Set in 2000

Natasha and Steve were best friends since middle school and lovers for two years. They were 18 now and just about to graduate high school. Natasha was a dancer perusing her life. It was her dream and she just got casted in the Swan princess.

Steve however was at home while she was in the at the gym. He was having a really hard time. He just got a letter asking him to go into the army. He has always wanted to protected his country but he never thought he would fall in love ether. He wanted to protect his country but he didn't want to leave Natasha. She was his love and didn't want to leave. but he had to. the worst part will be leaving her.

Later that day Natasha came home in a rather great mood. she wrapped her arms around Steve and Kissed his cheek.

"oh my the production is going great! The director says I have a really talent." Natasha said in excitment. She was really excited. She noticed Steve's sudden sadness. "what's wrong?" Natasha asked.

Steve looked at her with a sad look. the twinkle in his eye that lit up most of Natasha Dark and sad days, or Horrible nights that were filled with nightmares and tears was gone. Now all she saw in his eyes were the look of regret and sadness.

"I have something to tell you Natasha." he said. Natasha took his hand into hers and smiled a reassuring smile.

"Ok go a head. I am hear to listen." She said.

"god why do you have to be so supportive." he said as she smiled at him.

"what?"

"Natasha. I love you and you know that." She nodded as he continued. " but I have to leave." he said slowly.

"leave? what do you mean leave? " She said her voice immedianly started to shudder because her breaths increased. She heard the word leave and felt horrible. Everyone in her family had left her and she was forced into may abusive family, until she meant her latest home with Nick her foster family, with her sister Maria and brother Clint. but she just moved out on her own. but the word leave still made her feel pain and loneliness.

"i- I got accept into the army Natasha. I have to leave next week." He said. Natasha removed her hand from his and stood up.

"you can't leave me Steve." She said looking at him. she was trying her best to keep her tears down.

"Natasha. I don't want to leave you but this is my chance." he said. Natasha was quiet and no longer looking at him. She kept her eyes glued to the floor. She felt really selfish of him not going. She knew he wanted to do this, he would save a lot of lives. And they were fighting a war right now (pretend) but that's why she wanted him to stay. She didn't want to be at home one day and for men dressed in their suits with their hats off and looking into her eyes. Without them saying any words she would know. she would know that something happened. She would know her life would jarastically change. And once again she would be alone.

"you are being really quiet." steve said trying to reach for her hand. but Natasha flinched her hand away when he touched her ever so slightly. Steve sighed and looked at Natasha hurt face. He could tell she was holding back tears. "please talk to me. I leave in week. i want to have the most time i can with you before-"

"before what Steve? before you leave me? like everyone else in my life." she said. She knew that wasn't the case but she didn't want to see him leave on a suicide mission. She needed him.

"you know that's not what I inteneded to do natasha. I love you." Natasha shook her head. She backed away to the door. "where are you going."

"I can't do this." was all she said before leaving Steve and his broken heart.

Summer after high school, when we first met

We make-out in your Mustang to Radiohead

And on my eighteenth birthday, we got matching tattoos

Used to steal your parents liquor and climb to the roof

Talk about our future like we had a clue

Never planned that one day I'd be losing you

In another life, I would be your girl

We keep all our promises, be us against the world

In another life, I would make you stay

So I don't have to say you were the one that got away

The one that got away

I was June and you were my Johnny Cash

Never one without the other, we made a pact

Sometimes when I miss you, I put those records on, whoa

Someone said you had your tattoo removed

Saw you downtown, singing the blues

It's time to face the music, I'm no longer your muse

In another life, I would be your girl

We keep all our promises, be us against the world

In another life, I would make you stay

So I don't have to say you were the one that got away

The one that got away

The one, the one, the one

The one that got away

All this money can't buy me a time machine, no

Can't replace you with a million rings, no

I should'a told you what you meant to me, whoa

Cause now I pay the price

In another life, I would be your girl

We keep all our promises, be us against the world

In another life, I would make you stay

So I don't have to say you were the one that got away

The one that got away

The one (the one)

The one (the one)

The one (the one)

In another life, I would make you stay

So I don't have to say you were the one that got away

The one that got away

The day Steve has to leave.

Natasha was in the park watching the ducks as they crossed the river with their ducklings. She watched as one duckling was left behind. It watched helplessly as it's family swam away. it was a little smaller then the rest of the ducks and it looked a bit injured. But when it looked as if they weren't coming back the mother stopped her ducklings to make sure all her kids were there. She instantly noticed one missing and set out to find it.

Natasha was surprised. Ducks were more intelligent the people were these days. they don't leave anyone behind.

She knew Steve was leaving in a few hours, but she didn't go rush into his arms and kiss him like life defended on it. in fact she hasn't seen him since he told her he was leaving her. She was hurt. And she was just preparing for life on her own. again.

Steve however was at their apartment waiting on her. He was sadden by the fact that he hurt her. He knew what she was afraid of and of course he didn't want to leave her. He didn't want to hurt her. It pained him deeply to know he hurt her. But he had to go. He was going to protect her. her home. he had to. because if something does happen and there was even the slightest chance he could have helped he would never forgive himself.

He picked up his coat and walked across the street. To the park he always found Natasha at whenever she needed to think. He always found her there, which is one of the main reasons they moved over across the street. it was Natasha's main wish.

And there she was. Sitting in her usual spot watchin the ducks swim around the lake. The sun was hitting her in the way he loved. it made her look like a angle. She was a true wonder. and if he looses Natasha, he would see no reason in living anymore.

"Natasha ." he said. He knew he didn't frighten her because one she didn't flinch and two she never gets frightened. She didn't respond to him. "I - I am leaving today." He said trying to get any form of emotion from her. But it was to no avail. "i am not leaving until you talk to me."

great i won't talk to you then. Natasha thought to herself. "you know that i have to do this Natasha. I love you. but this is something that I have to do. I don't want to hurt you."

"you already did." she said finally speaking to him.

"you know that isn't true." he said.

"it is. you hurt me Steve."

"I made a choice.."

"you sound like them."

"like who?" Steve asked.

"them. all of them. the people who 'cared' about me. the ones who said they wouldn't leave me. the ones that promised nothing would happen to me. the ones who said they wouldn't hurt me. I believed them and in end I just ended up getting hurt. Just like I always do. just like now." She said wiping the tear that had fallen from her face.

"please Natasha i will be back."

"how do you know that?!" She yelled. And that was when Steve finally understood what was going on. She was scared of him dying.

"Natasha." he sighed sitting down next to her as she wiped her tears that wouldn't stop falling. "i am not going to die out there." He said so confidently.

"how do you know that?" She asked as Steve pulled her into his chest.

"because I have something- someone to live for." he kissed her head. "I am going to come back for you. i won't leave you for anything. not even a shot in the chest would pull me away from you. Natasha you are my life, but you have to trust me enough to let me go out there. can you do that?" He asked moving her hair of her face.

"I don't wanna be alone again." she mumbled into his chest.

"I know. and you won't if I have anything to do about it. it will only be a year. it may be the lonest year ever but with your strength I know you can get threw this. Because you are the strongest person i have ever meet Natasha. and I besides " He smiled brightly. "when I get back we can get to work on planning. " he smiled.

"planning what?" she asked removing herself from Steve's chest. Steve smiled at her and got up from the bench. He kneeled down and she looked at him surprised covering her mouth.

"i know we are still young, but i can never see my self with anyone who isn't you. i can only ever see myself kissing you. holding your hands. Cuddling you to sleep. kissing you in the most random moments. Helping you when you are sick. Holding you when you are happy, sad or just need a hug. I can't even start to picture my life with out you in it. you are my life Natasha you are my heart. I love and need you. So let this ring." he held up a princess cut silver ring. "be a promise that i will be back. a promise that I will be with you in your heart no matter what." He said meaning every single word he spoke to her. "so Natasha Romanoff will you do me the honor of being my Wife." He asked. Natasha couldn't speak all she could do was nod in happiness. All she could do was smile with joy. She was beyond happy. Steve smiled and placed the ring on her finger. he lifted her up in her arms.

"promise me you will come back.:" she said still crying at the thought of her fiancée dying in war.

"I won't leave you Nat. you won't be left alone. i will make sure of that," he hugged her so tight. they stayed like this ignoring the looks of random people walking by. Steve was going to come back. he was going to marry her. and he was going to be in love with her until the end of time. There was no chance in hell some gun was going to take her away from him. no chance.

and let's just say he held up to his promises.