The Happiest Assassins on Earth

The Gate

It's been a trip that has been six months in the making, and they have finally arrived—the entire motley crew.

After much research and spontaneous late-night internet searches to find the best deals, Natasha Romanoff- Jujitsu instructor, friend, self-proclaimed sister to Yelena Belova, and girlfriend to retired Hulk, Professor Dr. Robert Bruce Banner, has planned the perfect vacation. Nothing can dampen her day. Nothing will stop her now that they've arrived at the gate.

"Natasha!"

Nevermind. Alexei could. The goon who was clearly dropped on his head as a child was probably born to some poor woman in Russia a long time ago who ate her out of house and home. Thanks to how he behaves with Melina, Natasha can only assume his past.

None of that matters now; they're a family. Yes, due to past assignments, but how they've carried their relationship forward and worked to improve from the inside out.

"What is it, Dad?" She paused on the brick pathway to answer the ex-spy who steps in pace with Melina Vostokoff, scientist, ex assassin-

"Your father,' Melina lifts her phone with a sigh, 'need tickets."

"You don't,' Natasha answers, 'I have everyone's on my phone. I thought it would be most efficient that way-."

"The line is shorter over here," a female snaps her gum in Natasha's ear...

Jennifer Walters, cousin to her boyfriend, Bruce, will likely be stopped at the gate. Chances are high that she hasn't emptied her pockets as she darts for the far left of the security checkpoint, ahead of the group, and toward the officer and his metal detector.

"Natasha!" It's Alexei again.

"What?" She stops in her tracks, eyes widening on what Alexei extends to her.

"You forgot the weapon. You never leave house without it-."

"I can't bring this into the theme park!" She glares, head whipping toward the Security team and then back at Alexei.

"It is just knife."

"Yeah, a knife."

"For safety," Melina nods in agreement with her new husband, a gaudy ring flashing when she holds his arm.

"Take it," Alexei insists.

Natasha swallows her stress and snaps through her teeth: "I'm going to get stopped at the detector. This has to go back to the room."

Bruce arrives, "Aww come on. Again?"

He pants from his latest run back to the hotel when Yelena forgot she carried a taser and mace in her skull-shaped crossbody bag.

"Take this,' Natasha hands the knife to Bruce and addresses Melina, 'You two, get through security, and we'll meet you at the gate."

"We don't have tickets," Melina groans.

"Ugh!" Natasha lifts her hand toward Yelena, who is stopped at the entry point with Jennifer and currently has her arms out for a pat-down by the security team. "Yelena! Tickets. Take my phone."

"Why?!" Yelena mouths with a frown caught in an uphill pushing crowd inching closer and closer to the entry gate.

"Tickets are on my phone!" Natasha yells across the room at a family with three kids.

Yelena rolls her neck, gesturing with her middle finger raised.

Natasha is met with judgemental gasps and apologizes weakly to the surrounding families.

"You don't want knife?!" Alexei snaps in offense over Bruce taking it from Natasha, "I brought for you."

"No, Dad," she gives her phone to Yelena.

"You can't bring this into the park, Alexei," Bruce attempts to explain.

"Just-!- go with Yelena," Natasha says, turning away and urging them forward.

"I bought tickets!" Melina lifts her phone.

"What?! Mom!"

"I have them, Alexei,' Melina lifts to show Alexei, 'we wait at back of line-."

"Just stay with Yelena."

"We see you soon!"

Natasha slaps her forehead. It's 9:30 am.

"So,' Bruce twirls the knife that nearly falls from his clumsy grip, 'I say we walk back to the hotel together and leave them to figure the day out."

"I'd love to,' Natasha crosses her arms, 'but they won't survive. Let's drop that weapon off back at the room and get back here before one of them does something more idiotic than buying multiple tickets."