"The Myth"

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𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐀

"I heard she's a Widow," Natasha casually stated as she tried to recall the information known about the Deibin told by Rumlow. "Maybe that's the reason why she knew was unfazed by Black Widow's Bite."

"Fury narrowed his eyes earlier. Is there something else you aren't telling me?" Steve muttered.

Both Captain and Agent were dressed in civilian disguises, paired with caps and glasses as they nonchalantly entered the Smithsonian, the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. It is also well known for its Captain America exhibit filled with bits and pieces of the war veteran's past from World War II. And unfortunately, according to intel, the Deibin worked here.

"For the past 4 years, this Deibin has been stealing any kind of weapon, intel, or technology she could get her hands on. But the thing is, there were never reports that the things she stole were sold to someone else or used in any kind.

Once the Deibin gets a hand on stolen goods, they disappear from the face of the Earth. Or maybe, the thief was just great at hiding it," Natasha explained as they made their way to the Captain America exhibit.

Steve froze. "What are we doing here?"

"Apparently, the Deibin is the curator of the exhibit about you."

Natasha hid under her hood, scanning the area. "Her name is Winter Eunice Williams. I have an idea of what she looks like. So stay close,"

Steve nodded.

Indeed, this was something he wasn't comfortable with.

"Ma'am is it true that they put the debate to a close!" a girl exclaimed behind them.

"Where was the evidence gathered?"

Steve eyed Natasha, raising an eyebrow.

Natasha smirked. "Oh," she said. "That debate."

"What debate?"

"There's a debate whether Bucky Barnes wasn't your only childhood friend," Natasha explained. "They say there was another, a female. And recently, someone was able to restore information about it."

"Oh my gosh, there it is!" One of the children exclaimed, making the tour woman chuckle.

"Yeah, that's the uniform restored. They also—"

"Oh my god, is that a picture?!" Another exclaimed.

The tour woman giggled this time, "Information on Kathryn Winter is still limited. So there isn't a clear picture on..."

"So," Natasha teasingly nudged Steve by his shoulder as they deviated from the tour's discussion. "Is it true? Did you have a female childhood friend?"

Steve was frozen, making Natasha frown slightly. Was this taking a toll on him?

Steve silently walked towards the memorial of his friends.

The tour guide continued to chuckle at the enthusiastic girls, "Too bad Winter couldn't see you. She would've enjoyed your enthusiasm!" The woman chirped.

Winter

Natasha slipped from Steve towards the tour guide. "I've been looking forward to meeting the curator of this exhibit. Is there any way I could meet her?" Natasha innocently said.

"Oh, my bad you missed her! She has a 1 PM flight to Siberia! A personal matter, she said."

Natasha's eyes narrowed, before continuing to her act. "That's too bad... It's alright," she smiled before going back to the back once again.

"Alright guys, next part!" the tour guide continued.

Natasha fished for her small walkie-talkie from her pocket. "She's not here. She's on a flight to Siberia. About to take off in a few minutes."

Brock Rumlow, who was at the other line, acknowledged the intel from the agent and assured them that they'll take care of it. As Natasha skimmed the crowd, she noticed Steve was gone. Searching through the exhibit, she eventually found him in the viewing section.

"That was a difficult winter," the voice of a woman spoke. "A blizzard had trapped half of our battalion behind the German line. Steve...

The woman hesitates.

"Captain Rogers... he fought his way through a HYDRA blockade that pinned our allies down for months. He saved over a thousand men, including the man who would... who would become my husband as it turned out. Even after he died, Steve was still changing my life."

The Captain could only sigh in sheer disappointment and sorrow as he stared at his old compass containing a picture of the love of his life. The woman talking in the film he was currently viewing, Peggy Carter, was the woman he loved so dearly, yet time was not kind for their love to blossom.

Natasha silently watched, knowing Steve was probably glum. Silently making her way toward him, she made her presence known.

"Pay her a visit," she said. "But first, we need a flight to catch."

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𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐕𝐄 & 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐀

"So, you're who they call the Diebin," Natasha said as she walked towards the apprehended culprit. Once Natasha got information on the whereabouts of Winter Williams, she immediately relayed the intel to Rumlow and his team. Fortunately enough, they were able to stop her flight, get civilians out of the plane, apprehend Williams, and here they were now. "We meet again, Winter."

"H-How did you know my—Nice to meet you as well, Natasha," the woman spoke sternly, immediately changing her tone as she looked Natasha straight in the eye. The agent could sense fear from the thief's aura based on the change of tone. Yet, this woman tries to mask it with a fierce facade.

On the other hand, Steve was left dumbfounded by the scene. Her voice... He recognized her voice.

"Looking how fast you people got me even after 4 years of staying in the shadows. The moment I present my life's work as a curator by presenting Kathyrn Miller; it's only when you get to catch me?" the woman smugly chuckled. "And I'm here thinking SHIELD's supposed to know everything." She pauses. "But then I even had to give you a clue, didn't you?" she added, mischievously glaring, particularly at Brock and his team.

However, as she scanned the people around, he eyes landed at someone familiar. Too familiar. She didn't even notice he was there.

"Winter..." Steve could only mutter in disbelief.

And that's when her persona started to crumble.

"I promise you. I won't go back to my old ways," a much younger Winter said as she placed a promise to her childhood friends.

"Steve..." Winter silently replied, ashamed that he had to see her like this. However, she spoke once more. This time, at a higher volume. "No. Not when I'm this close," she broke down. "I'm almost going to see him—I'm so close in finding him!"

It was Winter.

Not just any Winter.

It was his Winter.

His best friend.

S-She's the thief?

"Just keep your mouth shut, and let's go thief," Brock Rumlow said as they prepared handcuffs for her.

"Steve no," she cried.

"Steve, you can't. Please. Please."

"Give me your hands," Rumlow said as he started to handcuff her. Automatically, the woman flinched, trying to get away from the item.

"Take that away from me!"

Steve's eyes softened. "Don't. She'll go."

"But what if she tries to escape?"

"She won't. Trust me."

Winter silently cries as she was being escorted off the plane. Eyes on the floor, muffled sniffs and a heartbroken soul, she didn't even spare the Captain one more glimpse.

"Do... you know her?" Natasha asked once the others were off.

"Yes," he replied. "She's the myth you're talking about. My female childhood friend, Kathryn Winter Miller."