Natasha Romanoff ([personal profile] redintheledger) wrote2013-10-26 08:36 pm

OOM: Khabarovsk, Siberia, USSR, 1955

Outside the KGB field office in Khabarovsk, the September weather is turning towards winter with a vengeance. Inside, well. Given it's after six on a Saturday, Natasha doesn't quite care what the temperature is doing. The oven's heat will last until she feels up to go back to her apartment. But Izmaylov is back from China, and had stomped around pointedly until she let him fire up the oven.

(He'd wanted her to do it; she had stared at him coolly, taping a letter-opener casually against her fingers until the agent backed off.)

Mostly, the office is nearly silent. Izmaylov is typing up a report at the other end, Natasha is sorting through (and fixing) the filing system, and occasionally Chigrakov the guard pokes his head in from the foyer.

It's much, much better than being in her apartment.
nerves_of_ice: (winter soldier: from above)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice 2013-10-29 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
He's been in the city for two full days now. This is the third.

Long enough to put the time to good use; long enough to get a sense of her routine, her habits, the pulse of her days -- early to rise, early to work, late leaving, and late nights as well, if the lamplight from her apartment window at all hours is any indication. He's certain it is.

He's thought about how (and when, and where) to approach her, as well; after all, it's been a while, and a lot has happened between then and now.

In the end, he decides on a semi-public place, and a cover premise that should pass any scrutiny. It gets him past the guard, to start with; what happens next remains to be seen.



"Excuse me."

Fully aware that the guard is watching for any sign of trouble, he raps on the doorframe and politely announces himself from the entry.

"I have a report that needs translating, and heard there might be someone here who could help."
nerves_of_ice: (alex: small smile)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice 2013-10-29 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
She's older -- well, of course she is, they both are, and yet he finds that he hadn't been fully prepared for the change from the precocious young student to the woman who stands in the doorway.

The red hair is the same, though, and at the thought a small, rueful smile quirks one corner of his mouth.

"French, and if possible... German?"
nerves_of_ice: (alex/nat: casual friendship)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice 2013-10-29 03:23 am (UTC)(link)
His glance flicks toward Izmaylov, then toward the door and around the room before he looks back at her.

"My thanks."

Quietly said, but not so quietly that it sounds like he's trying not to be overheard. It's a fine balance to strike, but he's had practice.
nerves_of_ice: (alex: sideways)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice 2013-10-29 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
"There is, of course."

He reaches inside his coat and pulls out a few folded sheets of paper, close-written in his own handwriting.

"But I'm here because of you, as well. How are you, Natasha?"
nerves_of_ice: (alex: b&w)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice 2013-10-29 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm here," he says, simply.


"Filing, hm?"
nerves_of_ice: (alex: b&w)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice 2013-10-29 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
"They're fortunate to have you."

His gaze meets hers, steady and direct.

"I came to see if you're interested in another assignment."
nerves_of_ice: (winter soldier: observant)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice 2013-10-30 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
The flash of his smile is quick and wryly amused.

"I'm more reliable than the post."

Among other reasons, of course, but he doesn't intend to discuss those here.

"As for choice, as far as I'm concerned, you do. If you don't want to come back ..."

He shrugs.
nerves_of_ice: (alex: sideways)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice 2013-10-30 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
He shakes his head.
nerves_of_ice: (alex: sideways)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice 2013-10-31 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
"Whenever you're ready," he answers. "Unless we want to finish with that report first."

Dryness is in his words, and a teasing sparkle in his eyes, although his expression remains professional.
nerves_of_ice: (alex: edge of amused)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice 2013-10-31 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
He smiles, at that; he can't help it. She's the only one in their world who knows him by that name, after all.

"I can't have both?"
nerves_of_ice: (alex: smirk)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice 2013-10-31 04:03 am (UTC)(link)
He leans forward just a little, as if confiding a secret.

"Not urgently at all. It's the cover I used to find a way to speak with you. I wrote up a description of all the shipping I observed on the way here."

nerves_of_ice: (alex: sideways)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice 2013-11-01 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
"Least I could do."

He rises as well, and politely gestures for her to lead the way.
nerves_of_ice: (alex: downcast)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice 2013-11-01 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
He doesn't answer directly, not at first.

"It's a long way."

Keeping an eye on their surroundings is second nature to him now, which makes it easier for him to observe her, too, as they walk.

"And it's been a long time, I know."

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-01 03:16 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-01 03:28 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-01 04:10 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-02 03:29 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-02 03:42 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-02 03:51 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-02 03:56 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-04 03:01 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-04 03:36 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-04 03:48 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-04 04:03 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-04 04:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-04 04:30 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-07 04:17 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-07 04:32 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-07 04:49 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-10 04:11 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-10 04:31 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-10 05:01 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-10 05:08 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-10 05:45 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-10 06:06 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-10 06:31 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-10 06:45 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-10 07:01 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-10 07:16 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-10 07:24 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-10 07:35 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-11 03:31 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-11 03:49 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-11 04:08 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-11 04:25 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-11 04:55 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-12 04:17 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-12 04:34 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-12 04:42 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-12 04:57 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-12 05:06 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-14 03:42 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-14 04:10 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-14 04:28 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-14 04:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-15 03:28 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-15 03:48 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-15 03:59 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-15 04:14 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nerves_of_ice - 2013-11-15 04:30 (UTC) - Expand