"Captain..?"
Steve snapped back to reality at the faint echoing voice.
"Edith?"
"What-what happened?" She coughed, squinting through the darkness Edie was met with shredded steal and sparking electrical wires.
"We've been hit, just hang on, I'm coming down."
The sound of Steve's clambering feet against the floor above perked the Healer's attention when the flashing buzz of light ignited her surroundings like a grotesque 4th of July, it revealed the harsh truth that she hadn't gotten out of the blast unscathed. The pain that radiated through her lower body was enough to have her teeth gritted and a sweat creeping up her back.
He can't see me like this!
"No-I'm okay. I-sss." Edith's leg spasmed under the crippled beam as soon as she attempted to move.
"I'm coming to get you, just hang in there, Gorgeous."
Gorgeous. Edie smiled despite the pain.
"No, really I'm okay." Edie answered with forced conviction, swallowing back the tightness binding her throat.
Accessing her lower half with haste Edie tried hard not to wince at the sight of exposed bone in her left leg and the river of blood that flowed from her right.
"Stark, engine 3 is down."
Edie made out the barking tone of Fury from above.
Engine failure. That risked the whole ship. She concluded mentally.
"I'm on it." Tony's voice answered quickly.
"Edie-" The Captain called down the echoing shaft, and Edie could hear the conflict in his tone.
"Steve, go. But-" Her lungs puffed for air.
"I'll be expecting dinner. This is the second time you've ditched me today." Edie bellowed upward with a strained jest, offering a weak distraction for them both.
A pained chuckle slipped past the panic gripping Steve's throat.
Edie focused on the distant sound of his laugh and pictured his sweet smile, all the while swallowing the scream as she struggled to move the jagged beam. Edith didn't want Steve to worry, and risk the safety of the entire team just for her.
Steve fought against the intense pull that urged him to climb down and rescue her, to keep Edie by his side and out of harm's way.
"You got it, Doll. Don't be late." Rogers forced a smile and buried his fear deep before giving one last look into the dark abyss of rubble. Steve turned abruptly before he could talk himself out of it and extended a hand towards a shell shocked Tony.
"Put on the suit."
Edie took in the jagged remains of the surrounding cargo hold, and with Steve gone she unleashed a throaty screeched as she tugged her right leg from under the heavy steel. Hobbling upward, Edie balanced her weight on the already healed left femur and gritted through the burning ache as the tissue of her right leg fused itself back together.
Leaning heavily against an adjacent wall to catch her breath the Healer quickly ducked behind a dismantled pile of crates, just as an echo of boots passed. All these hulky men with guns and black uniforms looked the same, unsure of who she was able to trust Edie decided to find another member of the team she actually recognized before engaging with anyone. Slinking in the opposite direction she paced through the aircraft, attempting to evaluate her surroundings for any clue of where the blast sent her.
Something about this corridor looked familiar.
"Maybe that's because they all look the same." Edith answered herself aloud in a huff, creeping by an open passage when she was met with a wicked grin.
"Hello." His lanky form idled in the glass doorway.
Recognizing Loki's features from the briefing file, panic crept up Edie's back with a cool sweat. Without another thought she scrambled towards the control panel, hoping to be quicker than the towering god.
"Ah ah ah, let's not do that." Loki grabbed a fist full of black curls, tugging Edie against his chest. Both oblivious to the dainty scarf that slipped from her hair and pooled at their feet.
"Why are you doing this?" She gasped, feeling an iron grip coil around her throat, feet no longer touching the ground. Edie's arms became paralyzed to her sides, Loki's manipulative ways rendering her motionless.
"You humans. Always looking for an explanation." His voice kissed her cheek, noticing the swirling white and green of her eyes.
"Oh so you're the Healer they've had tucked away…are you injured?"
With a tight grip kept on Edie's throat Loki snaked a hand under the neckline of her suit, revealing a serrated piece of steel lodged in her collar. With the chaos of the blast and adrenaline pulsing through her body Edie was oblivious to the missed injury until now.
"Oh that's deep. Does it hurt?" His silver tongue taunted.
"Ssss!" Edith expelled a gritted hiss as Loki ripped the shrapnel from her skin.
"Marvelous." Loki breathed as he watched the skin heal in seconds, removing any trace of the injury.
"Oh I could have some use for you."
"Would you like that? To be your King's own personal servant." Eyeing Edie like a hungry snake, Loki's lips moving to ghost her ear.
"I'd rather die." Edie choked for oxygen, hooded eyes like daggers.
"Very well but if you do survive this, I may just decide to spare you to be my very own Healer. Now if you don't mind Fair Maiden I have a ride to catch."
"No!"
A thunderous voice boomed from the doorway just as Edie's body was thrown into the crystal cell. Sprinting forward Thor lunged towards Loki, only to join Edie in the glass cage.
"Is there ever going to be a time where you won't fall for that?" A mischievous smile painted across the raven haired god's handsome features.
"Loki." Thor warned darkly, landing his hammer against the cell wall. The trio mirrored shock when the chamber suddenly jarred and a crystal spider crack stared back at them.
Loki's smile only grew.
"The humans think us immortal, shall we test that theory?" Nimble fingers danced across the digital pad, horror pooled in Edie's chest as the hatch below revealed an endless streak of sky and clouds.
Glancing over his shoulder, Thor's blue eyes met her worried expression.
"Brother."
Thor's husky plea was answered with a wicked grin.
-0-
"Stark! Stark, I'm here!" The Captain's voice rang out.
"Good. Let's see what we've got. I got to get this superconducting coolant system back online before I can access the rotors, work on dislodging the debris. I need you to get to that engine control panel and tell me which relays are in overload position."
The Super Soldier lunged over the jagged remains of the ramp and railings to land adjacent to the targeted control panel.
"What does it look like in there?" Tony implored against the gusting wind.
"It seems to run on some form of electricity." Cap's blue eyes gauged the pane of metal and wires.
"Well, you're not wrong." Stark gave a strained chuckled.
"Okay, the relays are intact. What's our next move?"
"Even if I clear the rotors, this thing won't re-engage without a jump. I'm going to have to get in there and push." Stark calculated out loud, mulling over all of the possible options.
"If that thing gets up to speed, you'll get shredded." Steve piped in the open air.
"That stator control unit can reverse the polarity long enough to disengage maglev and that could..." The billionaire rambled his thoughts.
"Speak English!" Rogers barked.
"You see that red lever? It will slow the rotors down long enough for me to get out. Stand by it. Wait for my word." Tony instructed, he could feel the sweat pooling against his brow.
A sudden colorful streak caught the soldier's eye, the satin material twisting and bending in the wind as it lay snagged against the mangled edge. Steve stepped away from the control panel, a sickening feeling rising in his stomach as he moved closer.
"Edie."His voice a husky whisper through the wind, Rogers reached out to ghost the soft material of the scarf when he then noticed the massive object plummeting from the aircraft. The tightness rising in his throat, Steve's conscious filled in the blanks and confirmed his worst thoughts. He opened his mouth to notify Tony when Steve was flanked with a stream of heavily armed men.
"Cap, hit the lever." Tony voice pierced his earpiece.
"I need a minute here!" The Captain gritted, blocking each blow and returning it with brute force.
"Lever NOW! UH-OH... HELP!" Tony's plea echoed as the metallic blades picked up speed.
-0-
Blue skies and shrieking wind.
Clouds and Earth.
Glass and Metal.
That's what registered in Edie's conscious as the Hulk's glass chamber hurtled through the air and towards the hard ground below. Edie could feel the burning rush as her body fought to repair the damage of each ruthless blow against the thick crystal walls. In the throes of uncontrollable movements Edith caught a flash of red and gold, followed by the hearty groan of a man.
Thor.
His body mimicked hers, tossing violently with each sudden whirling motion of the death trap. Like carnival fish trapped in a bag they were vulnerable to any and every hit.
It was then that an idea struck her in the smooth voice of Agent Hill, the ability to control others' movements through the manipulation of their nervous system.
Here goes nothing, Edie thought to herself.
Struggling to harness her energy, Edie attempted to still Thor's body enough to protect him from the continuous abuse. With gritted teeth and outstretched hands Edith channeled her focus towards the large man's nervous system.
A midst the fall the god felt a sudden cooling sensation radiate through his muscles and the motion of his body stilled. Fighting the paralysis with panic Thor surveyed the steady movement of the cell around him when he glimpsed a familiar body tumbling by. Edie's arms rigidly outward, he could see a small current of electricity twitching from her fingertips, the green in her eyes a glowing white.
She was protecting him.
Another wave of earth and sky passed, the ground now much closer than the sky.
Oh no. The two grimaced mentally.
Edie braced herself for impact all the while struggling to keep Thor suspended in the air and away from harm. But with one hard blow against the wall the Healer lost her focus, and an agonizing pain shot through her back.
Without Edie's hold Thor could sense the motion returning to his limbs, the icy pulse receding. Once back to full range the god of thunder summoned Mjolnir and with muscular legs he pushed off the glass. A strong arm engulfed Edie's waist and in a blur of shattered glass they escaped the plummeting death sentence just before it crashed against the earth.
"Lady Edith….you must wake."
A heavy hand gripped her shoulder, eyes fluttering open Edie was met with the glowing face of Thor, radiant sun haloing his golden hair.
Blinking slowly as reality set in with a cold sweat, Edie bolted upright.
"Captain Rogers!..the others, are they alright?" Breath heaved from her chest in fast uneven puffs.
"Sshh they are still on the ship, you took quite the hit. How are you feeling?" Thor's eyes scanned her for signs of injury to find only dirt and witnessed the last remaining purple bruises receding from Edie's ivory skin.
"You are very strong for a mortal." His thick voice hummed with approval, extending a hand Thor eased her up from the soil.
Dusting herself off Edie watched as Thor moved to collect his hammer.
"How are we going to get back to the aircraft? I don't suppose you can fly." She joked weakly, squinting into the sky.
"You're quite right, Time Traveler."
Confused emerald eyes met his growing smirk as Thor began to swirl Mjolnir, hesitantly accepting his extended hand Edie was soon pressed against his rock solid chest and surrounded by nothing but clouds and an infinite blue horizon.
-0-
A wave of relief flooded Steve's chest when he rounded the corner to see a familiar form relaxed against the beaten remains of the hall, Thor idling by her side.
"Can we get a head count?" Director Fury stepped up, scanning over the crowded corridor.
Snaking through the bodies the soldier stopped just shy of her, watching Edie's gaze shift upward.
"Steve." Edith breathed, relief touching her easy smile and Steve fought the urge to kiss her, his heart ever pounding.
"Are you okay? Were you in that cell?..I was so-I thought you might have-.."
He paused at the softness of Edie's touch lacing over his gloved hand, the pull between them heighten and neither could ignore it.
"I was worried about you too." Edie confessed, unable to hold back her concern for the Super Soldier.
Steve's eyes flickered down to their joined hands, his was twice in size and seemed to swallow hers completely but he couldn't fight the thought of how perfectly they fit together. Her ability to comfort him with the simplest of touch stole the breath from Steve's chest.
Edie's strawberry lips broke into a shy smile as she held her gaze upward, Steve noticed the glow of green and white battling in her irises.
"She is very strong, with the healing power rivalling an Asgardian. You should be proud Captain, this raven haired maiden shielded me from harm. She has quite the abilities." Thor's voice boomed, gently clapping a hand over her shoulder.
Rogers's brows raised with surprise, she saved Thor? She was certainly tougher than she looked.
That's when he remembered the neatly tucked scarf in his tactical belt.
"I believe this belongs to you."
"Oh Steve, thank you!" Edie strained her voice with appreciation at the sight of it, returning the garment to her hair.
"This one's my favorite."
"It suits you." Steve acknowledged, daring to sweep a stray black curl behind her neck, fingers ghosting over creamy skin.
Edie's lips gaped to reply but words could not be formed as she stared up into his inviting eyes, which forever held this hint of yearning each time he looked at her.
"That's it, I'm calling it. Now can we go to Stark Towers?" Tony snapped everyone's attention, waving his hands at the mangled remains of the Hellicarrier.
The exhausted team answered with a unified nod.
"Whoa, there. I gotcha ya." Steve quickly wrapped an arm around Edie's slim waist as she suddenly faltered, he balanced her weight against him with ease.
"I'm so sorry, I-I'm feeling a bit tired all of a sudden." The Healer murmured, trailing a hand over her soot covered forehead.
"You had quite the fall, Doll. You should sit down." Cap gazed at her fatigued expression and with slow strides he paced Edie towards the control station.
As they walked Steve noticed the way her body molded against his, responding to even the smallest of touches, silently encouraging him. Carefully easing Edie into one of the swiveling chairs they were soon joined by rest of the team. Steve couldn't help but treat Edith with such care, as one might treat a rare China doll. He was still trying to process that fact she was actually here.
"Any word on Banner?" Natasha moved towards an open seat, and Edie observed the agent's limp in an instant.
"Negative. Last seen during the fight on the east wing. Have a search squad dispatched." Fury instructed towards his remaining staff.
"Natasha, let me take a look at your ankle." Edie acknowledged, turning towards the younger woman.
"No, don't worry about it. It's probably just a strain. You've endured enough Miss Andrews, really."
"Please, call me Edie. And what's the point of having a Healer if you aren't going to use her?" Edie smiled weakly, patting her thigh.
Romanoff complied, slowly lifting the throbbing ankle into Edie's hands. The team unaware of the beating Edie's had really taken from both the blast and the fall as her body showed no sign of distress or injury. But the struggle for restoration was ever present under the Healer's skin.
"I'm assuming it's a safe bet that Loki took back the Scepter?" Steve surveyed the group, beginning to strip off the upper armor of his suit and giving his aching muscles a steady stretch as he paced the metallic floor.
Natasha bit back a smirk when she noticed Edie's sudden distracted expression, green eyes sneaking sly glances towards the disrobing Captain.
She's practically eye fucking him right now, the redhead chuckled to herself.
The tight blue material of Cap's undershirt emphasizing his bulging muscles was enough to seize Edie's attention and blossom an array of dirty thoughts. Her desires begged to feel his hands roam her body, to feel the crushing weight of his hulky form on top of her.
The Healer felt a sudden nudge against her side, reluctantly prying her eyes away from the soldier she met Natasha's playful head shake and knowing gaze.
A burning blush graced Edie's cheeks, she'd been caught. The women exchanged a stifled giggle as Edie promptly returned her attention back to healing Natasha's ankle.
-0- STARK Building, Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA
"Welcome to my version of Disneyland, only better. We've got alcohol." Tony bellowed with a wink, the group filing into the lobby behind him.
"Floors five through ten are private suites. At the moment though we only have three as the rest are being renovated. But please pick whichever you want and JARVIS will then issue you your key cards."
"What is this like camp or something? People bunking up?" Natasha arched a sassy brow to the playboy.
"Oh yes, Camp Iron Man. I will be expecting midnight skinny dipping in the pool and sing-alongs." Stark quipped with a wink.
"Tony, may I?" Steve motioned towards the elevators, Edie's increasingly fatigued state evident.
"Be my guest." He waved Steve towards the mechanical doors, waiting for them to shut behind the soldier before Tony turned his attention towards the ceiling.
"JARVIS, make sure those two get the same floor."
"Yes, Mr. Stark."
Tony's request drawing puzzled looks from the remaining team members.
"What? Figured the ol' boy could use the company. Maybe shake off those cob webs." He grinned devilishly.
-0-
"JARVIS, empty…suite please?" Steve tried to hide his embarrassment at the fact that he was talking into thin air.
"Right away, Captain Rogers."
"Not the best impression to give the team, huh? Nearly dying, not very assuring as a Healer." Edie spoke up with a weak laugh.
"Nonsense, Miss Andrews you fell out of the sky..literally. You're allowed to be a little tired." Steve assured though a soft chuckle, shifting his hand on her hip nervously. It had been quite some time since he held a woman in his arms.
"Edie." She corrected politely.
"Edie." Steve echoed with small smile, sneaking a look at her profile as Edie relaxed against him. The fruity smell of her shampoo filled his senses and Cap fought the urge to tuck the fallen curl behind her ear.
"Not to mention you saved Thor from further injury, someone you just met and yet you put his well-being above yours."
Edie blushed at his acknowledgment.
"I was just doing what anyone else would have done." She quoted him from earlier, watching the blonde's lips curve into that perfect smile, a light laugh rumbling his chest.
Normally Edie would have been embarrassed for such a forward stance but she knew her body couldn't stand on its own, and figured falling on your face in front of America's Hero would be much, much worse. She couldn't help but admire their reflection in the metallic walls of the elevator, the way they fit together. Resembling two matching pieces to a very lost puzzle.
Steve opened his mouth to reply but the sudden halt of the elevator caged his words, doors sliding open with a ding.
"6th floor. Please take the key cards for future use." JARVIS hummed across the speakers.
The Captain shifted his gaze to the transparent slot that now held two newly generated key cards, puzzled by the duplicate door passes.
"Cards? JARVIS I think there's been a mistake. This is Miss An- Edie's floor."
"I have been instructed by Mr. Stark that you both are to share this suite." The AI replied in a polite mono tone.
A shade of pink crept across the soldier's cheeks as he grabbed the cards from the holder.
"I'm not sure if that's a good idea, Edie may want her quarters with another member of the team." Steve countered respectfully, Edie could feel his muscles contract as his body tensed with nerves.
"At ease Soldier." Edie hummed, slipping a soft touch up Steve's back she sensed his shoulders relaxing.
"I'm okay with it…if you are." She advised, peering up with hopeful eyes.
Rogers felt the rising butterflies beat against his chest in excitement, Edie's comfortable expression snuffing out any doubts he had.
"Thank you, JARVIS. This suite is just fine." Steve nodded towards the ceiling before stepping into the hall, Edie held snuggly at his side.
"Wow." Her small voice echoed into the lavish penthouse. Stark sparring no expense when decorating and stocking the room with the finest.
"This living room is bigger than my entire apartment in D.C." Cap chuckled, easing her onto the crisp sofa.
Edie assumed safely that she could possibly be the first to ever sit on it. The soft cushions welcomed her aching body as Steve stepped closer to the large panoramic windows, admiring the view of the city below.
"You live in D.C?"
Shifting his attention back to Edie's sleepy green eyes, Steve's breath caught in his throat at the sight of her creamy complexion bathed beautifully in the orange glow of the setting sun.
"Yes ma'm, not sure I could afford anything in Brooklyn to be honest." He puffed a laugh in response.
"Everything's changed." Edie breathed, chewing her lip.
"Being in the city though does remind me of home, what I've seen of it so far." She added, tucking her knees under her chin, Edie could feel the tightness of the memories building in her chest.
"If you'd like I could show you around the city here. Can't say I'm the perfect tour guide but if the old bones of the city are there, I can find my way around." Steve extended the offer, shy smile cast towards the floor until he caught the excitement in her eyes.
"That sounds wonderful, I'd like that." Edie nodded eagerly before easing back further into the plush cushions, the warm hands of sleep drawing her in.
"Can I get you something to drink? I'm sure Tony has something stocked in here." He padded into the elaborate kitchen, jarring opening the metallic door Steve swiped a juice and a water bottle from the fridge.
"When they said they pulled you from that ice, I have to admit Edie I was shocked but in a way relieved." Steve began to scan the cabinets for food, feeling hunger set it he figured she would need to keep up her strength too.
"I mean, here I am thinking I'm just some old guy that's got to go in this alone, because everything is different, well not everything but most things. You should have seen me trying to use the microwave. Wow…but now that you're here. We could lean on each other, you know? If you-"
Cap's words died out at the sight of Edie asleep on the sofa, her peaceful expression pulling a smile from his lips. Tip-toeing towards the edge of the couch he placed a water and banana on the coffee table in front of her, moving to gently drape the nearest blanket over her relaxed form.
"Good Night, Doll." He whispered softly before retreating towards the hall, glancing back once more Steve felt his heart swell at just the presence of her.
Rogers, you're in for it.
Shaking his head the Captain ducked into the nearest bedroom, with a new found eagerness for the coming days and sleeping peacefully for the first time in months.
The next morning…
The beckoning smell of bacon filled her senses, Edie squinted against the reflecting sun as sleep retreated and consciousness took over. Sitting up slowly, the modern furniture and décor of the penthouse reminded her of the previous day's events.
Whipping around at the sudden running of water, she was met with the broad back of a towering blonde hovering over the sink. The butterflies awoke within the Healer's chest, fluttering with elation at the realization that she was no longer in confinement, she was free and he was really here.
It wasn't all a dream.
"Captain?"
A pair of steely blue eyes greeted her, the butterflies beat harder against her lungs and Edie suddenly felt very conscious of her appearance.
Wrinkled uniform and groggy expression.
Great. Edie mentally groaned, attempting to smooth her tussled waves.
"Well good morning, sleep well?" Steve welcomed, drying his hands with a towel.
Edie answered with an eager nod. God that smile, was this man carved out of marble?
"I made breakfast. What can I get you?"
"Coffee please, strong coffee." She recovered, biting back a smile at the sound of his laugh.
Hearty and genuine, it made Edie's knees weak.
Cap moved to the cupboard for a mug as she eased up from the couch and towards the island.
"Are you feeling better today?" He asked, setting down the cup as Edith took a seat.
"Yes, thank you. I'm sorry if I passed out last night, with my umm…condition sometimes my body can go into like a recovery mode if there's a lot of damage."
"Amazing." Steve marveled, eyes studying the curve of Edie's face as she sipped the steaming liquid.
"…Your ability I mean and well the fact that you are here."
"It is surreal." She agreed.
"Speaking of, I took a message for you from Agent Hill earlier. I didn't want to wake you." Steve skirted over towards the end table near the couch, collecting a scrap of paper.
"She said an escort would be available for you, to go get your things while we stay at here at the STARK building."
Edie admired his surprisingly neat hand writing etched across the paper, a sense of gentleness that flowed from those masculine hands.
"Just call that number when you're ready and they'll take back there."
A sudden pang of nausea pooled in Edie's stomach.
To go back…to that place, the one that held the shattered remains of what she thought was reality for so long. How could she adapt to this new world? What would become of her now? Everything she knew was gone.
"Edie?" Steve's tender touch found her hand and tore through the walls of panic building around the Healer.
"You okay?"
"I just, um, I don't know if I'm ready for that..I-" Edie's voice shook with uneasiness.
"Hey, it's okay. If you don't want to, you don't have to. Stay here." Steve moved closer, daring to brush a hand across Edie's back to slow her quick breaths.
"I can't stay here forever." She laughed weakly.
"No, but..what if I go with you?"
"You would do that?" Her eyes snapped away from the countertop.
"Of course, as long as you don't mind a tag-along."
There is was again, that pearly smile. Edie could feel the fear dissipate with just the look in Steve's kind eyes, she was falling for this man and she barely knew him. But as strange as it may sound it was as if he was the only familiar thing in this new reality and she clung to that desperately.
"Thank you." She mouthed, pushing away the anxiousness that gnawed at her stomach.
"We freezer folks have to stick together."
Real smooth Rogers.
Steve regretted the words as soon as they passed his lips, that was until Edie suddenly snorted a laugh. Something he found rather adorable not to mention the loveable way Edie's nose crinkled and mouth curved to a smile.
"I'm sorry, that was very corny. I don't even kno-"
"No, it was funny. Really. You make me laugh." Edie interjected with a trailing giggle, adjusting herself in the seat to cross her lean legs.
"Well I feel accomplished." Steve nodded, embarrassment fading.
They agreed to go after breakfast, Steve insisting she eat something, they began swapping stories over bacon and eggs. Edie had to pinch herself to remember this wasn't a dream, it was then that something struck her memory.
"I think we've met before."
Yeah, in my dreams. Steve answered to himself.
"Really? I'll be honest something does seem so familiar about you. But I couldn't tell if that was all in my head." His words trailed off as Edie drew closer, their knees brushing against each other as she brought a hand to trace the neat outline of his hair, diving deep into those warm blue pools when his shy smile brought it all back.
"The Stark convention in New York." The realization rained down on her with an overwhelming rush that Edie gripped his forearm for support.
Steve's face twisted with thought, but that would have been before the serum. It was hard to believe a girl would even look my way when I was my former self, let alone one with Edie's beauty and especially if Bucky was around.
"Your body was a bit different." Edie recalled, remembering his much smaller, lankier form and the humiliation that shaded his cheeks.
Had he known how attracted I was to him? I had fought the urge to taste those full lips from the moment I saw him.
Oh, how desperate Edie was to breath air to her swirling thoughts.
"But..but those eyes. I'd never forget them." Her words spoke softly, as if transfixed in Steve's inviting and steely blue gaze.
The warmth trailing behind Edie's touch as it fell along the shell of his ear and along Cap's drumming pulse, that sincere look in her eye and the tenderness of Edie's touch brought back that night with such clarity.
"In front of the soldier mural, I was barely tall enough to fill the gap." Steve breathed without even a hint of embarrassment of his former physical short comings, with Edie he felt he could bare his every fear and secret safely in her gentle hands.
"Of course, Edie. Why didn't I notice it sooner?" Steve's smile only grew as he thought back to their first encounter, he was sure Edie could feel the pounding of his heart under the thin material of his shirt.
She had taken his breath away that day.
Flashback, Stark Convention 1943; Queens, NY:
"Oops. I'm quite sorry." Edith stumbled back after they collided, gloved hand grazing his shoulder.
"No it's my fault. My apologizes, Miss." Steve turned suddenly towards her, words escaping him at the sight of her. Satin raven waved framed a pair of emerald eyes and ivory cheeks.
Edie smiled faintly, he was no taller than herself and she was sure she had to outweigh him. But that didn't bother her, it was his deep gray blue eyes she couldn't look away from. They seemed to draw her in with their sparkle, she found this stranger quite handsome.
Edie noticed his beaming reflection against the lighted poster, Steve's small stature causing his reflection to fall upon the man's chest, rather than the cut out face.
Once Steve followed her gaze, he instantly felt ashamed, as less of a man. Sensing his wounded pride she moved in closer next to him, lowering her voice she said "Mind if I share my thoughts?"
Shaking his head Rogers braced himself for a painful comment regarding his physical short comings.
"I believe a soldier isn't measured in his physical strength but rather the bravery he has in his heart." She placed a hand gently upon his chest, and Steve could feel her warmth radiate through his thin button up as his heart pounded faster.
"I..,um." He fumbled for words as he tried to regain his composure. He wasn't use to girls actually talking to him, more ignoring him to get a chance to talk to Bucky. But this lovely stranger was giving him her full an undivided attention.
Edie's smile widened, finding his shy nature endearing.
She caught a glimpse of a tall man, clad in a neat uniform approaching.
"I thought I'd find you here."
Rogers startled at the sudden sound of Bucky's voice, his attention too caught up in her beauty to notice.
"Well I should be going. It was nice to bump into you." She expressed with a small giggle, nodding at them both before exiting. Again Steve felt that soft touch graze his shoulder as she passed. Looking back once more she locked eyes with him, a lingering stare until Bucky seized his attention.
-0- Present Day:
"I'd say 'small world' but that seems to fall flat, doesn't it?" Edie supposed with that strawberry smile.
"A little." He puffed a soft laugh, hand rubbing nervously over the nape of his neck.
"What were you doing there?"
"I was staying with a cousin of mine until I was due to ship out the next morning." She answered, the surreal chance of it all still overwhelming them both.
"You said something to me that night that stood out. You are one of the few people that looked at me and didn't just see a scrawny punk. You and Bucky saw past-"
"I'm sorry, did you say Bucky?" Edie intervened before she could stop herself.
"Yes, Bucky Barnes. He was my best friend since we were kids, we grew up together. He was part of the 107th Infantry Regiment. Did you know him?" Steve noticed the flicker in Edie's expression, thoughts a racing pattern across her face.
Edie felt the ground beneath her reality begin to shift at the mention of Sergeant James "Bucky" Barnes, she hadn't heard that name in almost 70 years.
"Yes, my group of nurses was shipped out and traveled with the 107th." Edie recounted softly, finally finding her voice after a spell of silent swirling thoughts.
War flash back:
"Wer bist du?" The Nazi soldier's gruff voice sneered.
Who are you?
She fought to answer against the weight of him on top of her, ribs screaming against the pressure.
"Antworte mir amerikanische Schweine!" He berated.
Answer me you American Pig!
"Ei…ne Kran…kenschwester." Edie's voice coughed as an iron grip coiled around her throat.
A Nurse.
The flashes of war and death knocked on the door of Edie's mind, jiggling the handle and daring to beat down the barrier she'd worked so hard to build up, that was until Steve's strong hand engulfed hers, pushing away the horrors with each stroke of his thumb across her skin.
"There's no one else I would have rather had at my side over there. Without him I don't know what would have become of me." She nodded in a whisper, blinking away the brimming tears.
"Edie, I'm sorry I didn't mean to-" Steve regretted bringing it up immediately at the sight of her sorrow, he was discovering it was very hard to see her in any kind of pain, whether it be emotional or physical and his instincts not scream to protect her.
"No, don't be. It's just a lot to take in. Our lives are more intertwined than we thought."
A pained laugh escaped his lips at her acknowledgement, Cap couldn't imagine a part of his life that Bucky wasn't involved in and Steve learned today that he'd also touched Edie's life.
"Buck was my best friend since I was a kid. We served together as well, until..until he was killed in combat." Rogers informed grimly, eyes falling to study the soft skin of Edie's fingers laced against his.
Edie's free hand flew over her mouth, caging the gasp in her throat as the news sank deeper.
Of course she knew the odds of Bucky still being alive were slim, giving the time that had passed but to hear that he died in combat on foreign soil instead of warm in his bed as an elderly man sent a shock through her body.
Without another thought, grief fueled her action and Edie snaked her arms around the soldier's strong neck, body flush against his as she breathed in his sweet scent.
She felt the tears overflow when the comforting grip of Steve's arms found their way around her waist, all the while her conscious screaming to realize what she was doing.
"I'm sorry, I didn't-"
But his embrace only pulled her closer, halting any doubt or fear in Edie's mind that this was not a welcomed gesture.
"I never saw him again. He died in the fight to protect his country but he-he was my best friend and-" Steve's words tangled into her hair, swallowing back the tightness rising in his throat at the thought of Bucky.
"That doesn't make it any easier." Edie finished his struggling sentence.
"They don't tell you how bad it hurts to lose someone over there. They only tell you how to keep moving, as if that will numb it." She continued, offering comfort with true empathy, she too felt the ache of her own sorrow for their fallen friend.
Pulling back Edie's gaze shifted to the soldier's face, handsome features welcoming her with such a warmth she could barely breathe. A calloused hand lifted to brush away the tears that had painted her cheeks, a tingling spread the longer Steve's touch lingered.
The Healer's eyes locked on his and the rest of the world fell away, suddenly they weren't two super humans ripped from the ice but rather two strangers on the brink of love.
Maybe this was their chance to pick up where they left off that night, to explore what could have been.
Air rose in Edie's chest, the fingers laced around his strong neck began to dance through the blonde hair in slow circles. The small gap between them prompted Steve's nose to ghost her cheek as his neck craned forward, full lips hovering closer to steal just a taste of that beautiful smile.
"Captain Rogers, Mr. Stark to see you."
They both jumped at the sudden mechanical voice of JARVIS across the intercom.
Edie's eyes fell instinctively to the floor, suffocating with embarrassment she scuffled backward.
"I should go get freshened up." She breathed before rushing off towards the hall.
"Captain Rogers, Mr. Sta-"
"Let him in." Steve barked towards the ceiling, exhaling a sigh of defeat as the automated door slid open and in stepped the dark haired playboy, Dr. Banner falling in behind him.
"It's not polite to make people wait you know, I do own the building. I could just walk in if I wanted-"
"What is it Tony? This summer camp come with roll call too? Bunk check?" The Captain fumed, jarring up from the chair to place his mug in the sink when he noticed Bruce.
"Doctor Banner, good to see you're okay."
The two exchanged a stoic nod, accompanied by Bruce's usual nervous smile.
"Ouch, someone's grouchy this morning. Wake up on the wrong side of the bed or rather did you wake up on top of someone..?" Tony insinuated playfully, enjoying pulling a rise from the Star-Spangled Hero.
"Tony, don't talk about her like that." Steve's tone increasingly icy as the younger man pecked.
"Tony." Bruce too scolded the billionaire.
"What? Who said I was even talking about her?"
But at the realization of being caught in his assumption the Captain's shoulders soften and his blushing cheeks gave him away, Steve turned his attention towards the open view of the city with a subtle smirk.
"You dirty dog, did you two..?"
"Tony, I'm warning you. Edie is a lady, she isn't like that."
"Alright, alright. Be a prude with your dirty details. I just wanted to let you and Betty Boop know that Fury's calling a meeting. That guy gives me the creeps, so don't be tardy. We don't want him here longer than he needs to be." And with a quirked brow Tony was out the door and down the hall, continuing his rant all the way down the corridor with Bruce close on his heels.