Author's note: The formatting on the previous chapter should be fixed now.

I drove in to the Avengers Compound just in time to see the sun rising over the facility. Steve and I had been back in America for a week, but it still felt the quiet days of solitude we had spent on our honeymoon were months ago. Things had happened so fast, it was hard to get my mind around the fact that this was my life now: that I was Steve Rogers' wife, and a member of the Avengers family. Not just lead of ecology at Damage Control, but chief attaché to the Avengers and head of the new Damage Control branch at the Compound. It had not been a gradual return to reality, but rather a baptism by fire. I had arranged things as best I could for my time away from work, but even though I had earned my sabbatical, I returned after three weeks away to find three weeks of work waiting for me. Steve, for his part, had found that there weren't any major disasters while he had been gone, but still had people clamoring for his time now that we were back. It felt like I had barely seen him since we'd returned. Our days had been spent working, and our evenings had filled with one thing after another. People left us alone our first night back, but I had been so tired and jet lagged, I just had time to unpack and prep for work the next day before collapsing into bed. That first week back, the Avengers had thrown a welcome dinner for me. It was a lot of fun. It was nice to see everyone let their hair down, and I was starting to feel more at home on the Compound.

It still felt strange though, as I pulled into my own spot in the underground parking garage. It felt odd to arrive without Steve – he had left for a mission to Sweden the day before and wouldn't be back till this afternoon. While he had been away, I had spent my evenings at my cabin in the woods, which was half-way between the city and the Compound, so I still hadn't spent a whole day here without Steve as a buffer. But, I told myself, I lived here now, as strange as that felt. It was home. I sighed, and nipped up to our apartment to drop off a few things before heading for a day full of meetings. I was due to sign off on the penultimate approvals with the architect of the new Damage Control wing. Then a site visit with Tony to map where the new facility would go in relation to the rest of the compound. Finally, a briefing with Pepper who was spearheading the planning for the official reception where we would announce our marriage. Planning the wedding had been fun. I'd enjoyed picking out the flowers and meeting with the caterer. But, planning for an event of this scope was way beyond my ability. I was more than happy to lean on Pepper's superior knowledge and experience.

I arrived to the spare office I had claimed as my own until my new space had been built. If by "claimed" you meant graciously accepted, out of Tony's and Pepper's and Steve's multiple grandiose offers of shuffling staff around, building entirely superfluous new spaces for my temporary use, and generally putting everyone out for very little purpose.

"It's fine," I had insisted, "it won't be for long. And until we move, I've still got my labs and space at Damage Control. All I need is a little office."

And so, I had ended up with a windowed office opening up to a small private conference room on the business and conferences floor. It was a little far from Steve's workspace, which was sad, but generally out of everyone's way, which suited me just fine.

Before too long the architect had come by, and I had adjusted a few final details to the layout of the labs, adding an additional biohazard area and changing my mind about counter heights in a few places. After I had signed off on the floorplans, she headed off to digitise the last few details. I headed off to the medical wing to meet Helen for coffee.

I found her at the small waiting room slash café just outside the official start of the med wing. A skylight above streamed in light, and kept the multiple potted ferns looking healthy. Helen was sitting at a table set up near the edge.

"Rachael! It's great to see you."

"Thanks, you too."

She rose and gave me a quick hug. "I got you a tea, and if you were a few minutes later, this cherry pastry might not have been here anymore, but alas, you arrived on time."

"Don't you have one for yourself?" I asked, eying the two pastries on the table.

"I do," she said laughing.

We sat down together and tucked in.

"So how are you settling in?"

"I met with the architect this morning. Things are looking really well. I think the new Damage Control branch is going to work fantastically. Even my ecotoxicology crew is going to be happy, and they've made the most fuss about their space issues."

"That's great," Helen said, happy to let me gush about work issues. "But how are you settling in?"

"Oh. Yes. Me. It's weird, at times, it feels like any other research site, but that's not really why we're all here, is it?"

"What do you mean?"

"I guess I just keep forgetting that the Avengers is not just an organization, it's those nine people who go out and fight. Who are the actual 'Avengers'. We're just support."

"Who's making you feel like that? We're all helping the world here, according to our own talents and abilities."

"No one really, I guess it's just my own insecurities."

Helen smiled at me reassuringly, "Well, I'm very glad you're here. It makes it so much easier to see more of you."

"You're right. This has been a very happy move for me. It almost feels like being back at school again. Everyone living on the same campus, working towards the same goals."

"And you're sure you don't have any other reason for being in such a good mood about all this change?" she asked, slyly.

"Well, yes. There is Steve," my stomach still did a little flip whenever I thought about him being my husband. Damn, I miss him." He's coming back this afternoon. I think I'll go down to the tarmac to meet him when he gets in. Do you think that would be okay?"

"Of course, just stick to the South end of the landing field, that's the route people usually take when they're coming in to the facility."

"I won't get in anyone's way?"

"This is your home, Rachael. You belong here just as much as anyone else. More so, than some, in fact. Keep getting used to it."

"Thank you, Helen," you said with sincerity, taking her hand, "I'm so glad you're here."

"I'm glad you're here, too," she beamed back at me. "We're going to have so much fun. But for now, I've got to get back to work."

"Right," I replied, checking the time. Steve was due to get back quite soon. "I'll head out too, then." I embraced the slight woman. "This was great."

"I know. We'll do it again, soon."

"Bye."

And Helen headed back into the med offices, while I turned and checked my bearings briefly before heading to the tarmac. I was getting the hang of this place.

Sure enough, I found myself outside, and at the right end of the landing field. There was a broad paved pathway connecting the tarmac to the rest of the facility, with a large tree overhanging a small equipment shed. I went to go stand in the shade to wait.

Rounding the corner I was surprised to find a park bench with a tech, eating a sandwich while taking his break.

"Oh. Hello."

"Hello," he greeted me. Checking quickly for my badge, then relaxing a little when seeing the colour that indicated my level of clearance: more than appropriate for being in this part of the compound without supervision.

"I'm with the airfield operations crew," he offered, clearly leading me to do the same.

"Damage Control. Here setting up for the ground-breaking."

"Ah, so what are you doing out here, then?"

"I'm just waiting to meet up with my husband," I replied. Glancing skyward I saw a quinjet just coming in for touch down. "Oh, I think that's him now. Do you know which mission that is getting in?"

"That's the Stockholm flight coming in. Is your husband on Captain America's crew?" he asked, looking impressed.

"You could say that, yes."

"That's a pretty plumb assignment. You must be very proud."

"Oh, believe me, I am." I answered with a smile. Helen was partially right, we were all in this together, but there were still definitely "face" Avengers and then the rest of us. And I was proud of Steve, and all he had done to bring this together.

The tarmac was a bustle of activity: engineers heading in to do post-flight checks, Steve's crew heading out to their post-mission tasks. I thought I could see Steve, standing in a huddle with mission specialists and field techs.

Just then I caught Steve's eye, and he raised his hand to me in a wave, before turning and starting to walk towards me, his companions trailing after him.

"You came to meet me," he said as he drew within earshot. My heart jumped at the delight in his voice.

"I couldn't bear the wait," I answered drawing my mouth up for a quick peck on the lips. "I'm so glad you're back."

My new technician friend was looking at us a little goggle eyed. I couldn't help but smile a little to myself. As restricting as Steve's fame would be at times, I might as well have a little fun with it when I could. And after our official reception next week, people wouldn't just know that "Cap got hitched," they'd recognise my face, too.

"How was your trip?" I asked.

"It went swimmingly," Steve answered, "barely more than four things went wrong, practically according to plan. But we achieved our objective, so what more could you want?"

"That's great, honey."

"I'm sorry I can't spend more time with you right now. I've got to head straight into debrief."

"Don't worry about it, I figured that would be the case. I've got to meet Tony for a site inspection, so I can walk with you that far, at least."

So we strolled off together, arm-in-arm, pretending it was more comfortable than it actually was, kitted out in bulky tactical gear as Steve still was. But, I was just happy to be near him. He asked questions about my time apart, but we kept it light, aware of the lack of privacy. We weren't exactly putting on a show, but this was the first time we had been seen together on the Compound with this many eyes around. They'd better get used to it.

As we neared the Facility, I caught sight of Tony strolling out to meet me.

"Hey, Tony," Steve greeted him.

"Cap," with a nod of his head. "I see you've stolen our new girl, here. I just might get jealous."

"I believe you've got it the wrong way 'round there, buddy."

"Ha! Fair enough. Are you still good to go?" He asked, addressing himself to me.

"Yes, I was just seeing Steve off."

I turned, and gave Steve another chaste kiss. But, the lingering squeeze he gave my hand promised a more thorough reunion later.

"I'll see you tonight," he promised.

"Love you."

I turned back to a smirking Tony. "I'd complain to you about coping with this lack of privacy, except that I know you think it's the best part."

"You just gotta roll with it, and enjoy it for what it is."

"Some of us don't live for being the centre of attention, but point taken." I rejoined.

We had arrived at the place where we were going to be building the Damage Control satellite campus, tucked into the side of the existing science facility. Tony set a small device on the ground, then tapped a few controls at his wrist. A huge holographic projection sprung up, the new contruction, outlined in lines of red and gold and teal. I hoped whoever was working near a window in the building currently had been forewarned.

From this distance, it looked pretty good: clearly an addition, but blending in with the general architectural theme of the Compound. We walked closer, scoping out lines of traffic, and getting an idea of the views. We made only minor changes to the exterior, which wouldn't mess with the floorplans too much, but did decide to move an outbuilding from one side to the other, to better fit in to the space as a whole.

"Thanks, Tony," I said as we walked back to the main office complex. "I really do appreciate you taking the time."

"Don't worry about it. You're part of the family, now. It's what we do."

"That means a lot."

He walked me all the way up to Pepper's office for my meeting with her there about the formal reception coming up. When I saw his affectionate banter with her as he dropped me off, I knew escorting me back wasn't all on my account. Yes, I could definitely see the advantages of all living and working on the same campus, lack of privacy be damned. One more meeting to get through, then I'd have Steve to myself. All evening. I smiled and thought This is going to be great.