Steve wondered why his life was simultaneously so complicated and so simple. In spite of being an international fugitive with a best friend in indefinite stasis, he was sitting on the back porch of a beautiful home in Sweden, looking out over their private lake after painlessly ending his quasi-relationship with Sharon. It hadn't been as bad as he'd expected. He'd never broken up with anyone before, but, based on the stories he'd heard from friends, he had just experienced the best case scenario. Sharon understood that he'd made a mistake and that he still respected her and valued her as a friend. It sounded so cliché when he thought about it, but it really was for the best.

The guilt lasted until he saw Natasha emerge from the trees at a casual jog. He could see the stiffness in her gait, a result of the injuries she had sustained under Ross' torture. He wasn't sure he could ever forgive himself for allowing her to be incarcerated for so long, not that she held him responsible. That somehow made it worse. He met her halfway across the lawn, sweeping her into an embrace she returned somewhat weakly.

Her green eyes caught the waning sunlight as he set her down. "I take it you ruined your life, then?"

"What? How?"

"You ended it with Sharon."

"Yes. I said I was going to and…is that not what you wanted? I thought we…?"

"I should have known you wouldn't make the smart choice," she interrupted, pulling him down into a kiss. He returned it the best way he knew how, wrapping his arms around her as he pulled her into an embrace.

"I love you."

"You don't. You just…"

"I do. I love you."

"Well…you shouldn't."

"Nat, a few minutes ago you told me I needed to end things we Sharon if we were going to move forward. Did you think I wouldn't do it?"

"I thought you needed a push." She wouldn't look at him. "You needed to end it before you got in too deep and broke her heart."

"Then you…you manipulated me into breaking up with her?"

"No!" He gaze was defiant, though he hadn't meant it to sound like an accusation. "I mean, I don't think you two should be together but…I wish you hadn't done it for me."

"I would do anything for you. I love you. You know that. If you don't feel the same," he ran a hand through her silky hair, "say it."

"Steve…"

"Tell me you don't love me."

"It doesn't matter how I feel!"

He nuzzled her neck. "It matters to me."

"Don't make this harder, Steve. Maybe Sharon wasn't the right one, but you should be with…with someone who…someone who's good. Someone more like you."

"I should be with the woman I love. You." He sought her lips again and wasn't disappointed. Natasha's kiss was passionate, needy. He held her tightly, feeling her arms tighten around him. "Let's go upstairs."

"Steve…"

"We'll talk."

"Of course we will."

A few short minutes later, after they'd both showered and changed, she was under his covers in pajama pants and a tank top. He was careful to maintain his position on top of the covers for the moment, though he wished his pajamas weren't feeling so constricting. "You…I…"

"Shh." She was suddenly pressed against him in a full body embrace. The kiss was anything but chaste. He hoped she couldn't feel his excitement through the thick bedspread.

He was reluctant to pull back, but felt he had to take control before it was totally lost. "Natasha…"

"Mmm. I can tell you've been practicing."

He almost forgot that he was trying to press pause when she licked his lips. "I thought we were going to talk."

"Don't tell me you took a cold shower."

"Maybe I should have." He moved away from her ever so slightly, again wishing he'd picked looser pajama pants. "I won't rush this if you're not ready."

"I…I don't understand."

"I love you. I want to make love to you. If you need time to figure out how you feel or even just to tell me how you feel, I'm willing to wait."

"Steve," she whispered, staring into his eyes. He had to blink before drowning in green. She was nuzzling his neck a moment later. "I want you. I need you. You're the best part of my life. I just don't know if I can give you what you're asking for."

"Like I said, I'll wait until you figure it out."

"You shouldn't. You've already waited for so long…"

"Then what's a little longer?" He tilted her chin upwards, pecking her lips before saying, "And I know you're capable of love. Don't forget, I've seen Auntie Nat in action."

"That's different." She finally smiled, though it was short-lived. "I thought I'd have time to move Laura and the kids to a safe house before they picked me up, but…" Her breath hitched for just a moment. "Nick is taking care of them, so there's no need to worry. I just know how hard it is for Clint. Well, I don't know, exactly, but it's killing him not to be home. He wouldn't even be here if I hadn't screwed up to begin with and chosen to side with the government. When has any government ever not failed me?"

"It's okay, Nat."

"I thought you were always honest."

He grinned. "I said it's okay, not that it's great."

"Touché." She rolled onto her back. "Your bed is comfortable."

"Isn't it the same as yours?"

"Smells better." She reached out and switched off the lamp on her side of the bed. "Are you planning to sleep on top of the covers?"

"Um…" He decided not to ask the obvious question, because she was clearly intending to spend the night. "What happens if I am?"

"You'll get cold and probably be grumpy in the morning, while I stay warm and get a good night's sleep."

"Then we're just sleeping? Together? I mean, not sleeping together, but…technically…"

"Get under the covers and turn out the light, Rogers."

"Yes, Ma'am," he murmured.

When he woke the next morning, she was comfortably nestled against his side. His arm had found its way around her shoulders. He hoped she would feel how right it was when she opened her eyes.