Natasha's POV

The world spun when I opened my eyes, the light blurring everything together and making my head throb. Groaning I blinked a few times before forcing myself to sit up. As soon as I sat up my head throbbed even more sending sharp jabbing pains against my skull. After a few moments though the sensation of pain passed and I was able to assess my surroundings. I was in the medical bay sitting in the bed farthest from the door. No one seemed to be here at first glance but when I heard the small whisper of tired breathing I turned to see Clint and Steve slumped over and asleep up against the wall.

Steve had his head rested on Clint's shoulder and Clint was leaning heavily on Steve. It was sort of cute and if I had a camera I totally would have taken a picture and used it to black mail them. Seeing as how the room was so empty it must have been nighttime ,and everyone was off duty, meaning that the two knuckleheads that were asleep must have insisted on taking care of me. I missed the meeting. I thought realizing what I had missed. Well I guess someone would have to inform me later, I was really curious as to what was in that box.

Easing back down onto my pillows I closed my eyes attempting to sleep but after what felt like forever without any progress I decided to do something else. Glancing over my shoulder I made sure that neither of them had stirred from their sleep. Once sure that no one was awake I slipped out of bed and padded quietly over to the door. Opening it silently I wove my way through the corridors of the tower until I reached a small air vent on one of the higher floors. Grabbing an old foot stool that I had discovered a while ago I rested it just under the vent. Standing on it I slid off the cover and hoisted myself up inside. Crawling silently I took my usual path until I reached a section of the vent that connected to the window.

No one ever came to this part of the tower but me and it had become my sanctuary, a place of peace and quiet, an area where I could think clearly. Reaching the end of the air vent I sat cross legged and pushed the covering of the window up. This was one of Tony's old ideas that he never went back and replaced. The window itself had a group of quarter sized holes that were covered with a special plastic paneling to prevent air from getting in when un-necessary. With a certain remote though the cover was automated so that it would open to let the fresh New York air in. His whole reason for this was so that the air was fresh and circulating, the bad air out and the good air in. It worked for a while until the automation system broke and he was to lazy to crawl into the vents and fix it.

So now with a lazy breeze flowing through the window I gazed out at the city. The lights sparkled against the black sky seeming to communicate to the stars in a secret language. Few cars were out and about meaning the streets were farely empty. From up here I could see moving specks enter and leave buildings or walk on the sidewalk. There was a certain serenity that came with this, there was a side to the city that most people never cared to see. At night New York was not the busy bustling mass of people as most would assume, it had a slow lazy drawl to it. There weren't angry drivers or honking horns instead there were couples talking sweetly to one another, and the sound of a bell ringing as someone entered a small shop. It was beautiful and often times coming up here reminded me why I did what I did.

In a way I felt like a queen watching quietly from the shadows and observing her kingdom. Ruling with little interference but full of admiration for her people. So I sat there studying my kingdom until the sun rose to take its place as king and rule with intense persistence and a fierce harshness. Sighing I peeled my eyes away from the landscape and scurried back to the medical bay where I sat in my bed bored yet again.

"Look who's awake." Clint slurred peeking through his eyelashes. He nudged Steve who sat up instantly his training getting the better of him. "Stand down soldier." Clint teased.

"Good morning boys, did you have a nice cuddle?" I asked raising an eyebrow. Clint nodded.

"Yes it was very nice don't you think so Captain?" Steve shrugged looking slightly confused at Clint.

I rolled my eyes hopping out of bed and heading towards the door.

"Wait, where do you think you're going missy?" Clint grumbled getting to his feet.

"Back to my room. Unless you'd like to join me." I joked.

"Very funny." He ran a hand down his tired and worn face Cap not far behind him as we walked single file out of the room. They escorted me to my room where I excused them and undressed to shower. As the water ran over my skin I couldn't help but repeat what happened yesterday over and over in my mind. Once dressed I headed to the kitchen to eat seeing as how my stomach insisted on it.

"Good morning Little Fox." Tony cooed as I rumaged through the pantries. "Finally up I see."

"Good morning to you as well Mr.Tech." He winked.

"You know it." I gave him a fake smile and started to make my breakfast. I ate in silence seeing as how everyone seemed to disappear completely. Once finished I lounged on the couch for a bit but eventually decided to go figure out where everyone had vanished off to. It was quiet, way to quiet. I went around knocking on everyone's door and with no response went to check the training room. What the hell? Scouring the rest of the would be areas they could be hiding there was only one place left.

Heading down the hall hushed but angry voices met my ears and my curiosity instantly perked up. Why would they have a meeting without inviting me? As I drew nearer it was clear to tell who was arguing with who.

"We have to ,we need to figure out what all of this is about!" Well that obnoxious voice belonged to Tony.

"No,not happening. No way." Okay that was Clint he had entered Father mode again.

"I agree with Stark. If it is for the greater good of us all." Okay that was Thor.

"Guys if we're going to decide we need to talk to-"

"Could everyone shut up please?" Immediately everyone quieted. Steve had been cut off by Scarlett. "Nothing is going to get done unless we ask her. It's her decision!"

They were talking about me, no wonder I wasn't invited. Taking this as an opportune time to make my entrance I strode through the open door.

"Do any of you losers care to tell me why I wasn't invited to the party?" They all turned to look at me and I stood with my arms crossed glaring at each of them but Scarlett. She obviously thought I should be present. "You seem to be oddly secretive about something that concerns me. Care to share what that is?"

The silence continued and I swear I was burning holes into each of them with my gaze. Tony shifted uncomfortably and when he did I saw the blue box sitting in the center of the table. Clint saw me looking and quickly blocked my view of the object. "Does anyone care to tell me what the hell is going on and why it concerns the box?"

Their eyes shifted each of them looking to one another to reply, silent staring contests taking place. Steve turned towards me letting out a breath of frustration.

" Yesterday, while you weren't with us, we opened the box." He rushed it all out in one breath and I fought the urge to laugh.

"So? You guys have little faith in me if you think I'll get mad. I am curious though, what's in it?" Walking over I sat down in Clint's un-occupied chair resting my head on the table and studying the blue square.

"That's the thing. We don't know what's in the box. You do." I turned to look at him cocking an eyebrow. How on earth was I supposed to know what was inside it when I never opened it?

"Okay stop beating around the bush and spill, there's something you're not telling me." He took another shaky breath and I could sense his hesitation.

"When we opened it there was a letter with your name on it in Russian. We think everything in there belongs to you." My heart raced in anticipation. How was that possible? Suddenly hesitant I reached out towards it before carefully grasping the handle. Pulling it close to me I paused debating on whether to open it or not. The way everyone else was acting made me think something bad was in there. "You don't have to open it unless you want to. It's just you might be the only one who can give us a lead on these people, and what's inside, you might not like it. Just a feeling that's all."

"Yeah, yeah okay." Tony handed me the key and I inserted it carefully into the lock focusing on keeping my nerves to myself. Extracting the key I opened the lid. Reaching inside I pulled out the contents and for such a big box they were such little things. A syringe, a locket, two letters, and nothing more. When I didn't react Clint stepped forward to take the box from me.

"There's more." He fumbled along the bottom of the box until there was a soft click and the small sound of metal shifting. Handing it back to me I looked inside to find that hidden in the bottom of the box was a large square of red cloth. Pulling it out I studied it seeing the familiar Russian insignia. Still looking at the flag I absent mindedly reached back into the box wrapping my fingers around something cool and metallic. Lifting it out I finally averted my eyes from the flag to look upon the object I held in my hand.

It was a gun, but not just any gun, a gun I hadn't seen or used in years. Upon realizing what it was my heart seemed to cave in on itself. All to soon the memories came rushing back.

The Red Room, that's where I was. I was standing in the center of a rather large and rather grand room. Sweat pricked my hands as I held a familiar object but one that felt so foreign in my hand. My whole body was tense and aching, my muscles tight. What really caught my attention though was the man kneeling in front of me. His hands were cuffed tightly behind his back his body shaking in fear and his shoulders slumped. A large black sack covered his head keeping his features a mystery. He whimpered as I stood there with my arms outstretched gun in hand.

"Kill him." A sharp voice ordered coming from directly behind me. Still tense my voice wavered as I spoke.

"Do I have t-"

"Do it!" They called and I focused my attention back on the man. My stomach squirmed and I felt an intense fear as I knew what I was about to do. Watching in horror my finger pushed down on the trigger and the loud crack of the gun sounded. A large red dot emerged on the man's forehead blood seeping out of the wound as he slumped to the ground lifeless.

I dropped the gun from my shaking hand and a small whimper escaped me. I turned only to catch sight of the locket and I was back in another world.

It wasn't to long after my parents died and I was outside sitting on a bench while a light sprinkle of snow covered the sidewalk. An older man sat next to me smiling down at my little form.

"Beautiful day yes?" He asked in Russian.

"Of course! With the snow it is beautiful!" I replied. He laughed wrapping an arm tightly around my young shoulders.

"Your favorite season is the coldest." He mused.

"Cold but lovely yes?" His deep chuckle filled me with warmth despite the frigid weather.

"Yes so it seems." A moment of silence passed between us and I rested my head on his shoulder. He shifted bringing his hand to his pocket and rummaging around in it. "I have something for you."

"Really?" Perking up at his words I watched as he drew out a long gold chain with a heart shaped clasp on the end.

"Oh you shouldn't have!" I cried wrapping my arms around his neck. Laughing again he hushed me and placed it around my neck.

"For you." He said. Eagerly I opened the clasp and two pictures rested inside. On the left one of my parents, on the right one of me with the man. My heart swelled with adoration.

"I love it." He looked at me affection written in his features.

"I knew you would."

Realizing that I was now clutching the locket in my hand I half threw it across the table my whole body shaking now. Shaking my head I tried to avoid looking at anything else but the glare of the syringe met my gaze.

I was sitting on a stark white table wearing nothing but a simple hospital gown. A lady with cold grey eyes stared back at me over the top of her mask. She held a syringe in her hand full of an oddly colored liquid. I tried to keep my fear from showing and my nerves at bay but the lady seemed to not care.

"It will only hurt a little." She reassured me but there was no warmth to her voice. Before I knew what was happening the needle was in my arm. Intense pain quickly followed and it felt like my skin was on fire. I flopped onto the bed my screams piercing the air. The serum, I had heard about it. So this is what it felt like? The pain continued for hours never receding and seeming to gain in intensity. Afterwards when it was over I was taken to another room where lights flashed red and everything was bathed in its devilish glow. I knew what happened next, the altering, the modifications and enhancements, the sterilization. It all felt so real and so horrible.

Finally snapping back to reality I slumped forward resting my head on the table heavy breaths forcing their way from between my lips and exhaustion taking over me. My whole body was covered in sweat and I could here the faint sound of panicked voices and shouting. Hesitantly I raised my head my hand reaching towards the letter I had never seen before. Opening it I carefully slid out its contents. If I had thought what had happened before was horrible this was even worse.

Dear Natalia,

It has been some time since I used that name. I hope you haven't forgotten who I am after all those years we spent together. It seems while I was gone you chose to take a different path then what was expected of you. The Black Widow is now an Avenger? In case you haven't forgotten your purpose I sent a few reminders. I hope you enjoyed the little show I put together. Those men proved to perform well. I just wanted to let you know that we will see each other soon enough. I have some girls who are dieing to meet you, they wish to perform in my program as well as you did. Now they will have their chance. Anyways, my dearest elite, you will see soon enough what I am talking about. When you do you will be home again where I will be waiting to welcome you with open arms. After all it really is lovely here, and when you come I believe that you will have wished you had never left. That I can assure you.

From,
Teacher and the RR

Swaying I gripped the note tight in my palm trying to keep myself together. A voice cut through the fog that clouded my mind and pierced the dread in my heart.

"Natasha!" I turned to see Clint looking at me intense concern on his face. "What happened?"

"It's them." I whispered. The weight of dread in my body growing heavier.

"Who?" He pleaded.

"The Red Room."