BLACK & RED | NATASHA ROMANOFF X READER | MARVEL

9

Weeks went by quickly. Training, spending time with the avengers and finally finding my footing is how I spent them. I knew I was finally ready to be in the field, and Fury knew that too.

I gathered in the conference room as well as most of the team, the large table filled with screens and dossiers. The usual hum of anticipation filled the air. At the head of the table stood Nick Fury, his presence commanding.

"Alright, everyone, listen up," Fury began, his tone brooking no nonsense. "We've got intel on a potential Hydra cell operating out of an abandoned facility in Eastern Europe. They've been quiet for a while, but recent chatter suggests they're planning something big."

He sighs and steps forward, "we think Al is among them."

I gulped. Al was definitely not among them. Al was right here. In the meeting room.

But no one knew that, obviously.

"Solokov." He addressed me, "you might have to face people you used to know."

"Yeah." I snap out of my head, "I know."

"And you're fine with that?" He leans forward.

"I'm good."

Steve leaned forward, changing the subject. His expression serious. "What's the objective?"

"We need to infiltrate the facility, gather any intel we can find, and neutralize any threats," Fury now explained. "Rogers, you'll lead the recon team. Romanoff, Barnes, and Alana will be with you. Wilson and Tony will handle extraction and backup. Bruce, you're on standby in case things go sideways."

Natasha nodded, her demeanor professional and focused. "How heavily guarded is the facility?"

"Moderately," Fury replied, bringing up a schematic of the building on the screen. "We expect some resistance, but nothing we can't handle. Just be prepared for anything."

"Any questions?" Fury asked, his gaze sweeping the room.

When no one spoke, he nodded. "Good. Wheels up in thirty. Let's get to it."

Everyone started to get up. I glanced around the table, taking in the faces of everyone. These were my teammates, my new friends. They trusted me. And they had no idea who I really was.

The weight of my secret pressed heavily on my shoulders, especially now that Fury had just implicated "Al" as part of the Hydra cell we were targeting. Al was not just some alias—it was me.

"Alana, you okay?" Natasha's voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. I looked up to find her studying me, her eyes sharp and concerned.

"Yeah," I replied, forcing a smile. "Just a bit overwhelmed, I guess."

Her eyes softened, and she stepped closer. "I've got you." She placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, then gently moved down, grabbing my hand and giving it a firm squeeze. The warmth of her touch contrasted sharply with the cold dread in my chest.

I looked down at our joined hands and then back at her, my lips parting slightly. "Thanks, Nat." She gave me a small smile.

Before I could say more, Bucky entered the conversation, stretching out his vibranium arm with a metallic whir. "Suit up, ladies. We've got a job to do."

Natasha released my hand and straightened, her professional demeanor snapping back into place. "Right. Let's get to it."

I nodded, giving her one last grateful look before turning to follow Bucky. As we headed to the armory, the guilt of my deception threatened to pull me under.