Chapter 5

Navy blue.

Deep, rich, navy blue.

Ironically it's also one of my favourite colours.

For personal reasons of course.

The dress was a two-piece.

The top was sleeveless and the glittering straps wind around my neck and under my chest towards my back. The short skirt stuck to my legs like a second skin and ruffled slightly along the edges ending mid-thigh.

Natasha added in an all-black cape behind me to add a more dramatic flair and ordered me to take it off once I reach the party.

We both shared a laugh at that, knowing exactly what I planned to do.

Even I admit this was a bit racy.

Hell, if I wanted to make an entrance to my team, now was a good enough time to do it.

"Holy-" Clint paused mid-stride and took me in, his eyes widening in apparent shock.

He'd been spinning a champagne bottle in his hand when he'd turned the corner and came face to face with my approach.

"Cat got your tongue?" I purred at him, flashing my skirt, so it kicked beneath me.

Clint shook his head and grinned playfully. "If you're planning on making an entrance, I'm all up for it."

Typical Barton, always one for joining me.

"You do realize, Tony's going to be taken aback and Cap's going to lose it right?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

Blinking innocently, I held out my hand and he took it, so he could escort me towards the party.

"That's the plan,"

Clint laughed. "What did he do, damn-"

As we neared the double doors leading to the party, I could feel and hear the celebration as it went on. Loud music, the chatter of the guests left and right.

Everyone who is everyone was at the party tonight.

My brother sure knew how to have some fun.

Beside me, Clint shifted momentarily, the grip on my arm tightening and I know he's been meaning to ask me.

"How are you? To be all honest?" His concern is real, and the narrow gap in between his eyebrows only added to it. "I haven't seen you since Tony brought you in--"

"I'm fine." I comforted him, squeezing his arm sportingly before flashing a smirk. "Momentary lapse in judgement."

Now was not the time to be thinking of blackouts and memory loss or the fact that even as we speak, pure energy continues to run through my veins in pulsing rhythms.

It bothered me before, but I've grown used to it.

Besides, I shouldn't be complaining about having too much power, too much power was always better than no powers at all.

We stop in front of the doors where the party is progressing.

I give Clint a nudge. "Now, come on Barton, time to make an entrance."

He laughed and stood straight, placing a cool expression on his face.

"Lead the way,"

Pushing the doors, I was instantly greeted by loud, joyous chatters as the party was in full swing. People who noticed our entrance paused at their actions and stared at me in awe.

I admit parties weren't really my thing.

But showing off?

Hell, yeah.

My makeup consists of gold and black, simple and elegant, meant to illuminate my brown orbs. My accessories were simple.

Red, gold jewels as earrings and red gold beaded bracelet on both of my wrists. (Partially to hide the blue veins)

To those that don't know it was pretty obvious who's colours I represented.

Steve

and

Tony

Clint led me along the bar and I smiled when he took off my cape, revealing the straps and my even more exposed back.

He folded the cape and tuck it under the bar before jumping over and making a funny smirk.

"Yes, Madam, what would you like to drink?"

Rolling my eyes, I leaned over and hummed. "A Martini my good sir,"

"One Martini, coming up," He proceeded to mix the drink, his gaze drifting to those around him with careful eyes.

"Well, you got everybody's attention, congrats." Clint chuckles, handing me my drink.

Flipping a curled lock behind my ear, I blew him a kiss. "That's what I'm here for."

I sipped the Martini, nourishing the bittersweet feeling as the taste ran down my throat.

"Barton, you make a mean Martini," I smirked, turning around so my back was to the counter. My gaze swept across the floor, searching and eyeing where most of my teammates lingered.

Natasha was near the upper bar area. She'd been mixing a couple of drinks by herself. Barton stood awkwardly by the couch, his hands on his lap, although I could see how his gaze continuously glance over at the Russian spy.

Thor, Tony, Maria and Rhodey were gathered somewhere at the back.

Seems like the team is pretty spread evenly, I finished off the martini and placed it down on the bar.

"I'll take my leave now, Barton," Winking at Clint, I leave the bar with grace.

"Use protection!" He whispers shouts at me, the laughter clear in his voice.

Rolling my eyes, I put my head high, as I passed by numerous guests that mingled around hearing the chatters loud and clear.

Many of the surrounding men have been eyeing me the moment I've entered. What can I say? I have a thing for being the centre of attention.

What I could see, however, was an almost annoyed Stark heading my way.

He cleaned up well since the last time I saw him, he looked like shit. Tony wore an expensive suit with a tucked in blue vest that gave him the look of more elegance.

He'd excused himself from the group earlier on and was now making his way over to me.

Ignoring that, I leaned near the finger foods, debating on which one I should choose.

"And here I thought I was dramatic," Tony mumbles sarcastically, leaning against me, so he could whisper.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I spoke softly, batting my eyelashes at him.

He rolled his eyes before crossing his arms. "For the record, I do not approve," He states, leaning over me to get what looked to be a cheese puff.

The dress flashed under the glittering lights above as I turned to face him, my lips pulled up.

"Come now Tony, when have I ever listened to you?"

Tony chuckles and shakes his head, the cheese puff, hovering near his mouth.

"No. You don't. It's what I love about you Blues."

Grinning, I snatched the puff out of his hand and bit into it, savouring the melted cheese.

"Thanks," I mocked. "It's what I love about me too."

Tony watch me go with an almost annoyed expression over the fact that I stole his cheese puff, but doesn't say a thing as I walk away.

In the meanwhile, I've been scanning the floor with my echolocation.

Got them.

I begin approaching the pool table where a certain Ice Pick and Parrot were playing.

Sam looked up at me immediately and smiled as a greeting, but the Captain next to him refused to even budge from his position which was dead set on the pool table.

So you want to play it that way?

"Hey, Sam. Having a good time?" I asked, my tone sweet.

Sam looks between me and Steve, quickly putting the pieces together. He nods eagerly to join in my parade. "Now that you're here, of course, I am."

Steve who was holding onto the pool stick hit the balls rather forcefully than intended.

"I was thinking," Humming, I made my way in between Steve and Sam so I brush up suggestively beside Steve.

"Remember that thing you and I saw the other day?"

Sam frowned, pretending to be confused by what I said before gasping. "Oh, that thing. Of course, I remember!" He laughs.

The Super Soldier's eyes glance discreetly at me and Sam but don't say a thing as he moves away from the two of us to strike the white ball at the other side.

Time to up the ante.

"When are you planning on taking me?" I urge, pouting at Sam, fingers dragging across his shoulder.

Sam shakes his head and eyes at my wandering fingers. "Well girl," He chuckles mischievously. "We can go right now if you want to."

"I think I hear Tony calling you," The Super Soldier appears in between Sam and me, caging my view towards the Falcon and making my hand drop.

"Really?" Frowning, I look behind for a familiar brunette. When I saw none, I shrugged.

"I think your hearing's wrong Steve, must be old age."

Steve's grip on the pool stick tightened and the wood cracked in several places. If it wasn't for the fact that I could sense emotions, I wouldn't have noticed.

Those blue eyes narrowed into a familiar level of anger and jealousy.

"I'm sure he is, we can go right now if you want to."

So he's throwing Sam's words back at me and it makes me laugh.

I can't keep a straight face anymore and Sam joins in, obviously enjoying Steve's sour expression.

"Relax, Ice Pick." I soothe him, glancing discreetly so no one can see just how close we are. "I'm all yours,"

Steve's jealously still lurked, but for the most past the corner of his lips has turned up into a small smile.

"I'm sorry, there, does that make it up to you?" He breathes, his breath smelling like mint.

I nodded, winking at him. "More than enough."

Sam shakes his head at our interaction, before shooting at the white ball with his own pooling stick.

"I don't know what you guys were up to, but it sounds like a hell of a fight, sorry I missed it."

Steve and I walked farther apart, knowing there were eyes everywhere and we didn't want our relationship public to outsiders.

The Super soldier sighed. "If I had known it was going to be a firefight I absolutely would have called you."

"Not like we needed more casualties. Clint got hurt bad. I could've exploded the building all on my own but they won't let me,"

When I had suggested it, Steve and Tony strongly disagreed saying something about how I was going to overdo it or something.

Sam immediately shakes his head, looking sheepish. "No, I'm not actually sorry. I'm just trying to sound tough."

We share a laugh together before Sam eventually tells us what he's been up to.

"I'm very happy chasing cold leads on our missing person case. Avenging is your world. Your world is crazy."

"Be it ever so humble," Steve mumbled, sounding nostalgic.

I frowned for a moment, thinking over to what Sam said before sighing tiredly.

Where are you, protector?

"We might not see him again. He's an expert in disappearing. I honestly don't know how we're going to find him." I explained, looking at both Sam and Steve.

The last time I saw him was at the Smithsonian, but he'd told me that he had waited for me to find him before officially dropping off the radar, so I knew it was on purpose.

Now, no matter what I did, no matter how far I search, he was nowhere to be found.

Steve looks crest-fallen beside me but doesn't move to say anything.

My hand reach out to touch his shoulder. "I know you miss him, Steve. I do too."

Steve nods in understanding, his gaze to the floor.

After SHIELD fell, I told him who his best friend was to me. That even as the Winter Soldier, Bucky still protected me. Guided me. Did everything possible to ensure I survived-we, survived.

Because deep down inside, we needed each other to survive. Without that, we would've withered away under HYDRA's captivity.

I owe it to Bucky that much.

If only he'd let me.

Steve understands there's a certain bond Bucky and I share that he will never understand. He just needs to accept it.

So far he has.

Eager to change the subject, Sam quickly speaks. "You find a place in Brooklyn yet?"

I frowned at that. Steve's moving out?

The team had all made their home in the Avengers Tower after Tony officially completed construction.

This place was our headquarters, meant to house and gather all the Avengers in one place in preparation for an emergency.

If Steve was moving out, he didn't say anything about it. Instead of asking, I chose not to speak, not wanting to add fuel to the fire.

He'll tell me when he's ready.

"I don't think I can afford a place in Brooklyn."

Sam shrugs. "Well, home is home, you know?"

Steve's fingers deftly gripped my wrist and I stare at it before looking back at those blue eyes I've grown to love.

"Yeah, home is home."