A/N: I knew I was torture you a lot lately but it almost there guys!

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21 : NEVER KNEW I NEEDED

Tony planned to talk to Natasha about this crazy love triangle. He had been watching on the sidelines long enough and it was time that he helped Steve out of this mess.

The billionaire had JARVIS summoned Natasha to his labs. He could see her face displaying annoyance.

"Before you kill me, I have something very important to discuss with you."

"You have 30 seconds. Make them count."

"Red, if you don't feel the same way as Rogers, just let him off the hook."

Natasha was silent for 10 seconds. She didn't expect Tony to be the one that talked to her about this.

"It's none of your business, Stark" and with that the Black Widow quickly turned and left his labs

Tony just sighed and got back to work. Natasha and Steve were just as stubborn as he was. They would not admit their feelings to one another for god knows what reason. So he had to start making some drastic steps.

"JARVIS, alert me every time you see Romanoff alone with Rogers"

"Then I have to inform you every twenty minutes because Captain Rogers and Agent Romanoff are very close, sir"

"I just don't want to see my friend get hurt, JARVIS"

"I will do that and alert you immediately, sir" The AI informed. "For the record, Agent Romanoff is with Captain Rogers in the living room right now."

"Thanks, J."

Tony bolted out the labs and took the elevator up to the living areas. He saw the spy and the soldier sat on the couch, faraway from one another, watching a re-run of How I Met Your Mother.

"Hey Romanogers!" Tony greeted. "Captain would you mind follow me to my lab, please?"

"What do you want, Tony?"

"Some new toys for you to test"

Tony and Clint were watching a life-size chess game that happened in the tower.

Steve Rogers tried to avoid being in the same room with Natasha. If he really has to be in the same room with her, he felt the need to stay as far away from her as possible. He didn't give Natasha a chance to speak with him.

For the spy, she tried to talk with the soldier but had been immediately shot down. Her eyes filled with pain and sorrow as she looked at Steve leaving the room.

Other team members tried very hard to bring them closer but never succeeded. Natasha spent times with Pepper and little Anthony to take her focus away from Steve Rogers.

Steve spent his time in the training room and if Natasha came in, he would leave. He also sketched too many pictures and every picture kept coming back to the owner of the beautiful green eyes.

Natasha knew Steve was avoiding her for the past two weeks and it killed her inside too. Steve never acted like this. He had never acted so cold towards her before. This was not the Steve Rogers she knew.

"They haven't spoke to each other for two weeks now, Stark. They're even avoiding one another" Clint said as he looked at the super soldier leave the kitchen the moment he saw Natasha, a devastated look on her face as he passed.

"I really don't want Romanoff near Rogers anymore until she chooses someone"

"You got a point, but even I don't know who she's gonna choose"

"Of course she's gonna pick Rogers, Birdbrain. Nobody is better than Captain Perfect"

"I don't know, dude" Clint gave up. "It's hard if they keep acting like this"

"We need to speed up the process, Katniss." The billionaire gave a devilish smirk. "And I think I know how"

Tony's plan came in the form of his Annual Charity Gala. The eccentric billionaire informed everyone on the team in the morning that everyone was still sleepy.

"Why do we have to be there? The politicians don't even like us" Natasha said, cranky.

"Because—we're the most awesome superheroes in the world! Everyone wants to meet us" Tony answered excitingly "And don't worry about old politicians. They're jealous"

"Friend Stark, Can I bring Lady Jane with me?" Thor asked with a mouthful of pop tart.

"Yes, dude, the more the merrier, all of you should bring your date, no exceptions! Avengers must not go to the gala alone."

Tony glanced at Steve and Natasha before looked away like nothing happen. Captain America and the Black Widow still showed no reaction. The others walked to separate corner of the living room to call their girlfriends.

But Steve walked upstairs and Natasha gazed after the captain with sadness in her eyes.

The billionaire knew what they were thinking. He saw the way Steve always looks at Natasha. It was different from the way he use it with other women. He also noticed every feeling that ran through Steve's face when he knew Natasha was dating Taylor.

Natasha acted like a real woman when Steve was around and Captain America was the only one who could do that without getting killed. The spy surely had deep feelings for the good captain.

But they both too stubborn to admit it.

The night of the gala finally arrived and Steve was dressing up in his room. He wore a tuxedo that was tailor-made just for him. He had to admit, Tony Stark's taste in selecting clothes was very good. The captain looked handsome.

"Steve!" Pepper exclaimed as Steve walked down the stairs. "You are absolutely dashing! Tony I bet you every girl will go crazy once they see Steve"

"I hope not" The captain replied and lightly blushed at the compliment.

"Do you have a date for tonight? I guess you will go with Natasha"

"No, I'm flying solo tonight"

"If you say so, dude. But be warned. I forbid you from rejecting the girl I'm going to introduce to you"

"Oh noooo! Tony don't. No more supermodels!"

The others soon joined them at the living room. Clint hurried out because he had to pick Barbara up at her apartment. Thor and Jane walked arm in arm. Bruce and Betty looked gorgeous just like everyone else.

And last, but not least, Natasha was dressed in a knee-length black dress that perfectly hugged her figure and highlighted her fiery red locks. The outfit was complimented with a sparkling jasmine necklace and gold, dangling earrings.

Every man in the room felt their jaw drop, but Steve, who disallowed himself to look at her. He knew he should keep his distance with her especially when she already had that special someone.

"We should get going" Steve said and led the group to the elevator.

The captain chose to climb into the same limo as Thor but Natasha followed him too. They sat beside each other but no one willing to speak first.

For Steve, he really didn't want to speak with her. He was still very much upset.

Thor and Jane could sense the tension between them so they tried to start as many conversations as they can. Steve and Natasha always provided a short and brief answer to quickly end the discussion. Right then, the god of thunder and Jane knew something must going on between the spy and the soldier.

When they arrived at the gala, Steve got out of the car but his sub consciousness gentlemen tendencies told him to offer Natasha a hand to help her get out of the car. This surprised her and she took it. They walked arm in arm in front of the reporters, but when they were inside the building, Steve walked away from Natasha immediately, crushing her spirits that had momentarily rose.

"Stevie!"

"Don't call me that, Stark" Steve said, annoyed at the use of the abbreviation.

"Fine, fine. Your date has arrived and she is waiting for you over there."

"I told you I don't want any more supermodels, Tony. They're like plastic dolls."

"I guarantee you gonna like her a lot"

Steve had been dragged by Tony across the ballroom to the bar which a woman clad in a red dress was standing.

"Hey! Anna" Tony called and the woman in red dress turned to them.

Steve caught his breath because the woman in front of him look similar to his old flame, Peggy Carter. She wore red evening gown that make she even look more like Peggy. Anna had auburn hair, striking brown eyes, perfect figure and beautiful smile from red lips.

Tony smirked when he saw Steve's reaction.

"Captain Steve Rogers, this is Lieutenant Anna Walters of the Air Force" Tony introduced.

"Pleasure to meet you, ma'am" The captain said and kissed her hand.

Anna's smile widened at his charm. "The pleasure is mine, Captain Rogers"

"I gonna leave you two alone. Pepper needs me on the dance floor" and with that the billionaire left the two alone.

Tony hurried away before Steve could stop him. The blonde man still had a problem with being around women. He didn't know what to say to a beautiful lady like Anna Walters. Especially when she looked as beautiful as she did.

"Captain Rogers—"

"Please called me Steve"

"Would you care to dance with me, Steve?"

"Of course"

Steve took her hand and they went to the dance floor. The Captain wasn't two left feet anymore with dancing because Natasha taught him everything. They danced a lot when they went on a date—

Damn it, Rogers! Stop thinking about Natasha right now! She used you.

He should paid attention to the woman in his arms, not a fiery redhead that came in and played with his heart. She became a part of his life, turned his world upside down and turned it again if she wanted to, and tried to mess with him.

Stop it now Rogers!

Anna started the conversation. Stark already told her that Steve was very shy and awkward around women. Steve relaxed once the conversation started and didn't worry about the close proximity between Anna and him.

Everyone looked at them admirably because Captain American was dancing with the famous pilot of the Air Force. They were a perfect match.

"Look! Captain America and Lieutenant Walters are so perfect together." a lady at the bar told her date.

"Lieutenant Walters is the best pilot the Air Force ever had!" The man exclaimed. "It's no surprise if they become America's Sweethearts in no time."

Natasha sighed when she overheard the conversation. She wasn't in a good mood at all. She was staring at Steve who looked like he was having fun tonight and the woman in his arms, the pilot who was tall and had a perfect figure.

Yes, she was jealous. She thought to herself she was the one that should be there, in his arms, dancing, smiling, and making Steve laugh with her jokes. She didn't like when he paid attention to women other than her. After all, she was the only girl to socialize with him for the longest of times.

Natasha hoped that Steve would ask her to be his date for tonight but he didn't even look at her.

She screwed everything up, she did this and she had to accept the consequence.

Clint and Bobbi were enjoying their drinks and conversation with Bruce and Betty. The archer looked around the ballroom before his eyes noticed something.

"Wait here, I gonna go and talk to Nat" Clint whispered to Bobbi.

"Why? What's happening?"

"She looks like she's about to murder someone"

Bobbi nodded and Clint walked over to Natasha who just finish her fifth drink of the night.

"Seriously Tasha just tell him how you feel"

"What did you just say?"
"Steve! If you have feelings for him, just get it out in the open. If not, people like Anna Walters will swoop in and take him and you'll always regret it."

Natasha listened to her best friend but didn't give any response. She was still staring at Steve and Anna Walters. He looked relaxed and happy like he always was when he was with her.

What hit her the most was that Anna look like his past lover and this is the first woman Stark introduced to Steve.

"You already have a girlfriend, haven't you?" Anna asked as she and Steve swayed to the music

Steve was startled by her question.

"Uhh- no, I don't have a girlfriend." He answered. "Why do you ask?"

"Because you didn't try to hit on me at all tonight"

Steve blushed. "Well—I was kind of in love with someone but she only saw me as a friend. She has a boyfriend." Steve confessed with sad eyes.

"She must be real stupid not to choose a good man like you. If I was that girl, I will never let you out of my sight" Anna said. "So tell me about her."

Steve went into enthusiastic detail about Natasha and Anna felt a bit green with envy of the girl who stole the heart of America's Golden Boy.

"I have a proposal for you and I think it would help you somehow"

Steve nodded and Anna whispered her plan to him.

Natasha still sat at the bar with her drinks that she didn't care to count its amount anymore. Her eyes kept staring at every movement Anna try to touch Steve's body. She tried so hard not to crush the glass in her hand into million pieces when Anna tiptoed and whispered something into his ear before he nodded and had been dragged outside.

"Not having fun, Red?" Tony emerged beside the spy.

"Not one bit"

"Have you seen Steve?"

"Yes, he just left with a girl"

"Ahha! He likes someone that I introduced to him" Natasha turned and gave Tony a deadly glare but he ignored it. "She's a friend of Rhodey. She is beautiful and has a lot in common with Capsicle. Judging by their chemistry, Steve will probably has the wildest night of his life"

Sadness crossed Natasha's eyes but she managed to hide it with another murderous glare.

"Finally, my best friend has a girlfriend for real!"

Tony's words had an effect on Natasha as the spy glanced at the door Steve and Anna just exited through.

The Avengers were back at the tower by midnight but still no sign of Steve Rogers. Natasha took a shower and changed into her pajamas. The spy watched the TV in the living room and the hottest news was broadcast in every news station.

Captain America and the beautiful pilot of the US Air Force.

"It's been quite a buzz when everyone witnessed a romance blossom during Stark Annual Charity Gala. No one but Captain America, our number one bachelor finally found his potential love interest. The beautiful Lieutenant Anna Walters could possibly make her way to the Captain's heart. They were spotted leaving a Gala thrown by Tony Stark together in a limo. This news nullifies any rumors that the good Captain had been courting his fellow Avenger— the Black Widow"

Natasha threw the remote through the television. She couldn't believe news that belonged in an episode of RMZ was being broadcast on CNN. But more importantly, it made her feel worse about her situation with Steve.

Natasha sighed. She didn't like it at all but she couldn't do anything. Steve had make his choice and she had to let him go.

"Still up, Red? And what happened to the TV?"

The billionaire just came back with his wife. From the look on their face, they were very happy to spend their first night alone and left little Anthony with Darcy.

"Cannot sleep. And don't worry about it. I'll buy a new one." She replied.

Tony walked toward Natasha and patted her shoulder lightly.

"Excuse us" Tony said. "We missed our little one"

"Good night, Tasha" Pepper gave Natasha a hug.

The spy gave a small smile at the couple as they walked up stairs. She still waited for Steve to come back from his private party with Anna Walters.

The elevator rang and Natasha knew exactly who walked out from it. Steve saw Natasha sitting on the couch but he chose to ignore and walked right upstairs.

She had enough. She got up from her seat, moved quickly and with two jumps, she was standing right in front of him.

"How did you do that?" He startled and looked up at her face.

She saw red lipstick marks at his cheeks, down to his neck and his chest. He looked like he had been through war. Her emerald green eyes inspected his body and Steve was froze in the spot by her mysterious dark magic.

She noticed that one place without red lipstick mark was his lips.

Before Steve can react, she locked her lips with his.

It must be hers and hers alone. Only she had the right to taste it.

You are mine, Steve Rogers.

"Steve, this has gone on long enough. You've been ignoring me."

"I know." he replied.

"You say that so casually. Don't you know how much you've broken my heart?"

Steve felt bad when she put it like that.

"I mean, we were so close. We were best friends, then suddenly I get the cold shoulder. Why?"

Steve tried to avoid looking into her eyes, but the utter sadness in them made him want to hug her.

"You've been using me. Your boyfriend was in Africa and just wanted someone to fill the void for him."

Natasha looked shocked. "You honestly think I would use you? Yeah, I was lonely, but I wasn't filling a void."

"If that's true, I apologize. But I don't feel like we can be friends with Taylor around."

"Why?"

Steve didnt answer. She gasped.

"You have feelings for me?"

Steve nodded. Now it pieced together. He had indeed fallen for her and, being Steve, didn't want to have that ruin her relationship with Taylor.

"But it's okay if you don't feel the same about me. I know you love him. It wouldn't be fair to him."

Natasha nodded, her eyes stinging with tears. Steve kissed her forehead and held her in a hug.

Nat! It's time to tell him how you feel. Tell him now!

But Steve let her go and before she could say anything, he said,

"Natasha, I'm truly sorry for hurting you. I should never have done that to you."

"It's alright, Steve. It's alright."

Steve lightly smiled. "I'll see you around, yeah?"

Natasha smiled too. "Yeah."

Steve left. But as he walked down the hall, he felt a mixture of longing and guilt. After all the time he spent avoiding her and finally confessing her how he felt, he still allowed Taylor to get in the way. Why? What was stopping him from sweeping her off her feet and having his way with her?

He needed to do something and before he knew what he was doing, he was running back to her. He caught up to her a bit down the hall and turned her around. Genuine surprise in her eyes.

"Steve, what-"

"I just need this. Once. Please let me have this one night." he replied and kissed her. Both knew this was wrong, but both weren't interested in stopping.

Natasha reached to her left and turned the knob to her room. She guided their passionate exchange in and shut the door.

She clung to him under the covers a little while later. She knew this would end come morning, so she wanted to savour every last moment of it.

"What time is it?" she asked.

"A little after 3."

"Only a few more hours till sunrise." she said, quietly.

Steve didn't reply. She felt herself tightening her hold, out of a strange feeling this was the last time she'd see him.

"I'll respect your wishes either way, Nat. At the end of the day I just want you to be happy."

She smiled joyfully. Steve slid down on the bed so that he was on his back.

"Goodnight, Natasha."

"Goodnight, Steve."

They shut their eyes and went to sleep. By the time she woke he was gone and she was left with a decision that she had to make.

Getting showered and dressed, she picked up her phone and dialed a number.

"Hey, Taylor, it's me. Listen, could you meet me for brunch? We need to talk."

A/N: Only 3 Chapters left

- Thank you to my proofreader (you know who you are) It's a lot better with your improvement, your advice and your suggestion. I still have a lot to learn so thanks for put up with checking my grammar and spelling and put up with me a lot!

- We nearly there, guys. Thank you for everything

- As always, review, critic and advice are greatly appreciate

Next chapter : Natasha's decision (please leave your prediction)