Hey, guys! Here is the new chapter and like always, I do not own the Avengers... sadly.

This chapter holds major Steve x Calliope moments, so I hope you enjoy it.

song lyrics

dream world

Coffee Shop

There's a coffee shop that two Avengers frequent. An unspoken rule to those they know is to never disturb the two when they arrive at the coffee shop.

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much

All of the while, I never knew

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much

All of the while, I never knew

No one ever joins them, and they prefer it this way. Sitting at a table far from the spotlight, just a place with chairs meant for two. This is the location dedicated to the two.

For some strange reason, this location enchants the two. An old coffee shop that has survived the test of time for generations is the same to capture their attention. Neither of the two knows why. Perhaps it's the flavor of the coffee. Maybe, the decor. Neither of the two knows why?

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much

All of the while, I never knew

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much

All of the while, I never knew

All of the while

All of the while, it was you.

However, what truly matters, is enjoying the moment. One day, they might not be able to enjoy the peace the coffee shop allows the two to have. One day, one of them might disappear or die.

So, for the time they have left in each other's life, Steve and Calliope will remain at the coffee shop.

Perhaps One Day

"So, let me get this straight," Calliope said to the trickster. "Get help actually works?"

The older being laughed at the younger's bewilderment. Loki doesn't blame Calliope since Thor's plans seem quite horrendous when first spoken.

"Yes, so it was his backup plan when he had nothing else."

"That's awful," Calliope laughed. "However, who am I to judge an almighty Asgardian."

Loki rolls his eyes at the woman's statement, knowing Calliope only jest. "Well, I'm not too sure about that; however, I do recall a certain maiden falling down a flight of stairs since she forgot she can fly."

"Shut up! You promised not to bring it up again."

"What's worse is the fact we are in a dream world, so-"

"Okay, okay, I'm dumb, I get it," Calliope groans in embarrassment. "Let's just move on already."

Loki continues to laugh as the woman beside him grows red. In all honesty, he's grown to care for her. At first, Loki tried to keep his distance from Calliope, but over time, Calliope wormed her way into his life. A part of him wonders what life would have been like had she always been by his side.

Would he have cared if the spotlight remained on Thor? Would he care about those around him? Or would he live a content life beside her?

None of the answers are clear to the man except one. Loki wants to become friends with Calliope. Whenever he's beside her, Loki no longer feels alone. She never brings up Thor; usually, he's the one telling stories about the days of his youth spent alongside Thor. In return, she tells him the days she spent with her family.

With Calliope, he no longer feels like a trickster or liar. He's not seen as a God, prince, or otherworldly being. He's just a man standing beside a woman. Calliope doesn't care about the powers he can use to destroy others, nor to take overworlds. No, she's interested in the facts and details of the universe. Calliope wants to know his favorite colors, the foods he's eaten, and the strangest discoveries he's encountered.

Perhaps one day, he can finally ask for the one thing he's always desired. A friend to share a lifetime with.

Raja

"Thank you for your patience, Steve," Calliope tells her best friend. "I realize this is a bit much to ask for..."

"It's fine, Calliope," Steve replied as they walked down the street. "It's for an assignment, right?"

"Yeah, I wouldn't ask for a favor this huge had it been for anything else."

"As I said, I don't mind. Plus, Peggy asked me some time ago how she wants to meet you."

"What?! How come you never told me she wants to me?"

"Well, you don't like meeting new people or being put on display."

"True, but if it's for you, Steve, I don't mind," Calliope replied as they entered the senior center. "We're best friends, after all."

Steve doesn't reply, but he does smile back at the younger Avenger as they approach the front desk. After the two sign in, a nurse walks them to Margaret Carter's room. Knocking on the door, she announces their presence before allowing the two heroes to enter. Once the nurse leaves, Steve walks closer to Peggy to begin the introduction.

"Peggy, this is my friend Calliope. Calliope, this is Peggy."

"Hello," Calliope waves to the older woman. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, dear," Peggy answers as the two settles into her room. Steve sits beside her as he usually does, except this time he sits facing Calliope, so he won't exclude her from the conversation. Calliope sits near the foot of her bed, still some distance away from the two. "So, I hear you have a project coming up?"

"Yes, we're assigned the task to gather information on significant events on time and what the important figures of that era completed during said time."

"Ah, then I will do my best to help you as much as I can. In return, I hope you don't mind humoring me for a moment later."

"Not at all," Calliope answered as she went to her first question. "Alright, so in 1975..." As the questions came to a close an hour later, Calliope thanked the woman for her cooperation. "I know this was a bit intrusive and last minute, but I'm grateful for the help."

"Anytime, dear," Peggy stated before turning to Steve. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave the room for a moment, Steve."

"Oh?" The first Avenger questioned, raising an eyebrow at the woman. "Why is that?"

"Because I wish to have a chat with Calliope before she leaves. One between women."

Steve rolls his eyes as he raises his hands in surrender. "Alright, I'll go out for a bit. In the meantime, I'm going to grab a cup of coffee."

"Oh, bring me one too," Calliope called out as Steve left the room.

Now their mutual friend is gone, both women dropped the facade they carried as they faced one another. Peggy remains with a smile on her face while her eyes hold a new glint to them. Calliope, on the other hand, no longer smiles at the former director of S.H.E.I.L.D. Rising from her seat, she takes a step closer to Peggy. The once calm atmosphere becomes fridged as the two ladies wait for the other to speak. Peggy is the first to break the silence.

"What's the sudden change in attitude, Calliope?"

"Why did you tell Steve to leave the room?"

"Because this is a conversation meant between us. No one else should know about it, especially not Steve."

"Because of your affiliation with Raja?" Calliope questioned, and Peggy's smile falters for a moment as she stares at the young woman before her. "I'm right, aren't I?"

"Why ask if you already know? 1975 is the year I met her, and the very same year your questions centered on. Tell me, is there even a project due for your class."

A small smile quirks up onto Calliope's face before disappearing. "Why ask if you already know... How did you know I would come asking about her?"

"Because she told me you would."

"Why? Who is she?"

Ever since Calliope returned from Asgard, she's been secretly searching for information on Raja. Thanks to her status as an Avenger, Calliope has clearance to specific accounts in S.H.I.E.L.D. Also, due to the skills she's attained from both the organizations and her friends, Calliope was able to obtain a file.

In the file, it holds two papers with hardly any information on them. Still, it was enough to steer the woman in the right direction. The file is on Raja and the sightings of this being throughout time. Only two people are known to have encountered her here on Earth. Nicholas J. Fury, and Magaret E. Carter. She knew Fury would never tell her anything, so she decided to try Peggy into talking. Steve had mentioned that the woman was sick, so Calliope hoped it would be an easy win. That was the dumbest assumption of Calliope's life because it's clear to her that Peggy, even at this age, cannot be tricked by the likes of her.

"Raja is a being unlike any other. She is a cosmic entity more powerful than the entire cosmos combined. She is chaos and peace wrapped in one body."

"Okay... but what does she want with me? Why did she send Odin to me if he wasn't going to give me any answers?"

"I understand you're confused-"

"Do you?" Calliope whispered. "I have spent my entire life wondering what has become of me, and the moment I feel like I can finally live again, Raja comes in and throws a wrench at my plans. Peggy, I'm scared..."

"Don't be," Peggy whispered, grabbing Calliope's hand within her own. "I understand this is confusing, but you'll learn in the future what all of this means."

"But how much will I lose because of it?"

Peggy couldn't answer this. As much as she wants to, she can't. So when Steve returned, she bid the two goodbyes. Calliope acted as if nothing happened, and Steve never realized something was wrong.

It hurt Peggy to withhold the truth from the two. Even after the many decades spent apart, Steve is still the love of her life, but if Peggy wants to keep him safe, she must hold back the truth. As for Calliope, Peggy actually met the girl before and becomes friends with the radioactive girl.

Soon, Raja will become more active in Calliope's life and begin to test her. One of the tests is sending Calliope back in time. There, she'll meet Peggy, which will set the stage for Peggy's meeting with Raja. This is a continuous loop throughout the course of time that no one can escape.

In no version of reality has there ever been a variant of Calliope who can escape Raja.

"I'm sorry, Calliope," Peggy whispers into the open space of her room as a single tear falls from her eye. "I'm so sorry..."

Dancing

"You don't know how to dance?"

"Is it really that surprising?" Steve asked his friend when he sat down beside her.

At the moment, the two Avengers are currently at Calliope's apartment. The younger of the two invited her older friend over since she was bored. When the two settled down, the conversation abruptly came much to Steve's dismay.

"Yes, well, I always thought you knew how to dance," admitted Calliope. "I mean, the 1920s through the '40s were known when it came to parties and dancing."

"The Great Gatsby really ruined the world's perception of that era. The only things that come to mind are the wars and the great depression we went through."

"Yes, but you like to think about the negative."

"No, I simply recognize the negative, and I don't try to sugar coat it. Plus, can you really say anything Miss Negative Nacy?"

"Okay, okay," Calliope said, surrendering to the man. "In any case, no dancing, huh?"

"Well, I was going to learn after the war, but my plans fell through."

"Right... so, how come you never chose to pick it up during this era?"

"After hearing the disgusting details of how people dance now in days, I rather not."

"Not everyone dances like that?"

"Do you dance?"

"Hm, not really."

"Why not?" Steve inquires, curious to hear his friend's response. "You don't know either?"

"Actually, I do know how to dance. My parents used to dance all the time, motivating my sister to learn when she got older. There was this old woman in my old apartment that loved my sister. Some days, she would come over and teach my sister how to dance, and Cristina would ask me to practice with her when I came home from work."

"Do you like dancing?"

"Eh, it's not really my thing," Calliope quietly replied, lost in thought. The number of times Cristina would ask her to dance as they laughed and singed were too numerous to count. "But it was always fun..."

"Seems so..." Steve whispered, watching the gentle smile on Calliope's face grow. Its moments like this, Steve keeps locked in his memories. Quiet moments where Calliope allows her walls to fall to the ground without fear.

The moment didn't last much longer before Calliope turns to give a mischievous look to the blond. Without warning, she grabs the captain by the hand, tugging him to one side of the room. Before Steve can question her movements, Calliope moves to clear the living room. Finally, she opens up her phone, and a song begins to filter in through the room.

"Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra," Steve mumbles as his eyes widen in realization. "Cal, no-"

"Oh, come on! You said you never learned, and now seems like the best time."

"Cal, what if I step on your feet?"

"Oh my gosh, you're right," she answered sarcastically. "If only I had the durability to withstand your weight."

"Hahaha, very funny," Steve mumbles, the tips of his ears turning red.

"I know," the raven-haired beauty simpered. Walking forward, Calliope grabs the man by the hand, albeit more gently this time as she pulls him closer to her. She places one of his hands on her hip and the other stays clasped against hers. Calliope then places her free hand on his shoulder as she begins to instruct her friend. "The simplest dance is the box step. It's like an outline to the rest, but I'll explain those later. For now, I'll lead until you get the hang of it."

"...okay."

As the two begin to dance, Calliope gently instructs Steve what to do. For the first few minutes of the box step, the dance was a jumbled mess between the two, but Steve quickly recovers from his mishaps. By the time the third song is playing, Dream a Little Dream of Me by Ella Fitsgerald & Louis Armstrong, the two aren't speaking much.

"Steve, you might want to keep your eyes on your partner's face rather than their feet," Calliope gently laughed. "Just an FYI."

"I know, but I already stepped on your foot four times."

"Because you're overthinking it. Relax, and look at me."

Doing as he's told, Steve looks up from the floor to face Calliope. It's at this moment he forgets where he's at as Calliope's eyes take hold of his attention.

"Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitsgerald, and Louis Armstrong," Steve comments, trying to come up with a conversation. "I didn't know you knew their music."

"Well, music is a way I like to escape from reality. I may not play it, but the melody is enough to distract me."

"Still, I never would have guessed those three on your playlist."

"Well, I don't exactly have a specific genre when it comes to music. I have moods."

"Moods?"

"Yeah, moods. Sometimes I listen to indie-rock, and other times it will be oldies. It doesn't even have to be a language I speak, so long as the song speaks to me."

The silence grows between the two and unknowingly brings them closer to one another. Suddenly, Steve takes the lead; however, the dance isn't disturbed as the two get closer. No longer is there any distance between the two, yet they aren't pressed against one another either. It's an intimate but comfortable dance.

Neither one knows who leaned in first, but just as Calliope begins to close her eyes, the song changes. One of the few hard-core rock songs from Calliope's playlist blares through the room, startling the two. Laughing, Steve is the first to speak, "I see what you mean about no specific genre."

"I told you," Calliope replies, flying over to the device and shutting it off. "Hey, it's getting close to dinner time. Do you want to order some food?"

"Sure, how about pizza?"

"Only if we get dominoes hand-tossed pizza."

As the two Avengers debate their preference in pizza crust, the almost-kiss is moved to the back of their minds. At nighttime, when they're alone, they'll analyze the events leading up to it. When their hearts stop beating so fast, and no one is there to hear them. Maybe one day, they might even speak about it.

Deeper Conversations

Is your favorite color blue?

"I hate the color pink!"

"Why?"

"It's so girlie, Steve."

"Well, you are a girl, Cal."

"That's beside the point."

"Alright, so what is your favorite color?"

"Blue."

And do you always tell the truth?

"I can't believe you said that," Calliope groaned into her hands. "Why would you say that."

"He wouldn't stop bothering you, so I told the truth."

"Yes, but he was never supposed to know about us stealing his credit card that one time."

"Cal, I can't lie!"

"No pues, wow," Calliope groaned, smacking her palm against her head. "I had no idea, Steve."

"Sarcasm will get us nowhere, Calliope."

Do you believe in outer space?

"N.A.S.A., huh?" Steve asked the female. "Never thought you would get caught up with them."

"Well, I liked their ideas, so why not."

"What about S.H.E.I.L.D.?"

"I'll still be working with them, but in cases of emergency and deep space travel, I volunteered to help."

"Why the sudden interest?"

"Hm, I just feel like I'm not an object to them but a member of their team."

"Right," Steve mumbles, and the following sentence he speaks is too quiet for Calliope to hear. "Just don't forget to come home."

I'm learning you

Is your skin as tan as mine?

Does your hair flow sideways?

Did someone take a portion of your heart?

"She's beautiful," Calliope comments as she opens Steve's compass. "I'll bet she was just as wicked back then as she is now."

"Peggy really was a woman ahead of her time."

"I can tell."

"What about Christopher?"

"What about him?"

"You never talk about him," Steve points out to the Latina. "How was he like?"

"...Someone who was never meant for this world."

Now I'm learning you

And if you don't mind can you tell me all your hopes & fears

"You don't have any dreams?" Steve asked, baffled the Latina wouldn't have goals. "No hopes or aspirations in life?"

"No, not a single one," Calliope responds. "I used to but now it's just fear. What about you?"

It was at this point Steve realizes he no longer has any dreams of his own. Then it clicks why neither of them have any. Both of them lost everything long ago.

"None... for now."

"For now? What is that supposed to mean?"

"One day, you and I will have our own. I'll make sure of it."

Calliope doesn't respond to Steve's proclamation, but her heart does skip a beat.

And everything that you believe in

Would you make a difference in the world

I'd love for you to take me to a deeper conversation

Only you can make me.

I've let my guard down for you

He never realized until now what she means to him. Steve always assumed no matter how close he became with Calliope that some barriers stood between them from his part. Now, it's become clear how easily the woman can walk through them. Steve never realized the walls he once put up have now disappeared to allow Calliope a place beside him.

And in time you will too

It wasn't easy by any means. Calliope struggles each day to allow the man to become her friend. A part of her wants nothing more than his presence, yet another side only holds fear if the man were to mark a spot in her heart. In the end, day by day, Calliope allows Steve to venture closer to her.

And if you don't mind can you tell me all your hopes & fears

And everything that you believe in

Would you make a difference in the world

I'd love for you to take me to a deeper conversation

Only you can make me.

And if you don't mind can you tell me all your hopes & fears

And everything that you believe in

Would you make a difference in the world

I'd love for you to take me to a deeper conversation

Only you can make me.

Deeper conversation with me ( x3 )

Deeper conversation.

Does your name rhyme with mine?

Words from an Old Soul

"My xuésheng, what is the matter," Xiang Tzu asked during one of their breaks. "You seem distracted as of late."

Xiang Tzu is correct, much to Calliope's chagrin. She has been distracted by many things that once brought her peace. Most of it concerned a man with blue eyes and blond hair.

"...Oh, what the hell," Calliope muttered to herself. "Let's say I have a hypothetical question for a friend of mine."

Not skipping a beat, Xiang Tzu settles down beside his student. "Very well, what is this hypothetical question."

"Let's say, my friend was once in love with someone, but tragedy struck, and now their significant other is gone. Time has passed, and they met someone new. They became friends, but my friend is too afraid to think about how they might feel for their friend."

"Well, I say the problem they have is the guilt that is consuming them."

"Guilt? What guilt are you talking about? My friend doesn't feel guilty... I mean, hypothetically speaking."

"Then why hasn't she moved on?"

"Eh..."

"Does she feel as if she can not do so because of the lover she lost?"

"I- um- she-"

"Does she feel that she should have died alongside her past lover and forgo the blessing she has been given to begin a new?"

"..."

"Calliope," Xiang Tzu calls to his xuésheng. "We live in a world of comings and goings. However, simply because one leaves does not mean we must follow. Death and goodbyes are a natural process of life. To hold one close to your heart is admirable, but to follow them to your own demise, whether it be in body or soul, is not commendable."

"I don't understand."

"The answer is simple, my xuésheng. What you don't care for is the way your heart moves. You see, the truth always lays within the heart, not the mind. Your mind is your greatest adversary, while your heart is your greatest weakness. Because the heart speaks the truth when you try to declare other."

"But, I-" Calliope couldn't come up with an answer as she stumbles over her words. Nevertheless, when she looks to her Laoshi, a cup of tea is waiting for her in his hands. "Thank you."

The man simply nods as he pulls another from his side. "The feeling you have for the Captain is not evil. Do not feel guilty. This does not mean Christopher has never meant anything to you. What it says is otherwise. Christopher was meant for one stage of your life, but he was not intended for the next. There is nothing wrong with that, so allow the guilt to leave your soul and speak your final goodbye."

"I don't think I'm strong enough to do that."

"Say's who," Xiang Tzu inquires as he puts a hand beneath Calliope's chin. "Your heart or mind?"

Goodbye my love

"You can leave us now," Calliope told the guards. Once the pair left the room, Calliope pressed a red button and began to speak to the man on the other side. "Hey, Christopher."

There was no reply per usual, except for once, Calliope doesn't mind. This time, the silence between the two is comfortable as Calliope feels for the radiation coursing through her old lover's veins.

"I haven't been here in a while. Sorry about that, but I've been busy with stuff. Different organizations keep trying to recruit me, and I've been saying no left and right... except to N.A.S.A. I remember how much you love them. You would always go on and on about them and their discoveries, so I thought it would be nice if I helped them from time to time."

Christopher doesn't say anything as he keeps his eyes closed, so Calliope continues.

"I've been getting better, slowly. I won't say I'm a hundred percent, but I am above the red zone. I guess I can't complain because even a tiny bit of progress is something, right?"

"There's a reason why I came to see you today. I don't know how to tell you this because..." Calliope paused as she looks at the man she once loved. "I'm moving on. It came as a shock to me too, but I am. I found people in this new life who mean the world to me and I want to live with them. Stark, Pepper, Romanoff, Edwards, and Banner. They're amazing friends who have my back, and I'm lucky to have them."

Tears silently fill the young Latina's eyes, but not a single one falls. "Then there's Thor and Clint. They're like the older brothers I always wanted in life."

"And Steve," Calliope's voice shakes as she closes her eyes for a brief moment. When they open again, she's startled to be staring into the eyes of the man she lost long ago. "Christopher...?"

Calliope falters as the being locks eyes with her. All this time, she thought he was lost, yet he's currently staring back at her. Perhaps it's nothing, but if Christopher is looking at her it might mean something, so why should Calliope speak about silly things at a time like this.

"He's a great friend, and I hope one day you get to meet him... It's getting late so I should go now. Goodbye."

Birds and Spiders

"Kid, don't you think you're being too harsh?" Clint asked his youngest friend. "Maybe you should settle down."

"I think she's doing just fine," Natasha interrupts from the other side of Clint.

"I don't think the woman who paralyzed her best friend with some Russian concoction should be talking."

"Clint, it was one time!"

Confused, Calliope peaks over to Natasha to get an explanation until Clint pushes her back. "Nat, I couldn't move for a week!"

"What's your point?"

"My point is that I COULDN'T MOVE FOR A WEEK!"

"And I said I was sorry, so get over it. Plus, this isn't about me; this is about Calliope."

Both spies turn to look at the young Avenger, but she only returns their stares with wide eyes.

"You mean to tell me your paralyzed someone in the past as well, Natasha?"

"As well?!"

"...Crap..."

"Natasha! Who did you try it on this time?"

Eyes

As Steve sat in the middle of the park under a tree, the captain attempts to outline his latest muse. When he was younger, he dreamed of becoming an artist and was even accepted into Art School. However, the war soon reached the United States, and Steve dropped his dreams to serve his country. Still, he continues drawing as a hobby rather than a career.

His sketchbook is filled with drawings from his past and present. Some pages are from his U.S.O. days, and others are filled from his time as Captain America. There are some pictures of Bucky, the commandoes, and Peggy. Nevertheless, those drawings have come to a close as he picks on another person to fill his time.

At first, like many things that include this woman, Steve never realized she became a center point for his life. One day, he was drawing a picture of Peggy, and the next moment it became Calliope. By some point, the pages of his sketchbook detailed works of the raven-haired beauty, and Steve no longer fought against it. Still, there was one thing he couldn't get. Calliope's eyes.

It wasn't until recently that Steve noticed how beautiful Calliope's eyes are. Even if the female doesn't recognize it, Steve can't help but look at them from time to time. The ever-moving swirls of magenta with the specks of white that resemble stars in the night sky. How some areas are darker while others are brighter. The black seems to mingle in between the flow of colors that illuminate the complexity of it all.

No matter how many times he attempts to draw it, Steve can't quite do her eyes justice. Still, although he'll never admit it out loud, Calliope's eyes are his ideal challenge to draw.

Asgard

"Kid, what about we stop and get a bite to eat?"

"Sure, why not."

Today, like many of Clint's days off, is spent with Calliope. Ever since the whole ordeal of Calliope's disappearance, the two have become closer. No longer do the two bicker about Calliope's life. Also, Clint has long ago let go of the reins on the adult female. Now, there is a mutual understanding between the two, allowing their friendship to grow stronger.

"I feel like having a Philly cheesesteak," Calliope added. "What about you, Clint?"

"That doesn't sound half bad."

"Right! Then add a nice cold coca-cola, and it's perfect."

"Don't you mean a beer?"

"No, I meant coke."

"Well then, your taste is crap."

"Look who's talking, the man who ate bird seeds."

"That was one time! I lost a bet to Nat and you know it!"

"That doesn't mean anything, my little Pajarito."

"Yeah, well-"

Suddenly a bright light throws the archer back a distance before disappearing. Clint quickly stands to his feet as he surveys the area. People are running and screaming, saying that a bomb went off, but no destruction is visible. However, neither is Calliope.

"Kid? Where are you?"

No response and panic begins to seep in as Clint pushes through the crowd calling for his friend. Never does he realize the intricate burnt writing he's standing on.

"Kid? Can you hear me?! This isn't funny, kid! Kid? KID! CALLIOPE?!"

In another part of the universe, Calliope stumbles through the Bifrost to land at the feet of an old friend.

"Thor?"

"Hello, Calliope," the Asgardian greets the Earthling, helping the woman to her feet. "I am in need of your assistance.

Alright, guy's we're jumping into the next arc of the story. Thor and the rest of the Asgardians will make an appearance for the next phase before we jump back to Earth. More hints about Raja will be revealed, and hopefully, you'll be able to guess what's going on.

Please leave a review down below to let me know how you feel about the story. Until next time, by guys!