This is a sequel to A Widow's Journey. It will make a lot more sense if you read it first.

Finally, Steve felt completely content as he watched Natasha sleeping beside him. It reminded him of the first morning on the spacecraft after she had rescued him, but this was so much better. He never intended to let her go again. He had to admit the skrull had at least chosen the right partner. He cringed at the thought he could have married anyone else. It definitely felt like he was married to Natasha even though she insisted that fake names and a skrull imposter nullified that first ceremony. Of course, Steve liked the idea of asking her himself and he definitely liked the idea of being present for their next wedding night. Maybe the right moment to ask would come up on their trip.

Deciding where to take their little vacation proved more difficult than Natasha or Steve expected. They wanted to go somewhere neither of them had spent much time, and Natasha had been all over the world. They discussed it over breakfast and finally decided on Bali, Indonesia. Once they booked their reservations at the Four Seasons Resort, Steve decided he needed to call and check in on things at home.

"Tony, Nat and I are going to take a few weeks off. Sam can handle the team. You might want to stick your head in occasionally."

"I can do that, but it does pose a few questions," Tony replied. "Like, for instance, when did you and Widow start taking vacations together? Or, vacations at all for that matter?"

"First time for everything. We just need some time away."

"Away together? As in alone together in an exotic location or away together at some secret training camp? Are you and Widow an item now? Because I have to say, if so, I'm impressed. Didn't think you had it in you."

Steve sighed. They hadn't really discussed whether or not they were telling the others. "Let's just say we missed each other and need a little time away."

"What? You didn't miss me? I'm hurt," Tony chuckled. "Seriously, Steve, I think it's a good thing. I'm going to tease you unmercifully about it, but I'm happy for you. I'll make sure these knuckleheads don't get in any more trouble than usual."

"Thanks, Tony. I'd kind of appreciate it if you'd let Nat and I tell the others in our own time."

"Sure, but I'll still be teasing you. Enjoy your vacation."

After they hung up, Natasha came into the living room and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm guessing Tony knows."

"He figured it out. I asked him to keep it to himself for now. We haven't exactly discussed whether we're going to tell the team right away."

"It's fine, Steve. Before, it was a secret. I want absolutely everything about our relationship to be out in the open. We'll tell everyone else when we get home. Besides, if we are really taking this trip as ourselves, the press will probably get wind of it before we can tell them anyway and I already called Clint."

"I love you, Nat. I'll shout it from the rooftops if you'll let me."

"Well, that might be a little over the top, but I like your style, soldier. Now, the shower is all yours. I have an appointment at the salon. If we are going as us, I think I'll go red again."

Steve kissed her. "You're gorgeous as a blonde, but I do love the red on you."

"Flattery will get you every where, but I have an appointment and you are the one who insisted we take the physical side slow," she finished with a pout.

"Yeah," Steve groaned in frustration. "You know it's not that I don't want to be with you. It's just that after what you went through with the skrull, I don't want to rush things. This is for keeps, Nat."

"I'm going to hold you to that, soldier."

The following day, Steve and Natasha checked into their Bali resort in Sayan. It was a great location. They weren't far from Campuhan Ridge Walk, so they decided to take a hike. As they walked along the winding trail up the rolling hills, they could see the jungle and rice fields below them. It felt like a different world.

"You know, I've never actually done the tourist thing," Natasha said as she looked at the view.

"It's my first vacation, too. Ma had to work so hard just to keep us fed then the war came. I never really even thought about just taking a trip for the fun of it. I like it. We are going to have to make a habit of it."

Natasha laughed. "That's one habit I don't think I'd ever want to kick."

"Ready to head back? We can still catch the dinner show."

Natasha nodded and Steve took her hand as the walked. They hadn't walked far when the heard a child crying. A look behind them told the story. A woman in her late fifties was stooped down beside a little boy and girl. The boy had fallen and scraped his knee. The woman, who they'd seen carried the small girl, seemed perplexed about how to manage the situation. They looked at each other and smiled then turned around to help.

"Timmy, it's just a little scratch. Can you please try to walk for Nana?"

The boy shook his head and cried. "Carry me, Nana."

Looking at the little girl, Steve guessed she wasn't much past her second birthday. There was no way she'd be able to finish the walk off if her brother was the one in Nana's arms. He knelt down beside the little boy. "Hi, Timmy. It looks like you took quite a tumble. My name is Steve. Would it be okay if I help you down the hill?"

The little boy looked up at him in astonishment. "You're Captain America," he replied, quickly wiping the tears away.

"I am Captain America, so helping is kind of my job. What do you say, Timmy?"

"Are we in danger?"

"No, I'm on vacation just like you."

"Okay, carry me please," he replied lifting his arms up to Steve. He noticed Natasha. "You're pretty and you fight good," he told her.

Natasha smiled. "Thank you, Timmy." As they walked, she continued to make conversation with the little boy. "How old are you?"

"Five," he replied. "Jenny is two. She only wants Nana to hold her."

"I see," Natasha nodded. "Are you and your Nana having fun?"

"And, my granny. She's at the hotel."

The older woman took over. "I'm Annette. My mother is travelling with us. Actually, Captain, I've heard stories about you my whole life. My grandfather was a howling commando."

Steve turned to look at her. "Who was your grandfather?"

"Timothy Dugan. He was my mother's father."

Steve looked at Timmy. "I see where you got your name, little fellow. Your great-grandpa was my friend." Looking back at Annette, he continued, "Dum Dum Dugan was an incredible soldier. It's nice to be able to be of a little assistance to his granddaughter."

"Thank you. My mother will want to meet you. We're staying at the Four Seasons."

"So are we," Natasha replied. "Maybe we could have dinner together one night."

"That would be a wonderful treat for her and for the kids. Timmy seems to have taken a shine to you."

"He's a neat kid," Steve replied. Timmy laughed as Steve popped him up onto his shoulders for a better view.

"Well, I think so, but I may be a little partial. He and his sister have lived with my mother and I for the last year. My son and his wife died in a car accident. The kids have struggled. Timmy is probably eating up the male attention. It's one thing I can't provide."

"I was raised by a single mother. I'm sure you're providing plenty. He seems well-adjusted. That's saying a lot."

"Thank you. I try. My mother isn't in the best health, but she is a big help with the children. This vacation was her idea. Timmy starts kindergarten in the fall, and she thought we needed to get away for a few days and let him see another part of the world."

"Wise woman," Steve replied. "Kindergarten won't seem so alien after seeing another culture."

They continued chatting as they finished their hike then took the hotel van back to the resort together. By the time they'd arrived, even little Jenny had warmed up to them. After making plans to meet the following day, Steve and Natasha went back to their room.

Natasha was on the quiet side. "Are you tired? It was a long flight. My serum keeps me from getting too tired, but maybe we should have saved sight-seeing for tomorrow."

"It's not that," Natasha replied. "I was just thinking. Am I really being fair to you?"

"Where'd that come from?"

"You know what the Red Room did to me. I saw you with the kids. You won't have any with me."

Steve sat beside Natasha. "Is that what you're worried about? Nat, you are all I need. Besides, kids require a different lifestyle than the one we have."

"Clint and Laura make it work."

"Yeah, but Laura stays behind with the kids. You go with me into the thick of the battle."

"If you were with someone like Laura-"

"I'm with the woman I love. Besides, I don't think I would ever want to be a family man. I like being an Avenger. You see how Clint wars with himself over where he should spend his time. I know where I'm needed. It's the same place you're needed. Nat, the Avengers are our kids. I see how you are with Clint's kids, and I know you would be a great mother. But, honestly, I don't have any desire to be a dad. I'm a soldier through and through. Besides, you're not getting rid of me that easy. It's you and me from now on, Nat."

Natasha smiled. "I love you."

"I love you, too."