Continuously

Steve and Natasha becoming partners was probably the most positive change in both of their lives. Steve no longer woke up dreading his day, not just doing enough to get by. While Natasha actually felt comfort around someone besides Clint who was home with his family.

Not only were the pair partners, but they were friends. At least that’s what one told the other. There were random acts of touching and lots of cuddling but each told themselves it meant nothing to the other even though it did. Mean a lot.

They hang out outside of work, in fact they spend more time together than they do alone. Natasha quiet liked the comfort of Steve’s couch and Steve quiet liked the comfort of Natasha. They’d do random things. Natasha would catch Steve up on what he was missing, they’d watch movies, get take out, sometimes even go out to eat, or just train together. They went on runs with one another just about every morning since neither could ever sleep, but today Natasha has been called in by Fury for whatever reason. Though Steve wishes she were there he ran alongside (or past) a man named Sam he often saw around.
/
Natasha sleepily entered the elevator as it granted her access to Nicks floor. Lazily walking out from the ding Nick looked up at her from the stack of paperwork his eye was trained on moments ago.
“Good Morning Natasha.” He said.
“Morning.” She mummers as she runs a hair through her hair.
“I have a mission for you.” He tells her as he slide over the file to her.
She picks it up, suddenly feeling more awake. Scanning it quickly as few words stand out to her.
Hostages.
Lemurian Star.
Batroc.
Strike Team.
Captain Rogers.
“Sir if this is a strike team mission being overseen by Rogers shouldn’t he be briefed too?” She said confused.
Fury’s lips pull into a straight line.
“You have a different mission.” He tells her pulling out a separate file.

Inside are plans of the ship, a hard drive, and schematics. She looks up to him puzzled.
“What is this?” The spy grimaces.
“There’s things on that ship that I need. Your job is to retrieve it.” He instructs her.
Natasha shakes her head to herself.
“With all do respect sir, I don’t feel comfortable accepting this mission if my own team isn’t informed.” She tells him.
“Since when were you such a team player Romanoff?” He challenges.
That pisses her off. More than he will know.
“If you want whatever is on that damn ship you get it yourself.” She spits.
Nick rolls his eye.
“You don’t get to do that. Give me orders. You’re in no position to be insubordinate after that stunt you pulled in Ibiza.” He challenges.
She sighs. A month ago her and Steve were sent there to retrieve some intel on a human trafficking ring. Natasha and Steve had been undercover to get to the bottom of it. Along the way Natasha found remnants of hydra activity which was odd, and her only instruction was to not inform Rogers of it. She did just that. Steve deserves to know that his first enemies could still be roaming the earth, and the council found out that Natasha shared such information. All hell was released on her putting her on tight restrictions and probation. Steve apologized to her time and time again, but Natasha waved him off, he had nothing to be sorry for. After the fact the council deemed the evidence a hydra copy cat and nothing to worry about, but it was still all so weird to her.

“You don’t do this, not only will I be pissed. But this will be reported to the council and they’ll lock you up for disobeying orders and so you can’t tell anyone all the information you know.” Fury tells her.
Her shoulders slump in defeat.
She grabs the file and Fury smiles now that she agreed. Just as Natasha turns to leave Nick speaks.
“Not a word of this to Rogers.” He says seriously.
Natasha just stares at him, her face void of expression and her eyes cold. As the elevator door closes. Fury huffs out a breathe scared for what is to happen.
He knows Natasha would compromise herself for Rogers.
/
Natasha types out a text to Steve about the mission and adds a smiley face to the end for good measure, knowing it’ll make him turn a deep shade of red. Natasha revved the engine to her car as her knuckles turned white from gripping the wheel so hard.
Lying to anyone? Cake.
Lying to Steve? Not that simple.

Steve was Natasha’s partner and she knew for a fact he wouldn’t lie to her and all she wanted was to do the same for him. Then the thoughts come of her being unemployed and tempted to go back to the dark side, or worse, locked up and beat everyday until she swore never to expose shields secrets. Natasha continued to drive as her knuckles physically hurt from the amount of force her grip had. Minutes later she arrived in front of the capital just where Steve was. Plastering on a fake smile, she rolled down the window.
/
Steve had just finished running as him and Sam Wilson engaged in small talk. The pair was interrupted from a beep on Steve’s phone. Fumbling with the small device he pulled it out of his pocket and read the message. He blushed deeply and did his best not to smile when he noted the smiley face at the end of the text.
“Texting your girl?” Sam asked from under the tree.
Steve chuckled.
“I wish.”
Before the conversation carried on further he heard the familiar buzz of Natasha’s engine as she pulled up to the curb.
“Hey boys.” She began.
“Any of you know where this Smithsonian is? I’m here to pick up a fossil.” She joked.
Steve laughed.
“Very funny.” He dead panned starting for her car.
“She’s outta your league.” Sam said next to Steve, drooling.
“And don’t I know it.” Steve whispered back before waving to him and jogging to her sports car.

Steve plopped down next to her and offered a smile. She gave one back and Steve noticed her falter a bit knowing something was off.
“Hey Nat.” He said softly.
“Rogers.” She said under her breath and took off along the streets.
/
Rumlow had just briefed the group and Steve couldn’t help but eye Natasha specifically throughout the session. She was acting off, she was nervously gnawing the ends of her nails and averting Steve’s eye contact at any cost. When Rumlow called for them to break Natasha hurried to the back, and Steve followed quickly behind.

He found her searching through the small armory and strapping guns and knives to herself and utility belt. Steve made his presence known by saying hi, but Natasha didn’t answer just smiled.

Natasha was an idiot. Steve knew when she was being off, and she was definitely acting off, so to try to maintain normalcy she spoke.
“Busy after work?” She asked turning to him.
Steve turned to her and his face brightened.
“Besides taking you out? No.” He smiled
Nat couldn’t help but grin back.
“I dunno Rogers you might not wanna pull that thread.” She said shaking her head.
Then Steve turned serious to her.
“Why do you keep doubting yourself? Doubting how wonderful you are, how good of a partner you are.” He asked her coming closer.
She looked down from his eyes and focused on the clip of her belt.
“I’m not a good partner.” She said.
“Yes you are!” He fought back.
“I’m not!” She yelled over him her eyes snapping to meet his.
“I’m just not.” She finished in a low voice her eyes glassy.
“Nat. What’s going on?” He tried.
She sighed loudly and ran her hand over her face.
“I can’t tell you.” She whispered.
“Yes you can. You can tell me anything.” The soldier assured her.
“I just can’t it won’t be good for either of us if I do.” The redhead said quickly.
“Okay. I don’t want this to effect with the performance of the mission, I can’t have you getting hurt or worse, when your heads somewhere else.” He said worried.
“It’s the mission that’s what bothering me.” She admitted.
“Oh?” Steve said puzzled.
It was a pretty standard mission. Something they’ve ran multiple times.
“It’s an easy mission Nat, get the hostages, get out.” He explained.
“No.” She said harshly
“We don’t have the same mission.” Natasha said with a shaky voice.
“What?” The soldier said confused.
“Fury he called me in this morning and assigned it to me, I declined but he said stuff would happen if I didn’t do it.” She said vaguely.
“Stuff?”
“I’m on double secret probation from what happened in Ibiza if I don’t do this the council is gonna come after me.” She whispered.
“Oh Nat, I’m sorry, it’s-“ he began.
She stopped him by placing a hand on his arm.
“Don’t apologize Steve, please don’t. Just promise me two things.” She pleaded.
“Anything.”
“You can’t tell anyone, okay? My only order was to not inform anyone, especially you. If Nick finds out you know I’ll be locked up faster than you can blink.” She started.
Steve nodded.
“And promise me you won’t hate me. I didn’t wanna do this. I haven’t wanted to keep a secret from you since we started working together.” She said as her head was downcast and her hair over her face.
Steve reached out a gloved hand and pushed her hair back.
“I know Nat. I could never hate you. Do what you need to do, I’ll be here.” He said pulling her into a hug.
She complied by snaking her arms around him.
“Drop in two!” They heard Rumlow yell.
Nat stepped back and smiled sadly.
“Guess that’s our go.” She said.
Steve nodded, as they walked forward to the cabin.
/
The op had been successful. Natasha got what she needed and all the hostages were safe. Natasha was a bit sore from the impact of the explosion as she hobbled over to the jet. Steve seemed alright too, he seemed normal, like it was any other day which relieved her. He has already asked her about four times if she felt okay, so things were going per usual. As she boarded the jet she was bombarded by a very annoyed Rumlow.
“What the fuck was that Romanoff!” He spat.
Natasha feigned ignorance.
“I don't know what you’re talking about Rumlow.” She said innocently.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about bitch! You were called eight times over the comms for back up and you never turned up.” He continued ranting.
Natasha was capable of handling herself. Very capable of it, so she stepped closer to Rumlow, when they were interrupted.
“Rumlow that’s no way to talk to a woman.” Steve said from behind.
Natasha rolled her eyes. She had this.
Rumlow chuckled deeply.
“I see. You can get away with whatever you want cause you’re fucking the Captain. Well played Rogers none of us thought you could get close enough without getting your head ripped off.” Rumlow explains.
Natasha is fuming at this point. And Steve, being Steve, feels the need to defend her honor.
However, Natasha doesn’t stick around for the conversation as she storms off in a hurry. Steve glares at Rumlow and follows behind.

He is meant by a closed door to the med bay, when he turns the knob it’s locked so he knocks gently.
“Nat.” He says softly.
“Not now Rogers I have things I need to tend to.” He hears her through the door.
“Let me help.” He commands.
He hears light footsteps as the door swings open.
“I don’t need your help!” She tells as she slams it again in his face.
He sighs heavily. He hates when she does this, shut herself out to everyone. He knows the best thing he can do it give it time.
/
Natasha raced off the jet. Steve knows, he looked for her. Scolding himself for missing his chance he remembers he always has later and he can always call. Bless modern technology. So, as Steve rides home on his Harley the second he pulls up to his apartment he takes out his phone and dials just about the only number he makes use of. After four rings, the line clicks, but no one says anything.
“Nat?” He asks.
“Yeah?” She squeaks.
“I’m sorry.” Steve apologizes, as he walks into the building.
He hears a sigh in his ear.
“No I am. Rumlow a douche and neither of us should have to deal with him.” She says.
Steve laughs.
“You’re not wrong but still.” He says again.
Steve begins climbing the steps.
“It’s no problem Steve, you were doing what was right. Plus, I can’t be mad, not after what happened on the mission.” She said scolding herself.
“You couldn’t help it. I understand, it was an order.” He says.
A pause happens on the phone.
“I know Steve. You just have to know I didn’t wanna go through without, and if it were up to me you’d at least have been officially informed.” Nat explains.
Steve is about to answer when he hears it. The hum of music through the door of his apartment. It’s so weird, he barely uses the record player, never mind leaving it on while away on an op.
“Steve?” He hears her ask.
He shakes his head as he pulls out his key.
“Yeah I’m here. And I know Nat, don’t stress please.” The blonde assures as the lock clicks.
“Okay.” She breathes.
Silence again.
“Natasha.” He whispers.
“Mhm.” She mumbles.
“I think someone’s in my apartment.” He says.
“What?” She asks.
“Just if I didn’t answer and you hear anything weird.” He says.
“If you need back up I can be there in five Cap.” She assures.
He smiles a bit.
“No, I may just be silly. Stay on the line please.”
“Of course.” Nat answers.
Steve opens the door as the music grows louder, as he tiptoes around the corner he sees none other than Nick Fury in his recliner. The pair just stare at one another until Fury brings a hand to his lips.
“Steve?” He hears shaking him from his trance.
“I gotta go, we’ll talk later.” He replied numbly clicking the hang up button.
“What the hell are you doing here?” He asks.
/
Steve’s head was spinning. His ears ringing still after the shots fired in Nicks chest. His mind was racing and the only thing he had managed to do was shoot Natasha a text to get to the hospital as soon as she could.

He stood looking into the window as the doctors went to work on Nick. His heartbeat was steady for now but he was losing blood and fast. Natasha raced into the room and looked through the glass as a noise of pain escaped her lips. Agent Hill shut her eyes sadly at this. Natasha didn’t say anything just leaned her hands against the small sill. Within the next minute things took a turn for the worst as Fury’s heartbeat became weaker and weaker. Steve grabbed Natasha’s hands as her chin began to quiver. He gave it a tight squeeze as the machine flatlined.
/
Natasha was sad, no she was heartbroken. When Loki took control of Clint’s mind it was difficult, but she got him back and he is on the road to recovery. Coulson dying hurt Natasha too, but knowing she had Clint and Nick to confide in meant a lot to her. Now, Nick Fury, one of the only men she connected to the word family was gone.

His body laid out in front of her as a tear slipped down her cheek. She placed her hand over his now cold head, for god knows how long, until voice broke the painful silence.
“Natasha.” He spoke.
Sniffling to hold back tears, she swiftly exited the room before they could talk.
“Look I’m sorry.” He offers.
She looks at him.
“What was Fury doing in your apartment?” She interrogates.
Steve shrugs, playing stupid.
“You’re a terrible liar.” She says sad and frustrated with a frown on her lips as she storms off.
Steve huffs a breath placing his hands on his hips. He wants to go after her, tell her it’ll be alright, that’s he’s here. But Fury said trust no one, and every bone in his body screamed to catch her but the words.
Trust no one.
Race over in his head as he turns to the vending machine looking at the flash drive like it’s his life line.
/
Pop!
Steve stares at Natasha’s reflection.
His eyes aimlessly search the hallway as he sees tenants and doctors race by, he forcefully grabs Natasha’s shoulders and pushes her into a nearby room.
“You came.” He smiles the slightest bit as his hands remain on her shoulders.
“I think I know who killed Fury.” She offers.
Steve eyes her suspiciously.
“Most the intelligence community doesn’t believe he exists. The ones that do call him the Winter Soldier. He’s credited with two dozen assassinations within the last fifty years.” She starts.
“So he’s a ghost story?” Steve interrupts.
Natasha continues to tell the story about her time in Odessa as she lifts her top.
“Bye Bye bikinis.” She tells Steve as he eyes her scar.
“Yeah I bet you look terrible in em’ now.” He teases.
Natasha grins as she bites her lip.
“Going after him is a dead end. I know. I’ve tried. Like you said he’s a ghost story.” She claims holding up the drive.
He grabs it.
“Let’s find out what the ghost wants.”
“Together?” She says confused.
He nods.
“I couldn’t do this alone. Not without my partner.” He says.
Natasha smiles as they walk side by side out of the hospital.
/
Natasha was working her magic. Her fingers hurriedly tapped at the keyboard. Steve’s arms on either side of her as he watched her work was extremely distracting, not to mention how good he had looked in those glasses.
“Can I help you guys?” An unfamiliar voice asked.
Natasha turned and smiled to the long haired man.
“Oh no. My fiancé was just helping me with some honeymoon destinations.” She says shaking Steve a bit to send him the message to go with it.
“Right. We’re getting married.” He said blushing with a wide smile.
I wish. He thought.
“Congratulations. Where are you guys thinking about going?” The man asked.
Steve peered at Natasha she needed to work. The least he could do was cover her ass though being undercover wasn’t his strong suit. Eying the white dot in New Jersey he did the best he could think of.
“New Jersey.” He answered.
/
They got out of the Apple store just to spot none other than Rumlow and the rest of Strike. We are toast. Steve said to himself over and over.
“You hit the south escalator to the metro.” Steve finished explaining his plan.
“Shut up and put your arm around me. Laugh at something I said.” Natasha scolds.
Steve acts fast and does just that letting out a low chuckle as some agents pass on the left. He turns to make sure it worked and it did.
“What the hell?” He questions. How was it that easy.
“Public displays of affection make people very uncomfortable.” Natasha notes reading his mind.
“Yes they do.” Is all he answers as they board the escalator.

On the way down Steve spots Rumlow coming straight to them. He panics for a moment and thinks. What would Natasha do.
“Kiss me.” He states boldly.
“What?” Natasha said raising an eyebrow.
Not that she would mind it. At all. But was it really the time?
Within a moment Steven places both his large hands on her cheeks and pulls her in for a searing kiss. It takes her a moment but she eases into and a minute later both parties reluctantly pull away for air.
“Still uncomfortable?” She grins.
“Not exactly the word I would use.” He retorts licking his lips.
/
“Where did Captain America learn to steal a car?” Natasha asks eyeing him.
“Nazi Germany. And we’re borrowing, feet off the dash.” He scolds.
Natasha grins a bit and smoothly slides them off.
“I have a question for you. Of which you don’t have to answer, I feel like if you don’t answer it though, you’re kinda answering it, you know?” She begins.
“What.” He cuts off.
“Was that your first kiss since 1945?” She asks.
“That bad huh?” He jokes.
“I didn’t say that.”
“It kinda sounds like that’s what your saying.”
“No! I’ve just wondered how much practice you’ve had.”
“You don’t need practice.”
“Everybody needs practice.” She finished the argument.
“Are you offering Ms. Romanoff?” He says in a grumbly tone.
Natasha squirms. That is not what she expected him to say.
The two entered into a silence as Steve has a ghost of a grin on his face.

Minutes later Natasha speaks again.
“What do you want me to be?”
“My partner. The right partner.” He says seriously turning to face her.
Natasha gets goosebumps. Shield is no longer, they have no official obligation to one another and Natasha figured he wouldn’t want any to do with her in non work related terms. She hoped it wouldn’t be the case and to her surprise it isn’t. Steve still wants her at his side, and the craziest part is, she want, no needs to be at his side to keep going.
“Well there’s a chance you may be in the wrong business Rogers.” She tells him mocking words she spoke just about two years ago.
“I don’t know about that one Romanoff. I’ve had good luck so far.” He winks as they pull up to Camp Leigh.
/
Steve coughed and heaved as the ash and debris filled his lungs. Hoisting the large rock off of him he was overcome with immense fear.
No. No. No. Not her.
“Nat! Natasha!” He calls frantically searching as he walks through the rubble.
He spots a strip of red amongst the destruction, but she doesn’t move. Scooping her into his arms without second thought he begins marching them out.
“Come on Nat, you gotta stay with me. Come on, open those eyes.” He pleads to her as he runs to the car while blocking out the loud jets above.

Loading her into the passenger seat, he drives to the only place he can think of all while begging her to wake up.
/
The past four hours Steve has been gently stroking Natasha’s knuckles as he continuously begs her to wake. Sometime while in Pennsylvania she stirs a bit. Mumbling an ow Steve tells her to go back to sleep.

Now they’ve arrived to their destination. Steve has been sitting in the car watching her for five minutes, not having the heart to wake her. However, he knows he’s a sitting duck so he apprehensively shakes her.
“Nat.” He coos.
“We’re here.” He finishes.
She groans and props herself up.
“Where are we?” She asks groggy.
“Somewhere safe.” He promises.
She quirks an eyebrow. Nowhere seems safe.
“Trust me okay?” He asks as he unbuckles her seat belt.
Natasha nods the slightest and follows Steve to the small porch.
“I’m sorry about this.” Steve says apologetically to the handsome man who answered.
“We need a place to lay low.” He finishes.
“Everyone we know is trying to kill us.” Natasha adds.
“Not everyone.” Sam replies widening the door.
/
Steve instantly tells Natasha to shower. To clean any wounds she has along with the excess dirt and grime. Sam, of course agrees and escorts her to the guest bathroom.

Steve waits in the living room as he explains the events of the past twenty four hours to his new friend.
“And her?” Sam asks when he’s finished.
“Natasha? What about her?” He asks confused.
“Just seems like she might be more than a work friend.” He says wiggling his brows.
Steve sighs.
“She’s well, it’s complicated.” He offers lamely.
“Whatever man. All I gotta say is that if my world just came crashing down, I’d at least tell the woman I love, that I love her.” Sam says a matter of fact.
Steve scoffs.
Did he really love Natasha?
Whatever it was would have to wait as his super hearing picked up on the water shutting off.

Much like earlier Steve knew it was best to give Natasha her time and space to think for a few minutes. He made good use of the sink and small cloth as he did what he could do get the dirt off his skin. From the mirror however he could see Natasha trying to hold it together.
“You okay?” He asks like an idiot as he turns to her.
“Yeah.” She says lowly, her voice shaky.
He places the towel down, and sits across from her.
“What’s going on?” This time her saying nothing wasn’t up for debate.
“When I first joined shield I thought I was going straight. But I guess I just traded in the KGB for Hydra.” She starts.
Inhaling deeply she continues to speak.
“I thought I knew whose lies I was telling. I guess I can’t tell the difference anymore.” She says sadness evident in her voice as she attempts to offer a tight lipped smile.
“There’s a chance you might be in the wrong business.” He says.
She chuckled quietly as Steve offers her a genuine smile.
“I owe you.” She says her voice above a whisper.
“It’s okay.” Steve replies shaking his head.
If anything. He owed her for coming on this wild goose chase.
“If it was the other way around and it were down to me to save your life, and you be honest with me. Would you trust me to do it?” She asks unsure.
“I would now, and I did then.” He tells her.
Her eyes fill with shock.
“And I’m always honest.” He finishes with another smile.
Nat smiles back. This time it’s real and seeing her vulnerability makes him tingle. Then he recounts Sams words from not long ago.
‘If my world came crashing down. I’d at least tell the woman I love, I love her.’
“Look Nat not only do I trust you but I also need you to know that I l-“ Steve begins, before being cut off.
“I made breakfast.” Sam announces.
Good timing bud! Steve glares.
“If you guys eat that sort of thing.” Sam finishes catching Steve’s eyes.
Casually, her turns to Nat and lifts an eyebrow as the pair get up to eat.
/
A loud crash is heard above them. Natasha acts first as she leaps from her own seat and onto Steve’s lap. Clutching his head she pushes it into her lap for protection.

Sure he heals faster and can handle himself just as much as her, but honestly? At this point the only person Nat knows for certain she has left is Steve and she will be damned if she loses him too.

She lets go shortly after as the two stare wide eyed out the window at the overturned cars and the man with the metal arm, as they prepare to engage for battle.
/

Holy shit.
Holy shit.
He’s alive.
Bucky is alive.

Steves been staring at the ground the past few minutes as they board him into the van. He is too distracted by the reappearance of his best friend in the form of a brainwashed assassin trying to kill him. Unable to register what exactly just went on Steve looks up from his hands finding Sams chains clanking against the metal bench.

Sam. Poor Sam. Steve never meant for it to go this far, to get Sam involved like this. He’s a good a guy and now he is sucked into a world with year and years of history with the casualty count to back it up. His eyes shift next to the man.

As his eyes look over Natasha her face is tired and pale. She looks likes going to fall over at any moment, and as he scans her further he sees the blood oozing and pooling through the hole into her leather jacket.
“We need to get a doctor here!” Steve yells at the guards.
They make no move.
“She’s gonna bleed out. You can’t let her die. Please don’t let her die.” Steve begins to beg.
Yes, he is currently begging his enemies. Pleading for the life of the woman he loves.

Just as Steve was to yell again one of the guards pulls out an electric wand surprisingly striking the guard next to them, and landing a nasty kick to another. Pulling off the helmet as chocolate brown hair cascades out.
God he doesn’t think he’s ever been so happy to see Agent Hill.
/
Steve helps Natasha out of the van as he grips her hips and lowers her or the ground. Wrapping an arm under her for support he continues to rush her to where medical attention can be given as she pressurized the wound.

As they enter the dirty old room they see a curtain pulled back as they hear the beeps form various machines. Inching closer they see none other than Nick Fury lying in the bed. Steve mouth drops at the sight as he hears Natasha let out a disgruntled noise. And, before he knows it she’s falling over and landing in his arms unresponsive.
/
Steve put Natasha into a nearby bed an hour ago as Maria assures she was in safe hands with the doctor on sight. Since then he’s spoke to Nick Fury as he explained how he faked his death and why. Just as the story wrapped up the small man came out.
“Agent Romanoff is on pain medications and should wake up within the hour.” He explains to them.
They all nod in response and Steve is itching to see her.
“Go in there Rogers.” Fury instructs.
Steve doesn’t need to be told twice as he races to the door.
“Be good to her. She deserves it.” Nick says almost sadly (as if that’s possible for him).
/
Steve sits by her bed side and it takes her two hours to wake up as he grabs her hand.
“Steve?” She chokes.
“Nat.” He sighs relieved.
“Did I dream it?” She asks.
Steve’s heart breaks.
“Fury’s alive?” The redhead questions.
Steve nods as a tear slips down her cheek.
“He doesn’t trust me.” She says her voice breaking.
“Oh Nat.” Steve says as he bleeds for her.

Steve lets Natasha cry as he explains that Fury trusted virtually no one, but it doesn’t seem to make it better. Sometime later her sobs subside and she sniffles.
“Lay with me.” She demands more than asks.
Steve complies and climbs into the bed next to her. He is careful of her shoulder and just turns on his side to look at her.
“What is it him?” Natasha questions.
“Was it really Bucky?” She finishes.
Steve nods.

Natasha has heard so many stories and seen so many pictures of Barnes she feels like she practically knows him.
“I’m sorry Steve. We’ll get him back. I know how much he means to you.” She says her voice strained.
“It’s okay Nat. Just rest now.” He tells her evidently she was growing tired from the exhaustion and medication again.
“What about tomorrow?” Natasha wonders.
“I don’t know what’s gonna happen. We’re gonna have to fight.” He tells her.
She nods in the slightest.
“What about tonight?” She tries.
“Tonight we rest.” Steve declares.
“Together?” Natasha asks.
Steve gulps.
“Together.” The blonde says.
Lifting an arm Natasha places her head on his chest hearing the beat of his heart in her ear as Steve feels relieved and safe for the first time in days. The pair close their eyes and drift to sleep, as they are unsure what tomorrow will bring but at least they’re together.
/
Steve wakes up to the sound of Marvin Gaye in his ears and feels the tickle of hair against his hand.
“On your left.” He hears.
He turns to see Sam with a magazine in his hand. He smiles at his friend even though it hurt with the stitches.
“Now to your right.” Sam whispers lower.
Steve turns his head slowly and notices Natasha slumped over as her head rests on the bed and her hair tickling his fingers and her hand is placed atop his.
“She hasn’t left till you got here man. She refused.” Sam says shaking his head.
Steve smiles again.
He musters up the energy to gently squeeze and shake her hand, to which she stirred.
“I’ll leave you two alone.” Sam announces as Natasha groggily lifts her head.

“Hi Nat.” He whispers.
“Steve.” She answers breathless.
“You’re okay. I thought I’d lost you. I thought you died-“ She began as she became choked up.
“Sh.” Steve hushed her as he reached a hand to her face.
“I’m okay.” He tells her as her puffy doe eyes meet his.
“Please don’t do that again. It’s just that I’m, the thing is that,” She starts rambling until she cuts herself off.
“You’re all I have left.” She finished honestly.
Steve shudders. It’s probably the most open and emotional thing she’s ever uttered to him and his heart is beating fast.
“I wouldn’t leave you Nat, not now. Not ever. You’re all I got too.” He says pushing hair behind her ear.
Natasha smiles sadly as Steve pulls his hand from her face. Scooting over in the small bed.
“Rest Natasha you look exhausted.” He says patting the space next to him.
To his surprise she doesn’t protest but climbs in careful not to bombard any of his injuries. He doesn’t care though, he pulls her into him and tight.
“Thank you for being here.” He mummers as they both loll to sleep.
“Thank you for waking up.” She replies equally as tired as the exhaustion finally takes over.
/
Steve has gotten out of the hospital not too long ago, maybe an hour or so. Upon being discharged he received a cryptic text to meet in a nearby graveyard.

Upon arrival he finds Nick Fury standing over his own grave. Fury goes on to explain he’s off to Europe to handle some business. It’s nice to finally be in the loop with Nick but in all honesty he didn’t expect him to come with him on his adventure. Steve didn’t even want him to come, the person he wanted to come was yet to be seen. Of course she appears though, minutes later marching up to the trio. Fury and Sam take the hint to give them privacy and peel off to elsewhere. Steve turns to her.

“Not going with him?”
“No.” She says raising her brows.
“Not staying either.” He says more of a statement then a question.
“I blew all my covers I gotta find a new one.” She tells him.
“That might take a while.” He says desperate to fish for any information on when he will see her next.
“I’m counting on it.” She finishes.
Steve stares at her. His blue eyes pouring into her green ones as if he’s silently pleading for her to stay. She looks down however, almost as if she doesn’t want the memo.
“I called in a favor from Kiev.” She says slipping him the file.
He stares at it for a moment. Thinks about the future, about finding Bucky. Then it dawns on him, Natasha won’t even be at his side.
How the hell will he do this?
“Do me a favor then.” She says snapping his head up.
“Take care of yourself. You always put others before yourself, just stay safe Steve, please.” She says her eyes turning shiny as she bites down on her bottom lip.
Before he can respond she is gripping his shoulder and pulling him down as she plants a kiss on his cheek. She was never good at goodbyes so this would have to do. She turns to walk away and Steve feels helpless, he wants to grab her and tell her to stay. To be his partner.
“Be careful Steve. You may not wanna pull that thread.” She warns, and just like that, she’s off.

The soldier just stands dumbly as she is out of eye range.
“Man go after her!” Sam practically yells from behind him.
Shoving the file into Sam's arms he hops on his bike and rides.
/
Steve has only been to Natasha’s place one or two times. Sometimes after a mission she’d stop by and gather her clothes before they went to Steve’s, but he always stood outside. Never went in. Climbing that what felt like thousands of steps to her he reached her door. He knocked. No answer.
“Natasha!” He called hopeful.
Nothing.
Four more knocks.
“Nat!” Steve calls desperate.
God he was too late.
As Steve lifted his hand to bang again the door flew open.
“Steve?” She asked confused.
He pushed past her and stepped inside.
“Don’t go.” He says breathless.
She stares confused.
He grabs both her hands and looking into her sad eyes.
“Stay please. I can’t do this without you. You’re all I have left, I need you. I need my partner.” He says intensely to which Natasha is breathless.
“I know okay? I know you blew all your covers so just be Natasha please. Natasha is amazing, skillful, gorgeous, and intelligent. I don’t want Natasha to go, so please don’t.” He continues.
Natasha’s eyes soften at the words and she squeezes his hand.
“Okay.” She manages to whisper through the lump in her throat.
“Okay?” He asks to make sure.
She nods.
“I’m not going to run. Not anymore, not without you.” She promises.
Steve smiles, and pulls her into him for a tight embrace.
He places his chin atop of her head and plants a soft kiss to her hair. Natasha is rubbing circles on his back as they find warmth in each others arms.

Neither of them are alone. Not anymore, and it’s been that way for sometime.
They have each other.