A.N – So hopefully that first chapter wasn't too cliché. The first couple of chapters will mostly be fluffy, but to build a house you have to lay groundwork. Also, if you haven't seen any of the movies mentioned in this chapter, please check them out. I grew up on these films and they're wonderful.

If you're enjoying the story, please review.

Disclaimer – I do not own anything you recognise. The Avengers and the characters therein, belong to Marvel.

Chapter Two

'They seem a bit too…tight.' Steve said, looking down at the jeans that Nadia had insisted he try on. The sizing system had changed a fair amount since 1945, but he'd brought a genius with a doctorate along with him. It hadn't taken Nadia long to figure it out. Still, he was convinced that she'd gotten him the wrong size because there was no way people actually wore pants this tight. He could hardly move.

'That's the fashion.' She said, smiling. 'But if you want them a bit looser I can go find something for you.'

'Yes please.' Steve was relieved at her offer.

'Do you like the shirts I picked out? I figured you'd want a combination of button up and pull-over shirts.' Nadia asked as she walked away and Steve slipped back into the changing room.

Steve had been surprised at how good Nadia was at adapting to his style. The shirts were mostly just plain colours with no prints, but were made of nice material and fit Steve nicely. He certainly was looking forward to ditching those khaki pants he'd been stuck with for a while now.

'They're nice. Thank you.' He called out to her. A pair of jeans swung over the top of the door and Steve wondered if she'd had to jump to accomplish it. He pulled them on and felt much better. They were straight legged and looser than the other pair. He pushed the dressing room door open again and raised his eyebrows at Nadia.

'You're right. Those suit you much better.' Nadia said, nodding. 'I think that covers clothes.'

'Thank God.' Steve muttered as he went to take off the jeans. He heard her laugh. Nadia had taken him to four other stores before this one. They'd stocked up on shoes, pants, shirts, and Nadia had, with a flushed face, left him alone in the men's underwear section. Steve felt heat rise in his cheeks a little when he thought about how embarrassing that moment had been.

He emerged from the dressing room and made his way over to the counter, Nadia content to browse the racks while he paid with the little strip of plastic he'd learned to use a few hours before. He was waiting in line when Nadia rushed up to him with a beaming smile, various bags swinging on her arms.

'This screams you.' She said, holding up a simple but stylish brown leather jacket. Steve smiled and took it from her. Finally, an item of clothing that he was familiar with. He paid and they left the store to venture out into the shopping mall, which was teeming with people even though it was the middle of the work day.

'So is there anything else you want to get today?' She asked.

'Uh…I don't think so…'

'I suppose SHIELD already gave you a cell phone?'

Steve took out the rectangular piece of technology from his pocket. 'So that's what this thing is called?'

Nadia giggled. 'Yes. You can make calls on it, get emails, check your social media, watch movies. There is more technology in that thing than there was when they sent the first astronauts to the moon.'

'People landed on the moon?' Steve asked, beyond astounded. Nadia nodded, pushing her glasses up her nose in a habit that Steve was quickly getting used to.

'Remind me to teach you how to use Google.' She said, as they made their way to the parking lot. 'But for now, maybe just write down everything you hear about that doesn't make sense.'

'Good idea.'

After loading the shopping bags in the trunk of the car, Nadia got into the passenger seat while Steve drove. They'd found that SHIELD had left a car for them to use around the block from Steve's apartment, a typical black sedan with a surprising amount of legroom. Nadia reclined easily in the seat, looking relaxed.

'So you've always wanted to go to Egypt?' Steve asked as they made it out onto the road and started to drive back to his apartment building. New York hadn't really changed since he'd last been there and he was proud to say that he was a quick learner, even if the traffic was worse than before.

'Ever since I was little. I've just always loved the mystery and culture. I want to see the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx and the Valley of the Kings. I want to stand in the same place a Pharaoh may have stood. I just want to soak up all that history. It's a fascinating country.'

'I've never been. I was mostly in Europe during the war.' Steve replied, 'But I can see the appeal.'

'Is there anywhere you've always wanted to go?'

Steve was silent for a moment, thinking. 'Rome.'

'Rome?' Nadia repeated, a little surprised.

'To see the cathedrals.' He added, a little more quietly, 'I like art.'

Steve saw Nadia smile at him from the corner of his eye.

'I'd like to go there too someday.'

Steve found Nadia's company soothing, which is something he hadn't felt in a long time. She was certainly interesting, a puzzle. He never knew what she would say next, and he'd be lying if he didn't find her kindness and sense of humour, charming. But Steve could tell she was as lonely as he was. He'd seen the look in her eyes when she got quiet, lost in thought. It was the same look many soldiers had back in the war. She'd seen something and it haunted her.

'Well, there are some great art programs in the city. Maybe you should enrol.' Nadia suggested. Steve didn't say anything as they parked around the corner from his apartment building. They were silent as they climbed the stairs, each lost in thought.

He'd thought about going back to what he'd done before the war. He'd been an art student and working as a delivery boy for a newspaper, but to him, that seemed like going backwards. Like it was something out of someone else's life now.

'Steve...' Nadia stopped him just outside of his door. 'You have time to decide what you want to do with your life. There isn't any one way to go about it.'

'I know. Thanks.' He replied quietly, letting them into his apartment, where they dropped the shopping bags on the floor of his bedroom. It was clean, neat and tidy, with a few framed photos hanging on the walls.

'Who are they?' Nadia asked, pointing to a group photo. Steve stood next to her, feeling sadness prick at his soul.

'The Howling Commandos.' He explained, 'My unit during the war.'

Nadia studied the faces. 'You all look happy here.'

'I'd just rescued them from a HYDRA base behind enemy lines. We were all just happy to be alive.'

'What were their names?' she asked.

Steve pointed to each face in turn. 'Timothy Dugan. We all called him "Dum Dum." That's Gabe Jones, Jim Morita, James Falsworth, and Jacques Dernier.'

'And him?' Nadia gestured to the last face aside from Steve's. His swallowed thickly.

'That's James Barnes. Bucky. He was my best friend.'

Nadia looked up at him, forehead furrowed and confused. 'Was?'

'He's dead.' Steve said bluntly. 'He fell from a train and off a cliff. I couldn't save him. It was like I was there just to watch.'

Nadia touched his arm. 'That's not your fault.'

'You weren't there.'

'I didn't need to be. You seem like the kind of man who did everything in his power to save his friend. But sometimes giving everything we've got just isn't enough.'

Steve supposed she knew a little of what she was talking about. She was a doctor, who probably lost patients even though she did everything she could to help them. Still, he couldn't help but think she didn't completely understand. Bucky was like his brother and he'd let him fall to his death.

'He probably would have adjusted to modern life a lot better than I ever could.' Steve shoved his hands in his pockets so she wouldn't see them shaking.

'Well, why don't we fix that?' Nadia suggested, turning towards the living room and turning on the television. Steve followed. She clicked a button that said Netflix, and flopped down on the couch, barely making a sound. Steve had noticed she didn't walk, she almost floated. Her feet never made noise on the floor. She was so graceful it was like she had learned to fly.

'So, I was thinking we could start with some of the classics. Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The Sound of Music. I think you'll like that one. It's based, loosely, on a true story and set during the thirties and forties. There's also Calamity Jane, Rock-a-Bye-Baby and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Most of these are musicals, but were filmed about ten years after you went into the ice.'

'If these movies are so old, how do you know about them?' Steve asked, walking into the kitchen and opening the fridge. He needed to go grocery shopping, he thought as he pulled out the last two bottles of water.

'I just like them. They don't make movies like that anymore. It's all special effects and violence and sex now. Which is all great and exciting but there's something…classic about these.' Nadia explained, taking one of the bottles. 'So what are you in the mood for? Something funny? Action-packed? Or a romance?'

Steve smiled, sitting back on the comfortable couch and opening his water. 'I trust your judgement.'

Nadia smiled and picked The Sound of Music. Throughout the movie, Steve would point out historical inaccuracies in the film, which only amused Nadia instead of annoying her. Nadia mouthed the words to the songs, thinking Steve wasn't watching. They continued like that for the next few hours, getting through another three movies and about to start on their fourth when Nadia's phone rang.

'Excuse me,' She said to Steve before answering and putting the phone to her ear. 'Doctor Paolera…Oh my god…How many wounded…? Yes…I'll be right in.' She hung up and quickly grabbed her bag, heading for the door. 'There's been a car crash. They're expecting a lot of injured. The hospital has called me in. I have to go.'

Steve stood up too. 'Of course. It's your job.'

Nadia hesitated. 'I'm sorry for leaving.'

'You're not my babysitter, Nadia. Besides, they need you. Go.' He smiled, letting her know it was okay. She nodded and crossed to the door. Steve beat her there and opened it for her, ever the gentleman.

'Thanks Steve. I'll call you later.' The smile she gave Steve then made his breath get stuck in his throat. It wasn't the tentative, shy smiles she's been giving him all day, but one that made him think, Beautiful. Before he could reply, she was gone.


Steve didn't hear from Nadia for three days. He figured she was busy with her work, but that didn't stop him from wanting to speak to her. He'd formed an attachment to the pretty doctor and liked spending time with her. She asked him about things he liked and what he wanted to eat and if he was sleeping alright. She wasn't interested in asking him to recount battles he'd won or what is was like to be a hero.

He hit the punching bag again, hard. He'd found working out in the rundown gym helped him vent his frustrations. He couldn't sleep without waking up in a cold sweat, thinking he was in a warzone. He hit the bag. He couldn't bring himself to call Peggy, even though he was dying to see her. He hit the bag. He couldn't stop thinking about how pretty Nadia had been when she'd smiled at him, or how nice her name sounded aloud and not just in his head. He hit the bag. He couldn't decide what to do with his life now, in this new and unfamiliar time. He hit the bag. He missed Bucky and all his friends, even Howard. He hit the bag. He felt so lost.

The only thing Steve seemed able to do was Hit. The. Bag. With a huge punch, the bag flew off the chain and landed across then room, splitting up the side and spewing sand onto the floor. Steve was breathing heavily, staring at the floor where the punching bag had landed.

'Whoa.'

Steve turned around. Nadia was standing in the doorway, wearing leggings and a black hoodie. Her hair was in a ponytail and she looked like she'd been out running.

'Hey,' Steve breathed.

'What did that poor bag ever do to you?' She gestured to the sand on the floor, walking forwards. Steve grabbed another from the floor beside him and as easily as picking up a piece of paper, hung it on the hook above his head.

'Just frustrated is all.' He explained. Nadia nodded, stopping a few feet from him, just watching.

'I'm sorry I didn't call. It was crazy at the hospital. I pulled a double shift and then went home to murder my pillow. I woke up late this morning and thought I'd come see you. I've been looking for you all day.'

All day? 'What time is it?'

'Around six.'

Steve stopped hitting the bag and rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand. Nadia watched his every move with those intense grey eyes. 'Sorry.'

'No, don't be. I just…I just wanted to make sure you're okay.' She replied, shifting her feet uncomfortably, looking shy suddenly. Steve felt his cheeks grow warm. 'But clearly you're not if you're killing punching bags. Do you want to talk about what's bothering you?'

Steve shook his head. 'It's nothing.'

Nadia raised an eyebrow. 'Yeah. I totally believe you.'

He smiled, 'I didn't know you could be sarcastic.'

'It comes and goes.' Nadia said, shrugging out of her hoodie and tossing it on the bench next to Steve's gym bag and grabbing his spare pair of hand wraps. 'Well, maybe you should fight something that can actually defend itself. Come on.'

Steve blinked. 'What?'

'Come on.' She repeated, climbing into the boxing ring and wrapping her hands quickly and expertly. 'You want to vent your feelings, I'm your friend. Come on. Let's do this.'

'I don't hit girls.'

'What makes you think you'll be able to hit me?' She retorted, kicking off her shoes. Still, Steve hesitated. 'Steve, if I didn't think I could hold my own against the great Captain America, I wouldn't have offered. Now come on. I haven't got all night.'

Steve sighed and, uncomfortable, got into the ring. He noticed how tiny her feet were, clad in her polka dot socks. She smiled at him and then took off her glasses, laying them on the very edge of the mat. Nadia looked…wow. When she wore glasses, she looked so intelligent and pretty, but without them he could see her eyes better and they were even nicer than Steve originally thought.

She raised her fists and stood ready. He copied her and waited for her to make the first move, but she just waited. With great reluctance, he swung at her half-heartedly. She merely sidestepped and moved around him. He followed her. She was fast.

'Don't pull your punches.' She said, landing two consecutive punches to his stomach and then the side of his ribs. Steve grunted a little at how strong she was.

They traded punches and jabs, both dancing around each other. Steve once again noticed how light on her feet she was. She was good. Really good. She'd had some kind of training, and expert training at that. She was able to do exactly what she said, which was keep up with him. He hadn't expected her to know how to fight, since she was so averse to violence, but he was definitely impressed right now.

Suddenly, she struck out with her leg and tried to roundhouse kick him. Quick as lightning, he caught her ankle and held it tightly so she was standing on one leg. Nadia wobbled a little and Steve kicked out his other leg to sweep her supporting leg out from under her. He hadn't realised she'd fisted her hand in his shirt and so went tumbling down with her. They both fell awkwardly and Nadia quickly rolled to her side and locked his arm, leaned on his chest and gripped the back of his shirt near his neck. She put her body weight against his ribs so the air rushed out of his lungs. Steve wheezed a little before sitting up and rolling her onto her stomach, left hand pinned behind her back and legs facing away from him.

'Pinned.' Steve grinned. He yelped a little when Nadia snaked her hand around to his left side and pulled him down swiftly, so he lost his balance and lay on his back. She clambered on top of him, pinned his hands next to his head and locked her feet around his thighs.

'Who's pinned now?' She panted. Steve stared up at her with wide eyes, chest rising and falling with each breath. Nadia, realising just how close they were, scrambled to get off him quickly, fixing her ponytail and straightening her shirt.

'Where did you learn to fight like that?'

'While I was in med school, during the summers instead of going to my foster family, I would apply for internships overseas and go on volunteer trips. I picked up some martial arts. And after SHEILD recruited me as a consultant, I asked to keep up with the combat training.'

'Why?' Steve got to his feet, staring at her.

'It makes me feel safe.' Nadia replied quietly. 'Men aren't always as honourable as you are.'

Steve's hand twitched, wanting to reach out and take her hand. To reassure her that he'd help keep her safe. But she was his friend, not Peggy. He still carried a torch for her but he was certainly developing strong feelings of attachment for the pretty, strong, intelligent doctor in front of him.

'Anyway,' Nadia tossed her head, settling into a fighting stance once again. She smiled grimly. 'Want to go again?'