Nearly done with this! Should only have a few chapters left. Uploading one every day to get it sorted so I can move onto the next story!

Previously:

"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.

All of us sprinted over to our assigned entrances, where we would wait for a signal from Steve to go out and attack out guards.

I got to my waiting spot and saw the guard still there. "Have we missed it?" I asked, over the comms.

"Any second now." Steve replied and I saw the guards switch. Steve waited a couple of seconds before ordering "3...2...1...attack."

I threw a widow bite at the arm of my target, so he couldn't contact anyone, as I ran up to him. As I was running, I saw Clint fire an arrow at the arm of his target, copying the same tactic as mine. I always say that he copies me. It makes me seem more intelligent. I smirked to myself as I punched my target in the face. I dragged him to the fire door and used his security card to open it. All the cameras had already been disabled by a bug Tony had put on the ceiling - the footage was put on a realistic repeat.

Once I dumped the body in a nearby storage cupboard, I made my way through the base, shooting down anyone in sight. My gun had a dampener on it, so it didn't alarm many people. The one's who were alarmed were quickly dealt with by me. As we made our way to the central hub, I saw Thor flying down the levels, heading towards the electronics room. Tony and Clint had the main priority of shooting down the guards where as me and Steve were on the job of searching for and killing Bucky.

As I made my way through the base, my bullet count was heading down, but I could take them out with my skills regardless so I wasn't worried. There were no guards down my section of the corridor and I reached a corridor with one door at the end of it.

"Found anything team?" I asked the group.

"Nothing." Steve replied.

"Nothing...but lots of...guards…" Clint struggled to say.

"You alright back there?" I asked him and I stopped walking, hesitant to go back.

"We're good here. Nearly finished with them anyway." Clint responded, more confidently.

"Good, just don't get killed."

"Don't worry honey. I won't" Tony said in a sarcastic tone.
"Watch it Stark." I warned and drew up my gun as I walked down the corridor. The sounds of gunshots echoed in the distance as I continued to carefully walk down to the end door. "Steve, I may have found something." I reported.

He didn't respond for a while, which just made me curious. "Steve, I said I might have found something. Are you alright?" I asked, as I approached the end door. "Steve respond!" I near shouted as I smashed the door opened with a kick. I held my gun firmly in my hand and saw two people crouching down on the floor. As I got closer and made my way around the obstacles of boxes in the room, I saw Steve crouching over Barnes' body. There was blood spilling from a red circle in his head where a bullet was implanted from Steve's gun.

I crouched down on the other side of James' body and looked at him. His eyes were still open so I took the liberty of closing them. I carefully placed my hand on Steve's shoulder.

"It had to be done." he said, standing up and I stood up with him.

"I do not understand what you mean. Is the Soldier dead?" Thor asked.

"Yes, he had been taken out." I said to Thor. "I'm with them right now. We are heading back to you."

I switched off my comm. and reached up to switch Steve's off. Once I did, I asked "Are you really okay though?" I asked. "That can't have been easy."

"He made it easy." he replied. "He said he would kill everyone if he couldn't have you. So I put a bullet in his skull." I left it at that, nodded and we exited the room, leaving a dead James Buchannan Barnes in the room behind us. "I'll be fine. He was going to hurt more people, so I know I did the right thing." he said softly.

"You did." I agreed. "Believe me, you did."

"I'm sorry for all the trouble that he caused you." he said. "With your sister and everything that happened in the Red Room."

"It's okay. It's over now." I said and reached down to hold his hand. I squeezed it comfortingly and then pulled it out of his to switch the comms back on.

"Sorry, our comms went down. Did we miss anything?" I said.

"We were just saying that we have taken all the guards down. Thor, you ready?" Clint asked.

"Give me the signal when you are safely out of the building. I am in position." Thor replied.

"Gotcha." Tony said. Me and Steve ran to the nearest exit and met up with the others.

"We're heading back to the helicarrier now." Tony reported and we heard the build up of electricity echo around us. There was a large boom and the ground shook slightly. We looked at each other and all had the same thought - Oh shit.

We started running for our lives towards the helicarrier as the ground began to break behind us.

"Tony! Take Steve to the helicarrier and then come back for us if you can." I demanded and he did. As he zoomed off and me and Clint continued to run, I felt fear rush through my veins. The fear of losing Clint over powered me. I looked towards him and he turned his head to look at me. Not paying attention, I tripped over a bump in the ground and fell over.

"Shit! Come on Tash!" Clint shouted and pulled me up to stand. Tony came back over and Clint said "Take her!"

"NO!" I shouted, but I was already being carried away from him. I looked back as me and Iron Man flew through the air and saw the ground getting closer and closer towards Clints feet. "CLINT!" I shouted as he dropped me on the helicarrier. I couldn't see anything, but dust. Tony went out again and I asked "Can you see anything Stark? Please!"

"Natasha, there is nothing here." Tony said, sorrowfully over the comms, and I stumbled backwards slightly.

"No." I whispered, not believing it. "No, you're wrong." I said, trying to remain calm, but tears were in my eyes. "Keep looking."

"Natasha, it's pitch black and there is a hole in the ground that looks like it goes down for miles." he reported.

"I don't care. You keep going until you find him. He has to be alive." I said. Steve came towards me and placed him hand on my shoulder, like I did for him when he lost Bucky just a few moments ago. No, I can't have lost him not now. What am I going to do without him?

I felt a rush of air from behind me and turned to see Clint and Thor laughing as they landed on the platform of the helicarrier. Clint smiled at me and I ran over to him. I beat his chest with my hands, half making sure that he was real and half making sure that he regretted being an asshole.

"You idiot! Don't ever do that to me again!" I shouted at him.

"Hey, don't be silly. I could hardly hear you over the comms and I couldn't respond because we were flying so fast." he said, quickly grabbing my wrists to stop me from hitting him. "Like I would leave you." He pulled me into a hug and stroked my hair softly. I didn't cry. I just snuggled against his chest as he held me.

"Awww cute. I have walked in on a Clintasha moment." Tony said.

"D'you know what Stark?" I asked.

"Yes, my dear." he replied and I threw a Widow bite at his chest.

"ROMANOFF!" Steve shouted and I shrugged.

"He kind of deserves it." I said as some form of an excuse and Steve showed a small smile.

Once we got back to the Avengers Tower, we decided to have a shower then go out for lunch as a team before Pepper would leave to go under protection. We exited the helicarrier and went straight down to the living room where Pepper, Jane and Maria were chatting on the sofa. Pepper and Jane ran up to Tony and Thor, but Maria just stood by the sofa's waiting for him to come over. Once he did, she led him into one of the other quiet rooms that was like the living room, but much smaller, for little conversations. We all knew that Steve needed his space and we were going to let him have just that.

"How have you been Jane?" Tony asked as we went to sit down on the sofa's together.

"Good. Happier now that I've come to see you."

"You are always welcome here. Actually I've been meaning to offer you a proposition to have you work here in the tower if that appeals to you?"

Her mouth went wide and she looked from Thor to Tony and back to Thor again. "Did you know about this?"

"I'm the one Tony came directly to talk to about it." Thor smiled and kissed her cheek.

"Well…" she said, flustered slightly. "if you are sure."

"I am certain." he replied, smiling slightly.

She beamed happily and kissed Thor strongly on the lips. "That means I get to see you all more."

"That is good. God knows that we need more girls around here." Pepper said, relaxing onto Tony's shoulder.

"Now, onto more pressing matters," I started. "Pepper, are you sure you don't want any of us to come with you to the safe house, wherever it is."

"I'm sure. You guys have got a lot of work to do and Tony is there to protect me should anything come knocking." she smiled. "I will be fine. It's not like I haven't had death threats from randomers in the past. Being engaged to Tony probably means that I will only get more in the future." she joked. She didn't know the threat was from HYDRA. I could tell that Tony hadn't told her by the expression on his face.

"Would anybody like a drink?" Tony asked and we all gave him our orders.

"I see a congratulations is in order. Thor was telling me only yesterday that you two were together." Jane smiled as JARVIS sent the drinks through the table.

We picked up our drinks as Clint replied "Yeah, we only said that we were officially dating a couple of hours ago. It feels good to show off that I'm dating the Black Widow."

"Hey." I slapped him, playfully on the arm. "But I must admit it feels good to be dating Hawkeye."

"What about Bruce? Anyone heard from him?" Clint asked. "I heard he was hooking up with Betty."

"Well, as you know Steve ordered him on leave, but he has decided to return, because he feels a lot better about himself and the whole Hulk situation." Tony explained.

"Good for him." I said, raising my glass and taking a sip of my drink. We continued to talk about Bruce, including the terrible things the papers were saying about him, until a certain someone mentioned lunch.

"What's the time, because we don't want to miss lunch?" Clint mentioned.

"You are always hungry." I complained, but then smiled. "It's 12:30."

"Should I go and ask whether Steve and Maria want to join us?" Clint asked.

"I'll come with you." Pepper chirped and kissed Tony on the cheek before going to join Clint as he walked towards the quiet room that they were in.

"I never realised that Clint and Pepper got on so well." I said to Tony.

"Well, they've always been quite close. You wouldn't expect it, but they almost get on as well as me and Pepper do. Not in that way, but in a-"
"A brother and sister way?" I asked.

"Yes, I have noticed that." Thor added.

"Is he worried about her going under protection?" Tony asked.

"I think he is. He doesn't always show his emotions, but I can read his face like a book." I explained. They came back and said "They will be joining us." Pepper said.

"So lets meet on the ground floor in half an hour say?" Maria asked and we all nodded.

Clint walked me to my room and came in for a couple of minutes. He seemed to have something else on his mind as I put my weapons back into the holders on the wall.

"You worried about Pepper?" I asked and he nodded.

"I don't know what I would do if I lost her."

"I know. You two seem to have a great connection." I said, smiling. I wasn't jealous of them at all, because I knew that Clint liked me. "I'm happy that you have those two to keep you company when I'm not around."

"But I always want you around." he said, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. "Always." I closed my eyes and sighed at the embrace. He was always so comforting towards me, like I could easily tell him the darkest secrets I keep.

"We need to shower." I said, placing the last gun on the my wall.

"We?" he asked, a smile on his face.

"I mean, I need to shower in my bathroom and you need to shower in your bathroom."

"Spoilsport." he complained and chuckled afterwards, indicating that he was in fact joking.

"Get outta here Hawk." I said and pushed him backwards lightly. "Go."

"Alright, alright." he said, holding up his hands. "I'm going." he smirked and shut the door after he left. I had my shower and got changed into black skinny jeans and a red crop top. I pulled on a grey zip up hoodie and left it undone. Grabbing my red trainers, I sat on the bed and looked up at the red wallpaper. I liked the one select colour that I was to the team I thought, tying up my laces. I guess Tony was gold, Steve was red, white and blue, Thor was grey, Bruce was green, Clint was purple and I was red.

Once my boots were on, I made my way to the door and down the corridor. I bumped into Pepper on the way down and started a conversation about Clint with her.

"I mean, he's been such a rock to me. Not an irritating rock like Tony, but a friendly one."

"You ever wanted to date him?" I asked, just out of curiosity.

"God no. Not my type. I would say he's too arrogant, but then again look at Tony. Maybe Clint is not arrogent enough? I've never been attracted to him in that way and I think that's what makes us such good friends."

"Well, I'm happy that you've got someone apart from Tony."
"God, imagine if I was just stuck with him. I would go insane." she joked as we got to the elevator. "I must say, I am loving your outfit."

"This?" I asked, gesturing to my clothes. "I have had these for years. Never changed size. I love yours too." Pepper actually looked quite bad ass. She was wearing very different clothes to her usual, which was always office or party clothes. Her hair was delicately put into a side bun and she was wearing black combat boots and blue skinny jeans. Her top was loose, but so stylish. I need to try out her look.

"Aw thanks Tash." she smiled and looked down at her outfit. "I'm wearing this on the way over to the base and I've already packed the rest of my clothes for the four days I'm staying there."

I turned to her. "Just come back safe. Promise me you will."

She nodded. "I promise." She smiled at me and brought me into a hug. "I know I don't say it very often, but I just...I just wanted to say thank you."

"You don't know how often you say that." I laughed and she laughed too.

"I know, but that's for presents or little things. This time I want to say it as a thank you for being my friend." she said, hugging me tighter. "I know this won't be the last time I see you, but this death threat just makes me think about the fact that I haven't said it to you before. So thank you."

"That's alright." I said as we pulled away. "But you're not going anywhere."

"I'm just excited for us to go on double dates...wait no...triple dates because of Thor and Jane...wait no...quadruple dates because of Steve and Maria...wait I forgot Bruce and Betty. There we go. Quintuple dates."

"That will make quite a big table for a date." I said and she laughed. We arrived at the bottom floor and apparently it was just me and Pepper, because no one else seemed to be here.

"Are we having our own date?" Pepper asked and we laughed, but suddenly there was the sound of a rush of wind coming from outside the doors. We looked out and saw Iron Man carrying Clint and Steve and Thor carrying Jane and Maria.

They walked through the doors and Tony said "Thought we would use the express way, seeing as someone was using the elevator."

"That was so much fun." Jane smiled. She was always so happy.

Thor chuckled at her excitement. "Where are we going to dine today?"

"Shaw-"

"Don't even think about it." Pepper said to Tony. "Do you know how many times I have had to eat shawarma with you?"

"Hahaha. I don't know. It's not like you have count-"

"Forty six." she replied, crossing her arms. "No more shawarma."

"Wow. Okay. That's your 'stop arguing or I'm going to stab you with the nearest sharp object' face." He leaned over to us and whispered "Stay clear of her when she does that." We laughed and Pepper hit him on the arm.

"How about Royalina?" Stark suggested.

"Don't you own that place?" Clint asked.

"Exactly. It's free food. What more do you want?" he asked, smiling.

"Alright. It looks like we are going there." Maria said and we went to walk out of the door together. I completely forgot about the camera bombardment that you get when you exit, but I remembered as I saw the distant flashes of light from the camera shutters. Clint came towards me.

"Shall we?" he asked, holding out his hand. I smiled as I put my hand in his. I really don't give a shit anymore. We all walked out together me and Clint at the back of the group.

The cameras attacked us like vultures and we ended up being separated from the rest of the group.

"Are you two together now?"

"How long has this been going on?"

"Someone told me that you were dating the Winter Soldier. Is that true? Are you cheating on him?"

"How come you haven't told us anything?"

"When did this happen?"

We were being backed up against the door, but sooner or later Tony got tired of not being in the spotlight. I heard the sound of a loud lazer beam and the cameras stopped to turn towards the noise.

"Let Clintasha through will you. We are trying to get lunch." Tony said, distracting the cameras as we made our way towards the group. "Thank you." he smiled, when we were joined with them. There was a limosine around the front that we all got into - it was the only thing that would fit us all in.

I heard people shout the word 'Clintasha' at random moments outside. "Why did you have to give the public a name for us?" I asked.

"I thought it would be cute." Tony replied and I rolled my eyes. We made our way to the restaurant and there seemed to be cameras permanently following us around, however, all the celebrities do eat here, becuase the restaurant is owned by 'the one and only Tony Stark'.

We exited the vehicle and walked towards the doors. People were appreciating Pepper's new look and Tony was encouraging her to pose. She rolled her eyes and kissed his cheek, before heading inside with us.

There was one table on the roof that was reserved only for us, not even royalty could get up there. I guess if the Queen offered Tony a knighthood then maybe she could sneak up there too.

"What are we having? They cook anything. Happy is one of the chefs here."

"Happy can cook?" Jane asked.

"He is a brilliant chef." Pepper replied. "He is even better than Clint."

"Hey!" Clint glared at her and she nudged his shoulder. "Don't say that. I'm an excellent chef."

"Try saying that when you taste one of your souflees."

"Don't hate on the souflees." Clint said smiling and looked back at his menu. We spent a while talking about Clint's cooking before deciding on what we wanted. JARVIS was installed in this restaurant and acted as a waiter. Even though he was a computer program, he was still humourous.

"So I lean over the bar and say 'Hey, where's the Scotch?'. The enemy was so scared that I had taken out all of his undercover team that he even made it for me and brought it over." Tony explained, sipping his drink as we laughed. "I tell you that was an unforgettable mission."
"I remember one time…" Thor started to explain one of his stories, but Clint leaned over to me and said "Do you remember Budapest." A smile was brought to my lips from the memory of it. It was a low key mission, which ended up in a gun fight.

A German had come to Budapest to do a business deal. He said how he had gone there before whilst he was being held at gunpoint by Hawkeye. "Just how I remember it." the German said.
"You and I remember Budapest very differently." Clint said to the man before shooting him in the face. "I mean, the streets are filthy for a start." he said to me as we walked out of the building.

Since then, whenever one of us has referred to it, we've always said 'You and I remember Budapest very differently'.

"You and I remember Budapest very differently." I said to Clint as Thor continued with his story. He chuckled quietly and continued to eat his meal.

When we were finished, we headed downstairs and saw Happy on the way out. "It's good to see you again." I said, shaking his hand. "How's the boxing going?"

"Zip it, Natalie." he smirked and we had a short conversation about missions before the team left.

"I can't believe you guys haven't gotten married yet." Maria said, smiling, as she leant against Steve.

"We are waiting a couple of months. Tony wants something big." Pepper explained, looking up at Tony.

"I only want it big to show off how amazing you will look." he justified. To be honest, I think he did want it slightly for that, but it has been named 'Wedding of the century' by most magazines, so he definitely wants a bit of press in there too. "It's all about you." he said and kissed her head. I smiled at them. God they are so couple like. I thought. However, I was being cuddled by Clint. Cuddled? I thought. You, the Black Widow, are using the word cuddled. Let alone you are being cuddled.

I shivered, over-thinking it slightly, and he looked at me curiously. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." I replied, but he pulled me closer, probably thinking that I was cold. Just get use to the word cuddle will you. I told myself, getting comfortable where I was.

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