Chapter 11

A few days after the bar, Lizzy was still texting Matt. They had a good rapport, they liked similar shows and movies, he understood her pop culture references and her very specific sense of humor. She felt like she could be herself around him. He didn't seem intimidated by her Avenger status or her abilities. Tony called her Casper the friendly ghost, she was a mutant with invisibility, useful during stealth missions. She hadn't disclosed her power to Matt but it wasn't exactly a secret either, the Avengers' lives were very public.

After several long conversations, Matt finally worked up the courage to ask her out. Dinner and a movie, maybe it was a bit unoriginal but it was a classic for a reason. She said yes, it had been a while since she had been with anyone and she thought Matt checked off all the boxes. She told Natasha and Wanda about her date, they were happy for her although Nat seemed to be holding something back. Truthfully, Nat didn't think Bucky or Lizzy would really be able to move on until they dealt with whatever was going on between them, but she had given her opinion and they could choose to take her advice or leave it.

Lizzy walked into the common room the night of her date, she was dressed casually but she thought she looked good.

"Hey Casper, finally taking the new guy out for a ride?"

"Classy Tony," she replied.

"I didn't know you had a date tonight Lizzy, good for you," Sam said with a smile.

"Thanks Sam, he's picking me up soon, we're going to dinner."

Bucky sat in the corner sulking. Who pissed in his Cheerios? As far as she knew, she hadn't done anything to upset him lately, but the look he was giving her said otherwise. "Is there a problem Barnes?"

"No problem Santiago, not everything is about you." He stood up and stormed out of the room.

"What's his problem?"

"Oh, I think he just had a bad day training, some of the new recruits are especially incompetent this year," Steve apologized on his friends' behalf.

Lizzy decided to move on, Barnes was not going to ruin this for her. She had spent entirely too much time thinking about him already. Her phone rang; it was Matt, he was waiting outside. He was the type of guy who would've knocked on your door but that was kind of hard to do at the compound. Lizzy said her goodbyes and headed out the door, a chorus of good lucks behind her. Matt was dressed nicely, his clothes were plain and well-cut, obviously expensive but not ostentatious, she liked that. He held out some red roses; pretty, she thought. Roses weren't her favorite but she appreciated the gesture. He even opened the car door for her as she slid in, ever the gentleman. They chatted amiably as they drove into the city. He told her about his job, his current projects and a funny anecdote about a coworker who started a fire trying to microwave his cheese pita. Lizzy told him about working at the compound, giving as many details as she could without sharing classified info. She told him about movie nights with the team and the time she tried to lift Thor's hammer, she almost fell on her ass but she maintained that she was the closest out of all the team. That story earned a laugh from Matt.

Dinner and the movie went well, they went to see a new superhero movie, Lizzy enjoyed comparing the film to her own experiences and laughed at the exaggerated choreographed fight scenes. She could do better, she told Matt.

"Maybe they should hire you as a consultant."

"They really should, I would be an excellent addition and I could use the money, Tony doesn't pay very well. Plus, I've always wanted an Oscar, no one gives out awards for best alien fight but I personally think I deserve it." Matt agreed enthusiastically with her, that earned him a laugh as well.

At the end of the night, Matt drove her back to the compound. He walked her to the door and nervously fidgeted with his hands. She could tell he was trying to work up the courage to kiss her, so she took pity on him and kissed him first. He responded, wrapping his arms around her. It was sweet, the kiss. Matt was gentle, a little cautious, like he was afraid of pushing too far. Lizzy couldn't help but think of the way Bucky had responded to her kiss, his tongue had fought with hers for dominance, the kiss was so hard they almost bruised each other. She had been breathless then, her heart beating in her ears. Bringing herself back to the present, she pulled away after a beat and smiled at Matt, he really was such a nice guy.

"Maybe we can do this again some time?"

"I would like that," she said.

He beamed at her, "great! I'll, um, I'll call you." Then he said goodnight and gave her one last hug, turning to head back to his car.

Lizzy walked into the common room, everyone was gathered around the TV. I guess I missed the memo, she thought. All eyes turned towards her curiously. She could tell they were desperate to ask her how it went, the gossips.

Tony broke first, "So is there going to be a Mr. Elizabeth Santiago in the future?"

"It was just a date Tony, but it went well, we're going to see each other again."

"Well I have an idea of when you two can see each other again, I'm glad you're all here so I can officially announce that Pepper is making us go to a fundraising gala for the children this weekend!"

The group groaned. "The children Tony? What children specifically?" Bruce asked.

"I'm not sure, children in hospitals I think or maybe orphanages? Needy children," Tony responded.

"Well if it's for the children, we really can't say no, can we?" Of course, Captain America would say that, all about truth, justice and the American way or whatever. The rest of the group agreed, there was no way to say no without looking like a total jackass.

Lizzy decided to invite Matt, it would be a good opportunity for the team to get to know him and she would have some company during the gala. He was thrilled to accept, it looks like they had a second date.