A/N: Hello my faithful readers! Last chapter for today. Elle makes a big decision, Steve and Elle get back to DC and a secret location comes into play.

Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney, ABC of the Avengers.

Daisy and I did go out clubbing that evening, with Phil and Steve staying in for father/son bonding time. When we got home, Daisy was quite drunk, so I made sure she had plenty of water. She had a glass before I helped her out of her shoes and the veil, putting Advil and a bucket beside her bed just in case. I wasn't going to wake her up for a run tomorrow, because that would be very cruel. I've been a hardass to my recruits when they partied too hard the night before training. They refused to drink hard after, and most swore off alcohol after those sessions. But I could cut her some slack. Steve was waiting up for me, reading in bed as I walked in. He looked startled for a moment and I smacked my forehead, disabling the photostatic veil, "Sorry. It's like a second skin to me now, that I barely remember its on."

"Daisy's okay?"

"Poor thing passed out as soon as I got her in bed," I smiled sadly, as I tossed the veil onto a chair with my jacket.

"I'm glad you could have a night of fun though. With all the training she got, she deserved a break."

"Oh she did have fun. Do you want to run with me…. tomorrow?" I asked as he held up a sticky note I had left on my desk.

"Olympus 8am," He said, raising an eyebrow at me. I sighed and said, "I can't tell you where on a map it is, but I can tell you what it is. And what it's about."

"Okay," He conceded, as I started pulling off my dress, getting distracted by it falling for half a second.

"I'm meeting a doctor I trust, at a location off campus the day after we get back... to have my tubes untied," I said, watching his face turn hopeful.

"Really? Even with Hydra? Even without Dr. Simmons and Bruce knowing-"

"Even without knowing. And yes, even with Hydra. I can't let them dictate what I do with my life. I've lived with looking over my shoulder for so long, I'm tired. And I won't deny you something you want, just because I am scared I won't ever age with you," I said, climbing into bed, as he opened his arms to me. I settled against his chest as he held fast to me.

"Everything is going to work out. I believe that. You are going to age with grace, and we will have our happily ever after," He said, kissing the top of my head. I pulled back to look up into his eyes.

"I'm starting to as well," I smiled, leaning up to kiss him softly.

"Well, we have to be up in three hours for our run, so either you let me sleep, or ravish me knowing that I'm a bear when I'm up for over 24 hours," I teased as he tried to deepen the kiss. Sighing in exasperation as he pulled away, he said, "I guess I'll let you sleep."

"Good choice," I said, closing my eyes as I settled back against his chest. When my alarm went off later, I debated snoozing it to catch up on sleep. But I pulled myself out of bed reluctantly, seeing Steve stir at my movement.

"Run?" He smiled at me, "Or sleep?"

"Run. I need to stretch my legs, running at human speed is not enough for my muscles," I sighed, stretching and cracking my neck.

I got into my gear, pulling my hair up into a high ponytail and walked down the hall quietly to check on Daisy. She was still sleeping peacefully, and I knew she'd be out until 10am, at the earliest. Steve was already downstairs, pulling on his runners and tying them up tight. When he came out of the ice, I had told him that I went through a lot of runners and he didn't believe me. We were dropping maybe $500 on shoes alone each month. My accountant called to make sure no one had swiped our credit cards.

As I tightened up my shoelaces, Steve opened the door, saying, "So, if Daisy wasn't here, what's your usual route?"

"Honestly? I'd take the car up to the canyon and see how fast I could push myself," I smirked, grabbing the car keys.

"Alright. Lead the way Colonel," He smirked, as I walked over to the garage. A quick drive later, we were racing each other through the trail, laughing and having fun. It was the first time in years that I felt I didn't need to be another version of myself, the cold, hardened SHIELD agent everyone expected of me. Instead I was Elizabeth, the fun-loving version of myself from a million years ago, having fun with my fella.

We watched the sky start to lighten, before heading back to the car. Sneaking back in the house, I checked on Daisy first before following Steve. And as we made it back up to our room, Steve grabbed me close and started peeling off my running clothes. I giggled as he stripped his own off, knowing how our endorphins were up after a run and usually that meant sex. He pulled me under the spray of the shower, after stripping his own clothes off, effortlessly lifting me up and onto his waiting member.

"Steve, ohhh," I moaned.

"Elle, god, I love you," He breathed, before crushing my lips under his own.

With water pouring over us, Steve made love to me against the wall, teasing my ass with light touches.

"Don't tease," I moaned, "I know what you want to do."

"Are you sure?" He asked, sounding vulnerable, pacing faltering slightly.

"Do it, put in my ass Captain. Please," I keened, gazing into his eyes so he could see my sincerity.

He shuddered, using one hand to stretch me gently with his fingers. Once I had relaxed enough, he pulled out to set me on my feet and turn me to face the wall. He gently pushed his member into my ass, sucking in a ragged breath as he did. I tensed slightly at the intrusion, but relaxed as he stopped, panting along with him. It was a few moments before he continued, stopping to let me adjust again. He dropped kisses to my shoulder as I relaxed, moving slowly to thrust into me.

"Ohh," I moaned softly as his other hand found my center, rubbing my folds gently.

"Oh god… thank you," He sighed in my ear, and I smiled to myself.

"I'm not god, but you can thank me anytime," I teased before he pinched my clit, making me squeal in pleasure. He rubbed harder, in time with his thrusts, and I could feel the build happening in my lower belly. Steve grunted, as I sunk my teeth into my arm to keep from crying out as I climaxed. He pulled out suddenly, spilling to the shower floor between my feet. He seemed so relaxed as I turned to him, wrapping my arms around his waist.

"Here, let me," I said, grabbing a loofah and soap for him, soaping up his body. He sighed as he relaxed, sitting down on the bench to let me shampoo his hair.

"You must be an angel," He smiled at me as I helped rinse him.

"No, just your wife," I teased, as I checked him over for suds, "I think you're clean."

"Good, your turn," He said, soaping up the loofah again with my body wash. He was feather light in his caresses as he washed me, stealing kisses and teasing my body again. It was practically orgasmic having him wash my hair, massaging my scalp with just the right amount of pressure.

He finished rinsing me off before turning the water off, wrapping me up in a towel softly, before wrapping one around his waist.

"Mmm," I sighed, admiring his body, as we got dressed.

"Later," He smirked, winking at me. I laughed lightly, pulling my hair up into a braid. Steve started packing our stuff, and I went to make breakfast, only to find Phil coming back from the home gym.

"Damn, I've been caught," He sighed.

"The doctor didn't okay that, did he?"

"Not yet. But I need to do something. I've been in a hospital bed and then in Tahiti relaxing, but I want to run, train," He said and I held my breath as I asked, "How was Tahiti?"

"It's a magical place," He responded automatically, and I forced a smile, "I'm glad you are back though."

"Thank you, for surprising me with Daisy. It was like a breath of fresh air, knowing she'd been found. That she was back with us."

"The 'us' you are referring to, is missing one very important person; your wife," I said, grabbing eggs, ham and mix for waffles. Phil sighed, "I know. I think I'll find her first thing when I get back to DC."

"Remember, she knows she has to pretend we didn't find Daisy. We don't know where they have eyes or ears in SHIELD. So you may have to put on a front for awhile."

"So encoded messages?"

"Of course. This isn't my first rodeo. She's got a key and we pass them through Maria until you're on the BUS. Daisy has a non traceable cell that I have the spouse to-"

"Bus?" He asked, confused.

"Ah, right. I mentioned to Fury that a Globemaster would probably do for space for your new team," I smirked, as I opened the pictures Fury had sent me of the renovated space.

"Wow. And hey, it's got a bar!" He said excited as he flipped through the pictures.

"All packed," Steve came in greeting Phil with a, "Good morning. Were you just in the gym?"

"Morning Dad. Yeah, I should go shower before Mom gets after me," He smiled, leaving as I gave him the stink eye.

"Checked in on Daisy, still fast asleep."

"Might not be for long. Once she smells food, she's usually up for the day. She looks like the Walking Dead, but she's out of bed," I shrugged, starting food. Phil came back down, sitting on the couch with Steve to watch the morning news as I started coffee for them. My tea was iced today, and I had a detox tea ready for Daisy when she came down. I heard a grumble to my left and looked up to see her bed head first.

"Cousin Itt! I haven't seen you in forever," I teased her, giving her the iced green tea.

"You are a saint. Thanks for the Advil Grams," She said, squinting at the brightness from outside.

"I'm your Grandma, it's my job to take care of you. Even when it was your own fault for having those extra shots," I teased.

"I should have believed you when you said you couldn't get drunk. I challenged myself when I thought I could out drink you," She sighed, sitting at the island counter holding her head.

"Yeah, it's not something I take lightly. Now, we need to go over our play," I said and she sighed, "Again?"

"Daisy, you agreed to this. You need to be perfect. Remember, partial truths to help you remember the mission. Your father is in charge, and you'll start to act as if he is a father figure to you. You'll 'betray' your team at one point, and you'll know your opportunity when it arrives. Your Mom is closed off, and you know why, but you'll act like you want to know more about the Cavalry."

"You told her about Bahrain?" Phil asked, turning around on the couch shocked.

"Mom didn't want to keep that from me," She nodded, "I understand why she had to. It was an impossible decision."

"I told her to. We need complete trust in each other, especially for what were are about to do."

"I understand. I just know she always thought you wouldn't look at her the same way once you found out."

"She's not a monster, she isn't undeserving of love. She had to make a call, and when I had all the facts, I know she made the right one, not the easy one," Daisy said, before taking a sip of her tea. Phil smiled at her softly, "We don't deserve you."

"That's true. You are more than we deserve," Steve said, smiling proudly at Daisy.

"Oh stop," She blushed, ducking her head as I slid a plate of food in front of her.

"Come and get it. And then we'll run through the plan again," I said, motioning for the guys to get up, "We're a ways from the end zone, but we've got to be prepared for any possibility."

We left Phil and Daisy with a tearful goodbye later that afternoon. Steve drove to the car rental drop off, while I tried to pull myself together before our cab ride to where I parked the Quinjet. I had given her free reign of the house until Phil's team picked her up, when Mel would sneak away to close it up and throw away food that might spoil. Phil was driving back to DC tomorrow morning, flying part of the way with Lola. Daisy and I had encrypted phones that would only work for the other number and a specific password, so we could communicate as things changed.

Melinda had looked into my recommendation of Jemma Simmons and Leo Fitz for Phil's science department. Jemma had been keeping me updated on her research with Bruce, saying they were close to a breakthrough. It was my hope that I held onto, as Steve and I got in that night. Zeus was still with Natasha, and we'd pick him up tomorrow after we were done at Olympus. I had a few boxes of canned goods that Steve and I juggled easily up the stairs.

And while our evening was quiet, the next day was insane. Steve and I had our regular morning run, racing each other around the National Mall at least ten times. We grabbed Steve some breakfast before we ran back to the apartment, where I finally met our neighbor in the hallway. My eyes widened as Sharon smiled and introduced herself, "You must be Elizabeth. I'm Kate."

I turned to Steve quickly, who tapped his ear to remind me of the bugs and I nodded, "Hi, it's nice to meet you Kate."

"It's an honor to meet you Colonel. I never got a chance to meet you after you moved in," She said, and I saw the earnest look in her eyes that said she was sorry for not warning me about the security detail.

"Yeah, I had some business in California," I said and she nodded, "Well, I'm glad you are back. It seemed like he was only eating delivery for the first few weeks."

"Blame her, she's got me hooked," Steve smiled, and I knew he was aware of why she was here. Fury must have told him.

"We'll have you over one night for dinner. Non-takeout now that I'm back," I teased Steve good naturedly.

"I'll bring dessert," She smiled, "I make a mean peach cobbler."

"Sounds wonderful," I smiled, knowing I taught her how to make that. It was my recipe, it better be good.

"Well, I've got to get some laundry done before my shift, so I'll see you around," She said, taking her basket of scrubs and heading towards the stairs.

"See you," I said as Steve unlocked our door. After dropping our keys off in the bowl beside the door, and locking the door behind us, we moved towards the bathroom. He grabbed us towels as I started the water. The shower was the only place we could talk normally, without the act. The bugs couldn't hear over the water, and we could talk quietly enough they would think we were just being silent.

"Is this place somewhere you can have me?" He asked, and I hummed about that.

"I can, but we'd have to leave undercover. You'd have to be blindfolded about halfway there, to make sure you couldn't identify landmarks."

"What is Olympus?"

"A secret base of mine," I said as we got into the shower, "Peggy had one, Fury has another, and Olympus is mine. Fury and I know all the locations but we can't allow anyone else, other than Maria to know. It's important that you aren't able to give away any indication of where we might be planning our strike against Hydra And once I'm pregnant… I'm leaving SHIELD, going off grid. I don't want them knowing we are trying, or when I actually get pregnant."

"So what's the doctor doing today?"

"Surgery to untie my tubes. I'll be healed by tomorrow morning."

"How will you hide… the pregnancy from cameras on the streets or in stores? SHIELD does face traces all the time and if they want to know where you are-"

"I thought about that. We have something called a Photostatic veil, the thing I was wearing the other night to disguise my face for the club? I thought someone was wearing your face when you first came out of the ice, because our tech is that good. It can replicate anyone's face, even so far as adding or reducing the look of weight. I'm going to see if Dr. Fitz can make me one for my mid section. If not, winter is coming and I can wear bulky jackets until we figure something out."

"Alright, I trust you," He said, kissing me softly. I know he was still worried about a pregnancy with Hydra breathing down our necks, but he knew I had thought of every possible way they might figure it out and I had contingency plans in place. I was the master strategist after all.

"Let's hurry up, we don't want to be late," I said, quickly scrubbing my hair clean.

After throwing Photostatic veils on Steve and myself, a ball cap and some sunglasses, we left. We walked a few blocks until I turned into an overflow parking lot. I picked out the non-descript work van, pulling out a key and telling Steve to get in the back. He did, pulling on the black bag I handed him, as I started up the vehicle.

About fifteen minutes later I was pulling under my bases garage door, using the keypad for the door to shut it behind me.

"Okay, you can take it off," I said, and I heard him huff, "It's stuffy under those things."

"And disorienting," I smiled wryly, as I stopped the van.

I got out, with Steve following out the side door, sliding it shut. He came around to take my offered hand as we started walking up the ramp. I put my hand on a scanner by the door, and watched it work.

"Retinal scan," A male voice said, as I pulled the veil off. I looked into the eye scanner and tried not to blink as it passed over my eye.

"Voice confirmation," It said and I said, "Colonel Elizabeth Hermione Rogers. And guest."

"Confirmed," The male voice said. The door opened and Steve looked shocked at the facility. I didn't have workers running it, but it was still operational.

"Welcome back Ma'am. I would like to alert you to Agent Hill and Doctor Fine's presence. They are waiting in the medical wing."

"Thank you HERMES. Run systems diagnostic and please add Captain Rogers to the list of guests. We'll add official security clearance before we leave. Please ready the retinal scan, biometric scan and "

"Yes Ma'am."

Steve looked at the ceiling and asked, "What was that?"

"I had Tony make me my own AI when he made JARVIS. JARVIS runs the suits, the Tower, most of Stark Industries and Tony's personal computer. But I only needed something simple, data storage and security. HERMES runs the base, and before we leave, I'll get you added to the security system."

"Hermes? Like the messenger of the gods?"

"Yeah. Tony thought it was funny when he heard the base's name. Homebase Entity with Repository and Monitoring of External Systems. The original acronym was given when Tony was very drunk."

"What was that?" Steve chuckled, only guessing.

"Homebase Entity Recording Multitudes of Espionagey Stuff. Needless to say, I had JARVIS fix it to not sound like a ten-year-old picked it," I smiled, "It very important that you immediately scan your hand. If the sensors detect a presence at the door that hasn't within 30 seconds, the machine guns in the wall vent come out to play."

"That's... concerning."

"It's called paranoia, and I'm okay with it," I shrugged, "I've gotten through more secure doors in less time with SHIELD tech."

I led him down back hallways, past training rooms, a lounge, labs and an ops room. I could hear Maria's voice as we approached the medical labs, and I announced myself, "We good?"

"Yes Colonel," She nodded to me as I took in Dr. Fine, "We weren't followed."

"Good morning Dr. Fine," I said to him and he nodded, "Good morning Colonel. I assume you followed my pre-op instructions?"

"Yes. I haven't had anything to eat or drink in the last 4 hours. If I go any longer, I may die from starvation," I joked, as he motioned towards the bed.

"Put on the gown, and then we'll get started. Normally I have another set of hands to help prep you, so it will take me a few more minutes," He apologized

"I've got all day Doc, don't worry."

"I can help. I had some medical training in the army," Maria said, and he nodded in thanks.

"Because you'll just metabolize it, we can't do anesthesia," Dr. Fine explained as I got changed behind a screen.

"Yeah, that's what I was worried about. When I had them tied originally, it was a bitch to not punch out the surgeon. So Steve can hold me down if needed," I said, stripping out of my jeans.

"You aren't giving her anything?" Steve asked the Doctor, concerned.

"It will be painful, but the Colonel has had worse Captain. She's walked into my operating room with a spear through her shoulder and walked out an hour later by herself. I've watched her re-grow her whole hand. It was disgusting and intriguing," He said and I chuckled, "But it sucked for me. Bones are a deep pain when they heal that fast."

"I haven't heard those stories."

"I'll tell you later, Darling. This little bit of pain will be worth it Steve," I said, coming back behind the curtain to hop on the operating table. Dr. Fine hooked me up to monitors for practical reasons, making sure my heart didn't suddenly stop for one, and started an IV for the off chance of blood loss. And it would be just my luck to die when I just decided I wanted to keep on living.

Maria and Dr. Fine went to scrub up and Steve sat by my head as they left. He was looking nervous and said, "I don't think I can watch."

"Hey, they will put a screen up so you don't have to. Grab the straps from that drawer, will you?"

"What are these things?"

"Howard made them for me. After the last time I had surgery to have the tubes tied, I didn't want to rip myself free of the flimsy ones the hospitals use. Put one around the table, underneath right above me knees," I said, directing him, "Perfect, now one right under my bust."

"These feel familiar," He commented, as he rubbed them between his fingers and thumb.

"It's like the material he used for our Commando suits. He used it to reinforce my punching bags too. They should hold me," I said as Dr. Fine came back in, and started setting up.

"We are going to do this laparoscopically. I knew the last time you had it done was more invasive," He said, starting the machine above me.

"Yeah, it's not a memory I enjoy," I said, closing my eyes.

"I understand you may not pass out from the pain, which is unfortunate, but you need to keep talking so I can gauge how you are doing."

"Can do. Steve, what do you want for dinner?"

"I was thinking Chinese food," He said, as I heard Maria murmur, "Scalpel."

"I'm not feeling it. How about Indian-ARGH!" I yelled in pain, trying not to move as Dr. Fine made an incision. It was one thing in the heat of battle or a firefight to get injured. It was another entirely when you weren't in that setting.

"Remember just a little bit of pain," Steve reminded me gently, and I growled at him, "Shut up."