Author's Note: Good morning. I've just completed a long WIP for the first time in forever and I've been gorging myself in yet another new fandom, this time The Avengers. Jeremy Renner is a fine hunk of arrow shooting man steak and I ship Hawkeye and Black Widow so hard it hurts. I'm probably going to see the movie for the third time this weekend so I want to do some updating. Enjoy the short but hopefully sweet update.

Disclaimer: "Honestly, it's not mine!"

"How'd he get in?"

"Picked the lock."

"How'd you get in?"

"Picked the lock…look, get yourself a couple of deadbolts…and lock that shit up."

-Ranger and Stephanie in One for the Money (2012)


"So, when do you leave?"

"Monday morning. The assignment should last only a month."

"Are you flying solo?"

"Yeah but I'll be able to check in once a week with Tank."

Steph's face brightened marginally at that and I took her shaking hands, making her look up from her lap. After receiving my orders, I had met her at her place. She took one look at me and sat down at her table, braced for impact. Once I assured her that I wasn't ending things between us, she calmed down enough for me to explain what was about to happen. What had to happen…Dios, I don't want to leave her…

"I don't want to leave you, Babe." I informed her frankly.

A shaky smile curved her lips and she twined our fingers together tightly.

"I know that. I really do but you…you have a contract and more importantly, a duty to your country. I totally get it. My dad was over in Vietnam and Grandpa Mazur was in Korea so…I get it. I just don't like it. I mean…what if something happens to you? It's always a possibility and…."

Her lower lip disappeared into her mouth and she looked down again, tears dripping down onto her cargos. Whatever lingering insecurities I had about her feelings for me died right then. She knew that I'd be going away, plunging headfirst into death and destruction but she trusted me enough to come back. She loves me enough to wait for me to come home. She was worried but I knew that she wouldn't try and stop me. If she did, I'd yield to her immediately. We both knew it…

"Here."

She slowly undid her necklace and put it on me, looking at me with serious cerulean orbs as she played with the charm.

"My Grandpa gave me this on my 21st birthday. He passed away shortly afterwards and I always told myself that I'd never take it off but…well, if you gotta go out there and kick ass, I want you to have a piece of me with you. And I want my necklace and especially you back here in one piece, Soldier Boy. You're not allowed to die. You up and made me fall ass over heels in love with you so that means you can't die. You just can't."

"I'll come home to you, Stephanie. I swear to God, I'll come home to you."

"I believe you."