As promised my loves! Please enjoy this new adventure, following the time line of the movie Captain America: Winter Soldier. Just to clarify I do not own Marvel or its characters, I also do not own the quotation lines in the summary, that would be taken from a lovely Eminem song called "Good Guy". This chapter is pretty PG but just remember this is rated M and will live up to that.
Please enjoy and continue to review! I love your feedback :)
Not much has changed since we last saw each other. The Rogers are still living happily in our nation's capital, adjusting to their new world and married life.
Edie has since taken a job volunteering at the local Veterans Affair medical center, feeling a sense of familiarity as soon as she stepped through the door.
Steve, aside from being a doting husband, a role that fit him extremely well has delved back into the world of art. Signing up for a few classes at a local university, that peaked his interest and encouraged him to explore his creative side. The couple are still contracted by SHIELD, jetting off on missions whenever duty calls, they were now a packaged deal and where one goes the other follows.
Captain and Agent Rogers.
Well enough from me, let's check in on the couple…
He stared at the red glowing numbers on the clock.
5:14 am, early to say the least.
His muscular form rolled over for the thousandth time, sleep just out of grasp. Turning to find her snuggled against the crisp sheets, ivory features in a relaxed slumber. The faint hue of white light creeping through the blinds painted lines across her silhouette.
Don't wake her up, Steve. She looks so peaceful.
"But I miss her." Steve answered himself, brushing a tangled curl behind her ear. He watched Edie stir lightly, moving closer to his touch.
"You awake, Gorgeous?" His whispered smirk grew wider at the sound of her protesting groan.
"Psst…" Came a playful pester from the soldier.
She peeked an eye open, revealing a sleepy green iris to study his face.
"Nobody's home."
His wife answered in a husky voice, attempting to hide her twitching smile. The sound of his soft chuckle made Edie's heart swell with groggy bliss. She felt a strong arm snake around her waist, tugging her closer. Their faces level as she inhaled the faded sent of his cologne.
"Can't sleep?" Edie's warm breath caressed Steve's cheek, as he shook his head.
"How can we remedy that?" She arched a brow with mischief, their attraction for each other was no secret.
"Well seeing as it's 5 o'clock in the morning and we are all alone in this big apartment…"
Edie hung on the dark hum of Steve's voice.
"Doll, I want what every red blooded American man wants…" He trailed off watching her eyes flicker with need.
"Let's go for a run!" The blond sprung up suddenly, pulling a startled gasp from her lips.
"Oh Steven! You jerk!" Edie barked through a recovering giggle, landing a playful smack of the pillow against his chest.
The Healer raked a hand through tousled curls, chewing her lip as her eyes traveled down his towering form that stood beside the bed. Steve's bulging muscles constricted under the thin material of his shirt, threatening to tear the seams with each movement. She desperately wanted to touch him, trace her nails across his massive chest and place kisses along that strong throat, tasting his soft skin. Edie willed herself not to travel any further, fighting the urge to imagine herself bouncing up and down on those thick thighs. The smaller Super Soldier snapped her gaze back to those steely blue orbs at the sudden sound of his voice.
"What? Did you have something else in mind, Mrs. Rogers?" Head cocked, playing his best innocent act with a smirk but Edie's narrow gaze caught onto his game.
He was enjoying himself, well two can play at this game.
Steve's gaze followed Edie as she slinked across the bed, stopping to stand on her knees in front of him. He felt a hand graze the nape of his neck, drawing circles in the short stubble of hair with her manicured nails. A relaxed groan rose in the Captain's throat, Edie's presence forever intoxicating.
Strawberry lips ghosted his ear and Edie could sense his elevated pulse.
"Not a thing, Captain." Edie purred, before jumping off the bed and darting towards the bathroom, laughter echoing.
"Now who's the jerk?" Steve scoffed jokingly though he could already feel the ache in his trousers.
"Can't hear you!" She bellowed from behind the door, smirking with her reflection.
The soldier shook his head with a grin as he too began to get changed. Stripping out of his pajamas and into a short sleeved shirt and athletic track pants before making his way to the kitchen. The aroma of coffee soon filled the apartment, he studied the passing clouds that engulfed the illuminating moon. His ears perked up at the sound of Edie's voice, singing softly from the bedroom.
"How long would it take me to be near if you beckon? Offhand I would figure less than a second" She hummed Bing Crosby's lyrics.
"Do you think I'll remember how you looked when you smile?"
"Only forever. That's puttin' it mild." Steve chimed in, earning a contagious giggle.
But as soon as she stepped through the doorway his laughter died out and the soldier suddenly felt that ache return, the front of his pants constricting. Steve's eyes followed Edie's curves like a roadmap, emphasized by the spandex material of her leggings and the tightness of her t-shirt.
Oh the perks of modern day clothing He smirked to himself.
"Mmmh coffee…" Edie glided towards the counter, noticing him shuffle backwards.
"Teddybear..are you alright? Look like you've seen a ghost. You're quite pale." She moved to touch his cheek.
He flinched back attempting to conceal his lower half behind the kitchen island, he offered her a hot coffee mug instead.
"You are rather strange this early in the morning, soldier." Edie giggled.
Steve let out a heavy sigh of relief when Edie took a seat at the breakfast bar, feeling the blood slowly return to all the proper places.
Beginning their run as the first streaks of daylight broke through the horizon, the morning welcomed them. Being the gentleman he was Steve made sure to always keep a steady pace with Edie, but he soon found he was lagging behind her, not minding the view though.
After the transformation she was much stronger than before, able to better match his strides. Exhaustion was a distant thought to the two Super Humans as they made several laps. Edie gave Steve a playful shove as they rounded the corner, he watched the black curls of her ponytail bouncing as she took the lead. Quickly retaliating the Captain gave a sly pinch of Edie's fanny, the surprise causing her to lose her advantage and a shade of blush gracing her cheeks.
"On your left." Steve called out as they approached a fellow runner.
"On my left, got it." The man nodded, making sure to keep his position.
"Oh no you don't! On your right!" Edie piped with a challenge, feeling the burn in her thighs as her strides increased.
The stranger watched the couple sprint ahead of him as he kept his steady pace in front of the Lincoln memorial, admiring the rippling water of the Reflecting Pool when he heard familiar voices bantering. He glanced behind him and was met with the same couple.
Were they about to lap him…again?
"Don't say it, don't say it!" The young man bellowed, gritting his teeth he dug deep for momentum.
"On your left!"
"On your right!" Edie echoed.
"Come 'on!" He scowled, shaking his head with defeat.
Edie glanced back, slowing her pace she dropped back to join him. Despite the furrowed brow the stranger held a kind face and a welcoming grin once Edie introduced herself.
"Good Morning, Edie Rogers." She greeted, sending him a pearly smile.
"Morning Ma'am, Sam Wilson." He shook her extended hand.
"Where did you serve soldier?" Edie pryed innocently.
"Iraq. How'd you know?"
"I've been around my fair share of soldiers, can spot one a mile away." She nodded with a satisfied grin.
"Thank you for your service." Edie added.
"No need. Thank you for yours." Sam acknowledged, revealing he knew who she was.
It was hard not to recognize the duo or any of the Avengers for that matter now a days, their heroic acts to save the world wasn't something that you just glazed over in the news while looking for the weather forecast. Sam had read the endless articles written on the team and their backgrounds, he was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that these two had actually been frozen in that ice all those years and now were living among the population in the 21st century.
Alive, healthy and recently married for that matter, Sam could tell the chemistry between the couple was strong.
Edie called up to Steve who quickly noticed her absence beside him, handsome brow furrowed with confusion as he scanned the area for her.
"Go ahead Dear, I'll hang back and keep my new friend company..If you doesn't mind?" Edie offered a hopeful expression towards the veteran.
"Of course not." Sam assured.
"Thank you. I'm quite winded, he could go around for hours." She rolled her eyes teasingly.
Steve made another lap, glancing back at the two talking while they jogged. Smiling wide as he watched his wife throw her head back with an echoing laugh. He soon found them resting by a tree, Edie stretching her legs as the sun grew higher in the sky.
"Hope she didn't slow you down too much." Steve jabbed, sending her a wink as he caught his breath. Edie fired back with a playful scowl, continuing to stretch.
"Not at all. Sam Wilson" Sam chuckled with a introduction.
"Steve Rogers." He offered a hand.
"I figured. You both just did like 13 miles in 30 minutes." Sam pointed out, easing back to his full height with the Captain's help.
"Well I got a late start, waiting for this one to get ready."
"Me?" Edie scoffed dramatically, swatting at his chest with a pinched smirk.
"Oh really? You should be ashamed of yourself. Take another lap. Unless you already did. I'm assuming your already did." Sam quipped causing the couple to laugh.
"Sam here did two tours overseas. Works at the VA where I volunteer, I thought he looked familiar." Edie informed, fixing her ponytail.
"How has it been since the defrosting? Bet it's pretty different for you two." The younger man asked.
"Oh yes, but not too bad. Food is much better, we use to boil everything. No Polio."
"Internet is so helpful. Once you get the hang of it. Been using it to catch up on things." Edie added with a giggle.
"Marvin Gaye, 1972. Troubleman album. It'll tell you all you need to know." Sam advised.
"Got it." The Captain nodded, whipping out a small notebook to add to their list of things to try.
"Thank you."
Sam returned Edie's pearly smile.
"Well, it was nice to meet you Sam. Edie we've got to get going. Duty calls." Steve held up his phone after reading a text from Agent Romanoff.
"Very. Maybe I'll see you down at the VA?"
Edie called out, accepting the Captain's outstretched hand.
"I'll keep an eye out. Nice to meet you Captain and Mrs. Rogers." Sam gave a small wave as the two retreated down the sidewalk just as a very sleek sports car halted at the curve.
"Hey, you guys know where the Smithsonian is? I'm supposed to pick up a couple of fossils. Or maybe it's the Senior Living Home, I can't remember." The redhead behind the wheel smirked devilishly.
"Very funny." Steve shook his head, opening the door for Edie as she ducked into the back seat.
"Thank you, darling. Oh Nat' how are you? It's been so long since I've seen you." Edie slipped a delicate hand over the agent's shoulder, squeezing lightly.
"Good, thank you. I know, I was on a rather long assignment in the Caribbean actually."
"Oh I'm jealous, how was it? Warm and sunny?" Edie implored.
Natasha thought back on the mission, the target had put up quite the fight. She earned herself a concussion and a sprained ankle.
"Tiring actually, glad to be back. You two up for a mission? The redhead glanced between the couple, smirking as they nodded in unison.
-0-
Adjusting the sleeve of her suit, Edie listened as the hum of her husband's strong voice handed out the mission instructions.
"Alright, I'm gonna sweep the deck and find Batroc. Nat, you'll kill the engines and wait for instructions. Edie and Rumlow, you sweep aft, find the hostages, get them to the life-pods, get 'em out. Let's move."
"STRIKE. You heard the Cap, gear up." Rumlow barked, his men falling in line.
"Secure channel seven." The Captain murmured against his wrist band.
"Channel Seven secure. Did you two do anything fun Saturday night?" Natasha quizzed, glancing between them.
"Dinner and a sappy movie." Steve shot the Healer a wink.
"Hey now, that was a good movie. You even teared up." Edie countered with a smirk, tapping her bracelets together to assemble her mechanical gloves. Blue rivers of power etched through the steel plates that molded to her hands. Picking up her baton, the instrument mimicked the blue hue once engaged with her touch, acting as an extension of her power. The advanced technology courtesy of Mr. Tony Stark, helped to hone in the mass amount of energy Edie's body held and better target her attacks.
"What was it called again?"
"Titanic." Edie recalled.
"That was it. Did you know they made a movie about that?" Rogers turned towards Romanoff, gripping his shield he descended into the opening hatch.
"Yeah I think I heard something about it." Natasha scoffed with a smirk, fighting the urge to roll her eyes.
"That young boy Leonardo is quite the actor." Edie shouted across the whipping wind, falling in beside the towering blonde.
"Ladies first."
Shaking her head with a giggle Edie took the plunge daringly, cool night air embracing her through the clouds.
"Were they wearing parachutes?" A STRIKE agent pointed out, watching the Captain follow suit.
"No..no they weren't." Rumlow shook his head with a lopsided grin.
Steve gripped the steel railing, water beading off his suit as he heaved over the side. Boots landing silently against the boat deck, with the element of surprise on his side he took out the first few guards with ease.
"On dirait que vous êtes sur votre propre Capitaine." Looks like you're on your own, Captain.
One of the guards growled, the last two cornering the soldier. Steve braced himself for their advance with a rigid stance, when a silky voice intervened.
"Il n'est jamais seul... Salut, les gars." Oh but he's never alone…Hello boys.
Strawberry lips smirking when the thugs shifted their attention away from the Captain and moved in for her, underestimating Edie's size and ability they fell right into the trap. With a quick motion of Edie's wrist and hard wallop of the baton the hulking men were reduced to twitching forms against the boat deck.
"Merci." Steve's velvet voice thanked with sultry appreciation as he closed the gap between them.
Normally he'd never risk getting distracted in the field but he just couldn't help himself, Edie was his favorite distraction. The combination of inviting eyes that stared back at him and glow of the overhead lights outlining her curvy silhouette had Steve itching to touch her.
"Anytime, Mon Amour."
Damp waves fell against her back as Edie winked up at him through hooded lashes, hand placed against her round hip in a stance that encouraged Steve's risky behavior.
Opening his mouth to breathe life to the devilish thoughts that flared each time Edie licked those pouty lips, Steve was suddenly halted by the appearance of another pirate scrambling from behind a cargo crate. The ruffian barely made it a few feet towards them when his body suddenly flopped to the ground, blood staining the deck.
"Thank you, Brock." Edie nodded with gratitude towards the descending Agent.
"Yeah you two seemed pretty helpless without me." The Agent joked dryly, looking around boat deck littered with crumpled bodies.
The group was soon joined by Natasha and the rest of the tactical squad, who began to spread out towards their designated assignments.
"If you like chick flicks Cap' you should try the Notebook." Black widow suggested mockingly, sporting her iconic smirk.
"Oh that sounds good." Edie piped, trailing after Rumlow.
"Or Pretty Woman."
"Secure the engine room, then we'll talk movies." The Captain instructed, shaking his head with a smile.
"I'm multitasking." Natasha countered before hopping over the railing to the deck below.
Steve exchanged one last look with Edie before she disappeared down the corridor with Rumlow's men, his smile growing as she blew him a quick kiss.
Filing ever so quietly into the passageway Edie assumed an agile stance behind the armor clad agents. They waited for the Captain's signal, everyone readying themselves for the fight waiting behind those doors.
Rogers's smooth voice echoed against the microphone, calming the Healer's nerves with each syllable.
"On my mark. Three. Two. One."
The ship's calm atmosphere soon exploded into a hurricane of chaos and gunfire, through the cloud of hazy smoke Edie unleashed a pattern of paralyzing spheres from her metallic palms. Leaving several mercenaries limp against the floor with the rest of their crew.
"I told you, SHIELD doesn't negotiate." Sitwell spat towards the deceased body of the lead pirate.
Retracting her metallic glove Edie knelt down to access the hostages for any severe injuries. In the process of giving a nod of clearance towards Agent Rumlow she noticed a straggling pirate escape through the nearest doorway.
Darting over the wreckage and limp bodies Edie followed his trail, ducking through the door way she was met with a deserted corridor. Like a silent cat she slinked down the grated ramp in the cover of shadows, her attention catching the bloody handprint smeared across the wall.
"Chienne mutante!" Mutant Bitch!
A gruff voice breathed against Edie's back, accompanied by the swing of a heavy pipe. Whipping around just in time the woman dipped low to miss the blow, rusty metal landing against the adjacent wall instead.
"Qu'est-ce que tu vas faire sans ton précieux mari?"
What are you going to do without your precious husband? The pirate sneered a greasy smile.
His bulky form towered over her as he advanced forward, Edie's back was soon met with the cool edge of the railing. Emerald eyes quickly scanned over the brute's body, accessing his weaknesses in seconds.
Trick knee, Left. Sports injury.
"Comme ce que vous voyez?" Like what you see? He flashed another grotesque smile
"Ne vous flattez pas." Don't flatter yourself. She spat back, ducking as he lurched forward.
Edie was able to bob and weave out of range of the first two but the third blow collided with her cheek and she felt a hard yank as he caught her hair.
"Hostages en-route to extraction. Romanoff missed the rendezvous point, Cap. Hostiles are still in play. Edie's MIA." Rumlow's voice hummed across the groups earpieces.
Shaking off the growing stars that clouded her eyes, the burning pain reddened her cheek. Edie shifted the weight of her body and catapulted both legs into the man's weak knee, dropping him with a thud.
"Natasha, Batroc's on the move. Circle back to Rumlow and protect the hostages. Edie come in."
Edie clicked her earpiece to quickly answer Steve when a harsh tug against her leg dropped her against the grated ramp and the crushing weight of the man was on top of her, pawing to hook his meaty hands around her throat.
"Stev-"
Edie's voice was cut off with a long silence.
The Captain felt his heart clench, the desperation in her tone rising a cool sweat of fear up his back.
"Natasha! Edie!"
Minutes felt like hours, stretching on in a painfully slow march.
"I'm on it!"
Edie's voice suddenly panted across the microphone, scrambling backwards from the paralyzed man, a burn could be seen against his chest where her electrical charge had entered his body. Sprinting back down the ramp, Edie made her way back to Rumlow's position.
Steve felt a cooling wave of relief hush his anxiety as her voice surfaced over the intercom but he was soon faced with his own thug to battle when Batroc slinked from the shadows.
The fight with Batroc soon landed Steve in the control room with a particular missing agent.
"Well this is awkward." Natasha's voice caught Steve's attention as he erected to his full height.
"What are you doing?" Steve moved closer, brushing off the shattered glass.
"Backing up the hard drive. It's a good habit to get into."
"Rumlow needed your help. What the hell are you doing in here?" Steve's voice held an edge.
"Edie had it covered, she's stronger than you think." Nat reminded, fingers skating across the keys. He closed in behind the redhead, reading the data that filtered across the screen.
"You're saving SHIELD Intel." Diamond eyes concluded with disappointment, he turned a stern gaze towards Natasha.
"That's the point. Whatever I can get my hands on."
"Our mission is to rescue hostages."
"No. That's your mission. And you've done it beautifully." Nodding with a tight smile Natasha swiped the flash drive from the slot when the Captain caught her arm.
"You just jeopardized this whole operation."
"I think that's overstating things." She retorted with an elegant eye roll when suddenly a heavy figure darted passed the control room.
"Get down!"
The two snapped their attention towards the door at the the desperate shout of Edie's voice as she barreled through the doorway, deflecting Batroc's grenade. They're bodies were jerked roughly through the air as the explosive gave a deadly blast.
Steve's back met the mangled remains of the desk as debris rained down on every surface.
"Okay maybe this one's on me." A female voice groaned in defeat beside him.
"You're damn right." Grim eyes shot a harsh look towards the redhead, though Steve was glad for her safety there was another woman he was particularly worried about. Scrambling upward he searched frantically for the Healer through the rubble.
"Edie?" Steve's smooth voice called out in fear, until his gaze fell on the tangled legs slumped under a beam. Without hesitation the Captain gripped the heavy steel with the ease of a titan, throwing it aside to reveal her dust covered body.
"Steve."
His heart pounded as she sat up slowly, coughing away the soot. Silently thanking the man upstairs that his wife had the superhuman ability to heal, or else that blow would have been deadly.
"I gotcha, Doll." He knelt down, slipping a pair of strong arms around her with a tenderness reserved only for her. And with one last stern glance at Natasha, he was out the door.
-0-
"I'm having a meeting with Fury, I can't have this. Not only did she put the entire operation at risk she also endangered you. We wouldn't have even been up there if it wasn't for her." Iron jaw clenched tight, steely gaze watching the gentle pattern of rain against the windshield.
"I know you're upset but I'm okay and the mission was a success. I trust Natasha, maybe we should think this over a little more, we don't want to just go barging into Fury's office. It's not proper, Steve." Edie's words attempted to reason, casting hopeful eyes toward his face that lay painted with the reflection of passing buildings and red hue of brake lights.
"To hell with proper, Edie. I can't lead a mission with soldiers that have their own agendas. You of all people know how important unity is in a squad. Speaking of which what was that little stunt you pulled in the control room with the grenade? Edie that was entirely too risky."
"Is that so? Well I do recall hearing a story about a particular soldier doing something quite similar in bootcamp." Edie hummed a knowing tone, watching a flicker of a smile cross Steve's expression.
"That was completely different." Cap bit back his smirk when he knew he was cornered.
"Yes darling, getting back to your point exactly, this isn't an army. This is very different and rather sensitive. I believe this would be best handled in a different way."
"Edith, I'm speaking with him and that's final. Understand?" Steve's stern tone mirroring his expression, eyes fixated on the line of traffic ahead.
The authority that dripped from Steve's words had an affect on Edie and suddenly the city wasn't the only thing getting wet at the moment.
Edie loved every side of her husband, though his sweet and gentleman side ever apparent there was a dark and stern side of the Captain that was often kept at bay, one she found to be quite a turn on. Of course he would never make her do anything she didn't want to and he never forced himself on her but this raw authoritative look that came over him was enough to have her doe eyed and ever willing.
Edie's gaze glided down those rigid shoulders and massive biceps, broad hand gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles. A burning blush crept across Edie's cheeks as her eyes landed on the taunt denim material stretched across his muscular thighs, she quickly refocused back to his face.
Big mistake, even worse. She thought.
Plump lips drawn perched together, Adam's apple bobbing against his strong throat. Edie's body yearned to be pressed against Steve, to sear kisses along his supple skin and feel the ever warm embrace of his arms caged around her.
"Yes, Captain."
Was all she was able to muster before daring to close the gap between them, leaning her body across the center console. So close she could smell his sweet masculine scent.
Just one little taste.
Beep. Beep.
His smirk unmistakable as Edie's startled body jumped with fright at the simple honk of an adjacent car weaving through the street as they eased over to the sidewalk in front of the VA building. Steve could read Edie well enough to know what she was wanting, her thoughts pouring out from those haunting green orbs. The Healer's apparent needs for him stirred Steve's own desires, naturally he couldn't keep his hands off her but he wanted to have a little fun with her first.
Ducking out into the rain, he jogged over to the passenger side, Edie's blushing face there to greet him as Steve opened the door. Just as she composed herself and stepped onto the concrete, Steve caught Edie in a close embrace and nuzzled possessively into her soft hair.
"I'm glad we understand each other, I'd hate to have to punish you…Naughty girl."
The words hummed with dark lust against her ear, and rendered Edie speechless.
Edie bit back a yelp when Steve's broad hand met her backside with a sneaky smack, making his handsome smirk grow wider with her reddened blush.
Steve craned down with the intention of a quick peck on the lips, but he quickly gave her bottom a stern squeeze when Edie dared to deepen the kiss with a flick of her skillful tongue against his bottom lip.
A light chuckle rumbled the blonde's chest when Edie groaned in frustration just as he pulled away from her prying hands and soon made his way back to the driver side.
Greedy girl.
Steve hummed to himself, mischievous smirk twitching as he relayed that he'd be back this afternoon to pick her up. He watched from the car as Edie filed safely through the glossy door before merging back onto the road.
Destination: Fury's office.
-0- Same day, later afternoon.
Pushing through the double doors, the polished floors gleamed under Steve's feet as he followed the curve of the hallway, stopping at the sound of voices.
"A cop pulled me over last week, thought I was drunk. I had swerved to miss a plastic bag….I thought it was an IED."
Rogers relaxed against the door way, listening to the women's shaky words as she recounted the events, shifting his gaze towards a familiar face at the podium.
"We all have baggage that we brought back. We got to decide how we are going to carry it. Is it going to be in a big suitcase or in a little purse?...We'll discuss more of that next week." Sam concluded, nodding at the group as they stood to file out.
"Well look who it is, the running to pick up the Mrs.?" The younger man greeted with a sly smile.
"Yes sir. I just caught the last of it but wow that was intense." Steve breathed, watching as the fellow soldier began stacking pamphlets.
"It can be. People deal with it in so many different ways. I'm just happy I can help them cope."
"You lose someone over there?" Steve asked the looming question he already knew the answer to based on Sam's grim expression.
"My wingman, Riley."
"Routine night mission. Nothing crazy. When all of a sudden he was shot down. And there was nothing I could do but watch. Was hard to find another purpose while I was over there." Sam recounted, a hollowness touching his caramel eyes.
"I'm sorry." Steve offered his condolences, knowing the loss of a friend all too well.
"But now you're out in the real this. That make you happy?" Steve turned the direction of the conversation to a more elated subject.
"The people giving me orders is down to about zero now. So thinking about getting out? " Sam implored, the question catching Steve off guard.
A flicker of conflict skated across Steve's expression, attempting to figure that out before answering.
"No, well I mean maybe. I'm not sure what I would do with myself."
"Well that depends. What makes you happy, Cap?"
It was then that Sam watched the tall blonde's expression shift, a warmth lighting up his ocean eyes.
"She does."
Sam followed the Captain's gaze, meeting the familiar face of Edie Rogers as she descended the hall towards them, black waves bouncing.
"Hello, boys." Her silky voice greeted.
"Ma'am." Sam nodded shyly, hands stuffed in his pockets.
"Ready to go, Doll?"
Sam couldn't help but notice the difference in Cap as soon as Edie arrived, spirits lifting and eyes sparkling.
"Yup. Have a good night, Sam."
The couple gave a wave before turning towards the adjacent door. The younger man watched with innocent envy as Steve slung an arm around Edie's shoulders, kissing her hair lightly.
"How was your day?"
Sam heard him ask just as the doors closed.
Stress of the day pooled in Steve's chest, conflicting thoughts consuming him. Both Fury's and Peggy's words battling in his conscious.
Fury had left him with a feeling of unease and suddenly an unfamiliar sense of doubt began to pool in the soldier's mind. He'd paid Peggy a visit as well, hoping to find some comfort to this apprehension in an old friend. But it seemed to only pull him down further, the deterioration plagueing Peggy's once sharp mind reminded Steve of how fleeting life was and his own displacement.
At first he was nervous about telling Edie about Peggy's existence, once he found out she was still living. But all that faded when Edie expressed complete understanding and instead encouraged him to visit Peggy, knowing how important even the smallest piece of a reference to their time was.
The Captain had been nothing but supportive and comforting to Edie with every twist and turn her discovery had brought them, the Healer knew this was her turn to do the same for him.
Blue eyes studied Edie's profile in the dying glow of the setting sun as she secured her jacket, zipping up the pockets and adjusting her hair.
"What is it, sweetheart?" Edie voiced concern at his solemn expression, lifting a hand to ghost his cheek when a strong pair of arms snaked around her waist, engulfing her into a bear of a hug.
All it took was her smooth voice to break the dam of Steve's emotions, Edie was the only one he could be real and vulnerable with. She loved him for him, he didn't have to always wear the strong stoic Captain America mask that had come to be expected of the Super Soldier, he could be the salt of the earth punk from Brooklyn and she was there with open arms.
"I love you, Edie." Steve whispered into her hair, as if he'd been holding his breath.
The sudden affection caught Edie off guard, tears suddenly pooling with a joyous smile.
"I love you, so much."
Trailing a hand over Steve's tensed shoulders, the other ran through soft tresses of sandy hair. Edie could feel his chest exhale deeply, grip tightening as he coughed back the lump in his throat. Steve's anxiety subsided with her comforting touch, he pulled back slowly to capture Edie's lips, the weight of the world falling from his strained shoulders with the taste of her strawberry lips.
"Let's go home." She smiled, forehead pressed against his as he nodded in agreement. With her arms secured snuggly around Steve's waist the bike roared to life, easing out into the city traffic towards their apartment.
Gliding onto the smooth pavement, the chugging engine died out as the click of the kickstand met the ground. The two entered the apartment building, filing up the stair when they were met with the beaming face of the neighbor across the hall.
"Hello, Kate." Edie nodded towards the younger woman, donning pink scrubs and a loaded laundry basket.
"Hey you two." Kate broke into a glowing smile, eyes lingering on the Captain as he climbed the stairs with ease.
"Ma'm." Steve returned a tight grin, following closely behind his wife.
"Um Steve, I was wondering if you could take a look at sink. It's been leaking, I'd say something to the Super but you know how that goes..I could make it worth your time. I make a mean lasagna."
Kate asked with, what Edie thought as a little too much bedroom in her eyes.
"Oh and Edie you could come too, if you're free." The younger woman added with a hint of disdain.
"Oh I wouldn't be of much help, I don't know much about sinks." Edie answered coyly, fighting the urge to spit venom.
Moving further down the hall, the Healer reminded herself not to make a scene as the leggy blonde ogled at her husband. Hearing the faint remark of Steve's voice politely declining Kate's offer for dinner Edie found herself slightly resenting his generosity at the moment when he advised Kate he'd be by sometime tomorrow to take a look at the leaky pipes.
Probably isn't even leaking Edie grumbled to herself, green monster of jealousy clawing its way up her leg as she idled by the door.
"Thanks, oh and I think you left your stereo on, by the way." Kate advised before retreating down the stairs, but not before sending Steve a blushing wave.
The couple exchanged a puzzled look as Steve joined Edie at the door, both leaning in. The soft symphony of their record player filtered through the cracks with a cool sweat of unease.