Previously:

"We should go to sleep."

"I know." he said and we got up. I took him to the door and before opening it said "Thank you."

"For what?" he asked.

"For being here with me." I replied and smiled slightly. I kissed his cheek lightly and opened the door for him. "Goodnight Clint."

He stared into my eyes and smiled. "Goodnight Natasha."

I woke up at 4:30 the next morning. No alarm, no wake up call, just natural instinct. We woke up at 4:30 every morning in the Red Room, so this morning wasn't any different. I had a shower to get rid of the sweat from my daily nightmare and got changed into my gym gear. My wound felt much better and I was definitely able to fight with the team against Bucky.

I walked through the corridor, into the kitchen, to find Pepper stroking Tony's back. "Am I interrupting something?" I asked and their heads snapped up.

"Tony was screaming in his sleep."

"Pepper!" Tony groaned and put his head in his hands.

"Honey, you knew people were going to start finding out eventually."

"Eventually? When has this been happening since?" I asked.

"After the battle of New York. Even one of his suits attacked me."

"Why didn't you tell us?" I asked him, coming over to join him on one of the chairs.

"I didn't want to feel stupid. People don't get nightmares unless their about five years old." he explained. "I'm not a box of steel like you."

"You think I don't get nightmares? I get them every night."

"Every night?" he asked, surprised.

"Every single night. Sometimes they are right at the beginning of the night so that I'm not covered in sweat in the morning. Some happened the whole night so I wake up and have to shower immediately. Occasionally...they get so bad that I cry out. We all have our demons Tony."

"But you don't understand. I need to fix this world. It's not protected enough from all the threats out there."

"Stark, you shoudn't bring that burden upon yourself. That's what we are all here for. However, no matter how much we try, we can never make the Earth one hundred percent safe."

"I can try." he said, pressing a button underneath the table. It caused a bottle of alcohol to be brought up through the table. I grabbed the bottle and placed it on another table surface.

"JARVIS, stop giving Tony alcohol for at least the next two weeks."

Of course, Miss Romanoff."

Tony glared at me. "This is not good for me."

"No, drinking yourself to death is not good for you." Pepper said, kissing the side of his head. "Please stop trying to be so responsible."

"It definitely doesn't suit you." I said and he chuckled.

"Me and responsibility? I've got Pepper to be responsible for me." he said and she kissed his cheek.

"Then explain why you feel like this."

"Loki. He took Clint, brainwashed hundreds of others and nearly killed Pepper."

"He did?"

Pepper looked up at me. "I was watching Tony on the screen one minute and then there were security alarms ringing in the plane. There were chitauri heading straight for us." I could see tears forming in her eyes. "I thought I was going to die. I thought I was never going to see Tony again. That was my biggest fear." she admitted and he took her hand. "You saved me Tony. Can't you just live with the fact that you saved the world. You don't need to keep doing it. I can't have you hurt. Especially now that we are going to get married." she said, breaking down into tears.

He hugged her and whispered "It's okay, I promise I won't get killed. I'll always be here for you. Always." he said and kissed her head as she wept into his chest.

"What about the death note?" I asked, hoping that I didn't overstep a line.

"She's leaving tonight." Tony answered for her, knowing that she was too upset to reply. "With a couple of days left, I don't want to put anything to chance. I'm going with her."

"Just try and get some sleep Tony." I said to him, trying to persuade him to calm down.

"See that's the problem. I can't stop having these visions. The world gets invaded by chitauri, the streets get invaded by HYDRA. All of the team...they're dead. I'm the only one left..and I can't...save the world." he said. I never thought I would see Tony this emotional. He never opens up to people, but this was the truth. "I look down at the pile of bodies decorating the streets and I know I can't save them. Pepper lies in front of me...her body as lifeless as a doll and I try...I try to bring her back, but it doesn't work. It's just silence throughout the streets. I turn around and find the team just lying there. All five of you lying there. Even Bruce is dead. He has shards of glass sticking out of his body and blood is just streaming down the pavements like water. Thor is face down on the ground, Mjolnir near his hand, but it's like he's lost the power to wield it. Steve is holding hands with Maria, but their bodies are covered in blood, her hair matted together and his arm is just red. You are will Clint, your hands together also...I notice...i notice his bow in his other hand, lying there between his palm and the concrete floor. I couldn't save you. I couldn't save any of you. I felt so...helpless. That's why I need to help. I can't have you or anybody else die because of me."

"But it's not your fault." I said back quietly, my voice affected by the emotion brought from his heart wrenching speech.

"I have the power to defend this world better and I should use it." he said, closing his eyes and holding Pepper closer.

I cleared my throat and said "Excuse me." politely. I pushed myself off of the stool and headed towards the rooms. I found myself at Clints door and knocked on it.

There was no response for a while, so I knocked again and this time I heard movement from behind it. The door opened and a scruffy looking Clint was standing there. He never appeared more Clint-like in his life. "Natasha?" he asked, his voice husky. "What is it?"

"I'm sorry to wake you." I said, my voice breaking slightly. He looked at me curiously and opened his door wider, inviting me into his room. I walked in and he shut his door behind me. I let the tears pour down my face, not allowing myself to cry out. I just shut my eyes and let the fall.

I felt Clints hand on my shoulder as he directed me to the sofa. He picked me up and held me in his lap. "What happened?"

"It's Tony. He says he wants to save everyone. He dreams about us all...dead...he just wants to save everything."

"And what is wrong with that…"

"It's like he won't stop until everything is perfect, when there are no threats. He's a danger to us. I can tell that now. One day I know that he will just go too far. He will create something and it will destroy us all instead of save us. It will either turn against us or get into the enemies hands...all I know is that he must be stopped. We need to change him."
"Natasha, what the hell are you talking about here? You can't just change someone."

"You can try."

"Yes, but not morally. He is trying to save us. We just need to make sure he keeps his morals when he does it and it will all be okay. I'll observe him every second if you want me to, but we can't completely stop him from everything that he does." he said and I kept quite for a while. Tony was doing a good thing, but the nightmares were eating him up.

"Okay...but what are we suppose to do about his nightmares."

"Get him a psychiatrist?"

"Who would listen?"

"Bruce would…" he said and shook his head. "Sorry that's a stupid idea."
"No, that might work. I will talk to him tomorrow about it." I said and snuggled further into Clint's chest. "Thank you. I didn't mean to wake you up."

"It's okay. I'm always here for you when you are upset." he said, making me realise that we were more of a couple than I thought. We were so dependent on each other and I didn't even know. How did I not realise that? I stayed in his arms for an hour, at peace, not caring about the fact that we had a mission soon.

"We should probably get ready for the mission Nat." he said. I always liked that nickname.

"Okay." I said, swivelling my legs off of him. "Thank you for letting me stay."

"It's my pleaseure." he replied and led me to the door. "Come over whenever you want. I'm always here for you."

I nodded and kissed his cheek. "See you on the rooftop." I said and exited the room. I can't believe how fast things were going with us. I know that we hadn't gone very far sexually, but my relationship with him has definitely built. I just cried in front of him for a start. I've only done that a couple of times and that was because he had to be in the same room as me.

I bumped into Maria as I crossed the corridor and she smiled at me. "Congratulations." she said, smiling, looking from me to Clint's door and then back to me again. Damn you Rogers.

"Steve tell you?" I asked and she nodded. I kind of expected him to.

"How could he not? It's Steve." she chuckled. "Anyway, is everything going okay?"

"Steadily I would say. Not to slow, not to fast. He seems to understand that I'm not used to this kind of thing."

"Well I'm happy for you two. You make a great couple."

"Oh wait, you know that we want to keep it a secret right?" I asked.

"I didn't know that. I told everyone in the meeting room." she said calmly. WHAT! I panicked. How the hell am I supposed to deal with this? "I'm joking." she said, placing her hand on my shoulder. "Your secret is safe with me." Thank God. Panic over!

"Okay, i'll see you on the rooftop in half an hour then?"

"You bet." she smiled and continued to walk down the corridor, probably on her way to talk to Steve about the mission. I entered my room and put on my suit. I was going to work out earlier and that's why I was in my gym clothes, but seeing Clint took up that time, not that I was upset about that.

I strapped my Widow Bracelets around my wrists and checked that I had a full set of bites. I walked out of the door and towards the roof. On my way to the elevator, I noticed the way that the city always seemed to be full of noise, never stopping. The city never sleeps speaks the truth about this place. Sometimes I wish that I didn't live here. Sometimes I wish I could just live in a small house somewhere with no worries in the world with Clint. If the world wasn't under this much threat then maybe I would, but I can't. I want to retire...I think I my mind I know that...but I just can't. Someone said to me that we've just had a bad day after we didn't complete one of our mission fully and I replied with "Every day is a bad day." They didn't hear me say it, but I didn't want them to. That would spark a debate and arguing with the team is a bad idea. It's true though. There seem to be no good days anymore. Some days are better than others, but none are good anymore. It's the one thing we can't stop. The darkness. I can almost feel it. Something bad is coming. Whether that comes from Tony's creations, like I was talking about earlier, or whether it be from a natural disaster, there is something coming to get us. And it will destroy us all. That's why I cannot leave. I'm stranded here almost. No breaks, no retirement, nothing. I blinked, remembering my place in the world, and went to the elevator. Stark was already in there, probably keeping the elevator open for me to join him.

"What were you doing back there?" he asked me as he pressed the button for the roof.

"Just daydreaming." I replied.

"I didn't think the Black Widow daydreamed."

"She doesn't. Natasha does. It's bad."

"I think it's good." he said and smiled. "How are you feeling? I'm sorry if I upset you earlier by the way Spidey."

"Quit it with the nickname and I am fine. What about you?"

"I'm good. Pepper worries about me too much."

"With good means. You've been having nightmares and you could be putting her in danger. She said that one of your suits attacked her."

"Yeah, I changed that protocole by the way."

"Whatever." I said and turned to him. "You need to be mentally stable."

"As do you." he snapped back. "We can't have you breaking down either."

"What are you talking about?" I asked. "I would never break down in a mission or even around the team."

"That's the thing. You don't break down when you are around us. You don't let anyone into your life. Well, anyone but Clint."

"Clint is different."

"Are you dating him?" he asked, a slick grin rising on his face.

"No." I replied, firmly, acting slightly insulted by his question.

"Liar." was all he said and looked forward at the elevator doors.

"I don't date people. Anyway, Clint isn't like that."
"So he is like a brother?"
"Definitely not."
"A friend?"

"Nope."

"He's not a friend?"
"He's more than a friend."
"So a best friend?" Tony asked in a sing-song tone.

I shook my head. "He's just different."

"Hmmm….I'll find out your secret one day Widow. One day." Yeah right, like that's going to happen. We exited the lift and saw all the current Avengers ready to get into the helicarrier. I glanced over at Clint who was tapping out some kind of rhythm on his thighs. He always did like music. I found out a couple of years ago that he was an incredible singer. "All ready?" Steve asked, having to shout because of the noise from the helicarrier, and the communication caused Clint's head to snap up out of his music trance.

I nodded and Tony replied "Ready as we will ever be."

"Good." he said. "Let's go."

"I can't wait to take this bastard down." Tony said to me as we entered the helicarrier.

"Just keep your head in the game Tony...and we will." I said, trying to straighten his head, and got onto 'the ship'.

We strapped ourselves into our chairs before Clint took the plane into the sky. I always liked takeoffs, something to start our energy up. Landings were also good, because you can let the anticipation build in your body while you are waiting for the doors to open so you can unleash hell.

When we were in the air, someone took over piloting and the team went over the schematics of the base, making sure that we knew where all the exits were and where the guards were stationed.

"Co-ordinates set for 52.5167 degress North and 13.3833 degrees East."

"Good. Now the guards go on a rotation every half hour. We are planning to attack just after they decide to change guards. Hawkeye you're at guard station 1, Widow 2, Iron Man 3, Thor 4 and I will be stationed at 5. We wait for the change, take out the entrance guards, go in, take out the HYDRA agents inside and then find Bucky. Whether he be in a cell, walking round or at the most guarded section of the base, you kill on site. That is the mission. Any discovery can come after taking him out."

"Rogers, are you sure?" Thor asked. "Loki was like a brother to me. He is dead and I am regretting my decisions still."

"No, Bucky has had enough chances. He threatened one of our own. It's personal." he said, looking directly at me. "He needs to be stopped. Most of the heads are cut off...he may be the last."

"Alright, well if I'm going to do this, I need a drink. JARVIS?" Tony asked, expecting a drink to pop out of the table. He turned to Steve. "What is this about?"

"Pepper permitted you drinking anything. There is no alcohol on the whole plane."

"But you know I work better after a drink." Tony whined.

"Last time, you had a few too many behind our backs and had an air guitar competition with one of the HYDRA agents." Clint argued.

"I totally won that game and I took him out...eventually." Tony smirked, slowly walking backwards.

"No alcohol and don't even think about going to change our course so that we can pick some up on the way." Steve said, making him stop.

"Damn it." Tony said, walking back to the group. "Back to boringville."

"Once Bucky has been aprehended," Steve reverted back to the original conversation. "we gather the information from their computer systems and Thor will light the place up. Hopefully that will rid the world of HYDRA."

"How dramatic." Tony said, sipping a glass of water he had gotten during the end of Steve's speech. "So that is where HYDRA ends huh...a Winter Soldier? Not a good title." Tony joked and went to sit in an area of the helicarrier, away from everyone else.

"JARVIS, keep an eye on him just in case he goes crazy." Steve said and walked out of the room also as the A.I. replied "Of course, Sir."

"I shall stay here and observe the weak points of the building. I need to locate the electronics room inside it. You two need to keep up your strength for battle." he said and bowed his head to us.

We bowed our heads back out of respect and went to the living room. When we got there, I instructed JARVIS to lock the door. He sat down on the sofa and I lay down, resting my calves on his thighs.

"I can't believe that Thor speaks that way." he said.

"Like he's receiting Shakespeare? It's just the way he was brought up I guess."

"Do you think Jane has taught him any new terms?" he asked and I smirked.

"Perhaps. We should arrange for her to come and see us again. We never see her that often."

"That's a good idea." he said and smiled. However, when we stopped talking, I noticed his smile fade and his eyes dropped to the floor.

"What is it?" I asked.

He looked at me inquisitively and said "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure…" I said. What's up with him? Why is he acting so strangely? Whatever this question is, it means a lot to him.

"Would you be able to forgive Bucky for everything he did to you? I know that we were talking about Steve forgiving him for everything that he had done and Thor regretting Loki's death, but you've never talked about it with me. Do you think you would be able to let it go?"

"Why now?" I asked, stalling for time slightly as I tried to find the right words to explain.

"Because it seems appropriate. We are about to go into the field to take him down after all."

"We have hours."

"You know what I mean." he said and turned his head. "Could you forgive him?"

I sighed and shut my eyes. I opened them slowly, making direct contact with Clint's. "No. He killed my sister and nearly killed Pepper when he was trying to get to me. He wants me back in his life, but I don't want to be there."

He nodded and smirked. "Good. I don't want him here either."

I leaned up and rested my head on his chest. I felt him kiss my head and I smiled to myself. I felt so relaxed around him, like I could always be myself. Around the rest of the team, I put on an act - never scared, always lethal - but with Clint it is different. I know that that is the way you are meant to feel around 'the one', but I could honestly not imagine my life without him. How did I become this dependant on someone else?

"Are you happy with me?" I asked him, keeping my head where it was so I could hide my face.

"Of course I am. Why do you ask? Are you not happy with me?"

"I've never been happier. I was just wondering if you felt the same." I replied. "You've...you have changed me. I feel like I can talk to you about anything. I've never felt like that before. I feel vulnerable, but I don't care anymore."

"What are you saying?" he asked me and I pulled back, so I could look at him.

"I want to tell them." I said and sat there waiting for his response. His blank face wasn't exactly an indication of whether he had taken my statement positively or negatively.

"Are you sure?" he asked, smiling slightly, wondering whether to smile fully or not.

"I'm certain." I said. I think I had gotten to the point where it didn't matter anymore. People assumed we were together, so why does it matter if it's for certain. Clint was right. Our feelings are never going to change, so why hide them?

He sighed from relief and kissed my cheek. "I'm glad." Pulling me into a hug, he whispered "I can't wait to see Tony's face."

"Is that the only benefit?" I asked.

"Not the only one...but the main one." he said and I laughed. Once we pulled away from each other, we talked about the whole team and how their relationships were going. We even talked about May and Coulson and I sent a message to Maria for Jane to be sent over to the tower for our return. We discussed so much and before we knew JARVIS was over the speakers telling us that Steve was calling us in for a meeting. It was a supersonic helicarrier, which meant it only took an hour to get to Berlin.

"You ready?" he asked me and I linked my hand in his, knowing that the question was asking more than 'Are you ready to go?'

"Ready." I squeezed his hand gently as I unlocked the door and exited the room. By the time we got to the meeting room, Thor, Steve and Tony were already there. They turned around at our arrival and all three pairs of eyes shot down to where our hands were linked.

"Clintasha?" Tony asked and I rolled my eyes.

"No." I said and walked to the table, Clint holding my hand as we did. "Clint and Natasha. We are not having a ship name."

"Can I be an ass and say that I kind of like it?" Clint asked me and I glared playfully at him.

"Only if you buy me dinner."

"You didn't even need to threaten me." he said and kissed my lips softly.

"Urrrghhhh. Not in here guys." Tony said in disgust. "I am happy for you, but no kissing in our presence."

"Fine." Clint grunted and placed one hand on the table, still having one linked with mine.

"I am happy that you decided to finally reveal your emotions." Thor said smiling.

"Me too." Steve smiled.

"HANG ON! You guys knew about this?" Tony said, gesturing the mine and Clint's linked hands.

"Only for a few days." they said simultaneously.

"Unfair." Tony sulked.

"Back to the mission, is everyone prepared?"

We all nodded.

"Any questions?"

Tony put his hand up.

"Any questions unrelated to alcohol?"

Tony put his hand down.

"Good. Let's get prepared. Hawkeye, land the plane." he ordered and Clint kissed my hand before going to the control deck.

We waited in anticipation at the bay doors. Tony came to stand next to me, suited up, and said "I'm truly happy for you two. Me and Pepper have our happiness, so do Thor and Jane and Steve and Maria. It's good that you have someone."

"Thank you Tony."

"I'm still calling you Clintasha."

"Dammit." I said and turned to face the door as he laughed.

"Landing in 3...2...1…" Clint said over the comms. We landed and Clint rushed over as Rogers pressed the button to open the doors. It lifted up as Clint flicked his bow up to standard position.

"Ready?" I asked.

"Ready." he confirmed and smiled at me. We nodded to each other and ran out of the helicarrier.

Hope you liked this chapter :) Keep up the reviews!