Oh snap, is this a new chapter. I apologize for not updating in...(dang) awhile. Between having surgery, school, and working, I haven't had the time or motivation to write. I made this chapter longer so maybe that'll make up for being gone for so long? Steve is getting ready to start facing down Hydra and he's about to meet Sam Wilson. I already have plans for the next chapter so, hopefully, it won't be long before I get the next chapter done. I hope you guys enjoy. Thank you SO MUCH for reading!

Disclaimer: I own nothing Marvel.

One we go...


The Violinist

Chapter 7

Max had slept much better that night, taking to Steve's room after he offered it once again. She felt bad that he was sleeping on the couch since she was in his bed—she had told him it was fine if he wanted to sleep in there, too. It wasn't like they hadn't shared a bed before.

The next morning was severely cold and her morning sickness was hitting her harder than the day before. After one last round of horrible vomiting, Max bundled up in as many clothes as she could put on and still manage to walk. Steve had planted himself on the couch following her snapping at him to leave her alone, and jumped when she entered the living area so they could leave for headquarters; his eyes glued to the floor like a kicked puppy.

"Let's get this day over with," she sighed. Their eyes met for a second before he dropped them back to the floor, a wave of guilt flooding Max. "I'm sorry for yelling at you to go away. I just don't want you seeing that stuff."

They began walking down to the truck. "You don't have to hide from me. We're in this together so you might as well get used to having me around. Besides, I've seen a lot worse things than a dame puking," he explained.

"Maybe if I knew you a little better, I would be more comfortable with all of this. Yes, we live together and I'm having your kid, but we're still strangers," Max told him.

The look on Steve's face when she brought up having his kid was priceless. It was the funniest expression combining the pride of a father with an awkward, high school virgin.

Steve and her parted ways when they entered the Triskelion after he mumbled something about heading to the gym. She was still feeling bad about how she treated him this morning but didn't have time to dwell on it by the time she reached Fury's office.

The director was in a particularly foul mood that morning as well. Max didn't know if it was more because of her situation with Steve or if something had happened with the big mission. She certainly wasn't going to ask what managed to get his knickers in a twist, though.

"I don't care what the council said. We need to keep agents stationed in South America in case someone makes a move on one of our ships. Something is going to go down," he paused and listened to the person on the other end of the phone call. "Well if you had been listening earlier, you would have heard me say that Captain Rogers isn't available."

Max took a seat in one of the chairs in front her stepfather's desk and pulled out her tablet, getting a jump on the day's work. Almost everything Fury and his agents were doing these days had some kind of connection to the ships down in South America— their main ship, though, was making its way towards the Indian Ocean. It was nice when she came across a task on her schedule that had to do with something other than S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top mission. Today's schedule gave her a nice break from shuffling agents around and dealing with a grumpy Fury to visit the Captain America exhibit for a final inspection. It opened in a week and, since Steve wanted nothing to do with it, Max was determined to make sure everything was perfect.

"Let Captain Rogers know he should plan on leaving out in a few days," Fury switched his attention to her after ending his call. "It seems I can't keep him out of this one. Romanoff will be accompanying him."

"Is this about the ships? Where will they be going?"

He sighed. "It is about a ship. As to the location, I'm not going to tell you. You already know so much and you recall my fondness of compartmentalization."

Max nodded and typed a quick reminder to tell Steve later today that he should be prepared for a new mission. "What should I tell him if he asks about the specifics of the mission?"

"Just tell him to…be ready to chase a shooting star," Fury said.

"Got it," she confirmed and grabbed her things. "I'm going to the Smithsonian to see the exhibit and go over things with Jasey before it opens next week. I'll see you later."


After a stressful day of dealing with Max's hormones in the morning, and then finding out he would soon be heading out on an important mission, Steve wasn't surprised to find himself unable to sleep. He flicked through the infinite channels on the television late into the night before shutting it off and changing into sweatpants and a thin Under Armor shirt.

The cool night air felt good on his skin as he wandered the streets of D.C. The night air, the dull glow of the streetlights above him with their gentle humming of electricity, and the towering buildings stretching towards the sky took him back to the old days of wandering around New York City. Early morning traffic, with the occasional car horn, called out in the distance and brought Steve back to reality when his thoughts threatened to carry him away.

He wasn't nervous about going on the mission—at least, not any more nervous than he normal got when he was putting his life in danger. But now he didn't have just himself to think about. He had to think about the baby, his baby, and how he needed to try with every ounce of his being to stay alive to raise them. It was hard growing up without a father, and he thanked god every day for the years he had had with his mother, but it tore him to piece when he thought of how destroyed his mother had been when she talked about his father. How many tears she had shed when she told Steve about the day she, nearly eight months pregnant, answered the door to be delivered the worst news of her life: Joseph Rogers was never coming home. His father's sacrifice during the first World War was what had driven Steve to join the army, and it was that choice that had made him the man he was today—mentally and physically.

Of course he had to think about Max, too. He would do anything to save her from the life of being a single mother, not that he didn't think she would do a bang-up job, but it would be a stressful, exhausting job. He had seen evidence of that with his mother raising him by herself. She tried to work and give Steve the best childhood he could. As he got older he tried to take some of her stress away by helping around the house and staying out of trouble.

After she died, all he had let was Bucky. And then he lost him, too.

He shook his head and pushed away the sorrowful thoughts of the past. The mission would be simple, not dangerous. Plus he would have Natasha there to make the plan run even more smoothly. As long as everyone stuck to the plan things would be alright.

Faint rays of lights rising above the buildings caught his eye. Morning had come and he would be leaving soon. He still had some time, though.

The Washington Monument towered before him and he chuckled. His wandering had led him to his usual running place. Deciding a quick couple of laps would do him some good, he bounced on his toes a couple of times, loosening his muscles, and took of sprinting. For the first time all night, his head was clear of thoughts. It was just the pounding of his feet against the pavement and the beating of his heart as he ran through the empty park.

By his third time around the light was growing brighter in the sky and he spotted a man running not far in front of him. His strong, lean build, along with his tight running form gave Steve the impression that he was military. He pushed himself a little harder and closed the gap between them.

As he neared the other man, he turned his head and looked at him. The Air Force insignia over his heart on his sweatshirt told Steve he had guessed right; he was a military man. "On your left," he breathed and passed him. A soft laugh from the guy followed.

It was a few more rounds through the park, and a few more 'on your left' comments, before Steve slowed to a stop in front of a large tree where his new running buddy had collapsed.

"Need a medic?" Steve joked as he approached the young man as he sat against the tree. His dark skin was glistening with sweat and he was breathing heavily.

He laughed. "I need a new set of lungs. Dude, you just ran like thirteen miles in thirty minutes."

"Guess I got a late start."

"Really? You should be ashamed of yourself. You should take another lap," he said sarcastically and glanced away. He squinted back up at Steve a second later. "Did you just take it? I assume you just took it."

"What unit you with?" Steve asked.

"58th Para-rescue but now I'm working down at the V.A.," he replied and held his hand out for Steve to help him up. "Sam Wilson."

"Steve Rogers."

Sam winced as he stood, still tired from all the running, and said, "I kinda put that together. Must have freaked you out coming home after the whole defrosting thing."

Steve sighed. "Takes some getting used to," he admitted and turned to walk away. Max would be wondering where he is and he still needed to pack before heading out later today. "It was good to meet you, Sam."

He had only made it a few steps when the other man called out, "It's your bed, right?"

"What's that?" he questioned as he turned back around.

"Your bed. It's too soft. When I was over there, I'd sleep on the ground and use rocks as pillows like a caveman. Now that I'm home it's like—."

"Lying on a marshmallow. Feel like I'm gonna sink right to the floor," Steve finished. Sam nodded in agreement. "How long?"

"Two tours. You must miss the good ole days, huh?" Sam said lightheartedly and crossed his arms over his chest.

Steve looked away, thinking of his life now compared to his life then. Thinking of Max and the baby. Thinking of losing his mother, losing Bucky, losing friends and comrades to the war. Thinking of Peggy. "Well, things aren't so bad. Food's a lot better; we used to boil everything. No Polio's good. Internet, so helpful. Been reading that a lot trying to catch up."

Sam smiled and said, "Marvin Gaye, 1972 Trouble Man soundtrack." Steve nodded and pulled out his notepad from his sweatpants, writing down the suggestion Sam made to the long list of things people recommended to him. "Everything you've missed jammed into one album."

"I'll put in on the list," he said right as his phone beeped.

Mission Alert.

Extraction imminent.

Meet at the curb.

"Alright, Sam, duty calls. Thanks for the run, if that's what you wanna call running," he joked as he shook the man's hand.

"Oh, so that's how it is?" Sam asked.

"Ooooh, that's how it is," Steve confirmed.

Laughing, Sam said, "Oh, okay." The Super Soldier started to walk away again, moving towards the curb, but still facing his new friend. "Anytime you wanna stop by the V.A., make me look good in front of the girl at the front desk, you just let me know."

He nodded and told Sam, "I'll keep it in mind."

The roar of an engine rumbled behind Steve and he turned to see a shiny new black Corvette slid up to the curb. The window rolled down to reveal Natasha grinning in the driver's seat. "Hey fellas, either one of you know where the Smithsonian is? I'm here to pick up a fossil."

"That's hilarious," Steve said as he got into the car.

Sam was smiling at Natasha from his spot on the sidewalk. "How you doin'?" he said, flirting.

"Hey," she drawled back, a sly smile crossing her face.

"Can't run everywhere," Steve jested. He heard Sam agree as he rolled up the window right before Nat peeled away from the curb and into traffic.

"I didn't know you had a friend in the Air Force," Nat said.

"Just met him this morning," he replied, looking out the window at the city rolling by. "I need to go home before we leave. Max didn't know I left and I don't want to leave without saying bye."

Nat nodded. "I'm sure she got a mission alert from Fury letting her know you'd be gone."

"Still, I want to see her. Call me old-fashioned," he laughed.


Max woke to a silent apartment. There was no noise from the television, no shower running, and no shuffling of pots and pans in the kitchen. Worry set heavy in her gut as her thoughts immediately went to Steve and the mission.

Is he gone already? Did he leave without telling me? she wondered.

She rolled to the edge of the bed and reached for her phone on the bedside table. A small red light flashed at the top of the screen and her heart sank. Red meant a mission alert. Quickly, she opened it and scanned the message.

Mission Alert.

Captain Steven Rogers deployed.

Triskelion 08:00 hours.

Glancing at the time, she breathed a sigh of relief. It was just after seven so there was still a chance he hadn't left for headquarters yet.

Before climbing out of the warm bed, Max stretched and gave a good yawn. Knowing that Steve was somewhere on a big mission would keep her from getting much rest until he returned home. She knew how dangerous missions were, even the ones that seem like easy in-and-out jobs. Her mind started to drift to her father, but she pushed the memories away. Steve would be fine. Steve would come home. Steve was Captain America, not some regular agent like her dad had been.

She hopped off the bed and stood there staring at the wall for a moment to see if her stomach would turn against her. Deciding it was fine, she grabbed her hoodie of the bottom of the bed and headed to find some food to feed her, and her constantly hungry baby.

A craving for Steve's pancakes overwhelmed her but she grabbed a box of cereal instead after seeing no sign of him in the apartment. It would be hard going without his cooking while he was gone. It'd been less than a week of living together and she was already becoming accustomed to having him around.

She set on the couch with her bowl and flicked on the TV. Finding a rerun of Doctor Who, Max tucked her legs up under her and dug into her cereal. She hadn't even gotten two bites in when the sound of the locks coming undone pulled her attention from the television.

Relief flowed through her and butterflies fumbled in her stomach at the sight of Steve entering their apartment. "Oh, you're awake," he said when he caught sight of her.

"Hard to sleep after getting a mission alert," she admitted. She stared at her cereal so he wouldn't see how worried she was about him.

Steve sat down in the chair at the other end of the couch and sighed. "I'm sorry," he said and looked at her. "You don't have to worry—."

"But I am and I will. Even the easiest missions can get people killed," she told him, tears making her voice sound thick. "Ugh, and now I'm going to cry. This freaking kid is driving me nuts!"

A soft chuckle made her head snap up to glare at Steve. "Are you serious laughing at me right now?"

"Sorry," he apologized, a slight humor still laced through his voice. He moved to sit next to Max on the couch and her expression softened with his closeness. He took her chin between his thumb and index finger, forcing her to look him in his bright blue eyes. Her breath hitched as his other thumb swiped the tears from her cheeks. "I'm not used to having someone worry about me. My parents were gone before I joined the army, Bucky was too busy trying to save his own skin to worry about me, and now all S.H.I.E.L.D is concerned about is protecting their secrets. This whole situation with us…I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. I guess I just didn't realize you cared so much."

She pulled back and playfully slapped him on the arm. His muscles didn't even budge and her fingers stung from the contact. Carefully, she cradled her stinging fingers in her other hand and peered over at Steve watching her with a shocked expression on his face. "Of course I care, you idiot! And I'm going to worry about you all I want because you knocked me up and you can't leave me to do this whole parenting thing on my own!"

"I like it when you get all out of sorts," he smiled. His hand twined around the hand she slapped him with and pulled it into his lap. It was the most intimate gesture that had happened between just the two of them since their first night together. "It's hard for me when I think about going on this mission. I have a responsibility to save the world because of who I am, but I also have a responsibility to you now. This baby is changing everything."

"That's what they do best. I think we're handling it well, all things considered."

"I'm going to be fine. I'll be back so quick, you won't even know I've been gone," he said, happily.

"Just make sure you do come home," she told him as she laid back against him. Max didn't move from her spot tucked beside him until it was time for him to go. She held her tears in until the door shut behind him. Part of her wondered if her strong emotional reaction to him leaving was the pregnancy hormones, or if it was because she was becoming attached to the Super Soldier.

Max wiped her face dry as she walked down the hall to Steve's bedroom. She pulled open the closet doors and grabbed his favorite sweatshirt. His scent drifted to her nose and she sighed as she replaced her hoodie with his. It was going to be a long, lonely day without him.


Hooray for new content! Really hope you all are still liking the story. Let me know what you think. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS FOLLOWED/FAVORITED! And thanks again for reading!

Sorry for any spelling/grammar errors. Oops.

Until next time -KAITi