Late again, but finally done. I sincerely hope that you haven't given up on me. Things are getting very busy at work (that time of year) and I probably have too many stories going on (maybe drop one or two? but I really like them all), but I promise, I am still working on everything. Updates may be a bit sporadic for a while, but as long as I keep getting reviews, I will keep writing.

sailorraven34: Thanks. I appreciate your review

Qweb: Thanks for the review. I think they'd be a lovely bouquet as well

PrincessPrettyPants: He is sweet, isn't he?

Sandy-wmd: As always, your review was lovely. I'm having fun with the different relationships in this story.

sunshinesforever: Thanks for reading and reviewing. Continued.

sunshineforever13: Glad you liked the flowers and the story.

Leonie1988: Yup. Steve is her soft spot. I'm loving writing this relationship.

LoverofDogs94: Thank you. Developing new characters is a little out of my comfort zone (seen way too many that are simply annoying and move in and take over), so I'm glad to know that Jen and Mia won you over. Stupid dance will probably be mentioned again.

jdho2: Thanks. I'll continue updating as long as the ideas and reviews keep coming.

Fandom Exploitation: I love this pairing, too, and really love writing for Maria. I'm glad you find my characterization of her believable. I hope you continue to read and enjoy.

do you see the stars: Thank you.

And thanks to all who favorite and follow, too. I feel loved! Now, on with the tale!


Stroll 21

Maria glanced at the man next to her in the cockpit. Though Steve had been a bit nervous in the beginning, he had visibly relaxed, his fears evolving into curiosity and awe at the view from above. He had even taken the controls for several minutes, grinning broadly as she talked him through a couple of acrobatic maneuvers.

She hoped what she was about to say wouldn't bring back the fear.

"I need you to help me find a place to set down," she told him.

His attention snapped back to her.

"Problem?"

"Nothing serious," she clarified. "I'm just a little concerned about the readings on a couple of gauges."

He swallowed his next question and started looking around. "There!" he pointed. "That field. Do you think that's big enough?"

She followed his point, mentally running through the parameters. "I think that will work," she told him, quickly scanning for anything that might interfere with landing as she circled back. With a nod, she deftly guided the small plane to a smooth landing on the flat field.

As it rolled to a stop, she cut the engine and turned to Steve. "You okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine," he told her. "Is the plane okay?"

"It's fine," she assured him. "The engine just sounds a little off and I thought is would be a good idea to take a look at it, especially with that storm heading towards us." She nodded towards the dark clouds moving quickly in their direction.

He looked in the same direction, his gaze concerned. "Is that likely to be a problem?"

"If all her systems are working properly, it wouldn't be. It's not that bad." She looked at him with a slight smile. "I did check the weather along our planned flight path. It's one of those things a good pilot does."

She opened the engine compartment and sighed. "Looks like we have a broken belt," she told him, pulling out a strip of rubber. "Also looks like it punctured a couple of the fuel lines as well. I'm going to have to replace those before we can get back up."

"Do you have spares?" he asked.

She shook her head and looked up as a rusty old blue pickup truck came rattling across the field towards them. An older man in a red flannel shirt and a dusty ball cap poked his head out the window.

"Everything alright?" he asked.

Maria nodded. "Yes, sir. Just having a little engine trouble. Is this your field?"

"Yup." He got out of the truck and walked over to them, hand outstretched. "Jeb Calder."

The two introduced themselves. "I'm sorry about using your field," Maria apologized.

Jeb laughed. "Don't worry about it. This one's been sitting empty for a couple of years. I just can't manage all the area I used to." He glanced into the engine compartment. "Are you going to be able to get it running again?"

"Yeah, I just need to replace a couple of belts and hoses. I don't suppose there's a place around here that sells parts for planes?" she asked.

He scratched his head. "I've never looked, but I don't know of anyone around here that flies, so I don't imagine that there is."

"That's what I figured," she answered. "I can have them sent to me, but with the weather moving in and it getting late, it'll probably be tomorrow. Will it be alright to leave the plane here until then?"

"That'd be fine," he told her, "Or we could tow it to my barn over there." He nodded his head towards a large wooden structure. "I used it when I worked on my equipment, but it's empty right now."

Maria looked up as a gust of wind whipped a strand of hair across her face. "Actually, that would be great. I'd be willing to pay you, of course."

"Place has been sitting empty. Wouldn't be right to expect you to pay to use it."

Before she could argue with him, Steve stepped forward. "Thank you, sir. We'd appreciate it."

While Steve and Jeb retrieved chains from the bed of his truck, she pulled out her phone.

"Kids are always complaining there's no service out here," the old farmer told her.

"Mine gets service pretty much anywhere," she answered. "What's the closest town where we might find a car to rent and a place to stay?" she asked.

"Butler's Corner is about 20 minutes down the road that way, Crabapple Cove is a little closer the other direction."

"Crabapple Cove," Steve pondered. "That sounds familiar."

Maria nodded agreement. "Isn't that where the Pierces are from?"

"You two friends of Hawkeye and Margaret?" Jeb asked.

"We met them a few months back." She pulled up the number on her phone. As she pondered placing the call, Jeb chimed in.

"If anyone around here would be able to help you with what you need, it's be Margaret Pierce."

"I can believe that," she told him, dialing the number.

When the phone was answered, Maria put it on speaker. After exchanging greetings, she got to the point of the call.

"Steve and I find ourselves in need of help again," she told the other woman. She explained their situation. "So, now we're in need of a place to stay for the night."

"I know just the place," the other woman told her. "Where are you?"

"Jeb Calder's field. Heading up to his barn."

"Know exactly where that is. Sit tight. I'll get things taken care of."

"Thanks."

Slipping her phone back into her pocket, she checked the tow arrangement and hopped onto the truck tailgate with Steve for the ride up to the barn. When they arrived, they got the plane under cover just ahead of the downpour.

She examined the tools in the shop, making a mental list of what she would need to have the maintenance officer send. As she did so, Steve pulled their duffel bags out of the plane.

"Good idea to bring bags along," he told her.

"In my work, it's been more than just a good idea. It's been necessity," she replied.

They all turned to the opened door as a police car pulled to a stop and a young man jumped out and dashed to the barn. Once inside, he took off his hat and shook off the raindrops, then looked up.

"Jeb," he greeted the older man.

"Donny."

Donny turned to Steve and Maria. "You must be Mr. Rogers and Ms Hill."

The two nod affirmatively.

"Don Reynolds," he introduced himself. "Mrs. P sent me to give you a lift to town." At their confused look, he continued. "We're a pretty low crime area, so we probably do a little more 'serving' than 'protecting,' but we're fine with that."

"As you should be," Steve commented.

When Maria had finished her list and give Jeb her contact information, Don led them out to the squad car. "Hope you don't mind riding in the back," he apologized.

"It's fine," Maria assured him. "Better than many rides I've had."

After a silent ride, Donny pulled the car to a stop next to a well kept old two story house. He opened the door and all three dashed to the covered porch. Margaret Pierce opened the front door, motioning them all inside. Her husband was standing nearby with a stack of towels and handed them each one.

With a fresh cup of coffee in hand and thanks ringing in his ears, the young officer left to resume his patrol duties while the others settled into the comfortable seating in the living room with their own.

"About that hotel?" Maria asked.

"In a hurry to get away from the oldies already?" Hawkeye asked.

"No," she hastened to clarify. "I just need to give my mechanic an address to ship my the parts to."

"There's not actually a hotel here."

"Motel?"

"No."

"Bed and breakfast?"

Shaking her head, Margaret stood and motioned for them to follow. She led them through the kitchen to a door that appeared to lead into a garage. Instead, it opened into a small but well appointed sitting area.

"When my grandfather passed, Dad and Mom converted this into an apartment for Grandma. Then, when Margaret and I got married, he moved in there and insisted we take the house," the retired doctor explained. He led them to the short hallway and showed them the bedroom and bathroom.

"The kids stay here when they visit and we have the occasional guest, but it's currently available."

"Only vacancy in town, in fact," he added.

"Then we'll take it," Steve told them. "And we appreciate your hospitality."

While took their bags to the room, Maria placed a call to the hanger maintenance chief, letting him know what had happened and what she needed. He promised to get everything together and sent off to her as soon as possible.

When they settled back in the main living room, she wasn't entirely surprised when her phone rang.

"Nick," she told the others as she answered, putting him on speaker.

"Hello, sir," she greeted him.

"What the hell's going on, Hill? Are you just not capable of taking time off without getting into some kind of trouble?" he questioned.

"You're the one who keeps ordering me to take time off," she reminded him.

"Normal people don't have to be ordered to take time off," he retorted.

"Well, this time, it's just a little engine trouble. We're both fine," she assured him, knowing that some of his brusqueness was due to his concern.

"I suppose we should be thankful for that," he grumbled. "You don't think your engine problems are deliberate sabotage, do you?"

"I don't think so. Cummings mentioned that he had just gotten a notice from the belt manufacturer that they had discovered some quality issues with a couple of their lots. He was just going through the records to find if any had been used."

He grunted. "So, why did you call him instead of me?"

"First of all, he would know what I was talking about when I told him what I needed. You know a lot about a lot of things, Nick, but you were the one who taught me the importance of going directly to the people who could help you. Besides, he didn't threaten to shoot me."

Margaret and Hawkeye both looked at her with raised eyebrows.

"That was only if you tried to come in to work," he told her. "Not if you actually needed something."

"Understood," she answered.

The conversation continued several more minutes before he signed off with a "If you have any more problems, give me a call."

She hung up, shaking her head and smiling.

"Nick's your boss, right?" Hawkeye asked. "Big black guy with the eye patch?"

"That's him," she agreed.

"Sounds like he worries about you."

"He does, but don't let it get around. He's got a tough guy reputation to maintain."

"Kind of reminds me of a CO we had," Margaret offered.

As the four finished up their coffee, the older couple shared stories about Sherman Potter and his handling of the difficult balance of support and discipline faced by those in charge.

After a while, Maria and Steve offered to treat the others to dinner and they all climbed into the Pierce's car for the short drive to to a local diner. When they entered, they were greeted by the young waitress.

"Hey, Dr. P. Mrs. P." She led them to a table and handed out menus. "Did you hear about the plane crash out at Jeb's place?" she asked breathlessly.

The old doctor grinned at Maria. "News travels fast in a small town." He turned his attention to the waitress. "That was actually Steve and Maria here, Daphne, and it was just an emergency landing, not a crash."

"Oh," the woman stated, turning to look at the two.

"Sorry," the agent apologized with a shrug.

The woman smiled at her. "No, that's a good thing. News travels fast around here, but not always accurately."

After answering the Pierce's questions about about her son and husband and showing them some recent snapshots, she took their orders, quickly delivering the heaping servings to their table. Their meal progressed slowly as everyone passing through the diner doors stopped by to greet the older couple and inquire about the 'plane crash' outside town.

When they finally finished, Steve paid the check, including a hefty tip for Daphne, and the four left the restaurant. The rain had stopped and they all agreed that a stroll was the perfect way to end their excursion into town.

As they walked, Hawkeye pointed out the various businesses on the square, sometimes including a full history of the business or of the location. His wife glanced at their visitors to make sure that they weren't bored by his recitation of small town history. Steve's questions reassured her that the weren't.

When they stopped in the small drugstore so Steve could purchase a sketchpad and pencils, several other residents greeted the group and mentioned the plane crash. Margaret shook her head with a laugh.

"You're the most excitement this town has seen since the new girl at the beauty shop picked up the wrong bottle and turned the Silver sisters into the Pink sisters."

Their walk continued, ending up in front of a house converted into a medical office. A carved sign hanging from a wooden post identifying it as 'Cove Clinic, Drs Pierces.'

"Plural?"

"My dad opened it and I joined him when..." he paused a moment, cleared his throat, and continued. "When I came back. When he retired, I worked on my own. Both of the kids decided to go into medicine, but we really thought they'd both go into practice elsewhere. Sherman ended up just outside of New York, but Blake decided to come back here and join dear old dad and take over when I retired."

While explaining, Margaret had led them up the steps and into the waiting area of the clinic. The receptionist had nodded at them and a attractive woman nearing middle age entered from the back.

"Of course, he can't completely retire because some of the old dears still don't quite trust his still wet-behind-the-ears kid," she explained, kissing first him, then Margaret on the cheek. "Hi, Mom. Hi,
Dad. Did you two come to help me out with the victims from the plane crash? According to the stories I've been hearing, there should be dozens," she commented, her grin showing just how much truth she put into the rumors.

"Just two," her mother corrected. "Steve, Maria. This is our daughter, Blake."

Blake frowned, studying them more closely. "Did you really crash? Do you need me to check you over?" she asked.

"No crash," Maria told her. "The engine was just making some noises I didn't like so I set it down to have a look. It really wasn't even a hard landing, just an unplanned one. And we're both fine."

"You can say that again," the receptionist stated softly, gazing dreamily at Steve.

"They're staying with us until they get the new parts they need, so we're just showing them around greater Crab Apple Cove," the older doctor explained.

His daughter continued to study them through narrowed eyes. "Just how did that come about?"

Her father laughed. "Worried they're worming their way into your inheritance?"

Margaret slapped his arm lightly, then turned to Blake. "We met Steve and Maria a few months ago during out trip to New York. They were the ones who stepped up when those scumbags threatened to cut my finger off to get my ring."

Her eyes widened. "You're the one who got shot," she stated.

Maria nodded.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Completely recovered and released to return to full duty by three doctors, including a couple of very overprotective ones," Maria assured her.

"I'm glad to hear that," the other woman commented, looking from one to the other. "You probably saved my parents' lives."

"They definitely saved mine," the agent replied.

"Thank you both for stepping up."

"I'm glad we could help."

"Is there any news about the perps?" Margaret asked. "We've been wondering if we'll have to go back for a trial."

"No, there's not going to be a trial," Maria told her.

"Did they plead guilty?" Hawk asked.

"Not exactly," Steve said, glancing at Maria.

She sighed and turned to the others. "Because of the work I do...who I work for...my injury made it a more serious crime. The case was taken over by higher authorities. Authorities who don't necessarily follow the same rules the state of New York does."

"Was that your boss' idea?" Margaret queried.

"I think he might have pushed the idea a bit," the brunette admitted. "He's tough and demanding, sometimes unreasonably so, but he's certainly a good man to have on your side."

After several more minutes of conversation, the two couples took their leave. The doctor took his wife's hand and led them across the street to a large, green area in the center of town.

"This, of course, is the town square." They walked to the center, reaching the small, wooden gazebo just as a fine mist began to fall. "They have a parade around the square every year on Independence Day and everyone spreads out picnic lunches. They usually have a band set up here."

He smiled at his wife. "This gazebo has also been the sight of more than a few marriage proposals, including my own," he told them.

Steve found himself tempted to repeat his own recent proposal, but the quick flash of panic he saw in Maria's eyes convinced him to settle for a smile and a kiss. They settled onto the seat next to the older couple, watching the rain and listening to his stories of growing up in the small town.

When the rain stopped again, they headed back to the car and returned to the Pierce home.

"You two interested in jigsaw puzzles?" Hawkeye asked. "We've got one going on a table in the living room that we work on as the mood strikes."

Steve's eyes lit up. "I love jigsaw puzzles. I remember when I was a kid sitting around the table with my mom and Bucky and his family drinking hot chocolate and working all the different pieces into a single, beautiful image." His smile faltered. "It was a lot harder when it was just the three of us."

Maria squeezed his hand sympathetically. After a few moments of silence, he looked up at the others. "So. Where did you say this puzzle is?"

"Living room," Margaret told him. "I'll get the cocoa ready and meet you in there in a few minutes."

"That sounds great," Steve told her.

"I'll give you a hand," Maria added, following the other woman into the kitchen.

While the milk heated, the two women assembled the other things they'd need. Margaret watched with amusement as Maria kept rearranging the items on the counter.

"What's on your mind?" she finally asked.

Maria looked up. "Marriage," she admitted. "I guess it's working out pretty well for you."

"Most days," the other woman replied. "We still have those days that we want to strangle each other, but they're few and far between and the good ones more than make up for it."

"How did you know you were ready?"

Margaret considered a moment, then shrugged. "I'm not really sure. I know I was a bit reluctant. I had already failed at marriage once and Hawk and I had so little in common. He had always known just what to say or do to annoy me. Finally, about the fourth time he asked, it felt right to say 'yes.'"

"No regrets?"

"Not really."

"He didn't try to change you?"

The older woman shook her head. "He had known me long enough to know that wasn't likely to happen. Besides, he said that my spirit and independence promised that life would never be dull."

She studied her younger friend. "Has he asked or are you thinking he's going to?"

"He asked. I told him I needed to think about it."

"You're afraid he's going to want you to change?"

Maria considered. "No. Not intentionally. I just think he deserves better."

"You don't think he deserves what he wants?"

"Of course he does."

"And if what he wants is to spend his life with you? Just as you are?"

Maria had no response.

"Just keep your word and think about it."

That got a nod.

In the living room, the men settled in at the table, looking over the puzzle and studying the picture on the box. Steve kept glancing up, his eyes drawn to the glimpse of the kitchen through the doorway.

"Are you eying my wife, kid?" Pierce asked.

A denial on his lips, Steve paused when he saw the twinkle in the other man's eye. Instead, he cocked an eyebrow and turned his gaze back to the women.

"Let's see. She's smart. Strong. Capable. No nonsense, take charge. Pretty much everything that Tony says is my 'type.' Time was, you might have had some competition, Doc."

"Lucky for me I had a ring on her finger before you were even a twinkle in Mr. Rogers' eye," the doctor teased.

The Captain grinned, resisting the temptation to correct the other man, He looked to the kitchen again, making sure that the women were still out of earshot. "Speaking of that ring...how did you do that?"

"You ready to ask?"

"I already did," Steve replied. "She didn't say 'no.'" he said, responding to the curious look.

"But she didn't say 'yes' either. She said said she'd think about it. She came up with reason after reason that it wouldn't work."

"Let me guess. Some of those involved not being good enough."

At Steve's questioning look, he continued. "I know I didn't get to spend a whole lot of time with her, but she seemed so surprised and confused by all the people showing concern for her."

Steve nodded agreement. "She had a pretty difficult childhood and never had a particularly positive view of marriage and family. She was pretty much grown before she ever had anyone in her life tell her that she was worth something."

"I understand," the other man told him. "When I mentioned proposing at the gazebo, I neglected to mention that I did it four times before she finally said 'yes.'"

"Back when I was first trying to convince her to go out with me, a friend advised patience and perseverance," Steve said. "I guess that's probably still good advice."

"All I can say is that it worked out very well for me, so I'd say it's excellent advice."

As the younger man nodded, the women joined them with hot chocolate and fresh popcorn and talk turned to various subjects.

That night, Steve turned off the bedside lamp as he slid under the covers next to Maria. He rolled onto his side, wrapping his arms around her as she snuggled close.

"Just so you know," she told him softly, "I'm still thinking."

"Just so you know," he answered, "I'm still waiting."


And that's another update in the books. As always, thank you so much for reading. I'd really love to know what you thought. My reviewers are the ice cream on my pecan pie!