Chapter One – Under the Radar

Life has changed drastically since the 1800s, not that it was a bad thing, of course. Elaine did enjoy the women's rights movement; it was such a drag back in the day. Of course, there were some downsides too, with the rapid development of technology. In this day and age, it was much more difficult to keep herself hidden with people constantly taking videos with their phones and the improved surveillance cameras that were everywhere.

Why did she want to keep herself well hidden?

Freedom.

She wanted to keep her freedom and after the alien invasion in New York, she was very aware that SHIELD was recruiting special people. Not to toot her own horn, but being a vampire felt like it fell under "special." During the invasion, she did what she could with nearby people to ensure they were crushed under the rubble or attacked, but with people like Tony Stark and Natasha Romanoff, she couldn't afford any mistakes.

So, she's been laying relatively low, owning a nice small café/bookshop in town with only one other employee.

It was nice. It was quiet. She was living her long existence in peace.

Until Steve Rogers came into her shop.

It seemed purely by accident as well since he looked a little lost. He came in, looking around before spotting her at the front. He looked right at her before starting to come up, looking a little sheepish. She gave him a brief smile, schooling her expression to act like she didn't know who he was.

"Hello, ma'am," he softly greeted and she almost laughed at how formal he sounded. From her own intel, she had heard about the frozen super soldier from 1945. She supposed he was still trying to adjust.

"Hello, sir," she greeted back politely with a smile. "How can I help you today?"

Steve came up to her counter with a piece of ripped paper that had some writing on it. She took a look and found that it was the bookshop a couple blocks away from her own shop and also had the name of a history book.

"Sorry, I seem to be a little lost. Could you tell me how to this shop?" He rubbed the back of his head and she refrained from biting her lip at how funny it was that a super soldier could make his way around an alien invasion, but defeated by poorly written directions on a piece of paper.

She glanced again at the name of the history book and realized she had a copy herself at her shop. Elaine knew that she really should've told Captain America how to get to the shop and sent him on his merry way.

She really should've, Damien was going to be pissed at her, but curiosity got the better of her. She looked up at Captain America's blue eyes and grinned.

"Well, sir, if you're looking for this book, I actually have a copy here. It'll also be much cheaper than the other bookstore you're looking for."

Steve's eyes lit up slightly as he put his ripped paper away. He couldn't believe his luck today with finding this book that Banner suggested he get if he was looking for something to help catch him up. He had been circling the block many times before coming in to just ask for directions.

What had surprised him, even more, was that this girl in front of him didn't seem to recognize him. Ever since the press release about The Avengers defeating the alien invasion, he would sometimes get mobbed when walking out the tower. It was even weirder to find out there was a museum dedicated to his whole life story.

"Follow me."

The voice broke him out of his chain of thought as he quickly fell in step with the girl. He looked over and down to see her name tag, Elaine. They were standing in front of bookshelves and she was humming to herself as her finger skimmed through the lines of books.

"Ah," she grabbed a book out. "Here it is."

Turning back to him, she handed him the book and it was the first time that he noticed she was wearing black gloves skin tight to her hand, but only starting from half her palm.

"Thank you, miss." He politely said, while she only smiled in return.

"You a big history fan?" She asked, giving Steve more reason to believe that she didn't know he was Captain America.

"You could say that," he vaguely said. "I'm just started to get into it."

She pursed her lips for a second, almost looking at the book disapprovingly in his hand. She then took the book back, surprising him. "In that case, I don't think the book you've got will be a great starter."

She turned back to the shelf and put the book back before seemingly looking for another book again. "What years are you looking to read and any specific topics?"

Steve blinked and nearly stuttered. "Oh, uh, I guess anything after 1945. Maybe major events and industrial changes?"

Elaine smirked as she looked through the books before pulling three books out that looked more manageable than the massive one Banner had recommended him. "In that case, I would recommend these. All of these talk about history after 1945. This one talks about major events nearly up to today's date. This one is about how society developed and changed throughout the years, and this one talks about the technology boom, really interesting if I do say so myself. I hope you'll find these more helpful?"

Steven blinked as she stacked the books in his hands. It was literally everything he actually needed to help himself catch up. It made him a little suspicious at that point that maybe this woman did know who he was after all.

"This is great, actually. I'm sure they'll, uh, help me get started."

Elaine nodded. "Sure thing. Let's get you checked out."

When they walked back to the counter and Elaine noticed that Steve was trying to look at the books to skim through some parts.

Again, she knew that she should've just rung the man up and sent him on his way. She could see him eyeing her as if to figure out if she knew he was Captain America.

She really would be putting herself at risk if he stuck around her too much, but damn, she was curious by nature.

She turned around and nearly startled him as he came to a stop. Her brown hair that faded into the lighter caramel color at the end fell delicately over her shoulder.

"You know, I run a pretty unique shop here. A lot of my customers come to read the books, I don't enforce a buying policy, per se. You're more than welcome to take a seat and read the books to check them out to make sure they're what you're looking for—provided you get some coffee and maybe a dessert."

Steve blinked at her. It was interesting, to say the least. And maybe he should've declined, bought the books, and went on his way.

But the way she spoke to him, looked at him...man, he felt like a regular guy.

"Sure," he found himself saying. "I'll get a medium coffee and whatever special dessert you're serving today."

The woman smiled at him. "Right away, sir. Can I get your name for the order?"

While this confirmed that the woman didn't recognize him, he was reluctant to give his name in fear that she would end up recognizing the name.

"Steve," he said slowly. "Steve Rogers."

Her facial expression didn't change as she nodded. "Nice to meet you, Steve Rogers. My name is Elaine Vanderwood. I'm the owner here. Why don't you take a seat and I'll bring your order right over?"

Steve grinned as she turned and walked away.

He took a seat near the window, opening the first book delicately as he began to read.

But there was a certain warmth in him knowing that Elaine didn't know who he was.

It was nice to be just Steve Rogers to someone.

Elaine ran her fingers through her hair as she made his coffee and carefully plated his dessert. When she brought it over to him, he smiled slightly at her as she put it down and left. Going back to the counter, she pretended to keep busy, tending to other customers who came in or checking on her stock and machines.

She glanced at him occasionally and soon enough, he left. She walked over to his table and found a massive tip he overpaid for his coffee and dessert that were all gone. He had left the books neatly to the side with a small note on the table. The same piece of paper that he had brought in.

'Thanks for the wonderful coffee and cheesecake. I really only got through a bit of the first book, might have to come back to check the other ones out. —Steve.'

And that's how she ended up seeing Captain America nearly every day.

It was just another Tuesday when Steve came in again, book in hand.

"Hey, Steve," Elaine greeted, already making his coffee. He was someone with a regular pattern of behavior. So, he always came at 2 PM and stayed for about an hour.

"Hey, Elaine. Quiet today?" Steve asked as he came up to the counter, looking around and noticing there was no one else in the café. He had been coming consistently for the past two weeks, even hiding it from his fellow Avengers. It was nice to have someone who didn't know him and talked to him like a normal guy.

As the days progressed, he could get Elaine to sit with him and chat. Sometimes it was about the books, sometimes other things. He was surprised that some of their interests overlapped, like music and movie tastes, although she seemed to have a vast variety and music taste. Still, it made him happy when she didn't seem lost when he mistakenly would make an old reference. A part of him wanted to ask her to dinner, but he got a feeling that she didn't want to be asked out. As if it would be pushing the boundaries she's set and their safe haven they've created for their friendship inside the walls of her café.

He noticed that she never asked about his job or friends and she seemingly never really talked about that aspect of her own life. So, he just got that vibe that their friendship could only exist in this café.

He was going to need to figure out something soon though because he couldn't just keep coming to this café every day just to read.

Elaine gave him his cup and walked with him to a table. "How's the book going?" She asked, casually.

"Great! I'll probably be done soon. Just that last book you recommended left."

Elaine merely smiled, holding her mug. It was a thing he noticed that she always wore her black gloves. He hadn't asked about it though, finding that it may be invasive and he wasn't really sure if they were there yet. She caught him staring at it though.

"My hands get cold easily and I'm a semi-germaphobe," Elaine explained with ease and Steve nodded, looking a little sheepish and apologetic, but she merely waved it off. "I try not to things with my bare hands if possible. Last year I got really sick from touching this gross money from this girl, probably stripper money. So, really gross and in places I don't wanna indirectly touch. Since then, gloves."

Elaine watched as Steve's face scrunched up in disgust, but laughed nonetheless. She licked her lips. Lying had become second nature to her, it was inevitable with who—what she was. The stripper story was true, but she didn't get sick. She can't even get sick.

The gloves were her personal preference. The thing with being a vampire was that she had a special gift. Every person she touched with her hands, she ended up seeing everything about that person. Their life story, every thought they ever had, all their secrets and desires, and for the most part, she didn't like it. In the past, it was a useful skill in situations she needed to get herself out of or when she needed information. But it was incredibly invasive, even if the other person didn't know she knew everything about them.

With Steve's constant visit, she admitted that it was nice to talk to him. Damien had nearly lectured her an entire hour, but she did manage to convince him she had it under control and if she didn't, she would disappear.

She could tell Steve had wanted to ask her to see her outside the café setting, but she was still cautious and sure how she fully felt about it. She didn't think Steve liked her romantically or anything, but he enjoyed chatting with her.

He was about to say something to her when the door chimed signaling someone came in. They looked over to see a young girl about the age of 7 walk in. Elaine frowned, recognizing her neighbor's kid she was currently looking after.

Elaine stood up and walked over to the young girl, bending down as the kid wrapped her arms around Elaine's neck and embraced her as she lifted her up.

"Allison, sweetheart, what are you doing here? School isn't supposed to be out for another hour." The young girl continued to wrap her tiny arms around Elaine's neck as she mumbled something.

"What was that, sweetheart?" Elaine asked, trying to pull back a little.

"School ended early..." Her small voice rang through, most of the words vibrating against Elaine's neck.

"And you walked here?" Elaine asked, frowning.

Allison nodded, forcing Elaine to pull back and give the young girl a disapproving stare.

"Allison, you know that's not okay. It can be dangerous out there for you to walk here alone. You need to call me so I can come to get you." Elaine thought about having the call the teacher to give her a long lecture about letting a damn 7-year-old go home alone.

The young girl pouted with her bottom lip trembling slightly, showing she was thoroughly scolded. "'m sorry, Lainey."

With that, Elaine couldn't stay mad too long, so she let out a sigh and rubbed the young girl's hair affectionately to show she was forgiven.

"Okay, squirt. Are you hungry? How 'bout a sandwich and some juice?" Allison nodded enthusiastically. Elaine brought Allison over to Steven, who was staring at them curiously.

"Hey, Steve. Sorry, do you mind watching her for a second while I grab her some lunch?" Steve shook his head and smiled at Allison, who shyly smiled back, leaning a little closer to Elaine. She set down Allison in a chair and leaned down, so she was closer at eye level with the girl.

"Okay Allie, this is my friend Steve. He's super nice and I bet he'd love to hear your story about show and tell today. Why don't you tell him and I'll be back in a second?" Allison looked over to Steve, who gave her that winning Captain America smile and nodded encouragingly to get the girl to talk.

"Hi Allison, I'm Steve. Oh man, I can't wait for you to tell me about show and tell!" He excitedly spoke, watching Elaine smile and walk off. Allison's eyes lit up as she launched into her story. Steve made excited sounds at the appropriate places by he couldn't help but wonder if this was Elaine's kid? He didn't see a ring on her finger though, so was she a single mom? But Allison had also called her 'Lainey,' which didn't seem like something a child would call their mother.

"Are you Captain America?"

The question caught Steven by surprise as his eyes widened. He was stunned speechless.

"I saw you on TV before and there's a boy in my class named David and he loves Captain America. He talks about Captain America all the time and shows us pictures!" The young girl exclaimed excitedly, nearly bouncing out of her seat. Steve's eyes wandered to Elaine, who had her back turned, making the sandwich and didn't seem to have heard what they were talking about.

He let out a small sigh of relief and turned back his attention to Allison. Putting his finger to his lip, she put her tiny hands to her own mouth and let out a soft giggle.

"Allison, you're an amazing gal. But Elaine doesn't know yet. Think you can keep it a secret for me?"

Allison seemed to ponder. "Are you gonna tell her later, though?"

Steve paused lightly and then smiled. "Yeah, one day, but you gotta keep a secret first."

Allison did the adorable thing where she pretended to zip her mouth, lock it, and then throw away the key, making Steve grin.

It was the perfect timing as Elaine came over with a sandwich with the crust cut off and a small glass of orange juice. She placed it in front of the young girl, looking at the two of them. "What'd I miss?"

"Nothing!" Allison exclaimed, looking over at Steven who grinned. So, maybe 7-year-olds aren't great in subtly, but he laughed as Elaine raised her eyebrow but didn't question any further.

Once the girl had finished eating, she ran off to find a book for herself to read and Elaine sighed.

"So," Steve said after a moment. "Is she yours?"

Elaine raised an eyebrow before chuckling as she shook her head. "Goodness, no. I wouldn't even know how to keep up with that bundle of energy. She's sweet though, isn't she?" She smiled as Steve nodded his head genuinely.

She cleaned the crumbs back onto the plate. "She's my neighbor's kid. She's a single mom and in the hospital right now. Won't be discharged until next week and since there's no one else who can look after Allison, I offered to have her stay with me until mom's out."

Steve smiled, crooking his lips lopsidedly as he looked at Elaine. "That's awful kind of you, Elaine. Do you mind me asking what her mother is in the hospital for?"

Elaine ran her gloved fingers through her hair and bit her lips briefly.

"Oh...I'm sorry—you don't have to..." Steve said, feeling guilty, but Elaine shook her head.

"Oh, no, it's fine. It's nothing serious. It was, um, the alien invasion. She got stuck under some rubble and had to be pulled out. Crushed one of her legs, but she's going to be fine."

Steve's eyes bulged and he quickly schooled his expression to look less shocked. "Oh, that's unfortunate but glad she's going to be okay."

Elaine nodded, a half-smile of her own.

"So..." Steve started again. "Where were you during the...alien invasion?" He knew that he was asking a dangerous question that could lead him to exposing his identity, but he just had to know.

"Oh! Uh, I was out of the city, so it didn't really affect me much." Elaine casually said. Steve let out a huge sigh relief he didn't even know he was holding.

"Oh, that's good to hear. Did you watch the news on it?" He was essentially asking her outright if she knew about him, but Elaine shook her head.

"Not really. I got the gist of it. An alien invasion and a group of people handled it. That's all I need to know. I don't really keep up or read the news. It's seriously depressing every time I watch or read it."

Steve smiled, more confident now she didn't know for sure. He quickly changed the subject to avoid her asking where or what he was doing during the invasion.

It was going well and smooth, both talking about their interest and trading stories.

'Maybe this is it,' Steve thought. The hour had passed by quickly and it was time for him to leave again.

Steven breathed a little heavily through his nose. He just needed to brave up and ask.

They had got up and she was walking him to the exit. Just as he was about to say something, they heard a large bang through the back near the books.

Elaine immediately turned her attention it, about to walk off but then they heard a little voice in the back.

"I'm okay! I just dropped a book. It's okay too! I'm gonna put it back."

Elaine seemed to sigh with relief and turned her attention back to Steve. Licking his lips, he tried again.

"Listen, Elaine," he started and then Elaine was biting her own lips suddenly. "It's really been great to talk with you over the past two weeks. I was wondering if maybe you wanted to grab dinner sometime?"

"Like a date?" Elaine asked, catching Steve by surprise once more. He blinked a couple of times, the tip of his ears turning pink.

"It can be."

Elaine seemed to be weighing something on her mind and Steve held his breath, ready to rescind his offer, but then Elaine nodded.

"Okay, we can have dinner. But no expectation on this date, okay? I like that we're friends."

Steve smiled and nodded. It did take some of the pressure off himself. He liked being friends with her too and if the date somehow would go disastrously, then at least they could still be friends.

"Alright, um, how about tomorrow for casual dinner? What time would be good?"

"Tomorrow is fine. Meet me here at 7 PM." Elaine instructed; she didn't want Steve to know where she lived. Plus, her other employee would be in tomorrow to close.

"Okay, sounds great!" Steve said, smiling wide.

"See you tomorrow, Steve," Elaine said, waving goodbye to him as he left.

Oh man, Damien is really going to chew her ass off.

A/N: So this is pretty much to help me cope with Endgame lol. Also, somehow there's just not enough Black Widow femslash fics out there? How is that even possible. I personally make everything gay. But anyways, this will be a relatively short fic (that I will attempt to update regularly) the beginning kind of focuses on Steve/OC. Natasha comes in the next chapter, but she starts with being friends with OC, developing and working through her feelings later on. There's also Wanda/OC LOL. Hope ya'll stick around! Review, anyone?