A/N: Well, hey guys! I brought a new chapter. I had lack of inspiration, because only two people sent me review. Yes, I know, it's not a too good story, I'm new at writing fanfiction in English, and maybe I deserve it. But I'd really like to thank you for the ones who left me - you really are perfect, guys!

He remembered her as if she was there with him the whole time through.

The way wind played with the long red curls that framed her angelic face, the edges stroking her back, making her look more goddess-like than ever. She laughed at something - he had no idea what was the topic –, kicking up the leaves that already covered the Central Park although it was only August. Chealsea Roth was definitely the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. To Steve – without hesitation – she was the woman ideal. A person who was not only strong and full of pure kindness, but when his world blackened she was the only thing which kept hope in him. Just the thought of her helped.

He cursed himself for not being aware of what he was feeling toward her, even in the very possible minute of his death. Having a mess in his mind he could only hold onto her. Not being able to describe the wave of emotions that overwhelmed him when he kissed her, nor the lifting of his stomach whenever he was thinking about it made him want to go back to her – to realize finally. He needed her like air, if he was failling and Chealsea Roth was the parachute. (A pretty weird metaphor considering that he never used parachutes, but yet it was true.) But could it be love? Could he allow himself such thing like falling in love with her?

They say when you are dying your life flashes before your eyes, and it was true. He saw everything. His mother's warm hug, an old memory of his father's voice, Bucky and him hugging each other, Peggy's chocolate brown eyes, fighting against Red Skull, beating Loki and his alliens, his teammates are eating together while discussing something funny and then… her. All those moment spending together, laughing, comforting each other whenever they - mostly Chealsea needed it -, watching movies or simply losting in each other's gaze. Her green apple and honey scent, her tiny fingers filling the holes between his ones, her caring behavior, her lips meeting his ones… He knew she enjoyed it as much as he did, since she almost melted in the embrace of his strong arms.

"Steve," her voice echoed in his head, creating a mess of happiness in it. She whispered soothing words he did not understand."I need you. You know I do, don't give up!"

What? I need you - so real, full of everything she never said out loud. Was he hallucinating?

Her voice was a bit too hoarse as if she was having a throat ache, Steve caught himself worrying about her.

A warm hand stroked through his blonde hair. "He's having a fever."

"You shouldn't talk this much," someone warned the redhead, a new person he recognized as Barbara Morse. "Your throat won't heal this fast. Just a few days, okay?"

"What's the thing with it anyway?" Clint. What was Clint doing there? They were going on a mission together and somehow it calmed Steve he was okay.

"It's a very infrequent disease," Bobbi explained. "Her throat is very sensitive – you should take care of it next time, okay?"

"Next time?" Chealsea asked bitterly, almost barely audible.

Mockingbird qucikly corrected her mistake. "I mean when you shout about something."

"When will he wake up?" Clint sighed.

"He almost drowned, I have no idea. He mumbled something about you, though."

A hand stroked over his cheek.

"Are you mad at him?" Barbara obviously got a head shake or a nod because she slowy approached the redhead, he could guess it by hearing the click of her heels. "He will fine, sweetheart. I know you are worrying about him."

"He looks better," Clint agreed. Good, Steve thought, at least they are comforting her. In case it was real he knew he will have to thank them. "He isn't shakin' anymore."

"Yes, and you should sleep a bit, Chealsea. I haven't seen you sleeping since yesterday morning."

"I'm fine."

"No, you aren't. Look, I know you blame yourself, but it's understandable. Everyone would be upset."

"I just… I just…"

"Chealsea," this time Clint was the one who spoke up. "You reacted great. Sharon Carter freaked out when he told her."

No! Why was he talking about Sharon Carter?

"He didn't mind," Bobbi murmured. "Before the exploding."

"He had his reasons to lie to you," Hawkeye commented. "Protection is important in our lifes."

"What do you mean? Is there anything else I should know?"

"Just think about it. We're working for the S.H.I.E.L.D. Most of us. We go on dangerous missions, we save people but at the same time w eget new enemies, too. By telling you the truth you'd have to face this new word."

"I told him I don't care if he keeps his secrets, but it's not just a secret. It's everything."

"Cheals, you have every right to be angry now, we all understand."

"I'm not angry, I'm confused." She squeezed Steve's hand. "But it doesn't mean I will run away. I won't leave his side."
"I bring you soup, okay? You need to regain some energy."

"I'd prefer a coffee."

Bobbi heaved a deep breath. "You can't drink coffee, you took the painkillers I gave you."

"I forgot."

"You are a mess," Clint stated in a bored tone. "You should listen to Bobbi at least once and sleep a bit."

"I will, I promise."

"You've already said that. You are truly a mess." Mockingbird cleared a throat, earning a low chuckle from Clint. Since when were they talking to each other anyway? They were like two rocks before. "He's in great hands, Chealsea. There's nothing you should worry about anymore."

"What about Mattie?"

"Pepper and Tony are entertaining him," Barbara calmed the redhead, the way she talked to her showed Steve how good person the blonde was. "I doubt he minds that you spend time with Steve here. He's too busy with the things Tony's showing him."

Chealsea let out a breath. "He would be a good father."

"Maybe."

They stayed in silence, none of them said anything and Steve began to wonder if he fell asleep again. He had reached a state where he could not make difference between sleeping and being awake anymore, his whole world smashed into something too warm to help him think straight – a burning pain seemed to spread across his chest and his heart beated so fast he though he will have a heart attack.

He whimpered something not understandable, which startled the half-dozen redhead next to him. Her head immediately jerked up, putting a hand onto his forehead.

"Shhh," Chealsea murmured into his ear, wiping his sweating forehead. "Shh. It's okay, it's fine. It gets better, I promise."

He groaned, squeezing her hand weakly.

"Rest," she kissed his palm gently. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Ch-"

"Rest," the woman repeated again and – to her greatest surprise – watched him try to pull his sheets aside. "No! Don't even think about it! You are having a fever!"

Steve – although every part of him protested against it – managed to open his eyes, looking into her beautiful blue ones. Her ones were filled with tears of worrying and Steve hated himself for making her sad. She was the last person who deserved this. "S-So-r-ry."

She let go off his hand – earning a questioning glance – and cupped his cheeks lovingly. "It's okay. You will be okay, that's what matters now."

"I d-idn't w-want t-to lose y-ou."

"I know," she bent forward – Steve immediately inhaled her scent which filled his nose and sent shivers down his spine -, slowly brushing her lips against his for a brief second. It ended too soon. "It's okay now. Sleep."

He sighed, every world were a torture to form. "W-Will y-you stay?"

"Yes," she replied. Frowning slightly, he watched her chewing on her lower lip. Shrugging to herself, she took off her shoes and climbed onto his bed, slipping under the blanket. He wrapped his around her as she rested her head on his forehead, listening to his heart beat. This closeness soon helped both of them drifting off.

This was how Barbara Morse found them – peacefuly cuddling up to each other. She shook her head smiling, switching off the lights to let them finally have some rest. They needed it.

A/N: What do you think? Any special wish?