So this chapter was really bothering me and I went back and rewrote it so I could write the next chapter. Please enjoy, follow, and review!
After Steve had left her alone, Catalina was at peace and was starting to fall asleep in her makeshift silk hammock. However, it wasn't long before she was startled awake by the loud noises of Steve on the spring floor. She heard him fall and land with too much force and let out an "oomf" when he landed wrong.
Getting frustrated Catalina untangled herself from her silks once more and landed gracefully. She walked over to the spring floor to find Steve prepping for a difficult move. Instantly Catalina could see his mistakes.
"Stop," She said as she crossed her arms and walked towards him. "You're gonna hurt my floor. Let me help you. You are prepping wrong and are landing too hard."
Steve looked at her stunned. This was the first time she had talked to him directly since their first interaction.
"Ok. What do you suggest," he gestured to the floor as he bounced on the balls of his feet.
Catalina unfolded her arms and started to explain what he was doing wrong. After her first few words though Steve was distracted when she rolled her neck to stretch it. Steve couldn't help but notice how perfect her body bent as she stretched. And since she was wearing a leotard he could see every muscle and curve. Steve's mouth grew dry and he shook his head. These thoughts were not ok or normal when thinking about new members in the tower, Steve told himself. A second later he felt Catalina's strong grip on his chin to avert his eyes up to hers.
"Yeah, hello. My eyes are up here Mr. I have a teenage boys brain." She pulled her hand away. "After all I guess you weren't much older than one when you were frozen. Now as I said when you were off in la la land, you need to bounce a little when you land. Don't land and stick it. You need to bounce a little. Get a little air. It will stop hurting my floor." Catalina looked down at his shins and pointed to where they were taped. "It will also be easier on your shins." She looked back up at his eyes; taking her time to study him.
"Did you just check me out?" Steve's face reddened.
"Maybe." Catalina gave a bitchy know it all smirk. "Bouncing will also make it easier for you to do multiple tricks in a row."
With that Catalina positioned herself at one corner of the floor and did a small sprint. Sticking her hands out she did a cartwheel into two back handsprings and landed with a back tuck at the other corner of the floor; she bounced a little at the end and he arms we naturally positioned above her head.
Steve took notice on how her landing was quiet and soft but also how she had a small bounce at the end. He crossed his arms and gave a lopsided smile. "I can do that."
Catalina crossed the floor and patted him on the shoulder. "Be my guest. This outta be good. I can't wait to see you land on your ass."
Steve did everything Catalina did almost perfectly but landed wrong at the end. He had his feet too far in front of him and landed on his back with yet another "oomf".
Trying to catch his breath he laid there for a moment. He felt the floor bounce and then saw Catalina flying above him. She landed softly behind him and nudged his shoulder with her foot.
"Damn it. You didn't die." She gave another bitchy smirk. "Told you. You couldn't do it."
Steve stood up and glared at her. "Oh yeah." His face broke out into a malicious smile. "How are you with hand do hand combat."
Catalina's eyes widened and she took a small step back. "I-I don't think that's a good idea…" Her voice was quiet.
Steve put his fists up and started to bounce again. "Come on. Pepper wouldn't have given the job to someone who couldn't handle combat and protecting themselves and a child. You do live in a tower of super heroes who have people who hate them. Just take a small swing. I'll go easy."
Catalina breathed in and took a swing for his head. Steve dodged it and counteracted her swing and tried to kick her legs out from behind her. Like she usually did, Catalina jumped and landed softly.
Next Catalina grabbed Steve's shoulders and slammed her head into his, causing him to stumble backwards. She then elbowed him in the ribcage and swiped his legs out from under him with her leg.
Steve landed on his back for Odin knows how many times that night and squeezed his eyes shut in pain. Opening them he saw his opponent getting ready to elbow slam him. Rolling out of the way Steve caused her to land hard on the ground now. Taking his chance Steve grabbed her arms and pinned them above her head as he straddled her.
"I win," Steve smirked but it was soon gone when he looked at Catalina.
He hadn't thought about how awkward this must be for her. With Natasha this was normal because they knew each other and knew each other's boundaries. However, Steve didn't think about how hard he could push Catalina and how uncomfortable she might be.
Still looking at Catalina, Steve saw her squirming to try and move from under him. Her breathing was shallow and she had tears streaming down her face. There was no pain though. She wasn't crying cause she was in pain; she was crying cause she was scared.
Steve slowly and gently moved off of her so she could get up. Once she was free, Catalina got up quickly and just about ran out of the gym.
Sitting there dumb founded Steve cursed at himself. He was just getting her to open up and he screwed it up. He should have known it was a bad idea. Thinking about their recent interactions though he learned quiet a bit. She was a gymnast, knew a little bit of hand to hand combat, and was a decent teacher.
Analyzing this information Steve grew curious about how she acquired all of these skills. Since she was still somewhat young he decided she probably spent most of her life training or was pushed hard to train. She fascinated him. She was strong, hard working, graceful, great with children, and was beautiful.
Her beauty alone got his attention. Her thin muscular figure, those plump lips and her sparkling icy blue eyes; the way her hair flipped and twirled around her perfectly. Steve all but wanted to hug her and dance.
But he had made her uncomfortable. She probably felt sexually harassed in some way.
Steve cursed at himself. He was getting frustrated. Getting up he was determined to find the punching bags. He needed to think and clear his head. He definitely wouldn't be getting any sleep tonight.
Natasha and Bruce woke up to the sound of cupboards being slammed across the hall from their headquarters. Thinking of whose headquarters it was Natasha got up, grabbed her robe and told Bruce to go back to bed.
Crossing the hallway Natasha heard glass break and a faint "Fuck" come from behind the door. Natasha knocked on the door and waited a minute. When there was no reply she entered the lock pin and let herself in. What she saw in front of her was a bit alarming but didn't surprise her.
Catalina was balled up on the couch cradling a bottle of grappa with another bottle and a shattered glass on the floor. She was shaking and bawling and obviously needed a hug.
Natasha crossed the room, removed the bottle of liquor, and pulled her best friend into a hug.
"Shhh," She said soothingly as they rocked back and forth. "Cat, it's ok. You're ok."
After awhile Catalina calmed down and stopped shaking a little. She pulled back from Natasha and whipped her face. "Why the FUCK can I not get drunk?" She all but almost yelled.
Natasha sat cross-legged on the couch and looked at Catalina. " That's something I think you should ask Steve. You can relate to him there. And what happened sweetheart? Why are you such a mess?" She only ever used sweetheart when she was trying to help and be a big sister.
"It's Steve. And every other damn thing is this world Tasha. I can't do it anymore…" Catalina reached her hand out for the grappa.
Natasha took a swig first before giving it back to Catalina.
No one would sleep tonight.
