Author's Notes: Hello! It was Cobie's birthday yesterday! And apparently, it's Maria's birthday today according to the MCU wikia? Regardless, here's the first part of the Avengers: Age of Ultron installment. It leans more on the lighter side of the fluff to angst scale so I hope you enjoy it.


you've got a way to keep me on your side

"Lab's all set up, Boss," Maria says just in time for Tony to swivel his chair in her direction. Neither of them notice how Steve's shoulders tense before he looks up.

"Actually, he's the boss. I just pay for everything, and design everything, and make everyone look cooler."

Tony's response pulls at a corner of her lips but she straightens when Steve approaches. It's been a two months short of a year since she last laid eyes on him. As they walk into the tower, she goes on to explain what or, rather, who the Avengers have just faced in their latest battle.

"Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, twins, orphaned at 10 when a shell collapsed their apartment building. Sokovia's had a rough history. It's nowhere special but it's on the way to everywhere special."

"Their abilities?"

"He's got increased metabolism and improved thermal homeostasis; her thing is neuroelectric interfacing, telekinesis, mental manipulation—" He just looks at her and she knows, "English," and then clarifies, "He's fast; she's weird."

"Well, they're going to show up again."

"Agreed." Everything seems to be going smoothly and she relaxes a little because she knows she's dealing with Captain America and not Steve. At least up until she says, "File says they volunteered for Strucker's experiments. It's nuts."

"Right. What kind of monster would let a German Scientist experiment on them to protect their country?"

She considers apologizing but the small smile he's sporting tells her he's not offended. "We're not at war, Captain."

"They are," he manages to respond before the elevator doors shut.

-x-

Steve looks around the room; he's surprised he's lasted this long around so many people, mostly strangers, at a party Tony Stark organized. However, he finds himself missing something and needing a little reprieve from the evening's festivities, especially after trying the Asgardian mead Thor generously shared. It's not that he's drunk or even tipsy but for the first time since the serum, he feels the effects alcohol usually has on the human body.

And after the conversation he had with Sam — "Home is home, you know?" — where he sees Maria, beautiful yet dangerous in her red dress, sitting comfortably on the couch, it doesn't take long before he craves a breath of fresh air so he puts on his jacket and fetches himself a bottle of beer then exits through the side door, the closest one leading to the balcony.

When he sees Maria's profile as she's leaning forward with her arms resting on the rails, he considers hightailing it in the opposite direction but instead blurts her name out. "Maria." His empty hand rises up to the back of his neck before he continues, "I didn't realize it was occupied."

If she were surprised, she shows no sign of it. "It's a huge, open space, Cap." He doesn't miss the name she addresses him with; it's informal and to an outsider would suggest a fair amount of ease. But to him, it's like his step forward is met with two steps back. He takes comfort in her amused expression despite the slight tension in the air. "We don't even have to talk."

"That's not what I—" He cuts himself off with a sigh because he knows it's a lie. He has been avoiding her so he decides he won't anymore and walks towards her, leaving a little over a foot of space between them. He tries to find the right words to dispel the tension but she beats him to it, her direct approach simultaneously relaxing and pressuring him.

"You know…" She looks down at the bottle in her hands. "When I said stop, I didn't mean stop coming around. Or disappear altogether." This is their first actual conversation, and retrieving Loki's scepter was their first mission back.

"Yeah, I— Sam and I were—"

"Out looking for Barnes, I know." She gives him a look.

"Right, the phone call, of course. And," he leans one elbow on the rails but doesn't completely face her. "We can take you out of SHIELD but that doesn't mean we can take SHIELD out of you."

She nods and slowly straightens up to her normal height. "That, and I had a life before SHIELD."

"I'm well-aware, Lieutenant." At this, they share a bit of a smile before he grows serious. "I should've told you."

She shrugs, "Not really. But I could've helped, one way or another."

"I know," he looks down, as if finding the condensation on his beer bottle interesting all of a sudden.

She studies him for a while before she asks, "So why didn't you?" Come around? "Or was it too personal for you to…" Tell me?

"You know it's not that. I just didn't want to ask any more from you than I already have." She just looks at him, her expression unreadable. "You've had your whole life turned around; I figured I'd give you time."

"A year?"

"It hasn't been a year—"

"Right, it's approaching 11 months now. So if Loki's scepter didn't get stolen, you would've waited what, one more month? Another full year?" She huffs a laugh. "Would you have shown up at all?"

"Of course, Maria, I wouldn't just leave permanently without a proper goodbye."

She considers leaving it at that so she just returns her gaze to the lights of the New York skyline. After a while, she says, "You could've called."

"Honestly? I've wanted to, more times than I kept count of." He pauses, shaking his head. "I just didn't think it was enough or that you'd want to hear from me."

"I told you, when I said stop, I didn't mean stop coming around."

"I know that now. And I'm sorry." It's her turn to shake her head.

"You've made a few friends here. I know you want your best friend back but…" She trails off, searching his face. For what, she doesn't know. "Don't push us away in the process." She realizes she'd included herself in the collective and backtracks. "I mean, at the very least, we were colleagues who got along well with each—"

"We were friends, Maria." His amused smile turns shy and serious when he adds, "Still are, I hope?"

She looks away and says, "You're an idiot." Only the smile on her face as she takes a swig from her beer clues him in on what she meant. "And I still want to shoot you."

"I thought you already did?" Maria glares at him and lightly punches him in the arm closer to her.

He chuckles and raises both arms, palm and beer bottle facing her in surrender. "So why are you out here? Needed air?"

"Yes. I'm still not used to..." She gestures to the party inside. "All that."

Steve's head tilts as he turns to look inside. "Tony can go a little overboard."

"A little?"

He chuckles again when he sees her raised eyebrow. "A lot. But he's not so bad."

-x-

Later that day, Pepper and Maria have tea in Maria's office. "So," Pepper starts as she sets her teaspoon down. "Bruce told me what happened." Because yes, she can get Bruce talking. "Funny story."

Maria makes a face as she casually waves a hand. "Stark was just being an idiot."

"And yet you humored him."

Maria simply shrugs, "Let him have his fun."

Pepper is surprised but she hides her smile behind her teacup. She studies Maria for a long time that Maria finds herself sitting up straighter. "Thank you, Maria." Maria tilts her head and her brows furrow slightly. "For being patient with him and indulging him every now and then. I know it's not part of your job description."

"You make it sound like such an ordeal."

"It's not?" Pepper gives her a look. She knows it can be; she's in love with the man.

"It is." Maria doesn't disguise the slight growl that came with her response.

Pepper's laugh is evident in her voice as she says, "You know, he likes you." At Maria's scoff, she insists, "He does! I think he considers you a friend."

"Are you kidding me? A friend wouldn't hack into your tablet with the intention of flooding your screen with pop-ups from dating websites."

"A friend would, actually. Maybe not exactly the way he did it but if a friend believes you deserve a little fun, he or, well, she might think you needed the push."

She blinks, "You didn't."

"No, Maria, I didn't." Maria glares. "Well—" Then groans. "I may have mentioned that I was thinking of setting you up with someone—"

"Pepper, no."

"I know. I didn't and I won't but Tony must have gotten the idea from our conversation and tried to…" She trails off and tries to bite back her smile but fails, "Help."

"With fucking dating websites."

Pepper pauses at this and frowns a bit. "Unfortunately, yes, but," she leans forward and she goes on, "If he didn't care, he would've just left it at that."

"Sure," Maria finds herself feeling more amused than anything.

"If he didn't care, Maria, he wouldn't even speak at length with you; granted, you always shut him up. But much less, he wouldn't constantly argue with you."

Maria hums as she sips her tea before, "Wait, are you telling me he shows affection through argument and opposition?"

Pepper has what Maria imagines as a lovesick expression on her face as she explains, "Tony only argues with and annoys the hell out of people he deems worthy of his attention. Or people he's eager to get the attention of."

For a brief moment, Maria wonders if that was how Pepper and Tony's relationship was before they got together. "Yeah, he's like a kindergartner, pulling pigtails like that."

"And most people can't see through that. That's why I thanked you."

A rather long silence falls on them as Maria thinks about Tony Stark and his antics. "I guess he's not the worst I could be stuck with." Then she quickly adds, "Don't tell him I said that."

"I would never," Pepper says and she looks so proud that Maria can't help returning her smile.

-x-

When Maria simply responds with a hum and a small smile, Steve asks with wide eyes, "Wow, really? No arguments or violent reactions?"

She shrugs, "I agree with you." Steve's eyes widen even more. "But I won't say those words out loud; he's got eyes and ears everywhere." JARVIS.

"I might need time to fully process and absorb this development."

"Drama queen." They share a laugh before looking back towards the skyline. "So what about you, why did you come out here?" In a teasing voice, she asks, "Are you hiding from someone?"

"Hiding? No. Maybe I was looking for someone." He glances at her from the corner of his eye.

"And you're still here because?" She glances at him and takes another swig from her beer.

He turns his head slightly to look at her. "Maybe I don't want to look anymore." He's making everything tentative with maybe but he honestly, truthfully means every word.

She looks at him and couldn't have been more wrong when she asks, "Giving up so easily?" (Oh, Maria, you flawlessly beautiful and oblivious baby porcupine.)

"Never." His body now also turns. "Because maybe," He is now fully facing her and slightly leaning towards her. "I've already found her." Their gazes become intense almost instantly and everything now seems to hold a different meaning. Maria is surprised by how much she wants each of his statements to be true; Steve is surprised by how much he wants her to believe they are. Desire clouds over and darkens their eyes, their gazes growing heated when they remember their night together.

Maria shivers. Whether from the cold or from the memories, Steve's uncertain. "Here." He strips himself of his jacket and starts to hand it to her.

"No, I'm fine."

"Maria, come on, you're shivering." Maria stares at the jacket a little longer than necessary, as if she wants nothing more than to bolt. "It's just a jacket, Maria." When her hand rises to receive the jacket, Steve shifts to stand behind her. "Let me help you." When his jacket is securely resting on her shoulders, he pauses a bit, wanting to wrap his arms around her but refrains and moves back beside her.

He pulls the jacket front closer together when she turns back to him. "Thanks." She refuses to meet his eyes as she basks in the warmth and smell of him surrounding her. She hasn't realized she missed him until now. The realization has her clearing her throat before looking up and asking, "So what really brought you out here?"

Steve thinks of insisting on his previous answer but decides not to push it. "Space. Tony's making everyone dance and," It's not a total lie when he says, "I can't."

"Can't or won't?"

"I won't because I can't? I never learned."

"Oh? Come on," she tilts her head in the direction of the party. "If I get drunk enough, I might just teach you."

"You need to get drunk first? I don't think I'd be that bad." They're laughing as they enter; neither of them notice that they caught Natasha's attention as they head to the bar. Steve sits on a stool and Maria fixes their drinks before excusing herself to go to the bathroom.

In swoops Natasha, seemingly nonchalant but he knows she always has an agenda no matter how innocent. "Steve."

"Natasha."

"Enjoying yourself so far?"

He takes a deep breath as his eyes take in the rest of the room. "Yeah. I'm fine, Natasha, you don't need to worry about me."

She makes a show of looking around. "I don't see Sharon anywhere. The nurse?" And here comes her agenda. "Did you call her?"

"Oh, she's not a nurse, you know that. And no, I didn't." He takes a sip from the drink Maria made for him.

He feels her watching him intently and it almost makes him squirm. "Why not?"

"Did you know she was Peggy's niece?"

"I knew she was a Carter."

He nods and tells her, "I saw her once when I visited Peggy. I knew she looked familiar; I just didn't place it until that moment. We ended up talking, sharing stories; we're friends."

"Friends?" She's smiling at him sweetly now like she's baiting him somehow; he's not falling for it this time.

"Exchanging stories about Peggy before and after the war and getting a glimpse of the parts of her life we weren't privy to…" He trails off and smiles, "We're more interested in that than in each other. At least not in the way you're insinuating."

"Because you're interested in someone else." She glances somewhere behind Steve and he turns his head to follow her gaze. It leads to Maria who's still in his jacket while talking to Clint and Tony; it looks like they're about to start a poker game. "I'm guessing since DC?"

"That's— We're— No, Natasha, it's not…" He trails off as heat creeps up his neck and cheeks. "It's not like that between us. Maria is— We're not— No." Eloquent.

His use of Maria's first name does not go unnoticed and it makes Natasha think, "But you want it to be." She wants to tease him about it but instead allows him a little mercy. "Oh, no, of course not. I mean, it's just a jacket, Steve." She says but the smile she gives him tells him she's got it all figured out. She stands up and walks towards Maria's general direction. She sits gracefully on a chair close enough to Maria and with a small smirk says, "Nice jacket."

Her voice is loud enough to carry over to where Steve is. He blushes slightly and like a bolt of lightning, it strikes him. It's not just a jacket; it was his offer of something and she accepted — albeit reluctantly and he's not about to assume anything. But she accepted and now everyone can see. He walks over to join in on the fun and meets Maria's questioning gaze with a goofy grin as he passes her the drink she prepared earlier because, "Man, if the jacket doesn't look great on her."

When the challenge of lifting Mjolnir comes, not even the failure to lift it dampens his mood because Clint says, "You bet your ass."

And she interjects with, "Steve, he said a bad language word."

She's having a laugh, wearing his jacket, calling him Steve, and teasing him in a room full of the people who matter. And she's comfortable. It isn't much but it's something. And he knows progress when he sees it.


A/N: It's that goddamn jacket. Nearly a year after the AOU release and I'm still trying to figure out whether it was a deliberate/scripted act, or something discussed before or during filming, or (as a friend keeps arguing) just a show of Steve's inherent chivalrous ways, or something that just happened on set and looked cute so they decided to keep it, or...? I mean, why include it in the first place?