Sunday came too quickly for Steve Rogers, and he began to rethink his plan for dinner that evening. He didn't know if it was big enough, extravagant enough, and if Kayla would be disappointed. And that was only if the meeting he was about to have went well.
He sat in a chair outside the Oval Office, fiddling with the black box in his pant's pocket as he waited for President Ellis to see him. Had Steve been less nervous, he would have done this much sooner, but the man who fought aliens and Nazis was terrified to ask Kayla's dad for her hand in marriage.
Travis opened the door and smiled at Steve, "President Ellis will see you now."
Steve gave a firm nod and stood, breathing deeply before heading into the office. Once inside, Travis shut the door behind Steve, effectively trapping him with his girlfriend's dad.
Mathew looked up and smiled at Steve, gesturing for him to take a seat on the couch as he finished up what he was working on at his desk. Steve sat, cracking his knuckles nervously as he stared down at the floor.
"You gonna beat me up, Captain?" Matthew joked and Steve looked up quickly, shaking his head.
'No. Sorry, sir."
Matt sat across from Steve and pat the soldier on the knee, "You can call me Matt. I think we've reached that point, don't you?"
"Sir, you're still the President of the United States." Steve explained but Matthew dismissed his claim with a wave of his hand and Steve eased a bit.
"Not to you, Steve." Matthew Ellis told him quietly, "You're my little girl's boyfriend." He considered the super-soldier for a moment, grasping his hands together. "Kayla tells me you're taking her to dinner tonight."
"Yes sir-" At Matt's sharp glance Steve corrected, "Matt. I am."
Matt smiled and leaned back against the cushions, "Any special reason?"
Steve took a sharp breath, wishing he could muster half the bravery here that he had battling the Chitauri. "That depends on how this conversation goes."
Matthew nodded, not saying anything for a moment, so Steve took the opportunity to continue, "I know you're very busy, so I don't want to take up too much of your time. I love your daughter. I love her more than I've ever loved anyone, and I can't survive without her. Kayla's my rock and the best thing that's ever happened to me..." Steve gauged the President's reaction, but he kept it neutral, "I'd like to ask for your permission to propose to your daughter. With your blessing, I want to make Kayla my wife."
Steve waited with bated breath as Matt contemplated the man's request. There was nothing else to do, all he needed was a yes, and his mission for the evening was a go.
Matthew stood quickly and Steve followed his lead. The color in Steve's cheeks faded, turning him white as he'd looked locked in the ice. But Matthew just thrust his hand toward Steve and smiled, "It would be an honor to call you my son."
Steve released the breath he held and shook Matt's hand before the President pulled Steve into a tight hug. "Thank you."
"You have a ring?" Matthew asked as he looked up at the soldier, "I'm assuming you do since you're proposing tonight."
Digging his shaking hand into his pocket, Steve produced the black box and handed it to Matthew to inspect, and the man nodded in approval, "She's going to love it."
"I really hope so." Steve admitted as Matt handed him back the box. "I'm nervous."
"Yeah, I can see that." Matt laughed loudly, "I know my daughter, and I know that what she has with you is different. She might be a little startled at the idea of settling down, but it'll be you when she does, and you have my blessing. Sandra's too, she loves you."
Steve ducked his head bashfully, grinning from ear to ear, "Thank you for that. I promise I'll take good care of her."
"I know you will. There's nobody I'd feel safer entrusting my daughter with." Matthew added, looking toward the clock, "I'd love to hear your plans for this evening, but unfortunately I have an appointment at eleven." Matt shook Steve's hand and patted it supportively, "Good luck."
Steve nodded and turned to leave, pulling open the door and showing himself out to make his next appointment.
"Hmm. So why have you asked me here today, Captain Rogers?"
Steve looked between Tiffany and Sam, a little uncomfortable that she'd brought him along for this conversation. Sam seemed to pick up on Steve's apprehension and added, "Don't look at me. I was at her place when you called."
Tiffany clasped her hands together and leaned her elbows on their outdoor table. She raised her brow inquisitively, making the super-soldier sweat as Sam sipped his iced tea beside her.
"I wanted to let you know-"
"Let. Me. Know?" Tiffany threatened and Steve put both hands up defensively, reconsidering his approach.
"I wanted to ask for your permission-"
Tiffany chuckled as she leaned back, "That's better."
"Shh, let him finish." Sam hushed Tiffany, sneaking his arm around her shoulders as she stared down Captain America coolly.
Steve sighed loudly, "Would you give me your blessing to marry Kayla?"
"Oh my gosh! I thought you'd never ask!" Tiffany squealed as she clapped loudly and Steve shushed her, looking around to see several passersby staring at them. Tiffany lifted her shoulders, apologizing in a loud hiss, "Sorry! Yes, yes you can marry my best friend! I'm so excited. Sam, aren't you so excited?"
"I don't know, she didn't ask me for permission to marry Captain America."
Tiffany swatted Sam's chest and Steve laughed loudly, finally loosening up, "Thank you, I'm glad someone's looking out for me."
"Seriously, though. She's going to be so happy. When are you gonna pop the question?" Tiffany asked, then her eyes grew wide, "Do you already have a ring? You bought a ring without consulting me first, didn't you?"
Steve reached into his pocket and Tiffany gasped loudly, causing Sam to shush her again. Steve handed the box over to Tiffany and she opened it, gawking at the ring in wonder. "You think she'll like it?"
"Couldn't have picked out a better ring if I had helped, which makes me feel only slightly better." Tiffany retorted, snapping the box closed and handing it back to Steve. "When are you gonna do it?"
"Tonight. I'm taking her to Plume at The Jefferson. It's where we went on our first date." Steve disclosed softly and Tiffany's brows drew angrily. Steve began to panic, "Why, is that bad?"
"No. It's adorable. I just hate that you waited until today to ask for my permission. I'm in charge of her life."
"Does it make you feel any better to know I just asked the President?"
Tiffany shrugged slightly, "A little."
"Do you think she'll say yes?" Steve pressed, needing reassurance that he wasn't moving too fast. "I'm worried that she'll freak out."
"She might, but I think she'll say yes." Tiffany told him honestly, "Ease her into the idea, then take the plunge. She's talked about marrying you, she knows you're going to be her husband..."
Steve noted how Tiffany trailed off, wondering what else she had to say, "Is there a but I should be worried about?"
"Kayla wants to marry you, but the idea is very... distant- to her. She's going to say yes, but she might not be ready to be a wife right now..." Tiffany admitted, and Steve's expression fell a little, "Hey, she loves you. She's going to say yes. Just be aware that she's... younger- than you."
"Well, most people are." Steve grumbled as he slid the box back into his pocket, "Do you think I should wait?"
"No. It's a cold pool. Jump in." Sam interjected and Tiffany shrugged before nodding her agreement.
"Thanks guys. I, uh, better get home. Get everything ready for tonight." Steve rose, but Tiffany and Sam stayed seated, clearly planning on staying a while. "I'm sure you'll hear from Kayla."
"I'm looking forward to it!" Tiffany called as Steve wandered down the street back toward his apartment. He slid his aviators over his eyes and shoved his hands into his pockets, hoping to stay low profile enough to not draw attention.
Despite how recognizable his girlfriend was, Steve was thankful that he was only really recognized when she was around. Incidents like the one with Natasha were few and far in between, because most people assumed Steve was either Captain America or Kayla's arm candy. Alone, he was practically invisible, and Steve liked that. Especially at times like this.
Steve felt his phone ringing in his pocket and pulled it out, seeing Nick Fury was calling him, "Director Fury."
"Captain." Fury's voice cut sharply through the phone, "I know you don't like to be bothered on the weekends, but I'm gonna need you to come in tonight."
Steve stopped and kicked at the curb, silently mouthing 'fuck' away from the receiver. "Are you sure nobody else can-"
"Why? You got a hot date with the President's daughter?" Fury sneered, reasonably annoyed with Captain America's personal life.
Steve sighed, "I do actually, and it's important."
"I'm gonna need you to reschedule. This is more important. Trust me. I'll see you at six." Fury hung up the phone and Steve knew he didn't have much of a choice in the matter. He squeezed his phone angrily, hearing the glass crack in his grip.
Dialing Tiffany, Steve tried to calm himself down, but this was not the evening he had planned.
"Hello?" Tiffany greeted, and Steve could hear the worry in her voice. Tiffany knew if Steve was calling, something had gone awry. It wasn't the first time Steve had to cancel last minute on his girl.
"Hey Tiff." Steve sighed morosely, "I just got called into work."
"No. Not tonight. Are you kidding me?" Tiffany whined and Steve winced at her disappointment, "You can't get out of it?"
"Apparently not." Steve grumbled, rubbing his hand over his face, "Is there a day next week that she's free? Can you reschedule it for me?"
"Give me a minute, I'll check her calendar." Tiffany muted Steve and he waited impatiently, looking up at the sky and cursing SHIELD for ruining what could have been the biggest day of his life up until this point. The line clicked back and Tiffany began listing options for Steve, "She's pretty busy early in the week, but as of now Saturday and Sunday evening are free."
"Book her for both, I'm not taking any chances. This is happening." Steve swore, causing Tiffany to laugh in response.
"A few days won't make that big of a difference. You do know that you're saddling yourself with Kayla for the rest of your life right? It's fine. I'll take care of it."
"Thanks. I owe you one." Steve said and hung up the phone. Kayla wouldn't be free until four, which meant Steve had a small window to beg for her forgiveness before he had to meet Nick Fury at SHIELD.
Kayla stumbled through the apartment door around four forty-five and kicked her shoes off, realizing that Steve had his record player on. "Steve?" She took a few steps farther into the apartment, finding the living room empty, as well as the kitchen. It wasn't like Steve to leave his records playing, "Honey?"
She looked toward the bedroom and saw Steve standing in the doorway, in his stealth suit, with a bouquet of roses in his arms. Kayla bowed her head, understanding, "Getting called in?"
"I'm so sorry. I tried to get out of it." Steve set the flowers to the side and grabbed Kayla's arms, "I had Tiffany reschedule. Saturday and Sunday next week."
"Just in case." Kayla said sadly, forcing a brave smile so Steve wouldn't feel so guilty, "There are just some things that Captain America has to take care of."
Steve sat Kayla's hand on his shoulder and took her other hand in his as he grabbed her waist, "I don't have to leave yet." Kayla pressed her head against his chest and swayed to the music as he rubbed the small of her back. "I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"It's okay," Kayla sighed as she closed her eyes, "I understand that your job isn't as schedule orientated as mine. Things come up, and Captain America has to go." She looked up at Steve and he tilted his chin to see her, "I'm so proud of you, for everything you do. How you juggle being a superhero, and put up with me."
"Putting up with you is my favorite thing to do." Steve whispered, leaning his cheek against her head, "I wish I could lay down the shield, but I can't. I was created for this."
"I know." Kayla answered as the song reached its end. She smiled to herself, "It isn't the only reason I date you, but I am a huge fan of Captain America."
"Oh really? I had no idea." Steve teased, reaching his hand up to fuss with her hair, "Will you forgive me?"
"I'm not mad. It's just dinner. There will be lots of dinners." Kayla said simply, and Steve's heart broke when he realized she really had no idea what was going to happen. It would have been a perfect surprise, but now Steve would have to gather his courage again. "Steve?"
He pulled away quickly to look down at his girl, "Yeah?"
"How much time do you have before you need to leave?" Kayla asked innocently and Steve snorted, knowing her idea was anything but innocent.
"About a half hour." Steve responded, running his fingers through the hair at her scalp. "How about this, since they're calling me in tonight, I'm going to ask if I can go in late tomorrow. I know you're free tomorrow morning, and I can make up for rescheduling our date tonight."
"I'd like that." Kayla sighed dreamily, humming along with Steve's music. "This is nice."
Steve closed his eyes, holding Kayla tight. He mourned the loss of his evening, but it wouldn't change anything. He wasn't losing her, she'd still be next to him come morning. She may not be his fiancé, but that didn't mean Kayla would love him any less.
A half hour later, Steve walked with Kayla to the door. She leaned against the door frame as he kissed her goodbye, trotting down the stairs.
Kayla's brave smile faltered once he vanished and she sighed as she started to go back into their apartment, only pausing when she saw their neighbor opening her door.
"Hey!" Kate greeted happily, but Kayla just gave a despondent wave. The nurse frowned, holding her large black bag tightly, "You okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine. He's just- busy." Kayla pushed her hair back behind her ear, noticing Kate was wearing her scrubs, "Night shift?"
"Yeah. Gotta love overnights." She said softly, studying the President's daughter with a sense of pity. "Well, I hope he comes home soon."
"Me too." Kayla agreed, waving goodbye as she closed the door and leaned against it. She squinted as she looked through the peephole, watching Kate head down the stairs.
Kayla looked at her watch, then pulled up a Notes tab on her phone and wrote 5:30/5:34 underneath her slew of other times when Kate left right after Steve. Kayla had been watching the woman for some time, as she always seemed to come and go around the time Steve did. She didn't want to bring it up to Steve, because she didn't want to seem paranoid or jealous, but Kayla kept a log of every odd encounter just the same.
Steve stormed into the lobby of the Triskellian from the garage, making his way to the elevator that would take him to see what was so important to Fury it couldn't wait. He clenched his belt, his hands shaking as he steadied his breathing. Steve was stuck somewhere between Captain America and a disappointed boyfriend who had hoped to have a fiancé by the end of the night. Just because Kayla understood that this was important didn't mean Steve had to accept it. She was important, too.
The doors opened and Steve approached Fury, finding the Director standing near his window behind his desk, "I'm sorry to call you in on such short notice, but I thought you'd want to hear this from me. That is if you haven't already."
Steve stopped in front of Fury's desk, noticing a file open for Steve to read. He picked it up, eyeing Fury before scanning the document. Steve's eyes furrowed as he read the correspondence, "What the hell is this?"
"Exactly what it looks like. A proposal from the World Security Council to enlist Kayla Ellis as a SHIELD chemist. Secretary Pierce sent this down to me. Wanted my thoughts on the matter."
"What did you say?" Steve asked bitterly, looking up at Fury with a piercing scowl.
"I told him I wasn't sure she'd be interested. She seems busy with other activities, however, if having her on staff would make you knock off this smart ass attitude you've developed, I'd consider it." Fury answered indifferently. At Steve's shocked expression, Fury laughed, "Rogers, contrary to what you may believe, this is your job. We found you and we took care of you. We've been taking care of you for the past two and a half years, and you might not believe it, but I actually care about you, Cap. You're really important to a lot of people, and that girl is ruining what's best about you."
"Enough." Steve snarled, slamming the proposal back down. He wasn't mad that Fury said those things, he was mad that he saw it too. "I'm trying. I'm trying to figure out how I can be both, but please, don't give her this letter."
"Why not? You don't think she'd be a good asset or you don't think she'd accept?"
"I know she'd accept, and that's what scares me." Steve pleaded, clenching his jaw before pulling out the chair. Fury slowly sat across from him, ready for Cap to spew his secrets. Steve looked out the window past Fury at the evening sky, "We have Erskine's journal. She knows how to recreate the serum that created me, and if you offer her the opportunity, she'll take it."
"And you don't want anyone else like you?" Fury questioned, pressing his fingers together, "That's not like you, Rogers. That serum could protect our soldiers oversees."
"It could also be dangerous in the wrong hands." Steve argued, holding his hand against his mouth, "Is this was the dinner was about last night?"
"The dinner was an informal interview Miss Ellis didn't know she was attending, but they were impressed with her. The other Council members would like to meet her in person when they come to D.C. this week." Fury leaned forward to stare at Steve, voice deadly serious, "If she's as good as you think she is, she should be watched over. SHIELD could make sure her work doesn't fall into the wrong hands-"
"No, with all due respect, Director, it's too dangerous in anyone's hands. Please tell the Council not to offer her a position. Kayla is- she's a celebrity, she's not a scientist." Steve stammered, knowing Kayla's heart would shatter if she heard his words. She'd feel so betrayed that he thought of her that way.
"Alright. I'll tell them after careful consideration that I think she wouldn't be a good asset. Keep in mind, that doesn't mean they won't approach her again." Fury told Steve as he turned his chair to look out the window. "According to Pierce, she denied knowing the exact formula. She kept quiet about the matter, which is why they want to offer her the position. She knows how important this could potentially be."
"And I know how potentially dangerous this could be."
"Because she's created a formula for an anti-serum?" Fury suggested and Steve secured his boots against the floor, unsure if he wanted to either punch the Director or flee.
"Did she tell them that?" Steve asked skeptically.
Fury just shrugged, "How else would they know?" Steve felt like his heart was plummeting out of his body. Kayla couldn't have told them she'd created an anti-serum. She's spoken to him about it in theory, swearing that she'd never even written it down. A theoretical problem that her super-soldier serum could be the solution for. That's what Kayla had used as an excuse when she asked Steve to let her study him.
Even in casual conversation, Kayla would never say or do anything that would hurt Steve... even if it meant she could finally work on her own serum. She could finally prove she could do it and that she was more than the President's daughter who slept her way into notoriety. Tempting as it may be, Kayla wouldn't never do that to Steve.
Would she?
Fury saw Steve's internal struggle and sighed, "I'm sorry, Cap. I just wanted you to know who you're dealing with, and what SHIELD's intentions are with her. Just be careful. I know you think you know her, but I'd hate for you to be wrong."
"I don't think I know anybody." Steve rumbled quietly, standing up to leave. "I'd like to come in late tomorrow afternoon, if that's alright with you. I think my girlfriend and I need to have a talk."
Fury nodded, "We'll call you if we need you sooner, but consider your request granted." Fury said, waving Steve away to go back home.
But Steve didn't want to go back home.
Steve changed out of his stealth suit in the SHIELD locker room, instead opting to wear a black t-shirt and jeans. He hopped on his bike and sped off to Brooklyn, needing something familiar to ease his anxiety. The four hour ride was a reprieve from people needing him. Needing him to be Captain America of the Avengers, needing him to be Kayla Ellis's boyfriend, needing him to be Captain Rogers the SHIELD agent. For four hours, Steve was just Steve, and when he finally reached his destination the cloak of darkness would hide his identity from anyone else.
He parked outside of an old diner that he used to frequent before moving to D.C. Steve had hoped to move out to Brooklyn after defrosting, but meeting Kayla changed everything. Those few months where they were apart, talking every night about everything under the sun, were somehow better than the past year and a half of public appearances and photographs and political dinners. The only thing that compared to those months before the Mandarin were the quiet nights and mornings when it was just the two of them, before Kay put on her mask and became Kayla Ellis, the President's daughter.
Steve wished they could spend every day tangled in bed, eating ice cream and watching all the movies he missed. Kayla loved watching movies with Steve, she'd inadvertently spoil them by trying to hype up what was happening, but Steve didn't mind. As long as she was there, snuggled beside him or draped across his lap, he was happy. That was the woman he wanted to marry.
This Kayla Ellis who was being poached by SHIELD to create more super-soldiers was someone he didn't know. She hadn't mentioned anything about the serum when she'd come home Saturday night, but Steve doubted something like that would slip her mind.
"What can I get for you, Hun?" The waitress asked, recognizing Steve from his visits before, "It's been a long time."
"I know." Steve murmured before ordering his usual cheeseburger and vanilla milkshake. Once she was gone, Steve went back to his thoughts, trying to sort out truth from speculation. The clock on the wall showed midnight. Steve wasn't in any hurry to get back home to Kayla tonight.
As the sun began to rise, Steve Rogers finally pulled his motorcycle back to his D.C. apartment. He trotted up the stairs, only slowing down to tiptoe toward the door so he didn't wake up Kayla. He snuck inside, latching the door as quietly as possible before crossing to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee.
Steve started the coffee machine before opening the fridge to look for something to eat for breakfast. He pulled out the carton of orange juice and took a swig, turning when he heard faint footsteps behind him.
Kayla sighed, rubbing her sleep filled eyes, "There's no sneaking up on you is there?"
"No." Steve replied softly, his voice tinged with sadness.
Kayla tilted her head so her hair would spill away from her face. Steve noticed she was still wearing last night's makeup, "Did you just get home? Where did they send you?"
"I had to make a trip to New York." Steve said truthfully, knowing Kayla would see through his lies. He thought she looked more tired than usual, "Did you wait up?"
"I tried to." Kayla yawned, stretching her back, "I fell asleep on the couch."
Steve smiled weakly, wanting to wrap his arms around her, but he needed some answers first, "If you want to rest for a while, we can talk later. I have to ask you something."
"We can talk now." Kayla told him, sitting backwards on the kitchen chair to rest her chin on the back, "What's bothering you?"
"Did you tell the World Security Council about your anti-serum?"
Steve watched as Kayla's sleepy expression dropped from existence, replaced by a look of pure shock, "No... What?"
"Nick Fury was informed that you've created a formula for the anti-serum. I thought we were going to bury that?"
"We are going to bury that, I never told them anything. They asked about my work in college, but I told them it was just a hobby when I was young." Kayla pressed the pads of her fingers against her forehead as she processed what Steve had said, "I swear on my life, Steve, I didn't say anything to them."
"Then how did they know?" Steve pressed, his lip wobbling as he threatened to unravel, "Kayla, that could kill me!"
"I know, and that's why I need to make sure nobody else comes up with it first." Kayla said evenly as she clenched the back of the chair, "Let me work on a serum, just to be safe. You know my dad won't approve it, but maybe SHIELD would-"
"No, Kayla, please. Just drop it, let it go, bury it so deep nobody can find it." Steve knelt down in front of Kayla so he was at eye level with her, "If you love me, you'll burn that book." Kayla sucked in her breath sharply, staring away from Steve as she continued to rest her chin on the chair. Steve grabbed her cheeks and turned her to face him, and he smiled hopefully, "Kay. I know you could do it. But if that formula gets into the wrong hands, a lot of people could die. The world doesn't need any more super soldiers."
Kayla pursed her lips and lifted her face, sighing deeply, "I'd do anything for you. You know that."
"So you'll do this? I know, I know what I'm asking you to do. I'm asking you to wipe away your life's work and to wipe away the work of the man who created me, but I'm telling you, it's the right thing to do."
"I'll do it." Kayla muttered, looking away from Steve, but he captured her lips with a kiss, pressing against her until she smiled into him. "Okay, okay, I'll do it! You don't have to convince me." She sat up straighter and grabbed Steve's face over the chair back, "You believe me right? I didn't tell the Council about any of that. I promise you."
"I believe you." Steve said, kissing Kayla again, "I love you."
"I love you, too." Kayla responded, unstraddling the chair, "I believe you said something about making up missing our date?"
Steve chuckled as Kay ran her fingers through his hair, "What did you have in mind?"
"Well, I didn't get a good night's sleep waiting for you. I guess you better take me back to bed." Kayla winked, slinking away from Steve. She stopped in the doorway to their bedroom and beckoned him to join her.