Six months. Six months searching for her. Six months searching for her and we have nothing. I really shouldn't be surprised. She's a trained Russian Spy and a SHIELD agent, she is always prepared to go off the grid. Unfortunately for us, that means we have not been in contact with Natasha for six months.

I mean, technically I am the only one that's trying so hard. I kind of thought we were becoming a family of sorts, she was my best friend and the one that helped me adjust to this second chance at life. I missed get like crazy. After I almost died on our last mission, I had heard her talking to Clint in the hospital room. Saying something about realizing her feelings. Saying something like 'I can't do this anymore.' And the thought of never seeing Natasha again scared me to death.

Walking into the lab, I heard distinct voices. One belonged to Clint for sure, talking in a hushed whisper. When I rounded the corner, I definitely didn't expect to see Natasha on the projector on skype. They quickly hung up and I could feel my temperature rise with anger.

All of it directed toward Clint right now. I pointed a finger accusingly his way. "You knew. You knew where she was this whole time, knowing I was looking for her and you didn't tell me." I got threateningly close to his, my height towering over his even more so now that I was furious. My voice raised significantly.

He took a step back, around the desk and put space between us. "Steve. I know how this looks. I'm sorry."

I glared at him. "I thought we were friends. I thought we all were. What the hell Barton?"

He sighed. "Look, Nat needed to sort some stuff out and she needed space, and I just so happened to help her through it at the time." I was hurt and angry for being kept out of the loop.

Suddenly, with some rage, I took him by the collar, slamming him against the wall. "I'm only going to ask once. Where is she?" I asked through gritted teeth. He looked up at me and sighed in defeat.

Arriving at the farm- my anger rose again but I willed myself to keep it down. He had her. At. His. House. Without letting us know. What was she hiding that she couldn't tell us. Tell me, at least. Exiting the quinjet, it took all that I had not to run to her and envelope her when I saw her. She however- didn't look as happy to see me. She glared at Clint as we came into earshot.

"What the fuck Clint?"

I rolled my eyes. "Language." I reprimanded.

She didn't glance at me, still yelling at Clint.

"I told you not to tell anyone. I told you I had to sort it out. I told you I would face him when I was ready. But you go ahead and bring him her-"

I cut her off, obviously hurt.

"The problem is me?" I tried my best not to sound heart broken but I'm not sure it worked.

"Yes, Steve. It is you. I'm not ready. I couldn't handle being around you when I'm not ready. I needed time. I need space. I can't do this." She ranted to me yelling, not directly mad at me like she had been Clint though.

"What cant you do? Why are you doing this? What aren't you telling me?" I yelled back.

"That I love you." She yelled, and I stopped dead in my tracks, anger leaving my body like a flowing faucet.

"What?" I said quietly.

"I love you." She whispered, barely audible. "I'm in love with you Steve."

I laughed. Out loud, I couldn't help it. I shook my head in disbelief. She furrowed her brow, but I couldn't tell her mood. Angry? Hurt? Definitely confused. I stopped laughing immediately and got very serious stepping closer to her.

"That's what was eating you? That's why you ran?" I was slowly closing the distance.

"Nat, I love you too. I have ever since we sat in Sam's guest bedroom together. I never thought-" I stopped then. Deciding that I was close enough to press our mouths together. Clint had disappeared some time and I just now noticed his absence.

After a while, of trying to make her believe me, I pulled back but pressing our foreheads together.

"Come home."