**~~ Hello readers! I wanted to try something new and write about some avenger's characters and create my own story loosely following the timeline after Captain America: Winter Soldier and before the Avengers: Age of Ultron. Sort of creating a fun in-between story if you will, featuring Black Widow. I hope you enjoy! Tell me if you liked it and want a part two in the comments! ~~**

It was a cold, rainy day at the Avengers mansion in early November. The kind of day where you were satisfied with doing nothing and watching the rain fall. Natasha Romanoff sat brushing her long wavy auburn hair in front of her vanity mirror in her room. She glanced out the window longingly. She had just finished showering and was sitting on her small round white studded leather chair in a long soft white bath robe. She felt relaxed and rejuvenated but was disappointed that the weather had taken a turn. She frowned. Was I in the shower that long? She thought. She had wanted to go to the market and buy some fresh food for the mansion and attempt to make a traditional Russian meal that she had sparse memories of.

She sat in a slump trying to decide if she would face the cold weather or stay indoors. She got up and walked over to her tall bay window. She looked out to the wet streets with the few people bustling around with their umbrellas in their raincoats and galoshes. How did they know it was going to rain? She thought. I really need to start checking the weather.

She stared straight ahead tapping her index finger on her chin repeatedly in a trance. She had sudden flashbacks of her training and her repeated lessons from her childhood that would often end in lashings. She closed her eyes slowly and took a deep breath in. She steadied herself and sat down gently on her seat. She was slightly shaky and felt dizzy. Breathe, Nat, breathe she told herself. You're in a good place now. She had to repeat that to herself to calm down, sometimes even a few times a day. Her flashbacks were brief but painful and draining. She no longer felt brave enough to face the world today, especially not alone. Clint was away on a mission, and he was the only other Avenger she trusted enough to be out and alone with. She told herself that she would get there with some of the others and that she just needed time. She genuinely hoped and believed that. She was just hesitant and fearful; sometimes even anxious of getting close to people.

She often wondered who she would be able to get closer to. Tony? Steve? Maybe even Bruce? She had been out on a mission with Steve last month to save his old comrade, Bucky. They had even kissed, and she liked it. She reminisced about being in Steve's strong warm arms; locked in a passionate soft embrace. His lips were soft, and his kiss was confident and sweet. She blushed as she thought about it. However tempting it was to reenact that kiss, and find out if there was any chemistry lingering with Steve, she had to shut all feelings down and keep it professional. They worked well together, and she didn't want anything to jeopardize their relationship; she liked how it was now.

She stood up slowly and walked over to her large walk-in closet fully equipped with girly clothes that she stuck her nose up at and swore she would probably never wear. She had to admit though, that some of the clothing choices were growing on her. They were all gifts courtesy of Tony Stark, of course. She sauntered over to a rack of skirts and dresses hung neatly in a row. There was a corduroy dark orange skirt that had caught her eye. It was fall after all, she thought. She reached for a cute long-sleeved turtleneck black shirt to pair with it. She assembled a cute fall outfit with a pair of thigh high black stiletto boots. She wasn't used to wearing this kind of outfit but thought it wouldn't hurt to try this at least once. She opened her bedroom door slowly and peaked her head out into the long wide silent hallway. She crept out and shut her door softly and started walking down the hall and towards the stairway. She was starving and hadn't eaten breakfast or had any coffee yet. She was needing her caffeine boost to start her day. She headed down the stairs carefully in her stiletto boots, holding onto the railing. She got to the bottom and headed right towards the kitchen and the strong smell of bacon and coffee. She tip-toed sneakily into the kitchen. Tony was sitting at the long island sipping coffee and reading the newspaper while the unnecessarily large television was playing in the background. Thor and Steve were discussing the importance of "Midgard" as Thor called it. Bruce was no where to be found, probably still sleeping or working on a new experiment. A cook was in the kitchen preparing pancakes, eggs, bacon, waffles, and other breakfast foods.

Tony looked up, wide-eyed almost spilling his coffee. "Natasha! When did you come in!?"

"Ah, Natasha! Good morning!" Thor grinned, lifting Mjolnir in a greeting.

"Hey, Nat. Did you sleep okay?" Steve asked, eyeing her inconspicuously.

"Sorry Tony. Hi Thor, and yeah, I slept okay. Thank you. You?" she asked politely

"Fine, thank you." He smiled sweetly. He tried to keep his glances to a minimum, and not come off as creepy. He had never seen Natasha dressed like this. It was either casual- jeans and a tee shirt, or baggy comfortable clothing. And her suit of course. He was liking her new look. It really fit her, body and all. She had long lean legs and the boots added a rough sexiness to her appearance.

Thor was the first to comment on her new look, "Natasha! You are wearing something different. It suits you!" he smiled kindly.

Natasha blushed. "Oh, thanks. I figured I would try something new, since it's fall and it's a colder rainy day." She shrugged.

"I'll say." Steve muttered, entranced by her bright smile. There was a newfound confidence in Natasha that he liked.

"What- new look?" Tony asked, putting his paper down inquisitively. He pushed his seat back and stood up and peered around the island. "Oh!" he exclaimed as he saw Natasha's bold outfit choice. "Good, I see those clothes I got you aren't just food for the moths." He joked. "It looks good!"

Natasha blushed more. She wasn't expecting such positive feedback on her outfit, but she liked it. She was filled with a surge of confidence that she hadn't felt for a long time. She smiled and her nose began to sting, and a lump formed in her throat. She breathed in slowly and sniffled. Don't cry. Don't cry. She begged herself. She hadn't felt this accepted since she had met Clint. She was overcome with emotion.

"Please excuse me," she said suddenly as she turned around quickly on her heels and rushed out of the room.

They all shrugged and went back to their previous activities.

Food's up! The short cook shouted. Piling pancakes and eggs on plates with an abundance of bacon on the side.

"It smells great, Martha!" Tony said. "Jarvis, call Pepper."

Calling Pepper Potts, a sharp British voice rang out.

"Tony?" Pepper answered. Her voice rang throughout the kitchen.

"Hey, Pep. Jarvis, transfer to my watch, will you?" he asked as he got up to walk away. "One, breakfast is ready," he talked into his watch, "And two, Natasha is wearing a skirt. I think we got a code red." He said seriously.

Pepper laughed on the other end of the phone. "Tony! I'll be there in a few, and she probably just wants to try something different!"

"Strange, that's what she said. Have you two been talking? Is this a prank? You know, I bought her those clothes in hopes that someday she would actually wear them and now that she has, my work here is done. Don't steal my thunder right now, Pepper."

Pepper laughed again. "Tony, you're ridiculous. Look, I need to go. I'll see you soon. Bye."

The watch chimed. "Odd." Tony mused.