SPOV (Steph)
After a restful night in my new room, I awaken to the wonderful aroma of freshly brewed coffee. I could really learn to love it here. I sit up on the side of the bed and wipe the sleep from my eyes. After I am more alert, I head to the bathroom to shower.
That shower was amazing, multiple shower heads, endless supply of hot water, and my invigorating body wash. A girl could get used to this. And it's giving me dirty ideas too!
I amble my towel-wrapped body over to the set of drawers that my underthings are now at home in. It's still a mystery to me just who put my clothes away for me. I was too busy yesterday getting to know my new team/family. I pull on undies and a bra as I contemplate this, then I go to the closet and choose today's clothing.
As soon as I pull my stretchy t-shirt over my head, I hear a gentle knock on my door. It has to be Steve, so I call out to him.
"Come in Cap."
"Good Morning Steph, sleep well?" He greets.
"Good Morning Steve. Yes I slept like a baby. The bed is very comfortable and restful. So what's on the agenda for today?" I respond.
"I promised a complete tour of the tower so we'll start with that. Then I'll introduce you to JARVIS' search systems and his special modifications. How does that sound to you?"
"Sounds like a star-spangled plan to me, but coffee and feed me first." I laugh.
"Sure thing doll, let's head down to the common kitchen and eat with the others." Steve suggests.
I nod my head in agreement. JARVIS opens the elevator doors as we approach. We take the elevator down three floors to the Avengers team common floor.
Most of the team was already there scarfing breakfast and joking around. Sam was the first one to pipe up.
"Morning guys, you're just in time. We just had fresh eggs, bacon, pancakes, and sausage delivered. Sit down and dig in." So that's just what we did and it was absolutely scrumptious.
Good thing Steve is going to give me a tour of this huge building, I have to walk off this large breakfast somehow.
The entire tour takes nearly four hours. Steve showed me everything, even the areas I would not have regular access to. He showed me both Tony's and Bruce's labs, the gym, the firing range, the corporate office floors, and the floors for visitors to stay. The final part of the tour consisted of each Avenger's personal spaces, they each have an entire floor to themselves, like Steve.
By the time we are done my breakfast is gone and I am getting hungry. My stomach growls loudly to remind me of that fact. Steve looks at me with humor in his gorgeous eyes as he jokes.
"Time to feed that beast again, is it?"
"You got it hot stuff! I know your super-soldier body is ready to be re-fueled too, don't try to deny it mister!"
"Not about to deny it. I need sustenance myself. Let's go see who's hanging around the kitchen area." He offers.
So we both shuffle off to the common floor and the kitchen there.
There are only a couple of team members there already, Bruce and Tony. Clint and Tasha are training recruits again, and they are using Sam for a sparring dummy. Tony looks up from his plate and starts in on me.
"You enjoy your tour 'Torch'?"
"It was thoroughly enjoyable, not to mention exhausting. You have a big, gawdy building here Stark." I return the tease.
"You should have seen it before, when it was "Stark Tower". He has actually toned it down some since then." Steve joins in.
"Ha ha, you both are hilarious. This one is going to be a match for me I can tell. And I love it, someone with balls enough to tease me. Bring it on 'Torch'!" Tony huffs back.
Steve and I just laugh and shake our heads. We sit down and enjoy a nice lunch. Just as we are finishing up, Sam walks back in.
"Awww ... am I too late for lunch with you Gorgeous?"
"Yepp, Steve and I are just on our way out. He's going to introduce me to the more sophisticated aspects of JARVIS." I tell him.
"Well then, may I lay claim to the other chair beside you at dinner then? I know 'the running man' here always has one of them." Sam chuckles.
"First come, first served slow poke." I giggle back.
"Oh, it's like that is it?" Sam says.
"Yeah it's like that." Steve responds with a huge grin.
They both start chuckling openly. It must have been an inside joke. I'll remind myself to ask Steve about that later.
"Well someone promised to show me the inner most workings of our super AI. I wonder who that could have been?"
"Never keep a gorgeous woman waiting Cap." Sam sighs.
"Sir yes sir," Steve mock salutes then turns to me. "You ready to go learn the systems Steph?"
"Sure. I'm right behind you. Lead the way my Captain." I look over to Sam and for some reason he has a big shit-eating grin on his face. I wonder what that's about? I just shrug as Steve and I make our way to the already open elevator.
"Where are you taking me for my AI lessons?" I ask Steve.
"I think the home office on my floor will be the most comfortable for you for the time being." He interjects.
"Whatever you think is best, I'll follow your lead until I learn the system." I agree.
The elevator door opens again on Steve's floor and he leads me to his home office. He sits down in the large chair behind his desk while I pull one of the guest chairs over to settle down beside him.
He boots up his computer and begins to explain the search systems JARVIS uses. "You also don't need to be at a computer terminal or monitor to view any information JARVIS has. He can project any info onto the nearest wall for you."
I nod to show that I understand and we continue the lesson. I am a pro at JARVIS' basic search programs in no time at all. Steve also informs me that JARVIS has an advanced facial recognition programming that he has been running for Steve on and off for the past 6 months with no luck so far.
"Maybe we'll have some luck now with you here, you know lady luck and all." Steve adds shyly.
"I hope so. I really want to reunite the two of you after all I've learned about you and your friendship. If I was separated from my best friend Mary Lou, I would want to find her too." I let him know.
He smiles sweetly at me. Lord, I could get lost in that crocked grin and in those delicious eyes. I can't help but wonder what he is thinking about when I stare into them.
Cap POV
'Why is she staring at me like that? Do I have something in my teeth? Geez, I hope I don't have something hanging from my nose!' I smile tenderly, all the while fighting the urge to wipe my hand across my face to check my nose.
"Are you OK Steve?" I hear Steph ask me.
"Yea, where was I?" I try to speak past the lump in my throat. I swear I could get lost in the striking electric blue of her eyes. I am shocked when she speaks again.
"So the facial recognition that JARVIS is programmed with works hand in hand with the cameras stationed all over the city." She is asking me.
"All over the world really. I don't know how Tony set that up, but JARVIS can hack into most any camera in the world." I explain to her.
"Wow. I think that kind of power would go to someone's head."
"Oh, trust me, it does. And Stark shows it too!" I laugh out loud. Steph giggles right along with me.
"Yes, he does strike me as the type of person who isn't afraid to toot his own horn."
"He definitely isn't!" I add emphatically.
I wait for our laughter to die down, then I wrap up my teaching session for now. It's almost dinner time.
"Well, I think that's all we have time for right now. It's almost dinner time too so we'll stop the lesson and I'll give you a refresher and point out some details I may have missed when ever you want to tomorrow." I offer.
"Sounds good." She says then she looks up to the ceiling and adds. "JARVIS?"
"Yes Miss Plum?"
"Continue running the facial recognition. Maybe we'll get a hit and a clue as to where he is."
"Certainly Miss Plum."
"OK that is settled for now. How about getting something to eat now? I wonder what they have to eat down on the common floor?"
"They can get you anything you wish Steph." I remind her.
"Yes, but I don't want to be a bother with special orders all the time. I'm really not that picky." She replies.
"It really is no trouble at all. That's why Tony pays them the big bucks. He can be quite a handful himself at times."
"OK, but I'll only do that when I have a craving for something in particular." She finally says.
"As you wish Steph. Shall we go then?"
"After you Cap." She smiles.
I put my hand at the small of her back and lead her to the elevator once again. We ride down the few floors and step out into the common living room.
I look to the dining area and see the team already circling the bar making plates for themselves; all but Tony. I inquire to the room at large.
"Where's Stark?"
"Still up in his lab working on some new 'secret' project." Clint informs me.
"Wonder what it is?" I say.
"You know he won't say anything until he has it perfected." Bruce cuts in.
Steph and I make up our own plates and settle down in two chairs side by side, with me on her right. Sam got lucky and happens to be on her left. I think he planned it that way.
Dinner conversation is light and mostly sharing our days with one another. Just past midway through Tony arrives looking tired and completely worn out. Steph speaks up to him.
"Rough day Tony?"
"One of my DUM-E bots burst into flames right beside me. I need a long hot shower, but my stomach would sue me if I showered first, so here I am." He replies.
"At least wash your face and hands, you look like shit." Clint points out.
"I'm too tired for a witty retort, so fuck you Barton!" Tony comes back with.
The whole table laughs at the pair of them. But Tony acquiesces to the request and heads to the sink to wash up some. He returns to the bar and makes himself a plate. He then takes the only empty chair beside Bruce.
"So what were you talking about? Let me guess you were talking about me." He chuckles.
"No, actually Steph was just about to tell us about one of her many adventurous mishaps. Weren't you Steph?" Clint says through a grin with mischief in his eyes.
"I was?" Steph asks.
"Sure you were. You know we would all love to hear about one. Steve and Sam have heard so much more than us. You have to catch us up with them you know." Tasha teases.
"OK. Well you have to remember most of these situations happened to me before the Merry Men started training me. I haven't had a serious mishap in months." Steph argues.
We eventually talk her into sharing one of her many escapades. This one was about her and her ex-partner Lula being chased by someone's pet alligator. Seriously, an alligator! What on Earth were they thinking?!
We laugh and socialize for an hour or two longer. Then Steph starts to yawn. I alert the others in case they didn't realize it.
"You look beat Steph, are you ready to retire for the evening?"
"Yes, I believe I am. Sorry to run out on everyone, but I'll see you all tomorrow. Have a good night all." She informs the room at large.
"Good-night Gorgeous and Night Steph" is echoed back to her.
We both rise and start towards the open elevator. JARVIS takes us up to my floor. I place my palm to the panel to allow us entry. As the door closes behind me, I turn to Steph and start.
"Steph ... I was wondering."
"About what Steve?"
"Did ... did you... " I start nervously. I pause to wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans. I can already feel my cheeks beginning to flame up. 'Oh, just spit it out Rogers!' I reprimand myself.
Steph is still standing there waiting patiently for me to get the courage to speak again, silently contemplating me. The look on her face is curious but at the same time hopeful. This makes me think that she may agree and that pushes me forward.
"I was wondering if you brought a dress and shoes suitable for a night of dinner and dancing? What I am trying to say is would you let me escort you for a night out on the town, tomorrow night?" I finally manage.
I can only stand there and patiently await her response. God I hope she agrees! ############################