A/N: Guys! Thank you so so so much for the reviews! The last chapter just broke every record of this story.
lovenn, Avengers101, Muldoon22, lauralina, Widow306, immy01, MESPX13, DragonSlayer96, Midgardian Avenger, MysticFantasy, Koala35, EvelynHunters, Twilight-Narnia-Charmed, Destined627 and guests : Thank you for your review! It's really great that I could knew your feeling!
Well, let's hear it from Steve's side of the story. Hope you like it!
16 : I WON'T SAY I'M IN LOVE
Steve and his team consisted of 15 best agents in SHIELD. They gathered on the runway, waiting for deployment. Tony, in his Ironman suit, and Sam Wilson were oversee the staff loading mission's gear onto the quinjet.
Steve was talking with Sharon and Thor until Marie Hills walked over to them.
"Captain Rogers, all of your team member are here. You are ready to deploy anytime you want" The agent informed.
"Hills Wait! Natasha isn't show up yet. We can't leave without her."
"She has been reassign captain"
"What?!"
"She will join Barton on his mission and you have more than enough agents to help you on this mission"
"But—"
"Director Fury's direct order, Captain"
Hills walked away, leaving Captain America confused. He still processed what's going on?
Why did Natasha make such a decision?
"What's happened, cap?" Tony asked.
"Nat has been resigned from this team to join Barton's" Steve replied, his eyebrows frowned.
"Why did Lady Natasha do such thing? Why did she forsaken us? Especially when she knew you want her to be on this team" Thor said.
"I do not know"
"Cap! Five minutes to take off!" Agent Wade shouted from the cockpit.
The captain led his team up to the quinjet but his mind still wondered about someone.
He made it perfectly clear that he need her on this team. He needed his partner with him.
Why would she do that?
"Cap, are you alright?" The soft voice brought Steve back from his deep thought.
"Yes, I'm fine, Sharon" Steve replied. "Look like you are going to be my partner for this mission"
Morocco: Middle of Atlas Mountains
It was a massive battle. The terrorists were anticipated this attack. The camp was fully fortified with all the best defense money can provide.
The moment they saw SHEILD quinjet. The anti-aircraft missiles were shot at them. Ironman and Thor needed to go out there and helped the team to land safely.
Steve was the first to run out from the quinjet and deflecting bullets for his teammates so they can find a cover for themselves.
"Cap, I already took out the tanks and defense tower"
"Thanks, Tony. Can you get to the other side of the camp and provide us with the best route to the HQ"
"On it!"
Captain America heard Ironman flew pass by as the ground team advanced. This camp was one of the stronghold that was well hidden. Agent 22 was the one who discovered this fortress. Steve fought alongside Sharon Carter but she never will take Natasha place.
Sharon didn't how to sync in the fight with Captain America like the Black Widow could do.
"Blake, Eaton and Carter take the left flank and secure that area!" Steve gave an order. "Wade, Fisher, Hunt and Jackson take the right. The rest of you with me"
The team separated and secured the perimeter around the main HQ building but the building was heavily guarded. Steve must sent someone in, small and flexible enough to fit though a small space.
"Nat!"
The silent was his answer as he called the woman on his mind.
"Nat!"
"She's not on this team, capsicle!" Tony reminded annoyingly "God! Get yourself together and stop thinking about your girl"
Half of Steve's face was hiding behind the mask and blood strain so his teammates couldn't see him blushing.
"Sharon, can you fit in those sewer?"
"I can try, Cap"
"Dismantle the defense system if you can"
Tony, Sam and Thor were creating a distraction for Sharon to sneak in the building. The three heroes flew around and waited for the Captain to give an order to strike.
Sharon sneaked in and hoped that she can get this job done the way the Black Widow could do with her eyes close.
But again, she was not the world most dangerous spy.
"SHIELD agent, huh? They were wrong to send you in here alone" One terrorist spoke up and pointed his gun at Sharon's head.
Everyone on this team all heard that.
"Agent 13 has been captured. Ironman, Falcon and Thor strike hard from the top! The others covering for me I will get in there"
Agent Wade blew the gate open for Steve to run into the main building. Steve saw at least 30 enemies standing in his way but they were no match with Captain America. Tony had sent him Sharon's location already.
Steve ran upstairs and saw Thor and Tony were already tried to rescue Sharon. Ironman shot a small bullet into the captor's head. She grabbed her guns and helped the heroes fought off the remaining terrorists.
Suddenly, Steve saw one man was aiming an RPG launcher at his teammate.
"Tony! Look out!"
Tony turned but it's too late. Steve jumped in the way and blocked the incoming RPG by using his shield. The explosion sent him flew out of the building 4 stories down.
Steve couldn't move himself, too much pain.
Captain America decided to close his eyes and he saw his partner's piecing green eyes.
"Steve! Stay with me, buddy!"
That was the last thing Steve heard.
Pepper, Bruce and Betty were waiting for the quinjet from SHIELD to deliver Steve back to Stark Tower.
Fury informed the doctor that Steve was injured from his mission and the captain insisted he will stay at the tower's medical floor only.
Bruce already prepared everything for the surgery. Fury will send the medical team along with Steve, Tony and Thor on the quinjet. The doctor was studying Steve's condition.
And Bruce knew that it's going to be a painful surgery since anesthesia had no effect on the Captain.
"What's going on?" The voice came from behind. "Why are you guys look so serious?"
The three turned to see Natasha, Clint and Bobbi walked into the living room.
"We are waiting for Steve, Thor and Tony" Pepper told and inwardly debated whether she should told Natasha about Steve's injury.
But then Bruce added, "Steve was badly injured"
"What?!"
"He had to protect Sharon from the incoming RPG and the explosion sent him of the building." Betty explained.
The sudden change of the look on Natasha's face was noticed by everyone.
"Tony told me that she was trying to infiltrate the heavily guarded fortress and dismantle the defense system but she was captured. Tony, Steve and Thor went in to rescue her."
The guilty filled Natasha within second. She shouldn't left her partner in the hand of the young agent who doesn't have enough experience.
She let her emotion clouded her judgment and it almost cost her partner's life.
She had a lot to make up to him but he will be super upset with her for sure.
"He will not blame you, Natasha" Pepper consoled and patted the spy's shoulder. "He maybe upset but he will not blame you or hate you"
Natasha paced herself back and forth, waiting for Steve to return. Soon after, the quinjet had arrived and Bruce was hurried down to the medical bay. Everyone else was followed the good doctor.
When the elevator door opened, first thing Natasha saw was her partner covering in blood and charcoal dust. He was still alive but when she saw how painful he was, her heart sunk into the ground, drowning in an immense guilty for abandoning her partners when he needed her.
Tony and Thor had little scratches. Jane helped tend those wounds. Natasha was standing close to the surgery room's window, staring at her partner. Bruce began to pull fragments and shrapnel from the wounds on his legs.
The pain displayed on his face was too much for Natasha to just standing there doing nothing to help him.
The last time was the most painful. It was a huge wooden stick punctured through his right calf. Bruce was preparing to pull it out.
"We need your help to hold Steve still" Betty informed.
The first one to bolt in was Natasha who immediately grabbed her partner's hand. Steve was looking at her. His eyes was screaming pain and hurt.
Thor, Clint, and Tony helped hold Steve still when Bruce was about to pull the wooden stick off.
"Natasha, you hand—"Bruce said.
"It's okay. He won't hurt me"
Bruce pulled it out and it caused Steve to scream. His left hand grabbed the metal bar too tight that it practically crush in his grip but he didn't do anything but gently hold Natasha's hand.
From outside of the room, everyone could clearly saw the interaction between Natasha and Steve. The spy held her partner's hand and one arms wrapped his head and pulled it to her shoulder. Steve looked more relax with Natasha near him and distracted him from pain.
Right then, Sharon learned something. No one can took Natasha's place in Steve's life. It wasn't a chance of competition from the start, not even a slightest of chance. Captain America already has and always will has the Black Widow as his number one.
All of the captain's wounds were wrapped in a bandage. The team looked relief when they saw their captain still alive and began to recover.
"You will stay here until tomorrow, to keep your wound from exposure"
Steve just nodded and leaned back, still not letting go of Natasha's hand. Everyone wished the captain to get well soon and left the room.
Until there was only the spy left.
"Why are you abandon me, Natasha?"
"I'm so sorry, Steve"
"Erikson was badly injure from his last mission so I need to find a replacement." He explained even he didn't have to. "Sharon offered to take his place…"
Damn you, Natasha. The spy cursed herself for the misunderstanding.
"Why did you resign that very last minute?" His deep blue eyes kept staring at her beautiful green one. "I did told you I need you on my team." I need you, I need you with me
"I—I thought that you would want to work with Sharon" She answered but didn't dare to look into his eyes. "I thought you want Sharon to be your partner"
"Sharon and I are just friend and she is the only one with the connection to my past. She is Peggy's niece and—"
Natasha threw herself into his embrace and held him close. Steve wrapped his arm around her loosely and ran his hand through her hair.
"I thought you like her. Maybe you want to spend your time with her" Natasha murmured from his chest.
"I didn't like her that way, Nat. We're just friend and she's not my type. If I am a guy from this century, I may like her but I'am from the 40's so…my type of girl would be a little different"
He could hear his partner giggled.
"I'm glad to hear that" She quietly said. "I thought I'm not your favorite anymore"
"You are my only choice, Nat. You're my only partner. You are my favorite."
Natasha smiled and snuggled closer to her partner, afraid of losing him.
Natasha woke up and became on high alert because she woke up in an unfamiliar place and there were arms wrapping around her midsection. She was about to use her skill on the one behind her but his warm embrace stopped her.
He was Steve, sleeping and holding her tightly.
Natasha tried to move but the minute she did that, arms held her tighter and Steve was stirring.
"Morning, Partner" He murmured near her neck.
"Sorry, I woke you"
"It's okay. I'm about to get up anyway" When he notice that she was about to get up from bed, he asked. "Where are you going?"
"SHIELD, they need me in today."
He let go of her immediately and watched as she stood up and walked toward the door. Suddenly, Steve decided to say something.
"Nat…" She turned but Steve lost his words, his eyes was pleading and begging, please don't go I really don't want you to go.
"I will be back soon" She promised.
Natasha was just finished debriefing with Fury and Hills. She was about to make it to the lounge area of the Triskellion when someone walked over to her.
Someone was Sharon Carter.
"Agent Romanoff, is it okay if I visit Captain Rogers today? As I'm the one who cause his injury"
"Of course, you can. Steve will be delighted to see you" Natasha replied sarcastically but the young agent didn't seem to notice it.
But Agent 13 could feel a murderous aura radiated from Natasha and it was very intimidating.
On the ways back to the tower, the two SHIELD agents didn't engage in any conversation. Sharon kept staring out of the window while Natasha fixed her eyes on the traffic.
Natasha parked her Ferrari inside the garage and led Sharon up to the medical bay of Stark Tower.
"Wait here" Natasha said before walked in to Steve's recovery room and reappeared to let Sharon in.
Agent 13 shyly walked into the room. Steve gave her soft smile like he didn't blame her about the injury. Sharon was relief but soon felt a little bit intimidated because of the redhead woman.
Natasha sat down on Steve's left lap and Steve automatically wrapped his arms around her waist loosely. Sharon could noticed the look in Steve's eyes when he was looking at the spy, the way Natasha touching Steve and holding his hand, her stare displayed extreme protectiveness but yet so soft and longing that Sharon didn't believe that it was from the deadliest assassin in the world.
The Black Widow really was very possessive when it's came to her things.
Her visit to Steve this time was going kind of well because Natasha was busy paying attention to Steve more than listen to their conversation. Steve let Sharon knew that he didn't blame her or anything.
"Well, it's time for me to go and let you have some rest" Sharon said. "Hope you get well soon, Captain Rogers"
"Thank you, Agent Carter"
"I will show you the way out" Natasha offered and led Sharon out of the room.
The two women were in silent until they got out from the elevator when Sharon decided to say something with Natasha.
"Congratulation, Agent Romanoff. You and Captain Rogers make a very adorable couple"
"No, Carter we are not-"
"Don't try to deny it. Everyone saw the same thing as I do. If you like him, you better act fast because you will not find anyone better than him" Sharon said "And if you do let him go, I will have my shot with him and I will make sure he's mine"
Natasha tried to keep her cool not to snap Sharon Carter in half.
Well, if the young agent dare to try, she will use any mean necessary to stop her.
Every one saw Natasha was inseparable from Steve since he came back from the last mission. She was afraid of losing him and she will not make the same mistake she once did.
It was too much that Pepper needed to talk to Natasha in private when she had a chance.
"Natasha, we need to talk about this" Pepper said.
The pregnant woman saw the spy was alone in the training room.
"About what?" The red head tried to play innocent and kept punching the dummy.
"You know what I'm talking about" Pepper sighed. "You and Steve! You were acting crazy when you found out that he invite Agent Carter to join the team"
The spy silenced and stopped her exercise before turning to Mrs. Stark.
"You even abandoned him, Natasha!"
"There is nothing going on between me and Steve, Pepper. He is my partner and I have to look after him"
"Natasha, chemistry between you and Steve is not something to be ignore or deny. It was right there from the start."
Natasha could feel a sudden hot on her cheeks. She was blushing.
"Steve is the best guy out there you can find"
Natasha took a seat next to Pepper "But Taylor make me feel— normal" she stumbled trying to find word to explain and not make a fool of herself "Like a normal person who isn't a superhero"
"And you said that Steve never make you feel that way?"
"Pepper, with Steve it's more than that— I feel like I'm safe with him" Natasha clarified. "But with Taylor, I don't have to worry that he might get kill or badly injure or put himself in harm way like Steve always does. I just can't handle that much stress"
Pepper smiled after hearing the confession before thought to herself
'These two were in such denial about each other'
"Just think about it Tasha, you can be you, Natasha Romanoff with Steve while you are Natalie Rushman with Taylor."
"You got a point"
"Can you just look me in the eyes and tell me that you didn't date Taylor just to prove the point that you and Steve are not a couple?"
When that question left Pepper's mouth, the strawberry hair woman could see the change of emotion on Natasha's face and the spy was not quick enough to hide it.
"You can't keep them both on the hook, Natasha."
"I'm trying, Pepper. Trust me! I feel guilty enough for dragging them into this mess"
"You better choose, Romanoff" Pepper warned. "Or I will allow Tony to parade a hoard of supermodel to Steve"
Steve's wounds were healing fast, thanks to the serum in his body but Natasha was still on high alert every time Steve moved his body.
"Nat, I'm not gonna collapse" Steve reassured. "I'm fine"
"You are not fully recover" She said, looking at him worryingly. "And you still have a big hole in your right leg"
"Can you help me get up?"
Natasha helped Steve up and supported him as they walked into his bathroom. The spy stood still.
"Nat, I'm gonna be fine. You can wait outside"
Natasha sighed and walked out from the bathroom. She waited patiently until Steve came out from the bathroom.
"See, I'm fine." The captain said. "You don't need to be so protective of me"
Natasha blushed but quickly recovered and put on her trademark Widow face.
"I don't want to find a new partner so... Yeah I have every right to be so protective of you"
Steve can only smiled to his partner as Natasha sat next to him on his bed.
"I have something to show you" Steve said before reached for the box on the end table and handed to Natasha.
"What is it?" She asked
"Open it"
Natasha found a pile of old pictures. This must be from the war time.
"Sharon and I went out to talk about my past. She wanted to know more about her aunt and I want to know more about her life after I clash into the ice. That's why I have to spend a lot of time with her."
"Steve, you don't need to explain…it was my fault."
"I owed you an apology too. I guess I was caught up with the whole Sharon thing. I was clinging to my past that I forgot I already have a new life and it was time to let it go."
"Steve…you don't need…"
"I'm sorry that I didn't spend my time with you for the past couple weeks. I was acting like a jerk that neglected my partner's feeling"
"And your feeling toward Sharon?"
"Friendship, maybe. Romantically involve, no"
Natasha let out a big smile. "I'm glad to hear that" She said and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his chest.
He kissed on the top of her head and put his chin on her shot wavy locks.
"Nat.." Steve murmured "You do know that nobody can take your place, right? I will not let it happen. You're too important to me to let someone I barely know to take your place."
"I know…" The spy smiled and nuzzle her head against his sculpted chest. " I know, Steve"
"You should stop spying on them, Stark"
Tony was startled. He was in his lab and let JARVIS pulled up a surveillance feed from Steve's bedroom. The billionaire turned and saw his friends marching into his lab.
"No can do, Katniss. I bet a lot of money on this two, remember?" Tony said and got back to his spy mission.
"Those stupid bets will get you kill if Natasha find out that you snooping around her private life"
"Hey! You are betting on the same side with me, remember?!" Tony reminded.
"I gotta have to agree with Clint, Tony" Bruce quietly said. "You cross too many lines"
Clint and Bruce sat down on the couch in the corner of the lab. Thor was standing beside the billionaire.
"Well, if it make those two stop tiptoeing around the obvious, I will gladly do it even I might end up with twenty bullet holes" Tony defended himself and folded his arms. "Am I the only one who can't stand the suffocating cute things that they always did together?"
"Man of Iron is right." Thor spoke up for the first time. "Lady Natasha is very kind with Lord Steven than the rest of us"
"He has a soft spot for her too." Bruce added.
"See! We all agree that they are cute together and should be really hook up by…three months ago, right?"
The others just nodded in agreement.
"Tony, I don't think it gonna be that easy. They are both stubborn to admit anything, very stupid and naive when it come to their feeling toward another." Bruce pointed out. "One never had a real girlfriend before. Another one is like 'Love is for children'. It is mission impossible"
"You have too little faith, my science bro" Tony said with gave his famous smirk to his science buddy "If one thing Natasha couldn't stand is when Steve meet a new girl who caught his attention immediately."
"Like a Sharon Carter's incident?"
"Yep!" The billionaire replied "And we just need to find a perfect candidate"
The moment Steve was fully heal and Bruce allowed him to get back in the field, Fury gave him and Tony another mission immediately. Much that Natasha would like to protest, she had to let him go.
"Don't do anything stupid, okay?" She said quietly as they were waiting for the quinjet at the helipad "Don't put yourself in harm way"
"Nat, you know I cannot make such promise"
"Just take care of yourself"
"I always will" He replied and kiss her forehead. "See you tonight"
Pepper was giving Tony hugs and kisses too. Even Tony wore his suit of armor that was almost impenetrable, she still worried that he might got injure but being Ironman's wife, she knew he will come back to her every time.
No matters what, Tony will find his way back to her.
Tony rolled his eyes after seeing the two lovebirds "Come on, Captain Spangles!"
Natasha let go of her partner. Steve gave her another kiss on the top of her head before walked to the quinjet with Tony.
"I'll will keep him safe, Red"
Steve and Tony did came back from the mission on time as they promised but Tony had to help support Steve's weight when they walked out from the elevator.
"You guys look like hell!" Clint greeted as he saw his friends.
"Thanks, Barton" Steve sarcastically replied.
"Odin bread! Lord Steven, you have bullet holes" Thor exclaimed. "My friend, you should hide those wounds before Lady Natasha see them"
"Why did Spangles need to hide, Point Break?"
"Lady Widow seem to be more worried about Lord Steven than the rest of us and she doesn't like it when he injured"
"Tony..help me to my room, please"
"You seriously not gonna hide, are you?"
"I'm seriously gonna hide, Stark" Steve replied. "And get Bruce to my room."
As they walked to the elevator, the spy emerged from nowhere with Pepper. Natasha gave both the soldier and the billionaire a deadly glare. Her face filled with anger when she saw her partner.
"Tasha, we do have an explanation" Steve tried to calm her down.
"Stark, get him the medical bay"
Even Tony complied with her command. The billionaire left Steve to face the wrath of Natasha alone.
Steve sat in silent and let his partner examined his wounds.
"Six bullet holes, seriously?"
"Tony was in danger"
"Damn it Steve! He is wearing an iron suit" Natasha practically yelled at her partner. "Even missile make a little scratch on his armor"
"OUCH!" Steve scream in pain because Natasha just pushed the bullet deeper into his wound.
"That's for trying to conceal your injury from me" She said before pulled it out harshly. "And that for putting yourself in harm way again"
"I'm sorry alright! I didn't mean to upset you"
Natasha gave him a glare before bandaging all of his wound.
"Let's get you back to your room for some rest"
Natasha helped him got up and walked Steve to his room. Everyone saw how worried the spy is and smiled to one another. When Natasha finished tuck her partner into his bed, she went downstairs only to find Pepper was waiting for her with a grin on her face.
"And you said you are not in love with him" Pepper teased.
A/N: What do you think about a very protective/possessive Nat? And who do you think that will gave in their feeling first? Nat or Steve?
- Sorry, this chapter is very long because I feel like they needed to discuss about the misunderstanding and need to put in a confrontation between Nat and Sharon (as MysticFantasy suggested)
- Well, the Sharon thing ended, for now. Sorry if i didn't make Nat beat Sharon to dead.
- MysticFantasy : Sorry for not having the cat fight. I think I better save it for the real one that actually cause Nat to lose control
- As always, It is great to hear how you feel about each chapter so please leave review, critic, advice or suggestion. It will be greatly appreciated.
Next chapter : New member!