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Love Winter

XOXOXO

Ask Her to Dance

Chapter 25: Unexpected Moments

Sitting there at her desk Kitty thought about what had happened between them; the trip, the kiss, his wounds, and what had happened at the movie. She found herself become more and more lost in her day dreams. Monday had come and gone; and now on a clear cold Tuesday she was seated at her desk under a mountain of paperwork. Breaking away from her work she looked up at the clock on the wall, it read 11:30 am; Steve still hadn't arrived yet and she couldn't help but be a bit worried about him. With a deep sigh she continued filling out the last few pages paperwork that needed to be completed. I wonder where he is. She asked herself. Pausing she reached for her coffee, stared at her typewriter. Leaving the paper in the machine she got up.

Just then the door opened, and he walked in his jacket draped over his arm looking as handsome as ever. "Morning Kitty," He smiled at her.

"Good morning Captain," she didn't know she was blushing as red as a tomato.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I was in with Howard; he's got some new gear for the next raid." He answered hanging his jacket up on the coat rack.

"It's alright Steve," She told him as she rolled out a few maps, and laid out the aerial recognisance photos, "Shall we get to work?" She felt his presence directly behind her. She felt her heart began to flutter.

"Second lieutenant you never gave me an answer." He murmured sliding his hands over her slender waist, wrapping his arms around her.

She didn't fight the affection, turning in his arms she faced him, "I don't know what you mean, sir?"

He pressed her back against the counter caging her with his arms, "About going to the dance. May I have the honor of escorting you?"

Her eyes grew wide, her cheeks turning hot pink. "Steve, I... I... I want to but I don't have a dress. And, and I don't want to embarrass you... I..." She stumbled over her words as she tried to tell him yes, she was just so flustered.

"Kitty, take a deep breath." He smiled at her as he leaned in. Steve didn't realize he had this much of an effect on her, but seeing her like this, hearing her gasp becoming all flustered not knowing how to answer made him grow hard. He watched as she cover her face, and let out a deep sigh.

Dropping her hands so looked up at him, "Captain Rogers, I would love that." They smiled at each other. Steve leaned closer, brushing their noses together, his forehead against hers. "Steve, I..."

His thumb brushed over the curve of her lower lip as he shushed her, "Shhh, don't talk..."

When Steve spoke to her she had found herself lost in his words; staring into his striking blue eyes, his breath dancing over her lips making them tingle, she needed him, wanted him. Forcing herself forward her lips barely touching his, enveloping his full bottom lip.

"Steve," Bucky stormed into the office at that moment, the door slamming against the wall.

Kitty and Steve pulled apart, both of them looking startled, "Bucky, what is it?" Steve asked, and he tried to look like he wasn't just kissing the most beautiful dame he had ever seen.

The sergeant looked between them, raising an eyebrow almost as if he knew what had been going on before he had stormed in. Walking towards them, holding out a strip of ticker tape. "Kitty, we need you to look at this. It's not standard code."

"I'm a little rusty but I can take a crack at it." She replied taking the tape from his hands. Turning her back on the two men she walked to her desk.

Bucky nudged Steve, lowering his voice so Kitty wouldn't hear him, "So you makin' a pass?"

"Shut-up!" Steve hissed as they watched Kitty rifle through her desk until she came up with a small book.

"Well then, I'll leave you to alone." Bucky give Steve a knowing wink before slipping back out the door.

Steve just glared after him; he knew Bucky was only trying to get under his skin, "What are you looking for?"

Kitty brushed her bangs back out of her face and sighed, as she flipped through the book until she found it, "Russian Morse code." She answered laying her pencil in the book. Cutting the ticker tape at each stop she taped it into the book with three lines left blank underneath it and she began to write, under each dash Cyrillic script appeared and then the English letters.

Steve picked up the small stool in the corner and carried it over to her desk, "Kitty what does it say."

"Warning, warning. HYDRA captive, project Valkyrie. Dying. Save us. Red Skull victory Captain America's death. Whoever sent this took out all unnecessary words to confuse anyone who could intercept it. But this is the gist of it." She paused, "Obviously HYDRA is working on a project called the Valkyrie, and the workers are dying. Also the Red Skull is trying to get rid of you." Kitty looked up at him. He seemed completely unfazed by the massage as if it was nothing more than a thank you note. "Steve," She whispered his name, reaching across her desk to touch the back of his hand, "Please be careful you don't know where he could be."

"Kitty, it's nothing that we didn't already know. Red Skull has been trying to kill me for months."

"But, Steve..."

"Kitty, you've got enough to worry about. Don't add my safety to that list." He reassured as he gently raised her hand and kissed the back of it, "I'll always come back to you."

She was about to argue with him but decided against it; despite her heart fluttering there was an uneasy feeling in her stomach, and it was making her feel sick.

Steve strapped his covers over his boots slipping the buttons through the small loops, he was wearing a dress uniform for once but instead he was dressed in a field uniform. After the message they received today he had to take every precaution possible. Even though the message that they had received today had all of them worried they were still going out tonight. Picking up his winter coat a knock came at his door.

Opening it he found Peggy standing there, "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, where's Kitty?" He asked looking down the hall for her.

Peggy rolled her eyes, "Don't worry lover boy she's tending to the horses."

"Horses?" Steve stopped in his tracks and looked at Peggy, "I thought we were going into town to get a tree."

"Well plans have changed, it's cheaper this way and more private." Peggy smirked as she continued down the hall.

Steve sighed and followed her not sure what to think as he followed Peggy down the hall, out the doors and to the stables. The air was crisp and cold, snowflakes settling down on Steve's uniform, looking up he could see the bright moon gleaming down on them. Peggy opened the barn door and they ducked in, it was warm and smelled of horses and sweet hay. Steve's eyes took a moment to adjust to the light. Howard met Peggy by the door, putting an arm around her and kissing her cheek.

"Howard, stop." She laughed pushing him back slightly.

"Kitty is down in the sled-room."Howard pointed down the hall.

"Thanks," Steve smiled leaving the couple alone. As he passed the stalls horses hung their heads out the doors, nickering to one another. Steve had been around his fair share of horses, but none had prepared him for the sight that met his eyes when he walked into a large brightly lit room. There Kitty was perched on the back of one of the huge black Shire war horses looping the rains through the harness. She wore her wool coat but instead of her uniform she was dressed in a faded pair of jeans and riding boots. Steve felt his jaw go slack, and he found himself stripping her naked with his eyes, picturing her like Lady Godiva. Damn, that woman does the best things to me at the worst of times.

She smiled swing her leg over the back of the horse. Before she could drop down to the ground she felt his strong hands on her waist holding her until she was on the ground. Steve didn't let go of her and she found herself blushing a deep red.

"I didn't want you to get hurt." He told her still in awe, "So Peggy was serious about the horse thing." He looked at the large animals in front of him.

"Yeah, she was. It was actually my idea." She smiled up at him as Peggy and Howard entered the room.

"Steve, you and Kitty sit up on the front bench, we'll sit on the back bench." Howard told him, he was trying to instigate more romance between the young officers.

"And who do you think is going to drive?" Steve asked looking at him.

"Me, of course." Kitty nudged the captain standing next to her, "Do you mind getting the door please." Be pointed to the large double doors to the outside.

"Yeah, sure." Steve smiled walking over to the door and lifting the large latch on it.

"Peggy, Howard you better hope on." Kitty climbed up onto the bench, picking up the reins, looping them over her hands. With a light snap the sled lurched forward, the horses walked out the door, stopping once outside; their breath coming out in warm little clouds in front of their noses.

The doors slammed shut behind them and they heard the larch click before Steve climbed up besides Kitty. Setting the reins down, she reached across his body grabbing a heavy wool blanket. Her body pressed tight to his as she did this. "We're going to have to cuddle up if we want to share." She smiled at him.

Steve felt his heart skip a beat as she snuggled close to him, draping the blanket over their laps. Behind them they could hear Howard whispering sweet nothings again Peggy's ear. He rested his arm behind Kitty across the back of the bench, and almost immediately he felt her lean into him as she picked up the reins again.

"So where did you learn how to..."

She cut him off, "I grew up on a farm remember the fields didn't plough themselves."

"Right," He sighed.

Snapping the reins again they were off, the horses trotting through the snow, pulling the sled as if it was nothing more than a child's wagon.

"So tell me more, about the farm." Steve smiled at her.

"What's there to know?" She asked with a small laugh.

"City boy remember; I grew up in Brooklyn."

"Well, my father owned close to 3,000 acres, the largest farm in the area. Most of it was used for pasture but we also grew grains." She looked up at him as she turned the sled away from town and towards a heavily wooded area. "I've spend many, many hours with my ass stapled to a horse drawn plough in my life. But also to a saddle as well."

"So what was it all like?" He asked.

"It was amazing. I love animals, horses especially."She giggled, "When they're born they are all legs, until they are almost six or seven months and then they grow into them." There was a long pause between them, until he felt her hand on his. "Steve, maybe one day I could show you." She smiled up at him.

He found himself blushing at her comment, but the cold nip of the winter wind keep his cheeks a bright pink so it wouldn't show through anyways. He leaned against her bringing their legs together when he felt something hard and cold his it thigh, "What was that?"

Kitty smirked, pulling the blanket down a touch and her coat up, revealing a pistol.

Steve felt a surge of heat run through him, "Packing heat?" He asked, for some reason he found it extremely sexy that she knew how to protect herself.

"A girls gotta know how to protect herself." She dropped her voice whispering against his ear, "Plus I know you're packing too."

A shiver ran through his body at the feeling of her breath on his skin, and he pressed his hand again her shoulder holding her to him. The night had gotten darker under the cover of the trees, and it was almost eerily quiet. The only sound was the horse's hooves on the frozen ground and their snorting breath. Looking around Steve found an unsettling feeling growing in his stomach, Kitty and him didn't talk; it was as if both of them sensed it. Finally they stopped in a clearing, pine trees standing in almost a full circle around them.

"Well this is it." Kitty told them dropping the reins and getting off the sled. With a lead rope in hand he hooked it to one of the horses and tied it to a nearby tree.

Steve hopped down, sinking almost all the way to his knees, Steve had never been a fan of snow, or the cold; not that it affected his health anymore but he just still wasn't fond of it. But as they walking into the clearing the snow became hard packed and you could stand on top of it. The moon shone brightly down on to them. Steve dropped the axe he was carrying to the snow, "So which one do you want?" He asked Kitty.

"Um, well that's up to Peggy," Kitty answered turning to Peggy who was being waltzed around by Howard and giggling like a schoolgirl, "She's..." Kitty stopped herself. She knew neither of them were going to be much help. Part of me wishes things could be like that between Steve and I, but a wish is too much hope to ask for. She felt her heart sink, even though they had kissed and he had asked her to the dance she still wasn't sure about them and what they even were.

Steve looked between Kitty and the couple in front of them; by now Steve knew that Kitty was broken, and insecure about herself. She didn't even know her true self worth, but then again she couldn't see through his eyes. But ever since their first kiss he had seen a change in her, she was a little bit more confident, she almost seemed happy. Can I give her the happiness she longs for?

"So shall we pick out a tree?" He asked trying to get her mind off Peggy and Howard.

"Yeah, sure." she replied that wide smile appearing on her face again.

He picked up the axe again and sung it up onto his shoulder, "After you." He beckoned Kitty to take the lead.

She stepped forward the snow crunching under her boots as she headed towards a tree. "I don't know what Peggy wanted but since she's too busy we'll have to decide for her."

Steve laughed slightly looking up at the tree, "It's a little tall don't you think. It's got to be over 13 feet. We wouldn't be about to get it through the door."

"Well do you know how high the ceiling is?" she asked him sarcastically, placing a hand on her hip.

"I would say about 10 to 12 feet." He smirked back at her.

"Well we could always just cut off the top can't we?" She asked.

"Kitty," He sighed, "Let's find another tree."

She turned and stepped closer, batting her long eyelashes at him. "Please Captain."

Steve gazed down at her with half lidded eyes, he felt that same confidence he had felt this morning. "And what do I get if I say yes Second Lieutenant?"

Moving even closer she pressed her hands to his chest, "What do you want?" She whispered.

Steve swallowed hard, but before they could continue Peggy's voice broke them apart.

"Hey, we found a tree." Peggy's voice rang out in the cold air.

Steve couldn't help but be a bit disappointed at the fact another chance at a kiss had been interrupted.

"Okay, we're coming." Kitty called back, "Maybe next time captain." She stepped away and she started towards Howard and Peggy.

Steve stared after her letting his eyes drink in the beautiful sight.

"Steve you coming?" She stopped and called to him.

Shaking himself back to reality he started after her, "Yeah sorry." He jogged over to her.

When they finally made it over to Howard and Peggy he realized what he had gotten himself into with this whole tree cutting business. It wasn't an extremely tall tree, but it was rather wide. They all stared at the tree, "You think it's big enough?" Kitty commented.

"It's perfect!" Peggy stared up at it starry eyed.

They stood there marveling at the tree a little bit longer, the forest around them had fallen silent. Steve stepped forward and looked around, let's get this tree cut, I don't have a good feeling about this place, "Alright let's drop this tree. Lady's you might want to step back."

Howard took the saw from Kitty's hands, as Steve took a swing with the axe; precisely noticing out the tree so it fell towards the sled.

Kitty let out a sigh as she watched him; she could picture him shirtless in 100 degree weather splitting wood.

Peggy gave her a knowing smile as they watched the men work. "Daydreaming about the Captain?"

"Hum?" Kitty asked breaking away from her thoughts and staring at Peggy.

"Never mind." She laughed.

Finally they heard a crack, the tree starting to lean to the side where the notch was. Steve looked towards Kitty; she was watching him. He couldn't deny he liked the fact she was watching him, he could feel the confidence welling up inside of him. A few more smooth cuts with the saw and the tree fell. A cloud of powdery snow went up around them.

As soon as the snow settled Peggy practically ran into Howards arms again. Steve could see Kitty turn and start heading towards the horses. I'm going to make her feel special, as if this was just a double date. In a few long strides he was right behind her and he wrapped his arms around her waist. "And where do you think you're going?" He whispered against her ear.

"To get the sled, so we can go back."

"No, you're not. You're mine now." He smiled picking her up.

"Steve, no, don't. Put me down." She squirmed in his arms, "Steve." Bucking backwards, Kitty managed to make Steve lose his balance. They tumbled into the snow, him on his back and her on her side in his arms.

He rolled onto his side and propped himself up, "How come with you we always wind up on the ground?"

She shrugged, and just stared at him. Laying this him like this made her think of what had happened back in London.

Steve lifted his arm from around her, pressing his hand to her cheek, "Kitty do you regret London?" There was no time to answer just then gunshots rang out, "What the hell?" Steve snapped Looking around.

He could see to members of HYDRA running across the snow towards them. Steve reached for his gun, only to find it gone.

"Here," Kitty cocked her own gun and passed it to him.

"Quick get to cover." He yelled to her and Peggy.

Getting up, Kitty didn't argue with him, she ran for the sled. She could hear the shots being fired behind her. She could see Peggy heading in the same direction as her, but then she felt it, someone grabbed her hair. Letting out a cry she was pulled back against a body.

"What do we have here?" The soldier asked in his thick German accent, "Captain America's girlfriend."

"Let go of me, god damn it." She yelled trying to fight the man off. She managed to slam her elbow into his rib cage but it did nothing but only hurt her.

Out of the corner of his eyes Steve could see Howard locking in hand to hand combat with a soldier and Kitty struggling to get away from one. He knew he was taking a risk of hitting Kitty if he used his gun but she wasn't going to last much longer against the brut. Steadying his aim, he fired. The bullet left the chamber just as Kitty tumbled to the ground out of the way. The bullet hit its mark, he saw the German's blood splatter across the snow. Steve only had enough time to see Kitty climb to her feet and run before he was tackled to the ground. The gun leaving his hand. Steve felt a large hand grab the back of his neck and flip him over. A very large member of HYDRA pinned Steve to the ground, a hand wrapped tightly around his throat.

"Are you ready to die, Captain America?" The man hissed at him through yellowed teeth.

Steve immediately recognized him as one of Red Skulls body guards; they were brutes who couldn't think more than one step ahead. Steve knew he had to use that to his advantage; bring his legs up he kicked out hard sending the other man flying. "Not today." Steve snapped as he struggled to his feet wiping some blood off his lip.

The bodyguard got to his feet glaring at the captain.

"You're a big one," Steve smirked looking at the guard; who was easily two or three inches above taller then Steve and had a good fifty pounds on him. But the size didn't scare the Captain off and he engaged the guard in hand to hand combat.

"Kitty over here." Peggy called to her.

Kitty ducked down behind the sled with her, "So what's the game plan for getting out of here alive?" She asked.

"I don't know. I wasn't expecting this." Peggy told her pulling out her own gun and firing over the top of the sled at the HYDRA members.

"I have an idea." Kitty told her, as she ducked down, "I'll need you to cover me."

"Yeah, I can do that." Peggy nodded.

The horses that held the sled, whinnied, and reared up as Kitty ducked down crawling up to the driver's seat. The sound of the gunshots frightened them. Peggy watched her carefully. Kitty reached under the seat, and pulled out a M1 Garand, M1941 Johnson and ammunition.

Just then Howard slid around the edge of the sled, "So do we have a plan?" He asked reloading his own gun.

"Yeah, here." Kitty yelled over the gunfire handing him the Johnson.

"You two are going to cover me, while I pick off the stragglers with this." She held up the M1.

"And why do you get the sniper rifle?" Howard asked.

"I can hit a rabbit at 50 yards with the three dollar pistol." She answered looking over the top of the sled.

"Far enough." He replied.

"We need to get Steve out of there." She remarked, loading a few more bullets into the rifle.

"Alright on the count of three." Peggy started counting.

They popped up over the top and started firing. The soldiers dropping like flies. Finally only one remained the one fighting Steve. I'm not going to lose you, not like this. Kitty took aim, mumbling something under her breath. She hesitated until Steve had the back of the soldier turned to her and fired. The bullet went directly through the man's skull, an instant kill.

Steve looked over to them, his fists still up, but he quickly came out of battle mode, and came running over to them very quickly. Kitty dropped the gun, quickly going to tend to the horses. She stood in front of them, rubbing their nose, speaking quickly to them. She could hear Steve's voice, "Let's get this tree loaded and head back as soon as possible. Kitty?" He called her name.

"She's tending to the horses." Peggy told him.

Kitty turned at the sound of his footsteps and ducked out from between the horses.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly touching her face.

"Yes, I'm alright thanks to you." She smiled reaching up and wiping the blood away from his lip, "You're not hurt are you?"

"No," He shook his head, "That was some shooting you did." He smiled leaning down over her.

She felt herself blush at the compliment, "Thank you."

"Kitty," he whispered her name tilting her face up to him. His mouth twitched expressively, as he held her face in his hands. Just staring into her blue eyes made everything seem right with the world that they were to only two people who mattered. Steve took his moment; he pressed his lips hard against hers; ever since their first kiss in London he could only think about her and when he could do this again. He could taste the sweetness of her bare lips as he opened his mouth kissing her deeper. Her lips were smooth, and cold from the winter air; the first kiss was the most perfect moment they had shared until now. He needed to be closer to her and he pushed her back against the side of the large horse. His hands dropping from her face and finding their way to her tiny waist.

She gasped into their kiss, her arms going around his neck, pulling him tighter against her. Oh my god, Kitty thought, her lips moving hungrily against his. I'm never letting go of you. She tangled her fingers into his short hair. The kiss was raw and passionate. Kitty could feel the cut on his lip and the wetness of his blood as it stained her lower lip.

Though she didn't say it Steve felt as if he knew what she felt towards him, and he hoped she could finally see he loved her. He felt her nip at his lower lip, as she ran her slender fingers over the chain of his dog tags. That's when Steve let himself be lost in the romance, he gingerly took the kiss deeper, tilting her head back, and running the tip of his tongue over the curve over her lower lip.

Kitty's breath came out in short gasps as they kissed, she held onto him tighter than she had ever held anyone else. A brush with death was the push they needed, to realize their feelings.