Chapter One :

They first met on Valentines Day. Steve looked through his pantry, sighing when he realized he was out of pretty much everything. Since the super-soldier couldn't exactly skip a meal, he shrugged on his coat and headed out the door. He saw a woman outside the door across the hall, struggling to get her keys out of her purse. She had wild brunette hair that was pulled haphazardly into a bun, a pink pencil with a heart shaped eraser sticking out of it. Her struggle was with her two brown paper bags, one with pink and red papers spewing out the top.

"Oh, geez, come on." he heard her mutter as her keys clanged to the floor.

"Ma'am, would you like some help?" he offered, feeling bad for her. But he seemed to only have startled her, as she jumped with a squeal, causing some of her pink and red papers to fly out.

"Oh my god you gave me a heart attack!" she exclaimed, whirling around. Steve felt his mouth go dry. Big green doe eyes peered out from behind the pair of bags. She had wispy bangs that framed her heart shaped face, and a pouty pink mouth that was pursed with a look that made him want to straighten his spine.

"I'm sorry ma'am, I didn't mean to startle you." he leaned down to pick up some of her papers.

"Oh gosh, sorry, you don't have to do that." she leaned over to place her non-paper filled bag down. The sack tipped over with a clunk and a watermelon rolled out. "Shoot, sorry." she scrambled to roll the melon back into the bag.

"I don't mind it." Steve shook his head, handing her the papers that turned out to be handmade valentines cards. They looked a little shoddy, obviously made by inexperienced kids. "These from your kids?" he asked as she stuffed them back into the bag.

"Oh, god no!" she laughed. Her eyes crinkled around the edges. "I'm barely twenty-four, that's a bit young to be having kids."

"Sorry ma'am, I was raised to never assume a woman's age." he ducked his head.

"How gentlemanly. No, these are from, well, my kids. Not my own, but my class. I'm a third grade teacher." she beamed out a radiant smile that was infectious. He grinned back at her.

"They sound like a hoot. 'Miss Clara, thank you for promising to make a watermelon explode for our science unit.' That's a big promise there, is that what the melon is for?" he gestured to the forgotten bag.

"Yeah, we're going to be talking about tension, and if you put enough rubber bands around a watermelon it will burst open." she chuckled sheepishly. "Kids won't really pay attention to science unless something explodes."

"Fascinating." he smiled at her.

"Oh gosh, where are my manners!" she leapt up from where she was kneeling on the ground. He quickly stood as well. "I'm Clara Schmidt, and you are?"

"Steve Rogers." he held out his hand for her to shake. She gripped his hand tightly before smoothing her gray knee-length skirt out. She had on a pink sweater with a white button up underneath, the collar pressed over the neckline.

"Have you moved in recently?" she asked, stooping over to pick up her keys.

"Yeah, just a month or two ago actually."

"Oh, you've been here that long? Sorry I haven't noticed you yet, my schedule is a bit hectic." she laughed again. "Were you heading out?" she glanced at his brown leather jacket.

"I was just about to run and pick up groceries." he rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously as she looked at him, really looked at him for the first time.

"Good luck, it's kind of crazy out there." she snapped her gaze back up to his eyes.

"It is? Oh, Valentine's day." Steve almost smacked himself, he felt a bit dense. "Yeah, everyone's probably out with their sweethearts."

"You look like you'd be able to handle yourself in the crowd." she smiled, pink tinting her cheeks as she gave him another once-over.

"I'll do my best." he chuckled.

"Thanks for helping me out with my cards. You really didn't have to." she turned towards her door.

"It was no problem. Have a good rest of your evening, ma'am." he nodded to her.

"Please don't call me that, it makes me feel so old!" she let out another laugh. "Just call me Clara."

"Of course. Clara." he nodded at her again.

"Have a good night, Steve." she grinned, turning back to unlock the door as he walked towards the stairs.

What a dame.

A/N:

I realize this is a short introduction, but I think it was a sweet way to show just their first meeting. More to come soon. XOXO