Chapter One

She'd been there to give him the Winter Soldier's file to Steve, to tell him goodbye and she'd been ready, but when she'd looked into those ocean blue eyes she felt her armor cracking, her walls breaking down. She couldn't hide from him, but she didn't want to be with him.

At least that's what she told herself…

Steve Rogers was the most trustworthy person she'd ever known, yet with her dark and bloody past she'd learned a long time ago never to trust one completely. The only ones who ever came close were Nicky Fury and Clint Barton.

Yet when he'd smiled at her like that, his eyes hinting at something she didn't know or didn't want to know she still couldn't resist. She'd leaned forward and kissed his cheek, the smell of his soap making her nose tingle and her insides becoming too warm for comfort.

It was a goodbye kiss…

Yet she didn't want this to be goodbye…

But it had to be so she turned around, prepared to walk away and think that everything was fine but she'd stopped, turning back to give him a final warning.

"Be careful, Steve."

Don't die…

He watched her, his hypnotic blue eyes still on her and she knew that if she didn't leave now she never would.

"You might not want to pull on that thread." She finished before turning around and leaving, disappearing among the tombstones.

Ignoring how her eyes were moist…

And the silent tear that trailed her cheek…

VVV

He watched her go, his fingers still gripping the file tightly. He didn't know what it contained but he knew he had to find out. Slowly, he opened it and his heart sank as the feeling of loss consumed him. He looked back up, hoping to catch a glimpse of the fleeing redhead but she was gone and the feeling seemed to double inside his chest. Over the past few days, Natasha and he had bonded more than he'd anticipated, even despite working together for so long beforehand, and watching her go had pulled at his heart, making his gut twist, but they were partners and she needed to go and find her own life.

Yet the irrational feeling of wanting to protect her, of wanting her by his side, consumed him and he stiffened, remembering all the times he'd leapt to her own side, shielding her with both his body and shield. It was a primal instinct that always drove him to be close by in case she needed him but now she didn't and was walking away. The sudden pain stung at his heart, making him frown slightly at his feelings. They were partners, teammates, that was why he always protected her.

Wasn't it?

"You're going after him," the Falcon said, knocking Steve out of his thoughts. Despite everything, Steve needed to save the man who'd been like a brother to him, no matter what he'd done.

"You don't have to come with me." He answered, looking back down at the file and feeling the same heavy weight pulling at his heart. Sam seemed to understand and simply replied with an easy answer.

"I know. When do we start?" At his words Steve paused, as if for a moment he was unsure but he looked up, catching a glimpse of red as the woman climbed into her sleek, black car. He wanted to run after her, make her come with them but he again steeled himself.

She has to go find her own life…

The thought kept playing over and over inside his head so he just simply closed the file but didn't take his eyes off of the car as it sped away.

And ignored the slight breaking of his heart...

VVVV

Three weeks later…

The night was perfect for a break in…

Natasha stayed to the shadows, her light blue eyes watching as the security guards strolled around the corner. The building, tall and sleek, was as dark as night but that didn't matter. Stealing quietly out of the bushes she'd been crouched in she hopped across the loading dock and pressed herself against the cold stone.

One...

Two…

Three...

She saw the arm come around the corner and pushing herself off the wall grasped it, her grip like iron, and twisted it. A stifled cry of pain and alarm erupted from the guard's mouth but kicking off of the man's thigh she wrapped her legs around his head, her moment bringing them down as his head connected with the ground. He was out cold and she stood, quickly moving onto the next target. This one she simply kicked in the knee, knocking the bone from its socket and bringing her foot down on his face. The two out front now taken care of, she stole into the dark lab. She needed to get to the top floor and crouching down behind a stack of crates she peeked her head over, catching a glimpse of three guards on the catwalk and two down below where she was.

She watched, her mind calculating their routes, picking out any patterns or habits that she could use to her advantage. Soon enough one of the guards, the one closest to her tended pause at least five seconds before turning back around while the one on top walked faster than the others, bringing him closer to the back side of the catwalk. Slipping into her black leather outfit she drew out a simple wire but it would give her an edge.

Again she counted…

One...

Two…

Three…

Leaping out from behind the crate she connected with the guard, shoving his gun underneath his chin and kicking his leg out from underneath him she brought her knee up. His head snapped back and she rolled forward as the first guard on top of the platform began to notice the tussle. Connecting with the second guard she struck his diaphragm, knocking the air from his lungs. He stumbled to his knees and leaping atop his shoulders, kicked off to land on the crates. By this time the three guards had noticed her but swinging up onto the catwalk she kicked one of the guards over. The other one who stood closest to her, only a foot away, raised his gun and Natasha narrowed her eyes. Leaping forward she crashed into him, tucking her body in and straining her back muscles as she used the man's body as a shield. When the final guard had emptied his rifle she stood, grasping the now dead man's gun and fired two shots from her hip. There was a cry of agony before the guard toppled over the railing, landing on the crates below.

Ignoring the smell of blood and gunpowder she quickly crossed the catwalk to the room that overlooked the warehouse floor. Climbing the steps she halted at the elaborate lock. It was a simple pass code but she didn't have time to try and figure it out. Pulling out her phone she quickly scanned the keys, the fingerprints showing up easily on the dials. Pressing them the glass door whizzed open.

Inside was dark, the only lights coming from a few monitors. She crossed to two that lined the far wall, her back to the warehouse. Quickly flipping it on she waited for it to boot up and oddly enough the memory of having Steve standing beside her flashed before her mind. She grinned, remembering how offended he had looked when she hadn't thought he'd known the quote she'd said.

He was learning and she found that the good old American boy was quite charming. Her brows drew together in a slight frown when she remembered telling him to talk to Sharon. She'd meant it, she'd wanted him to start his own life with someone but why when she thought of it did it make her gut shrivel? The computer bleeped to life, distracting her from her thoughts. She quickly tapped in the needed codes, her eyes searching for any valuable information. A particular file caught her eye and she paused. The words were in German but she made them out clearly enough.

James Barnes…

Subject name Winter Soldier…

The words made ice settle into her stomach as she remembered the piercing pain of when he'd shot her.

Twice...

The first time she'd barely survived and the second…

Her thoughts trailed off to when she'd been trapped behind the van, the Winter Soldier perched atop another one as he set his sights on her. She'd only been truly afraid twice in her life. The first was when Hulk had chased her down the twisting and winding corridors of the Hellicarier and the second time had been then. There'd been nowhere to run, nowhere to go, but then suddenly Steve was there.

He'd saved her…

Like so many other times…

She shook her head, pulling out the flash drive and plugging it into the computer. She hadn't spoken to him since Arlington but she thought she'd heard Fury say something about him and Wilson going to Colorado to begin their search there. As she transferred the files another one caught her eye. This time she froze, straightening and taking a hesitant step back when she read the file name.

Alexi Shostavok…

That couldn't be possible…

He was gone…

Dead…

A sour taste filled her mouth and she quickly transferred the files, ignoring how fast her heart was beating now. She stood, prepared to go when her senses tightened, her nerves going on edge. She jumped to the left just as the ground she'd been standing on exploded. She rolled behind a table, bringing her pistol out of its holster. The figure that stood there made her throat close and she couldn't help but have the gun tremble slightly.

"Getting slow, my dear Natalia?" The man cooed; his Russian accent thick. He stood in the shadows, sparks from the destroyed hardware highlighting bits of his face.

"You're dead." Natasha managed, her voice surprisingly even despite how she wanted to quiver. The man laughed, the sound bouncing off of the walls, and he shook his head as if he were disappointed with her.

"Oh I assure you I am not, my dear bride. I am alive, very alive indeed." This time he stepped from the shadows and Natasha swallowed. Cold eyes glittered at her and lips spread in a mocking and chilling grin that was filled with only the desire for bloodshed. A thin beard ran about his face and her heart tightened. His hair was swept off to the side, the color shifting between either a light or dark brown. He wore a long overcoat, the color a dark red and her eyes widened when she saw the large disk that adorned his back.

"They said you died," she whispered but his eyes narrowed.

"I did not, they so chose to tell you that I perished in that fatal flight test. I then learned of your betrayal." He stepped closer and his eyes glittered harshly, "Your loyalty to the KGB faltered," anger, fierce and feral crossed his face, "and betrayed me." He all but spat the words and she frowned, moving towards the glass but keeping her eyes on him and the gun raised.

"They were spreading lies, killing innocent people." Natasha shot back but Alexi only chuckled, the sound devoid of all warmth.

"That never stopped you before, dear Natalia," he whispered and a sinister look came across his face, "Do you remember our wedding night?" The sudden change in topic made her pause.

"No, I've forgotten it." She replied her voice calm but the corner of his lips lifted in a grin.

"You lie, Natalia," he stepped closer and she widened her stance, "You were destroyed after you'd learned I'd perished but you never waited for me." His eyes grew darker, "Instead you ran to that accursed country that sells the pitiful call of freedom and found yourself another partner, another man." At his words Natasha stiffened, her mind flashing to Steve but the name that fell from his lips made her pause. "Clint Barton, an elite S.H.I.E.L.D. agent," he seemed to spit that name at her and she blinked. "And now, thanks to H.Y.D.R.A. the failed Soviet Union will rise again and this time," his fingers twitched at his sides, "you shall not be a part of it. In fact I think I will enjoy taking everything you have, my dear Natalia, as you have done to me." He moved but she didn't wait for him and fired three shots. He ducked, bringing the disk that adorned his back forward and as Natasha turned she caught what was on the shield.

A yellow hammer and sickle were set against red and her stomach sank as she recognized the two symbols together. Firing another shot she leapt through the glass, landing on the crates below. Coming out of it with a roll she was on her feet. She saw guns pointed at her but she didn't care. She kept running, her arms pumping at her sides as the crates below her were shredded with bullets. Leaping through the doors she hit the ground hard but kept going, coming up and grasping a guard about his neck, and twisting. As they fell she kicked off, landing on another one and kicking the feet out of another. Coming up on her feet she grasped the smoke grenade that adorned her belt and diving behind a truck, pulled the pin. Tossing it over her head she heard the explosion and not daring to wait any longer took off into the night.

Hours later she sat inside a café, her eyes on the local computer. She wasn't naïve, she knew that he'd let her escape. But why? Her head was pounding and she placed her head in her hands.

He was alive…

For years she'd thought him dead…

But now…

She tossed the thought from her head. Tonight he'd made it clear what he'd planned to do. She didn't know how H.Y.D.R.A. fitted into it but she knew that she was going to need back up on this. She logged on, her mind still not totally accepting what she had seen. Sending it in code, as everything seemed to be, she gave him the basic details and hit the send button.

Her job done she leaned back in her chair and looked out the window, her mind playing over seeing him for the first time in years. He'd looked different, and not just physically. Though their marriage had been only a mere partnership they'd experienced some instances of warmth but she'd sensed none in the man she'd faced hours before. His warning echoed in her ears, about how the Soviet Union would rise once more, as would H.Y.D.R.A. and she frowned.

She'd have to do more digging…

But there was just one question...

Did she want to?

VVVV

The morning air filled his lungs as he ran…

The terrain was steep but he liked it as he climbed the winding and twisting path. His arms were pumping at his sides and as he rounded the last corner he grinned when he saw the figure ahead. Picking up his speed he ate up the ground until he was beside the running man.

"On your left." He said and Wilson snorted, his breathing heavy as he glared at him.

"Yeah, yeah I got it." He huffed as they reached the bottom of the cabin. He stopped, stooping over as he tried to breathe. Steve just grinned and patted his friend on the shoulder.

"Take it easy, you're doing great." Steve commented and Wilson snorted.

"Remind me why I bother running with you?" He asked between wheezes and Steve couldn't help but grin.

"I just asked you, you could have said no." The Captain pointed out but Sam just snorted again, straightening with a wince.

"I'm starting to think I should have." He wobbled up to the porch and flopped down onto the steps and Steve just grinned, looking around at the mountains. Sam watched him, not for the first time not believing that Captain America was standing before him and they'd become such good friends. He'd come with him on the search for James Barnes, the trail leading them to the mountains of Colorado where there had been a secret hideout. It had gone cold and they were searching for their next lead but the Falcon could see the loss weighing on the American hero.

"Think it's gonna rain?" Steve asked while pivoting to look at the sky. In the far east there were clouds darkening over the mountains and Wilson shrugged his shoulders.

"Maybe, I don't know." He stood and stretched and noticed how Steve was still looking at the clouds but his mind wasn't there. He was obviously thinking of something else, or someone else.

Someone with red hair perhaps?

"Come on, Cap, let's get breakfast." Wilson said while clapping him on the shoulder. Steve looked at him, his eyes clearing but followed him back into the log cabin. Grabbing a bottle of water he tossed it at Steve while digging in the fridge. After breakfast Steve was busy reading a paper, his eyes poring over an article that listed an odd sighting of a man with a metal arm when the computer flicked on. Sam stood and crossed to it, his eyes flickering over the words in the message.

"You probably want to look at this, Cap." Wilson called when he read the message and Steve looked up at him. Standing he stopped beside him and poured over the words.

"Well," he stated while straightening, "looks like we're going back to D.C." He looked over at Sam. "Fancy a little trip?" He questioned and Wilson chuckled.

"That's why I'm here." Steve nodded at his answer and started packing up.

After a long flight, lines of people and hours later they were entering the mall. Steve pulled at his baseball cap, hoping that no one would recognize him. The hoodie was pulled above his baseball cap and the glasses that sat atop his nose kept slipping down. He sighed and Wilson grinned at him. He wore the same outfit, minus the glasses, and shook his head.

"You definitely don't look like Captain America now." He stated and Steve glowered at him.

"I'll take that as a compliment then." They kept walking and he peered around. People mulled about, their conversation filling the halls with vibrations of noise that rose up on the air. He took a moment, remembering what it had been like before but the Falcon soon drew his attention. They entered the food court and Steve couldn't help but remember the last time he'd been here.

Then he saw her…

She was sitting at one of the tables, reclined backwards with a foot resting easily atop another chair. She was sipping something, her head down while a gray hoodie covered her brilliant red hair but a wave had fallen down, hiding her face. He stopped, staring at her and he watched her stiffen, looking up and towards him.

Their eyes met…

Held…

He stepped towards her and he watched those full lips twitch up into a smile as eyes, blue and yet gray, filled with teasing warmth. He crossed the distance but she didn't stand to greet him, merely smiling at him.

"Glasses again?" She questioned and he couldn't help but grin at the sound of her voice.

He'd missed it…

"I don't have the luxury of a lot of disguises." He pointed out and this time she chuckled. Sam came up beside him and nodded his head.

"Hey," he called and she tilted her head.

"Hey," she replied then gestured with her hand to the seats. "Might as well sit; take a load off why you can." Steve looked at the two chairs and took the one slightly closest to her. She eyed him, another slight smile pulling at the corners of her lips. "Did you ask that nurse yet?" She questioned and Steve looked at her. They'd played this game before and he assumed this was her way of showing affection towards him, wasn't it? She would try and set him up with someone and he'd pretend to be interested but he simply wasn't.

"She's not a nurse," he murmured and Natasha grinned, knowing exactly how this was going to work. He looked around at the people and couldn't help but remember the last time they'd been in a mall. "Fitting place, don't you think?" He asked while turning his eyes back to her. He saw her stiffen and glance warily around.

"It's the best place to disappear." She answered and Steve couldn't help the twitch of his eyebrows.

He'd never seen Natasha like this…

Her demeanor was calm, her body visibly relaxed but he could sense her unease, could sense how tightly coiled her muscles were. If he hadn't spent so much time with her from their missions he wouldn't have spotted her unease.

Something wasn't right…

"I called you here because I have information on Barnes." The words nearly knocked him from the chair and he leaned forward.

"Bucky? How?" He asked and he saw something come into her eyes before she quickly hid it behind a detached mask of emotion.

"I raided a warehouse lab known to be a H.Y.D.R.A operative and found it." She reached into the pocket of her hoodie and placed a small flash drive on the table. "The information's on there, but there's another threat." Steve glanced down at the flash drive before looking back up at her. "H.Y.D.R.A's enlisting a new partner."

"A new partner?" Wilson asked and Natasha nodded.

"He's going under the code name Red Guardian." Natasha took another sip of her smoothie. "There's not much known about him, but he's going after Barnes." She looked at Steve. "I figured you might want to know." She murmured underneath her breath and again, that same far off look came into her eyes. She reached out and plucked up the flash drive, tucking into her pocket. As she did so Steve wanted to reach out and touch her arm but stopped when he saw the movement behind her. A man in a black suit was watching them. Natasha must have sensed his unease and looked at him. "What is it?" She asked and he glanced over at Sam who was watching the same man.

"We've got company." Steve glanced over towards the escalators. There were none there but Sam looked behind them.

"Incoming from the rear." He looked to Natasha, "You got a safe house?" He questioned and Natasha nodded. Passing him a simple piece of paper she stood, eyeing Steve once before shifting so that she leaned down, her face close to his. She whispered the address to them, her eyes casually flicking around the food court.

"Split up," she finished and they stood. Wilson went around the table, the Captain following, but he bumped into a little boy. The boy dropped his toy, his mother giving out a slight shout of protest. Natasha looked at the toy and inwardly grimaced. It just had to be the Captain America action figure, and Natasha nearly snapped at Steve to leave it but he stooped down and picked it up.

"Sorry about that," he murmured while passing it to them and the boy's eyes widened as he recognized the famous hero. The mother's mouth dropped open and she uttered a squeak that turned into a stuttering sentence. Steve looked sheepishly around as people stopped and stared and Natasha narrowed her eyes, grabbing Steve by his arm and hauling him after her.

"Just had to play the polite gentleman," she said while ducking and weaving through the crowd. Steve shrugged and opened his mouth to reply but Natasha halted and he nearly bowled her over. Another man in a suit, this time talking into an ear piece, was walking towards them. Spinning around she yanked him into a shop. Shoving him behind a clothes rack, she peeked her head over. The man halted, turning towards them and she cursed, ducking her head and pulling Steve down with her.

"We're gonna need a better hiding spot," he whispered in her ear and she tossed him a – no, really? – look, before spying a changing room. It was small but it'd do. She grasped his hand, pulling him after her as they ducked inside. It was smaller than usual, or it might just have been that there were two of them, but they stumbled back against the wall, locking the door behind them.

They waited, Steve very aware at the position they were in but he didn't dare turn his head. His arms were on either side of her, her body pressed against the wall. He didn't mean to crowd her but there just wasn't any room. He shifted, trying to give her air but she latched onto his shoulders, keeping him still.

"Stay still." She murmured in his ear and it took everything in him not to flinch. He obeyed, keeping himself perfectly still but he heard footsteps outside, a deep voice asking about two customers, a man wearing a baseball cap and woman with a hoodie but the clerk hadn't seen them. Natasha shifted and he closed his eyes when he felt her body brush his.

She smelled like roses…

He suddenly wanted to bury his face into her neck, breathe her in and pull her to him, kiss that beautiful neck that had skin as white as cream. He sucked in a quiet breath and she glanced at him, her eyes asking him questions but he just looked at her, his lips parted as he breathed. Her brows twitched, confusion entering her eyes but they flicked down to his mouth.

And held…

Seconds…

Minutes…

It didn't matter what time it was and for a moment he thought he heard her breath catch, heard it quiver inside her lungs, and he leaned forward but he froze when there was a knock on the door.

"Are you almost done in there?" Came a high, irritated voice and Natasha blinked. They stared at one another for a moment before her lips twitched up into that half teasing, half mocking smile she always wore. Steve stepped back, remembering his manners but Natasha just lifted a brow and unlocked the door.

"Sorry, we're done now." She smiled sweetly at the woman who stood there, clothes in her hands and the woman opened her mouth to reply but it died on her lips when she saw Steve. He watched her face go white and inwardly grimaced. Ducking his head he followed Natasha out, his eyes glancing up from underneath the ball cap but the coast was clear. Natasha hesitated at the door however, turning her head from left and right before nodding to him. They stepped out together and started walking.

"Where to next?" He asked, looking about and Natasha grabbed his arm, looping hers through his and resting her head against his shoulder. Heat shot to his chest and he swallowed as she smiled sweetly up at him.

"Stop looking around and just smile. Act like we're a couple." She murmured and he inwardly grimaced.

"We seem to do that a lot," he replied while looking ahead and stiffened when he saw a couple holding hands, a hand in each back pocket of their pants.

Natasha must have seen where his eyes strayed and going on tip toe she whispered in his ear, "Don't worry, I won't make you go that far." Her sweet voice was teasing but it made his stomach tighten and he looked sharply at her. His mind flashing back to the time in the dressing room he flicked his eyes to her lips but she must not have noticed it and withdrew, keeping her head on his shoulder.

"Go left." She murmured and he obeyed, letting her steer him through the winding and twisting halls until they reached a door that said EXIT on top of it. Natasha let go of his arm and pushed. An alarm went off over their heads and people started screaming, running about but before he could protest she was dragging him through the door again.

They were in the parking lot and she pointed to her sleek car. "Over there," she stepped out but a warning bell went off in Steve's head and he reached out, grasping her arm and yanking her back. She yelped, her feet coming up off of the ground as it was filled with bullet holes. He pulled her against him and breathed a sigh of relief. Natasha blinked, clearing her throat and gently removing his arm around her waist.

"Thanks," she murmured and he nodded.

"No problem," he pressed himself against the wall, hesitantly peeking around but immediately yanked his head back when the air was filled with bullets.

"Looks like it's not going to be an easy getaway." Natasha stated and his lips pulled up in the corner.

"Is it ever?" He replied and she grinned.

"What do you suggest, Captain?" She teased and he looked at her, his eyes taking in her smiling face.

God she was beautiful…

"Well," he looked past her and spotted a red Camaro, top down and everything. "How about that one?" He asked and she turned, catching sight of it and grinned. Sliding her eyes back to him she tilted her head.

"Why Captain, I never knew you were so devious." She smirked and he narrowed his eyes.

"We're just borrowing it," he pushed himself off of the wall but Natasha didn't reply. Together they took off for it and Natasha took the driver's seat. Quickly hotwiring it she revved the engine and lurched out of the parking lot, nearly leaving Steve's stomach behind them. He glanced behind them and for a moment he breathed easy but a second later two black vans screeched out of the lot after them.

"I guess they wanna play," Natasha said with a mischievous grin and Steve couldn't decide if he liked it or not. As if to decide for him she ripped the wheel hard to the right, throwing him back and against the door. "Might want to buckle up," she advised while taking another hard turn. Steve lurched to the side, grasping the seat so he wouldn't fall on top of her. She just grinned and planted her foot on the gas pedal. Wind whipped past their heads and he turned around, watching as the two vans slammed past other cars.

"They're gaining," he turned to look at her and she glanced in the review mirror. She whipped them around another corner and Steve nearly swore, clutching at the dash. His eyes widened when they zoomed up a one way street and his fingers dug in.

"Natasha," he warned as cars honked their horns but she kept going, her face utterly calm as she picked up speed. He stiffened, his stomach tightening as cars swerved past them, their horns blaring as they avoided a head on collision with them. "Natasha," his voice grew louder, an edge to it as they barely missed a mini- van but his face paled when he saw the semi truck. There was no room for the truck to maneuver past them and Steve looked over at her as the truck blared its horn. "Natasha!" He shouted, his insides coiling, pushing himself back in the seat but at the last moment she whipped them into an alley and zoomed down it. A breath of air left Steve's chest as his muscles uncoiled and Natasha glanced at him, a smirk playing about her lips.

"Nervous, Cap?" She asked as his chest heaved with frantic breaths and he glanced at her, too shocked to reply but her grin just spread wider as they sped out onto another street.

"Remind me to drive next time," he gushed out and her eyes crinkled at the corners as her smirk turned into a genuine smile. They pulled up into another alley and she slowed down slightly before pulling out. The street clear of any suspicious looking vans she turned up the street, the speedometer actually underneath the speed limit.

"Think those were H.Y.D.R.A.'s agents?" He asked while looking back over his shoulder and Natasha stopped at a red light.

"Perhaps but—" Whatever she said was cut off when the van slammed into them. The windshield shattered and Steve was thrown against the dash. Natasha bounced off of the steering wheel as they spun and for a moment Steve saw only blackness. When he picked his head up off of the dash his ears were ringing and Natasha was slumped against him, a cut along her temple. He stiffened, immediately checking her for other injuries but that seemed to be the only one. His ears still ringing he twisted and kicked the door open, grasping Natasha and sliding her across the seat. He stopped when he heard the muffled sound of doors being slammed and he looked up to see men garbed in black combat suits. They immediately reminded him of H.Y.D.R.A's former militarists, back during the war and Steve only managed to suck in a breath before they opened fire. Dragging her out he shielded her with his body as glass and shredded car parts rained down on them.

Looking around he saw the now lopsided car door and remembered when he'd first chased after a H.Y.D.R.A operative. Grasping it he tore it the rest of the way off and waited for a hint of a pause. It came and standing he threw it. The door slammed into the two men in front. They went flying back and into the next three. Leaping over the now totaled Camaro he slammed into a guard, knocking him backwards and into the van. Grasping the gun of another he twisted and kicked, sending him careening away and rising the rifle he fire two shots, taking another out but when he turned and raised it to his shoulder it jammed. Throwing it away he leapt, tackling another and raising his fist he brought it down on the guards face, splitting the black helmet he wore. Pain erupted along his knuckles but he didn't care, rolling free when more gunfire exploded. Picking up the discarded car door he brought it up and wished that he had his shield. It did the job, protecting him from most of the gunfire and running forwards he slammed into the last guard.

His arms suddenly felt like lead and his chest heaved. His head was still spinning but he didn't dwell on it. Turning back around, he ran back over to the destroyed car. Natasha hadn't moved but her chest was rising and falling with easy breaths. He raised his face to the sky and whispered a word of thanks. Slowly he slid his arms around her and she mumbled something but he didn't hear it.

Drawing her close to him he lifted her. She rested her cheek against his chest and he looked at her a moment, his mind taking in her dust covered cheeks, the bruise that had already started along her temple and how the blood trickled down her face.

Tightening his hold on her he slipped into the crowd…

Unaware of the cold eyes that were watching…

VVVV

Her head was killing her…

Natasha grimaced as she opened her eyes and stared up at a white ceiling. The bed was soft underneath her and she was in a black tank top, her jeans on but her combat boots removed. A sink was running and she turned her face, her eyes finding a fuzzy reflection.

Blue eyes, as blue as the ocean, met hers and Steve turned. Stepping out of the small bathroom his face softened as he wiped his hands on a towel but she noticed the scraped knuckles and the cut on his cheekbone.

"What happened?" Her voice was slurred but she forced herself to sit up. She got halfway before Steve gently pushed her back against the pillows.

"Easy, you banged you're head pretty hard." He advised and she frowned at him, trying to focus.

She'd never been so weak before…

"And you?" She asked and he leaned back, taking a seat beside the bed. He wore a t-shirt, the collar peppered with blood but his hair had just been washed, a few strands falling against his forehead.

"Fine," he glanced out the single window, "Sam hasn't shown up yet." He looked back at her. "Those were H.Y.D.R.A.'s men and they had a sure amount of firepower for being an organization that was brought to its knees." She saw the worried expression on his face and she tried to focus. After a few minutes it did and the harsh pounding in her head dulled.

"Spies are good at telling lies," the words were calm, devoid of any discernible emotion, "there's probably more out there. They'll come out, they always do." She pulled her legs over the bed and eyed him. He was looking at her the same way and she didn't want to be judged.

Not by those eyes…

They were too pure…

Too honest and trusting…

Not like her…

"You shouldn't walk yet," the Captain advised her but Natasha snorted. Standing she wobbled once but waved Steve's hand off of her arm. She knew he met the best, but she didn't like how vulnerable she was feeling right now and to have Steve, the most honest and trusting man she'd ever met, around her probably wasn't a good thing.

"You fixed anything to eat?" She asked while walking through the doorway into the small kitchen. Steve trailed after her and she halted, looking through the large sliding doors to the city beyond.

"No, you want something?" He went into the kitchen and she watched him, an emotion whelming up inside her chest she couldn't place. He looked utterly ridiculous in the small kitchen, his ripped arms and broad chest too strong.

Too opening…

Too willing to accept…

"No." She answered and looked back out the window, missing the quiet look he gave her. Leaning against the counter he crossed his arms over his chest and she felt him looking at her. Feeling suddenly defensive she looked back at him, her gaze sharp. "What?" She demanded and his brows twitched into a frown.

"What's wrong?" The direct question caught her off guard and she stiffened, the walls immediately coming up.

"Nothing, why would there be?" She turned away from him, pretending to flip the TV on but Steve's words stopped her.

"You've been off since the mall and don't tell me that you're not." He stood and crossed over to her. "You are." He looked down at her and she swallowed.

Those damn eyes…

It felt as if he stripped her of her barriers, laid her bare before him and there was nothing she could do to hide her blackened soul from his pure gaze. It was naïve to think that Steve was pure, but he was noble and in that way he was pure. She wasn't noble, she wasn't pure and she felt small and frail when she was near him.

She didn't like it…

Not one damn bit…

"Tell me, Natasha." His tone was firm, commanding but not overpowering. He was the only man who talked to her like that, not even Clint dared to and Fury, well he was like family in a twisted sort of way. Steve however, was always there, protecting her even when she didn't ask for it, using both his body and shield. In truth, she'd never even given him permission to do so, but he hadn't been afraid to touch her.

She remembered the first time he'd saved her…

The alien spacecraft had exploded above their heads and Thor being a god didn't need protection and Clint had bailed out of the way. Natasha had been prepared, covering her head with her arms but then she'd felt a strong body next to hers, an arm around her waist to keep her steady as fire and debris rained down on them. When the smoke had cleared he'd lowered the shield, not even sparing her a glance as she stared at him.

He'd saved her and done it so nonchalantly, not asking for a thank you or anything towards gratitude. He'd simply done it and that was that but he'd done it again and again.

And she'd let him…

She looked up into his eyes, felt her walls breaking and her mouth opened, her lips prepared to form words when there was a knock on the door. Steve watched her for a moment, his gaze assessing her face but she quickly stepped past him, opening up the door.

A figure crashed inside, causing her to stumble back but Steve caught her, his grip firm and sure as he stared past her to Sam who lay on the floor. His chest was heaving and it looked as if he'd been put through a shredder.

"Sam!" Steve shouted while moving past her and Sam's dazed eyes focused on the Captain. Natasha knelt beside him, running her eyes over his form. He was covered in bruises and cuts, one of his eyes nearly swollen shut. The Falcon took in a pained breath before turning his head. His one good eye met hers and he scrambled for something in his jacket.

"What happened to you?" Steve's voice was filled with concern, an edge to it but Natasha reached out and grasped the front pocket of his jacket. She drew out a note, splattered with crimson and her insides turned cold when she realized that it was his blood.

"R-red…" he started but it was too much for him. Natasha opened the note and froze, her blood running cold.

"What?" Steve prompted and looked up at Natasha. "What does it say?" He asked but Natasha didn't answer him. She dropped the note, the words etched into her brain.

I caught the bird, Natalia, but next I'll have the spider. The next will be him. I hope he is more of a challenge. I will see you soon, little spider. Do svidaniya.

Natasha turned back towards the window, her mind numb. Now she understood, now she knew why he'd let her go. He wanted her to suffer and if he…if he did what he was going to say then…she looked back at Steve who was busy tending to Sam and her heart sank.

He was coming after her…

But he was coming after them too…

And he was bringing his wrath with him…

VVVV

AUTHOR NOTE: Okay this is my first FanFiction involving Natasha and Steve. I hope I wrote them well! Please review! And the video that gave me the inspiration to write this story is called, Don't Deserve You by S Veronica. It's on YouTube and it is simply amazing! The song fits them PERFECTLY! If you haven't seen it I'd get on and watch it, multiple times! Thanks for reading and I hope you review and like it!