The Algorithm To Infinity

[7] far from over

He knew Sam was right.

If she wasn't returning, he couldn't spend his life longing for someone he could never have, no matter how much it felt like he needed her sometimes.

Sharon came from her house as he parked the truck and smiled brightly as she strode towards him while he held the passenger door open for her. Before she lifted herself into the truck, she leaned up on her heels to kiss his cheek, and he felt blush rise into his cheeks. "It's great to see you again." He said, shutting the door for her and then getting back into the driver's seat.

"Under much better circumstances, am I right?" She laughed.

"Yes. That's maybe a slight understatement." He chuckled, backing out of the driveway and heading into the city. She reached across the center console and took his hand - just as Natasha had done months ago - and he pressed his palm against hers, hoping to feel the vestige he felt with Natasha.

There was nothing.

Nothing but the warmth of her hand and her silver ring pressing against his skin. His heart sank, and he knew then that he needed to stop comparing them. Sharon deserved better, and the least he could do was give her his kindness and respect.

As he made the short drive, they made cordial conversation, the lights of the city shining bright and illuminating the sky as he pulled up to the restaurant where they had reservations. As he shifted the car into park, Sharon unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door handle.

"Wait, let me get that for you," He said hurriedly, putting his hand on her thigh.

She smiled at him and leaned back in her seat. "I always wondered how you would treat a lady." She quipped.

He swiftly got out and rushed to the other side of the truck, opening her door and helping her out. "Do I meet your expectations?" He asked, perceiving the way her dress shimmered in the lights. She was pretty, sweet, and flirty in a way that didn't make him uncomfortable... he could and would enjoy his night with her and their friends.

"Steve, you completely exceed them." She said with a wink.

He smiled, taking her hand as they walked to the restaurant, knowing the night would only get better.

• • •

"Эпический... Эпический... Эпический!" [Epic... Epic... Epic!] Natasha shouted as her dog barreled towards her, nearly knocking her over as the massive, black German Shepherd caught the tennis ball and bounded back to where Fury sat at his desk. She perceived his laughter as he threw the ball again, and it rebounded off the wall, almost hitting Natasha in the head. "Иисус Христос," [Jesus Christ.] She grumbled to herself, sitting down in front of his desk, even though her legs were stiff from their long flight back to America. She was elated to be back, however, and so was Epic.

After months of running from the Red Room, she rekindled her relationship with her sister, Yelena, and with their family's help, they destroyed the last of the regime that had once torn them all apart. Along the way, she found herself in the wintry tundras of her home country, the place she had once hated.

Now she knew what she stood for.

Now she could face the heinous people who had turned her and so many others into monsters. Although she would never banish the demons from the dark recesses of her mind, she knew that she was strong enough to defeat them every time they tried to drown her in their repentance and now, she had found the strength to face the people who cared about her - Clint, Fury, and Steve - when it had once terrified her.