Hi, everybody!

A big thank you for all the support :) I'm really glad to hear that you're all liking the story so far. The feedback means so much to me!

I don't own Captain America.

Enjoy!

-:-

New York City; May 28th, 1968

Natasha woke early the next morning and cleared out of the motel room, leaving the key to the room on the front desk while the manager was in the restroom. The morning was fairly cool, the sun only just peeking over the horizon, yet the city was already bustling. After having a couple hours of fairly decent sleep, Natasha felt slightly more relaxed than she had yesterday. Everything was slowly sinking in, and though she was still uneasy about it all, she was letting her instincts take over. She had been on the run before. She was trained, skilled, and anything Hydra threw at her she could take on. After all, she was the one to have made it through all the training, she was the Black Widow.

She decided the first thing she needed was to know what had happened. From the couple times she'd been to New York City on missions for the Black Widow program, she'd mostly learned her way around the city. At least enough to know where the major buildings were, and she was confident as she headed in the direction of the New York Public Library. As she walked, she stayed alert, scanning the faces as the crowds rolled past her in waves.

She couldn't help but think about Steve. This city was his home. Steve had promised her one that, when the war was over, he would take her to New York. He promised to show her around Brooklyn and all his favorite places. "There's this neat little candy shop just a few blocks from where I live…they've got all the goodies." Natasha wasn't much of a tourist, but she knew that with Steve showing her around, she would have loved it. Had he gotten the chance to make good on his promise, he probably would've taken her to Central Park, and when he held her hand, she would act annoyed, but would secretly love it. He would've packed them a picnic, and as she lay on her back, staring up at the blue sky, he would have pulled out his sketchbook and drawn her. Those were all just fantasies now, though, because she was here and he wasn't.

When she stepped into the library—a huge marble edifice with its matching marble lions sitting out front—she immediately sought out where all the exits were and came up with several different escape plans in her head in case Hydra found her. Natasha made her way to the back, where the newspapers were archived. She scanned the bound volumes of old papers and found one on the 40s. Her heart jumped nervously. Steeling herself, she found a corner cubicle to sit in, right by a door that she could exit through if need be. Natasha started flipping through the yellowed pages, moving up through the 40s. There was a lot on the war, which she expected. The war hadn't ended that long ago, less than a year—except….that was wrong. The war had ended nearly 23 years ago. Her fingers started to tremble as she froze right in the middle of turning the page.

Natasha took a few breaths, exhaling slowly to calm herself down. Looking around, she was glad there was no one else in the room, which wasn't too surprising. There had been a calendar on the front desk when she'd come in, and she'd seen that it was a Tuesday. Most people at this hour were at work, not at the library looking at old newspapers. Natasha flipped past a few more pages before she stopped.

She thought her hands had been shaking before, but really, it had been nothing. Her fingers grazed over the faded, yellowed picture of Steve, donning his Captain America uniform. She felt tears stinging in her eyes, her heart crawling up into her throat. 'Captain America Dies Defeating Hydra' the headline said. She didn't need to read the article because she knew what had happened. She had been there. The stitches she'd sewn herself up with back in 1945 opened up, and it took all of her strength to hold herself together. Tears fell from her eyes, splashing onto the old newspaper pages. She quickly wiped at them with her sleeve.

She laughed humorlessly suddenly. God, she thought. What was wrong with her? She was falling apart at the seams. She held her head in her hands, running her hands through her hair roughly. She could hear Steve's voice in her head and she tried to shut it out, holding her hands over her ears as if that would shut the noise out. She'd only allowed herself to cry about his death right after it happened, and since then, she'd locked every emotion up inside of her, caging it in. That cage shook inside her now, her emotions slipping through the bars like smoke through a vent.

Her resolve broke and she had to put a hand to her mouth to choke back the sob that was so desperately trying to escape past her lips. Steve was dead and she was alone with Hydra on her tail. Hydra, who they thought they had put an end to back in the 40s. Peggy and the others were probably alive—if they hadn't been killed by Hydra or some other outside force—but Natasha had no idea where to start looking. Howard and Peggy had started SHIELD in '46—not too long before Natasha was taken—after they had gone back state-side, while Natasha stayed overseas to finish up the final sweep for Hydra forces. But since then, Howard and Peggy had probably moved from the New York/New Jersey area. They had probably started lives'.

Natasha wondered what they thought, when she disappeared? Did they suspect Hydra? Did they hear of the wreckage and think her dead instead of kidnapped? Natasha wiped at the tears on her cheeks, and sucked in a deep breath, knowing the only way she would get the start of some answers was if she kept looking. She flipped to the news from '46, but found nothing on herself. She figured that Peggy and Howard—assuming they investigated the wreckage of that old Hydra warehouse she'd gone to—had thought her to be dead. And even if they thought she had simply gone missing, with her past—which they knew she kept under wraps—they wouldn't dare say anything about her possibly being alive, in case others came looking for her and found her before Peggy and Howard did.

She sighed, closing the bound volume quietly. She returned it to its place on the shelf and went back up to the front desk, asking for a phone book and a piece of paper and pen. She sat down at a table and started flipping towards the Cs. Natasha at least hoped Peggy had found someone and gotten married, started a family, which meant she most likely changed her name, but it was worth a shot. Hell, even if she hadn't changed her name, she might not even be living in New York. After a good half hour of double-checking all the 'Carter's living in the area, Natasha decide that either Peggy wasn't in New York or she'd changed her name.

Natasha sighed in frustration, racking her brain for another solution…until she realized it was right in front of her. She quickly flipped to the S's, scanning the page for 'Stark'. Even if Howard wasn't in New York, he was famous. Someone around here would now how to contact him. But, with a fantastic stroke of luck, there his name was. Howard Stark. Natasha couldn't help the smile that pulled up the corners of her mouth. She quickly wrote down his number on the piece of paper she'd been given. She returned the pen and phone book, and quickly made her way outside, scanning the immediate area for anyone suspicious.

Digging in her pockets as she walked, she pulled out what little change she had left and made her way to a payphone a few blocks away. She slipped a dime into the slot and dialed Howard's number, flicking her eyes up out through the booth every once in a while to check her surroundings. She had seen nobody out of the ordinary, no possible Hydra agents all day, but that didn't mean there was any way she was going to drop her guard. The other line picked up and started to ring, and she got a nervous flutter in her stomach. What the hell was she going to say to him? If she even got the chance to say anything. She'd be lucky if he didn't hang up on her at the first sound of her voice. And she only had so many dimes to call him back with.

"Mr. Stark's residence, how may I help you?" a voice sounded on the other end, startling Natasha out of her thoughts.

"Yes, hi," Natasha started. "I'm an old friend of Mr. Stark's, but I haven't seen him in quite some time. I wasn't aware that he had moved, but I would really love to speak with him and catch up, if you wouldn't mind telling me where his current address is?"

There was a pause on the other line, and for a moment Natasha was afraid that this person wouldn't believe her and she'd be stuck at square one again.

"He wants to know why he should trust you?" the man finally said.

"Because Steve Rogers did," spilled out of her mouth with barely a thought.

There was another moment of quiet, where she could just barely hear words being spoken on the other end of the call. Then, the man came back on and relayed the address to her. She didn't even have to write it down. She repeated it several times over in her head till it was memorized. She said a quick farewell and then hung up, breathing a sigh of relief that at least something had gone right that day.

Howard currently lived in the top floor of a building he owned that was a couple miles away. It would take her a bit to walk there, but she didn't have any money for a cab, so walking it was. Natasha kept her pace normal, so as not to draw attention to herself, despite how eager she was to get there. It took her nearly an hour, but finally she reached the building—an impressive brownstone that took up a good portion of the block. She craned her neck up to look up at the top floor, a couple dozen stories above her. Natasha was about to hit the buzzer on the front door, but it swung open to reveal a rather tall man with dark hair that was graying along the sides.

"Edwin Jarvis," he introduced himself—Natasha taking note of his accent—and gave her a quick once-over. "I'm Mr. Stark's butler. We spoke on the phone. Please, do come in."

Natasha couldn't even get out a 'hello' before he was stepping back inside, giving Natasha no option but to follow. She was pretty sure she believed this guy, Jarvis, but for all she knew, this could be nothing but a false address and a trap waiting for her. He led her to the elevator and they rode it up to the top floor in silence, Natasha on edge the entire time. She only settled down when they stepped out and headed into a large office tucked in the back corner of the floor. Bookshelves lined one wall, a huge desk occupied the center of the office, and a couch and several chairs made up the opposite side of the room. Howard had his back to her, instead facing the expanse of bay windows that overlooked the city, but the second she saw him—despite his graying hair and the slight slump to his shoulders that betrayed his age—she knew it was him.

"Sir—" Jarvis started to say.

Howard turned and his jaw dropped and he looked like he had just gotten punched in the stomach. He regained his composure long enough to turn politely to his butler. "Thank you, Jarvis. You can go. I'll let you know if I need anything."

Jarvis nodded and stepped out of the office, closing the double doors quietly. Once they were alone, Howard's mask fell off and he stared at her, a thousand shades of disbelief coloring his features. Natasha felt herself relax for the first time in days. It was a risk being here, when Hydra could have easily followed her, but in this moment, it was completely worth it. Howard's face was lined with wrinkles, his signature mustache graying as much as his hair. Despite the age that lined his skin, he hadn't really changed. The air of confidence still radiated from him, making him seem taller than he was.

Natasha smiled a little, stepping farther into the office. "Nice place you've got here."

Howard blinked, looking stunned, like he wasn't entirely sure if she could still speak. Then he snapped out of it and took a few long strides towards her, pulling her to him in a tight hug. She hugged him back, losing herself for a moment in her friend's grip. She nearly laughed, too, because he even smelled the same after twenty plus years. They pulled apart after a minute, but Howard continued to look her over, a smile pulling up the corners of his mouth, making his eyes crinkle.

"I thought it was you, when Jarvis told me what you said on the phone, about Steve," Howard said, almost breathlessly. "But I wasn't sure…and now….now you're here. How—how is this possible? I mean, we thought you were dead, or missing, at best, and…."

Natasha chuckled softly. "Wow, Stark. Don't think I've ever seen you speechless before."

"That's funny," Howard said gruffly. "But I'm serious. What the hell happened to you? I mean, at the very least you should have some gray hair, but you don't look a day—"

"Over how I did when you last saw me in 1946," she finished. "I know. It's a long story."

"Well, my couches are very comfortable, and I have a very well-stocked kitchen," Howard said, leading her gently over to one of said couches. "My wife, Maria, is out of town visiting family, so you have my undivided attention."

Natasha tried not to make a face at the mention of a wife. She was happy for Howard, of course, but she couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. While everyone she knew was building their lives, she's been frozen alive. She'd never necessarily wanted a family, but it might have been nice to grow old with her friends, to grow as the world grew, instead of being plopped in the middle of it, twenty-two years later.

Jarvis brought them food, and Natasha practically absorbed it, not even realizing how hungry she was. They talked casually a little more, before Natasha couldn't put it off any longer. She wrestled with herself, over whether she should tell Howard or not that the people who had taken her were Hydra. She finally decided that it was best. Howard had helped found SHIELD, and, assuming SHIELD was still up and running, they would be the only ones that would be able to stop Hydra. She plunged into what had happened, leaving out anything about the metal-armed man—Bucky, she reminded herself. Howard listened well. His features became more and more troubled the farther into her story she got, but he waited till she was finished.

When she was done, Natasha watched his face, waiting for him to say something. He was frowning, the action causing deep lines to form around his mouth. Howard ran a hand down the side of his face, giving his head a little shake. Finally, he looked up at her, reaching out to give her hand a quick, comforting squeeze.

"Are you okay?" was the first thing he asked.

Natasha didn't even blink. "I'm fine."

Howard looked like he didn't quite believe her, but he didn't push. "I just can't believe it…after all this time, after all that we'd done to stop Hydra, we never actually stopped them at all."

Natasha clenched her jaw, digging her nails into her palms. "I know," she whispered. "He died for nothing."

Howard didn't need her to clarify who the 'he' was; he already knew. Howard took her hand in his again, not squeezing it, but rather lending her his warmth, the warmth of another human.

"Steve did not die for nothing," Howard said firmly. "He saved the world. You and I both know that."

"It doesn't feel like that," Natasha argued through gritted teeth. "Hydra is still here. Steve isn't. They won."

"They didn't win, Natasha," Howard countered. "We know where to find the ones who took you. I can call into SHIELD, get them to send a squad in to clear the warehouse."

"Yeah, that's if they haven't moved by now. And you don't know if that warehouse is the only one. There could be dozens other. Hydra could have grown back to full strength after all these years."

"We don't know that," Howard said softly. "I'll send that squad. And if those aren't the only people working for Hydra, well, that's what SHIELD is for—to put a stop to people like Hydra."

"Yeah, you're probably right," Natasha muttered, looking away from him.

Howard chuckled. "Never thought I'd hear you say that. Especially not to me."

"I can take it back if you want," she laughed.

"No, no, that's all right," Howard smiled. The smile faltered after a moment, turning into something sadder. "I'm really happy to see you, Natasha. I wish…I wish the circumstances had been better, but it's good to see you—alive—nonetheless."

"It's good to see you too," Natasha agreed.

"Look," Howard said, spreading his hands wide. "You can stay as long as you like. I have plenty of room, and Jarvis is a lot nicer than he looks."

"Thank you," Natasha told him. "Really. I shouldn't stay long, though. I'm pretty sure no one followed me, but I don't know for certain. I don't want to put you in anymore danger."

"And I understand that," Howard argued. "But you just got here, and to be perfectly honest, you look like crap."

"Gee, thanks,"

"Anyway, just stay a day or two," he pleaded. "At least long enough so that I can tell you what happens after I call in the raid on that warehouse."

Natasha frowned, knowing he was right. "Fine. Two days. Then I'm out of here."

"Deal," Howard smiled, and for a moment, she saw as he was twenty years ago—what felt like just days to her—thick black hair, eyes brighter than they were now, no weary lines drawn across his face. Natasha felt a pang in her heart, but she forced it down, locked it up. She kept her face passive. This was her life now and she had to accept that. As much as she wanted to turn the clock back—for so many reasons—that was impossible. Maybe they could lock her up, freeze her, and she could wind up in the future, but the same couldn't be said for the reverse. She had to just keep pushing on like she always did. Like she was trained to do.

-:-

SSR Base; December, 1943

Steve uncrossed his arms, then crossed them again as he leaned against the wall outside of Colonel Phillips' office. The Colonel had wanted Natasha to finalize the paperwork, among other things, but he made Steve sit outside and wait. Steve thought it would be fine, that it wouldn't take very long, but she'd already been in there for over an hour. Normally Steve was pretty patient, but apparently he didn't have it in him today. Peggy had given him some information on a previously unknown Hydra base. It was small and close by—a short mission—but if he didn't act soon, they could clear out before he even got there. He actually should have left already, but he wanted Natasha to come with. He just wanted Phillips to hurry up already—

"Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Romanova—er, Romanoff," Phillips said as his office door opened, and Steve stood at attention.

Steve waited while Natasha said 'you're welcome' and shook the Colonel's hand. Then Phillips waved Steve over, and Natasha headed a little ways down the hall, out of earshot.

"We're all finished up," Phillips said. "I still want you to keep an eye on her. I'm clearing her for duty. After this new Hydra base is taken care of, I want a full mission report, as well as a report on her work out in the field. That means down to the nitty-gritty details, Rogers. I'm taking a risk with her, so if she can't perform properly and appropriately, and prove that she has turned her loyalty over to us for the time being, I want her gone. Am I clear?"

"Crystal, sir." Steve nodded.

Colonel Phillips frowned, then gave a quick nod of his head. "Good. Dismissed, Rogers."

Steve nodded hastily, then walked quickly back over to Natasha. "How did it go?" he asked, possibly a little too enthusiastically.

Natasha stared at him for a moment, clearly unimpressed. "Fine. He said I was cleared for duty, and that I was to join you on your next mission."

"Yes," Steve agreed. "We need to get you geared up then."

Natasha smiled just the tiniest bit. "Got an extra shield for me or something?" she joked.

"I don't know about any shields, but I'm sure Howard will have something that you'll like." He told her, leading her to a different part of the base, where Howard Stark's lab was located.

When they arrived at the lab, Steve directed Natasha over to the tables of weapons laid out, while he called Howard over. As Howard bustled around briefly, struggling to take off his lab coat as he argued with another scientist about something Steve didn't bother paying attention to, Steve watched Natasha. She was dancing her fingers over the various guns laid out on one of the tables, picking one up every once in a while to test its weight in her hands. There was a glint in her eyes that Steve had not yet seen from her.

He now understood why many people on base gave her wary looks. Unarmed—though she still was intimidating—she could pass for normal. She could be anyone, anywhere. But with a weapon in her hands it was so much clearer that she, herself, was a weapon. Trained and honed to a point finer than any dagger laid out on one of Howard's steel tables. Her body moved fluidly, one with the weapon in her hands. Even when she put whichever gun she was holding down, Steve still saw it. There was a certain grace about her, her movements deliberate, quiet. She barely made a sound against the smooth floor. Steve suddenly remembered that she was an assassin. And not just any assassin—she was the assassin. She was the Black Widow.

As he thought about this, Steve felt a twinge of uncertainty in his gut. The woman in front of him was a killer. Not in the way he was, in that he killed people, bad people, for a reason. There was no purpose to her killing. She did it because she was ordered to. No questions asked, no doubts in her mind when she pulled the trigger. And yet, though she was virtually unreadable, the walls around her emotions completely solid, unbreakable, there was also some part of him, buried underneath his sudden, nearly overwhelming doubt, that couldn't help but trust her. Maybe it was a bad idea, but he decided it was time to give her an enemy worth fighting.

"See anything you like?" Howard asked as he came up beside Steve.

Natasha turned to him, holding two Walther PPKs. "These will do."

Howard stared at her for a moment, then nodded. "You got it. Natasha, right? I'm—"

"Howard Stark," Natasha finished for him. "I know. I've heard of the work you've done. Pleasure to meet you."

Now Howard just looked plain dumbfounded, and Steve was feeling kind of the same. "Pleasure's all mine."

"So, what else have you got?" Natasha asked, turning back to the tables without waiting for Howard to respond.

Howard looked at Steve, and Steve could only respond with a slight shake of his head and a shrug.

"You sure know how to pick 'em, Rogers," Howard muttered. "Last time a woman picked a gun up off one of my tables, she shot you at point blank, hardly giving you a second to get that damned shield in front of your face."

"Well, Natasha already tried to kill me, so I don't think she'll try again," Steve replied, giving Howard a quick clap on the shoulder before rejoining Natasha.

-:-

All right, so next chapter will be up in a week! Just a little note, after next chapter (Ch. 7) there might be a slightly larger gap between that and Ch. 8. And by slightly larger I mean that it might be two weeks instead of one. I'm back at school and I already have a little more work so far this semester, so I need a little longer to catch up on my writing. But don't worry about that all until after next chapter!

Second note: I'm planning this story to be written up through the events of Winter Soldier (and most likely Age of Ultron as well). Anyway, so, because of that, you're probably thinking "but Natasha knows about Hydra". Well, (and I hope it's coming across this way) I'm trying to write it so, yes, Natasha (and SHIELD in the future) know about Hydra, but they do not know the extent to which Hydra has grown, nor do they know that Hydra has embedded itself into SHIELD right from the beginning. So, (when I get to the Winter Soldier parts) it will not be so much a surprise to Natasha and Fury and SHIELD, etc. that Hydra is back, but the surprise will come from realizing that Hydra has been among them the whole time.

I hope that all made sense :)

If you have any other questions or if you're confused about anything else, let me know! Otherwise, please leave a review and just let me know what you think! All your comments and feedback and thoughts are very much welcomed and appreciated.

Thanks for reading!

-DaughterOfPoseidon333