Can't Ask, Don't Need, Won't Acknowledge

chapter 50: Reality Bites part 2

"Natty, listen to me. She's yours," said Matt again.

"Matt, I think I would know if a human had exited my uterus. I was sterilised you know this," replied Natasha in disbelief.

"You were the best graduate of the Red-Room in its entire history Natty. Do you really think they didn't keep your DNA? Your only weakness in their eyes was your stubborn free-will. Imagine you but with the mind stone."

Natasha wavered slightly, "No... I would know.. I spent months researching into Wanda's background."

"Natty... come on... On a level you have always known from the moment you met her. You knew."

Natasha felt dizzy, she leant over forwards and braced herself on her knees. Her breath gasping and ragged as she struggled to calm her self.

"Natty sit down...."

"No, how do you know this? Do you have proof?" Natasha finally heaved out, taking deep shuddery breathes in between each word.

"Just do a DNA test if you don't believe me," stated Matt. He was concerned about the slight panic attack Natasha seemed to be exhibiting but kept his distance from the upset woman. "But you already know it's true. You were drawn to her in a way that is unfathomable."

"Who is the father?" Asked Natasha suddenly finally getting back in control. She tilted her head up towards Matt as she asked the question.

"I don't know," said Matt honestly. "I have my suspicions, but that's all."

"Who told you?" Natasha got back to her feet standing up by using the wall of the jet to help hold her body upright.

"You know who," replied Matt. Natasha's face hardened, "How long did she know?"

"Years..."

Natasha swallowed the lump in her throat, "She knew and didn't tell me."

"You need to have this conversation with her."

"If I had known, I could have rescued her. I could have rescued Pietro! I could have saved both my kids," Natasha whimpered slightly, and lowered herself into the chair.

"Natty, don't play the what if game. There are never any winners there."

"You think it's Bucky don't you? You think Bucky is the father," responded Natasha changing the subject slightly.

"I don't know that," stated Matt firmly. "It's just the most logical."

"The Hand knew about her already didn't they?"

Matt nodded his head, "ever since Laos. They thought she had died in Sokovia. When they saw her as part of the Avengers. She became the number one target."

"Why did you both lie to me?" Asked Natasha struggling to contain the hurt in her voice. The slight vibrato made Matt wince, knowing how difficult it was to shake Natasha's resolve in this way.

"What come to you? Out of the blue? Tell you all this. You would have gone straight into hiding with her, and you know it. You can't hide from the hand Natty. We need to fight them. Eliminate the threat," explained Matt.

"There would have been other options! You have put my kid in danger."

"There are other options we explored," stated Matt.

"What? Come on what other options did you discuss about my child without my input?" Shot back Natasha rage now replacing her initial shock at the news.

"You put her up for adoption. You are a target Natty," said Matt tentatively, aware his words would wound the woman.

"Even if that was possible you really think Wanda would allow that?" Said Natasha sighing she leant her head back against the cool metal of the plane.

"Hank Pym," stated Matt. "We could age her back to a baby, to keep her safe. She could hide in plain site."

Natasha shook her head, "Are you insane??"

"You asked if we thought about other options..."

"What else aren't you telling me?" Said Natasha again, as she started to put the puzzle together in her head. "You thought about killing her."

"You have seen her power Nat, if she did fall into the Hand's grip. We would need to protect the world! By any means necessary."

Natasha stood up and marched over to the man, "if you lay a single finger on her. I will kill you."

"We thought about everything Natty. That's all I'm saying."

"She's only 16," said Natasha sadly. She looked lovingly at the sleeping teenager who was snoring quietly.

"I know Natty, I know."

Natasha paused again as she tried to let the information wash over her, "My son is dead."

Matt nodded sadly, "yes he is."

Natasha perched herself on the cot next to where Wanda was snoring lightly, her fingers laced into her long red hair. The touch gave her comfort she couldn't logically understand.

"He would still be alive if Yelena had told me," muttered Natasha under her breath.

"No he wouldn't," replied Matt gently. "She knew you had children not who or where they were. Look at the research you have done on Wanda, did you find out any of this? Look I'm not defending your sister or myself we should have told you. But don't play the what if game, no good can ever come from that."

Natasha gazed down at Wanda's face as she listened to Matt's words. "I can't believe she is actually mine..."

"She was yours before you knew that."

"That's not what you said earlier," said Natasha but she never took her eyes off Wanda.

"You know I didn't mean that...I was just...."

"You were just trying to hurt me, like I hurt you all those years ago," replied Natasha earnestly.

"Do you have to make it sound so petty?" Stated Matt with a flinch.

"Matty, it's ok...."

"It's not, I should have never lied to you about Wanda."

"No, you shouldn't have...." Natasha stood up, and approached Matthew, she kissed his cheek, and then pulled away. "I will forgive you one day, but right now I need to be alone with my daughter."

Matt turned to leave, his back to Natasha as he heard her last words. "Matt, don't tell Wanda. I need to tell her in my own time, at the right time."