Peggy used her deep contacts to get information on the train that would carry Arnim Zola. She arranged for Howard to fly Nat close to the last depot the train would hit before taking the run through the alps where the Howling Commandos would intercept it. Nat would stow away on the train, in the car they knew Bucky would wind up in. Since she spoke fluent German, they put her in a stolen officer's uniform just in case she were discovered.
Natasha took her own precautions, since her German uniform had pants, she wore her catsuit underneath. What she didn't tell all of them was the she had her Widow Bite bracelets on as well. She was going to save Bucky or die trying and no one was going to interfere.
They decided not to tell Steve about her train mission. Only that she'd been called back to London for a special deep cover assignment that she couldn't talk about. The night before she left, Nat sneaked Steve off base to the Lumber Mill again. There, she loved him all night, repeating her pledge to find him no matter what and reminding him how much she loved him.
As they lay together, holding each other in the afterglow of their latest round of lovemaking, Steve whispered, "You never gave me an answer, Natalie."
She knew exactly what he meant. She'd dodged the answer to his proposal for days. Turning in his arms, she looked into his beloved face. "Yes, I'll marry you."
Steve's face lit up with a brilliant smile, "Yes?"
She nodded, smiling, "Yes."
She said 'yes' because tomorrow it wouldn't matter anymore; she and Bucky would either be dead or in Asgard and within a week in this time frame Steve would be in his suspended animation sleep waiting to wake in the twenty first century. If nothing else, she'd make certain he had Peggy and Bucky. Her life or death wasn't important at this point. Steve might disagree but she was used to being very practical and this was a time for practicality.
Happy to have his proposal accepted, Steve held her close; stroking her hair as he often did, tenderly kissing her with something akin to joy. Russian women can be cold but Natasha found it impossible to be icy in the warm sunlit reality of Steve Roger's love.
In the wee small hours of the morning, they said their good-byes until they were to meet again. Steve watched her pack unhappily. He had a sense of foreboding and was reluctant to let her go. He touched her as often as he could as she walked back and forth, making certain to gather all her things. A quick slight of hand and she retrieved the gold token for Peggy without Steve's notice from under the drawer on her desk. She wrote Heimdall's name on another sheet of paper, slipped the token and note into an envelope where she wrote Peggy's name. She left it on her friend's pillow.
When she was certain that no trace of her remained she sat on the bed next to him. Steve wrapped her in his arms and held her. She held him just as tightly. They didn't speak. There was no need for words at this point. When Howard came for her Steve walked her out, she was tucked beneath his shoulder as always. Howard seemed to know that this was serious and put her bag in his car without a snarky comment.
"Please let me know you're safe as soon as you can," Steve tucked an errant curl of hair behind her ear.
"I will." Nat reached up and cupped his face with her hand. "Remember, no matter what occurs, even if it seems all hope is lost, we will see each other again. Hold onto that, Steve. At your darkest hour remember that I love you and I will come back to you. On my honor, I will."
Steve's eyebrows were knitted together in consternation. When he lifted his eyes to hers, she could see the pain in them. She wished she could give him an assurance, make this easier for him. Of all the people she'd ever known, Steve Rogers deserved happiness. He was a soldier, a protector, a guardian. The shield was naturally his symbol because it's very nature was protection. Steve would never fail to protect those he loved or ideals he believed in. She knew that intimately.
She wished she could tell him what a true hero he was and would be again. She wished she could make it so his best friend didn't seemingly die before his eyes. Mentally she shook herself. This was not the time for wishes and pretend. Now she knew that love was far from being for children. Love was hard, painful, soul crushing; it was also beautiful, heart warming and a sense of completeness with the right partner.
"You're my right partner, Captain Steve Rogers." She stood on her toes to kiss him.
"I love you, Nat." Steve hugged her and returned the kiss.
"Fair winds and clear skies. I love you, always." Nat got into the car with Howard before she could change her mind.
The ride to the airfield was brief. Howard had her in the air and over the drop zone within an hour. Nat jumped with all her gear and possessions since she wasn't coming back. The landing was less than ideal but she was unscathed as she trudged overland to the depot. German precision made the train come exactly on time. She slipped aboard in the pre-dawn darkness, counted cars back, avoided a few guards and hid as best as she could, gun in hand. Now she had to wait.
Back at camp, Steve and his Commandos were suited up and read to go. They noticed their Captain was a little quieter than usual but wrote it off to his girlfriend's departure. They didn't envy him with a spy for his lady. The trucks were loaded up and they set off for their rendezvous with Arnim Zola's train.
Natasha was on high alert so she heard the sounds of fighting long before it got to her. She shrugged her duffle bag onto her back, drew her second gun and positioned herself to see both ends of the car. She'd put a knit cap on to cover her distinctive hair. Hopefully Steve wouldn't spot her in the confusion and she could get out with Bucky and both of them alive.
The door to her left slid open then shut again as Bucky came through and locked it. To her right the gunman with the blaster came through on that side. She took him out and waved to Bucky. He acknowledged her then scooted back as the door he was crouching near blew. Steve was there, turning to deflect another blast from yet another hand cannon. The blast ricocheted and hit the side of the train near Bucky, blowing a hole in the steel wall. He started his inexorable slide to his death. It was now or never and Natasha ran for it.
She slid into Bucky, grabbing him with all her might. "NOW!", she said, and yelled, "Heimdall!", along with Bucky. Before the word left her mouth there was a shower of rainbow light and the world fell away with a gut wrenching twist.
They crashed together on a mosaic floor. It wouldn't have been so bad but Bucky landed on top of her along with her duffle bag.
"Baby doll, I'm so sorry." His eyes were full of concern as he helped her to her feet.
"It's all good, Buck. We're alive...YOU'RE alive...I may not be for long but we did it! She hugged him; he hugged her back.
It was apparently nighttime on Asgard because besides Heimdall, whom Natasha thanked profusely and told him they had one more coming in a few days, there was no one in sight. He seemed pleased that she was so happy and nodded his head to Bucky when she introduced them. Bucky was obviously floored by the beauty of just the room they were in. She watched him look around while she peeled off the German uniform and knit cap and stood in her catsuit.
"Where is everyone, Heimdall?"
"The crown prince is with your friends. They are in the great hall together. I will call Thor to your side."
"Wait!" Natasha wasn't certain she wanted to face everyone just yet but she knew she was being selfish. Steve needed to see her and definitely needed to see Bucky.
"Too late." Heimdall said with a look that was a little too smug.
There was the sound of galloping horses and Natasha grabbed Bucky and ducked back behind Heimdall and his key.
"Natasha!" Steve and Thor barreled into the room. Nat decided not to be a chicken shit and came out, motioning Bucky to stay where he was for a minute.
"Little sister!" Thor grabbed her and tossed her into the air then caught her in a demi-god hug before spinning her over to Steve.
Steve caught her and nearly crushed her in a hug. "Sweetheart...Natasha...thank god. Why? Why didn't you talk to me? Why didn't you tell me what you were thinking? Didn't you trust me?" His beautiful silky baritone was not too steady.
She knew he would rethink those questions very shortly so she didn't hold it against him, she just snuggled into his chest and nearly cracked his ribs in the hug she gave him.
"I'm sorry, Steve. I really didn't mean to make you worry. I was trying to give you a wonderful surprise." Her voice was muffled against his chest but he heard every word.
He pulled back a little and tipped her chin up to look into her eyes, "Surprise? You mean Dr. Erskine? Yes, that was...is wonderful. I can't tell you how glad I am that he didn't die...but Natasha, you've been gone for weeks. Why?"
She pulled away from him a little and held out her hand. Bucky came out from behind Heimdall, grinning to beat hell and took her hand, reaching for his best friend and brother with the other arm.
"Hiya, Steve."
"BUCKY?!" Steve literally burst into tears and hugged Bucky with one arm while keeping the other around Natasha.
"How? You fell...I couldn't save you." Steve's voice was a choked whisper.
"Natasha saved me, Steve. You can't know what she's gone through to make all of this possible for you. You've got a great gal there." Bucky had literally just seen 1945 Steve minutes before on the train. This Steve hadn't seen his friend in over seventy years, believed he was dead and that he, Steve, had failed him. He was very overwhelmed.
"Natasha? You did this for me? How?" He pulled back from Bucky to look down at Nat who was torn between beaming with happiness and squirming like a naughty child.
She nodded to him and noticed she was crying too. She was so happy for Steve and Bucky. She hoped Steve wouldn't be too mad at her.
"I...I talked to Thor and he helped me get here and then his mom and another woman helped me get back to you when you were still Skinny Steve and I fell in love with you then too...and I had to save Dr. Erskine and Bucky and Peggy's coming too because she and Bucky are in love...and I'm really sorry I've made you so upset and worried." She'd never seen Steve cry before in this reality and it shook her.
Steve noticed right away, "Nat...Sweetheart...why are you crying?"
"You're crying! That's why I'm crying. And I know you're mad at me and I just want to hold you and I know you're gonna take me in hand like Thor and Thor's mom said but can you please not do it now until I've told you everything and then if you still want to, I wouldn't blame you because I really fucked everything up and scared you unnecessarily, so if you're gonna spank me, I guess it's okay and I won't kill you for it because in a way I deserve it."
She realized she sounded like a blathering idiot and sank to the ground sobbing, part with happiness, part embarrassment and part because she really was sorry that everyone had to worry over her. Some spy she was. She was supposed to be practical and unemotional She hated giving a shit about everybody but hanging around with Steve will do that. Now she cared. Great, just great.
Steve dropped to one knee next to Natasha, "Hey now...what in the world? Sweetheart, you're home. I love you. What can be so bad that you are this upset? And why on earth are you worried that I'd spank you immediately when you just got back?"
Bucky dropped down on the other side of her, but he was smiling. "Baby girl, Steve will take care of you. Right now, we need to explain all of this to him and to your other friends. I'll be right there with you, till the end of the line."
Natasha hugged Steve's neck and kissed his cheek. She turned to smile at Bucky through her tears. "Okay, Buck."
"Hey, I love you too. You're just like my other sisters. You're stuck with me now, darlin. You too Steve." He hugged them both.
"Bucky, I can't tell you how happy I am to have my best friend...my brother and my best girl with me." Steve's eyes were still sparkling with tears of joy.
He turned back to Natasha, "Come on, we need to go tell everybody the wonderful news."
They all stood up but Steve took Nat in his arms and sat her in front of him on the horse that had brought him to her. Thor had brought another horse for Bucky and the four of them rode back to the great hall. Steve whispered to her, "I love you, Sweetheart. I am very relieved you are safe. But I am definitely going to want a word with you when we get back home."
"I know. I love you too." Natasha whispered back. "Bucky already said you'd probably want to tan my backside for scaring you."
"Bucky always was perceptive." Steve nuzzled her hair. "I want some time with just the two of us. I need to just hold you for awhile, Natasha. Later, we'll talk about you leaving like you did."
"Steve, are you mad at me? I really didn't think it I would be gone that long. I honestly didn't."
"Honey, I'm not mad. I am still going to impress upon you the value of communication with your partner."
"What does that mean?"
"When you're had some rest, we'll talk."
"Talk. Just talk?"
"Talk and then I'm going to put you over my knee."
"Why is it that in either time frame you keep telling me you're going to spank me? It's like a horrible testosterone conspiracy to beat my ass."
"Natasha..." Steve's voice held a lot of censure as he looked down at her snuggled against his chest. She smiled up at him. He had to smile back. She was so beautiful. Aggravating as hell but beautiful and sweet. She'd given him an irreplaceable gift. He was definitely going to tan her butt.
When they got to the great hall, Nat was surprised to see all of the Avengers Assembled, along with Dr. Erskine who came forward with a smile when Steve put her down and wagged a finger in her face.
"Young lady, you saved my life and have brought me to these wonderful people. To see Steven and how he has adjusted to everything and to know he is in love with a woman like you gives me so much happiness."
Nat hugged him. "I'm so glad my plan worked, Dr. Erskine."
Bruce stepped up, "That was brilliant getting that serum back to us, Natasha. We all talked about it and decided not to tell Nick any of this. We have Steve; we don't need any more Super Soldiers running around for our government to use as they see fit. All of the data, Dr. Erskine's formula, it's all in Tony's private servers, the serum is locked in his vault and none of it will ever fall into anyone's hands but ours."
"Thanks so much, Bruce. I'm really sorry about all this." Nat said.
"Don't be. It was all for a good cause," Bruce smiled at her.
Tony and Pepper came up to hug her. "Hey, Little Red. You really had us worried. I've nearly had to sedate Spangles a time or two."
"Don't listen to him. Steve had the utmost faith in you and whatever you were doing...he was still very worried as we all were." Pepper gave her a sisterly kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks, Pepper. Tony, I really am sorry." She hugged Pepper and accepted a hug from Tony.
Clint came up and crushed her to his chest. "God damn it, Nat. I ought to spank your ass from here to D.C. but Steve has first crack at you."
That brought fresh tears to her eyes. "Clint, I'm sorry I ditched you but I had to do this myself and there wasn't time to explain."
He hugged her again, "You're a pain in the ass, Nat."
"Clint," Steve's voice sounded a little reproachful, "she just got back, let's give her some time to tell all of us the story."
Hawkeye looked at him as he passed Natasha back and in a voice pitched only for Steve's ear, "Cap, She needs you."
Steve took her hand and led her to a couch in a semi-circle with lots of pillows and room for everyone. He sat down with Natasha on his lap, Bucky sat next to them, then Clint, then Thor, Bruce, Pepper and Tony and finally Dr. Erskine. There was a big platter of assorted cold meats, fruit and vegetables and various beverages. Everyone dug in and listened while Natasha with Bucky's help, filled them in on most of the events that had happened.
She leaned back against Steve and whispered to him she'd tell him the more intimate details later. That brought raised eyebrows from him and a curious look as to what she could be talking about. She turned to the rest of them and continued her story while they all snacked on the food laid out for them.
"...and then I had to ask Bucky for a spanking because Steve wouldn't do it and Colonel Phillips had ordered him to." Everyone laughed at that.
Bucky added, "I'm pretty sure Steve will handle it himself now." That made everyone laugh harder.
"You spanked my girlfriend?" Steve's eyebrows shot up and his arm around Natasha tightened.
"Hey, somebody had to." Bucky teased them. Natasha punched him in the arm, laughing and blushing.
"Apparently you are a handful no matter where you are," Steve nuzzled her neck as he gathered her to him and hugged her.
Thor reached over and clapped Steve on the leg, "Go easy with her, Captain. Heimdall has reported the number of times she was in grave danger yet she stayed the course to bring your brother back to you."
"Natasha? What the hell happened?" Steve was less amused now and more concerned with the little red head sitting on his lap and trying to look smaller than she was. It didn't help at all that she looked guilty as hell and squirmed under his direct gaze.
"When we were on the train, I was actually sliding out the door when she caught me and yanked me back. If Heimdall hadn't pulled us through, we both could have gone over that cliff or worse, just her. She practically pulled me into her lap. I felt her losing purchase then here we were." Bucky said helpfully.
Steve stared at her incredulously. "You risked your life for Bucky?"
"I risked my life for you and for Bucky and for Dr. Erskine. That's what I do, Steve. I'm a spy. I do things like this all the time but no one ever questions it except now because it was a time travel issue." Natasha sounded less embarrassed and more petulant without looking at him.
"What else happened?" Steve turned her face to his. "What else, Natasha?"
"Well, she jumped out of a plane against your orders into heavy anti-aircraft fire to help you on that mission where you rescued me." Bucky was grinning. Nat shot him a death glare.
"And then she captured two spies by herself which were running a huge smuggling ring. That was after she ditched Peggy and Howard." He winked at her. "She got a medal for that little caper."
"Howard? My dad, Howard?" Tony piped up.
Natasha nodded. "I'll tell you all about it later, Tony."
"Oh and the best part was when she took on eight armed soldiers as a training exercise. Colonel Phillips was so impressed that he let her train everybody." Bucky took a drink of some delicious Asgardian ale.
Natasha met Steve's eyes squarely and set her jaw in a stubborn clench. "Yup. He's right. I did do all of that."
Steve examined her face. He'd been so scared while she was gone. The one person who could have given him comfort wasn't there. Looking at her, so brave, beautiful and capable, his heart swelled with pride.
"Sweetheart, I'm so proud of you. You're a real hero, Nat. You're my hero." Steve kissed her gently while everyone cheered.
"Thank you, I'm just so sorry I made you mad and worried. It really was just a split second decision. I thought with Christmas coming up I could get you the best present ever." Her eyes got a little teary. She was still afraid he wouldn't want her when he heard everything.
"Nothing I can give you could ever be equal to you bringing Bucky back here." Steve said softly with a sweet smile. He smoothed her hair back and saw that she was still wearing the earrings he'd bought her.
"I'll have to get you something to go with those earrings." She kissed him and hugged him around the neck. She was just so happy to be home with her real Steve.
"You don't have to get me anything. Just the fact that you don't want to break up with me means everything." She sniffled and hiccuped on that statement.
"Natasha, why on earth would I break up with you?" Steve was very confused.
"Because I'm a pain in the ass like Clint said!" She wailed and cried on his shoulder.
Steve chuckled and patted her back, rising from his seat with her in his arms, "I think we need to give her a little more time. She almost died today in 1945 and it's apparent that time travel is a little hard on the nerves. Bucky and I will take her home. He can stay with us until we can get him his own place."
"Steve, wait," Tony put a hand on his arm. "Bucky, you too. We can put Bucky up at the Avengers mansion or at the Tower as soon as he's ready. I'm sure you two want to take some time to get reacquainted and I'm pretty sure you're not going to let Little Red out of your sight for awhile."
"Thank you, Tony, I really appreciate that. And you're right. Natasha is not going to be available unless I'm with her for some time. We need to talk and get a few things ironed out." He looked at Clint specifically. Clint nodded and kept quiet.
"Thank you, Tony," Bucky said. "I'll get my own place when I get on my feet in this time."
"No need. You can work with Stark Industries or with the Avengers if you like. According to Steve, you're a stand up guy. If you're his family, you're our family."
"Thanks, Tony. Thanks so much." Bucky was very surprised and pleased.
Steve turned to Thor, "Thank you for everything you've done for all of us and specifically for Natasha."
Thor and Steve clasped forearms in a gesture of mutual respect. "You are very welcome, Captain."
Natasha lifted her head and squirmed so Steve put her down. She went to Thor and hugged him. "Thank you for everything. I'm so sorry I got you in the middle of this. You're the reason this was possible at all. Please thank your mother and Freya for me as well."
Thor extended his hand and clasped her forearm as well, "Respect from one warrior to another, Lady Natasha. I will see you in a few days when your other friend arrives."
Steve took her hand in his, slung her her duffle bag over his shoulder and put his arm around Bucky's back. They said good-night to everyone then rode out over the bifrost so Heimdall could send them home.