Solution

DarylDixon'sLover: Hello friend! So excited to see you again!

FanGirlForever19: Well let me know when you have ideas! Also, this is random, but your profile picture made reminded me to tell you to anticipate a lot more Steve in this one!

alliesmiley2: Thank you! I hope you continue to enjoy!

"Err…something along those lines," he replied vaguely. "Planning an event of some sort, at least." He paused at an intersection in the hallway and patted my shoulder before he headed off in the other direction. "Say hi to Brucey for me!"

I laughed and made the final turn to the laboratories. There was never a quiet day around here.

The door shut behind me, and as per our norm, Bruce's back was to me.

"You're later than usual," he hummed lightly.

I shrugged, tossing my notes onto a side table. "Had to make a few stops on the way," I replied. I took my time putting on a pair of latex gloves before I added on, "And the lab isn't exactly close to my room."

I could hear him snort. "Trust me, I know." The doctor finally turned around, and I noticed the book in his hand. "Remind me to show you my shortcuts sometime."

"There are shortcuts?" I groaned. "Why didn't anyone tell me about them?"

"Most people don't know they exist," Bruce shrugged.

I came around the table and leaned against it. "Well that's a comfort…what's that?"

Bruce held up the book, which I suddenly recognized. "One from your collection. Finally got around to your recommendation, and—"

"And?" I cut him off eagerly. "What do you think?"

The doctor sighed, one of his hands coming up to rub his eyes behind his glasses. "I don't know, Eliza. This is a total case study on our hands. There's no data, no systems, no research—"

"Every field begins like that," I insisted, coming forward and crossing my arms. "You have to start somewhere."

I watched as Bruce's eyes flickered back down to the pages. He was contemplating, I could tell. The gears in his head were grinding together, so much that I could almost hear them. He still wasn't sure. But I knew him. He had a heart of gold. He wouldn't just give up, right?

"Just think it over, that's all I ask," I swallowed. "He's doing better, but he still feels chained to his past. If we can get the words out-"

"If, Eliza," Bruce interrupted. "That's a big if. You're asking to rewrite over seventy years of psychological programming."

I felt my own brain begin to whir in overtime as I ran it all through my head again, this massive idea that had been forming over the past month. "I'm not asking to rewrite it— all pathways in the brain are permanent. But it's been years since the words were last used, they're getting old, worn down. If we can put a blocker—"

Bruce shook his head. "Already asked her. Wanda said it's too dangerous."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Alright. What if we pulled an inception- put something in?"

"Create a new neural pathway?" Bruce asked. "Eliza, do you know what they had to do to—"

"Yes, I do," I stated firmly. "And I'm not suggesting we act like HYDRA. We find our own technique, ingrain a call off word, something that would make him feel safe."

Bruce was shaking his head again as he walked away, and I felt my hopes plummeting. "I'm just not sure, Eliza. What if something goes wrong? What if he winds up worse than before?"

I fought to keep my jaw unclenched. "I'm not sure there is much worse."

I heard him sigh, and then the sound of the textbook falling onto the lab table. He walked back over to me, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder when he was near. "We'll keep researching, okay? They didn't give up on me, and we won't give up on him."

I managed to meet his eyes. Sincerity burned bright in them, and my worries went away. "Thank you."

Bruce smiled, his eyes crinkling. He pushed his glasses up his nose and began to wander to the other side of the lab as he said, "You've been a God-sent, Eliza. It's the least I can do."

Smiling, I made my way over to my station. The hours passed smoothly, the only interruption being a new intern awkwardly stumbling their way into the wrong room. It was just past five when I began packing up my things and handing final reports over to Bruce.

"See you tomorrow," I said as I walked toward the door. "And Tony said hi!" I called back.

I could practically hear Bruce trip. "Wait, he's here? Eliza-!"

Laughing, I let the door fall behind me. I turned to make a left, but the jingling of a collar alerted me of an energetic presence. I looked to my right to see an excited Benjamin bounding up to greet me.

I dropped to my knees and set the papers aside. "Hello there, sir!" I greeted cheerfully, scratching behind his ears. "Did you run off again? I swear, if James leaves his door open one more time-"

"Don't worry," a familiar voice came. I glanced up and saw Steve approaching, his hands stuffed in his pockets. He leaned down and patted Benjamin on the head. "I was just showing him around."

I hummed understandingly. "James ask you to?"

Steve nodded the affirmative. "Didn't want Ben stuck in the room while you two were out tonight. You nervous?"

After collecting my notes, I stood and began to walk back toward the residential area with Steve. "A little bit," I answered honestly. "It's always scary introducing your parents to your boyfriend…and it seems even more so because he's not exactly…well…"

"Normal," Steve filled in for me. I gave him a pained look, and he held up a hand. "It's okay— it's what we are. If we were normal, we wouldn't be Avengers. No need to act otherwise."

I sighed. "I guess you have a point— for once."

Steve laughed, and the conversation came to a lull as we entered a crowd of people. We made our way through the maze of corridors, Benjamin happily trotting alongside us. I could hear the metallic clang of his little prosthetic boot on the floor, and couldn't help but smile. Tony always went above and beyond for the people he cared about.

Once we got into the residential area, I sensed a shift in Steve's attitude. His shoulders dropped, and the persona of Captain America faded away.

"You know," he said suddenly. "I've been thinking-"

"Oh dear," I deadpanned.

He gave me an amused look, but continued. "I've been thinking I could try one of those dating apps everyone keeps talking about."

I made a face. "I don't know, Steve. You're pretty recognizable— anyone would see your profile and know who you are in two seconds."

"So not as good of an idea as I thought," he sighed.

We stopped outside my door, and I gave him a sympathetic look. "You'll find someone, Steve. I'm sure of it." His posture told me he didn't believe me, so I reached out and patted his shoulder mock-patronizingly. That made him laugh.

I smiled at him. "There you go. You know, my dad used to tell me, 'I didn't meet your mom until I met her'."

Steve's eyes met mine, and I saw some understanding click. He took the words in for a moment, then nodded. "Well," he started, "I hope to meet her soon. Being a third wheel really isn't my style."

Snorting, I stepped forward to pass into my room. "Drama king," I tossed back. The door shut behind me, and I heard Benjamin barking after Steve as they walked away.

I shook my head with amusement as I set my notes down on my desk. My eyes glanced over at the clock and took in the numbers. I could get ready for dinner with my family and James within twenty minutes, right? A familiar strand of pearls gleamed at me from my dresser. I could do it.