Romanova [COMPLETED STORY]

23

"This Thursday, you have a meeting with Athena Star at her office building."

"Why there?" What if she tried something?

"Because here, Tony sees everyone who comes in and out, where they are and who they're with. If Athena comes in and she isn't going to see Tony, he'll get suspicious and Jarvis will rat you out."

"Fair enough. I want someone there with me though. I don't trust her yet."

"Understandable. You have a choice of whoever you'd like to bring, just make sure you trust them."

"You'll come Natalia. This was your doing. You'll save my life again if need be."

"Sure."

"What exactly is this meeting even about?"

"Information."

"Very helpful, thanks," I rolled my eyes at her.

"Thought so. I'm going to leave you now, see you later."

"Bye."

  With Natalia there with me, I felt some sense of security. I know she trusts this girl, and Tony and the other Avengers do. I just have some trust issues if you couldn't tell. Was I nervous? No. I was probably going to help her. She just has to know that I'm not one for messing around. Well, when it comes to business of course. I like to keep it professional. Except for Germany, I messed around the whole time I was there. Besides the point. This girl's going to have to earn my respect if she wants it.

  I'm pretty sure I'm old enough to be her mother, but that's not important I guess. I look younger, and that's all that matters. I'll probably outlive her too, if she keeps doing reckless things like this of course. If Tony finds out, he'll probably try to kill me. I'm sure he doesn't want his younger sister messing around with a criminal like me. I wouldn't want my twin if I had one.

  Natalia is trying. I can tell she really wants to be close again. I want to, but she hurt me. When she chose Alexi over me. She even went out with that James Barnes. He's not even that good looking! She has bad taste in men, that's the main difference between the both of us. I was just a kid, it was a long time ago. People weren't so accepting and easy going on kids back then, especially homeless ones.

  I was born in 1939. I was 12 when she left me to fend for myself. I didn't know where she was going or how to reach her. No address, note or even goodbye. I woke up one morning in the house she shared with Alexi to a sold sign in the front yard. I grabbed the few things I owned and made a break for it. After scanning the whole house of course.

  I went to school as a kid, but I had no friends that I could live with. I tried living at the grade school for a bit but the janitors kicked me out. Then I went on to high school two years later and that was worse. So much worse. The mean things they said to me. My clothes weren't great. Just whatever I could steal or buy with the few cents change I got while begging. God, it still haunts me.

  One time, I was in the locker room at school. That was the only place I could shower. Some girls stole my clothes and burned them, so I just wore a uniform I found under the benches. It was horrifying. I walked out in to the hallway to see my clothes outside burning. You had to pay for a uniform where I went, which I could only afford one. I didn't wear it alot because it eventually smelled bad, so I got in trouble alot.

I know she wants me to forgive her, but she didn't have to suffer like that. She should have listened to me. Alexi was a bad man, he corrupted her. She joined the government and became a spy. She joined them because of Alexi. I'm glad he's dead, saves me a bullet. I would have killed him myself if he didn't die in that firey explosion. Lucky I guess.

  I can't stay mad at her forever. I'm not the only person with a bad childhood. Holding grudges for 64 years is healthy for no one. It hurts more I think. Seeing her at first angered me, but I should grow up. I am 76 or something now, I stopped counting a while ago.