Captain Steve Rogers had never been the most confident of men, and he wasn't going to become one now. But as he watched the beautiful woman that is Tony Stark's niece sashay her way through Stark Industries, he wished that he could have the confidence to approach her.
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Elizabeth Stark smiled as she walked out of the hospital, enjoying the sunshine on her face. She had just worked a sixteen hour shift, and she wanted nothing more than to go home and go straight to bed.
She was an emergency room nurse, enjoying the hustle and bustle that came with her job. She loved to help everyone in need. The love she felt for her job was indescribable, and she would not give it up for anything.
Her phone rang as she sat down in her car, and she groaned loudly. It was six o'clock in the morning, for crying out loud! She pulled her smartphone out of her scrub pocket, glaring at the screen. "Uncle Tony, what could you possible what this early in the morning?"
Said Uncle chuckled deeply. "It's good to hear from you too, Lizzy. How are you on this fine morning?" Elizabeth breathed through her nose deeply, trying to keep from getting angry.
"Well, I just finished working a sixteen hour shift, and I'd love to go home and sleep." She retorted.
"I was just wondering if you could swing by and maybe help your favorite uncle." Tony said, his voice sounding slightly pained. Elizabeth winced. She had been summoned by her uncle quite often in the past few months.
"You're my only uncle. Is this another Iron Man thing?" She sighed when Tony proved her to be correct. "I'll be right there."
"You're the best, Lizzy. Thanks. I'll have a coffee waiting for you." He told her before hanging up the phone. She drove straight to Stark Industries, her mind slightly fuzzy from the long night she had.
Once she finally got granted access to enter the building, she leaned against the wall in the elevator. "Good morning, Miss. Stark." A familiar voice stated.
"Ah, JARVIS. Good morning to you as well." Elizabeth smiled. 'Just A Rather Very Intelligent System' indeed. "Will you direct the elevator to the floor that my uncle is on?" She asked.
"Of course, Miss. Stark." He honored her request, taking her higher and higher until she arrived at the penthouse. She thanked the AI and exited the elevator.
"Uncle Tony." She sighed as she saw him propped up on the couch. He seemed to be bruised quite badly, and there were many scratches on his face.
"Lizzy! So good to see you." He said, his voice painfully cheery. Pepper Potts was perched beside him on the couch, and the two women shared similar looks.
"Uncle Tony, I wish that you would be more careful." Elizabeth sighed as she grabbed the first aid kit that Pepper had set down on the table for her.
"We weren't sure whether or not we should call you." Pepper said, looking over his injuries. "He says it hurts when he breathes too deeply." Elizabeth nodded and she began to inspect her uncle. "The wounds all seem to be external. Your ribs are cracked, but it won't cause any internal damage unless you make them worse." She glowered at her uncle.
"I'll be on my best behavior." He told her, giving her a wink. Pepper sighed with exasperation.
"Now, where's this coffee you promised me?" Elizabeth said, making her way over to the kitchen. There never seemed to be much in Tony's kitchen, except for an abundance of alcohol. The little coffee pot in the corner was full of steaming hot coffee, and she happily inhaled the scent.
"Well, now that you're here, you might as well stay awhile." Uncle Tony suggested, and Elizabeth could not refuse.
"You know that I can't refuse you, Uncle Tony." She laughed, sitting down in a big, squishy love seat. She kicked her shoes off and rubbed her sore toes with her hands. She sat the coffee on the table beside the chair.
"So, how are you liking the hospital?" Tony asked casually, and Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
"I still love my job." She retorted, and he held up his hands defensively.
"Just remember, my offer still stands."
"You seem to forget, however, that I am not good with technology. I'm good with people, which is a talent you seem to still lack." Elizabeth smiled at him and took another sip of her drink.
"Ouch, Lizzy. You wound me." He said in a deadpan voice, his hand going to his chest in fake pain.
"I don't see how Pepper puts up with you." The pretty blonde smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
"Some days I enjoy his wit. Other days, not so much." The two females threw their heads back and laughed loudly while Tony rolled his eyes. He pushed himself off of the couch and made his way into the kitchen, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
Elizabeth curled up in the soft chair, leaning her head back. It felt so good to sit down after she had been on her feet so long. "Elizabeth, you look completely exhausted. You need to rest." Pepper told her, and she smiled weakly.
"I'm so tired. Maybe I should just head on home." She went to stand, but Tony pushed her shoulders so that she gently plopped down in the chair.
"Sleep here. It's fine. You're always welcome here." Tony spoke nonchalantly as he walked past her, and it actually made her feel guilty. She never dropped by to visit, even though Tony was the only relative she associated with and truly cared for. Pepper picked up the television remote and turned it on. The news was on, showing a man dressed in a blue outfit with a shield that resembled the design on the American flag.
Tony huffed as he watched the news, and Elizabeth laid her head back again, this time letting her eyes close.
When she finally woke up, no one was in the room with her. "JARVIS, what time is it?" She asked and she stood up and stretched.
"It is approximately two oh seven in the afternoon, Miss Stark." He answered. She made herself a simple sandwich with the few items she found in the kitchen and chewed it thoughtfully. She was wondering how Uncle Tony had been injured like he was. Iron Man was always doing dangerous things, and it made her sick to the stomach with her nerves.
Once she finished her sandwich, she decided to find Tony. "JARVIS, will you take me to my uncle?" She asked, grabbing a bottle of water and hopping into the elevator.
"Of course." He answered, directing the elevator to take her to the correct floor. When the door opened and she stepped out, she was presented with more company than she was expecting.
"Well, good morning, Sleeping Beauty." Tony joked. "Now all of my favorite people are here." He said, gesturing to the people sitting at the table. There was sarcasm evident in his voice. "Lizzy, this is Doctor Bruce Banner, Natasha Romanoff, and Steve Rogers."
She smiled at them all, awkwardly running her hand through her hair, trying to not look like she just woke up. Her eyes focused on each face as her uncle said each name, but she felt herself choke when her eyes landed on the last one.
"Steve Rogers?" She asked, raising her eyebrows. The incredible handsome young man gave her a shy smile. His cheeks turned a bright pink at the attention. His blonde hair was perfectly parted to the side, and his eyes were an unbelievable blue. Tony sighed.
"Yes, yes, Lizzy. That is the one and only, Captain America."