One day Steve is working behind the house, sorting out old furniture and gardening equipment. Farther away, close to an oak tree, he catches sight of a gravestone, rather new and carefully maintained amidst the unkempt meadow.
He pus down the boxes and walks over to it. There are three-day-old white lilies lying on the top edge, and a small pot of flowers on each side. Standing in front of it, he reads the epitaph on the marble stone: "Robert Miller — Beloved Husband".
Small footsteps make the grass rustle behind him. Katherine is standing by his side with a stern expression. He stands still while feeling her presence, always perceptible and adequate.
"Eliza was among the Dusted," she begins, gazing at the grave. "Her husband waited for her. He never left the house, not a single day, hoping that someday she would return. They don't have any children. Only this mansion, and Riley. He died 8 months before the Second Snap."
His jaw clenches and he feels a slight lump in the throat. He heard many sad stories when he ran the therapy group during the five-year period, but this one affects him particularly. Perhaps because he has grown fond of Eliza; perhaps because her sad story isn't so different from his. He understands why Katherine said there were many sadder stories.
"When Eliza came back to this empty mansion, she thought it would be good to make it a guesthouse, fill it with life and company after it was silent and empty for so long."
Her eyes shift to look at him and she notices the hurt on his face, the compassion in his eyes. And it leaves her stunned.
A couple of days later, on a bright but mild day as he is finishing painting the last layer on the porch railings, Katherine steps out of the house. She stands in the middle of the porch and smiles at him. She is wearing black jeans with a long-sleeved top.
"Just had a talk with Eliza. I told her you had your afternoon free."
He puts the pot of paint down on the square of fabric on the ground to avoid stains. "We're going somewhere?"
Her smile widens and her head nods in the direction of the Chevy. "Just come and find out."
And they get in the car.
After a ten-minute drive, they reach a big property with the airs of a ranch. Shortly after stepping out of the car, they are warmly greeted by a couple in their late fifties.
"Phil. Lorna. This is Steve. He works with me at Eliza's."
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you." One says with a strong Southern accent while the other beams.
He shakes their hands before putting them in his pockets.
"Well, you know the way, Katherine. Just let us know if you need anything."
The woman leans in to kiss her cheek and they resume their chores. Next, Katherine takes him the opposite way to the large barn further down.
The large door is open and she takes the lead to walk inside.
She greets Jimmy, the young stable-boy in his twenties. He eyes Steve over his shoulder before answering hi.
"We're at the Dawsons," Steve says softly.
She turns around to flash a smile before heading in a routinely manner to one of the stables while he stands in the middle of the barn aisle.
"There, girl." He hears her say. And she steps out a few seconds later, gently holding the bridle to take the animal out. A majestic golden brown horse with ebony hair.
Her hand softly strokes its face. "This is Marquis," she says, not taking her eyes off of it.
Sensing his hesitation, she tilts her head in his direction. "You've ever been around horses?"
"Not really."
She smiles and strokes the horse again. "Yeah, that's what I thought."
She lets the reins hanging and goes to pick up the bucket filled with carrots. She gets two pieces and opens her palm for the horse to eat. He watches her, fascinated by the gentleness she displays, and the ease with which she does it.
"I thought we could find you a friend and go for a ride," she says. "All you have to do is choose the girl you want."
He chuckles nervously. "It usually takes me long to choose."
She grins. "Good! Horses need time, too. First, you need to bond."
He clears his throat nervously and begins to wander along the aisle, looking into each stable. He eventually stops in front of the stall door where a slender black horse is drinking water. It turns around and eyes him, just as intently as he is gazing at the animal.
Katherine comes by his side.
"Black horse?" she asks.
"Well, they don't come in navy blue," he answers with a grin. She smirks back.
"Fiona is quite gentle, although sometimes stubborn."
He couldn't have made a better pick.
Katherine holds up the bucket of carrots for him to collect from.
"Hold your arm out a little without being pushy. Let her decide if she'll take it."
He follows her instructions. The horse takes a couple of steps back then slowly comes closer to the stall door with the same guarded demeanor. Its lips brush against his palm and pick up the carrots.
Katherine smiles. She reaches down for his hand and gently presses it on the horse's face. His palm feels the smooth coat of the animal, but every nerve on the back of his hand feel her soft skin lying on top. Her fingers fall between his as her hand gently guides his caress. He is holding his breath, his mind saturated by nothing but the ruling awareness of their physical touch.
"Yeah. You got this," she murmurs and her hand delicately pulls away.
The horse lets out a gentle neigh of approval. Steve laughs gently, exhilarated by this experience in every aspect. He turns to look at her.
"Let's get started," she says, and he loves the promise of what is to come.
After more than thirty minutes Fiona warms up enough to him not to brush him away whenever he attempts to climb up.
"Are you settled?" she asks from the ground.
He looks at her with a slightly apprehensive wince. "Kat, are you sure about this?"
She smirks. "Relax and trust me."
She takes hold of the reins. He watches as she gently leads his horse and walks a big circle.
After a few minutes of acclimation, she hands it over to him and gets on Marquis. She makes it turn around with startling easiness to walk along next to him.
"How did you know you'd be good at it?" he asks her.
The corner of her lips curls up. "I didn't. But when you don't remember anything about who you are and what you can do, you take it you might as well try everything."
They trot and eventually quicken the pace to mild galloping. Her face lights up with excitement as the strands of hair fly in the wind. She has never looked so free and unhindered. He has never seen her so beautiful. Joy suits her.
A couple of days later, the mind filled with the exhilarating memories of his first horseback ride, Steve is sitting on the front porch staircase along with Katherine, enjoying the sunny day. Riley has been regularly interrupting their small talks whenever she has successfully fetched the tennis ball he throws.
She does it again for an nth time but pauses and turns around, hearing an imminent arrival. It's Jake. He pulls the car over and comes out: his eyes immediately fall upon them. He briefly pets Riley and walks over to them with a wide smile.
Katherine frowns in surprise, not the least expecting his visit.
She stands up and he quickly captures her lips for a peck. She laughs nervously, self-conscious about the presence of a third party.
"What are you doing here?" she asks as he greets Steve with a nod.
"I took the afternoon off and thought we could do something."
She scratches her temple. "I have some things to finish. Why didn't you call me before?"
"Wanted to surprise you. That is all."
Steve goes back inside the house.
Riley is wagging her tail expectantly, waiting for Steve to throw the tennis ball. He does but it takes a bit of will not to accidentally throw it a little farther to the left where a certain someone is standing.
Jake's body language changes slightly as he puts his hands in his pockets. "I came across Jimmy and he said you came to do some horseback riding…with Steve. I thought that when you would want to do it with someone else, you'd take me."
She presses her hand on his chest. "Steve and I work together, and he's from the city. I thought this was fitting," she explains casually, then her intent gaze falls on him. "I didn't know it mattered so much to you."
Jake pinches the bridge of his nose and chuckles nervously, letting out a sigh he was holding in the process. He puts his hands around her waist and shakes his head. "You're right — I get it. Maybe next time you'll invite me…no pressure of course."
He flashes the wide, beaming smile she finds adorable.
They go together inside so he can greet Eliza. She's sitting in the couch while Steve is measuring the window in the kitchen.
Jake turns to face Katherine again. "So, how about a little getaway? Maybe we could go hunting again. You were amazing."
He looks enthusiastically to Eliza and Steve. "You wouldn't believe. She was so good — better than all my hunting buddies. Her hand didn't shake…"
"That was just one time," Katherine comments sheepishly but her voice is barely audible under Jake's passionate speech who doesn't seem to pick up. She glances over at Steve with a noticeably uneasy expression.
"…steady arm and gaze," he carries on. "Bullseye on the first shot."
"Jake," she says softly. Steve puts the measuring tape down and walks over to the counter, eyes fixed on her.
Jake smiles. "I'm telling you, born to kill."
"Enough!" She exclaims.
Jake freezes and heavy silence falls on the room and settles. He furrows his brows, confused, concerned and apologetic although he cannot tell what he said wrong. Steve and Eliza exchange a glance. Jake reaches over to hold her arm but she pulls away and makes her way to the backroom. He follows her but comes out a minute later with a disconcerted expression before walking out of the house.
Dinner goes normally. Kat takes part in the conversation and smiles; but he notices the long minutes during which she doesn't say a single word and how quickly her grin drops. He sees her downcast eyes and it seems he can read the thoughts that are in her mind. He knows her too well not to realize she is upset, no matter how subtle it may look.
Later on, after undressing and going to bed, his mind still with Katherine, an idea comes to him.
He takes his cellphone and quickly presses the call button.
"Hi, Buck. I'm gonna need a favor."
A couple of days later, Steve is on his way back from town where he went to buy pots of floor wax and wood. As the Chevy drives down the muddy road, he finds a shiny, expensive SUV parked. He parks the Chevy behind it, gets out to collect the equipment lying in the back of the truck, eyes glancing at the unknown car.
He puts everything at the foot of the stairs and goes in. He walks into the living room and, to his surprise, find Bucky sitting silently in the couch, and Sam, sprawling beside him, while sipping a glass of lemonade. Eliza, sitting in her armchair, is eyeing them intently.
"It looks like we have guests," Katherine says, appearing from the kitchen.
"What are you doing here?" Steve asks. He turns to Kat. "They're my friends and teammates."
Katherine probes them in a new light. "So you…," she begins, pointing at them, then herself.
"I know how puzzling it feels," Bucky speaks softly. "I've been there. I recovered my memory only a few years ago. I was brainwashed."
Katherine blinks with an unconcealed puzzled expression.
"OKAY," Sam exclaims loudly, rising to his feet. He walks over to her and points a thumb over his shoulder, where James is sitting. "This is Bucky, the ice-breaker of the team as you've figured. I'm Sam Wilson."
She politely shakes his hand as her eyes quickly flicker in Bucky's direction then back to him. "Oh, Sam…," she repeats as she puts a face on a name she has heard before.
Steve is watching from his spot, slightly tense.
Sam is looking at her closely. He gulps down a little and his eyes are gleaming subtly. "Wow," he simply says, stopping himself.
She doesn't say a word, seeming to read the next words he didn't voice aloud. Then she turns to James. "It's nice to meet you too, Bucky," she adds.
A few minutes later, she takes Eliza upstairs.
"What are you doing here?" Steve asks again.
Sam smirks cockily. "When you said handyman, I had to come all the way here to see it with my two eyeballs."
"Yeah, I was pretty curious, too." Bucky echoes quietly.
Wilson eyes him up and down. "I mean, look at you. You have adopted the lumberjack look, completely."
"Well, they only have checked shirts available around here," he jokes coolly.
"We're only here for a short while anyway," Bucky says reassuringly.
"Yep. Just long enough to evaluate a look at your housework," Sam says. His eyes scan the room., and he pouts appreciatively. "The house is still standing for one."
Steve rolls his eyes and chuckle. He has to admit, it's good to see them.
Less than an hour later, Steve and Bucky are taking a walk around the house. They have a little catch-up where they have small talks and exchange banters.
As they finally return and stand to look at the house and its quiet, peaceful surroundings, Bucky says while staring musingly.
"Yeah, it's a great place."
Steve turns to him. "What are you thinking?"
A smile tugs at his best friend's lips. He nods to himself, taking in the scenery, then looks at him. "That I understand why you would decide to stay here for good."
He frowns, shakes his head, ready to retort. But Bucky stops him. "It's ok, Steve. You, more than anyone, deserve a life without war. You've earned it."
"You too, Buck."
James snorts sadly. "Not me. Not yet. I still have a lot to make up for."
It is nearly the end of the afternoon when Sam and Steve are talking to the porch. Like a diligent right-hand man, he reports on the Avengers business. So far, all fine —not that he doubted it. The usual minor incidents that do not require his presence.
They walk over to the SUV. Sam opens the back door, reaches for a closed box and holds it up.
"Here. The favor you asked Bucky."
His chest swells a little as he delicately takes the box in his hand.
Katherine and Bucky come out of the house and stand on the porch, in deep conversation, much to Steve's surprise. They have been talking for nearly an hour. It seems that where Natasha never really managed to bond with James (probably due to their rough common history), Katherine found something to connect with him. She naturally walked to him as she felt he was the one who was fit to understand her situation the best.
It is time to part. Kat shakes Sam's hand warmly, while her handshake with James lasts a little longer, as they exchange a deep, meaningful glance; her eyes filled with gratitude, understanding and benevolence.
Steve hugs them both and moves the Chevy away. The SUV disappears down the path.
In the evening, he walks down the hall upstairs and knocks on her bedroom door.
"How are you?" he asks.
She knows what he means. "Quite good, actually. It was interesting to meet them. And insightful."
He nods in relief.
"Kat," he begins. "I thought I should give you this."
He holds the box that he asked for. She eyes it curiously. She takes it, removes the lid and unwraps the tissue paper.
"Pointe shoes?" she comments with an arched eyebrow.
In other circumstances, it would hurt to have to part with them, but now he feels nothing but grateful content knowing they return to their rightful owners.
"They're yours, actually." Her fingers gently brush the silken fabric. "You once said that you were scared of the Black Widow. But that's not all she was. She was far more than that."
Her pupils widen, covering the green of her eyes with deep black. "I could dance?"
He smiles warmly. His heart swells as he reminisces the time she allowed him to watch her dance. It was on a rainy November day in the Compound. A wonderful sight. He recalls how her body gracefully swirled with the music, both with discipline and beauty, how her body seemed to soar to the sky in every jump, how her feet landed on the wooden floor in a muffled sound. Precision allied with finesse. She danced along with the music until she became the music. An enchanting melody — he remembers thinking he had never seen her so beautiful.
"Oh yes, you could!" he attests, with a burst of soft laughter. "A truly talented ballerina."
Katherine stares at the worn shoes like a treasure. Her eyes fill up with tears. She swallows it down, though; locks it away. He sees how there is still so much of Natasha in Katherine.
She puts the box down on the piece of furniture besides her and springs into his arms. He welcomes it with joyful surprise. She holds him tight in her arms.
When she eventually pulls away, she gazes at him with a smile.
"Thank you, Steve."
He feels pride and content as he knows he has just made Katherine the most beautiful gift, and honored the memory of Natasha Romanoff in the best possible way.