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Natasha may work for Fury, but when he asked her for a favor, she accepted because she owed him, not because she was afraid of losing her job. Invariably, the favor was training some random schmuck in hand to hand combat.
Always, she was only given their first name and that was all. She had no idea who they really were, who they worked for, how they knew Fury, or even why they needed to be trained by his best spy-assassin.
Today's trainee was a woman who went by the name 'Hermione'. The first thing Natasha noticed when she walked in was how tense she was, her back to the wall, eyes following her every move. On guard, hyper aware. Possible PTSD.
Unlike many, this Hermione did not let Natasha's good looks and petite form deceive her. She was smart, expected the worst from anyone.
"You must be Natasha," Hermione said, trying for a polite smile.
Not bad. Of course, Natasha wasn't dupe. She was brave, string, and yet, on the brink of falling apart. Natasha knew she would need to handle this case more carefully than most.
"And you're Hermione," she replied with her warmest smile.
It could melt an iceberg and did not disappoint. A flicker of comfort mellowed Hermione's expression, so Hermione must be her real name, but she also blinked twice in rapid succession at Natasha's warm greeting, which meant she was not a lost cause. Hermione had not closed herself off from the world. She could heal from whatever had happened to her.
Natasha walked to the lone bench in the training room to divest herself of her vest, leaving her in her yoga pants and sports bra. When she turned to face Hermione, she looked taken aback.
"When I show you a movement, I want you to see how I use my body or where to hurt most. See here for example," Natasha explained as she placed her fingers on a specific space between tendons, muscle and bone on her forearm. "Grip this place, push your fingers in, dig your nails deep and you will hamper the use of his hand so much, he will either drop what he is holding, let go of you or prevent him from using any object."
"Just like that?" Hermione asked.
"'No," Natasha chuckled darkly. "You have to mean it."
Resolve breathed back in her trainee's body. She stood straighter, her brows furrowed with determination.
"Teach me."
Now that Natasha knew Hermione actually wanted to learn, she was taking the kid gloves off. Problem was some of the people sent to her were themselves sent by someone else. They had not asked to be there and did not want to learn, wasting both of their time.
First, Natasha taught Hermione basic self-defence. Her trainee was a fast learner but moved like a brick, evidently someone more used to desk work than being in the field, so, between two intense sparring sessions, Natasha included stretching movements so she could push her body's limits and grow more supple.
But she was going to need time to be whipped into shape.
"I want to see you three times a week," Natasha said when that day's training was done. "Can you do that?"
Hermione nodded. Natasha smiled because her trainee might not be so sure when sore muscles finally caught up with her in a few hours.
But Hermione returned. Punctual, polite and ready to punch. Natasha taught her how to land a solid one, no matter how much bigger or stronger her adversary was. She also taught Hermione to fight dirty: hit below the belt, fake punch so he didn't see the real hit coming, punch when they were "distracted"...
"You've got breasts. Use them," Natasha said in all seriousness. "You have no idea how many fights I won, either because they thought I was weak, or because these bad boys were too distracting."
Natasha pointed at her own cleavage, inviting despite the flattening effect of the sports bra. Hermione glanced down then looked away immediately, cheeks turning pink. Natasha smirked.
"You need to become comfortable with your body. You can't use it as a weapon if you don't learn to accept it."
To be fair, Natasha had not seen much of the other woman's body. Even when Hermione was hot and sweaty from their training, she would not divest herself of her sweater. She was hiding something, obviously. However, Natasha knew Hermione needed to accept herself as she was, all of her, the good and the bad, if she wanted to move forward.
"I… can't," Hermione answered, hunching on herself and holding the front of her sweater as if she thought Natasha would rip it off.
"You can. You don't want to. And I can understand that, but it's holding you back."
"No… I…"
"It is. Do not lie to me. You'd rather be hot and uncomfortable than undress in front of me. And I'm not even a threat to you."
Hermione mulishly looked away. She knew Natasha had the right of it, but she puffed up like an angry kitten.
"Do you think I'm flawless, kotenok?" Natasha needled.
Hermione looked back at her, her eyes travelling her body as she blushed once more. She nodded.
"Kind, but untrue," Natasha said before pointing out every scar she had earned throughout the years. "Yet you did not see them, and when you did, you did not judge me for them."
"How? I didn't even notice and I'm pretty observant."
"Confidence. Distraction," Natasha added with a wink, laughing when Hermione turned red. "Don't advertise your weakness, kotenok. I would know where to hurt you just by the way you dress and hold yourself, and I could do it with mere words. I wouldn't have to lift a finger to destroy you."
Hermione paled, but Natasha could see realization dawn behind her eyes. She finally accepted Natasha's advice and slowly pulled her over-large sweater over her head. Natasha nodded when she was in a simple sleeveless top.
"Good. You're doing great, Hermione. Now that you have shed your cocoon, we can get down to business. Come at me, girl," Natasha taunted, gesturing for her to come at her for a sparring session.
As Hermione attacked, again and again, gaining confidence whether she landed a blow or not, simply because she knew how to hit, how to move, how to parry, Natasha had the leisure to take note of what she had been hiding. It was, admittedly, a lot: scar from a knife held at her throat from behind. Another large scar covered her collarbone, the pattern like a burn, but of origins unknown. A slur carved on her arm with a knife which had dug deep through her flesh. Several more adorned her body, like more knife cuts and bullet grazes. How one person so young had collected so many was a mystery. Even Natasha could not compete, but she had always been good at dodging. Hermione's scars were old wounds however. What had prompted her trainee's arrival under her care was obvious in the dark finger marks around her neck. Natasha needed to transform this little kitten into a lioness.
A few days later, Hermione had gotten into the habit of dressing down from the beginning, before Natasha even suggested it. She had even adopted the sports bra and had tied her wild hair back in a loose bun instead of letting it hang to hide behind. She was gaining confidence both in herself and her combat abilities. In fact, Hermione was getting a bit cocky, so, when her trainee caught her arm to twist behind her back, Natasha swept her feet out from under her and she landed hard on her back.
"Alright?" Natasha asked, giving her a hand up.
"I should have seen that coming," Hermione huffed.
"Yes, you should have, kotenok. Don't focus on one thing and forget everything else. Again," Natasha ordered, gesturing at Hermione to come at her.
However, the door opened and Steve stepped in, talking back at Sam over his shoulder before he noticed the room was already occupied.
"Oh, sorry Nat. Ma'am," he added when he noticed Hermione.
For her part, Hermione was trying to hide not so subtly behind Natasha. Natasha looked between her trainee and Steve. Why was she afraid? Did she not know he was Captain America? He was as fearsome as a teddy bear. Or was it just that she was itching for her damned sweater to hide in. Both? Time for some tough love, then.
"Hey, no worries guys. Come and sit down," Natasha said with her best threatening smile as she pointed towards the bench. "I want to get your feedback on Hermione's combat skills."
Steve's eyebrows rose in surprise but they agreed and sat, watching with some curiosity. Unsurprisingly, Hermione was distracted.
"Hermione," Natasha snapped. "Focus on me. Go all out, I won't hold back."
A bold faced lie, but she wanted Hermione to give it her all instead of getting distracted by her insecurities. To be fair, her trainee hit hard and fast. Natasha even heard the boys' wince of sympathy. Natasha retaliated, but Hermione parried. Her trainee really was getting good if she said so herself. Not Avengers good, but better than a lot of agents starting their career.
When Hermione had worked up enough of a sweat, Natasha called it a day and gently herded her towards their audience.
"Wow," Steve said, addressing Hermione directly. "It's rare to see someone hold their own against Nat. She must be a tough instructor."
"No," Hermione denied as she reached for her hoodie and quickly zipped it up all the way. "She's great. I couldn't even parry a simple punch before I started."
Steve smiled, but it was a bit too forced, and Sam had those compassionate puppy eyes as he looked at her. Natasha sent Hermione on her way before these two idiots managed to creep her out.
"Who is she?" Steve asked as soon as the door closed behind Hermione.
"Hermione. That's all I know."
"Oh. One of Fury's."
Steve had met a few before, and he couldn't figure out any more than her who they were, where they came from, or where they went when their training was done.
"She's been assaulted," Steve added.
"Obviously. I imagine that's why Fury sent her to me. If it's any consolation, I pity the next one who tries."
"Yeah, that was something else," Sam said. "She still needs to develop her self-confidence, though."
"I'm trying, but I'm no therapist," Natasha said pointedly. "You could try talking to her next time?"
"I guess we could accidentally walk in again?" Steve offered.
"That would be helpful," Natasha agreed.
And walk in they did. Hermione startled once more, but they were in the middle of stretching, Natasha holding up Hermione's leg as far as it would go, so she wasn't exactly in a position to go hide. By the time Natasha taught her how to knee her adversary and par such an attack herself, her phone rang.
It was actually just an alarm Natasha had programmed but she told Hermione she needed to take the call and would just be a few minutes.
"Why don't you spar a little with Sam?" Natasha suggested. "You don't know his moves like mine so it's good training."
Hermione stood frozen, mouth open like she was about to protest.
"You go easy on her, Sam," Natasha added right before pretending to be focused on the call.
"That was a dirty trick," Steve chuckled.
Natasha gave up the pretence and sat next to him to watch the fight.
"I trust Sam will know how to handle her. Unfortunately, Hermione needs to be pushed out of her comfort zone."
"I can see that," Steve agreed.
Her trainee had just managed to trip up Sam, and the guy was by no means an easy target. He got back up and congratulated Hermione, holding up his hand for a high five which she returned after a slight hesitation. They continued sparring for ten solid minutes and Natasha was satisfied to see Hermione could hold her own against Sam, although she wouldn't stand a chance against the Falcon.
"You're a good teacher," Steve noted. "How much longer until you're done?"
"I haven't decided yet. Hermione doesn't seem to be busy with either work or social activities. She doesn't even have a phone. As long as she's willing to come and I'm not off on a mission, I'll continue with her training."
"That's awfully generous of you," Steve said as if she never was.
"I like her," Natasha shrugged. "She's an excellent student, and there's still room for improvement."
The two sparring partners returned. Sam had actually managed to make Hermione laugh and she looked more relaxed in the presence of the two men.
"You did well, Kotenok," Natasha praised her. "Next time, you'll spar against Steve."
Hermione's eyes grew wide as she looked at Steve. The idiot that he was blushed under her gaze and Natasha rolled her eyes.
"I really couldn't," Hermione protested, gesturing in his direction as if that was making enough of a point.
"Your adversaries will come in every shape and size. You will not always have the option to flee, so you need to know how to handle them as well."
"I know," Hermione said with a note of defeat. "I'll do my best."
"You always do. Go on, you've worked well today, kotenok."
Hermione grabbed her stuff and hurried out, not seeming to notice she was still in her sports bra.
"Kotenok?" Steve asked, head tilted. "You've called her that several times. What does it mean?"
Natasha smiled and left them to their own training. He would figure it out when her kitten sunk her claws into him.
Natasha had given Hermione tips on how to handle a larger guy and she was stretching nervously while they waited for the door to open. It looked like Hermione was actually looking forward to sparring Steve, as if this was her final test. Natasha had an inkling the person who had attacked her might be similar in built to him and worried this might not be such a good idea after all.
"You don't have to if you're not ready, kotenok."
"No. I want to. If I can hold my own against him… I don't have to be afraid anymore."
Not everyone could face their fear head on, but Hermione was ready to move forward. Natasha understood. She would not stop her.
The boys arrived and Steve quickly joined them in the middle of the room.
"Still want to spar?" Steve asked Hermione, who nodded back resolutely.
Natasha sat with Sam, watching the two adversaries face off. The difference in size was ridiculous and Sam noticed too.
"It's like David and Goliath," he commented. "I'd be worried if it was anyone but Steve."
"I wouldn't have suggested it otherwise. And she's ready. She was looking forward to sparring with him if you can believe it."
Sam's eyebrows shot up, while Natasha beamed with pride.
"That's a good sign," Sam agreed.
Steve was waiting for Hermione to start, and she did so by slipping behind him to kick his knee in. A good move, but Steve was built like a mountain. He whirled around and caught her arm, but instead of trying to free herself as would be anyone's first instinct, she used the momentum and grip he had on her to high kick him under his chin. Steve couldn't avoid it and dropped his hold on her before stepping back.
"Man," Sam said, impressed. "I'm glad she didn't use that on me. Knock me right out."
Steve rubbed his chin, grinning.
"Not bad," he told Hermione before swinging his arm.
Hermione ducked, pushing herself up to high kick. Steve leaned back and they continued sparring in what looked more like dancing than an actual fight. Eventually, Hermione got cornered against the wall despite Natasha drilling into her to keep a way out behind her at all times. Hermione seemed to freeze, breathing hard out of panic more than exertion. Steve raised both his arms, then took a step back to call a time off, but before he could say anything, he was blasted off his feet, all the way across the room, hitting the opposite wall where he left a dent before crumpling to the floor.
Natasha and Sam glanced at each other, speechless, before he ran to Steve's side and Natasha, more carefully, to Hermione's.
"Kotenok," she called softly. "I will not hurt you."
Hermione appeared to shake herself out of her stupor, looking from her to Steve, her hands flying up to her mouth in dismay at what she had done.
"Oh, no," she gasped. "Steve… is he alright?"
Natasha glanced back at the two men and Sam gave her a thumbs up.
"It's going to take a little more than that to hurt Steve," she laughed off. "May I ask how you did that?"
"I didn't think I could," Hermione said. "I thought I lost it, but when I had my back against the wall and Steve was blocking the way, I… I panicked."
She looked at her hands then held them against her as if she was afraid she would throw someone else around by mistake.
"Maybe I didn't lose all of it," she whispered, more to herself than to Natasha.
Whatever "it" was, Natasha wanted to help Hermione find it and own it. She was powerful, and she deserved to reach her full potential.
"Everything all right?" Steve asked, looming behind her.
"Shouldn't we be asking you that?" Natasha replied.
"Yeah, surprised the heck out of me," he agreed as he rubbed the back of his head. "I think you win this round, Hermione, but let's spar again another time."
Hermione nodded, looking relieved, but she babbled an earnest apology anyway.
"I think I'll pass," Sam added. "But I'm a good listener if you ever need to talk."
He gave her his business card from the VA center.
"Let's call it a day and go out for a drink," Natasha suggested.
Sam realized Natasha wanted to give Hermione a bit of normal to balance out whatever had just happened, as well as give her a chance to socialize more, so he agreed enthusiastically while Steve just went along, not minding one way or another.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Hermione asked Steve. "You hit the wall pretty hard."
Steve gave her a funny look, having not imagined before now that their guest had no idea who he was. Natasha would bet Hermione had no idea she was the Black Widow either, not that she minded. It was refreshing being treated like anyone else.
"Not even a bump," Steve reassured her once more.
Natasha rolled her eyes. If she let those two continue this way, they'd be apologizing to each other for hours. So she looped her hand around Hermione's arm to lead her away.
"Come, kotenok. Let's go celebrate your victory. I dare say you do not need me anymore."
"Oh, but-" Hermine protested, looking as surprised as she was distressed.
"But we can still see each other, of course," Natasha said with the most sultry voice in her arsenal, squeezing her arm for emphasis. "I'm sure I could teach you many other skills."
Natasha winked at Hermione who blushed a bright red all the way to the roots of her hair. Natasha smirked, satisfied her message had not only come across, but that her former protégée was receptive to her advances too. Yes, now that her little kitten had sharpened her claws, Natasha was looking forward to making her purr.