Clint, Natasha, and Nicole arrived at the farm in the late afternoon. Nicole was excited to meet her cousins, and Natasha casually wondered if her daughter had ever even played with another child. She assumed it was unlikely, so she was grateful Nicole wasn't nervous.
Nicole had chattered about her daddy and his friend the entire flight, and Natasha tried not to frown. Clint kept giving Natasha concerned looks from the pilot's seat of the quinjet. She wished he was looking at her in disgust rather than pity. She didn't deserve pity. Her stunt had ruined everything.
Laura and the kids greeted them as soon as they arrived. "She's beautiful, Natasha," Laura whispered as she patted Nicole's head, "the perfect mix of both of you."
"I can get Lila's toddler bed out of the shed and set it up in your room if you want," Clint assured her as he carried the luggage into the house.
"Don't bother, Clint. I think I'd rather just put her in bed with me."
Clint nodded and Natasha couldn't help but notice the wordless conversation Clint and Laura seemed to be having. "Clint, why don't you and the kids show Nicole the farm while Natasha and I catch up."
"Come on, kids. Let's leave these boring grownups to talk and go have some fun."
Nicole giggled. "Uncle Clint, you a boring grown up."
"I'll have you know, young lady, I will never be a boring or a real grown up. Just call me Peter Pan." Clint grinned as he popped Lila on one hip and Nicole on the other.
"Alright, now that they're gone, spill it. How long have you been in love with Steve?" Laura asked.
"I didn't know I was until he left this morning. Laura, I've made a mess out of everything."
"Yes, you have," Laura agreed, "but I have a feeling it isn't too late to fix it."
"I've lost his trust."
"Trust can be rebuilt. It's not his trust in you that is going to save your relationship. Your love for each other will have to do that, and, according to Clint, that man loves you deeply."
"Steve values honesty above everything else. I don't think he'll be able to ever look at me again without seeing the Black Widow."
"Well, she is a part of you and being the Black Widow isn't necessarily a bad thing. He fell in love with the woman who leapt into battle without a second thought, the woman who dumped all her secrets on the internet to stop Hydra's reign in Shield, the woman who protected his daughter from the enemy who wanted to destroy her. Face it, Natasha, Steve loves the Black Widow just as much as he loves Natasha."
"What do I do, Laura? He's gone. He's with her, and he can't even stand to look at me."
"You apologize. You tell him the truth. Tell him you love him. Tell him you were afraid. That's what you do."
"And, if that's not enough?"
"If that's not enough, it's out of your hands," Laura said softly, "but I have a feeling it'll be more than enough. Don't worry. Everything's going to be okay."
"Thank you, Laura. I don't know what I'd do without you and Clint."
"That's what family is for and we are yours."
A few hours later, a very filthy Nicole came running into the family room. "Mommy, outside fun! Lila made mud pies! Cooper shoot his bow. Uncle Clint climb a tree!"
"It looks to me like you helped Lila make those mud pies," Natasha said as she wiped a smudge from Nicole's face. "It's almost time to eat. Why don't I take you two little ladies and get you cleaned up?"
"Daddy coming soon?"
"No, baby. Daddy won't be back for awhile."
"Call him. Tell him I play outside!"
"Daddy's flight hasn't landed yet. I'm sure he will call you when he gets a chance," Natasha replied, hoping Steve would call and talk to Nicole even though he was angry with her. "Now, to the tub, girls. March!"
The children were tired and went to bed easily, and soon Natasha found herself lying in bed beside Nicole thinking about Steve. Last night had been amazing in so many ways. How could she have thought she wasn't in love with Steve? He was so gentle and kind and he looked at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world. If only she'd known how she felt. If only it had been real.
Madrid, Safe House
"You came," Bucky said as Steve hugged his friend.
"Of course, I came. I couldn't let you do this alone."
"What if they lock me up, Steve? I've been a prisoner for so long. I know I deserve it for everything I've done, but I don't think I can stand being locked up again."
Steve sighed. "Bucky, Sharon said her boss is going to go to bat for you. You just have to turn yourself in and be honest."
Bucky nodded. "Can I see a picture of your daughter?"
Steve smiled and pulled out his phone. The first picture he came to was one of Natasha holding Nicole. His heart caught in his throat as he looked at the smiles on their faces. "Her name is Nicole."
"She's beautiful, Steve. Good thing she looks like her mother," Bucky teased. "I can't believe you're a family man now. You have a nice looking family, too."
"Well, it's not like that exactly. We have a daughter together, but Natasha isn't, I mean, we aren't a family."
"Sure, you're not. Sharon told me about Hydra. She told me a little about what Natasha went through as a kid. Tough stuff to deal with I'm sure, but I saw the look on your face when you showed me the picture. They're your family. I hate keeping you from them."
"So are you, Bucky. I'm where I'm supposed to be right now."
Sharon knocked on the door and peeked her head in the crack. "Steve, got a minute?"
"Sure, I'll talk to you later, Bucky."
Steve followed Sharon into the living room. "Did you convince him to go with us?"
"I think so. You're sure they will help, right?"
"I wouldn't be taking him back if I wasn't, Steve. I called in a lot of Aunt Peggy's favors. They'll help him."
"Thanks for sticking your neck out."
"It's what Aunt Peggy would have done. I don't know where I'd be without her and Uncle Daniel. I owe her this one."
Steve nodded. "You're a good person, Sharon."
"I'm a spy, Steve. Calling in favors to get what I need is week 1 training," Sharon laughed. "Is that Nicole?" she asked, noticing Steve's phone still in his hand.
"Yeah, that's my daughter."
"She's a cutie. She looks like you, but her hair definitely comes from Romanoff. I bet they're missing you right about now."
"I'm sure Nicole is but Nat is probably just missing my help. Nicole is a ball of energy," Steve said wistfully.
"I'm sure she misses more than just your help, Steve. You guys were pretty tight in D.C."
"We were but things change."
Sharon frowned. "Alright, Cap, spill it. What's wrong?"
Steve spent the next thirty minutes telling Sharon what happened. She listened intently and didn't say much until he finished.
"Steve, you are an idiot."
"Excuse me," Steve replied.
"You heard me. Aunt Peggy always talked about how awkward you were when it came to women. She said the serum may have changed your body, but it didn't change you. Don't get me wrong, she found it endearing. But, Steve, you know nothing about women."
"I kind of thought you'd be on my side."
"I am on your side. That's why I'm telling you the truth. Do you know what a honey trap is?"
"I think I just experienced one, Sharon. Of course, I know what a honey trap is!"
"Oh, really? Well, did you know it wasn't the first one ever set to capture Captain America and insure his loyalty?"
"That's ridiculous. This has never happened to me."
Sharon laughed. "D.C., Steve." Steve gave Sharon a puzzled look. "My mission objectives were simple. I was to move in to the building, lure you in with friendship, make sure you didn't get duped into some honey trap set by an enemy, and I was given strict instructions to complete my objective by any means necessary."
"You never-"
"I could have and I would have had I deemed it necessary. I asked for that assignment, Steve. I was willing to do what I had to do to ensure your loyalty to Shield. Did I want to sleep with you? Not particularly. I did grow up hearing about you and Aunt Peggy. It was a little weird.
When you were partnered with Romanoff, I demanded access to her files. She was good, Steve, and I was worried. You two were so close already. I was seriously considering taking the nuclear option. On one of Aunt Peggy's good days, I talked to her about the situation."
"You told Peggy you were considering seducing me for the job!" Steve exclaimed in shock.
"Steve, Aunt Peggy knew all about honey pot operations. She was almost as big a master of them as Romanoff back in her day."
"That I did not know."
"Of course, you didn't. Aunt Peggy is so built up in your mind, you wouldn't have seen it. But, her knockout lipstick is still used today. Don't get me wrong. Aunt Peggy always looked for another way. She wasn't raised the way Romanoff was raised. She had a different code."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"So you don't mess up the best thing that's ever happened to you. Aunt Peggy told me not to interfere in your friendship with Romanoff. She assured me you were in good hands. I think she even hoped you two would fall in love."
"You think so?"
"I do. Steve, Romanoff wasn't trying to secure your loyalty to Nicole when she set her trap. She was trying to secure your loyalty to her. Honestly, Steve, it's a good thing Hydra made you a child. You two are so clueless, you'd never have figured it out. She obviously loves you, even if she can't admit it to herself. The question is, Cap, what are you going to do about it?"
"I have no idea."
Sharon laughed. "Why am I not surprised? It's a good thing you have me around."
"You'll help me?"
"I will. There's more than one way to set a honey trap, Steve. You and I are about to set the ultimate one and catch the master. By the time we are done, Romanoff will have no doubt she loves you and she won't let anything stand in her way. Trust me. We are going to help you finally get the girl."
I told you I wasn't going to vilify the other love interests, but I'm willing to bet you didn't see that coming. This is either going to go really well or backfire in their faces. More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
