October, Outskirts of New York, Present Day (Saturday)

TW: mention of infertility 

S1EP2

You remember your mom telling you if you ever got lost, just stay where you are and she would come find you. You run over to the basketball court bench where your backpack is and start crying. You can't help it. You've never been away from your mom in public before. You open your backpack and see that your mom packed you your favorite stuffed animal. You take it out and squeeze it tight, sobbing into its soft fur. This is usually a pretty busy park. It's right next to a main street and traffic is thick, especially this time of day. The bench is facing away from the sidewalks and roads, so all you see is the park. In between your sobs and sniffles, you hear someone calling behind you.*

?: Hey. 

MEANWHILE

N: Hey, Steve, I'm heading to the store. Do you need anything? *Nat walks past the bathroom where Steve is finishing up trimming his beard.*

S: I'm fine right now, but thanks for asking. I think Tony said something about needing juice for Morgan though. *Nat grabs her purse and throws on one of her favorite jackets.*

S: Would you mind if I came with you? 

N: Of course not, but I thought you didn't need anything. *Steve gives Nat a quick kiss on the cheek while getting his brown leather jacket.*

S: I just wanna spend the day with you, that's all. 

N: *smiling, happily perplexed* Alright…  *Steve offers to drive them to the store. They pick up what they need from the list and start to make their way to the checkout when Nat's phone rings with a notification.*

N: Tony just asked me if I could pick him up some more chlorophyll. 

S: I thought he didn't need that anymore. 

N: *giggling* He doesn't, but apparently he got hooked. *In order to get to the vitamin/health/exercise part of the store, they have to pass the children's section: toys, clothes, etc. As they pass by, they happen to notice a mother and her daughter. The girl is bouncing with joy, her big eyes lighting up with glee. Must be a special occasion. The little girl happens to look 
up at Nat and Steve, eyes still beaming with elation. They warmly smile back while Nat gives a little wave to the girl. Steve giggles as the girl shyly waves back. Nat looks to the mother. She seems tired, sick. Looks as if she's dreading something to come, yet enjoying every present moment.*

N: I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to be a creeper. 

M: *small, weak laugh* Oh, no you're completely fine.

N: She's adorable. 

M: *smiling softly* Thank you. *Nat and Steve walk themselves out to go find Tony's request. Steve notices Nat's melancholic demeanor and gently puts his arm around her.*

S: *softly under his breath* I know… *Nat touches his hand in appreciative acknowledgement and holds her head up high, repressing these feelings. Steve and Nat have wanted kids for a while…but due to her history, she's incapable of bearing children. Steve has told her time and time again that it's not her fault, and he loves her no less because of it. Although Nat refuses to believe that it's not her fault. After getting back home to the compound, Nat gives Tony what he asked for. When he sees her shift in attitude, he knows something's wrong.*

T: Thanks, Red…Hey, is um…Is everything alright?

N: *smiling* Everything's great…In case I don't see them soon, give Pepper and Morgan a hug for me, will ya? *She walks away before Tony can say anything. Nat feels that she needs to take a walk or something, just to clear her head, get her mind right. She finds Steve in his office, sorting through papers for Secretary Ross.*

N: *knocks on the door while it's open, making Steve smile* Hey, Steve. I'm gonna go out real quick, so if you need me, call me. 

S: Ok, I will…*She turns to leave.* Hey… *He walks over and gives her a kiss, a longer one this time. One where they sway with each other. One where hands are slowly caressing every available inch of them. One where long, deep breaths are exchanged afterwards, with foreheads resting against each other.  

S: *softly* I need you to know that I'm always here for you. Always. 

N: I know you are. *Steve searches her eyes.*

S: Promise?

N: *resting her head on his chest* Promise. *She reaches up on her tiptoes and sneaks Steve a kiss on the cheek, running her thumb over it.*

N: I love you, Steve. 

S: I love you too. *Natasha heads out to her car and drives off. Steve watches her from his window, contemplating what he can do to help. She decides to drive to a park and take a walk there. Yes, she could've stayed at the compound and walked in the open field, but that would be too quiet. Right now, she needs some noise to distract her from her own thoughts…because God knows what she can come up with if she's left alone. About 20 minutes later, Nat arrives. She lets out a content sigh. There's a few people out and about today. Birds are chirping, children are laughing and squealing, dogs are barking, cars pass by. Ahh. Perfect. Nat takes her keys and her wallet, tucks them in her jacket, and starts strolling down the sidewalk. She starts a couple blocks away from the main park. As she's walking, she notices a black minivan recklessly backing out of the park a couple blocks down. The tires screech as the minivan turns Nat's way and speeds down the road.*

N: *under her breath* The hell? *She keeps walking, wondering what that was all about. The sidewalk leads to a winding trail in the main park. Nat notices the tire marks on the street. They must've made a run for it. But why? The sidewalk leads to the basketball court. As Nat walks through the court, she hears muffled sobs and sniffles come from behind a bench. She slowly walks up and peeks over the side. She sees the same little girl from the store! The girl looks up from behind her stuffed animal with big, teary, scared eyes.*

N: *concerned* Hey there…you alright?