(A/N: Two chapters left babes. I cried writing this one btw haha)
The young brunette woman sat on the floor of her now bare apartment and took a swig of water from her bottle. Her brunette bob was tied back from her face with a black bandana and she was wearing a white tank top with black leggings, black running Nikes on her feet. She took a look around the room, disheartened, and sighed. This place had been her home for two years, and now she was leaving. She knew that the decision she had made a week ago had been the right one, otherwise she would not have packed her whole life into numerous boxes, but she couldn't help but feel sad about leaving.
Valencia had reason to leave, she had missed about two weeks worth of classes and a major project for her History class, which was awful considering she was a straight A student and the only reason she was in DC was to get her business degree. She also felt like if she had stayed in DC, she would not be safe, for the simple fact that all of S.H.I.E.L.D's information was out and there was a possibility of someone coming after her because she was Nick Fury's daughter. In addition to her being Nick Fury's daughter, she had participated in the plot to dismantle S.H.I.E.L.D, so her face might have been seen on the news for the next few months. Laying low was the best possible option for her, not going with her dad to Europe. What if someone found the both of them and killed them? She would be better staying with her retired agent mom and unsuspecting stepfather.
The moving van her father had rented for her would be there in a few minutes, so Valencia got up from her place on the ground to do a final sweep of her apartment. She checked her empty closet, she checked her bathroom and her cabinet, she checked her kitchen and saw it was bare, smiling slightly as the memory of her serving Steve a sundae floated into her mind.
Valencia had so many memories of this place. The memory of her moving in, when her mom nearly had a panic attack when she saw how small the apartment was; Daniel had to convince her to let Valencia stay. The memory of her getting a puppy her first year there and having to give it away because it chewed up all her shoes and shit everywhere. The memory of a burglar trying to break into her home and getting their arm broken and flipped on to their back by a five foot three young girl. So many great memories, and Valencia was leaving them behind.
A knock on her door brought her out of her thoughts, she hopped off her counter to answer the door. She opened the door to reveal Maria in a pencil skirt and blouse, with two men behind her.
"Hey Baby, the truck's ready." Maria greeted, stepping into the apartment, the men followed in after her and began to take down boxes.
"You hate it, don't you?" Valencia asked with a snort, watching Maria's eyes go over every detail of her apartment, pensively.
Maria pursed her lips, "Of course not, Val, it's...cute." The brunette said, walking around the room. She swiped a finger on the counter and saw dust, she wiped it on a hanging curtain and continued, "Very...eclectic."
Valencia let out a loud, barking laugh and shook her head, taking a seat on the counter. "So what's up, Mari? How's Dad?"
Maria leaned against the opposite wall with her arms crossed. "Your father sends his regards, he's currently flying to a secure building somewhere in Europe."
Valencia raised her eyebrows, "You're not going with him?" She questioned.
Maria shook her head, a frown on her face, "It would not be the sensible thing to do. I have to stay here and put the pieces together."
"You're staying in DC?" The younger woman asked.
Maria shook her head once again. "No, I'm going to New York to work at Stark Industries."
Valencia's eyes widened, "Stark Industries? As in Tony Stark? As in Iron Man?"
Maria nodded chuckling, "Yes, the one and the same."
"That's so cool!" The young woman exclaimed, "Why are you working with him?"
"It's for the Avengers." The older woman said, shrugging nonchalantly. "The main Stark building in New York is now the Avenger's building, so I will have better access to everyone from there."
"That's amazing, Mari! I'm really happy for you!" Valencia grinned, but her smile faltered. "Did you hear anything about Steve?"
Maria pursed her lips and nodded, "Cap's at George Mason. You haven't been by yet?"
Valencia shook her head. "Is he awake?" She asked, biting her lip nervously.
"No, he's still out." The older woman walked over to Valencia, the apartment now empty and bare except for a duffle bag Valencia had packed for her trip. Maria put her hand on Valencia's knee and the motherly gesture shocking the young woman. "You should go see him before you leave today, Valencia."
The bobbed brunette looked into the older woman's eyes nervously. "I don't know if I have the time…"
Maria reached into her purse and pulled out a train ticket, handing it to Valencia. "Your train leaves at four. It's two fifteen now, I arranged for a driver to take you to the train station. Take a little detour to the hospital before you go."
Valencia stared down at the ticket silently before wrapping her arms around Maria. "Thank you." She muttered, clutching the woman tight.
The normally straight faced woman smiled into Valencia's hair and patted her on the back. "My pleasure, Valencia." She pulled back from the hug and smiled softly at the young woman cupping a hand on her bronze cheek. "It's time for me to go, but if you need anything, and I mean anything, don't hesitate to call me." She said seriously then joked, "I've been giving orders to treat you like my own daughter."
Valencia grinned and hugged her again, this time as a farewell. "Bye Mommy Maria." She quipped, jumping down from the counter and walking the woman to the door.
Maria rolled her eyes but laughed, "Bye Baby Fury." She said kissing the short woman on her cheek. "Be good."
Valencia just snorted and closed the door behind her. Turning around, the brunette studied her empty apartment with a sad smile. She picked up her duffle bag and walked to the door, looking back one last time, before she left her second home for the last time.
As the tinted black SUV pulled up to George Mason, Valencia chewed on her lip nervously. She was nervous about seeing Steve, but she could not pinpoint the reason why. Was it because she was leaving? Was it because they had kissed a week before? Was it because they had not seen each other since he walked out of the control room? Why was she so nervous?
A person clearing their throat brought Valencia out her thoughts. She looked up and saw that her driver had opened the door for her.
"Sorry." She said sheepishly, getting out the car.
"No problem Miss Fury." The man answered her.
Valencia, a little shocked that he called her that, just nodded to him. Walking up the steps of the hospital. She paused and looked back at the man.
"You wouldn't happen to know the room he's in, would you?"
The man gave her a friendly smile, "Level 5, room 543."
Valencia gratefully thanked him and continued into the hospital.
In the elevator, Valencia looked at her reflection. She hurriedly removed her bandana and tried to fluff her hair. She pulled up her leggings to cover her stomach, and tried to tug her tank top lower to look more modest. Folding her bandana into a straight line, she wrapped it around her head again as a headband, and tied it in a bow in the back of her head. When the doors opened to the fifth level, Valencia stepped out, feeling better about her appearance.
She walked to the receptionist desk and asked for directions. Once she was pointed in the right direction, the brunette began her trek to the room. Her footsteps seem to echo throughout the hallway and with every step she took her nervousness began to build up. Armed guards were patrolling the hallways, dressed in combat gear and when she reached Steve's room, there was a guard standing in front of his door.
"May I go in?" She questioned the guard, looking through the shaded window.
The guard nodded to her, "Of course, Miss Fury." He said, stepping aside.
Valencia took a deep breath before biting her lip and slowly opening the door to the room. Soft music was playing, as she walked in she saw Steve laying in the hospital bed. He had bruises and cuts on his face, and wires were all around him. Instead of the usually clean shaven look he sported, he had stubble on his face and a long cut on his lip. Stitches ran from his lip up his left cheek, and on the right side of his face was a huge bruise. His usually neat, combed hair was mussed and messy, he didn't look like the Steve Rogers she knew.
Valencia looked at Steve with watery eyes, her nostrils flared. Her bottom lip quivered as she held back a sob.
"Hey Val." Sam greeted softly, from the side of the bed.
Valencia thickly swallowed and nodded to Sam in a greeting. She turned back to Steve and walked over to his hospital bed, carefully sitting on the edge of it and leaning over him. She brought a hand up and caressed his stitched cheek, a tear running down her own. The young woman stared at her hero for a few minutes quietly, her brown eyes taking in all of his features. He was breathing softly, almost peacefully like he was dreaming, but his eyes didn't flutter. His mouth was slightly open, taking in air, and Valencia softly ran her fingers over his lips. She softly traced over his cheekbones, his eyes, and every bruise left on his face. Taking a deep breath, she got up from the bed and faced Sam.
"I'm leaving." She muttered softly, watching Sam's face. He was bruised too, and had cuts on his cheeks, and a busted lip.
Sam looked up at Valencia's surprised. "What do you mean you're leaving?" He asked softly.
Valencia stood closely before Sam, looking down at him. "I...I can't stay. It's not safe." She explained to him, though it sounded like she was trying to convince herself. Her eyes began to water again, but this time, more tears rained down her cheeks.
"Where are you going to go?" Her friend questioned, after a moment.
"Home." She simply said, sniffling. "I came here to say goodbye. But…" She looked back at Steve in his hospital bed before continuing, "I want to say thank you." She turned back to Sam, biting her lip to stop it from quivering.
Sam shook his head, tears beginning to line his eyes. He swallowed thickly, "For what?"
"For being my friend." Valencia softly muttered, hugging Sam from her standing position.
Sam wrapped his arms around the short woman's middle, his head rested on her stomach. "That's not something you really thank people for, Val." He sadly joked, holding her tighter to him. He felt her solemnly giggle, her stomach twitching.
Valencia pressed her lips to the top of Sam's head. "I know. But I have to go Sam." Her voice cracked, "It's the mature choice to make and I have to make sure my mom is alright."
Sam nodded into her stomach. "But who's going to be the center of my affection?"
Valencia chuckled, pressing her cheek to his head. "You'll find some unlucky soul."
It was quiet between them for a few minutes, the two friend just clutching each other.
"I'm going to miss you, Val." Sam said seriously.
"I'mma miss you too, Sam." Valencia replied, her voice cracking. She pulled back from their hug and looked down at Sam with a soft smile. "But this isn't goodbye. It's 'see you later'."
Sam nodded to her, a frown etched on his face. "What are you going to tell Cap?"
Valencia bit her lip, she shook her head, "I didn't think about that part…" She whispered, eyes wide. "Well I mean I did think about it...but I don't know what to say…I mean I have so much to say..." The brunette trailed off, looking at Steve's sleeping face. "Like how angelic he looks when he sleeps. Or how blue his eyes are." She walked to the edge of his bed and sat next to him. "Or mad at am at him for always being the hero. Or how sorry I am that I won't be here when he wakes up." Valencia stared at Steve for a few moments, before licking her lips and turning to Sam. "Do you have a pen and paper?"
Sam shook his head but go up from his chair and opening the door. He poked his head out, "Hey can I get some pen and paper in here?" A nurse from the receptionist desk hurried over to him with one of the hospital's pens and a notepad. He nodded in thanks to the woman and closed the door, handing the supplies to Valencia.
"Thanks." She said, before rolling the bedside table to her and beginning to write. The notepad was small, so Valencia had to be brief with her words. After balling up the paper a few times and starting over, she finally wrote down what she wanted Steve to see when he first woke up.
'Steve,
I adore you and I'm sorry.
Valencia,
The brunette folded the note into a neat little square and checked the time. It was 3:30 and she had to be at the Amtrak station in twenty minutes. She bit her lip and handed the note to Sam.
"Please make sure he reads this as soon as he wakes up." Valencia said and Sam nodded to her. She walked back over to Steve and pressed her lips against his forehead softly, before turning to Sam and wrapping her arms around for a final time.
She pulled back and pecked her friend's cheek. "I have to go now." She said softly.
Sam nodded at her and grinned, "I'll see you later, Val."
Valencia beamed at him before wiping her eyes and letting go of him. She opened the door before turning around a final time to look at Sam.
The mahogany man winked at her, which made her smile as she closed the door behind her and started to head back home.