December 20, 2012- Washington D.C.
"Ohhh, look what arrived for you!" Tiffany cooed as she rushed past Vice President Rodriguez into the Oval Office. Kayla turned, her long french braid whipping around her neck as she saw the massive bouquet of roses Tiffany was carrying.
"Oh- my gosh." Kayla breathed as Tiffany dropped the flowers into Kayla's arms. "Are they from-"
"Who do you think?" Tiffany giggled, leaning against the Resolute Desk as President Ellis smiled up at her. "Tell her she's crazy, Mr. President. Captain America is smitten with her, and she won't give him the time of day!"
Mathew just shrugged, looking to his daughter who sat on the couch across from her mother smelling the two dozen red roses she struggled to hold in her arms, "I gave him my stamp of approval, but I think he moves a little too slow for my Kayla."
"Hey! We're still talking! We talk every day." Kayla answered as she finally noticed the card tucked into the blooms. She pulled it out and read it to herself, blushing as she folded it and shoved it into her bra to hide from prying eyes. "He's very sweet, I just don't really think we are on the same page, goal wise..."
"What are your goals? His goal is to worship the ground you walk on and spoil you rotten! I'd kill to have a man treat me like this, and you have him." Tiffany sighed, fanning herself dramatically as she collapsed onto the seat next to Kayla, "I wonder what words of adoration he's written to you this time?" Tiffany reached into the neckline of Kayla's low cut blouse and pulled out the tiny card, causing the blonde to yelp.
"Hey! Give me that! Security!" Kayla called, but Rodriguez just grinned and closed the door so the family could spend time together in private. Kayla reached forward, trying to swipe the card from Tiffany, but the brunette held it far away, squinting as she tried to read it. Sandra watched from the other couch, smiling to herself as Tiffany read the love letter aloud.
"My Dearest Kayla- oh, he calls you 'My Dearest'! He's so charming!" Tiffany squealed as she wiggled away from Kayla's grasp and stood, turning to face the room dramatically, "I am sorry to inform you that Director Fury has denied my request to come with you over Christmas this year. With the ongoing investigation into the Mandarin attacks, he wants to make sure I'm on the East Coast considering most of the Avengers are scattered around the country."
Kayla leaned back into the couch, pulling her foot up onto the cushion to give her something to hide her disappointment behind as Tiffany continued on, her own demeanor falling at Steve's words.
"I was so looking forward to seeing you for Christmas, and I hope you don't forget to call me. I'll be thinking about you and I hope you travel safe. Perhaps you'll change your mind and decide Christmas in New York is better than Santa Monica. Sincerely, Steven Grant Rogers." Tiffany passed the letter back to Kayla and then looked to Sandra expectantly, "Can you please talk some sense into your daughter?"
"Kayla has made it very clear, she's only interested in being friends with him at the moment. It's her life, let her do what she wants." Sandra hummed as she rested her arm against the back of the couch.
"Thank you, see, she gets it. He's a really great guy, and he deserves the world. We just don't want the same things right now." Kayla argued, but Tiffany just rolled her eyes. Kayla scoffed, "What?"
"You invited him to join us for Christmas, not because he needed a good friend, but because you decided, of all of the men you could cozy up to for the holidays, you wanted him. Because he's special. He's better than everyone else. We actually all agree with you, why are you fighting this?" Tiffany looked over her shoulder to Mathew, finding him hard at work. As her glance fell to Sandra, Tiffany whispered loudly, "Mom, close your ears." Turning back to Kayla, Tiffany grabbed both of her shoulders roughly, "Was the ambassador from Morocco worth not having this to come home to every day?"
Tiffany skillfully unlocked Kayla's phone, proving her point by gazing down at Kayla's home screen, which was a photo Steve had sent to her of himself in his Battle of New York suit. He'd talked to Kayla over speakerphone as he changed into the costume-looking uniform, complaining about how it was too tight and made him look like a circus clown. Kayla had giggled and told him she was sure he looked handsome, and asked him to send her a photo of him in it. He'd obliged, following her directions to take a selfie and send it to her. One of his brows was raised and his lips formed a tight line, clearly unimpressed with his outfit, but Kayla had toppled over laughing at how adorable his expression was. She told him she thought he looked nice and she wished she was there to see him in person for his big television debut. Steve wasn't excited to film his educational videos, but Kayla's dad had asked him to, and he was willing to do anything to impress Kayla and her family.
Kayla sighed wistfully as her phone screen went dark, then she looked up at Tiffany darkly, "He's not over Peggy. The woman from the war. It's worse because she's still alive. He can't stop talking about whether or not he should go to see her."
"It's not like he's going to go date some woman in a nursing home. He's very obviously interested in you. You know the best place to sort through a bunch of baggage?" Tiffany hissed, looking over to find Sandra's brow raised questioningly. Tiffany cleared her throat, lifting her head, "I won't finish that sentence, but if you've ever packed a suitcase, I'm sure you know where I mean."
Kayla smirked, playing with the silver chain around her neck. "That's a big part of it, too, I'm scared that I'll scare him away. I'm not..." Kayla bopped her head back and forth as she tried to find the right word for what she was feeling, but she changed her train of thought instead, "I don't want him to think I only like him physically, because that's not the case at all, that's why I've been so adamant that we spend time apart and just talk and get to know each other and-"
"And it's safer to keep him far away because it could be something real?" Tiffany offered and Kayla dove her face into her palms. Tiffany rubbed Kayla's back, "Christmas in Manhattan. The lights, the snow..."
"Christmas in Santa Monica. A daiquiri in one hand, and a pina colada in the other. With the little umbrellas." Kayla lifted her face, lifting and dropping both of her hands in a balancing motion. "Christmas morning on the beach, sunshine and surf-"
"Carriage rides in Central Park wrapped up in Steve's arms..." Tiffany purred and Kayla smiled to herself, liking that idea. "Radio City, you love Radio City at Christmas."
"I really do." Kayla moaned, starting to think Tiffany was right. She grabbed the bouquet from the armrest beside her and played with the petals of one of the roses, "But think of how good I'd look with a nice tan."
"Manhattan at Christmas isn't as safe. We're going to California as a family, this isn't a romantic getaway." Mathew Ellis called from his desk without looking up.
Sandra sighed, seeing Kayla shrug obnoxiously to her best friend, "Speaking of which, are you packed?"
"Somewhat. I might, switch out some outfits. Just a couple." Kayla said casually, rising to her feet and smiling broadly at her mother, "I'll be ready and awake by eight tomorrow. In that order." Tiffany chuckled and led Kayla to the door, swinging it open and allowing Kayla to whisk her way out of the West Wing toward the parking lot so they could go home and finish packing.
Vice President Rodriguez entered the Oval office a few minutes later, followed by the head of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State. "Mr. President." Rodriguez said quickly as Sandra rose to her feet, "There's been another Mandarin attack."
Mathew looked to Sandra, "Have my assistant get Nick Fury on the phone. I want Captain Rogers on Air Force One tomorrow morning."
"Absolutely not. Captain America is not your personal body guard, he has important business to attend to." Nick Fury informed the President's secretary as Maria Hill wandered into his office in SHIELD's newly rebuilt Manhattan base. Fury rolled his eye at Maria and pulled back the phone so he could address her, "Go inform Captain Rogers that he is to stay here, regardless of what communications he gets from the President's daughter." Maria nodded and turned to go find Steve, smiling knowingly as she did.
"Director Fury," Mathew's assistant eeked out, "The President insists, he'd feel much better if Captain Rogers was able to escort his family tomorrow."
"And I would feel much better if the leader of my elite kill team wasn't on a beach holiday with Kayla Ellis." Fury sneered back as the assistant tried to reason with him, "If the President wants Cap that bad, he can call me himself."
Nick slammed down the phone, not even looking up to address the large man standing in the doorway, "Cap, I know you want to go, but these Mandarin attacks are getting more extreme. A military base, Rogers, they took out a military base and left no traces of evidence. I need you here to lead Strike if it comes to that."
"Director, how can we be sure the President's family isn't in danger?" Steve argued, shoving his hands into the pockets of his navy winter jacket as he stared across the room at Fury.
Fury groaned and pushed himself to his feet, leaning his hands against his desk as Steve approached, "There are secret service agents for that, and protocols to follow. That being said, as much as you don't want to hear it, there are plans in place in case anything happens to the first family. It isn't your job to babysit Ellis's grown daughter."
"Sir, I'd like you to reconsider my request, not as a personal one, but as a work request. If the President is asking for my presence, there must be some sort of threat."
"He's asking for your presence because his daughter wants it, if you have a daughter someday, you'll understand." Fury answered, smiling a little, "Cap, what you do in your personal time is none of my business, but what you do on SHIELD time is. I need you here. Please don't make me tell you again."
Steve simmered, puffing out his chest as he took a slow breath, "Yes, Sir." Steve turned and stormed out of the office, practically jogging away to get out his frustrations. He skipped the elevator and went to the stairwell instead, taking three steps at a time to get to the ground floor, leading out into Times Square. Steve huffed, his breath fanning out in front of him as he looked up at the billboards. The New Years Ball was already perched and ready for next week's celebrations, glimmering as a light snow fell from above the skyscrapers.
Steve shoved his hands in his pockets, shivering as the December breeze bit at his skin. The cold didn't bother Steve as much anymore. It reminded him that he was alive, and that people cared about him. The cold reminded him of that night in D.C., where Kayla snuggled next to him to keep him warm through the night. Now, when he felt cold, he thought of her.
Steve felt his phone buzzing in his jeans pocket, and pulled it out to see Kayla's face on the front, "Hey, how are you doing today?"
"Well, I had a wonderful day when I got your flowers." Kayla explained and Steve grinned, happy he could make her day better, "That being said, I was disappointed to read your note."
"I know." Steve answered dejectedly, "I talked to Fury again today, he said no."
"I miss you." Kayla admitted, taking out the lingerie she'd packed away in her suitcase on the off chance Steve could make it. "I should have visited you in New York more the past few months."
"It's not your fault Fury keeps me away training." Steve grunted, trudging down the dirty street toward Avengers Tower, leaving footprints in the light snowfall on the ground, "Two visits are better than not seeing you at all."
"Yeah, but we didn't get any time alone." Kayla said sadly as she zipped up her suitcase, setting it on the ground and falling onto her bed. "I was really hoping we could sneak away for a few days in Cali. A little sun, a little sand, you and me getting tanned in places we shouldn't." She giggled and heard Steve humph on the other end, "Seriously though, I really wish you could come. You're all I wanted for Christmas this year." Kayla admitted, picking at the hem of her blouse.
Steve felt his heart sink, knowing missing this trip wasn't getting him any closer to making Kayla his girl. "You know, my apartment in Avengers Tower is almost finished. Maybe you could make it back in time for New Years? We could have some alone time then. It's not the beach, but I have an amazing view to watch fireworks."
Kayla grinned into the phone, nodding even though Steve couldn't see her, "I'd love that. I'll talk to my parents, see what I can do."
"Well, I suppose I better let you go. You have to get packed for your trip tomorrow." Steve sighed as he reached the entrance to the tower, fluffing his hair to get the snowflakes out of his blonde strands. "Fly safe, okay?"
"I will. Take care. I promise I'll call you." Kayla told him sadly.
Steve smiled down at his boots as he entered the elevator, knowing reception would cut out, "Only if you have time. Say hi to Tiffany for me."
"Okay." Kayla said, but the line cut out, meaning Steve was in the elevator of Avengers Tower. She laid her head back against the pillow, staring at that photo of Steve on her lock screen. "Love you." She mumbled to herself, knowing she was nowhere near admitting that to Steve, but the feelings were real. She didn't love him romantically per se, but aside from Tiffany, he was her best friend. Kayla told him all her secrets late at night, when neither of them could sleep. Often times, Kayla couldn't fall asleep until she'd heard from Steve. He'd tell her stories until she started to drift off, then tell her he missed her before hanging up and letting her rest.
Kayla couldn't count how many mornings she woke up with her phone still pressed against her cheek. With the exception of two or three random hook ups, that was the only cuddling she'd done in seven months. Part of her regretted pushing Steve away in D.C., but she also knew that's why they were so close now. By keeping him at arm's length, she was able to really get to know him, all the dark and sad parts of him that he couldn't show anybody else. This was why she'd hoped to ask him to start a real relationship with her over Christmas vacation from work.
"Kay. You gotta see this." Tiffany knocked on Kayla's door and the blonde sat up and followed Tiffany into the living room of their secret shared apartment downtown. The television played in front of the blinds as the sun started to set, setting an eerie gold glow around their apartment. Tiffany looked to Kayla as her father took to the stage, addressing the cameras.
"Central to my administration's response to this terrorist event is a newly minted recourse. I know him as Colonel James Rhodes, but the American people will soon know him as the Iron Patriot."
Kayla lulled her head to the side to stare at Tiffany, "That color scheme's taken."
"This isn't a joke, Kay." Tiffany warned as the press conference continued on. "A lot of innocent people are dead, and the Mandarin is calling out your dad."
Kayla pulled out her phone, looking up the footage that had come before, of the shadowed figure threatening her father. Kayla swallowed hard, her arm shaking as she watched the video over and over again, feeling like the world itself was closing in on her.
"You know who I am, you don't know where I am. And you'll never me coming."
Kayla left her suitcase with Tiffany as she stormed down the hallway from the White House to the West Wing. Tiffany called after her, telling her wait, but Kayla didn't listen. Her eyes were welling and her heart was pounding in her ears. She didn't register her father's secretary telling her she couldn't go in as she shoved open the door to the Oval Office, standing in the doorway as her father spoke with his cabinet members.
"Kayla, not now."
"No. Now. Now it's personal, and I'm worried about you." Kayla snapped back as several secret servicemen approached her, "What are we going to do? Where are you going to go?"
"I'm not going to run and hide, if that's what you're insinuating. You and your mother are going ahead to California as planned and I'll be behind you in a few days if I can. You'll be safer away from here." President Ellis said, motioning for the servicemen to take his daughter away.
"You can't be serious!" Kayla yelled and Mathew turned to her with a stern frown. Kayla straightened up, voice shaky, "He's coming for you."
"And as President of the United States, I have to stand strong for the American people. With Rhodes, I'll be safe, he has the same tech as Iron Man." Mathew gestured to Rhode and Kayla waved awkwardly as the man stared at her with wide eyes. "You need to go."
Kayla looked from her father to the others, seeing Vice President Rodriguez smile weakly at her. She huffed and stomped out of the office, the door slamming closed behind her as she let out a frustrated scream.
"Kayla! What the hell are you doing?" Sandra Ellis hissed as she found her daughter. The older blonde grabbed Kayla's arm and drug her back toward the Residence, "Kayla, you need to stay out of this. Your father is the President. You can't go barging into the Oval Office. This isn't a game, this is real life and your father is in danger. We are all in danger."
"I don't want to go. I don't feel safe." Kayla cried as Sandra pulled her close. "I want to stay here."
"I know, but your father is worried about an attack on the White House. He's sending us ahead on a private plane so nobody knows where we land. We aren't going to California anymore, we're being taken to a secure location to wait until they can capture the Mandarin." Sandra explained, patting her daughter's hair. She sighed, kissing Kayla's head as she murmured, "Just you and I. No contact with anyone until this is over."
Kayla pulled away, looking up at her mother, "What? Where will Tiffany go?"
"She can stay home at your place, nobody will look for her there."
"What about Steve?" Kayla asked quietly, her lower lip wobbling as a stray tear finally escaped. "Can I let him know what's happening?"
"No, honey, he can't know either. Just tell him you're going tech free for a couple of weeks. I'm sure SHIELD will explain why." Sandra said, touching Kayla's cheek gently. "We just have to get past this, then everything will be fine."
Kayla looked around with her jaw hanging open, unsure of what to even say. "Can I call him tonight?"
"You can't tell him what's happening. Anything you say can be traced." Sandra slipped a small piece of paper into Kayla's palm and squeezed her arm as she walked away. Kayla sniffled as she looked down at the paper, reading her mother's handwriting.
Ears everywhere, we head to L.A. tomorrow to stay in a safe house.
Kayla sighed, thankful her mother used to work for the CIA. In times like this, Sandra Ellis always knew the right thing to say and do, even if the right thing was to say nothing.
The blonde met up with Tiffany, grabbing the small woman's arm and dragged her upstairs to her bedroom. Kayla closed the soundproof door, but didn't say anything to Tiffany. She just slipped her the piece of paper and pulled out her phone to call Steve as Tiffany blew air out through her mouth, unsure of what the plan for her was.
"Are you okay? What's happening?" Steve's panicked voice greeted Kayla as she smiled into the phone.
"Hello to you, too." Kayla sighed, settling into the bed as Tiffany paced, ripping the small note from Sandra to shreds, "I'm scared."
"Are you still going to California? Maybe you could come here, I wouldn't let anything happen to you and your family." Steve promised as he leaned his hand against the floor to ceiling windows overlooking Manhattan.
Kayla took a deep breath, biting the side of her lip, "No, we aren't going anymore. We're actually going off the grid. Tech free for a couple of weeks." Kayla explained, knowing that much was true. "I called because I might need a rain check on New Years."
"I'll come to you. Wherever you are."
"I can't tell you, Steve, I don't even know where I'm going." Kayla whined, her voice cracking. She draped her arm over her face so her eyes were hidden by the crook of her elbow, "I just can't believe this is happening."
"I'll find the Mandarin. I'll stop this." Steve swore and Kayla chuckled on the other end, "What? What's so funny?"
"They painted Iron Man's friend to look like you. I mean, like America, but he looks like a rip off of you." Kayla giggled, knowing it wasn't a laughing matter, but she was too mentally exhausted to care. "I'm going to miss you, Steve. When this is all over, lets go away somewhere, just the two of us. What do you say?"
"I'm still planning on hosting you for New Years. I'm not giving up on you that easily." Steve said softly and Kayla felt butterflies in her stomach at the idea of seeing him next week. "Please be safe. I'll talk to you as soon as I can, okay?"
"Okay. I'll talk to you soon." Kayla said before hanging up. She looked to Tiffany, who was just pacing the bedroom anxiously, occasionally looking out the window with fear-filled eyed. "It's gonna be okay. We're gonna be okay.'