Chapter 25
Here's the next chapter everyone!
So sorry it took so long to update anything, my PC charger broke and I wasn't able to update or anything… It was a sad few weeks let me tell you XD I got a new one though, so yay!
Hope you guys like this one. Thanks so much Juliet and Molly for the idea with SHIELD! Very clever, I hope to incorporate it soon :) As to others I hope this story is going ok and if you have any comments or requests you know by now that you can review them or PM me XD
Sometime later we made it back to the Tower. We were both drenched now and as we walked into the elevator and the door closed it got quiet.
"It's good to see you again Ms. Woods. Captain Rogers, shall I inform Mr. Stark of your arrival?"
"Yeah, thanks Jarvis" Steve had his eyes on the floor as he responded before it got quiet again.
I had my arms crossed firmly over my chest and my gaze was lost on the floor.
I couldn't stop thinking about Lara. She was there by herself and I was the cause of it.
"Nik," I blinked out of my thoughts and looked over seeing Steve eyeing me.
"Hm?"
"I'm sure Tony has a spare apartment you can stay in" He says. "With the state of your apartment I don't think you should go back their tonight-"
"Wait, have you seen my apartment?" I asked. Steve looked at me for a moment and then down before he nodded and his eyes went back up to me.
"Yeah, since part of that mission was also SHIELD's at the time and you were involved the news spread pretty quickly. I haven't been there myself but I've seen photographs"
"So that means Fury knows about Lara" I state as the door opened. We walked out and my head shot over when I saw the freakin man himself talking with Tony and Pepper.
"Ms. Woods," Fury started. I walked over cautiously with Steve. "I hope next time my agents show up to aid you they won't be coming back with broken noses and black ey-" Before he could finish something snapped and I grabbed him before slamming him against the wall.
"What the hell is your problem?!" I yelled. "My friend was almost killed because of your God damn aid to help get this job done. Don't you dare hint that this is my fault!" I tried to grab at him again when I felt someone pull me off him, and I glanced back briefly seeing Steve before I looked back at him.
"It was Ms. Johnson who called in our aid, Ms. Woods." Director Fury stated somewhat firmly as he stepped away from the wall. I stared daggers at him before he mumbled something to Tony. He glared at me before walking out to the stairwell.
"That was tense" I heard Tony mutter.
"Pepper, do you guys have a room Nik could borrow for the night, her apartment is... Uh" Steve trailed off. "Not in a good state at the moment"
"Of course. I have some clothes that you can borrow too Nichole" Pepper gave me a warm smile. My eyes went from Tony to Steve and then to Pepper. I took a deep breath before nodding with a forced smile and I took a few steps forward before following her to the elevator.
We went up a few levels before walking out and into a different room.
"Hey, isn't this the room I-"
"Yes, we set you up here when you got injured. It's not being used by anyone so you can stay as long as you'd like" She smiled.
I looked around before giving a small smile and a nod.
"If you want to clean up the bathroom is around there to your left," She pointed around the corner. "And there's plenty of food in the kitchen" She looked back over at me. I look around for a moment before giving a small smile.
"Thank you," I say quietly. She smiles and puts a hand on my shoulder.
"Least we can do Nik, trust me" She chuckles. "I'll go get you some clothes. I'll be back in a few" She had already started for the door and I have a smile and a nod as she left.
My eyes went back to the apartment in from of me. It was much bigger than my apartment. There was a nice size living room, a kitchen, a big table for 4, a flat screen TV on the wall in the living room. This was like- a fancy apartment. I remembered what the bedroom looked like and I think I remember where the bathroom is.
I looked around before I started walking for the kitchen. I opened a cupboard and saw some saltine crackers. Oh my god I love these.
I took the box out and started to nibble on a cracker as I looked around.
My mind quickly shifted to Lara. She's spending the night alone in the hospital while I'm here in this pretty much 5 star room. What the hell his wrong with me...
Taking a deep breath I put the crackers away and went towards the bathroom to shower.
~0~
I cross my arms firmly over my robe as I walked out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, seeing a small pile of clothes on the bed and a small note.
I picked it up and read it to myself.
Here are some clothes for you; Tony also had me bring you some movies to pass the time if you're not going to bed just yet. Oh, and Steve wants to talk to you when you have the chance ;)
Pepper
I smiled and rolled my eyes before I took the clothes to the bathroom to change.
A few minutes later I walked out of the bathroom in a t shirt and some sweat pants. Making my way into the kitchen I thought for a moment before I went over the couch. I plopped down and hugged a pillow to my chest for a moment and let out a long sigh and I fell onto my side. My thoughts shifted over to Steve and I stared at the ground for a moment.
"Jarvis where did Captain Rogers go?"
"He's currently in the gym Ms. Woods" I heard the AI respond.
"Thank you" I got up and headed for the door.
"You're welcome."
It was quiet as I headed down towards the elevator and got inside before pushing the correct floor level.
I felt the floor jolt slightly before it started going down. I crossed my arms tightly again and waited briefly.
When the door finally opened I slowly walked out and down the short hall before I stopped in the doorway and my eyes shifted to the left over at the punching bags. Steve was at it again. I knew he usually spent his spare time at some small gym in the city or here. Usually he said he would do it to blow off steam or to get some alone time.
I still had my arms crossed as I slowly walked in and over towards where he was. He was still brutally punching the bag and I opened my mouth to speak up when the bag suddenly flew across the room and hit the wall with a bang.
I jumped slightly and closed my mouth again, stopping where I was before he glanced over and stopped.
"Oh, hey" He was breathing a lot heavier.
"Hey," I say hesitantly. "I can Uh, come back later-"
"No, no it's fine I was just finishing up" He stopped and looked down before his eyes shot over to the bag on the other side of the room with sand pouring out the side.
"Yeah I can tell" I smirked slightly. He rolled his eyes before walking over to me.
"Feeling any better?" His voice seemed a bit concerned but I tried to ignore it somewhat.
"I'm fine" I state before smiling.
"Hungry?"
"...I bit"
"Would you let me make you something to eat or is that pushing it" He chuckled. I laughed and rolled my eyes.
"I think I can live with you making me something to eat. Don't put too much effort in though, I'm not that important" I smirk.
"You're that important to me" He smiled before gently pulling me against him. I draped my arms over his shoulders with a smirk.
"So what- you gonna make me soup or something?" I laugh.
"Well what do you wanna eat?" He said back in a playful tone.
"I honestly don't care," I shrug and look at him for a moment seeing he was getting a bit closer. I stopped for a moment and felt myself smile before he leaned in closer and gently kissed me.
Wow... he's a really soft kissing now that I remember.
I ran my fingers through his hair before running them back along his shoulders, feeling his hand gently rub along my back.
"Eh hem" I jumped slightly and turned away from Steve who was still in the heat of the moment and saw Tony at the door.
"Natasha and Clint wanna know how you're doing. Should I tell them you're making out with our Captain here?" He looked at the both of us for a moment with a bit of a grin. We were both kinda entangled in each other's arms before Steve cleared his throat; I was already getting a bit red in the face.
"Just tell them she's good for now" He says with a nod.
"Just good? Are you sure I shouldn't tell them you might end up in bed with her tonight considering what I just walked in on-"
"Tell them she's doing surprisingly well considering the situation, you can leave now" Steve stated somewhat shortly. Tony rolled his eyes with a grumble before leaving with a grin. I was already as red as a tomato and so was Steve. Several seconds of really awkward silence followed before I finally chuckled and spoke up.
"You seem pretty short with him at the moment"
Steve looked down at me and his lip quirked up into a half smirk as he looked to the side.
"You seemed to be in a hurry to get him to leave to…" I state and nibble my bottom lip. He hesitates to say anything and I chuckle when he gave me a bit of a guilty look.
"" He frowns playfully before smirking, his hands met behind my back and I rested my head against his chest. "Just haven't seen you in a while and I wanna catch up" His voice indicated his usual chipper tone. I smile and let out a deep sigh as he rested his head over mine, persuading me to just close my eyes and relax.
This was one thing that I really did miss when he was gone. Just being close to him. I've never really been the type of person that liked to cuddle or always be in a guy's arms. But for some reason with Steve that's the one thing I love about him, it just makes me feel safe and like-… Like I'm wanted and not just filled up space with not much purpose other than to kill people.
"I missed this," I mumble.
"...Missed what?" I could hear the confusion. I smile and lean back to look at him.
"This," I gesture between us with a hand. "Being with you," I smile. His smile widened before he kissed me again. I smiled against his lips before pulling away.
"And that; I missed that too" I add, making him laugh.
"Ever had cheese and broccoli soup?" He asked suddenly. I furrowed my eyebrows and shook my head after a moment.
"You're about too" He says before his hands slid from my back and grabbed my hands. "Let's go" I laughed at his enthusiasm before we walked hand in hand to the elevator.
~0~
Sometime later, we went back to the apartment I was borrowing and Steve immediately wanted to get to work on making me this soup he's so excited about. I've never had it but it actually sounds kinda good.
I was sitting on the couch now, looking at the TV and waiting patiently.
"Isn't it supposed to be the girl slaving away in the kitchen making dinner?" I call over. He looks over with a smile.
"Not in my book it's not" He makes clear before we both laughed. About a minute later he brought over two bowls and set one down on the coffee table before handing me one.
"Thank you" I smile and take the bowl before grabbing him by his shirt and pulled him down for a quick kiss. Not seconds later he was looking at me again with a big enough smile to light up the room.
"Wow… Maybe I should make you soup more often" He says somewhat to himself before sitting down to my right.
I laughed as I picked up my bowl again looked at the screen briefly. A few seconds went by as I suddenly realized he was staring at me. I glanced at him, then the TV, and then back at him.
"What?"
"Try it" he urges. I roll my eyes and nod before picking up my spoon. I lifted it to my mouth before taking a bite- and holy freaking shit let me tell you this is amazing!
"Oh my god what the hell is in this?!" I laugh and eagerly take another bite. Steve chuckled as I did so. "How- in the world did you make this?" I spoke demandingly and look at him with a smile.
"Trade secret" He shrugs before having some of his own soup.
"I'll pay you if you make this for me every night" I make clear. He laughed and looked over at me. "I'm not kidding."
"I'd make it for you for free as many times as you'd like, all you need to do is ask" He says before kissing my cheek. I bit my lip and quickly ate another spoon full to hide my blushing.
"I'll hold you to that" I say before we both chuckled.
My eyes ventured back over to the TV and I switched the channel and stopped.
"This is a good show" I say, looking over at him. "It's called Friends. Ever seen it?" He shook his head and I shrugged an agreement. Oh course he's never seen it you idiot. Smooth one. "Trust me you'll love it" I add quickly as my eyes were on the screen.
I occasionally caught him looking at me and tried not to think anything of it as I distracted myself by looking at the screen. I finally let out a breath.
"Is this show that boring or is there something on my face distracting enough to draw you attention away from the screen" I state turned a smirk on him. He didn't look at all fazed by the comment and continued to look at me.
"I'm not being creepy am I?" He chuckled. I shake my head and take a sip from my glass of water. We had gotten water several minutes after walking in the door.
"No, not creepy" I assure him. "I just find it odd" I smile and laugh softly.
"So if I tell you how amazingly beautiful I think you are and kissed you in a few seconds, you wouldn't find that creepy either?" He tried to suppress his grin and it took every god damn ounce of my self-control not to blush like a teenager.
"No, it wouldn't" I say a bit too quickly.
"Ok good. I think you are the most amazing, beautiful person I've ever met in my life- I'm going to kiss you now" He breathed before leaning towards me as I laughed softly as pulled me into a kiss. I placed my hand in the side of his face, letting my thumb slide over his cheekbone and felt him move his hand behind me before it stilled on my lower back.
It wasn't anything big, very simple and somewhat innocent. This is what he's good at fortunately- not that I'm saying he can't make out or anything! I mean- Christ, when he left and had that brief make out session I almost lost it when he pushed me up against my door. Almost forgot that Lara was in the other room… Who knows what would've happened there, especially if he didn't have a mission to go to…. I'm gonna stop thinking about this now.
I pulled away from him a few seconds later and looked at him for a moment and he looked right back. Neither of us said anything for a few seconds before we both met for a second kiss, a bit more than the first one.
I felt his hands start to explore along my back more as I threaded my fingers into his hair, lightly tugging at the ends. His grip around my waist tightened before pulling me closer and I found myself letting him as my hand trailed down to grab the collar of his shirt, pulling it closer to me as I kissed him a little bit rougher than the last. Things seemed to escalate a bit further from there as he pulled me over to his side of the couch and I straddled his lap, my hands moving back up along his shoulders as I threaded them in his hair once again.
Steve's hands swept up along my back and down again as I could feel the fabric of my shirt moving from under his hand. My attention was drawn away for a brief moment and I stalled when I thought I heard voices somewhere in the hall but it was quickly dismissed when I felt warm hands on my waist under my shirt and I quickly drew my attention back, letting my hands grab at the hem his shirt before they were running along his torso, and sweet Jesus he was seriously built like a freaking brick shithouse, not to sound to blunt here.
I hummed against his mouth, quickly realizing how at some point this had quickly went from a small gentle kiss to becoming a very turn-on, open mouth, kinda kiss and I was really enjoying it.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door and we both froze where we were, the realization hitting as we looked at each other dead in the eyes. I stared at him for a few seconds, his eyes trailing over my face and occasionally looking down at my lips. We were both breathing a bit heavier. Within a few seconds a voice could be heard.
"You who! Open up Nik, got some people here for you" Tony. My eyes shot to the door and Steve let his head fall back along the couch and mumbled something along the lines of 'not this again'
"No getting rid of him this time, soldier" I chuckle. He smirked and lifted his head back up to look at me. "He's not going to leave if we ignore him is he" I state.
"Indeed, he will not Ms. Woods, and I must allow him all access to the Tower" Jarvis suddenly spoke up. I huffed and put a hand through my hair when I suddenly froze- quickly realizing I was still straddling Steve's lap. He looked at me as I got a bit red in the face and moved away and put a good foot in between us.
"Sorry" I say quietly before I looked to the door and got up to open it.
"No!- I mean uh, no don't apologize. I mean, after all I kinda put you there" He somewhat awkwardly ran a hand through his hair as he got up to follow me. "I don't uh, regret any of that if you don't" He adds with a smirk. I look at him for a moment and smile.
"No, that was…" I nibble my lip for a moment. "Who am I kidding that was awesome" I roll my eyes and I saw his shoulders relax a bit and chuckled. "Yeah, you're awesome" I smile and walk into his arms as he met my for a kiss, pulling me close to him.
"Nichole Woods, open up before I call demand Jarvis to open it" Tony, my god.
"Gotta get that" I mumble against his lips as I playfully pushed him away. He rolled his eyes. "How do we do this, Tony'll have a freakin hay day if he knows you're in here at this hour of the night" I make clear.
"I'll hide behind the door" He shrugs with a dorky grin. My god his dorky grins and smirks are seriously drop-dead cute.
I quickly shook my head at my venturing thoughts and nod before going to open the door. Tony was standing there with Natasha and Clint. I was holding the door open with my left hand, the other hanging at my side as I looked at them for a moment and bit my lip before smiling.
"Welcoming comity I know" Tony smirks.
"Hey" Clint butted in.
"Good seeing you guys in one piece" I laugh. He rolled his eyes.
"Steve said you enjoyed using the gym" Natasha spoke up. I nod and smile.
"Definitely the highlights of my week over the last month, I gotta say" I admit. " How did the mission turn out?"
"Good, ended quicker than we thought. Bad guys taken into custody, all's good" Clint smirks.
"Good to hear" I smile back.
"Sooo… have you seen Steve yet?" Natasha quickly changed the topic and I could tell that had been the main question she wanted to ask. I stared at them for a moment and drew a blank.
"Steve," I state. "Uh- yeah, yeah. I've seen him" I smile and it got awkwardly quiet. "…A-Around" I add. Natasha just grinned along with Clint and Tony had a straight face.
"So where is our brave Captain? Hiding under your bed? In your closest?" He deadpanned. I was about to speak up when Steve grabbed the door, his hand brushing against mine as he opened it farther with a blank face. Clint barked out a laugh and Natasha's grin widened.
"Cute" Natasha didn't suppress her ear to ear grin.
"What happened to calling in for the night Woods, or is this your idea of calling in-" Tony started.
"Stark, we were watching television" Steve states. They all looked at us for a moment.
"By the looks of you guys I think they're might have been a little more than that going on" Clint added. It got quiet and Steve and I simultaneously looked down at ourselves slowly. My shirt was crinkled and so was his, my hair a bit messy, his not nice and combed like is usually is.
"Alright so what?" I ask and try not to laugh. "But out of the relationship" I make clear playfully. Clint put his hands up in a surrendering motion with a grin.
"Alright, we'll try" Tony muttered before he and Clint walked back down the hall. Natasha looked back at me.
"Glad you're having a chance to wind down" She smiled. "We can talk about what happened in the morning ok?" I got serious for a moment and nod before giving her a small smile. I turned to walk back in and caught Natasha giving Steve a grin, which he just rolled his eyes with a smile before closing the door.
I sat back down on the couch and so did he. We both stared at the screen for a moment before he looked back over at me.
"Thirsty?" He asked. I looked over and nod before picking up both cups.
"I have to put my bowl in the sink anyway so I got it" I smile. I could tell he was against that but didn't argue as I walked into the kitchen.
As I was getting more water I looked down at my hands and arms… seeing cuts and bruises and thought for a moment.
Since Lara moved in with me I knew that there was a slim danger possibility. But after what happened a couple hours ago… I honestly don't want her anywhere near me. These people know who I am, have for a while now. How could I have been that stupid to have let this happen?
And they know who Steve is too. What am I doing right now? Why did I let him take me back to the Tower?! I just put them all in danger with letting them help me… Since when did I start letting people help me!? I'm getting so soft over the last few months and I haven't even realized it.
They threatened to kill everyone closest to me if I didn't back off. I need to lighten up one of these: My relationships or my job. And I can't stop doing what I was trained to do. It's my life, it's all I'm good t and sure of. I'll just need to take a step back in my relationships… although I don't want to. Steve has given this everything. And I've only met him halfway. He deserves so much better-
I cringed suddenly when Steve gently put his hand on my hand.
"You ok?" I turned and saw he was standing next to me at the counter and the sink was still running. I quickly turned it off. He followed me back over to the couch as we sat down.
His eyebrows scrunched together in concern when I didn't answer right away. My eyes went around the room and I thought for a moment.
"Yeah I uh… Think I'm getting a bit tired" I state and put a hand through my hair, avoiding his gaze. He looked at me for a moment and I gave him a bit of a look and cleared my throat. Giving him the hint so I wasn't being rude.
"Oh-" I saw the realization cross his face and he stood up as I did.
"Yeah I-"
"Here let me help with the dishes" He picked up his bowl and glass.
"Steve, I think I can clean up just fine" I chuckle and take the bowl before urging him for the door. He looked a bit confused but didn't argue or anything as he opened the door. He turned to say something and before he could I stepped forward and pressed my lips to his in a soft, gentle kiss and started walking him backwards as I did so before stepping back into my apartment. He just stared at me and then looked around as he was now in the hall.
"Alright," I smile. He was still looking at me and raised an eyebrow somewhat amusingly. "Well, goodnight" I smile and go to close the door when he stopped it from closing.
"Wait- hold on,"
"Steve I said goodnight- meaning I'm going to sleep" My eyes were on the door as I was trying to push it closed with both hands and he merely had one hand on it, keeping it open with ease as I struggled to close it.
"Nichole, what're you doing?" He chuckled. "You were just fine a minute ago"
"And now I'm not. So…" I give him a short smile and go to close it again before he slipped back inside and I accidentally slammed the door shut as he stepped back into the apartment. "Rogers, this isn't funny" I snap somewhat. I was standing with my back inches from the door now and he was also standing just inches in front of me.
"Exactly, it's not. So I wanna know what's wrong now" He says.
"Please don't talk to me in that Captain-y tone" I grumble. He furrowed his eyebrows.
"Captain-y?" He laughed. I rolled my eyes, losing more of my patience.
"Steve. I'm not kidding right now. Please just leave"
"What did I do?" He asked, somewhat more gently with a saddened smile.
"Nothing. You didn't do anything it's something I did. It's my fault- all me. Aren't you supposed to be all polite and shit?" I ask, switching topics throughout.
"You and the mouth" He chuckled, still keeping the light tone. I just roll my eyes and put a hand through my hair again before crossing my arms. "And although I'm polite, I'm not that polite," He smirked. "If it wasn't something I did I don't understand. You didn't do anything Nichole" He says and before gently touching my arm. I was really losing my temper and backed up, not realizing there was a door and I hit it with a thud; clenching my jaw I saw him hide a bit of a laugh. "There's a door-"
"I know there's a door there, Steve." I finish for him. He smiles lightly and nods.
"What are you talking about, what could you have done?" He asked more seriously. My eyes were locked on him for a few more brief seconds and then they went down.
"Everything"
My voice was barely a whisper, I barely heard it myself but Steve managed to catch it.
"That's a bit of a stretch now isn't it?" He asked gently. I smirk.
"No actually, it's not" I kept my voice quiet and say sarcastically. He looked at me for a few more seconds.
"Wanna talk about it?"
I nibbled my lip and closed my eyes. I really, really wish I could. I want to. I'm already in some deep shit at the moment though. I seriously screwed up. I let emotions get in the way and did the one thing I promised myself I wouldn't do: let my emotional attachments get caught up and in the way of my job.
"You don't have to if you don't want to but-… I really wish you would" He gave me a small smile in hopeful manner. I nibbled my bottom lip some more before letting out a breath.
"Whatever I tell you it stays between you and me" I state. He looks at me and smiles and gives a nod. "Promise?"
"Scout's honor" He smirks. I roll my eyes and let out a sigh.
"Ok"
Ending it there, did you like it? Was it ok? Hope you guys let me know what you thought :)