"Am I in danger?" Harry asked him.
"No, you're not in danger." Steve told her as she dragged a jumper over her head.
"Then I'm not staying at your apartment Steve, I have my place. Plus I'm due to tour with NYCO next week, I won't even be home myself!"
"Then at least take this," Harry looked at the mobile phone in his hand. "It's not a tracker" he said quickly. "Just a phone, so we can talk." He added quickly. Pulling on her boots she could tell that he was still uneasy, ever since she had been visited by Agent Hill he had acted differently. Taking the phone from him she turned it over in her hand and nodded.
"Alright, just to talk." She told him and smiled when he did. "Don't put yourself through hell Steve worrying about something that will never happen, you can't be by my side always, you have a job to do and so do I." She grinned at him, "Granted mines a little different to yours but…" seeing a glimmer of a smirk she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you for wanting to protect me," she whispered and instantly went stiff. She'd said it, she hadn't planned on saying it but she had. Not peering up Harry didn't move, she could tell that Steve was taking in her words also because she felt his hands on her back clench. "I didn't mean to…" she started. "I'm sorry Steve, I didn't mean…"
"I love you too," he replied and it was her turn to clench her fists. Looking up she grinned when she saw that he was smiling at her.
"I'll be safe Steve, I promise." She told him before kissing him lovingly.
"What is it?" Natasha asked as she watched Steve shove the phone into his pocket.
"Nothing," he answered quickly. Physically shaking his head to clear his thoughts Steve could see Harry's disapproving face in his mind, she was looking at him with that 'you need to stop worrying' look. Still, now that he had something to think about other than work he'd come to realise how much he had missing out on. Two things had consumed his life up until this point, becoming a Soldier and Peggy. He'd lost one a long time ago and now the other felt different to what it once was, Harry had reminded him of all the other things life had to offer. "You ready?" he asked Natasha quickly.
"Always," she answered with a wink as they both set foot into the jet.
As Harry wiped the makeup from her eyes she watched Jonathan Burton stand in the doorway behind her. Her long-time friend and fellow singer had a towel wrapped round his neck and those strange sticky things people put under their eyes to stop them looking puffy. Raising the newspaper in his hand she watched as he smirked.
"You want to know?" he asked her. Harry rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. "Come on, I'll show you mine if you show me yours!" he teased.
"Do you ever give me the choice?" she replied as she threw the cotton wool in the bin beside her.
"La fanciulla del West is a triumph!" he started, reading from the copy of the New York Times theatrically as he held it aloft and began strolling round her room. "Harriet Osborn, playing the role of Minnie brings the opera alive with her bright and expressive voice…!" Harry scoffed and then slavered more makeup remover on her cheeks. "Not bad!" Jonathan laughed.
"Thanks," she replied as she bowed her head.
"Although I didn't know they'd become a gossip column…" Harry creased her brow in confusion as she looked at Jonathan who cleared his throat and continued to read from the review. "Osborn's star is no doubt on the rise due to her bountiful talent but no doubt too, it will gain momentum if the rumours are true that she is dating none other than the star spangled man with a plan!" All the air in Harry's lungs faded away, staring at Jonathan she could do nothing than slowly wipe the moisturiser from her face as she turned and stared at herself in the mirror. Seeing her reaction Jonathan dropped the paper to his side, "Wait a goddamn minute!" Jonathan exclaimed as he closed the door behind him quickly and came to stand behind her. "Really?" he asked. "Seriously?"
"What?!" Harry snapped as she jumped from her chair and started pulling on her coat not looking at Jonathan for fear of giving something away. Quickly opening her changing room door she stopped and spun on her heel.
"It's true?!" Grabbing her bag Harry left Jonathan behind and started walking down the hallway to the back door of the theatre.
"Of course not!" she laughed nervously over her shoulder. Jonathan jogged a couple of steps to keep up with her.
"It SO is!" he shouted out as Harry quickly turned round and all but pushed him against the wall.
"It's not true Jonathan, alright?" she whispered tightly. Jonathan saw the fear in his friend's eyes and softened his gaze.
"Hey, even if it is it's no business of mine or anybody else's." he told her kindly. "I just, you know, I'm happy for you, if it is, but it's not so…" Harry took a breath and let her shoulders relax.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she told him quickly before pushing the bar on the door. As soon as she was out in the cool air she closed her eyes and let her head loll back, letting out a long sigh she looked up and down the empty alley before groaning and setting off quickly. "Shit shitting shit!"
"Hi Paul," Harry greeted the doorman as he held it open for her.
"Hey Harry, how's your evening going?"
"Good thanks," giving him a smile she made her way through the crowd and sat herself down at the end of the bar. Her friend Lucy Pillotte was on and she'd agreed to be there before the whole newspaper review thing had happened. Harry didn't mind too much, she figured it would take her mind off of it, hopefully. Ordering her drink she turned to the small stage and started clapping when Lucy walked on.
"Good evening Ladies and Gentleman, I hope you're all having a great evening!" Harry caught Lucy's eye and without missing a beat her friend looked at her through her lashes and mouthed 'we need to talk' at her before beginning her first song. Harry wanted to leave immediately, the feeling in the pit of her stomach wrenching her from her surroundings. Downing her drink she decided to leave, all but running through the crowd and out the front door.
"Hey Harry, everything okay?" Paul shouted after her.
"Everything's fine Paul, I just have to get home! See you soon!" making her way down the street she saw the crowd of people walking towards her, tears sprung to her eyes instantly as she remembered the night she met Steve. She'd been so scared and once again she found herself lowering her head and walking a little faster. As they passed by she let out the breath she was holding but couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks.
By the time she was home she wanted nothing more than to roll up in her covers on her bed and make everything go away, she was worried, angry, she didn't know what was going to happen. Her phone ringing in her purse made her jump, it could only be Steve as he was the only one who had her number. Grabbing it from her purse she hesitated a moment before answering.
"Hello you," she answered her voice cracking slightly. Clearing her throat she hoped he hadn't noticed.
"Hey," Steve replied smiling.
"So, how are things?" she asked trying desperately to sound as normal as possible. She'd missed his voice, she'd missed him.
"Good, you?"
"Me, great!" He knew something was wrong straight away, shifting his weight from one foot to the other he rolled his shoulders to try and release the feeling of anxiety.
"What's wrong Harry?" he asked her and Harry's heart dropped.
"They know about us Steve," she told him sadly.
"Who knows?" Steve asked not quite knowing what she meant.
"A review, in the New York Times. They hinted that we were dating…" waiting for his reply Harry took a deep breath.
"Was the review good?" Steve asked her and Harry burst out laughing, most of her feeling of stress disappearing as soon as he made the joke.
"Yes it was good," she answered. "I love you," she whispered missing him more than ever.
"I love you too," Steve told her. "Everything will be fine," he added.
"It will?"
"Trust me," he told her. "Do you remember what you said to me? Don't put yourself through hell? Do you remember?" Harry nodded and then whispered a 'yes' down the phone.
"What are we going to do Steve?" she asked him quietly.
"Nothing, they'll lose interest." He replied.
"I'm being ridiculous aren't I?" she laughed as she lay back on her bed.
"No you're not…"
"Yes I am," she interrupted. "But thank you anyway, I'm panicking… I'll stop. Right, I've stopped now!" she smiled when she heard him laugh.
"Now come on, talk to me about something else." Harry grinned, he was right of course. She was being paranoid and worrying too much.
"I went and bought a couple of those pies from that diner, they're in my freezer for when you get back." She told him as she turned onto her front.
"Blueberry?" he asked and she hummed in response. "I like the blueberry one," Harry burst out laughing. He sounded like a toddler telling her what his favourite colour was.
"I know!" she told him still laughing. "Just don't make it too long, I don't know how much willpower I have?"
"Don't tease me Harry!" Steve replied laughing himself. "Listen Harry, I'm sorry I have to go." Harry exhaled disappointingly.
"Be safe, call me when you can." She told him.
"I will," Harry started to say bye but when she heard the line go dead she looked down at the phone and frowned. Picking herself up she looked in the mirror and began to wipe her smudged mascara from her cheeks. She was glad he hadn't been there to see her get so worked up. She really did need to calm down about the whole thing. So she was dating Steve Rogers, so what? He was dating her! Laughing to herself she stretched her arms in the air and grabbed her pyjamas, it was nothing that a good night's sleep couldn't fix.
"Are you dating Captain America?!" Harry kept her head down as she jogged through the back stage door of the theatre, normally there was never anybody there in the morning. There had been times when people were waiting for her after the performance but it was always a couple at the most and never journalists. She saw Jonathan leaning against the wall in front of her but walked right by.
"Well, at least the ticket sales have gone up," she heard him say from behind. Stopping she turned and looked at him shocked.
"What did you say?"
"We're sold out, I mean… sold, out." He answered pointedly. When she didn't say anything Jonathan laughed and crossed his arms. "You gonna tell me it's got nothing to do with the star of the show, Ms Harriet Osborn extraordinaire, opera singer deluxe dating a little somebody, you know who…"
"Piss off Jonathan," she muttered as she turned back round and carried on to her dressing room.
"Don't get me wrong, you think I'm complaining! This is the most exposure I've had since I tried to do a one man show of Annie…" Harry couldn't help but laugh.
"You're making that up?!" she asked him incredulously.
"I wish I was my darling!" Jonathan answered as she pulled her coat from her shoulders, the little squeeze of her shoulder that he gave her made Harry realise he was just teasing her lovingly and after her conversation with Steve the evening before she knew she needed to stop worrying. "Where is the star spangled man anyway?" Jonathan asked her casually.
"Working," she answered quickly as she started pulling her makeup from its bag.
"Umhum…"
"Jonathan," Harry placed her hands on her hips and looked at him seriously. She loved the man but he was a pain in neck she didn't need right now, he looked at her expectantly. "Don't," she warned.
"Break a leg," he tossed over his shoulder as he left her dressing room.
Buckling the belt on her dress Harry looked around her room hurriedly, she'd lost her espadrilles!
"Aha!" she shouted as she saw them next to her dresser remembering that she'd put them out the night before to save her time in the morning. Rolling her eyes at herself she sat on her bed and pulled them on, wrapping the ribbon around her ankles she stood up and grabbed her bag. Sunglasses on Harry skipped down the steps of her building and started off in the direction of Steve's apartment. The warm breeze felt great and blew the flowing skirt of her dress around her legs, she'd left her hair down but as she walked down the street Harry pulled it over one shoulder to allow the breeze to cool her neck.
"Hey!" Harry ignored the voice, "Hey!" hearing it again she turned to see what was happening. Seeing a man looking at her Harry hesitated but then carried on walking. Her instincts kicked in and knowing nothing good ever came from a stranger shouting at you in the street she picked up her pace. "Where's your Boyfriend?!" she heard him shout but sounding closer this time. Harry's heart sunk but she didn't turn back around, walking briskly she saw that the crossing ahead was counting down. Skipping a few steps she quickly crossed the road hoping the man behind her would give up. When she dared to turn back and couldn't see him Harry let herself slow down a bit, she was now walking completely the wrong way but continued on. Turning a left, a left and a left again she knew that if she saw him he was definitely following her but he wasn't anywhere to be seen. Getting herself back on track Harry mentally kicked herself, pulling her purse tighter to her side she all but ran up the steps to Steve's apartment. By the time she got to his door she was out of breath, as she leant against the wall and closed her eyes Harry quietly told herself to get a grip. Knocking on his door she plastered on a smile as the door opened and she saw Steve smiling back at her.
"Hey!" he greeted her warmly as he held his arm out and she allowed him to engulf her in a hug.
"Hello," she sighed into his chest. When he chuckled she looked up at him and gave him a long kiss.
"What was that for?" he asked bemused.
"Do I need a reason?" Harry asked him as she finally let go of him and walked in towards the kitchen.
"No, of course not." Steve told her as he followed her into the kitchen. He watched as she grabbed a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water from the tap. As she downed the entire glass of water Steve crossed his arms. "Thirsty?" he asked her smirking.
"Umhum," Harry nodded as she filled the glass once more and did the same thing again.
"You okay Harry?" Steve creased his brow and coming to stand by her took the glass from her hand and set it down on the counter.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?!" she laughed.
"You know you're a terrible liar," Steve took her hand and squeezed it lovingly. "Tell me, tell me now or we're not going anywhere." Harry could tell he was being serious, looking at him for a moment she could see the determination in his eyes.
"It's noting Steve really…"
"Harry!" he warned.
"Somebody shouted at me on the way here," she quickly answered shrugging her shoulders and trying to act nonplussed.
"Somebody shouted at you?" Steve asked, his shoulders going back and his chest puffing up instantaneously. Harry would have laughed if it wasn't for who Steve was.
"It was silly really, he just shouted hey and I got spooked." Stepping away from Steve Harry crossed her own arms and smiled. "I should have just told him to do one!" she laughed. "I mean really…"
"He didn't say anything else?" Steve asked.
"No!" Harry replied quickly, "of course not." Grabbing her purse she set off back to the front door. "Now please Steve, can we just go? I'm sorry I worried you. It was nothing, really." Steve narrowed his eyes at her, he wasn't sure she was telling him the entire truth but knew not to push. Giving her a nod the two made their way out and into the sunshine. As they strolled down the street Harry looked up at Steve who had his sunglasses and baseball cap on.
"What is it?" he asked as they made their way towards the park.
"Nothing, just looking at you." Harry grinned as she tucked her arm through his. "Do you miss anything, from back then?" she asked. They had never really spoken about his past, Harry had decided early on to leave it up to him to let her know what he wanted her to know. She couldn't fathom being ripped from her life and waking up in what could only be described as another world. It wasn't just the changes in technology or culture she was sure he had found difficult but just the fact that an entire world carried on without him and all the people he knew and loved were gone or too old to remember him must have been heart-breaking. She watched him sometimes when he wasn't looking at her, she'd see his eyes travel off to a point just beyond his nose and stay there. They would almost cloud over and then snap, he would shift his weight and come to again. Being from a military family she knew enough of the mentality of those that serve their country but to have given your whole life?
"Sometimes I miss the simplicity," he answered after a pause. Harry didn't say anything and as they approached a bench and sat down she allowed him to hold her hand on his thigh and left him to his thoughts. "You make things simple Harry," he said as he turned towards her.
"I do?" Harry laughed quietly. "I've never been accused of that!" Steve grinned at her.
"You know that you do, Henry was a very lucky man." Harry turned to look at him and was surprised at the tears that prickled her eyes.
"Thank you for saying that but I think I was the lucky one, looks like I still am." Leaning her head on his shoulder Harry closed her eyes. "Not often lightning strikes twice," she whispered to herself.
"I'm the lucky one, to have you as my girl."
It was the final performance of the show and as Steve stood and watched Harry take a bow and listened to the audience applaud loudly he felt a great sense of pride. He caught her eye and gave her a wink, seeing her blush and give him a wink back Steve grinned.
"Wasn't she fabulous?!" the lady stood beside him said.
"She was," Steve replied as the audience started to leave the theatre. Making his way backstage he smiled politely at the other singers in the hallway as they passed by, hearing them mutter and whisper he found Harry's door and knocked softly.
"Come in," he heard her shout and as he opened the door and watched as she turned to him and grin he pulled the flowers from behind his back and offered them to her. "Oh Steve," Harry exclaimed as she took the flowers and brought them to her nose. "They're beautiful thank you," Steve leant towards her and kissed her cheek.
"You were fantastic," he told her as she set the flowers down and sat at her table.
"Did you enjoy it?" Harry asked him as she started taking off her stage makeup.
"I did," he replied as he heard another knock on the door. Seeing one of the other singers peer through the door Steve smiled politely.
"Can I come in?" Jonathan asked as he smiled back at Steve.
"Steve this is Jonathan Burton, Jonathan this is Steve Rogers." Harry said. Steve held his hand out and shook the other man's hand.
"Nice to meet you Jonathan,"
"You too," Jonathan replied giving Harry a funny look, Steve was always aware when people couldn't quite believe they were meeting him. "Harry we're all going out are you coming?" Jonathan asked Harry.
"Not tonight thank you Jonathan," Harry replied as she stood and started taking off her costume.
"You're not celebrating?" Jonathan asked disappointed. "Steve, tell her she has to come out! It's a tradition," he said to Steve who rocked on his heels.
"It's her decision," he answered simply.
"I'm fine really, you lot go and enjoy…"
"But Harry…" Jonathan interrupted her.
"Jonathan!" Harry looked at him seriously. "Thank you but no, now go on and let me get changed. I'll talk to you soon okay?" Steve watched Jonathan nod slowly and giving him a nod himself closed the door behind him.
"If you wanted to go Harry I don't want to stop you," he said as Harry pulled on her jeans.
"Are you kidding? I finally have a reason not to go!" Steve laughed at Harry's expression of relief. "No, I'd rather spend my time with you. Would you like to have dinner at mine?" she asked.
"Absolutely," Steve replied grinning. "Sounds perfect," his phone pinging in his phone broke him from his thoughts, looking down at the message he couldn't bring himself to look back up at Harry.
"You have to go don't you?" she guessed.
"I'm so sorry Harry,"
"Don't be, I'm tired actually…" he could tell she was lying. "I'm probably just going to have dinner, have a bath and go to bed. Call me when you're free?" Steve nodded mutely.
Harry wrapped her robe around her tightly as she walked to her kitchen, her hair was still wet and was soaking the collar but she didn't mind, the two glasses of red wine she'd already drunk making her too relaxed to go to the effort of drying it properly. Pouring herself another one she sat on her couch and turned on her music. Scooting down she took a sip and closed her eyes, she was actually exhausted. Doing a full run of a show always took it out of her and a part of her was glad she could just relax, as she felt herself falling asleep her phone rang, by the time she had pulled herself up and put her glass down the call had ended. Seeing that it was Steve that had rung she returned his call but it rang out until she reached his answering machine.
"Hey, sorry I missed your call…" she said as her doorbell rang. Groaning she pulled herself from her sitting position happy that Steve had obviously finished whatever it was he had been doing and had come over to see her. "Oh, you're at the door," she said into the phone as she unlocked her door and opened it, the last thing she remembered was being knocked into the wall behind her.
Steve rang Harry again, it was unlike her not to answer. Looking at his phone he wondered whether or not she had just gone to sleep.
"Where are you supposed to be?" Nat asked her and Steve looked at her confused. "You're clearly supposed be somewhere else…" she added.
"It's Harry," he found himself saying. "She's not answering," he added.
"Go over," Nat replied.
"I don't think…"
"Steve, go over!" Nat interrupted.
"Okay, you're right. Yes, I will…"
"I always am, and by the way…" Nat gave him a wink. "I always am."
Steve saw the door open ajar before anything else, slowly walking towards the door he hesitantly opened it, wondering if she'd left it open for him which didn't make sense. Immediately he was on high alert, looking down the hallway he spotted her phone on the floor. Picking it up he held it in his hand and turned the thing over as his mind raced.
"Harry?" he called out as he tentatively walked down the hallway to the living room. Seeing that the lamp was still on and there was a half drunk glass of wine on the coffee table Steve didn't think that she'd gone out. "Harry?" he called out once more as he checked all the rooms.
"I'm in the bathroom," he heard Harry's muffled voice shout out. Running to the bathroom he threw the door open and looked on in horror at the sight of Harry sat on the edge of her bath holding a bloody towel to her lip.
"Harry?!" he breathed as he fell to his knees in front of her and hesitantly brought his hands up to her face, pulling the towel from her lip and taking in the black eye that was forming very nicely. "What happened?" he asked.
"I was robbed," Harry answered as she winced.
"Robbed?" Taking her hand Steve helped her to stand but as she doubled over in pain he let her sit back down as she held onto her ribs.
"I don't know what they took?" Harry told him shaking. "I haven't checked yet…"
"You need to go to hospital," Steve interrupted her but Harry shook her head. "Harry, you're badly injured, you need to go to hospital." He said intensely as Harry pulled her robe across her chest and began to stand herself, as if him seeing her being able to walk would stop him from worrying.
"I'll go tomorrow, it'll be full of drunks at this time of night…" she started as Steve stared after her.
"You're coming with me," he told her quickly.
"No!" Harry shouted at him angrily. "No!" she repeated as tears fell down her cheeks.
"Harry, let me help you." Steve whispered.
"I'll be fine, you should go." Walking from the bathroom Harry looked around her apartment and saw that nothing had been touched. When she'd come to in her hallway she'd been too shocked to take in her surroundings, she'd just taken herself to her bathroom and running a towel under the cold water sat herself down and fallen into a daze.
"I'm not going anywhere Harry," Steve told her.
"I want YOU to leave!" Harry shouted at him. "This never would have happened if it wasn't for you!" she cried. Walking to her door she looked at Steve steadfastly, "please Steve." She croaked. Steve didn't know what to do, he didn't know whether to ignore her and stay or do as she asked, a part of him wondering whether it had happened because of him. "I'll be fine, I'll go to the hospital tomorrow…" as she tried to give him a reassuring smile she felt her head go light and saw stars in her vision.
"Harry!" Steve just managed to get to her before she fell to the floor. Picking her up in his arms he all but ran from her apartment, the woman he loved bloody and battered in his arms.
Harry slowly peeled open her eyes, the sun streaming in from the large floor to ceiling windows making her squeeze them shut again. Hearing the beeping of the machines around her made her think she was in hospital, until after a while she took in her surroundings and realised she was anywhere but a hospital. There was no smell of bleach, or screaming from the hallway outside. She was in a plush bed in her own room and the decor was decidedly upmarket. Seeing that she was attached to the machines around her and had an IV in her arm Harry sat a while and tried to remember what happened, that wasn't strictly true though as her mind filled with memories and she quickly squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head, as if they would fall from her ears and she would forget. Feeling herself become increasingly upset she sat up and looking at the IV, took a deep breath and carefully pulled it from her hand. Sucking her teeth she gasped as the blood trickled out and looking around quickly saw that there was some tissue to her side on the table. Holding it to her hand she unclipped the rest of the machines and swung her legs over the side of the bed, as her bare feet touched the floor she shivered. Going to the door she tentatively pulled at the handle, peering down the hall she had no idea where she was. A private hospital of some kind? There would be at least one person in the hallway? Walking towards what looked to be an elevator at the end of the hall Harry felt sick but carried on regardless, she felt like she was still in danger. As if somebody could pop out at any moment and drag her away, the door opened automatically and as she stepped in and the door closed she creased her brow when there were no buttons on the inside. Beginning to panic Harry screamed when the door re-opened.
"Ms Osborn?" Harry recognised her immediately.
"Agent Hill?"
"You should really get back in bed…"
"Why are you here?" she asked the other woman.
"I wanted to ask you some questions…"
"It wasn't a robbery was it?" Harry guessed and when Hill nodded mutely Harry felt the tears burn her eyes. "I want to go home…" she started.
"Ms Osborn…"
"Agent Hill," she said pointedly. "I want to go home." The tears in her eyes stopped her from arguing.
"Alright," she whispered. "What about Steve?" she couldn't help but ask. Harry narrowed her gaze at the woman, seething with anger she turned away. "I'll organise a car Ms Osborn," Hill told her sympathetically.
"What are you doing up here?" Natasha asked Steve as she came to stand by him on top of the building a few days later.
"I didn't know where else to go?" he answered honestly.
"How is she?" she asked tentatively and Steve just closed his eyes. "You once said you were too busy for dating?" she commented. "This life Steve…"
"This life!" Steve interrupted. "This life is not her life…" he whispered. "I told her she was safe, I thought we could, I could…"
"That was your first mistake," Nat told him and when he looked at her angrily she stared him down. "We can't be sure of anything Steve, people get hurt and you can only be there if they want you to be."
"I don't think that she does," he replied.
"Then let her go," Nat told him. "It's not always meant to be Steve."
Brigadier Zara Mclean had the same dark brunette hair that her daughter sported, with severe features and an above average height she commanded any room she entered. Whilst at school Harry would cringe whenever her Mother had to meet her teachers or god forbid her friends. Moving from school to school, sometimes in other countries was hard enough never mind having a Mother that some other parents had to salute to. Their relationship had been tricky when she was young but time and distance had allowed the two women to grow closer and over the years and especially since her Husband had died Harry had come to love and respect her. So when she had opened her door and seen her Mother stood there she had burst out crying and flung her arms around her.
"Hey, shh…" Zara cooed as she moved them back into the hallway and closed the door behind her.
"Oh Mum!" Harry cried. "What a mess!" she laughed through her tears.
"You're fine love, a bit worse for wear but you're fine." Harry laughed again and took her Mum into the living room, letting her drop her bag and sitting beside her.
"I'm not fine, this is not fine!" she said as she pointed to her black eye.
"Well no, perhaps not but… well what the bloody hell happened?!" Zara could see her Daughter was upset, perhaps more upset than she'd seen her before. When Harry had called her she hadn't gone into details, she'd just asked her to come which she had. Harry let her Mother freshen up and get changed and when the pair were sat back down with a glass of red in her hand she told her everything. "Well…" Zara whistled.
"I know," Harry replied. "I'm just so so angry, this never would have happened if I'd never met him Mum."
"No you're right but I thought, I thought you loved him?" she asked slowly.
"I did," she answered.
"And you don't now?" Harry stared at her Mum for the longest time.
"I'm not sure, he put me in danger." The tears started to well up again and Harry looked to the ceiling slowly.
"He didn't do this H," Zara countered.
"No but Mum!" Harry exclaimed.
"But Mum what? He didn't, you knew who he was. You're telling me you didn't weigh up the risks?" Harry rolled her eyes, her Mother had always been so pragmatic and her acceptable level of risk had always been higher than most peoples.
"I thought I'd have to deal with some interest, perhaps a photo taken here and there but I was attacked Mum, beaten up and left! For what? Because I'm his girlfriend?! I mean who in their right mind…"
"Don't start thinking like that," Zara interrupted. "Don't start questioning the motives, you'll never get an answer you want. All you can do now is either move on or forgive and work this out together."
"What do you think I should do?" Harry asked, tucking her legs under her and leaning against the back of the sofa. Zara laughed and took a swig of her wine.
"I'd rip him a new one and then decide if he was worth it," she answered her Daughter. "Give yourself some time, heal and get back into work."
"You're right," Harry told her.
"I know I am, I always am." The two women smiled and when Zara winked at her Daughter Harry felt better for the first time in a long time. "I'm staying aren't I?" she asked.
"For as long as you want," Harry told her.
"Good, I'd like to have a word with this lad if you don't mind?" Harry cringed and buried her head in her lap.
"Mum!"
Zara heard the bell ring as she sat reading her book, looking through the open bedroom door she could see that her Daughter was still asleep. Making her way to the door she opened it quietly when she saw who it was through the peep hole.
"Mister Rogers," she greeted him as she stepped forward and he had to take two back. Closing the door behind her Zara crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow severely.
"Mrs Mclean?" Steve sputtered.
"Brigadier…" Zara replied cooler smiling slightly when she watched Steve squirm slightly. "But I suppose you may call me Mrs Mclean," she added. Steve could see where Harry got her forthrightness from, the way in which her Mother stared at him was much like the look he had got from Harry when she hadn't been happy with something he had said or done. Quietly seething.
"Ma'am I'm here to see Harry," Steve told her.
"She's sleeping," Zara told him. "I really don't think you being here is a good idea Mister Rogers…"
"Ma'am," Steve started once more but was cut off by a finger held up in front of him.
"Let me make myself clear Mister Rogers," Zara interjected. "You are to leave my Daughter alone, she has suffered too much heartache in her life to be subjected to more do you understand? She has built a life for herself and you only seem to have the ability to put her in danger…"
"I love her Mrs Mclean, what happened should never…"
"You're right on that subject Mister Rogers, what happened should never have happened. Now go home, let her heal. Let her have her life without worrying about you and the pain you may bring." Steve felt his throat tighten, balling his hands into fists he watched as Zara turned on her heel and closed the door behind her. He stood for a moment and stared at the door, his hand went up to knock again but he didn't. Instead his fingers traced the brass numbers on the door before he strode away.
Twelve Months Later
Steve sat and spooned his cereal into his mouth as he watched the news on the television, he was enjoying a rare respite from the chaos that was being an Avenger.
"Thanks Sue, and now joining us in the studio is the new star of Georges Bizet's Carmen Harriet Osborn…" Steve stopped what he was doing and stared at the TV. There she was, sat looking beautiful and perfect. Steve slowly rose from his stool and made his way round so he was stood in front of the screen. Her hair was longer and her cream dress flowed around her legs which were delicately crossed at the ankle. Realising he hadn't being listening he focused back in on the news presenter. "After the success of La fanciulla del Wes, tell us about this production, which is tipped to be the best yet!" he watched as Harry laughed politely.
"Well, I'm in the company of the best so I have high hopes myself but really, I'm part of a family who love nothing more than bringing Opera to everyone…" Steve wanted to reach out and touch her. He'd seen posters of her around the city, seen that she'd performed for the President and been photographed in some fashion magazines. He was immensely proud of her, happy that she was fulfilling her dream. Still, it stung that he wasn't part of it or very nearly was the cause of it never happening.
"So tell us, there were rumours you were dating Captain America at one point?" Steve froze and watched as Harry paused, uncrossed and crossed her legs and then smiled at the reporter.
"I don't pay much attention to rumours," she answered politely and Steve couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Well, he'd be a lucky man if he were!" the reporter laughed and Steve watched as Harry looked to the ground demurely.
"And she'd be a lucky woman," Harry replied. Steve turned the TV off and leant against the kitchen counter, there had been a sadness in her eyes when she had spoke. It almost made him dare to hope. He'd come so close so many times to ringing her or turning up on her doorstep again, he'd stood in the back of the club once where she would sing occasionally and she'd taken him all that time ago. He had listened as she made every single person in the audience fall in love with her, the way the black velvet of her dress made her skin look luminous under the lights. She had looked immeasurably happy but the only memory he had of her was the way she had looked after the attack and at him from ever seeking her out again.
"Excuse me Ma'am?" turning she saw a young man behind her.
"Yes?" she answered.
"Are you here to see somebody? Do you have a meeting?" Harry had set off for the park that morning, as she usually did on a Sunday. She'd grab a coffee and Maple Danish, sit on a park bench and let her mind empty. When in full rehearsal mode it was her only real time for peace and solitude. But that morning her feet took her past the park and on into the city. She'd stared up at the imposing building for a good ten minutes before walking in, all the glass and marble shining and reflecting light. Harry realised then, that yes, the idea of her just wandering in and finding Steve was somewhat ridiculous. Laughing she contemplated just making a run for it, looking around once more Harry plastered on a smile and then shook her head vigorously.
"No, no I'm not. Sorry, I made a mistake." Giving him another quick apologetic smile she started to make her way back to the doors.
"Harry?" hearing his voice behind her Harry smiled, as she turned to look at him she forgot everything she had planned to say to.
"Hi Steve," she whispered to him. "How did you know I was here?" she couldn't help but ask as she looked to the young man who was staring at Steve slack-jawed.
"Cameras," he answered as he pointed to the ceiling. "Do you want to…" he asked her as he hiked his thumb behind him and trailed off. Harry nodded and started to follow him, when the elevator doors closed behind them Harry took off her sunglasses.
"I don't know why I came here today?" she told him quietly.
"You don't?" he asked and she nodded. "I rang you Harry but you didn't answer," he couldn't help but tell her.
"I know, I wasn't ready. I'm sorry Steve…" she was surprised to see him looking so upset. "You never came though…" she couldn't help but say.
"What?" Steve replied raising his brow.
"When you never came to see me I thought that perhaps…" As Harry spoke Steve realised what her Mother had done.
"I understand, let's go sit down." His hand instinctively went to her back as he guided her out and they started making their way down the hallway.
"What? What is it?" she asked him, stopping and turning towards him in the middle of the hallway. When he looked away from her she knew he was hiding something. "What is it Steve tell me," she pushed.
"I did come to see you Harry, your Mother answered the door and…" Steve watched as her face fell and with a slow knowing nod she smiled at him and laughed sadly. "She said that you…" he started.
"It's alright," Harry spoke over him taking a long deep breath in through her nose and letting it out through her mouth. "I know my Mother, I know what she would have done." She added slowly as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "How are you?" she asked him nervously as she shook her head of all the thoughts of 'what if' and 'maybes'.
"I've been missing you," he answered her honestly. She waited to speak again until they were sat in a large living room, expensively decorated and incredibly modern. A world away from her apartment she thought to herself!
"I've missed you too Steve," she finally replied as they looked at one another. "Firstly I wanted to apologise, I wasn't ready to deal with what had happened to me."
"Please stop apologising Harry," Steve interrupted her.
"I was so, so bloody angry at you Steve." She gushed.
"You had a right to be," he told her as his hand instinctively went to hers. With it resting on his thigh he gave her a small smile and when she returned it he finally allowed himself to feel hopeful.
"I underestimated what it meant to be with you, I never thought that something like that…" Harry's voice cracked and she was surprised herself at how emotional she felt. "…like that could happen," she added.
"Do you still blame me?" he asked her.
"No, yes. Yes a bit, but not enough to not want to see you. Not anymore." Harry wiped a tear from her eye and gave him a smile. "It wasn't your fault but it happened because of you? I don't know? I thought I'd let that all go if I'm being honest," Steve nodded and squeezed her hand. "I guess seeing you again," she trailed off herself, not really sure what she was trying to say.
"Every time I saw a picture of you up in the city I smiled, I wanted to tell everybody I know that woman, that star. She's my girl," the last part slipped out and Harry couldn't help the sob escape her throat. "Hey, don't please Harry." Steve cooed.
"I know, I'm alright." Smiling reassuringly Harry couldn't help but scoot a little closer to Steve.
"I can't see you like that again because of me Harry," Steve said finally as she looked at him quietly, she hadn't really contemplated how it must have felt for him. The guilt in his eyes told her everything she needed to know.
"You've saved me twice now Steve Rogers," she told him sadly. "This is starting to feel like an Opera!" she said laughing.
"What do you want to do?" he asked her, Harry looked to the floor and then back to him, scooting forward slightly she brushed a stray hair from his forehead and ran her finger down his jawline.
"I want to sit with you in our diner, share a piece of pie?" she answered and Steve felt the tension in is shoulder dissolve.
"Sounds perfect," he told her.
The End
I hope you enjoyed this, please let me know what you think! XXX