A/N: Hey guys, just a short one, but hope you enjoy all the same -Cat

Chapter Eleven

Natasha

I stumble down the stairs, wanting to get away from Clint. Clint and his stupid ideas. I needed to get away. I needed to get some air. I feel like I can't breathe, like the walls are coming in on me.

I start to rush, feeling the stairs in my best friends home flash back to another set of stairs. A dark part of my memories that I never look at, that are locked in an air tight box in my mind that I never open. I want to panic but I can't. I won't. It's in my head, that little witch controlling me. I won't let her win. I won't be weak. I shake my head, and as I do the front door opens; I hesitate, momentarily distracted, before it swings open all the way.

And there he is.

There's Steve, standing there. Sun pouring in behind him. He looks up at me, in his jeans and blue t-shirt. He looks so at home here. Like he could just fit perfectly into this life. On the farm, a husband, a father. It's me that didn't fit. I was the monster who didn't belong. Who would tear it all down, leaving everyone crying in my wake. Scenes that have recently been forced into my mind remind me of just how different I am from him. Something the girl in the gold dress outside the hotel talking to the boy in the tuxedo all those months ago was almost stupid enough to forget.

I feel my vision narrow and my breath come quicker. I feel the flashback on the verge of over taking me again. Lights burst in front of my eyes like angry fireworks. I shake my head and over balance. I slip on the second to last step and feel myself fall forward.

But within an instant, before my reflexes can even save me, he's there. Steve grabs me as I fall against his chest. I look up into his eyes and blink. He looks back at me, then we both breath again and step away from each other. Spell broken. I look at him from the step he placed me back on and he is looking up at me. "You ok?" He asks me.

I open my mouth to answer but I hesitate when I look into his eyes, my brow furrows, "I could ask you the same thing," I see the storm behind the blue of his eyes and I feel my heart clench with worry. Maybe he doesn't fit here... or at least maybe not as well as I think? But in a blink of an eye I remember the girl, and wonder what nightmares were forced to roam around Steve Rogers head.

He smiles in a sad way and looks down at the ground, "Same old Nat," He mumbles more to his chest than to me. He turns and walks into the living room. I don't know what he means by that. The fog still heavy in my mind.

I follow him, close on his heels, "Steve. Wait," He hesitates, and I put my hand on his arm. "Are you sure you're ok?" He looks so upset, so confused, so lost. It isn't like Steve at all. And I find I'm afraid for him.

He looks from my hand back to up to me, "I'll be fine Natasha." He says quietly. I feel breathless in his presence, at his use of my name. Like I am under a spell and can't control myself at all. I hold his eyes and step closer to him, open my mouth to say something that is surely going to be ridiculous. Clint's delusional words loud in my head. But I never get the chance...

Because it is just a moment. And like all things it is breakable and in an instant the spell is broken.

"Look who I found out in the barn," Instantly I step back, away from Steve and it is like cold air swopping in around me. Tony's voice comes from the door way and both Steve and I turn to face the door to see Tony walk in followed by Nick Fury.