A/N: I know I said that I had 11 chapters planned out but I put a few together as one and I ended up with 9 maybe 10. I don't really know how I'm going to end this story, I had one thought of one way to end it but now I have two. I also might add one or two more chapters, still not sure. But for sure follow me on twitter to get updates on my fics, follow me on Tumblr to see the edits I make and also for some updates on my fics.

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Lies and secrets they are like a cancer in the soul. They eat away what is good and leave only destruction behind.

To say that Natasha had been preoccupied was an understatement. Any opportunity she got to be on her laptop, she would; when she and Steve were having dinner, at night, early in the morning. She knew Steve was getting worried but he didn't push, for which Natasha was beyond thankful.

"Nat, come to bed…please. Its 3 in the morning" Steve's muscular frame slowly made its way across the living room floor, to where she sat on the ottoman.

Green eyes flickered up in acknowledgement, only to return to the screen.

"You've been like that for the past couple of weeks, what is it you're working on?"

"Nothing" The lie to simple and came out so effortlessly. It was an automatic response to anyone who was trying to pry.

"Bullshit" Steve said as he reached for the laptop, only to have her slam it shut.

His blue eyes were filled with worry. He was worried about her. Why wouldn't he be? They were partners, they cared about each other and he loved her. Looking away she stood up, a soft sigh emitting from her lips. Running her hand through her red curls she walked to the window, the snow on the ground making everything seem innocent and pure, things she was not.

"I think we should take a break…" The words split the silence, hanging heavy between them.

"What? What do you mean?" Steve's brows furrowed as he made his way over to her. Her words making no sense, what had brought this up? They were doing fine, weren't they?

"I just…" Taking a deep breath she turned to face time, her features not giving anything away. "I just need space."

Space. How much space? What did she consider 'space'? Was this her way of telling him it was over?

"Natasha, you're just tired. We'll talk about it when you've rested. If-"

"Stop!" Cutting him off, she shook her head before looking at him. "Space and time are what I need"

Without another word she grabbed her jacket, slipping her phone into her jean pocket, she shrugged on the black leather. Grabbing her laptop and keys she headed out the door.

"Natasha. Wait!" Steve called as he made his way after her.

"Space. Please" Her words were soft but she knew he heard her, as he stopped by the door frame. With one last glance she walked down the hallway and down the stairs. The cold air stinging her cheeks as she exited the building. Emotions will only slow you down, Widow. They will prevent you from completing your mission. Getting into her Corvette she tossed the laptop into the passenger side and headed to a coffee shop in Manhattan. The person had to be Russian in order to know about the Red Room program, they also must have known someone within the program itself to know such intimate details. Sergei Veslosky was neither of them; Kadnikov had given her the wrong Intel. Her mind raced thinking of who it could be as she drove. The problem was that she didn't know their names. No one had a name, at least not one they told them. Thinking about it made her zone out, something she could not do while driving.

Once at the coffee shop she sat down with a wall behind herself, having full view of the seats in front of her. It was deserted except for the business people and lawyers who were in line for their morning dose of caffeine. Opening up her computer she started searching, using any and all code-names she could remember; even her own name.

Red Room….

Alisa Katayev….

Red Wolf….

Black Widow…

Erskine….

KGB….

Green hues slowly scanned the screen, not wanting to miss any important information. But she already knew all of it; she'd been searching the same names for the past could of weeks. Normally, it wouldn't take her so long to find someone, but these were not normal circumstances. This had to do with her past. Glancing up she noticed a woman walk past her and towards the restrooms. Pressing a few keys on the keyboard, the screen froze on the main page, getting up she got in the relatively short line and ordered a large coffee. Taking the hot cup from the barista she made her way back to her seat. Sitting down Natasha noticed a newspaper on the table next to her that had not been there before, reaching out she grabbed it and looked at the front page before unfolding it. 'Widow, see weather report. C5' was written in red ink on the inside, glancing around, she turned to C5 only to find more red ink.

'Light snow fall, bring a coat and formal attire. You do remember Russian winters don't you?'

That was a lead. Every nerve in her body was telling her it was. Setting the paper aside she clicked away at the keyboard she opened Google and searched the one name that didn't fit. Sergei Veslovsky. Sure enough, Sergei was going to be speaking at some party in Moscow, the day after tomorrow. Russia it is she thought to herself as she looked that the screen in front of her.

To Be Continued