Steve didn't go straight to Natasha's when he woke up the next morning. He was frustrated. He wasn't so much frustrated with Natasha at he was with himself. He should have handled the whole situation much better, and he would have if it weren't for that ale. He knew Natasha wasn't on the same page he was yet, but when she kissed him, he just lost his mind. Now, he'd be lucky if she could stand being in the same room with him. If he hadn't blown it, he really believed eventually she would have seen how right they were for each other.

With a heavy heart, Steve went to the gym. He needed to punch something, so he figured the punching bag was probably his best choice.

"Easy, Cap," Clint exclaimed as he walked into the gym. "What did that bag ever do to you?"

Steve sighed. "Sorry, I was just letting off some steam."

"You've got a lot more energy than the rest of us after last night. That was some party."

"Yeah, some party," Steve replied, giving the bag another whack.

Clint frowned. "Did something happen after you and Nat left?"

"I blew it, Clint. Nat and I-"

"Woe, Cap, let me stop you right there. I do not need those kind of details," Clint replied, putting his hands in the air.

"It wasn't like that. I mean, I guess it was kind of like that. She kissed me."

"And, what? You didn't kiss her back?"

"No, I definitely kissed her back then things got a little carried away-"

"And, those are the details I don't need."

"She stopped it."

"Well, I got to admit, I didn't exactly see that coming. It's pretty obvious she's crazy about you."

"Apparently, not so much. I didn't handle it well. I told her I love her. She doesn't feel the same."

"She said that?"

"She said she didn't and she couldn't. She said she was attracted to me but that was all, and if we acted on it, we'd just end up hurting Nicole."

Clint shook his head. "She's just afraid, Steve. Give her time. This motherhood thing is new to her, and her past experiences just make things more complicated. Nat might not know she's in love with you, yet, but it's pretty obvious to the rest of us."

"You really think so?"

"I do. Just apologize and don't push. I have a feeling everything will work itself out."

"Thanks, Clint."

"Anytime, Cap. Just be patient. You guys are good together. She'll see it."

Steve knocked on Natasha's door. When she opened it, she looked exhausted. "Is this a bad time to talk?" he asked.

Natasha gave me an annoyed look and motioned him inside. "Just keep it down. Your daughter was up at 4 this morning, and she's finally asleep," she said, rubbing her head.

"Why didn't you call me? I'd have helped."

She glared at him. "I think we both know exactly why I didn't call. Look, Steve, my head is pounding. I'm really not in the mood to fight."

"I didn't come here to fight, Nat. I came to apologize, but if you'd rather I come back later I will. I remember hangovers."

"I'm Russian. We don't get hangovers," Natasha huffed.

"Of course you don't," Steve replied. "I shouldn't have acted the way I did last night. You said no. That should have been the end of it. I'm really sorry."

"Thank you. It's not all your fault. I did start it. I'm sorry for kissing you. I should have had more control."

"Please don't apologize for that. I liked kissing you, and I meant what I said. I do love-"

"Steve-"

"No, let me finish I do love being with you and Nicole, and you weren't wrong. What we do affects her and we have to put her first. I promise I won't bring up my feelings for you again unless someday you feel the same way. And, if you never feel that way about me, I'll respect that, too. Are we okay? I don't want to lose your friendship."

"We'll be okay. For what it's worth, I am sorry about last night," Natasha replied. "She missed you."

"I missed her, too."

Nicole woke up a few minutes later and ran into the room. "Daddy, you back!" she squealed.

Steve watched Natasha wince at their daughter's loudness and shushed the child. "I'm here. I was just down the hall at my place."

"This you place," the child said with a puzzled look on her face.

"I have a place like this one. Why don't I take you there to play for awhile so Mommy can rest? Does that sound like fun?"

"Let's go! Bye Mommy. Love you!" Nicole squealed again before hugging Natasha and running for the door. "Let's go, Daddy!"

Steve stood up to follow Nicole. "Make sure you take some aspirin for that hangover," he said with a smile.

"Russians don't get hangovers, Rogers," Natasha replied, but Steve could see just a ghost of a smile on her face. They would be alright.

The rest of the week passed without incident. There was still a little obvious tension between them, but they resumed their normal routine. They were in the middle of breakfast Saturday morning when Steve's phone rang.

"It's Sharon. I better take this," Steve said before stepping outside the apartment.

"How's the search going, Sharon?"

"My lead was a good one, Cap. We are on the right track. He's just managing to stay a day or two ahead of us."

"I really appreciate you taking the time to look."

"It's my job, Steve. The agency wants him found. I'm just glad they gave me this assignment and not someone who would go in guns blazing. Aunt Peg would want me to help Barnes."

"It still means a lot to me. Thanks, Sharon. If there's ever anything I can do for you, just say the word."

"I'm kind of glad you said that, Steve. You know tomorrow is Aunt Peggy's birthday, and I can't exactly make the trip. I was wondering if you could visit her for me."

"Of course, I'd be honored to stand in for you. I haven't exactly had the chance to visit Peggy in awhile."

"Totally understandable. How's the little peanut?"

"She's amazing and so resilient. If you didn't know what her life was like before the last month, you'd think she had always had a normal childhood."

"That's great, Steve. Hopefully, I can meet her once this mission is over. Sam said to tell you he's going to be her favorite uncle."

"He'll have his work cut out for him," Steve said with a laugh. "She's got Uncle Clint and Uncle Tony wrapped around her finger."

"I've got to go. Sam and I are in route to Madrid. That's where the latest intel puts Barnes. I'll keep you posted. Tell Aunt Peg I love her."

"Will do, Sharon. Thanks again."

After Steve hung up the phone, he found Natasha clearing the breakfast dishes. "Everything okay? Did they find Barnes?"

"Not yet, but they are getting close."

"Do you need to go?"

"No, I trust Sam and Sharon. They can handle the search. My place is with Nicole right now."

Natasha nodded. "She does love her daddy."

"Sharon actually called about a personal matter."

"A personal matter?" Natasha asked. "I didn't realize the two of you were so close."

"Well, we have a few common interests. She wants Bucky safe, too. She feels like she owes it to Peggy. She's her niece."

"Sharon is Peggy's niece?"

"Yeah, and she's her caretaker. Peggy and Daniel didn't have any children. Sharon asked me to go see Peggy tomorrow. It's her birthday."

"You should go."

"I'm going. I was actually wondering what you think about me taking Nicole with me."

"You mean leaving the compound? Do you think that's a good idea?"

"It is the reason Tony designed the bracelet, and we would just go to the retirement home and cone straight back. It would mean a lot to me."

Natasha didn't say anything for a moment then she looked Steve in the eye. "Okay, Steve, if you think it's safe, she can go, but I think Clint and I should go as back up."

Steve smiled. "Thanks, Nat. I guess it's settled. We're taking our girl to the city."

When they left for the city the next morning, Nicole was excited and so was Steve. He knew Natasha was still apprehensive, because she was quieter than usual. Clint and Nicole kept the conversation going though. Nicole kept pointing out the car window and asking Clint what things were, and he happily answered her questions. When they arrived at the retirement home, Steve grabbed the bouquet of flowers in one hand and took Nicole's hand in the other.

"What are those for?" the child asked.

"These are flowers for my friend. It's her birthday."

"Do I have a birthday?" she asked.

Natasha answered for him. "Your birthday is in about 6 weeks. You'll be three years old."

Nicole smiled. "Daddy bring me flowers?"

"If you want flowers, I will bring you flowers on your birthday, sweetheart. Are you ready to meet Daddy's friend?"

"Yes, let's go. Come on, Mommy."

"Mommy and Uncle Clint are going to stay out here and keep watch," Natasha replied. "We'll make sure you are safe."

Nicole frowned. "Uncle Tony said my bracelet keeps me safe."

"It does," Natasha assured her, "but Mommy wants to keep you extra safe. Be good for Daddy. We'll be right here."

Nicole looked up at her Daddy and smiled. "Let's go, Daddy."

Steve stopped at the nurse's station on the way to Peggy's room and found out she was having a good day. He was grateful. He really wanted Peggy to see his daughter.

"Steve, you're here. It's been a long time. Who is this little princess?"

Steve handed Peggy the flowers and kissed her cheek. "Peggy, this is my daughter Nicole. Say hello, Nicole."

"Hello, happy birthday," the child smiled.

"She's beautiful, Steve. She looks so much like you, except that beautiful red hair."

"She gets that from her mother."

Peggy smiled. "Unless I miss my guess, her hair is the same shade as Agent Romanoff's."

"You know Natasha?" Steve asked in surprise.

"I do. I was semi-retired when the archer brought her back with him. I've never seen Nick so angry at an agent for disobeying a direct order, but I liked her immediately. She had spunk and it turned out Agent Barton made the right call."

"He sure did. Natasha is great in the field and she's an incredible mother."

"I'm glad you found someone, Steve. I'm glad Natasha found someone as well. She hasn't had it easy."

"Well, it's not exactly like that between Nat and I. We aren't together. It's complicated."

Peggy started to speak but stopped and looked out the window for a moment. She turned back in Steve's direction and smiled. "Steve, you're here. It's been so long. Who is this little princess?"

Steve sighed and reintroduced Nicole, who gave him a puzzled look. Peggy was gone again.

Outside, Natasha was anxiously keeping an eye out for danger. "Nat, I'm pretty sure the bracelet is working. Try and relax a little. It'll be okay," Clint sighed.

"Can't be to careful, Barton."

"Seriously, Nat. What's bugging you? You can't possibly feel threatened by a woman in a nursing home."

"Just what are you implying?"

"I'm not implying anything. I'm just saying Steve is here to visit an old friend and introduce her to his daughter. He's not going to run away with Peggy and play house with Nicole in tow."

"You're being ridiculous, Barton. I'm not worried about Steve and Peggy or Steve and anybody. Who he spends his time with is his business. I could care less if he spends time with Peggy or Sharon or anyone."

"Oh, I get it."

"Get what? There's nothing to get."

"This is about Steve doing a favor for Sharon. Nat, Sharon is his friend. She's doing a pretty big favor for him, too."

"Sure, and that's great," Natasha replied, "but why exactly is someone like Sharon Carter constantly sticking herself into Rogers' life? First, she was spying for Fury then she's suddenly asking Steve to fly across the world so she can join the search for Barnes and when he leaves, she completely takes over the search. Why would she do that, Clint? I'll tell you why, she's got her cap set for Steve."

"Aren't you the one who tried to get Steve to ask her out? Would it really be such a bad thing if Steve fell for Sharon?" Clint paused, "Face it, Nat, you're jealous."

"I am not! I just want to make sure whoever he's with has the right intentions. We have daughter together. I don't want Nicole to get hurt. You should have seen him yesterday, Clint. When Sharon called, he dropped everything. We were in the middle of breakfast and he left the apartment to answer her call."

"He probably just wanted to hear her update on Barnes, Nat. I think I see what's going on here, Nat. You're not worried about Steve playing house with Peggy. You're afraid he's going to want to play house with her niece. For someone who isn't jealous, you sure sound-"

"I wouldn't finish that sentence if I were you," Natasha replied. "There's Steve. Start the car. I don't want to be on the road any longer than necessary. It's safer at the compound."

"Whatever you say, Nat."