Mercury // S. Rogers (Book Five) ?

Everybody Comes Home

She finally collapses to her knees again and sits back on her heels, sobs still wracking her body. Twenty minutes later, she's staring at the carpet blankly. Eerily silent. Deep in thought, she thinks back to when her and Steve had returned from Wakanda to the Ireland safe house after Bucky had gone into cryo. She had found Natasha packing hastily. Throwing whatever clothes she could get her hands on into a duffel.

~Flashback~

"Nat, what the hell? What are you doing?" Freya asks.

"I have to go. A friend needs my help," Natasha replies. She pulls clothes off the hangars in her closet before tossing them on her bed.

"Wait, what friend?"

"A friend from the Red Room," Natasha answers hesitantly. Freya tenses up at the mention of where she was trained.

"Uh, okay. Let me grab my things. I'm coming with you."

"What?! NO!" The redhead whirls around, a panicked look in her eyes. "You're not coming with me. It's too dangerous."

"Red, everything we do is dangerous," Freya snorts.

"This is different. Okay? I've gotta do this. Alone."

"No, Nat. That's too risky. If you're going back to deal with all of that again, going alone isn't the best idea."

"This girl is like my sister, Frey. I can't just let her fend for herself."

"And you pretty much are my sister, Natasha. I can't lose you," Freya pleads. Natasha hangs her head and turns back to the blonde.

"You're my sister, too. But, I can't just let her die. She and I were raised together. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happens to her and I could've done something about it."

"What about Taskmaster?" Freya asks. "He's still out there somewhere. If you go back, he's gonna go straight for you. Especially, if he knows you're alone." Freya sighs and runs a hand through her hair as she sits on Natasha's bed.

"It's a risk I'm willing to take," Natasha shrugs as she sits next to her friend. "I can't run away forever. Going back was bound to happen."

"When we fought him, the only reason we came out with the upper hand was because you, me and Clint took him on. And because he can't mimic my powers," Freya growls in frustration and tugs at her hair.

"Don't worry, I've got a little something up my sleeve," Natasha winks. Freya rolls her eyes as the two fall into a brief silence.

"Clint still claims that he taught him how to use a bow," Freya chuckles.

"Unintentionally," Natasha snorts. "He just says that because he's pissed Taskmaster picked up archery instantly from him." She wraps an arm around the blonde and pulls her into a side hug. "I'll be fine. Just know, whatever happens, this is my decision and no one else's. This is my choice."

"Yeah, I know," Freya looks up at her best friend with a sad smile. "You better come back to me, сестра."

"Always, сестра," Natasha grins.

"I love you," Freya sighs as she wraps her arms around the redhead and pulls her into a tight hug. Instantly returning the hug, Natasha closes her eyes and leans her head on the other woman's.

"Love you back."

~End Flashback~

Freya blinks rapidly, clearing her vision. She knows this is what Natasha chose. Even though it tears her apart knowing she'll never see her again. She knows she needs to push forward and complete the mission.