Okay, so this story is going to be dragged out at least one more chapter. I had the misfortune of loosing a family member this weekend and I'll be honest that I'm not all here right now. Doesn't mean I'm not trying but I couldn't come up with anything else to put before this part, so here you guys go.

Enjoy and I apologize in advance for such a weak update but I wanted Natasha to have a voice too. I'll try to have the next chapter up soon (where Steve actually tries to ask Darcy out with miserable results on his end). Anyway, lets get this show moving.

- Illusinia

"So, I hear you are attempting to pursue a certain brunette."

Steve froze mid-punch, dropping his arm and spinning to look at the woman behind him. Behind him, the punching bag swung back and forth, chains creaking uneasily.

Natasha grinned from the railing above the training floor, eyes flashing with the usual confidence she exuded. She was leaning forward casually, arms crossed over the upper bar with one foot propped up behind the other. "Well?"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," insisted Steve, a blush creeping over his cheeks. Lying wasn't his thing, but he just wasn't ready for everyone to know about the competition for Darcy.

Above, Natasha snorted and straightened up. In the next second she had bound over the railing and landed several feet away on the mats. "You are a horrible liar Steven. Perhaps you should ask Loki for advice."

The mention of Loki brought a scowl to Steve's face. "I'd rather ask Coulson than Loki, thanks."

The Russian ex-assassin merely shrugged. "As you wish, though Coulson deals more in non-disclosure than outright lying." She paused, considering the matter for a moment before shaking her head. "No, non-disclosure here would simply be confirmation. Only a direct lie would suffice. However, that is not what I came to discuss." With the same grace she used to jump the railing, Natasha began to circle Steve slowly. "It has been brought to my attention that you intend to ask the woman you are attempting to court to S.H.I.E.L.D's little party."

"What about it?" asked Steve, spinning to follow Natasha's movements.

She grinned. Behind her, the punching bag creaked ominously. "Is it wrong for me to be concerned for a teammate? After all, if you were to get killed for attempting to take Darcy away from Loki, we would be one member short."

Behind her, the bag crashed to the ground. Steve sputtered a few times, mouth slightly open in shock. "How do you know that?"

Her eye roll was almost identical to the one Danya gave him whenever he was being what she referred to as 'obtuse'. "You and Loki are not as discreet as you both would like. Well," again she paused in consideration, "Loki cares little for discretion. Really, you are the only one embarrassed by your preferences in women."

"I'm not embarrassed!" exclaimed Steve, even as his cheeks lit up like Christmas lights. "I just don't think its anyone else's business who I choose to dance with!"

Natasha barely contained her chuckle. "'Dance with'? What an odd expression. Though I suppose English does have a number of odd euphemisms for sex." Much to her glee, Steve turned even redder. "Are you so embarrassed about such a simple word Steven? It will hardly bite you."

For his part, Steve thought he was doing rather well with not flinching. Hanging around Danya had done some amazing things for his tolerance levels where cursing and blunt sexual talk were concerned. He didn't flinch any more when a woman cursed for example, and he didn't turn such a bright shade of red that it could be described as maroon anymore when Danya used blatant sexual innuendo's to get Coulson off the phone with her faster. Or just to tick him off.

"It's not the word," muttered Steve. At Natasha's raised eyebrow, he cleared his throat and spoke a little louder. "I don't want to just do...that with her. I want to actually bewith her. Treasure and cherish her like she deserves to be."

"From what I have heard, Loki treasures her plenty," pointed out Natasha. "In fact, I distinctly recall him giving up all attempts at world domination to ensure her safety."

Steve growled a little. "As if he means it."

With a heavy sight, she stopped before the fallen punching bag, examining the large tear that sand was currently pouring from. "You are truly smitten, aren't you?"

"You sound almost disappointed," muttered Steve, though he couldn't help but wonder why.

A faint but sad smile pulled a little at her lips. "Heed my advice well Captain, the woman you seek will not return your affections. However, there is another not far off who is not so different from the one you are pursuing that would gladly show you affection in return."

The confused look that covered Steve's face would have been comical if the subject weren't so precious to the red-headed woman. Though it was hard to tell with the way they snipped at each other, Danya was dear to her and she would do all she could to protect her young cousin's heart.

"I don't understand," insisted Steve. "Another woman like Darcy? Who is it?"

But Natasha just shook her head sadly. "That you must determine on your own. I am bound to silence. However, I would recommend examining all the women in your life and considering who this may be. For soon, that option may not be open to you any longer. Though she is young, her ability to shut others out is remarkably strong."

Advice dispensed, Natasha strode away purposefully. Her plan to misadvise Steve may have gone by the wayside halfway through, but perhaps now the man would be inclined to open his eyes a little more and see what was right in front of him. Before it was too late.

Steve's head was still spinning over Natasha's words when Darcy strolled into the training room. She was clad in black shorts and a black t-shirt that said 'Spot the Ninja'. It was ridiculous, adorable, and completely her. Still, even as he watched her set aside her bag and begin to stretch for something, Natasha's words rang through his mind. I wonder who the girl is. There aren't a lot I talk with, so it's gotta be one of them. 'Examine the women in my life'...

"Hey Steve!" called Darcy as she finally took notice of him. "Whatcha doin'?"

Shaking his head, Steve gave her a smile and gestured behind him. "Working," a glance behind him served as a reminder that the punching bag he had been in the process of pretending was Loki's face wasn't still hanging from the ceiling, "er, I was working out."

Darcy laughed and shook her head. "Forgot your own strength there soldier?"

"Something like that," muttered Steve with a faint blush. "What about you? What are you doing here?"

"Loki's going to teach me how to throw knives," explained Darcy with a grin. "Tony told him we could use the gym here sense the police tend to get called when knives go flying around Central Park."

He nodded. "Policemen don't like sharp flying objects. My shield included."

"Yep, and since the last time Loki and I got arrested was a) in high school and b) led to a lot of chaos for the poor officers who had the misfortune to bring us in, I thought saving them the headache would be a nice thing to do." Darcy's grin got wider. "Maybe Natasha can help teach me too! That would be awesome."

"I can teach you how to throw things," pointed out Steve, Clint's advice running through his head. "We can practice with my shield."

Her eyes lit up as she eyed the painted disk with glee. "Seriously? That would be amazing! I always wanted to try throwing you shield. I know it's got sentimental value and all, but I've always wanted to try improving on the design. The metal itself is tricky to work with, but with a few modifications, I bet it could be even more aerodynamic and go even further!"

"Maybe," agreed Steve uneasily. "Try throwing it first though. I bet you'll be surprised how aerodynamic it already is."

She just nodded and went to pick up the disk from where it lay against one wall. Behind her, Steve smiled and pushed Natasha's words aside for the time being. He wanted Darcy and maybe the cards were stacked against him but anything was possible. After all, what were the chances he would become a super-solider either?

Follow up: Loki's revenge complete with tutu-ed Fury! Yes, this one is already up and is the bridge between this chapter and the next, though reading it isn't really vital. Anyway, as I said, I'll try to have the next chapter up soon and I do have the explanation for what got Loki and Thor entering into combat started, just not finished. Nor am I sure how the presentation is going to go. Keep you're eyes open though!

Also, some of you may ask: why is Loki teaching Darcy to throw knives? Answer: because he can. Seriously, no deeper meaning, he can teach her to do it and wants the laughs that an armed Darcy is likely to bring.

Anyway, comments? Questions? Quit well I'm behind? Its all welcome. And again, sorry for the poor chapter. Like I said, I'm not all here right now.