Steve walked into the living room where Sam sat eating his breakfast.
"Sam," Steve walked in and sat in the seat across from Sam. Sam shoved a spoonful of oatmeal into his mouth and glaced at Steve. "I have to go back."
Sam shook his head and held up his finger, silently asking him for a second. Sam turned to his side and picked up the remote to the television. He turned the TV off, shoved another spoonful of oatmeal in his mouth, and turned his attention to Steve.
"I have to go back to the city." Steve paused, waiting for a reaction. Sam was too busy trying not to choke. "I know that it's not the best idea, but the only way to protect Pete is to get everything with Tony sorted out."
"Where are you staying?"
"I'm not sure. I think Nat has some hookups where she can get me a place for a bit." Sam raised an eyebrow to this. "I was going to call her after this conversation because I don't want to have to bring Peter. I hate to be this person, but can he stay here for a bit?"
"Of course." Sam said without hesitating.
"Are you sure? I can figure something else out. And Tony's never hurt him, or hurt me around him for that matter." At this point, Steve's arm was trembling unconsciously.
"Steve I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't mean it." Sam scrapped the last of his oatmeal out of his bowl and ate it. "When are you going to tell him?"
"After I talk to Nat." Sam set the bowl down on the table in front of him.
"Steve, are you sure about this? What are you even going to do?"
"Talk to a lawyer." Sam raised an eyebrow at Steve and shifted forward in the chair. "And maybe a therapist."
"I have a couple of friends I can refer you to." Steve sighed and broke eye contact with Sam.
"That's one of the last things on my mind."
"Steve. I hear you at night. I know that you don't sleep."
"I think getting everything figured out will help."
"So will talking to someone." Sam smiled at Steve. "If you decide to, just let me know and I can help out if you need it." Sam stood up and picked up his bowl. As he walked out, Steve followed him. "You can always talk to me too." Sam set his bowl into the kitchen sink and turned to Steve.
Steve stood silently for a moment. "I don't want Peter to see the shaking. How do I help that?"
"Well the most you can do, is work it out. Exercising is probably one of the best things you could do when you have lots of stress. Or have you heard about progressive muscle relaxation?" Steve shook his head no. "So you start with your hand." Sam tightened his hand and held it. "You make a fist as tight as you can, hold it for a couple seconds, then let go. Then move up." Sam released his fist, then tighten it again, along with his fore arm. "And you just do it up through your arm. It also works with your legs if you bounce your leg."
"Will that stop my shaking?"
"Well it might help it, but if it doesn't then you really need to talk to someone. Sometimes your body expresses anxiety in physical ways." Steve just nodded, keeping his head down. "Steve you should be careful when you go back. You should avoid meeting or talking to Tony alone."
"I know Sam, I'll be careful." Steve started to walk out of the kitchen.
"Steve," he stopped to listen to Sam. "If you need anything, call me and I'll drop what I'm doing and travel to New York. No matter what."