A/N: This is my very first Captain Hill multi-chapter fic, based on the movie Life As We Know It written by Ian Deitchamn and Kristen Robinson. Maria will be (kind of) taking the role of Messer and Steve will be (kind of) taking the role of Holly (for those who have seen the movie) I wanted to change it up a bit because I refuse to write this as the typical "Woman gets left with baby" trop. Plus I feel it fits the characters personality a bit better.

*Movie and plot rights go to the writers. I don't take any credit.*

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Natasha was lucky that Maria cared about her, otherwise this wouldn't have worked. The redhead's fiancé, James, had brought the idea of setting Maria up with one of his friends, and Natasha had grabbed onto the idea and hadn't let go. 'You're the last of my friends who still single. Give it a shot. Please? For me?' Maria had sighed and rolled her eyes at the redhead but agreed to the arrangement.

She couldn't understand why Natasha wanted her to date (and eventually marry of course) someone. Maybe she needed someone to talk marriage with, or gush about how great being in a relationship was. Whatever the reason, the brunette didn't understand it. Being with someone wasn't pointless, but she was at a point in her career and life where she just couldn't see herself tied down to someone for the rest of her life. She was perfectly content with casually dating someone.

Hearing a knock at her door, a sigh of exasperation escaped her. He was here. Of course, he would be right on time, sadly for him, she wasn't ready. Way to blow the stereotype of women always being ready first out of the air. Still dressed in her lounging clothes, Maria made her way down the hall and towards the door.

"Hi, you must be Steven." She greeted as she opened the door, gaze quickly taking in the male standing before her.

"Steve, is fine. Everyone call me Steve." He gave her a small nervous smile and took in her appearance. "I'm not too early, am I?"

"No, come in. I'll be ready in a few." Stepping aside to let him in, she padded back down the hall, glancing at him over her shoulder. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll be out in a bit."

Disappearing around the corner, Maria made her way down the hall and into her room. Her make up and hair were already done, she just had to put some clothes on. She had taken note of how Steve was dressed, white dress shirt, jeans and a sports jacket. The thought of having to work tomorrow stopped her from reaching for a dress. Instead, she opted for black jeans and a denim top with sensible flats.

Emerging once more, she grabbed her purse from the kitchen table and moved into the living room.

"Ready?" Steve asked from where he stood, looking at some painting she had up on her wall.

Nodding, Maria pulled out her keys as they walked outside. Shutting and locking the door, she fell into step beside Steve.

"How did you and Natasha meet?", he questioned, glancing over at her.

"We were in a sorority together in college. Cheapest rent on campus." Out of all their sorority sisters, Natasha was the only one Maria had been able to stand. Over the years, the redhead turned into one of her closest friends.

"How did you and James meet?"

"We went to high school together. Kept in touch even after I went off to school."

Humming in response, Maria followed him to his car noting the way he opened the door for her before getting in. He really was a gentleman. Where had he come from and why on earth did Natasha think they would make a good match?

"Where did you make the reservations?" Steve asked once he was seated.

"I thought you were making them?"

"Uh…. You said you wanted to make them…"

Right, she had. Unfortunately, it had completely slipped her mind.

"I did… I honestly forgot, busy with work and all." This was starting to get awkward. "We can go anywhere, it's totally fine. Or we can order pizza?"

"Yeah.. uh… wherever you want to go is fine by me."

Sighing, Maria turned her body in the seat to look at Steve. "Look, I'm not sure what Natasha and James were thinking by setting us up. It's my fault we don't have a reservation, I know. But why don't we order take out and see where the night goes?"

It was a relatively neutral offer, but Steve clearly detected the hidden meaning to it.

"I'm not sleeping with you. I'm not that type of guy."

Raising a brow at him, she waited a beat before replying. "That type of guy? What? The type of guy to sleep with someone like me?"

She could practically see his imaginary face palm as he realized he had shoved his foot in his mouth. Oh fucking well.

"No. That's not what I meant." Embarrassment was clearly written all over his features as he struggled to undo the damage he had done.

"Save it for someone else." With that, Maria opened the car door and got out, slamming it shut.

"Maria, wait. I didn't mean it like that." The car door slammed shut as he got out, but Maria didn't look back at him, just made her way back to her apartment door.

"You're one of those uptight guys who hates the idea of women having casual relationships. Aren't you?" Keys in hand she turned to look at him, leveling him with an expressionless look.

"And let me guess, you're one of those women who's afraid of committing to a relationship?" He hadn't even had time to explain himself and now he was being accused of being uptight? What the hell?

Scoffing, Maria continued towards her door. "You don't know anything about me. Natasha and James were clearly out of their minds."

Unlocking her door, she walked inside and slammed the door shut. Natasha was so going to be in for it, what had she been thinking?

A/N: Posting this was extremely daunting because I feel like I'm going to fuck up the characters, so feedback is greatly appreciated.