Chapter 33

CAP

"You're thinking too hard..."

Jolting in surprise, Steve looked up and met Kayden's hazel eyes. Her fingers parted his, and she laced them quietly. Looking down at them, he blinked for a moment and then returned his gaze back to hers.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, keeping his voice soft.

"It's...hard to describe. Good...but...weird," she replied, her voice dry.

Getting to his feet, Steve grabbed a cup of water as she slowly sat up. Now that she was awake, a doctor walked in as he held the cup to her lips, aware that her body was still weak. She made a face, but let him help her in silence.

"Thank you," she sighed, once she was happy.

"You're recovery is going wonderfully," the doctor said, looking at the screens. "You're stable, and there is no trace of the poison in your system. As soon as you feel ready, I'm sure you'll get out of bed."

"Thanks," Steve nodded, when Kayden failed to answer right away.

The woman smiled, and left them alone after doing a quick check up. When the door shut, he watched as Kayden slowly adjusted herself. She leaned back against the pillow, and finally looked at him again.

"Are you all right?" she asked, and he snorted in surprise.

"After what you just went through...you're asking me that?" he asked, sitting down again.

"Well...I saw your face when I woke up," she replied, keeping her voice quiet.

"I..." Steve trailed off for a moment, before giving in with a sigh. "Just going over the last few years...it kinda...flooded back. It was never you in the hospital bed, always me. And it was before we got together. Is this how you felt each time?"

"Probably," she mused, before reaching over to take her IV's out.

He went to stop her, but then paused and watched as she unhooked herself. When she was free of them, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and slowly tested her body. He was sitting in front of her, so her legs came between his knees. Steve didn't move from his seat, and it earned a small smile out of her. Reaching out, she put her hands on his shoulders and took a soft breath. He didn't move, knowing she was silently reaching out for his aide as well.

Steve watched her as she rose to her feet in front of him, and he was happy to see that the movement wasn't shaky. She was sore, but otherwise fine. Not taking her hands from his shoulders, she moved and sat on his leg. Shifting easily, Steve leaned back and supported her, his arm sliding around her back.

"I feel like I got hit by a truck," she muttered, and he smiled.

The door opened then, and he turned to see Clint come in. In the hall, he caught sight of Sam, Wanda and Scott. The look on Clint's face made him smile. It was obvious how special Kayden's friendship was to him. Steve saw it in the both of them.

"I'll be good as new tomorrow," she said quietly, reaching for his hand.

"Good," Clint murmured, taking her hand in his. "I'll tell everyone they can see you tomorrow then."

"Thanks Clint," Steve answered, and the man nodded.

When it was just them again, Steve turned his attention back to the woman in his lap. She leaned into him quietly, and he knew that she wasn't a hundred percent. Usually, she would tease him about something, or ask further into why he had been thinking so hard.

"I want a shower," she murmured. "And then...I want to sleep."

That scared him, and he was shocked that it did. He couldn't handle these damn emotions right now. Taking a breath, he nodded and then gathered himself.

"I'm not dying," she said suddenly, her voice sharp. "I'd know if I was."

"Comforting," he answered dryly, and she hummed.

"Sorry," she sighed. "I just...I caught the fear, and I wasn't about to let it go unanswered."

"Well, I can't say that it wasn't helpful, hearing that," Steve admitted, and he brought them both to their feet. "Let's get you in the shower then."

KAYDEN'S POV

I managed to walk to our room, only holding onto his arm. The doctors had insisted that I stayed in bed, but I sent them death glares. Steve had quickly told them all I wanted was a shower and sleep. That seemed to help relax them, and they left me alone after that. He took me into the bathroom and quietly turned on the water. I listened to it, before taking off the robe I had put on. Steve grabbed it, and then reached over and helped me take off the gown as well.

"That...itches," I grunted, and it made him smile.

The hot water was a blessing, and I gave a happy sigh as it began to relax my sore body. Standing there for a moment, I grunted when Steve didn't immediately join me. Peeking out from the glass, I saw he had braced his hands against the counter. His whole body was rigid, and his eyes were closed tightly as he stood there. It took me a moment, before I realized that he must be reeling.

"Steve," I said, calling him as gently as I could.

His eyes opened, and he quickly turned to me, giving me a calm look. I wasn't stupid, and he knew he didn't get away with trying to hide his feelings either.

"I'm fine," I repeated, and then gestured to the shower.

He joined me, giving a slight smile at the demand. I made him shower with me, making sure the both of us were clean before we got out and got dressed. He had not spoken a word, but I was waiting till we were out of the shower to say anything. I just wanted this for the moment. When we were dressed, my stomach grumbled in sudden protest.

"I'm starving..." I realized, and he snorted.

"Not a surprise," he chuckled.

Braiding my hair, I tied it and pulled on a sweater. I missed all my things back in New York. My room, the clothes, and gifts my friends had given me over the years. Maybe one day, we'd get it all back. Turning my attention to the man in front of me, I walked over and hugged him. Steve responded instantly, and I reached up and pressed my lips to his.

"I'm fine," I said again, and his jaw tightened. "I'm not lying. I'm hungry, and tired. But I'm fine. I don't feel funny, and nothing hurts. I'm sore, but that's not a surprise."

"I guess I just..." he trailed off for a moment. "I can't do this without you right now..."

"Neither can I," I replied. "But let's act like we can?"

"I'm never going to not need you," Steve murmured, and it made me smile.

"I know," I answered. "And it's the same here. I'm just...I'm okay. I need you to know that."

"I don't think you're ever okay..." he said, his tone teasing.

"Well..." I snorted, and shrugged. "We'll just have to deal with that."

A soft laugh defused the tension between us, and I relaxed again. He wasn't angry. He had just been so surprised by his feelings. I wasn't going to let him push those back. Steve had always made me work through mine, so he was going to work through his.

"Let's go find something to eat," he finally sighed, and I nodded.

We went down to the kitchen and had one of the cooks make up something for us. The man was more than happy to throw a late dinner together for us. It was so late, I was surprised anyone was still awake. As I dug into my meal, Sam and Wanda came in and joined us. Wanda sat down next to me, and reached to give me a hug. I gave her a tight squeeze.

"We were worried," she said quietly.

"I could tell," I replied honestly. "But I'm okay, promise. I could eat a few cows...but I'll settle for this."

It made all three of them chuckle, and soon Sam was hugging me. They sat with us, and I was happy that Sam was able to distract Steve for the time being. I ate with Wanda, and was glad that I didn't throw anything up.

"How long do you think before you can travel?" she asked, watching me.

"I'll be able to travel once we wake up," I replied. "I'll make sure everything is fine, and we can get the hell out of here."

"Are you sure?" Steve asked, looking over.

"Yes," I answered, taking a drink of water.

"I'm kind of excited," she chuckled. "I feel like...I mean this place is beautiful but..."

"It's not a home. It's a base, a facility," I answered. "I feel the same way. I'm almost tempted to go back to the Avengers facility and steal all of our stuff."

"That would freak everyone out," Wanda giggled.

"Yep," I chuckled, finishing my dinner.

We sat for a bit longer together, before the need to sleep took me from them. As we left the kitchen, I walked behind Steve and braced myself. He felt the movement, and was ready when I jumped onto his back. It made him give off a short chuckle, his arms reaching back to hold me to him. Wrapping my arms around his shoulders and to his chest, I laid my head on his shoulder as he walked.

"It's a good thing you're a super soldier. I'm scared I'd be too heavy," I giggled, and he snorted.

"You weigh nothing," he replied. "Which is a surprise given how much you just ate."

"Who taught you to be such a butt head," I growled fakely.

"My student has rubbed off on me," he said with amusement, and that made me giggle again.

"Great," I sighed, closing my eyes.

"You're sure..."

"I'm fine," I assured him. "Promise."

When he took us both to bed, I made sure that I was touching as much of him as I could. He had taken off his shirt, which put his warm skin against mine. It was such a comfort, that I didn't even remember when I fell asleep.