[Ah, so they lost someone on the mission then? That always made the feeling of success turn sour and hollow. However, three people wasn't the worst odds for a mission, especially one where Romanoff was personally involved in, and he knew that Ava was no slouch when it came to necessary combat.

That was the abridged version it seemed, but even in the dark with only the glow of her eyes identifying where she was looking, it was clear that Alexei was a sore subject. She hadn't mentioned the person before this and there had been plenty of opportunities.]

He died because you weren't fast enough? As in, the machine you were deactivating exploded and killed him or...?

[He needed more facts to make an actual assessment, even if it might be painful for her to recount even to him. He respected that she might not want to kiss and tell, that the more she said could reveal other aspects of their relationship which could put her under further scrutiny. Not that he would use any of this against her, but it was an insight she might not want from him.

His thumb stroked her chin affectionately while still holding it up so he could look into the aspects of her face he could see in the dark.]

You can't go back. You have to master your skills and use them as you see fit. That's all anyone can do.