Even though he was driving, Steve was distracted by the sky. There wasn't much to see; the bright lights of New York and the smog from the area drowned out the constellations and planets.

"You're quiet," Natasha said.

He glanced over at her. "I was just thinking about the sky," he told her.

Her head turned to her window. "There really isn't one," she said.

"That's what I was thinking," he said. "I remember when I was growing up seeing the stars being so much brighter; well, actually visible. It's kind of sad when I can't look up at the same part of the sky that I did when I was a child and not being able to see the same things."

She was now looking down at her lap. "The stars are sort of my safety blanket," she started. "I've been training since I was young to be an agent. In Russia they looked one way, and then I was taken away and they looked different. But no matter where I went, they were always there and they were just comforting, I guess. It was like no matter how many people I lost or how many times I moved around they were just watching me."

Steve silently listened to her. It was interesting that she was being so open, especially with him when they hadn't even really started speaking to each other until a few weeks ago.

"And then, one day it was the last time I looked at the stars."

"What happened?" He instantly shut his mouth after the words were out, as if he crossed some line he wasn't suppose too with that question.

She didn't look up at him. "I was sitting on a roof somewhere in India, just looking at the sky. There was no wind, nobody around; just me and the buildings below. The next day I was sent on a new mission. When night settled that next day, I looked up at the sky, but they weren't there. To be honest, I was scared. They had always kept me calm, and now in the face of danger for the millionth time they were gone. When I started panicking, I told myself to get over it. And I never looked at the stars again."

He was clueless on how to respond. "I…."

"You don't have to say anything." She lifted her head up, her scarlet hair falling in front of her eyes.

"No, I just… I don't know what to say, but I want to say… something."

"It's better if you don't. I thought I was over it, but maybe I'm just missing them a tad bit."

Steve didn't say anything. He just absorbed what she had said, still in disbelief that she had trusted him that much. He was sure she hadn't even told Clint that. He didn't know if he was supposed to return it with something personal, or just keep quiet the rest of the ride. The silence was broken by Natasha again.

"Did you ever stargaze?" she asked. "I came name you all the constellations."

"I'm a little rusty," he responded. "I can tell you a few."

"Sometime we'll have to go find a spot where you can see the stars and just find them together." She gave him a warm smile.

He returned the grin. "I would like that."

They arrived at his apartment building. "Would you like to come inside?" he asked her.

She nodded and took his arm before he could take hers. Feeling his face get warm again, he led her up to his apartment and shut the door behind them. "It's not much, I know," Steve said quickly as she looked around. "I know I'm not as rich as Tony, but you know, home." He gave a bashful smile.

"Steve, you're worrying again. I think it's cozy." She smiled again, placing a hand on a counter. Her eyes went to the glass door covered by blinds. "What's that?"

He turned to the door. "Oh, that's my little balcony. It really helps me think."

She headed towards it, pulling back the blinds. "May I?"

He nodded as she slid the door open and stepped on to the small terrace. The lights from below made her eyes sparkle. "I come out here at night when I can't sleep," he told her. "It's really not anything."

"I think it's rather nice up here." A moderate wind blew her hair back. As she turned to face him, strands of her hair whipped her face. "Steve, I've had a nice night."

"I'm glad. I have too."

She smiled her mysterious smile and turned back to face the city below.

"It's sort of chilly up here," Steve commented.

She shrugged. "I'm always warm."

"I am too, but even I can acknowledge that this wind is nippy."

"I guess you could say that."

Steve stepped closer to her, now just a few inches away. She stood up straighter, her head brushing his shoulder. Goosebumps formed on his arms as she closed her eyes and stayed close to him. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and pull her even closer, but he didn't know if that was inappropriate.

After what seemed like an eternity, she opened her eyes again and turned around to face him. "I guess I'll be going now," she told him. "We should do this again."

"Agreed," he said.

She smiled at him as she left the balcony. "See you tomorrow." Their gazes locked for a second before she turned and shut the door behind her.

Steve looked up at the sky again. He could've sworn he saw something twinkle.