I think that's a universal across all time periods. What is this about?

[Oh. So someone told him about World War II. Natasha is quiet for a moment, and then continues, her voice a little softer.]

What would you like to know?

I know more about what took place in Russia, for obvious reasons, but I'll probably be able to answer a good deal of your questions.

[She sighs quietly. Alfie wants information, though, and Natasha can give it without coddling him. He has a right to know, after all, and telling him over and over again how sorry she is won't change anything. The war was awful, will be awful for him especially, and pity doesn't mean much.]

Yes, I'd get out of London. Germany bombs London in the fall. Other cities, too. Birmingham and Bristol, a few others I can't remember, but London gets the worst of it. Large parts of the city were—will be—completely decimated. The worst of it happens in the first few months, but the raids don't stop until the spring. If you can get out, don't come back until the following summer, at least.

I can't tell you for sure. I do know that before World War II, there was an attempt to evacuate civilians from large urban centers in the UK. After France fell and once the Blitz started, civilians were evacuated again. I can't tell you how organized or thorough it was, unfortunately, although I can tell you that the Nazis were trying very hard to scare all of you into surrendering by bombing London and other large cities, and it didn't work.

I don't. I'm sorry. I'm sure England could give you far more detail on questions like that than I can.

Why is that?

[Natasha pauses at that. This is far more personal, for obvious reasons. Even decades out, what happened in Russia still affects her. Thank god for spy training and a fantastic ability to hide her emotions.]

The Soviets suffered more casualties during the war than anyone else. They signed a non-aggression pact with Germany that Hitler broke, and tens of millions of people were killed when Germany invaded.

Both. The Nazis had "task groups" created specifically to kill civilians in occupied territories. The rest died in the fighting. Millions from starvation.

[Now, Natasha's voice gets a little softer.]

There isn't a solid number. Around six million Jews. More, counting the other people that were sent to the camps.

[There's no sugarcoating it.]

Yes.

Alfie. If I tell you any of this, you won't be able to unknow it. It will stick with you.

[Natasha doesn't bother apologizing, but on the other side of the tablet, she shifts in place. She understands, to a point—his desire to know far outweighs any desire to protect himself. She's felt the same in the past, even if it was never about anything on this scale. If he wants facts and nothing else, she can give him that. No coddling, she reminds herself, and her tone turns businesslike.]

What do you want to know? Everything I can tell you?