She couldn't remember why she had agreed to this in the first place. It was stupid, really. She wasn't afraid of being out in public like a normal person; public displays of affection just made her uncomfortable. And what made it worse was the fact that Steve was so excited. He had been looking forward to this night for weeks.

All the local politicians in New York were hosting some sort of publicity event. Black tie. Very formal. Very exclusive. And, of course, everyone notable had been invited—including the Avengers. Well, specifically Steve and Tony; those two alone had the power to make this a lucrative evening. Naturally, Steve couldn't say no to the invitation; he'd be helping a lot of people, after all. Also, unsurprisingly, he'd asked her to be his date. They had been "officially" dating for eight months now. Their friends had known about it for five months, and the public had just recently discovered their romantic connection. That was what kept her on edge. Of course, everyone assumed that she was with Steve, but this would give them proof.

She couldn't stand it. The whole world knew all of her secrets by now. Did they really need to pry even further into her private and romantic life? That was her other problem. She knew that Steve had never read her file. He didn't know everything about her past or the terrible things she had done. He said he didn't want to read it—that he trusted her to tell him about it when she felt comfortable. God, he was too good for her. Anyway, she was afraid that someone would say something or some tabloid would print something that he didn't know about her. That he was too good for her. How she was a villain and he was a hero. She was afraid that he would finally realize that they're right. He would recognize the truth behind their words and then he would leave her. That was why she was absolutely terrified.

She guessed she wasn't doing a very good job of hiding her anxiety, either. Steve kept asking her if she was alright. And she was okay. Just slightly terrified—for the first time in her life—about her future. Her future with him. She loved Steve. She had never told him out loud, but she did. He told her that he loved her all the time, and he also said that he didn't need to say it out loud. That she could take her time. Well, now she was worried that she wouldn't have much time left; that he'd realize what a huge mistake he's been making by loving her.

She'd been so caught up in her own thoughts that she didn't even realize that it had gotten so late. They were leaving in an hour and she was just starting to do her hair. She snapped out of her daze and tried to focus on the task at hand. Hair, makeup, dress, jewelry. It was easier to forget about what could happen tonight if she focused on one thing at a time.

Steve checked his watch for what felt like the hundredth time. He was standing in Natasha's living room, waiting for her so they could leave for the event. He was dressed in some ridiculously expensive tux what Tony had helped him pick out. It was Gucci, he thought. All navy with a black bowtie and a white pocket square. It was a high-profile event, after all. "Hey, I'm so sorry I'm running late," Natasha emerged into the living room, digging in her clutch for something. Steve's breath caught in his throat and his heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. She was in black. The A-line gown hugged her bust and torso. At her waist, the tulle flowed outward, making the dress somewhat poufy. That wasn't the best part, though. The dress was covered in small silver crystal. They completely covered the top of the dress, but then began to scatter and fade as you moved down to the bottom of the skirt. Her hair was pinned up in some sort of bun, loose red curls framing her face. Her makeup was done well; she had more on than she normally wore but it wasn't overdone. He didn't expect her to wear something so, well, girly. Nonetheless, she was stunning.

"I lost track of time and—" he cut her off, pulling her into him for a heated kiss. After a second, he pulled away to observe her up close.

"Wow," he breathed, a dopey smile on his face.

"You like it, huh?"

"Nat, you look..." he trailed off, twirling her around slowly. "You look incredible. You're beautiful," he pulled her in for another tender kiss. Of course, he thought she was beautiful each and every day. But this...he couldn't form a coherent thought to describe how amazing she looked in that dress.

"You clean up pretty nice yourself," she smirked, smoothing down the lapels of his jacket. And her really did look great; she'd have to thank Tony later. The navy of his tux made his bright blue eyes stand out even more than they usually did. And she knew it was wrong, but all she wanted was to rip that expensive suit right off him. But in all fairness, he was looking at her like he wanted to do the same thing to her dress. He leaned in to kiss her again, but she turned her face. "I thought we were running late?" she raised an eyebrow and his face fell. "Don't worry," she whispered pulling him in close. "We can come back to this later."

Natasha released a breath that she hadn't realized she was holding in as the limo pulled up to the event. Steve looked over to her and half-shrugged his shoulders. "Ready?"

"No," she sighed. "But if I'm going to do this, you're the only one I want to do it with." She offered up a small smile.

He reciprocated her gesture, picking up her hand and pressing a light kiss to the back of it. He turned, opening the limo door and stepping out onto the rec carpet. Well if that isn't over the top, Natasha thought to herself. She could see the bright camera flashes going off in Steve's face. She should've expected it, but it still annoyed her to no end. Steve looked back into the limo through the open door.

"Coming?" he offered her a small smile along with his hand. Natasha nodded, entirely unsure of herself for the first time that she could remember. Not much was out of Natasha's comfort zone; but this—being with Steve, someone so good and pure and unlike her—was way outside of her comfort zone. But she had to do this. Take this step, both physically and metaphorically. So she accepted Steve's hand and let him lead her out of the limo.

She stepped out onto the carpet and was pretty sure she heard a collective gasp from the group of reporters who immediately began to bombard them with questions.

"So the rumors are true?"

"Are you two an item?"

"Captain, how long have you been romantically involved with Black Widow?"

Steve wasn't in the mood to answer any of these pointless questions. He wanted some things in his life to remain somewhat private. Like his relationship with Natasha. He wasn't ashamed of their relationship, and he wanted everyone to know that they were together. But that's as far as it went. Anyone outside of their small "family" didn't need to know anything more about their relationship.

He dropped his hand to Natasha's waist and protectively guided her past the reporters and photographers, refusing to answer any questions. The two eventually made it inside the venue. Steve still held onto Natasha protectively, his hand around her waist, holding her close to him.

"Thanks," Natasha said softly, twisting out of Steve's grasp.

"Come on, Nat," Steve smiled at her knowingly, taking her hand in his. "You're my date. Met me be your date. Let me be your boyfriend," he leaned in to place a kiss on her forehead.

Natasha sighed for what felt like the hundredth time that night. "I'm sorry, Steve. This is...out of place for me. I'm used to being on my own."

"Well, that's the thing, Nat," he drew her in close to him. "You don't have to be alone anymore. I'm not going anywhere." Natasha didn't fail to notice how his light blue eyes took on a darker shade as he talked about her. "I love you," he gave her a quick kiss.

I love you too. And, of course, she did. She just couldn't get her mouth to form the words.

Much to Natasha's surprise, the evening was pleasant. Natasha would even venture as far as to say that the event was fun. All of her earlier trepidations seemed to melt away with Steve's reassurance. Of course, all of the champagne she had consumed had helped. She wasn't drunk, but she was definitely tipsy—high on a euphoric buzz that made the night more enjoyable. Steve wasn't affected at all by the alcohol. Nonetheless, he seemed to be enjoying the night just as much as she was. He wore a broad smile that reached his eyes, and he was in constant physical contact with Natasha—with his girlfriend that he loved so deeply and so intimately that he couldn't put it into words. Everything about her enchanted him, and he would never let go if he could help it.

"Having fun?" Steve questions over the music. Much to his own surprise, he actually got Natasha to dance with him. Well, this new age dancing didn't count as "real dancing" in Steve's book. But, nonetheless, he got Natasha to loosen up a bit.

She looked up at him with hazy green eyes, flashed him a reluctant half-smile, and nodded. He smiled back down at her. "Nat, I'm so glad you came. I love y—"

Steve was cut off when someone abruptly bumped into him. "Captain!" practically shouted. Captain Rogers are you aware of all the murders Ms. Romanoff committed while working for the USSR?" Steve was too stunned to answer at first and the man turned to Natasha. "And Ms. Romanoff, do you feel comfortable taking advantage of Captain Rogers given your record? Do you feel morally compromised?"

Steve returned to his senses at that. He grabbed the guy by the shoulders (as he had gotten too close to Natasha for Steve's liking) and gently pulled him away from her. He then turned to him, making sure that he kept his temper. He had no idea who this guy was, but he wasn't going to let him get away unscathed. "Excuse me, but I think that you're crossing the line here. I don't appreciate you throwing ridiculous accusations at me or my girlfriend, especially at an upscale event like this," Steve cautioned sternly. "So please, leave us alone and don't bother us again." The man was too stunned to respond; he dumbly nodded and quickly walked away. Steve sighed, wanting to forget about the incident and get back to enjoying the evening. "Nat," he turned back to her, "I know that you're perfectly capable of defending yourself, but that jerk had no right to question you like that."

Steve couldn't read Natasha's face; it was stoic. "It's fine, Steve," her voice was barely audible above the music. "I'm just going to go back to the tower."

Natasha was fleeing the room before Steve processed her words. Once they sunk in, he was immediately going after her. "Nat. Nat, wait," he followed her across the crowded ballroom. "Natasha," he said sternly, grasping her arm lightly. At that, she turned around and met his gaze.

"Steve, I can't do this. I'm sorry, but I can't," she said truthfully.

Her voice made Steve's heart ache and he led her into an empty room and locked to door. She turned to leave, but Steve gently pinned her to the wall. "Come on, Natasha, talk to me."

"That guy is right, Steve. What am I even doing? I mean, what was I thinking? This was never going to work. There can never be an us."

Steve couldn't believe what she was saying. In fact, he didn't believe what she said. "Come on, Nat. What are you talking about?"

"I don't deserve you," she said, trying to convince herself more than him. "And what that guy said, it's all true. I am morally compromised. And I am not worthy of you. You're kind and honest and honorable and I'm...not. I've done terrible things, Steve. I don't need to drag you down with me," she finished.

Steve couldn't believe this. "Don't you ever for a second think that you're not good enough for me. I've committed my fair share of atrocities. I'm not going to let you go," he paused, the turbulence of his emotions written plainly on his face. "It would kill me. You know it would."

"God Steve," she half-shouted, equally as desperate. "You don't see it!" she broke free of his grasp and threw her arms out in frustration. "It won't kill you if I leave. You'll find someone else, I know you will. I'm trying to spare you from all of the pain I'll inflict if I stay. I can't stand to see you hurting. Because I love you, Steve. I love you but I don't deserve you and you don't deserve to be ruined by me—" Suddenly, Steve's strong arms were around her and she was almost sobbing into his chest.

He didn't say anything or do anything; he let her have this moment where her emotions took over and trumped her (wrong) logic. "So," he started after she had calmed down a bit. "You love me?" She could only nod into him. Steve couldn't help the smile that overcame him. "Well, I love you too. So much. And I'm sorry, Nat, but I make my own choices. Don't tell me that you're not worthy of me, and don't devalue my decision to date you and love you. I love you so much, Natasha."

Despite herself, she actually smiled. "I'm sorry, Steve," she sighed. "I didn't mean it—I don't want to leave you. Ever. Because I love you; and I don't think I can ever stop."

Steve kissed her gently. "I love you too," he smiled, "and if you're going to hell, I'm coming with you."

"I love you," Natasha repeated dumbly. It was funny. She was so afraid to say those three words before. But now that she's said them, she couldn't seem to stop saying them. It was wonderful.

Steve smiled and kissed her deeply. "I'm so happy to hear you say that," he whispered and leaned his forehead against hers. "God, Nat, I knew U had to be right," he smiled. "I couldn't have been wronger than when I thought you didn't love me. But that was ages ago." Steve brought her into him, kissing her breathless and reaching for the zipper of her dress.

"Steve," Natasha moaned into his mouth. "I need you to hurry up now," she pulled away and said with a bit if mischief in her eyes as her gown fell down and pooled around her feet. "'Cause I can't wait much longer," she offered him a playful smirk and cocked an eyebrow.

"Man," Steve started, playfully, taking her in his arms once again. "I've been waiting all night now. That's how long I've been on ya." He took her face in his hands and kissed her breathless. "I need you right now," he breathed out in between kisses. "I need you right now."

This one was inspired by Kanye West's Stronger. I know, it's weird, and I'm not sure I like how this turned out; but I hope everyone likes it!