Widow's Shadow

VII: Disguise

January 17 2027

Karlsruhe, Germany

The city of Karlsruhe was a character in itself, verdant fields surrounded by historic buildings chiseled and constructed to perfection. Houses and stores placed geometrically all across its lively atmosphere. Natasha and James threw on their casual attire before they strode down the sidewalks of a local marketplace. Trams rung their bells and tourists snapped pictures of the foreign wonders.

James watched his surroundings. "It's like they've never seen a fucking fire hydrant before." He itched his head in confusion. "Or maybe they're taking pictures of the weeds growing beside it. Are we supposed to act that stupid?"

Natasha smiled. "Don't worry you'll do just fine." She patted his chest then sped up her pace, her fingers tightly intertwined in his.

They sat in an outdoor café, the breeze brushing Natasha's short brown hair as they found a table. James crossed his legs and leaned on the black metal framing of the seat. "You know, you kinda look like me with the hair. I mean if I was a woman and all."

Natasha raised her eyebrow and sipped at the cold water that was placed before them. "You're usually a good flirt Soldier, is something distracting you?"

James' lip twitched. "Now is that really a question?" He stared her up and down, his eyes slowly coming up to hers; his blue irises brightening with hunger. "and I thought you only call me Soldier in bed."

"You horny asshole." She said under her breath, a smile growing on her face. "What time is it?"

Laughing coming from the table behind them filled the air, friends and family surrounding them. James pulled out his phone from his left coat pocket, the home screen lit up. "8:15" he leaned in on the table, the scent of his cologne getting stronger. It smelt of mint and rosemary, such a beautifully strange mix. "our tour starts at 9:00."

Natasha shifted in her seat. "Have I ever told you how much I hate pantsuits?" she adjusted her jacket. James watched as she sat uncomfortably, his expression making Natasha want to stick a machete down his throat.

"You okay Yash? You look constipated. Oh wait maybe you caught some weird foreign disease." Natasha gulped down some cold water.

James tried to hold back laughter. "I'm 100% sure you gave it to me cause you have the same facial expression as me."

Natasha set her cup on the coaster. "It took me all I had not to spray you. Plus, I can't go looking like I pissed myself."

"You are just too amazing do you know that?" He said as he placed a kiss on her forehead. "Come on, we need to get to the university." He offered his hand and she took it, making their way down to the sidewalk.

Only ten minutes later they entered the sophisticated plot of land Karlsruhe Institute of Technology rested upon. Its campus clean and crowded with students and professors heading to their next classes. The weather was calm and the clouds were nowhere to be seen as Natasha and James headed to the south wing of the campus where an advisor awaited.

" Hallo! Willkommen bei Karlsruher Institut für Technologie ! Ich bin Adalbert Cline Ihrem Berater heute . Es ist eine große Freude, ein so intelligenter Paar rund um die Abteilung Maschinenbau , eine Tour zu geben ! Hoffentlich Sie beide werden bald hier zu arbeiten ! (Hello! Welcome to Karlsruhe Institute of Technology! I am Adalbert Cline your advisor today. It's such a pleasure to give such an intelligent couple a tour around the mechanical engineering department! Hopefully you both will be working here soon!)" The man stood beside the large hallway windows, his bald head shining against the sunlight.

Natasha studied him as she shook his hand and nodded, as did James. His face worn from hours of working made him seem like he was in his late forties but Natasha knew he was only in his early forties. Being dragged around seems to take a toll on all. His brown plaid suit was crisp from recent ironing and his glasses lowered, possibly reading glasses? Most definitely. The smell of strong black coffee brushed off of him as he walked in front of them.

They made their way down the hallway, from what they've seen outside it isn't as crowded here. As if it wasn't student authorized. The clacking sound of Natasha's heels filled the deathly silent marble-floored corridor. Every door they passed by was shut, not a single room welcoming.

"So werden Sie uns diese Universität bahnbrechende Engineering-Abteilung Herr Cline zeigen? (So are you going to show us this university's groundbreaking engineering department Mr. Cline?)" Natasha spoke up.

His eyebrow twitched. "Oh ja! Na sicher! (Oh yes! Of course!)" his voice sounding higher than before. "Ich werde zeigen Ihnen unsere erstklassige Mitte ! Genau da lang! (I'll be showing you our top-notch center! Right this way!)" motioning his hand to follow.

They reached the end of the hallway and a large wooden door stood in front of them. Adalbert faced them before pushing the double-entry doors. It creaked lightly as the large room came into view. Its long paneled lights brightening up the space full of metal tables and three large interactive whiteboards. Stacks upon stacks of books and rolled up paper on shelves.

"Interessante Verwendung eines Auditoriums Cline (Interesting use of an auditorium Cline)." James' voice echoed across the currently vacant room.

Adalbert headed towards the middle, his fingers caressed the cool metal of the tables. "Der Maschinenbau ist nicht nur Lehrbücher zu studieren. Wir wollen, dass unsere Schüler ihre Hände zu benutzen und lernen, was ein Mittel ein Ingenieur zu sein , so dass unser Hauptraum ein Labor geworden ist. (Mechanical engineering isn't just studying textbooks. We want our students to use their hands and learn what a means to be an engineer, so our main room has become a lab)." His passion and enthusiasm hid something more.

Natasha and James smiled and took a brief look around the auditorium, keeping their interest in the space innocent. After a few more minutes Adalbert took them around the campus, the afternoon sun heating their backs as they stopped at the entrance. He reached out his hand and James took it in return, his grip tight.

"Vielen Dank für uns um Herr Cline zeigt. (Thank you for showing us around Mr. Cline.)" James' said.

"Es ist so ein schöner Campus. Ich kann nicht wieder dorthin zu kommen. (It's such a beautiful campus. I can't wait to come back)." Natasha shook Adalbert's hand as well.

"Es war eine Ehre, Sie rund um Herr und Frau Kaiser zu zeigen. Wir werden auf Sie warten! (It was an honor to show you around Mr. and Mrs. Kaiser. We'll be waiting for you!)" He responded with all smiles.

They said their goodbyes and walked their separate ways, Natasha and James' fingers intertwined again. "Did you see it?" Natasha tilted her head on his shoulder. James nodded in response. "We have to come back after closing hours tonight."

"Oh med (honey), did you forget who trained this masterpiece?" He kissed the top of her head, a smile spreading across their faces.

"Flirtovat (Flirt)." She said as she squeezed his fingers tighter.

"Let's go to the hotel, eat and prepare everything for date night."

"My kind of date." She smirked as she squeezed his butt.

"Oh is that what we're doing? I like it already." James grabbed hers, she squealed and began to run away, her heals digging into the grass. Laughter surrounding them as James chased Natasha through the neighboring park. His arms finally wrapping around her waist as they both slipped and fell on the green. Her brown hair falling on his face when she turned to face him.

"I love you Yasha." A smile curled at her lips before they were locked into a kiss.

"And I love you." Hebreathed.