Natasha Romanov prided herself in being something of a badass, untouchable and unattainable, emotionless and hard to handle.

There were only two people who got to see another side to her, Tony Stark was one though the circumstances of their relationship were strange even to her, and James Buchanan Barnes was the other. She hated looking weak in anyone's eyes, even theirs, and when her body began to slow her down she did not tell anyone until it was too late.

She was nearly a month along into her pregnancy, still fighting diligently with her fellow Avengers but fatigue was starting to come over her easier than before.

It was a surprise when the person she least had an affinity with and still held intense anger towards was the first to notice the change.

Steve Rogers was the unofficial "leader" of the Avengers and everyone knew it though it was never commented upon. Nick coordinated the missions, set the parameters and such, but Steve lead them into danger better than anyone else could.

Nick called her into his office and said the two words she had been dreading.

"I have a mission for you and Rogers."

Natasha scrunched her nose, looking down at her nails. "Is there no one else, Nicholas? I find I am somewhat…"

"Negative. Widow, you know he's the best I have and the only one who can protect you if something happens."

She looked up incredulous. "You doubt James's skill? He is the best hand to hand fighter I have ever witnessed. He can bring a man down with his little finger faster than Steven can even…"

Nick raised an eyebrow. "And he is wanted by several countries, one of which I am sending you to tonight. If I could guarantee that his identity couldn't be discovered…"

She smiled. "He could wear Rogers's suit. Be Captain America for a short time."

Nick paused, considering, and then shook his head. "If he knew the shield like Steve did enough to impersonate him, maybe, but he's been out of commission for what, fifty years? No, it has to be you and Steve. You are going into Russia, tonight, and stealing back the hard drive that Moses Magnum sold to Igori Kreitzchiev. It contains information that cannot get into Russian hands. The Russians respect you, they fear you. Same goes with Steve."

She pouted, rolling her eyes. "I think you want me to work with Rogers for other reasons, but I will do my best not to argue."

Nick smiled. "As always, I bow to your superior intelligence, Natasha. Now send your boy in here so he doesn't throw a fit. I don't want him rushing after you and fucking up my mission."

Natasha blushed, standing. "Yes, Nicholas."

She left the office and went to where she knew James would be; down in the cell he had first arrived in, reading. Since regaining his memory the place had become somewhat of a sanctuary to him she did not understand. He was lying on the floor with his back to her when she got stepped inside.

It took only a moment for him to take a deep breath, close his eyes and smile. "Hello lapochka."

She grinned, walking behind him and lying down, pressing her face into his neck. "Hello darling. Good book?"

He held up a copy of Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment," leaning back to kiss her before answering, "A bit of light reading."

She laughed, kissing his neck. "Nicholas wishes to see you."

His body instantly tensed. "No. You're not going."

Natasha sighed. "James, I…"

He lay down onto his back, grabbing and lifting her on top of him. When she saw the fear in his eyes she kissed him as passionately as she was able before he pushed her away.

"Do not distract me, Natasha. You're not going. This is stupid. You're pregnant and he's going to send you into…"

"Russia," she whispered softly, laying her head on his chest.

He froze. "Bullshit, I'm going too then."

"Nicholas says there is too much at risk. The mission is important, James, but not dangerous. If you go, it will be," she whispered.

He ran his hands through her hair silently, and then turned again, pressing his hand to her belly.

"The baby," he whispered.

She smiled. "She is very strong, a fighter. She waited fifty years to be born; she will not leave before meeting us properly."

James laughed lightly, but his eyes were tearful. "Natasha…. ya lyublyu tebya…I don't…" (I LOVE YOU)

She put her finger on his lips. "Hush, James. I can take care of myself, I promise you this," she whispered, "Steven is coming with me."

He visibly relaxed, sighing. "Okay. If it's Steve, it's fine."

Natasha tried to smile but the effort hurt. His faith in the man that had hurt her Tony so still displeased her, but if it helped him be okay with her going on a mission she was happy to make him feel secure.

She kissed him softly, licking at his lips before pulling back and whispering, "Nicholas still wants to see you."

James sighed. "The things I do for love."

She smiled, kissing him again before trying to stand. Her muscles hurt but she hid her discomfort, standing and letting out a breath. James was at her back and she smiled at him once more before heading to the situation room.

The room was empty and she sat down in a chair, letting out a breath.

"You look tired."

Natasha looked up and glared. "No, I am not."

Steve smiled at her. "I know I'm not your favorite person right now, but things…"

She crossed her arms. "It has been a short time since you realized your idiocy and begged Tony for his forgiveness but I still remember how much pain he went through, Steven. I remember seeing him bandaged and bruised, while you ignored him because you thought him unfaithful."

Steve paled, his mouth opening and closing before he swallowed and said, "I…I know that, Natasha. I do. I know how horrible it was. I….I'm lucky to have him again. We…we're living together and we're," he looked at her with determination, "Happy."

She tried not to let it show how annoyed she was that Tony had not told her about their moving in together. "I am glad for the both of you, Steven."

Steve sighed. "I'm glad for you and Bucky too, Natasha. I know how happy he makes you."

She smiled. "Yes, we make each other happy. Always. I trust him with my life," she whispered, "As I will now trust you with it as well."

Steve nodded. "Yes, the mission."

Natasha sighed. "Yes."

They went in that night under cover of darkness, landing on the roof of a building and sneaking in through the air ducts. Widow was small enough that she fit easily inside and Steve found another way through without being detected. When she got to the room where the hard drive was held, she relaxed. The building was not under much security, thankfully.

She grabbed the drive. It was smaller than then she had expected, but checking it to her pad she sent Nicholas the information.

"Yes, that's it. Destroy it."

She frowned. "I thought we were to retrieve it, Nicholas."

"Negative, Widow. The information is highly classified and the risk involved in taking it back over here would be too great. I have the upload you gave me which has most of the information. It's enough. Burn it."

"I can…"

"NEGATIVE. DESTROY IT BLACK WIDOW. THAT IS AN ORDER."

Steve's voice came in her ear. "They're still outside occupied, Widow. We're clear."

Natasha stared at the drive, her face determined. She slipped it in her cleavage and said, "On my way."

Then suddenly there was a laugh. A very familiar one.

Alexei Alanovich Shostakov, otherwise known as "The Red Guardian."

"Alexei?" she turned and covered her mouth, shaking her head. "No, it cannot be."

He smiled at her. "Hello little one, miss me?"

She shook her head. "You were killed. I saw you. This is madness."

He came at her then and she blocked him easily, kicking out with her foot as he spit out, "They lied to you, Natasha. I did not want to be married to a monster and the government needed me for greater things than keeping you docile! I am reborn! Stronger and faster than you have ever been!"

He kicked her arm, damaging her gauntlet dart and making her drop to the floor hard. Her vision blurred and she tried to stand, wincing. Alexei stared down at her and then grabbed her throat, lifting her with one hand.

Her vision blurred more and she felt the air leaving her as she choked. Tears filled her eyes.

"No, James…" she tried to say and he laughed.

"Ah yes, your Winter Soldier. He will never see you again, my love. You will die in your Mother Russia, and your soldier will weep at the sight of your broken neck!"

She tried to kick him and her vision blacked out for a moment and when she saw again, Steve Rogers was in front of her. He pulled back, his eyes filled with tears as he yelled out, "NATASHA ANSWER ME!"

She coughed, barely able to speak. "I…I am…I'm here."

He laughed, letting out a breath he'd been holding. "Thank god. C'mon," he moved to take her into his arms and she protested weakly, but was unable to stop him.

When they were on the plane the doctors looked her over, giving her a clean bill of health. Steve held her hand and when they let her listen to her daughter's heart beat she burst into tears.

"Thank you, Steven. I…I was so frightened."

He squeezed her hand. "So was I. I saw him holding you, I got there just in time. I…"

"Is he dead?" she asked, her voice fearful.

Steve shook his head. "I threw my shield at his head, he was unconscious but I was more worried about you. You lost oxygen for too long, the baby. I…"

She swallowed. "It is all right. We are alive and I owe you everything."

He frowned. "Who was he?"

She looked away, shaking her head. "A phantom."

They got to the mansion and Bucky ran into the plane, dropping to his knees at the sight of her. "NATASHA! YOU! I TOLD YOU!"

She hugged him tightly, her body shaking with relief. "Lapochka, I… Kak ya lyublyu tebya." (I LOVE YOU SO)

He kissed her all over, his face covered in tears. "I was so scared, I…you're alright?"

She nodded and pulled him close again before whispering, "It was Alexei."

Bucky pulled back, his eyes wide. "No. He's…"

Natasha shook her head. "No, it was he. I spoke to him. I…he knows about you. He…he wants me dead, James."

The anger in his eyes was chilling, though not to her. "He doesn't know where we are. He…the baby?"

"She is fine. He…he did not mention the child, just…just you."

He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. "They will not part us again, lapochka," he whispered, kissing her hand.

Natasha nodded and he lifted her, ignoring the doctor's protests. They were walking into the mansion when Tony Stark burst through the door. "Is she okay? I heard that…"

She smiled. "I am fine, my Tony. We are both fine."

Bucky glared at him. "Out of my way, Stark."

Tony took her hand and squeezed. "Thank god," he let go and stepped aside, "After you."

James cursed under his breath as he carried her down to the hospital wing where they set her up with monitors for the baby, explaining that everything seemed to be fine but it was just a precaution.

James sat at her side, holding her hand with his other hand on her belly. "No more," he whispered, kissing her fingers.

Natasha nodded. "Yes, I know." She reached in her cleavage and pulled out the small drive, setting it on the table beside her.

"I mean it, 'Tasha."

She smiled. "You have not called me that in decades, James."

He blushed. "I know. I…you could have died, "he rubbed her stomach, which was only a bit bigger but still did not show much, "Both of you. And I would have gone after him, ripped his throat out."

She swallowed. "James, promise me."

He shook his head. "He comes near you again, I'll do it. I swear."

She frowned. "I do not want him near you. The…he does not…"

Bucky frowned at her. "What did he say to you?"

Natasha looked away, watching her baby's heartbeat.

"Natasha, tell me."

"He…he told me that he had lied about his death. The government needed him for a bigger mission, he…his strength…it rivaled your own…he…he told me that had not wanted to be married to a monster," she whispered, not looking at him.

He let go of her hand and she turned, tears on her face.

James leaned in close and pressed their lips together, kissing and loving her the way only he could. When he pulled back and touched their foreheads together he whispered, "You are not a monster. Never. If anyone is, it's him. How could anyone not want to be married to you? To bask in your beautiful face every morning and make love to you every moment, every second, he could? He never understood you, never really loved you. You know that, moĭ krasnyĭ tsvetok. You were made for my lips," he kissed her, "my hands," he ran his hand across her cheek, "No one will love you like I do." (MY RED FLOWER)

Natasha nodded, tears streaming down her face as she kissed him passionately, grabbing on to the back of his head, devouring his lips the way he devoured her heart and every inch of her soul. When they pulled apart she whispered, "I wish to make love with you, lapochka. Right this second."

He laughed, kissing her again. "No way. Not till we know the kid's okay for sure."

"Our daughter," she whispered, pressing her face into his neck.

Bucky hugged her. "Yeah…thought I'm not sure how the heck you're so damn sure it's a girl."

She pulled back and whispered, "I know she will be. I just know."

He smiled and kissed her again. "Yeah…" he pushed hair out of her face and said suddenly, "Marry me."

Her eyes widened. "What?"

He smiled. "You heard me."

She stared at him blankly. "Why?"

Bucky laughed. "Because I want to marry you."

She frowned. "You do not want to be married to me, James. I…I was never a good wife. I…"

He grabbed put his hand under her chin and made her look at him. "You were never in love with Alexei. You and me, we're forever. We both know it, don't we? Let's make it official."

Natasha's cheeks reddened as he spoke, her eyes watering again. "I love you, James."

He grinned. "Is that a yes?"

She nodded. "Yes."

He kissed her again softly, taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips. She shivered.

"Ya khochu est ya, lapochka," she whispered, licking her lips. (I HUNGER FOR YOU)

Bucky grinned, "Me too."

She sighed, closing her ryes. "I am fine, James. Can we not leave?"

"Not yet," came the answer and she opened her eyes to glare at Nick.

He smiled. "Hello Natasha."

"Nicholas. Tell me you did not know about Alexei."

He sighed. "It's complicated, kids. It…"

Suddenly Bucky ran at him, punching Nick in the face. He didn't fight back, only rolled with it, rubbing his jaw.

"You deserve it, you son of a bitch," Bucky said, spitting at him. He went back to Natasha and took her hand, never taking his eyes off of Nick.

Nick sighed. "Like I said, it's complicated. I didn't know that Alexei was working with these guys. I really didn't. But I knew he was alive."

She glared at him. "Like you knew James was."

Nick shook his head. "I didn't know Bucky was alive. That surprised even me, Natasha. I swear."

She grabbed the hard drive off the table and tossed it to him. "There. Now go. Leave us."

He stared at it. "I told you to leave this."

"I disobeyed your orders."

Nick stared at her grimly. "And most likely just led your precious Alexei right to us," he said, throwing the drive to the floor and stepping on it.

It broke easily and he leaned down, picking up a red blinking light. "A tracking device," he crushed it, "He knows where you are now. I TOLD YOU TO DESTROY IT!"

Natasha shook her head. "I…I did not…"

Bucky let go of her hand, punching the wall and swearing. "FUCK! We… we have to get out of here."

Nick shook his head. "Bucky, we can protect her."

"LIKE YOU DID BEFORE? IF ANYONE BUT STEVE HAD BEEN THERE…" he yelled, shaking his head, "No, we're leaving."

Nick sighed. "I have a safe house you can go to. It's in the Cayman Islands. No one but me uses it. When they come we'll fight them off. Go. Now."

Bucky nodded and picked her up, despite her protests. They ran down the hall and Tony came around the corner. "What's going on?"

"We're leaving! The Russians had a tracking device in the drive she stole and they're coming for her! We have to leave!" Bucky growled, running.

"Wait, you can't just…!" Tony yelled, standing in front of him.

Bucky glared at him. "She's MINE to protect, Stark. Not yours. You care about her even a LITTLE and you'll get out of my fucking way."

Tony sighed. "Natasha?"

Her eyes were full of tears. "My Tony. I will contact you as soon as I can."

He shook his head. "I…"

She smiled. "I as well."

He stepped out of Bucky's way and the last thing he saw was her blowing him a kiss as they disappeared into the darkness.

Steve came running and Tony grabbed on to him tightly. "What's going on?"

"Bucky took her, Steve. They…the Russians want to kill her and…it's safer," he whispered, squeezing on to Steve's shoulders tightly.

Steve kissed his forehead and hugged tightly back. "I should have stayed with her."

"It's not your fault. It," Tony's voice broke, "I just want her to be safe. She…"

Steve pulled back and looked into Tony's eyes. "Bucky loves her, Tony. He'll die before letting something happen to her or the baby," he kissed Tony, wrapping his arms around him and when they broke apart Tony stuck his face in Steve's neck, breathing him in.

Then Tony's phone rang and they both groaned. "Ignore it."

"It's a text message," Tony sighed, grabbing his phone.

He stared at it and laughed, kissing Steve again.

"What is it?"

"She says they're getting married and we better be at the wedding since we're their best men," he said, laughing.

Steve smiled and kissed him again. "Definitely."

Natasha smiled at the message and stared it for a moment before tossing the phone from the plane. James hugged her close and whispered, "What was that?"

"Tony says he's going to become a minister and marry us."

He groaned. "Like hell he will."

She closed her eyes and sighed.

Everything would be okay. It would just take a while.