The Black Widow

Why?

"What happened back there?" Ilya asks once we have secured the target back into his home.

"Yeah. I thought you had him for sure."

"He got away." I simply not wanting to dwell on my defeat.

"He beat you?" Fyodor asks with a smile on his face.

"No he retreated before I could kill him."

They both stare at me, faces filled with doubt. I have never been known to let someone just escape. It won't happen again. My reputation can't handle a blow like that.

"Are you guys good here? Cause I think I might head home and get some rest." They both shrug so I take it as a yes and walk out.

The sun is just starting to set and the sky is ablaze with orange and pink. Few people are on the streets at this time. The ones who are are the most interesting people. A man in a semi-formal suit walking briskly like he has somewhere to be. A teenager staring into a thick book, he bumps into a light post but walks it off and continues to read. Like it never happened. A woman in nice clothing walking slowly, too slow for her to be in a good mood. 

So many stories go along with each of them I'm sure. Even I have one although mine is by far the longest and the most unusual. It started so long ago and is still going. It may never stop. I don't normally think like that but it's a good night for that sort of thing. Its just a good night in general. It might even be beautiful if I payed attention to that thing. The walk home is long but I don't mind. By the time I do get home it's dark. The streets are empty now and all the stories gone, except for mine of course.

I think once more to the American this morning. He knew who I was and yet was still confident in his abilities. And rightly so. He is really good. But what is with the bow and arrow? Why that particular weapon? Everything about this man intrigues me. Maybe I won't kill him right away. I'll ask some questions first.

I unlock my front door and right as I walk in I can sense something is off. Nothing obvious but something is wrong. When you live alone for long enough you know when you aren't alone. 

Someone is in my house and chances are its not for something good

I raise my gun and clear each room. I find exactly what I am looking for I'm the kitchen. That man. Hawkeye. He is sitting at my kitchen table in the dark.

"What are you doing here?"

I can see him smile in the darkness, "I thought we got off on the wrong foot this morning. My name is Clint. Clint Barton."

I grin sadistically, "wonderful I have your name now. I can find your family and kill them."

He raises his arms like he is saying 'Go ahead.'

"No family to kill Nat. That is your name right. Natalia Alinovena Romanov." 

I don't care all that much about having a secret identity but the fact that he was able to dig up that information is... surprising. This is no freelancer. He is working for someone. Someone powerful, "How did you find that out."

He gestures to the light switch, "You mind turning on the lights."

I oblige only because I can read his face better. The room is flooded with light and I see him clearly. He is still in the same purple and black costume he wore this morning. His bow and arrows however are nowhere to be found. In fact I can't see any weapons at all. This man is insane. On time of that he is grinning like he would rather be here than anyone else in the world. This man is beyond insane.

He sighs, "Wow that's better."

"I'm going to kill you."

He shrugs it off like its no big deal, "Okay but first I want to ask a couple questions."