Continuously

Steve was nervous. No. Steve was extremely nervous. Since getting out of the ice he’s had the same routine. Wake up at the crack of dawn and run miles through the city against the hustle and bustle of workers. When he finished running unthinkable amounts he came back to his bland shoe box of an apartment and made himself eggs. Finishing that off, he tried to fiddle with the television or learn to use the microwave and hours into still not understanding, he turned to his sketch pad as time slipped away. Sometime as the sun went down he’d try to settle into bed. If he was successful he’d fall asleep and wake up after a mere two hours. Steve didn’t have nightmares, his sleep was always dark and cold, kind of like the ice. So, when he woke up on minimum sleep he’d go to the small old styled gym and work out until he was physically going to fall over, and then do it all again. Today however was different.

He was on a plane heading to some secret location to essentially save the world. The super soldier had been recruited for the Avengers Initiative, him and five other soldiers. Steve was somewhat happy about it, it was bitter sweet. Bitter in a sense an imitate threat was threatening to wipe human existence, but sweet to get out and do something with himself, with his second chance. As the pilot called out ‘touch down in two!’, Steve couldn’t help but ring his hands together.
“Nervous?” A voice asked.
Steve chuckled a bit.
“A little.” He commented back timidly.
“What for?” Coulson questioned.
Phil looked up to Steve. He thought him some invincible hero and handling a god wielding a scepter was cake for him.
“It’s a new time.” The blonde said as his lips pulled into a slim line.
“We have resources to help you.” Phill responded.
“Resources?” Steve asked confused.
“Yes, your team. Doctor Banner, Agent Barton, Thor of Asgard, Mr, Stark, Agent Romanoff.” Coulson explained.
Steve just nodded in response. He hasn’t met his team yet but from Coulson glowing about them he figured they were a good group of men.

Feeling the rumble of the plane beneath him Steve concluded they’d landed as the loud hum of the engines stopped. As the ramp opened, Phill stood up and Steve took the hint to follow. As he stood on the pavement absorbing the chaos ensuing around him as people hurried to get tasks done. Steve’s eyes looked aimlessly around, he hasn’t seen this many people working in one place since the war. Just as his eyes had averted to an area of suited men fixing some mechanics of a jet, he herd Coulson speak:

“Captain Rogers there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
Steve turned. His eyes locked with a gorgeous redhead roaming toward them. She donned a leather jacket and the tightest pants he’s ever seen with a gun strapped to her thigh.
“Ma’am.” He said respectfully doing his best to catch his breath.
He was never spectacular with women, but he’s never seen one with such beauty, to say he was freaking out was an understatement.
“Hi.” She said grumbly.
And fuck, if the shivers down his spine are indication of how he’s feeling, he’s a dead man.
“You can escort Captain Rogers?” Coulson asked the woman.
She nods.
She begins to walk and Steve quickly follows.
“Steve Rogers.” He says extending his hand.
She eyes him suspiciously and takes it.
“I know when you came out I thought Coulson was gonna swoon.” She joked.
I think I’m gonna swoon. He thought.
“Big things happening here Rogers, you sure you’re ready?” She asked looking out to the madness around them.
“Eh.” He shrugged sheepishly.
The red haired beauty turned to look at him.
“Well Captain, it may be a different time but we’re still fighting for those who can’t.” She said honestly.

The words shook Steve. She wasn’t wrong, almost like she understood what he was feeling, like he was right there living in his mind, telling him what he needed to hear. The thing is he knew that she wasn’t saying it to ease his mind, she was saying it because it was truth. It was admirable.

He smiled softly at her to which her eyes twinkled the slightest.
“I never caught your name.” He admits.
“I’m Agent Romanoff, you can call me Natasha.” She states.
Steve’s mouth gapes. Not that he had an issue with a woman he just hadn’t expected it. This woman must be fierce and the best, and she would prove just that.
/
Steve learned a bit on his time with shield in just some time. Gods walked on earth, Starks son invented a flying suit, green monsters are real, Barton was compromised, and Natasha- Agent Romanoff, is remarkable.

She knew things left and right, people seemed to practically piss their pants as she walked by and Steve was intimated, but intrigued. It was odd really he didn’t feel this way ever, not even after he first met Peggy. No. He stopped himself. Being attracted to an employee certainly got a check mark in the ‘inappropriate for the workplace’ column, and a trip to Human Resources. Steve shook his shoulders and he continued to engage in the conversation they were having at the round table, as he kept his eyes away from Agent Romanoff. Steve has confronted Loki not too long ago and he was now in custody as they regrouped, and decided how to asses the situation.
“Someone needs to talk to him, Thor?” Fury spat.
“No. He won’t listen to me, it’ll make it worse. My brothers always envied me, my presence will only push him more.” Thor shook his head.
Fury nodded in response as he looked around the room. Fury’s eyes landed on each of them.
Stark, too arrogant. Rogers, too nice. Banner, too shaky. When his eyes landed on Natasha he lit up.
“Romanoff. Engage with Loki as you please, get what we need.” He instructed.
“Affirmative sir.” She said rising from her seat.

Therefore, the meeting was adjourned as everyone stood. Natasha did not appear to falter at the request, something in Steve didn’t sit right. The pit of his stomach hurt as he grew concerned for her, because they’re teammates, he kept telling himself. Natasha went to exit the room when Steve lightly gripped her arm.
“Good luck Agent.” He said.
She smirked.
“I don’t need luck Rogers.” as she walked away.
Steve couldn’t help but smile at that.
“You be careful with that one.” Stark said behind him.
Steve turned and feigned confusion.
“She’s got a talent at getting the best of us, she’s dangerous territory.” Tony explained.
Steve rolled his eyes and scoffed as he walked away.
/
Natasha came racing in the room leaving her meeting with Loki.
“The hulk. That’s his weakness.” She said to the group.
Before anyone had the chance to respond or even react and explosion went off.

Glass shards flew everywhere as everyone’s body was pushed on impact. Acting on impulse Steve went to reach for Natasha but she had been too far, and Steve was too late. She was on the floor curled into a ball and the room shifted to a dangerous red hue as the emergency lights were flashing. Steve brushed off injuries quick, he felt nothing more than having a paper cut. It’s not that Natasha was defenseless it wasn’t that at all. It’s just that Steve had the super serum helping with healing, Tony could have that suit on faster than he could blink, Bruce had the other guy to keep him safe from injury, and Thor was a fucking god. Not to mention he was unsure how much protection her skin tight catsuit provides, though he did not mind the view one bit. Racing over to her fiddle positioned form she groaned loudly.
“Romanoff.” He said shaking her.
She groaned again until her green blue eyes snapped open to meet his.
“You’re alright?” He assessed her with concern as he aided her up.
Gripping her head a bit she nodded.

“Banners gone.” Thor announces.
Everyone turns to him. Fuck. The explosion. The noise. It brought out the other guy.
“Shit! Romanoff!” Fury yelled.
Natasha shook and pulled herself better best she could.
“On it.” She said boating away, doing her best to keep the balance.
“Director don’t you think Agent Romanoff may not be fit to-“ Steve began.
Nick cut him off abruptly.
“Stark and Rogers handle the damage done to the left wing of the jet. Thor you go in for any back up needed with the other guy. Move!” Fury yelled as he ran off to god knows where.

Steve obeyed his orders and ran to the instructed location. He was unsure how much help he would really be since he couldn’t fly like Tony but aided regardless. Sometime in her began hearing clambering through his ears along with grunts. After being appointed Captain of the Avengers he made it standard each member carry a comm link for line of communication.
“Does anyone copy?” Steve asked in his ear.
“I am approaching the bay.” He heard Thor say.
“Wrapping up out here.” Tony stated.
“Romanoff?” Steve asked worried.
All he got in response was more grumbles and bangs.
“It’s the other guy he’s not... he’s... it’s not...” her voice became static and choppy in his ear before shutting off in silence.
“Natasha!” Steve yelped like a lost puppy.
“Captain you get Romanoff I’ll finish up.” Tony called back.
Silently Steve left and ran off to their location.
/
Natasha’s leg felt crushed. It was stuck under god knows what type of metal as she desperately clutched at the floor to get out from under it. Bruce began to turn an ugly shade of green as he began to heave.

“Bruce.” Natasha pleaded, no begged.
Just then she heard Steve’s voice in her ear. Steve.

It was hard to explain exactly how she felt about Steve. Stark was an arrogant ass who means well. Thor was an innocent man who had an iron fist when needed. Bruce was a shy scientist, while his alter ego was a maniac. Her best friend and partner Clint (who happened to be compromised), well he was her family. She was his kids godmother for heaven's sake. Then there was Steve, or Captain Rogers. He blushed easily, tried hard to keep up with the modern era, while he led a team with resilience. Steve isn’t the kind of person Natasha usually get along with, but shockingly she does. The spy has an inkling that her weaknesses are his strengths, and vice versa. However, she didn’t have time to define how she felt about the blonde super soldier, she was in a tight situation and emotions weren’t something she really runs with.

Just as she felt her comm go dead in her ear, the Hulk shifted his cold gaze upon her. Shit. In an instant she managed to pull her leg out from under her and she did her best to navigate around the area like a god damned jungle gym. Swinging on bars, jumping from place to place, all while running with a somewhat limp leg. Just as she thought she was home free his large hands clutched her ankle roughly tossing her against the wall like she was rag doll.

Trying her best to recover from the blow, she used her arms to hoist herself into sitting position. That’s when she saw the Hulk lift his hand to back hand her, closing her eyes, knowing she was stuck, she prepared for impact. That is when someone threw him into a wall. She breathed a sigh of relief for Thor, knowing he was the one who did it. She attempted to stand, to get up and help, but she wasn’t ready yet. She needed to catch her breath, level her head. The last thing Nick and Phil needed was a compromised Barton and an injured Romanoff. Shutting her eyes again, she leans her head against the wall in support. Just as she is finally getting back into a steady rhythm of breaths and soothing her heart beats she hears the clang of boots along the ramp. Prying open one eyes, she sees the source of the noise. Fuck.

Silently getting up, she tiptoes behind the figure. Just as she believes she has the upper hand, he turns. She’s good at what she does, but after all he is her partner.
“I don’t wanna do this Clint.” She says exasperated.
She searches his eyes for something, anything. But all that stares back is the cold icy shade that leave no recollection of the Clint Barton she knows.

In a swift moment he pulls out an arrows and aims at her, she ducks and swings his legs out from under him. She pins him to the ground and shakes him a bit.
“Come on Barton. This isn’t you. This isn’t the guy that spends his weekends feeding goats with his kids, or making coffee for his wife.” She tells him.
Then she sees a flash of something in his eyes, but it’s not enough. The blue returns as he throws Natasha to the ground. Recovering quickly, she pushed herself off and bashes his head into the pole hoping she can knock it out of him. He falls for a moment, catching himself, until he looks up to her. The blue fading.
“Nat?” He mumbles.
She looks over him sadly. The blue is faint, but still there. For good measure she regretfully clocks him in the face as he toppled over in defeat.

Natasha then studies him. The sheen of sweat over him, his contoured forehead even when he was unresponsive. Clint Barton, husband, father of two, her partner, was just put through hell. And she can’t help but feel like she could have done more.

Natasha feels herself letting go. Her chin wobbles as her nose begins to burn and her vision blurs. Just as the first tear is going to escape she hears running from behind her, not daring to turn someone stands next to her.
“You alright?” They ask.
It’s unmistakably Rogers and the worst part is she doesn’t know whether to answer honestly or just brush it off. It’s conflicting really, if it had been anyone else she would have scoffed and said she had it under control. But Rogers was something else, she just didn’t know what yet.
“We have to get him restrained before he wakes up.” She states evading the question all together.
Steve nods and throws Clint over his shoulder like he weighs nothing. Natasha leads the way knowing Steve has no idea the parameters of the jet. When they reach the room he places Clint down as Natasha reluctantly shackles him.
“Loki’s gone.” Steve finally speaks.
“Coulson said he’s headed for the city and we should suit up.” He says almost as if it’s an order.
Natasha’s head snaps at him, her eyes cold. But, Steve wasn’t done speaking.
“You have time though. Do your best to calm down, be here when he wakes up.” Steve assures.
Natasha’s eyes soften as she slumps over on the bench across from him. Steve steps over and sits next to her.

He turns to face her, but she doesn’t do the same, her eyes glued to the floor.
“I know what it’s like.” He begins.
“Losing someone. Knowing you could have done more, questioning over and over if the tiniest thing had been different could you have saved them.” He says.
“It took me waking up in another time seventy years later to finally realize I can’t do that. Living like that is like living in hell. Recounting the worst events, taunting yourself for what could have been. The truth is I’ve realized things go on, life goes on. Living in regret is only going to make things worse.” He explains.
Natasha’s eyes finally meet his and his breath hitches.
“Barton’s gonna wake up. I can’t tell you what state he’ll be in, how much he’ll remember. But I’ll tell you this, he’s gonna wake up. That’s something I never got, the assurance of knowing that.” Steve says.
Natasha nods a bit.
“He’s my best friend,” She begins.

And god Steve has no idea why but he feels like smiling. Best friend. The whole time everyone has speculation about their relationship and yeah she could be lying, but Steve was almost positive she wasn’t. However, Natasha Romanoff would probably always be, and always wanted to be his teammate. So he pushed this aside to let her finish.

“I mean, he saved me. He didn’t have to, but he did.” The redhead states.
Steve can tell there’s more to it, but doesn’t press.
“Then save him. Repay the debt.” Steve tells her seriously.
She nods as her eyes roam and trace Clint’s sedated state.
Boldly, Steve grabs her hand and to his shock, and hers, she doesn’t make a move to pull away. His hand feels nice against hers, almost safe.
“He’ll be okay Natasha.” Steve assures and he almost promises it. He thinks if he could promise this woman the world he would.
Again she nods as he gives her hand a gentle squeeze. He stands up and offers her a sad smile.
“I gotta go suit up. Take all the time you need.” He tells her.
“Okay.” She speaks with a ghost of a smile on her lips.
Why the hell did Steve Rogers make her feel so much more than a weapon?
/
Steve sat in the jet with his fellow five teammates, all of them strapped in and ready for touchdown.
Thor, like Steve was having understanding each of his fellow avengers.
“The captain was injected with a serum to enhance his features? Stark has created a flying, iron suit? Banned got shot with a form of radiation, so Lady Natasha you...” Thor wondered.
“I don’t have an special abilities Thor. Just myself.” She teased lightly.

Steve’s ears perked at this. Natasha was incredibly agile and skilled, he had figured she must have some variation of his serum. He’s sure he could find out where she got the training but in all honesty he couldn’t bring himself too.

When he first arrived on the jet he got a small room with a cot and a table. On this table had been five files which consisted of information on his teammates. He read Starks out of pure curiosity of the fact that he was Howard’s son. He skimmed through Bruce’s (more specifically the section titled ‘Hulk’) to know what he was dealing with. Thor’s file wasn’t big at all and Steve just read it to intact confirm this man was a god. Next had been Barton’s to which he read the most recent reports in death being he was compromised and under mind control. At the bottom of the bunch was Natasha. Her file was the biggest of them all, and Steve opened it with much apprehension. A majority of her file appeared to be long texts with black lines blocking key words and sentences. His eyes skimmed over the top.
Natalia Alianovna Romanova.
Steve liked her birth name even more than the one she currently went by.
Birth Date.
As Steve continued to read he noticed her birth date blank and labeled ‘N/A’. Feeling oddly dirty for opening it in the first place he quickly closed it and shoved it into the drawer. Anything he needed to know about her she would tell him if she pleases he respected the fact.

Before anyone could interrogate the spy further Barton called out from the pilots seat.
“Cap and Nat get ready to jump. Tony you and Thor can fly out while I land the jet with Banner.” Clint instructed.
They all nodded. Natasha got up to get her parachute. She groaned loudly.
“Who the hell forgets to restock these things? You’d think saving the world could at least get you a parachute.” She grunts.
Just as she turns she sees Tony and Thor hop out of the jet.
“Looks like you’re stuck with me Barton.” She says sitting.
Steve approached the door.
“Rogers?” She asked.
“You’re gonna jump without a parachute?” She said confused.
He shrugged.
“What’s the fun in that.” He says.
Natasha’s mouth dropped open.
“Care to join me?” He asks extending his hand.
She chuckles.
“It’s now or never Nat, we’re over drop point.” Clint calls.
Rolling her eyes, she grabs Steve’s hand.
He pulls her flush against him as she wraps her arms around his neck tightly. He sheepishly grabs her hips and jumps.
Natasha yelps at first as the wind blows against the pair.

Moments later they land.
“Fun right?” He asks.
“Thrilling.” She teases pushing hair from her face.
Looking ahead of them they see the rubble and destruction already ensued.
“Come on Cap, lets go save the world.” She says running off.
/
Battling next to him was like dancing. Natasha hadn’t danced since she lived in Russia or even felt the same rush when she did. Sure, fighting next to Clint worked, they worked well together, but with Steve it was different. He pushed, she pulled, he ducked, she leaped. It was like they were made to fight alongside each other and together they were efficient and
just as effective as the Hulk. Just as Natasha took down a robot she heard someone yell.
“Romanoff!” Clint yelled.
Looking up she saw the flames falling from the sky. In an instant a body grabbed her and crouched his disk of a shield, as her body folded into his. Clint eyed her suspiciously, surprised she’d let someone touch her so intimately and publicly.
“Thanks Cap.” She breathes turning to land a blow into an incoming robot. Steve smiled, this time he wasn’t too late.
/
The fighting continued. Sometime in the group had disappeared leaving Steve alone with Natasha. A loud thrum from above pulled him from his current defense. A passing by floating contraption, occupied by robots raced by.
“I could use a boost.” Natasha called.
He looked over, her face stained with blood, her voice strained.
He noticed Natasha’s eyes locked to his shield and then he realized what she was thinking.
“You sure about this?” Steve asked apprehensively.
“Yeah. It’ll be fun.” She states.
Steve knows not to test her and oddly enough he trusts that she knows what she’s doing.

Steve vends his knees and hold his shield out flat. Natasha runs and leaps gracefully stop a car then using the leverage onto his shield, the pair moved in sync. With perfect timing he flings her up like a rubber band and he gapes in aw as she successfully grips the chitauri.
He didn’t think this woman would ever fail to surprise him.
/
It was over. Loki lost. The scepter was safe, and Loki was to be taken back to Asgard to be tried. Steve and his fellow Avengers all stood around bidding goodbyes. Thor was off to Asgard, Banned needed time to himself, Tony announced he was working on a big project (making Natasha scoff), and Clint was in recovery. As for Steve he had no idea what he was going to to next, and neither did Natasha.

Steve sat on his motorcycle not sure where he was going next, just staring into the horizon.
“Penny for your thoughts?” A soft voice asked.
Steve laughed, if she knew what he was thinking she would probably sock him in the head.
“Just figuring out where to go next. What are your plans?” He asks.
“Not sure I’m in business for a partner.” She says raising her brows.
Steve eyes Clint suspiciously who is loading up a car. A silence creeps over the pair and Natasha breaks it.
“You were good at there.” She compliments
He blushed a bit.
“We were good out there.” He corrects.
Natasha chuckles.
“Yeah I guess we were.” She comments.
Steve stares into her green eyes searching for anything. The look she gave was one he knew all too well. She was lost and confused not sure where to go, not sure where her place in the world was. She was without Coulson permanently, and Clint indefinitely. Almost like when he awoke without Bucky by his side. Her eyes mirrored his own. Then he lit up with an idea.
“You’re in business for a partner?” He asks.
She bites her lip nervously.
“You might be in the wrong business Rogers.” She says in a light tone.
Steve shakes his head.
“I don’t know what shields all about but saving the world next you, won’t be so bad.” He jokes.
“Is that so?” She teases back.
“Yeah.” He says seriously.
“I don’t know Rogers. I’m more than meets the eye.” She says training her eyes down and head downcast as well.
“We all are. So what do you say partner?” He asks hopeful.
She bites her lip again.
“I say let’s get this show on the road.” She responds.
Steve beams and Natasha can’t help but grin herself.
Before either can say anything a loud whistle sounds, Natasha’s hand goes to her thigh where her gun is.
Turning she sees Clint waving with a smile from the driver's seat. Natasha smiles and holds up her hand back as he drives away.
Turning back to Steve, he revs his engine.
“Need a lift?” He asks.
Natasha nods as he hands her a helmet. Slipping it on she places herself on the bike, and snakes her arm around him.
“Where to?” He asks over his shoulder.
“Brooklyn.” She says as he feels
her grin against his shirt.
Steve smiles to himself too as the pair rides off opening a new chapter in their life, as partner.