Earned a Little Downtime

A few hours later

After setting the charges and making all the necessary preparations, Sue and Natasha retreated to a safe distance from the lab before blowing the place sky high.

"HQ, this is Black Widow," Natasha said, contacting SHIELD through her earpiece. "The facility has been destroyed. Any AIM forces have been neutralized and are ready to be taken into SHIELD custody."

" Acknowledged," The SHIELD dispatch officer said. "A cleanup team is en route now -- we'll take things from here. Do you require extraction?"

"Negative," Natasha replied. "I've already made transportation arrangements."

"Understood," The officer said, "Excellent work, Widow. HQ out."

"...So you've got your own ride home?" Sue asked curiously. "Because I could use a lift back to New York..."

"Sure, I don't see why not," Natasha agreed. "Although I was planning on making a little pit stop before heading back home."

"Oh?" Sue queried. "More SHIELD business? Anything I can help with?"

"Not business exactly... more like pleasure," Natasha said with a smirk. "Somewhere I was planning on relaxing before heading home... although if you need to get back ASAP, that's fine too--"

"No, no, that's fine!" Sue protested quickly. "I have some reports to file, but that can wait... besides, you've got me curious now. And I could definitely use a break after today's excitement."

Natasha laughed. "Then it's settled. Follow me."