Steve's POV

Months after the banquet with Keira, we had gone on many dates. Some cut short by unexpected missions, making me miss her while away. There was one mission that had me worried I would make it back her. We had been on location in Scotland investigating a supernatural event when we got trapped in a castle. By we, I mean, Nat, me, Tony, Thor, Strange, Loki and Bucky.

This creature toyed with our minds, tricking us into believing that things were there when they weren't. It would also play on our feelings, pulling people we loved into different scenarios. We had to fight through illusions – though Loki had figured out how to push those away before anyone else. He had struggled for a time, breaking free into the right reality. Despite his distaste for Strange, he helped to break him free first, using both magic abilities to relieve us of the things haunting us.

Together they formed a spell to locate our creature – who wasn't a creature at all, but a human with terrifying abilities that were like Wanda's powers, only more…ancient. We attempted to reason with the man, who unfortunately fought back and when the jewel containing those abilities shattered during the battle, he faded away as water does when it evaporates.

The night after we returned, I drove over to Keira's place for some comfort and a bit of a break from the compound. She listened as I lay in her lap, her fingers stroking my hair.

"What if we got away? Just the two of us?" I asked.

"You mean take a vacation? Can Avengers take an official vacation?" she asked. I sat up and took her hands in mine.

"I can talk to Tony. Work something out. We could do what we've always talked about. Go live in a cabin for a week. Cuddle by a fire. Make love where no one could hear us," I told her. A red hue bloomed on her cheeks, her lips quirking up in a smile.

"Alright. Let's do it," she said. We immediately started looking at places to rent, hoping to go after Thanksgiving. Keira wanted me to meet her family and I agreed to it, excited we were making the next step in our relationship.

"Oh, hey, would you like to come by Friday night for a party? Tony is throwing it for the Avengers only, including Peter Parker as well. There's going to be dancing and food. Besides, bucky has been talking non-stop about seeing you again. Nat and Wanda too," I told her.

"I'd love to. Should I dress up or is it casual?" She stated.

"Put on your best dress and come by at 4," I answered.

"Okay. Stay the night? We can watch a movie," I nodded, and she disappeared to grab a few blankets and a movie we could cuddle to unaware of pending tragedy Friday night.

Keira's POV – Friday afternoon

For the party at the compound, I dressed in a light blue, satin dress that I could twirl in for a dance – or dances – with Steve. I curled my hair and pinned half of it up before attending to my makeup. Around 3:30, I hailed a cab to take me upstate to the compound and hoped Steve would like my dress. I got out and walked inside, immediately greeted by Natasha, who took my arm and led me to giant conference room; the furniture had been mostly cleared out to make room for people to dance.

"Hey, Steve. Look who just got here," Natasha said, finding Steve at the makeshift bar.

"Keira, you look beautiful," he told me. He pulled me into his arms, leaning down for a kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him closer, our bodies relaxing into each other's. We broke apart when someone cleared their throat.

"If you don't mind, I'd like steal your girl for a dance," Bucky said. He extended Steve and he nodded, allowing me to take Bucky's hand. We headed out onto the dance floor and swayed to the music as it played, inspiring others to join us. When the music switched into a slower song, Steve cut in, holding me close as I rested my head against his chest. Around 6, we took a break and joined our friends in the dining room for dinner, talking with everyone and enjoying our time together. Afterwards, it was back to the dance floor, dancing mainly with each other, like Nat and Wanda. Sometimes we would switch out dance partners; Stephen Strange and Loki asked for my hand in a couple of dances, eventually handing me back off to Steve for the slower songs.

AS the night died down and people went home, those that were left at the compound gathered around a fire pit outside with hot chocolate and blankets to talk for a while about – well, everything. Plans for Nat and Wanda's wedding, holiday parties and secret Santa. We even discussed the plan to head for a cabin for a week.

"Wait, wait, wait. You're going to introduce Steve to you family? Aren't they going to freak out that he's Captain America?" Tony asked.

"I'm hoping they don't. I want them to see him as I do. I have a feeling my cousin will get a jealous, but I think she'll warm up to him in no time," I answered.

"What if they're not welcoming or freak out too much?" Tony continued.

"Then we'll come back here and celebrate with y'all," I told him.

"Wow. What a match you two make. Here's to a future for you both. May it be a great one," Tony toasted. The night grew later, and Steve invited me to stay the night.

"I didn't bring anything to change into," I told him.

"I'll let you borrow one of my shirts. Please. I want to cuddle with you," I smiled and nodded, following him to his room. I took a shower with him and dried off to change into a soft cotton shirt of his, curling up beside him, my head resting against his chest. The phone call in the middle of the night would tear my life in half.

4 a.m.

The persistent buzzing of my phone woke me from slumber. I rolled over out of Steve's grasp to see who was calling me at this hour. Light illuminated the room and the caller ID had now put me in panic mode; my father was calling, and I knew it must be an emergency.

"Dad? What's wrong?" I answered. My heart pounded, afraid for what he was about to tell me.

"Sweetheart, your grandma has gone to the hospital. It's pneumonia and it's not looking good. We need you to come home right away. We're not sure how much more she'll be able to make it," he told me.

"Oh…no. I'll get the first flight out that I can. See you soon," I told him. I hung up and pulled myself out of bed.

"Keira? Where are you going?" Steve asked, my movement rousing him. I leaned over to kiss him, before changing back into my dress.

"I've got to go home. To North Carolina. My grandma is severely sick. I don't think there's a whole lot of time left before she…" I explained, a sob breaking my voice.

"Hey, hey. Come here. It's okay. Let me get dressed and I'll take you back to your apartment to grab your things and take you to the airport," he said. He dressed quickly, the two of us heading downstairs, bumping into Tony.

"Why are you two up so early? Not that I can talk, but…Keira, is something wrong?" he greeted us, his smile dropping as soon as he saw me.

"Her grandma is sick. It's not looking great, Tony. I'm taking her home and then to the airport so she can fly back to North Carolina," Steve said.

"Don't bother. Get what you need and come back here. I'll fly you out myself," he told us. I thanked him and rode back to my apartment to grab a suitcase and threw clothes in that I may need for a couple days, leaving again with Steve. We went back to the compound, kissing Steve goodbye before getting on the plane. Days later, I would get another surprise that I wasn't expecting.

Steve's POV – Three Days Later

I had been texting back and forth with Keira, getting updates about what was happening with her grandma. A waiting game was what it had turned into, and it had her distressed throughout the whole thing. I worried for her, something the others had picked up on around the compound.

"Go see her. She's going to want you there when the inevitable happens," Natasha told me.

"I don't know if I should. Meeting her family like this isn't the ideal situation. What if things go wrong?" I told her.

"Steve. I know this isn't how you both want it to go, but she needs you. She's going to love you no matter what happens. Go to her. Be with her in her time of need," she told me, patting my back. Sighing, I nodded. I texted Keira to send me her address and threw clothes in a duffel bag, including a suit and asked Tony if I could go down to North Carolina to see Keira. He agreed and I prepared myself to what was going to happen. Arriving in the Greensboro airport, I got a cab to her parents' house and walked up to the front door. I knocked and a man, who I assumed to be her father, opened the door.

"Can I help you?" he greeted me.

"My name is Steve Rogers. I'm here to see you daughter Keira," I told him.

"Keira? How do you know my daughter if I may ask?"

"I'm her boyfriend," His eyebrows raised, but he opened the door allowing me inside.

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Rogers. My name is Hunter MacPherson. Take a seat in the living room. I'll inform Keira that you're here," he told me.

Keira's POV

I had decided to take a nap during all the chaos during the day and curled up next to Newt to give me some comfort. It was cut short when someone knocked on my door, waking me. I rubbed my eyes and groggily told whoever it was to come in.

"Keira, you have a visitor. Come downstairs," my dad told me. I got up and followed him downstairs, freezing when I spotted Steve sitting on the couch in the living room. Newt, who had followed us down the steps, bounded over to him and jumped up in his lap demanding attention. Steve rubbed him, making Newt wag his tail and attempt to get closer to Steve.

"Steve? You're here?" I managed. He met my eyes and nodded.

"I thought I would drop in and see if I could offer any help. Maybe even provide some comfort. I…uh…hope I'm not intruding," he said.

"No, not at all. We'll welcome any help we can get. I do have a question, though. Keira, why did you tell us you were seeing someone?" Dad stated.

"I've been a little busy. I had planned on telling you before the holidays. I wanted to invite him for Christmas," I answered. I sat down beside Steve, linking my fingers through his.

"So…how did you guys meet?" mom asked. We took a deep breath and recited our story to my parents. By the time we had finished Mom was in tears. Dad had approved of him, and Newt had managed to squeeze in between us for pets. Steve was allowed to spend the next few days with me in my room. While in the company of our home, he helped with the cleaning and preparation of food; he held me a night when I cried, emotions hidden as I tried to remain strong for my parents.

We had a surprise visit from Nat and Wanda, who came back with Bucky on the day of the funeral three days later. It was a surprise for the remainder of my family seeing four Avengers showing support for me. Everyone got along for the most part, bombarding us with questions about how we met and became friends with heroes. On the day Steve and I had to return to New York, my parents thanked Steve for coming down and being there for everyone; Mom even gave Steve a hug at the airport.

"Take care of her for us," Dad told him and then we were off on the plane towards home.

"Hey, Keira. Maybe now's not the best time, but I wanted to ask you something," Steve stated.

"What is it?"

"I was thinking maybe it was a good idea to take the break we were thinking about. I went ahead and booked a place to rent for a week. I hope you don't mind. Would you like to spend the week with me?" he stated.

"Really? You were able to get some time off? When are we going?" I asked.

"We're heading there right now. To Tennessee, Unless, of course, you don't want to,"

"No, I want to. You're right. We are due for a break. I would love to spend the week with you," I told him. He smiled and leaned in to kiss me, snuggling closer and we headed to our wintery destination.