Steve effortlessly held Lex with one arm and supported the back of her head with the other. She had her 0hands knotted together behind his neck and her lips following his, which were surprisingly soft considering he was a super soldier. Both nervously gave in to their instincts as their mouths opened and tongues touched. When they came up for air a full thirty seconds later each looked away from the other.
"I'm sorry." She panted, embarrassed. "But we don't get to be alone too often. And I had to know..." Her sentence trailed off and she failed to put her emotions into words.
"I think I'd better go." He said before gently laying her in bed. Hastening to get out the door, he stubbed his toe on the wheelchair. This was more embarrassing than it was painful. "I'm fine, super serum." He mumbled. "I'm sorry. I'll see you later."
A whole week passed before Lex saw Steve again but all the other Avengers stopped by at least twice. Tony hardly left her side, wanting both to protect her and make sure she had everything she needed to get better. Banner and Clint made regularly scheduled visits every day to check up on her healing process or make sure she was being well fed. (The later responsibility mostly falling on Barton's shoulders.) Thor brought Jane along for his second visit. They spent several hours planning the party that he still insisted would follow Lex's full recovery. Even Nat stepped in on her way out of town to say she was going to Germany for two months.
"It was either me or Tony." She shrugged, explaining the situation to her figurative niece. "Thought you need him here more than me. But I'll bring you back anything you want, kiddo! I'll call if I can, feel better!"
Rachelle was temporarily filling in for her best friend as Pepper's assistant. Both women were working hard so that the CEO would be able to take time off towards the end of Lex's bed rest. It was a gesture that the injured Stark greatly appreciated. It seemed her bedroom had a revolving guest list now a days. Heroes, gods, scientists and SHIELD directors always bustling in and out. Even Rhodes and Sam had found time in their busy government jobs to at least manage a "Hello". There was almost always someone around even when she was sleeping. Yet the only person she wanted to see, was Steve.
"Hey, Sam?" She asked quietly when he turned to leave one afternoon mid-week. It was the first time she'd been alone with a Non-Tony person in days. What a relief that it happened to be Sam. "Have you talked to Steve at all this week?"
"Yeah." He looked back over at her. "Saw him in the elevator on the way up here. But I'm sure you've seen him more than me. I bet he's been up here every day." He laughed thinking of the conversation he had with Steve right after Christmas.
"No. I haven't seen him since you two brought me that chair." She informed him sadly before swinging her head in the direction of the unoccupied wheelchair. "I think I might have done something to scare him off."
"You? No way!" Sam shook his head. "He couldn't quit you if he tried. Trust me."
"But he hasn't been by to see me since you guys took me out. Something happened that day and I don't know who else to talk to about it, do you mind if I go a little Girl Code on you?"
"If I did, I think it's too back to turn back now. I'm all ears." Sam sat on the corner of Lex's fluffy duvet and waited.
"Well after you left, he helped me get back up here. Then just when he picked me up to put me into bed, I kissed him. I thought for sure he would pull away, tell me how crazy I was acting and then, well, I hadn't planned that far ahead yet. Only he didn't pull away. He kissed me back! Not just a lip kiss either. We had a real kiss with tongues and…"
"And I'm going to stop you right there." He surrendered with both hands in the air. "I don't think I am qualified to give out this kind of advice. Get in the chair, I'll take you downstairs so you can sort this out with him." She looked at him with trepidation. Did she really want to talk to Steve about this? Maybe it was better leaving well enough alone and pretending the whole thing never happened. Then she remembered something Tony said after their first month or so together.
"Don't do that." His voice reverberated. "Never let someone win just because you think you owe them something."
"Wings, let's go see a man about a kiss." She hauled herself out of the bed and into the awaiting wheelchair. Getting in and out of bed was easier than it had been the week before, but it was still no picnic. With Sam's assistance she was smuggled past Tony who was sharing a relaxing drink with Banner. Bruce winked at them but gave no other indication that they had been seen and soon they were zooming downstairs towards the floor that housed Steve's apartment.
"Wings, huh?" Sam chuckled. "We could be like buddy cops. Wings and Lucky. What do you say?"
"Wings, Lucky and Rhodey. B-team's all about inclusion." She pointed out as the elevator dinged open. We'll be like the three musketeers but cooler."
"We'd have to give Rhodes a cooler nickname then." He insisted, pushing her rolling pole of medications along as she wheeled herself down the hall. They stopped in front of Steve's door and she knocked loudly.
"Uh...who is it?" Steve's muffled voice called through the door.
"It's me, Sam!" He called out in reply. Steve opened the door to see that it was indeed Sam, but he'd brought an unannounced companion along.
"And Lex..." He looked down at his friend in the wheelchair and debating whether he should shut the door on them. No. He decided that would be rude, so Steve invited them inside instead. "Can I offer you anything to drink?" He asked begrudgingly.
"Please tell me you have soda! Tony read some medical journal saying that too much sugar intake slows your healing process and like the vagrants in the subway I'm dyyyyying for some Coke." Lex playfully begged.
"Yeah, I think I have some pop in the fridgidaire. You want anything, Wilson?"
"Do I? No. Actually I just remembered, I have a thing I'm supposed to be at." Sam pointed his thumb towards the door.
"A thing?" Steve raised his eyebrows suspiciously.
"Yeah. Important thing. Gotta go. But Lex you should stay. Yeah stay. Steve will help you get upstairs alright, right?"
"Of course." Steve nodded. Sam made a hasty retreat after that, leaving the two friends alone. "You wanted a pop right?"
"Uh yeah...yes please." She awkwardly watched him dig around in the refrigerator trying her hardest not to stare at his glute muscles while he was bent over. Now was not the time for that...then again...Have some self control, Lex! She scolded herself. The situation was mortifying enough without her hormones taking control.
"I'm sorry I haven't been able to get upstairs." He apologized, handing her a sweating can. "After what happened the other day, I didn't know how to start the conversation."
"It's all my fault really. I shouldn't have taken advantage of your friendship like that." She looked down at the cold soda in her hands embarrassed. "Don't be mad at Sam." She chanced a glance upwards. "He was just trying to be my wing-man."
"I'm not mad at Sam. Or you." Steve joined her at the table. "Why would I be? Like you said, he was trying to be a good friend. To both of us, I think. As far as what happened between you and I, well I'm as much to blame as you. I could have turned you down or pushed you away, but I didn't. The truth is I've been holding back feelings for you for some time, Miss Stark."
"Me?" Lex almost choked on the swig of soda in her mouth. She swallowed quickly, cringing as the carbonated liquid slid down her throat. "But why? You're Steve freaking Rogers! Captain America! You punched Hilter in the jaw like 45 times! You saved the world! I must be like some dumb kid to you."
"Well, it was an actor playinh Hitler, and You're far from dumb, Alexandra. Tony said you have perfect grades in school! You're compassionate for one thing. I've seen how well you get along with Clint's kids and the way you try to protect Rachelle. You're patient and an excellent teacher. Until a month ago I barely knew how to turn on my TV. You take the time to teach me things. You're just so beautiful. I don't just mean the way you look, which of course is gorgeous. You are a beautiful person on the inside to." Lex leaned over, her lips finding his once again. As soft skin married soft skin neither she nor Steve could shake the feeling that maybe being together wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
"Wow." She gasped, this time the first to pull away. "We have to stop meeting like this Captain Rogers."
"Maybe we should never stop." He suggested, leaning in for another kiss. She obliged, glad to know her feelings were reciprocated.
A/N: OMG It took me forever to get this Chapter out! I had serious writer's block and didn't know how to get these two goons together! But there you have it. I hope that it was well worth the wait.
oyukyfairy, I usually update once or twice a week. Sometimes I'll update almost every night and sometimes it will take forever for a new chapter to come out. It just depends how my life is going and when inspiration strikes me! I'm not sure if Lex's step-dad will come back at all, but I'm thinking probably not.
Emerald Draegon, I actually just saw Civil War for the second time today! So amazing, I recommend seeing it ASAP! You should know that the comics and the Cinematic Universe are sort of separate timelines/stories so hopefully the Steve in the movies will NEVER be a Hydra Agent. As far as the comics go, I'm really hoping he's just a triple agent.
Thank you to oyukyfairy, gotmoreissuesthanvogue, EmeraldDaegon, Anonymous, Summer Misted Dragon, Inazumame1997, and 1 guest for your reviews of Chapter 27! Again sorry it took so long for this one to get out there, but hopefully the fact that it's long-ish makes up for it a little. Chapter 29 will be out soon!
