THE STREETS OF Queens were almost barren. Cars that were left by those who dusted stayed parked on the road with some even halfway on the sidewalks.

Y/N wore a brown coat to combat the chilly weather as he walked through the neighborhood. He passed walls recently filled with missing person posters, simply glancing at them before continuing. His destination was just a couple of blocks away.

"I hope this is enough to warm you up." May Parker said as she placed the coffee mug on the table.

Y/N nodded as he picked it up. "Thank you."

She sat down holding her coffee cup. The man took a sip of the hot drink as they sat in silence for a moment.

"When I first found out Peter was Spider-Man..." May abruptly spoke.

"We don't need to talk about this now if you don't—"

"I do." She interjected and let out a sigh, then continued. "I wanted to ground him forever. How could he go running into danger without telling me?"

Y/N rested his hands on the table near his mug as he listened to the woman.

"I've always told him to run the other way. That's what I told my husband. But just like Ben...Peter was stubborn." She said. "I threatened to take the suit Stark gave him, but he looked me straight in the eye and said you take this suit, I'll just make another."

May sniffled as she recalled that conversation with her nephew.

"I cried. I begged him to stop. I asked why he goes out fighting the same type of people who killed Ben. Then he told me...he told me it was his responsibility."

Y/N looked down at his hands and nodded. He also remembered his moment with Peter before going to Germany two years ago. He said something similar.

She continued. "I couldn't stop him from doing what he thought was right, so I let it be. But now...he's gone...doing the very thing I wanted him to stop."

"I cannot imagine the pain you are feeling right now, Ms. Parker." Y/N said. "And nothing I say will alleviate that. I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"He was one of the brightest kids I've met. It hurts to see him gone. The fact that I couldn't..." Y/N paused and took a breath in. "I'm going to live with that for the rest of my life."

May didn't say anything and kept looking down at her cup. Y/N reached into a pocket within his coat and pulled out an envelope.

"I told you a while ago that Stark and I will support you as much as we can." He said. "Here."

She looked at the envelope on the table and immediately knew what it was. May shook her head.

"I don't want it."

"I just want you to get by as comfortable—"

"I don't need his money. I don't need anything from him. It's not like it's going to bring Peter back."

Y/N slightly nodded and took back the envelope. May continued. "I'm not taking it. Sorry."

"This is not the only support we're offering. We're here for you. All of us. If you don't want to talk to Stark, it's fine. I'm always available."

May nodded. "I appreciate it."

The two finished their coffee and Y/N bid farewell. He put the envelope back into his coat pocket, and before he could walk out the door, May spoke to him again.

"There's a family downstairs. A dad with three kids who lost their mother. She was the breadwinner. They could use the money."

The super soldier agreed and gave a smile. "I'll make sure to give it to them somehow."

• • •

PIETRO AND Y/N were in the gym of the compound. The soldier finished his reps with weights while the speedster continued running on his specialized treadmill.

Y/N wiped the sweat from his face and watched Pietro finish his final minute of exercise. He stepped off the treadmill, not even exhausted from his workout, and simply went over to his bag.

"New record?" Y/N casually asked from the bench.

"About a percent faster." He answered. "14,912,643.2 miles per hour. That makes it about 2.3% the speed of light. Nothing much."

Y/N chuckled and went over to his bag as well. "You down to spar in a bit? I promise I won't use your speed against you this time."

Pietro exhaled as he slung the bag over his shoulder. "Not today. I...I have stuff to do."

The super soldier nodded, understanding and not wanting to pry into his business anymore. He's noticed that Pietro's spirits have been down once October came around. It was Wanda's favorite time of year, because of the fall season and Halloween.

"That's fine. I'll spar with Cap or something if he has the time. Maybe Rhodes."

A voice came from the doorway nearby. "As fun as that sounds...I'll pass."

They looked over and saw Rhodey with luggage at his side. Y/N raised a brow but the Air Force veteran started to clear up the confusion.

"I'm off to California. The National Guard wants me there in case the looting and vandalism get too bad."

Pietro shook his head. "Some people use how things are now as a time to cause more chaos. It sickens me." He started walking towards the door and pat Rhodey's shoulder. "Stay safe."

Rhodey nodded and watched Pietro leave. He turned to Y/N.

"I'll be back in a few days. Hopefully." He told the young man.

"Like Pietro said, be safe." Y/N replied as he walked up to him. Rhodey pat him on the side of the arm and gave a smile.

"I'm running late. Tell Nat and Cap I said goodbye." He picked up his luggage and started walking down the hallway. Before he can fully leave, he called out to say one more thing. "Tony's in the lab by the way. Don't tell him I told you."

Y/N entered the lab and saw none other than Tony Stark. He was at a console typing into the computer when he noticed the man walk in.

"Oh, Forrest. Pleased to see you." He greeted with eyes still on the screen. "Rhodey tell you I was here?"

"I can't confirm nor deny." Y/N answered.

"That's a yes then."

The super soldier walked up to the console and looked across from it toward Tony.

"What brings you here? It's been some time since we last saw you."

Tony had just finished the task after the question and took a thumb drive out of the console.

"Just installing Friday into this. You see...I bought a lakeside cabin several miles out in upstate New York and I want to integrate it with Friday." He answered. "Don't worry though, she'll still be available to you guys here."

"Lakeside cabin? That's nice." Y/N replied with a nod. "I bet Pepper will love it."

"I hope to God she does. That property bit a good chunk out of my wallet."

The two shared a laugh and Tony walked away from the console and toward Y/N.

"Everything good here?" He asked.

Y/N crossed his arms and nodded. "Yeah, everything's fine."

Tony sensed some hesitance in his answer but brushed it aside.

"That's good then." He looked around the lab and the two stood in silence for a moment. "Why do you still stay here?"

"What?" Y/N asked.

"I would've expected you to move out, maybe get a place with Romanoff or something. But you two decided to stay." He added.

Y/N sighed. "Where else is there to go? This place is my home now. With Nat, with Cap...Pietro...Rhodey. It's where I want to be."

Tony simply nodded at his answer. He looked at the drive in his hand and put it in his pocket.

"Well, I should get going—"

Someone spoke from the doorway behind them. "Tony?"

They looked back and saw Steve. Tony immediately tensed up.

"Rogers." He then looked back at the young man. "It was great talking to you, Y/N."

Tony started treading towards the doorway. Steve knew he was going to ignore and walk past him.

"Tony—"

"What? What is it?" Tony finally looked at him. "It's a shame I didn't bring a bottle of wine so we can sit and talk...but I didn't, so I guess that'll have to wait."

Y/N sighed as he heard their exchange. He knew that Tony was still sour about the ordeal in Siberia and the Avengers' two-year split up...which ultimately lead to them losing to Thanos.

Steve didn't reply and gave a blank expression at Stark. Tony looked at Y/N then back at Steve.

"If you'll excuse me."

"Let me at least walk you out."

Tony was already halfway down the corridor when he shouted back. "I know the way out. I built this damn building."

Steve looked down and sighed before looking back up at his son. Y/N glanced back at him and shrugged. Hopefully somewhere down the line, the two could mend things.

• • •

THE TELEVISION WAS tuned into a channel playing oldies music. Natasha sat on the couch with Y/N's head resting on her lap, her fingers running through his hair as they talked.

A/N: I picture it like this. Uncharted is an amazing series by the way.

"It feels very nostalgic hearing this." Y/N said. "It's like I've heard my mom play this back then."

"You remember?" Natasha asked with a smile.

"Weirdly, I do. It's very faint, though."

"That's all you need."

"Right."

They laid there in silence as the music played. Y/N decided to speak again.

"Was there anything you listened to back then? As a kid?"

Natasha thought back at her brief stint in Ohio with her family.

"There was. Yelena and I used to sing it all the time...mostly Yelena." She answered. "American Pie."

Y/N nodded. "I've heard that before. Good song."

"I guess we wanted to integrate ourselves into American culture as much as we could. So Alexei played it all the time. When things would get rough...Don McLean was there to cheer us up."

Hearing that started to sadden Y/N. The thought of Alexei and Melina not being there for them anymore hurt the young man. They should've been here. They should've been alive.

"That's nice." He muttered.

Natasha kept running her hand through his hair as they lay on the sofa, all while Y/N was occupied with his woeful thoughts.

"Are you cold? Can I get you a blanket or something?" Y/N looked up at Natasha.

It was pretty chilly, but she didn't want him to get up from his comfortable state. "You don't have to."

"I'll get it. It's okay." Y/N replied as got up. He feigned a smile and walked out of the lounge.

Natasha continued listening to the music coming out of the television. She sat there for some time, wondering why her boyfriend was taking so long.

The blonde then decided to leave the lounge as well but stumbled upon Y/N sitting against the wall with the blanket beside him. He had his face buried in his hands and was crying.

"Dарлинг (Darling), what's wrong?" She knelt beside the young man and rubbed his shoulder, with a worried look on her face.

He continued sobbing. The feelings he's been bottling up for the last few months started to spill out. It had just hit him that the people who were lost were gone for good and that things would never be the same.

"I don't know, Tasha." Y/N calmed down for a moment. "I don't know what to do...or what to feel. Almost everybody we knew is gone." He looked at her. "Sometimes I think why me? Why did I live while others didn't?"

It hurt Natasha hearing that. It was basically the same thing that Clint asked himself when they visited him months ago. She didn't want him to continue feeling that guilt and grief. Those same feelings are what caused Barton to cut off all contact and disappear.

"Please, don't say that." Natasha placed a hand on the side of his face and wiped away the tears. "You know I can't give you an answer to that, but all I can say is that you're here now. With people who care about you. With me. That's all that matters."

Y/N nodded and looked down at his hands. He let out a sniffle and started fiddling with the blanket beside him.

"And I thank God for that." He replied and looked back up at her. "Thank you, Nat."

She nodded and kissed him on the forehead. Suddenly, Friday started to speak to them in the hallway.

"Miss Romanoff. Mr. L/N. We have a guest at the door. It's Miss Belova."

It came as surprise to both of them at her sudden arrival but welcomed it.

"Let her in, Friday. We'll meet her in the lounge." Natasha spoke back.

She helped Y/N to his feet and the man wiped away the wetness from his face. Natasha nodded with a light smile and started walking back to the lounge. Y/N composed himself and followed soon after.

There was only time for a brief greeting and catch-up until Yelena got straight to business. They noticed that she looked pretty worked up upon arrival, and her explanation cleared up why.

"She's hasn't contacted me in two weeks. It isn't like her." Yelena spoke about a fellow Widow and friend named Helen.

Y/N looked at the picture of her on the table and crossed his arms. "You don't think she just decided to...move on?"

"She would've told me."

"Maybe she just wanted to keep it on the low."

Yelena stared directly at Y/N. "She would've told me."

He nodded in response, not wanting to agitate the blonde any further. Natasha picked the file up and looked through it.

"Does she still wear her uniform? Widows usually have trackers in their belts." She stated.

"It's offline and the beacon hasn't been triggered." Yelena replied. "I'm starting to think something happened to her."

Her sister nodded, also assuming that there was foul play involved. She looked at Y/N, who started to rub his chin.

"So what do you want to do?" He asked Yelena.

"I need your help with this. I wouldn't have come here if I didn't have any other choice." She said. "I know this is abrupt...too soon after what happened...but I just can't ignore this."

Y/N looked at Natasha, he could already tell that she was willing to do this for her sister. In all honesty, the fact of going back out on the field so soon irked the man, but the Avenger and soldier within him wanted to do what was right.

"We're here for you, Yelena." He spoke. "Where do we get started?"

Yelena gave a nod. "I have some locations that she could be at. Lerato is also tagging along."

"Lerato?" His brow arched upon hearing the familiar name.

"You remember her? She was your handler back when Dreykov had you as a pet."

He did remember. "Right."

"She'll meet up with us—" Yelena stopped after her phone started to chime. She took it out and her eyes widened upon looking at the screen. "Черт возьми (Holy shit)."

"What?" Natasha asked.

She looked back up at her sister. "It's Helen's beacon."

"You have coordinates?" Y/N asked, to which Yelena nodded. The soldier then went over to the nearby table. "Friday, take the coordinates from Belova's phone and pinpoint the location."

A screen projected over the desk and showed where the beacon was coming from. The two sisters joined Y/N at the table and looked at it.

"Siberia." Natasha said.

"What the hell is she doing there?" Y/N asked.

"We only use the beacon for emergencies. Something is wrong." Yelena cut in.

Y/N nodded as he still looked at the map.

"Siberia it is then. Let's go."

• • •

THE SNOWY CLIMATE masked the presence of the three. Natasha had the white suit she wore two years ago and Yelena wore hers, also taking back the vest she gifted her sister. Y/N wore his armor, now re-colored to blend in with the snowy environment.

A/N: I tried my best to whiten the Taskmaster armor lol. Also, imagine that Natasha has her blonde hair instead.

The wind blew as specs of snow hit their faces. It started to dirty Y/N's visor and blur his vision, so he retracted his mask and continued without it.

"Where'd you say Lerato would be?" Natasha asked.

Yelena looked at her phone and stopped. "Right here."

The three looked around and surveyed the trees. Suddenly, they heard crunching of snow behind them and spun around to face whoever was coming. Natasha and Yelena aimed their pistols while Y/N unsheathed his sword.

"Relax." The young dark-skinned woman raised her hands. "Took you long enough. It was starting to get really cold."

"Lerato." Yelena greeted.

She nodded and looked at Natasha. "Romanoff." She then turned to Y/N. "Lieutenant."

"Lerato. My gal." He joked, recalling their exchanges back in the Red Room.

"I didn't think you'd remember me." She replied with a chuckle. "Is that dinner offer still on the table?"

Y/N let out a light laugh. Natasha looked at them with a raised brow at their inside joke.

"Am I missing something here?" She asked.

The soldier looked at her. "Well—"

"Your boy was quite the funny guy." Lerato interrupted. "He'd always hit on me and I'd turn him down."

"But you know that wasn't me, right?" He looked at Natasha and chuckled. "That was the other asshole."

"Hm." Natasha hummed.

Yelena rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Let's continue this conversation after we find Helen, shall we?"

The four traversed the snowy terrain until they reached the location of Helen's beacon. Yelena stopped and looked at the tracker.

"This says she's right here." She told them. "I don't understand."

Y/N started looking around, his eyes surveying the tree line ahead. Suddenly, he felt a prick at his neck and flinched. "Argh!"

He felt the dart sticking out of his neck and pulled it out. Y/N looked at it and his eyes widened, it looked exactly like the one he was shot with back in Lithuania.

"Y/N?" Natasha looked back and noticed his shocked expression.

The man looked back at her. He knew that in a matter of seconds he'd be immobilized by the sheer amount of chemicals in the tranquilizer dart.

"Run." Y/N breathed out as his legs started to get weak. He dropped to his knees and Natasha ran up to him.

"What—"

"I said run!"

They heard rustling coming from the trees, and through Y/N's blurred vision he could see soldiers in black uniforms storm out of them.

Yelena, Natasha, and Lerato took out their guns and shot at the incoming enemies. Some were hit, but many were able to reach and engage them. The attackers brandished their electrical melee weapons and swung at the Widows.

They were able to put a good fight, but the sheer number of enemies started to overwhelm them. Y/N laid on the floor as his vision got blurrier, not being able to stand up and help. In a matter of seconds, he ultimately blacked out.

• • •

HIS EYES SLOWLY opened and Y/N's vision started to focus. He lifted his head and realized he was on the floor of a cell. It looked similar to the one the Red Room would have, a small open space with impenetrable glass for a door.

Y/N got to his feet and looked through the glass, seeing a lab outside of it. He also spotted Natasha strapped to a table, with Yelena also tied down in another part of the room.

"Natasha?" He called out. Y/N reached for his pack containing his sword and weapons but realized it was gone.

"Y/N?" She was able to turn her head and look at him.

"Are you okay?" He asked, in which she nodded.

"I'm fine, too. Thanks for asking." Yelena called out from the other side of the room.

"Where's Lerato?" Y/N asked as he surveyed the room. Natasha and Yelena also wondered where she was.

Y/N tried to break the glass by punching it, to no avail. Yelena turned her head and noticed this.

"It's no use. It looks like the same material used in the Red Room." She remarked.

"But how?" Natasha asked.

Suddenly, the doors to the lab opened and a man came in with two masked doctors by his side. He clapped his hands together and gave a smile.

"Avengers. Widow." He greeted. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

The three didn't respond and simply looked at him with a glare. The man continued speaking.

"I suppose you don't know who I am."

"Of course we don't, dipshit." Yelena shot back.

"Not even your hero friends?" He asked.

"Like she said. No, dipshit." Y/N added.

He chuckled and stood in the middle of the room, looking directly at Y/N.

"You knew my brother. Tony Stark's own creation killed him in fact. I didn't even get a chance to visit him in prison."

Y/N started to think back after his reference and immediately remembered who he was referring to.

"Strucker."

He nodded. "Wolfgang was always the strategist. I, Reiner, am more of the scientist. I was the one who initiated the experiments with the Scepter."

"So where were you when we apprehended your brother in Sokovia? On vacation or something?" Natasha asked.

"We had an inkling that the operation there wouldn't last, so Wolfgang preferred that we'd split up. After his death, the Ultron situation, the folks at S.H.I.E.L.D killing my nephew, Werner...I decided to lay low." He explained. "Until now. An acquaintance and I decided it was a perfect time to resurface."

"You're not alone?" Natasha asked.

Reiner didn't get to answer as the doors opened again. He looked back and smiled at the sight of his colleague, an older-looking woman with greying blonde hair. Natasha and Yelena looked at her with surprised looks.

"Hello, girls." Madame B greeted them with a smile.

Yelena rolled her eyes and looked up at the ceiling. "You've got to be shitting me."

"You're alive?" Natasha spoke up.

"Always have been, Natalia." She looked at her. "Wow...you've grown so much."

All Natasha did was scoff and look away. Madame B looked at Y/N in the cell and smiled too.

"The soldier. HYDRA's mimic."

"Not anymore." Y/N shot back.

"You were useful to Dreykov, and now you'll be of use to me."

"I don't think so. You can't control me anymore."

"Who says I wanted to have what's up here?" She pointed at her head with a smirk. Y/N looked at her in confusion as Madame B glanced at Reiner, who also smiled.

The scientist began to explain. "I've studied long and hard. Researched...experimented...rounds of trial and error. Then I found it, a way to perfect cloning technology."

The three listened in on Reiner as he paced around the room.

"At first, I thought the blood of a Widow and a normal man would be sufficient." He looked at Y/N. "Then you came along, and I had an idea. You are no normal man."

"What are you saying?" Y/N asked.

He chuckled. "To create the ultimate being, we needed your DNA..." He then turned to Natasha. "And yours."

Madame B nodded at their plan. "Just imagine what the genetics of both the Black Widow and the Freedom Fighter could create."

"You are all freaks." Yelena remarked.

"I'm not letting you do that." Natasha said. "You're not taking my blood."

"Well, we already did. From all of you in fact. In case we want to do the same with Belova." Reiner replied. "We will begin the process soon. In our specialized chamber, the organism will age a year every hour until it's reached an ideal number."

Natasha sighed and looked away. The fact of a clone made from both her and Y/N's DNA being under their control bothered her. Reiner noticed her mood and walked up to her table.

"It will be the first in a line of warriors...assassins...under HYDRA's rule. All deadly..." He ran a finger down her arm. "...all beautiful."

Y/N slammed a fist at the glass. "You touch her again and I'll make sure you join your brother in hell."

Reiner chuckled. "Thank you, soldier. Your service then and now is appreciated."

Suddenly, another doctor came into the lab and started whispering in Madame B's ear. Reiner looked back and wondered what the exchange was about, also noticing the lady's surprised look. The doctor left and Madame B started walking up to Natasha on the table.

"What is it?" Reiner asked.

Madame B looked at Natasha, who stared back with a glare. The older lady smiled. "Something came up when we processed your blood sample."

Reiner raised a brow at her comment. Madame B continued smiling and placed a hand on her stomach.

"Congratulations, Natalia. You're expecting."