Warnings - Mention of weapons, alcohol and throwing up, language probably, terrible use of the Russian language
Authors note - This was a fun chapter to write. Sorry it’s so short though :(
Word count - 1.4k
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“You look great” a voice sounded from next to you. You didn’t even have to open your eyes to know the sarcastic tone came from the mouth of Natasha.
“This is your fault, you did this to me” you stated groggily as you tried to sit up. Your head felt thick and your eyes ached from the light that seeped through the curtains. “What time is it?”
“You missed the breakfast if that’s what you’re asking”
“Shit”
“But I smuggled some of the continental before they cleared it. The waitress gave me daggers so I slipped her a tip, which you now owe me for by the way”
“Hmm sounds about right, but thank you anyway. How are you not on death's door too?”
“I’m Russian remember, we had vodka instead of milk in our bottles as babies”
“That sounds like a job for child predictive services if you ask me”
When you were finally upright, you noticed there were already water and painkillers on your bedside table. Noticing your confusion, Natasha gave you an explanation.
“I thought you’d feel fragile this morning, so I left them out for you incase I wasn’t back before you woke up”
“Back from where?” You asked, not being sure if she meant breakfast or not.
“The precinct” she replied matter of factly.
“You went without me?” You feigned shock before you leant over to grab the pills and water from the bedside table.
“I didn’t think you’d be up for it, and I wanted to surprise you if I received anything good, which I did”
“Are you going to tell me or are you just going to sit there and make me guess”
“It depends, do you-“
“Natasha” your tone made her raise her eyebrows in surprise. You didn’t have the patience for games when you felt like death warmed up.
“Okay okay, well firstly the Chief gave me the names and information on the people that the General was involved with, but the best part is that we got a weapon match, and you’ll never guess what it is”
“Please enlighten me before I keel over”
“A sword”
“What?”
“That was the weapon used to kill both the General and his son, a sword”
“A sword?”
“Drink every time you say sword and you’ll be black out drunk in thirty seconds”
“Carry on and I’ll throw up all over you, and I won’t even regret it”
“Are you not happy with this? It narrows down the search”
“Yeah I am but, why on Earth would someone use a sword to kill someone? A little out there isn’t it?”
“Easier for us though, I’ve told Fury and he said we’ve got enough information for now to go back, we leave tomorrow”
“So much for my dream holiday in Russia” you breathed out.
“Don’t fret, we’ve still got today and I have something planned. Eat up and be ready within the hour”
-
You had to get a taxi to the destination Natasha had planned. lucky for you the drive wasn’t too far because your stomach still felt dodgy, even after the croissant and crackers you had. And after having to give Natasha the money for breakfast, you really didn’t want to have to pay a cleaning bill if you blew chunks all over the backseat. So when you rolled up outside, you hastily got out of the car, thankful for the fresh air.
The building wasn’t anything grand. However the structure reminded you slightly of the houses you’d see in fairytale books. The white and orange walls warming the scenery in stark contrast to the bland colours of winter in Russia.
“Able to translate the plaque?” Natasha asked as she approached after paying the taxi driver.
“Not quite, my Russian isn’t just rusty, but nonexistent”
“Третьяковская Галерея” she replied with a smirk on her face.
“Ha ha, very funny”
“Sorry, it says ‘The State Tretyakov Gallery’, or just Tretyakov Gallery, I thought it’d be quiet enough for you to get over your hangover but not be stuck in the room all day wallowing”
Apparently in your hungover state, you had completely missed where she had brought you. “How did you know I wanted to come here?” You asked, a wide smile covering your face at the realisation.
“I sit next to you all day, so I can see your Google searches,” she replied honestly.
“As much as I should be annoyed by that, I can’t be, thank you for bringing me here”
-
The gallery was spectacular. It was amazing to see so many pieces of art from Russian history. The only thing that would make it better was if Natasha wasn’t wandering off taking phone calls every five minutes. You weren’t required to take work calls today so they must have been personal. You wondered who she was talking to.
“Sorry” she whispered as she finished her most recent call.
“Everything alright?”
“Yeah just a friend, want to move into the next room?”
You noticed how Natasha shut down the chance for you to ask anymore questions. Who she was speaking to wasn’t any of your business, and she had no obligation to stay with you as you walked around, but you were aware of her absence nonetheless.
As you made your way into the next room, her phone rang again, but this time she ignored it, letting it quietly ring out. You could feel her standing behind you as you looked at ‘The Morning of the Streltsy Execution’, an intricate painting of a public execution after a failed uprising. You leant back slightly so her front was against your back. She reciprocated your movements by placing her hand lightly on your hip. Warmth emanated off of her, and all you could do was smile.
You were about to turn ask Natasha if she knew anything more about the history of the painting when her phone rang again.
“You might as well answer it, they’ll keep ringing otherwise” you said as you stepped away from her once more. You were cold again without her near.
“If it’s important they’ll leave a message”
“It’s okay, I’m a big girl, I’m sure I can fend for myself for a few minutes. Take your call”. So she did, leaving you alone once more.
After a couple of minutes of you walking around admiring the pieces, you felt a presence behind you. Thinking Natasha had finished her call, you swivelled around dramatically, ready to tell her all the things you learnt in the short time she was gone. Yet when you weren’t met with Natasha’s famous smirk, you were a little lost in your tracks.
“Привет” the stranger said, smiling at you like you were a friend.
“Urm, can I help you?”
“Sorry, I thought you spoke Russian, I overheard your partner over there speaking it on the phone, I said hello to her too”
“Oh she’s not my partner. Well actually she is, but not in the romantic way. We’re colleagues. Work partners” you could hear yourself rambling, not making this awkward situation any more enjoyable.
“My apologies”. There was a brief pause before the stranger spoke again. “I saw you admiring The Morning of the Streltsy Execution, fascinating don’t you think?”
“Maybe not the word I would use, but educational nonetheless”
“I always found it commendable that someone was willing to do whatever it took to achieve their goals. How Peter the Great was able to filter the wheat from the chaff is something very inspiring. Ruthlessness is something that isn’t praised as much as it should be”
Desperately trying to find something to say to end this bizarre conversation as soon as possible, you were luckily saved by the bell, hearing your own phone ringing this time from inside your jacket pocket.
Looking over at the peculiar person next to you with a feigned sympathetic look in your eye, gesturing you needed to answer the phone.
“This better be important Nick, because I’m too hungover for small talk”
“You need to come back tonight, I’ve got you a jet scheduled to take off in an hour”
“What is it with people making me guess things today. Are you going to elaborate?”
“Another body has turned up, and it’s missing an arm”
“Christ, alright we’ll head back to the hotel now”
Before you had the chance to turn away to find Nat, the stranger grabbed your forearm, halting your movements.
“Remember, rebellions against progressive innovations only make the agitator look moronic. Revolting against the right cause is a recipe for disaster”
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