RIGHTS: All characters belong to Marvel.

Natasha Romanoff had arrived in New York a few weeks ago. Her life in Russia had come to a standstill after she lost her job and discovered her boyfriend had been cheating on her, so she decided to try her luck and start from scratch in a whole new city and country.

Her good friend Pepper Potts had been kind enough to help her with the move and with finding her a new place. The two had met in preschool when Natasha's family had relocated to the United States due to her father's job. She remained in the country until she was 18 and then had to return to Russia, but she never ceased to be in contact with Pepper who undoubtedly remained one of her best friends.

In the U.S., Natasha quickly managed to get a job as a children's dance instructor, for dancing was what she loved most in life and being able to teach it to others truly filled her with joy. Now it finally felt like her life had begun to change gradually for the better, and it was these positive changes that gave her the strength to keep going. And this was all thanks to her friend Pepper who happened to know the great Tony Stark. As far as first impressions went, Stark had not exactly met her expectations, for he was as narcissistic as they come , but she had to accept him or at the least tolerate him because she knew Pepper had found love.

It was Miss Potts who insisted that Natasha join her at Stark's latest business party. In fact, she insisted so much that Natasha grew aggravated and finally decided to attend just to please her friend. She had hoped the party could be a means for her to meet new people, but instead Natasha felt completely out of place, like a fish in a pool full of sharks.

She was confident at first, in her curve hugging black dress, high heels, and natural makeup, but when she got to the party she saw all these beautiful women, blonde, tall, and looking like they had been taken right out of a fashion magazine. Already regretting her decision to come, the redhead started to feel more and more uncomfortable the longer she stayed, making this particular party her least favorite place to be at the moment.

"I'm glad you came, Nat." The voice of Pepper reassured her, reminding her that at least with a friend there she would not feel so alone. "You look beautiful." Pepper added.

"Pep, you're only saying that 'cause you're my friend. Just look at all the women here: they are a thousand times more beautiful."

"Foolishness," Scoffed Pepper, "They've all had one too many plastic surgeries and are only here looking for a rich husband."

Both women began to laugh, for Pepper was right. Natasha looked around at all the women who did nothing but flirt with countless men at the party. This atmosphere was so foreign to her.

"I wanted to thank you again for helping me find an apartment, Pepper." Natasha said while picking up a glass of champagne, "It's very beautiful, but it must cost you a fortune, so as soon as I'm able, I'll starting searching for a smaller place."

It truly was a luxury apartment that her friend had helped her acquire, and though Natasha liked it, she felt it was way too expensive and extravagant for her.

"No way, Nat! That apartment is a gift, and Tony and I really don't need it, so you don't have to feel obligated to pay me anything for it. Really, you'll offend me if you start looking for another place to stay."

The redhead looked unconvinced but decided to accept this arrangement for now since she knew better than to argue with Pepper. She opted for a change of subject instead.

"Is Maria not coming?" Natasha asked.

Maria Hill was a mutual friend of theirs that they had met when they were both around ten years old. Miss Hill had attended the same school as they and since then a beautiful friendship had been forged among the three. Surely what Natasha missed the most upon her return to Russia was her friends, for she could never meet anyone such as these kind women.

"No, I'm afraid not. She said she had a work thing. I insisted as much as I could though."

Natasha had no doubts that her friend had insisted, and insisted, and insisted some more. Pepper could be very annoying when she wanted to be.

"Ladies" Stark's voice interrupted their conversation as he approached them with another person, "Natasha, I wanted to introduce you to my good friend, Steve Rogers."

Natasha studied the man who accompanied Tony. He was tall, blonde, blue eyed, and generally very nice to look at. He gave her a warm kiss on the cheek and Natasha graced him with her best smile. While she had not been willing to meet men at this party, seeing him was beginning to change her mind completely.

"A pleasure to meet you, Natasha." Steve flashed her a smile worthy of a male model as her cheeks flushed quickly.

"Look Tony, they're calling us." Said Pepper suddenly. And then Natasha caught how she had grinned while elbowing Stark, dragging him away and silently encouraging her friend to chat with the attractive man.

"So, Steve Rogers." Began Natasha, "Tell me a little about yourself."

She had even surprised herself at how easy it was to strike up conversation with this fun and friendly man. They continued on, drinking and talking for a while, something that delighted Natasha who rarely had the good fortune to meet someone so handsome and funny, but all her thoughts of Steve faded when another man approached them.

Immediately, Natasha felt a knot tie in her stomach and her heart began to beat faster. She had never believed in love at first sight until that very day.

"Steve, my dear friend, I see that you are in good company."

The man's voice was deep and fit for a king. He was a little taller than Steve and of course much taller than her, and he was also blonde but with longer hair. He had a beard as well and the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen.

"Thor, I'd like to introduce you to Natasha. And Natasha, this is my friend, Thor Odinson." Steve presented.

Thor Odinson: the name she would never forget.

"Lady Natasha," The man took the redhead's hand and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles.

As Thor had felt electricity throughout his body and his heart beat wildly as if it could explode at any moment, Natasha could only smile, her cheeks enflamed as heat ran through her.

She was already imagining a life with the blonde, having his children, a big house, even a dog. But those thoughts quickly fled from her mind. She had already suffered a lot in Russia because of a man and would not let a new one into her life so easily.

"So Natasha, you are friends with Miss Potts?" Thor enquired while sipping his champagne.

"Yes, we met in preschool. Eventually, I had to return to Russia, but we've kept in touch."

"Russia? It is a beautiful place, yes? I haven't had a chance to visit it myself, yet I hope someday you could join me there, perhaps be my tour guide." Suggested Thor, charmingly.

"Nat doesn't have the best memories of her country, Thor, but Jane could always accompany you." It was Steve's voice that had cut between the two's attempt at flirtation. Natasha watched as Thor's smile disappeared and was replaced with a very serious glare which he directed at Steve.

"Jane?" She asked confused.

"Jane Foster, Thor's girlfriend." Steve turned to answer her, and the redhead saw Thor's eyes widen as he stared at his friend in disbelief.

Upon this discovery, Natasha felt her heart break into a thousand pieces. This man had a girlfriend and she did not have a chance. She was definitely doomed to suffer in the love department. The images of her boyfriend cheating on her replayed in her head over and over again and she felt the need to both mourn and curse the ex that had betrayed her.

"Excuse me, I need to find the ladies' room." Natasha muttered, hurrying away and leaving the two men alone.

She went into the bathroom, grateful that no one was there. Inwardly, Natasha cursed herself for being so stupid. She rarely ever took interest in someone and the one time she actually set her eyes on a man, he was already dating someone else. While there was still Steve, who was also very handsome, he was not the person she wanted. She had never before been smitten by someone like she had been smitten with Thor Odinson, but she knew it was useless. She would not get in the middle of a relationship.

Exiting the bathroom, Natasha decided to leave the party before anyone noticed her absence. Once in the street, the cool breeze hit her face and she took a deep breath, trying to relax. She was prepared to hail a taxi to take her home when she felt someone tug at her hand.

"Steve, what the hell's wrong with you! Why would you say that to Natasha?" Thor demanded, clearly enraged. He had only just met this woman and his friend had already told her who he was dating.

"Say what? Did I lie, Thor? Your girlfriend is Janeso I wouldn't think you'd be flirting with Natasha in the first place. How many women do you want in your life?"

"That's not your fucking problem, Steve. You should have kept your mouth shut, simple as that!"

"And let you break her heart? You should stay away from Natasha! Everything you touch you ruin!"

Thor's knuckles turned white as he pressed his fists together tightly, trying to hold back his rage. Taking a threatening step toward his friend, he was about to throw a punch when he felt Clint's hand against his chest.

"What's going on here?" Barton questioned. He had noticed the tension between the pair of men and thought it best to approach and calm them down before things got ugly.

"Ask your friend Rogers." Thor spat out bitterly.

Then Thor stormed away from the two men, still furious at Steve. He had no right to meddle in his life, Thor thought, but he knew Steve was right, and that angered him even more. The truth was that he didn't love Jane anymore, and though he could not say that he loved Natasha yet, he did know that he wanted to be near this woman every chance he got.

Suddenly through the crowd, Thor happens to spot the redhead leaving the bathroom and trying to slip away unnoticed for the exit. Without thinking, Thor went after her. He needed to clear things up with her in light of what had happened. He didn't know why he cared so much about what this woman thought, she was after all a complete stranger, but he couldn't imagine being rejected and so he had to try.

He made it downstairs as fast as he could and went out to find her standing there, so beautiful, her hair gently flying in the wind. Rubbing up and down her arms, she fought against the chill, though her short dress seemed ill-suited for the cool night temperature.

Silently, Thor approached and after a gentle touch of her hand, he turned away. He was already in love with her eyes; they were perfect. He already wanted to taste her mouth, to kiss her until he ran out of air… but no, he must control himself.

"Thor?"

Swiftly, he takes off his coat and puts it around her shoulders, smiling a little when he realized how big it was on her small frame.

"Natasha, I'm sorry…"

"Thor, you did nothing wrong. You have a girlfriend, that's fine. Plus it was obvious, such a good looking man without a woman? Only in the movies."

Natasha tried to offer him one of her brightest smiles, though inside she felt destroyed.

"But that whole thing I said about you joining me in Russia, I shouldn't have been so forward. I don't know what went through my head. I…" Thor paused to let out a frustrated breath. "To be honest, I have an uncontrollable urge to kiss you right now and never let you go, but I know it would be wrong." He confesses, then against his better judgement he steps closer to the redhead and tenderly strokes her cheek.

"Of course, it's bad you feel this way! I don't know what else to say, Thor. I mean, you have a wife…"

"Correction, a girlfriend. And I don't think she'll be my girlfriend for much longer."

Natasha sighed. She knew this was a mistake. To stand there wearing his coat and listening to his excuses, it was the stupidest mistake in her life.

Thor's voice brought her back to reality. "I'm taking you home."

"No, it wouldn't be right." She argued.

"Natasha, please. Let me take you home."

"No, I don't really think that's a good idea. Besides, there's a taxi."

Natasha thanked God that a cab just happened to be passing by. If Thor took her home, things could end up getting much worse than they already were. So she stopped the taxi and handed him back the coat he had offered her.

"No, keep it, you're cold." Thor insisted "And at least allow me to take you to coffee."

He was getting desperate now, he knew it. He would have kneeled and begged if he were convinced that it would make her say yes. He would do anything for a chance to see this woman again.

"Okay…fine. How about tomorrow? There's a nice cafe nearby."

"I know it. So, 6PM?"

Natasha just nodded and entered the waiting cab. She rambled off her address to the driver and then watched as Thor gave her a farewell grin and wave.

Once the taxi pulled away, she finally let out the breath she had been holding. Taking off the coat the man had lent her, Natasha inhaled its fragrance and a smile escaped her lips. She knew she was playing with fire and would eventually get burned, but she almost didn't care.