Thanks again for reading guys, hope you enjoy this story!
This story takes place after the events of Thor: The Dark World
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THE SURPRISE MISSION
Watching the endless mill of washed out tourists from the veranda of the cheap cafe, Natasha Romanoff couldn't help but feel... inconspicuous. Lisbon was an old world tourist town, struggling to stay relevant in modern times; and yet she was here. This kind of mission, observation, analysis and eventual take down had little to do with stealth and a lot to do with subtlety. And while the redhead wanted to put on her suit, scan for radiation and abseil into a better viewing position, ultimately sitting outside and watching the entrance worked just as well. No big entrance, no real subterfuge, not even a disguise. The redhead sighed: this mission was boring.
Watching the block from across the street, Natasha sipped her cappuccino; it could be worse, a lot worse. In her time as an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D the redhead had been required to do everything from the morally grey to the undeniably black. This mission was simple, child's play even; locate the source of the bizarre events happening in this area, capture and question. So why was she uneasy?
Somewhere in the Portuguese city there was an unregistered gifted... possibly even a vigilante. Strange sightings, abnormal lights, a reduction in local crime; it all suggested the same conclusion. And, right in the middle of a busy tourist settlement.
Her current target's routine was at least easy to follow. The perfect mark: and that was why she had chosen her. Something about the woman's movements were just too... convenient, yet precise. Considering this notion, the redhead's brow creased momentarily, before the agent shook her head. Finishing her coffee, Natasha chuckled to herself lightly: so she was seeing conspiracy in her own covert operation: Maybe it was time for a real vacation. Replacing the cup the agent refocused, returning full attention to the apartment entrance: Time to engage the target.
Suddenly the yellow door shifted and Natasha leant forward expectantly, eyes glued on her suspect. Stepping into the street, the woman emerged, studying the surroundings with what appeared to be a bored sense of detachment. Tall, statuesque, almost imposing, the woman seemed... dislocated. Beginning to move forward, she slipped into the crowded street, gliding through the throng of tourists that surged through the popular shopping district.
Smiling determinedly, Natasha dropped some cash onto the table and made to leave the cafe. Never taking her vivacious green eyes off her target, the redhead frowned as a body suddenly blocked her view.
Reading the brand name emblazoned across an ample female chest, Natasha was momentarily distracted before looking up. Seeing whom had arrived she groaned frustratedly:
"Seriously? I'm mid mission!"
Dropping into the chair opposite Agent Bobbi Morse smirked, mock sympathy scrawled across her striking features:
"This takes precedence; the situation is time sensitive."
Natasha glowered: "I was about to make contact!"
Looking over the intruder's shoulder, Natasha attempted to relocate her target, eyes now darting between irrelevant faces. Sliding backward, the redhead sighed, considering this latest development:
"Must be urgent if they sent me the 'MockingBird'. What's my window?"
Lifting an attaché case onto the table, the dark blonde smiled, glad to find the other agent in an agreeable mood:
"72hrs to get to London and make your transformation before meeting the mark. This should have everything you need."
"Transformation?" Natasha responded doubtfully, "Who's the mark?"
Bobbi relaxed into her chair, leaning against the wicker, allowing sunshine to spill over her beautiful face: Unlike the Black Widow, the blonde knew how to enjoy an assignment. Typically American Natasha cursed internally.
"No names in public, but this is big Nat, as in: the first covert incursion onto hostile alien soil S.H.I.E.L.D has ever attempted!" The blonde's voice hitched slightly, concealed nerves momentarily emerging:
"Uh-hmm, hence the need for an Agent with your... skill set. I'll explain everything on the ride over to London."
Natasha opened the case and quickly looked over the dossier, raising an eyebrow:
"And how am I supposed to turn a civilian in this short a window?"
Bobbi snickered:
"You know how Romanoff: Martinelli Protocol."
Natasha's eyes widened minutely.
"Agent Hill told you about..."
The dark blonde nodded self-assuredly, cutting Natasha off:
"Come on Romanoff, you think Hill only groomed you for sexual manipulation and espionage?? I used to be her favourite for this type of assignment. If you know what I mean..."
The redhead blinked, her face a little flushed. "There were others?"
Bobbi nodded, green eyes observing her friend's reaction. Natasha shook her head; somehow there were always more secrets.
Acting defensively, Natasha responded: "then why can't you take this mission?"
"Come on, look at the girl's height!" Bobbi exclaimed, "And you know I'm married!" The dark blonde waved her ring hand at the redhead.
"Doesn't sound so much fun..." Natasha replied dryly.
Bobbi leant forward, smirking brazenly:
"I had my fun. Besides, I've never really been the submissive type."
Agent Morse sat back and smiled distractedly, as if remembering her time with their superior.
Natasha ignored the barb, scrutinising the document; reading closely before addressing the other woman:
"This hasn't been approved by the Council?"
Bobbi's dark green eyes narrowed and her face soured. Natash blinked; there was a shadow of her superior's edge in the blonde's stare:
"You know the council never reacts quickly enough." Bobbi flipped long blonde hair over a leather-clad shoulder:
"And this hot piece of ass has aspirations."
"You want Maria's job?" Natasha asked scornfully.
"Are you kidding? I want Fury's," Bobbi bit back.
"And you think giving the Council a look at planet of the Gods will win you that?"
"Are you kidding?? I'm moving up in the world," Bobbi replied a little smugly: "Not all of us can be Avengers."
"You do realise that if this backfires there will be real fallout?" the redhead countered.
Bobbi smiled:
"If you're as good as I was that won't be a problem."
"We don't control all the variables Bob," Natasha said carefully; "these mission parameters involve sending a probe to an advanced alien world via off the books tactics without the consent of any national or international policy."
Bobbi grinned: "That's why we're doing it; intelligence plain and simple. A spy who won't even know she's a spy? The council will love that."
Natasha sighed; Bobbi was the ultimate career girl, always going to a little further. Why did this seem a step too far? The Agent eyed their surroundings suspiciously:
"If something goes wrong you're responsible for both of these missions."
Bobbi raised an eyebrow: "Both missions?"
The redhead gave the Mockingbird a withering look: "Well obviously you're taking over here till I get back."
