The days were long but the nights were longer. Natasha Romanoff hadn't know the meaning of the word peace, but here in the Avengers Compoud she was beginning to understand the hype. Facing Ultron had been hard but they'd all faced hardships before and would no doubt face them again. Still, Sokovia had happened two years ago. Ever since it's been the odd mission and meetings. It was near peaceful and for once she considered herself at peace. Well, nearly.

Every Tuesday they got the team together. She took her place to Steve's right facing the others down the long glass table. Try as she might she couldn't bring herself to hear the words he spoke. They were always the same "a threat looms" ,"don't role your eyes at me Romanoff" ,"my shield isn't a plate Nat". Nag as he may it was a part of the dynamic. A dynamic she wouldn't change for the world.

Grabbing the hot pot of coffee, pouring two cups she grinned "you underestimate me if you think you can sneak up on me Rogers". She turned to face him sliding the cup towards him. He had a stubble growing but it suited him, his eyes were old so it was nice that his face reflected that in one way or another. Yet somehow it didn't take away from his allure. He wore a white tank top and blue jeans making him look more mundane than Captain Steve Rodgers ever should. She liked it.

"What do you think about the move to Canada?" he asked.

"You know me... I love syrup" she replied casually.

"That's a shame really..."

"oh..I wasn't aware my happiness was a shame Rogers"

Steve smirked before saying "no it's a shame you don't engage with our meetings anymore Romanoff. I made you my second because your the most reliable person I know."

"So.. No Canada" she smirked.

"No"

"Well...You know me" she replied, taking a greedy sip of her coffee, wondering why these meetings were held so early. Steve held her gaze and for a moment she considered simply walking out, but there was something about the fact that he called her 'reliable' that made her stay. She placed her coffee on the counter and considered. "We do nothing Rogers, not that I'm not glad that there are no killers to kill. It's just... tedious. I get why we're here ,I do, but my brain needs at least four more coffees before it can deal with the same thing over and over".

"I hear you. Really I do. Just... be ready".

She nodded at him, smiling slightly, before leaving. After all, she had someone to meet.

...

Los Angeles is a dark place at night, often considered dangerous for a young woman to be walking the streets alone. Perhaps she shouldn't be here, that this was a bad idea. Perhaps she was about to disrupt their new found peace. Perhaps. She had meant what she said about their lives becoming tedious, after all there was always more to be done, sometimes you just had to look harder for it. And she had. She had slaved over her laptop screen night after night learning every Hydra secret she could. They lead her here. She just hoped there was something here or Steve would loose it.

Corner after corner she walked. She walked with a confidence some would argue Black Widow wasn't entitled to. She knew that that wasn't true. It took her a while but she knew. So she shook of her doubts and continued to walk, defying the laws of everything.

A short while later she reached her dead end. She watched the shadow dance behind her before turning , catching the wrist of the flying fist that was headed for her head.

"Anyone ever tell you about stabbing someone in the back?"

"No" he said as he yanked his silver arm free, clenching it at his side. His eyes met hers and she knew that her hard work had payed off.

"Barns, I'm not here to hurt you. You think Steve would ever forgive me if I was?"

"That means he wants to bring me back. I've cost him enough". His tone was slow, sorry even, so when he turned to run it nearly caught her off guard, nearly. She moved to kick her right leg out , tripping him.

"Oh come on Barns, after all I've done to find you, you insult me?" she grinned.

"Your right" he said , before kicking her legs from beneath her sending her crashing to the floor. Immediately they got the their feet. Bucky grabbed her hair yanking her down so she elbowed his arm freeing herself using the momentum to turn and kick him in the stomach sending him back. She followed , using her forearm to cover his front, pinning his body to the wall.

"Your being naive here Barns, you have a chance to make things right" she said trying to keep her voice calm.

"You know I could get out of this" he replied. She raised her eyebrow saying that she didn't care. "Why now?"

"Because I understand James. I was made to be a monster to. But here, with the Avengers, with my family ,I found away to be better than what they made me. I made a choice. A choice I need you to take too".

"So it wasn't Steve..It was you. Why?"

"..."

"Why Natasha?!" he shouted . When she didn't reply he freed himself from her grip turning her so that she was stuck in his grip. His face was so close that she could feel his breath on her face, her neck, his hands holding her wrists at her sides pinning her against the wall. They stayed like that for a moment daring the other to break the silence.

"I don't know... What I do know is that you deserve hope, everyone does. Come back with me".

He sighed before releasing his grip and stepping back. "If I do this there are going to be ground rules"

"Oh so I do you a favour and you make the rules? Sure.." she said stepping towards him, away from the wall her eyes lingering where she once was.

"Total honesty for a start."

"Fair enough... anything else?" she crossed her arms.

"If Steve tries to get me a stress puppy I'm selling his shield on e-bay"

"Why would he... never mind. Deal".

And with that the pair began walking. Walking home. Walking towards a path Natasha hoped with all her heart wouldn't leave to another tragedy.

...

One hotel , a long flight and a drive later they were back at the Avengers compound. She led him through the gates, careful to hide the security codes, and walked towards the main entrance. He walked a couple of steps besides her which she questioned at first but later realised that this was to stop her from tripping him again. He'd have to try harder than that.

Almost immediately, Steve was there, facing her.

"Rogers" Nat said , nodding her head.

"Don't Rogers me, where have you been Nat? It's been three days and you said nothing".

"I figured you'd forgive me for this one" she said, gesturing her head to the soldier stood behind her. Steve's eyes stopped and for a moment she felt as if everything else had to. She felt his grief, shock and love as he stepped forward, past her and towards his oldest friend.

"Buck..."

"Hey" he lifted his hand to a wave.

He stepped closer again and again until the pair were hugging.

"I'm just gonna..."Nat said , mainly to herself as she began to step away from the chick flick she had inflicted. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Maybe.

As she walked back to her room she let her mind wander, wander to a place she never liked it to go. A dark place with helpless girls soon to be killers. She remembered a particular training session. She had been chosen above everyone else to train with the one and only Winter Soldier. A experience that would change her life more than she could have anticipated.

...

Nat lifted her head from the book she was reading as she heard a knocking on her door.

"Come in" she shouted, placing the book and the table in front of the leather sofa she was spread across. Her room was smaller than the others in the compound containing her bed, her large wardrobe a sofa ,table and window seat. She didn't like the thought of a big room, it was to much for one person when some people had nothing at all. She remembered having nothing and decided not to insult that memory.

Steve opened the door and leaned against the frame, his smile was equal to the sun, she hadn't seen his face so bright before. That would make this argument worth it, knowing that no matter how mad he was for her unsanctioned mission, she had caused that. That was enough.

"You should have told me" he said simply.

"What? No ' you have a job to do' or ' leaving alone was dangerous'? No shouting?" she asked.

"No... but everything you just said is true" he began. Nat rolled her eyes, trying her hardest not to laugh. "All I wanted to say was thank you".

"Anytime" she smiled. Slowly he stepped forward. She nodded her head and he fully entered sitting where her feet once were.

"How did you find him...Me and Sam we've been looking but..."

"Hydra files. I figured there'd be some sort of record of the places the Winter Soldier had been and from what you've said about Bucky I figured he'd turn up at one of those places to make amends. From there it was a bunch of phone calls and security footage".

Steve nodded. She sat up higher in her seat and met his gaze. "He'll be okay Steve" she said.

"I hope so" he said. She moved her hand to cover his and so they sat taking in the day.

"Where is he staying?" she asked.

"Down the hall, next to my room. You know... just in case " he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

With that he left, closing the door and leaving Natasha to ponder whether the means will have been worth the end. Finding him wasn't the challenge, and whether she knew what was coming or not she knew that it wouldn't end well.