There is a girl in my room.

Steve had no idea what to do. He couldn't even think properly. He was trying really, really hard to forget what had just happened two minutes ago.

I'm going to make her fall in love with me, Steve thought. He was still trying to decide whether the plan was ingenious or stupid.

Maybe he thought a little too long, because when he became aware of his surroundings again, he saw the girl looking up at him like he had two heads.

"What?" he said.

"I asked, how long are you going to keep me here for?"

Good question.

Her eyes pinned his, awaiting an answer. The truth was…Steve had no idea. Long enough for her to fall in love with him and destroy DAGGER. But he couldn't say that, of course.

"Until…until you heal?" he blurted. HUH?

Why did you say that, dummy!

Her eyes popped. "Are you joking? I can go once I'm better?"

"No." Steve racked his brain. "I was just joking! I don't…I…um…"

"So you're going to turn me in to S.H.E.I.L.D." Her mouth curled into a sneer. "I swear, I'll—"

"Stop! Let me think."

What even was this conversation?

Oh my god, he looked so stupid.

She stared at him, her mouth twisted in a way that showed how horrifyingly stupid she thought he was. She thought he was a complete idiot.

Steve ran.

Oh god, no! Steve covered his face and almost threw up in his mouth. He couldn't recall a situation that embarrassing since…ever.

And why did he run?

Why did he get so flustered around her?

He slouched back on the couch, drooping his eyes. He longed for that pit in his stomach to go away. He really wished he had Tony's confidence, or Natasha's assertiveness. The girl seemed to have both. He envied her. He was the one who had the upper hand yet he still envied her. It was ridiculous.

Steve sat up suddenly. He got up and made his way back into his room, his hand hovering over the doorknob, nervous. Then he mentally glared at himself and made his way into the room.
She looked like she was sleeping. But Steve knew she was awake. She was too smart to fall asleep in a stranger's home.

He took a step closer. She didn't flinch. Another step. She was good.

Finally, when he was at the foot of the bed, he stopped.

"What's your name?"

Her eyes opened. She propped herself up on one tied elbow, an eyebrow raised. "Why?"

"Because I can't keep referring to you as 'girl' for the rest of my life." And I can't make you fall in love with me without knowing your name.

She didn't say anything, clearly contemplating about what to do. He could see wheels turning in her head. "And don't lie to me. I'll know."

Then she rolled her eyes. "Fine. Katrina."

Katrina.

"Well, Katrina," he said, oddly liking the way her name sounded on his tongue. "Assuming that you'll cooperate, I'm not going to turn you into S.H.E.I.L.D. Crazy as it may seem, I don't believe you're evil."

For once, her eyes didn't seem venomous. She stared at him blankly.

"I think," he continued carefully, "I think that you may have been misguided. Manipulated. Whatever you want to call it." He slowly took a step closer. She inched away. "I want to help you, Katrina."

Again. Again, that word.

Help.

Whatever. He was lying anyways.

But she had to go along with it. She needed her plan to work.

She looked up at him, trying to look innocent. Nice. Sweet?

Disgusting.

"Thank you," she said quietly. "Maybe you can start by untying me."

He glanced uncertainly at her ties. "Sure." And before Katrina could even register, he ripped the thick ropes apart and her hands were free.

For the first time in her she life, she may have actually gaped. How…she had never seen brute strength like that. Those ropes were impossible to cut without a blade.

But he certainly achieved the impossible. As he leaned over her, she caught sight of the muscles bulging out of shirt. Guess that explained it.

As he freed her, she felt the urge to jump out of the bed and run. But she had to physically restrain herself. She closed her eyes, telling herself to be patient. She'll get to freedom soon.

Soon.

"Are you okay?"

Her eyes snapped back open, and flitted to the Captain. "Yes." Her eyebrows creased. "What's your name?"

His eyebrows raised. "You don't know my name?"

"You're not important enough for me to care."

He shook his head. "No, I meant…you know I'm Captain America."

"So?"

"So?" he squinted his eyes at her. "That's all you know?"

"Pretty much. Just tell me your name." Katrina was getting irritated by his incessant questions.

He cleared his throat. "Steve. Steve Rogers."

"Steve. That's a—" She was going to say that it was an unfortunate name but she realized that she actually kind of liked it. Plus, that wouldn't exactly be super romantic. She cleared her throat. "a name."

"That's a name?"

"Yes. That's a name."

"Good to know."

DAGGER kept all their comrades extremely well hidden from the rest of the world. Katrina realized she knew nothing about this man except for his face and his name. Those were the only things they were shown back at the base. Every Avenger, every face. Only their "superhero" names. The face for if a nasty situation arose in which an Avenger decided to make an appearance at one of their missions, and the name for communication with other comrades.

It had never happened before. Before Black Widow.

Katrina's eyes narrowed. The Black Widow. That witch started all of this. If it weren't for her Katrina would still have a home, where she could utilize her skills and fight and complete high risk missions. Now her mission was making this moron fall in love with her.

Suddenly they both heard a loud rumbling noise.

Katrina realized it was her stomach. Katrina slowly looked up at Steve, a tinge of embarrassment in her face.

His eyes softened, and he held out his hand. "Come on."

She stared at his hand.

He stretched his fingers out a little bit, inviting in her hand. Slowly, she reached up. Her fingers tingled when her hand touched his. His hand was warm to the touch. His large fingers enclosed her hand and he pulled her off the bed.

Immediately when her foot touched the floor she collapsed. That's what happens when you don't walk for two days. Suddenly, Steve swooped in and caught her before she hit the floor. Startled, she pushed him away.

"Sorry," he mumbled. She ignored him.

He led her out of the bedroom and into the rest of the apartment. She took a look around. There was a small living room with a bunch of books stacked on the shelves on the wall. The room felt warm, with rays of golden sunlight slitting through the windows. It was…cozy. If this was where she'd be living for now then she better get used to it.

"What is that?" she asked. She walked towards this…black square. It was mounted on a table at the front of room, facing the couch. Actually, it was like a black box, she realized, noticing the buttons in the side.

"That's a television. Have you ever seen one before?"

"No." She touched the cool, smooth surface at the front of it. Then, as her finger lay resting on it, it moved. She yanked her finger back, startled. Wait. No. It didn't move, it was just a screen turning on. She saw a bunch of people on the screen, talking to each other. "What are they doing?"

"It's a movie. For entertainment. People like to watch these." She could hear something in his voice and glanced at him. He was smiling a little, like he was amused. Like she was stupid.

Trying to defend herself, she said, "We don't have these back at DAG—"

Steve perked up. "What?"

"Nothing." She shook her head and walked over to the small hallway. It led her into a kitchen.

"Let me get you something," Steve said in a strangely hurriedly way. "Take a seat."

Katrina had never been in a situation like this before. Being served. Being treated nicely. She watched as the Captain darted around the kitchen trying to scrounge something up for her. She could tell he was panicking just a little, because it seemed like all his cupboards were empty, except for one random jar of strawberry jam and tea bags. He lives like this?

Katrina watched, absolutely intrigued by this man.

This may be more interesting than she thought.