"Clint, we know you are standing outside the door, you can come in you know" Steve said, causing Clint to jump. He didn't realize he'd been standing there thinking.

As Clint entered the room for the third time in three days, he saw Katherine sitting next to Steve, keeping Steve between himself and her. Rufus was relaxing next to Steve, wagging his tail as he smelled the tray of food.

"Would you like the tray on the bed or on the table?" Clint asked

"Bed please" Katherine said, reaching over Steve and picking up Rufus. She kept him in her lap, petting his head.

"Katherine, would it be alright if I sat down on the bed?" Clint asked

"Yes" Katherine managed to stammer out, she was already getting a bit nervous.

"Katherine, just remember, Clint is just trying to help. He's just as nervous as you are right now" Steve said, wrapping his arm around her, "Clint, hand me the tray and then if you want to sit next to me, that should be alright"

"Katherine, these are all my favorite snacks. They are great for picking up with your fingers" Clint said, picking up a piece of cheese and holding it out to her. He watched as she studied him. Looking at his hand, looking at the piece of cheese he was holding, looking at how he looked at her.

Slowly her hand reached out and picked the cheese from his hand, she studied the cheese, sniffing it and taking a small bite before giving the rest to Rufus, "I don't like that cheese"

"Would you like a piece of fruit?" Steve asked, trying to hide the smile that graced his lips. She made the most adorable faces.

"What's this?" Katherine asked, picking up a piece of Star Fruit

"That's a Star Fruit" Steve said, "it's pretty good"

Katherine studied the fruit for a few minutes. Letting her fingers trace the outline of the fruit before taking a small bite. Deeming it edible, she slowly nibbled the rest of the fruit in her hand. This went on for a bit, she would pick up a piece of food, sometimes knowing what it was, sometimes asking. She seemed to like most of the fruits and vegetables. The chicken nuggets were gone before Steve or Clint could blink an eye. The only things Katherine didn't really eat were the cheeses and the crackers. She thought they tasted funny.

"Katherine, how is your back?" Clint asked, she had settled against Steve

"It doesn't hurt anymore" Katherine said, making sure to pronounce each word. Although it didn't help much. She still stuttered through the sentence.

"That's good to hear" Clint said, relief washing through his body "I'm really sorry I pointed my weapon at you and I'm sorry I touched you without really getting your permission"

"You're forgiven" Katherine said, reaching her hand out to grab his. She slowly let her fingers move around his hand, tracing outlines and bending joints. Letting her fingers trail over ever cut, scar and callous on his hands. She still stayed behind Steve, but at least she wasn't afraid of him anymore.

"Katherine, do you know Sign Language?" Clint asked, after feeling Katherine bend his fingers to spell 'strong hands'

Katherine nodded and mumbled something, but her fingers quickly spelled out 'yes' for Clint to see.

"Do you only know the alphabet?" Clint asked, watching as she spelled out 'yes' again.

"Katherine, when did you learn Sign Language?" Steve asked

"I've known it since I was little. I was sick a lot and it made my ears hurt so I couldn't hear as well so I'd sign things to mother. It was easier than trying to keep my voice down" she said, "I still sometimes just sign stuff when I don't feel like talking"

"I know Sign Language as well" Clint said, "I could always teach you more"

Steve watched as her face lit up. She'd never had someone teach her, she'd taught herself and had taught a few kinds younger than her, but to have someone to practice with would be amazing. Neither were expecting her to reach across and give Clint a hug. Clint was a bit nervous at first but once he realized she was grateful for a teacher, it relaxed him. It was good to see though. Steve hoped JARVIS had gotten a photo of it.

"Katherine, I'm sorry again I scared you" Clint said

"It's alright" Katherine replied, moving back towards Steve

Katherine went back to moving her fingers along Clint's hands, sometimes mumbling something to Steve and sometimes signing a few things to Clint. Clint was busy petting Rufus and getting to know the cute little bundle of fur that was currently trying to dig under his legs.

"Steve, I want to take a shower" Katherine said

"Oh, um, alright" Steve said, blushing

"How am I suppose to shower if I can't walk to the bathroom?" Katherine asked

"I'm sure we can carry you to the bathroom" Clint said, watching as Katherine hid behind Steve, guess she still wasn't ready to be that close to him, "or Steve can carry you"

"But I'm too heavy to carry" Katherine said

"Katherine, you aren't too heavy" Steve said, "trust me, I've picked up Thor and carried him and it was no problem. You will be a feather compared to Thor"

"Are you sure? I can always just crawl to the bathroom" Katherine said

"No, I'll carry you" Steve said, he moved from the bed and then quickly scoped Katherine up in his arms, "see, light as a feather"

Katherine squealed and curled into Steve, afraid to look down as he carried her to the bathroom. He placed her on the edge of the tub as he went to find some some towels and other shower things she would need.

"Um, Steve, can I get my feet wet?" Katherine asked, pointing to the stitches and bandages that were on her feet.

"I don't know, I'll go get Bruce and see what he says" Steve said, "will you be alright for a few minutes in here?"

"Yea, I'll be alright" Katherine said

As Steve walked out of the bathroom he noticed that Clint had left and took the tray with him. Rufus was on the bed, a little confused as to why no one was on the bed with him anymore. He whined when he saw Steve.

"Alright Rufus, you can come with me" Steve said, picking up the puppy and placing him on the ground. Walking towards the living room Steve went over to Bruce to ask about Katherine getting her feet wet. Hearing it would be best for her feet to stay dry until the stitches came out, Steve went back to the bathroom to tell Katherine the news.

"So how can I get clean if I can't get my feet wet?" Katherine asked, still sitting on the edge of the tub

"I'm not sure, I've never had stitches before so I don't know" Steve said

"She has to keep her feet out of the tub" Natasha said, appearing from no where and startling Katherine.

"How's she going to clean herself that way?" Steve asked, "she'd be reclined in the tub"

"Kick your legs over the side, pretty much go into the tub from how she's sitting, she'll be able to move to wash herself and keep the water from hitting her feet" Natasha said, sitting next to Katherine, "like this", Natasha lowered herself into the tub with her lower legs and feet over the edge. She could still move and wash herself, but her feet would stay away from the water.

Katherine copied what Natasha did and lowered herself into the tub. She tested out moving around a bit, seeing that she could wash her hair and wash her body, she soon realized a small problem, "um, how am I suppose to get out if my hands are wet and the tub is wet?"

"Well, someone will just have to help you up once all the water is drained" Steve said, looking at Natasha

"Katherine, would you like me to help you out of the tub when you're all finished?" Natasha asked

"I think I'll figure it out once I'm done" Katherine replied

"Alright, we'll give you some privacy, but if you need anything, don't be afraid to ask one of us for some help" Natasha said, ushering Steve out of the bathroom.