The Assessment
The next morning Natasha was still reeling from that goodnight kiss. It was the best kiss she had ever had and that was saying something. She could almost feel his hand on her face, lips on hers, the sweetness, the tenderness the... the caring.
That thought stopped her cold. She was instantly nauseous as she realised the truth. Steve had started to feel for her, romantically. The jealousy, the banter, opening up to her and that kiss? All signs that he was starting to fall for her if he hadn't already.
I thought by pulling back the physical I could stop this. That he wouldn't confuse lust with love that he understood we were just friends or team mates, that these are just lessons. How could I be so stupid! Natasha cursed herself.
You knew there could be consequences. Natasha's inner self reminded her.
I thought I'd see it coming though. With my training and experience how could I not? That I'd be smart enough to never let it get that far for him. Natasha answered.
Yes Natasha, how COULD you not see it? How could you miss it? How could you let yourself get so far? The inner self replied.
Natasha was too angry to answer the questions she had raised. But what angered Natasha the most was that deep down inside, so deep she had hidden it away from herself, was that she wanted this. For Steve to feel this way for her.
Natasha had never felt this way before. Damn him for getting her all mixed up! For getting under her skin. Why was she acting like this? Could it be remotely possible that she? No that was an idea she was not even going to acknowledge much less admit.
The best thing to clear your head is to beat someone up. Natasha thought, grabbing her gym bag and heading to an early Jiu Jitsu class. Besides it had been awhile, she could use the practice.
It was an open class so all ranks and genders were welcome. And there across the room was the one person she had hoped not to see. Steve Rogers, in the flesh. The upside though was that Steve was a beginner and had at least 50 pounds on her. There was no way they would be partnered together or in the same groups.
Natasha moved to the more advanced grades for free rolling and noticed there was a new person in class. A purple belt man, late 30s to early 40s with 2 stripes on his belt. Judging by the patches on his uniform he was from a completely different school.
Natasha paid him little mind and partnered up with one of the new blue belts to ease them into free rolling. It was fun, she tempered her techniques and speed so her partner could try techniques out. She remembered partnering up with someone who had done the same for her. Letting her explore and get some confidence instead of smashing her into the ground. It was why she liked this school so much.
The new purple belt didn't seem to get the memo. He had also partnered up with a new blue belt, a woman called Janice, but was smashing her at every turn. Fast, rough, overpowering her with his weight instead of technique. After putting her into a brutal figure four arm lock that he held for a 10 seconds after she tapped for him to stop. After the round ended Janice scurried away holding her sore right arm and trying her best to hold back sobs.
"Go home, girly. Jiu Jitsu is a mans sport. If you can't hack it then don't come back."
Fire raged inside Natasha. She stood fast and was about to call him out and maybe choke the jerk when a familiar voice called out across the room.
"Hey. Why don't you pick on someone your own size or grade?" Steve called out.
"You mean you?" Scoffed the jerk.
Steve's eyes sought out Natasha across the room, questioning, planning. She nodded. She would back his play.
"You can have a choice. You can take on me or you can take on her." He pointed to Natasha who stood there in her brown belt with 4 stripes, a step below black.
The jerks eyes shifted between them and it was clear he was weighing up his options, the probability of beating each of them. Steve was a white belt, no stripes, equal in size but in much better shape. Natasha was smaller but her figure made it clear she was strong, flexible and fast plus a much higher grade.
"Alright tough guy, you wanna play? Let's play."
"Afraid to take on a higher grade, huh? Doesn't speak much of your skills." Steve taunted.
"I've got skills enough to take on you!"
The class all moved to sit at the edge of the mats, the instructor nodded to Steve, allowing this. The instructors would normally deal with a situation like this in a more subtle manner, pulling the guy aside and telling him to calm down and that this kind of behaviour doesn't fly here. If that didn't work then at the end of the next session he would be told he was not welcome back and to leave. But you just didn't say no to a guy like Captain America out to prove a point. Besides he wanted to enjoy the show.
As the instructor moved to set the time clock and announce the rules, Natasha came up to Steve's side.
"Are you sure about this, Cap? I mean you've only been training for a few weeks." Natasha cautioned.
"I got this. Trust me."
"I do trust you it's just..." Natasha trailed off.
"You're not worried about me, are you?" He teased.
Natasha paused for a few seconds, searching for the right words. "Stay safe. And Cap?"
He turned to look at her, his piercing blue eyes meeting hers.
"Kick his ass." She ordered.
Steve smiled at her, nodded and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. When he opened his eyes there was nothing else but complete focus for the mission at hand.
"Ok students. A challenge has been set. We will do this competition style. 5 minute round. Win is either by submission or failing that whoever has the most points at the end of the round. Knee bars, ankle locks and strikes are illegal techniques. Any questions?"
Both men shook their heads.
"Ok then. On the beep."
He pressed a button on the time clock. It let out a little electronic sound and started counting down from 5 minutes.
The purple belt rushed over to Steve hoping to grab his legs and tackle him into the ground where he could sit on him and make his moves. Steve placed his arms on his attackers shoulders and braced his legs hard into the floor. He had barely moved an inch. The purple belt let out a roar and tried even harder to swipe and grab at Steve's legs.
Steve wrapped his right arm around the jerks neck and started to pull up into a guillotine choke. The purple belt started to claw feebly at Steve's arms, trying to loosen his grip. His face was turning deep red and purple.
"Tap." Steve commanded.
The jerk redoubled his efforts to pry himself loose, weakly trying to punch and kick Steve.
"You're going to pass out or worse if I keep my hold on for much longer. It's over."
A strangled gurgle and weak punch in the arm was the only reply.
"TAP!" Steve ordered.
The purple belt finally placed his hand on Steve's arm and tapped. It was over. And it had taken less than a minute. Steve instantly released him and carefully helped him lay down on the floor while the class observed. Some clapped, some cheered but many were watching in silent awe.
"Can someone get us some water and towels over here, please?" Steve called out.
Natasha rushed over after grabbing her gym bag. "Here."
"Thanks, Romanoff."
"Well. I guess this means that our class is over for today. Remember to hydrate and see you all later." The instructor announced before joining Steve, his opponent and Natasha.
Steve tended to his downed opponent with kindness. It was this magnanimous gesture that shamed the purple belt more than the quick and very public defeat or the fact Cap was a white belt. Natasha looked on silently.
"I can take care of him from here. You two go off and have breakfast or shower or something."
"Can do, coach." Steve replied.
Grabbing her stuff for her Steve turned to Natasha. "So Natasha, would you care to join me for breakfast? It will give us a chance to discuss our current mission."
"Miss.. Oh, sure. I'll meet you out front in 15?"
They headed to their respective change rooms and the women's one was a flutter with chatter. Admiration of Cap's technique, his physical form, his way of dealing with the purple belt in calling him out but kindness in his victory. The talk quickly turned to his identity and was he single? Dating? The attention was now focused on Natasha and she was barraged with rapid fire questions.
"Ladies, please! He's a friend from work and I don't know about his relationship status."
"Can you find out?"
Natasha huffed and went into a shower cubicle to rinse off. Waiting for most of the talk to die down and the others to clear out. Once the dressing room was mostly clear she stepped out and got dressed quickly in her usual uniform of jeans and a tight, fitted t shirt.
Heading out to the foyer she couldn't see Rogers around but glancing through the gym doors could see him helping out another woman with her bag. Natasha didn't like it but instantly pulled herself up on that. Why should she care if he was being nice to someone? She wasn't his girlfriend or anything, it's not like she could be jealous. She grabbed her bag and headed out to the car park.
"Steve!" She called out.
"Natasha."
"You ready to go?"
"Sure. Can we take your car? I ran here this morning."
"Alright. But I get to pick where we go."
Steve rolled his eyes and said farewell to the woman that Natasha could now see was Janice. He got into her waiting car and waved goodbye to Janice as Natasha peeled out of the car park.
"So where did you learn the sprawl and guillotine like that?"
"I've been doing some private lessons. Not that I want to excel as much as I like my privacy."
"After this morning I can definitely see why."
They drove on in companionable silence and Natasha reflected on what Steve had said. Unlike Tony and Thor he had tried to stay out of the limelight as much as possible. For her, Banner and Barton it made sense to shun the fame, to slink away into obscurity. They all had something that needed protecting.
But Steve didn't. He could bask in the glory of his victories, take credit for the lives he saved but it just wasn't his style. He wanted to live an average, normal life even though there was very little average about him. How could an Adonis, a god amongst men, hope to not be noticed? A pair of glasses might work for Clark Kent but would not do for Steve Rogers.
She pulled up to a cafe across the road from the one they regularly frequented, not keen to see the same waitress again. A quiet, undisturbed meal is what they needed with the topic they were going to discuss, not overt flirting.
"Let's try somewhere new. I'd rather not be heard by people who might know us with what we are discussing."
"Sounds like a plan." Steve agreed.
They sat and ordered and once the server was gone Steve asked "So how was I?"
Natasha almost spat her water out. She hurriedly swallowed and spluttered a bit. "Excuse me?"
"Last night? How did I do?" Steve continued.
"Cap you have got to watch your phrasing. To an outside listener it sounds like you and I had sex."
Steve's eyes opened wide but is mouth even wider.
"But on the actual subject you're asking about? You did pretty good. Any normal, ready for a relationship kinda woman would have really enjoyed it." Natasha answered.
"Any relationship ready woman?" Steve questioned.
"That's what I said."
"So what did you think?" Steve persisted.
"I had a nice time. I commend you on your choice of restaurant, it was a perfect place for a first date." Natasha complimented.
"Really?"
"Yeah. You go too fancy it gets too awkward or too much pressure for the person to be something. Trying to make them something even if it is clear they won't be because you've already invested so much into them. If you go too casual it says you don't care or want to impress them. It can be tough to find places that are just right. You did good, Rogers."
"High praise coming from you."
Natasha rolled her eyes. "Don't let it go to your head."
Steve took a sip of his smoothie. "So what did you think of the dancing?"
"It was... interesting. The class was fun but it was a bit weird to be passed around like that. If you're dating a shy or clumsy woman she would feel awkward and uncomfortable. Also she might feel cheated out of spending time with you." Natasha cautioned.
"So you're saying the dancing was bad?"
"No, the dancing was a good idea. It was something you were familiar with from... before. Just be mindful not every woman will be into it."
"You're making it sound like it isn't a good idea." Steve frowned.
"Chicks dig guys that can dance. And I can't see you going off and getting down in a nightclub. Not your kinda place."
"I've been to bars, Romanoff."
"But not a nightclub. Dark, loud, crowded, sweaty and a bit of a meat market. You wouldn't last 10 minutes." Natasha insisted.
"OK, so swing dancing is a maybe for a first date. Any suggestions if she doesn't seem the dancing kind?" Steve asked.
"Movies, a play, visit a museum, have a picnic, go ice skating. Figure out something fun you can do together that you think she'd enjoy." Natasha suggested.
"It doesn't sound too different from courting back in my time." Steve observed.
"It isn't. Well not for a woman that wants to date you. If you are on a Tinder date though..."
"What's a Tinder?" Steve asked.
"That's not a lesson that I'm willing to go into right now. Or any time soon."
"Well now I'm curious." Steve smiled.
"It's more of an "ask Falcon" thing."
"Oh. That's gotta mean.."
"Cap, public! That's a private sort of conversation. It can wait."
"Yeah, well it might have to wait for a month or two until he gets back." Steve murmured.
"Still searching for Bucky?"
"Every time we think we've found a lead we take two steps on it's path before the trail is completely cold again."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's just..."
"I know."
"So Natasha. What is your overall assessment of my mission?" Steve queried, changing the subject.
"You did well. Be mindful that not all tactics will work on all targets. And don't do the thing with the car door. Most people find it weird." Natasha answered.
"Duly noted. So what is my homework?"
Natasha had not expected to see and talk to him so soon so had nothing prepared.
"None for now. If you really want I'd say work on the profile of the woman you are looking for and think more about the feedback I just gave you."
"So no real homework? Any idea when the next lesson will be?" Steve pressed.
"Why are you so eager all of a sudden?" Natasha quizzed.
"No reason, Ma'am." Steve mumbled.
"I'll text you when it's time. Like normal."
Natasha rose to leave and it took all her will power not to glance back at him, to meet his steely blue eyes that she knew were watching her go. It was cold of her not to give him a goodbye peck on the cheek. But she had to be strong. From his comments today and that kiss the night before there was no doubt about it now.
He was falling for her. And even worse was, as much as she tried to deny it, to pretend it wasn't there, she was starting to feel something for him too.
For once Natasha was at a loss at what to do, for what the next tactical move should be.
Authors Note
Hello All.
Sorry for the long wait on the chapters! I have finally completed the story (Yay!) and am working on the sequel. I'll post the last chapter here once I have the first chapter on the sequel ready to go so you don't have to wait too long for you're next fix once this wraps up.
Please feel free to leave a review, PM me or ask me any questions.
Love, Pepper