Evening had settled over the city, painting the skyline in hues of deep orange and purple. Inside her office, Natasha Romanoff sat stiffly behind her sleek black desk and her mind is racing at a thousand miles per hour.
She didn't expect this.
In just two days, her cover — a cover she had painstakingly built — had been blown apart.
Natasha Romanoff, the infamous Black Widow, had never failed a mission before. But now her stomach twisted with frustration. This wasn't how operations were supposed to go. She was the best — infiltration, intelligence gathering, seduction if necessary — she never failed. And yet, this time, the mission was over before it had even truly begun.
She leaned back in her chair with one leg crossed over the other, her fingers tapping rapidly against the wood.
How? How had Ethan known?
How much did he really know? About her? About SHIELD? About the mission?
Did Jean and Anna know, too?
Had her neuro-chip — the device Fury implanted to mask her presence and track data — failed?
Should she use the emergency protocol pill Fury had given her?
Or worse... did Ethan already know everything?
The uncertainty gnawed at her, but Natasha forced herself to breathe deeply. Worrying wouldn't solve anything. She needed answers — real answers — and there was only one way to get them.
She had already sent an encrypted emergency message to Fury: Cover compromised. Awaiting orders.
Now, she would face Ethan directly.
Squaring her shoulders, Natasha stood and reached for the door — only for it to swing open before she could even touch the handle.
There he was.
Ethan Carter, as casual as ever, standing there with a slight, infuriatingly charming smile on his face.
He gave her a small wave.
"Hey," he said lightly, "Just checking in. Wanted to see if you're feeling alright."
Natasha's eyes narrowed slightly. She stepped aside and let him in, her movements sharp and controlled.
"Drop the act, Ethan," she said coldly before folding her arms across her chest. "You already know who I am."
Ethan smiled broader, almost mischievously. "Of course I know," he said casually before strolling deeper into the room. "And as for what you're looking for — it's on the 18th floor. You're free to try your luck finding the truth."
He laughed quietly to himself, clearly enjoying the situation.
'He's messing with me,' Natasha realized instantly.
The 18th floor was the only floor with total access restriction, even to Jean and Anna. It was an obvious bait — and he was daring her to bite.
"You're playing games," she said flatly. "Jean and Anna — they know too, don't they?"
Ethan shrugged casually. "Nope. Just me."
The ease in his voice frustrated her. Natasha's training kicked in, and she decided to fish for more information.
"Then why didn't you kick me out?" she asked sharply. "Or tie me up in some dark room and torture me for information? That's usually the protocol when a spy is caught."
Ethan chuckled again and leaned casually against her desk with his arms crossed, looking every bit the relaxed host.
"You came here to find out who I am and what I'm doing, right?" he said. His voice was teasing, but his eyes were serious now. "So apart from the little report you sent Fury, I'm actually looking forward to the one you personally write about me, Agent Romanoff."
Natasha's gaze sharpened. She hadn't expected him to be this open — or this audacious.
"And why," she said, her voice dropping into a smooth tone, "would you want me to evaluate you?"
Ethan smiled lazily, as if the answer was obvious. "I'm a man," he said. "It's only natural to feel curious about what a beautiful woman like you thinks of me."
For a second, Natasha felt a strange flutter — but she crushed it ruthlessly. 'Stay professional,' she reminded herself.
"You're cocky," she said before narrowing her eyes. "Why are you doing this? What's your plan?"
Ethan lifted his eyes to meet hers directly. "Look, I want to make the world a little greener," he said simply. "And make my girls happy. That's my main goal. You can stay here and find that out, if you have the capability."
"What if I uncover your real purpose? What if I tear down your little facade?"
Ethan sighed lightly, almost tiredly, and looked at her with a strange smile. "I already told you my real purpose," he said. "You just didn't believe me. If you can uncover something more… well, that will depend on your capacity."
He straightened up and began walking toward the door. "I promise you," he added without looking back, "I won't interfere with your secret work here. It's all up to you, Agent Romanoff."
Natasha felt a flash of frustration burn through her chest.
'He knows about me, but we know nothing about him!'
She hated being at a disadvantage.
"Why are you giving me a chance?" she demanded before stepping closer.
Ethan paused at the doorway with one hand resting casually against the frame. He turned his head slightly, a small grin playing at the corners of his mouth. "Because it's interesting," he said simply. "I want to see what you'll find… and how far you'll go."
He met her gaze directly, the amusement fading from his expression for a moment.
"And for the record, I'm not trying for world domination or some evil mastermind thing. I'm just a guy trying to live in luxury... and make my girlfriends happy."
Then, just before stepping out, he threw one last comment over his shoulder: "Oh, and tell Fury... I'll meet him at your apartment tomorrow night."
With that, he disappeared down the hallway, leaving Natasha standing there — alone, frustrated, and more confused than ever.
She exhaled slowly, her fists clenching at her sides.
Arrogant. Naive. Stupid.
That's what she wanted to believe.
But deep down, a gnawing doubt lingered.
If he had the power to back up those words... then he wasn't just some fool with a God complex. He was something else entirely.
And more importantly — was he truly alone?
Or was there an entire organization behind him, hidden from even SHIELD's eyes?
It was far too early to abandon the mission.
Her pride — and her instincts — wouldn't let her.
He had challenged her: Find the truth, if you have the ability.
And she never backed away from a challenge. Not now. Not ever.
Natasha Romanoff would find out everything there was to know about Ethan Carter.
Tomorrow night, things would change.
Because tomorrow night... she would see if Fury could find cracks in Ethan's perfect little world — or if they were stepping into something much bigger than any of them could imagine.
For now, she closed her office door and leaned against it, her green eyes glinting with fierce determination.
Game on.
.....
The next day, Ethan sat in his office on the top floor, feeling more than a little disappointed.
Slouching back in his chair, he stared blankly at the ceiling, his mind grumbling about the betrayal he'd suffered.
He thought last night would finally be the night. The night he got to enjoy some wild, unforgettable moments with both of his girls.
Jean and Anna had teased him... only to drop a bombshell last night: Girls' night out.
And they didn't go alone either — they dragged Kitty, Angelica, and Jubilee with them.
'Unbelievable,' Ethan thought before letting out a long, suffering sigh.
Tonight was supposed to be special, too. He had a meeting with Fury planned, but after that, he had fully intended to reward himself.
Instead, Jean and Anna were going off to Japan — official business trip, they said — to scout out a possible branch for the company.
They'd promised to be back in a few days... but left him with a final, devastating warning:
"We can't concentrate on work if our bodies are sore all over."
"So be a good boy until we come back."
It felt like cruel and unusual punishment.
Ethan dragged a hand down his face and muttered, "My body's way too healthy for its own good... It's starting to think with the wrong head..."
He leaned forward, forcing himself to focus on the glowing screen in front of him.
There were more important things to deal with. Like the machine he was designing — one that could automatically produce their key products using only his blood as input.
It was nearly done, just a few tweaks left. If it worked, he wouldn't have to personally oversee production every single time. It was in its final stages and would be completed by this evening.
As for Natasha...
She hadn't acted any differently since yesterday. Cool, professional, friendly with everyone.
Yet, Ethan noticed her sharp gaze lingering a little too long on Anna more than once — especially on the fact that Anna always wore gloves, long sleeves and is fully covered.
'Curious little spy,' he thought with a faint grin.
He knew Natasha was quietly piecing together little puzzles in her mind.
The day slipped by quickly. Night came.
Ethan personally drove Jean and Anna to the airport, kissing them both goodbye at the curb.
They traveled light — just handbags slung over their shoulders. Technically, they could portal back anytime, but for the sake of official company records, they decided to fly like normal people.
A little vacation... while he stayed behind.
As he waved them off, he turned to find Natasha leaning casually against his car with arms crossed.
He grinned and motioned toward his car. "Come on, Agent Romanoff. I need a beautiful guide to your place."
She snorted but followed him, sliding easily into the passenger seat. Along the way, Ethan couldn't resist teasing her.
"So... do spies often lure handsome men back to their apartments?" he asked playfully.
"Only the dangerous ones," Natasha replied smoothly and her lips quirking.
"Well, lucky me, I'm in the mood for some danger."
She chuckled. "Careful, Carter. Flirting with a spy is like playing with fire."
He leaned a little closer with his eyes glinting. "What if I don't get burned?"
Natasha arched an eyebrow, amused. She chuckled lowly and keep him talking, let him lower his guard... and maybe, just maybe, find some real answers tonight.
The drive to her apartment was filled with light banter, teasing, and a dangerous kind of undercurrent — each testing the other, pushing boundaries, gauging reactions.
Ethan shamelessly flirted, and Natasha played along, all the while following her instincts.
As they reached her apartment, Natasha unlocked the door.
The second it swung open, Ethan saw a tall figure stood inside with his back to them, hidden mostly in shadow.
A dark coat and an eye patch. It is Nick Fury.
Of course Ethan recognized him instantly — but where was the fun in that?
Without missing a beat, Ethan grabbed Natasha by the waist and pulled her tightly against him. "INTRUDER!" he shouted dramatically — and before anyone could react, a bolt of controlled lightning crackled from his hand and shot straight at Fury.
"SHIT—!" Natasha yelped.
Fury barely turned before the bolt hit him square in the chest, sending him flying into the wall with a painful thud.
All hell broke loose.
Hidden S.H.I.E.L.D. agents flooded into the apartment with their weapons raised, surrounding Ethan in a tight circle.
For a moment, Ethan looked genuinely pale. "Oh my god," he gasped. "We're surrounded, Nat! Are all your enemies this punctual?!"
Natasha facepalmed. "Everyone, stand down!" she ordered sharply.
The agents hesitated, some lowered their weapons while others didn't. The lights flicked on, revealing the unfortunate 'intruder'—Nick Fury himself, groaning as he staggered to his feet. "Everyone stand down!" he ordered with little strained in his voice.
Ethan's face was a picture of exaggerated innocence. "Oh my god, Director Fury! I thought some thief broke into Natasha's apartment!" He scratched his head sheepishly.
"I swear, it was an honest mistake! I thought maybe you were here to... you know... settle some old scores with her."
No one looked like they bought his excuse—especially not Fury, who stared at him deadpan while Ethan fought hard to keep from laughing. Natasha, who was still pressed up against his chest. "Let me go, hero."
"I'm just protecting you," Ethan whispered dramatically before reluctantly releasing her.
Around them, the agents slowly withdrew, but it was clear they hadn't gone far. One wrong move, and they'd be back.
Fury, Natasha, and Ethan finally sat down around the small coffee table.
"You could've just knocked on the door like a normal guy, you know," Ethan quipped.
Neither Fury nor Natasha looked amused. Fury studied Ethan closely, noticing the utter lack of nervousness in his demeanor. It was clear that Ethan was confident... maybe a bit too confident.
Fury leveled a flat, unimpressed stare at him. "Drop the act, Carter. Why did you want to meet me? What's your real end goal?"
Ethan shrugged easily, lounging back into his chair. "I wanted to meet the boss. After all, it's only polite to greet the person who sent such a charming spy after me."
His gaze flickered to Natasha for a moment, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
"As for my end goal... I just want to live a happy, luxury life with my girls. Maybe plant a few more trees. Make the world a greener place. Nothing sinister."
Fury's single eye narrowed. "You expect me to believe that?"
"You can believe whatever you want, Director." Ethan's tone stayed light, almost amused.
Fury leaned forward, elbows on his knees, voice low and sharp. "Your place is surrounded by magic wards. Your house, your company — they're locked tighter than Fort Knox. You've got powers S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't even fully understand yet. And you want me to believe you're just some lovesick billionaire with a gardening hobby?"
Ethan tilted his head, genuinely curious. "You know about the magic?"
Natasha added casually, "We've had... encounters with magic users before. And we noticed a lot of... anomalies around your properties."
That did catch Ethan off guard for a moment. 'Interesting. SHIELD's been playing with magic behind the scenes, huh? Maybe there's more going on in this world than I thought.'
He smiled faintly. "Good. Means they're working. They're for security. I don't like uninvited guests."
"Like us?" Natasha asked dryly.
"Exactly," Ethan said, flashing her a grin.
Fury's expression stayed cold. "You're a wildcard, Carter. Wildcards get people killed."
Ethan's smile faded a little. "I'm not interested in bloodbaths. Or world domination. Or secret wars. I just want my own little slice of heaven."
"And if we don't believe you?" Fury asked.
Ethan shrugged. "Then keep watching me. I'm not going to stop you if it let's you sleep in peace."
Fury leaned back and his eyes never leaving Ethan. "And what about Jean Grey and Anna Marie?"
For the first time, Ethan's relaxed demeanor shifted. His eyes grew cold, his smile fading entirely. "Touch a hair on their heads," he said softly, voice carrying an unmistakable threat, "and not just SHIELD, but whoever backs you... I'll wipe you all off the face of this Earth."
The air seemed to grow heavier. For the first time in a long while, Fury felt a sliver of fear coil in his gut. 'He's not bluffing,' Fury realized grimly. 'This kid could actually try it.'
Ethan's voice was calm, almost eerily so. "The only reason I'm sitting here, explaining things nicely, is because I want peace. Otherwise... none of you would have lived to see this conversation."
For a long moment, silence stretched between them.
Finally, Fury nodded slowly. "Understood." He paused, glancing briefly at Natasha. "But you understand, from my side... for now, Romanoff will be working for you. For everyone's safety."
Ethan nodded easily, showing no offense. "Of course. It's only natural you'd want to know who's sleeping in your neighborhood. Beside, beautiful women are always welcome in my life," he said, winking at Natasha, who simply smirked in return.
Fury fought the urge to rub his temples. He had planned to ask Ethan if he knew anything about Sinister, but looking at him now... he decided to hold back.
'Better observe from the shadows for now. This guy's dangerous... and unpredictable.'
As Fury rose from his seat, he couldn't help but throw one last calculated glance at Ethan. The young man was lounging casually on the sofa, acting like he didn't have a care in the world. But Fury knew better. There was a very dangerous mind lurking behind that easy smile.
Still, there was one thing that kept nagging at him. He turned back.
"You said 'whoever backs us.' You knew there's someone behind SHIELD," Fury said quietly. It wasn't a question—it was a statement.
Ethan's smile didn't waver. He simply shrugged. "When you deal with enough power, you get a sense for these things."
'He's lying,' Fury thought immediately. 'He knows much more than he's letting on. Maybe even about the Council itself.'
But Fury also knew pushing him wouldn't end well. Still, he wasn't the type to back down easily. 'You may be dangerous, Carter... but I'm not planning to be caught blind either.'
"Fine," Fury said after a long moment. "I get it. You're not ready to share everything."
Ethan's lips twitched. "Smart man."
'He's too unpredictable,' Fury reasoned. 'We need to learn his habits, his behavior. His limits... if he even has any.'
He stood up, stretching lazily. "I'm an open book, Director. As long as you respect my boundaries... we'll have no problems."
The room fell silent for a moment longer before Fury finally turned and left, his coat billowing behind him.
Natasha lingered by the door, watching Ethan with an unreadable expression.
"You really know how to make an impression," she murmured.
He chuckled, walking toward her with a slow, easy swagger. "What can I say? I like being memorable."
"Memorable's one word for it," she said dryly, stepping aside to let him pass. But the hint of a smile touched her lips.
Ethan paused right next to her, leaning in just a fraction closer. His voice dropped to a low murmur only she could hear. "So, Agent Romanoff... will you be monitoring me tonight too?" he asked.
Natasha smiled without missing a beat. "Only if you're planning something dangerous."
He gave her a slow, mischievous grin before leaving. Natasha shook her head in amusement.
....
As Fury exited the building into the cool night air, he stood beside his car before turning back and observing the building.
'Need to monitor him,' Fury thought grimly. 'Need to learn everything. His strengths. His weaknesses. His triggers. Carter may claim he wants peace—but I know men like him are never truly peaceful. Not for long.'
Still... some part of Fury, deep down, almost wished Carter was telling the truth.
...
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