this story takes place towards the end of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, after Steve and Bucky fell in the river
(Natasha's pov)
Our mission was finally complete. We had managed to take down all 3 of SHIELDS Helicarriers, although Steve did most of the work. Nick landed the chopper on the river bank because we still needed to find Steve and make sure that he was okay. I separated from the search group and walked along the riverbank until I heard a noise. I quickly concealed myself behind a tall bush, and looked for the source of the noise. Upon seeing who it was, my chest tightened, and it felt as if a heavy blow had been delivered to my chest.
It was the Winter Soldier
It was James
MY James.
my eyes welled with tears and a flood of memories came rushing to my head
(flashback)
I was in the red room getting ready to practice my new ballet routine, i sat on a bench, my back to the door, putting on my ballet shoes. i was so focused on tying the ribbons that i did not notice someone enter the room.
"hey Talia" a familiar voice said, i smiled as i felt two strong arms wrap around my waist.
"hello James" I replied, continuing to tie my shoes. A tingling sensation went through me as i felt one of his arms retract and tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. He makes me stand spins me around and pulls me closer until our faces were centimeters apart, i gaze into his electric blue eyes, that were dotted with specks of white and gray, making them look like miniature paintings of snowcapped mountains. He smiles down at me, lifts my chin up, and kisses my lips gently. he continues to kiss me but i pull away, he looks at me in a mildly hurt expression.
"what's wrong?" he asks, i smile at him
"aren't you supposed to be in Berlin right now?" i ask. He scratches the back of his neck and shrugs
"the plane doesn't leave in two hours" he laughs "besides.." he says, taking my hand in his
"i couldn't leave without seeing my best girl" he says making me go as red as my hair. he kisses my hand gently and holds it against his chest
"i love you talia" he says getting up and kissing my forehead
"i love you too"
(end of flashback)
he never came back.
they told me that James was killed while he was away in Berlin, leaving me to grieve his death for many months. After his "death" i promised myself to never allow love to consume me again. When i found out that he was alive, that his memory was wiped, and that he now operated as the winter soldier, i was devastated, and it took me weeks to get over the shock, but i somehow managed to convince myself that i was over him.
i continued to watch as he dragged Steve's limp body out of the lake, i was so lost in thought that i lost my footing and fell to the ground with a loud thump. James turned around and spotted me, an angry look came into his eyes as he advanced on me. i made an attempt to escape but he caught hold of me. his metal hand was clasped around my neck, and his fingers tightened choking me. i felt my throat tighten as i managed to breathe out
"James"
his eyes widened and he released me, i fell to the ground gasping and clutching my neck, he looked at me with recognition
"N-Natalia?" he whispered, suddenly Nicks voice came booming from a few meters away
"Natasha where are you!?" James looked at me in terror and took off into the forest.
