Remembering Freedom

Awake

She awoke to people arguing and a persistent throbbing in her head. She barely had time to take the familiar surroundings of the lab before everyone crowded her bedside. She couldn't stop the tears of joy that streamed from her eyes as she embraced Skye and Fitz. Mack and Hunter gave her warm smiles, but she noticed that Coulson, May, and Bobbi were all absent along with James and her joy faded a bit. "Where is he?" She knew the only person who could've brought her in was him. Jemma was met with guarded expressions.

"He's being interrogated." Skye finally spoke. "As long as he cooperates, he'll be fine."

Jemma nodded and sat back, taking everything in. She wanted to ask what had happened but she was sure the people who knew the answer to that question were not in the room. So she let Fitz and Skye babble about everything that had gone down in the most cheerful voices they could muster. Jemma didn't miss the not subtle comment about "Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome" and knew she would be getting the third degree from Skye when this was all over. The sound of the door opening had anyone facing the door freezing up and it wasn't until Mack cleared the doorway did she realize why.

Natasha Romanov, a.k.a. Black Widow, was leaning against the door frame, her flaming hair in shoulder-length waves and green eyes shining with something unknown. Her eyes roamed over everyone in the room before focusing on her.

Jemma didn't know what it was with assassins, but her gaze was just as unnerving as James'...or more the Winter Soldier's was. Those green eyes were analyzing her and Jemma swallowed nervously, her pulse skyrocketing as she asked the others to leave the room. They didn't need to be told twice. Within moments, it was just the two of them.
"So you're Jemma?" Her voice was smooth, controlled.

Her bandaged hand played with the hem of the blanket and Jemma swallowed past the lump in her throat. "Yes."

Natasha walked across the lab, her eyes sweeping over the equipment. With ease she perched herself on one of the few spots without junk cluttering it. Her movements reminded Jemma of a Panther or Jaguar, lean muscles bunching under the black suit with every step. She may have appeared to be at ease, but was ready for action at a moment's notice. She motioned to the cast. "James did quite a number on you didn't he?"

"The Soldier did it, not James."

A red eyebrow arched. "The Soldier is James."

Jemma decided it would be better not to argue with the assassin. "Did you know him?"

"A long time ago." She looked down. "He's different now."

Jemma had had her suspicions. The Soviet star on James' arm hinted at Russian involvement and it was a known fact that the Black Widow was from Russia as well. Two assassins of their caliber were bound to run into each other from time to time, but she had called him James. Jemma knew that was all she would be getting, from either of them...

"He helped train me." Natasha's lips twitched at her shocked reaction. "He was a good teacher and he was not as cruel as the rest, but that isn't the only question you want to ask was it?"

"What happened after...?"

"He took out those that followed. A second vehicle had showed up while he was fighting the first. Once everyone was dead he carried you here." She smiled then. "Gave everyone quite a shock, him covered in blood and carrying you. Coulson nearly swooned."

"You knew about Coulson?"

Natasha didn't comment on the swift change of topics. She shrugged. "I had my suspicions. No one can stay dead around here apparently and before you ask...only Barton knows."