Chapter Twenty-six: Meet and Greet

The dawn was beginning to break over the capitol as Emma ran. Her and Steve tried to go on runs together as much as possible but due to their schedules it didn't happen as often as they liked. This moment was one of those rare times where they could run together and as per usual it turned into a race. This time, however, they involved someone else who happened to be running. He was not quite as fast as them but he sure did try.

"On your left," Steve said as he breezed by him.

"On my left, got it," he acknowledged.

"On your right," Emma said with cheek as she ran on his other side.

They kept it up until the man collapsed against a tree. Feeling slightly bad, they went over to check on him.

"Need a medic?" Steve asked and Emma chuckled.

"I need a new set of lungs. You guys just ran, like, 13 miles in 30 minutes," the man said he struggled to catch his breath.

"I guess we got a late start," Emma said sheepishly.

"Really? You should be ashamed of yourself. You should take another lap. Did you just take it? I assumed you just took it," the man said making Emma giggle.

"What unit are you with?" Steve asked.

"58th Para rescue. At least I used to be, now I work down at the VA," the man said.

The entire time they were talking Emma thought he looked familiar. She spent some time working at the VA before getting back in the field and she had seen him around quite a few times but she never got his name.

"Sam Wilson," he introduced as Steve held out his hand to help him up.

"Steve Rogers," her grandfather introduced.

"I kind of put that together," Sam said and Emma giggled again.

"Emma Carter," she said holding out her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Carter," Sam said. "You know, I think I've seen you before."

"I spent some time down at the VA a while back, helped out a few times," she replied. "And you may call me Emma."

"You a vet?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No, my grandparents are though and with the stories I heard I wanted to help others who fought. I go there and make donations when I can," Emma said. "I had never been quite healthy enough to join the military even though I had wanted to. I thought that I could help in other ways by volunteering."

"Well, thank you for your service, we sure do appreciate it," Sam said with a wide grin and shook her hand again then turned to Steve. "It must have freaked you out, the whole defrosting thing."

"It took some getting used to," Steve said. "It's good to meet you, Sam."

He was about to turn to leave with Emma but Sam stopped him to ask him about his bed. After fighting in a war where you sometimes slept on the ground, Emma could see how the bed could feel too soft. Emma could remember how uncomfortable her bed felt after coming home from London. It had been the trauma of it all that made them feel as though nothing would feel soft or safe again. Steve soon received a message from Natasha who then pulled up to the curb.

"Hey, anyone know where the Smithsonian is? I'm here to pick up a fossil," Natasha greeted and Emma snorted with laughter.

"Hilarious," Steve said.

"I thought it was," Emma said. "Hey, Nat, guess I am sitting this one out again?"

Even though she had been approved for field work, Fury still insisted on benching her. He remained tight lipped about the whole thing. Emma was trying to keep cool about it but Fury was testing her patience.

"Sorry, Krolik," Natasha told her.

Emma rolled her eyes as Sam tried to hit on Natasha and watched as they drove off.

"I wouldn't go there if I were you," Emma said with a grin.

"Oh yeah, why is that?" Sam asked.

"Steve and Natasha have a thing for each other, they refuse to talk about it though," Emma replied.

"Most stubborn people in the world, huh?" Sam asked.

"Tell me about it," she said

.

"Want to grab some breakfast? I know a great place nearby where you can tell me your whole life story," he said.

"I have nothing better to do and I could definitely eat. Though, I cannot tell you everything of my life story, I can tell you part of it. Some of it's classified," she said with a grin.

"Okay, now you're just teasing me," he said and she laughed. "Can you explain the nickname Natasha Romanoff has for you?"

Emma laughed again as they walked in the direction of the diner Sam was taking her to. She had a feeling that Sam was going to be a great friend.