WinterWidow, an avengers fanfic

All rights to Marvel I'm just having fun

At Avengers' Tower

Black Widow pov

"Natalie..."his breath was hot on my face as he blinked his eyes in recognition. In that moment, I forget that his hands were choking me, I forget he was the deadly Winter Soldier and I the Black Widow."James." I breathed out croakily remembering past times in the red room.

"No!"he began stumbling backwards in a panic. He gripped his head as if in pain and I could tell he was fighting Hydra for control. Without thinking I placed his head on my shoulder whilst I rubbed soothing circles on his back. I remember this particular position all to well. It was how I comforted him after one of his many nightmares. He would be out of control, until I whispered in his ear that I was here and I wasn't going anywhere. It was the same for me. So that's what I did now. He held me like I was his life line and I probably was.

When my voice finally snapped him out of it, I leapt back remembering the situation at hand. I looked shakily around, silently cursing my moment of weakness. Maintaining my usual emotional mask I looked around at my fellow Avengers astonished faces. I inwardly cringed. James...The Winter Soldier...I mentally correct myself must have realised, as he automatically stepped into a defensive position slightly in front of me.

"What the?!"Stark, helpful as ever, broke the ice. I allowed myself an eye roll at his typical comment."Bucky..." Steve hesitantly stepped forward, testing territory. 'Bucky' clearly didn't appreciate the action, as he tensed for a fight. My heart beat slightly harder of its own accord, from the knowledge that 'Bucky' was more comfortable with me than Steve. I hoped his super-hearing didn't let him hear it. By the slight (imperceptible to the untrained eye) smirk on his face, he did.

Clint threw my a slight questioning look to which I simply shrugged.

Winter Soldier pov

"Natalie..." It suddenly clicked, the red hair, the in-depth knowledge of multiple martial arts and the sassy yet attractive attitude even in a fight. I found her. My Natalie. I realised all to quickly my hand around her throat, crushing it painfully. I leaped back feeling Hydra fighting to regain control. Natalie clearly realised too. She always was the best of the best.

Taking me completely by surprise, she repeated a very familiar act and I realised I had been panicking. I breathed in her sweet scent with a kick, just like her. Her striking hair brushed gently against my face as I held her like my life depend on it. It is ironic, considering it is probably the other way around. I try not to think too hard about that.

All to soon she has leaped back.

I look at her and she is emotionless looking at the other Avengers apprehensive faces. I can almost see her inwardly cringe, the part of her that longs for the family we once gave each other fearing rejection. Instinctively, I step in to a defensive position slightly in front of her. I hear Stark say something incredibly stupid for someone as 'smart' as him. I thought he was supposed to be a genius of some sort. He'd have a fit if he heard of Hydra's plans for his technology.

All of a sudden I see Steve Rogers step forward and I tense. I've already walked down memory lane once today, I'm not prepared for a second trip. Particularly not with my old best friend, at least that's what I'm told. I feel Natalie's heart rate pick up at my defensive motion and I smirk almost non existently but I know she saw it if the light blush on her porcelain skin is anything to go by.

How I missed her.

1 week later

Black Widow's pov

I've avoided Barnes all the time he has been at Avengers tower. Steve insisted he be treated like a guest and not a prisoner, so it was a challenge but I'm a master assassin/spy. I managed.

I miss him.

Despite my avoidance, I can't help but understand him. I know he will be hating the special treatment, he is afraid of losing control and hurting someone so he wants to be locked up. He wants to be punished for the actions he feels makes him a monster. No matter that he had no choice. 'You had a choice' an unhelpful voice in my head whispered. I shove it away. I understand him, because I felt the same. I still do. No-one, not the Avengers, not even Clint, will ever understand. They're still my family though.

It is not even ten minutes later that I finally see him and all my defenses collapse. I'm on the training mats, working through the motions of a fight. Precision. Speed. Skill. Target. That's all I'm thinking. It's how I was taught. By him. That's when I see him, observing my technique and skill. Ever the teacher at heart.

"You always were the best."he whispers surprisingly softly but I hear it all the same. "I had a great trainer." I can't help but reply. I try to keep the emotion out of my voice but a little trickles in. "You were a good student. I always looked forward to our dances." He smiles nostalgically. His reference to our previous training sessions hit home. Our 'fights' together were so well practised and fluent they looked like some elegant dance. Mesmerising. "Why don't we have a performance now?" I say quickly, surprising myself. He looks surprised and I curse myself for moving to fast. Then his face breaks into a grin; "I'd love to." Forget about our pasts. Maybe we were monsters destined to be alone. Maybe we still are. But we will always have each other. I know that now and James does too.

Third person pov

That is how the other Avengers found them half an hour later. In the middle of an elegant yet deadly dance. At least that's how it seemed to them. To James and Natalie, it was a visit to the past. Their hidden emotions pouring out into their dance. Every move radiating passion...and love.