There was a great selection of fruit and vegetables at the grocery and Caroline found herself grinning like a Cheshire cat, picking up onions and tomatoes she brought one up to her nose and inhaled the sweet smell. She had the whole day with Steve planned out and before they were going to go for a walk she was going to make them a huge breakfast. She'd left Steve in bed sleeping and as she looked over all the fresh produce Caroline felt like things were back to normal.

'Make sure you're back home in half an hour!'

At the sound of the voice she hadn't heard for several years Caroline dropped the veg out of her hand and snapped her head up. Turning around quickly she could see there was no one in sight other than the owner at the back of the shop. Caroline felt faint and stumbled slightly as she went to pick up the fallen fruit and veg. Standing and staring at nothing in particular she didn't know what to make of what had just happened. Why now? Why there? It made no sense, nothing like that had ever happened before? Picking up the fruit and veg again she made her way to the till and paid quickly.


Caroline pushed the morning's events away as she got back to her apartment and started preparing breakfast. Dicing the vegetables she found it increasingly difficult not to try and work out why she'd heard her Father's voice for the first time since his passing.

"Morning," turning she watched Steve come into the kitchen, smiling when she kissed the top of her head as he always did. Pouring himself a cup of coffee he leant against the countertop.

"Morning," she replied as she turned her attention back to the onion in front of her. Steve took a sip of his coffee and watched Caroline's back. She was usually so talkative in the morning, especially when they had a day to themselves, wanting to plan out everything they would be doing.

"Are you alright?" he asked and Caroline closed her eyes as she took a deep breath. She didn't want to ruin her day with Steve over something so silly. Plastering on a smile and turned to him and asked what he wanted in his omelette. "You choose," he told her and Caroline nodded.

As they sat and ate breakfast Steve kept finding himself peering up and catching a sad look on Caroline's face, not really knowing what to do or say he hoped she would open up to him when she was ready.

"Are you working this evening?" he asked her.

"Yes, you're going downtown with Sam tonight aren't you?" Caroline asked as she began to clear up their plates.

"Yes, I should be back around the same time as you." As they both stood Steve pulled Caroline into an embrace and felt her melt against him, he was about to ask her again if anything was wrong but watching her pull back and give him a quick smile the moment passed and he found himself following her down the hall.


Walking through the park Caroline tucked her arm through Steve's tightly. The air was crisp and cold and Caroline watched as her breath billowed out in a white plume. Apart from a few dog walkers and parents with prams it was relatively quiet and the pair found themselves wondering around quite happily in silence. Rounding the corner they spotted a trumpet player on the pathway up ahead. The swing tune made Steve smile and stopping and pulling Caroline into a dance hold, the pair foxtrotted back and forth for a moment before Steve dipped Caroline dramatically and the pair couldn't stop laughing.

"You're a nutter you do know that don't you?!" Caroline told him as they continued on their walk.

"Well don't tell anybody," Steve replied. "I blame you of course," he said as they sat down on a bench and Caroline tucked herself into his side.

"Me? Why me?" Caroline asked trying to sound shocked. Steve just kissed the top of her head and continued to watch the pigeons that had gathered around them in hopes of food.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked her suddenly.

"Honestly, what sauce would go best with pigeon?" Caroline answered and Steve barked with laughter.

"No really, what are you thinking about?" Caroline looked up at him and found herself lost in his eyes.

"How perfect this is," she told him quietly.

"Me too."


As she prepared the vegetables and chicken Caroline found herself stopping and starting, not being able to forget that voice she hadn't heard for so many years. She didn't hear the door open and close as Johann Fennhoff walked in so when he cleared his throat to gain her attention she jumped in the air and let out a shriek. Holding her chest with her hands she laughed nervously as the older gentleman walked towards her.

"I'm so sorry Caroline!" Johann apologised. "I didn't mean to startle you, is everything alright?" he asked her sincerely. Caroline smiled tightly and laughed nervously.

"Yes of course, I'm sorry Mister Fennhoff, I was in my own world!" Throwing the vegetables into the large wok Caroline tossed it quickly as Fennhoff came to stand on the other side of the large island. "How was your day?" she asked him as he removed the cork from the wine bottle and poured himself a large glass.

"Very good thank you for asking," Johann replied courteously, his voice having a calming influence over Caroline. "And you?"

"Very nice, we took a lovely walk in the park, cold but dry." She answered smiling at the memory. "You're a Psychiatrist aren't you Sir?" throwing the noodles in Caroline added a splash of Soy sauce to the wok. Johann sat down on one of the stools opposite her and undid the button of his suit jacket. Taking a sip of his wine he set the glass down delicately and smiled at her cordially.

"Yes I am," Johann replied as he watched Caroline serve up his dinner and place it in front of him.

"That must be very rewarding work?" Caroline commented as she placed a mat and cutlery in front of him.

"Yes, very much so as I'm sure your work is for you!" he complimented. "There's truth in the old adage of 'food for the soul'." Laughing he gave her one of his million watt smiles and Caroline found herself blushing. "Would you care to join me?" he asked her as she began to clear up her pots and pans and set his food in front of him.

"Oh no, thank you. I have to get going." Caroline replied politely, it wasn't unusual for her clients to ask her to eat with them from time to time but she always declined. Johann Fennhoff was a very charismatic man, when Caroline had met with him to talk about the position of personal chef she had instantly found him incredibly easy to talk to and looked forward to working for him.

"Are you sure?" he asked her and Caroline paused.

"Umm?" she looked at him confused, finding herself contemplating accepting his offer. It was only the thought of Steve at home that cleared her thoughts. "No, thank you really. I have to be getting on, thank you though." Placing the last pot in the dishwasher Caroline retrieved her coat and bag and scurried from the kitchen leaving Johann Fennhoff watching after her.


Two Weeks Later

Pulling the pastry from the oven Caroline set it on the side and used the oven glove to fan her face. Her usual getup of old jeans and jumper had made her too warm in her hot kitchen. Pulling the sleeves up her arms Caroline grabbed a lemon from her fruit bowl and cut it in half, wiping the large mixing bowl with half a lemon she used paper towel to wipe it dry. Whisking meringue was one of Caroline's favourite things to do and as the electric whisk buzzed and hummed against the glass bowl Caroline smiled as the white clouds started to form stiff peaks. Steve popped his head round the door to see Caroline bopping to and fro as she whisked.

"It smells amazing in here," he said as he came to rest on the counter beside her. Caroline grinned and continued to whisk. "Is this for us?" he asked hopefully.

"I'm afraid not no," Caroline told him as she put the whisk down and pulled the beaters from the handle. Steve's sullen pout made her laugh and then handing him one of the beaters to lick she laughed more when his frown turned into a large grin.

"So who gets to enjoy this instead of me?" Steve said between licks.

"Mister Fennhoff," Caroline answered as she picked up the bowl of meringue and held it above Steve's head. "That's how you know it's right," she told him. Steve looked up at the upside down bowl above him and creased his brow in confusion.

"Really?"

"Really," Caroline nodded, setting it back down and pulling a spatula from the drawer.

"How is Mister Fennhoff?" Steve moved out of the way when Caroline started piling on the meringue onto the zesty lemon base. Watching her swirl the pie topping with the back of the spatula he cleared his throat to gain her attention, looking up at him Caroline spotted him eyeing the spatula and with a roll of her eyes she handed the thing to him to lick.

"Very good, he's lovely actually. Always complimentary and just sits in the kitchen to eat."

"I'm glad it's going well," he replied. "I have a meeting downtown today, do you want to come with me?" Caroline shook her head and explained she was planning on working to which Steve pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'll see you when I get back then," giving her a kiss on the cheek Caroline squeezed his hand lovingly.

"Be safe," she told him as she watched him leave.

"I'll try," giving her a wink and smiling at her before he left Steve pulled on his jacket and left their apartment. Opening the oven door Caroline picked up the pie and placed it carefully in the centre of the oven.

'If you think you're going courting you've got another thing coming young lady! No Daughter of mine is going to go off parading herself round town like some floozy!'

Caroline's hands recoiled and as the pie fell to the floor her wrists caught the hot wire rack in the oven. Sucking in a sharp breath Caroline stared down at the already reddening skin and swore under her breath. Looking around the kitchen Caroline had never been more frightened in her life. The pain snapped her from her thoughts and she went quickly to the sink where she turned on the cold water tap. Sticking her wrists under the running water Caroline let out a sob. What was happening to her?


Three Weeks Later

Stepping into Johann Fennhoff's townhouse Caroline shouted out a 'good afternoon'.

"Ah Caroline," Johann greeted her as he made his way down the large spiral staircase. Fastening his buttons on his three-piece suit he smiled warmly at Caroline who gave him a sweet smile back. "It's good to see you, how are your wrists?" standing in front of her he uncharacteristically took her hands in his, his towering frame making Caroline crane her neck up to look at him. "How are you feeling?" he asked her.

"Much better thank you Mister Fennhoff, on the mend now." She answered turning her arms over to show him her wrists, two small plasters now covering the healing burns.

"I'm very glad to hear it," Fennhoff answered. Caroline found his voice soothing and felt her shoulders relax then and there as he spoke to her. She didn't notice how he tapped the palm of her hand with his thumb as he spoke to her.

"You haven't seemed your usual self my dear, I just hope everything is alright. I do hope you have someone to talk to?" Caroline smiled.

"I do thank you," she told him. Johann leant towards her and whispered conspiratorially.

"A gentleman?" he asked and Caroline smiled in response.

"Yes Mister Fennhoff, a gentleman." She whispered back good-naturedly.

"And he's trustworthy?" Caroline creased her brow in confusion.

"Yes Mister Fennhoff, he's trustworthy." She answered uneasily.

"You can never be too careful these days Caroline, if you ever want to speak to someone please, do not hesitate to ask me, free of charge of course. Oh and I wanted to give you a little something." Handing over a small paper bag Caroline thanked him as she pulled out a large scented candle. Bringing it up to her nose she inhaled the sweet smell.

"This is very kind of you mister Fennhoff," Caroline thanked him again and then made her way to the kitchen.

"You know, you should bring your gentleman friend to dinner one evening, I'd love to host the pair of you!" Caroline stopped and turned towards him.

"That's very kind of you Mister Fennhoff, I'll mention it to him but he can be very busy and I'm not sure when we…" Johann Fennhoff smiled back at Caroline and held up his hand.

"You should be the most important thing in his life Ms Holland, if I was a younger man nothing would stop me from being by your side. Your Mother and Father must be very proud." Caroline blanched and found herself gulping back a quiet sob.

"Thank you Mister Fennhoff," she replied politely not quite sure why she felt so emotional.

"I haven't upset you have I? Oh I do hope not?"

"Not at all Mister Fennhoff, it's just that my parents have passed." Johann Fennhoff closed the gap between them and took her hand once more, tapping slowly away.

"I'm sorry to hear that dear, Daughters are always very close to their Fathers." Caroline choked on a sob.

"My Father was a complicated man Mister Fennhoff," she replied.

"I see, I see, well be careful my dear because Daughters can go on to marry their Fathers in the men they fall in love with." Walking away Johann Fennhoff stood in his hallway and grinned. "Other men, lesser men…" he whispered to himself. "…have attempted to defeat Captain America before and all have failed! But before I destroy him, I will first make him mad!"