Summary:Natasha's mission in Vegas needs a coverstory. Skye is hanging and hacking in Vegas, and 'just so happens' to be in the right place at the right time. Right?
or, the one where Natasha drags civilian hacker Skye undercover, they get married, make some friends and become something more than strangers while beating up baddies
Notes:BLACKQUAKE BRAINROT BLACKQUAKE BRAINROT
i wanted them to be sweet (but secret) girlfriends, but with a nice background. so this is a work in progress, but it will be posted as seperate one-shots in a series. you can bookmark the series if you want, but don't let me tell ou what to do :)
anyways. enjoy this self-indulgent fic that nobody asked for but that part in the back of my brain that screamed so loud i just wrote it
it's not really focussed on the mission, so there might be (probably are) some accuracies, but oh well. deal with it <3
(See the end of the work for more notes.)
Work Text:Cover stories weren't meant to be that cute. But Natasha couldn't help but find her cover adorable, as she walked hand in hand through the streets of Las Vegas.
Missions weren't meant to weigh this heavy on her conscience. But Natasha couldn't help the stab of guilt as she dragged Skye through the halls of the hotel and led her to the bed.
What Skye said next, however, changed a lot. "I know you're not who you say you are."
Natasha froze momentarily, before feigning surprise and confusion. "What do you mean?" Skye's hand trailed up and down her arm, eyes boring into hers. "Natasha Romanoff, agent of SHIELD, spy extraordinary." She paused for a moment. "Assassin."
Natasha forced her body language to remain casual while every muscle in her body tensed. "I don't know what you are talking about. My name is Rose Dawson, not Natasha Ro-whatever. And what the hell is SHIELD?"
An eyeroll and a chuckle were her only response, as Skye continued exploring skin. Natasha sighed when warm fingers brushed over an old scar on her lower abdomen. "And who are you, exactly?" she asked, realising that it was no use to keep denying. She just needed to figure out whether Skye was a threat.
"My name is actually Skye. Or, that's the name I gave myself when I was eight, because the nuns' name was awful," the woman admitted in a soft voice, eyes flitting over her face. "I'm not a threat to you."
Natasha hummed. She pulled away and sat against the headboard. Skye's weary eyes followed the movement as she went to lie on her side. "I know you're not here to kill me. I'd like to make a deal."
Natasha wanted to laugh, but didn't. She cocked her head. "How do you know what I want?"
"You want a simple date, a cover story for the fancy party you need to infiltrate." When Natasha gave her a blank look, curiosity hidden behind the emerald green, but no anger or frustration, Skye grinned sheepishly. "I hacked into SHIELD's mission files and saw you were going to be here. So I may or may not have kind of stalked you around Las Vegas."
It was an impressive feat, to stalk the Black Widow without her knowing, but Natasha would never admit that. Especially not since Skye seemed to think she was just another SHIELD agent. She didn't seem scared or particularly intimidated by her presence, and it was such a change from how people usually treated the real her, that she actually smiled a bit. "And what do you want from me? How do I know you're not a threat?"
Skye scratched the back of her neck. "There's a SHIELD file that I can't get into. You can."
Natasha raised an eyebrow. "You can hack into my mission files, but not into that one? What's even in it?" Skye's eyes avoided hers. "I am. Or my parents are. Or, something, anything on me. It's heavily redacted, even for level 8." There was no mistaking the frustration in the younger woman's voice.
Natasha's mind raced with the implications of that sentence. A file about a random orphan girl hacker, classified so high that probably only Maria, Nick and a selected few others could access it? To say her own curiosity was peaked, was an understatement, and Skye seemed genuine. Not to mention Natasha was still silently impressed with Skye's skills.
"So you help me with my mission, and I help you with the file? I can simply pick someone else, you know. I could shoot you, hide the body and continue the mission without any complications whatsoever," she said, hating how true it was.
"But you're having problems with the camera's and the system security," Skye retorted, not at all faced by her barely hidden threat. "And that is one of my specialties." She grinned. "You also seem to quite like using me as your cover story, and I have nothing against a fun night or two."
Natasha rolled her eyes at that last remark. "Don't get cocky on me now." Skye's eyes flashed mischievously, but she refrained from answering, and after a few beats of silent assessing, Natasha gave a sharp nod. "Okay."
Skye's eyes widened. "Wait, we actually have a deal?" It was Natasha's turn to grin. "I mean, you're kind of cute and I'd prefer to not trip every piece of security."
"I'm not 'cute'," Skye spluttered, a faint blush covering her cheeks. Natasha suddenly realised that the girl had a hell of a poker face as well, just a bit untrained. Maybe she could fixt that. Right now, she took Skye's hand and dragged her closer. "Utterly adorable," she said in a soft, sultry voice.
She saw Skye gulp and smiled, although it probably came across a bit predatory. Oh well, her new partner didn't seem to mind. Natasha pulled her on top of her, and down for a kiss.
Skye made a soft noise in the back of her throat, and Natasha hummed as Skye's hands went back to exploring her arms and stomach. She pulled back. "I need to know for sure though, if you're as good a hacker as you say you are," she said, a part of her mind forever unable to fully relax. Skye chuckled and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead. "I'll show you tonight?" she offered.
One hand slid up higher, brushing over the edge of Natasha's bra, and she nodded. Tonight would do.
///
Natasha would never admit it, but it felt nice to have an arm wrapped around Skye's waist, holding her close, but not quite captive. Skye seemed in her element as well, making conversation with a two of the rich men, joking about anything and playing along like she'd never done anything else. Her people skills were truly remarkable, and that was without proper training. But then again, orphans grew up much faster than 'normal' kids, and Skye had a look in her eyes that said she'd seen too much, even for a system girl.
She focussed her attention back to her own conversation, just in time to laugh along with a joke she'd only half heard. Skye subtly leaned into her and came close to whisper in her ear. "Your target entered the room."
Natasha turned her head to press a kiss to Skye's temple, her eyes flitting through the room, confirming Skye's observation. "Good," she murmured back.
A chorus of 'awww' pulled her attention back to the group. She smiled bashfully and ducked her head down, while Skye grinned and blushed a bit.
"You two are adorable together," one of the men from Skye's conversation said. Skye's grin turned to a softer smile. "Thank you."
Another gave them a curious look. "So Mary, you said you've been together for almost three years, right?" At Skye's confirmative nods, he continued. "So have you thought about tying the knot?" They exchanged a look, and he grinned. "It is Vegas after all."
The other men – and one other woman, really, fuck patriarchy – all laughed. Skye shook her head. "My family… They don't approve. It's… complicated," she went for, trying to discourage the group. Natasha squeezed her hand, in both comfort and approval, but didn't add anything. The first man spoke up again. "I'm sorry to hear that. But Cedric here has point. It is Vegas, after all. Parental approval couldn't mean less, and you have our approval instead!"
The group cheered, all for the idea of a spontaneous wedding. Skye looked at Natasha, who looked back.
Skye frowned. We could…
Natasha pursed her lips, one eyebrow slightly raised. What reason do we have not to? We have to maintain our cover.
And the mission?
We'll be quick.
Skye nodded, and Natasha turned to the group with a smile. "What the hell. Why not?"
They all cheered and raised their glasses, pulling quite some eyes in their direction, and both women ducked their heads down. The one woman in their company, Martha, grabbed their hands. "How exciting! What do we need?"
"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue," Cedric recited. The first man, Natasha thought his name was John, pointed at Frank. "We have something old," he joked. The grey-haired seventy something year old rolled his eyes as the rest laughed. Natasha got the feeling most of the group had had too much champagne and wine.
Martha nodded. "We have to buy rings, so those will be new." Cedric nodded. He gave them a one over, Natasha in a long black cocktail dress, and Skye in blue dress pants and a sleeveless white shirt. "Your clothes should be fine, but you're gonna be cold in a chapel," he told Skye, and took off his own blazer. It was practically the same colour as Skye's pants, and she took it from him with a hint of real emotion in her eyes. "Thank you," she said, her voice a bit clipped. Natasha helped her into it. "Something borrowed and blue." Cedric nodded, satisfied with their looks.
John started to direct them to a pawn shop. "We need one of those disposable cameras," he explained when the rest gave him questionable looks.
After that they went to buy rings. They'd all been looking around to find nice ones, much to the amusement of both Natasha and Skye, although the latter who was throwing a few guilty looks at the former. It was Frank that found the perfect rings, a matching set that was simple but beautiful. On the inside was an engraving.
Always.
Natasha refused to let anyone else pay, using her own, set up by SHIELD, bank account, and for that, Skye was grateful. It was one thing to lie to all these people and play them while they were being so nice, but it was another thing to make them pay a thousand dollars. Because apparently, wedding rings were expensive, even simple ones. Their cover story as rich people visiting Vegas for Natasha's target's party however, had everyone convinced they could pay for themselves.
Once the rings were paid, they made their way to one of the many wedding chapels. John insisted they take one of the nicer ones, saying that the photos needed to be good. Natasha and Skye went up to fill out the paperwork. Natasha filled everything in for Rose Dawson, and Skye for Mary Kent. Then they entered the chapel.
The official held the ceremony short, and before they knew it, it was time for their vows. Skye gave Natasha a slightly panicked look, because despite their cover story, they had known each other for two days, and that was not nearly enough to come up with a proper vow. Natasha motioned for her to take a deep breath. "As close to the truth as possible," she breathed, so low that only Skye could hear her.
Skye took a deep breath, gave a shaky smile and started. "Rose. I remember the day I met you like it was yesterday." Natasha chuckled, and Skye continued.
"I thought you were intimidating, but beautiful, like way over my league beautiful. And I honestly thought you would hit me when I asked you on a date," she admitted, and it sounded like the truth. Natasha smiled encouragingly. "But you said yes, and now here we are. I can't thank you enough for all the time we have spent together, and I hope to spend many more years with you."
It was actually a pretty decent vow. Natasha had no idea why she'd been so nervous.
The official turned to her, and she took a deep breath. "I remember the day I met you too. I was… distracted by something, I honestly can't remember what, and then I saw you. And the rest didn't matter anymore." She swore she saw something glimmer in Skye's eyes. "Mary, you've seen me, my scars and my issues and you haven't run away. Never in a million years would I thought I'd end up here, with you. But I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
And it wasn't even all a lie. Skye had seen her scars, and as Natasha had held her breath, Skye kissed them and stayed. And if only for that, Natasha would be forever grateful. Not to mention, this made an incredible story she could tell Clint, Maria and Nick. Oh fuck, Clint was going to be so mad he wasn't there at her wedding, fake names and cover story or not.
The official talked some more, they said 'I do' and then he announced them married. Mrs and Mrs Dawson-Kent. Skye smiled as they kissed, a real smile. Maybe not out of love, but out of amusement and excitement. Natasha couldn't help but smile into the kiss too, feeling oddly light and happy.
John made photos as they walked out of the chapel, hand in hand, back to the party where Natasha's target was getting drunker and drunker. Their own little group was going beyond tipsy as well, and Natasha squeezed Skye's hand in warning when she saw her with her third drink in a row. Skye offered her a sip, and smiled when she saw Natasha realise it was a regular soda.
Now that the fun part was over, and their 'associates' were properly distracted with alcohol and business, she switched back to mission mode. Her target was surrounded by pretty blondes, and she smiled. She gave Skye their signal and her partner, or for tonight her wife, she supposed, excused herself to the bathroom. When she came back, she tapped Natasha's wrist three times. It was done. Natasha smiled at her. She tried to come up with an excuse for them to leave, but realised when she turned around that the rest was too drunk to properly register anything. Rich people parties were good for something, she supposed.
She unapologetically dragged Skye through groups of people, into a deserted hallway. Skye didn't seem to mind. At all. Natasha rolled her eyes. "Focus, please. You've been doing great so far, but now comes the tricky part. You know what to do?"
Skye nodded, her flitting eyes and slightly sweaty palms the only signs of her nervousness. "Yeah. Keep security busy so you can download the shit, keep an eye on the cameras and cover your ass," she repeated what Natasha had told her the night before. Natasha nodded and allowed a small smirk. "Good girl."
Skye blushed violently and mumbled something about 'not fair', but Natasha was already dragging her further down the route she'd stamped into her head yesterday. The physical security was scaringly terrible, and Natasha had no trouble knocking the two men inside the surveillance room unconscious. She smiled inwardly at Skye's darkened eyes and took place behind the computer.
It was too easy. Even as Natasha started downloading anything she could get her hands on, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was too easy. She shifted uncomfortably on her chair, but continued, her senses on high alert.
And there you had it. The computer beeped, and started to delete files. She let out a few Russian curses and started typing furiously, trying to keep the files safe. Skye took one look at the screen. "Move," she ordered, practically shoving her phone with the camera feed into Natasha's hands while pushing her away from the screen. Natasha complied without a word. She'd seen Skye working last night, and she knew that it would be her only shot at getting the files. She herself wasn't good enough, and she knew it. She had no choice but to completely trust the younger woman. Again.
She noticed movement on the feed and cursed again. Skye didn't look up from the screen, but frowned. "You cover my ass now?"
Natasha huffed and stood against the wall. Three men came barging in. One went straight from Skye, but Natasha quickly kicked him in the shins, effectively stopping his attempt and gaining their attention. The next two minutes consisted of throwing and dodging punches while Skye continued her aggressive typing and clicking. Suddenly the girl stood up, grabbed the keyboard and hit the closest guard in the head with it. He sagged to the ground. Natasha threw her a quick look, and Skye shrugged. "It's done, I don't need it anymore."
One guard went for Natasha, and the other for Skye. Natasha saw Skye swinging the keyboard back and forth to keep him at a distance and snorted. She made quick work with punching her guard knock out before jumping up and choke holding the other one. He went down soon enough, and Natasha gracefully rolled away and stood back up again. Skye raised an eyebrow as she put the keyboard back down. "You couldn't have started with that?"
Natasha took the USB with everything they had and slipped it in her bra. "Why? This is the fun part," she said innocently. Skye spluttered as she was dragged out of the room. "I thought I was the fun part."
They walked into another corridor, with enough people around them to blend in, and Natasha pushed her against a wall. "Don't worry. You're the best part."
///
Natasha groaned softly as she pulled a loose fitting sweater over her head, a bruise forming on her ribcage from where one of the guards had thrown in a lucky points.
"You good in there?" Skye called from where she was deleting their last digital traces on the bed. Natasha just hummed, and walked out of the bedroom. "So, you staying in Vegas?"
She was leaving tomorrow with the extraction team, and tried to ignore the weird hurting feeling that did not come from her bruises. Skye closed the laptop. "Not yet. I've almost got enough money to get myself a van, and then I'll be on my way to New York." She gave a wistful look. "As much fun as Vegas was for hacking and making money, New York remains home. Or, the closest thing I have to one at least," she muttered.
The slight sadness in her eyes wasn't lost on Natasha, and she took her hand. "I'm in New York for my next assignment, so how about you hit me up when you get there?"
Skye frowned. "New assignment? You literally just finished this one."
Natasha shrugged. "Next one will be a bit longer. It's just a surveillance opp, shouldn't be too hard. And he's rich, so I'll get the good food." She nudged Skye. "I'm serious though. Hit me up? I need to go after that file anyways."
There was a moment of hesitance. "Aren't you going against SHIELD protocol? Am I even allowed to remain alive after all this?" Skye asked, a mixture between genuinly curious, and uncharacteristically uncertain. Natasha frowned. "You want that file, right?"
Skye nodded and looked away. "I just don't want you to get in trouble," she mumbled. And that was… adorable, but also way sweeter than Natasha would ever deserve. She squeezed the younger woman's hand.
"First of all, I'm allowed to have civilian friends, you know. Second, I'm not putting you in the mission report, so they will never know you know me. If I tell them how good you hack, you'll have them going after you." She saw Skye give a grateful smile. "And three, it won't be the first one I've done something that is slightly against some rules. I won't get into too much trouble."
Skye's smile turned into a grin, and Natasha grinned back. "Besides, you're my wife now and you're not getting rid of me that easily." Skye threw a pillow at her head and Natasha laughed, dodging easily. Then Skye pulled her into a hug, and they both lay like that for a while. Natasha sighed and closed her eyes. Skye noticed, and started carding her fingers throught Natasha's hair. She fell asleep within ten minutes.
///
"You married your cover story?!" Nick called out. Natasha gave him a blank look. "That's what it says, yeah. Oh, and I'm keeping the ring; it's pretty."
Nick breathed out through gritted teeth trying to stay calm. "You can't keep… You know you… How did you even convince her do that?" he finally asked, defeated as he dropped himself into his chair. Natasha tilted one corner of her mouth. "Enough alcohol and a pretty smile. And that's all you need to know."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "I need to know everything, Agent Romanoff. That's the point of a mission report."
"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Sir," she added with a hint of amusement in her eyes. He sighed again. She was gonna give him grey hairs, and he was already bald for crying out loud. "You know Barton will kill you?"
She shrugged. "I can always tell Laura about that time we got married."
Nick shook his head and waved his hand. "Whatever. You're dismissed. Get ready for your next assignment. You know what you need to do."
She stood up with a 'yes sir' and made her way out of his office. Agents jumped away to let her through, none of them keen on being in the way of the Black Widow. Natasha already missed Skye's simple mindset of 'if she'd wanted to kill me she would have already'.
Her phone vibrated in the pocket of her jeans, and she pulled it out. She had to fight a smile on her face when she saw it was a text from Skye. She opened it.
It was a photo of a beaten up van, with a duffel bag of clothes, a laptop, and a tiny disposable camera shoved in the back. I'm on my way, Mrs Dawson-Kent ;)
Natasha laughed out loud, startling a few agents nearby, who looked at her like she'd grown a second head. She quickly levelled them with a death glare, before focussing on typing out a response.
Can't wait to see you again, dear wife.
The ring hanging from a cord around her neck rested comfortably on her sternum. Yeah, she couldn't wait.
Notes:I got amazingly sweet comments on the last two BlackQuake fics, for which i am eternally grateful. I love you all. comments and kudos mean the world.
i hope you all have a wonderful day. pet your dog/cat/goldfish (please do, goldfishes deserve attention too), drink some water and take care of yourselves <3
Series this work belongs to:Part 1 of The Secrets We Keep Next Work →