Winter's Deception

Chapter 1

Roselyn lay in a deep slumber as her roommate, Natasha Romanoff, geared up for their upcoming mission. She let out a groan of anger when she woke, causing her partner to notice her current disheveled state.

"You overslept, again."
Tasha harshly criticized Rose for her repetitive laziness , and smirked as a string of curses escaped Rose's lips. When a pillow was thrown her way, Tasha yelped as she tumbled to the ground with one leg dressed and the other half covered, which earned a chuckle from Rose.

This was the usual routine. Natasha would wake early to get the details on the mission then suit up, leaving Roselyn to hurry into her gear 10 minutes before departure. Of course, Roselyn would always get her revenge on Natasha for unplugging her alarm by blasting the car radio to a song that irked her, but this cycle happened so many times they were both unfazed by their partners actions.

They supposed that's why Madame B, their mentor, had paired them together. Not only were Natasha and Roselyn the top of the Red Room program, but they had developed a friendship after so many years they spent competing against each other in their youth. The friendship between the two made them completely loyal to the Red Room. Madame B knew that they couldn't betray one another, and she used that to her advantage .

No matter the abusive remarks they threw to each other, everyone could see that those to agents loved each other like sisters. To some, it was their greatest strength. To others, their biggest weakness.
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"So... Natasha, what's our mission ?" Roselyn practically yelled over the sound of "We No Speak Americano" playing on the radio. She suppressed a chuckle as she saw her friends knuckles whiten as her grip tightened on the steering wheel. Still, to Roselyn's annoyance, Natasha kept her cool and answered in a completely professional manner.

" We're escorting a nuclear engineer out of Iran. Our mission is to protect him at all costs, deliver him safely , then return without further question. That's all."

"That's it? Why would they need two of the best agents in the world for that?" The brunette knew there had to be more information Tasha hadn't told her. The glance her red-headed friend threw her way only increased her suspicions.

"You know, for being a spy, you're a pretty bad liar..." Roselyn instigated, confused that Natasha would hide anything from her, or what Madame B didn't want her to know.

Instinctively, Rose became suspicious. She turned in her seat to give Natasha a cold stare. Normally, she would've ignored Roselyn completely by this point , but something was gnawing her stomach, something like dread.

Her instructions were to keep Roselyn in the shadows, because the plan was to be as low-key as possible to avoid suspicion. If Roselyn understood what was at stake, that would make both agents seem high alert and prepared for something they weren't supposed to know. Rose was to be the little unknowing mouse in this plot, something the Russian wolf would hate to know.

Looking into Roselyn's hazel eyes, Natasha knew it was better to confess her worries now then be stuck in a sticky situation later having to explain what was happening.

    "Dr. Baird is very valuable to certain people. He accidentally uncovered some important information that can help us drive our enemies out of hiding. Because of this, he is a target. Our intel tells us that an assassin is on his trail. An attack is highly likely since the doctor is being transferred to safety and this would be the last chance to to strike. They made a last minute decision to send us both, but Madame B didn't want the enemy to know we suspected anything, so the least people who knew the better chances of going undetected. "