Chapter 7 ready to go.

The reviews are greatly appreciated.

kali rogers: Thank you for the review. I'm glad you like my writing

Sandy-wmd: I should probably apologize for keeping you up late, but I'm tickled to hear that you couldn't wait to read it. Sorry for the lack of M/S in the last chap, but I thought the other stuff needed to be said. I hope the Steve/Maria moments here make up for it. Oh, and you got your discussion about Tony. I considered a 6.5, but Steve wouldn't let me write it. He said they're not ready for that part of a relationship yet. When it's time, though, I will write it. ;)

Qweb: Thank you. I'm enjoying developing a friendship between Maria and Nat.

Ktime: I'm glad you love it. Thanks for letting me know. I love hearing that.

Lattelady: Thank you. It's always interesting to get different points of view.

iammarvelgirl: I appreciate your feedback. I like them, too.

Stroll 7

Hand in hand, Maria and Steve strolled through the crowd lining the street waiting for the start of the annual Veteran's Day parade.

"So, what used to be Armistice Day," Steve started.

"Is now Veteran's Day," Maria finished. "After World War II and Korea, it was changed to be a day to honor all the veterans."

Steve just nodded as they continued walking, looking for a good vantage point to view the parade.

"So, how is your training with Natasha going?" he asked her.

She considered for a few moments. "Okay, I suppose. She hasn't told me not to bother anymore, so I guess I'm still improving. I know I'm not feeling quite so sore afterward, so I suppose that's a good sign."

"Definitely," Steve agreed.

"Actually," she continued, "She's out of town on a mission for a few day, so I was kind of wondering if you might be willing to help me out with a couple of hard workouts so that I won't have to start completely over when she gets back."

"Sure," he agreed. "Just let me know when you want to meet me at the gym."

She stopped, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her body close against his as she gave him a saucy grin. "Or, we could put our heads together and come up with some other type of high energy workout," she whispered, then pressed her lips against his.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, sighing softly as his lips responded to hers.

At the sound of whistling and clapping from the crowd around them, Maria broke off the kiss, burying her face in the soft fabric of his t-shirt. He rested his chin on the top of her head, smiling at their cheering section as he struggled to refocus.

Finally, he cleared his throat. "Gym. Definitely, the gym."

Maria looked up at him. "Yeah. Sorry."

"It's not that I'm not interested," he hastened to reassure her.

"I know," she laughed, pressing up against him again. "I can tell."

He flushed slightly, gently cupping her cheek with his hand. "You're a very beautiful, desirable woman, Maria and I am a normal man. I just want to do this right."

She stepped back just a bit, putting some space between them. Placing her hand over his, she smiled. "I know, Steve. I want this to be right, too. We both agreed to take things slowly and I don't want to mess this up by rushing into something you're not ready for. Something we're not ready for. I know you're still adjusting to a lot of things. Just let me know what I can do to help."

"You're already doing it," he told her, placing a kiss in the palm of her hand before wrapping it again in his and continuing their search.

After several more minutes of walking, he spoke again.

"By the way, Tony Stark is a total jerk."

"Yeah, he is," she responded, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, "but what made you drag him into such a lovely day?"

He glanced at her, then looked quickly away, a mannerism she had learned to recognize as a sign that he had done something he wasn't too sure she would like.

"I had a talk with him the other night."

"That was your first mistake," she joked.

He nodded agreement, then continued. "I know, but it was important." His serious tone caught her attention. "I know he said something to you at the party the other night, but since you wouldn't tell me what he said, I asked him."

She bit back her first response, biting her lip to keep herself from replying angrily. He noticed her reaction and continued. "I don't like seeing you upset and I wanted him to know that I won't put up with him insulting you."

"I can handle Stark," she finally said.

"I know you can," he interrupted, "but I want you and everyone else to know that you don't have to do everything by yourself, that we're a team and I've got your back."

Numerous responses to that statement came to mind, but she finally settled on one.

"Thank you."

His face reflected his surprise. "Really? I mean, you're welcome." He had prepared himself for a heated response and was relieved to have not gotten it.

"I'm still adjusting to this 'couple' thing," she told him with a smile.

He leaned over and pecked her softly on the cheek.

"So, what did Stark tell you that he said?"

Steve shrugged. "He said that he had accused you of having an ulterior motive, of trying to manipulate me, lock me into doing whatever SHIELD wanted. I made it quite clear to him that I was the one who had done the pursuing in this relationship. That you had, in fact, shot me down repeatedly before giving me a chance. Maybe he should have been wondering about my motives. I've heard a few comments at HQ about me using you to get better assignments or to move up in the organization."

She narrowed her eyes, gazing at him speculatively. "Hmm. You know, I never thought about that."

After a pause, she smiled and continued. "Probably because it's not in your character."

"Anyway, I told him that I really don't appreciate his interference." He slid his arm around her waist. "I'm really sorry he upset you, Maria, and I hope that you know that you can talk to me about things like that."

She rested her head on his chest for a moment, then looked up at him. "I was a little upset at first, but then when I thought about it a little, I realized it was actually a good thing."

Steve's confusion was obvious.

"In his own, strange way, Stark was looking out for you. Even though he's not one of your biggest fans, he was still trying to protect his teammate. Sort of that 'team bonding' kind of thing we've been trying to promote."

"I suppose," he answered, not looking totally convinced.

"There!" she suddenly yelped, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards an empty spot on the curb near an elderly couple.

"Are these seats taken?" Steve asked the gentleman in the wheelchair. As he shook his head, the white-haired woman sitting in the folding chair next to him leaned forward and smiled at them.

"Please, pull up a curb and make yourselves comfortable."

They settled at the edge of the street, holding hands and talking softly as they waited for the parade to start. Soon, they heard the sounds of the national anthem as the color guard approached, the American flag leading the way, the flags of the various military branches being carried close behind.

As Steve and Maria rose, she became aware of motion next to her. As the woman quickly removed her husband's 'World War II Veteran' hat, he grabbed at the blanket covering his legs, struggling to get his feet on the ground. Maria leaned over to his wife.

"Is it alright for him to stand?"

The woman smiled sadly. "He's just not strong enough to stand without help and I'm afraid I'm not strong enough to do so."

Maria quickly squatted in front of him, folding back the footrests of his chair and gently setting his feet on the cement. Steve offered a hand to help her stand, then, with one of them on each side, they assisted the man to stand upright. As they supported him, he straightened and lifted his hand in a crisp salute as the flag passed in front of them.

When his hand finally dropped, they carefully settled him back in his chair. His eyes filled with tears, he gripped their hands and smiled.

"Thank you so much," he told them in a quavery voice. "You have no idea how much I needed that."

Steve glanced at the flag, flying in the wind.

"Yes, sir. We understand." He looked back at them. "Are you going to be needing any help to get home after the parade?" he asked.

"Thank you, dear, but our grandson is here with us. He had to take his little boy to find a bathroom," the woman said. She turned, searching the crowd, waving at an approaching young man. As he drew near, Steve directed him and his young son towards the spot he and Maria had been occupying.

"Then we'll leave you to enjoy the rest of the day with your family," he told her.

Maria smiled. "Thank you for your service, sir."

Steve added his own thanks, then took her hand and the duo rejoined the crowd.

After the parade was over, they spent the afternoon at a veteran's hospital where Steve often volunteered.

Several days later, the team gathered around the table at Avenger's Tower sharing breakfast. Natasha had returned from her mission and Maria had joined her for an early morning workout, then agreed to stay for breakfast. Steve handed her a plate piled high with eggs and bacon and another of pancakes.

"I can't possibly eat all this," she told him.

He sat next to her with his own plates. "I'll finish whatever you don't," he told her.

Across the table from them, Pepper skimmed through the morning paper as Tony picked at her.

"A newspaper, Pepper?"

"I like to know what's going on in the world," she informed him.

"Yeah, but a newspaper? An actual paper newspaper? You are aware that it's available in digital," he told her.

"I know," Pepper commented distractedly, "but there's just something about holding the actual paper in your hands."

"Besides," Tony continued, looking over her shoulder, "it's all bad news anyway."

He started pointing. "Murder. War. Stock fraud. Really bad suit."

"It's not all bad," she protested, turning the page as she sought something to support her protestation.

"Here! In the letters section." She started reading:

A big thank you to the lovely young couple that my husband and I had the pleasure of meeting this Monday at the Veteran's Day Parade. My husband, a WWII veteran has been in declining health for some time and has become basically bedridden. He decided on Monday that he felt well enough to attend the parade. Between his upbringing and his many years in the service, my husband had developed a great respect for the flag of our country and I knew that he was dreading the moment when he would have to remain seated as it passed. This sweet couple sitting nearby noticed his distress as the color guard approached and kindly stepped in, offering the support he needed to be on his feet as the Stars and Stripes marched by. My beloved Wallace was smiling the rest of the day. In fact, he was still smiling late that night when he completed his final battle and passed from this life to the next. I just wanted to take one more opportunity to thank them for the kindness showed to an elderly veteran and to let people know that there are still plenty of good people out there. They made a very precious memory for my husband and I on his last day. God bless, Mrs. Wallace Craig.

Maria felt Steve looking at her as she casually reached across the table towards the newspaper lying there. "May I?" she asked Pepper.

"Help yourself."

The agent snagged the section containing the obituaries and scanned through it, finally locating the one for Mr. Craig. After reading it, she discreetly passed it over to Steve.

Once breakfast was over, he walked her to the chopper on the rooftop landing pad waiting to take her back to headquarters.

"The paper said that the family will be receiving tonight at St. Emelions. Do you think it would be alright for us to go?" Steve asked.

"I was kind of thinking I'd like to go and pay my respects," Maria replied.

"Meet me back here later so we can go together?"

She hesitated a moment.

"Stark and Ms. Potts are attending some sort of gala tonight, so he won't be here to annoy you, if that's what you're worried about," he assured her.

"Guess he's going to do that now," she muttered, glancing over Steve's shoulder. He turned, sliding closer to Maria as they watched Tony approach.

"May I have a word with you, Agent Hill?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Alone?" he added, looking to Steve.

Steve crossed his arms and stared, showing no intention of leaving. Maria rested a hand lightly on his arm.

"It's okay, Steve."

"You sure?"

When she nodded, he threw a warning glare at Tony, then stepped away.

Stark took a deep breathe. "Sorry," he muttered quickly and softly.

She raised an eyebrow.

"About the other night," he clarified. "I was out of line and had no business questioning your motives. What happens between you and Cap is just that. Between you."

She shrugged. "You were concerned, Stark. You don't know me very well, but you know the kind of things someone in my position has probably had to do."

He nodded.

"Like you said, you were looking out for your teammate. But you also noted how the right person change you," she continued, nodding towards Pepper, watching them from the doorway.

His look was speculative as he considered her comment, then he smiled. "Yes, they can."

He offered his hand and reached out, accepting his apology.

When he turned to leave, Steve rejoined her.

"Everything okay?"

"Just fine," she assured him, "except that I'm going to be late for work." She kissed him lightly on the cheek, then hopped aboard the helicopter. He waved, watching as it disappeared into the distance.

He was waiting in almost the same spot when she landed several hours later. Hands on her waist, he gently lifted her to the ground. Her hair was pulled up in an elegant knot, her black dress simple and stylish, her shoes low enough to be comfortable but high enough to accent her long, shapely legs.

"You look beautiful," he told her, a smile lighting up his face.

She smiled back at him. "I might be a little more flattered if you hadn't told me the same thing after my workout this morning when I was sweaty and stinky."

"It was true then, too," he assured her.

"You almost make me believe that."

"You should, because it's true."

She reached up, straightening his tie. "You look quite handsome yourself," she told him. His dark tailored suit and the pale blue shirt flattered both his coloring and his shape.

Blushing slightly, he kissed her cheek, then guided her through the tower to the elevator.

At the church, she threaded her hand around his arm as they slipped into the room indicated. The crowd was thin. Maria figured that most of the man's contemporaries had already preceded him.

Steve inclined his head, indicating the woman seated near the casket, a sad smile on her face as she spoke to the elderly couple offering their condolences. As the couple walked away, she looked over, catching sight of Steve and Maria. He face suddenly lit up as she moved to stand.

They crossed quickly to her side, urging her to remain seated. She turned to the middle aged man standing next to her.

"These are the people I was telling you about, Mitchell. The ones who helped your father at the parade on Monday."

He offered his hand to them. "Thank you for what you did. It really meant a lot to my dad. And to my mom," he told them.

"We were happy to help," Steve assured him.

"I'm sorry," the woman said, "I didn't ever catch your names."

He squatted slightly, putting himself on her level. "My name is Steve. This is my...friend, Maria."

Maria reached out, taking the woman's hand. "We read about Mr. Craig in the paper and just wanted to let you know how sorry we are for your loss."

"Thank you, my dear. We had many good years together." She looked as Steve, then back at Maria. "We were very good...friends," she told them with a sly smile.

After several more minutes of conversation, they excused themselves and took their leave. Before they left, Steve pulled Mitchell aside and spoke briefly to him. He gave the man his contact information and told him to call him should he ever be able to assist Mrs. Craig in any way.

As Steve started to hail a cab, Maria grabbed his hand. "How about we walk for a little while?"

He looked down at her shoes. "Are you sure?"

In answer, the took his arm and started walking. His mood was subdued and they strolled in silence for a while. Finally, she cleared her throat.

"You want to talk about it?" she asked.

He glanced over in surprise. "About what?"

"About whatever's bothering you."

"Nothing's bothering me," he told her. "I'm with a beautiful woman, it's a beautiful night."

"You're a lousy liar, Rogers."

"I'm not lying. You are beautiful," he told her, stopping to gather her in his arms.

"And the funeral we just attended was for a man who was born in the same year you were," she commented.

The look on his face indicated that she had hit on the source of his mood.

He sighed. "I may not have known the men there, but they were the people who grew up in the same time I did, who fought in some of the same battles I did. I shared things with them that people now don't understand. And every day, there are fewer and fewer of them."

She hugged him close, not sure what she could say that might give him comfort.

"I'm sorry," she whispered softly. She looked up at him.

He kissed her forehead, then pulled her close again.

"Some days, it just hits a little harder."

They stood like that for several minutes, the crowd parting around them.

"This helps, though," he told her. When someone bumped them, he took her hand and started walking again.

"Captain Rogers?" she said.

He glanced at her, a questioning look on his face.

"Thank you for your service."

"And you for yours. Lt. Hill."

Happy Veteran's Day and thanks to all who have served, whenever, wherever. May we always remember the price paid for the freedoms we enjoy.

This was inspired by a picture I saw once of an elderly man, pushing up from his wheelchair as the flag passed.

Hope you enjoyed. Please let me know. Your encouragement and feedback keep me warm.

Now, which story to work on next?