A/N: This chapter came out a few words longer than the last, I hope you don't mind!

Summary

"Ever since the battle in New York, Captain Steven Rogers hadn't been the same. After SHIELD assigns Steve with a therapist to help him cope and better understand his new life in the 21st century, things only get more complicated. Being pulled into the dangers that followed Steve every day, neither of them would have guessed this was the worst and best thing to happen to them."

Chapter Two

"Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend."

― Albert Camus

It was a chilly early morning in downtown New York.

Steve stood in front of the bustling city's mailbox, gawking nervously at it like a deer caught in the headlights. His breath seemed to get caught in his throat. The hero had suddenly become consumed by his own uncertainty… doubt. It seemed as though the nerves in his body no longer connected to the brain. Steve couldn't guide his arm far enough to slip his letter inside the slit of the box, paralyzed by fear. The envelope had now been sealed, his earnest thoughts and feelings to be kept concealed from the rest of the world until Peggy opened it. The thought of them finally communicating made the Captain's stomach turn nauseously.

What would she say? How would she think of him now? Any differently? Probably be furious with him…

"Hey, buddy," An older, plumper business man standing directly behind him wasn't at all impressed with how long he'd been taking. Steve glanced over his shoulder to see a few more irate people in line, waiting for their turn. "Ya gonna put your mail in the mailbox or not? I haven't got all day!"

"Sorry," he mumbled apologetically.

After a deep breath, the soldier finally did it. Peggy would soon receive his letter… It would be completely up to her whether or not to respond to it.

Waiting… now that would be the worst part if not anything else.

xxx

Anna stirred to the sound of her phone purring atop the nightstand, next to the bed. She groaned in protest, yanking her arm out from under the covers. In the process of blindingly reaching for her phone, the woman groped her keys, the smooth surface of some papers, and an old glass of water she'd left there for the night, until she found her phone.

Reluctantly lifting her face from the pillow, the therapist answered groggily, "…Hello…?"

"Anna?" It was Steve.

Since Steve requested they cancel their session for today, Anna wasn't needed at work until later in the day. Sleeping in seemed like a good idea in the beginning, but now she was regretting it… How was it possible that she was even more exhausted than if she had awoken in the early hours of the day, like usual?

"Oh, Steven…" Anna rolled onto her back, letting out a weary yawn. She then looked over to see her fiancé sleeping soundly next to her. "How… did it go…?" Her voice was softer.

"I did it; soon enough Peggy will know everything." He sounded surprisingly relaxed.

"That's great… I'm proud of you."

Finally getting off of the bed, Anna tiptoed out of the bedroom and took a seat on the living room sofa where she could better converse with Steve on the phone and not worry about waking Anthony up. The man (or anyone for that fact) still wasn't happy about how late she'd arrived last night; they nearly had their party table taken away.

"Were you still up for that 2 dollar coffee?"

"For Captain America, anything…" she teased. "Hang tight, I'll come and pick you up."

"See you then."

Ending the call, Anna curiously glanced down at the caller display on her cell phone. She grinned silently once she recognized where the call had come from. "You used a payphone…"

He'd eventually adapt to technology, much like the rest of civilization has.

xxx

A few long weeks had gone and still not a word from Peggy Carter.

Steve did very well when it came to hiding his emotions, masking them through selfless resolution whenever he was needed to do what he did best: protect the people. Anna was the only one who knew about his letter to Peggy and not once had he told her any news of it; not that she'd have the chance to ask about it anyways… not lately.

Ever since a terrorist known as the Mandarin left a string of bombings across the country, SHIELD had become vigilant, but not quite able to intervening. Not yet. It had been more of a political act than anything else…

…Until Tony Stark got himself involved.

One threat, a personal invite for the Mandarin to challenge him at his front steps—and on national T.V—had Nick Fury wanting Steve to immediately intervene and knock some sense into the billionaire. Literally if need be. Busy preparing for the mission, Steve hadn't been around for anymore sessions, much to the therapist's dismay. Anna knew it was still much too early to confirm whether the soldier was ready for battle or not and yet SHIELD had him heading out regardless.

"California?"

"Yeah, I'm heading out tonight."

Steve and Anna stood inside one of the empty locker rooms. The enhanced soldier had begun packing his things into his duffle bag, readying himself for the trip. It had been the first time that Anna saw Steve Rogers in his Captain America suit; it was much more inspiring in person.

Making her way over to the bench, Anna took a seat and brought his helmet over her lap. "Are you sure you want to do this…?" she asked quietly, brushing dust particles off of his helmet. "…If you're not ready, then just…"

She trailed off…

Stopping what he was doing, Steve looked over to Anna in silence. His icy blue eyes focused on her gentle features, able to trace the worry stressing her forehead with creases. His therapist was genuinely concerned about him; it was actually a flattering thing.

"I've got one of the best therapists, I'll be fine." He sent her an involuntarily charming smile. Anna lifted her gaze, blushing at the compliment. "I promise I'll be careful," he added.

Anna huffed in defeat, quietly staring at the bold A printed on the front of his helmet. "So… has Peggy ever—"

"No," Steve answered right away, his lips forming a tight line. He went back to packing and adjusting his suit.

"…I'm sure she just got it," Anna tried being optimistic. "Mail delivery has gotten worst, believe me! I once sent a package to my sister and it only arrived three weeks later when I was guaranteed in just seven business days!"

Steve looked like he considered the possibility. "Maybe…" But he knew in his heart Peggy read it by now. She wasn't responding because she was livid. Perhaps she was on her way to smack him across the head with her cane.

The idea made the corner of his lips tug into a faint smirk.

"Hey, Steven…" She was standing right next to him. Steve bit his tongue in surprise, having not been paying attention to when she even made her way over. She was holding his helmet out to him, forcing a smile past obvious apprehension. "…You'll call me if you need to talk, right? Things might get a little rough out there—this Mandarin guy is even giving me nightmares…"

She'd seen the broadcasts, they were disturbing and horrifying. Who knows…? The next bombing might possibly be in this very city, and they wouldn't even be aware, much like the last few victims tragically caught in it.

Steve was considering the same scenario. "I promise to call… if you promise to keep an eye out yourself?"

Anna nodded, "Deal,"

Finally taking his helmet from the therapist, Steve tossed it into his bag.

xxx

Anna sauntered into the lunch room, an ominous cloud hanging over her head the entire day since Steve left for California last night. Most of the agents had their eyes glued onto the television set as they ate, every broadcast in the city covering the Mandarin. So far nothing.

"Anna, hey, over here!"

Pulling her eyes away from the screen, Anna spotted a few of her colleagues at the corner table, having claimed most of it up already. Making her way over, she sat down and set her food down. "Good afternoon, ladies," she smiled politely.

"Geez, I've been trying to get in contact with you for a few days now!" exclaimed the woman she was closest to among the rest. Diana Conway: the Physical Therapist of their department. She'd been a few years older than herself, showing Anna around when she first came to SHIELD. Since then a friendship developed, even landing her a spot as one of Anna's bridesmaids.

"I'm sorry, Di. Things have just been really hectic lately… Juggling work, Christmas shopping, and planning a wedding… I've barely had time to myself." Anna sighed.

"I offered to help with the wedding," reminded the woman, taking a sip of her diet soda shortly after.

"I know, but I already have Tori, my mother, and mother-in-law helping with the preparations, I didn't want to crowd everything." She took a bite out of her chicken wrap, her stomach grumbling in satisfaction. Anna hadn't realized how famished she'd been.

Suddenly another woman interjected into their conversation, "How have the sessions been going with Captain Rogers?" Her eyes glistened in curiosity.

"Fine," shrugged Anna. Taking another bite of her meal, she chewed and swallowed before adding, "…That's all I'm really able to disclose." Because of that, she's never discussed Steve with anybody who wasn't Director Fury… even if she didn't always agree with the man's methods.

Then again, Anna was a firm believer that everything discussed between herself and her patients stayed between herself and her patients—never leaving the room.

"You're so lucky though,"

Anna peered at Diana with her hazel eyes, ash-blonde brow raised, "How so?"

Her friend laughed sheepishly, "You get to work with The Captain America—that's insane!"

Finally, the rest of the women joined, "Oh, yes, he's so handsome!"

"And brave, I'd kill to get to meet him in person!"

"My son has so many of his action figures!"

Anna could only shake her head with a smile. Sure he was handsome and definitely a great role model for kids—but he was also a young man still searching for himself, aimlessly wandering a grey world that had become so unfamiliar.

Oh, just thinking about it broke her heart.

Having gotten to know him like she has, it was hard to ogle at him like the rest of the women had. Besides, she was a married woman—er, soon to be married.

"Oh, so, I finally got those tickets to that concert…"

The conversation carried on, but all Anna could think about was Steve. She obviously didn't want anything happening to him, especially when inside of that hard outer shell that disguised itself with the demeanor of a fearless soldier, was actually an inwardly fragile human. It only took so much to permanently wreck an already broken man.

xxx

"You're home."

Anna dragged her feet through the apartment doors, her eyes heavy with exhaustion from another long day. "Good to see you too, babe," She rolled her eyes.

Anthony had sat at the dinner table, gazing over the glasses sitting on his nose. It was hard for her to read his expression, but she was sure her fiancé was still relatively mad at her. He was a man who could easily hold the longest grudge—no competition needed.

It'd been weeks since the engagement party!

"What's for dinner?" she asked. After removing her red pumps and winter coat, Anna set her things down by the couch.

Anthony went back to doing their taxes, calculating just how much they've spent in a year and basically handling everything else Anna unfortunately didn't have the intelligence for. Or patience. "Nothing," he responded, not looking up at her. "I wasn't sure if you would be home early or late again…"

Anna held back an angry grunt. "…I see." Taking a deep breath, the blonde decided to make herself a sandwich, too tired to prepare a full decent meal. It was true… Lately Anna had come home late, but work took up most of her time. Steve had needed her, too. She wasn't about to let him down.

By the time she finished making her snack and came into the living room to turn the television on, Anthony had finished up.

"I'm going to shower," he mumbled.

Without so much as an answer back, Anna let him leave. Tonight she wouldn't let his attitude bother her… she just wanted to relax in the comfort of her home. Flipping aimlessly through the channels, most of them playing holiday specials, she finally stumbled across the news and decided for the sake of keeping herself informed to leave it on. Again, nothing had changed… The Mandarin kept in the shadows, but Anna could imagine the government was all over the investigation. Still no word about Tony Stark either… From what she read in the newspaper, one of his closest acquaintances winded up in the hospital from the latest explosion, resulting in the televised challenge to the terrorist.

Bringing the rim of her glass to her lips, she found her thoughts revert back onto the Captain again.

You're being ridiculous, Anna… Steve will be fine.

He was strong.

Give him more credit…

And so she would.

Turning off the television, the therapist ate in complete silence.

xxx

Steve pulled up in front of Tony Stark's residence.

After killing the engine of his bike, the soldier sat there wide-eyed as he scrutinized the impressively ultramodern dwelling, sitting on a cliff. It was constructed of white polished concrete with spectacular panoramic windows designed to embrace sweeping ocean views.

"Typical Stark," Steve muttered as he finally dismounted his motorcycle and walked over to the front steps.

Delivering two firm knocks, Steve waited for an answer.

It had been his first time in California. Although the Captain would never get quite used to his advanced surroundings, he had to admit… he was enjoying the welcoming warmth of this place—unlike New York, where it had become so much colder with snow.

He shivered.

The door opening pulled Steve right out of his thoughts.

A tall woman stood there in her casual attire, her long ginger locks left down, past her shoulders. Her face seemed stressed with annoyance. Having read through SHIELD's files before the mission, he recalled seeing a picture of her clipped to some papers. Virginia "Pepper" Potts, wasn't it?

Steve cleared his throat, "Ma'am."

"Wait, aren't you that star-spangled superhero Tony worked with in Manhattan?" She was surprised. "What are you doing here?"

Before Steve could answer, Tony came to her side. His eyes bulged, "Captain?!"

Steve gave him a solemn nod, "Stark. We need to talk."

The man's face instantly fell. "Sorry, I'm on holiday break. In fact, I'm technically gone for the holidays." Tony began closing the door but Pepper abruptly stopped him.

"Tony!" she chided, "Don't be rude."

"Okay, is this a bad time? Should I go?" Another voice.

Steve looked past Tony's shoulder to see another woman inside of the house, her wavy brown tresses a bit messy, and her features seemed tightened with apprehension. He was beginning to think he might have infringed on a serious discussion between the three of them.

The tension was pretty thick in the air.

"We were just about to leave anyways," Pepper said, heading back inside the house.

Tony followed after her, "No we're not!"

Steve stood there awkwardly. Having not been formally invited inside, he felt he'd be overstepping the boundaries if he let himself in. "Stark, we need to talk." the Captain warned from where he was.

"Not until I talk to him first," the brunette said. "It's urgent." Seeing the look of unfamiliarity from the young man, the woman rolled her eyes, "Oh, right, I'm—"

"An old girlfriend," Pepper finished, the bitterness dripping from her voice. "Anyways, Tony we're leaving, right now!"

"It was just one night," the woman shrugged.

"It was a great night," quietly commented Tony, earning a small cringe from the woman.

"Ah," Pepper smiled dryly, "Well, you know… you saved yourself from a world of pain."

Tony eyed the woman in insult, "What?"

"Trust me."

Steve remained silent among the arguing, but he was feeling very uneasy. They were practically sitting ducks; at any moment those terrorists could strike and the Captain knew he had to get Tony and the others away from here as soon as possible.

Once again, Pepper faced Tony and demanded, "Tony, we're leaving!"

"Okay, we've been through this… nope!"

"Yep!"

"The man says no—"

"Immediately and indefinitely!" Pepper interjected decisively.

The brunette eagerly clapped her hands together, "You know what, great idea, let's go!" She went to grab Pepper's bags.

"I'm sorry," Tony faced the woman angrily, pointing a finger at her, "That's a terrible idea. Please don't touch her bags!"

Steve was able to pick up on how livid Tony was getting, almost immediately. "Stark, relax."

"Excuse me, what are you even doing here!?" he snapped.

"Honey," Pepper spoke, lifting her hand to gesture, "this is how normal people behave."

"I can't protect you out there!" Tony tried reasoning with Pepper that they needed to stay put.

Meanwhile, the woman's eyes fell onto a rather large inflatable bunny sitting by the steps. Steve also examined it in confusion, with the tilt of his head. "Is…" she began, "…is that normal?"

Tony and Pepper glanced over to where she was pointing.

"Yes this is normal!" Again, the billionaire's voice rose. "It's a big bunny, relax about it!"

Having about enough, Steve stepped inside of the house. "Hey, calm down, Stark!"

Pepper agreed, "Calm down, Tony…"

"I got this for you!" he stated, his voice less strained.

"Stark, it'll only be a minute of your time," assured Steve. "SHIELD sent me because of this feud going on with the Mandarin."

"I can handle it," growled Tony.

"You've put people's lives at risk!" reminded Steve. "I don't really think you can handle it! You're a mess!"

"Guys…"

"Newsflash, Captain, not everything revolves around you." Tony went face-to-face with the soldier.

Steve's jaw hardened, his words coming out sharp, "Same could be said about you, Stark…"

"Hey, both of you need to calm down!" Pepper stood between them, her hands pressed against Tony's chest.

"Guys…!" Tony and Steve finally looked in the brunette's direction, her face pale with panic. "…C-can we, uh…" Her voice was shaky, "…D-do we need to worry about that…!?"

All eyes were silently drawn onto the television set inside of the living room, the news station showing footage of outside the residence. A few hostile helicopters were seen closing in. Steve took a step forward, horrified by the sight of a missile heading in their direction.

Both he and Tony instantaneously redirected their attention outside the windows. In that split second, every thudding heart in that room dropped.

A/N: Congrats, you're done this chapter! What did you think? The beginning of my story will intertwine a little with Iron Man 3's plot, like a crossover, but I promise there is more to this than just that!

Please feel free to share your thoughts and tell me what you think though reviews.

Till next time!