Shatter: A Marvel Fanfiction

Steve

I hate to admit that Nat's plan is brilliant. I don't like the idea of her going to the old Red Room alone, but we have no other options. They would crush us if we came storming in without someone on the inside.

Some of the other Avengers begin to arrive. Clint and Tony have already learned the plan. Banner and Thor are talking to Fury right now about the plan. I sit next to Natasha.

"Nat," I say, breaking the silence, "can we go out to dinner tonight? Just us? You know, as a pre-mission thing."

She nods. "Steve, don't worry so much. I'll be fine. I know how to handle myself around them."

"Saw right through that, didn't you?" I say laughing a little.

Natasha smiles smugly. "Where do you want to go? Want to try again at the Panera?"

"That sounds like a plan."

By this time Fury has finished filling in Banner and Thor on what's happening. He tells everyone the time to be here and dismisses us. Natasha tells me she is going talk to Fury about details about tomorrow and about the helipad and asks me to wait up. I stand by the door awkwardly as the other Avengers file out. Tony stops to talk to me.

"When did that happen?" he asks in a teasing tone.

"What?"

"You and Romanov? What's all that?" He punches my shoulder. "Nice job, but don't tell her I said that or she will hang me upside down on the Stark tower." I laugh, but I know he's right.

Natasha finishes quickly, and we leave. Panera goes by uneventful, but at this point, uneventful is good. We eat and talk like any normal day. She insists on paying for the meal this time, which I am not keen on but she was very persistent. I drive her home promising her to help her search for a new car soon and that I can drive her tomorrow. I walk her to her apartment door where we part.

"You know you didn't have to walk all the way up here. You could have just dropped me off," she says.

I shrug smiling. "I guess I'm just old fashioned."

"Thank you, Steve. I'll see you tomorrow," she says as she unlocks her door.

"Good night, Natasha," I respond right before I kiss her.

She closes the door smiling shyly. I walk back downstairs thinking of what I want to do once we can finally catch a break. I think we should cover that list. I hope she is willing to help me with that list someday.

I wake up early in the morning feeling a mixture of hope and fear. I put on my strongest uniform and find my shield. I put the shield and my helmet in a back pack and zip on a coat over my uniform. I also put on a pair of baggy pants in order to hide everything. I walk out of my building without any looks. I pick up Natasha who has done something similar with her gear.

"Great minds think alike," she says.

When we get to the place, almost everyone is here except Stark. He drives in all suited up a few minutes after us. We all board our helicopters. I shoot one last glance at Natasha praying that I will see her again after today. Natasha leaves first, and a few minutes later, we take off as well.