Set where Steve begins to fall in love with Natasha. Peggy is still alive, so during his visits to her, she gives him advice. This takes place after the Winter Soldier but Natasha and Steve never went on their own separate missions or whatever. We're just going to pretend the timeline works because I say it does.

Steve hadn't known how to felt the first time he found out that Peggy was still alive...he was thrilled but also devastated because she had lived her own life while he had been stuck inside a block of ice. 

He knew he should go visit her but he couldn't work up the courage to do it. 

From what he had heard Peggy had been suffering from dementia. She was fine one minute and the next she would hardly remember where she was. 

One one morning he had gone as far as to get dressed and prepare himself to meet her...but now he was sitting at the breakfast bar with an empty cup of coffee. 

"Morning Rogers," Natasha said, entering the room with a small smirk and starting to make herself coffee and breakfast, "What are you doing all dressed up?" 

Steve sighed, "I was supposed to go visit someone." 

"Supposed to?" Natasha asked, leaning across the counter as she took a sip from her mug.

Steve nodded, "I may wait a few days." 

Natasha frowned, "If you don't mind me asking...who were you going to visit?" 

"Peggy." 

Natasha raised her eyebrows, "I would've thought you'd be excited to see her." 

Steve looked down at the bottom of his mug, "Yeah me too." 

Natasha hoisted herself up on the counter and looked down at Steve, "Why aren't you?" 

"I don't know Nat...She's lived her life. She got married, had a family. I was stuck in a block of ice for 70 years." 

Natasha's eyes narrowed slightly, she knew Steve well enough to know that wasn't all, "You and I both know that isn't it. What's this really about?"

Steve frowned and waited a moment before sighing, "I was devastated when I found out that I missed my chance with Peggy. I couldn't stop wondering what could have happened if things were different. I had so much regret Natasha. I don't....I can't put that regret in her mind too. If she lived a happy life and moved on, part of me thinks I should just let her think I died 70 years ago."

Natasha frowned, she'd never admit it out loud but Steve had become someone that she not only trusted but also cared deeply for. Hearing him suffer hurt her in more ways then she would have expected. 

"I think you should go see her Steve. I hate to tell you this but don't you think she's already got regret? Maybe not the same as what you feel but I'm sure she regrets missing out on what you two had. If it were you in her place, wouldn't you want to know? If for nothing else then to get the chance to know that you'll both get closure?" Natasha offered, offering Steve a small smile. 

Steve nodded, "I hate that you're always right." 

Natasha smirked, "No you don't. Someone's gotta knock some sense into you when you're being a dumbass." 

Steve laughed, "So me not going would make me a dumbass?" 

Natasha shrugged, "Not this time. This time is the exception." 

Steve paused with a small sigh, "You really think I should go?" 

Natasha nodded, "Yeah I do. If you want, I can come. I won't go inside with you but I can wait outside...you know, for moral support." 

"You sure you don't have anything better to do? I don't want to take you away from any plans you had." Steve said, wanting to take her up on the offer but not wanting her to do it out of pity. 

Hopping off the counter, Natasha smiled and held her hand out to Steve, "I don't have any plans. So stop putting it off and come on." 

Steve laughed and took her hand, following her as she led them to her Corvette. 

Steve was growing more nervous as they got closer. 

Natasha noticed and reached out to grab his hand, which was resting on the consul between them.

"Hey," She said quietly, causing him to look up at her, "It's going to be fine okay? Peggy's gonna be thrilled to see you." 

Steve nodded, "I hope you're right." 

Natasha smiled, "I thought we established that I'm always right?" 

Steve shook his head with a small laugh, "Right. Sorry." 

They pulled into the facility and Steve couldn't help but pause before he got out.

"It'll be fine Steve, go on." 

Steve nodded, "Thank you." 

Natasha just nodded and gently pushed his shoulder so he would get out of the car, "Go." 

Steve did as she said and Natasha watched with a small smile as Steve walked away. 

--------------------------------------------------

Steve's visit with Peggy went better then he expected. Peggy had been, like Natasha said, thrilled to see him and she had rambled on for almost an hour about her life after Steve died and then proceed to ask how he was. 

Steve had been honest about how it had been hard to adjust. 

"My partner...she's helped a lot. She's been a good friend," Steve said honestly, thinking about how Natasha had been there for him since he came out of the ice...even more so now that they were partners. 

Peggy smiled, "Just a friend huh?" 

Steve looked down with a small blush, "Just friends." 

"But you want to be more right? When you talk about her, you look happier then I've ever seen you," Peggy said with a smile. 

Steve sighed, "If I'm being honest then yeah, I'm completely in love with her Peg. She's incredible...she's a lot like you in some ways. Strong, stubborn, witty. She doesn't take shit from anyone and without her I don't know if I'd have built up the courage to come see you today." 

Peggy smiled, "What's her name?" 

"Natasha. Natasha Romanoff. I think you'd really like her Peggy," Steve said with a grin. 

Peggy nodded, "I'm sure I would. Maybe next time you visit you can bring her." 

Steve nodded, "Maybe." 

They talked for a little longer before the nurse said that visiting hours were over. Steve promised he would visit again soon before walking back down to Natasha's car. 

"How'd it go?" She asked when he got into the car. 

Steve smiled, "You were right. It was great. I think we both got some much needed closure." 

Natasha pulled out of the parking lot quickly, "Told you so." 

Steve laughed and shook his head, just hoping she didn't ask what they talked about, because truthfully most of the conversation had been Peggy asking about Natasha.

Thankfully, she didn't ask anymore questions about the visit. 

"You know, you should come meet her next time I visit," Steve suggested. 

Natasha smiled, "Maybe I will." 

---------------------------------------

The next time Steve went to visit Peggy, Natasha agreed to go and meet her. 

She was reluctant at first, not wanting to intrude, but with a little bit of pleading on Steve's part she finally agreed to come. 

"Are you still sure that you want me to come?" Natasha asked, getting out of the car with slight hesitation. 

Steve nodded, "Peggy asked to meet you." 

Natasha raised an eyebrow, "How does she know who I am?" 

Steve blushed slightly but tried to hide it, "I told her about you." 

Natasha couldn't help but smile slightly, "All good things I hope?" 

Steve laughed slightly as he held the door open for Natasha, "I don't have anything bad to say about you Nat." 

"Yeah right," Natasha said with a sarcastic laugh.

Steve frowned slightly, "I'm serious Natasha."

Natasha smiled softly, looking down at the ground as she walked up the steps. Only Steve would have nothing bad to say about her. 

When they finally got up to Peggy's room Natasha stopped outside the door, "I'll give you guys a minute alone. I'm going to go get a coffee first. You want anything?" 

Steve shook his head, "I'm okay." 

Natasha nodded and walked off to the small cafe Peggy's nursing home had.

Steve knocked on the door and walked in with a small smile. 

"Hey Peg." 

Peggy smiled, "Steve, it's good to see you. Did you bring Natasha?" 

Steve laughed slightly, "Yeah, I did. She went to get a coffee but she'll be back soon."

"I'm excited to meet her."

Steve nodded, "Yeah me too."

"Have you asked her out yet?" Peggy asked.

Steve shook his head, "No, no. I don't think she even knows how I feel. If she does it's only because I'm a terrible liar. She tried to set me up all the time and I think my reluctance to go on any dates is starting to give me away."

Peggy sighed slightly, "You've always been terrible with women Steve."

Steve started to object but before he could there was a knock on the door. 

Steve got up to let Natasha in and gave Peggy a desperate look that was his way of begging her not to tell Natasha anything. Peggy simply rolled her eyes. 

"Hey," Natasha said softly, entering the room. 

Steve smiled and looked back to Peggy, "Peggy this is Natasha, my partner. Nat this is Peggy." 

Natasha smiled and offered Peggy her hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you Agent Carter. I've heard a lot about you through both Shield and Steve."

Peggy took Natasha's hand and smiled, "Please call me Peggy. Agent Carter is my niece." 

Natasha nodded and took a seat besides Steve.

"So Natasha, is Steve as reckless in the field as he used to be?" Peggy asked, grinning as Steve blushed slightly. 

Natasha laughed slightly, "Yeah. He is. Never once hesitates to jump in front of a bullet." 

Peggy laughed, "Well then that hasn't changed a bit." 

Steve huffed out a small laugh, "I don't throw myself in front of bullets. I just protect people." 

Natasha and Peggy both rolled their eyes. 

"By throwing yourself in front of bullets," Natasha concluded. 

Steve sighed, "Only sometimes." 

Peggy laughed quietly, "The other times its grenades and bombs." 

Natasha grinned and looked up at Steve, who couldn't help but smile at the way the two people that meant the most to him interacted. 

"Steve, do you mind getting me some water? I'd like to talk to Natasha alone for a minute." 

Steve nodded and left the room. 

Peggy gave Natasha a small smile, "You're in love with him aren't you?" 

Natasha's eyes widened, "What?" 

"Steve. I can see the way you look at him...is it love?" 

Natasha sighed, there was really no use in lying to her, "I think so. I'm not very good at love though so I'm not even sure." 

Peggy smiled softly, "If I can tell you anything it's that you do love him Natasha. Once you admit that to yourself you'll know it's true." 

Natasha looked down with a sad smile, "It doesn't matter how I feel. I think he's still in love with you."

Peggy shook her head with a small laugh. It wasn't her place to tell Natasha what Steve had said to her, but she could certainly try and help, "I wouldn't count on that." 

Natasha's eyebrows furrowed, she was tempted to ask what Peggy meant but before she could Peggy spoke again. 

"Take my advice Natasha...don't wait to talk to him about how you feel. You're agents. Time isn't always on our side...especially when you're dealing with someone as reckless as Steve."

Natasha nodded slightly, "I'll think about it."

Peggy started coughing and Natasha quickly stood up to get her a glass of water, "I'll get Steve." 

Natasha opened the door and motioned for Steve to come back in.

Steve knelt down by Peggy and frowned as she continued to cough.

When she finally stopped Natasha frowned at the way her eyes glossed over as she looked at Steve, "Steve? You're...You're alive?"

Steve's face fell and he nodded with a small smile, "Yeah. I am." 

"It's been so long Steve. So long.." She whispered, tears filling her eyes. 

Natasha watched as Steve took Peggy's hand in his with a forced smile, "I know Peg. I know. But I couldn't go any longer without seeing my best girl now could I?" 

Peggy squeezed Steve's hand and laughed through her tears as Natasha slipped out of the room, not wanting to intrude on that.

Minutes later Steve came out with a frown and glassy eyes. Natasha looked up at him and frowned, "You alright?" 

Steve shook his head, "She went back to sleep. I knew this was happening Nat, but I had no idea that it was so bad." 

Natasha frowned and grabbed Steve's hand, "I'm sorry Steve." 

Steve nodded and started walking alongside Natasha towards the exit, "Thanks for coming with me Nat."

Natasha nodded, "Anytime."

They got back into the car and Natasha drove away quietly. 

"You know, I think Peggy really liked you," Steve said softly, glancing out the window quietly. 

Natasha couldn't help but smile, "I hope so. She's a great woman."

Steve nodded, "Yeah. She is."

Natasha looked over at Steve and for a moment, she considered doing exactly what Peggy had suggested. It would've have been easy to confess her love for him when he was looking at her like that...like she was the only woman in the world. 

The only thing stopping her was the knowledge that deep down, he'd never get over Peggy...and she couldn't be rejected by the only person she had ever loved. 

So instead, she looked back at the road, trying to maintain a forced smile in lieu of her aching heart. 

------------------------------------

Natasha was on a mission the next time Steve went to visit Peggy. 

He was nervous going without her. Natasha was his rock. If Peggy had another memory issue, he would have a much harder time without Natasha keeping him grounded. 

When he got to Peggy's room, he wondered if he should just wait a week to see her. Natasha would be back by then. 

But before he could convince himself to leave, a nurse came out of the room and Peggy saw him. 

"Steve, you're back," She said with a small smile.

Steve walked inside, glad that she at least remembered him from the last visit. 

"Did you bring Natasha?" She asked. 

Steve shook his head, "She's on a mission." 

Peggy nodded, "I'm guessing you still haven't asked her out?" 

Steve sighed, "No. I want to Peg but if she rejects me I won't know what to do. Nat...she doesn't trust easy. She's been betrayed by people her whole life and I'm worried that by asking her out, she'll think I'm just like the other men in her life who just wanted her for her body." 

Peggy sighed, "You think too much sometimes Steve. I saw the way she looked at you Steve when you weren't watching. It's the same way you watch her when she's not looking."

Steve looked down, "What if she says no?" 

Peggy grabbed Steve's hand and offered him a small smile, "Trust me when I say she won't. I've got an eye when it comes to this kind of thing. My husband used to say I should be a matchmaker." 

Steve chuckled softly and nodded, "Okay. I'll try. But if she says no I may be spending a lot more time around here." 

Peggy laughed, "That sounds like a fair enough deal." 

They talked for a while about Peggy's children and husband and some more about Natasha before Steve left. 

When he got back, Steve was surprised to see Natasha sitting at the couch reading a case file. 

"Nat? I thought you were on a mission until later this week?" Steve asked. 

Natasha looked up and smiled, "Didn't take as long as expected. Turns out some men just don't know how to resist my charms."

Steve chuckled...he knew firsthand how easily she could seduce a man when she tried. Or sometimes even when she wasn't trying.

"Did you go visit Peggy today?" Natasha asked, moving her legs so that Steve could sit besides her. 

Steve nodded, "She was asking about you." 

Natasha couldn't help but smile, "Next time maybe I'll be able to make it." 

Steve cleared his throat, "Actually, I uh wanted to tell you something."

Natasha raised an eyebrow, "What's that?" 

Steve sighed, "I don't know how to even start Natasha." 

Natasha reached out and grabbed Steve's hand gently, "Maybe with words?" 

Steve shook his head with a small laugh, "I wish it were that easy...Nat it's just-god this is hard. I know what I need to say but I'm absolutely terrified about how you'll react." 

Natasha frowned, her head tilting ever so slightly as her thumb stroked Steve's hand gently, "Whatever it is you can tell me Steve." 

Steve's eyes drifted away from their intertwined hands and looked up at Natasha, studying her eyes as she watched him just as carefully. 

She looked almost hopeful. 

"It's just that, I think you're incredible Natasha. I think everything about you is amazing and I can't stop thinking about you. You're my rock, and my best friend, and honestly I don't know what I'd do without you because Natasha I-"

"I love you too Steve," Natasha interrupted. 

Steve paused, wondering if he was imagining things, "I didn't even get to say it."

Natasha smiled, tossing the case file onto the coffee table and moving closer to Steve, "Then go ahead. I'm not exactly a patient person though so you better cut to the chase soon Rogers." 

Steve shook his head with a relieved laugh, "I love you Nat." 

Natasha grinned, "Prove it?" 

Steve moved forward and pressed his lips against Natasha's, wondering why the hell he waited so long to listen to Peggy and mentally reminding himself to thank her the next time he visited. 

"I love you so much Steve," Natasha whispered against his lips, pulling Steve closer to her by wrapping her arms around his neck. 

Steve kissed her again and nodded, "I love you too Nat. I'll never stop loving you for as long as I live." 

Natasha smiled, "Good." 

Later that week...they both went to thank Peggy in person for giving them the push that they desperately needed. 

Hey guys. I finally got another day off lol. My next one isn't until Friday but hopefully I'll be able to update before that. I'm also definitely going to do the book of AU one-shots so now I'm trying to figure out when to write those as well.

 I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and if you did, please vote and comment! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!