A/N: I know that the first introductory chapter was short. But I hope you'll believe me when I say it's gonna get weird because it has taken a new direction. Anyway, does anyone here know the original Tsarevna Lyagushka? It's really enjoyable writing with that as backbone. :D

1: Whoever catches the stone, shall be...?

Steve straightened up. It was his first day of joining SHIELD as an agent. He was not really used to this kind of fighting: shadows, deception, lies. He was a soldier, for goodness' sake! He looked at Fury, who was just silently eyeing him.

"We don't really have big teams in missions. Yes, we have some STRIKE teams but first and foremost, you should have a partner," the director said. Steve just nodded. "And the way you choose a partner is by trying to spar with these agents here and see which one of them suits you." The man smirked. "Like a natural dancing partner."

"Like a dancing partner, huh?" he said.

"You can put it that way."

The sparring sessions started. Fury made sure to give the best agents for the captain's choosing. He was able to knock them out easily, however. The notion of the 'dancing partner' was vague for him and he was able to knock down everyone while holding back.

"Is there anyone else?" Steve asked the director, panting. He was able to beat all the agents up and he felt like he should probably work alone.

"So, is the soldier looking for someone his equal?" a familiar voice commented. He looked at the doorway and saw Natasha, wearing a black top and looking smug. After having eye contact with Fury, she made her way towards the platform where she and Steve could spar.

"Agent Romanoff..." the soldier started, a bit confused. "What is...?"

"Well, if this is an audition to be your dancing partner, let me show you some mad skills," she said in her normal, sleepy tone. She went into fighting stance and without any warning started charging towards Steve.

The super soldier was caught by surprise that he went two steps backward. He regained his balance and started to defend himself, perfectly stopping Natasha's attacks. He had seen her do her tricks, especially when she attempted to climb on his back. Instead of succeeding, she was thrown down. She got up with a perfect somersault, blowing a wisp of her hair.

"Not bad for an old man," she said with a smirk. Steve just smiled at her. His normal blushing tendencies were usually deactivated when he's on fight-mode. However, he could not really hit this woman, or maybe he was making up excuses since he could not really get through her line of defense.

While she was perfectly avoiding his attacks and he perfectly jumped away from her legs, that's when he realized what Fury meant by a natural dancing partner.

"Woah!" he exclaimed as this Eureka moment also removed his focus on the fight, enabling Natasha to get him off his feet and landing on his chest, her fist a few inches from his face. She gave a smirk and a seductive wink at him before getting up.

"I think... you've found a partner," Fury said, giving three claps that could be considered his applause.

"Wha...?" the super soldier replied, panting in between. The sudden rush of blood to his head made him dizzy.

"I think Romanoff is the best match for you," Fury said. "You also complement each other's movements." Steve noticed how proud Fury was when it came to Natasha. And it seemed like he orchestrated that the captain's inevitable partner would be the Russian spy. With a small nod, Natasha offered a hand end helped him stand up.

Steve had hoped that the rising blood in his cheeks would be hidden by the natural blush after a workout. He quickly let go of Natasha's hand and then looked at her as she stood, her posture intimidating to a normal person. He had worked with her in New York but he had never really talked to her. To be honest, he had doubts about her. She was too... secretive. And he was the type of man who wanted to know who he was facing.

Fury left the two in the gym and there was only silence. Steve could even hear his own breathing. Natasha walked towards her duffel bag and grabbed some towels, throwing one at Steve.

"So, Cap, are you having second thoughts of pointing at me?" she asked, not looking at her.

Steve bit his lip. He knew that he was a bad liar. Add the fact that he sucked in talking with women. "What makes you say that?"

"I can read your mind," she replied, looking at him with her bright green eyes. Steve was shocked and his eyes widened. A mind-reader would be the last thing he needed.

"At ease, Rogers," she then said, a small amused smile hanging on her lips. "I'm just joking. I know you'll love me," she stated as she swung the bag over her shoulder. "Well, I actually don't care whether you like me or not but let me tell you: I can do a lot of things while you are sleeping," she added with a wink before leaving him in the gym, loss for words.