Is This Love? (UNDER EDIT)

Chapter 8 - Journey

Nat couldn't believe her bad luck lately. First, she'd failed a mission and been humiliated for it, and now she had to go undercover as a married couple with the man she least wanted to see right now, let alone be in the same room for a month. She already knew this would be one of the longest months of her life. 

Sighing, she began packing her bags with military precision, which had her ready to go in five minutes flat. 

Turning, she grabbed her second suitcase containing her weapons, flash drives, computers, and other spy tech. Deciding that there wasn't much point in hiding in her room anymore, Nat decided to head out to the Common Room. She'd been avoiding everyone all week, but after tomorrow, she wouldn't see them for a month, so she figured she might make the most of her last afternoon with them before she went. 

Upon arriving at the Common Room, she found Tony and Clint on the couch watching The Bachelorette. Upon her entry, they fell into silence, gawking at her. 

"Why are you so shocked?" Nat asked bluntly, deciding their overdramatic actions were bordering on ridiculous. She'd been distant for a week, not a year like they were acting. 

"Uh hey, long time no see," Tony broke the silence, first to get over his initial shock. Well, at least Tony hasn't changed, Nat thought as she rolled her eyes in response, crossing the room to join them on the couch.

"Sooooo Red, you've emerged from your lair. Why?" Tony asked. Nat took a sip of vodka before answering, don't ask where the vodka came from; it was one of her unique talents. Deciding on the best course of action, she mustered the most emotionless tone possible to avoid Tony inevitably getting the wrong idea.

"Well, I'm leaving tomorrow on a month-long mission," Natasha told them as confidently as possible. 

"Yeah, and I'll be with her," Steve called from the Common Room entrance, startling them. What was it with him sneaking up on her today? Nat realised she must've subconsciously realised eyes because Clint raised his eyebrows and gave her a curious look.

Tony, on the other hand, raised his eyebrows immediately. Smirking, he grabbed a rose from a flower arrangement Pepper had ordered and performed a 'rose ceremony' for the two of them. 

"Yeah," Natasha confirmed quietly, "and Tony, you watch too much reality TV. It melts your brain," Nat quipped offhandedly, heading back toward the elevator, ignoring Tony's retort that he had enough brain to spare. Clint also stood up and followed his friend. Once in the secluded elevator, Clint spoke up;

"So, are you okay being with Cap for a month?" He asked quietly.

"What choice do I have?" Nat replied tiredly, already sick of the conversation. Clint sighed, telling her he was only one call away if she needed anything before jumping off the elevator at his floor.

Taking a steadying breath as the doors closed again, Natasha repeated the phrase that was quickly becoming her new man:ra; it would be a long month.

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Since he'd packed his bags, Steve decided to go to the Common Room to let the others know of his imminent departure. Upon his arrival, he was taken aback to find Ndy talking to Tony and Clint. No one had seen Nat in a week, and now she was in the Common Room talking to everyone like nothing had happened. 

That was until she realised that he had walked into the roomrealised quick as anything, she'd fled without another word, taking her almost full bottle of vodka with her.

"You've gotta sort that out, man," Tony casually said as they both watched the elevator doors close on his two other friends before Tony turned back to the TV and continued his Bachelorette marathon.

Steve just wanted to make things right with Natasha, but he couldn't even manage to get her in the same room as him. Steve resolved to talk to her about their mission because being unable to chat and banter with her like usual was killing him. 

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Steve's alarm went off at 4:30, waking him up. He needed to be in the jet in half an hour, so he quickly got out of bed and took a shower, not wanting to add lateness to the list of things he needed to apologise to Nat for.

Exiting the elevator, he spotted Nat standing beside Fury, receiving her last instructions before takeoff. Rutakeoffer, Steve loaded his bags before joining Natasha and Fury's conversation. 

"Ah, Cap, you ready?."

"Yes, sir," Steve replied in his most formal voice. He considered Fury a friend, but that didn't mean that this wasn't a mission. Regardless of Steve's status with Fury, he always remained strictly professional with Fury when it came to missions. 

"Well then, you both better board the jet. I hope you both remember my directions?" Fury asked, glancing at Steve in particular for confirmation.

As much as Fury may deny it, Natasha is the closest thing he has to a daughter, and he is the closest thing Nat has to a father, so Steve understood why it was such a priority of Fury's for her to have a holiday. 

Botnoddedngand, they turned and boarded the plane, sending one last nod to Fury as the back of the jet closed. 

Buckling up for takeoff, Steve felt the engines start up, and the jet lurched forward, taking off from the roof of the Avenger. The plane was on autopilot, which meant that both agents just had to be good passengers, and they would get there safely.

As soon as the plane stabilised, Friday announced an established safe to unbuckle their seatbelts. Natasha sprung out of her chair like it was on fire and went to the back of the jet, the farthest possible place from Steve. Sighing, Steve decided to call out to her.

"Are you going to avoid me like this all month?" Steve asked her.

"I don't know what you mean, Rogers. I just have something to do over here," she replied in an innocent tone.

"Yeah, okay. I'm sure you have something to do. I mean, that wall does look pretty interesting." Steve sarcastically replied, getting out of his own seat and heading toward her. Once he made it over to her, Natasha turned to face him, her arms crossed over her chest. 

"Look, Nat, I'm so sorry about the other day. I let my emotions get the best of me and took it too far. I know you probably hate me, but I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am. I do think you can care for yourself, it just scared me when I came in and you were being so harsh on yourself after some pretty gruelling injuries. But yeah, I'm sorry," Steve apologised, looking into Nat's eyes to apologise. He was genuinely sorry. Her expression softened, 

"Thank you for apologising, and I'm sorry, too. I could tell I scared you; I could see it in your expressions. It's just that I have had to be independent and take care of myself all of my life just to stay alive, so when someone puts that into question, it really hurts. But I did overreact, and for that, I am sorry, too." She replied. Well, this is going so much better than Steve thought it would.

Smiling, Steve opened his arms to her. "Woah up, Rogers, we are not there yet," Natasha exclaimed, trying to keep her expression as serious as possible when she watched Steve's face fall. But she failed miserably, cracking a smile within a few tense moments and falling into Steve's embrace. Yeah, they both definitely missed this.

"But I will personally end you if you let anyone know I'm a hugger," Natasha whispered into his chest, causing Steve to laugh wholeheartedly. 

"Noted," He chuckled.

Maybe this month won't be as long as they initially thought.