A/N: Thanks to everyone for all the reviews- they really do encourage me to keep writing, so keep 'em coming! This chapter's a little break from the angsty-ness to come (translation: Bucky will be back soon). Hope you enjoy it; I know I enjoyed writing it!

"Every man is a divinity in disguise, a god playing the fool."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Avery didn't tell anyone what she had seen. Mostly, she was afraid. If she said anything, she felt like S.W.A.T. agents would instantly be ramming down her door to arrest her- or kill her, like they tried to do to Captain America in the clip on the news. And if they found her, she wouldn't have a news crew to stand between her and certain death. She couldn't even defend herself if it came down to it.

In other words, she was way out of her league.

For the safety of her family and her own, she resolved to carry on like nothing had happened. The next morning, she picked up her car from the shop and drove to work in the dark. She kept her head down as she unlocked the McDonald's and began setting up for the day. Avery was the hardest worker there, so she was used to being the first in. Most of the other employees- all about her age- usually just sat in the back, flicking empty straw wrappers at each other, while she and another girl took the breakfast and lunch rushes. The manager didn't care, as long as someone was getting the job done.

As Avery was wiping down the countertop, she heard the door open. She quickly pinned on her nametag and plastered on the fake smile she gave to all of her customers.

"Welcome to McDonald's, how can I help you this m- Oh."

She stopped, realizing that it was just Carmen, the only other employee who ever helped Avery. She was usually the second one to arrive in the morning.

"Morning," she said with a shy smile at Avery's expense.

Avery liked Carmen. Not only was she actually helpful around the restaurant, but she was also soft-spoken in a sweet way—so much so, that Avery often had to come to her aid when a customer was being particularly rude or abusive. She was a few years younger than Avery, and was always wearing some kind of pink accessory in her thick black hair. This morning was no different. Avery suppressed a smile as she noticed the large neon pink feather barrette that pinned her friend's hair back.

"Hey," Avery said back. "How'd your soccer game go last night?"

Carmen's face lit up as she walked over to help Avery get the restaurant ready. "We won! We beat 'em 3-0. It was a massacre."

Avery gave a good-natured scoff. "Nice."

"You should come to the next one."

"Yeah, maybe," Avery said truthfully.

"How 'bout you, did you get home okay last night?"

Avery quieted, flashes of memory of the Winter Solider greeting her. She steeled herself; she had never been a particularly good liar. "Yeah, it was fine," she said nonchalantly, turning to the back counter to hide her face.

She was met by silence. She turned back around, and saw that Carmen was staring at her oddly.

"What?" Avery asked, a little defensively.

"...You sure everything was okay?"

"Yeah, absolutely. Why?"

"You sound like you do when we get a rude customer and you're faking being happy. Your voice got all squeaky."

"Really?" Avery said, suddenly aware of her voice's squeaky tone. Carmen gave her a pointed look. Avery huffed, and consciously deepened her voice. "Seriously, it was fine." She turned back again, and saw Carmen shrug out of the corner of her eye.

"If you say so."

Avery gave a small puff of relief, and changed the subject.

Eventually, the other workers arrived and assumed their position in the back. At least I can always count on them to do nothing, Avery thought.

The morning was hectic, as usual. Avery stopped thinking, and operated off instinct. Smile, greet, order, relay. Over and over. Carmen was just as busy to her left. Avery lost track of how many customers she served. She was just thinking to herself that she really needed a raise, when she heard an enormous splash followed by cursing come from the back of the store.

Avery looked over the shoulder of the person she was serving just in time to see a man shove Carmen back as she apologized profusely. Amidst running back and forth with trays, she must have collided with the man, who was now covered in coke.

He shook himself, trying to dry off. "Are you that stupid that you can't even carry a tray anywhere? God. They must only hire the retards at this place."

Carmen had gone bright red, and as tears welled up, she attempted to pat him down with a wad of napkins. "I'm so sorry, sir, let me help-"

Without warning, he shoved her again, this time, so hard that she stumbled back. Avery's nostrils flared. She slammed her headpiece down on the counter, and with an apologetic "One moment please," to the customer at the counter, marched over to the commotion. A few people had turned to watch.

"Excuse me, sir," she said with some venom as she stepped in front of Carmen, "but you don't need to shove her. She was just trying to help."

"Hey, I don't need some punk-ass kid telling me what to do." He took a threatening step toward her. Avery looked up at him defiantly, realizing that he had to be at least 6'4." Some of the color drained out of her face, and Carmen shrunk back behind her.

"Then I suggest you leave so you don't have to listen to me anymore." Avery's voice wavered as she clenched her fists.

"You little bitch," he spit as he raised a hand to slap her. Avery flinched and threw up an arm in anticipation of the oncoming blow.

"Is there a problem here?" a voice said from their right. Everyone paused in mid-action.

The three looked up. A tall man in a baseball cap and sweatshirt stood not far away, tensed, as if to jump in at any moment. He held the aggressor in an unbreakable stare, daring him to make a move. The air crackled. The restaurant was silent.

The rude customer gave him the up-down. Something shifted in his expression, and he took a step back. Avery didn't blame him. She wouldn't want to fight the guy either. His entire air spoke of quiet confidence, and even through his sweatshirt, it was clear that he was ripped.

"It's too early for this crap," the customer decided as he backed away. "Learn how to do your job next time," he threw at Carmen and Avery. He exited the store, door slamming. After glancing furtively at the stranger, most people in the store directed their attention back to their meals.

Avery looked back to the man who had stood up for them. He watched the customer leave, then turned to the two teenagers.

"You girls alright?" he said, walking over to them. Carmen, still mute from embarrassment, just nodded. Avery said, "Yeah. Thanks. We really appreciate that."

Upon closer inspection, Avery noted his honest blue eyes and square jawline. He was extremely handsome. Apparently, Carmen had noticed, too. Avery could have sworn that she swooned a little. His mannerisms reminded Avery of someone-maybe an actor?

"Can we offer you a free meal?" Avery ventured.

He smiled a little and shook his head. "That's alright, I'll pay like everyone else."

"Well...at least let us move you to the front of the line. I'm sure no one will mind," she said. Avery didn't wait for an answer as she strode back to the counter. Carmen watched in silent fascination as he shoved his hands in his pockets and followed. Her eyes were about the size of dinner plates.

He looked up at the board, and his brow furrowed. "So, uh... how does this work?" He shrugged a little bashfully. "I've never been in one of these places before."

"Oh." Avery quickly masked her surprise and explained, "You just tell me which of these meals you want, and I'll give them to you. Simple as that."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Wow. Okay. Uh..." He proceeded to order enough food to feed a third world country. When he saw he expression, he said amusedly, "Don't worry, it's not all for me."

Avery coughed and said, "Right. This might take a little while. One second." She leaned around him to look for Carmen. "Hey, Car-"

Carmen appeared so fast that Avery almost got whiplash. She began working on the order before Avery could even finish. Avery joined her, not wanting to disappoint the man that had helped them.

A few minutes passed before the two girls placed all six bags of food on the counter. He paid in cash. As he was picking them up to leave, Avery stopped him.

"Hey. Really. Thanks."

His eyes met hers, and he donned another quiet smile. "Any time, ma'am. Happy to help."

As he tipped his baseball cap, something in Avery's mind clicked. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks.

Her eyes widened almost as huge as Carmen's. "You're-"

The smile fell from his face as he realized his cover was blown. He shook his head ever so slightly. Don't say it.

A thousand questions flew to Avery's lips- Why are you out in public? Isn't S.H.I.E.L.D. trying to kill you?!- but she forcibly shut her mouth.

Steve Rogers grinned a little, seeing the shock written all over her face. He leaned in as he continued grabbing bags, and just loud enough for her to hear, whispered, "Everyone has to eat."

He backed up, gave one last grin and nod, and left. Avery stood for a minute, dumbfounded. Carmen ran up to her.

"What?! What did he tell you? AVERY, what did he say?!"

Avery shook her head. It was her turn to be mute. She had just sold a bunch of Happy Meals to Captain America.

Another customer stepped up to the counter. Beside her, Carmen muttered threateningly, "We are not done with this conversation."

Avery shook herself and went back to serving the customers. She didn't get a single order right for the rest of the day.