Thick, heavy sweltering streams ran from the circular gaps in the regularly passive cliff; which now resembled that of a waterfall.

Natasha hadn't moved, it was last period and she was most liking going to get in a bucket load of trouble from her Russian teacher. But at the moment she was too overloaded with tears to give a shit about that.
Natasha was too sullen to give a shit about anything.

Even how she looked at this precise moment, nonetheless; the hauntingly piercing stares and sneers affected Romanoff more than she hoped. Soon the corridors were once again deserted, and then feet so stealth like, to anyone else you wouldn't have noticed them, but Nat's emotional state didn't affect her abilities.

Instantly a tender hand; meaning no harm, reached for hers. She refused, wanting to shove herself further into the floor, slowly Bucky sat, turning towards her.
Romanoff had to fight the desire to be held; by anybody, anyone who would hold her. She craved Steve's touch most, but given James' appearance Tasha guessed Rogers' was still getting his arse handed to him. Plus, she needed to do this.

A sick feeling of suspense stared down the former ending tunnel, which was now narrowing; soon it would be suffocating her.
Avoiding Nat's attempts to distance herself from James, his slender fingers interlaced with hers; despite her hesitance she didn't fight for freedom.

"Don't touch what will soon sting you too." Tasha's pleads fell on selective hearing.
"Who've you stung, Natalia?" She tried to conceal the flinch at her...at the Black Widow's birth name.
"Everybody; you, Steve...things haven't been working well lately. I need an out!"

James' hand tightened suddenly, he was going to give her an out. "I have a proposition...but I don't think you're in the right mind set to, accept or deny it."

Quickly he stood up, smiled down at her and then...was absorbed by the shadows. Once she was certain he was gone Natasha ran, she ignored the busy car park as students - and teachers - raced to be the first to leave.
It was at least a mile and a half from the house, but Tasha was home in no time. Not surprised to see Stark, Steve and Barton had beaten her to it, her embrace was rushed with Rogers as the joy of James' latest offer, or more promise of a future offer, escaped her lips; just as Thor and Bruce walked in.
Finally! It looks like we're getting somewhere...

However, their reactions were somewhat disappointing and varied:
Thor began jumping up and down, the vibrations from his pounding feet carrying furniture with him,
Stark raised his hand, not picking up the dark atmosphere as quickly as Romanoff, waiting for a high-five, which he didn't receive.
Banner and Barton were sharing mixed feelings, proud of the break through, but anticipating a longer journey to the light at the end of the tunnel.
Whereas Steve...for the first time Nat was really struggling to interpret his mood; his teeth were gritted and his jaw set. But he seemed to have a half smile on his face, his eyes were glazed and withdrawn, off in another reverie. His forehead crinkled with lines of concentration, but he wasn't frowning.
He almost looked sorrowful.

"Steve, what's going on?" He didn't answer straight away, instead he slowly sat down; for once revealing an image of potential weakness; resembling his actual age during his long descent.
"I've been momentarily excluded from school, but that's not the worst news...
Fury called, he said our deadline is quickly approaching and at the moment we have nothing to show for our investigation. This mission is so close to being proved pointless..."

Thor's high suddenly dropped to the tempo of the room as his Asgardian interpretations caught up with the Midgardians' always wavering emotions. "But...Natasha has been invited to join Hydra. Is this not enough evidence?"

Barton's arms folded sharply "Technically, we don't know what Romanoff has been invited to."
Steve continued "Which is why it's so dangerous, I don't think you should attend."

Stark's sigh of protest covered Tasha's squeal "Cap you're complaining because we have no evidence for our mission, but now you're denying Red the chance to gain evidence? Tell me how you think that's fair, old man?"

Steve crept along the path of uncertainty "Because..."
Romanoff's tongue was just as sharp as a knife, she struck the explanation away. "NO." The daring eyes swerved to face Natasha, the Black Widow was seeping out, about to conceal Romanoff completely. "I'm meeting them. I have to, guys...we're so close to leaving this...damn place behind. But you won't let me take the first step towards it? That's bullsh-"

Steve's tone punched back just as hard "Nat!" He was not in the mood for arguing, but Tasha wasn't backing down. How could she ignore the growing light from the end of the tunnel? The end of their suffering; Steve's suffering.

But being the intuitive spy she was, Nat knew she'd need a different approve. Anger couldn't win a war, strategy and reason was the best weapon any army could wield. "Look Steve, I know it's dangerous. But we all knew this mission had risks from the beginning, if you had a problem with it you should have told Fury all those weeks ago.
But you didn't.
Because you know we can handle this, for Gods' sake we've fought an army from another realm before! And I've been in a lot worse situations before...I can handle it. The question is, will you trust me to?"


Testing his loyalty and faith in his own team; in Natasha, was a bold and strong move. Rogers' knew he couldn't respond without giving her cause to claim their own leader didn't believe in them, Steve wouldn't stand for that.
But he also couldn't give her a valuable explanation, anything he'd be able to fathom would reveal his true feelings towards her; although Nat and Steve had a very open relationship - you had to in this industry - Cap knew, without a doubt, Nat would take any personal concern for her safety as more of a reason to prove him wrong.
Everybody knows Tasha can take care of herself, but Steve was with her now and that meant his protective and, dare he admit it, possessive nature was only going to intensify.

Defeat radiating off Steve like a powerful odour he caved "Fine, but...we're planning this out properly. I want ears and eyes all over the shop."


Nat was right about one thing, Steve was dead serious.
After she'd revealed that the meeting Coach had invited her to was the next Wednesday (two days from now) Rogers' and Stark had gone into full battle mode.

Steve using his experience from World War 2, Nat could clearly have seen him in a heated room filled with generals and soldiers, demonstrating his skill, intelligence and ability. Whereas Stark was helping neaten up the edges, using the correct terminology for digital devices and pointing out that they didn't need to do much more than set up a few cameras and microphones.

It was now later in the evening and Romanoff was tired, but her curiosity and need to see Steve was overwhelming. Nat found herself opening his door before closing her own, she rushed inside meaning to double check the plans for the day after tomorrow and check he was okay with everything…but what she saw extinguished that idea.
He had just gotten out of the shower, his skin golden and damp, droplets of attraction were still on his soft skin, a towel was tided - somewhat loosely - around his strong waist.

Natasha's face was warm with a welcomed blush;
white paper tinted with patches of red crayon.

Romanoff made to turn away when Steve's eyes reached hers, his ears darkened to a bright pink at being admired.

"Sorry, I'll come back...later." Nat was scared to move, scared of what would happen if she did move; would he stop her? Scared of what would happen if she didn't move; would he force her to?

Eventually the decision was taken out of her hands; Steve said "No, you can stay." a little quicker than average. Swiftly his cheeks flushed as his skin was flooded with red, hot embarrassment.
Natasha turned, sharing a coy smile with him.

Her hands felt heavy and numb by her sides, suddenly noticing them. Nat needed to do something with them, she felt they were drawing attention; idly they folded in her pockets. Now she felt awkward and stiff, you would have thought they'd never encountered before; then he smiled at her.
That light in the tunnel she always referred to; it was him; Steve Rogers.

Suddenly Nat's lungs gulped for air, she inwardly cursed realising she'd been holding her breath. Widow spied a silent chuckle rocking Cap's body at her frustrated face; Romanoff couldn't take her eyes off him.

They were intermit, they'd shared many heated kisses and desperate hugs; they'd even shared a bed many a time. However, that was the furthest they'd gone and this was the most she'd seen of Steve...completely and utterly Steve.

The spy stared at the soldier in awe, he was breath taking.

Nat found her elegant legs carrying her forwards, blue and green eyes were locked in place; nothing was breaking their stare. Their breaths were synchronized, like interlacing fingers, as Tasha stood before him, close enough to touch him without straining or overreaching.

Nerves fluttered wildly in her stomach as her tingling fingers reached up, Cap leaned down, capturing the teasing butterflies.

Her slender fingers held his check;
Graceful petals rested against the delicate leaves.

Their breathing was slow and deep, though quickly escalading.
Natasha could hear her heartbeat in her chest as their gasping lungs ran to the shallow end of the pool, fast inhales and exhales.

Carefully, Steve's strong right-arm curled around Nat's back, holding and pulling her towards him. His warm, bare bicep was tense against her shirt, making it stick to her due to the slight layer of drying water.

After a period of long held glances, heavy, hot hands and mixed breathing, Natasha finally took the daunting leap.

On her tiptoes she just reached his shoulders, but with Steve helping their lips met.

At first it was a soft, tentative kiss. Something that you'd see in the movies, slow and romantic, it brought the feeling of sunny days, warm water, choruses of giggles, picnic's in the park and the smell of flowers danced around the frame of her senses. Then when Natasha's hand slipped from cupping his cheek down to gripping his shoulders the kiss quickened.

One of Steve's hands rested on the small of her back, whilst the other crept up her back, tracing circles on her spine, until it was surrounded by her crimson tassels; holding her in place but also gently tugging and pulling.
By now the kisses had evolved into quick bursts of dirty, desperate passion.

After several more seconds of pleasure Nat felt the confidence to explore him, her hands danced along his chest, pinching, scraping and tracing wild patterns along his bare skin. Suddenly Steve's' mouth separated from Nat's, allowing her to gather her breath whilst Steve's fiery lips were concentrated on her neck and collar-bone.

A chaos of groans and moans escape Nat's trembling lips, then she leaned forwards. She was on the tip of her toes when Steve noticed her struggling and wrapped his right arm around her thighs and lifted. The pleasant surprise exploded a gasp from Natasha's mouth and then her legs interlocked around his waist, resting comfortably over the soft towel.
Then it was Steve's turn to squirm as Nat sucked on his earlobe, whilst cautious fingers fiddled with the buttons of her concealing shirt, seconds later it was discarded on the floor and Steve brought his face away to look at her.

His blue hues filled with wonder as he took in the beauty that was Natasha, moments later their lips are seeping such powerful passion Nat's gulping at the air every chance she can get.
Steve's fingers burn against the top of her jeans, and Nat desperately wants to get them off.

As if hearing her thoughts Steve gently lets go of her legs, still dropping her which erodes excitement from inside her. But before she can even think of taking off her jeans Steve shoved her against a wall, his lips teasing at the confinement of her breasts. An idea than seeds in her brain caused Nat to spin around, pulling Steve against her, her back hitting him hard.

A groan of approval summons a chuckle from her red rose lips and then her hair is pulled back from her head, revealing her neck. Slowly a whisper of a kiss spreads down her spin and Nat thrusts harder and then Steve throws her around facing him and claws at her jeans until they're off.

Soon after a towel lands heavily against the floor, then black, lacy underwear.

A squeal of surprise bounces against the walls as two figures land on the once lonely bed.


Two days fly by faster than an arrow in the air and before Steve knows it, he's alone with Nat, waiting to drive her to her first - and hopefully - last meeting.

She's changing into training gear whilst Steve stands at the back of the room, watching.

After the other evening Steve's struggled to find a reason not to smile whenever he's been around her, now...he may have one. His reflection was reflected in the mirror, seen and interpreted by the glancing spy who quickly steps away from her mirror and turns to Cap.

"Hey...I can do this." Her hand fits in his, like a glove.

"I know," he tries to smile, but it feels forced so he gives up, knowing Nat will know the difference. "It's just...hard to leave you..."

Her hand squeezes his as a frown forms between her delicate brows "Hey! You're not...you never would...You guys are gonna be watching me the whole time. And I'm always going to be on comm; hey...if you get the slightest bit iffy you can wait outside...I may even let you pick me up after." Her teasing has no usual affect. So she steps closer, attempting for him to know she's invading his personal space.

"I'll tell you what...when I get back, we can continue from the other night." Her whisper causes Steve's breath to shorten and he eyes her dancing eyebrows. Cap chants "Deal!"
Then he pulls her in a passionate kiss, opening her mouth with his tongue and taking dominance easily whilst Nat stumbles in surprise.

Finally Natasha felt the strength to untangle her limbs from his and together they walked to the kitchen, hand in hand, they soon met with the rest of their team. Anxious eye contact was made and then Nat collected the rest of her equipment and then muffled some goodbyes, squeezing Clint's hand whilst winking before following Rogers' into the garage.


The car journey was too quiet and short to be completely comfortable, but the words neither of the couple could face saying were passed between silent stares and tender touches. Then Steve pulled up, a few blocks away from the school, his lights off and he leaned into Natasha before whispering "I'll see you later, remember...we've got your back." All Romanoff could master was a stoic nod before lightly kissing Cap's check. In the absence of Nat's close body Steve shivered and then pulled her back in such a flash Tasha couldn't comprehend what was her and what was him, she was close enough that all she could see were his lips as he said "I love you Natasha."

Without skipping a beat Nat recuperated "I love you too Steve." With one final nod she climbed out of the car and waited a minute outside the door, her eyelids closed. Once she stepped away from the road she waited...10 maybe 20 minutes before he finally drove away.
It was at this point when Romanoff began walking towards the school building that it hit her, like a blade. That was the first time we'd said...it!

Once Natasha had composed herself she strutted into the school, her head held high and made her way straight towards the gym. During her journey she heard muffled cries of laughter and a strong thumping sound; she rounded the corner and saw James holding a long combat metal pole, facing off against Pietro who also had an exact replica of the pole.

As soon as Nat made her presence noticed, by stepping out of the shadows a large bang signalled a dropped pole and Peggy Carter screamed "What is SHE doing here!" Her piercing eyes were glued to Nat and Widow had to admit, despite needing to be here for the mission another side perk was the affect her appearance had on Carter.

Nat made to expand on her presence but Coach materialised from the opposite shadows and said "I invited Romanoff, I believe she could be a possible...recruit, if not future asset." Peg went to declare her loath of the idea but Barnes warded her off by opening his arms to welcoming Nat, Widow followed through, hoping her reluctance was hidden well - of course it was she's the Black Widow.

Appearing from a distant corner Wanda crept, silent as a cat, her eyes inquisitive but her expression was anything but threatening. Her hand slowly raised and resembled that of a timid wave of welcome. Tasha was genuinely surprised with pleasure at the sight and responded with a firm warm smile.

"Natasha...I'm glad you're here." James whispered in her ear and Nat couldn't help but raise her shoulders, it could have been interpreted as a shiver, but Nat knew it looked like a flinch. She tried to play it off, by taking James' hand, but she saw the light in his eyes dampen ever so slightly.
She'd have to fix that later.

Luckily Coach saved her from any further problems by announcing "Okay, so we're just going to do a slight warm up and then...Romanoff we've got a treat for you." The wicked grin on his face was bittersweet, it reminded her of a sickly sugary treat, one you'd come to regret soon after consuming.

They were put into teams, Nat was glad to see she had Wanda and Ward - She remembered Ward, he'd been a Hydra agent working in SHIELD, but luckily it was doubtful he'd know who Romanoff was let alone remember her. At the time he was working for SHIELD she had just started working for the KGB, soon after she was recovered by Barton and from then on kept in complete secrecy. Only the best of the best would have known of Widow's rescue whilst Ward was there. Thank God he'd been discovered shortly after; otherwise God knows what would have happened when they'd just 'met' - Carter, Pietro and Barnes were on the opposing team.

The winning team was the first team to have tackled their opponents to the ground. So the first thing her team had discussed was who they'd go up against. It was obvious the best choice for Wanda was Pietro - because they're both enhanced and wouldn't completely kill the other...probably.
Romanoff was glad to see that Ward didn't instantly imply he should go against James, though he hinted. However Nat was NOT backing down, she'd let out her anger, as well as try and show off her potential and fix the constant cracks opening up between them.
That meant Ward had Carter, which Nat thought was fair, he had an easy job.

They soon turned to face off against their opponents, three lioness and three lions. Nat smirked flirtatiously at Bucky, hoping to distract him; he winked back revealing a coy smile.

Abruptly the whistle was blown and Pietro disappeared immediately, Ward ran to tackle Peggy, but Romanoff and Barnes stayed exactly where they were, staring down each other.
It had been a long time since they'd properly battled against one another. As if reading her thoughts Barnes yelled "Just like old times, hey Romanov?"
Subconsciously, the pair began circling one another, drawing closer by the second.
Confidence dripped off her tongue "Except of course I'm gonna kick your arse!" A disbelieving snarl was his only response.

Suddenly a flash of red caught Romanoff's eye, she followed the spiral and her eye caught the hidden camera, Nat had completely forgotten they were watching as if on cue Stark whispered in her ear - her comm - "Eyes on target Red!" Nat spun, dodging a punch to the head from behind. Fury burned in her eyes, she desperately wanted to tell Tony to shut up, but that would reveal her cover.

Leaping into the air, Nat ducked and dived; turning away kicks and punches like they were made of feathers. James then did a stomach-churning horizontal spin in the air, something Nat had only ever seen one other person do before; Rogers.

Her shock was her downfall, the kick hit her straight in the stomach and she went down. Bucky going with her, landing on top of her, however his mistake was not pinning her legs down. Immediately Nat flipped him over her shoulders, jumping up straight after and catching his foot with her right hand. Quickly she ran away from him, only to turn on her heel and charge towards him.
Her hands grabbed his shoulders and she flung them backwards, going into a rollie-pollie and pinning him down.
This time Nat aimed to pin his legs down, but she underestimated his speed and arm strength, Barnes pushed her up high enough in the air that her body tipped forwards.

They were both back on their feet, Bucky then went in to tackle Widow's knees, Tasha couldn't help but grin as he did so. She flung her hips upwards and her thighs gripped his neck, tightening with the perfect amount of pressure. "GO LADY NATASHA!" Thor chanted in her ear, Nat couldn't help but flinch from the amplification, her grip loosed slightly, slightly.

In the background of her comm she heard loud slaps and somebody snarling "THOR!"

When his face started to turn a light shade of purple Nat released her hold and once again was shocked with his quick recovery. The Winter Soldier was coming to play now.

He chucked her off his shoulders high into the air, and ran to the opposite side of the hall. When Nat landed in a cat-like stance her feet were taken out from under her. But she was straight back up, grabbing a potential punch to the head, then throwing her own.

The battle went on like this for a while and then Nat left her right side vulnerable whilst dodging a flying Carter, and James had her right hand pinned behind her back. Then Nat kicked him in the...special treasure and he feel to one knee. Tasha began to step up his front, kicking him down. He was about to fall back when the whistle was blown.

The huffing pair turned to see Carter pinned by Ward and Pietro frozen in air, mid curse, "That's the end of the game, Romanoff's team wins." Pietro suddenly fell, like a feather from the sky, Ward got of Peggy, helping her up and Nat removed herself from Barnes, slowly.

Romanoff could have sworn somebody from the opposite team would complain or declare a rematch, at least that's what the avengers would do if they did anything like this. But surprisingly nobody did, instead everybody recovered and wondered over to the Coach.

A tiny whisper echoed in her ear, which put a beaming smile on her face. "That's my girl." Nat felt her insides turn to jelly at the sound of his voice. James then saw her facial expression and asked her "What are you sooo happy about, Romanov?" Nat's sly grin returned "I beat your arse didn't I?" He coughed and bent forwards, which was just a cover to attempt to tackle her. Nat saw it a mile away but decided to let him have it, but then she yanked on his arm and he dropped her.

Coach began talking "That was excellent skill shown from EVERYBODY! Now that the warm up's done, we're moving onto something else."
He ended it like that and walked towards the door, curiously the group followed. Nerves wavered between the gang, although nobody showed any real concern.

They finally came to an opening and there, before the group with Coach beaming proudly was a black leather chair, attached to a computer and several hospital looking pieces of machinery. Off to the right of the room was a large mirror, next to a locked door. Nat observed the room and concluded her theories. It was one-way glass.
That meant they were people on the other side of the glass; meaning they were here to watch.

Nat tried to conceal her tiny gulp, she'd beaten many lie detectors before, but if this was Hydra, God knows how she'd cope.


"James, you really don't have to give me a lift home." Barnes ignored her, leading her to his car.
It was after the training session, Nat had completed the lie test, so had everybody in fact. But she felt she had been the one they were actually testing, things must have gone well though, because she was invited back and promised more information.

Now it was late into the evening and Steve was most likely about to leave to collect her when Barnes offered, "Nat...come on. How else are you gonna get home?"

Natasha folded her arms, fighting off the cold "I'll walk." Her eyes said; If you say it's too dangerous I'll punch you...

"Come on, I've seen you in some of your worst places. I think I can handle whatever place you've found yourself now." Nat shook her head, "James, please. I just...you know how it is. Just let me go." He was reluctant, but he released her hand and wished her goodnight, instantly she felt guilty and ran to amend it.

Her arms wrapped around him and the hug was very stiff and Natasha hated the memories that came with it, at least he didn't pull away though. There was also some kind of comfort that came with the hug; familiarity.
It definitely wasn't safe, but it was known.

Quickly they separated and once out of sight Natasha starting running, she turned around the corner into their house when she stopped suddenly. Wanda stood before her "Wanda...what are you?" She was silent for a while, Nat began to panic. If Wanda was here where was Pietro?

As if sensing an issue the rest of the avengers assembled outside, gasping when seeing the witch. "What is she..." Barton began but was silenced by a red spiral escaping Wanda's hand.
She spoke, as if from a distance, her voice sounding like it was completely around Nat, like it was in her head.
"I saw into your mind, Natasha." Silence followed "I know...everything..." A gasp escaped the avengers as Wanda spun a snapshot of each memory she'd seen in Natasha's mind, from the shock on her teammates faces they were clearly seeing this too.

Nat didn't mind that they were seeing the plan, but they also saw her pain. The pain only Steve knew and the pain even he didn't, even the pain Nat hadn't been able to pinpoint herself.
She was naked, vulnerable; on show...Natasha Romanoff had always been naked...