They'd fallen into a beautifully natural routine; meals on the balcony, TV nights cuddled closely together on the couch and endless exploration of the new world around them, hands forever knitted as one.
But all the while Steve felt the information ticking away in his chest like a bomb, daring to explode each time Edie cast him a warm gaze or brushed those heavenly lips against his. It killed him not to tell her from the moment he'd found out but he was waiting for the perfect time, as if the angle of the sun or the room he chose to do it in would cushion the blow in any way when he informed Edie that her past was not all she thought it was and her future was hanging...
"Steve? Sweetheart are you alright?"
A soft touch skating across his cheek brought Steve back to reality with a startle.
"I'm sorry, Doll. I guess I was just caught up in my thoughts." Steve feebly averted Edie's gaze, knowing he'd surely lose any shred of strength once those brilliant eyes found him.
"Good ones I hope." Edie jested, sneaking a kiss against the corner of his full lips before casting her attention back out to the baseball players darting across the crisp green field.
"Oh! Go!" Edith cheered rampantly with the rest of the crowd, a competitive game occurring just yards away but Steve instead found himself memorizing the curve of her face and the lingering warmth of her laugh. Ever since the night Bruce delivered the news Steve felt as though their days were numbered and an ache invaded his chest each time his thoughts slipped down that dark slope.
Tell her! You have to, she has every right to know!...It's just not the perfect time, give me one more day.
Steve's conscious battled feverishly against the walls of his mind and he found it hard to focus on anything else, consuming him for the rest of the evening. Steve knew partially the reason he hadn't told her was his own selfishness, in hopes to preserve what they had just a moment longer. He couldn't help it, he'd never felt like this with someone before and was sure the loss of Edie would change him indefinitely.
But if only he'd listened, if only Steve had found the courage in time maybe there was a small chance the earth shattering news would have hit Edie a little softer.
Maybe. Maybe not.
It wasn't until days later, through the misreading of a situation from Doctor Banner that Edie finally found out the truth and it hurt just that much more when she found out the person she'd trust the most had known all along….
-0-
A Raining Tuesday, STARK Tower:
Steve was leaving that morning to sneak in some training before his shift later that night, kissing her brow Steve left Edie cuddled on the couch to watch a movie suggested by Mr. Tony Stark.
"I expect a full report when I get back." Steve jested, sending her a wink.
"You got it, babe and I'll see you this afternoon for lunch." Edie beamed, adjusting the blanket around her legs she watched him duck through the doorway and she was left to the opening credits of the classic movie, Forrest Gump.
If Buck could see me now. Steve thought to himself, jogging down the several flights of stairs with ease.
Look at you, I leave you alone for a few decades and you've gone and fallen in love. The imaginary conversation echoed against Steve's mind in the playful tone of Sergeant James Barnes and Steve couldn't fight the pearly smile that had recently become a permanent resident against his full lips.
-0-
Much later Edie filed passed the lab, face flush and eyes brimming, on her way to tell Tony her thoughts on the film, finding it both heartbreaking and wonderful, when she was stopped by Bruce's beckoning voice.
"Hello, you two. How are you?" Edie greeted both Natasha and Dr. Banner but was met with the stiff atmosphere of the room.
"I'm guessing that Steve told you the news?" Bruce adjusted his glasses, struggling to meet her gaze.
"What news?"
Banner felt the lump rising in his throat at the sincere unknowing expression Edie held, curiously eyeing him from across the lab station.
"Edie if could please have a seat, Nat would you go get Captain Rogers. I think it would be best if he was here for her-"
"No, don't disturb him." Edith threw up a hand, halting the redhead.
"Now what exactly is going on here, Bruce?..You're scaring me."
His labored breath filled the room, Edie watched him closely as the younger man removed his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose.
"I reviewed the results from your blood test, now we should do further scans but-well the results are concerning."
"Concerning?" Edie furrowed at the choice of words.
"It would appear your ability to absorb and heal others, though miraculous-I mean your cells have the capability to shift and replicate in such a rapid manner…but, um, it's taking its toll. I believe it is safe to assume that the scans will further reveal vast amounts of scar tissue and internal damage and.. I believe there's a chance it's irreversible and will eventually.."
"Eventually what?.." Edie asked the silent room, both desperate and afraid to hear the answer.
"Kill me?"
"Yes."
The word thumped against the Healer's chest in surprise.
"If you aren't careful, if you take on too much it could lead to a full system shut down and yes, death." Bruce added reluctantly.
"Okay, um, well. What do you suggest?" Edie focused on forming her words, the severity of the news sinking in with slow, painful strides.
"Close monitoring and cease any future healing."
"No more healing? What good am I to this team then?" Edie bit back, her defensives heightened. The strength in her knees waning the further the words hung in the air.
"You've gotten much better at controlling others nervous systems. We will hone those skills with more training. If you have the ability to cripple the bastards in their tracks there won't be any need for healing." Romanoff reminded, hoping to offer some form of comfort to the faltering Healer.
Edie nodded slowly, before her body moved towards the door.
"There is one more thing."
The Healer's gaze shifted back to the doctor, a lump already forming in her throat at the possibility of further news. Edie felt as though her body was no longer hers, but now more like she was at its whim.
"Yes?"
"I did a blood test, and it revealed you have type O Negative blood. Which aides in your cells ability to heal and bind with anyone regardless of their blood type. It's all rather impressive, the makeup of your cells-"
"Bruce, just tell her." Natasha hissed, halting his sudden ramble.
"Sorry…when I compared the blood type to those of your parents. They don't match." Bruce advised.
"I'm sorry I don't follow. What does that mean?" Edie struggled to comprehend.
"Edie..you're adopted."
Another blow was sent to her chest, though she was still struggling to process the first.
"What?" Edie's blood ran cold.
"We found the documentation-" Bruce started.
"No, I'm sorry but there's been a mistake. You see my brother Desi was adopted. Not me. Desmond Andrews, that should be the name on the form." Edie countered, pushing away the possibility and burying the ever growing panic forming in her stomach.
Edie watched Natasha and the Doctor exchange a pained expression, silently the Agent stood and slid a folder across the counter top. Extending a hasty hand Edie frantically flipped through the neatly filed papers, settling on one in particular that held a black and white photo of an aging man with glasses. Edie felt the air escape her lungs as she scanned the black font typed across the document.
"The Jewish Foster Home and Orphan Asylum…I walked past this on the way to school." She breathed in recollection.
"I-I'm Jewish?" Wild green eyes darted between the two for confirmation.
"Your name was Edith Erskine, your father's name was Dr. Abraham Erskine."
"My father?" The Healer puffed in disbelief.
She already had a father, James Andrews.
Edie could still hear his laugh and smell the faint musk of cigar smoke on his shirt. Her heartbeat became a steady drum in her ear, the walls of her chest constricting. Edie stumbled backward, the world she knew crashing down as her back hit the open chair.
She tried desperately to blink away the blotches forming in her eyes, struggling to focus on one point Edie felt a sudden wetness against her neck.
"He was a German scientist who created the Super Soldier Serum. It was used on Captain Rogers in Project Rebirth." Bruce informed sparingly, noticing the panic rising in her green pools.
And suddenly Edith recognized the name, recalling the conversation in the park when Steve had stated Dr. Erskine had been one of the few that saw his true potential.
Edith's hand flew up to wipe away the mysterious liquid.
"What is this?" Her attention shifted to the ceiling, inspecting for some sort of leak.
"Edie..you're crying." Bruce's voice answered softly, regret pulling on his heart with a heavy fist.
"The old documents that were kept give little detail but the letter reads that your mother sent you with a Jewish family that was leaving Germany in the early 20's just as Hitler was rising in popularity." Natasha depicted the findings that were held between Edith's shaking hands.
"Nat that's enough." The doctor attempted to intervene.
"We believe you were about five when you came to America. You were given your father's last name as a precaution. The hatred towards those of Jewish descent was ever rising. Your mother did this to protect you." Natasha's voice spoke the words but the syllables barely registered as they crowded Edie's ears.
"A letter?...Is it warm in here? I, um-" Edie stammered with a sharp gasp in, the room suddenly a hazy blur.
"Nat! Get Steve. Now." Banner barked, bolting up right he moved to comfort the Healer as an anxiety attack gripped her throat.
-0-
The gym doors jarred open in a flash, Natasha instantly spotted his tall form sparring with a defeated punching bag.
Steve barely had time to acknowledge her presence before the words fell from Nat's lips in a panic.
"Rogers. Edie needs you. Now."
Swallowing back the sudden tightness when he heard the urgency in Romanoff's voice, Steve felt the heat rising up his back in concern. Without another thought Steve was out the door, following Natasha's lead towards the lab.
His eyes found her bouncing black curls as Edie sat huddled over her knees, lungs gasping for air with Bruce lending a comforting hand against her back.
"What's going on?" Steve snapped, the severe atmosphere of the lab heightened the soldier's defense to protect what was his.
Edie's head snapped upward at the hum of his voice.
"Steve." She croaked.
That's when Steve noticed the burning tears that stained her face, instinctively he closed the gap between them. Edie's body collapsed against his as Steve hoisted her onto the countertop to level their faces.
"Doll, what happened?" His hands found her face, brushing back a tangle of raven hair and hot tears.
But Edie couldn't speak, only tugged him closer so that her face fell against his chest and she was sheltered in his arms.
"Someone mind telling me what's going on here?" Steve's stern tone pointed at the other two standing in the room.
"I, um, I'm sorry Steve I thought you had told her." Bruce stammered with relentless guilt.
Steve felt Edie stiffen suddenly, beautifully tragic face glaring up at him for the first time with a hint of distrust.
"Wait, you knew about this?" Edie's voice hardened, eyes searching Steve's face for a chance that she was mistaken. Steve would never keep something like this from her...right?
Steve struggled for the words to explain but they all seemed useless, a poor excuse for harboring this secret and inadvertently his silence answered Edie's felt the ache in his chest intensify when Edie shrugged from his grasp, stumbling back in a wounded rage.
"No, Steve. Please, tell me that you didn't keep this from me."
The sorrow dripping from Edie's words sent a knife through the soldier's heart and knowing he'd caused this made it all that more painful. A new stream of tears found their way down her ivory cheeks in a mixture of betrayal and dejection.
"Doll, I was going to. I just-"
"Stop, you stop right there. I bet this was all just a little game for you all. Orphaned little Jewish girl, poor Edie. Right? She doesn't even know her own name! I..I..was your charity case." Edie felt the walls closing in, the sight of Steve's distraught expression was suffocating and she desperately needed to be alone. Without another word Edie bolted down the hall towards the solace of her room.
"Edie Wait!" Steve called out, taking off in a sprint, he tailed her towards their suite. He ducked through the archway just in time to hear the slamming of a door, filing into the hallway Steve's hand idled above the knob of her door.
"Edie, baby are you in there?"
He was answered with a soft whimpering cry and Steve fought the urge to break down that door.
Why hadn't I just told her? Why would I risk losing the most important thing in my life all because I was too coward to break the news? Steve internally berated himself, the fear of losing Edie churning the waves of his mind into a raging sea of regret.
"Go away!" Edie croaked through a heated sob, collapsing into the crisp sheets of her bed.
She willed it all to go away, desperate to push away the invading thoughts that beat against her conscious and left her questioning everything. All the while Edie fought the urge to run to him and fall into his arms once more, the soldier's presence was the only thing that held the true comfort she seeked but the small voice in her head reminded her of the Captain's knowledge all along and again she tasted betrayal.
Who was she? Who was her family? And...was she dying?
Steve's forehead rolled against the cool wooden panel of the door, hand twitching to turn the knob and console her but he knew he'd lost that right and it broke him. Swallowing passed the tightness in his throat the Captain spoke the words bleeding from his heart.
"Listen Edie, I know you're angry with me. And you have every right to be, but you have to know I had no intention of hurting you. That's the last thing in the world I would ever want to do. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I refuse to leave you alone. You made me a promise that day in the park and I intend to do the same, as long as I am alive Edie. You will never be alone."
Steve's words pushed through the cracks of the door and engulfed Edie's broken heart, soothing the shattered pieces with loving sincerity.
"So you take as long as you need, Gorgeous. I'm going to be right out here." Steve's back slid down the evenly painted wall next to her door, and he swore he could feel Edie's smile kiss his cheek.
Time ticked on and the sun sank lower in the sky, soon exhaustion found the Healer and she drifted off into a deep sleep, but even in the dream world she could find no peace.
Clouds hung low in the sky and painted the city in a hazy gray fog, Edie found herself stepping out into a deserted street. An eerie silence filled the air and had Edie's nerves on edge, an airplane flew over head and it was just as the Healer turned to follow its trail across the sky that a figure caught her eye.
"Dr. Erskine?" Edie recognized the balding scientist from the photo, briskly walking down the sidewalk but he never stopped to greet her, instead he turned down a side street.
"Dr. Erskine wait!" Edie's heels clicked harshly against the pavement as she struggled to keep his pace.
"I just want to talk." The Healer advised to the wind, reaching out to catch the man's sleeve just as a symphony of gunshots pierced the air.
Whipping around Edie scanned the vacant city scene and found two figures sprawled out across the abandoned street, a couple. Edie recognized the red of the woman's coat, matching that of her mother's. The gorgeous crimson peacoat that Edie's father had given to her mother the last time Edie was home for Christmas and she felt the bile rising in her throat the closer she neared.
"Mom? Dad?" Edie's voice hitched before she broke out into a sprint, knees skating across the rough asphalt she fell beside them. Her worst fears coming to life as she watched the life draining from her parent's eyes.
"Cricket, you came back." James Andrew coughed passed the blood pooling against his thin lips.
"Daddy." Edie sobbed, moving to cradle his head in her lap and reaching to grasp the limp hand of her mother's outstretched arm.
"We've missed you." Midgie spoke with a weary smile, the blood from her wounds smearing across Edie's pale skin.
"I'm going to save you, I can do this. You're going to be okay. Just hang on." Edie coached through hot tears, shifting her hands to cover the ragged bullet wounds that laced her parent's torsos.
But nothing happened, her hands only became stained with the blood of the dying bodies in front of her.
"Come'on." Edie barked, teeth gritted in frustration as she fought to harniss her healing powers that were no longer there.
"Shhh, Edie it's okay." Her father soothed, kindness pouring from his carmel colored eyes that stared up Edie.
"No! I can do this, please. Just-just let me try again. I won't let you die." Edie struggled to focus, tears blurring her vision and the ache rose higher in her chest.
"Edith, sweetheart. You've done all you can. It's okay." Her mother assured softly, strength wanning with every passing second.
"We love.." The words faded from James Andrew's lips as the light dimmed from his eyes, and Midgie's hand fell limp in Edie's grip.
"No.." Edie whispered in defeat.
But before she could mourn the loss of her parents a familiar voice tapped her on the shoulder, pulling Edie up from the ground.
"Doll, is that you? I been looking for you. "
Edie turned to meet those steely blue eyes, a weak smile meeting her and suddenly the sorrowing ache in her chest lightened. Steve stood tall in the middle of the road, kind expression beckoning her.
"I can't do this without you." Edie confessed, hands shaking with fear. Her instincts screamed for her to run to him, but Edie felt as though her legs weren't her own, she was rooted to that spot.
But Steve closed the gap between them with long strides, enveloping Edie in those strong arms that promised to forever protect her from the world.
"You don't have to." The Captain vowed, hand swiping away the maroon stain of blood that painted the soft skin of her cheek. Long lashes stared down at her attentively as he cranked his neck lower and Edie never wanted the moment to end, Steve's haunting gaze stripped away her fears and worries.
"I-I love you, Steve." Edie whispered against his lips.
"Edie I.."
Her body stiffened as his words trailed off into a wheezing gasp and Steve's body became lax against her small frame.
"Steve?!" Edie screamed, noticing now the blood seeping into the crisp white of his t-shirt.
Her legs began to cripple under his weight, as gingerly as Edie could she lowered the Super Soldier to the gritty road and that's when she was met face to face with the assailant.
A seething smile graced crimson lips from behind a neat uniform.
Red Skull.
"NO! Baby, stay with me. Steve-please!" Edie's voice screeched through blurring tears, she clutched Steve's body tightly against her as if to protect him from any further attacks. But it was too late the hauntingly blue ocean eyes dimmed to a dull gray and a trickle of blood found its way passed the soldier's lips.
"Didn't I tell you, Fraulein? You will never escape the claws of HYDRA."
"OH GOD!-NO!"
Steve jolted forward, wisps of sleep still clouding his mind as he struggled to focus. Taking in his surroundings he concluded he'd fallen asleep outside of Edie's door, the moon painted walls depicted he'd been out there all night.
Edie..!
Cap scrambled upward, the muffled cries growing louder as he barged through the door and revealed a visibly shaken Edie sitting up in bed. The shadow of the moon framed her tear stained face, green eyes haunting as they searched out Steve's figure in the doorway.
"Steve! I couldn't save them, you-I" Edie's voice cracked with an uncontrollable sob, the horroring scenes of the nightmare still fresh in her mind. Edie's obviously distraught state prompted Steve to cross the small space between them. The mattress shifted under the additional weight, his arms cradling her shaking form against the comfort of his chest.
"Shhh, hey it's okay. Edie I'm here, it was only a dream." Steve's voice husky with concern, while broad hands drew a pattern of soothing circles across her back.
"I tried, but-I wasn't strong enough." Edie confessed against the warmth of the Captain's neck, air catching in her throat at the thought of her parent's faces burned through hot tears. And the horroring feeling of loss that racked through her body at the scene of Steve dieing in her arms at the hands of Johann Schmidt.
"Video games."
Steve's words prompted Edie to cast confused eyes upward.
"Your turn, sweetheart." He whispered with the offering of a weak smile, encouraging her to participate in the game of things they'd like to try.
Thinking for a moment Edie rasped a giggled answer.
"Line dancing."
"Oh yeah? Count me in, I'll have to warn you I haven't done much dancing though." Steve puffed a chuckled warning, taking a moment to brush back the tangles waves of Edie's hair.
"You've got one more, soldier." Edie reminded, her voice still a bit shaky. She watched the man's expression twist with thought, haloed beautifully in the glow of the moon.
"Hmmm…yoga."
Steve had earned himself a throaty laugh from the woman in his arms, and he felt as though he was on cloud nine. A silence soon fell across the room, Edie's breaths slowing to mimic that of Steve's as she focused on the steady drum of his strong heartbeat.
Steve felt Edie's body relax, sleep welcoming her back once more. Easing them back against the crisp sheets and plush mattress, Steve loosened his grasp to adjust the blankets around her and inch upward from the bed. But as soon as Edie's body no longer felt the protective embrace of Steve's arms she stirred. Green eyes squinted through the pale moonlight and she reached out, catching the cusp of his hand gently.
"Steve.."
His gaze found her immediately, turning back he read the concern in her eyes.
"What is it, Gorgeous?"
Watching as Edie chewed the quivering flesh of her bottom lip, thoughts battled harshly behind the emerald windows until she found the courage.
"Would you..stay? Please."
Steve's heart softened at the gentle request, one he would happily grant without another thought. He wanted nothing more than to protect her from the harsh realities of this world, even if the only thing he could actually do was lie down and stroke her hair.
In truth Edie could ask anything of Steve and he wouldn't dare deny her, whether she knew it or not but Edie held his heart from the moment those green eyes found him. Steve was willing to give everything he had, he'd been alone most of his life, with the exception of Bucky, Steve was sure he'd never find this again.
But a sudden dark thought of fear made itself known, a small voice from the back of his mind vibrated with self-doubt. He'd broken their trust and caused her additional pain, something he'd indefinitely regret.
Steve couldn't imagine losing Edie when he but just found her, he was attached and he would never be the same. There was no going back, Steve was willing to stay solely a teammate in Edie's eyes if that meant keeping her close. With a mental shake of his feelings the soldier focused back on her hopeful gaze.
"Of course." Steve brought Edie's small hand to his lips, tasting the tender skin of her knuckles and earning himself a small smile.
There's my girl.
A surge of triumph perked his ego at the ability to comfort her, and draw out glimmer in her eye. In a fluid motion his boots joined her kitten heels against the carpet and Edie felt the presence of his hulky form once more, inching closer to her blanketed body as they faced each other in the dimly light room.
It was in that moment that Edie comprehended how much she truly relied on Steve, the need for him had become as vital as oxygen or water.
Her soul craved him, longed to have him.
Edith felt something fierce awaken within her at the thought of him in danger, the need to protect him at all costs and deep down maybe a tiny part of that was her own selfishness. Bruce's findings were an unimaginable shock, the possibility that Edie's ability could actually be killing her was something she found hard to wrap her mind around. But Edith knew if it came to it, in a situation where Steve was injured it would be no question that she would heal him, no matter the cost. Steve was all she had in this world, she had lost so much when she went into that ice and she couldn't fathom losing him, it clawed a jagged hole in her chest.
It was too much, it was all too much.
"Hey..shhh it's alright. Edie, I'm here."
The sudden verbal comfort of Steve's voice brought everything into focus, she felt the gentle touch of his thumb brushing away the streaming tears, too caught up in her overwhelming thoughts Edie hadn't even realize they had spilled over. Leaning into Steve's touch, her weary eyes eased shut, chasing what little peace she could find.
"I'm never leaving you, I promise."
The words flowed from Steve's mouth and settled between them. Cap's heart jarred faster as Edie's eyes fluttered back open, glossy green orbs studied his face, as if to assure that she had heard him correctly.
"Do you mean that?"
"Of course and I never meant to hurt you Edie. It kills me to know that I betrayed you like this. .." Steve trailed off, casting a worried brow towards the detailing of the sheets wrapped around her.
Edie closed the small gap between them, unable to watch the sorrow painting his handsome features. She gently forced his gaze back to her eyes with a delicate hand against his cheek.
"I don't blame you, though this is all rather hard to accept but is in no way your fault..it's just going to take some time for me to adjust and I..I need you, Steve." Edie whispered, feeling the emotions erupting in her heart like a raging volcano that flooded her already raw soul. Edie prayed desperately that her hands didn't begin to shake with fear, her mind churned with wild thoughts of his rejection. In her mind he had already said no, walked away and left her there to pick up the pieces of her heart.
"I need you." Steve mirrored truthfully, lacing his hand over hers before placing a kiss against the soft skin of Edie's palm.
She was left to mourn for a family she thought she knew and a family she didn't even know existed. The weight of the news was crushing, it was left to suffocate her slowly. That was until she heard his voice, his hulky form surrounded her, shouldering the world with her.
"How have you become my Teddy Bear?" Edie giggled softly, snuggling into the cozy embrace of her soldier. Thankful to have someone to calm her every anxious thought and to lean on in times where she felt as vulnerable as a leaf in the wind.
"It's an honor, Doll." Steve puffed a light laugh that vibrated his chest and the sound was heavenly to the Healer.
The next few days seemed as though one long and endless blur as Edie tried to collect herself once more and Steve was there every step of the way. Despite the circumstances the two only grew closer, leaning on each other on a new level that bonded them together. They'd taken the time to learn more of her biological parents, and though the search for her mother's history turned up little but the fact that she one of the millions of casualties brought on by Hitler's war, Edie read the letter left behind religiously. The details of the decades old letter depicted her mother's meeting of Dr. Abraham Erskine and shortly after falling in love, but the times were not kind to those her descent and therefore she never told him of the baby and in an effort to give Edie a fighting chance in this world she sent her to the freedom land of America.
Steve was more than willing to share with Edie anything she wanted to know about the Doctor. Though their time together was short, Steve had worked closely with Dr. Erskine and thought of him as a good friend.
It was after Edie had spent a morning of scans and countless tests with Dr. Banner that Steve finally had enough, the sullen expression that was now an ever present hint in Edie's jade eyes had him itching to give her the revival she needed. It was as she filed back into their suite that the Captain dawned a sudden idea.
"Alright, clear your schedule. I'm taking you somewhere." Steve clapped his broad hands together and sent her a wide grin.
"What do you mean?" Edie struggled to read Steve's intentions as he drew closer, mischief gleaming in those sapphire pools.
"What I mean is, it's a beautiful day and I wanna take my girl out."
-0-
The atmosphere was a symphony of screeching seagulls, chattering children and a chaotic melody of rides and games. Coney Island buzzed with life and it was the breath of fresh air that Edith needed.
Nestled against his muscular form she could feel the warmth of Steve's sun kissed skin as his arm stretched behind her on the chipping white bench, keeping her close. They sat watching the endless crowd of people shuffle along the weathered planks.
Steve snuck glances at Edie's profile through shaded glasses, a joyous smile gracing those sticky vanilla ice cream lips of hers and made the urge to kiss her ever present on the soldier's mind.
"Aw! Steve look at him." Edie nodded her frozen treat towards the wagging tail of a Dalmatian, they both laughed softly at the dog's failed attempts to get a taste of his owner's hot dog.
"Did you have a pet?" Steve asked, moving his hand to tuck a whipping curl behind her ear. Edie felt the tingling surge of energy trickle down her spine the longer his touch lingered.
"No, but I always wanted one. I did make friends with all the stray cats in the neighborhood though." Edie gave the dog another longing look before it trailed off behind it's family.
"My uncle had a farm upstate and he had a few dogs, I use to love going to visit. I did sneak a cat in a few times though into the apartment, which earned me a swift scolding from my mother, who was not a fan of cats at all. I was convinced though if I took the cat to school with me and everywhere I went my mother would never find out. Right?" Edith smiled at the memory as Steve's chest rumble with a hearty laugh.
"Cat to school? Please tell me you didn't." Steve scoffed, broad hand clasped against his stomach.
Edie studied the fullness of his lips with pleasure, yearning for a taste. She was addicted to the relaxed atmosphere of their time together, somehow everything else seemed to fade away and they were nothing more than a couple enjoying a simple afternoon at a theme park.
Edie couldn't help but wonder if this is what it would have been like if they'd met again all those years ago, under different circumstances.
"Oh but I did, Mr. Books was a proud student of my elementary class." She continued, eyes lingering on the planes of his face. Sculpted cheeks and pearly smile gleaming in the glow of the afternoon sun, the scene before her was down right breathtaking.
"Mr. Books?" Cap quizzed, bringing Edie back to her story.
"Oh, um yes I named him books because that way I could trick my mother. 'oh yes mother I'm just getting my books for school. Or ' oops I forgot my books'. Desi added the Mister, he was always my wingman when it came to schemes.."
"You are something else, Doll." Steve shook his head with contagious laughter, reluctantly catching a glimpse of the time on his watch.
"Uh oh, we might need to head back soon."
"Aww do we have to? I'm not ready to go back to reality yet. Just a little bit longer…pretty pwease?" Edie donned her best puppy dog expression.
Steve eyed Edie with playful suspicion, knowing deep down he'd never be able to resist her.
"Oh alright. Just a little longer." Cap sang with a knowing grin, he then craned to steal a taste of Edith's puckered bottom lip; sticky and deliciously sweet.
"You're too kind." Edie snickered back, settling her gaze back on the dieing horizon.
"I think I would have moved to New York. There's something just so captivating about it." The Healer thought aloud, head cocked as she memorized the pearly skyline in a dream.
Steve took a sharp breath in as he studied the woman sitting so close beside him, so temptingly close.
She looked down right heavenly to the Captain; thin white button up giving a teasing preview of her ample cleavage and the highwaisted design of her shorts had Steve itching to run his hands along those sun kissed thighs. But he didn't dare stare more than a few seconds at the pouty lips and nimble tongue that lapped slowly against the creamy, white ice cream cone held between her manicured hand.
Oh to feel those lips on his skin, to hold her against his body with nothing but heart beats between them, the swarming thoughts consumed the Captain and had him scheming to get Edie alone and all to himself. When suddenly a lusty light bulb beamed above the man's head with an alluring idea.
"Say, Doll. You feel like playing hooky for awhile?"
"Ohh do tell, Soldier." Edie piped, her interest peaked at the mischievous glimmer in Steve's ocean eyes.
"Wanna take a little detour to our nation's capital?"
Edie felt the heat rising in her stomach with excitement, on instinct she mirrored his devilish grin and answered with a vigorous nod.
-0-
"Wow. This is your place?"
Steve watched as Edie filed timidly into the kitchen of his apartment, fingers dancing across the marbled countertop.
"Yes, my humble abode. Please excuse the mess." Steve answered, slinging his leather jacket over an adjacent armchair and suddenly feeling a tinge of nervousness invade his conscious when it dawned on him that this was the first time a woman had ever stepped her pretty little foot into his home.
"It beats the last place I stayed in. Trust me, you've got a great place here." Edie countered politely with the reminder of her previous residency of SHIELD's staged apartment.
"Well thank you-here let me take your jacket." Steve strided over to her position, hands moving slowly along Edie's shoulders to remove the garment.
Edie arched into his smooth touch shrugging off the jacket when their chests brushed briefly, the duo took a silent breath in as an electric spark of excitement hummed through their nerves. Hooded eyes stared down at her through long lashes with such intensity that stole that very breath from her lungs and left her feverish.
"Can I get you something to drink?" Steve coughed away the nervousness rising in his throat, he quickly moved to unite their jackets against the chair before ducking into the fridge.
"Water, please." Edie replied, she too moved to another room to hid her sudden giddiness.
Sure the two had kissed, pawed playfully at each other but never taken that final leap and the sexual tension between them grew with each passing day and was becoming impossible to cage any longer.
Edie felt her desires begging to be quenched and the sight of him in front of her day after day in such close quarters had her self control wanning with every hooded gaze or flexed bicep from the super soldier.
Scanning into the living room she gravitated towards the Cap's collection of records.
"Why Steve I think you get my stamp of approval in the music department." Edie teased, panning over the neatly filed vinyls.
"Well now I can die a happy man. I can't take all the credit for them though, there are quite of few that were suggestions, but they don't disappoint. Put one on." Steve called over shoulder from his position at the sink.
Soon the smooth methodic voice of Etta James enveloped the small apartment, and Steve caught sight of Edie swaying along slowly just as he entered. Without another thought, the Captain placed the glasses on the coffee table and extended a broad hand.
Edie's shy grin spread wide with joy as she accepted the silent invitation and soon felt the warm embrace she craved so much wrap snugly around her waist. Like two matching puzzle pieces, their bodies molded to one another with ease.
The two fell into a trance of serenity, Edie's head tucked against the thumping of the Captain's heart and his cheek placed gingerly against her hair. They moved slowly in a pattern across the living room, the close proximity of their bodies breathing life to those lusty thoughts.
And it was as the initial song faded into another that the dam finally broke, with one longing look through hooded eyes their lips met in a heated kiss. Edie's hands wrapped their way around Steve's strong neck, tugging him even closer as their mouths engulfed each other.
The soft claws of her fingers tangled into his hair conveyed the urgency of her desire and it aroused the Captain even more. Breathlessly their lips fought to taste more of the other, Edie's throat quivered a soft moan as the strong swipe of Steve's tongue begged entrance and his hands moved to her hips, prompting Edie to climb the soldier like a tree.
With lean legs wrapped around his waist Edie's back met the adjacent wall with a thud and Steve moved his attention to her neck, marking it like a territorial beast that sought to brand his prey.
"Steve.." Edie begged for more, pleasure jolting them both as her hips found a rhythm against his throbbing member through his thin khakis. There would be no stopping this time, no interruptions from the outside world. Just the two of them, expressing their inner most desires for one another.
"You're all mine tonight, Doll." Steve murmured darkly against Edie's ear, gliding his hands up the back up those smooth thighs to give her round bottom a firm squeeze. Edie felt suffocated with ecstacity, eyes blurring into a haze as she struggled to keep her grip on his broad shoulders.
"Not just tonight." Edie corrected through a labor of panting, her answer pulled a hooded smirk from the Captain.
"Good answer, Gorgeous." He cooed, knipping hotly against her lips.
Edie was withering under his hulky form as he had her caged against the wall, and Steve concluded she'd never looked so enticing.
"What'do you say we get these clothes off?" Steve purred, craning back to watch the dark lust glaze over in those jade eyes.
"You read my mind, soldier." Edie answered with a slow roll of her hips against Steve's crotch,causing them both to take a sharp breath in. The severe warmth radiating from her center had his cock twitching with anticipation.
In a swift motion they were headed down the hall, Steve's grip holding Edie snugly against the pounding of his heart as he fumbled for the door knob in the dim light. Taking advantage of his distracted state, Edie's lips found the sensitive skin of his neck. Nails tangled in his soft hair once more she tugged lightly to expose the creamy skin as her teeth grazed the base of the Captain's ear, earning a throaty groan of appreciation from the only for a moment to relish in the nerve tingling warmth of her mouth against his newly found weakness until Steve registered the heady words ghosting his ear.
"You've got me so wet, Steve."
Edie's confession hit Cap straight in the groin and sent a shiver down his spine. Not only was this beautiful woman in his arms but she shared the same intense attraction that he felt.
She yearned for him, craved him and only him. Edie was all his, and that was something the Captain couldn't get enough of.
Resuming his prior actions, Steve gripped the knob and had the door jarring against the adjacent wall with urgency. His lips found hers in a fever as he backed into the room towards the bed, Steve's knees hit the plush mattress and prompted Edie to straddle his narrow waist.
Soon both their shirts and Edie's bra found new residence on the carpeted floor. The dim lighting bathed their bodies as they rolled further onto the bed with Edie caged beneath the Captain's hulking form.
Trailing a pathway of kisses along her body like a road map, Steve stopped momentarily to pay close attention to the perky nipples begging for his touch. Edie's gasp filled the increasingly warm room as the soldier took one of the pink buds between his full lips, teasing the sensitive skin slowly.
"Stevvee." Edie drew out, already so overcome with pleasure she felt the skill of his tongue stiffened into sharp circles around her nipple. Broad fingers shifted to ghost the center folds of her shorts in long, slow strides.
Edie witnessed the blurring invasion of pleasure cloud her eyes again and the steadiness of her legs waning towards the edge of orgasm. Steve couldn't fight the smirk that plagued his handsome face when Edie's hips buck forward, seeking out more of his touch with urgency.
After all deep down he was still that kid from Brooklyn, ones that's insecurities still plagued the Captain and found it hard to believe that a woman like Edie, with her sexy curves and loving demeanor would even look twice at him. But yet here she was, in his bed and craving his touch.
"So eager. You want me, don't ya Doll?" Steve baited, the vibration of his words against her areola sent another spasm to her already weakened knees. Watching Edie's body react to every graze, kiss and lick was like being in heaven. Steve wanted nothing more than to worship her body for the rest of his days but he needed to hear more of that velvety voice.
"Yes, baby. Please don't tease me. I need you."
There is was; that husky, needy tone that stirred something within the Captain, and had him raring to pounce. Black waves fanned out against the crisp sheets as Edie's head fell back against the bed, green pools hiding behind hooded lashes.
In a fluid motion Edie was ridded of her last pieces of clothing, and the air of the room breezed over her glistening sex with an excited shiver.
He could wait no longer, the soldier craved a taste of her most delicious secret.
Feeling the absence of Steve's body next to her and the shifting of the mattress prompted Edie to open her eyes once more. Propping up on her elbows, the Healer felt the breath escape her lungs at the scene before her.
Gleaming sapphire eyes illuminated in the glowing moonlit stared up from between her thighs and held a mischievous smirk as the Captain licked those full lips.
"You weren't kidding." He murmured against the quivering skin of her thigh, breaking eye contact only to place tender kisses against the goose flesh. But soon blue met green again just as he drew a long steady finger along the length of her lips.
Edie was speechless; mind so numbed with pleasure she could only muster a gasping moan as the gorgeous blonde stalked closer to exactly where she needed him to be, but at a painfully slow rate. Steve was taking his time, relishing in holding her just on the brink and the wonderfully torturous game soon had Edie white knuckling the sheets.
"You are dripping wet." Steve continued, punctuating each word through a forever present smirk and teeming with silken lust. Large hands skated up the back of Edie's thighs, blooming her legs even further.
"This all for me?"
Eyebrows raised and his expression advised the awaiting woman that he'd go no further until he was given an answer.
Edie felt every nerve in her body standing at attention, boiling over with anticipation she could barely form a sentence so she managed only a nod.
Steve watched the ruby flesh of her bottom lip dip between her teeth and raw desire pouring from those emerald eyes.
"Let me hear it, Doll and I promise no more teasing for tonight. I just gotta hear you say it." Steve assured, feeling the ache of his own arousal twitch with want.
A long drawn breath inward emphasized Edie's creamy breasts and had Steve itching for another touch.
"All yours, my Captain."
His pearly smile only grew with the sound of Edie's heady conviction and Steve complied earnestly. Head ducking down to place a soft kiss against her most intimate lips.
Edie's breaths became labored and peppered with throaty moans as the Captain ushered her closer to that glorious finish line. His nimble tongue ran the length of her dripping center and created a swirled pattern against her bundle of nerves which had Edie building to the brink. A strong hand surfaced its way across Edie's waist, securing her in place against the mattress as Steve focused his mouth on her clit and Edie felt the pressure of a long finger gliding into her tight core for the first time.
"Oh God yes, Steve!" Edie panted, hips squirming against that strong hand as the pleasure mounted even further in her lower stomach, flowering an inviting warmth throughout her every nerve. Steve's face clouded into beautiful blotches and all Edie could focus on was the steady pumping between her thighs, tempo building with each passing second.
Steve studied her parted expression, flushed porcelain cheeks and kiss swollen lips as Edie came unraveled.
She was close.
He felt the velvety tightness of Edie's muscles flutter around him and he dared to add another digit, never halting his pace.
"That's it, Gorgeous. Let go."
Those last low syllables murmured against Edie's clit with a delicate hum and lit the final fuse.
Edie arched against the plush mattress, meeting the rhythm of the Captain's hand as the explosion of her orgasm erupted in a flood of warmth and a tingling numbness.
Crashing back to earth had Edie in a daze, waves of pleasure endlessly bathing her body. Through dreamy eyes she refocused on the man before her, and that lusty energy returned tenfold. The Captain sat back on his heels, stroking the obvious and thick erection begging to be unleashed.
Inching up from the bed, Edie reach out to tangle her hands in the softness of his hair and tasted herself against the plumpness of his lips.
"Take those pants off, soldier." Edie purred her playful command through kisses, pulling a panted chuckle from Steve's sculpted chest.
"Yes, ma'am."
And soon Steve wore nothing but a wide grin, the moonlight defining every ripple and cut of his muscular body, thick member standing at attention. Breathless at the sight before her, Edie eased up from the mattress with the inability to keep her hands to herself any longer. Closing the small gap between them, her touch roamed Steve's body with need.
"Shit, Edie." He emitted a low growl when a soft hand found the length of his shaft and began a slow, steady stroking motion.
Edie's thumb swiped across the slick pre cum beading from his throbbing head as her tongue explored the sweet depth of his mouth. Steve weaved his fingers through her raven hair as their tongues battled playfully and he felt his climax building with each heavenly pump of Edie's skilled hand.
Not yet.
A voice piped from the back of his mind, breaking the Captain's trance and halting himself from giving into the beckoning hands of release. Without warning he gripped Edie's hips, and they revisited their position from earlier but this time there were no clothes to inhibit them. Edie clung to his flexed biceps, her center hovering just inches from his erection. Their lips never left each other as the Captain retreated towards the bed, positioning his back against the headboard the plush mattress welcomed their connected bodies.
Edie straddled the Captain's narrow waist, feeling the ridged tension of his cock pulsing against her thigh had her grinding against him with haste. Her body begging for him, demanding to have its fill.
Pushing passes the lusty haze in his mind, Steve arrested the feral thoughts for a moment and felt the gentleman resurfacing. He gripped the roundness of Edie's hips to halt her sinfully sweet rhythm and earned a confused look from the Healer.
Oh no, he's changed his mind. Fear peaked in Edie's thoughts, her conscience making itself known.
Steve's ocean eyes searched Edie's, honest and waiting for her consent to assure that this was what she really wanted. When Edie read the true meaning of this beautiful man's actions, her heart fluttered with passion and fear was put to bed in an instant.
Taking Steve's handsome face between her delicate hands, Edie placed tender kisses against each sculpted cheekbone before crashing against those honey sweet lips. Her hands never left his face as Edie leaned upward and positioned herself over his member.
Steve watched the dilation of pleasure in Edie's eyes as she slowly lowered herself, a sharp gasp filling her lungs as the head of his cock parted her lips and delve into the wetness. The velvety tightness of her center left Steve breathless, the warmth welcoming every inch.
Edie emitted a symphony of heated moans and gasping desire, the length and thickness stretching her with an overwhelming pleasure. The two soon found a slow pace after giving her body a moment to adjust to his generous girth. But soon Edie felt the strong temptations of desire taking over and her hips began to move faster, harder. His cock bottomed out and with each stroke against a certain spot Edie's muscles constricted tauntly around him.
"Damn, Doll. You're so tight." Steve growled upward, broad hands spanning across Edie's hips and taking control of her movements, directing each thrust at her g spot.
"Steve!" Edie bellowed, nails digging into his masculine frame. She could feel a second orgasm mounting fast, and by the beautifully concentrated expression gracing Steve's face, he was close too. His breathes matched Edie's, uneven and rapid with each passing second. His thrusts became more urgent and sharp, arms snaking around the Healers waist to hold her closer. It was Edie's turn to push him toward the finish line, a task she greedily accepted. Her mouth kissed and knipped its way up the taunt skin of Steve's neck, pulling groans of approval along the way, she stopped to ghost the shell of his ear.
"That's it, baby. Don't stop." Edie encouraged through hot whispers. Feeling Steve's grasp tighten around her hips and begin a rhythm of furious thrusts towards the finish line, chasing his climax.
"Yes, Steve!" Her head dipped and muffled a cry of passion against the Captain's neck.
Edie's muscles fluttered rapidly as she peaked in a flood of warmth, pulling Steve over the edge with her.
"Oh God, Edie!" Steve unleashed a throaty groan, pumping the last motions of his orgasm into her quivering center. His grip never faltered, keeping Edie plastered against his form. Steve found the welcoming comfort of her chest, head nestled against the pounding of her heart. Edie's short nails combed through his sandy blonde hair, and the room fell silent except for the slowing pace of their breathing.
-0-
Steve woke with a jerk, the rising sun painting an orange glow across the ceiling and the clock on the nightstand read half past six o'clock. Collecting his surroundings soon the events of the previous day ambushed Steve in a flood, prompting him to snap his attention left.
Was it all a dream?
But there Edie was.
Sprawled out on her stomach, gripping the pillow beneath her with a wild mane of black waves fanning across her shoulders. Steve's tinge of fear vanished just as quickly as it appeared, the presence of the woman beside him blanketed the Captain in a peaceful comfort and spread a warmth of happiness through his chest. Reaching out to brush back a tangled lock from her eyes he arrested a forming chuckle, in fear he might wake her when Edie emitted a light snore and twitched a smile in her sleep. Soon Steve rejoined her against the sheets, the inviting hands of sleep beckoning him back just as he whispered.
"I love you, Edie."