After dinner, they walked out together, Nat linked her arm through Steve's and shouldered her bag on the opposite arm. "Would you like me to carry that for you?" Steve asked her.
"Oh no, thank you though. It's really not heavy." It was but there was no way she was telling him that. "Do you know a safe place around here where I can stay for the next couple of days until our bus leaves?" She asked him.
Steve looked surprised at that, "You came here with no where to stay?" Nat shook her head.
"You can stay at my place, if you want. There are two bedrooms. I..I..don't mean to suggest any funny stuff. I'm sorry, I'm saying this all wrong." Steve was back to blushing again.
To his surprise, Natasha laughed. "You are a true gentleman, coming to a lady's aid. I appreciate you allowing me to stay with you."
Steve brightened instantly. "All right. Let's go then." This time he patted her hand as she held his arm.
They got to his apartment building where he led her down a short alley to the back and up some rather questionable stairs. Steve gently moved her aside on the narrow landing while he fished his key out of his pocket and unlocked the door. He stepped back to allow her to precede him. "After you, ma'am."
Natasha stepped into a clean but dingy apartment. Steve hit the light switch and she could see it was painted a soft blue. Wallpaper was the norm for this time frame so to see it painted was surprising. She set her bag down next to the couch. "You have a very nice home, Steve."
"Thank you. I've lived here all my life. Bucky...my friend you met, lives a couple of floors down." Steve told her. "Would you like me to show you to your room?"
"That would be nice, thank you." Nat picked up her bag and followed him to a neat and tidy bedroom with a twin bed in it. She set her bag down on the bed and turned back to him.
"I'll be just down the hall...the um...bathroom is right next door to you." Steve was looking everywhere except the bed.
"Steve, thank you for being my first friend here. And for being so generous with your time and your home." Natasha reached over and pressed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"Y-you're welcome, Natalie." Steve looked like he might actually faint.
"I'm not really tired yet, do you want to sit up and talk awhile?" Nat offered.
Steve's eyes brightened and he nodded, "That would be great. Yes, I would like that."
She took his hand and walked back out into the living room, sitting on the couch and drawing him down next to her. He looked utterly terrified but very interested as well. Evidently he didn't spend much time with women one to one. She kept her hand in his and gave him her undivided attention.
Bit by bit as they talked, she felt him relax. He stopped staring at the floor, then looked up and met her eyes. She soon had him smiling and leaning back against the couch, slightly turned toward her. Nat knew she had to be careful here but her instincts were that Steve needed to know that he was worthwhile now; that he had value now. He would gain all the accolades anyone could dream of after the serum but he needed to feel special here and now.
Right now, he was telling her about his and Bucky's friendship. Bucky had always been there for Steve. Bucky had been his friend, his protector, his brother in all but blood. Steve, instead of being jealous or resentful of Bucky's prowess with women and his ability to make friends, held him in high regard and pride, as an older brother who was always the best at everything he did.
"I only met him for those few minutes, but he does seem like a wonderful guy, Steve. I'm glad you have him as your best friend." Natasha smiled.
Unexpectedly, Steve looked a little downcast. "If you want me to introduce you properly, we can see him off tomorrow. You're just the type of girl he'd go for, you're so beautiful and all."
Natasha blinked. "Steve, I'm not interested in Bucky. I just said he seemed very nice. I'm more interested in the type of girl you'd go for. Would I be that type?"
Steve blushed scarlet, raising his eyes to hers, "But I thought..."
"Steve, did you actually think I was hanging out with you, staying at your house just so I could go after your friend?" Natasha reached over and cupped her hand on the side of his face, smiling at him.
Steve looked down and nodded then pulled his hand back. Natasha reached over and took his hand again. "Steve, I am here because I like you. I feel safe with you and very comfortable." There. That was totally not a lie. She had felt safe with Steve Rogers from the moment they'd met on the helicarrier. This version of him was no different. He was sweet, a gentleman and wholly, completely insecure. She was going to fix that.
"I've never had a woman, certainly not a beautiful one like you be interested in me before." He managed to get out. Blue, blue eyes flicked up and met hers. He was embarrassed, fragile, but determined to be courageous and strong.
Her heart melted. Bless him, he had no idea how to take any of this in or respond to her interest. "Then the women here in Brooklyn are blind or not very bright if they're passing on you."
His eyes searched her face. He wanted so badly to believe her. She had to tread very carefully. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable or spook him. "Steve, do you want to listen to some music or something?"
"I...I don't have a record player but I have a radio." Steve gently pulled his hand back and rose to cross the room and flick on the radio on a side table. A little adjusting and he found a popular music station. When he turned back, he was startled to find her right behind him.
"Let's dance!" Natasha said, taking his hand again.
"I don't know how, ma'am." Steve looked like he wanted to fall through the floor.
"I'll show you and my name is Natalie." Without giving him a chance to decline, she deftly put his hand on her waist, her hand on his shoulder and clasped her right hand around his left hand. Slowly, very slowly, she started to move. Steve's eyes were glued to their feet.
"Hey, look up here," she teased gently. "Even if we step on each other's toes, as long as we have fun, that's what's important."
Steve looked into her eyes and she smiled approvingly. "Just relax, hold me closer...that's right...and just move to the rhythm of the music. We'll work on technique some other time, this is just the basics."
As they danced slowly, haltingly, Nat felt him start to relax. His hand loosened it's death grip on hers and he was moving better to the rhythm. "You're doing really well for your first time, Steve."
Before he could respond, she moved in a little closer and gently laid her head against his shoulder. He was just a little taller than she was but it gave the illusion for him that he was larger. In response, Steve's grip on her waist tightened and he gave a breathless whisper.
"Oh, Natalie."
She could feel him trembling. Raising her head she looked at him, "You okay, Steve?"
He stopped abruptly, meeting her gaze. "I've never...even kissed a girl before...you're just so beautiful and so nice..."
She smiled softly then leaned in and gently, softly, pressed her mouth to his in a chaste kiss. "Now you've kissed a woman."
Steve froze, looking dumbstruck. His eyes were wide with surprise and wonder. Nat gave him a quick hug and stepped away. "I think I'll turn in now. Thank you so much for a wonderful evening. If you still want to see Bucky off in the morning, I'll be glad to go with you. Good night." With that she went into her designated bedroom, flicked off the light and crawled under the covers, fully clothed. She waited until she heard him turn off the radio and walk up the hallway. He stopped briefly outside her door and she heard him whisper, "Good night, Natalie.", before continuing up to his own room and shutting the door.
Natasha was convinced she wouldn't sleep a wink that night. However, lulled by the knowledge that Steve was nearby and that he would need her to protect him, she finally drifted off. When she woke in the morning, it was to the smell of fresh coffee. Quickly and quietly she rose, changed her clothes into an attractive dark green dress that hugged her curves just enough, fished some black flats out of her bag then scooted to the bathroom for her morning routine.
When she emerged, make up on and hair brushed, she found Steve sitting in the kitchen dressed in nice slacks, polished shoes and a nicely pressed shirt. He immediately rose and his gaze appraised her up and down. Normally that kind of behavior would have pissed her off but he was so sweet and looked at her with such adoring eyes that it warmed her heart.
"Good morning, Natalie. Would you like some coffee?" He had to clear his throat to ask her.
"I would love some." She sat in the chair he indicated. He set a cup of coffee in front of her then handed her the sugar bowl and creamer.
"Thank you, are you having some too?" She asked while she doctored her coffee to where she liked it.
He poured his own cup then sat with her, adding cream and a little sugar to his own. "I thought we could go see Bucky off then grab some breakfast out. Or if you're really hungry, I can make you something now but we'll have to hurry."
"I think your idea is fine, Steve." Natasha said. She wanted to make him feel as comfortable with her as she could while she had the chance. He rewarded her with a sweet, shy smile.
After their coffee, Steve got his jacket, Natasha got her clutch purse and off they went to see Bucky before he shipped off to England. The walk to the bus station was short and Steve quickly spies his best friend waiting to board.
"Bucky!" Steve called out.
"Steve!" Bucky waved enthusiastically and came towards them.
"Couldn't let you leave without a proper good-bye." Steve sounded stronger than he felt.
Natasha watched as the two best friends embraced each other quickly. Bucky turned to her and held out his hand. To his surprise, Natasha stepped close and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Don't die over there," she said earnestly.
"Yes ma'am," Bucky said seriously. Then it dawned on him that she had come with Steve. "Wait, aren't you that girl from last night? The one at the recruitment station? Natalie, wasn't it?"
"Indeed I am; Natalie Rushman." Natasha said. "Your friend here was kind enough to offer me a place to stay until we're both shipped out to Fort Lehigh for basic and agent training."
Bucky's eyebrows shot up at that. "Really? Wow, tiger, I'm proud of you landing a beautiful woman like Natalie here!"
Steve blushed and looked down at his shoes then up at Natasha with a shy grin on his face. "Um...well...I didn't...land..."
"He is just the nicest, sweetest man I've ever met. I'm so lucky I ran into you two last night." Natasha butted in, rescuing Steve from a very awkward moment. She took his hand and wrapped his arm around her waist, sliding her arm around his slender body.
Steve was positively beaming. Bucky had a huge grin on his face. "See, Steve? I told you that a woman would recognize your good qualities one day. I'm glad I got to see it before I left. Hopefully we'll all run into each other over there when you two complete basic."
"I hope so, Buck." Steve said.
Natasha was busy studying Bucky. He was taller, more muscular, more confident than Steve was, but he was not a jackass. He looked into her eyes rather than at her cleavage or legs, didn't attempt to flirt with her even though she'd seen his flirting in action the night before. He was obviously respectful of Steve and her as Steve's date.
Yup. Bucky Barnes was a one in a million true friend. Nat aimed to keep him alive if she could.