A/N: So, this is the second to last chapter and I love it. I truly do. I hope you all do too, and please, review if you feel so inclined. (Side note: Steve is a little OOC at the very beginning of the chapter, but in kind of a good OOC way)

Disclaimer: I sadly don't own the characters used in this story.

"So, what do you two have to say?" Clint asked from where he was in the kitchen. On one side of the large breakfast table sat Hawkeye, Black Widow and Bruce. On the other were Steve and Delilah.

"Don't tell Tony," Steve replied, taking an almost Captain America-like approach to things. He knew that, had it been 1940, he would've been so angry at himself for disgracing Delilah, but it was the twenty-first century and times sure have changed. He had feelings for her, and sure he couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was, but he was pretty darn sure it was love.

"Believe me, we weren't planning on it," remarked Natasha. It was true, if Tony were to find out about Steve and Delilah, even if he was a very liberal parent and believed in love and lust and all that jazz and Steve was his friend and teammate, he would probably try to blast Steve's genitals off.

"Weren't planning what?" Tony questioned as he entered the room.

"We weren't expecting you home until tomorrow dad!" Delilah leapt up and pulled Tony into a hug, but shot the rest of their weird little family a look which implied "anyone says anything and I'll kill all of you". It had been a total shock that any of them were back early, but seeing as Tony was supposed to have meetings all day, it was particularly surprising

"So, what are you not planning on doing?" he questioned once again.

"We weren't planning on buying the cheap, no-name brand of Pop-Tarts even though Steve suggested it," Bruce said slyly, smiling at his "science-bro".

"They are more healthy and cheaper, though," Steve slid into the lie without much effort. It was easy to distract Tony with talk of food or women.

"Do whatever you want, but I wouldn't recommend it, Thor'll be pissed. I'm taking a shower." He left the room, never suspecting.

"Well, I'm going to go do something productive, like eat. I'll see you all later," Delilah decided, and with that the awkward chat was over.

"So, I had a chat with Fury today," Delilah announced as they ate dinner. The whole gang was together at a fancy restaurant on the Upper East Side. It was Dee's last night in New York and Tony was going to make sure it was a good night.

"Go on," Pepper encouraged, while the rest of the team, aside from Thor who was munching happily on his steak, stared at her blankly.

"Well, he stopped me just as I was coming into the Tower. He said that I would be a good addition to S.H.I.E.L.D and that, if I were interested, I should give him a call," she looked utterly bored with the subject. "But really, I'm offended, I'm good enough to be recruited earlier."

"Well, it's doesn't matter does it?" Tony asked, taking a swig of his scotch.

"And why is that?"

"Because I'm not letting you put your life in danger like that."

"You mean like you guys do, every single day," she grinned at him in a triumphant way.

"That's not that point," Steve mumbled.

"What was that mister "I'm genetically engineered to be a fighting machine"?" She turned to him, fire in her eyes. Every man at the table cowered just a little at the sight of her.

"It's a different ball game than you're used to, than any of us were used to originally and some still aren't, plus I wouldn't be able to handle you getting hurt," she could see the worry in Steve's eyes and it almost made her waver, almost.

"First of all, I'm an adult who can make her own decisions and who doesn't need any one telling her what she can and cannot do. Second, I've seen the way working for S.H.I.E.L.D can affect someone, and as you know, it's not pretty. Lastly, I love what I do. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to use the little girls room." She threw her napkin down on the table and stood up.

As she exited the ladies room, she felt a large hand on her back. "Yes?"

"I'm sorry," Steve offered.

"I'm not mad at you. A little peeved, sure, but not angry." They'd stopped now and stood in the dimly lit hallway, between the doors for the ladies and men's washrooms.

"I'm sorry," Steve truly was. He knew how independent she was and that she could fully make her own choices, but he didn't want to see Delilah getting hurt.

"It's fine," she held his face in her hands. "But, it's my choice. I get to chose what I do, not you, not dad, not anyone."

"I know," he looked down at his feet. He realized how alike her and Peggy truly were. Both independent, both incredibly strong willed. He loved them both.

"I can take care of myself Steve."

"I know you can."

"Steve, I – I don't know how good of an idea this is."

"What do you mean?" He looked into her eyes. He was leaning into her, his hand now braced at either side of her, against the wall. Her hands were placed lightly against his chest.

"I leave tomorrow, and I'm not back until June, if even then. I don't think it's fair to either of us. We're going to be on different continents and –"

"It's not hard for me to be in Paris," he interrupted. Was she doing this, truly? After all that had happened, all that had been realized?

"You're going to be out in the world, fighting God knows who, and saving the world. I'm going to be going to concerts and writing it about it after. We both have a very different set of priorities, and plus, we both have a lot of different things to focus on. I just, don't think it's a good idea." Delilah couldn't believe what she'd just said. She wanted to take it all back, but it was true. It wasn't fair to leave while not being one hundred percent sure of what they were.

"But I love you." Delilah grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him into a kiss. It was perfect. It was sweet. And they both knew it was their last.

"I love you too, but we both lead very different lives," she smiled at him, trying to hide how sad she was. "But, hey, if you're ever in Paris, give me a call." With that, she headed back to the table, leaving Steve in the hallway, truly confused.

Delilah Stark had broken Steve Rogers' heart.

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed that. R&R if you feel inclined.