Natasha didn’t see him shiver, but she felt it and pressed her body back against his in silent reply. She didn’t know what had caused it and she didn’t ask. She had never been one to press unless it was really serious and she felt the situation demanded it; otherwise she trusted him to tell her if he needed to talk. Perhaps not the best approach, but one she felt most comfortable with when their roles were reversed.

She had to admit that the idea of hiding away in Russia, cut off from the world for a while and under the guise of work, wasn’t entirely unappealing. They could set up cameras and detection equipment, run surveillance and record the data from a cozy cabin in the middle of nowhere, or infiltrate a small town as a young couple just trying to escape the hustle and bustle of city life for a while.

It was rather tempting.

“Why Agent Barton, are you asking me to run away with you?” she teased, turning her head and trying to catch a glimpse of his face over her shoulder.