There were a lot of times Steve felt lost in his life. His mother's death was just the first. For that first time he was alone, even though Bucky was still with him. Then he tried to enlist, and was unsuccessful four times. That was until he met Dr. Abraham Erskine. He's never regretted becoming Captain America, and he's lost a lot along the way. The Commandos, Bucky, Peggy, and seventy years of his life trapped in the ice. Then he lost Peggy a second time just five years after he had been found. But the feeling of being lost is nowhere near as frustrating as feeling useless. He's become friends with T'Challa and Sam is right there with him, but being in hiding has made Steve restless. More often than not he is seen wandering the corridors of the royal palace, and thoughts of Natasha weigh heavily on his mind. One such excursion brought him to T'Challa's training room where the King and Sam were testing each other's limits.

"You're an excellent fighter Sam. Truly a warrior of great skill."

"The U.S. Air Force will give you that, but I've always preferred rescue missions before all out brawl."

"That's not what I saw from you in the field at the airport."

"Desperate times."

T'Challa throws one more punch which Sam deftly sidesteps. He responds with his own right cross which his opponent easily blocks. When they start to catch their breath, both men hear clapping from the rear of the room. Steve is standing there, impressed at the last few moments of the sparring session he was witness to.

"Hey Steve, finally decided to stop playing hermit?"

"Sure Sam. You know, I've been trained in multiple forms of combat since donning the stars and stripes, but I've almost never seen anyone capable of what you just did, Your Highness."

"Please Captain; you are under the protection of my people. Though I am King, I hardly stand on ceremony with another warrior with your skill and spirit. You may call me T'Challa."

"Then you can call me Steve. Hard to believe this is the first time I've seen this training facility. It's far better than the one at Avengers compound."

"My Grand-father insisted upon it. We came from humble beginnings, and it is with those beginnings I strive to uphold the kingship and honor the legacies of my ancestors, all of whom were great warriors."

"Wars not make one great."

"I beg your pardon Sam?"

"Forget it T'Challa, he's just quoting a movie."

"I see, well it is true, wars do not make one great, it is how you react to being in war that determines your worth."

"Well, I think after all of that, I need a shower. We should spar again T'Challa."

"Indeed Sam. I must also return to important affairs of state. You are welcome to use the training facility any time Steve."

"I should probably do that now. There is a little bit of frustration I need to work off."

T'Challa looks over at Sam questioningly but the latter just shakes his head negatively. He's gotten to know Steve well enough to not ask questions when his friend is in this state of unease. At first it was always about everything he lost during the war, but now, it's always about a certain redheaded spy. Both men depart as Steve begins working out with the heavy bags.

"Staying together is more important than how we stay together."

"What are we giving up to do it? I'm sorry Nat, I can't sign it."

"I know."

"Well then, why are you here?"

"I didn't want you to be alone."

Steve began punching the bag harder as he remembered letting her leave just like he did after their world came crashing down and she left his hotel room. But he still can't be angry with her, even as he remembers the fight at the airport.

"You're not going to stop are you?"

"You know I can't."

"I'm going to regret this."

In that memory, Steve was suddenly hit with a small shot of fear. Natasha had raised her arm, preparing to fire her Widow's bites. He knew that if she followed through and shot both him and Bucky their still new relationship might have ended right then. But she aimed past them and fired at T'Challa. Now he was angry at himself again for putting her in that position. If she were with him she would say he's being an idiot because she made the choice, but it still didn't help lessen his own anger.

"Could I have done things differently? I couldn't sign the Accords, but the war is just as much my responsibility as it was Tony's."

As the soldier realized how hard he was hitting the bag, he had to pull back. This wasn't an old gymnasium in Brooklyn, he was a guest here, and he didn't want to break any of his host's equipment. He finally stopped to catch his breath, and knew that if he wanted any word on Natasha, only one person might know where she is. When he was back in his room, Steve pulled the burner phone out of his jacket and made the call. When the other end of the line connected, he was pleased to hear a friendly voice.

"Hello, Barton residence."

"Wanda?"

"Steve, I would recognize your voice anywhere. Where are you?"

"I want to…shouldn't tell you. I'm glad you're safe though, and took Clint up on his offer."

"It was my only option. The Avengers don't exist and Vision…,"

"I know. He cares about you, but you're not sure you can trust him."

"So why shouldn't you tell me where you are?"

"Because it may not be safe. You're free, I'm still a fugitive. If nothing else, it's to protect you."

"I understand. And I don't think I've ever thanked you."

"For what?"

"Sending Clint to help me, and helping me as much as you did."

"You're welcome. Speaking of Clint, is he there?"

"He and Laura took the kids out. It is…, what time is it where you are?"

"Early evening."

"Okay, it is still late morning here. Clint should be back soon."

As Steve and Wanda continue catching up, the front door opens and Clint steps in to the living room. The first thing he sees in Wanda on the phone and he has a good feeling he knows who she's talking to.
"Wanda, could you go help Laura with the groceries? I have a feeling that…,"

"Of course, the call is for you."

Wanda hands the phone off and steps outside. Hesitantly Clint raised the receiver to his face while activating the signal blocker he had with him. Old habits die hard, and he wanted to make sure no one was able to hack the network and track the phone call.

"Okay Steve, you're good to talk. I've got a signal block running."

"Was that running when I was talking to Wanda?"

"A less advanced form of one, yes. But this one I picked up from an old friend."

"Probably Fury, right?"

"Yeah, so what's on your mind?"

"I'm calling so I think you know exactly who is on my mind."

"I don't doubt it. So before you ask, yes Nat called me. She's okay."

"Good, I miss her."

"And she misses you."

"Do you know where…?"

"No, she didn't tell me. Please tell me you're not planning on going to look for her."

"I don't know. The thought did cross my mind."

"Well, think about it a lot more. Because she asked me to tell you not too."

"Smart, smart strategy. If I did, I'd be putting us both in danger. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to her."

"That's the same thing she said about you."

"Anyway, how are you holding up?"

"Better, Laura and the kids are glad I'm back."

"They have Tony to thank for that."

"No they don't. So he got the charges dropped, big deal. You got us out. Tony's not welcome here."

At that moment, Laura, Cooper and Lila came in followed by Wanda carrying Nathaniel. He was smiling at Wanda as she made his toys levitate with her powers. She's still just a kid, but she's a natural with his kids, and they don't often accept new people so easily.

"Hey Steve, how much longer have you got to talk?"

"I've got some time, why?"

"Laura and the kids want to say hello."

Clint activates the speaker phone and sets the handset down. Steve can hear the hustle and bustle of grocery bags being set down, and the laughter of Clint's children, and then Clint's voice calling out.

"Hey guys, there's someone on the phone. Come say hello!"

There are chorused shouts about Auntie Nat, and Steve chuckles when he hears them screaming for her, even if it makes him a little sad because they aren't there in person. But when he hears Cooper speak followed by Lila, he smiles nonetheless.

"Cooper, Lila, how are you two?"

"UNCLE STEVE," Cooper and Lila shouted in unison, "Uncle Steve how is Auntie Nat?"

"She's doing great, she wanted to talk, but she's out taking care of some things."

"Will you tell her to call us?"

"I sure will. I promise. So Cooper, how's school?"

"The same as always. Hey, Mom wants to talk."

After letting the kids say a quick good-bye, and shooing them off to help put the groceries away, Laura takes the phone off speaker so she can talk to Steve as well. She's hesitant even though he's become a great friend, talking to a living legend still puts her in awe.

"Hey Steve, how are you?"

"Getting by. Still having to stay off the radar. I don't know how much longer Tony is going to keep holding a grudge."

"Give him time, whatever happened will blow over. But you're doing okay at least."

"Somewhat, still kind of hard without Nat around."

"You just have to give her time as well. You know she loves you, she'll be back."

"I know. So I'm keeping busy until she comes back."

"That's good; have to go, Cooper and Lila are arguing again. Here's Clint."

"Someday you have to experience what it's like to be a father Steve. It gets crazy sometimes, but I wouldn't trade it for the world."

"Maybe someday. Listen it was good to talk to you. Take care of Wanda, and I'll call again. If Nat calls, tell her…, tell her…,"

"I'll think of something. She said she'd call again. Now go get some rest. It's got to be getting late wherever you are."

"I will, thanks Clint."

The line disconnected and Steve put the phone away. He's not often worn out from a workout session, but this level of inactivity has exhausted him. After a quick shower, he hit the bed hoping for a peaceful sleep, but his nightmares hit full force. These were the times he really wished Natasha was there because she always found a way to calm him down when they became too much and he was thrashing against the dreams. After waking up in a cold sweat, he decided he needed to get out of Wakanda for a while. But he couldn't leave without disguising his appearance, or without telling Sam he was leaving. Two weeks passed and he dyed his hair a dark shade of brown, complemented with a pair of brown contacts and a full beard. Sam and T'Challa decided to try and convince him not to leave, but their pleas fell unanswered.

"I'm not leaving forever Sam. I just need to get back into the outside world. You know you can come with me."

"I know. But I think I'm going to stay. It's been a while since I've felt this settled."

"Yeah two years, I know. I promise, someday soon, we'll get back to New York or D.C. It's just a matter of time."

"And where will you be going Steve?"

"I'm not sure yet T'Challa. I can't thank you enough for your friendship despite how we first met. And I still owe you for taking care of Bucky."

"You do not owe me anything for that. It is my honor to help him find peace. My helicopter pilot is ready to take you the airport. I have arranged for an identity for you under the guise of Grant Robertson, a visiting dignitary from Ireland."

T'Challa and gone all out to help Steve with his journey and the latter couldn't possibly be more thankful than he already was. As Sam and T'Challa accompanied him to the helipad, he knew he would return to Wakanda soon. Before boarding the helicopter the three men shared a handshake along with a fond farewell. Before reentering the palace the men known as the Falcon and Black Panther watched as the helicopter disappeared over the rainforest.

After arriving at the airport, Steve still had yet to decide where he was going. Indecision isn't something he normally deals with, but one place stuck out in his mind. He thinks back to when he and Sam were still chasing Bucky, and instantly knew where he wanted to go.

"Yes sir, we have a flight to Italy later this afternoon. Are you traveling alone, Mr. Robertson?"

"Yes, I'm traveling to Italy before returning home to Ireland. I've been told that everyone who is a fan of Dante needs to see Florence just once in their life."

With his ticket and boarding pass paid for with money T'Challa had slipped into his wallet without knowing; Steve made his way to the terminal for his flight. He was looking forward to seeing Italy without being on the hunt for his best friend, but he had no idea what other surprises would be waiting for him there.