Natasha sat with her back slumped against the alley wall. Of all the ways the assassin thought she would die, cold, alone, and bleeding out in a cobbled alleyway wasn't the first that sprung to mind.

Already her breathing was laboured; a wet rattling deep in her chest; a punctured lung. That would explain the white hot stabbing pain that spread throughout her body, but with each second that ticked by, the pain was beginning to lessen. In the back of her mind, she knew it wasn't a good sign, but her fight was over. It had been a long one, and at times a tough one, but there was one last thing she had to do, before one of the worlds greatest assassins slipped from this world unnoticed.

A blood smeared hand reached into her pocket and plucked out her phone, struggling to see the screen in front of her, she knew she was running out of time, she began to type, praying to every god she could that he would reply

Clint, I don't know if I'm ever going to see you again, so I'm sorry for not saying this to your face. I love you, always have. Always will - NR

Nat? What on earth are you talking about? Quit playing games, Tasha, where are you? - CB

Fury never told you, huh? I got sent out on assignment, deep cover, but things got hairy, I don't think I'm going to make it back -NR

Nice try, Red. I know you, you don't make mistakes, April Fools was last month. - CB

It's cold, Clint, it's cold and my hands are shaking, why aren't you here? - NR

Nat, please don't do this to me. I can't lose you. I love you too - CB

Too little too late, isn't that the saying? Too little too late - NR

Just tell me where you are! I'll come and get you! Please, Tasha! - CB

It's no use you'd never make it... But at least I'm not alone now - NR

I always knew you'd break my heart. I just never thought it would be like this - CB

If I close my eyes, you know I can almost feel you here with me, how pathetic is that. - NR

No, Nat. It's not pathetic, I'm here with you, I'm always with you... Can I ask you a question? - CB

Why not, I'm letting it all out today - NR

I know you always said people like us never get anything like a normal life, but I could always imagine myself settling down with someone just like you. Natasha Romanoff... Would you have married me if I'd asked again? - CB

Yes, I would -NR

Good job I had this ring all that time then. It's yours, always will be -CB

Hey, Clint? - NR

What is it, Tash? - CB

I think I'm gonna go to sleep now, it's getting hard to see, and my hands won't stop shaking -NR

Okay, babe. I'll find you, I'll bring you home, I love you - CB

Love you, too - NR

The phone dropped into her lap the moment the message had sent; her head falling back against the wall as she let out a pained breath, tears now freely falling down her cheeks.

A smile settled on the assassins face as she let out one final breath before he lifeless body relaxed back against the wall, a smile upturning the corners of her mouth, as Natasha Romanoff slipped from a rather godforsaken world the happiest she had been in a long time.

It took SHIELDS teams little over 12 hours to find Natashas body. Fury demanding that Clint remain back at HQ. Her slight frame was flown home, cleaned up, and given a funeral that she would have hated, inside and out. The entire time, the archer unable to stop tears from rolling down his cheeks.

She was afforded a modest plot, amongst other fallen agents, flowers adorning her grave. Natasha was nothing if not popular, held in high regard.

As the sun set over the cemetery, the highly polished gravestone shone in the dim evening light

Natasha A Barton

Loving friend, partner, wife

1928-2014