Thank you all so much for your kind reviews and helpful words! You guys are so amazing and beautiful! Thank you so much! XD Here's another chapter for you lovelies! Just to give you a heads up, the original plot of WS will resume after the next chapter. It's time I got past the WS and on to what I have planned :) Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! Again, you guys are the best! :D I hope you enjoy!

Steve woke up to the smell of cinnamon rolls. He winced as he got up from the couch, rubbing his neck. Had he fallen asleep? He couldn't remember how he got on the couch…No, he did remember. He and Charlie had sat down with a warm cup of tea and then Steve started crying, again…and that was all he remembered. Steve stood up and stretched, trying to roll the kink out of his neck. He blinked blearily around the room, trying to get his bearings. His eyes burned slightly and his mouth felt dry.

"Good morning sleepy head," Charlie's voice came from the kitchen. Steve turned and found Charlie smiling from the kitchen.

"Morning," Steve said groggily. He walked to the kitchen, now catching sight of the delicious cinnamon rolls.

"What time is it?" Steve asked, taking a seat at the table. Charlie set a mug of coffee and a plate of cinnamon rolls in front of him.

"It's about six in the morning. You fell asleep on the couch last night and I wasn't even going to try to drag you to your bed," Charlie sat down opposite him with a mug and plate of cinnamon rolls.

"Where did you sleep?" Steve asked as he took a bite of the cinnamon rolls. He nearly melted right then and there. Steve had forgotten how good Charlie's cooking was. Charlie giggled, seeing the look on Steve's face.

"I slept on the floor."

"What? Why? You should have taken my bed."

"I can't take your bed-"

"Yes you can. I don't usually sleep on it anyways."

"Too soft?" Charlie smiled, remembering the memory. Steve nodded, stuffing more cinnamon rolls in his mouth. Charlie chuckled but nodded.

"Alright, I'll take the bed next time." Steve nodded his approval and took a sip of his coffee. Man, even the coffee tasted better. They fell into companionable silence, eating their breakfast. As Steve slowly woke up, the feeling came back. The hollow, empty feeling that wiped him of all motivation. Steve didn't want to leave his chair or the table. He just wanted to sit but he also knew that was probably a bad idea.

"Hey," Charlie caught Steve's attention again. Steve blinked, realizing he'd been staring off into space. Charlie wore a sympathetic smile and sighed.

"Why don't you go get ready? Take a shower or get dressed or whatever you do and then we can go shopping. I used a lot of your ingredients while cooking and you probably want some food for tonight," Charlie suggested. Steve looked down at his plate, now empty, and heaved a heavy sigh.

"Yeah," was all he said. Charlie collected his plate before he could protest, shooing him to his room. Steve did as he was told, grateful to be taking direction. He wasn't sure what he'd be doing right now if not for Charlie. Steve shook his head at the thought of the woman in his kitchen. She kept surprising him. First it was her taste in music, then their easy conversations, and how easily she read his thoughts and emotions. And now, she'd travelled to the east coast just to be with him in his time of need. She was a true friend, one that Steve hadn't expected to find. After Steve washed up and dressed, he walked back to a clean kitchen. Charlie turned around from putting away the last of the mugs.

"That's all you're wearing?" Charlie asked, brows drawn in confusion. Steve looked down at his jeans, light green shirt, and leather jacket. He readjusted his baseball cap. What was wrong with it?

"Yes?" Steve answered.

"Won't you be recognized?" Charlie appraised him, hand on her hip.

"I could be but this is what I usually wear when I go out," Steve admitted. He had been recognized here and there but he hadn't been approached a lot. Most people didn't believe they would ever meet him so when they did, they didn't believe it was him. Charlie shook her head, amused.

"We'll have to find you something else for a better disguise," Charlie said. She grabbed her purse and Steve followed her out the door. Charlie wore her hair in a low ponytail that danced along the back of her blue shirt. She wore black skinny jeans and flip-flops to finish the outfit. Steve thought she looked rather nice.

"So where is the nearest grocery store?" Charlie asked.

"Well there's a Safeway two blocks down. I can drive us," Steve suggested.

"Let's walk. It's a nice day and two blocks isn't bad," Charlie looked up at him. Steve had a feeling she had other reasons for wanting to walk.

"You want me to walk around for a while don't you? Get out of the apartment?" Steve questioned.

"Am I that obvious?" Charlie smiled guiltily. Steve offered a weak smile back.

"Yeah but I don't mind. You're probably right anyways."

"Of course I am," Charlie teased. Steve let out a breathy laugh. He found it incredibly hard to smile or laugh. Just the thought of doing something happy made him feel guilty, like he was doing something wrong. But at the moment, the only reason he wanted to laugh or smile was Charlie. She was just so full of life and spirit, it was hard not to want to be happy around her. However, he didn't feel the pressure to act like everything was alright with her. She understood that this visit wasn't going to be a happy visit but she still came and accepted Steve where he was. He appreciated that more than words could say.

"So what are your favorite things to do when you're not working?" Charlie broke him from his thoughts. He looked down into her warm brown eyes and found comfort. He took a deep breath and started talking. Steve told her about his workouts in the morning and the gym he rented. He told her his favorite places to go and draw, even showed her the journal she'd given him and all the entries that had been made. They talked all the way through the store and he watched as Charlie carefully selected what she needed. As they passed the aisle of alcohol, Charlie paused.

"Do you want to pick something out? A toast to her life wouldn't hurt," Charlie offered. Steve looked down the rows of alcohol. What had Peggy liked to drink? They walked down the aisles as Steve tried to remember.

"This one burns on the way down and that one starts affecting you immediately," Charlie pointed out. Steve looked at her with narrowed eyes and saw her tense slightly. Charlie turned and grimaced, shrugging her shoulders.

"I saw what my dad drank and my brothers have educated me on the differences of alcohol. So have Nattie and Nana but watching Tommy tells me how they affect someone," Charlie explained quietly. She brought her arms closer to her, hands tightening on her purse. Steve didn't say anything at first but picked up a bottle of whiskey.

"Did I ever tell you I can't get drunk?" Steve asked. Charlie looked up at him, confused.

"No. Is that because of the serum?"

"Yeah. Something to do with a higher metabolism I think. Peggy told me that actually, when Bucky died." Steve put the whiskey back. It was too strong of a drink for Peggy. No, she was classy so red wine would be something she would have liked.

"Well, I guess your choice depends on taste then," Charlie said, joining him by the red wines. Steve picked out a nice red wine that looked good.

"George says that one goes well with steak," Charlie commented.

"Good thing we're fixing steak tonight," Steve replied. They began walking away but a question was nagging Steve.

"What are your brothers like?" Steve asked after a few beats of silence.

"My brothers? Well like I've told you, George is in the navy and Tommy is in the army. George is…quiet I guess. He keeps to himself a lot and never speaks of our family. He's protective of both Tommy and I yet he gets frustrated easily. I'm not sure he knows how to handle either of us. Tommy is always trying to position himself, make him look tougher than I think he is. I think Tommy struggles the most out of the three of us and he-he turns to drink like our father did which always worries me. I don't know how many times I've had to drag him out of bars before he started a fight," Charlie picked up an apple, examining it intently. Steve knew she was avoiding his eyes but he didn't mind. He understood family was hard to talk about and by the guarded way Charlie explained her brothers, it wasn't an easy relationship.

"Sounds difficult and a little tiring," Steve said. He wasn't sure how exactly to react to Charlie's explanation but he knew he shouldn't jump to conclusions.

"That's what family is right?" Charlie asked. She finally looked at Steve, carefully. He could see the desperation, the hope in that question. Steve realized that Charlie didn't know what a family was supposed to be like and she was searching, desperately, for affirmation that what she had found was family. Steve thought about his answer carefully, aware that he wasn't the best person to tell her what family was since he'd been without family for quite some time.

"Family can definitely be difficult and exhausting but they're someone you can turn to when you're in trouble. They're the people that will be there when it gets tough, that won't leave your side. I've found that sometimes, friends can become your family more than your actual family is. That's how it was in the army. You create such a bond with the men you fight with that you trust them with your life," Steve rambled. Charlie looked thoughtful and the hope was slightly dimmer.

"I can see that. The boys don't come home very often for that reason I think. They've found a new family in the army and navy. It's hard to add another family member who doesn't share that similarity," Charlie said quietly. She placed the apple back down and turned away. That's not what Steve had meant. He'd meant that Charlie didn't have to be stuck with difficult brothers, that she had people around her she could call family. He tried desperately to think of something to counteract what he'd just said.

"Family also means you don't leave anyone behind and you never give up on them," Steve added. Charlie stopped and looked back at him. She wore an amused smile on her face but her eyes were still heavy.

"Ohana."

"What?" Steve's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Charlie giggled and turned to face him.

"It's from a movie called Lilo & Stitch. 'Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.' I'll show it to you tonight," Charlie smiled. Steve nodded, wanting to wipe the heaviness from Charlie's eyes but not exactly knowing how. He had a feeling there was a lot more with her brothers he didn't know. Wait for her to tell you, a voice reminded him. Steve feared if he pressed anymore today that Charlie would close up completely. That wouldn't be fair to her especially since she took the trip to come down here. Steve followed her to the register, hoping he hadn't asked too many questions to make Charlie close up.

It seemed Steve was in luck because they fell back into easy conversation by the time they reached the apartment. Charlie started preparing dinner and even offered to teach Steve how to cook steak. He helped cut some vegetables for a stir-fry and watched the steak as Charlie baked bread. Charlie loosened up as she began to cook. She moved fluidly, gracefully around the kitchen. Steve in turn felt clumsy and in the way. The kitchen was her domain much like the army was Steve's domain. It fascinated him slightly to watch her move from the stove to the oven, stirring and checking to make sure everything was on point. His phone buzzing broke him from his observations.

"Hello?" Steve answered.

"Steve? Oh thank goodness, I've been trying to call you all day!" Margret's relieved voice came through the phone.

"Margret? Is something wrong? Are you okay?" Steve sat at the table, listening intently. He'd accidently left his phone when Charlie and him and gone out. Had something happened? Did they need him?

"Yes, yes I'm fine. I just-I just wanted to let you know…about some decisions…" Margret trailed off.

"Decisions?"

"We're having mom's funeral tomorrow," Margret said. Steve lost his voice for a moment, the force of the pain too great to speak. He'd been holding it off for most of the day but the crushing emptiness was still there.

"That-that's soon."

"I know but-well-a man called and asked if we could have it earlier. They said they'd pay for everything, something about how much she's done for S.H.I.E.L.D. and such but also-because…because otherwise you couldn't come to her funeral." Steve rubbed his face trying to grasp what Margret was saying.

"Who called you?" Steve rasped.

"Um-I think he said his name was Director Fury." Steve's mind was reeling. He hadn't even thought about Peggy's funeral or if he'd be able to go. You have three days off, flashed in Steve's mind. Fury needed him back and he was willing to do anything to make sure there were no distractions. Steve felt sudden anger that Fury would have the guts to ask a grieving family to accelerate their funeral plans.

"He said that they really needed you but that they wanted you to have closure and to be able to attend her funeral. He seemed to understand that mom was important to you," Margret added. Steve's anger dissipated slightly. Now he was torn between anger at Fury and gratitude.

"Margret, you don't have to move the funeral for me. Your family-"

"No Steve, this Fury is right. You should be there for the funeral. She-she would want that. I want you to be there Steve," Margret pleaded. Steve rubbed his neck, fighting the lump in his throat. He wasn't ready. Wasn't ready to see Peggy in a coffin. Wasn't ready to see that coffin lowered into the ground…

"Are you sure?" Steve choked.

"Yes, please come Steve," Margret reiterated. Steve swallowed and took a deep breath.

"I'll be there. What time?"

"The service is at ten…" Steve grabbed a pen and paper to write down the time and address of the cemetery. Margret explained that there would be a small reception but he didn't need to attend if he didn't want to. Steve assured her that he would meet her at the cemetery and stay for the reception. He said goodbye and put the phone down. The hollow feeling engulfed him and Steve put his face in his hands.

"Steve? What happened?" Charlie kind voice said next to him. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. The warm touch brought Steve back from his dark spiraling thoughts and he looked up at her.

"Peggy's funeral is tomorrow. Fury called Margret to move it up so that I could attend and then go back to work," Steve explained bitterly.

"You have to go back to work?" Charlie asked, concern written all over her face.

"Yeah. Fury texted me yesterday saying I had three days off," Steve tried really hard not to hold anger told Fury but he wasn't making it easy. They sat in silence for a little while, Steve at war within himself.

"I know this may not be what you want to hear Steve, but I think Fury's trying to help," Steve looked at Charlie in disbelief.

"Yes, it doesn't seem fair that you only get three days but Fury's made it so that you can go to her funeral and get closure. That may be the best thing he can give you. You're Captain America and the world needs your help. I think Fury understands this but he also understands grief so he's trying to compromise," Charlie said. Steve contemplated Charlie's words. He didn't want to believe them but they made sense. Steve let his anger go and took a deep breath. Tomorrow was going to be hard.

"Thanks Charlie," Steve sighed. Charlie nodded and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Let's eat dinner and then we can think about tomorrow."

(P.S. the "Ohana" quote is from the disney movie Lilo & Stitch, I do not own that phrase or movie or characters. In fact I don't own Steve either, I only created Charlie. All rights go to Marvel and Disney)