On The Run) Romanogers

Part 3

Nat P.O.V.

The boys had been decent enough to let me use the bathroom to get ready. I had stored basic makeup kits in most of my safe houses, along with a few hair dye colors and other parts for basic disguises if I needed one in a pinch. Either way, in this situation, the makeup worked wonderfully to get me ready for the party. I put on eyeliner, highlighter, and a dramatic eyeshadow. Then I put on a dark, red shade of lipstick. For some damned reason, lipstick made me think of Steve, which made me frustrated. Why couldn't I control my emotions anymore?! The Red Room didn't let us have emotions, we weren't allowed to be mad or upset, but here I was having the most dangerous feeling of them all, the one we were warned to never, ever have. I was getting attached, dangerously attached, the thing that could matter more than a mission.

I looked at myself in my small, black dress and pushed all thoughts of Steve (and what he would think) from my mind... as best as I could. The dress had an incredibly low neckline that went into a tight waistband, and was very short on the bottom half. I felt a bit uncomfortable given that I hadn't worn such a revealing dress in so long, it felt a little odd. But I also knew that being able to attract a man's (or woman's) eye on the mission or distract him should I need to, was invaluable on a mission.

I looked at myself in the mirror for a few moments, just a hitch before I went out the door. This just felt so wrong, to be attracting attention after so long of trying to avoid it. A mission like this was a risk, but we would leave immediately on the cargo plane, a fresh start in Venezuela.

I opened the door, "you boys better be done with your hair, we've got to get going," I walked out the door. Indeed, all the boys were working on their own appearances, Steve was using the fridge and a damned mirror.

"I need a minute," Bucky called from the bedroom. I couldn't hold in my eye roll, as I realized I might need another minute as well. I walked over to where Steve was using the fridge and started fixing the earring I forgot to double check. I could feel the air tense up as I got close, and watched his whole body do the same.

"Something wrong?" I asked, a bit of bite in my tone. Being honest, it pissed me off that he got so tense, I couldn't figure out my own emotions and here he was just making things more complicated, and now was not the time for any of that. If he couldn't stand my presence, I wanted to know.

"Nothing," he denied, acting as if I couldn't tell he was wound tighter than a spring. Did he think I was an idiot?! I shook my head in irritation, I was just getting mad at him, which was maybe better than whatever other feelings I had been having earlier.

I decided it wasn't worth it and I stepped away. I didn't know where this anger was coming from, I figured I would just chalk it up to the nerves from this mission.

"Lets go, dingbats," I walked towards the door, Steve and Sam following behind, but still no Bucky. "Bucky, I'm sure you look fine, hurry up," I urged him on as well.

"Fine," he grumbled as he walked out of the bedroom at long last, "but it's your fault that I don't look my best," he sarcastically quipped back, giving a dramatic hair flip as well.

"Bucky, you look fine," I looked at all of them, "Sam, fix your tie," I corrected, as he looked down with fake shock.

"I think it looks fine," he objected, which I translated to, 'this is the best I can do.'

I walked over and started to untie it and then retie it, properly this time. "Alright, we're meeting the car three blocks down, Sam and I will leave now and walk the long way."

"Oh," Bucky clearly wanted to say more, so I gave him a look to continue, "while you were in the shower last night, we decided that it would be better for you and Steve to go."