Part 2 to Love is But a Game

~ Listen.(Spoiler) Natasha didn't grow up in the red room here so she can still have kids~ 

Trigger Warning? psychotic behavior

Steve killed Ivan. This time he watched over his body, watching the life slowly drain out of him. Natasha had made the original mistake of leaving his body unattended. But this time, there was no way that man would be around to wreak havoc on his soon-to-be wife. He was unsure whether or not Natasha would keep her word to him, however, he was sure to come out on top. He will not let that spider get the best of him this time. 

"You have blood on your suit," Sam said as his friend walked back into the private jet. 

"Thank you, Sam I didn't notice," Steve said shrugging off his jacket. "Are the others keeping up their end of the plan?" Steve questioned Bucky as he changed suit jackets. 

"Yes, Stark had to sacrifice a few men and Thor barely escaped but they are free. and the future Mrs. Rogers is at the fanciest club in New York. There is no way we can be pulled back to this crime." 

"Good." He said, his butler handing him a glass of whiskey as the Captain went to take his seat. 

"So, are you actually gonna marry Romanoff?" Sam questioned. "Because I know you are trying to preserve your spot up top, but need I remind you that Romanoff is hardly a person that you can trust." 

"Natasha is many things Sam, a liar is not one of them. There has never been a promise she hasn't kept. It's the ones she didn't make that worry me. Believe me, I know when she is planning something. My biggest problem right now is that cop," He looked sam dead in the eyes, nothing but coldness behind his own. "I want her delt with you hear me. By the time you are done, I don't want her name to come up ever again." 

"Of course," Sam nodded. "Let's hope you don't upset the bride before the wedding though, I heard it's bad luck." 

|~| 

"Pete," Natasha purred as she took a sip of her whiskey. "Do you know why I called you here today?" 

"No, I can't really say that I do," He admitted. He has been around Tony and the gang a long time but he had to say, Natasha still scared him. Peter got affiliated with the gang when his aunt was having a hard time, Tony took an interest in the kids when the young boy hacked his systems. Brought him in and even made sure that his aunt and he had everything paid for. Now he worked for, mostly tony, but the entire Avengers. 

"I am having a little problem, you see." She admitted and put her glass down. "You see my younger sister, she's in prison, locked up." 

"What do you want me to do about that?" he asked. 

"Pete let's not pretend you aren't dating that girl...what was her name. Gwen was it?" She asked, at the sound of Gwen's name, Peter perked up. "Gwen Stacey. Daughter of the police chief. Look kid, I really don't want to hurt a girl." She wouldn't. But that wasn't something Peter needed to know until after her sister was released. "So help me out." It wasn't a question. 

"Ms. Romanoff I'd love to help you, truly. But I am just unsure as to how you expect me to get her out of prison, it's not like Gwen has the codes." 

"Peter. You are smart. You'll figure it out I'm sure." She picked up her glass again. "I intend to marry my fiance at the end of next week and I expect my sister at the wedding. Are we at an understanding Pete?" 

"Yes Ma'am." he nodded. 

"Good, now get yourself a drink. On me of course." A smirk laced Natasha's cruel face. Everything seemed to be going exactly as planned. She'd fully expect Steve to come back with his demands any hour now, but before that, she needed to make one last visit to her dear Maria, for old times sakes of course. 

|~|

Maria was working late, the janitor had to kick her out literally so he could lock up the precinct. She was taking her files to her car when a cold hand landed on the small of her back. 
"You know it's not safe for a woman to out here all alone in the middle of the night." Natasha's sultry voice sent shivers down Maria's spine. 

"I thought we agreed you couldn't come here." Maria nearly hissed shoving Natasha into the back of her car, to avoid cameras. 

"Oh I wasn't planning on this kind of visit," Natasha teased. 

"What are you doing here then?" Maria questioned. She and Natasha rarely had any other sort of visits. Maria really had to stop these visits, because if she got caught her entire career would be put at risk. Her family would be put at risk. Not to mention once word got out that she was sleeping with a mobster- she would be in danger. 

"Unfortunately my dear, this is the last time we can see each other." Maria frowned at Natasha's words. Despite the risk, she did enjoy being around Natasha. "It seems I am getting married." Oh, that did not sit well with the young officer. 

"Married? I wasn't aware you were seeing anyone." Maria muttered, ignoring the feeling of Natasha's fingers as they grazed her skin. 

"I am not. Well besides you of course. But it seems my dear Steven had something I needed and I am something he's wanted for a very long time. It was a business move that will affect both positively. 

"Why bother telling me? I am sure I will hear about this sooner or later." 

"Is it so wrong I wanted you to hear this from me, my dear?" She teased. "Despite what you think Masha, I hold a great deal of respect for you, even if you think that you have knowledge of me." Natasha held up her file. "Great reports by the way." 

"You knew all along didn't you?" 

"Dear I knew the moment you flirted with me in that bar." Natasha shrugged. "Believe me when I say this, you don't know anything I didn't want you to know. Life is but a game, and I hold all the cards." 

"You gonna kill me now? Is that what this was?  A game that you watched amusingly as I walked through?" Maria reached for her gun, only to find it wasn't there. "Shit." 

"You think I don't know you, Maria? I own you." She smirked. "Everything that you do I control. Nick Fury works for me. Melinda May is an old friend. You never had anything on me but boy did I like our little game. Unfortunately, I did tell you one thing that needs to stay between us, and since I've learned one thing from my father, never trust a cop, I will kill you." 

"What is it?" She asked. "That is so worth killing me over?" 

"I told you my dear about my plans." Maria was beyond confused now. She doesn't remember Natasha telling her about any plans. "Piece by piece. You are a smart woman I am sure you'll put it together." Natasha waited for Maria's brain to click. 

"You're gonna kill the captain." Maria finally said. Natasha always would talk about how she wanted to be on top, that the only way she'd give up the power was to have a next of kin. She was playing Steve. 

"My husband thinks not with his head and that will be his downfall. He thinks our marriage will put him on top when in reality I am about to be the most powerful person he knows. I'll allow for him to get comfortable, happy even, but then I will live up to my name. My poor husband will be gone too soon." Maria realized that Natasha had been telling her entire plan for weeks, she was just too blind to see what was right in front of her. 

"Was all I just a pawn for you to get him to trust you?" Maria asked. 

"At first," Natasha admitted. "But you slowly did become the best part of my day. I got comfortable however I was recently reminded that I can't trust anyone, not even you Masha." Natasha suddenly stabbed the knife into Maria's chest holding her close. "For what it's worth, no one will ever live up to you my dear." Natasha placed a soft kiss on the top of Maria's head and laid her down on the back seat of the car before pulling the knife. 

"You fucking bitch," Maria hissed, trying to keep the blood from pouring from her stomach. Natasha managed to stab her right next to an artery vein. She would bleed out before anyone came looking. 

"You didn't have to die, Masha, but it was either gonna be by me, or by Steven's goon. You deserve better than that idiot." Natasha wrapped her hands around Maria's hand that held her bleeding wound. "Till we meet again." She leaned in and left Maria with a long kiss, Maria felt her head spin afterward. "Got it from a friend," She smiled, her lipstick was laced with something it would seem. Maria tried to reach out to Natasha but it was too late for her. "Goodbye Masha." and with that Natasha stood and walked out of the car, the last thing that Maria heard as her eyes closed was the sound of Natasha's heels walking away. 

|~| 

Natasha was casually flipping through a wedding magazine as her soon-to-be husband walked in the room, his goons Sam and Bucky following behind him like puppy dogs. It was the morning after Maria was killed, and it seemed news travels fast. 

"This you?" Steve asked, slamming a picture down on Natasha's desk. Natasha didn't bother looking up at the man. 

"Are you thinking forest green or lavender? Personally, I was thinking maybe even black or blood red would look nice. But given my hair, I don't want the clash with the red-" 

"Stop playing games Nat," Steve said sternly. 

"I'd hardly call our wedding a game love," She smirked. "as for the cop yes. I figured I'd get you a wedding present and save Sam the money of having to buy new shoes on account of his being stained by my lovers' blood. It appears she bleeds a lot." 

"Why'd you kill her?" Sam asked. Natasha looked over at him, her smirk scared him. 

"Would you have preferred I kept my love alive, and have my way with her while I marry you best friend Wilson? I am simply showing where my loyalties lie considering it's been put up for the jury lately." Natasha started closing her magazine. "Now Steven. Black or Green?" 

"Whatever is to your liking, my dear," 

"Good answer. Who knows Rogers, this might actually work out between us after all." She smirked. "I assume one of these two will be your best man, Pete is taking care of my maid of honor-" 

"You are really going all out for this," Bucky interrupted. 

"Yes. While this is a business deal, even I dreamed of my wedding. Besides with a criminal royalty we deserve nothing but the best." She smiled. "Steve I believe Sam should be your best man, it's up to you of course, but this man seems to trust me as far as he can throw me." 

"Can you blame me?" Bucky snickered. "Everything that comes out of your mouth Romanoff is a game. 

"I want your mouth shut Buck," Steve said holding up his hand then turning to his wife. "We are getting married at the end of the week," Steve said, Natasha had to admit she did not see that coming, Steve smirked seeing the sense of shock lace the redhead's face. "So pick out your dress and colors now babe." Natasha narrowed her eyes at him, turns out she wasn't the only one with a plan. "I have a lawyer coming over later to discuss a prenup." 

"Hmm, straight to business," Natasha stated. "A man after my own heart." Steve didn't like how relaxed she got. "I'll be here," Natasha was a mystery, Steve hated mysteries. He had no clue what it was that she was planning but he knew if he wanted his power preserved it was better to rush this wedding than sit and wait. 

|~|

"We are going to have a baby." Natasha said as she stood in front of the rest of the Avengers, causing Tony to spit out the whiskey in his mouth. 

"Excuse me what?" Clint was first to speak up. "Have you two been having sex this entire time?" 

"What? No not now!" Natasha said. "In the future. That was Steve's gift to me." She smirked. Everything she's ever wanted was right at her fingertips. "Clear your calenders boys, on Friday we shall be wed in a glorious wedding." 

"I can't believe this is actually happening." Tony muttered. "Got to say, I am not surprised though." 

"Congradulations my friends." Thor said. "I assume that my brother will be out of prison as you so promosied?" 

"Of course Thor, who am I to not hold up my end of the bargin. Wanda!" She yelled, the large doors reopened and Wanda pushed Loki through the doors. "See safe and sound." 

"Safe? Romanov, you have a sick idea of what's safe." Loki hissed. "You're lucky I don't skin you alive right here," 

"Lay a hand on her, and you'll lose it," Steve threatened. While they all knew Loki wasn't stupid enough to lay a finger on any of them, Steve wanted to make sure that this wedding happens. He couldn't risk his rivals taking any bit of control. 

"Prossesive already Cap?" Tony asked. 

"Fuck off Stark." Steve glared. "Can we go now? We have a lot of planning to do." 

"Why of course," She began to walk with Steve before stopping and turning around. "Stark, please tell your protjee that if he takes any longer I will personally cut off that girls fingers and send them to him one at a time." 

"You have no level of decency woman." Tony said. "He's just a kid." 

"If he was just a kid you shouldn't have brought him here Stark." She moved her hand to Steve's chin. "If she isn't here, we don't get married. Are we at a understanding?" Steve glared at Natasha, she was starting to get under his skin. 

"Stark, get to it." 

"Yeah yeah yeah." He sighed. "Come on Bruce, let's go," 

"Why are you dragging me into this?" Bruce muttered at they walked away. Natasha linked her arm with Steve's and smirked as they walked away. Everything is gonna work out, just the way she had hoped. 

| 1 Year Later | 

Natasha and Steve have been married and causing havoc around the world for nearly a year. Steve got the power her wanted, but he made the mistake of getting comfortable, and forgetting he married the most dangerous woman in the world. 

Natasha was in her office, playing with her pen as she watched Clint drag out the body that left an unfortunate blood stain on her rug, what a shame, she liked that rug. She turned her chair to look out the window taking in her scenory. 

"Talia," a young russian voice sang as they made their way into her office. Natasha didn't bother turning as her sister came toward her. "Having fun?" 

"Just about," she answered silently. "Aren't you supposed to be in Russia. Setting up." 

"Oh yes, we are all set up, thought I'd come over and personally excort you myself." Yelena smiled. 

"Lena," She warned knowing the look on her face. "What have you done." 

"Barnes is dead." She put it simply. "He kept putting his nose where it shouldn't be." Natasha held up her hand to stop her little speech. She knew better than to speak up about their plans anywhere remotely possible of someone listening in. 

"It's fine." She stood up, smoothing out the wrinkles on her suit. "I need to meet my husband. Begin the flight," Their code word. Yelena nodded and walked out of her sisters office. Natasha waited till she left and took the hidden exit, sneaking away from any prying eyes. 

Steve was spending the day alone, he liked to call them personal days. Time on the lake where he was raised. Not even Sam or Bucky where allowed to visit him there. Everyeone knew he went there but everyone knew better than to go there. Everyone except Natasha of course. 

Sitting by the lake was her husband, in shorts and a t-shirt rather than his tailored suit he was usually dressed in. He knew she was there, he could feel her eyes on him. He was naivee, and he didn't realize how naivee until she turned up at the lake. 

"Was your plan the entire time to kill me?" He asked. 

"You were a good husband while it lasted." She said instead of answering his question. "Don't take it personally darling. It's just business." Steve turned around to look at the little red head. He frowned. 

"This year had not meant a thing to you had it?" Steve questioned. "I should have known better to believe that the Black Widow has feelings." He almost laughed. "I mean you claimed to love the cop, yet you killed her in cold blood. In fact. Today is the anniversary of that isn't it?" 

"If I hadn't had plans to already kill you, well than you'd be dead by now." Natasha said, annoyed that he brought up Maria. 

"What do you have now that you didn't have before? What did being married to me get you that you were willing to go through a year of me?" He questioned. Natasha came up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck like she's done time and time before. 

"I guess you should know," She said licking her lips. "You finally held up your end of the bargin." 

"Your pregnant." Steve concluded nodding his head. 

"Yes I am." She said. "I have to say Steve, I did originally plan on letting you witness the birth, but I can't risk it." She knew Steve didn't want to be a father, it took hours to convince him a year ago to give her this one. Steve had an uncontrollable anger, and she didn't want anything happening to her baby. 

"You realize everyone will know you killed me?" Steve said, he knew he would not walk out of here alive, so why fight it? He was good but not Natasha level good. 

"If you think I do not have a plan, you truly do not know me at all." She gave him a sad smile. "For what it's worth you were a wonderful husband while it lasted." 

"You are psychotic." Steve said. "Something is seriously wrong with you. You will fail this baby because you can't control the thoughts in your own brain." 

"bitterness doesn't look good on you." She said, with that she plunged the knive right in the same place she did to Maria, Steve's breath was caught. She repeated the same ritual she did with Maria. She placed her hands on his face and brought him in for a last kiss goodbye. "For what it's worth I did love you. " She let go of him, as he slowly fell backwards into the lake behind him. "But love is but a game." 

|~| 

Natasha played the role of mourning wife, the Avengers who remained placed a hand on her shoulder as she stared emptily at the empty coffin. It's a shame his body was never recovered. He was buried next to his best friend, who got a bit too close to Rumlow's gang it seemed after an investigation. There was a man hunt among the Avengers crew for the "man" responsible for their leader's murder. 

Natasha couldn't believe the naitity of these men, but are they really to believe that the mother to be killed her husband? No. Of course not. If they were smarter maybe. Wanda and Yelena sat beside her, playing the part of comforting sisters. 

As the ceremony ended Natasha made her way to the coffin for a final 'goodbye' to her dear late husband as the room cleared. "It's a shame you'll never get to meet our boy love." She smiled rubbing her stomach. "You would have loved baby James. I figured that was what you would have called him." 

Everything she's ever wanted was finally here. She was happy. She held all the cards now. New York City was just a pawn in her hand now. Who needs love when power is a much more beautiful thing? 

 ~Do not read if you don't want to be left on a clift hanger. Idk if I will continue this oneshot but this will set it up if I ever choose to. But if I don't you can stop reading up there!~ 

Although that happiness was short lived when her phone buzzed. Natasha looked at her phone, sudden anger rising within her. This could not be happening. She nearly crushed her phone to bits. Blood rushed through her body as she read over the message. 

' You never were great at making sure they were actually dead. See you around love." 

Love was but a game, but she seemed to have lost the upper hand.