I was in the kitchen looking for a snack, when I heard a cough outside on the balcony. I padded outside, and found Steve, hunched over against the railing.

"Hey Steve? Are you okay?" I ask and walk up next to him. He wiped his eyes off quickly when I approach.

"I wasn't crying." he mutters in a low voice, and doesn't look me in the eye.

I rest my hand on his arm. "It's okay to cry. Good, even. It reminds you that you have a heart, and have feelings. Don't be ashamed. Even Captain America can cry, you know."

He meets my gaze. "I suppose so."

"If you want, you can tell me. You don't have to though." I offer.

We sit in comfortable silence for a minute, letting the gentle breeze flow around us. "I can't stop thinking about Peggy." Steve finally says. "And every time I do, I'm reminded that we can't be together because she is either 90 years old or dead, and I'm too afraid to find out which. I'll dream about her, but when I wake up I have to face the fact that she can only be in dreams, not with me." he blushes slightly at his confession.

I squeeze his arm. "In a history book I read for class one time, it talked about Peggy. It said she was one of the greatest female officers in the military. It also talked about you. It said you were the greatest soldier the world ever saw. Granted, I didn't know you personally back then, but I thought whoever that guy was he must have been pretty cool. " I say.

Steve just looks at me. "Ha. Yeah right." he says in a bitter tone.

"Steve, I can't believe you think that. You were chosen by Dr. Erskine for a reason. He saw the amazing person within you. You have the biggest heart out of anybody I know. You are kind, and smart, and really brave. You are like a big brother to me in this family of crazy weirdoes. He chose you because you had the best character out of any of the other soldiers. Sure, you didn't have muscles growing out of your muscles back then, but you do now."

He chuckles at that last part. "Do you really think that?"

I smile. "Think it? I BELIEVE it." I sigh. "I am going to give you some tough love. I know it's hard, but the more you dwell on her, the more you could be missing another Peggy right outside the Tower. Don't forget her, or dismiss her, but don't be afraid to open your eyes to the real world. Your new Peggy could be the cute check-out girl at the store that we both think is cool, or a girl walking her dog in Central Park."

Steve smiles a small smile. "That check-out girl was pretty. Thanks Beth."

I playfully pat him on the back. "That's the spirit! Wanna make some double fudge milkshakes? I hear they are especially good for soldiers in need of a pick-me-up." I persuade.

Steve laughs. "Sure."

I start running into the kitchen and grabbing milkshake stuff.

"Hey Beth?" Steve pipes up.

I look up. "Yeah?"

"You're like a little sister to me in this family of crazy weirdoes." he says with a genuine smile.

"I am honored, Captain." I say, and salute. Steve grins and salutes back, and we make the best milkshakes either of us has ever had.