I Know My Value

[blackwidowandco]

Mission went…weird || Nat || Open

One minute Nat had been facing down a mad scientist with some sort of weapon. The next she was transported to who knew where. It looked like a completely different world.

Her main concern was looking around to see if anyone else had ended up there with her.

[handmethatstapler]

“Tony has called down. He didn’t have a son- he had a daughter. Karma’s a bitch.” Nat walked in with them, appreciating the cover. “You underestimate the desire to be famous. It doesn’t get better in my time. It gets worse. And dangerous.”

They said nothing to the woman at the desk, who knew this was not her concern. The two men in tap shoes who were preparing to perform for her watched enviously as Natasha was escorted to the stairs.

"Welcome to the SSR, Los Angeles Branch," said Peggy, as they entered the offices.

[blackwidowandco]

Mission went…weird || Nat || Open

One minute Nat had been facing down a mad scientist with some sort of weapon. The next she was transported to who knew where. It looked like a completely different world.

Her main concern was looking around to see if anyone else had ended up there with her.

[handmethatstapler]

“That sounds like a familiar plan of attack for my Stark…” Nat snorted, as she climbed out of the car and looked the agency over. “I see the tradition of hiding in plain sight stretches back far.”

"Like father, like son, eh?" asked Daniel. He sounded unsurprised.

"It's an art," said Rose, in response to Nat's observation. "What I can't understand is how hopefuls keep finding the place when we've been so careful not to advertise it!" She and Peggy took up positions on either side of Natasha, so passers-by wouldn't see her odd clothes.

[blackwidowandco]

Mission went…weird || Nat || Open

One minute Nat had been facing down a mad scientist with some sort of weapon. The next she was transported to who knew where. It looked like a completely different world.

Her main concern was looking around to see if anyone else had ended up there with her.

[handmethatstapler]

“People switch sides more than you’d probably want to know,” Nat replied with a slight shrug. “I grew disillusioned with the people who raised me, shall we say, and found a new family.”

Daniel deliberately took a long and winding route back to the city so as not to reveal the location of the warehouse... although it did make Peggy wonder if the woman already knew it. Finally they pulled up outside the Auerbach Theatrical agency, and Peggy removed Natasha's blindfold.

"We'll find you some clothes and get something to eat, and then we'll go bother Howard," she decided. "If he's too drunk to help tonight, we'll sleep over and scold some sense into him in the morning."

[blackwidowandco]

Mission went…weird || Nat || Open

One minute Nat had been facing down a mad scientist with some sort of weapon. The next she was transported to who knew where. It looked like a completely different world.

Her main concern was looking around to see if anyone else had ended up there with her.

[handmethatstapler]

“I mean, you already know the basics I’m sure, but maybe not that certain experiments and organizations carried on.”

Peggy thought about what she knew about the Russian women. It would be so useful to know more, and yet... this was going to be a test of Peggy's resolve, wasn't it?

"So you know we've guessed where you come from," Peggy said. It was a logical conclusion on both parts. "Yet you say you work for the future SSR... no, don't tell me. I need to stop asking." She should probably just be grateful this woman hadn't already tried to kill her.

[blackwidowandco]

Mission went…weird || Nat || Open

One minute Nat had been facing down a mad scientist with some sort of weapon. The next she was transported to who knew where. It looked like a completely different world.

Her main concern was looking around to see if anyone else had ended up there with her.

[handmethatstapler]

“No, Russia. I was 20 in 1948. Thank you, I’d explain but I’m not sure if that would change things or not.”

They started driving back to the city. Peggy had to admit she was curious how a woman who claimed to be nearly a hundred year old still looked around thirty, but a glance at Rose found that they agreed on this, too: "that might count as you altering the future, if it's something we're not supposed to know."

[blackwidowandco]

Mission went…weird || Nat || Open

One minute Nat had been facing down a mad scientist with some sort of weapon. The next she was transported to who knew where. It looked like a completely different world.

Her main concern was looking around to see if anyone else had ended up there with her.

[handmethatstapler]

“I didn’t think I’d be his type,” nat snorted. “I’ve always heard he went for blondes.” “Thank you for the shawl, by the way. I appreciate it.” Nat was silent for a long moment. “I can’t go find myself in this time, can I? There’s probably a rule against that?”

They led their guest out to their car. Daniel drove, while Peggy and Rose sat on either side of the woman in the back. Her question was... startling.

"You look wonderful for your age," Rose noted.

"There's no specific rule," said Peggy, "but I'm sure that would qualify as changing the past. Did you happen to be in Los Angeles in the autumn of 1948 then?"

[blackwidowandco]

Mission went…weird || Nat || Open

One minute Nat had been facing down a mad scientist with some sort of weapon. The next she was transported to who knew where. It looked like a completely different world.

Her main concern was looking around to see if anyone else had ended up there with her.

[handmethatstapler]

She didn’t bother arguing about the blindfold, she’d have done the same in their shoes. “Alright. Blindfold me. Is Howard stark really that bad? I’ve heard stories.”

Peggy took out a handkerchief to make a blindfold, and Rose tactfully offered a shawl to drape over their guest's shoulders and arms so she wouldn't get sunburned on the ride back.

"Howard Stark is many things. Easily distracted is one of them."

[blackwidowandco]

Mission went…weird || Nat || Open

One minute Nat had been facing down a mad scientist with some sort of weapon. The next she was transported to who knew where. It looked like a completely different world.

Her main concern was looking around to see if anyone else had ended up there with her.

[handmethatstapler]

“Tony?” Nat asked, caught off guard. “What’s he doing here?…Wait…you mean Howard, don’t you.” She had no idea what to expect meeting Tony’s dad. Tony and Steve had very different versions of him in their memories.

"One Stark is plenty," said Peggy. "Well, Miss Romanov, I'm afraid we're going to have to blindfold you before we take you back to Los Angeles. And find you some more modest clothing before we take you anywhere else." Particularly to see Howard Stark. The man had priorities.

[blackwidowandco]

Mission went…weird || Nat || Open

One minute Nat had been facing down a mad scientist with some sort of weapon. The next she was transported to who knew where. It looked like a completely different world.

Her main concern was looking around to see if anyone else had ended up there with her.

[handmethatstapler]

“Fantastic. Because I have a mission to finish and a mad scientist to shoot. I was going to take him in alive before this but I’ve changed my mind.” Shooting him would be kind once she got her hands on him.

Peggy snorted - there was a familiar emotion. She could think of several people she would have very much liked to not take alive.

"Well, we're going to need somebody who knows about time travel, and unfortunately I can only think of one man," she said.

"Stark," grumbled Rose and Daniel, in annoyed unison.

[blackwidowandco]

Mission went…weird || Nat || Open

One minute Nat had been facing down a mad scientist with some sort of weapon. The next she was transported to who knew where. It looked like a completely different world.

Her main concern was looking around to see if anyone else had ended up there with her.

[handmethatstapler]

“Right…our phones have cameras in the future. They do more than that but I don’t think the functions would work here.” She pulled up a photo of her and Clint partying last new years in Times Square with the year clearly displayed behind them and everyone in modern clothes. “This was last new years. We watched the ball drop in Times Square.”

Phones with cameras was a weird enough idea - why? - never mind the fact that the little black slab the woman showed them looked nothing like a telephone. It did show a picture of her, however, and the version of Times Square around her was nothing if not futuristic.

Peggy looked at her colleagues. "Do we have a procedure for time travelers from the future specifically? I know ones from the past can't be sent back because they could alter history..."

"I guess we do the opposite," said Daniel. "We have to get her bak as quickly as possible."

[blackwidowandco]

Mission went…weird || Nat || Open

One minute Nat had been facing down a mad scientist with some sort of weapon. The next she was transported to who knew where. It looked like a completely different world.

Her main concern was looking around to see if anyone else had ended up there with her.

[handmethatstapler]

“I’m Natasha Romanov. Well, at this point in time I was Natalia Romanova, but whatever. I’m from Russia originally but in the future I work for what the OSS turns into. I can show you photos on my phone if you want. I’d try and call my friends but I doubt there’s cell service in 1948.”

The Russian name wasn't reassuring, not with what Peggy knew about Russian girl. But it was what she said next that really got everybody's attention, because it didn't make a lick of sense. Peggy glanced at her colleagues in case she'd misheard, but they looked puzzled, too.

"Photos on your phone?" she repeated.

[blackwidowandco]

Mission went…weird || Nat || Open

One minute Nat had been facing down a mad scientist with some sort of weapon. The next she was transported to who knew where. It looked like a completely different world.

Her main concern was looking around to see if anyone else had ended up there with her.

[handmethatstapler]

“No, just me. I got shot by some weird laser while trying to fight an actual mad scientist…I wasn’t even on duty, I just wanted coffee…” she sighed. “What year is it and where am I? I’ll figure out where to start from there.”

Meeting a mad scientist on the way to coffee sounded very much like Peggy's own life... although she'd never yet been in a position to wonder what year it was. There'd been that trip back to 1888, of course, but she'd been prepped for that.

"It's 1948, and you're in a warehouse in the Sierras that I don't believe I'm at liberty to disclose the exact location of." If the woman really didn't know, they would have to blindfold her when they took her out. She relaxed a little and called to her colleagues. "Daniel! Rose! We have a bit of a problem."

[blackwidowandco]

“Okay, well last time I checked it was 2024 in Moscow. This is what I get for taking on an extra mission…You already speak Russian, Nat. Do me one more favour, Nat. It’s your home, Nat. I should have stayed in New York.”

Nat sighed wearily and dusted her clothes off. Not that she was wearing much- just denim shirts and a cropped tank top.

“Please tell me it’s not winter right now.”

[handmethatstapler]

Daniel and Rose emerged from the rows of crates to see what was going on, and were startled by this redhead wearing... not much clothing. Daniel quickly turned his head so he wouldn't look like he was staring impolitely. Rose shook her head at him.

"It's late fall, but it's nice out," said Peggy. 2024 was... a long time from now. If it were true, this woman might have important information about the future, but... "You have yet to convince us that you're trustworthy. Perhaps start with your name."

[blackwidowandco]

Mission went…weird || Nat || Open

One minute Nat had been facing down a mad scientist with some sort of weapon. The next she was transported to who knew where. It looked like a completely different world.

Her main concern was looking around to see if anyone else had ended up there with her.

[handmethatstapler]

“No, just me. I got shot by some weird laser while trying to fight an actual mad scientist…I wasn’t even on duty, I just wanted coffee…” she sighed. “What year is it and where am I? I’ll figure out where to start from there.”

Meeting a mad scientist on the way to coffee sounded very much like Peggy's own life... although she'd never yet been in a position to wonder what year it was. There'd been that trip back to 1888, of course, but she'd been prepped for that.

"It's 1948, and you're in a warehouse in the Sierras that I don't believe I'm at liberty to disclose the exact location of." If the woman really didn't know, they would have to blindfold her when they took her out. She relaxed a little and called to her colleagues. "Daniel! Rose! We have a bit of a problem."

[blackwidowandco]

Mission went…weird || Nat || Open

One minute Nat had been facing down a mad scientist with some sort of weapon. The next she was transported to who knew where. It looked like a completely different world.

Her main concern was looking around to see if anyone else had ended up there with her.

[handmethatstapler]

Seeing a strange woman in an odd outfit in the middle of the warehouse where they kept confiscated HYDRA equipment was alarming. The fact that the woman hadn't broken in but had literally appeared in front of Peggy's eyes was far worse. She had her gun in her hand as she stepped out to face her down.

"Put your hands where I can see them," Peggy ordered.

[blackwidowandco]

Though she was younger, Nat immediately recognized Peggy. She’d known the older version when she’d first joined Shield. So that meant…

“Fucking time travel…” she groaned, putting her hands above her head.

“I swear I’m on your side.”

[handmethatstapler]

That was an interesting thing to hear from an intruder. "That's good to know," Peggy told the redhead, voice dripping with deadpan British irony, "but I'm going to need some evidence before I'll believe it, I'm afraid. Any more with you?" She didn't want to risk calling for backup if that would just alert enemies.

[blackwidowandco]

Mission went…weird || Nat || Open

One minute Nat had been facing down a mad scientist with some sort of weapon. The next she was transported to who knew where. It looked like a completely different world.

Her main concern was looking around to see if anyone else had ended up there with her.

[handmethatstapler]

Seeing a strange woman in an odd outfit in the middle of the warehouse where they kept confiscated HYDRA equipment was alarming. The fact that the woman hadn't broken in but had literally appeared in front of Peggy's eyes was far worse. She had her gun in her hand as she stepped out to face her down.

"Put your hands where I can see them," Peggy ordered.

[handmethatstapler]

@blackwidowandco

Peggy didn't have time to think about what was going on - when the hydra operatives ran through the portal they'd opened, she went after. The world dissolved in bright light, and then came back, and she staggered to a stop...

... on a rainy street somewhere, with no black-clad goons in sight. Peggy stood up straight and looked around. No portal, no hydra... just people under umbrellas, staring at her. Where was she, and where had they gone?

[handmethatstapler]

“I hadn’t noticed anyone, but I’d only just looked out when I saw you. Yes, Fred. My husband,” Peggy explained as she let the other woman into the house. “It’s not the biggest or fanciest place but do make yourself comfortable.”

This woman looked like Peggy and was married to a man named Fred. That was... an uncanny coincidence. But not as uncanny as when Peggy stepped inside and saw the framed wedding photo on the table. Was that...

Yes. That was her Fred, the one she'd almost married before Michael's death. Had he gone off and found a woman who resembled her on purpose, or...

She turned to her hostess. "We really ought to introduce ourselves," she said. "I'm Agent Peggy Carter of the SSR. And you?"

[handmethatstapler]

@blackwidowandco

Peggy didn't have time to think about what was going on - when the hydra operatives ran through the portal they'd opened, she went after. The world dissolved in bright light, and then came back, and she staggered to a stop...

... on a rainy street somewhere, with no black-clad goons in sight. Peggy stood up straight and looked around. No portal, no hydra... just people under umbrellas, staring at her. Where was she, and where had they gone?

[handmethatstapler]

“You’re in London, of course. Are you expecting to be somewhere else? Perhaps you should come in for a cup of tea. Catch your breath and all that? I’m just making dinner for my Fred but he won’t be home for some time.”

"I was, rather," Peggy admitted. "That's a very kind invitation, I think I might." A cuppa would help to calm her nerves. "Tell me, did you notice anybody else suddenly appear on this stree... I'm sorry, did you say Fred?" Now that would be a coincidence.