8:01 am- D. Lewis apt 1002

"Nooooooooo."

Darcy's annoyingly loud alarm just wouldn't shut up. If she could have any super power in the world, it would have to be the ability to turn it off with her mind.

Yea, that or she'd want the power of never feeling tired. Oh! No, she'd want to be able to magically have a full fridge! Yeaaaa.

After a moment's pause and a lousy try at telepathy, she snaked an arm out from her cocoon and slapped around the nightstand for her phone.

Even this early, Darcy was feeling pretty giddy. Not even the chilly air of her luxurious apartment could stop her from jumping out of bed, half naked but all hyped. She rushed to the bathroom and cleaned her face, all the while singing along to the radio she had programmed to start when she woke up. That was a pretty great Stark perk right there.

She tossed her hair up, loving the way it looked intentionally messy. Just like her. Smiling saucily, she winked at her reflection, already planning her first actual day off.

No packing Jane's junk, no paper work, no tech training. Darcy Lewis was a free woman for this next week, and damn it she had a pretty good idea what she wanted to do, particularly with one handsome sleepy blond. What's more, was she got a black card in her mail box yesterday. Her Stark issued payment credit card to be exact. It just so happened the blond owned her a date.

Darcy scourged through her newly unpacked closet for something both comfy and casual, which was nearly everything she owned. Usually she would go for an extra-large sweater and some flannels, or jeans and a tee. But today she wanted to pull out the big guns.

She chuckled at her own unintended joke. Guns, huh? She was talking about her big ol' boobies.

Darcy tossed on her favorite plum colored v-neck tee, just the right tightness, and a pair of loose legged yoga pants, mostly because feeling comfy won out over looking fly. It was her first day off in weeks, give a girl a break!

Feeling a little too exposed, she grabbed her oversized grey knit cardigan, leaving the front open. She bit her lip nervously, realizing she was with either going to be too obvious in her silly flirting or in her lack of experience.

Before she could over think it, Darcy shrugged, deciding to just go with the flow. Steve hadn't seemed to mind her awkward nature and she sure as hell loved to see him smile. Especially after catching his eyes go all sad from time to time yesterday.

Finding herself acceptable, she braced herself for the day. Darcy Lewis had a hankering for both coffee and a little piece of patriotic cake.

8:45 am- Avengers Private Kitchen and Common room

She swiped the lifted card, noticing with some excitement that the lights were already on inside the room. As soon as the green light blinked for entry, she was waltzing in.

The smell of gloriously fresh coffee hit her nose, making her nervous smile widen to an all-out dopy grin.

Darcy could cry. Really, it was like she was dreaming. There, on the old metal machine was a full pot of black gold and standing next to it, with his chiseled hip resting casually on the marble counter was the star of her latest wet dream. Not that she'd been purposely dreaming about him... just that he'd shown up and you know...

"Mornin' there Cap." She sighed happily, making a bee line for the coffee. His eyes rose to meet hers as a charming smile lit his face. Which of course brought her attention to his dimple. Asshole was too cute, making ladies knees go all weak and junk.

"Hey there, Ms. Lewis. I was about to make some breakfast. Would you care for some?" He asked politely. His tone threw her off.

Darcy was bummed to see he was tucking himself away. His demeanor was different, a tad off putting, and way too detached. That's not the man she hung out with yesterday. The dude who joked and teased and took her for the best tour around downtown ever.

She could see through it, however. There was a struggle in his eyes which he was clearly trying to keep from her.

He must have some experience at keeping people at a distance and though Darcy, more often than not, respected people's right to choose who they want close, she could see that he needed a friend more than he needed space.

It was the same with Jane. It's why Darcy had practically adopted the other woman as a grown lady-child. It was less about being her assistant, and more about Darcy being a companion who cared deeply, beneath layers of sass and laughs. A truly kick-ass friend, if she said so herself.

With this in mind, she made up her mind.

Darcy was going to do everything in her (amazing) powers to make him smile and laugh and to break down that lame-ass wall. Because while she'd love to flirt and make goo-goo eyes, she hated when people were sad.

"Abso-freaking-lutly. But you're going to have to call me Darcy. Ms. Lewis makes me sound like a catholic school teacher." She complained, mock shivering.

Heat flashed in his deep blue eyes for a second but was gone before she could even be sure it was there. Darcy's lips tilted into a small smile, wondering if the Cap had a teacher kink. Though it wasn't in the plans to seduce him, she made a mental note for Halloween costume ideas. Be prepared, and all.

"I um… I eat a lot. Fast metabolism." He offered by way of explanation as he unloaded the ingredients. Two cartons of eggs, a gallon of milk, pound of potatoes, and (seriously?!) four packs of bacon.

She laughed huskily, enjoying the way his cheeks flushed. Within minutes, he started cooking, telling her how the food tastes different, and how much more things cost. She kept the conversation going, not letting it lull in fear of him vanishing into that sad place. Plus, she genuinely liked hearing about his time and experiences, being a fan of history.

It was so strange, sitting in Stark towers having a casual conversation with the American legend. But what's more was that right now, peeling potatoes, and talking about the different kinds of exotic fruit, he was just plain old Steve. Minus the plain part.

Sooner than she hoped, he was done, loading plates full of breakfasty goodness.

Darcy ate with zeal, complimenting Steve on the job well done. Seriously, the old dude could cook a mean spread. She never claimed to be a skinny girl and by the way she was staring at the last pieces of bacon, she never would.

"Ok, champ. I've waited a whole 24 hours. For me, that's a record." She glanced at him over their nearly empty plates, trying to judge his openness. "How about another cruise?"

He tilted his head and regarded her silently. She figured he was a serious guy most of the time but she hoped she could bring him out of his shell like she did with most people. She liked to think it was her youthful and charming disposition. Or maybe (realistically) it was her I-Don't-Give-A-Frickfrack attitude. People respond to that.

"Sorry, kid. It's supposed to storm at some point today and there's no way I'm taking you out on the bike in that." He waved a large hand to the windows where the sky was turning grey. Even as he spoke, she could see the larger storm clouds rolling in, blocking out any and all rays of sunshine.

"Nooooo." Darcy moaned drastically, running her hands down her cheeks. There goes her perfect day of goofing off in New York with a handsome guide.

He chuckled quietly as he started clearing away the dishes. Rushing to snag the last piece of bacon, Darcy chalked up one point for putting another smile on his face. Her chest swelled with ridiculous pride at her ability to loosen his defenses.

Darcy also felt her face heat as she realized she was now staring at his (perfect, holy cow, how can a man's ass be so perfect!) rear end as he did the dishes, back turned to her.

She had a chance to really observe him, as his hands were busy scrubbing. She managed to perch herself up on the island, sitting cross-legged with a cup of yummy coffee nestled in her palms.

He was tall (duh) but he had a pleasant, if not serious, personality that brought him down to size. Unlike Tony's ego which made him ten stories tall. Steve managed to tower over you but in a way that made you feel safe. Even his old man style was comforting. Pressed shirts and khakis, though she had to admit, his antique looking leather jacket from yesterday was a real plus in the lady boner department.

She had spent the rest of yesterday helping Jane pack, but the whole time her mind had been on this dude. It wasn't like her to get caught up in crushes, and while she was determined to be his friend first and foremost, she was also honest.

Darcy was a girl with particular standards. She didn't like idiots who didn't care about learning, over aggressive jerks who thought she was free game, or simpering babies who wanted to be mommied.

So, you know. It was hard to find a good date.

That and she kind of felt the male species was lacking since the whole New Mexico fiasco. All those hunky Norse gods. Even that bodacious Lady Sif. And then traveling with Jane halfway across the world to fight some giant dark elf things, and her awkward (I thought the world was ending kiss/celebratory hook up) thing with Ian.

In truth, Darcy hadn't thought much on guys, both as prospective boyfriend material or as anything else in the last year or so.

Needless to say, crushes and dating weren't on her schedules. Too bad Mr. Rogers just had to have those big slightly lost eyes. She could ignore his body (mostly) and even his charming smile (kinda), but he had a good heart and was kind and made her breakfast.

Hell, the guy even blushed when he was caught staring at her girls. So she couldn't be blamed for taking an instant shine to the guy.

Darcy peaked over her cup to see him frowning slightly, a crease between his eyes. He was still working on dishes and if she knew anything about mindless tasks, it opened up a whole lot of time to think about shit you didn't want to think about.

Well, that wasn't going happen, not when Darcy fun-times Lewis was around. Her specialty was mischievous shenanigans.

After a quick look around the islands counter top, she spied a wet rag in the small secondary sink. Darcy bit her lip, hoping that she was going to wipe that frown off his face, rather than make him mad.

Only one way to find out.

She chucked the sopping cloth at his head, cringing at the wet splat it made. When he turned slowly to face her, she couldn't quite read his expression.

So she glanced around, as if someone else had thrown it, looking back at him with mock confusion.

Without breaking eye contact, he grabbed the faucet head and pulled. It was one of those fancy detachable ones that had a long metal hose. Darcy had a second to brace herself before cold water came spraying out, soaking her top completely.

She squealed loudly while jumping down from her perch to duck behind the island. Her heart was racing and she was gasping with laughter but there was no way he was going win this one. The challenge had been accepted and she will triumph!

When he peaked around one corner of the island, she was already around the opposite, grabbing the second sinks hose. She cackled when he let out a yelp, possibly the only time she had never heard a grown man make such a sound. They had limited space to move, only going as far as the hose allowed, but she still managed to get him drenched. As he did her.

She was so busy laughing, trying the wipe the water drops off her glasses, that she hadn't noticed him drop his weapon and stalk toward her. Within seconds she was lifted up over his shoulder, hose having sprung back to its proper latch.

Talk about ass up.

Darcy still tried to reach for the sink, but he was pulling her away, ensuring that she couldn't soak him any further. She was laughing so hard, relishing the way his chest shook with his own laughter and demands of surrender, that neither of them noticed a third person enter the room.

That is, until said person coughed loudly.