Hello!

I've decided to join the fun and start on my own collection of Romanogers one-shots.

This is the first one and it's my alternate take on Captain America: The First Avenger. Some details are changed to accommodate the story. Also the timeline here isn't exactly like in the movie.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Marvel.

#1: Beauty in all she is

It was another one of Bucky's brilliant idea of a double date. At first Steve was sure his best friend was playing trick on him, because there was no way a dame like her would want to be his date. Not in this lifetime or the next. But Bucky's expression had also been of disbelief when his date introduced them to the woman that would be Steve's date for the evening.

Natasha was her name. Fiery red curls and full, plump lips adorned her beautiful face. And her eyes, they were the most stunning pair of green eyes Steve ever laid eyes on. She was simply breathtaking.

But Steve's excitement ceased soon as his mind registered the very possibility that this so-called double date would end up just like the ones before, with Steve getting ignored all night and Bucky winning over both his and Steve's date with his witty remarks and charming personality. Sometimes Steve did question his own sanity for letting Bucky talk him into doing this from time to time. Who was he kidding? No one would ever be interested in a sick, skinny kid like him. Most women barely even glanced in his direction. Few who did would take one look at him and their expression either turned to pity or resentment.

So Steve was undoubtedly caught off-guard when Natasha started talking to him instead of swooning over Bucky (like Steve had expected her to). Rather lost in his shock, Steve only just noticed that his date was looking at him expectantly. She must have asked you something- pull yourself together, Rogers! He inwardly chastised himself.

"Um, I'm sorry?" He managed to stutter in between taking a few deep breaths and willing his heart rate to go back to normal. Natasha let out an amused chuckle and fixed her gaze on him. Steve was now really starting to regret leaving his inhaler back home.

"I said, are you always this nervous on a date?" She asked with a teasing smile.

"Uh no- I never.. No, this is the first actually." His voice came out surprisingly clear much to Steve's relief.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Yes, ma'am. You should." Looking right into her eyes for the first time, he returned her smile with his own.

As the night wore on, it felt more and more like a dream. This was the first time Steve ever had a real conversation with a woman. And it was a pleasant feeling. He quickly learned that Natasha was studying to be a nurse and she was also volunteering at the local shelter. She complimented him on his eagerness to join the military despite his "limitations" (Steve's words not hers).

"I find it to be a very admirable quality in a man." She winked and Steve was sure his face now matched the colour of her hair.

"Or a stupid one." Bucky chimed in, earning a warm laugh from the two women.

And perhaps the stars were finally aligned for him, because by the end of the date, Steve felt bold enough to ask Natasha if she would want to go out with him again. She said yes, lightly blushing. Steve was certain he fell for her right then and there.

On their third date, he gathered up the courage to tell Natasha that she was beautiful. In fact, she was the most beautiful woman to ever walk the planet as far as Steve was concerned. And yes, he had thought of it since the night they first met. He would have told her right away if he had not been too busy trying not to embarrass himself in front of her.

Steve was still babbling when Natasha started to lean in a little closer, effectively stopping his rants. A warm smile graced her lovely features. God, she really is gorgeous. Steve caught a whiff of the soft smell of her perfume, mixing with her sweet natural scent. They were so close, breaths mingling, and he could see the twinkle in her green eyes. Closing the gap, he let their lips touch for the first time.

0-0-0

Being with someone like Natasha did not change the fact that Steve was still a weak and scrawny kid who got bullied every now and then. But he was never one to back down from a fight, especially when he was not in the wrong. Then again, Steve could only take so many punches at once. Good thing Bucky was still away at war, or else he would have given Steve an earful for getting himself beaten up again. Now Natasha on the other hand…

"What is it this time?" She sighed as she tended to his wound. "Please Steve, you need to take better care of yourself. Just… don't mind those idiots, okay? Please? Your old bruises are barely healing and I hate to see you keep getting new ones."

Steve felt awful for making her worry so he just nodded and promised her he would be more careful not to get into another fight.

Then a miracle appeared in the form of Dr. Abraham Erskine and his idea of 'Project: Rebirth'. Steve was chosen to be the first in this super-soldier experiment due to the nature of his physical condition. Dr. Erskine explained everything about the process before giving Steve some time to make a decision.

Of course Steve had gone to Natasha right away, he needed to know if she would be okay with it. The experiment was such a risk because there was a real chance he would not survive it. Natasha was quiet for a while, when she turned to look at him again, concern evident in her eyes, but there was also trust.

"Do what you need to do, Steve." She offered with a smile that Steve had come to love very much, "I believe you'll do the right thing." He had never been more in love with her at that moment.

As it turned out, Steve survived 'Project: Rebirth' and became the first super soldier. He went from being 5'4" and 95 lbs. to 6'2" and 240 lbs. The name Captain America was given to him. Steve lived his purpose by serving his country, alongside his best friend Bucky and the men of The Howling Commandos. He became a new person and the same one still. Because deep down, he was always just Steve- the little guy from Brooklyn who blushed everytime Natasha, the love of his life, threw a smile in his direction.

The night before his and Bucky's units were to be deployed to take down Red Skull, Steve held Natasha in his arms, all the while whispering sweet nothings in her ear. She curled deeper in his embrace, their bodies still intertwined. Natasha's petite form now looked even smaller after his transformation, yet Steve marveled at how perfect they fit together. After a while she turned to face him and he could see the worry in her eyes, unshed tears that threatened to fall.

"You'll come back to me, right?" She pleaded, "Promise me, Steve. Promise me you'll try to come back to me."

Natasha's voice was just above a whisper and Steve had to swallow the lump in his throat. Looking into her eyes, he kissed her with all the love and passion he had for her. Only for her.

"You're the reason why I keep on fighting. I'll find my way back to you." He breathed, "I love you, Natasha. I love you so much."

"I love you more."

"That's not possible." Steve did not give Natasha a chance to reply as he sealed their lips and proceeded to show her again just how much he loved her. When Natasha woke up in the morning, Steve had already gone. And despite the uneasy feeling in her stomach, Natasha smiled fondly when she saw a single red rose on her bedside table.

0-0-0

Steve and Bucky led their men and went separate ways once they reached Red Skull's secret bases. Everything was going according to plan and most of the threats were successfully contained. And then all hell broke loose when Johann Schmidt, the leader of Red Skull, appeared out of nowhere and began shooting at Steve's men. Out of bullets, Schmidt was about to run, but Steve was faster. Fighting ensued, but it did not take long for Steve to deliver the final punch and defeat The Red Skull once and for all.

Barely breathing, Schmidt let out a strangled laugh, saying he still won and there was no stopping the jet that was on its way to obliterate America. Upon hearing that, Steve quickly left Schmidt and scrambled outside to find the jet about to take off. Without another thought, he jumped on the moving plane and only then did he realize his mistake.

But it was too late. Steve knew there was just not enough time. He felt his chest tightened as he thought of what he was about to do, what he needed to do. To save everyone. To save Natasha. Natasha. He was going to break not only his promise, but also her heart. Steve felt the tears forming in his eyes as he remembered the beautiful woman who was a true blessing in his sullen, mediocre life. He cherished all the wonderful times they had spent together, however short they might be. If only he could see Natasha one last time, to have the chance to hold her in his arms, to hear the melodic sound of her laughter. More than anything, Steve wanted to thank her for giving him the best memories of his life, and to say he was sorry for breaking his promise.

Steve was about to reach for the radio when Bucky's frantic shouts appeared from the other end, ordering him to stop being stupid for once. He allowed himself a sad smile as he sensed Bucky's frustration and anger. His best friend had always been overly protective of him. He owed Bucky so much, for being there for him for as long as he could remember, especially after his parents' passing. The man was like a brother to Steve. So for the first and only time, Steve asked Bucky to do something for him: take care of Natasha.

"Tell her I'm sorry- and that she'll always have my heart. It belongs to her and only her." Choking back the tears, Steve continued,

"You better look out for her, Buck... okay? If you don't I'll come back just so I can-"

A single tear rolled down the face of Sergeant James 'Bucky' Barnes as the sound of a crash cut off the words of his longtime friend, the man who was like his little brother- Captain Steven Rogers.

Bucky kept his promise and looked after Natasha. He did marry her, but no, their relationship was never like that. In Bucky's eyes, she would always be Steve's girl. And the truth was, Natasha found out that she was pregnant not long after the accident. Bucky was beside her the whole time, helping her get through the most difficult times.

Together they laughed and cried over the memories of the man they both loved and lost. But they did pull through and move on with their lives, just as Steve would have wanted them to. And no matter what, Steve would forever hold a special place in their hearts.

0-0-0

Foreign. Everything looked so foreign to him. Tall buildings and bright lights, this was not the city of New York he grew up in. Steve Rogers felt like he was in another world. Surely this is all just a dream.

Still in his disoriented state, Steve suddenly found himself surrounded by four, perhaps five black SUVs. There were men in black suits now approaching him, few with their guns already trained at him. He recognized them from the place he had just escaped from. Steve was trying to think of a way to make another run when a voice called out his name. He turned to the sound of the voice and saw one man carefully made his way toward him.

The air seemed to rush out of his lungs as Steve got a closer look of the person who might as well be the slightly younger version of him. The golden-haired man, who introduced himself as SHIELD Agent Steven Barnes, bore a striking resemblance to Steve. Except for his eyes. Steve would never forget those remarkable green eyes. They were Natasha's.

It can't be.

A/N: Thanks for reading. Feedback are greatly appreciated.