𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝔀𝓸

Present Day

Steve tapped his finger nervously. They had him in a room with no windows and a security camera in two corners of the room. Is this what he had to do to see Natasha? It was ridiculous. Even if she did murder that man, it was still one person! Not like she's high risk.

Natasha was being held in the city prison until her trial ended, if convicted she could go to jail for up to 30 years. So far it was only at the start of the trail and Steve has only been able to talk to Natasha's lawyers. Steve was trying to be calm, but he couldn't help but feel scared. What if she did get convicted?

The door to the room opened, a creaking sound came from the door. It was made of complete metal because the hallway of security guards was not enough. To make matters worse, when she walked in, the guards following closely behind her, her feet were chained along with her hands. His heart clenched in pain.

Despite it all, she gave him a careful smile upon seeing him. Steve couldn't help but return it as the guard worked in uncuffing her. Steve wanted so badly to take her into his arms and just hug her, hoping that this would all be one bad dream.

"Remember the rules, no touching. Ten minutes. And she is to be seated at all times." The guard announced pointedly. Steve was barely able to give a nod as she sat before him. They waited until they were alone to start speaking.

"You look good." She said, her voice was horse and rough. "You grew a beard?"

"Is that you trying to say that you don't like it?" He asked with a small laugh.

"No, course not. I like it, just it will get some getting used to. I missed your baby face." She said. She looked down at her hands. The red marks from her cuffs were evident and she tried smoothing out the lines to no avail.

"You need some sun Romanoff," He tried joking. "If I didn't know any better I would say you were bitten by a vampire."

"Well, this lovely living condition doesn't exactly allow for some sunshine." She said softly. "How's Liho?"

"Misses her mom." He said. "I uh, I got her some toys yesterday, she didn't care for them very much."

"Did you sit with her so she could eat?"

"Yes Nat, I watched her eat. Don't worry she's fine." He said taking a deep breath. "How are you?"

"Steve..."

"I need to know you are okay Nat. Are you eating?"

"Yes, Steve. Don't worry I am eating that's not exactly the problem." She admitted.

"You're scared." It was more of a comment than a question.

"Who wouldn't be?" She sighed. "Steve I need you to be prepared." Her saying his name didn't' sit right with him. Before it was always 'babe' or 'handsome' it hurt knowing those days of them joking around were practically over.

"I need to prepare? For what?"

"Steve the evidence against me is a lot. If they convicted me I need you to be prepared to say goodbye to me."

"No!" He stood up, the chair behind him falling to the ground. "You won't be convicted because you are innocent! You didn't do anything! Nat you just have to have hope-"

"Hope? Steve look at where we are! I don't have any hope. Steve if I go to jail I am not coming out. You and I both know that. The people in there, the people we put away want me dead. This is giving them what they want wrapped up in a pretty little bow." She closed her eyes. "I don't want to say goodbye Steve, but if I don't say it... I'll regret it."