Hey guys! This is probably going to be the last chapter before I see Winter Soldier aka "Is CapNat canon?" …eek! *bites nails* * pulls hair* *wrings hands* I not sure why I'm so nervous, but… let's just get to the chapter.
Steve was growing accustomed to raising his eyebrows n surprise whenever he entered the library.
Today it was due to the life sized cardboard cutout of a man in a pinstriped suit, converse and hair reminiscent of a cockatiel. Rosie was there too, looking unperturbed.
"Hey Cap." She said, surveying him easily over a latte, which could easily have doubled as a swimming pool. She liked coffee even more than Ella, apparently. Steve relaxed slightly.
"Ma'am," She gave him a look, "Rosie. What're you doing here?"
She smiled and cocked one shoulder. "Day off. And Ella knows my unbridled passion for the Beatles."
Steve blinked. "I've heard of them, I think."
Rosie laughed. "I'd be scared for your health if you hadn't."
Steve sat across from her in his usual spot. She looked elegant, as usual, in big earrings and an earthy blouse. One manicured hand rested on Ella's boom box.
"So," Steve started, his eyes drifting to the cardboard cutout of the man with the intense expression and the glow-y stick, "Who's that?"
"Hm? Oh Tenny? Yeah, Ella just got him. That's the Tenth Doctor. Don't worry Ella won't forget Doctor Who. But you may have to wait a while for Tenny; she'll probably make you watch Classic. "
"What?"
Steve was confused. Like major confused. Like, more confused-than-when-he-woke-up-in-the-21st-century-confused.
"There are ten doctors…like…in the world…"
"Eleven, actually, but don't sweat it," Rosie suddenly turned, "Stop lazing and get your butt out here Eleanor Rae Gunther!" She yelled.
Rosie rolled her eyes.
She's hung-over She mouthed.
Ella, in a green dress and ankle boots, her hair in a messy ponytail, slouched out of the supply closet, where Steve knew she kept an air mattress and food in case she needed to lockdown or nap, with a mighty groan.
"Hey, Steve, how's it going?" She said with a yawn, plopping into a chair and swiping Rosie's coffee.
"Well, all my friends are dead and I can barely understand the time period I'm living in, but other than that…"
Rosie chuckled as Ella squinted peevishly at Steve.
There was an awkward moment of silence only punctuated by Rosie's slowly subsiding laughs.
"So… the Beatles?" Steve asked.
"Right. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr of Liverpool, England…" Ella groaned, "God my head hurts."
Rosie tsked.
"This is why you don't drink half the liquor at your brother's soiree just to spite him."
"I had my reasons!" Ella protested, "I was being killed with culture. Everyone was just sitting there, not even talking or dancing or anything, listening to Mozart or Beethoven or whatever. And I didn't even have to be there. Val invited me to wash the dishes."
"Couldn't you have done something other than down a bottle of wine?"
Ella slurped Rosie's coffee. "Well, Val yelled at me when I started singing., so….no."
Rosie sighed and rolled her eyes again. Ella turned her droopy eyes to Steve.
"You know what? Let's just listen too them today. I'll give you all the fact crap later."
She slapped the music on.
It was a few songs in when Rosie perked up.
"Wanna dance, Cap?"
Steve blushed, "Um…I…um"
"Don't be shy Steve!" Ella laughed, then groaned and held her head.
Steve allowed Rosie to pull him up. She started to twist and Steve imitated her awkwardly.
I don't care too much for money
Money can't buy me love
"Shake your ass! Get low, Soldier!" Ella called from her seat.
This was the scene that Director Nick Fury walked into.
He cleared his throat loudly. Steve's eyes widened and he snapped to attention, a blush spreading across his face.
Fury cleared his throat again.
"I'm working on it!" Ella grumbled, leaning over and shutting off the music. Rosie dropped back into her chair and fanned her face.
"Good mornin', Director," She said, southern charm at full blast.
"Miss Imara, I wasn't aware you were here."
Rosie smiled cheekily, "I climbed in through the window."
Fury turned his gaze to Ella.
"Your brother's pissed today," He said.
"Understandable. I was pissed last night," Ella said, taking another gulp of Rosie's coffee. Her eyebrows suddenly drew together in confusion. She stared at the cup.
"Wait…this isn't double espresso."
"That's because it's my latte, darlin'."
"Oh," Ella set down the cup.
Fury rolled his eye and then turned to Steve.
"Cap, I came to…"
"Wait!"
"Yes, Ella?"
Fury sighed.
A look of indignation was upon the librarian's face.
"You didn't say hi to Tenny," She pouted, pointing to the cardboard cutout.
Fury grit his teeth. There was no dealing with Ella Gunther today.
"Hello, Tenny," He said through his teeth, nodding at the fake man.
Ella nodded, satisfied, and Fury turned back to Cap.
"Tony Stark is coming to S.H.I.E.L.D tomorrow to look at some things. I think you should be there."
Steve bit his lip and nodded curtly.
"Yes, Sir." He said.
Ella's eyes brightened.
"Can I meet Tony Stark?" She asked.
Fury's head swam with scenarios. He tuned to Ella.
"No." He said shortly.
UP NEXT: THE INEXPLICABLE HORRORS OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ELLA GUNTHER MEETS TONY STARK
Review! I'd love to know if you ship Cap/Ella, because Cap/Nat is looking pretty cute from the clips I've seen, so I don't know. I'll let you guys know what I thought of Winter Soldier. And yes, the great Tony Stark is coming… be prepared.