You!?-78

It took almost a week before Natasha was finally able to free herself from the peaceful life, she had lived with the Bartons. That kind of family life was something she had only experienced once, many years ago herself.

Sometimes, she did think back to those days when he had what she thought as parents and a sister as well. She had tried hard to find her sister but had found nothing so far.

The days at Clint's farm hadn't just been spent getting mothered by Laura due to her injuries or playing with little Cooper. She had also spent many hours talking with Clint about the mission. Trying to prepare as much as possible.

There were limits to how much they could do, though. So in the end they had just arranged for some emergency protocols should things go south and a few possible ways to get in contact.

Now Natasha was once more back on the road, heading towards the Ricci mansion, where she would once more meet with Alexandra Ricci. Hopefully, she would be able to quickly integrate herself into the criminal empire and get a position where she could begin gathering some information.

On the drive in she made sure to get rid of any possible trail that could be used to trace her trip back to the farm. She took all kinds of off route trips. A trip that could be done in just a few days ended up taking a full two weeks as she ensured no one could possibly know what she had been doing since her meeting with Fury.

She finally showed up at the Ricci mansion after having called and made the arrangements in advanced. The mansion was just as over the top on security as it had been right after the assassination of Alexander Ricci.

It was a wonder that someone hadn't complained about the clearly illegal weapons on display. This place looked more like a military base in a warzone than one of the most expensive addresses in New York City.

"Miss Romanoff, I will ask that you comply with our search." A guard said as soon as she stepped through the first gate.

Natasha could only sigh and nod her head as she got ready for a long, uncomfortable check. "Understood."

As Natasha submitted to the meticulous search, she couldn't help but assess the security measures in place. Every guard was heavily armed, their eyes sharp and probing, missing nothing. The thoroughness of the search spoke volumes about the Riccis' paranoia or perhaps their awareness of the real dangers their position attracted.

She found herself stripped naked, her clothes taken away, never to be seen again. Her body was then next; the checks here were by far the worst and most in-depth she had ever had to go through.

Small mercy it was that at least she had only female company as they checked the insides of her rear and the void left behind by her graduation from the red room. Apparently, they thought that her missing womb might have allowed her to store something in that region. 

Even her wounds were checked to ensure that she hadn't faked them to stuff weapons or spy equipment inside her body. After all that, they had her scanned by some highly advanced X-ray machine to ensure she didn't have any implants or something hidden in her stomach.

They even tested her blood. To ensure that she was who she said she was and to apparently ensure she hadn't been subjected to some kind of deadly bioweapon or poison. The security was only getting stricter each time she visited.

"Some clothes in your sizes for you." One of the female agents who had checked her said as she offered Natasha some new clothes.

Natasha accepted the clothes with a nod, her expression neutral despite the indignity of the past hour. Dressing quickly, she took a moment to assess the outfit provided. It was simple yet elegant, fitting her well enough to pass for something she might have chosen herself. A small courtesy, or perhaps a calculated move to make her feel indebted—she knew better than to assume kindness without motive in this world.

Finally deemed safe to enter, Natasha was escorted deeper into the mansion. The interior was as lavish as she remembered, every detail screaming wealth and power. It was a stark contrast to the invasive search she'd just endured, a reminder of the dual nature of the Ricci empire: opulence built on a foundation of vigilance and ruthlessness.

Alexandra Ricci awaited her in a private study, the room adorned with expensive art and antique furniture. Her demeanor was composed, betraying none of the tension that Natasha felt thrumming beneath the surface of their meeting.

"Natasha, welcome back," Alexandra greeted, her voice smooth. "I trust the security measures were not too... inconvenient?"

Natasha offered a thin smile, deciding to play along for now. "Must be the most thorough one I have gone through yet, but can't say anything about its effectiveness; no one could bring anything dangerous in here."

Alexandra gave a smile at the response and offered Natasha a seat, this time she didn't even get tried down to the chair. Clearly, there had been an improvement in how safe they viewed her.

As Natasha sat down and took in every detail of the room, she mentally counted the guards and the amount of weapons. Checking if there was anything she herself could use as a weapon, and noted that everything that might work was out of her reach.

Clearly, they hadn't left anything to chance when decorating the room. One thing that peeked her attention was the small pin on Alexandra's chest. It looked like the one Alexander had worn on the plane before his death.

She hadn't paid much attention to the symbol before, but now she got the feeling that it might be something important. Taking another look around the room, she noticed that all the guards were in their heavy tactical gear and had small black patches on their clothes.

Those spots would normally be where a unit would hold some symbol or flag, which meant that the patches likely hid something like that under them. Her mind quickly came up with a few possible ideas, and she felt she found a rather important clue already.

Alexandra noticed Natasha's gaze lingering on the guards and their patches, a subtle shift in her expression betraying her interest. Leaning forward slightly, she interlocked her fingers, her voice taking on a softer, more inviting tone. "I heard you were hurt. Are you sure you are ready to work for me?"

Natasha maintained her composed facade despite Alexandra's probing question. "Injuries are part of the job," she replied smoothly. "I can assure you that these small scratches won't slow me down."

Alexandra studied Natasha for a moment longer as if trying to read the sincerity in her statement. Eventually, she leaned back, apparently satisfied with the response. "I'm glad to hear that, Natasha. Your skills and experience are invaluable to us, especially now as we navigate through some... delicate situations."

Natasha was happy with the shift in topic. She wanted to know more about the delicate situation the Ricci family might be in. After all, so far, everything seemed mostly normal, which was strange considering Alexander's death.

"Natasha." Began Alexandra after a short break. "My brother believed that you were well suited to work for him. He believed this because he saw in you someone who wanted to do good, to truly make the world a safer place to be, someone not afraid to get dirty while cleaning up. Does that describe you?"

Natasha met Alexandra's gaze steadily, the weight of her question hanging in the air between them. "Your brother was right," Natasha began, her voice laced with conviction. "I have been forced to do bad in the past, my ledger is full of red, now, now I want to do something to make up for all that."

'Which is why I'm here, why I'm working for SHIELD." She thought to herself as she waited for Alexandra to respond.

Alexandra's expression softened at Natasha's words, a glint of understanding—or perhaps appreciation—flashing in her eyes. "That's a commendable stance, Natasha. It's rare to find someone with your abilities and experience who also holds such a strong moral compass," she replied.

"My brother," she continued. "I had a place for you in the organization, and I am willing to offer you that as well. With us, you will indeed be able to do good, far more than you are perhaps imagining even now."

Natasha really doubted that she would end up doing all that much good working for some criminals, even if they were the Ricci's. Never mind more good then she could do while working for SHIELD.

Almost as if she knew what was going through Natasha's mind Alexandra smirked and spoke up. "Well, since you are clearly onboard, why don't we get you properly introduced to the people you will be working under."

Not letting Natasha argue, Alexandra quickly continued. "Andrew, please show Natasha to the waiting room. Natasha, I will send someone to meet you there. I'm afraid I myself am too busy with the current situation to entertain you for longer, but I will see you around." She assured Natasha before dismissing her.

As Natasha left, she didn't see the smile of amusement of Alexandra's face as she stood up herself and went out through a secret door.

Natasha lightly greeted the young guard she had met last time she worked with the Ricci's. Happy that she might be able to get some more information out of him. "So, any clue as to what I should expect, Andrew?"

Andrew, with a glance that mixed professionalism and a hint of familiarity, led Natasha through the intricate hallways of the Ricci mansion. "The… Mistress has a fair bit of humour, so expect the unexpected," he replied cryptically. His demeanor was always guarded, but Natasha sensed a certain level of amusement in his tone.

They arrived at a plush waiting room, less opulent than Alexandra's study but still exuding an air of understated luxury. "Someone will come up and pick you up shortly. Don't wander about." Andrew reminded her before he closed the door behind her.

Natasha was left alone for almost half an hour before someone finally knocked on the door. Time she used to inspect the room. This time, daring to be far more curious than before. Allowing herself to check around for surveillance equipment.

As she found any, she would openly comment on their placement, whether it was good, or recommend better hiding spots. Still, she overall was rather impressed with their choice of hiding spots, knowing that most people wouldn't dare to even start looking.

*Knock Knock*

Natasha quickly turned towards the door to greet whoever it was that was sent to greet her, yet as soon as the door opened, she gasped loudly. "You!"

The man gave a light smile. "Yes, me." There was a clear hint of amusement in his voice.

Natasha's mind worked in overdraft as she quickly positioned herself in the best possible spot she had found while looking around, slightly shifting into a combat stance.

The moment she saw him, she knew that she had been set up. That she had been deceived, that the entire world had been tricked. SHIELD had been played with in the palm of their hands.

She had no doubt that they knew she was an agent of SHIELD, nor did she think they would allow her to send back the information she had uncovered. Information she absolutely had to somehow send back.

 She knew the windows couldn't be opened, not by her at least; they also wouldn't let her escape; they were heavily reinforced. This meant she needed to get out the door, which he stood in, with two heavily armed guards there as well.

A/N

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