James stretched his legs out, propping his feet up on the coffee table. The blue light from the television flickered in the darkness. He looked to Steve, who was lounging in the armchair beside the couch. "I feel like a little kid all over again watching you in action," he quipped.

Steve grinned. "I told you this would be therapeutic."

James laughed. "Do you do this often?"

Steve shook his head. "Nah. Only when I'm feeling more than a little nostalgic. Which thankfully I don't really have time for these days."

James nodded. "Man, look at you, Cap. You've got skill."

Steve's thoughts were interrupted by the buzz of the doorbell. His eyes darted to the dvd player and he groaned when he saw that it was after eleven p.m. "That's never a good sign," he said as he jogged down the stairs.

"Natasha!" Steve said in surprise when he opened the door. "You're not here to see me, are you?"

She shook her head.

"Of course not. You're never here to see me. What S.H.I.E.L.D. business have you got tonight?"

"Um.. no S.H.I.E.L.D. business. Is he here?"

Steve nodded. "Yeah. Come on up."

"Buck? It's for you again."

James pulled his feet from the coffee table and straightened up. "Natasha, hi."

"Hi, James. I hope I'm not interrupting... "

"No, it's fine. We were just…err.. watching a movie…"

Steve clapped his hands awkwardly. "Well, it's late. I'm going to bed." He winked. "You kids behave yourselves."

James picked up a pillow from the other side of the couch and tossed it at him as he retreated down the hall. Steve threw his arm out to his side, easily blocking the attack with a laugh.

James shook his head. "So what's up? S.H.I.E.L.D. business this late, huh? You do realize I'm not actually an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., right?"

She shifted her feet. "No S.H.I.E.L.D. business this time. I… actually don't know why I'm here…"

James folded up his blanket and placed it on the arm of the couch. "Alright. Well, here, have a seat."

"Thanks," she said, sinking back into the couch. "So.. what are you watching?"

"Oh.. uh… old newsreels," he said. "Fury gave them to Steve."

"Nice," Natasha said. "Let's watch."

"Um.. okay," he said, reaching for the remote and pressing play. "So.. you just come here to check up on me, or something?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I guess I did. How are you doing?"

He shrugged. "Fine."

"That's good." She turned her attention back to the tv screen. "Red tights. That was a nice look for you," she commented jokingly.

He nodded. "Yup. They were real comfortable too," he replied.

She laughed lightly.

"This is Cap's own personal form of therapy," he said.

She leaned her head back against the couch.

"You know, for someone who's supposed to not want me to be found… you come here an awful lot," he remarked.

"Oh.. I'm sorry. I guess I wasn't thinking."

"I was kidding," he said.

She frowned. "Well, I guess we'll have to move you soon anyway."

"Yeah, Steve's helping me find my own apartment," He informed her. "But I kinda like it here."

"It wouldn't be safe for either of you if you stayed here permanently," she said softly.

He leaned his head back against the couch and met her gaze at the same level. "I know… but still… it feels safe."

She looked into his eyes. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know," he said seriously. "But I have to figure out something."

"Well.. just let me know… if I can be of help to you."

He smiled. "Thanks," he said sincerely.

She smiled back. "Still the same.." she murmured.

His brow furrowed. "What?"

She leaned closer, her face searching his, but he didn't move away. Slowly, she closed her eyes, her lips pressing softly against his. He raised his hands to her face, kissing her back, and she carefully wrapped her arm around his back, her hand ghosting softly across his metal shoulder.

Just as quickly as she had advanced, she pulled pack, her eyes opening to search his.

"You..feel… exactly as I remember," he whispered huskily.

"So you do remember," she said.

"I remember everything," he replied, his brown eyes wide. "I remember… everything."

"James…" She reached for him again and he opened his mouth under hers eagerly, drinking her in. They kissed thoroughly for a few long moments.

She pressed her body against his, effectively pushing him down into the couch cushions. His left arm was cold against her skin, but she didn't mind. She kissed hungrily along his jaw, moving her mouth down his neck.

"Hold on," he murmured softly and she pulled away, raising a questioning eyebrow. "As much as I.. want to do this," he said, his breathing heavy. "And trust me, I do… but we can't do this on Steve's couch."

"Oh.. right," she said.

He smirked. "Besides, I don't want to come between you and Romeo."

"It's not even like that, with us."

"Isn't it?"

She frowned. "I don't know. Maybe it would have been, but not anymore. He doesn't trust me now."

He pulled her back down against his chest, combing through her long red hair with his metal fingers. "That's just for now. He'll get over it."

"I don't know…"

He sighed. "You're on the same team. Barton still trusts you with his life. The rest will fall back into place in time. You'll see. Take it from someone who knows a little about trust and lack thereof."

"I hadn't thought of it like that. Maybe you're right.."

"Yeah.."

"I hope you're right."

He turned his eyes back to the tv without saying anything else.