Natasha Romanoff- NOT DEAD

Are you gonna tell me about her?

Yes, we have seen the movie and how Steve wasnt really saying what happened on his jump to return the stones...

He was just happy and contented that he did what exactly what he thinks was right.

Steve

I saw a long way up, on top a glowing citadel of some sort, I just knew I have to climb that hill to return the stone.. I was determined to talk to any diety this planet has to get what i came for, and thats exactly to return the soul stone in exchange of my dear friend Natasha..(she had sacrifice a lot- in steve's mind)

To my surprise, Red skull, the enemy I once defeated back on Earth.. I was ready to throw a punch and beat the crap out of him again but it seems that he wasnt there to do any fighting, he was just there, like a bell boy on a hotel lobby.. i composed myself as he started uttering words.."Welcome Steve Rogers son of William, I see you have come to make a bargain, a bargain which im afraid...." Just before he finish his sentence Steve cut him off " yes, about that. Im not here to bargain, im here to give the stone back in return, My l... Natasha Romanoff"...

"Im afraid that is not how it works"Redskull/Stonekeeper said.

"That is exactly how it works, i came here to return the stone.. its a fair bargain like you said but for me it is not a bargain at all, it's fact....Any seeker of stone gets the stone in exchange of a loved one right? well you have my heart, my person hiding in this hill. So in all fairness, i give you the stone and you give me back Natasha Romanoff" . Steve sighed.. " And you are still here, hoping the stone gets back to its original home, in Vormir and you its keeper. Otherwise if its a one time deal then you'll be long gone., so get Natasha and we'll be on our way"

Steve was relentless and does not think of anything other than that, he cannot take another second of his life without Natasha and he knows he is being stubborn...but Steve is Steve afterall, a guy always with a plan..

Author
Yes, yes i know Steve ended up with Margaret as what the movie showed at the last part, them dancing in their house blah blah blah.... But this is what im writing, for my own sanity 😊.

Back to 5 years ago.... 9 months after the Blip...

In the Avengers Compound

The day was usual, Steve woke up late, well, later than usual. It's only 6am after all and pretty sure he didnt really sleep. he went for a run around the compound with airpods in one ear. Same playlist Sam suggested and some he picked himself.... After his run, he went in to go get cleaned up and as he was about to get into his quarter he noticed Natasha in one of the offices the compound has..

"Nat" he called while standing on the door of the said office, still in his sweaty shirt, not really sweaty but you would know by the look of him that he went running and also sporting a scrappy look with his bearded face...
Natasha on the other side of the room, sitting on a chair with her hand on her face.. "Oh hey you" Nat answered.

" its 7 am and i know you havnt slept yet, i'll just shower and lets get you something to eat,okay"..

"Is it really 7 am, here i thought time is irrelevant at this moment," the defeated looking widow said... "i'll get breakfast later Steve, go wash up and get yourself something to eat, i'll be done here"

"You said that 2 days ago Nat" Steve sighed.. he did not get a reply after that he just noticed the same list of names on her desk and it seems like it was getting longer... he can feel her exhaustion and frustration but he didnt engage as he knows how Natasha will give him hell for trying to get her away from what she's doing.. He is concerned but he as well is trying to cope so somehow he knows how Nat is..he just went his way to take his shower in his quarter and let Natasha be...

In the list
Yelena Belova- ?
Maria Hill- ?
Nick Fury-?
Clint Barton-?
Laura Barton-?
Wanda-?
And the list goes on.....

Almost the same list the rest off them who was still around, Steve has that list and maybe even longer...

Steve would go out and so does Natasha.
Each one would be out for days and even weeks sometimes.. but Steve always keep tabs on Natasha and pretty sure Natasha does the same for Steve..this went on for months and they will always comeback and see each other and always with empty hands.. Nat does conference with the others and basically held the team together... yes with her own little ways she did that, but its taking its toll and Steve can only feel Natasha is hurting under that kept together facade... He can hear her sometimes crying in her room and he would go knock and Natasha would open her door with a straight face as if nothing happened, like she was fine... sometimes he would see her in the gym with her bloddied ballet shoes and steve knows she dances when she is sad or at lost, but he would not disturb her.. these things broke Steve's heart and he blamed himself for it...

One night, he came back to the Avengers quarter, noticed Natasha's motorbike so it means that she is home, he went to her office and he found her passed out on the floor... he went running to check on Nat "Nat? Nat?, oh god please... wake up Natasha" he checked for a pulse and was relieved that she got one but flailing... He took her to her room and layed her down to her bed... He knew that Natasha wasnt eating and sleeping...

Natasha

I woke up, and i was in my room. I noticed an IV bag on the side of my bed.. traced it to a needle on my arm.. then i look around and saw Steve at the end of my bed sitting on a chair with his head on my bed..
"Steve? What happened?, why are you..."

"Hey you, you're awake.. " steve said softly while he wakes up himself.
He stands up and immidiately went to check more on Nat. " you passed out nat, i had to"

Nat was still not sure what happened but she has an idea...

"What day or what year is it?" Natasha said jokingly. "How long was i out?"

" its been 2 days Natasha, i found you passed out in your office.... You scared me"

"Whaaaaat!?, i have a meeting with Okoye" Natasha ruffled in her bed and wanted to get up and just ran to her office...

She felt a large arm around her shoulders and a soft mummble in her ear " Nat, please stay on your bed, i've handled it. I talked with Okoye and all is good.. now just stay in your bed and i'll come bring you something to eat, okay" Natasha felt steve lingered a little longer and she knew , she knew she wouldnt win when steve gets like this..
Natasha nodded and before steve could leave the room.. " Thank you steve" said Natasha

Steve came back closer to her and went like an inch close to her face
" please dont do that again, you scared me.. you know i'd do anything for you Nat" with reassuring smile but with all seriousness to it. Natasha just nodded again and she felt steve's sincerity as he went out of her room to go get her food..

"Hey Steve, who put me in my pyjammas?"