I danced around my apartment cleaning the kitchen to Twist and Shout by the Beatles, life had actually been going pretty well. The fight in New York had been about 6 months ago, New York had been cleaned up. I had given Steve my number a while back to send me a message when he wanted to go sight seeing but he never got back to me. Oh well. I was enjoying my new life. I was no longer working as an assassin, I wasn't hurting people anymore, I was saving them (well except for the bad guys). I had gone on a few lone missions for S.H.I.E.L.D to help them out but still insisted I was not an agent. I was a part of the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D were just hiring me. Whilst we're on the topic of the Avengers I even had my own name! Elementor, Tony came up with it, was supposed to be a play with my name and 'Element'. A few of those S.H.I.E.L.D missions were with the S.T.R.I.K.E team, some with Steve, some with Nat. Speaking of Nat our friendship had only blossomed, we'd become almost inseparable and had actually spoke about finding a place and moving in together.

Soon enough the kitchen was clean and I moved onto the living room, picking up any clothes I'd left laying around and putting them in the wash, I wasn't expecting anyone around. I just figured it was time to get some cleaning done! Just as I pulled out the hoover Queen began playing and yes you guessed it 'I want to break free' well it is law that if you happen to be hoovering and this song comes on you have to dance to it. So I guess that's where I am at the moment. Happy, with a new job, friends whom care about me and I them. Everything has been going really well. I heard a quick bleep on my phone and picked it up

Coffee and a chat later? Usual place around 2 o'clock sound good? - Nat xx

I smiled at the text before returning one back confirming the meeting, it was around 1 already so I decided to get dressed, once I was dressed and my hair had been thrown up so it wasn't in the way I decided to go out onto the streets of New York, take the long way round to the coffee shop. It was a nice day so why not?

"Good Afternoon Mrs Norton" I smiled as I exited my apartment and began locking up "How're you today? Mrs Norton was my neighbour, she was an elderly woman and welcomed me to the building with a roast chicken dinner when I first moved in

"Ellie is that you? I feel like i haven't seen you in ages dear!" she exclaimed as she unlocked her door, there's only a few people in this world who I tolerated calling me Ellie, that was my Dad, my Uncle Phil and Mrs Norton "I'm good, how're you?"

"Never been better! Just been really busy getting out and about! I'm actually heading out for some coffee with a friend today, would you like me to pick you anything up?"

"If you could pick me and Arthur some painkillers up that would be most wonderful" she smiled at me, Arthur was her husband I'd met him a handful of times and he was just as lovely as Mrs Norton "And some milk too if you don't mind! We keep running out here"

"Of course Mrs Norton. I'll give you a knock when I'm back. It may not be until later if that's OK?" she gave me a quick nod before going into her own apartment and I set off walking to the coffee shop, ensuring to go the Hyde Park way to kill some time. I did love New York. It was a beautiful city and I'd lived here my entire life, the sun was gleaming and the birds were chirping away, nothing could go wron- Spoke too soon. 

A pram wheeled itself into the road in front of an oncoming car and I quickly threw my arm up allowing a breeze push it to the pavement on the other side of the road. A woman soon ran after the pram and reached and and took a small child out, practically crying that her baby was safe. A small smile fell on my lips and I looked around to ensure no one saw me do that. Considering no one was staring at me, I shrugged it off and continued walking. As much as I liked this new good person gig I prefer to keep it on the down-low. Almost everyone wants a piece of the Avengers and it was only a couple of weeks ago I saw on the news that Clint had been swarmed by a group of fans. shortly after the walk I arrived at the coffee shop and saw my favourite red head sat at a table already, I sent her a wave and pulled her into my arms before releasing her and sitting down across from her

"Good Afternoon! You seem in a good mood" she smiled at me as I shrugged my shoulders 

"Everything's just going good at the moment! I don't have anything to complain about" I smiled as a waitress came over for our order "Can I just get a latte please?" I asked as Nat placed her order, the waitress walked away and Nat gave me a weird stare

"So this good mood. Is it because Steve has text you?" she asked as I shook my head

"No, he's not actually been in contact with me. I gave him my number on the last mission around 2 months ago because he seemed keen to go sight seeing but he's not been in contact with me" I shrugged my shoulders

"That's so weird. At the start of us all meeting I would've sworn you guys were going to hit it off" she laughed as again I shook my head "Oh don't even start with the 'I don't do romance' bullshit" she exclaimed

"I don't have time for it! Not in the line of work we're in!" I laughed

"But think about it! You and Steve are in the same line of work! It'd be so easy" she was trying her best to convince me as I raised an eyebrow

"You mean like you and Bruce?" I smirked as she blushed "I knew it! I knew there was something going on!" I shouted as she looked around and signalled for me to keep my voice low "Tell me everything Romanoff"

"OK, well it's nothing really. We've just been hanging around each other a little more. We're both relaxed around each other an-" she stopped before she said any more

"And what? There's more to the story!" I pushed

"And we've been working on a way to get him to change back from the Hulk to Bruce again. It seems to be working" she smiled just thinking about it

"You're in love" I said "You've managed to get the knack of turning a big, green, angry Hulk to Banner. Banner controls the Hulk because of you!" I exclaimed as the waitress came back over and placed our drinks down "Thank you" I smiled at her as she walked back off

"How in the world did this conversation change from you and Steve to Bruce and I?" she questioned as i shrugged my shoulders

"Maybe because there's nothing between us but lots between you two" I smirked as I took a sip of my drink "Or... It could be that there is a lot between Steve and I and absolutely nothing between you and Bruce... Including clothing" I smirked as I sent her a wink, she gave me a light tap on the arm and I chuckled "OR... It could be that I'm the better spy and just have conversations go wherever I want them too" I joked as she pulled a face at me "OK- yeah, it's definitely not that one" we both erupted in laughter

"Anyway. if you're not going to make a move on Captain Rogers then I'm going to take you out so you can make a move on some. Girl you need to find you a man!" she says as she takes a sip of whatever she's ordered this time, each time we come to this coffee shop Nat will order a new drink, she's adamant she tries the whole menu

"I'm up for going out tonight, I am not up for you throwing me and random men" I laughed

"Well I could invite Steve and then it wouldn't be a random man I throw you at!"

"Natasha Romanoff! No! We will have a lovely girls night, drink a little and dance until we pass out!" I exclaimed as she groaned

"Fine! You still got some of my stuff at yours?" she asked as I nodded my head "Great I'll just come home with you, get ready and the stay the night... Unless you bring a man home" she smirked as she winked at me, I rolled my eyes and sighed

"You are more than welcome to come home and get ready at mine, I do need to pop to the shops for Mrs Norton though and you can stay as I shall not be bringing home a man tonight!"

"Oh so you'll end up going back to his? Cool, means that I can have your bed to myself!" she jumped with joy as I continued sipping my latte. A few coffee's later and a lovely chat among friends we began heading back before nipping into the shop for Mrs Norton

"Good Evening Mr Poa!" I said as I entered the shop with Nat

"Ahhh Miss Rice! Miss Romanoff! My two favourite ladies" he exclaimed "Minus the wife of course" he whispered as we both chuckled, Natasha had come into this shop with me so many times he'd become familiar with her also, she stood by the cashier chatting to him as I made my way down the isle looking for some milk. Eventually finding the blue top milk that Mrs norton insists on having I made my way back to the cashier "Just need some paracetamol as well please Mr Poa" I asked as he reached behind the counter to grab some

"Oh and we'll take a bottle of tequila!" Nat added on as I gave her a side eye "What? We need to get drunk before we go out otherwise no one will be tolerable" she said as I raised my eyebrows at her "Except you of course" she chuckled, Mr Poa grabbed the bottle of Tequila and placed in on the counter, I grabbed my purse and gave him 20 bucks before accepting the change

"Big night out tonight ladies?" he asked as we both nodded "Well be safe! You don't know what kind of people are around in those clubs" he warned as we took our things, thanked him and left. It wasn't long before we were outside Mrs Nortons apartment and I quickly knocked before the door flew open

"Ellie! You're a life saver!" she exclaimed as I handed her the milk and pain killers, she saw the bottle of tequila in my other hand and smiled at me "Girls night out?" she asked as I nodded "If I were 40 years younger I'd have joined you girls" she joked as we giggled "You planning on meeting any gentlemen tonight?" she asked as she wiggled her eyebrows at me

"No Mrs Norton I do not, I don't need a man!" I exclaimed

"No woman 'needs' a man... They're just fun to have around" she chuckled as she winked at me "Anyway, you girls have a fun night! be safe and not too noisy" The door closed and Natasha looked at me as she folded her arms

"Even your neighbour wants you to get laid" she gushed as I rolled my eyes and unlocked my door "Oooh look you even cleaned up! This is the perfect opportunity to bring a m-"

"Natasha! I am not bringing someone home!" I laughed as she looked towards the kitchen sheepishly "What?" I asked as she kept looking

"Are there any of those muffins I like in the cupboard?" I laughed and motioned for her to go to the kitchen as I locked the door behind us

"Freshly baked just for you" I chuckled as she opened he container and brought it to her face

"You know. I think I may just marry you if you want to continue cooking muffins for me"

"I'd love that but I could never do that to poor Bruce" I winked as she threw me a glare "Anyway, it's only 6 now so lets stick on a film and then you can work your magic on my face" I laughed as I looked through my DVDs "any idea what you want to watch?" I asked as she was eyeing up the DVDs also 

"Bridesmaids" 

***

"Just hurry up and come out of the bathroom!" I heard from behind the door, I gave myself one last look in the mirror. Nat truly did work wonders with makeup, maybe its because she used to go undercover so much but she was amazing at doing makeup, not something I would've thought was her expertise when I first met her "ELEANOR MARY RICE" she shouted

"OK, you read my drivers licence once! There's no need to use my middle name!" I exclaimed as I opened the door to reveal myself. Her jaw practically dropped to the floor "I know I made a joke about marrying you earlier but when you look like that I question whether it's a joke or not" she gasped "I knew that was the dress for you!" I had to admit, I did feel absolutely stunning whenever she picked something out for me. The dress was a skin tight black dress, held up with thin straps on my shoulders and it stopped mid thigh which she paired with some black heels. "I'm also glad we went with a black smokey eye. Your green eyes radiate with it!" she smiled as she handed me another shot of Tequila, I gladly excepted it and threw it down my throat 

"So are we going with the best friends act tonight or are we sisters again?" I asked as she smiled, whenever Natasha and I are approached by a few guys she'll either tell them we're best friends or sisters, with us both being red-heads they never question that we don't actually look alike 

"Best friends tonight" she smiled as she adjusted her dress, Natasha had opted for a navy blue strapless dress with a pair of black heels also, her short hair fell just below her shoulders and her makeup minimal "Now what are we going to do if someone tries to roofie our drinks?"

"Drown them with the water in their own body" I said blandly

"No! We're going to tell the bouncer! You're lucky we didn't get kicked out of the last club we were in! The guy was put in hospital!" she exclaimed

"But he won't do that to another woman will he?" I asked as she sighed, I know I said I was a good person now but realistically I can't be that bad for beating up a guy who wanted to date-rape me. If anything I did the world a favour...

"El!" Nat shouted as I snapped out my trance "I know what he did was wrong but next time let's let the bouncers handle it OK?" she asked as I rolled my eyes at her and nodded "Pinky promise!" she asked as she held her pinky out to me, I hesitantly accepted it and sealed my fate. I shall not be beating anyones arse if they try to drug me tonight... "And will we be shunning away every man that approaches you?" she asked me as I chuckled

"I just have a type! And with my type, you don't find them in nightclubs!" I exclaimed as she sat on the sofa pouring us both another shot

"And what is your type Miss Rice?" she asked as she handed me the shot glass. I sat down and poured the liquid down my throat before looking at her

"I want a gentleman. Someone who will buy me flowers, knock on my door to get me instead of texting to say he's outside, someone who will open doors for me, who isn't afraid to show me off. Someone who will dance with me and laugh with me until our tummies hurt" I said as she smiled at me "Someone who won't judge me for my horrible past or ditch me for 'the boys', I want a man who will come around and resolve an argument with me rather than let us both go to sleep on bad terms, someone who makes me smile each and everyday" I added as she raised her eyebrows at me and I chuckled "What?"

"First of all, you are a hopeless romantic! Secondly, you just described Steve!"

"First of all, being a hopeless romantic isn't a bad thing. Second of all, Steve has made is quite clear he isn't interested" I laughed as her ears perked up

"So if he was, you wouldn't be turning him down?" she pushed, oh shit. "Because you said nothing about not liking Steve there!"

"Because I don't know if Steve is like that! You know, he's not not good looking. In fact he's actually kind of- NO! You're doing it again! Your little spy, brainwash-y thing! Steve Rogers is not interested in me and even if he was I do not like him like that! It's purely a professional relationship" I told her as she poured another shot

"Sure if a professional relationship is one where you want to bed each other" she said before taking her shot, I slapped her arm as she chuckled "Look I just want you to be happy. I know you say you are but I want little nieces or nephews"

"Oh so this isn't for me, it's for you" I laughed as she shrugged her shoulders

"It's for the both of us. Just promise me you won't shoo every guy that comes near us tonight?" she asked as I sighed "You promised your Uncle you wouldn't run if love came knocking" she sniggered as I shook my head

"I regret telling you that Natasha Romanoff"

"I don't regret using it against you. Now let's take another shot and order a taxi" she smirked "I also need to text the guys and see if they're coming" When I say my head shot round to her faster than the speed of light I really mean in "Relax! I'm joking!" she chuckled "Or am I?"

"Nat, have you actually invited anyone else?" I asked as she opened her phone

"No I haven't, I pinky promise" she said as she held out her pinky. I quickly hooked my pinky around hers and poured us another shot as she phoned the Taxi. Maybe you should let loose and try find a man? Mum shush, now is not the time for me to think about getting a man! I'm 23 for goodness sakes! you didn't have me until you were 5000. Nat came back and smiled at me as I handed her the shot glass, we hooked arms and downed the shot. That was now just one of our traditional ways of taking our last (at home) shot. "Taxi should be here in around 5" she smiled as I grabbed my clutch bag "Here, put this on before we go out" she said as she handed me a lipstick. I happily took and and went to the bathroom to put it on. As I was putting it on my phone buzzed

Hi. It's Steve. So I probably owe you an explanation for making you wait for so long for a text. You can't laugh, but I may have thought the phone was broken because it wouldn't turn on. It's only now that I'm with the guys I've been told you have to charge it? I don't understand why they can't make one that just doesn't need charging. I would've written to you but I didn't have your address. Sorry.

I chuckled slightly as I read it and continued to apply my makeup. I'll reply to that tomorrow, the last thing I need is to be texting him and for Nat to get ideas

"Come on, Taxi is here!" Nat shouted from the other room, I threw a bobble, the lipstick and my phone in my clutch bag as I walked into my living room to see Nat had already opened my front door and was waiting. I ensured to lock it as we left and placed the keys in my bag "Everything OK?" she asked as I nodded

"Yeah I'm just ready for a dance"