Posting a day early since I won't have time tomorrow!

Not as much feedback from the previous chapter as I would have liked, but what can I do about it? Good news, I have the entire story mapped out. There will be 37 chapters. Give or take one or two. If I get everything written down, I might start posting twice a week. How does that sound?

Maniac at Midnight – I don't think I believe you….about time right?

Supesfan18 – Thanks friend. I don't know, what are the chances that Steve and Nat ended up in the same bar as Mady? Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.

Writeratheart101 – I am so glad you liked it. It took me forever to get that kiss into words. Still not 100% happy with it, but it's good enough.

Obsessin – Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Every Sunday.

Megan (Guest) – Thank you so much! I'm glad you like Mady as much as I do. For now the story will remain T, but we'll see how far I can stretch it.

Nicolaaa – You say that like it's a bad thing? Fluff is wonderful isn't it?

Chapter 10

"Natasha, I have a problem," Steve said from the center of the meeting room. His arms crossed over his chest as he paced back and forth.

"And what is this so-called problem?" the woman was curious. Their fearless leader hadn't been his usual self since New Year's, and it was getting Natasha on edge. She didn't go through all of the trouble of setting them up to have in act like this.

"I asked Mady out, and I have no idea what to do."

"Uh, take her out, and have a good time," she told him. "What's so difficult about that?"

"But where?" he sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "I don't know what to do! I've never done this before. Bucky was the one who set up all the dates. I just went along for the ride."

"We haven't changed that much as a species, Rogers," Natasha replied. "A date's a date. Take her out to dinner, or go see a movie. You know what she likes and what she doesn't like. Trust yourself. The woman already likes you, so there's no need to impress her or anything. It's only your first real date right?"

"Technically yes," he nodded. "But she deserves something special. I want to do something nice for her."

"You like her a lot, don't you? How long have you two known each other? Five-ish months? I'm surprised it took you this long to ask her out."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You've been talking to one another for a while. She's been helping you out with things, getting you back in the world. You can never shut up about her."

"She's a friend."

"Obviously she's not just a friend to you anymore. Just be yourself, and everything will work out. Anyway, I came in here to tell you that Fury wants to see you in his office."

"All right," he sighed, heading towards the elevator.

"Sir, everything is going as planned. Rose was right," Steve stood outside Fury's door, listening in on the conversation between Maria Hill and the Director. "We should have the formula completed within the next three days."

"It sounds like you didn't have faith her work," Fury chuckled. "When has the Rose ever been wrong?"

"Never," Maria turned her head to the side. "You're two o'clock is here. I'll come back and give you the rest of the information."

"Very good, Hill. Come on in, Rogers," Fury's voice boomed.

"You wanted to see me?" Steve asked, entering the room, hands gripping at his belt.

"Yes, I did," Fury stood behind the desk. "I want to go over the information that you brought back from Europe."

"I thought so," he replied. "I didn't interrupt anything did I?"

"Nothing you have to worry yourself with at this point, Cap."

"I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!" Kelly sang as the two women travelled through the hallway at the hospital. "It was about damn time!"

"Can you not scream?" Mady sipped her coffee. "That would be great thanks, and what's that supposed to mean?"

"It was only a matter of time before Steve asked you out," Kelly explained. "Have you seen the way he looks at you? He's completely smitten. Took him long enough. So where is he taking you?"

"I don't know yet. He only asked me out yesterday. I'm sure he's busy with work."

"Don't make excuses for him," Kelly scolded her. "He needs to get his butt into gear and tell you where you're going. I bet it'll be romantic. Steve seems like the romantic type."

"Kel, I'm still amazed that he asked me out to begin with. I was the one who kissed him first. I was sure one hundred percent sure that I would have been the one to ask him out first too. Besides, we're both very busy people. Steve knows that. We'll go out when we both have time. There's no rush."

"Are you going to sleep with him?"

"Kelly!" it was Mady's turn to shout. "Why on earth would you ask such a thing in a children's hospital, and how dare you escalate this conversation so quickly!"

"You didn't say no," she grinned. "I bet he's great in the sack."

"No, I'm not going to sleep with him," Mady answered in a hushed tone. "That would be completely inappropriate, and don't you dare start thinking about it because if you start thinking about it then I'll start thinking about it, and-I hate you so much right now!"

"Look at me right in the eyes and tell me you've never thought about it before," Kelly challenged. "Have you seen the man you've been buddy-buddy with for the past five months? He's practically a god. I'd have jumped him months ago if I was in your shoes. How you haven't, I'll never know."

"Can you stop?" Mady swatted her friend's shoulder. "You know as well as I do that Steve's not that kind of guy."

"I knew you've thought about it before. Not that I can blame you. I've been the exhibit and everything, but I my imagination can only do so much. I bet the serum enhanced everything."

"You are a horrible human being, but when you're right you're right. When he left, I couldn't fall asleep for three hours. He's absolutely perfect, Kel, but he's too old-fashioned to have sex with me on the first date."

"So the complete opposite of Aaron?"

"Definitely," Mady nodded. "But Steve's someone worth waiting for."

"You don't have to tell me, honey. I already know," Kelly grinned. "Call me when you're off the clock. I'll come over and help you pick out something that will knock Steve's socks off."

"I told you, we haven't-"

"I know. I'm just getting you prepared so you don't freak out when the time comes, and you say you can't find anything to wear and have a panic attack."

"That's a good idea actually."

"It's because I'm so smart."

"Don't get carried away now."

"Some friend you are."

"I'm the best friend you've ever had."

"Whatever you say," Mady rolled her eyes.

"See, aren't you glad I helped you pick this outfit out on Wednesday?" Kelly beamed from her spot on Mady's bed, admiring her handy work. "There was no freak out, and you look fantastic. Not quite as great as you did at the bar, but that's not appropriate attire for a first date. Steve's going to die."

"I certainly hope not," Mady turned to observe Kelly's handy work in the mirror, silently agreeing with Kelly. She would have been a complete mess if she hadn't taken her advice the other day. "To be honest, I'm not sure where we're going. Steve just said we're going to dinner."

"I feel like that's what everyone does on their first date," Kelly commented. "What happened to fun first dates? Like going to a concert and or having fun at the fair?"

"You do realize it's the beginning of January right?" Mady eyed the woman on her bed. "Dinner was the best idea. Maybe we'll do something else afterwards. I'll let you know tomorrow morning."

"Oh no, I'm going to stay here and wait until you get back," she rolled over into a sitting position. "I want all of the details even if I don't get the lovely juicy kind, but that day will come. Pun most definitely intended."

"I hate you sometimes. You know that right?" Mady asked. "All right. I think I'm ready."

"Are you nervous?"

"A little bit," she nodded. "I know it's silly, seeing as we've hung out before and everything. Hell, Steve even knows my mom, dad, and Jared, but this is an actual date, completely new territory for us."

"Then you don't have to worry about the awkward ice breakers. Quit worrying, everything is going to be fine," both women paused at the knocking at her front door. "Your date has arrived. Go on, I won't butt-in."

"Please don't do anything stupid while I'm gone," Mady grabbed her bag and coat. "However, do go to sleep if you get tired. We don't need a repeat of what happened last time."

"I learned my lesson. Now go!"

"Don't tell me what to do," she made her way to the door; heart pounding just like it did at Thanksgiving only worse. "You can do this, Mady. It's like any other time we've hung out."

Except it wasn't like any other time they've hung out. Before she and Steve were just two friends who would watch movies, go to the museums around the city; things that friends would do together. That line had been crossed when she kissed him at that stupid bar. With one final sigh, she opened the door to find a very dapper Steve Rogers standing before her with a single red rose in hand.

Steve felt like he had been reverted back to his original skinny self in 1940 as he stared at the door. The door he had gone in and out of numerous times the over last couple of months, but this was so different.

Like he had told Natasha, Bucky was the one who set up all of the dates. He just went along. Now it was his turn to be the big man and step up. His palms were sweating as he knocked on her door, the other holding onto the flower he had picked up from the flower shop down the street. At first he thought of getting her a bouquet of red roses, but quickly decided that that was too much for a first date. Maybe the second date if things worked out.

A single red rose. Mady told him that they were her favorite.

"Wow," he couldn't help but think aloud when he saw her.

Steve knew that Mady was a good-looking woman, but there was something about the way she looked at that very moment that blew him away. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you," she blushed. He liked it when she did that. "So are you. I mean- I'm going to shut up now before I make an even bigger fool of myself."

"This is for you," he handed her the rose. "I remember you saying that they were your favorite."

"You are something else, you know that, Steve," she said. "Come on inside for a second, so I can out this in some water before we go. You're still not going to tell me where we're going are you?"

"And ruin the surprise? I don't think so," he replied.

"Can't blame a girl for trying," she filled up a vase with water, placing it on the counter top. "There we go."

"Nice try," he offered her his arm. "Shall we?"

"We shall," she accepted without a second thought. "Not even a little hint?"

"Nope," he chuckled as they made their way down the street. "I hope you don't mind walking. We're not going very far from here. It's probably warmer than riding my bike at least."

"I don't mind," she answered. "It's beautiful out with all of the snow."

"It is," he agreed. "You'll tell me if you get cold though, yeah?"

"Of course," Mady met his crystal, blue eyes. "But I think you should worry about me slipping on ice and falling on my butt. Heels and ice don't mix."

"Then why do you wear them?" Steve asked.

"Because they make my ass look fantastic." Mady knew Steve was trying his best to be discrete, but she caught him taking a look.

Mady was glad the banter between them hadn't changed. They were laughing and joking like usual, like nothing had happened. Maybe Kelly was right. Maybe this transition would be easier than she expected.

When they turned the corner however, she couldn't help but gawk at the building before them. There was no way Steve was taking her to the Golden Eagle. It took years for anyone to even get on the waiting list. How could he get-duh. She was so stupid sometimes.

"I hope this is okay," Steve's voice broke through her train of thought. "Natasha told me this was a really good place."

"It's the absolute best place," Mady answered in awe. "At least, that's what I've been told."

"You've never been here before?" she shook her head no. "Well, it'll be a good time for the both of us then won't it?"

"You can say that again."

The couple entered the building hand-in-hand, all the way to the cozy table located in the corner away from any wandering eyes.

"This place is gorgeous," Mady couldn't help but gaze around. The restaurant was dark, but not too dark, just enough to bring a romantic atmosphere to the room. Complete with candlelight and soft music playing in the background. "This is already the best date I have ever been on."

"Already?" Steve asked. "I find that hard to believe."

"Believe it," she glanced over the menu. "All of these things sound so good, especially the dessert. I'm so glad I had a light lunch. I am going to get that cheesecake if it kills me."

"I just hope the food tastes as good as it sounds."

What an understatement. The food was absolutely delicious. Steve and Mady didn't even speak to one another for the first five minutes after their food came out because it was so good.

"How's your steak?" Mady managed to get out after eating at least half of her chicken.

"It's melting in my mouth," he replied. "Would you like to try some?"

"Sure," she leaned across the table. "Wow, that's incredible. My dad's filet is no longer on the top of my list. He's going to be so mad."

"Your dad can make a good steak?"

"The best. Well, it used to be the best. He's going to have to settle for second best now," she laughed, leaning back against her chair. "You would know that if you joined us for Christmas, but someone had to go run some errands."

"It's not my fault," he insisted. "I had to follow my orders, but I did manage to have some fun while I was over there."

"Some?" Mady rested her elbows on the table. "Do tell."

"I am not allowed to release such classified information, but I would have had more fun if I wasn't by myself."

"You went with your team, I thought?" Mady asked.

"I was, but it's not like we could enjoy the sights. We had a mission to do, but even when we had down time, no one wanted to go to the places I wanted to," he answered, following her actions, their faces close to one another. "I would have enjoyed having a site-seeing buddy."

"Stark was just a phone call away."

"You're hilarious," a grin popped up on his face. "Not the person I had in mind."

"I am pretty funny huh?"

"Cocky too."

"Thank you. Thank you very much. So tell me more about your mission, or what you're allowed to tell me. You didn't go into detail the other day. I'm very interested."

"That's classified."

"That's no fun," she pouted. "Kick anyone's ass?"

"Maybe, but you won't be hearing about that either."

"What happened to the Steve Rogers that didn't make any jokes and freak out all the time when he thought he was out of line?"

"Oh, he's still there," he shrugged. "Somewhere. Why? You like shy Steve Rogers more than me?"

"I like any Steve Rogers that doesn't talk about himself in third person," Mady answered.

"Sorry."

"There he is," she beamed. "I knew he was still there, not that I'm complaining or anything. I don't think shy Steve Rogers would have had the guts to kiss me in a public setting."

"No, no I wouldn't have," Steve rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm glad I did though. I wanted to do that for a while. I hope that doesn't sound weird."

"It doesn't," her heart swooned at his confession. "I'm glad you did too."

The rest of the evening went by much quicker than either of them would have liked. Dessert was just as incredible as their main meals were. Mady wished she could have had a little bit of everything, but she was too full. Steve, being the gentleman that he was, helped her into her coat as they made their way out back into the night. She didn't want the night to end.

The walk back was much slower than the start of the evening. It seemed like Steve had the same idea running through his mind. Good. At least he enjoyed their time together as much as she did. Mady could have sworn she saw Kelly's outline from her window as they made their way to the entrance of the apartment complex. Her friend was such a creep.

"You wouldn't want to come up and finish this dessert with me would you?" she asked as they stood in front of the door.

"Um, I don't think that's a good idea."

"I understand," she rose up on her toes, pressing her lips to his cheek. "Fury wants you in at the crack of dawn I bet."

"Something like that," he said. "Unfortunate really, that chocolate cake was wonderful. I bet that cheesecake is even better."

"It was wasn't it? That's a shame, Rogers. I'm a very good sharer."

"Next time," Steve insisted.

"And what makes you so sure there will be a next time?"

"Oh," Steve thought his heart shattered into a million pieces. Had he imagined the night going well and they were having a good time? "I just-I figured that we would-um."

"I'm kidding, Steve," maybe that wasn't the best response. "I would love to go out with you again. I'm sorry, that was really mean. I had a lot of fun with you tonight. I joke around when I'm nervous."

"Don't do that to me," he placed his hand over his heart. "You scared me. I thought that you weren't-that we-I thought that I had screwed up what we had. I like you, Mady. A lot. You've done so much for me in such a short amount of time, and I don't think I could ever repay you for it. Then I went away, and all I could think about was you. What you were doing, what we could have been doing if I was there with you."

"Are you done?"

"I spill my guts to you and all you ask is am I done?" he was shocked. "How rude!"

"I knew showing you Full House would come back to haunt me," she shook her head. "I should have gone with I Love Lucy like any sane person."

"Are you making fun of me?"

"Maybe," she challenged. "What are you going to do about it?"

That was a good question. What was he going to do about it? Steve could think of quite a few things.

"What do you want me to do about it?" he retorted, boldly putting his hands on her hips.

"You're a smart man, Steve," she whispered. "I think you can figure it out."

Chills, just like the first time, coursed throughout her body when his lips pressed against hers. Their first kiss was nice, but there was something about this kiss that made her legs turn to Jell-O. The way his hands held onto her, the way his body felt against hers as she wrapped her arm around his neck. If only he didn't have to go.

"I'm glad you had a nice time," he spoke, forehead resting against hers. "I can't wait to take you out again. Do you have a day off any time soon?"

"Not until next week," she thought back to the calendar sitting on her desk. "I can't wait to go out with you again too. I do believe we have a movie marathon to complete."

"That's right," he said. "What were we at? Order of the Phoenix?"

"I think so," she couldn't help but kiss him again. "Call me tomorrow when I get off work?"

"You got it," he reluctantly pulled away from her sweet embrace. "Sweet dreams, Mady."

"Oh, they will be," she told him, accepting one last kiss before he left. "I am in so much trouble."

"You took a long time out there," Kelly announced the minute Mady opened the door. "You do know you're grinning like an idiot right? I take it the date went well?"

"It was perfect," she hung her coat up in the hall close. "I can't believe you stayed. It's really late, and you have to be in earlier than I do."

"I like to think of it as grad school all over again," she said. "I brought an overnight bag and everything. You're going to tell me all about your night, and don't you dare skip any of the details, girl."

"Fine, let me change first."