Thor; Lady N wished to thank to those who had diligently reviewed the last chapter. She was, and still is glowing from happiness you mortals had brought her.

Loki; You need not be dramatic. I still have grudge against that mortal. She haven't give me permission to make my grand entrance.

Tony; That is because nobody needs you. Hahahaha.

Loki; The mortal is equally attracted to me as she is attracted to you, Stark.

Tony; What? This can't b happening. I don't want to share her affection with this King of Bugs!

Natasha; That's true. I'd gone through her notebook. *eyeroll* I don't know why she has a peculiar thing toward assholes like you guys. It's disgusting.

Tony; Excuse me, I am a likeable asshole.

Loki; I do not know what does Stark meant, but I agree with him.

Steve; Cut it out! The readers want to read what Miss N had wrote, not you guys' bickering. *turns to audiences* I'm sorry for their behaviour, ma'ams and sirs. Miss N wishes to say she own none of us the Avengers, including Loki and SHIELD. But she does own her imagination.

All; Enjoy your read.

Chapter 8- Confusion

Natasha sat on her comfy spinning chair in her room. The chair spun underneath her, as fast as her mind was racing. Her fiery curls in a messy chignon, and she was still in her school uniform.

She hadn't spoken to Clint for about … a week now, since Tony was awake from his coma. Damn Tony Stark, she thought bitterly. Why you have to be the cause of this mess, of course without you actually aware. Things had been awkward between her and Clint and she hate it. She wants her best friend back. Or you want him back, as something else? As something more than just a best friend? Natasha face-palmed at the thought.

You know you want to.

No! Clint is just a best friend. The best of the best friends I ever had.

Oh, dear. You know you like him more than just a friend.

No I don't.

You may deny it. But deep down in your heart, it is obvious.

My heart? What about my heart? What does it wants?

Take a deep breath and close your eyes. Clear your head. They said, to know where your heart is, see where your mind went when it wanders.

Natasha closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She cleared her head, clearing every worrying thought she had. Let your mind wanders. See where it goes. She struggled to keep her mind empty, and found herself couldn't relax. She sighed. This won't work. This kind of thing wasn't something you can do when you try. It was something you do when you realized you had done it. Her cell phone beeped. For a moment, she hoped it was Clint, to explain every bit of his action.

It was a text from Pepper. And it was a little frustrating to know it wasn't from Clint.

Hey Natasha :) Tony just got himself a cat… like today. He's cute! The cat, I mean.

Natasha snorted a laugh, like she didn't aware of Pepper's attraction toward Tony. She won't say it out loud, but Natasha knew Pepper thought Tony was cute. She read the rest of the text.

Anyway, it is a Somali cat. Really fox-like, don't you think? Tony is still looking for the name though. You got any suggestions? -Pepper

He's cute, Natasha replied after checking out the picture of Tony's reddish-brown Somali cat. Tony's at your house? Why don't you name the cat Tony? - NR

Yep, apparently he had arrived before I was home. With his cat -.- my parents invited him to stay for dinner. No, he doesn't want it to be Tony. It will be confusing for JARVIS – Pepper

Oh. Tell him to name it Pepper xD –NR

He said the name is too girly for his tomcat *sigh –Pepper

Prissy bastard. Haha. I don't know…probably just a simple name like, Tom or Oreo or Max –NR

You know Tony. It's too simple and common '-.- for, I quote 'someone as awesome as me' –Pepper

Again, prissy bastard. Pepper, I'm not really good at this naming-pet thing. I named Hansel after I saw my old storybook, what'd you expect? You ask the others yet? –NR

Nope. Tony wants it to be between me and him. He doesn't even know I am telling you. What'd he expect? I'm getting headache thinking the 'suitable and peculiar' names – Pepper

Aww, that's sweet. It's like you guys are naming your baby. Hahahahaha XD Want me to bring over blue balloons over for your new bouncing baby boy? –NR

Seriously, it was way too cute. It was really like Tony and Pepper were naming their baby. And Tony actually wanted the cat thing be known only to him and Pepper, which considering the show-off cells Tony got in him, it was quite different. Like the cat was their own private thing, their own inside story. Tony, Tony, you'd been bugging me and Clint for years but you didn't even figure out your relationship with Pepper, Natasha shook her head amusingly.

Ha-ha, very funny Natasha. If you haven't got any suggestions, fine. I'll find one myself – Pepper

Aw, Pepper don't be mad at me. I'm sorry, but I really don't have any idea. Have you try mashing up yours and Tony's names? – NR

We already did. Remember Pepperony? –Pepper

Oh. Okay. Tell me if you got the name later. xx- NR

Natasha put her cell phone on her study desk and took a moment to change out of her uniform. She pulled out a grey archery shirt from her wardrobe, the very shirt she took from Clint and a pair of running shorts. It was fifteen minutes to five, perfect time to go for a run. She filled her red Adidas water bottle and tied up her running shoes. All the nervous energy she had inside her needed to be put in somewhere.

This was going to be a long run.

The weather was perfect for a run at the Central Park, which was just across the building she resides. Natasha took thirty-minutes extra time from her usual running time. Out of breath, she took a place on a bench, straightening her legs. Sweaty and tired but the nervous pricks still linger in her body. She closed her eyes, taking a deep, deep breath.

"Hello Romanoff," someone greeted.

Natasha opened her eyes slowly. Alexei Shostakov, boy from the neighboring family in the building she resides, sat next to her on the bench. He also went to SHIELD Prep and in the same year as Clint. And his family is also from Russia, hence the last name. She used to have crush on him when she was five years old, she'd admit that. Mostly because her family had quite a private life that made Alexei the only boy she'd known then. Their family is close but Natasha and Alexei never get it on first-name basis.

"Shostakov."

Alexei was in a black tank top that would girls swoon at the sight of the hidden muscles underneath. "I haven't seen you for a while, even at school."

"I've been busy. I've got a lot to handle."

"Oh. I heard about Stark's incident. It's quite shocking," Alexei nodded, taking a sip from his water bottle. His voice has a thick Russian accent, unlike Natasha, whose accent is barely recognized.

Natasha nodded. "It is. You still play soccer?"

"I do. In fact, we have a game against Gotham Prep this Saturday," he smiled, eyes twinkling. "Are you coming?"

She ran a list in her head. Thor plays football, Steve in the baseball team, and Clint is the school's star archer. Bruce, Tony and the rest are not into sports. No reason for her to attend the game. "I don't know. I have to check my plans this weekend."

"I really hope you could come," Alexei said. He wiped a line of sweat on his forehead, "I've got to go. See you again, Romanoff."

"Bye," Natasha waved as Alexei jogged his way home.

Natasha leaned back on the bench and sighed, closing her eyes. Alexei. She hadn't seen him for a while. Alexei, like Pepper, had clubs and meetings to errand. Over the years, Alexei had grown to a quite attractive guy. Natasha snorted a laugh. She still remembers Alexei as this thin but tall boy with unruly hair and mischievous smile. Now, Alexei is still a tall guy, but his hair neatly combed, and dressed impeccably like a businessman. He still has the same mischievous smile.

Smile that is similar to a certain Clinton Francis Barton. Clint, who is never aware of his good looks, unlike Tony. He cut his dirty blond hair the way he likes it- short and casually disarray. He said he like it short, more comfortable. When he smiles, his eyes went small and she could see the adorable wrinkles around his eyes. His eyes are green, but it can be easily mistaken for blue sometimes. Clint is a guy of a few words, and is a keen observer. Can be found either at the archery range or at the top of a building, namely SHEILD Prep or his apartment on a bad day. He likes the color purple, which in his opinion, too girly for him to admit. He loves to wear the thin black jacket that once belonged to his father that he even wears in the summer. He loves his combat boots, and has three pairs of it lying around his bedroom; every each of them is terribly old.

Describe Clint Barton in five words.

Silent. Funny. Protective. Brilliant. Master archery.

And handsome.

Her mind reminisced the day Clint kissed her. It was her first kiss, and he stole it. He fricking stole my first kiss, Natasha bit her lip. His lips felt absolutely nice and awesome and good and perfect against hers. She like the fact that his fingers in her hair, soft and pulling her close to him, unlike some boys who were dying to grope her. Her small hands on his toned chest, holding on to his shirt. Their bodies pressed up to each others. She never realized she was holding to his shirt until he broke the kiss.

She hated the kiss. She hated that she was suffocating, desperate for air as the kiss ended. She hated the cute-confused, endearing look on his face. She hated the fact he saw her blushing as they broke the kiss. She hated the kiss made both she and Clint didn't speak for almost a week and caused them to behave awkwardly. She hated the fact her first kiss was Clint, her own best friend.

Natasha exhaled. Be honest to yourself.

She liked the kiss. She liked the breathless but whole feeling she got after the kiss ended. She adored the expression Clint had on his face, though she can't read it but she knew it was an endearing look. She liked how her cheeks felt warm. She loved the fact her first kiss was Clint, her own best friend, not some horny high school boys.

There you go.

She opened her eyes. "Hell."

So, that's where my heart is. Somewhere my mind wanders.

"Come back, Clint," she muttered. "I want my best friend back."

She missed talking to Clint. She want to know what the kiss meant, and if he had the same feelings as hers. She missed having Clint by her side. She didn't want to lose him.

Her cell phone beeped. It was another text from Pepper. She checked the image that accompanied the text. It was a picture of Tony and Pepper, with their cats. Tony was showing off his cat to the camera and Pepper held Pepperony lovingly in her arms. Pepper had a happy smile on her face and Tony made an amusing shocked face. The picture was cute, overall.

We just got the perfect name :) Topper, as in Tony and Pepper. His idea, not mine -.- Ronnie loves him, they are very good friends after a couple of minutes. Gtg, we've got dinner -Pepper

Despite her frustrations, the text from Pepper made her smile. At least someone wasn't having her situations. The awkwardness and the confusion.

"Clinton? You have a problem?"

Clint tilted his head to face his grandfather, who was sitting across him at the dinner table. His grandmother scooped mashed potatoes and gravy into his plate. His combat boots listlessly rubbing against the carpeted floor. Sighing, he stabbed his mashed potatoes with his spoon. Do I have a problem? Yes. He and Natasha hadn't talk for almost a week now. All he got from Natasha nowadays was raised eyebrows, confused glances to his directions, and rigid posture.

"Clinton Francis?"

Clint sighed. "I heard you, Pop."

"You've been this way since last week. What's bothering you exactly?"

"I don't know," he shrugged. "Nothing."

His grandmother stared at him. "Don't fool us, Clinton. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Natasha for a while. Did you fight with her?"

Clint considered that for a moment. If kissing your best friend made her didn't talk to you for week count as 'fighting' so be it. "Kind of like that."

"And now you two are not talking?"

He nodded. Come on, these people know him since he was born; of course they could easily guess his situation. "Yes, Nana."

"What made you guys fight?" Pop asked.

"I did something that makes her ignore me." It wasn't even accurate, but it was close enough.

Nana looked at him. "Did it hurt her?"

"Physically, no. Emotionally… I'm not sure."

"How come you're not sure? Didn't she tell you?"

Clint sighed. "No. And I kind of have a hard time guessing too."

"Did you mean it? When you hurt her?" Nana asked, collecting hers and Pop's plates.

"Uh, no?" Clint shrugged. He felt like a juvenile delinquent under questioning. It was torturing. "Because seriously, I don't know."

Nana put a hand on his shoulder, patting him affectionately. "Honey, you need to tell her you're sorry for what you did. You've got to explain why you did it, and tell her how you really feel."

He sighed, giving up his mashed potatoes and the rest of his dinner. "Thanks Nana."

Clint got up from his chair and grabbed a bottle of Gatorade from the refrigerator before dragging his feet to his bedroom. He took off his combat boots and threw his weight on the bed. He missed Natasha. He thought about what Nana had said.

You need to tell her you're sorry for what you did.

Hey, Natasha I am sorry. I really am.

You've got to explain why you did it,

I don't know why I had done it. Kiss you, I mean. I just have this impulsive instinct that moment.

"That sounds really stupid," Clint muttered.

And tell her how you really feel.

I miss you. I haven't talk to you for a week and I really miss you. I miss my best friend. I want you back.

And tell her how you really feel, Clinton.

How do I really feel?

"I don't know," Clint muttered.

He honestly didn't know. Natasha is cool. She's pretty and smart. She is independent and tough, which is the main reason why he got along with her.

He liked Natasha. As a friend, Clint rolled his eyes. He liked the way her hair looked when she let the red long curls loose. The way the curls turned to different shades of red when touched by the sunlight always fascinated him. She's short, but that doesn't mean she's harmless. Natasha is one of the persons Clint knew that is quite dangerous. She learned more than three martial arts as a kid. She was famous among the boys in SHIELD Prep, with her curvy body and the way everything she wore seemed perfect on her body. She got his sense of humour and understands him better than anyone. He like the way they have their own way of silent conversation. The kind of conversation they had, with only the small gestures they show. He liked the way her lips pulled up to a smile. When she smiled, Clint felt relieved. It was like he had accomplished an important job; makes her smile.

And suddenly an image flashed in his mind; He and Natasha, somewhere that had green grass and lake, and they were sitting together, just the two of them. Somewhere far away from the chaos in their lives. Natasha beside him, in a white cotton blouse and skirt, her feet bare. Her curls blown softly by the wind, turning fifty different shades of red under the evening sunlight. And he had her small hand in his, in a small gesture of don't let go. Her full lips pulled up to an easy smile, her blue eyes looking at him with infinite fondness.

This is not how you think about your best friend, Clint. You like her, more than just a friend.

Maybe I do like her more than just a friend, but what if she doesn't feel the same way?

….

See? It's better this way. I'm just gonna stay quiet about this.

But what if she asks why did you kiss her?

Anything. Even if it makes me sound like a douchebag.

"I think there's something going on between Clint and Natasha," Tony spoke up, his fingers absent mindedly raking through his newly-purchased Somali cat. The cat purred contently on his lap.

Pepper looked up from Pepperony. "Yeah? Why did you say so?"

"Pepper," Tony rolled his eyes. "I might be not the brightest guy when it comes to relationship, that and the fact that I haven't go to school for a while but I know something is up."

"Even if something is up, it is not your business, Tony. Like you said, you are not the brightest guy when it comes to relationship."

"Whatever," Tony grumbled, disappointed of Pepper's disinterest of discussing the matter with him. "Pep, I've got something to tell you."

Pepper gave him a lopsided smile. "You're finally going to tell me the replacement for your electromagnet?"

"Damn, I couldn't hide anything from you," Tony joked. "How did you know?"

"There's no car battery hooked up to you."

Tony rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that's obvious. I found out that I could use the arc-reactor to replace the electromagnet. Bruce's idea was great, electromagnet is the answer, but it is too inconvenient. Not only for me, but also for everyone else. I mean, who want to have car battery hooked up to their body?"

"Tony, get to the point."

"Alright, alright. Remember the arc-reactor my dad has at his factory? I managed to build a smaller version of it."

Tony set Topper down next to him, which made the cat whined. Topper began to harass Pepperony, which made Pepper set her cat down so the two buddies could play. Tony unbuttoned his grey cardigan and lift up his red shirt. Pepper blushed and looked away at the sight of Tony's bare torso.

"Pepper."

Pepper turned to look at Tony. Her eyes caught the sight of a blue glow on Tony's chest. The arc-reactor. It was round and metal, and beautiful. The blue glow said it all. The light was enticing. Unable to stop herself, Pepper raised her hand and touched the arc-reactor. Her fingers traced the metal exterior. She was completely fascinated by the enticing blue light. Who knows Tony Stark, who claimed he only could build engine and machine, could make something so beautiful?

"Sorry," Pepper murmured after she realized she had been staring too long.

Tony cleared his throat. "It's okay." He lifted down his shirt. "Awesome, huh?"

"It's beautiful," Pepper nodded. "How does it work?"

"It's an energy source, but it also works to keep the shrapnel at bay. It also generates three-gigajoule energy per minutes and allows my heart to run for fifty lifetimes. But most of all, it is not attached to anything."

Tony gestured for Pepper to come close, and she did. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders as she laid her head on his shoulder. They stayed that way, at the balcony of her room, for a few moments. Topper hopped on his owner crossed legs, begging attention.

"When you're coming to school?" Pepper asked.

"I don't know. My medical leave covers until next week," Tony shrugged. "But if things get boring at the tower, maybe I'll go to school by this Thursday."

"I hope you could cut short your vacation. Things are starting to get boring at school."

Tony smiled. They might think he had all the fun, enjoying his medical leave. But he was equally bored to stay at the tower. He only had JARVIS to accompany him, plus Topper. But Topper is a cat, for God's sake. He had considered to go to school, but recoiled at the idea of facing Fury first thing in the morning.

And if he had to go to school that early, he might not be able to keep the arc-reactor and the Topper to himself and Pepper any longer. He'd never have much self-control to stop himself for showing-off. For now, he wanted to keep the two things to private. He didn't know why, but it was nice to have a couple things known only to him and the person he loved.

He lifted up his head and looked at Pepper. She was asleep on his shoulder. Tony smiled. He had forgotten that Pepper, unlike him, had gone through a tiring day. He casually maneuvered himself around her, to enable him lifting her up. Slipping an arm under her knees and another around her shoulders, he slowly picked her up and carried her to bed. After tucking her under the blanket, he closed the windows and door to the balcony, scooping Topper in his arms.

"Goodnight, Pepper," he said as he turned off the light and stood at her bedroom door. "I love you."

Steve; Miss N wants to say, "So, this is the 8th chapter. I hope you guys like it. I'm sorry if it is quite boring and what with the grammar mistakes. Keep the reviews coming in."

Thor; MORTALS! I request for you to send your reviews because it makes Lady N really, really happy. Your reviews gives her motivation to write and inspiration.

Clint; But she also want you guys to know that she's always open to your ideas.

Tony; Eh, Hawkass. I thought you were hiding from Natasha. You guys have crisis, right? *raise an eyebrow*

Clint; None of your damn business, Mr. Say-I-love-you-when-she's-asleep

Loki; Unless I misread, Stark had say I love to Miss Potts, didn't he?

Tony; *blushes* none of you guys business.

Clint; Why don't you confess to her?

Loki; Yes. Why haven't you admit your feelings yet?

Tony; Again, none of you guys business. And it's story for another chapter. Bye-bye for now. Have a nice day :) *wave*

Loki; I better look around for that mortal. Had she refused to kneel, and now she refused to let me make my grand entrance!

Tony; *mutters* nobody cares.