Title: Gold Rush
Pairing: CaptainAmerica-WinterSoldier-FemaleOC (poly)
AU story because Steve came back after returning the stones, meaning he is still Captain America and Tony is still alive. And Natasha is also still alive. When I started writting this story I had meant for it to happen after Endgame, but I completly forgot she didn't make it. I only realized that after a few weeks.
First language isn't English, so please point out spelling or grammer mistakes. Be specific when pointing them out so I can correct them.
Feedback is always welcome.
Chapter 1
Life has the strange ability to thrown you some interesting curveballs sometimes. I wonder sometimes how I manage to survive them and move on. As a child my life was chaotic, growing up in foster care and moving around from one family to another until I found a good match at the age of ten. I don't remember much about my biological family, just that I had a twin brother and small memories about him and me playing in our treehouse that was a spaceship. I don't remember my mother's face or that of my father. I never understood what happened when I was young that got me sent to foster care, but as I grew older I was never interested in knowing. It can't be anything good, right?
I stared at a polaroid picture hanging on my bathroom mirror as I was getting ready for work. It was taken when my life was very different. A time I guess I was more happy, more content with what I had. When it all went to hell, I had to pick myself up alone and take care of myself. It wasn't easy but my adoptive parents provided support and I managed to get back up op on my feet again eventually.
The picture was a reminder that life could completely at any given moment. The faces in it didn't smile anymore, their eyes weren't bright anymore and full of wonder. I shook my head to snap myself out of my depressing thoughts. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and I pulled my hair in a high ponytail, making sure a couple of strands of my brown hair hung lose to cover the mark behind my right ear. I was getting ready for work and I had approximately fifteen minutes before Happy would be in front of the brownstone where I live in a small apartment. He had called me this morning telling me my boss, miss Pots needed me to do some personal shopping for her, which included a couple of very expensive jewelry pieces she would be wearing tonight to a benefit. She knows I don't own a car and that I take the subway or a cab to work, so she must have asked Happy to chauffeur me around this morning to make sure I didn't run into any trouble doing her shopping for her.
I graphed my hair curler and added some curls to the lose strands of hair and sighed as I realized the mark was still very visible. I had recently gotten a haircut and I thought it would be a good idea to get a shorter haircut then what I usually get. But I hadn't realized that it wouldn't cover my soul mark anymore as good as it used to do. It was located right behind my left ear. I guess it'll just have to do I thought to myself and applied some red lipstick.
I received my soul mark very late in life. I was sixteen and finding myself in a very unusual relationship with two of my classmates. One day the two stars just appeared behind my ear: one white and one red. I was hanging out with my two classmates when it happened. They even mentioned to me that it had appeared. It felt very strange because I was already falling in love with the two boy's with me. They received their soul marks when they were children, but they had no interest in finding their soulmates, because during their childhood they had developed feelings for each other. I was glad they shared my aversion for the whole soulmate situation that made most people act stupid. I have always ridiculed people who based their whole lives around those marks and believed it was destiny to meet and spent their lives together. Such small and simple minded people. At the time I was glad that two marks appeared because it made me feel more comfortable to discover the relationship with my two classmates.
I shook my head to stop myself from thinking about that time and the tragedy that made it end. I was twenty-two when they were ripped away from me, along with the family we had built for ourselves. We had been in that relationship for five years, since we were seventeen.
Soulmates, what a ridiculous notion. Sounds more like a life sentence then a romantic idea.
My foster parents weren't soulmates but they loved each other and made it work. They laughed, loved, fought, made up and one day took me in. They never could have children of their own, so they decided to become foster parents. They usually took in older teenagers but the agency had asked if they were interested in taking in a ten year old girl who survived a car crash. They weren't sure, so they decided to try for a year and eventually they kept me and even adopted me. It felt good when I was allowed to take their name as my own: Taylor. I did never call them mom or dad. I never understood why I did that but for some reason it didn't feel right. It felt forced or unnatural to call them that. They accepted I always called them by their actual names. Their relationship always reassured me that I didn't need to wait around for my soulmate, actually soulmates, to show up. I could live my life according to my own rules and be with whoever I wanted to be. They were skeptic about my relationship with my classmates, but they did their best to accept it and after a couple of years they understood it was real and not just a phase. When they saw my soul mark they also figured they should get used to me being in a relationship with two people.
Roger died from cancer tree years ago and Heather from a broken heart six months later. They would never meet my soulmates and after I lost them I lost all interest in even finding my soulmates so I prayed they were happy with each other and our paths would never cross. I did wonder if they found each other. Maybe if they had each other they wouldn't feel the need to look for me.
A car started honking outside. It was Happy telling me to hurry up. I pulled a formfitting sweater over my white blouse and stepped in my heels. I graphed my purse and the list I had made with the items miss Pots had texted me to get.
"You are early Happy," I greeted the man while I got in the backseat. Working for a high profile woman as Pepper Pots sure had its benefits. I loved going to work in a limousine.
"A good morning to you too miss Taylor," the man greeted me and he looked at me threw the rearview mirror. I smiled at him and pulled out my phone to start on answering emails for miss Pots while we drove. Traffic would probably be a nightmare at this hour.
"I told you to call me Alex, no need for formalities when it's just us Happy," I said and he started the car and pulled into traffic. Happy was such an easygoing man to be around. He had taken me under his wing when I just started working for miss Pots and her family. He helped me out, showed me the ropes, helped me to read our bosses moods, how to best approach them in certain situations etc. He also helped me with getting to know Morgan Stark. I was technically employed to work for miss Pots, but after five years I also work for the other two family members.
"I can't help it, my mother taught me to be polite to beautiful woman," he complimented me and I sent him a wink. Happy is my favorite coworker for he's easy going, even if he takes his security job way to serious sometimes. It also helps we share a dislike for miss Pots other two assistants: Thalia and Camille. They come from wealthy families and I still wonder how they got to become miss Pots her assistants for their families were shareholders in the Stark Industries. They were good at their jobs though, but it didn't make up for their incredible ego's and nasty attitude towards me. But I could handle them. They provided me with entertainment on the work floor to be honest.
"What do you think about doing lunch together before we head to the office?" Happy asked me and I realized I had forgotten my lunch on my kitchen counter. Damn it.
"Only if you're paying," I said and sent him a wink. We had known each other for four years now so I knew he wasn't serious with his compliments, so I didn't mind them. It wasn't like anyone was calling me beautiful at the moment.
…
"Will that be all Miss Pots?" I asked my boss as I wrote down the tasks she had given me the last fifteen minutes. As usually the office was in a state of panic, but it always was the day of a benefit or something big, so I wasn't surprised when I walked in my boss her office and saw her pulling her hair. A million things had to be done before the benefit and one of the investors from China had decided to book in a meeting today with miss Pots and mister Stark. They had no time for the man, but he was a potential investor, so they couldn't say no and the man was going back home tomorrow, so postponing wasn't an option.
"And see if you can get Tony to leave his lab for a diner reservation in that cute little…" miss Pots asked while typing fast on her laptop. Her dress for the benefit was hanging next to her desk and I had to admit it looked gorgeous. The woman was very stylish and I would love to wear it myself if I had the option.
"The cute little Italian restaurant down at the harbor? Consider it done Miss Pots," I assured her and looked forward to annoying Mister Stark out of his lab. Miss Pots wants to arrive at the benefit at eight, so I would need to make the reservation at six so they would have enough time for dinner and casual talk.
"How you manage to get him to leave so easily is still a mystery to me, but I am glad for your talents," she complimented me and I smiled as I began dialing the number of the restaurant: "I all but ask politely miss Pots."
"Never the less thank you. If there is anything, you can reach me on my private phone," Miss Pots said and focused back on her laptop. I took my leave and made the reservation for them. It's a small restaurant, not super fancy so they are always very pleased when the Stark couple makes a reservation with them. I'm pretty sure they go out of their way for them, but then again people like them eating publicly at a restaurant like theirs is good for business.
Pepper Pots has three assistants: Thalia and Camille are here to assist her in the business field whereas I am her personal assistant and I organize her personal life. Juggling a company like this, a relationship with Mister Stark and raising a daughter can be a challenging task. So I was hired five years ago to help Miss Pots manage her private life. Making reservations at restaurants, organizing work meetings, organizing travel plans for her and her family, booking private diners with her boyfriend, planning in family time with their daughter, making sure she knew about important school functions she needed to attend, shopping for outfits to special events, shopping for presents and so on. I also manage Morgan's agenda. Shocker that a kid her age has one, I know. Playdates, tutor sessions, sports, hobbies… Anything to distract her from realizing that her parents don't have any time for her. I do my best to get at least one parent on time home to tuck her in bed, but that's a very difficult task to realize. Besides that I help out with organizing benefits, the yearly Stark gala and other public things the couple attends.
"Alex, can I ask maybe for one more thing and I am so ashamed to have to ask this of you," Miss Pots came to my desk outside her office and leaned closer making it clear to the two other assistants they weren't allowed to listen in on our conversation. They might not like me, but they had tremendous respect for miss Pots, so they went on a cigarette break.
"I won't tell a soul," I said and looked up from my laptop.
"I promised Morgan that we would throw her a birthday party this weekend, but I …" miss Pots started explain herself. I always thought it was funny that she did that. She didn't owe me any explanation why she didn't get around to do something, but I guess it helps her justify it for herself and might clear her conscious a bit. So I interrupted her: "Consider it done Miss Potts. What kind of party does she want? Anyone special I should invite?"
"Make it a small private garden party at our place upstate. Invite a couple of her friends, but nothing too big or extravagant," miss Pots told me and I wrote it down. Organizing the kids birthday party sounded like fun. I pulled out my phone and texted Happy I would be joining him later today when he went to pick up Morgan. As I expected he texted back immediately with a thumbs up emoji.
"And I'm guessing I shouldn't say anything to Mister Stark about it?" I asked and she smiled: "Not a word, just make sure he gets there on time."
"Shall I also take care of the gifts?" I asked, knowing full well the woman was in over her head at the moment and she had no time to take care of such things. Besides Morgan already knows I take care of such matters and so she likes to drop little hints when her birthday is around the corner or Christmas is nearing.
"And get her something good to ease my guilt," miss Pots sighs and walks back to her office.
"Consider it done," I said and got back to work for the benefit for tonight. Whoever said that women can have it all, clearly never juggled a real high top function with a kid and a boyfriend like mister Stark.
Happy texted me around four that he would meet me downstairs to go pick up Morgan. She had piano lessons after school on Thursdays. I closed my laptop and pushed it and the folders I needed to continue working from home in my purse. A small garden party is easy to organize and I already knew which children I would invite to the party. Morgan is an easy kid and she wouldn't have any extravagant wishes, but she would like to help with organizing her own party. Maybe I could visit her tomorrow after work so we could make invitations she could hand out at school. She likes arts and crafts.
I was on my phone making the reservation Miss Pots asked for when I bumped into a large man.
"Sorry Miss, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going," the man said and I wasn't surprised the voice belonged to one Captain America. Our paths had crossed before but we had never been properly introduced. It always amazed me how huge the man was. I had seen the exhibit about him and the Howling Commando's when I took Morgan a few months ago. I sometimes babysit so Miss Pots and Mister Stark can have some alone time and I love visiting the museum.
"The fault was my own Captain, I should learn not to text and walk at the same time," I responded and heard a ping from my phone. I looked and saw Happy was sending me emoji's telling me to hurry up. The Captain was apparently also waiting for the elevator and had already called for it. He must be on his way out as well. What does a man like him to in his free time? I can't imagine him watching some TV show when he gets home with a beer and pizza. Sounds so mundane for a guy like him.
"Are you heading out?" the Captain asked as the doors opened.
"Yes, I have a party to plan and I am meeting my boss to arrange it," I answered and sent Happy a gif to calm down. The Captain let me walk in first and I pushed the ground floor button. I noticed the Captain was heading towards the basement where the carpark was. Seems like he is on his way out. He was dressed casually, a cap in his pocket and sunglasses hanging from his shirt. I always wonder if those really fool people. He's build like a house. How can people not automatically notice him in the street? He might be over the top friendly but damn the man is absolute eye candy. I think Mister Stark is sometimes jealous because I heard from other employees that he used to be the one who turned all the heads and everyone knows the man has an ego the size of his own building.
"I thought I saw Pepper go to the top floor?" the Captain said and turned his head to me. He really does have that all American beauty thing going for him: blond hair, blue eyes, muscly build and a killer smile.
"I'm meeting my mini-boss," I corrected myself and put my phone in my bag. If I was meeting Morgan, I needed to loosen up my attire. We would probably go to Central Park so I wouldn't need my sweater and she never likes it when I'm dressed like I came straight from the office.
'You're my friend, not my employee' she told me once and I was impressed at her use of the word employee. I should take her out for ice cream in Central Park. I'll ditch my jacket in Happy's car and switch my heels for flats.
"Ah I heard that she can be a though boss," the Captain continued the polite conversation. His politeness always rubbed me the wrong way. It felt forced and unnatural and I'm rather used to being quite in an elevator filled with people. I guess growing up in New York thought me that people are never this nice. Hell they're never nice if they don't know you.
"She probably learned from the best," I responded and pulled my hair lose. I let my fingers slide through my hair to loosen it up. I still had to get used to it stopping above my shoulders.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened to reveal one Winter Soldier. Great, I hope the Captain adverts his attention to his friend now. I have never spoken to the man, I don't even think I ever heard him speak. He doesn't come by the office much, but I guess the techs in the labs help him out with his mechanical arm. He always had it covered by wearing a jacket and a glove.
I moved so there was more room in the small cubicle. The soldier moved behind the Captain and kept his face hidden behind his long strands of hair. The man needs a haircut because he just oozed trouble when you looked at him right now. From what I remember from the exhibition James Barnes was a very handsome man back in the day. Also an incredible flirt. Somehow I doubt that personality trait survived everything he went true. The two shared a few words and I kept my eyes on the numbers counting down as the elevator moved again. I was pleased we reached the ground floor without any other stops.
"Do you have any plans for tonight, Miss…?" the Captain asked before the doors open.
"Taylor and yes I have. Have a nice day gentlemen," I said and smiled at both men. I was raised to be polite and I am guessing the soldier doesn't get much recognition wherever he goes. I can relate to that on some level. Being the personal assistant to Miss Pots is not as glamorous as one would hope. I caught the soldiers eye's as I took my leave. Huh, also blue eyes. I made my exit as quickly as I could. I heard the Captain call my name, but I pretended not to hear him and waived at Happy, who was tapping his wrist telling me to hurry up.
"What took you so long?" he scolded me playfully and I rolled my eyes dramatically at him: "I thought your mother raised you to be polite to a lady."
"You're no lady Taylor," he told me and opened the door for me: "Need to have a meeting with the mini boss?"
"Yes, how much will it take me to bribe you into taking us to Central Park?" I asked before getting in the backseat. The man pretended to think and then smiled: "An ice cream with tree scoops."
"Three scoops! You drive a hard bargain, but you got yourself a deal," I said and we both got in the limousine.
…
"What was that about?" Bucky asked me as the elevators doors closed again. No one had gotten on what was surprising given the hour but then again Bucky was here and no one wanted to be near him. People still avoided him like the plague.
"She had two stars marked behind her ear. One white and one red," I said knowing what those stars meant. I had the same two stars marked on my right lower abdomen. Bucky had the same mark on his left arm, but that was gone now. We knew back in our day we were soulmates but in those day's people did not approve of two men being in a relationship, let alone three people. We pretend to not care and just chocked it up to being really good friends. Even though I always felt more than just friends, but I never believed it was possible he would feel the same way, so I was always content to just have him by my side. Since he has been back in my life we haven't spoken about the subject for we both figured that our other soulmate was either very old or dead. That person had probably had to live their life always wondering where we were.
"It could have been a tattoo Steve. Stars are a popular choice among females apparently," Bucky tried but I cut him off. My voice gave away I was excited about this discovery: "I know what I saw. It's the same star like I have. And how do you even know that?"
I looked at Bucky but he avoided my eyes. He kept his eyes focused on the numbers counting down as we headed for the basement, where my car was park. I smiled realizing he must have done some research on our third soulmate. Back in the day he wasn't the settling down type of guy, but I doubt he will ever be like that again. It gave me hope he was interested in this third person: "You have been looking into it huh?"
"I don't know what you are talking about. And even if it was the same marks as…" Bucky said, but I cut him of: "They were the same."
"Even if they were the same, that doesn't mean she would want to do anything about. You know people don't actively search for their soulmates anymore," Bucky pointed out and we reached the basement. We got of the elevator and started walking to my car. It was true. Soulmates was beginning to become something of the past. Rumor has it that there are more and more children and teenagers not getting a mark anymore. In our day meeting your soulmate was the only thing that mattered. When you found that person, you would marry and move in together and start a family. But that has all changed since I have woken up. People don't wait around anymore for their soulmate and sometimes they meet later in life but one or even both are in serious relationships. The idea that I might miss out on that because she might be seeing someone else just didn't sit right with me. I always had a strong feeling the third person was a woman.
"That doesn't mean we should let this opportunity pass," I said being positive that what I saw was the our soul mark. Our soulmate wasn't someone from our time but from this time, so we still had the possibility of being together. We could get to know her and be together. I knew Bucky wasn't all that keen on finding our soulmate but I had always wanted to meet this person. I had wanted to fall in love and marry and have the house with the white picket fence and children.
"And do what Steve? In our line of work, with our past, with my past? She's from this time and we're not," Bucky tried again, but he recognized the look on my face and realized he wasn't going to be able to change my mind. I heard him sigh as we reached my car: "You are such a pain in the ass sometimes. I already feel sorry for her."
"And yet you still put up with me," I said and we got in and I drove us home. We had a private suite in the Avengers compound but we preferred to stay in an apartment downtown that I owned, away from prying eyes.
