Authors Note: And the story continues
"I could get lost in this."
"It is unnaturally peaceful, I feel like we're about to be ambushed any minute." Said Steve looking around the cabin.
"Or some explosion and the train ends up derailing off a bridge." Chimed Natasha
"Maybe another alien invasion sucking the train to another dimension." Mused Steve dramatically as the two looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"I'm really not used to this." Chucked Steve
"Me neither, it's surreal." Responded Natasha with a smile
"I guess we should enjoy it, it never lasts." Said Steve as he stared out the window.
"Every minute of it." Said Natasha with a grin as she lifted her legs up and placed them on Steve's lap.
"What? It's more comfortable." Said Natasha defensively as Steve rolled his eyes and went back to looking out the window.
"You know, I can't say I've ever been to Florence."
"Me neither, but I read about it. It seems like a pretty nice place." Said Steve turning away from the window to look at Natasha excitedly.
"You know it's the birthplace of the renaissance, it's where culture came back to life and some of the greatest writers and artists resided there."
"Nerd." Teased Natasha as a small frown appeared on Steve's face.
"It's fascinating stuff, so much art, fashion, culture, and history. It'll be amazing Nat, I'm sure you'll love it."
"Well, I'm sure I'll be able to enjoy these wonderments even more seeing as I'll be with the worlds greatest living fossil," mused Natasha causing Steve to once again frown.
"I don't know why I try," muttered Steve shaking his head as he turned towards the window.
Natasha couldn't help but grin at how frustrated Steve got but she did love working him up. With an evil grin she leaned over towards Steve and kissed him on the cheek.
"I'm sure it'll be interesting." Said Natasha as she watched her favorite grin spread across Steve's face.
The train ride overall was peaceful as the young duo shared various tales and adventures about themselves as the train swept past the European landscapes. When they arrived in Florence it was already midnight so the two decided to head straight for their hotel from the train station. Natasha decided to book the presidential suite in the hotel Firenze, which was situated in the heart of Florence.
"It's funny how every time we arrive at a hotel there's only one room left," mused Steve looking around admiring the architecture and design of the hotel.
"It is one of the most exclusive hotels here, we should count ourselves lucky." Responded Natasha flatly as she laced her hands around his and pulled him along towards the elevators.
"Wow, I don't think I ever stayed in anywhere this nice before." Said Steve in awe as he looked around the giant suite and set off to explore it's various rooms pulling Natasha along who couldn't help but grin at his childlike wonderment.
"Well, I figured we get to spoil ourselves a little courtesy of shield and it's many offshore accounts." Mused Natasha
"Isn't that stealing?"
"Mmmm no, I wouldn't call it that seeing as I was given clearance to these accounts before everything went haywire. I usually get a large budget for various missions anyways but I rarely use it and I just wire the money to charities and various orphanages." Said Natasha who got quieter at the last part.
Steve gave Natasha a knowing glance and pulled her to the outside patio as they sat on the cushioned bench overlooking the entire city underneath.
"I'm guessing your childhood wasn't the most pleasant experience, huh," said Steve absentmindedly clasping both hands around Natasha and staring out towards the city lights.
"No it was pretty terrible, at least what I remember from it." Said Natasha slowly and quietly as she leaned her head on Steve's broad shoulders.
"I never knew my father but I remember my mother telling me that he was a cruel man and always reminding me that I was a queen and shouldn't ever be at the mercy of any man. I remember her voice and her eyes; they were some of the kindest eyes I've ever looked into. We were poor and often homeless jumping from apartment to apartments or alleys to park benches. When I was about 5 she got sick during the winter and she knew she was dying. She took this man's home Ivan Petrovitch. She knew couldn't stay and with a final kiss and a final sentence she was gone. Stay strong Natalia, live, become everything I couldn't. Ivan was always distant and by the time I was 8 I was eager to be stronger and never weak. I wanted to be able to protect myself, protect others like I wish I could have saved my mother. He took me to the red room and you know what happens from there." Said Natasha looking off to the distant.
"I never knew my father either, he died early in the Great War. My mother basically raised me by herself as she tried to manage being a nurse full time during the war and raising me. I remember she would always tell me that one-day I would be strong in my own special way. She always reminded me that just because I was man I must never look down at women as its equality that makes us the strongest. We didn't have much but she would always take me around with her as we walked around Brooklyn offering medical help to anyone that might have needed it but couldn't afford it. She passed away when I was around 12. By that time it was just me, at least I thought it was until Bucky took me in. I was always sick and there were nights where I wondered if I would make it through. But I always closed my eyes and imagined what my mother would say to me. You might not be the strongest, most cunning, or biggest person Steve but if you have the heart you'll be able to overcome anything. I'm positive that you're mother was an amazing women and if she could be here now she would be proud of the women that you've become Natasha." Said Steve turning over and looking at Natasha who was already staring at him and once again green met blue.
"How could she? After everything I've done, the people I've murdered." Whispered Natasha.
"You did what you believed was right to protect the people in Russia that couldn't protect themselves. You didn't know about the manipulations and as soon as you did you switched sides. You're not evil Natasha, I've seen evil. I've seen cruelty and madness and that's not you. She'd be proud of the woman who risks her life everyday to fight for what she believed in and to keep the peace. The one who brings men to their knees and secretly has the biggest heart out there. That's the Natasha she would see. That's the Natasha I see everyday."
"That's it."
She couldn't help it anymore as she stared at Steve and got closer and closer seeing the terror in his eyes as he thought he had said something terribly wrong.
"Natasha I.."
She didn't let him finish as in one quick movement she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in smashing his lips to hers and in that moment it felt like time froze and something exploded in her chest flooding it with endless amounts of joy as she broke away into a wild smile leaning her forehead against his.
"Thank you."
Authors Note: A shorter chapter but it felt like the right place to end this one, how'd you guys feel about this one?