See Chapter 1 for disclaimer.

Chapter 13

The team building exercise went surprisingly well, with only minimal structural damage by Thor when the windmill blocked his golf ball. No one questioned Pepper's attendance, or Darcy and Jane's, and the large group successfully managed to neither kill each other nor terrify the staff at the pizza parlor afterward. Unfortunately, this prompted Steve to declare that they would do an activity like this every weekend, barring attacks requiring the Avengers.

Natasha was surprised at how easy it was for her to fall back into the rather boisterous routine of the Tower. Most of the Avengers spent their free time scattered throughout the common floors and she found herself spending more time doing the same than expected. It helped that Pepper continued to attend movie nights and video gaming. And even after Pepper and Tony's break-up became common knowledge, no one questioned it, at least not to her or Natasha's face.

The weekend before Thanksgiving found the group's team building exercise being held at an ice skating rink in Central Park. For once, Natasha was looking forward to the outing. It was one of the few activities permitted in her early life that had born a resemblance to an actual childhood. She didn't let the fact that learning to ice skate, much like learning ballet, had had an ulterior motive bother her anymore.

She also didn't mention to the group that she had her own skates, though both Clint and Coulson were aware, but Pepper caught on immediately as they sat to pull on their footwear.

Despite sitting next to Natasha on the bench, Pepper lowered her voice and asked, "You own your own ice skates?"

Natasha flashed her a grin, eyes practically sparkling for once. "I do. It's one of the few hobbies I was allowed to have, and I still love it."

Pepper grinned back, seemingly automatically, but Natasha could see the hesitation behind it. She dropped the grin. "What's wrong?"

Pepper laughed ruefully. "I'm a terrible ice skater."

"I bet I can change that." She raised an eyebrow in challenge and Pepper met her gaze evenly, still half-grinning.

"You're on."

"Great. Let's go." Natasha practically bounded off the bench and balanced perfectly. She turned to Pepper and looked at her expectantly.

Pepper sighed, shooting her a disgusted look before standing carefully. Natasha suppressed another grin, feeling herself already relaxing at the idea of skating with the few people that she could, and did, count as friends.

Natasha took a few steps toward the rink then half-turned to wait for Pepper. The taller woman sighed and visibly steeled herself before taking a tentative step forward. She wobbled and Natasha instinctively grabbed her hand to help steady her.

Shoving down the warm feeling that stole over her at actually holding Pepper's hand, she said teasingly, "Can walk in four inch Louboutins but can't stand in ice skates."

"Oh, hush."

Natasha laughed softly. "Come on, I'll brace you." They took a few steps forward, still holding hands to prevent Pepper from falling. Natasha ignored the look she could feel boring into her back, knowing it was Clint. Stopping Pepper before they actually stepped on to the ice, she instructed quietly, "Ok, now just relax. Don't think so much about it and it'll become easier."

Pepper nodded hesitantly but gave her a smile. "If you let me fall, Romanoff, I'm going to hurt you."

Natasha laughed. "You could try."

"Oh, I'll find away. Tony will help me."

Natasha mock shuddered. "Well, if that's your threat, I promise to treat you like glass."

Pepper laughed gently. "Ok, let's do this."

Natasha turned so she was facing Pepper and grabbed the woman's other hand as well. Pepper's hands tightened slightly on hers and she gave the other woman a curious look but Pepper wasn't looking at her. Natasha could see a light blush across Pepper's cheeks. She wasn't positive if that was because they were holding hands or just a reaction to the cold. Dismissing the thought, she took a slow step backwards, tugging Pepper's hands gently.

"Just follow me."

Pepper refocused on Natasha and gave her a hesitant smile. Pepper followed the tug, taking slow steps forward in unison with Natasha's backwards ones. They stepped onto the ice and Natasha felt Pepper's hands clamp down on her own almost painfully.

She gave her friend a reassuring smile, deliberately pitching her voice low and warm. "Just relax. It will be fine, I promise. Hold on to my hands and move your feet in unison with mine."

Pepper nodded and after a moment Natasha could feel the grip on her hands relax slightly though Pepper still gripped them firmly. Slowly, Natasha skated backwards, keeping to the edge and watching approvingly as Pepper moved her own feet in unison. Gradually Pepper's hold on Natasha's hands relaxed into a more casual grip. When Natasha made to release Pepper's hands, however, they tightened into almost a death grip.

Natasha winced slightly. "Ok, I won't let go yet. But, um, can I have circulation back please?"

"Sorry." This time it was definitely a blush.

Natasha smiled. "Don't be. You're doing great. Feeling ok?"

"Yes." Pepper smiled. "You're a good teacher."

Natasha felt her own cheeks color in a faint blush and tried desperately to ignore it. "Thanks. Ok, we're going to speed up slightly."

Pepper nodded, her expression taking on a determined cast.

Natasha sped up her strides slowly, moving them closer to a normal skating speed. Pepper concentrated on their feet and continued to move in unison, initially tensing back up then gradually relaxing once more.

Eventually she looked up and met Natasha's gaze. Natasha felt herself blushing even more at the warmth in Pepper's gaze and hoped desperately that Pepper would think it was the cold.

"You know, it's supremely unfair that you can do this backwards that gracefully."

Natasha laughed. "I've had a lot of practice." She gave Pepper a warm grin. "Don't worry; give me the chance and I'll have you skating backwards circles around the others."

"I'll hold you to that."

They shared a warm smile before Natasha said, "Ok, I'm going to let go now." When Pepper's hands tightened once more she added, "I will stay right here, within reach. I won't let you fall."

After a moment Pepper nodded slightly and loosened her grip. Slowly, Natasha released her hands, maintaining the same even pace.

"Are you ok?" Natasha studied Pepper closely, watching for the slightest indication that the other woman was about to lose her balance.

Pepper sounded surprised as she answered, "Yes."

Natasha couldn't help the smug smile. "Told you."

Pepper laughed, actually speeding up slightly. "Is there anything you aren't good at?"

Natasha automatically kept pace, maintaining the same distance though she lowered her hands slightly. "Several. Cooking being one, as you know."

"Remind me to teach you to cook someday."

"You can cook?"

Pepper grinned, clearly amused at Natasha's surprise. "I can. I'm surprised you didn't know that."

Natasha shrugged. "I've never seen you cook. And cooking skills aren't really something SHIELD keeps in their files."

"Fair enough."

They skated in silence for a few minutes, Natasha gradually speeding up and Pepper following. A few times she had to reach out to steady the other woman but as they continued making circuits, Pepper seemed to grow steadily more confident.

Eventually Natasha asked, "You ok on your own for a bit?"

"I… I think so. Where are you going?"

Natasha said reassuringly, "Not far. I just want to work out a few kinks."

Pepper nodded. "Ok."

Flashing another grin, and giving into the urge to wink at Pepper, Natasha sped up before spinning around to face forward, dropping into a crouch and driving herself forward rapidly. She relished in the speed, dodging swiftly around other patrons and laughing happily when Clint pulled up next to her, holding out a hand.

Throwing him a grin, she grabbed his hand and let him pull her into a spin. Letting go, she moved immediately into a jump, performing a quick three rotations before landing solidly. Clint laughed at her, holding out a hand again to pull her into him. She grinned up at him, settling into the skating. He wasn't nearly as good as she, given she'd taught him most of what he knew about figure skating, but his natural agility made him an ideal partner when she felt like doing something more complicated than skating in circles.

They let go of each other, settling into a chase around the ice instead. Rarely did Natasha give into her playful side, especially in public, but this time she decided she just didn't care. Laughing, she dodged Clint's attempts to snag her and ignored the other skaters, particularly their teammates, who were watching the pair.

Spinning to skate backwards once more, she called out, "Come on, Clint! You can do better than that!"

He grinned at her and suddenly increased his speed, moving straight at her much like an arrow shot from his bow. She laughed and dodged the attack deftly, spinning forward again and putting on a burst of speed to catch back up with Pepper who had come to a stop at the side and was watching the pair.

Natasha grabbed her hand. "Come on!"

"What? Tasha, I-"

Pepper didn't get a chance to say more before Natasha pulled her forward. "Trust me. Relax into it." Natasha grinned and spun around to skate backwards again, grabbing both of Pepper's hands once more. "Faster is better."

"Are you sure?" Pepper's expression was deeply skeptical even as she tried to keep up with Natasha's pace.

"Positive. Don't try to skate, just let me pull you. When you're comfortable with the speed, start moving your skates."

They settled into the speed, Clint moving up to skate backwards next to Natasha, occasionally giving Pepper an encouraging word and flashing them both grins. Eventually, Pepper started trying to actually skate and Natasha nodded at her encouragingly. "There you go. Just move your feet in step with mine."

Natasha felt Clint tap her lightly on the arm and glanced at him curiously.

He jerked his head to where the others had gathered at the side and were watching the trio, expressions ranging from uninterested (Darcy and Bruce) to almost disturbingly intent (Tony). "I think they want to leave."

Natasha hesitated, glancing at Pepper. The other woman seemed equally reluctant to leave. Natasha glanced back at Clint. "You guys head out. I think we'll stay a bit longer." She didn't miss the delighted look that flashed across Pepper's face before the other woman carefully schooled her expression back to what it had been.

Clint nodded, gave her what she recognized as a supportive smile, and then skated off. She watched him out of the corner of her eye as he gestured to the others, clearly encouraging them to leave. After a couple minutes they did so and it was just Natasha and Pepper at the ice rink.

The pair settled into their circuits. Natasha recognized after a few laps that she could probably let go of Pepper's hands again but she was enjoying the sensation. Pepper didn't appear to notice or care so Natasha stayed silent, grateful for her tendency to wear fingerless gloves. Pepper's hands were encased in full gloves but they were still warm in Natasha's hands.

After another half an hour of skating in relative silence, Natasha asked, "So, are you coming up to the Tower for Thanksgiving?"

Pepper smiled. "You guys are having a Thanksgiving dinner?"

Natasha smiled back wryly. "Steve wouldn't have it any other way. Which means Tony is all for it. Thor is, of course, enthusiastic about our 'Midgardian customs'."

Pepper was silent, the smile vanishing as soon as Natasha mentioned Tony. Mentally kicking herself Natasha, pulled Pepper off the ice. Once they were both firmly on solid ground, she said softly, "Hey, Pepper, I'm sorry for bringing him up."

Pepper took a deep breath and gave her a clearly forced smile. "No, it's ok. We're over and he's free to move on. It's fine."

Natasha gave her a skeptical look. "It's not fine if it's upsetting you."

The smile was more genuine this time. "It's not upsetting me. It's just… awkward. For me, that is. I'm pretty sure Tony doesn't find anything awkward."

Natasha chuckled. "No, probably not." Sobering she asked, "Are you sure you're ok?"

Pepper briefly touched Natasha's cheek, causing the spy to freeze momentarily. "I'm fine. I promise. And I'd love to come to your Thanksgiving dinner, assuming you want me there."

"You're always welcome." Looking back out over the ice, Natasha smiled and asked, "Are you ready to head out? I know a great coffee place not far from here."

Pepper heaved a clearly relieved sigh. "Yeah, I'm ready." Her voice turned wry. "Not that I didn't have fun but I think my legs are about done for."

Natasha looked back at her with a smile. "Understandable. I –" She stopped herself in midsentence before she could offer to give the other woman a massage. Casually she changed her words. "Relaxing in a hot bath later will help. But in the meantime, coffee."

Pepper looked at her oddly and Natasha met her gaze calmly, using her skills to act as though she hadn't just changed what she was about to say. Pepper's eyes narrowed slightly and Natasha wondered if she was going to insist Natasha finish her original thought. But after a long moment, Pepper nodded slightly. "Sure. Coffee sounds great."