In a large well-appointed room on the bed There was a woman lying with bright red hair that was caught by the sun's rays. One of these rays hit her and caught her eye, causing two blue eyes to appear to the world.
The tension in the spy's body disappeared after a few moments of examining the room and memories surfaced in her head. The information that her sister was alive and was with a man she thought was dead, conducting a broadcast to entertain a million-strong audience, all these emotions required an outlet, which led to a well-spent night with a man who knew much more about her than the people she had been friends with for years. One day in life can change everything a person did before. One day and she lost her family. One day and she left the red room, one day and she found her way in the shield and one day when her path with the shield will be interrupted, possibly forever. Now she has a new goal to get her sister back and make sure that Dreykov dies for good this time and all this is connected with one person. Ledov turned out to be much more dangerous than she could have imagined. During their last meeting, he gained allies, resources and knowledge, which only added to his danger. Natasha understood that no matter how he treated her, if she went directly against him, he would end her at that very moment.
After lying down for a while and thinking on the big soft bed about her future actions, Natasha reluctantly and with a little pain got out of bed. Finding her clothes folded on a chair, she got dressed and went to look for the owner of the house.
The search didn't take long, she found him having breakfast at the table and watching the news.
- Good morning, Alex called to her without turning around, - Come in and join us.
Approaching the table, she once again assessed his appearance while he was sitting in a T-shirt and shorts and noted that he was in the same excellent physical shape as Steve and that during the battle in New York he was much less physically developed. Already on the approach to the table, the smell of pancakes with different fillings made it clear how hungry she was and so she quickly joined in.
Having eaten the first pancake and realizing that it was very tasty, she ate another ten with different fillings while Alex consumed them like a black hole, which was also very similar to one of her charges.
- I didn't think you could cook like that – she began the conversation, having eaten her fill, licking her finger from a small piece of sour cream – you don't look much like a cook .
- Unfortunately, it's not me, my culinary skills are enough to keep me from starving to death , but I can't make pancakes like that. I ordered all this, I have my own cooks here who feed me and security who stands on the perimeter - the area in which they live Alex was fenced off to avoid any misunderstandings and it was easier to hire security and other workers to keep order in his absence than to rely on the fact that all people are decent and no one would want to break into his house - so I ordered for both of us, so eat up because we will have a lot of work.
- As for that, I think I got a little carried away yesterday ... - Natasha hadn't felt such a feeling of embarrassment for a long time
- Whatever you think about me, just know that you are, of course , smart and beautiful, but if you are not useful to me, then our deal is over. - the serious tone only confirmed many of her thoughts - I can give you something that no one else can. The question is whether I should do it.
- I can now return to the shield with this information and then...
- And what will you do with her? Tell her Fure, yes please. He will immediately rush to send you to solve his problems? But even if he does, where to start? You will still come back to me for answers , but I will not be so kind.
- You don't understand, I can't just take and abandon them, I owe them a lot.
- Are you sure? - Taking the remote control, he brought up a photo of several people on the screen, one of whom she knew very well, a man in his forties in a suit with a bald head and a permanent small smile on his lips.
- Coulson . But... but he's dead. Where did this come from?
- this photo was taken from one of the com after the battle in London . His squad arrived right after me, Tony and Thor left the city. - there was a hurricane of emotions inside Natasha , but it wasn't visible on her face - as if he knew when he needed to appear.
- How can I know that this is true?
- Why should I lie to you if you can check what I tell you ?
Determined to find out the truth, she picked up the phone and went to find out from her boss the truth about her friend whom she thought was dead.
"Too many people who should be dead are actually alive , that's not good," the spy thought as the phone rang.
****
What started as a project for a modern hospital grew into a project for a small town. Many scientists and various technologies were subordinate to a famous Russian mutant, all of this had to be protected, which forced them to look for decent security, after which another one appeared and another one, all of this resulted in the organization of a small town that worked entirely for Ledov and followed the path he had chosen. In order for people to work and not worry, they had to build houses, schools and other institutions that were ordered not to save on, which allowed expensive and useful personnel to be distracted from work as little as possible and be sure that their families would be taken care of. Having a virtually unlimited flow of money, this town was built at a rapid pace and soon the first houses could be moved into.
This is exactly the kind of construction picture that Anna Sycheva, CEO of Icestorm, considered. corporation . Occupying this position, it was necessary to solve many issues and to ensure that everything worked, it was necessary to be in working mode almost around the clock . But the opportunities that were provided outweighed any risks. As a child, she did not really understand what kind of work her father had, but over time she realized that he was one of the oligarchs who, through deception and threats, made capital for themselves in difficult times for people. After that, she went to build her own path, but over time, life showed that not everything is done as easily as she initially thought, but this prevented her from trying to prove that you can earn money without deceiving ordinary people.
- Miss Sycheva, Miss Romanov has arrived to see you - the secretary distracted her from her work - let her in.
A few seconds later, the American spy entered the office and stood in front of the desk as if in front of her boss's desk. Looking at the widow, Anna could understand why Alex wanted to take her for himself.
- Well, Miss Romanov, welcome to our team. - Anna said, not paying much attention to the guest. - I hope we can work together. -
After standing for a few seconds and assessing the situation, Natasha changed her behavior and calmly walked over and sat down on the chair that stood in front of Anna's table like she owned the place . The blonde didn't like this behavior and a visual duel between them began.
The two women looked at each other intently and it was clear that neither would refuse to win even in such a competition. Such a competition could have gone on for a long time if not for the notification that distracted both of them.
- I was told to come up to you when I finished the examination - upon arrival at the building, Alex sent her to conduct a medical examination, and he himself went to work.
- If you work with us, you need to know some things. - Anna's voice conveyed the seriousness of the situation - since our mutual friend handed over the management of the company to me, he is no longer the boss here, so now I decide who does what here, so you will do what I say and what you will talk about with him. - After which she added with a grin - If my memory serves me right, you have already had a similar experience.
Natasha sat and listened to all this calmly while the office owner continued. Since you will be his personal assistant, your range of responsibilities will be wide and first of all you will be running his blog - at this moment Natasha received a tablet with data - after your broadcast yesterday, everyone is talking about it on the Internet.
- And what should I post? - the question came from Natasha as she scrolled through the news feed. There was a photo of their kiss on many websites, and while some simply relayed the events, some claimed that they simply started taking off their clothes during the broadcast. All these exaggerations caused a grin on the faces of the audience . red-haired .
- anything that will bring a positive reputation. You were trained to win over people from the upper classes, so you should be able to handle ordinary people. Is that clear?
- Yes.
- Then you're free, take the tablet with you, there's a lot you need to get acquainted with there. - After which she simply continued working.
Natasha had no choice but to get up and go look for Alex .
****
Sometimes you have to pay for rest. The clinic , which should be officially opened soon, was already working. There, the ultra-modern equipment that was made for the purposes that Alex wanted to do was being tested and patients were being treated. Having visited several places of interest to him, his main goal for today was to check what would drive all corporations associated with medicine crazy.
Entering a large office in which there were about a dozen people, some were in white coats, and several more were in suits that showed that they were engineers. The most notable thing was the transparent pool that could accommodate an adult and still have some space left. Many wires were connected to this chamber that displayed various information on monitors nearby.
- So, are we all ready? - Alex practically burst into the lab and didn't delay greeting everyone.
- Yes, Doctor Ledov , we were just waiting for you – a man of about forty answered while many were busy preparing for the operation – I can't believe that I will be taking part in this. If…
- I understand your feelings , but let's first make sure that it works and then we'll celebrate.
- Yes, of course. Take the patient.
While the patient was being taken to Alex , who took a seat to watch the progress of the entire operation, another woman approached.
- even if it doesn't work out, it will still be a breakthrough - Maya Hendson , who after her first visit was skeptical and felt fear of her actions, but after she and Alex talked, she was given a tour of the complex where the work was being done. Alex liked the files she brought so much that for a few moments his face turned into the face of a mad scientist who created a monster. Having given her an entire department at her disposal , she immediately began developing the serum, information about which she brought from her previous employer.
- I hope so. Of course, I'm not against helping people by healing their illnesses. But it seems to me that if I didn't have the opportunity to protect myself, I would now spend all my time locked in some bunker and work without seeing the light. - Although he smiled at her, Maya understood that he was serious.
At that moment, a person who looked more like a living corpse was brought to the laboratory. The hospital gown on the woman's body did not hide the lack of a fat layer, which was visible from the bones that protruded. Bruises under the eyes and pale skin. There was no hair on her head. The patient had been struggling with the disease for a long time and agreed to become a test subject for testing the equipment. The conditions were such that if the machine could not help , then Ledov himself would cure her, so the joy that this fight would soon end in any case gave her energy.
The woman was put in front of the explanation and the specialist once again began to explain what would happen to her during this time , many sensors were connected to her. When the woman finished listening, she agreed with everything, drank what she was given, and went to lie down in the cell. Before lying down in it, the woman looked at Alex and he nodded confidently to her.
Alex was here only as an outside observer and a person who, if necessary, could provide assistance to the test subject . All this work was connected with the sole purpose of making it so that the capabilities that he uses to treat people could be recreated with the help of equipment and he did not have to participate in each case.
- I wasn't sure at first that I could trust you, but looking at this I know for sure that you're better than Killian - Watching as the operation began and the pool lid closed, Maya decided to continue the conversation. - What he's planning... I... I just can't take part in this.
- Unfortunately, I can't accept such gratitude from you - Maya looked at Alex with interest while one of the most modern operations in the world began - what I do is more connected with my personal benefit. Believe me, wars have started for less. And I don't have the opportunity to wage war yet.
- a monopoly on such equipment will not please many people - the operation began and after turning on the equipment, the liquid that filled the pool began to react with the patient's body, causing her to have many muscle cramps.
- Exactly. That's why you'll have to pay well for access to this equipment. - Many doctors started to fuss, because the girl's convulsions were only getting worse. - After all, if a corporation has technologies that everyone wants, but no one can get to, everyone who wants them will go and take them by force. Stark won't let me lie.
At this point their conversation stopped. Alex watched the woman suffer, but did not seek to end it, because the goal itself was being accomplished. From all the data that the monitors gave, the doctors could judge that the pain was gradually beginning to subside. Ten tense minutes ended with the joy of the entire group. Many doctors understood that they would go down in the history of the development of medicine, because the woman who entered the laboratory barely alive would leave it already healthy, albeit physically exhausted.
- You are all great - he began to congratulate Alex to everyone present when the girl was taken out and the workers began to take care of her - today we all performed a unique operation in the world and we will all go down in history, but we still have a lot of work to do, we need to make sure that the people who will undergo the procedures do not remember this as a nightmare, so as soon as you are sure that the patient is alive, you can take a day off, and then think about how to make all this comfortable.
After which he left the laboratory.
****
Already on the way out of the building after a hard day's work, Alex just wanted to go home and rest. Although he felt good physically, he felt terrible mentally. Solving many problems where they couldn't do without him takes a lot of time.
- Congratulations - the already familiar voice of Natasha, who was standing leaning against the building, interrupted him. - I heard you achieved something big in your experiments.
be hidden from you.–
Natasha shrugged lightly.
- It wasn't difficult, - she continued with inexplicable satisfaction, - It's hard to hide something when everyone is talking about it.
- Maybe this is disinformation? You are a spy for a foreign country, maybe I am feeding it to you on purpose. - You haven't thought about it? - and although the intonation was playful, Natasha could not deny this version of events.
- If what I heard is not true, then I don't understand why you need me at all? - after a successful operation, everyone was telling and sharing information, so it was hard to believe that it was all a setup, but that didn't stop them from playing along.
- but that's where you're wrong. Anna told you that you'll be running my blog. Is that not enough for you?
-yes yes Yes . And what should I write there? What did you have for breakfast – she put her finger to her chin – or this: "Today is a terrible day, it started raining, so I took a blanket and am sitting by the window thinking about life"
He smiled and they laughed together - well, here you are already throwing out material, but seriously. I want to tell people about what really happened in London .
- Are you talking about the second alien invasion?
- Yes, I had one of the cameras that Tony gave me. A small camera that was on my chest and recorded the whole time.
- So what? You just have a recording of the battle in London , what's so special about that?
A sly smile on Alex's face made her doubt her words.
- the camera recorded my journey through Jotunhem , the battle in Asgard and the battle in London .
As she understood, the spy's blue eyes grew larger.
- And... and many people know about this? - Now Natasha understood why Fury sent her here . There was no information about Alex being on other planets in his dossier. It was unknown what he could have seen or received there or what information he might still have.
- not much for now, and if you promise not to pass this recording on to anyone, you will be able to get acquainted with it before everyone else does.
Natasha's face showed excitement. She had seen a lot in this life, but to be one of the first to see other planets really excited her.
- Okay, I'm ready - she stood in a pose with her hand outstretched - give me the recording, I promise that no one will dodge it .
whole pose reflected her innocence as a teenage girl, and her eyes blinked innocently and trustingly - as if to say: "You can trust me." - Don't rush, I have another task for you. I need to send a message.
- Do I look like a courier? -
- Recently, the money that was sent to the tax office has disappeared somewhere . Therefore, you need to send a message to those people who are behind this thief. -
- Do you have any wishes for the parcel? - It is nice for Alex to have such a professional who does not think that he cannot cope.
- we need to make sure that everyone understands who it is from, and at the same time understands why it happened.
- and then you will show me that video?
To which Alex simply smiled and went home.
- By the way, tell your headmistress to practice some more. She's playing implausibly. - The spy had the last word with a satisfied smile.
****
In another part of the world:
- We are waiting for Tony Stark and hope to find out the reaction. His reaction to this terrorist attack - a pretty reporter spoke on camera. In addition to her, there were more than a dozen reporters with various equipment standing near the hospital.
A few seconds later, the person in question came out of the main entrance. Tony, dressed in a simple but not cheap suit and with his trademark glasses, tried to walk to his car, but he was not allowed to do so so easily.
All the reporters blocked the passage and started asking questions. In the general noise, you could distinguish a few words: "terrorist attack," "explosion," "mandarin."
Having almost made his way to his car, one reporter with a phone that was recording began asking questions very persistently.
- Mr. Stark , when will they shoot this guy? - At Tony's intent look, he added - it's time already.
- Do you need it? - No one dared interrupt him. - I have a Christmas wish for the Mandarin. I finally got it out. I am Tony Stark and I am not afraid of you. I know you are a coward. That is why I have decided that you must die. I will help you. No politics, just old-fashioned revenge. No Pentagon. Come to me alone and then we will settle this matter. If you think you can handle me, here is my address. 10660 Malibu Point 90210. The door is always open.
After which he turned to the reporter with a phone number: is this what you wanted?
Without giving her time to think, he took the phone and the reporter and threw her into the column behind him.
- Send the bill! - and quickly got into his white sports car while other reporters began shouting their questions.
- Jarvis, call Aibolit-
Having driven a little, Tony, holding the steering wheel tightly, began to go over various ideas in his head.
- I'm listening, - a voice came from the speaker.
- Brother, I need your help.