Safira sighed and looked at them. "Well I know what I want to do. I've never been to New York and I want to see the Statue of Liberty." She frowned and looked at them. "She wasn't damaged...was she?"

Steve smiled and shook his head. "No the lady is fine. But you know I haven't seen her since I got back. You two want a tour guide?"

Safira gave Xander a pleading look, and he wasn't sadistic enough to eve begin to say no. Besides he hadn't really gotten to see anything either. "I'd like that actually."

Tony waved at them. "You kids have fun. I've got an experiment to monitor, and cookies to eat. I'll take Bruce's his. He might be up now."

"You eat them, Jarvis will tell Willow, and then you'll really be in trouble." Xander warned.

Tony wrinkled his nose. "No worries there. Macha and carob? No thanks"

Xander and Safira looked at their boxes of cookies and then looked at the two spies watching them. As one they turned to Steve.

"Steve can we leave our cookies in your room?" Safira asks with a sweet smile.

"Yes, somewhere safe from certain people?" Xander added with an arch look at the two, who stood there with identical smirks.

"Nat, do you think he is implying we might stoop so low as to steal cookies?" Clint asked with a wounded expression.

"I do in fact believe that is what he is implying." Natasha leaned forward and sniffed. "Those cookies do smell rather tasty. I'm sure they won't miss one or two."

Xander and Safira both growled, a low rumbling sound, all the more shocking for its unexpectedness and sound. Both Clint and Nat took a step back in surprise.

Safira grinned. "See! My growl has gotten almost as good as yours."

"You taught her to growl?" Xander wasn't sure what emotion colored Natasha's comment, but since he didn't think it signaled violence, he ignored it.

"Kinda, she had a good growl before I found her. I just helped her make it better and showed her the different meanings."

"And you know this how?" Clint asked even as he watched both of them with a hunter's stare.

"That is a long story that requires good alcohol and comfortable chairs." Everyone in the room gave him look of interest, even Safira.

"You never did tell me how you knew all that, Xander."

"Well, you aren't old enough to drink, so you'll have to wait."

"Please, by US laws. You've seen me drink."

He shrugged. "Law of the land. We going?" He changed his focus back to Steve. "Besides pretty sure she wants to change into the clothes she stuffed into the bag."

Steve chuckled. "Sure, come one." He paused to give the two spies a look. "And don't break into my place or touch the cookies. Jarvis, will you please let me know if anyone touches our cookies. Including Tony?"

"Yes, Captain Rogers. But, Sir seems to be in an engineering frenzy right now. It is doubtful he will emerge for several hours."

"Thank you." Steve escorted Xander and Safira to his floor, where he and Safira changed clothes. Xander forged his boots and jeans were fine for city wandering.

As they headed out the door, Steve glanced at them. "Is walking okay? To see the Lady, we have to grab a boat. And most of the other stuff here doesn't have any place to park the bikes."

"Walking is fine." Xander said with a half-smile. "We've done hundreds of miles." That was the truth. You walked a lot in Africa. And while the Council had provided a vehicle, getting gas was not always possible.

With a grin of delight on Steve's face, Xander got the feeling people rarely just hung out with Steve, they headed out at a pace that for them was leisurely, but would have put most people in the ground.

As they walked Steve shared the history of the city. He made it come alive for Xander as he told them stories, historical facts, and memories of this city. Each one added depth and character to the city Xander was slowly falling in love with.

When they reached the pier, a man with a dark mustache, and dusky skin looked up at them, a frown on his lid. He opened his mouth and started to say something when his gaze focused on Steve. He jumped up, his eyes widening as a grin spread across his face.

"Captain America?" He looked he might start squealing in glee.

Steve rubbed the back of his neck staring at his shoes. "Just Steve if you don't mind. My friends here have been helping repair the city, and we were wondering if we could go see the lady."

A smile wreathed man's face. "You're part of the volunteer group that's been taking care of my city? Sure, anything for Cap and your guys. I can't believe the amount of change in the last week alone. You are the real heroes. Get on and I'll give you a tour."

With smiles of thanks, and a bit of embarrassment, all of them piled on to the boat for a private tour. The history of the bridges, Ellis Island, and the tunnel all spilled from the man. The story's rich with love for the city, and details about the people who created all of this. Then they circled the Lady. The island itself was still closed, but no one could prevent you from seeing her.

Xander caught his breath, his chest a tight knot as he looked at her watching our over the city she protected. There was something about seeing her in person that reminded him of why he fought, why it mattered so much. He felt his eye watering.

Safira wrapped her arm around his shoulders pulling him into a hug.

"She's beautiful." Her voice stayed soft, almost reverent as they looked at the woman standing there, holding up the flame of enlightenment.

"Yes, she is." Steve's voice was just as soft, almost church-like as the three of them looked at the Lady, who represent so much of why they put their lives and futures on the line every day.

The boat slowly pulled away, their guide honoring the almost holy moment. Giving them time to absorb and deal with their own reactions.

Xander broke the mood, needing to lift the solemnity that had fallen over them. "So where to now?"

"How about Brooklyn?" Steve suggested. "I haven't visited since I woke up," he paused with an odd look. "It's been a bit crazy."

"Ya think?" Xander snarked a bit.

Steve just shrugged and looked at their driver. "Mind dropping us off at Red Hook?"

"Not a problem. Anything for you guys."

The taxi picked up speed and Xander watched the Lady fade, and thought about all the Slayers who had died to protect everything she stood for, and the knowledge that they needed to do more, the fire of liberty, of freedom - couldn't be allowed to fade.

Steve led them into Brooklyn, looking around, a pensive look on his face. Safira walked next to him, not touching, but closer than you would walk with just a friend.

"Everything looks so different. Street names are the same, but…" he trailed off looking a bit lost.

Safira nudged him with her shoulder. "I get it. My home is gone too."

"Yeah, I think all of us know how seeing your home destroyed hurts." Xander said, his voice deep and rough.

Steve shot a glance at him and Xander shrugged. "Part of one of those long stories things."

A whiff of rich tomato sauce and cheese caught his attention, and he inhaled deeply. "That smells wonderful. Let's get that for lunch."

There were no arguments and their noses led them to a small pizzeria under a bunch of apartments. Most everyone looked up as they came in, obviously the place was geared towards locals, not tourists. A young woman about Safira's age, who strongly resembled the woman behind the counter tossing dough in the air, trotted over to them, a smile lighting up her face.

"Hi. Three?"

"Please," Steve said a smile on his face. The girl focused on him, her smile widening and Xander snickered at the low growl from Safira. The waitress seated them at a table near a window, Safira choosing to sit next to Steve, which made Xander smirk at her a bit. She just gave him a drop dead look in return. They opened up the simple menu.

"What would you two like? My treat. They finally figured out my pay and even adjusted for inflation over the years." His smile held a touch of bitterness. "I now have more money in my account than my mother and Bucky would have made in their entire lives put together."

They argued over food options, until an agreement was reached.

The mother headed over, generous breasts and hips jiggling as she swayed over to them. "So, what can I gets youse?" The nasally accent brought a smile to Steve's face.

"We'll have tree calazonehs, extha cheese, tree cokes, and two sides of mozzarella stichs." The change in his voice and accent caused Safira to glance at him in surprise.

The woman grinned at him. "A Brooklyn boy."

"Long time ahgo, ma'am. Good to be home."

She beamed at him, took their orders and bustled away.

"How long since you've been back here?" Safira asked, turning her body to face him.

"Per my memories, or the history books?" His accent faded back to almost non-existent.

"Both."

Xander listened, interested, while he was a fan, he had never gone full geek over Captain America. Now Babylon 5, well that was a different story.

"About two and a half years, between leaving here for basic and then being overseas, I never got back until I woke up here. The history books say about sixty five years." His smile held a wealth of sorrow.

"I can't imagine having a home to go to. So while it is changed at least it is still here. Just different." Safira offered this up in a quiet voice that held memories that Xander shared. Seeing her village burn as he carried her away, her wounds so great she couldn't walk. The fire acted as a pyre for everything she had ever known.

"True." Steve smiled as he looked at her with a warmth that caused Xander to fight a smile and start to feel like an interloper.

The mother came back with the mozzarella sticks and extra garlic knots. "For my Brooklyn boy. Enjoy."

All of them dug into the food, the excellent food.

"Mmm, nice to know my nose didn't lie," Xander mumbled around a mouthful of garlic knots.

The other two both nodded in agreement, not even bothering to slow done their inhalation of sustenance.

"So where to now?"

Xander asked the question just as their pizzas were delivered by the girl. She perked up when she heard the question. "Oh, we just got the Captain America statue delivered. He was from here originally. You should go see it. He was so handsome." Her voice got wistful and distant. "Wouldn't it be nice to meet a man like that?"

It took force of will, but Xander managed to not bust out laughing at the look on Steve's face. ""So where is this statue at?"

"Oh it is down at Prospect Park. It was his favorite place." She grinned at Steve. "Enjoy your pizza." And whisked away to help someone else.

"Your favorite place huh?" Safira had her innocent look on, and Steve's eyes narrowed.

"Well, we liked to go. But it wasn't something we did constantly. I mean it was just a park. I would say the ball field was more popular." He shook his head. "If I had done everything they said I would have been serving for a decade and ran all over Brooklyn and Manhattan."

"You mind if we go see it?" Safira shrugged. "I mean I totally get if you don't, but I wouldn't mind." She did a shy half smile and Xander rolled his eye.

"Laying it on a bit thick right now aren't you?' He asked his voice dry.

"Is it working?" Safira flashed a grin at Steve and he started laughing.

"Yes, it's working. Sure let's go see what Captain America looks like."

They finished up the food, Safira and Steve ensuring there wasn't a crumb left, Xander felt like he ate nothing compared to those two. They tossed money on the table and headed out.

Steve stopped at a block of newish apartment buildings about half was to the park. "This is where our apartments use to be. Me and ma." He looked at the area that clearly had been rebuilt in the last few years removing all traces of the past. "I guess you really can't go home again."

Safira sighed and bent to drop a kiss on his cheek. "Nope, but you always have friends and family, they are better than home at any time."

Steve's hand touched his face and he smiled a bit. "Well, at least I'm making new friends. All the old ones are gone too."

"But not forgotten." Xander said softly, images of Jesse flashing into his mind.

"Never."

Finding the statue was a bit odd. The thirteen foot high bronze creation, stood there shield held up in the air and a look of grim determination on his face.

Xander cleared his throat. "Well l guess look on the bright side, no one would ever look at that and you and think they are the same person."

"I hope I didn't look that grim most of the time." Steve looked at it hands shoved in pockets and shoulders hunched. "I guess better him than me."

"He isn't you?" Safira asked standing next to him.

"No, not really. He is who I can be, but this, today is Steve. I haven't been Steve in a while." He flashed a smile at both of them. "I've enjoyed today. Thanks."

"I think we owe you the thank you. This has been great." Xander commented quietly as the three of them turned and walked away.

"Though I wouldn't mind sparring with you." Safira commented. "I haven't been working out as much as I should and Natasha really kicked my butt. A bit embarrassing. I'm glad Buffy didn't see that. I didn't think a regular person could do that."

"I don't think Natasha is regular. I'm not sure what was done to her, but she moves faster than normal humans. But," Steve shrugged, "that is something only she knows, maybe Clint. And they aren't talking. But, yes, she is good. Hand to hand I lose to her sometimes. My strength can win with a few moves, but I'm a brawler, not a martial artist like she is. So, she ever decided to take me out, I'd probably be dead before I knew what had happened."

Xander thought about that and nodded. Watching her, she didn't make mistakes, she just moved. Reacting from muscle memory, which meant she had been doing this for a very long time. Which meant she could probably teach girls faster and stronger than her.

They walked over the bridge to Brooklyn, and the sun had started to set, casting a glow over the city. Lost in his thoughts, and vaguely aware of the light flirting and teasing from Safira to Steve, the chiming of his phone receiving a text message shattered the mental lull Xander had been in. He pulled it out and looked at it.

It was from Giles.

Xander we need to talk. Call me when you have privacy.

His breath caught and his stomach froze.

Authors Note: Yes I know the statue of Cap just showed up in Prospect Park for a short while in 2016, but it was too good not to include.