Some Things Never Sleep

by Lucky Strike's alter ego

"You never learn when to quit, Spider-Twerp." She told him. "Spider-Twerp?" Spider-Man questioned in disbelief as he glared. Emma smirked. "Well, you annoyingly seem to get in my way all the time. That and you don't look or sound like a man to me." She explained. "I am a man." He told her angrily. "Somehow I doubt that." The first time Emma and Peter met didn't exactly go well.

79. Chapter Seventy Two

Author's Note: So here it is! The chapter I've been planning since I basically started writing this story. I'm so excited to finally have written this chapter although I should warn you that there's kind of a steamy scene in this chapter but it's still really important to the chapter as I'm sure you will soon find out. This chapter's way longer than the last one so it might take me a little while before I'm able to update again although nowhere as long as the last chapter took.

I just want to mention I was listening to a lot of Vance Joy while writing this chapter as well as the chapter I posted on my AU fanfic. I'm not sure why I never gave Vance Joy a full listen because I really love him. He's so talented. I was also watching a lot of the show 'Mom' while writing this. I've been really obsessed with the show lately since it's so hilarious. Allison Janney is my new favorite actress. I loved her in 'I, Tonya' but she's even better in 'Mom' which I didn't think could be possible.

Snapplecrackles: I'm actually not that smart when it comes to science stuff. I stole a lot of that stuff from what Bruce Banner said in the first Avengers movie when they were trying to locate the Tesseract. I just figured that the Tesseract powered weapons would have some similarities to it's power source so the Avengers could track down the weapons in the same way. I'm actually terrible at anything math or science related. I didn't know it was national Spider-Man day when I last updated but it seems like that update worked out perfectly.

Blue: I've actually given some thought as to how Emma reacted when she first got her period. I'm going to eventually write a one-shot for that scenario eventually in my companion piece 'Dry Bite' which I haven't updated in a while but plan to. I'm thinking that she was probably oblivious to it since Hydra wasn't likely to give her too many details about the female anatomy. It did happen when she was with the Avengers so you can imagine that it would come to her as a surprise since she was pretty clueless. She probably would've been really freaked out and scared. Again, I'll probably write a one-shot about this in the future.

In future chapters, Emma will discuss her issues over the rape more with Bucky and Steve. I think that everyone's just walking on eggshells around her right now because they don't know want to say or do to make her feel better. None of them have much experience when it comes to that kind of trauma. After this Hydra business is over, a therapist will probably be brought in at some point and it's probably for the best because a lot of the Avengers go through traumatic events. A therapist might do everyone some good.

ChanceToBeImmortal: I cannot express how much I love Anthony Mackie! He's the funniest man on earth and I seriously don't know why he doesn't do more comedies. He's an amazing dramatic actor but I want to see him in a comedy as a lead character. My dream, and I've said this multiple times in the past, is for the Falcon and Bucky to have a buddy comedy together in the MCU. It'll probably never happen but a girl can dream. Never ask me about Anthony Mackie because I could go on forever about him.

Abigail Z: I'm going to buy Infinity War when it comes out on DVD but I'm not sure if I can watch it again. It's the saddest movie ever. Maybe once I see Avenger's 4 and see everything that's happen then it'll be easier but it just leaves you with a super sad feeling afterwards. Not that it's terrible or anything but it's just really sad.

Mabel: Thank you so much! My only advice for new writers is to never rush anything in your story. Just take your time and pace yourself. I made the mistake of rushing certain plot points and events in my earlier stories which always made me quickly bored of the story and then I didn't want to write it anymore. So just take your time no matter how much you want to get to the finish line. Also don't let anyone get you down or tell how to write your story. Just write what makes you happy. Good luck with your writing.

anonanon: I actually did consider a Bucky/Jessica pairing early on in my story before ultimately deciding against it. I kind of wanted Jessica just to be Emma's friend but not her father's girlfriend too. I felt like that would complicate things and Emma wouldn't feel comfortable with going to her for advice anymore. Jessica being Emma's friend and mentor was the choice I made although I totally get what you mean about Jessica and Bucky being an interesting pairing. She will eventually get to meet Steve, Bucky, and maybe some of the others too but not for a while. We've got to get through this Hydra stuff first.

Wakanda 4ever: Thank you! I know there hasn't been a lot of Peter/Tony moments recently but I promise those will be more frequent now that everyone's back. Tony's probably feeling really isolated right now with everyone back and there's still a lot of tension so Peter will kind of be there to comfort him so their father/son relationship can strengthen. There will be way more moments in the future so not to worry. Ned and Michelle are going to meet the rest of the Avengers eventually. I'm just not sure when. I'm not sure if it'll be before the events of Hydra end or if it'll be after. I'm still planning everything out.

Anna: I'm glad you've read the AU I posted to this story. I've been having such a good time writing it and I'm going to try and post another chapter soon. I do plan on eventually doing more AU stories to this fanfic. I have a couple ideas that I posted on my profile page that you can check out if you want. I haven't given thought to a gender swap version of 'Some Thing Never Sleep' but maybe I'll think about it. That sounds really interesting.

Thank you guys so much for all your reviews, favorites, and likes. I'm hope you enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think.

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A couple days later all the Avengers were about to have a meeting inside one of the working conference rooms. Emma and Peter were there too seeing as this kind of concerned the both of them. Well, not Peter according to Steve but Emma made it clear that she would tell him everything that happened in the meeting anyways. Erik Selvig and the other scientists in the lab had just managed to locate an astounding amount of gamma radiation from the spectrometers and they were supposed to discuss that with the others as soon as the meeting started. Emma was seated a couple seats down from Peter as she sat in between her father and Steve.

It had been a couple days since Natasha had made it known to them that she was aware of their relationship. She hadn't said anything to Steve or her father about them yet but Emma still didn't trust her. Emma was then taken from her thoughts as she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. The teenager immediately took out her phone and looked down at her phone but the fought the urge to smirk when she saw who it was. Emma discreetly glanced over at Peter who also had his phone out. He blushed as she looked at him knowingly before he returned his attention to his phone.

Peter: I miss you.

Emma: How can you miss me? You're literally sitting two seats away from me.

Emma couldn't believe how much of a dork her boyfriend could be sometimes. It's not like they were spending the summer away from each other or anything. Their rooms were right next door to each other and they saw each other every day. Emma looked back down at her phone once more when another text popped up on her screen.

Peter: You know what I mean.

Emma: I don't think I do. Maybe you should explain it to me.

Peter glared at his girlfriend who just loved making life harder for him. Everyone in the room was chatting amongst each before the meeting began so the two teenagers didn't think they were bothering anyone as they texted back and forth.

Peter: I miss being able to kiss you and hold you. I miss holding your hand. I even miss cuddling in bed together. I especially miss telling you how much I love you.

Emma: Geez, Parker. Who knew you could be this clingy?

Peter glared at her from over his phone again. It was just like her to make fun of him when he tried to be romantic. Emma didn't seem to have a romantic bone in her body. However, his mind was changed when he saw another text she sent him.

Emma: On a more serious note, I really miss you too. Especially in bed with me.

Peter frowned but not because he knew Emma didn't mean the text in a dirty way. Especially considering they couldn't sleep in the same bed together anymore now that her father and Steve were back. Peter frowned because he was afraid that she was left alone with her nightmares. He liked being there for her whenever she had a nightmare so she knew that she was safe but unfortunately he couldn't be there for her now.

Peter: How are the nightmares? Are they bad?

Emma: They seem to be worse now that I know Rumlow's after me again but Papa's been a great help…although I don't really like cuddling with him like I do with you.

Peter was still worried about her because she was having nightmares but he knew he would only annoy Emma if he expressed his concern so he just smiled as he changed the subject to something else. His fingers danced across his screen as he quickly responded to her text before pressing send. Emma smiled when she saw his text.

Peter: I hope you like cuddling with me more than your dad. I'm your boyfriend, after all.

Emma: Maybe when the others are distracted we can find some time to be alone together again. I was being honest when I said I missed you.

A goofy smile came over Peter's face as he eagerly texted her back. He wondered what Emma had in mind for when they were able to have some time to themselves. A wide range of possibilities ran through his mind and there was quite a few that made him blush.

Peter: What do you have in mind for when we're alone?

Emma smirked as she didn't hesitate in texting him back.

Emma: I don't know. I just want to show you how much I miss you. Maybe I can also show Little Peter how much I miss him too.

Emma knew that she went a bit far with that last text but she thought the wide eyed look on Peter's face was worth it as he stared down at his phone in shock. The teenage boy slowly looked up from his phone and looked at his girlfriend who was smirking at him. He swallowed hard before he looked back down at his phone.

Peter: Emma, don't do this now. We're in a meeting surrounded by a bunch of people…including your dad and grandpa.

Emma: Don't be ridiculous, Peter. Steve and Papa have no idea what's going on. They're fucking clueless. Look at them. We could probably have sex on top of the table right now and they still wouldn't have a fucking clue.

Peter realized that Emma was right. Not about the weird, blunt comment she made about them having sex on top of the conference table but the other stuff. Her father and grandfather were chatting with each other happily as they laughed about some old memory one of them brought up about their childhood. They were both completely oblivious to Emma and him texting not so innocent things to each other. Peter was also just going ignore the comment about sex on top of the conference table because he didn't need to think about that right now. He already imagined having sex with Emma in a million different places so he didn't need to add another place to the list. Emma briefly paused before sending another quick flirty text.

Emma: Anyways…do you not like the name I gave Little Peter?

Peter: What?

Emma: The name I gave Spider-Man's fun stick.

Normally Peter would blush and tell Emma not to say those kinds of things but he decided to surprise her by playing along for once. He also didn't know about the other weird and creepy nickname she gave his penis. It was no secret that his girlfriend was insane. Peter came back with a response that was just as suggestive as Emma's.

Peter: There's nothing little about it.

Emma stared in surprise at the text on her screen, not believing her eyes. Was Peter actually flirting back with her? It wasn't as if he never flirted back but it was seldom that he was as confident as the text message suggested. That was a whole new level of confidence because Peter normally wasn't that dirty. Emma kind of liked this side of him though. She quickly texted him back.

Emma: Well, now I'm interested.

Emma paused again as she pondered whether or not she would text the next thing that came to mind. She eventually decided to fuck it and just send the message. It's not like she was exactly bashful about anything anyways.

Emma: But I think I might have to see it for myself. I'm not sure if I believe you.

Peter did blush this time as he read Emma's text. He glanced over at her but she wasn't even looking in his direction. She had her phone still in her hands but she was laughing at something Sam was telling Steve and Bucky about. It was like they weren't even having this secret and very private discussion. The idea kind of excited Peter as he texted her back.

Peter: Maybe we can arrange something then.

Emma actually did blush this time at Peter's suggestion. They always flirted with each other but it never usually went this far. Emma was surprised that it had gone this far this time. This was a first for them but Emma liked it. Maybe they should text more often. Emma liked his side of Peter. Who knew he could have such a dirty mind? Certainly not her.

"Who are you texting?" Steve asked Emma suddenly after noticing she had her eyes glued to her phone. It was kind of odd to see Emma pay such attention to her phone. She normally never bothered with the thing unless music was involved. Steve watched her curiously because she kind of looked like a normal teenage girl as she sat there glued to her phone. Emma immediately locked the screen at Steve's random question.

"No one." Emma said shortly as she quickly shoved her phone back in her pocket. This only made Steve more suspicious. He raised an eyebrow.

"I just saw you texting someone." Steve pointed out and Peter blushed vibrantly in his seat on the other side of Steve. The teenage boy was also quick to shove his phone back in his pocket which didn't escape Natasha's notice. He tried to remain as unsuspicious as possible but it was kind of difficult when he was sitting next to Captain America himself who also happened to be his girlfriend's grandfather.

"It was no one." Emma said vaguely and Steve narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"It wasn't no one. Who were you texting?" Steve asked, starting to become a little frustrated with his granddaughter. He had just been curious at first but it was now slowly becoming obvious that Emma might've been hiding something from him. Emma shrugged.

"It's not really any of your business." Emma said quietly and this seemed to piss Steve off more. He stared at her in disbelief. Emma didn't really know why she had said that to Steve. Maybe she was just being a little defensive lately but it had also been a long time since Emma had someone around who had the authority to tell her what to do.

"Of course it's my business! Who are you texting?" Steve demanded to know and his raised voice caught the attention of Bucky as the former assassin looked away from Sam, glancing at his best friend and daughter curiously.

"What's going on?" Bucky questioned and Steve clenched his jaw, in that same way Emma did when she was angry, before looking at Bucky.

"She's been texting someone for the past half an hour but she won't tell me who it is." Steve informed him and her father looked at her in surprise.

"Emma, who are you texting?" He asked her and Emma rolled her eyes as she groaned.

"God, you two are so dramatic. It's just a friend. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?" Emma retorted and Steve scoffed.

"Don't take that tone with me, young lady." Steve scolded and Emma pouted because she hated it when he talked to her like that…like she was a child. All the Avengers watched Steve and Emma in amusement. It was weird how normal they looked as Steve lectured Emma. He looked like a normal father and she looked like a normal but moody teenage daughter.

"I wasn't taking a tone." Emma grumbled and Steve glared at her.

"I just want to know why you're being so secretive. What are you hiding?" Steve questioned and Emma glared back at him. It was kind of fascinating to Peter as he watched her and her grandfather argue. Normally she would've cussed a person out if they talked to her like that but she did no such thing as she sat there glaring back at Steve.

"Steve, I think you're being a bit paranoid. Emma's not hiding anything." Bucky said, trying to diffuse the tension as he looked between Steve and Emma. He then smiled softly at his daughter and it was clear to anyone who could see that the man was blinded by the love he had for her. In Bucky's eyes Emma was a perfect angel who could do no wrong. Sure he knew what she was capable of but in his eyes Emma was still the innocent wide eyed little girl he remembered from all those years ago.

"She won't tell me who she's texting." Steve said stubbornly and Clint rolled his eyes from across the table.

"Steve, she's a teenager. Teenagers don't want to tell us everything." Clint explained and Emma fumed at being talked about like she wasn't there. Teenager? Emma knew she was technically a teenager but that didn't mean she acted like all the other idiots at school. "Cooper doesn't even like telling his mom and I about his day at school."

"I'm still here, you know." Emma muttered, reminding Steve that she didn't appreciate the way he talked about her like she wasn't there. T'Challa cleared his throat awkwardly from the head of the table.

"Perhaps we should start the meeting." T'Challa suggested and everyone turned their attention away from Steve and Emma. Steve gave Emma a pointed look, indicating that they would be talking about this later, before he also glanced at T'Challa who then nodded towards Dr. Selvig and the other scientists who were standing next to him. The older, Swedish born, scientist cleared his throat as his eyes rested upon everyone else looking back at him. The room was packed with everyone you could imagine. The only people that weren't in the room were perhaps Darcy and Pepper who weren't as involved in this as everyone else was and Maria and Fury who were overseeing surveillance footage in another room.

"As I'm sure you're all aware, we've spent the past two days setting up spectrometers all around the world to help us detect gamma rays from the weapons." Erik announced as everyone grew quiet enough to listen to him. "We didn't get anything for a while…until some friends of Jane's, at an observatory in Mexico, set up their spectrometers. We were able to detect Gamma Radiation with the spectrometers just outside Mexico City. From the readings and Dr. Banner's algorithm we can confirm that this is more than likely the weapons we've been looking for."

"Mexico City? That's where Diego Ugalde lives." Rhodey mentioned.

"We can't assume anything right now." Steve told him before looking up at Erik. "You really think this place you've located is where the weapons are?"

"We're positive, Captain." Erik replied, looking dead serious. "The energy levels can only come from the weapons powered by the Tesseract. There's nothing else on this planet that would emit the same amount of gamma radiation."

"So we know that this is where at least some of the weapons are." Natasha reaffirmed as she looked down at the table, trying to get a grasp on the situation at hand. They needed to think about how they were going to do this. It was clear that they would have to be cautious in how they proceeded.

"We know that there's at least part of the collection of weapons Hydra has at this base. We can't be positive that they have all the weapons there." Susan added.

"It doesn't make much sense for Hydra to keep all the weapons at one base." Emma's father said quietly. "T'Challa's already confiscated the ones in Tanzania, we confiscated the ones here, and now there's some in Mexico. It could be likely they have more hidden elsewhere."

"Where?" Sam asked Bucky and the former Hydra assassin shrugged.

"I don't know. I doubt they're at any of the bases Emma and I are familiar with." Bucky told him as everyone else listened to him as well. "After D.C. they probably changed a lot of things. They most likely moved into new and different bases."

"The ones in Sokovia, Siberia, and Argentina are all done for. That's for sure." Clint told them and Steve just swallowed hard before he brought the conversation back to the task at hand.

"Let's just focus on the weapons we've found for now. We can worry about the rest after we retrieve these weapons." Steve told them in a captain like fashion. Emma almost smiled at Steve's voice of authority . It was nice having someone like that for guidance again. Tony sure as hell didn't know how to take over that kind of role in the group.

"What's the plan, Cap?" Tony questioned and it was one of the rare instances that Tony actually talked to Steve. They hadn't really had a one on one conversation with each other since Steve returned. Things were still a little tense but they were both willing to look the other way for Emma. "Should we attack now?"

"No. It's too late now and we can't strike at night anyways. Especially since we have no idea just how many weapons they have at this base." Steve said seriously as he relayed his plan to them. "We should gather some intel tonight from the agents you have stationed in Mexico City and then we'll strike tomorrow during the day. We'll be able to catch them by surprise that way."

"There's only one other thing we have to consider." Natasha said aloud as she looked around the table. "Who's going and who's staying? Obviously Cap and I are going. Who else?"

"Count me in." Sam said as he grinned at them, almost seeming excited at a chance to take down more Hydra assholes.

"I will go. Hydra has vibranium from Wakanda in their clutches so it's my job to make sure we retrieve all the weapons." T'Challa announced before looking at Okoye. "You shall stay with Shuri here at the compound. She will be safe under your watch."

"I don't need protection." Shuri argued but she went ignored by her brother. Okoye didn't look like she agreed with T'Challa's suggestion either.

"But my king-" Okoye started to say but T'Challa silenced her with a firm look.

"That's an order." T'Challa stated with a voice that told Okoye that there would be no challenging his order. The woman just fell silent although it looked like she didn't feel comfortable with leaving her king to protect himself. However, T'Challa wasn't about to leave his sister behind to fend for herself. She needed Okoye more than he did.

"I'll go too." Emma's father said quietly and Emma nodded in agreement.

"So will I." Emma added, following her father's lead. Wherever her father went, she was going to go too. She wasn't about to let him go wander off and get himself killed. He needed her. Emma just never anticipated all the protests that would circulate the table. Her father didn't seem to have much trouble with the idea of her going but Steve definitely seemed to have a problem with it. However, before Steve could even voice his protest, someone else did before him.

"You're not going anywhere." Peter Parker said loudly, his voice stronger and more confident than usual. Everyone looked down the table at the teenage boy who no longer looked the part of the shy, nervous teenage boy they had come to know. No, he looked more defiant and sure of himself than what they were used to. Emma slowly turned to look at her boyfriend, her eyes narrowing into a glare.

"Excuse me?" Emma said, not quite believing what Peter had said. Peter took a deep breath before meeting Emma's gaze from a couple seats away.

"I said that you're not going anywhere." Peter said, more confidently this time, and you could hear a pin drop in the room. Emma clenched her jaw at his words as her glare became colder. Sam gulped, feeling a bit scared for the kid because Emma looked pissed. It didn't help that Sam had seen the way Emma had taken down her father the other day so Sam didn't think she would hold back against the kid. "We all know that Hydra wants you. You're their main target. It wouldn't be smart for you to show up on their doorstep."

"That's not your decision to make." Emma told him coldly and Peter forced himself not to back down. He knew she was getting mad at him but her safety was more important to him than her being mad.

"It is when your own personal feelings are clouding your judgement." Peter accused and Emma abruptly stood up from her seat, causing the others to glance up at her in surprise. Steve and Bucky watched Emma in surprise because it wasn't often that she became that angry. She was usually calm and collected…a master at suppressing her emotions. Emma had at times argued with Steve but she had never looked as furious as she did now. Steve wasn't sure he had ever seen Emma lose her temper like this. He was a bit speechless at the sight of her. Bucky hadn't seen her angry in years so this was also a surprise to him.

"Are you suggesting that I'm emotionally compromised?" Emma questioned in disbelief and Peter stood up from his seat as well, fixing Emma with a defiant glare.

"I'm not suggesting it. I'm saying it." Peter told her seriously and Tony sighed heavily as he watched the two teenagers begin to argue. Here we go again, he thought to himself. Those two were always bickering about something. Tony just hoped that Emma didn't slap him or throw a textbook at Peter again. Peter had mentioned the last time he and Emma had fought so he knew this time wasn't going to be pretty either.

"You want to get your revenge and that's clouding your judgement. Hydra's expecting you to show up at that base. They're probably betting on it." Peter told her and Emma was becoming more and more pissed off by the minute. Since when the hell did he start to use logic? God, she really had corrupted him, hadn't she?

"I'm going on that mission. This concerns me…probably more so than anyone here. I have a right to go on that mission." Emma told him in a cold and even tone. Peter scoffed.

"Are you really going to play into Hydra's hand like that? Rumlow's waiting for you, Emma. He's counting on you showing up at that base." Peter argued and Emma gave him a furious look.

"Don't talk to me like I don't know what I'm doing. You don't need to tell me what Rumlow wants. I know better than anyone else what he wants." Emma retorted. "I'm going on that mission and there's nothing you can do to stop me."

"I already told you that you can't go on that mission. I won't let you." Peter said stubbornly and Emma looked at him incredulously, furious at the very idea that he thought he could tell her what to do. Who the hell did he think he was?

"You won't let me?" Emma questioned and some of the others winced. Especially Tony who knew better than to say something like that to a romantic partner. He knew what Peter was getting at but the young boy was just going about it the wrong way. Pepper would probably murder him in his sleep if he ever talked to her like that. Unfortunately Peter was still learning about women so he was just going to have to learn from his mistakes.

"I don't know if you're aware of this, asshole, but you're not my daddy. You don't get to order me around and tell me what to do." Emma told him furiously.

"I do when you're being too stubborn to know that you're in danger." Peter argued and everyone stared in fascination as they continued to argue. Sam raised an eyebrow because it was almost like the two teenagers were an old married couple. The others were just stunned that Emma was actually arguing with someone. There were times she got mad at Tony as well but she never got this mad.

"I know this is news for you, Parker, but I'm not some little damsel in distress. I don't need you to protect me and save me all the god damn time. I looked out for myself for the majority of my life, way before you came along, so I don't need Spider-Man to coddle me like some pathetic, helpless little girl." Emma ranted at him, furious that he was treating her this way. Peter glared right back at her. "If you wanted a damsel in distress then you should've held out for Liz Allan instead."

"Oh my god! You bring up Liz Allan every single time. Are you always going to hold that against me?" Peter retorted but Steve and Bucky just really wanted to know who this Liz Allan girl was. They knew that she used to go to school with Emma and they knew Emma didn't like her for some reason but they really didn't know anything about her other than that. Why did Emma keep bringing her up?

"I am not staying behind for this mission. I don't care what you say. This is my decision. Not yours." Emma told him venomously and Peter fumed with anger.

Why was she so stubborn sometimes? Couldn't she understand that this was exactly what Rumlow wanted? If she went on the mission then he'd take her and torture her before doing to her what Hydra did to her father. Peter wasn't going to let that happen. He didn't care if Emma hated him for it or not. Her life was in danger and Peter wasn't going to stand by and let herself get kidnapped. The teenage boy stood his ground as he walked closer and closer to her until he was standing mere inches from her. Emma gritted her teeth as she saw the stupid little arrogant look on his face…a look that told her that Peter thought he could order her around like she was his property.

"You're not going anywhere." Peter told her angrily. "I don't care if I have to lock you inside the panic room. You're not going." Emma's eyes widened in surprise as she stared back at her stupid boyfriend. The surprised look then quickly morphed into one of pure fury but Peter wasn't afraid of her. He wasn't going to let her scare him.

"You asshole!" Emma shouted, infuriated by Peter's arrogance. He actually thought he could just lock her up like a prisoner? Why was he such an asshole sometimes?! He wasn't the boss of her. Emma could do whatever the hell she wanted and there was nothing Peter could do about it. God, he really knew how to piss her off. A part of her wanted to slap the arrogant look right off his face. He was so infuriating.

"How dare you think you can just lock me up like I'm some kind of animal! If you lock me up I'll never forgive you!" Emma yelled at him and it was then that Steve decided that it was probably time for him to step in. Honestly, he probably should've stepped in a long time ago but he and everyone else was just so caught up in watching Emma and Peter argue. Steve had never seen anything like it before. He never knew Emma to be so short tempered.

"How about if everyone just calms down?" Steve said as he stood up from his seat to stand in between the two teenagers. Emma was still heaving with anger but she didn't say anything else as she continued to glare at Peter and he continued to glare back at her.

"Now, Peter, I appreciate your concern for Emma but her safety isn't your responsibility. That responsibility lies with me and Bucky." Steve told Peter seriously and Peter didn't look too thrilled at what Steve said. He did feel that Emma's safety was his responsibility. He'd been making sure she was safe when her father and grandfather we're too busy being on the run. He was the one who looked out for her. He was the one who was there for her whenever she had her nightmares. He was the one who loved and comforted her. Peter thought he had a say in Emma's safety.

"But you're also not going on this mission, Emma." Steve said as he then turned to Emma. She gave him a look of disbelief.

"I can't believe you're siding with him." Emma snapped and Steve gave her a bewildered look, not sure what to make of this newfound temper of hers.

"I'm not siding with anyone." Steve said carefully and Emma just shook her head.

"So you're going to have me locked up then? Like a common prisoner? How is that any different than what Tony did?" Emma questioned and Tony made a face at her statement.

"I resent that." Tony interjected but he went ignored.

"No one's locking anyone up but I can't let you go on this mission." Steve told her seriously. "Peter's right. You're Hydra's main target. They'll be expecting you to show up at the base which is why you have to stay here. Some of us will stay behind to keep watch but you're not going on this mission, Emma. I'd be a fool to let you go."

Emma couldn't believe this. They were treating her like some kind of child…like she was some fragile doll that needed to be coddled. She felt helpless…weak. Emma hated the feeling more than anything. She was more than capable of taking care of herself even though all the idiots in her life seemed to think she was a damsel in distress. She had always known Steve and Peter were a lot alike but maybe they were too much alike. They both annoyingly loved saving the damsel in distress. It probably gave them boners or something. Emma then turned to her father, expecting him to come to her defense.

"Papa? Aren't you going to say something?" Emma said to Bucky who looked torn. He swallowed hard as he tried not to let those pretty blue eyes of her get to him. Even when he was still the Winter Soldier, Emma had him completely wrapped around her finger. He had always had a soft spot for her but now wasn't the time. He had to think of her safety. He had to do the responsible thing.

"I have to agree with Steve on this one, Emma. Hydra's hellbent on getting you and everyone would only be worrying about your safety the whole mission." Her father said much to her disbelief. He was actually siding against her? He'd never done that before. Never. Not once. They were always in it together on everything. "The smart thing to do would be for you to stay here at the compound with some of the others to make sure Hydra doesn't try to sneak around behind our backs."

"I thought we were partners." Emma stated, sounding hurt and Bucky winced.

"We are, Emma. You're just not thinking clearly right now. You're being fueled by your fear and that's understandable but you know deep down that this is the only way." Bucky told her but Emma wasn't hearing it. Fueled by her fear? Really? She couldn't believe how everyone was ganging up against her. She was the one that Hydra wanted yet she wasn't allowed to do anything about it. What if Steve, her father, and Peter went on the mission and they got themselves killed? There wouldn't be anything she could do about it…it would be all on her. Emma groaned in frustration as she then fixed all three of the annoyingly arrogant men with a heated glare.

"God, why are men such controlling assholes?!" Emma snapped before she started walking away from them. Steve glared at her while Peter and Bucky just looked surprised that she was so angry with them. They were only trying to help her, after all. Bucky was especially surprised because Emma had never been mad at him like that before. There was that time when she was little but her emotions had been all over the place back then. She hadn't really been mad at him. He couldn't recall a single time that she had talked to him like that. The surprise wore off on Peter's face because that definitely wasn't the first time his girlfriend had been mad at him and he doubted it would be the last either.

"You stop right there, young lady. You don't get to talk to us like-" Steve started to lecture but he was cut off as Emma stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind her. The super soldier was left starting at the door in bewilderment, not believing she had actually walked out on him like that. They had always bantered and argued on occasion but nothing like that. Emma was legitimately angry and Steve didn't know what to do. The other Avengers looked both mystified and amused at the odd exchange.

"Welcome to the joy of parenthood, Cap." Clint joked as he leaned back in his chair and smirked at both Steve and Bucky who looked bewildered but also slightly scared of the sixteen year old's behavior. It wasn't that they were scared of her because of her assassin past. No, they were scared of her because it was never more clear to them than in that moment that Emma was a teenager.

Steve had thought he had it easy these past couple years since Emma had always listened to him but maybe parenting wasn't as easy as he thought. Steve wasn't sure but he knew he felt out of his depth. He glanced over at Bucky, hoping that Bucky would somehow reassure him but his best friend looked just as terrified. Steve sighed heavily because raising a teenage daughter was going to be way harder than he thought. He really wondered how Peggy managed not just to raise one child but three. Steve had always respected his former lover but now he respected her a hell of a lot more. Peggy Carter was one hell of a woman.

---

Emma was sitting on the edge of her bed sulking as she tried to calm down from the fight she just had with her father, Steve, and Peter. It wasn't really a surprise that all three of those men could drive her insane but she just hated the fact that Steve and her father had only been back for a few days and she was already fighting with them. She just couldn't believe the nerve of them. They were all going to keep her locked up inside the compound just so they could coddle her like she was a five year old.

Peter was even right alongside them in trying to protect her like she was made from glass. He didn't get to tell her what to do. He was her boyfriend. Not her father. Although Emma didn't even like the fact that her father thought he could tell her what to do either. What the hell was up with that? He talked down to her like she was a child. He hadn't ever done that before. They were usually…partners or colleagues but now he made it clear that he was the adult and she was the child. She was used to it with Steve but not her father.

Emma was still processing everything from the meeting when Peter came by her room. He was the first and bravest one to come check up on her. Her bedroom door was already open so Peter just lingered there in the doorway with a torn look on his face. He felt both guilty and scared as he began to approach his furious looking girlfriend. Peter knocked on the doorway as he smiled hesitantly. The smile fell right off his face when he noticed the death glare Emma gave him. He swallowed hard as he began to walk into her room, closing the door behind him.

"Are you here to take me to my cell?" Emma asked bitterly and Peter winced at the iciness he detected in her voice. Yeah, she was definitely pissed. Peter shook his head.

"No, I just came by to check on you. Everyone's worried about you, Emma." Peter told her as he slowly approached the bed she was sitting on. He took a seat next to her and Emma just stubbornly looked away from him.

"They don't need to worry. I'm not a baby." Emma said coldly and Peter tried to reach over to hold her hand but he frowned when she snatched her hand away from his abruptly. She glared at Peter angrily. "Don't touch me."

"Emma, please don't be mad at me." Peter begged because he hated it when Emma was mad at him. However, at least this didn't seem as bad as the last time she was mad at him. Emma hadn't thrown his backpack at him yet. "I'm sorry about saying I was going to lock you inside the panic room. I swear I didn't mean it."

"How do I know if you're lying or not? What if this is part of everyone's plan to lock me up and hold me prisoner? What if you're trying to trick me?" Emma questioned, seeming very paranoid. Peter gave her a hurt look.

"Emma, you can't think I would actually do that…that I would lie to you like that?" Peter said in disbelief and Emma crossed her arms, a stubborn look on her face.

"I don't know what to think anymore. You seemed to be in cahoots with Steve back there." Emma said suspiciously and Peter gave her a look of disbelief.

"Cahoots? Emma, I'm not in cahoots with anyone." Peter told her, desperate to make her somehow forgive him.

"You, Steve, and Papa all ganged up on me back there. I thought you were supposed to be on my side. Not theirs." Emma argued and Peter shook his head.

"I am on your side." Peter promised.

"Then why are so hellbent on keeping me prisoner? You're supposed to support me. Not stand against me." Emma told him pointedly. "Instead you're just ordering me around like I'm your property." Peter glared back at her.

"Oh, so you can boss me around all the time but I can't boss you around? Glad to see that it's a two way street." Peter argued and Emma sneered at him.

"I thought you liked being bossed around. Didn't you say that it gives you a big boner?" Emma retorted and Peter groaned in frustration. He knew she was going to use that against him some day.

"You can be a huge bitch sometimes, you know that?" Peter snapped but he immediately regretted it when he realized what he had said to her. Did he really just call her that? Peter didn't know why he called her a bitch. Maybe it was because she had pissed him off so much at that point. Sometimes Emma could really bring out the worst in him. Emma just watched Peter in surprise because he had never called her a bitch before. She was fairly positive that he probably thought it to himself on occasion but he never actually said it aloud. Emma didn't know if she angry or impressed.

Peter's eyes flooded with tears which immediately made Emma feel guilty for getting so mad at him in the first place. Wait…why should she feel guilty? He was the one who was walking around here and ordering her around like he owned her. Emma just wanted to make it clear that Peter didn't own her. Yes, she belonged to him but that was only by choice. Not because Peter made it so. She belonged to Peter and Peter belonged to her. They belonged to each other but only because they wanted to. Emma liked belonging to Peter but only because it gave her comfort and made her feel close to him. However, when he started making decisions for her and treating her like a child then that was when she began to feel a little suffocated.

"I'm sorry, Emma." Peter apologized, seeming very upset and the angry look fell off her face. "I didn't mean to call you that. I-I don't know why I said that."

"It's um…okay." Emma said slowly, bewildered by how upset he looked. She felt a bit guilty because she had said a lot of nasty things to him earlier. Emma didn't remember how many times she had called him an asshole during the meeting. She didn't understand how Peter could feel so upset at calling her a bitch once when she had called him a lot worse.

"No, it's not. There's no excuse for calling you that." Peter told her and she looked down, feeling a little ashamed. Yes, Peter had ordered her around but she shouldn't have called him those things. "I'm just…well, I'm scared, Emma." Emma immediately looked up at him when he said that.

"Scared?" Emma asked in confusion. "Scared of what?" Peter's gaze softened.

"I'm scared of losing you. It's just that Rumlow keeps getting closer and I'm worried that he'll somehow get his hands on you." Peter said, voicing his deepest fears. "I can't just stand by and let you walk into danger. If something ever happened to you, I don't know what I would do."

"Peter, nothing's going to happen to me." Emma told him but Peter didn't look convinced.

"I had a nightmare the other night where he got you. He brought you back to Hydra and I never saw you again." Peter said and Emma just watched him, feeling sad for giving him so much grief earlier. He was just concerned about her. Emma didn't know why she always reacted so poorly to people's concern. Maybe it was because she was still getting used to people being concerned about her. "When I woke up and you weren't there I even thought it was real for a minute or two…until I remembered we weren't sleeping in the same bed anymore."

"Peter, I'm fine. I can take care of myself. You of all people should know that." Emma tried to tell him but Peter still seemed worried.

"I'm sorry if I came off as controlling but I'm just scared of losing you." Peter told her honestly and Emma didn't hesitate in wrapping her arms around him, pulling him in for a hug. He nestled his face against her neck, letting the sweet smell of her shampoo bring him some comfort. She soothingly rubbed his back as she attempted to comfort him.

"It's okay, Peter. I understand." Emma said, suddenly not angry anymore. How could she be angry at him for caring about her? Besides…it was difficult for her to stay angry at him. Peter Parker was her both her greatest weakness and greatest strength. Peter pulled back to look at her. His eyes looked sad and afraid as he looked at her. Emma found that she could possibly drown in those big brown eyes of his.

"Can you promise me something, Emma?" Peter asked her and Emma knew that Peter could've asked her for anything in that moment and she would've given it to him. His warm brown eyes had a way of reducing her to nothing but teenage mushiness. He probably could've asked her to marry him and she would've said yes even though Emma was still disgusted by the fact Peter wanted to get married. He was such a romantic that it made her sick sometimes.

"What?" Emma asked and Peter put her hands in his as he looked back up at her.

"Can you promise me that you won't go on this mission?" Peter asked her quietly.

"Steve and Papa aren't going to let me go anyways, Peter." Emma told him and Peter just shook his head.

"I know that but please just promise me you won't go sneaking off behind everyone's back to go on this mission. I know you." Peter told her and he was right, Emma realized. He did know her. "I just want you to promise me that you'll stay here at the compound." Emma supposed she could do that…for him.

"Okay, I'll promise to stay here but only on one condition." Emma told him and Peter took a deep breath before nodding. He didn't know what Emma was going to ask but he was going to prepare himself for it. He'd do anything to make sure she was safe.

"What condition is that?" Peter asked her and Emma's gaze softened.

"I'll only stay here if you stay with me too. I don't want you going on the mission either." Emma told him sincerely and Peter felt relieved. He was planning on staying at the compound anyways to make sure she was safe. Peter was just glad Emma was agreeing to stay.

"Of course, Emma." Peter said as he smiled softly at her. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Good. You're not the only one. I also don't know what I would do if anything happened to you, Peter." Emma told him and Peter just ran his thumb over the back of her hand, his touch gentle yet warm and tender.

"Nothing's ever going to happen to me, Emma." Peter told her, sounding sure of himself. He then leaned forward to press a gentle kiss against her cheek as if he were trying to reassure her.

"I'm sorry I called you an asshole earlier. That was uncalled for." Emma said, sounding guilty at the way she had verbally attacked him earlier.

"It's fine. I kind of was being an asshole." Peter said as he smiled at her. "Sorry for calling you a bitch. I never should've disrespected you like that." Emma just smiled at him in amusement.

"Well, in all fairness I really was being a bitch." Emma told him and Peter just continued to hold onto her hand, ecstatic at the fact that he and Emma had seemingly made up.

"I'm just glad we're not fighting anymore. I hate it when we fight." Peter told her and Emma just smiled sadly at him.

"I hate it too." Emma murmured and it was only then that she realize how close their faces were. Her eyes rested upon his lips and she felt the sudden urge to kiss him. It had been so long since they were last alone like this. Well, not really. It had just been a few days but it felt like it had been longer than that. This keeping their relationship a secret thing was really taking a toll on her. She wondered if it was the same for him too. "I miss you."

"What are you talking about? I'm right here." Peter told her in a whisper and his eyes kept darting towards her lips every once and a while too.

"I mean that I miss you in the way I said I did in the texts." Emma said softly to him and Peter blushed, his eyes widening a bit.

"Oh..." He trailed off, knowing exactly what she meant. He missed her like that too.

Emma closed her eyes and then pressed her lips against his, kissing him softly. Peter's eyes fluttered shut as well as he returned the kiss. The kiss was soft and slow at first. It was like a reunion after spending so many days apart like that. It may have seemed crazy that they could miss each other this much but they were young and in love. Everything felt like forever to them. Peter paused for a moment as he felt the feeling of hesitation come over him. He stayed there for a moment, lips mere centimeters from Emma's. Emma looked at him from under her lashes.

"What is it?" Emma asked him and Peter swallowed hard.

"We're not supposed to be doing this. I thought you wanted us to be low profile right now?" Peter said although he was cursing himself for saying that. He shouldn't be questioning this. Who in their right mind would question their girlfriend in this kind of situation? It had been so long since they had been like this, after all.

"But we're alone." Emma told him and Peter knew that Emma was going to make this very difficult for him. He was beginning to throw all reason and logic out the window. "There's no one here, Peter. They don't have any clue about us."

"Natasha knows." Peter said quietly.

"Natasha's not going to tell. She's not like that." Emma told him honestly. "We're safe, Peter."

"Okay." Peter said softly and it really didn't take much to convince him. He quickly crashed his lips against Emma's again but this time there was much more passion and desperation. He made sure she knew how much he missed her through the kiss. Emma kissed him back with just as much passion, her hands around the back of his neck as she tried pulling him closer to her. Peter paused only briefly in the kiss as he slowly pressed her back against the bed so that she was lying down. Emma could feel her heart beating fast in her chest. Butterflies fluttered inside her stomach as Peter climbed on top of her and resumed kissing her.

Emma's eyes fluttered shut in content as he kissed her and she immediately knotted her fingers in his hair which she knew he loved. Peter groaned against her mouth but he didn't stop kissing her. He instead carefully ran the tip of his tongue along the edge of her parted lips. Emma always appreciated the fact that he was so careful and slow with her…that he asked for permission with every little thing he did even if he didn't ask aloud. She then granted him entrance and he slipped his tongue inside. He was gentle at first as he lightly brushed his tongue against hers and Emma slowly began to feel desire pool in her stomach as the kiss intensified.

She moaned against his mouth as their tongues seemed to begin a dance of sorts. Emma's hands fell down onto his shoulders and her grip tightened as she tried to pull him even closer to her. They were only a few minutes into one of their notorious make out sessions but she could already feel him against her. He wanted her. But Emma wanted him too. That much was obvious to her as his hands roamed her body while he continued kissing her, his tongue dancing against hers. They had already decided that they were ready for sex but deep down they both knew that now was neither the time or place. Emma wished that wasn't the case because she wanted to be with Peter more than anything. She just felt so sexually frustrated from all this waiting around and teasing each other. A part of her wished that they were adults because they wouldn't have to be as careful and secretive about this as they were now.

Peter finally removed his lips from hers as he then began to lead a trail of kisses down her jawline and then to her neck. He kind of wished that they hadn't started something they couldn't finish because Peter already knew that he was going to have a massive hard-on from this with no way to fix it until he relieved himself in a bathroom or something. It's not like Emma and him could have sex right here and now. The compound was filled with people and not to mention there was still a couple things they needed to discuss. However, Peter couldn't really stop himself either. Emma was entirely too tempting.

Emma stiffened when he suddenly rolled his hips against hers. It wouldn't be the first time but Emma always felt a bit hesitant at first when he would do that. It was just a reaction but when she remembered it was him, she felt safe. She rolled her hips against his in response and they entered a steady rhythm with each other. Peter knew this was going way too far and not to mention the risk but it's not like Peter had enough self-control to think responsibly and stop while they still could. He was only sixteen, after all, and Emma didn't seem inclined to stop either.

"Peter." Emma moaned which only caused Peter to move faster against her. He moved down her neck, sucking on a part of her neck that he knew was her weakness all too well. Emma felt flushed, her breathing heavy from the sensation of everything. She knew deep down that they should stop soon but she wasn't really think logically at the moment. Peter seemed to have the effect on her sometimes. So she just decided to enjoy the love and affection he was showering her with because it might be the last time for a while. It's not like they could make a habit of this with Steve and her father at the compound. Although…Emma really didn't want to think of them right now.

---

Bucky Barnes was overcome with guilt and sadness as he walked down one of the lengthy hallways. He knew that he was ultimately doing what was best for Emma but that didn't mean that he liked her being mad at him. His heart still ached from the look of betrayal Emma gave him earlier. She had never looked at him like that before. When she was a little girl she had always looked at him in admiration or love. Even when he was a monster she never looked at him that way. Bucky was only trying to protect her by keeping her at the compound. This was the only way to protect her from Hydra and…Rumlow. Bucky wasn't there the last time she needed protection so he was going to try and be there now. It would never erase what happened but at least she would be safe this time around.

Bucky made the decision to go check up on her despite how angry she probably was. He knew from past experiences that an angry Emma was not a pleasant sight. Back then she had always been mad at someone else so he couldn't help but tread very carefully now that she was mad at him. Bucky didn't need her to bite another chunk out of his good arm. The first time had been bad enough. He was just going to have to be very careful. Steve hadn't thought it was a good idea for him to approach her so soon but Bucky didn't want to let her sulk in her anger for too long. Besides…she had spent long enough cooling off from her anger.

He slowly and quietly opened her door, afraid that if he knocked she would tell him to go away. Bucky walked into the room, expecting to see his daughter sulking or pouting as she normally did. However, he never expected to see what he did.

In reality Emma and Peter looked like young lovers entangled in a moment of passion so much that they weren't aware of anything outside the bubble they were currently living in. But in Bucky's eyes all he could see was a sadistic teenage boy sexually assaulting his daughter. He saw the teenage boy, who had claimed to be Emma's friend and who claimed to care about her, taking advantage of her as he pinned her against the bed and rubbed himself against her. In Bucky's head it looked like Emma was struggling against him even though that's not what she was doing in reality.

It took a second before a furious look replaced the shocked one on Bucky's face. He felt ready to kill which was a feeling he hadn't felt since his days as the Winter Soldier. Bucky clenched his jaw as he quietly stalked dangerously over to the couple on the bed which also wasn't unlike his days as the Winter Soldier. Bucky didn't even hesitate as he grabbed the boy by the back of the neck, ripping him off of Emma, before abruptly throwing him across the room with little ease. Peter went flying across the room before hitting the wall and falling to the ground, moaning in pain from the unexpected attack.

Emma quickly sat up on the bed, her eyes wide with surprise as she glanced between her injured boyfriend and her furious looking father. What the hell was going on?! One minute she and Peter were happily kissing…among other things and then suddenly Peter was thrown off of her. Emma just couldn't comprehend what was going on. Everything went down so fast that she was still trying to process it.

Bucky looked down at his daughter in concern, the angry look morphing into one of sympathy when he saw her disheveled appearance. That fucking kid had really roughed her up, hadn't he? Bucky knew that Emma didn't have much of a chance against the kid either. He still remembered the way the kid had fought against him and Wilson at the airport all that time ago. It was no secret that the kid was really strong. Well, Bucky didn't care how strong the kid was. He was going to kick his ass and maybe do worse. Bucky wasn't angry back then but he was furious now and his newfound fury was definitely going to fuel his fight against this little asshole.

"Are you okay, Emma? Did he hurt you?" Bucky asked in concern and Emma just wordlessly shook his head, still not understanding what was going on. Wait…did this mean her father wasn't mad at her?

"Y-Yes, I'm fine." Emma told him, sounding beyond confused. Bucky just quickly covered her up with a blanket, making sure she felt safe and comfortable.

"Good." Bucky said before his face turned more serious. "Don't worry. I'll take care of him." Emma didn't know what he meant as her father slowly turned around and started slowly walking in the direction of Peter. She had no idea what was going on.

Peter groaned as he tried getting up from the floor. Emma's dad had really thrown him hard. How did he not even hear her father come into the room? Why did he even let Emma make him think it was safe for them to do any of those things? Well, Peter hadn't really been thinking with his head, had he? No, he was thinking with something else. Peter stumbled a bit as he once again attempted to get up from the floor but Emma's dad was really strong. Peter was also pretty sure Emma's dad had grabbed him with his vibranium arm.

"What do you think you're doing, you little sick fuck?" Bucky hissed as he stalked towards Peter like a lion would stalk its prey. Peter's eyes widened as he looked up at the tall and imposing man. This didn't look like the nice and charming Bucky Barnes that Peter usually saw whenever the man was with his daughter. Peter was starting to feel like he was looking at the Winter Soldier right now.

"M-Mr. Barnes. I-I d-don't know-" Peter stammered but Bucky just interrupted him.

"Don't try and make excuses. I saw what you were doing to her." Bucky said and Peter was taken back by the hateful look on the man's face. "After all Emma's been through, you come along and try to do the same thing Rumlow did. You really are a sadistic little asshole."

"Mr. Barnes, I-I wasn't-" Peter tried to say but Bucky wasn't having it. He already thought he knew what he saw.

"You're dead." Bucky snapped and Peter gulped as he tried backing up against the wall. He didn't know what to do. He had never been this scared in his life. Not even when he and Emma went up against the Vulture and not even when Emma was mad at him. When Emma's dad said he was going to kill him, Peter really believed him.

"I-I can explain. I s-swear!" Peter tried to say but it was then that Emma's dad reached out and grabbed him by the throat. The teenage boy's eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his head as Bucky then held him up against the wall. A part of him figured that he would fight back but he'd probably only piss Emma's dad off even more. Peter didn't know if he should try getting out of Bucky's grip or if he should just wait for Emma to explain things. Speaking of which, she was really taking her time in doing so.

"Papa, wait!" Emma exclaimed as she quickly got up from the bed. She had mostly been in shock for a couple minutes there as she tried to wrap her mind around what was happening. It was only when her father wrapped his hand around her boyfriend's throat that she realized that this wasn't going to go well. Of all the scenarios she imagined when Peter finally met her father as her boyfriend, this wasn't one of them.

"I've got this, Emma." Bucky said he glared at the teenage boy who was starting to struggle for breath.

"Papa, please don't hurt him." Emma begged as she tried getting him to stop.

"You don't have to protect him, Emma. Don't worry. He'll never touch you again." Bucky told her and Peter really hoped that Emma could do better than that because her father was going to kill him. Is this what boyfriends usually went through when they met their girlfriend's dad? If so then every single movie, Peter had ever seen, had it completely wrong. This was a million times worse than when he met Liz's dad. Why did dads always seem to hate him?

"Stop!" Emma tried to tell him as she attempted to pull her father off of Peter. Bucky struggled as his daughter then hopped on his back in a desperate attempt to help her boyfriend. He didn't understand what his daughter was doing. Why was she trying to stop him?

"Get off of me, Emma! I'm kind of busy right now!" Bucky tried to tell her but Emma immediately wrapped her arms around his neck before she proceeded to fly them back across the room. The sudden action caused Bucky to finally let go of Peter. Emma flew them back into the wall on the opposite side of the room, not caring if she hit her head in the process. She was just desperate to keep her father and Peter apart. Bucky grunted as he landed on the ground a distance away and Emma winced as she hit her against the wall. Peter was coughing as he tried to catch his breath. Emma's dad had a really strong grip although that wasn't really surprising.

Suddenly both Steve and Tony ran inside the room although Emma thought they were a bit too late. The two men had both been on the floor below when McConaughey mentioned that there was a struggle going on in Emma's room. Everyone had feared the worst, thinking that Rumlow had come for Emma. However, none of them expected to find only Emma, Peter, and Bucky in the room. Steve looked around in bewilderment as he noticed Emma's friend coughing on one side of the room while Emma and Bucky were on the other side of the room on the floor. Bucky didn't seem to notice Tony or Steve as his anger returned at the sight of the teenage boy. He tried to get up from the ground to attack the boy again when Emma jumped on him once more in a desperate attempt to keep him from attacking Peter yet again. Steve watched his best friend and granddaughter struggle on the floor, not having the slightest clue as to what was going on.

"What the hell is going on here?" Steve demanded to know and it seemed like Bucky finally noticed his presence as both he and Emma stilled. Peter didn't waste any time going to Tony's side as if he thought the billionaire could protect him. That told Tony what was going on. Tony figured that Bucky probably caught the kid feeling up Emma and now he wanted to kill him. God, those kids couldn't keep their hands off each other. Teenagers were so horny.

"That little asshole was trying to rape our daughter." Bucky hissed as Emma tried to keep him from getting up and attacking Peter. If it was a different situation then it would be quite a funny sight to see. Emma pulling at her father's hair and trying to pin him down just so he wouldn't murder her boyfriend.

"What?" Steve questioned in surprise and Bucky continued to struggle against his daughter. He didn't understand why she was trying to stop him from killing that asshole.

"I caught him rubbing himself against her like a fucking pervert." Bucky said as he continued to glare at the kid. Peter blushed and he wished that he could go hide somewhere because everyone was staring at him. Tony looked a little amused at the situation but Emma's grandfather looked anything but amused. The tall man narrowed his eyes at Peter and the teenage boy gulped.

"You were doing what?" Steve said in a low voice, his fists clenching in anger. Okay…maybe it just wasn't Emma's dad who was scary. Maybe her grandfather was a bit scary too. Peter looked up at Tony, hoping that the man would protect him because Peter didn't think he could take on Emma's dad and grandpa by himself.

"Guys, stop. Peter wasn't doing anything wrong." Emma told them both as she finally relented and got off her father. Bucky was too distracted by her statement to just go and attack Peter the instant he was free so he stayed there on the ground instead. Her father gave her a concerned look and Steve gave her a similar one too.

"Emma, you don't have to protect him. You're safe now." Bucky told her and Steve nodded in agreement.

"Just tell us what happened." Steve told her and Emma wanted to groan in frustration because it was so irritating that the men in her life seemed to think she was really that helpless. This wasn't what they thought it was. She couldn't believe they thought Peter would try and rape her. Well, she guessed that they didn't really know Peter much at all and they were still reeling from the news of what Rumlow did but still…

"He wasn't doing anything I didn't want him to do." Emma finally said, hoping that she would get the message across to them. There was complete silence in the room as both her father and Steve stared at her, disbelief on their faces. Tony looked like he was enjoying this way too much while Peter just made sure to stick close to Tony's side.

"Excuse me?" Steve asked in disbelief and Emma sighed.

"Peter and I are kind of…well, I guess we're kind of a thing now." Emma told them and Steve and Bucky still weren't understanding what she was trying to say.

"What do you mean you're a thing now?" Bucky questioned and Emma supposed that there wasn't an easy way to tell them this. She guessed that she was just going to have to come out with it.

"I mean that we're together…or going steady as they said back in your time." Emma said, trying to lighten the situation with a remark about their old age but she could tell it did little to help the situation. Both Steve and her father just stared at her silently, trying to piece together what she just said. For a moment they thought she was joking…that this whole thing was just a joke. Emma couldn't be serious…could she?

"Emma, I'm not understanding any of this. Are you saying that you and this boy are…dating?" Steve asked her and Emma didn't miss the way he winced when he said "dating". "Since when? Now?"

"No, we've been together for about six months." Emma corrected and Steve nearly choked on his own breath when he heard that. Six months? That was half a year! Steve didn't even think he had ever been in a relationship that long and he was positive that Bucky hadn't either. Speaking of Bucky, the former Hydra assassin didn't seem to be taking this well either. He looked like he was slowly going insane.

Bucky was trying to process the fact that Emma was saying that she was in a consensual relationship with the boy he had caught dry humping her. Why was she in a relationship at all? She was only sixteen. She was just a little girl. Sixteen was too young to date and especially to date a horny teenage boy like that. Bucky didn't want to imagine what the boy would've done had Bucky not stopped him.

"Mr. Barnes…Mr. Rogers." Peter said, reminding the two of them of his presence. "I just want you to know that I respect and love your daughter. I would never do anything to hurt her."

"Love?" Steve questioned, sounding both horrified and shocked. Tony didn't know whether or not he should feel amused or concerned for Steve. He got that this was a lot to take in and Steve didn't exactly find out in the most ideal way. Catching your granddaughter in bed with a boy couldn't have been the best way to find out that she was dating that same boy for the past six months and that they were in love. It was definitely a lot to take in.

"Yes, I love Emma and I fully plan to marry her so you don't need to worry. I'll take care of her and love her for the rest of her life. I promise." Peter said sincerely, sounding more confident than he did a second ago. Emma just rolled her eyes at him while Tony face palmed. Steve looked like he might have a stroke while Bucky just looked he was going to be sick.

"That's too much, kid. Way too much." Tony told him before smiling as best he could at Steve and Barnes. He really thought if the kid kept running his mouth like that then he was going to get himself killed. "Anyways…it looks like you three need to have a family discussion so I think the kid and I will just head out. See you guys at dinner."

"Wait a second." Steve said slowly as he narrowed his eyes at Tony. "You don't seem surprised. Did you know about this?" Tony cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Kind of." Tony told him and Steve scoffed.

"Kind of? Well, did you or didn't you?" Steve questioned and Tony sighed.

"Fine. Yes, I did know. You think Barnes is the first one to walk in on something? They're teenagers. They can't keep their hands off each other." Tony explained and Emma glared at him because he really wasn't helping the situation. Steve looked furious with Tony while Bucky just seemed to be glaring at Peter.

"You knew about this all this time?" Steve asked in annoyance and Tony rolled his eyes.

"Of course I knew. Who do you think introduced them?" Tony retorted and Emma didn't know what Tony was trying to do. He was only pissing off Steve more and more.

"Are you saying you intentionally set my teenage granddaughter up on a date with this boy? She's a child, Tony." Steve said angrily and Tony scoffed.

"I didn't know they were going to start dating. I thought they'd be friends. It's not my fault that Mini Cap started seducing the kid. He's a teenage boy. He's not exactly going to say no." Tony said and Emma just looked down at the ground. This was so embarrassing. She was now starting to think that she would've been better off telling them when they first returned.

"Are you calling my daughter loose?" Bucky said scathingly. Tony fought the urge to start a fight with the man…for Emma's sake if no one else. He really didn't need much of an excuse to start something with Barnes but it seemed like there were bigger issues at hand.

"I'm not calling her loose. I'm just saying that I didn't intend for them to start dating. I thought Mini Cap would find him annoying." Tony told them honestly.

"Hey!" Peter interjected and Tony just shrugged.

"Sorry, kid, but it's true." Tony then looked back at the three individuals now standing a distance away. "So as I was saying, I think me and the kid should leave. You three have a lot to discuss. Come on, kid. Let's go."

Tony then threw his arm around Peter's shoulder, starting to lead the boy out of the room. Tony needed to get the kid out of there as quickly as possible before Barnes tried to murder him again. Steve wanted to argue against the two of them leaving but he didn't. The million questions he had for his granddaughter started to take priority.

As Peter left the room, he cast a worried glance in Emma's direction. He hadn't wanted to leave her alone but Tony seemed insistent on him leaving. I love you, he mouthed to Emma which was something neither Steve or Bucky missed as Emma just nodded before blushing and avoiding eye contact with her father and Steve. Tony shut the door behind himself and Peter and suddenly Emma was left alone with Steve and her father. There was an awkward silence for a couple minutes and it was clear that no one knew what to say. Emma decided that she was probably going to have to be the first one to speak. God, the shit she did for Peter.

"Surprise!" Emma exclaimed, trying to be cheerful about this as she miserably failed at smiling. Her smile looked more like a grimace. Steve and Bucky didn't appear to be amused.

"What's going on, Emma? What is this?" Steve questioned as he looked back at her with a serious look on his face.

"Okay, there might've been a couple things I left out since you two returned." Emma admitted and her father gave her a look of disbelief.

"You think?" He said sarcastically before shaking his head. "Emma, I don't understand this. You can't really be…with that guy, can you? Please tell me this is some kind of joke."

"It's not a joke. He's my boyfriend." Emma told them and both men flinched at the mere mention of a boyfriend. "We've been together for a while now. I'm sorry we didn't tell you before but I thought it might've been overwhelming. I just wanted to tell you about Rumlow so I thought telling you about a boyfriend as well would be too much."

"Emma, I appreciate that you were trying to protect Bucky and I." Steve started to say gently, not willing to upset his granddaughter yet again. "But you can imagine that this isn't a better scenario. You should've just told us from the start." Emma sighed.

"I know that now. I just…I don't know. I wasn't expecting you to come back so soon and I panicked a little, I guess." Emma told them and Steve nodded, understanding her a bit better, before a concerned look came over his face.

"Emma, you're not leading this boy on, are you?" Steve asked hesitantly because he was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that Emma was in a relationship with someone. The same Emma who made sure everyone knew that she was never going to date a stupid boy. That was the Emma he had left behind a year ago, after all, so Steve didn't think it was that strange that he expected to come back to that very same Emma. "Because this boy really seems to love and care about you. He was even talking about marriage. Emma, if you don't feel the same way about him then you should let him know."

"I'm never going to marry him." Emma said abruptly and both Steve and Bucky had relieved looks on their faces.

"Thank God. It's not that serious then." Steve said in relief but it was what Emma said next that would cause both Steve and Bucky's jaws to drop open.

"You didn't let me finish. I'm never going to marry him because marriage is for losers like Tony and Pepper. Cool people live in sin like what Peter and I are going to do." Emma told her father and grandfather nonchalantly. "He also wants me to have his Spider-Brats but that's never going to happen either. Kids are gross and annoying."

Steve felt like his heart was going to jump out of his chest. Kids?! That boy wanted to have kids with Emma?! His Emma?! No…this couldn't be happening. She was just a girl. She was too young to be a mother. She had her whole life ahead of her. Wait…what? Living in sin? What did she mean by living in sin?

"Emma, this isn't funny." Her father told her, his voice shaky and Emma groaned in annoyance.

"I'm not trying to be funny, Papa." Emma told him before pausing briefly as she looked at the both of them. "I'm in love with Peter."

"Be serious, Emma. No more playing games." Her father said to her, desperate to believe that she was lying or messing around with him. Emma glared at him.

"I'm not playing games. I love Peter and he loves me. He's the only one I'll ever want and you two are just going to have to deal with that." Emma told them firmly and Steve and Bucky looked at her in concern. Bucky thought his daughter might've been on drugs for a minute before he realized that drugs wouldn't have an effect on her anyways. No, this was something else. Steve swallowed hard before locking eyes with his granddaughter.

"Emma, you're very young. I get that you might care about Peter a lot but you can't be sure that you're in love. You're too young to understand what love is." Steve tried to tell her as kindly as he could but he could see it was no use. Emma scoffed as she got up from the ground where she had been sitting and turned away from them. It was clear that she was angry. She was silent for a moment before she responded to Steve's statement but when she did, it was clear that Steve wasn't going to be able to talk her out of anything.

"Don't you dare think you can tell me what I don't or do feel. I know what love is and I know that I love Peter." Emma said stubbornly and Steve sighed.

"Emma, what you're talking about is a very big commitment to make. I'm just wondering if you've thought everything through or not. You haven't even known him for a year." Steve told her and Emma scoffed.

"And you're one to give advice on love? The man who still pines after the woman he lost to time several decades ago? Thanks but no thanks." Emma snapped and a hurt look came over Steve's face. Bucky glared at her.

"Don't talk to your grandfather like that. He's trying to help you." Bucky scolded and Emma clenched her jaw.

"Well, you're not one to give advice either. Steve told me about all the women you fucked back then so don't lecture me about my love life." Emma threw back and Steve gave her a furious look.

"Watch your language." He said and Emma sneered at him.

"No, I won't watch my fucking language. You two think you can just come back here after all this time and tell me how to live my life? I don't think so." Emma said and she was really starting to get pissed off. She knew her father wasn't likely to accept her relationship with Peter but she thought Steve would. Obviously she was wrong.

"We're your parents. We tell you to do something and you do it." Steve said angrily, quickly becoming frustrated with Emma's disobedience. Why wasn't she listening to them? Why was she fighting with them?

"I don't think I like you with this boy." Bucky stated as he stood up from the ground, crossing his arms. "I saw what you and him were doing earlier." Steve narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he was suddenly reminded why they were in this situation in the first place.

"Yeah…what were you and that boy doing in bed together, Emma?" Steve asked her and Emma wanted to roll her eyes. Typical. They were going to freak out just because she and Peter were in the same bed together.

"Well, that boy has a name which is Peter." Emma told them pointedly before continuing. "We were just fooling around. It's not a big deal."

"It is a big deal. You're giving him the wrong idea about you. What else is a boy to think when you get into bed with him?" Steve told her and this time Emma didn't resist the urge to roll her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Grandpa. I didn't realize it was still 1945 and slut shaming was still a thing." Emma said sarcastically and both her father and grandfather glared at her.

"Boys that age only expect one thing, Emma. Sex. Letting him do those things to you is basically telling him your legs are open for business." Bucky hissed and Emma resisted the urge to smirk at her father's harsh words.

Maybe she'd remember to tell Peter that her legs were open for business…or rather they were open for him. She'd love to see the blush on his face when she told him that. Emma, however, decided that it was probably best that she didn't tell Steve and her father about her plans to have sex with Peter. She could tell they were super 1940s and weren't cool with her becoming sexually active. Emma didn't think Steve and her father were sexist but maybe they were only acting this way because it was her. Either way, Emma was probably never going to come to them for advice about sex. Not that she wanted to anyways. The last time they had sex was probably in the 1940s. Emma didn't really think they were experts on the subject. She probably knew more than them at this point which was sad. No, Emma was just going to continue to go to Jessica for advice and maybe Darcy too.

"Peter's a gentlemen, Papa. He'd never pressure me into having sex." Emma told him and Bucky scoffed.

"Yeah, right. He sure looked like a gentlemen when he was dry humping you with his tiny little prick." Bucky said bluntly, causing even Steve to blush at his harshness. Emma wanted to tell her father that she knew for a fact that Peter's penis wasn't tiny. While Emma had yet to see it, she had felt it against her enough times to tell that it was in no way tiny. Quite the opposite actually. Emma wondered if that had to do with the spider bite or if it was just him. No that it matter either way. It still worked out great for Emma in the end. However, Emma didn't think bringing up Peter's penis size was going to help the situation.

"He would've stopped if I wanted him to stop." Emma said as she shrugged nonchalantly, signaling to Steve and Bucky that she didn't mind what Peter and her had been doing earlier which only horrified the both of them. Bucky clenched his jaw as he glared but he wasn't glaring at Emma. He was glaring at the reminder of that smug horny kid as he spotted a mark on his daughter's neck that the little asshole had left behind. Bucky suddenly wished the kid was back in the room again so he could strangle him some more.

"This has to end." Bucky said, putting his foot down.

"What?" Emma questioned, not sure what her father meant. Even Steve seemed a bit confused as to what Bucky was talking about.

"You and the kid…it ends right here and now." Bucky told her, his voice full of authority. Emma's eyes widened in disbelief. Did her father really say what she thought he just said? "This thing you two have going on is too serious for someone your age. At this rate he'll up getting you pregnant in high school. Is that what you want?"

"Do you think that boy would really stay with you and take care of you then?" Bucky continued to tell her harshly and Emma's eyes began to flood with tears at her father's cruel words. "He'd probably leave you as soon as he could for another gullible pretty face and Steve and I would be left to pick up the pieces."

"Peter wouldn't do that. He said he'd love me forever." Emma said weakly but Bucky didn't back down. He wanted to make his daughter see reality and not live in this fantasy world this kid seemed to keep her in.

"He's a teenage boy, Emma. He makes up things so he can get what he wants. I know. I did the same thing when I was his age." Bucky told her and Steve was starting to regret taking this approach to Emma. They were only upsetting her. This much was clear to Steve.

"Peter would never lie to me. He's my best friend." Emma argued and Bucky glared at her, unwilling to back down. They were both as stubborn as each other. It seemed like Emma had picked up more than a few things from Bucky although Steve could be pretty stubborn too at times. Maybe it was a Rogers thing as well.

"This is going to end right now." Bucky said firmly and Emma shook her head, tears running down her face.

"Why?" She questioned.

"Because I said so." Bucky hissed angrily, furious that Emma was questioning any demand he made. Emma glared at him, not caring if she was crying. She wasn't going to let him boss her around. Emma loved Peter and as much as she loved her father and Steve she wasn't going to give him up for them. She wouldn't give up Steve and her father for Peter either although she knew Peter would never want that from her.

"You just want me to be alone and miserable like you two." Emma cried bitterly and Steve felt guilty for upsetting her like this. That was never his intention. He just didn't realize until now that this boy was very important to her. He could see that Emma really was in love with Peter. It was obvious to him now. Everything suddenly made more sense. Emma's odd behavior, how close she and Peter seemed to be, the way he looked at her, and how concerned he seemed for her back in the meeting. Peter was probably the one Emma had been texting during the meeting as well. It was literally staring him in the face the entire time but Steve had been too blind to see it. He thought that maybe Peter had a thing for Emma which wasn't a surprise to him but he didn't think Emma felt the same. It was clear that he had been wrong.

"You're just mad because I found someone who loves and cares about me and you can't stand it. You'd rather me be alone forever." Emma told them scathingly. "You don't even care if he makes me happy."

"I'm trying to look out for you!" Bucky said in response, fuming with anger at the thought that Emma wasn't even listening to him.

"Oh, so I guess it was cool when we were killing people but when I'm actually trying to make a life for myself you suddenly want to put a stop to it." Emma said in disbelief before shaking her head. Bucky was hurt by her statement but he tried to push his feelings to the side as he tried to get Emma to see reason.

"I made mistakes in the past. I'm not denying that but I'm trying to do right by you." Bucky told her but Emma was too angry to listen to him. He wanted her to break up with Peter and he didn't even care that she loved Peter. She didn't know why he was doing this to her. "You're too young for this and I don't think he's right for you."

"You don't even know him." Emma argued and it became clear to her what he really meant. She could see it written all over his face as he stared back at her. "It's not him, is it? You don't think anyone's right for me. You really do want me to be alone and miserable." Emma was hurt by the fact that her father actually felt that way. He didn't even know Peter yet he didn't want him in Emma's life. Her father didn't want her to be with Peter even if Peter made her happy.

"You're too young." Bucky repeated but Emma already had her answer. She couldn't stop the tears as she cried at her father's cruelness. Bucky was taken by surprise at the sight of her tears over something he had previously considered trivial. This was just a boy, after all. Could Emma really be so overdramatic about a boy?

Steve immediately went to Emma's side and embraced her. He soothingly rubbed her back as he held her in his arms, trying his best at comforting her. Emma buried her face in Steve's chest as she continued to cry and Steve whispered sweet nothings to her. He then glanced back up at Bucky who was still staring in shock at Emma. Steve glared at his best friend, not believing how far he took it with Emma. Steve was apprehensive about Emma and this boy too but his apprehension wasn't worth making her upset. Bucky opened his mouth to speak but Steve stopped him before he could.

"Walk it off." Steve told him heatedly and Bucky was about to argue but Steve shook his head. He pointedly looked at the door, signaling for Bucky to leave. The former assassin didn't look very inclined to leave but he left anyways, fuming with anger that Emma so easily ignored him. It was like his opinion didn't matter to her at all. Bucky slammed the door behind him and Emma just clutched on to Steve harder.

"It's okay, Emma. He's gone." Steve whispered to her and he even found that he was pissed off at his best friend for doing this. This was the second time Bucky had left Emma a crying mess in Steve's arms. He didn't know what was going on with his friend these days. Although…Steve didn't know if he could really be surprised. While Bucky had always been good at charming women, he had always managed to upset them with his stubbornness. This was why Bucky had never managed to keep a woman back in their own time. He was always doing something to piss them off and it looked like he had pissed off Emma too.

"I thought this was what you wanted for me." Emma said sadly as she pulled away to look up at him. Steve frowned at her cheeks which were glistening with fallen tears.

"What do you mean?" Steve asked her and Emma shrugged but her eyes were still flooded with tears.

"I thought you wanted me to fall in love…you know, find someone and have a normal life. Stuff like that." Emma elaborated and Steve sighed heavily as he wiped the tears from her face.

"I meant when you were older, Emma. When you were in college…an adult." Steve told her sincerely. "I didn't mean when you were still a kid and I certainly didn't mean with someone like Peter."

"What do you mean someone like Peter?" Emma said as she narrowed her eyes at him and Steve was quick to explain himself.

"No, I just meant that I wanted you to find someone…normal. Some who doesn't have-" Steve said but Emma interrupted him.

"Someone who doesn't have powers?" She replied and Steve nodded silently. Emma didn't seem angry at his explanation as she went on to tell Steve how important Peter was to her. Maybe if she could make him understand then he wouldn't be so against her having a boyfriend. "I didn't mean to fall in love with him, you know. I didn't want to but it just happened. It was just like what you said it was with my grandmother…I just knew." Steve stayed silent as he listened to her describe her feelings for Peter Parker.

"I felt so alone and sad after you and Papa left. I missed you both so much and I was really miserable and mean to everyone. Peter knew how mean I was but he didn't care. He wanted to be my friend anyways." Emma said as she smiled softly at the thought of the early days of her and Peter's relationship. It was hard to believe that it hadn't even been a year since they officially met. It felt like so much longer. "I thought he was really annoying at first. He was nosy and you know how much I hate nosy people." Steve smiled at that because he really did know how much she hated nosy people.

"Anyways…I eventually found out he was Spider-Man although it wasn't that hard. He trusts way too easily." Emma said before continuing. "We encountered some guys who had gotten a hold of weapons made from Chitauri technology so we decided to form a truce. I pretended to be in it for myself but he saw through me…even back then. He wasn't really even afraid of me like most people would be."

"So you were just friends first?" Steve inquired and Emma nodded, a smile on her face.

"Yes. It's easy to be friends with Peter. He's so easy to talk and so understanding. There's no judgement whatsoever." Emma explained before she continued to walk Steve through her and Peter's complicated relationship. "I don't know. I never really had friends before. I mean, I had you and everyone else but it's different."

"You never had friends your own age." Steve said in understanding and Emma nodded once more.

"Exactly. I told myself that I had only formed an alliance with him for a common goal but I began to see him as a friend." Emma said truthfully and she realized that this was the first time she told anyone the whole story behind how her and Peter got together. "I think I was starting to see him as more than a friend but I was in denial back then. I had this belief that having feelings for him would only hold me back."

"Emma, that's not-" Steve began to say but Emma stopped him.

"I know it was wrong but it's what I thought. I'm not totally sure what Peter thought of me back then. He claims to have loved me from the start but I know that's a bunch of bullshit. He only had eyes for Liz Allan back then." Emma said as she rolled her eyes at the mere thought of Liz Allan. Steve decided to ignore her cursing for the time being as he smiled at her.

"So that's the infamous Liz Allan I keep hearing about?" Steve said and Emma sighed. Steve just watched her in amusement. He now understood the dislike she seemed to have for the girl. It wasn't Emma being mean but it was jealousy. It was an emotion he had never seen her have before.

"Yes. He always fawned all over her and drooled whenever she wore a skirt. It was revolting and pathetic to watch." Emma told him before continuing with her story. "There was a time that I pushed him away too. I got scared because I knew I was starting have feelings for him and I was terrified. You weren't there at the time and I had no idea what to do so I thought running away was the solution."

"You were going to run away?" Steve asked in concern and Emma shook her head.

"I never ended up doing it." Emma told him seriously. "Peter and I were brought together by the Vulture. The incident only brought us closer than ever. I realized I loved him not long after that but I was too scared to tell him how I felt. I didn't know it at the time but Peter felt the same way. He was too scared to tell me he loved me because of rejection and I was too scared to tell him because I didn't think I was good enough for him."

"Emma, you'll never not be good enough." Steve told her softly, not liking the way she thought of herself. "In fact, I think you're too good for any boy. You're my best girl."

"Thank you, Steve." Emma said quietly and Steve gave her a curious look.

"So how did you two get together then?" He asked her and Emma just smiled.

"It sort of happened during a fight. We were arguing about something that was meaningless and he blurted out that he loved me. I didn't say anything because I was scared so we didn't speak for a couple weeks." Emma explained to him as Steve listened to her intently. Emma also made sure to leave out the Betty Brant incident because she didn't think Steve would appreciate the fact that she had thrown a teenage girl into a locker full of snakes. He probably wouldn't see the humor in that. "I never liked changed but I missed him so much and I hated hurting him so I gave in with some convincing from Darcy.

"Darcy knew about this?" Steve asked in surprise and Emma gave him a look.

"Steve, literally everyone at the compound knows this. The only ones that don't know are the ones who just got back…like you and Papa." Emma told him and Steve realized that he was being stupid. Of course, everyone knew. Steve highly doubted that Emma would've been able to hide this from everyone at the compound for six months. "So I finally told him how I felt and the rest is history, I guess."

"Just like that?" Steve asked with a raised eyebrow and Emma nodded.

"Yes…I mean, we've had our bumps in the road and everything. It hasn't all been perfect. Especially with what happened with Rumlow." Emma admitted and Steve watched her carefully. "I had been hiding a lot of secrets from him and he could tell. We almost broke up because I was being so secretive. I don't know why but I thought he'd leave me if I told him about Rumlow but he didn't. When I finally told him he was so supportive and understanding. He's never made me less than because of what happened."

"He's good to you then? He treats you well?" Steve inquired quietly and Emma's eyes lit up with excitement. She was starting to get the feeling that Steve might be accepting of her and Peter's relationship, after all.

"Yes, Steve. He does…he's a great boyfriend. The best actually." Emma told him but Steve's questioning wasn't over.

"He takes you out on dates? He does romantic stuff?" Steve asked and Emma nodded.

"Yes, he's very romantic and he takes me out on dates all the time." Emma told him honestly.

"He holds the door open for you and pulls out your chair?" Emma smiled at Steve. He really hadn't changed in all the time he had been away. He was still the gentlemen from the 1940s.

"Always." Emma said softly and Steve just nodded to himself. He swallowed hard as he considered everything Emma just told him. It was a lot but he knew that Emma really loved this boy so he supposed he was just going to have to accept that. It seemed like Emma wasn't just his best girl anymore but she was someone else's best girl as well. Steve was a little scared of what this would mean because he never thought Emma would grow up this fast. He thought he'd have more time before some boy stole her heart but this seemed to all be happening now. It looked like Steve was just going to have to accept the fact that there was another man in Emma's life now. Well, technically it was a boy but he was still going to have to get used to sharing her with someone else.

"You really love him then? You can't be without him?" Steve asked her and Emma just nodded.

"Steve, he's the only one for me. I can't ever see myself being away from him. I know I'm young and all but I've seen a lot of terrible things in my life. It's aged me." Emma told him truthfully. "Peter brings me peace and happiness. I feel like I can have the life you always wanted for me with him and I even want that life for myself too but only if it's with him." Steve smiled softly at her because he could that she was head over heels for this boy. He couldn't help but notice being in love was a very becoming look for her. She seemed much more happy than what he was used to. Steve remembered what that was like once upon a time.

"Okay." Steve stated and Emma raised her eyebrows.

"Okay?" She questioned and Steve nodded before taking a deep breath and exhaling.

"I think I can be okay with this." Steve told her and Emma's face lit up with happiness as she looked back at him.

"Really?" Emma said hopefully and Steve smiled back at her, liking the fact that she looked happy. He would much rather her be happy than sad and if Peter made her happy then Steve could get over the fact that Emma was growing up so fast.

"Yes. If he makes you happy and treats you well then I don't see why I would have any issue with you having a…boyfriend." Steve told her even though the word "boyfriend" was still a little tough to get used to where Emma was concerned. He was going to have to get used to Emma having a boyfriend and it would take time but Steve was confident that everything was going to be fine. Sure, Bucky had caught Emma and her boyfriend in a compromising position but maybe Tony was right. Teenagers were hormonal and they did things like that. Steve was just going to have to keep an eye on them to make sure they weren't up to anything inappropriate.

"Thank you, Steve." Emma said as she ambushed her grandfather with a hug. Steve chuckled at her as he hugged her back.

"Anything for my best girl." Steve murmured to her. He always knew that someday she would fall in love but he never expected it to be this soon. However, Steve was just happy that she had found that person for her. He only wanted her to be happy. "Of course, this also means that we're going to have to set up boundaries." Emma pulled away to look at him.

"Boundaries?" Emma questioned and Steve nodded solemnly.

"Yes, if you're going to be in a relationship with this boy then there has to be rules." Steve told her and Emma didn't know if she liked the sound of that.

"What kind of rules?" Emma asked hesitantly.

"Well, the door has to always remain open. I don't care what the circumstances are but I don't ever want to see the door shut." Steve told her firmly which was the same rule Tony gave them but Emma had a feeling that, unlike Tony, Steve was actually going to enforce this rule. "Also, when you move back into the townhouse for school then you're going to have a curfew."

"A curfew?" Emma questioned and Steve nodded.

"He has to have you home by nine." Steve told her and Emma gave him a look of disbelief.

"Nine? Nine's way too early." Emma argued and Steve gave her a pointed look.

"You're lucky that I'm even letting you go out with this boy considering what Bucky saw earlier." Steve told her and Emma realized that Steve had a point. At least Steve seemed to be on her side on this one.

"Fine." Emma said begrudgingly.

"He also has to always tell me where he's taking you. I need to know where you're going to be."

"But Steve that's so embarrassing." Emma complained. How the hell were she and Peter supposed to have sex now? Ugh! Steve was such a cockblocker.

"Well, you're the one who wanted a boyfriend so this is how it's going to be." Steve told her seriously and Emma just sulked.

"I also don't want to catch you two kissing. I don't want to see it, Emma." Steve said and Emma rolled her eyes.

"What and you thought I wanted to see you and Susan frenching last year? Peter and I are going to kiss, Steve. What do you else do you think we do?" Emma retorted and Steve gave her a pointed look.

"Well, I don't want to see any of it." Steve argued before giving her a more stern look. "I especially don't want to catch him in bed with you. You're too young for sex."

It's not like I'm some innocent virgin, Emma thought to herself. Not to mention this time Emma actually wanted to have sex and it was completely her decision. However, Emma knew better than to argue with Steve over this. He was actually being accepting of her relationship with Peter unlike her father. No, Emma would probably just go behind his back and have sex with Peter anyways. That's what most teenagers did. What Steve didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

"I guess that's fair." Emma mumbled and Steve nodded, satisfied that Emma wasn't going to fight him on this.

"Good." Steve replied before continuing. "I also want to have a long talk with Peter."

"That's fine." Emma said before she gave him a small smile. "I know you'll really like him, Steve." Steve smiled at her softly.

"I'm sure I will." Steve told her and Emma suddenly grew more serious as the harshness of Steve's rules suddenly became insignificant next to the problem she was facing with her father. Emma had momentarily forgotten about her father until that moment…her father who was against her being with Peter even though he didn't even know Peter.

"What about Papa? He doesn't want me to be with Peter." Emma said worriedly and Steve just shook his head as he gave her a reassuring look.

"Bucky was just surprised, Emma. He didn't mean what he said. He says a lot of things he doesn't mean." Steve tried to tell her but Emma still looked hurt by her father's rejection of Peter.

"He seemed really angry." Emma told him and Steve gently tucked a strand of her loose blonde hair behind her hair affectionately. He looked down at her lovingly, silently cursing Bucky for upsetting her so much.

"It's not you. He just has a lot of things he has to figure out for himself. He'll come around. Don't worry." Steve said reassuringly but Emma still seemed concerned.

"I don't want him to hate Peter…I don't want him to keep us apart. I just want him to like Peter." Emma said, still looking worried out of her mind.

"He's not going to keep you and Peter apart." Steve told her firmly, realizing that Emma was more like a teenage girl than he thought. Although he was glad she was finally acting like a kid instead of the adult she always pretended to be. "I won't let that happen. You and Peter can be together. I'll have a talk with Bucky. Everything will be alright." Emma finally seemed comforted by Steve's words as she smiled at him contently before hugging him once more.

"Thank you, Dad." Emma told him, once again slipping up and calling him dad. Steve only smiled as he held her close to him, secretly thrilled that she had called him dad again. He just hoped this became a more frequent occurrence. Steve didn't mind her calling him dad.

"Don't mention it." Steve said softly as he gently ran his fingers through her blonde hair. He continued to hold her before he decided to remind her of a small detail he still hadn't forgotten. "I hope you know that this still means that you're not going on that mission tomorrow."

"I know." Emma said quietly and Steve raised an eyebrow.

"You do?" He questioned and Emma just nodded as she remained in his arms.

"I promised Peter I wouldn't go. He's right. It would be stupid of me to go on the mission when Hydra's targeting me." Emma told him truthfully and even though she couldn't see it, Steve was smiling in relief. He felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Maybe this Peter guy wasn't so bad, after all. He finally got Emma to do the impossible which was to stay behind on a mission. Steve even might've been starting to like Emma's boyfriend just for that reason alone.

"I'm glad." Steve told Emma. It was silent again as they stood together in her bedroom but it didn't take him long before he broke the silence with another reminder. "I also hope you know that whenever all this Hydra business is over, you're grounded." Emma pulled away to look at him in surprise.

"What?" She questioned and Steve gave her an amused look.

"You lied to me and Bucky about your boyfriend, talked back to us, and you were even caught in bed with that same boyfriend." Steve told her pointedly and Emma groaned in frustration.

"I already told you we weren't doing anything. We were just fooling around." Emma said in an annoyed tone but Steve just continued to smirk at her.

"Don't worry, Emma. I'm sure Peter and I can have plenty of interesting conversations while you're grounded. I'm especially sure that he'll love taking a look at the baby pictures your grandmother left me." Steve said mockingly and Emma found that she really didn't like her grandfather when he was being evil. She playfully glared at him.

"Right and maybe Susan will love to see those educational videos Captain America made. I especially loved the one about Sex Ed. I learned a lot about my body from that one." She told Steve smugly which caused the smirk to fall off his face. Emma then proceeded to do her best imitation of her grandfather in the educational videos she watched in school. "So your body's changing. Believe me, I know how that feels." Steve just laughed nervously as he blushed before leaning down and pressing a chaste kiss against her forehead.

"Let's just call it even." Steve told her quietly and Emma laughed.

Emma didn't know why she was so scared to tell everyone about her and Peter. Well, her father was actually evidence as to why she didn't want to come out with it but Steve made it painfully obvious how easy it was to tell him things. Maybe Steve was right. Everything would work itself out. Her father was mad now but maybe he'd get over it. Emma was just glad Steve was seemingly approving of the relationship. She was more than confident that Steve would like Peter even more when he got to know him a bit. Steve and Peter would get along wonderfully. It was just her father she was worried about.