Natasha's POV

We stood in a semi-circle Fury in front of us with his hands clasped behind his back the tension in the room seeming to radiation from Tony. Clint stood next to Fury mimicking the same position though Fury didn't seem to notice the joke. Rolling my eyes at him he just smiled to himself. The mood that hung in the air was one of expectation and anxious eagerness, well at least that's what I felt. None of us had any idea as to why we were here, the only one who seemed to have some sort of clue was Clint, so far though the rest of us had been left in the dark.

"Time to get down to business-" Fury started only to be interrupted by Clint.

"To defeat the Huns." With a death glare from Fury Clint clamped his mouth shut. "Sorry, you may continue."

"As I was saying, we have some things to discuss. First of all I'd like to inform you as to why Clint was absent. Due to current events, I have decided to relocate all of you to the Homestead. Clint was making changes to accomodate all of you." Wait, we were leaving the tower?

" Okay, why?" He studied me with a careful expression one that I knew well enough to know he wasn't willing to explain, great.

"All I have to say is that with recent events it has become clear to me that it may not be safe for all of you to stay here." He spoke the last words giving me a firm look and making it obvious that I was not to question further.

"So we're doing another Ultron thing." Tony pressed the irritation clear in his voice. Something told me he knew this was coming, leave it to him to get insider information, what'd he do bribe Fury?

"Tony, relax." Steve warned.

"No I will not relax! I have had little sleep, and I am stressed!" Tony pouted turning to Fury who had called our attention.

"In a way yes. Though the threat isn't as large as Ultron ,the same idea will be inforced. While you lay low the team and I will be continuing your research and digging as far as we can for answers." Fury said cooly though a muscle in his jaw had twitched.

"So while we go hide under a rock, you're going to find out who hacked my systems, who is possibly harming little children, who gave Natasha that creepy little box, how they seem to know everything we're doing, the gigantic fire, the super sized X, and the code that hasn't been explained to the rest of us, though it seems to me you and Widow over hear are in cahoots." Oh, so he was going to play that way?

"Okay, first of all I am just as in the dark as you!" I protested not wanting him to throw me under the bus just because he was stressed. Tony scoffed rolling his eyes.

"Oh please, you know what was in the freaking box and you also know what the stupid code means. It seems to me that there's a whole lot you aren't telling the rest of us." Clenching my fists I bit my cheek, don't respond. "Yeah, that's what I thought."

"Tony it may be wise of you to stop." Thor said nervously.

"No it's perfectly fine Thor I want to hear everything he has to say." Tony rubbed his hands together laughing without humor.

"Alright! Let's start at the beginning. What about the incident with the box, huh? That little freak out of yours. If I recall correctly you said something about a room. Oh! What about the hacking? I saw the look on your face Natasha, you have a pretty good idea of what that was. Then you go and figure out this stupid code and you have another episode! Care to tell us what all of this is about or are you going to crawl up in that little shell of yours?" He raised an eyebrow indignantly his cheeks flushed scarlet.

"You know what? No! I'm not going to hide!" I yelled.

"Alright, let's hear it then!" He glared at me daring me to say something and I wanted to. I so desperatly wanted to just spill everything but I couldn't. My gut twisted in defiance as I opened my mouth to speak. The tension in the room was thick and everyone waited in silence for my response. When nothing came out I clamped my mouth shut. "That's what I thought." Tony mumbled.

Closing my eyes I tried to relax to get my pulse to slow down. Unclenching my fists I turned on my heel speaking firmly. "Send Maria to fill me in, I'm done here, obviously there's nothing you need me for."

"Great, way to go Tony!" Clint hissed. I heard the sound of running feet and I quickened my pace and lowered my head. Whoever was in pursuit better stop, I was not in the mood and I didn't need comfort, I wasn't a little girl, I could take care of myself, or at least I liked to think that I could. A hand clamped down on my arm and a spun swinging my fist that landed directly on Thor's jaw. He looked surpised by my reaction then laughed that big thunderous boom of his. It eased my mood a little bit, leave it to Thor to get the better of me.

"Sorry Thor. I just don't want to talk right now okay?" He nodded letting go of my arm and letting me go about my business. Rushing past my room I wove through the corridors until I found what I was looking for. Carefully I opened one of the closet doors before shutting it behind me. Leaping I clung to part of the shelving and pushed the grate that covered the air vent aside. Grabbing the vent's lip I swung out and away from the shelf before pulling myself up and in. Placing the grate back over the entrance I moved quickly and efficiently, my pulse still pounding and my anger returning, flooding my veins as I repeated every word that had been said.

Sliding down one of the slopes I paused above another vent, my exit. Pushing it aside I leapt down onto the ground barely making an audible noise. Standing in the familiar room I let loose a frustrated breath. I was so far away from them that it didn't matter if I screamed,did it? Did my screams even matter to anyone? Would anyone listen? Could anyone understand? Bowing my head I slumped to the floor burying my face in my knees. Breath in breath out. Why should you care? Because they're my friends, because Tony's right. How many secrets am I going to keep? But what if it changes everything? They'll see you for who you really are. Let them. Hide from them. Tell. Don't tell. I want to. I can't.

Fighting the multiple emotions that threatened to drown me I stood heading to the back of the medium sized room. I opened the door that held only one thing. A single black dress. It was simple and plain, but familiar all the same. Changing quickly, I turned on the small radio that rested in the corner of the room. A song that I knew played its slow soothing tune. Taking up my position in the center of the room I let the notes wash over me. Without thinking I started the dance I had performed many times before. It came naturally like a sixth sense flowing through me and the world I knew was forgotten.

Planting my feet my delicate dance quickened in pace. My heart raced pumping my poisoned blood through the rest of me. That's what I was, poison. Forced into the mouths of others, many denying me entrance, others welcoming me with open arms and a greeting to death. All of the anger that I had fought down came rushing to the surface pouring out of me as I twirled around the room, but what came with it was all of the emotion I had refused to feel until now. Despair, lonliness, hate, and the worst of all hopelessness. Each coursed through me like venom burning every nerve ending as it exited through the dance. It all came crashing in like a wave, trying to suffocate me, bringing me closer to the clutches of death which I had avoided for so long.

All to soon though it ended. All I was left with was an empty shell. With a curtsy I dropped to the ground, unfeeling, unmoving. Let it out,breath,leave, and act like it never happened. Getting to my feet I collected my things before glancing at my appearance in the mirror. No red rimmed eyes, no tossled hair, no pain evident, no frown, no expression. A stone wall. Good. My lips stretched into a smile, one I had worn before, one that was twisted and sick, but then again, wasn't I?