We're starting to ease (or maybe jump) into TWS now! Also, thank you all to those who favourite! as always, enjoy!

EIGHTEEN

They never did properly talk about it.

Mainly because Steve was transferred to Washington, whilst Gemma's team stayed firmly in New York. And Gemma missed Steve greatly. She missed the morning runs, seeing his sweaty muscles glisten in the early morning, and movie night, seeing him cook with a tea towel over his shoulder as if he was a proper chef (Gemma loved teasing him endlessly about it). She missed the way he fussed over her after training with Natasha, his caring side coming through. It was a little lonelier without him, but she guessed it was good to not be attached at the hip for a while. And it wasn't as if they couldn't call each other, although she preferred to hear his voice in person. What was worse, it actually affected her; the team could sense she was missing him, although she wasn't going to admit it. It made her feel stupid, more than anything- how could she be so attached?

On the other hand, it was a real benefit because it meant that she could go back to work a week or so earlier than she was told; Gemma had simply asked the team not to tell on her, and it wasn't like there was anyone else actually in contact with Steve.
"It's so funny, though," Lidia told her. They were in the bullpen, sat at their desks, researching information for a current case.
"What is?" Gemma asked, frowning.
"You trying to pretend you're still at home. What do you tell him?"
"That I sleep all day. I tried to tell him I walk around but he freaked because of my leg," Gemma responded. "But he's in Washington and the drive isn't worth it, so what can he do?" Just as she spoke those words, her phone rang, Steve's name appearing on the caller ID. Gemma's eyes went wide before she held her finger to her mouth, signalling them all to shut up.
"Hello?" she greeted, trying to keep all tell-tale emotion from her voice.
"Hey," Steve responded, the other side of the phone. "Where are you?"
"Huh?" She frowned.
"This will probably ruin the surprise," Steve said, "but I had the day off today, so I was coming to surprise you. But you're not home?"
"Oh! Sorry," Gemma apologised, scrambling for a lie, "I'm out. I can be back soon."
"No worries," a voice from behind Gemma said, causing her to squeal and drop her phone. She didn't turn but made eye contact with Lidia.
"Steve?" she mouthed, tilting her head slightly. Lidia nodded in response. Gemma cursed under her breath before she turned her chair slowly, revealing the super-soldier.
"Surprise," he said, hanging up the phone. He was wearing a button-up. Gemma loved it when he wore button-ups.
"Didn't see you there?" she offered, standing up. They hugged, Gemma resting her face into the crook of his neck. Even when they pulled apart, Steve kept his arms around her.
"Aren't you still supposed to be resting up?" he asked, worry etching into his face. Gemma shook her head.
"I was going out of my mind," she told him, although she knew Steve had memorised the dates given to her. She looked over her shoulder at the team. "I'm taking my lunch break now."

They chose the shawarma place that Tony had opted for after the Battle of New York. Neither of them had actually had shawarma that time, and they thought it would be nice to try. Plus, it was pretty nostalgic.
"You're still a little mad at me for going back to work early, huh?" she asked, observing the blonde super-soldier as he finished the last of his lunch. He always ate incredibly fast, but still managed to look attractive whilst doing so. Maybe it was the smouldering.
"The doctors know what they're doing," he said simply, looking out the window.
"Wait, you're actually mad?" She dropped her feet off the edge of the chair, sitting up. He didn't answer. "Steve, I was going insane home alone. And I haven't been going in the field."
"You're still putting pressure on it. It can't heal if it's overworked."
"I know my limits," she told him. "It was just a bloody-"
"You could still hurt yourself," he interrupted sternly. He still wasn't looking at her, so she scooted her chair to sit in front of him.
"What's really wrong?" she asked, tilting her head to observe him. "Steve, I've been shot at three times- well, four now, in my life. One here-" she pointed at her left shoulder- "and two here-" she pointed at her midriff- "although those two times, they hit the vest. Getting hurt sucks, but it's part of the job. We both know that." Gemma monitored Steve's facial expression carefully as it softened, although he still didn't look at her.
"The call was scary," he muttered, looking down at his lap. Gemma drew her brows together, confused. "Nat called me to say you'd been shot in a mission and you were in the hospital and then she hung up."
"I like your honesty," Gemma encouraged. "When I talked to Nat, she said, I'm glad you're not. She didn't finish the sentence. I assume she meant not dead."
"I think I was there for that call," Steve said. "She looked very uncomfortable."
"Yeah, that sounds about right." They both chuckled. She placed a hand on Steve's arm, taking a deep breath. "Okay, I'm not great at the emotional stuff in relationships, but I am okay. I was cleared for desk duty, and next week I'm tested for field duty. Trust me, Mathew wouldn't have me in if I couldn't take it." She moved her hand to Steve's face, causing him to look at her. Up close (and not on anaesthesia), he really was breathtaking.
"I know," he said finally. "I worry." Steve covered her hand with his, smiling.
"And you want the rest of my shawarma."
"If you're not going to eat it…" Gemma grinned, pushing the plate over. He picked up the rest of her lunch. Gemma was a little jealous of his appetite. "You know, we never did get talk about…"
"This? Yeah," Gemma finished, sighing. She shifted slightly, suddenly uncomfortable. "I think that we probably should just try and keep this between us."
"Why?" Steve asked.
"First of all, I'm sure Nat, Clint and Tony have some sort of bet going on," she started.
"That explains why Nat keeps taking photos of us," Steve muttered, finishing up Gemma's shawarma.
"But I think, for the time being, it'll be easier for both of us," she continued. "I've not been in a serious relationship since I was eighteen. I want this to mean something, but I need to test the waters first."
"And it won't if Nat's pestering us all the time."
"And right now, you're stationed in Washington and I'm stuck in New York, so we're kind of long-distance now anyway," she added, thinking of how much lonelier her life got when he left. Yet again, it made her feel stupid.
"Long-distance?" he echoed.
"Where I lived in the UK? You'd pretty much be in Wales, I'd be in England, so to me, yes." Steve leaned back in his chair.
"Is the UK really that small?" he teased. Gemma shook her head at him but grinned anyway. She stood up, holding out her hand.
"Come on. I've got to get back."

"So?" Lidia asked, perching herself on the edge of Gemma's desk.
"So, what?" Gemma responded, feigning innocence as she typed away on her computer.
"Your lunch date!" Tony exclaimed from across the bullpen. Gemma sighed.
"It wasn't a lunch date, it was lunch," she clarified, although that was a lie.
"And?" They both continued. Tony had made his way over now; Sam was in forensics with Mathew. Gemma sighed again, pausing what she was doing.
"We decided that maybe a relationship isn't great right now," she lied, "especially because we're in two different places. And, you know, rule twelve."
"Never date a co-worker," they recited, shooting each other looks.
"And you're okay?" Lidia asked earnestly.
"Yeah," Gemma responded, "it was mutual."
"Although, he did come all the way from Washington just to see you during your hour lunch break," Tony commented, fiddling with one of Gemma's plants.
"And you've basically been depressed since he got stationed there," Lidia added. Gemma shrugged.
"Neither of us just want a relationship right now," she fibbed, just as Mathew and Sam came around the corner.
"We've got our killer," Mathew announced, causing the trio to scramble for their things. As they headed for the elevator, Mathew held Gemma back for a moment, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Why'd you lie?" he asked, looking the younger agent in the eye.
"How could you tell?" she responded, drawing her brows together.
"Your ear twitches when you lie. Why'd you lie?" he repeated.
"We don't want anyone to know yet, mainly because of the rule," Gemma explained. "I've been reciting it to Nat left and right." Mathew took his hand off her shoulder, and they both headed for the elevator.
"Hey, Gemma?" he said. She looked at him. "Some rules are meant to be broken."