Hi all! This was a prompt from forever and a day ago! Let me know your thoughts so far! x

Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff had a few things in common: they were both journalists; they had both majored in English Literature and graduated from university with flying colours; they were both tabloid journalists and they tried to keep their journalism as honest as a journalist could while still getting the readership they needed to stay afloat; both being firm believers that an honest account of the latest celebrity to do something outrageous was more morally sound; they were two of the most successful and well known journalists in New York and they worked in the same building – they had done so for the last two years. The only difference at this point: they worked for two different rival newspapers. Natasha worked for the New York Herald, and Steve worked two floors up, for the Express. And just like any other day, the pair found themselves in the lift on the way up to work.

'Morning, Rogers,' Natasha said, straight faced, 'did you have a nice weekend in Trish Walker's pants?' she teased, referring to Steve's most recent article on Miss Walker and her radio show.

'Hello, Natasha, I see you're still bitter about me beating you to the punch for that interview.'

'We both know I would've written a better piece.'

'You're just saying that because you're jealous.'

'No, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have needed to sleep with her to get a good article out of it.'

'I don't know what you're talking about because I didn't have to either. ' Steve shrugged smugly as the elevator dinged, signalling their arrival on Natasha's floor.

'That's bullshit, Rogers.' She snorted, stepping out.

'No it's not – I know we're journalists, Romanoff but I don't play that dirty. I have a reputation to uphold.'

'What? As the most boring journalist in New York?' she smirked at him as the doors closed. Steve shook his head, laughing as the elevator took him to his floor. She knew the article was good. Otherwise she wouldn't have been giving him such a hard time. Steve stepped out of the lift and strolled into the office, only to be greeted by his boss, Phil Coulson.

'Rogers,' he greeted, patting him on the shoulder, 'good job on that Trish Walker article. I bumped into Nick earlier and even he thought it was good.'

'Thanks boss, I try my best.' Steve nodded before heading to his desk.

Two floors below, Nick Fury had Natasha in his office.

'Romanoff, I need you to get on top of your game. You can't just let Rogers do an article because he got there faster! You can't let an opportunity slide because you're too proud and refuse to be compared to him.'

'I know Nick, I just-'

'There is no excuse. Either get over it or get faster. You're one of the best I've seen in this industry but you're hiding it pretty damn well at the moment.' Fury frowned. 'Now, there's an independent researcher, Dr. Bruce Banner, who's made some big breakthroughs regarding gamma radiation.' Fury handed her a small dossier.

'Why don't you just get the science nerds to do it? They haven't had a decent story in weeks.'

'Because in the science world he's like another Steven Hawking; he's a celebrity and none of the geeks are going to ask the questions that are accessible to the general public. Plus, I don't think the guys at the Express would even think of sending someone like Rogers. So here's your shot at writing a piece without him hot on your heels.'

'Or two steps ahead.' Natasha muttered as she flipped through the dossier.

'Romanoff, you better impress me.'

'You can count on it, Nick.'

'Good,' the man nodded before sitting down, 'now get the hell to Banner's lab. And take Jones with you.'

'Always do, Nick.'

Meanwhile, upstairs, Steve is sat at his computer scrolling through Natasha's articles on the Herald's page.

'You know, you should just bite the bullet and ask her out, man.' Said a voice from the desk beside him.

'Yeah, that's never gonna happen Buck.'

'And why not?'

'I don't see her like that. Plus it'd be totally unprofessional.'

'You can't lie to me Rogers. You two have been riding the elevator together for two years. You totally see her like that!'

'Honestly, Bucky, I really don't.'

'Come on! You've at least thought about it, right? You guys have so much in common!'

'So do we Buck, but you don't see me wanting to ask you out purely on the basis of compatibility regarding our degree and career choices.'

'Fair point,' his friend nodded, 'but I swear you'd need a chainsaw to cut the tension when you're in a room together.'

'Oh yeah? Like when?'

'Like every time both our papers have to use the photography studio for in house interviews and articles.' Peter Parker, Steve's on hand photographer contributed, joining the conversation.

'Yeah, or when we're all sharing the elevator.' Bucky added.

'You guys are ridiculous.' Steve shook his head, leaving the page.

'Not really,' Peter shrugged, 'you two may be the epitome of rivalry, but you can't deny the chemistry.'

'No you can't.' Bucky agreed.

'Whatever, guys.' Steve shook his head.

'Oh! That reminds me!' Peter exclaimed, 'Natasha's doing an interview with Bruce Banner, Tony's friend today.'

'So?'

'So Phil wants you and me to haul ass over there.'

'Why?'

'Because you've done nothing except make coffee and stare at Romanoff's page since you got here. Just because your Trish Walker article was good doesn't mean you get to slack off, Steve.'

'I guess you're right.' Rogers agreed, taking his jacket off the back his chair and grabbing his notebook and pen.

'C'mon Parker, let's score us an interview.'