Okay, if I calculated this correctly, Steve and Addi first met around... 16 or so weeks ago (in the story thanks to my next jump). Things moved so quickly but I love it haha. I hope you all have too and don't mind my constant skipping around. Going day by day just... well it kinda bores me. If you'd guys like me to try it though let me know!
And... I got the idea for our next character from a tumblr user. She is nezquick48, she has an awesome headcanon for this character and I felt that would be a realistic situation for him. You'll see it in the third section of this chapter ;)
Updates will be a little sporadic lately, I'm sorry. Its just difficult to have the attention span to sit down and think about what will happen next. But that seems the only way I'm able to do it. I hope you all like the last bit of this chapter, I'm not entirely certain about it but hopefully it'll work well.
Accio: I KNOW RIGHT? And I guess Malcolm isn't in his right mind at all.
Guest: THANK YOU SO MUCH. You get a cookie anonymous reviewer.
Red Dove: HMMM a fight you say... I will definitely have Cap give him a piece of his mind, don't you worry.
Cara Tala: Isn't he though? Gah I almost can't take it haha. Tony and Steve will definitely be making him pay. And thank you so much!
Cerulean: Really? Thank you! I really appreciate it!
Crashqueen18: Thank you! I can't help the fluff haha.
ks90: Thank you and I hope this is soon enough :)
Disclaimer: I don't own the Avengers. This is getting repetitive... and humiliating haha.
Two months went by without another sighting of Malcolm. He called only twice during those eight weeks, one of those days being on Sadie's birthday. She was 16 months old now and the summer was slowly giving way to fall, first with the leaves and then with the chill that permeated the air. More people began wearing knit sweaters and scarves and caps and even gloves. They walked around in the latest fall fashions or in hand me downs doing what they could to avoid the bite autumn was bringing like it was some sort of creature.
Adrianna had no idea what Malcolm was planning but the constant worry was hard to ignore. It lingered in her fingertips and deep in her skull, throbbing as a constant reminder that he was waiting for the opportune time to attack. The only times she ignored her worries were with her family. The Avengers (including Thor who visited Earth once, sometimes twice a month) and her father came around about three times a week, all helping the harried woman to relax and let go of her fears. They helped her feel safe. In their care Adrianna knew she wouldn't come to harm and especially not Sadie.
Steve came by more often of course, often just hanging out with his "two favorite girls". Little by little he begun spending more and more time in the apartment with them both, often returning very late to his own apartment. One day Adrianna had actually decided he should just move in with her and Sadie.
"You practically live here already Steve, I think you should just... stay." She said as she folded some clothes and put them in her dresser. Steve was keeping his eyes on her rather then the laundry she had dumped on her bed.
"Adrianna, I don't know about that." Though he wasn't awkward about being alone with Adrianna in either apartment anymore, he still had the manners his mother had ingrained in him.
"Steve, you hardly even use your apartment now. You even have your stuff spilling into my apartment." He seemed to try and formulate a response but it died rather quickly. Slowly he nodded, she had a point.
"Alright."
"Steve why don't you listen? Y- Wait did you just say 'alright'?" Adrianna looked up at him, astounded he'd given in so quickly. He'd been so childish on other things, like trying some new food and learning how to use the television.
"Yeah, I did. You have a point and besides, we're not in the forties anymore. I forget that sometimes." He rubbed the back of his neck softly, nervously.
"I don't want you to forget the forties Steve. I don't want to change you or make you do anything you're uncomfortable with. I want you and if you don't wanna do this then-" He cut her off with a gentle kiss and then smiled as he pulled away.
"Thanks Addi. I'll be right back."
"Where are you going?" She asked, still in a slight daze as she held a shirt in her fists. Steve had really come a long way out of his shell. Adrianna was often impressed with the progress he'd made, surprised even. He'd been set in his ways for so long, she liked his ways but to see him adapting was a unique experience.
"To get my stuff." He grinned as he exited the doorway.
The apartment felt so much more safer with Steve actually living in it. In fact, it even helped Adrianna shove her worries aside. Adrianna knew where he kept everything. He kept his clothes in the same dresser and closet in the bedroom. He kept his gym things in the laundry room next to the dryer. He had placed some gifts from his friends alongside hers. The vases in the apartment were never devoid of plant life, even before he moved in but now they had more vases and so more room for foliage.
They shared the same kitchen, the same living room, the same bedroom. They slept together but not in the sense that most people thought of. (Both of them had agreed to wait for that.) No, the couple simply lay in bed together and slept. They would talk most of the night away until each others voices lulled them to sleep, until their warmth engulfed them both. Adrianna had missed simply sleeping beside someone, hearing a caring voice all night and waking up to his warmth in the mornings. It was like heaven for her. She and he woke around the same time, Steve seemed to sense whenever she was waking and would wake himself up because of it. He smiled every morning and told her how pretty she looked and how much he'd miss her while she was at work. Contrary to Stark's beliefs Steve was quite the romantic. When asked how he became that way he simply said Bucky must've rubbed off on him.
It was those things that kept Adrianna sane these past two months. Without Steve she was sure she'd have gone mad. Thankfully today it was a Friday so Adrianna would be able to simply relax and enjoy her weekend. She smiled as she left the tower, things were looking up. She hoped anyways.
After she had made a quick stop at the grocery store and even the flower shop that Steve frequented Adrianna headed back to their apartment, hoping that he would like the flowers she'd picked up and the dinner she intended on making.
Steve sat in the apartment with Sadie in his lap, waiting for the young girl's mother to come home. He smiled as he bounced his knee, letting Sadie enjoy the up and down motions. She squealed in a fit of laughter, trusting his larger hands wouldn't let her tumble down to the ground as they were securely wrapped around her pudgy body. Steve chuckled as her hands slapped his knee in excitement, her eyes up on the TV which was tuned into her favorite show which happened to be Dora the Explorer. The captain hardly understood why children liked watching this show but he went through it for the little girl who had easily stolen his heart.
Steve could hear knocking on the door, so he set Sadie down on the couch and looked to her. She was old enough to understand their words, according to Adrianna's parenting books that she skimmed through occasionally. Steve believed it too. You could tell Sadie to do something and she'd go do it, especially if she got praised for it. The little girl lived for praise. She beamed up at the super soldier and for the billionth time Steve felt his heart swell.
"Stay here Sadie. Don't move, I'll be right back." Sadie didn't really respond but Steve kissed her forehead anyways and walked to the door. Sadie stayed put, her attention more on the TV than the door which received regular visitors. She'd only turn to the door if she heard a familiar voice, like her mother or grandpa or even the Avengers.
Steve opened the door and almost felt his legs give away. Behind the door was someone he never thought he'd see ever again, smiling as though he'd just seen him yesterday.
When Adrianna returned she keyed in the code and then entered the apartment, groceries hanging off her arms in their canvas bags that she preferred shopping with and flowers in hand. The red, orange, gold, and pink blooms represented patriotism which she found to be rather fitting for the American soldier.
"Hey Steve, sorry I'm late I went to the store and..." The words died on her lips as she saw Steve was sitting on the couch with Sadie and another man, about middle aged with light brown hair, was sitting in a wheelchair nearby.
"Uh, honey who's this?" Adrianna went into the kitchen, her brows furrowed. She set the flowers in a vase and put some water in it. She set them in the middle of the table and then put the groceries on the counter. She walked back over to her boyfriend and daughter, standing near the well dressed man and keeping next to Steve.
"Hello Ms. Harding. I'm Agent Phil Coulson of SHIELD." The man extended his hand to her. Adrianna's face creased into confusion as she shook the man's hand.
"Phil Coulson? But... Steve said... You can't be Phil." The more she looked though the more she began to realize he was indeed Agent Coulson. She'd seen plenty of pictures of him thanks to her friends. Her eyes widened softly.
"How? I mean, you died didn't you?" Adrianna looked down at Sadie as she tugged her mom's shirt. Adrianna took the baby from Steve and the soldier glanced up at her. He shrugged, patting the couch for her to sit beside him.
"I don't know, Agent Coulson was just going to explain that to me." He looked back at Phil. Adrianna could see how shaken he was. His fingers wouldn't stop tapping his knees and his face was noticeably paler. Steve had felt a fair amount of guilt due to Phil's "death". All of the Avengers had, even Tony and Natasha though they never admitted it. Adrianna took her seat beside him and held Sadie in her lap. The little girl softly babbled away to her mother all the words she could possibly know of at this moment.
"Fury and I faked my death because you needed the push. Banner was right, you weren't a team right then. You needed something to push you to work together but we weren't sure what. When I got stabbed by Loki, Fury came and we decided that faking my death was the best shot we had at saving the world." Phil explained this all rather calmly, looking at the couple placidly. Adrianna actually caught a small smile aimed towards Sadie, not even a SHIELD agent could resist her baby girl.
"It makes sense," Adrianna responded first, to both mens' surprise.
"What?" Steve looked at his girlfriend, brows furrowed. He almost looked hurt.
"Phil and Fury did the right thing. I know it hurt you guys but... you wouldn't have banded together like that if they hadn't done it." Adrianna knew about every fight the team had had. Steve had expressed regret just recently for those fights, he'd worried that if they hadn't spent their time fighting then Phil wouldn't have had to die. Steve and Adrianna simply looked at each other for a minute, Steve silently expressing to her his feelings and Adrianna simply trying to comfort him. She rested her hand on his knee, holding Sadie with her other arm. Coulson cleared his through to gather their attention again.
"I was sent here to present the Captain with a mission. We, uh, figured it'd be best if you handled this." Coulson handed the super soldier the folder that he'd had resting on his lap and looked to them both seriously.
"Fury and I were made aware of your situation through Agent Romanov. If Captain Rogers here accepts this mission we can make sure you'll have stepped up security." Phil looked at Adrianna as he spoke and waited for her answer.
"I don't think I'll need the extra security but thank you. It really means a lot to me that we've got so many people looking out for us." Adrianna smiled genuinely, small as the action was.
"Actually I might feel better if you did take the extra security Addi," Steve looked at his girlfriend gently. He hadn't opened the folder yet, Adrianna knew he'd look it over once Phil left.
"Steve, we'll be okay. We have Tony, Pepper, Tasha, Clint, Thor. Everyone, including Jarvis." Adrianna pointed out. He still seemed skeptical and she sighed gently.
"How about we discuss this more later?" She tried. Steve finally nodded and looked at Coulson.
"I'll come back tomorrow morning. If you do accept this mission sir, make sure you're packed and ready to go." The Agent slowly began wheeling himself towards the door. Steve got up to try and help him but Phil waved him off.
"Its alright Captain, I've got it." He smiled up to his hero. "I have to go talk with Mr. Stark and Ms. Potts, If you need anything while I'm still in the tower feel free to call." He looked towards Adrianna.
"That goes for both of you."
Even though Phil didn't help with his chair, Steve still moved and opened the door for him. The two talked for a minute longer and then Adrianna heard the door close. Steve came back and sat down beside his girlfriend again. He stared at the folder but didn't thumb through it just yet. Adrianna knew he was facing a tough decision.
"How about we make dinner Steve, you and me? You can look at the folder later," She suggested, rubbing his knee encouragingly. Steve slowly nodded and kissed her temple.
"That sounds good." He smiled just slightly and the couple, Sadie in her mother's arms, got up to start cooking.
Later that night after dinner, showers for all (though Sadie had a bath since she was still little), and a bedtime story for Sadie Adrianna and Steve sat on their bed together. The folder was spread open and revealing its contents. Their were pictures and important documents from SHIELD, all depicting one person: The Winter Soldier. Adrianna leaned on Steve and peered at the photo in his hand. His face was white as a sheet and his hand was shaky. She squinted at the picture and looked at Steve.
"Steve, what's wrong?" Her voice was quiet so she didn't disturb her sleeping daughter. Steve was silent for a long time, Adrianna was beginning to turn away when he finally responded.
"I-Its Bucky." He whispered, staring at the picture. Steve's eyes were glassy and his jaw tight. He was fighting the emotions building up, the memories his friend's face was bringing back to light.
"Bucky?" Adrianna looked at the photo and frowned softly. She looked back at the other pictures, one SHIELD had of Bucky when he'd joined the army. Comparing the two she saw that it truly was Bucky.
"But how?" She couldn't understand. Had his death been faked too? But why? And how could he even have lived this long and still look the same?
"It doesn't say." He shook his head in disbelief. "All they know is he's being used as, as some sort of weapon. Bucky wouldn't do that willingly Adrianna, I know he wouldn't." He was clenching his hands tightly as he spoke.
"I know Steve, I know." Adrianna assured. She gently encased one of his hands with both of hers and looked up at her boyfriend firmly.
"That's why you have to go, okay? You have to go rescue him. Sadie and I will be okay, he needs you right now more than we do." She stared until he tore his eyes off the picture and onto her face. Steve finally nodded and let out a deep, troubled breath.
"Let's get you packed up and then get some sleep." Adrianna knew the sleep thing would be easier said than done though, they'd have an easier time wrangling up Tony and getting him to wear some off brand cologne. Steve nodded again, too emotionally unstable to trust his voice. Together they found a decent sized bag and packed up whatever clothes he may need, most of them suited for colder weather. No doubt Fury would have heavier clothes for him to wear though along with his uniform. They packed up his bathroom kit and Adrianna secretly stashed away a photo they'd taken as a family recently. It pictured her, Sadie, Steve, and David.
Back in bed, Steve and Adrianna turned out the lights. Steve lay closer to Adrianna than usual that night, hugging her close and tightly. His body was tense and his breaths told her that he was still wide awake. Adrianna wrapped her own slender arms around him and rubbed his back.
"Everything will be okay Steve, I promise..."
The next morning Adrianna had Sadie on her hip as she stood with Steve, waiting for Phil to come and whisk the soldier away on a mission. Sadie was as restless as Steve was, mumbling incoherent things as she pieced together something was happening. Adrianna tried her best to assure Sadie all was well while she also tried to calm Steve down too. He was pacing, back and forth from the kitchen to the couch and back again.
Only when the Agent let himself in did he stop. Steve stood at attention, his army background shining through at the automatic action. Coulson and another agent, a woman whose name tag said Maria Hill, walked inside. Coulson was wearing the same suit as last night, or a matching one, and Maria was as well. Maria was very pretty and had her dark hair pulled back in a bun with her bangs framing her lightly tanned face. She walked in like she was in charge, striding alongside her fellow agent confidently.
Sadie retreated into her mom's shoulder, watching the pair with wary eyes. Adrianna rubbed her daughter's back soothingly. Steve looked at the pair, standing near his girlfriend and wrapping his arm protectively around her shoulder. Sadie's hand came up and clutched his finger.
"I see you're ready to go Captain. Ms. Harding, this is Maria Hill. Agent Hill, I believe you and the Captain know each other already?" Hill and the Captain both nodded.
"Yes, we do. Captain," Maria nodded her head to Steve.
"Agent Hill," Steve did the same. Adrianna looked at Coulson as he spoke again.
"Agent Hill will be staying in the tower while Captain Rogers is gone."
"If you need anything or if something's going on, you can contact me anytime Ms. Harding." Maria spoke kindly, but there was an authority in her voice that Adrianna found intriguing. She eve appreciated it. Clearly Natasha wasn't the only strong woman on the SHIELD force. Adrianna nodded to the Agent.
"You can call me Adrianna Agent Hill," She didn't like formalities, "You too Agent Coulson."
"We'll give you a minute to say your goodbyes." Phil and Maria both gave slight smiles and left the room. Maria kept pace with Phil as he wheeled himself away. He obviously wouldn't be staying with Steve in Russia with what Loki had done to the brave man.
Steve looked at his girlfriend and her daughter and hugged them both tight.
"I won't be gone long, I promise. I'll be back soon. Don't you dare hide anything from Agent Hill Addi. I swear I'll turn the plane around if he contacts you and you don't tell her." He said into her ear. His voice was strong but soft, laced with his protective instincts.
"I won't, I promise. We'll be okay, just... come back alright? In one piece?" Adrianna looked up at Steve with glossy eyes. He nodded and kissed her forehead.
"I promise." He didn't like making all these promises but he'd be sure to keep each and every one of them. He smiled gently and faced Sadie. She seemed confused as to what was going on, why her mom and Steve were so... sad.
"Be good for your mommy Sadie bear, I'll be back soon, okay?" He kissed her forehead too. Sadie frowned as Steve began gathering his things and walking to the door. She strained to reach his retreating form.
"D-Dad..dy" Sadie whimpered, her hands grappling at the air in front of her. Adrianna's hand flew to her mouth, struggling to hold back a sob welling up in her throat. Steve paused and whipped around, staring at Sadie in disbelief.
"Dad-dy!" She tried again, watching Steve desperately. The soldier set his things down and rushed back to the pair. He took Sadie in his arms and hugged her close. Sadie clutched his shirt and whimpered again. Steve took Adrianna in his other arm, still looking down at Sadie.
"Did she call me..." He couldn't formulate his thought and Adrianna only nodded in response, just as surprised.
"Dad-dy," Sadie's little voice broke Steve's heart. He kissed her head, little wisps of hair tickling his nose.
"I have to go Sadie, but I'll be back soon." He said gently to her. The little girl faced him with tears tracking down her flushed cheeks.
"Dad-dy?"
"Yeah, daddy will be back soon." He smiled gently, his voice husky from the sadness welling in his chest and looked at Adrianna. She peered up at him with much the same face as Sadie and his chest felt like it was in a vice. He kissed Adrianna softly, hugging them both a moment longer and then handed the baby back to her mom.
"Be safe you two," He parted from them and grabbed his back and the folder. He left the apartment with a heavy feeling engulfing his legs, making him feel as though they were filled with lead. He would come back, for the both of them.
