Here's the next chapter.
Similar to No More Memories, the chapter titles have lyrics from a Broadway show occasionally. With No More Memories, the titles I think were all from Phantom of the Opera. This story's chapters contain lyrics from Les Miserables. Credit goes to those respective lyricists.
"Our plan is going perfectly. The Avengers have no idea who she really is."
"She'll tear them apart from the inside. She has her orders- in three weeks time, she'll lead each of the Avengers into a trap. Our strike teams will pick them off. SHIELD was drawn away from New York City by one of our diversion teams. We'll leave the Stark girl alive- Marie-Grace, the child. And the Maximoff girl. People will place their blame on the foreign Avenger. The Black Widow will live without the Captain for the rest of her days, and she will turn back to her old masters."
"SHIELD is not the only one with technology."
Natasha's anger had continued to build over the next week. Maria's presence was infuriating, and Steve didn't help the matter. They had been dating for almost five years now, and as soon as Maria showed up, he abandoned Natasha to go on numerous dinner dates with the former Agent of SHIELD. It was irritating, Natasha thought angrily. She no longer knew who had the higher place in Steve's heart. For once her life, Natasha had felt like she had gotten the man that she had been waiting for. But now it was ruined by the appearance of someone the Avengers had thought long gone.
Despite her anger at Maria, she was still pleased that her friend really wasn't dead. It had been one of the hardest days of Natasha's life when the Avengers buried Maria's coffin. Now the brunette was back, and the world felt almost right.
Steve had invited Natasha out to see Phantom of the Opera again. Natasha was getting ready. She wore a black dress with glittery thread, so that it shimmered when she moved. The dress complimented her hair well. She was slightly nervous today, because it was their five-year anniversary the next day. Steve had done something special every year prior to today, and she expected something equally special this year.
Steve's knee bounced through the entire show. He couldn't take his eyes off Natasha, sitting next to him, who was striking in her black dress. Steve wasn't sure how girls made dresses sparkle, but h was glad that Natasha was wearing the dress tonight. She looked stunning, as she had for the past five years. Steve couldn't relax during intermission, either, and flipped through the program without really seeing the words on the page.
"What's wrong, Steve?" Natasha asked him once as he almost tore his Playbill in half because he was flipping through it so quickly. "You're really on edge tonight." Steve shrugged and gave a noncommittal grunt.
"Excited for the second act. I like the second better than the first." he lied. Natasha frowned at him but turned back to the stage as the lights dimmed.
The show was amazing, as always. They walked out of the theater, chatting about what they had just seen. It was so similar to the time five years ago that the whole team had went. Steve half-expected Wanda, Clint, and Tony to spring out from the pavement and start making fun of them.
"Want to talk a walk in Central Park?" Steve asked, his heart racing. Natasha smiled at him, her face illuminated by the lights of the city.
"Sure."
Steve reached the spot he had scoped out before, his heart pounding so loudly that he thought that Natasha would hear it. He stopped and turned to face his girlfriend. He pulled something square out of his pocket and held it behind his back.
"Natasha Romanoff." he began. Natasha blinked, and he saw something shift behind her eyes. "Five years ago, we promised to love each other faithfully as boyfriend and girlfriend. You've stuck with me through some rough times and you've helped me adjust to the fast pace of New York City. You've fought beside me on missions. You've protected me when I've needed it. You've been there for me when I was too scared to admit it. You're faithful, brave, and intelligent. And I love you for who you are. So today, I want to ask you a question. I want your honest answer, and I want you to mean what you say. So if you're not ready to answer the question, then I'll wait. And I'll ask you again.
"Natasha Romanoff, will you marry me?"
Probably one of the shortest chapters of my writing career, but maybe one of my favorites! I hope you like it!