Chapter 4 It was the night of the party. All the avengers were informed to dress up like they were invited to the party only to be company, not to guard the rest of the group. Clint walked back into the room just as Natasha was putting in her earrings. The full body mirror she was looking at face the door, so she didn't even look when he entered. She did smile at the way he blushed when he saw the back of he dress was not zipped, exposing her full back. "Zip me up, please?" She said sweetly. She was in a tight purple evening gown that hugged every one of her lovely curves. The pearl string necklace was highlighted by the low neckline of the dress, making her look like a goddess. He hair was pulled back to expose a small tattoo near her ear. When Clint went to zip up the dress, he kissed her on that tattoo. It was all in Russian, so he didn't know what it said. She was also wearing white elbow-length gloves that Clint didn't notice until they were wrapped around his neck. "You look marvellous." She whispered to him. He was just in a simple black suit, nothing special compared to her. "Me? No no YOU look marvellous. Gorgeous, actually. I'm sorry, I'm out of words." He was shocked by her beauty. And that she, the acclaimed Russian killer, was in a DRESS. "Let's get to that party, eh? They are expecting us." She said. Soon they were walking up the stairs to some grand city building, and entering a world of light. Everything was golden and there was music and laughter. When they came to the stairs to the ballroom, a man was waiting with a list. "Names?" He said, looking at them over his spectacles. "Clint Barton and Natasha Romanoff." Clint replied. The man checked his list and , of course, they were on it. Another man near the stairs was informed, and he grabbed a microphone. "Introducing Sir Clint Barton and Lady Natasha Romanoff, esteemed guests." he read. Several of the avengers were at the bottom of the stairs turned to look. Clint bowed to Natasha, ginning widely. Natasha retuned with a curtsy and accepted Clint's outstretched hand. The descended the steps to meet their friends. As they got there they noticed Bruce handing tony a 20$ bill. "Run out of cash, Stark?" Clint asked, still grinning with Natasha on his arm. "Hardly, Bruce here just lost a bet to me." Tony tucked the money in his breast pocket. "What did you bet on?" Natasha didn't really care but there was nothing else to talk about. "Whether or not you guys were dating..." Bruce mumbled. A hot red flush coated Natasha's face. They were betting on her relationship? "Oh, and I um," Tony approached the pair "wanted to apologise for being a douche on the plane..." Tony honestly looked regretful. He lifted his eyes from his shoes to clients eyes, then Natasha's. "It's ok, tony, you were drunk." Natasha said soothingly. A song picked up and several couples stood to join the dance. "Hey, I know this, it's Russian!" Natasha turned to Clint. "Well then, may I have this dance?" He extended his hand to her. "You may." She took his hand, and they were off. Swaying and spinning with the fast paced love ballad, she felt like she was in a tornado of fabric and skin. But more controlled, more loving and careful. As the song was wrapping up, Clint dipped Natasha. His face was coming down toward hers, she grasped his face and... They were lucky the explosion didn't kill them. The entire company fell to the floor to avoid death by shrapnel. When they stood up from the explosion, the man standing with the now-terrorists was... Loki.