Author's Note:

No triggers for this chapter. Just some light fluff and angst as Astrid and Steve continue to figure each other out. As always please review and let me know what you think.

Astrid huffed resisting the urge to scratch at the bandages. Grateful that it would be healed up in the next day or so. She let out a chuckle. She was the worst kind of patient.

"You look seriously uncomfortable." Jones pointed out in fluent German. Astrid rolled her eyes. She had no idea if Steve asked him to watch over her or if he was doing it voluntarily. Astrid had a feeling it was the latter. After her conversation with Steve in the lake last night he seemed less on edge. Calmer. But he was still keeping an eye out on her. Jones being an extension of that.

"I was shot yesterday," she pointed out.

"No something else is definitely going on with you." She huffed. Jones was a perceptive man. Astrid was hoping that he wasn't too perceptive. Because something was indeed bothering her. And it all had to do with the man leading them. Astrid felt that they had a real breakthrough last night. But something was still holding her back. And until she figured out what that was, she was going to keep her distance from Steve.

"You want to keep badgering me or do you want to work on your pronunciation?"

Jones shrugged. "I can do both at the same time." Technically he wasn't wrong. "If I can sound like a native then that can only be helpful."

"Only if you're talking over the radio." He gave her a look and she shrugged her shoulders. "Sad to say but you aren't going to be treated as a native. Not until the war is truly over.

"At least that's something." The two of them continued to converse in German. Just as Astrid was about to correct the pronunciation of a word a sound rocketed through the sky causing everyone to stop and look up. It was pitch black. As if the sun had been covered up. Had been since they had woken up this morning.

"Are we being attacked?" Jones asked. The other men were whispering as well as the rumbling sound occurred again. Astrid could feel drops of water slowly fall on her face.

"Thunderstorm," she stated as the rain started to pour down. Lightly at first before becoming a downpour. There was a collective sigh of relief followed quickly by groaning as the men had to make their way through the rain. The ground turning quickly into absolute sludge. Slowing their progress considerably.

"We're going to have to call it soon," Jones shouted over the sounds of the rain and thunder. "We can't keep this up much longer." Astrid had to agree but she also knew they had to press on. They couldn't afford to lose time.

"Let me talk to Steve. See what he thinks." Jones nodded as she peeled away from him. Making her way through the troops. The sounds of complaining obvious. Astrid didn't blame them. They would be drier if they all jumped into a lake. They were going to have to find someplace dry to stay the night.

Eventually, she made her way to the front where Steve and Bucky were. Clearly talking about what to do. Even Steve hadn't come out of this unaffected. Looking like a sopping wet mess.

"Hey," Astrid yelled drawing their attention. Steve gave her a smile as she approached. "Do we have a plan?"

"I've sent Falsworth and Dugan ahead to scout out potential locations to bunk down for the night," Steve responded. That was a good idea. Falsworth could cut through the woods like nobodies' business and Dugan was there in case they ran into trouble. "Hopefully they should be back soon." Hopefully. It felt like the rain was only getting harder as they continued on. The mud now coming up to her thighs. Each step was a struggle.

"I'll let the others know." She squeezed his arm. A slight shock to feel the rippling muscle rather than bone. "You be careful. It's only going to get more treacherous from here."

Steve nodded his eyes filled with worry. Pointing at the bandage around her neck. "I thought you weren't supposed to get that wet."

"I'm not," Astrid shrugged. "But apparently the universe has different plans." She gave him another quick squeeze before making her way back through the troops. Letting them know what was happening. Word quickly spread and she soon found herself next to Jones once again.

"So, they sent out Dugan and Falsworth," Jones muttered letting out a whistle. "Glad I didn't get that job."

Astrid nodded. She didn't want to be trapezing through the woods right now either. Though hopefully, the rain would mean that the enemy would be having as much trouble as they were. With any luck, they were bunkering down. Far away from them. Last thing they needed was to get into a firefight in this.

As the weather grew worse everything turned dark as if night had fallen. Everyone had slowed to a crawl. Being careful not to injure themselves on an unseen rock or log. Astrid was one of the few lucky ones. Her uniform being somewhat waterproof. The rain just rolling off her body.

"So, what is going on with you and Cap?"

Astrid groaned. "Why is everyone asking me that?"

"Because it's like watching mom and dad fight. It makes everyone uncomfortable and wanting to know when they'll make up."

Astrid blinked a couple of times wiping the rain from her eyes. "Is it really that noticeable?"

"It's gotten better but yes." The conversation paused as Jones stumbled over a rock. Served him right. "But seriously, the man is ready to get down on his hands and knees and beg for you to forgive him. Probably do anything you asked."

Astrid snorted. "Seriously?"

"Seriously. He would die for a peck on the cheek right now."

Astrid shook her head and looked at him. "You haven't had a serious relationship, have you?"

"Not yet. Still trying to find the right women."

"Good luck with that."

Jones chuckled. "I have no worries. I'll find someone once I get home. And I know I'll get home with your help Lady Liberty." Astrid wasn't sure that she could roll her eyes hard enough. That nickname would haunt her to her grave.

"Oi," Morita called out. "You convince her to forgive Cap yet?"

"Still working on it," Jones replied. The two men chuckling. Astrid resisted the urge to slap them both on the back of the head.

"Done having your fun?" Astrid asked.

"No," Morita responded. "But unfortunately, responsibility arises. Falsworth and Dugan had found a couple of old barns nearby. Cap wants you and Jones to head over now and set up a med bay." Again, a really good idea. A lot of wounds needed to be dried and cleaned up. Otherwise, there was a risk for infections.

Jones tapped her shoulder. "Better get going. Captain's orders." Astrid nodded. Listening to Morita's directions to the barns. Her and Jones took off. Leaving Morita behind to herd the troops towards shelter.

Morita was right. It wasn't too far. A series of three barns. Seemingly abandoned. A farmhouse also located nearby.

"I wonder what happened to the owners," Jones asked. Astrid didn't have to wonder. Seeing the yellow Star of David painted on the barn door and along the side. She knew what happened here. Saying a quick prayer. Hoping that the former owners of this place would be among those who would survive.

Her and Jones opened the barn door. The smell of moldy hay obvious as soon as the door was cracked open. But it was warm and more importantly dry. Astrid started setting up a makeshift clinic in the corner. Just in time too as the others started to pour in. Jones helping her to dress wounds and disinfect. The two of them working like a well-oiled machine. Dernier bringing in supplies when they were running low. Though he did forget one key thing.

"We're out of antiseptic," Jones said shaking the last bottle they had. He used up the last of it cleaning the last patient.

"Hold on," Astrid replied standing up. Her legs were groaning under the effort. "Let me see if we have any more. Use booze in the meantime."

He nodded. "I'll see if Dugan has any."

Astrid snorted. "You'll probably have to pry it off his cold dead corpse." She waved Jones off and went over to the supplies. Tucked inside a shed behind the smallest barn. After looking through all of the crates she grabbed their last bottle. Letting out a hiss. That wasn't good. That really wasn't good. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she caught Bucky and Steve walking in. Normally she wouldn't eavesdrop and was continuing to head out when she caught the sound of her name. That piqued her interest. Maybe she could finally figure out what Steve thought of her. She hid behind the supplies. Listening in.

"You're at least making progress," Bucky stated picking at his ration sitting down. Steve right next to him. Both of them leaning against the barn wall.

"I don't know Bucky," Steve muttered. "She's still so jumpy around me. I just want her to be able to relax. Be herself."

"So you can play grab-ass right?" Steve gave him a withering look. "Oh, come on. You can't tell me you don't miss it."

"Of course, I miss it. Just the idea of her on top of me." He closed his eyes as if picturing it. Meanwhile, Astrid felt her heart sink. That's what it was all about now, wasn't it? "But that's not my concern. I just want her to be happy around me."

Bucky smirked at him. "That's all? You won't miss anything else?"

"As long as I can hear her laugh. Look at her smile. I don't need anything else. As long as I know that she'll be happy with me I'm content to not even hold her hand again." Astrid covered her mouth with her hand. It was Steve. Her Steve. He didn't go anywhere. It was him. And she had been treating him like garbage. Bucky slapped him on the shoulder.

"That's the man she married." Steve gave him a puzzled look. "That's her biggest concern you know. Not that I blame her. Considering that she was the taller one when she left." Very true. "But she might listen to me if I vouch for you being one and the same." She actually would. Unlike everyone else here Bucky actually had an idea of what she was going through. "Now why don't you go tell her what you just told me?"

"Do you think it would help?"

Bucky gave him a look. "She's always been in love with you. She never stopped loving you. You told me that yourself. So yes. Go and tell her. So, you can stop fretting like a high schooler with his first crush." Steve nodded, standing up. Bucky following suit. Heading out of the barn. Astrid taking her chance. Heading straight towards the makeshift clinic. Bottle in tow. She immediately got started treating the patients. Jones giving her a glance but not saying anything. Steve must have gotten delayed by something because they were done treating everyone by the time, he entered the barn.

"If I never have to change another bandage," Jones muttered after they finished up the last of it. Most of the men had collapsed in the hay. Falling fast asleep. Astrid was near that stage herself. She could feel her eyes slip close.

"How are things?" Steve asked coming up to the two of them. That startled Astrid awake.

"We've covered everyone," Jones replied rubbing his eyes. "Well almost everyone." He shot Astrid a look. She touched the bandage on her neck. Still wet. Honestly, she was surprised she could even lift her hands that much.

She looked up at Steve. Weariness filling her bones. She gestured to her bandage. "Do you mind," she asked. Steve stood there as if processing what she asked of him. She looked up at him and he finally got the message. Kneeling down next to Astrid. Grabbing a roll of nearby bandages.

"You waiting for something?" she asked. Steve shook his head as he slowly undid the bandages around her neck. So gentle though it didn't stop Astrid from letting out a hiss of pain. Stopping Steve in his tracks. "Not you. I've waited too long to clean it."

She could feel Steve's disapproval though it didn't stop him from gently cleaning it and wrapping a clean bandage around her neck.

"I did it, correctly right?" Steve asked. Astrid felt around his work. Giving him a small smile.

"It's as if I did it myself."

Steve shook his head. "No one can even compare to your work." Astrid blushed looking up at him. His bright blue eyes. Filling her with unspeakable warmth.

"Steve," she mumbled stifling a yawn. Leaning into his shoulder. "I think we should get some sleep."

"I think that might be best." He tried to extract himself from her but Astrid held onto him.

"Who said that you could move?" She felt him stop moving and just relax.

"You really want me to stay?" His voice was filled with so much uncertainty. She nestled in closer. Astrid wasn't sure if it was because of the exhaustion, the conversation she overheard, or the fact that he was warm but all previous reservations drifted out of her mind.

"Why wouldn't I want to spend the night with my husband?" She felt drops of water fall onto her head. She ignored it. Probably the ceiling leaking. Astrid sunk lower. Laying her head down in his lap. Taking ahold of his hand and gripping it tightly. She could feel his body shaking. He was probably feeling cold too. "You can lie down and hold me if you want." She could feel more water dripping down. "Though I suggest that we move. I think the ceiling is leaking."

He heard Jones chuckle. "Right. The ceiling." He was probably feeling it too. Who knows when the barn was last repaired. "Why don't you two crash at the farmhouse? I doubt anyone would complain." That caused Astrid to sit up and stare at him blearily.

"No. It's bad enough we're in this barn in the first place. Besides we shouldn't get special privileges just because Steve broke us out."

"She's right," Steve muttered as Astrid slumped back down. Steve now lying down with her. She was basically on top of him. Using his shoulder as a pillow. Wrapping his arms around her. "Get some sleep, Jones."

Jones snickered. "Whatever you say, Captain." She could feel him getting up and heading out. Leaving her and Steve alone in their own little corner of the barn. Astrid snuggled in deeper into Steve. While he smelled of sweat, dirt, and rain there was something unmistakably Steve. She felt herself slowly drift off to sleep. Not her half-awake state but truly drift off to sleep. Wrapped up in the arms of the man she loved. And despite being in the middle of some old barn deep in the enemy territory she was at peace.