"Even when I'm dead I'll swin through the earth like a mermaid in the soil, just to be next to your bones,"

It's funny, life that is, sometimes there are answers right in front of you, other times the answers come in the form of a riddle. You never know which option you are gonna get. But it's how you deal with these answers that truly shows you just how much strength is within a person.

Natasha, for example, had to come to see herself as knowledgable person, anything that has come to here, she has handled with poise, just like she will do with Maria. The brunette was still asleep when Natasha was able to transport her to the storage unit. If she was gonna keep adding visitors to her space then she was gonna have to get a bigger unit.

"I wasn't aware I would be getting a roommate," Gail said watching as Natasha carefully placed Maria on the ground with ease and poise.

"You're not." Natasha said. "Your stay here won't be much longer anyways."

"What do you mean? Are you letting me go?" Natasha had to admit, she laughed at that.

"No." She shook her head. "But you won't be here any longer. I have no more use for you, you have given me everything I need to know."

"I really don't think that you do, I can give you more information. You still think that Steve is perfect, I know things-"

"Steve is perfect," a soft smile laced Natasha's face, but it was gone gone as quickly as it appeared. "I have, however, come to the conclusion that you are my issue, you are the reason that I can not understand Steve. You are toxic, to him and everyone around you. You are a liar and you have wasted my time long enough,"

Reaching down, Natasha made sure that Maria was properly tied down, made sure that she couldn't get out before reaching in her pocket. She pulled out a gun and managed to startle Gail into silence.

"Get up," Gail followed instructions without a word, worry flooding throughout her body. She was scared, that much was obvious. Natasha ended up instructing her into a bin, whereshe could properly lead her out without any suscioun.

The drive was long, secluded, and very peaceful. Natasha hadn't felt that mich peace in a very long time, like a piece of her finally felt at home. She drove along this road for a little over an hour before pulling into a hiking path way. This would be perfect.

|~|

Finally coming to, Maria felt cold, as if someone or something was watching her as the air crept all around her. She could practically hear the banging in her head every time she moved slightly. Memories of what had happened came flooding back like a venomous bite, confusion washing over her, how had Natasha managed to do that to her? Why was the woman tied up? Too many thoughts for someone who could barely open her eyes.

"I'd relax if I were you," Natasha's voice suddenly filled her ears. "I wouldn't want you hurting yourself that is." Finally, she was able to open her eyes slightly. Natasha was across from her, kneeling down on the ground staring her.

"I think you are doing that just fine on your own."

"I haven't hurt you, Maria." Natasha said softly.

"Mmhm," Maria mumbled, her strength was beginning to come back to her, she felt like everything was slowly coming back to her in that moment. She was able to pull herself up, only to be tugged down by something, a rope. "Is this necessary?"

"Maria, I have known you for years." Natasha smiled. "You and I both know it's very necessary."

"Why? Why are you doing this Natasha?" Maria asked, her eyes narrowing. "When did you sink so low?"

"Low?" Natasha laughed. "Maria trust me when I say this, but I have never felt so high. I am at the top of the world. I weight lifted from the shoulders of the man I love."

"I wasn't aware you were seeing someone,"

"I'm not. Well not yet. He has recently become... available." Maria's eyes narrowed at the thought. "So who knows at this rate."

"What happened, to the woman in I saw in the video, where is she," Natasha slowly stood up, her eyes never leaving the brunette's face. Natasha was studying her very closely, looking for any indication that she knew anything less then what she was putting off.

"You don't have to worry about her." Natasha admitted. "I have to go, my prince will be getting some very bad news soon and I'd like to be there for him. There is food," She nodded to the small table beside her. "And water. I will be back as soon as Steve is okay."

"All of this for that artist?" Maria said. "You're willing to throw everything away for him?"

"He's my prince, if he says the word, i'd give up everything." Natasha began to walk away. "Oh and don't even think about screaming, this room, has kept more than you hidden."

|~|

Understanding Steve's emotions over the entire ordeal was something natasha could say she had pretty much come to understand. This, however, was much more than Natasha had expected.

She did not expect for Steve to come barging into her book store, anger running throughout his body. He practically slammed her door shut, stomping over to her. Natasha was actually very intrigued by this other side of him. It was new, it was different. Prephaps her prince had a little more beast within him.

"She's dead." He said. Natasha quickly foreigned shock.

"Who's dead?"

"Gail. She's dead, gone." His breathing was rapid. Natasha quickly made her way around the desk and put her hands on his face.

"Breathe Steve, deep breath. Come on now, take a deep breath okay?" Steve nodded as he attempted to follow her instructions. They stayed like that for a few moments as he came to calm down. Steve's forehead was slowly falling onto Natasha's as he regained his focus. "Do you want to tell me what is going on?"

"They found her Nat," His said sniffling. "A hiker found her hanging from a tree. They said it was suicide,"

"Oh Steve!" She said wrapping her arms around his neck and foreigning conform for him. He cried into her shoulder as she took in his scent. Everything about this moment felt so right, it felt so perfect. This was how things were meant to be, she was so close to finally having it all to herself. This is what she worked so hard for. "Are you going to be okay?" Natasha asked him softly as her hands rubbed his back in a soothing, loving way.

"I feel like the more I try, to be happy," He explained. "The less I succeed. Hell I didn't even know that she was sucidial! What kind of boyfriend does that make me?"

"You choose to see her happiness Steve, there is nothing wrong with that" He informed her softly. "I can't seem to see a world where you had done anything wrong"

"You seem to have way too much faith in me Nat"

"I have faith in people I trust." She smiled. "Which means I have faith in you. I know you Steve, I know you and I trust you. I hope that means just as much to you as it does to me."

"I can guarantee that it does." He nodded. "Do you- or can you hang out? I just... I really don't want to be alone right now."

"I will always be here for you," She smiled at him, "Let me just lock up." Smiling to herself, she removed her arms around Steve with a smile. She had everything that she wanted in the palm of her hand, Steve was going to be her. This was going to be a good year!

What Natasha had failed to notice was she wasn't the only one day dreaming, Steve was watching her carefully, a smirk lacing her chiseled face as he watched her lock the doors to her shop. "Finally," He whispered to himself. "you finally did it,"

Maybe Natasha wasn't the only one with a little obsession.