesture.

Yelena wanted Kate to go, but Kate wouldn't tell her where her hotel was. So, Yelena brought Kate to her apartment, with Jack covering her shift at the bar.

Kate sat down on the couch, leaning her head back. "My world is spinning," she explained.

Yelena sat down beside Kate, gently taking off Kate's coat and bag.

While Yelena removed Kate's shoes, Kate looked sad at Yelena, "You're so beautiful."

"Thanks, I get that a lot." Yelena replied.

Kate chuckled then added, "Is it really weird, me liking you? I'm really sad."

Yelena adjusted herself and looked directly into Kate's eyes. "Yes, it is so weird. Reindeer. First, because you are female, and I am female. We're gorgeous- Second, there are people trying to kill me because of what I do."

Kate frowns looking at Yelena confused. "But you work at a bar."

"That's a little cover with an extra income, Kate."

"Oh."

"You see? Third, I kill. And you're the type of person who saves."

"And fourth," Yelena took a deep breath and continued, "you're a child, Kate. And I'm an adult."

Kate replied, chuckling, "23 is not a child, but yeah, 35 is an adult."

Yelena's jaw dropped in surprise. "You think I'm 35!? Do I look 35 to you?"

"Of course not, you're hot as hell. But I have your profile in a folder like a stalker- born in 1989 in the Soviet Union, a Black Widow, Red Room, brainwashed?"

"Yeah, you did your research but you missed the part that I lost five years of my life."

"Oh my god, You blipped, that's why you look so young!" Kate said, amused, grinning. "Well, that's five years less of my weirdness."

Kate and Yelena chuckled together, the shared laughter easing the tension that had built between them.

As they relaxed, Kate's eyelids drooped slightly from the effects of the cocktails she had enjoyed earlier.

Yelena noticed Kate's drowsiness and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, Kate," she said softly, "Don't sleep on the couch."

Kate nodded sleepily, her eyes closing as she leaned back. "Mmm, okay," she murmured, her words slightly slurred.

Yelena smiled fondly at Kate's relaxed state but knew she needed to help her get settled for the night.

She guided Kate up from the couch and led her towards the bedroom, supporting her along the way.

Her steps unsteady as they moved through the dimly lit apartment.

"Easy now," Yelena murmured softly, guiding Kate towards the bed. "Let's get you settled."

Kate nodded, her eyes half-closed as she leaned into Yelena's comforting presence.

They stumbled as Yelena maneuvered Kate towards the bed, causing them to lose their balance. In a moment of unexpected clumsiness, they both fell onto the bed in a tangle of limbs.

Yelena ended up on top of Kate, their faces mere inches apart.

-

End.

Kate: Yelena! Yelena?