Author's Note: I was having a hard time with this decision but, I decided that I liked Maria being with Steve (Captain America) rather than Bruce (Hulk). Oh, yeah, and Maria has powers the start of which you will see in this chapter. (Hint: it involves Steve and Bruce)


The interview was a bust, the guy kept staring at my boobs. I got the hell out of there as fast as I could and hit my favorite coffee shop. I waved to the barista Mike as I walked through the door, he waved back and started my cappuccino. There were a group of high school girls gathered around one of the tables in the back of the shop, all giggling and flipping their hair. I felt a strange pull towards that table but I ignored it and headed for the counter.

"Can you believe those girls?" Mike asked as he passed me my drink. "All that fuss for some guy?"

"Seriously?" I asked, handing him a five. "There's a guy somewhere in that mess?"

"Yeah, some tall buff blonde." Mike said. I heard the scrape of a chair sliding out and heavy footsteps heading this direction.

"Aww! Come on let us buy a drink!" One of the girls called after the person, the blonde guy I presume.

"Sorry ladies, I really need to go." Said a velvety voice that made my entire body tingle. Oh, boy, I need to get out of here.

"Bye, Mike." I said before turning and running smack into a wall of solid muscle so hard I bounced off and into the counter, dropping my coffee.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry. Are you alright?" The same velvety voice asked and two strong hands gentle grabbed my upper arms. My heart went crazy and that strange feeling I had when I walked in got stronger. I looked up at the most hansom face I had ever seen and almost forgot how to breathe.

"I'm fine." I manage to say sounding far less shaken than I felt.

"Are you sure?" He asked, concern evident in his blue eyes. I nodded, surprised he's so worried about me. "Alright, I'm sorry about your coffee. Let me buy you a new one?" I nodded again unable to say no for some reason. He looked over my head at Mike and asked for a new drink for me. He still hadn't let go of me yet, his touch sending fire through my blood. He looked back down at me and realized he was still holding onto my arms and immediately let go and took a step back. "Sorry." He said again, blushing slightly, and so was I sorry too, that he let go.

"It's alright." I said softly, feeling a blush forming on my pale cheeks as well.

"I'm Steve Rogers, by the way." He said extending his right hand towards me.

"Maria Evans." I said shaking his hand, causing an electric current to shoot up my arm. We both pulled back quickly.

"Here, Maria." Mike said from behind the counter sounding rather annoyed. When I turned to grab the coffee I bumped into Steve's hand as he reached for it as well, our eyes met and I blushed farther. I could see Mike roll his eyes out of the corner of my eye, like I care what he thinks. I grabbed the coffee and Steve dropped money on the counter.

"Let me make up for my clumsiness, Miss Evans, by walking you wherever it is you're going." Steve said.

"You already bought me a new coffee, Mr. Rogers, there's no need to go out of your way." I said shyly.

"It's not going out of my way, it would be my pleasure." He said smiling brightly, making me weak kneed.

"If you insist, Mr. Rogers" I said. He nodded and we walked away from the counter. When we reached the door he actually opened it for me. "Thank you." I said and walked through the door.

"You're welcome." He said following me out. We started down the street side by side.