Eternal Winter

III: Nothing But Snow

December 19 2025

Koltsovo, Russia

Natasha sat in the car and watched the snow fall on the windshield. How could James be joking during a major mission? Why is he acting so normal around her? Has he forgotten about their past? The things he kept from her for so long?

The passenger door opened, bringing Natasha back to reality. She started the car and headed towards her destination.

The car ride was silent, only the sound of the tires crushing twigs filled the vacant air. Which was great in Natasha's case, she needed some silence and some time to think. Ever since her run in with James she had been distracted. His smile, his husky voice, the way his jaw tenses.

Stop.

Natasha shook her head and focused on something else. Anzhela Zuyez.

Yes.

She realized she had not thought about what they were going to do once they found her, whether she was breathing or not she had to think of something. Natasha put up two options, one for if Anzhela was alive and one for if she was not. If they find her alive they have to take her somewhere safe and isolated from the outside world, somewhere where no one can eavesdrop or worse. She would ask her a few questions, starting out with her husband and what his relation to Trikov was.

If she was found dead Natasha and James would have to look around for any signs that connect to Trikov. Then they would dispose of the body and keep searching for any other indication.

She tapped her thumbs on the wheel, everything seemed like a dead end when it comes to Trikov. Like he knew exactly what they were doing and knew exactly how their wheels turn. No matter how many steps she took he was fifty steps ahead. Feeling eyes on her, Natasha turned to James.

"What now?"

"You're thinking."

"Thanks for the notice Captain Obvious."

"What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing."

"Whatever it was, you seemed very-"

"Very what?"

"Concentrated."

She tapped her thumb on the wheel again. "That's what you do when you think."

It was silent once again and Natasha kept her attention on the road ahead.

James broke the silence. "Why don't you trust me?"

Natasha laughed, but not out of humor. "Is that seriously a question?"

"We are working together on this search so you should at least tell me what the hell we're doing."

Natasha was quiet.

"Unless this is a part of your plan, to keep me in the dark so you can run off and do this yourself."

She tilted her head in James' direction. "Why do you think I don't trust you?"

"So it's true then, you are trying to."

She ignored his comment. "Who taught me not to trust anyone?"

James was silent as she pulled the car over. "Who taught me that the only person you should trust is yourself? Who taught me that with trust comes betrayal?"

He could not look at her. Feeling like the walls were closing in, Natasha opened the car door and walked out into the icy nothing. James watched her as she closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead.