Fever - Peggy Lee
The sun shining into the room brightly woke me up slowly from the best sleep I had, had in a long while. Cracking my eyes, I realized I wasn't on my couch with Steve anymore, instead I was now in my bedroom, draped in my blankets while still wearing the clothes from the night before. I hadn't remembered falling asleep while watching the movie with Steve last night, but guessed I must have because I didn't remember the movie ending either. I sat up in my bed, stretching my arms out before letting out a less than ladylike yawn. I looked over at the alarm clock for the time, but finding one of the flowers Steve had brought me sitting on a note instead. I grabbed the flower, inhaling its wonderful scent before picking up the index card.
I hope you don't mind that I put you in bed. I didn't want you hurting from sleeping on the couch. See you tonight, sweetheart. Love, Steve
I smiled to myself, sitting the note down on the nightstand before realizing where he had gotten the paper from. Shit! I reached back over to the nightstand grabbing the stack of index cards on the other side of the flower. I really wanted to curse Caroline right now. She had made a list of conversation starting questions in an attempt to help me on my first date with Steve. There on each index card were the questions written in Caroline's handwriting and below were the answers to each question. I smiled to myself imagining Steve sitting on the edge of my bed writing the answer to each question as I slept.
What's your favorite place in the entire world? Home
Favorite movie of all time? Why so? The Wizard of Oz. Do you really need a reason, it's The Wizard of Oz.
What's your biggest goal in life right now? Keeping the world a safe place.
What is your favorite way to spend a Saturday? Crossing things off in my notebook.
Do you have any pet peeves? Dishonesty and Bullies.
What was your family like growing up? Poor in wealth but rich in heart.
What were you like as a kid? Scrawny
What should I know about you that I'd never think to ask about? I like to draw in my spare time.
Did you or do you have a nickname? What's the story behind it? Cap, short for Captain.
Have you figured out your calling in life? What is it? Saving lives.
What do you find attractive in a woman? Strong willed, independent women who know what they want and aren't afraid to go after it.
Fondest childhood memory? The one time I got to go to work with my mother, she was a nurse. I guess you could say she influenced my need to save lives.
Favorite dessert? Not much for dessert but I like Jelly Beans
Where do you feel most relaxed? Riding my motorcycle
Do you like to travel? I travel a lot for my job.
Who's your ideal dinner guest? You
I couldn't help the smile that took over my face as I read the last card. I wondered to myself how I had happened to get so lucky finding Steve. He was everything a woman could ever want. I sat the cards down on the nightstand before grabbing my phone and heading out to the kitchen to get my cup of coffee before I hopped in the shower.
O.O
My phone rang for what seemed like the millionth time as I climbed out of my shower and wrapped myself in my towel.
"Hello?" I answered while I started squeezing my hair dry.
"About damn time you answer your phone!" Caroline's voice said sharply through the speaker.
"I was in the shower Car. What's up?" I placed my phone on the bed waiting for her voice to come through the speakerphone, but she didn't answer, "Car?"
"Just come open this damn door before I break it down. I've been waiting out here for like 45 freaking minutes. What the hell do you do in the shower that takes so long?" She snapped out, "You know what? I don't wanna know what you are doing in the shower."
"Be right there," I said before hanging up and tightening my towel around me.
"I've got breakfast and your dress," Caroline said as I opened the door and she barreled through. "Breakfast and details about your date in first, I'm starving." She sat the garment bag over the back of the couch before setting the bag on the table, pulling out two sausage and cheese biscuits. "So details woman!" She smiled at me as she handed me my sandwich.
"It was nice." I smiled before taking a bite.
"It was nice...That's all I'm going to get?" She said through a mouthful. "That's not details. That's a description...not the same thing. Spill it sister."
"He helped me cook dinner, he took his shirt off, things got a little hot and heavy, we ate dinner, watched the sunset from the roof, and then watched Ghost," I answered as quickly as I could, hoping she would be overwhelmed enough to not ask anything more.
"He took...his shirt off?" She asked, sitting her sandwich down on the table. "I need more." The look in her eyes was hungry for more answers.
"I was cleaning up and got flour all over his shirt," I emphasized, "He took it off and...God, Caroline...it's like he was like if God could've created perfection...it's definitely Steve." I looked away from her, looking off in the distance and daydreaming. "I couldn't help it. I...I had to touch him, to make sure he was real. He's definitely real...and packing some serious heat." I smiled before looking back at her and giggling. "I guess I fell asleep when we were watching the movie. I woke up in my bed with one of the flowers he had brought me and a sweet note." I smiled, "And he answered all of your index cards." I laughed. "He told me he wants to make love to me." I paused, "He said he was falling in love with me and that he wanted to wait for that right moment."
"I think I'm falling in love with Prince Charming too. Jesus, are you serious? Did this guy pop out of a fucking Disney book or something?" She said, shaking her head, "I'm happy for you, Joe. He's the kind of guy you deserve after all you've been through." She gave me a warm smile, "Now about tonight, when is he picking you up?"
O.O
Caroline had helped me get ready, giving my hair that old Hollywood style before letting me paint on my face. I kept it simple using only a bronze blush, lining my top lid with a winged end, mascara, and using my favorite red lipstick to finish my look.
"Joe, you look stunning," Caroline said, giving me a smile, "Let me go get the dress." Caroline rushed out of the room before returning with the long garment bag in hand. "Close your eyes." I tried to protest, but the puppy dog look she was giving me made me give in. I closed my eyes, getting excited as I heard the material of the bag rustle before Caroline told me I could open my eyes. The dress in front of me was almost as breathtaking as Steve himself. The dress looked like it had been draped in diamonds as it shimmered in the light of my bedroom.
"Oh, Car! That's stunning, but don't you think it's a bit much for a party like this?" I asked without looking at her. I stepped forward running my hand down the gray chiffon fabric. It was pleated and adorned with beautiful beads that sparkled like stars. The dress had a neckline that was full to the collarbone and the dress was sleeveless making me worry that the cool night air wouldn't allow such a dress to be worn.
"Jolene Katherine Smith! Are you questioning my judgment on this style choice?" Caroline gasped.
"I love it Car, I really do, but I don't want to be super overdressed." I expressed my concern as Caroline laid the dress down on the bed and walked over to me placing her hands on my arms.
"Look, if it was anything else I'd say no to the dress, but it's a Stark party. And if anything, Stark is a man of class and style, even if you are a tad overdressed it won't matter in a setting like that. I can guarantee no one will be wearing jeans or khakis to a party like that." Caroline's words calmed my rising fears and I let out a breath. "Now let's get you dressed. Prince Charming will be here any minute."
"Okay," I smiled, dropping my robe and exposing the black lace bra and underwear set.
"Joe, you may go to jail tonight for murdering a police officer. I mean you in this dress is going to be enough to take his breath away, but if he gets to what's underneath he is going to have a fucking heart attack," She said holding the dress out to me.
"Shut up and help me get this on." I chuckled. As I stepped into the dress I heard the knock on the door. Caroline ran out of the room, letting Steve in before returning to zip me up. She gave me a hug and wished me good luck before leaving me alone to put on my shoes and figure out something for a jacket. There was a light tap on the door as I grabbed my leather jacket from my closet.
I turned around to find Steve stepping through the door looking as dapper as ever. His hair was shorter, he was wearing a casual black suit with a white dress shirt and black tie. "Are you ready?" He asked before looking up at me. "Wow, Jolene," He said running his hand over his tie.
"Wow, yourself, Captain," I said giving him a wink. "This dress isn't too much, is it? I don't want to be overdressed. Caroline insisted this was acceptable, but I'm worried this may be a bit more than necessary."
"You are breathtaking Jolene," Steve breathed out as he crossed the room to stand in front of me. "Here," He took my jacket from my hand before walking around behind me and holding it for me to put on. "I don't mean to be rude or try to rush you, but Stark has a car ready downstairs."
"Let me just grab my purse." Steve gave me a nod before leaving my room to wait for me in the living room. I grabbed the small black clutch from my bed opening it and finding that Caroline had already placed my apartment key, lipstick, and cell phone in it. Before closing it, I saw the shine of a foil package and knew what it was before even looking. I closed my clutch with a chuckle before walking out into the living room to find Steve.
We walked down the stairs in a comfortable silence as I tried hard not to trip on my long gown. When we exited the complex I was stunned to find a limo waiting for us at the curb.
"Stark did this?" I asked, looking at Steve who nodded.
"He's got a thing about arriving in style," Steve smirked before rolling his eyes. Steve held open the door allowing me to climb inside before he slid into the seat next to me. I had never ridden in a limo before, but my first thought after watching the privacy partition go up between us and the driver was how much fun it would be if Steve and I were more physical. I didn't have much experience, but I wasn't a prude, I had read books that had included such fantasies inthem. "You are awfully quiet," Steve said, giving my hand a squeeze.
"Just nervous," I smiled before looking over at him, "I've never been to something like this before." I looked down fidgeting with the beads on my dress. "Plus, I'm meeting your coworkers and superheroes. What if they don't like me?"
Steve cupped my jaw with his other hand, turning my head to face him, "I'm sure they will love you." He leaned down, brushing his lips against mine before pulling back and giving me a knee-weakening smile. "Because I d..." His words were cut short by the stop of the car and the announcement of our arrival by our driver. "Come on, I'm sure Sam is chomping at the bit to get another dance." Steve gave me a wink before opening the door and holding out a hand to help me exit.
"Oh my God! This place is massive," I said as I looked up at the gigantic building. "I mean I knew it was big, but I've never been this up close and personal."
"It's a lot to take," Steve chuckled, "I always thought it was the ugliest building in the city, but it's growing on me."
We walked through the large double doors of the building and walked through the crisp and modern lobby, straight to the elevator. Steve pressed something on the touchscreen keypad before the doors closed. When the elevator began to move my nerves seemed to increase. I flexed my fingers that were laced through Steve's hoping he wasn't noticing my clammy palms. My body heat began to skyrocket and I wanted nothing more than to take my jacket off and step outside into the cool air again. I felt like the walls of the box we were in, closing in on me as we continued our ascent. I pulled my hair over to one side as the elevator stopped at its destination. The doors slid open, revealing a well-packed area. Steve gave my hand a squeeze before he started walking forward, me trailing behind him slightly as I tried to reign in my anxiety about the situation.
After stepping out of the elevator completely, Steve released my hand and stepped behind me. His hands slid up my arms, trying to calm me before reaching the collar of my jacket and pulling it off of my arms. "Just breathe," his soothing voice whispered in my ear, his hot breath caressing my skin as he spoke. He handed my jacket to a well-dressed young man who nodded his head.
"Marleen was just asking if you were going to bring her tonight or not," Sam's voice came from out left. I glanced over finding he and his beautiful girlfriend standing atop the small set of stairs that led up to a lounging area. The room for the party was larger than I had expected. The space consisted of what looked to be four separate sections, giving it the look of a studio loft apartment. The main floor held the musical entertainment which was currently a pianist and a microphone left unmanned. The second level where the familiar couple was located held the lounging area and also a pool table. The level above that was a smaller lounging area that overlooked what looked to be a helipad. The final level had a beautifully equipped bar and more lounging area. It was very apparent that Stark created this place specifically for events like this. Steve placed his hand on my lower back catching my attention from inspecting the room.
"You okay with all this?" Steve said to me, the look in his eyes on the verge of worry.
"Yeah, just had to take a second and look over this awesome space," I smiled at him. "Hi Sam," I said as we climbed the stairs up to where they were waiting. "Marleen, you look absolutely gorgeous!" I complimented her before giving her a hug. She looked stunning in her black lace cocktail dress that landed at her knees.
"Me? Are you kidding me? That dress is absolutely amazing!" Marleen smiled, holding my arms out so she could get a better look at the dress. "Where did you find that?"
"My friend Caroline found it. Honestly, I don't know where she found it. I do feel overdressed now that I'm looking at you." I chuckled nervously.
"No. You look like a vintage Hollywood star and from what Sam's been telling me, Steve seems to think you are quite the star." She gave me a wink making the heat rise in my cheeks.
"I've been told we have quite the talented singer in our presence tonight." A loud voice boomed through the speakers down by the pianist.
"Looks like Sam's been blabbing to Tony too," Marleen laughed.
"Jolene, would you mind gracing us with a song?" The voice announced making my heart race. The crowd that had been gathered on the lowest level parted like the Red Sea and there stood Moses, the one and only Tony Stark, hand extended towards where I stood cemented to the floor.
"I'm so sorry," Steve mumbled under his breath before turning to look at Stark and shaking his head.
"Oh, come on, Cap. You can't keep her all to yourself." Tony said before flashing a bright smile and locking eyes with me. My heart felt as though it might pound right out of my chest, but my feet and legs gathered themselves enough to take a few steps before Steve sped down the stairs to stand in front of me.
"You don't have to do this," he said, looking up at me.
"It's alright, one song won't hurt. Just promise me you'll stay standing next to Sam so I can see you," I replied as I stepped down from the last step. Steve gave me a nod before stepping aside and letting me journey the rest of the way alone. Tony gave me a grin before nodding his head and walking away, leaving me to speak with the pianist. After he was set with the song, his fingers graced the ivory keys with grace.
Never know how much I love you
Never know how much I care
When you put your arms around me
I get a fever that's so hard to bear
You give me fever when you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever in the mornin'
A fever all through the night
My eyes stayed trained on my handsome date as I sang each word.
Sun lights up the day time
Moon lights up the night
I light up when you call my name
And you know I'm gonna treat you right
You give me fever when you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever in the mornin'
A fever all through the night
I watched as Tony walked over to Steve and gave him a pat on the back. Steve gave Tony a grin and a nod of his head before he trained his focus back on me.
Everybody's got the fever
That is somethin' you all know
Fever isn't such a new thing
Fever started long time ago
Romeo loved Juliet
Juliet, she felt the same
When he put his arms around her
He said, "Julie baby you're my flame"
Thou giveth fever when we kisseth
Fever with thy flaming youth
Fever I'm on fire
Fever yea I burn forsooth
Steve stood there with his jacket hanging open, hands in his pockets with that crooked smile that made my heart flutter in my chest. Tony and Sam stood at his sides, both looking between Steve and I before they started talking to one another. It appeared as though Steve was ignoring them until he crossed his arms across his chest and shook his head, his smile fading for a split second as he looked at each of the men.
Captain Smith and Pocahontas
Had a very mad affair
When her daddy tried to kill him
She said "daddy oh don't you dare"
"He gives me fever with his kisses"
"Fever when he holds me tight"
"Fever, I'm his misses"
"Daddy, won't you treat him right?"
I looked around the large crowd that had gathered along the railings of each level before looking back to Steve, but he was no longer there.
Now you've listened to my story
Here's the point that I have made
Chicks were born to give you fever
Be it Fahrenheit or centigrade
They give you fever when you kiss them
Fever if you live and learn
Fever till you sizzle
What a lovely way to burn
What a lovely way to burn
What a lovely way to burn
What a lovely way to burn
As I ended the song I located Steve. He had moved from his spot and through the crowd that had gathered around the makeshift dance floor to wait for me when I was done singing. His smile had returned to his face when I spotted him. I took a bow for the guests that applauded me after I finished the song. The pianist began to play another song as I met Steve in the middle of the dance floor.
"That was quite the song," He smirked before grabbing my hand and placing his other on my lower back.
"I take it you enjoyed it?" I smiled back at him as we began to sway to the music.
"Very much so," Steve whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
"Noted," I whispered back, making Steve's hand on my back press me harder against him.
"Have I told you that you take my breath away?" Steve asked as he swayed us back and forth.
"You said I was breathtaking. Although you didn't specify whose breath I was taking, so..." I joked.
"Well, do you sing that for all your suitors?" Steve pulled back looking me in the eye, awaiting my answer.
"Only you." I smiled, making the grin on his face widen as a blush took over his cheeks. "Have you ever had someone sing just for you before?"
"Just my mother," Steve answered, hanging his head a little to look away.
"I'm sorry," I apologized while watching his jaw tighten slightly before he looked back up at me. "I know that pain, I didn't intend to do that." I leaned up pressing my lips lightly against his. Steve stopped swaying, focusing on my lips instead of the music as we lost ourselves in one another. I pulled back looking up at him as the music ended, giving him a shy smile before looking around at all the eyes that had focused on us.
"Let's go get a drink," Steve said before putting his arm out for me to hold. We walked up the stairs to the next level in search of one of the many bars in the establishment when Mr. Stark came up to us.
"So this is Miss America." He smiled, giving me a once-over before looking at Steve with a glimmer in his eyes.
"Stark," Steve spoke his name with a bit of warning to the tone.
"It's okay, Steve," I said, squeezing Steve's arm slightly. "Mr. Stark, It's lovely to meet you," I replied reaching my hand out to shake his. "I'm so sorry I'm overdressed, my friend said this would be appropriate, but you hit the nail on the head, I feel as though I should be at a pageant in this gown." I chuckled nervously.
"No need to apologize beautiful," He replied as he held my extended hand before pulling it up to his lips and placing a kiss to the back of my hand. "Please call me Tony," He said as he dropped my hand. "Your attire is fine, that's not why I called you th..."
"Tony," Steve's voice was harsh, cutting Tony off.
"Oh Cap, don't get your," Tony paused, looking at the look on Steve's face. "Are you serious?" Tony looked as shocked as he did confused. "Oh, wow. You know you need to..." Tony trailed off, looking at me for the briefest moment before looking back at Steve.
"I know." Steve sighed.
"Well, I'll leave you two lovebirds be. I've got some other guests to attend to and you two have some things you need to do." Tony said before starting to walk away. He stopped a few feet away looking back at us, "Jolene, your voice is that of an angel and you look like one as well. Our Captain here deserves an angel." Tony's face became soft as the words passed his lips before nodding his head and walking away.
"What's he talking about?" I asked, looking up at Steve, who was clenching and relaxing his jaw rapidly.
"Come, I want to show you something." Steve placed his hand on my lower back before leading me back down the stairs to the elevator. He pressed a few keys before the doors to the elevator closed and we started moving. When the doors opened there was a long corridor ahead. "This is the recreation floor," Steve said as he led me out of the elevator and down the corridor. The walls were glass, showing the contents to each room and the view of the city just beyond each one. "That's the gym," He pointed to the obvious, "The next room is a game room and at the end of the hall to the left is a cinema style movie room."
"A movie room?" I asked as we walked to the end of the hall.
"Yeah, you want to see it?" Steve said as he took a step ahead to grab the handle of the door of the one room with blacked out walls.
"We won't get in trouble?" I giggled.
"Nobody has to know." Steve gave me a wink as he opened the door. He flipped the switch on after following me through the door, the lights dimmed enough to emit a light glow in the room. The room had three levels of low couches that looked so plush it could swallow you if you sat down in them, the wall was covered with the largest TV I had ever seen and there was a small popcorn cart in the corner giving it the full blown movie theater feel.
I plopped myself down on the nearest couch feeling the cushions fold in around me, "Oh my gosh! These have got to be the most comfortable couches I've ever sat down on." I exclaimed. Steve stood in front of me, looking down and grinning with a light chuckle before I grabbed his hand and tugged him down to join me, "Come here." Steve righted himself next to me, putting his arm on the back of the couch and letting me cuddle into his side. "I'd love to stay here to snuggle all night and watch a movie."
"Maybe we can some other time," Steve said running his fingers lightly over my exposed arm. The touch felt so intimate and affectionate, making me squirm in my seat a little. I looked up at Steve as he continued to stroke my arm with the tips of his fingers. I brought my hand up to his cheek before sitting up just enough to press my lips to his. The kiss was brief but still as breathtaking as any other. "I need to show you something important," Steve said before giving me a peck on the forehead and standing up, extending his hand to help me up from the couch. Steve turned the light to the room off before exiting and leading me back down the hallway to the elevator.
"Access granted." A female voice spoke after he pressed a floor number and a series of other numbers after. When the elevator came to the desired floor and the doors opened, the hallway that was in front of us was much different from the one before. The hall was lined with dim lighting along dark blue walls that had a handful of shining silver doors.
"This is the living quarters," Steve told me as he stepped out of the elevator and waited for me to exit. He placed his hand on my back again as we walked down the hall until we reached a door about halfway down the hallway. Steve stopped, turning towards the door and punching a code into the numerical pad above the handle. I heard the lock unlatch on the door and Steve pushed it open.
"How do you know all of these codes for these secret places?" I asked as I followed him into the room. He turned on the lights and I had to fight to shock from overtaking me vocally. "Steve, I don't think we are supposed to be in here. This is someone's room." I said nervously.
"It's my room." His words caught me off guard as I turned around to look at him in disbelief.
"So you work for Stark or something?" I asked, turning around from him and looking out the large open view of the city through the four pane, ceiling to floor, windows.
"Kinda," He replied.
"I thought you were a police officer, but now you're telling me you work here," I spoke to myself as I looked over the city. I was trying to connect dots, make sense of all of this, but I kept coming up blank. Something about the situation was making me uneasy, feeling as though I really didn't know the man I had been dating for months now. My stomach dropped as I heard him walking around the room, wondering if he was going to try to make a move on me since there was a bed at our disposal only feet away.
"Jolene, I've been keeping something from you and I'm sorry for that. I've been selfish in doing so. I just didn't want you looking at me any differently than you already do." His voice wasn't as strong as I was used to, it was almost timid as he continued to speak. My stomach dropped again as the realization hit me that he could be lying to me now, we could be in a complete stranger's room, he could be a hacker or thief and I could be an accomplice in his crime. Crimecommiter, something completely different from my initial understanding of the man in the room with me. "I'm not a police officer. I do work here, but I don't really work for Stark. I kind of see it as I work for the world." I turned around wanting to look at him, the liar I hadn't expected him to be. Indeed, the other shoe had dropped just like it always did, but this shoe seemed so much bigger than any had been in past relationships. I looked at Steve, he had taken off his jacket which was now lying at the foot of the bed he was standing next to. His sleeves had been pushed up and his tie had been removed, but his face was that of worry not relaxation. I was dropping my gaze as something caught my eye, a large shining disc propped against the wall behind him. There was no mistaking the object and panic flooded my body as I realized what exactly was happening here. I looked back at Steve, who was turning his head back to look at me, he had seen me find the shield, "Please Jolene, just let me explain."
"You...you're Captain America." My voice was as unsteady as my legs felt as I shifted from foot to foot trying to process everything.
"I am." Steve pushed his hands into his pants pockets, dropping his head and looking up at me through his lashes like a scolded child.
"Why?... I mean how...how did I not put this all together?" I asked myself as I began to pace back and forth in front of him. "You told me you were a Captain." I chuckled nervously at myself, at my stupidity, my naivety. "Rogers is your last name isn't it?" I stopped my anxious pacing to look at him. He answered my question with a nod before opening his mouth to speak. "I am such an idiot." I cut him off. "What, was I some kind of mission or something? Am I a bet from one of your super friends? Let's see how long it takes her to figure it out?" I began rambling aloud. Every sense in my body was working on overload and he touched me breaking me from my trance. I looked up into his blue eyes, his brows furrowed together in worry as he tried to grasp my thoughts through my face. "I...I need some air." I dropped my gaze, pushing past him and out of the door. I didn't know what floor I needed to head to or where I was going as I entered the elevator. I hit numbers of floors until it allowed me to select without a code. I leaned myself back against the elevator wall, looking out of the closing elevator doors and seeing Steve standing in the hallway, defeat etched in every plane of his face.
O.O
"Jack and coke please." I told the sharp dressed bartender, "Actually can I have a side of Jack as well. I mean a shot."
"Sure thing, Ma'am." The young man replied.
"How are you doing? Where's Steve?" Marleen asked as she sat down in the chair next to me.
"I'm not sure where Steve is, he was in his room the last I seen," I answered without enthusiasm.
"Uh oh, I sense something has gone awry," She replied before taking a sip of her martini.
"How long have you and Sam been dating?" I asked as the bartender sat my drinks down in front of me.
"Almost a year, why?"
"When did he tell you exactly what he did?" I picked up my shot, slamming it to the back of my throat and enjoying the burn as it made it's way down.
"I think we'd been dating a month. We had a nice dinner at my place and things were getting...further than just kissing. He said he had to be honest with me about everything before we took things too far." She took another sip of her drink before setting it down, "He said he needed to know I was comfortable with the situations he would be putting himself in, just in case he didn't come home one time. It definitely dampened the mood, but I was grateful he told me to be honest. Is that what this is about?" She motioned to my empty shot glass and mixed drink.
"I just found out. We've been dating for two months now. I just don't understand why he would keep something like that from me. I mean it explains why he went two weeks without talking to me that one time, but still." I took a sip of my drink before adding, "And I don't understand how I was so blinded. Did you know I never even asked his last name?" I scoffed at myself. "Who does that?"
"Love can make you do silly things. Do you love him?" She asked with raised eyebrows and a tilt of her head.
"If you would've asked me that before I knew I would've told you yes. Now, I don't know. I don't know if who I fell in love with and Captain America are the same person." My heart ached in my chest as I thought through the past few months, trying to decipher where the truth was held and where the lies laid.
"Do you mind if I steal my lady away for a dance?" Sam's voice cheerfully interrupted. I shook my head as I swallowed a mouthful of booze. Marleen gave me a smile before telling me if I needed to, sliding me a napkin with her phone number. I gave her a small smile before grabbing the napkin and my drink. I wandered around for a few minutes, getting stares from a few people, which I was sure of my overdressed nature. I finally found the exit to the balcony which overlooked what looked like a small flight deck. I rested against the railing as I watched the city lights flicker and live continue as normal around us. Life, that was all precious, life that Steve was fighting to keep safe. I didn't know why I was being so hesitant to everything. My first issue was the fact that he hadn't told me, but even if he wasn't a cop, he really was doing the exact same thing. He was putting his life on the line for others to keep theirs. If I was okay with that why did this bigger position make me more nervous? My second issue was I wasn't sure who I had fallen in love with. He seemed so normal, well, maybe not so normal. He was extraordinary actually. He was unlike any man I had ever met. He was thoughtful without even trying, so good-hearted, caring, all while being extremely gorgeous but notcocky. The man was beautiful beyond belief, but seemed more like an ugly duckling unbelieving of its swan exterior. His beauty may have shown on the outside, but the beauty that was housed on the inside was far more handsome. He was so awkward sometimes, something I couldn't imagine one of the world's mightiest heroes being.
"This is quite the view isn't it?" A unique accent asked from behind me.
"It is," I answered without looking.
"May I ask why you are out here alone? You aren't planning on jumping or anything are you?" The deep sultry voice asked.
"I'm not suicidal if that's what you are getting at," I answered, unphased.
"Good." His answer was short, but his presence was still felt as he stood behind me. I turned around finding him much further away than I had expected.
"You don't sound like you're from around here. I'm Jolene." I said, extending my hand.
"Thor," He answered, shaking my hand lightly. "So you are the lovely lady that has stolen the Captain's heart?"
"I wouldn't say that, but we have been dating." I gave him a small smile before turning around and enjoying the view some more.
"Well, my friend would definitely argue that you have." He stepped up to the railing next to me, pulling a flask from his breast pocket and taking a sip.
"What's that?" I gestured to the object in his hand.
"It is not made for mortals. I assure you, you wouldn't be able to handle such a potent liquor." Thor replied with a chuckle. "You should have seen a few of the older gentlemen who tried it last time." The tall man let out a hearty laugh making his large frame shake. "Let's get you a mortal drink. It seems you are running empty." He gestured to my nearly empty glass in my hand before putting his arm out for me to take. I wrapped my arm around his large bicep, unbelieving that I was actually talking to an immortal God. I knew of the Avengers, but didn't bother much with any of the hype, but being within their midst was actually mind blowing. The situation had all been so exciting when I had first arrived with Steve, just a normal day crime fighter for the police, being a part of a party of superheroes, rubbing elbows with the Worlds Mightiest Heroes. Then why was it so god damned different now that I had found out Steve's true identity? I wasn't just rubbing elbows with these protectors of the world, I was far more a part of their world than I had realized. I was dating a defender of mankind, a guardian of the world, and to some that would be all fine and dandy, exciting even, but for me, it was actually terrifying. I had seen soldiers return from war in boxes draped with our spangled flag, friends' parents even, the fact was the man I had fallen in love with was not just a crime fighter but a soldier draped in the same red, white, and blue. But Steve wasn't even a regular soldier, he was a super soldier, fighting things far more dangerous than terrorists or Nazis. The threat of losing him was even higher than it was when I believe he was only an ordinary cop.
"Another Jack and Coke ma'am?" The same bartender from before asked. I gave him a nod of my head before looking back at Thor who was in an intense debate with Tony.
"I haven't seen Rogers all night, seems kind of odd." The female voice was familiar and grabbed my attention making me turn in my chair.
"Natalie?" I whispered in shock as I looked at the red headed beauty sitting next to me.
"Jolene! What are you doing here?" She asked, turning in her chair to face me.
"I could ask you the same thing," I said as the bartender sat my drink down.
"I asked first." Her tone dropped an octave as she looked around the room quickly.
"I came here with that guy Steve, Caroline was telling you about the other day. When did you get back in town? You didn't come back to the apartment." I asked, utterly confused as to why she was here and how she had gotten here and not came home to get ready for the party.
"Well, you see I..." Natalie began to reply before being cut off.
"Natasha!" A man's voice shouted through the music taking over the large room, making Natalie turn her head towards where the voice had come from. "Laura just called. Nathaniel is running a fever so I'm going to take off. Tell Stark I had to borrow the quinjet." The light brown haired man spoke as he approached Natalie.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Natalie asked.
"And have you leave this party?" He chuckled. "Just let Stark know for me, please," He said again before he turned to leave.
"Keep me updated on my Godson, Barton," Natalie said before turning to look back at me.
"Natasha?" My already reeling mind was in overdrive trying to figure out what the hell was going on.
"Yeah." Natalie, Natasha, or whoever her damn name was, nodded.
"I thought your name was Natalie," I spoke before grabbing my drink from off the bar top.
"It's an alias name. I've got a few." She spoke softly, controlled as I raised an eyebrow for her to continue. "The apartment is my home away from here. It gets to be much with all the testosterone running around here."
"So I take it you aren't a flight attendant." I looked around the room and then back at her.
"You'd be correct in guessing that," She said before sealing her ruby red lips tightly in a sympathetic smirk.
"Is any of my life not full with lies?" I scoffed before downing my drink with a few gulps. "So exactly who are you?"
"Natasha Romanoff, Master Assassin and part of The Avengers," She said crossing her arms in front of her and leaning back in her chair. "To be honest with you, my alias isn't just to keep my identity hidden from you, but also to save you." She paused looking around the room. "You see we are well loved her,e but there are many people that would love to have our heads and they'll do anything they can to do just that. Including coming after us through friends and family. And seeing I have no family, friends would have to do."
"So what you are telling me is lying isn't hurtful or deceitful, but solely for my own good?" Little white lies were never meant to be hurtful, but trusting someone only to be told they were someone they are not, that wasn't a little white lie. "When it comes to this, yes," She answered matter-of-factly. "I don't buy that. You may be a hero, but you are still actual people." I started. "Not Thor." She interrupted me. "Thor's never lied to me." I snapped at her. "Well, a worthy man can't lie," She smirked.
"She does have a point," Thor said from over my shoulder, catching me off guard and making me jump a little in my seat.
"I just wish people could be upfront and honest, is that too much to ask for?" I grumbled before turning in my chair and signaling the bartender for another drink.
"For some reason I have a feeling that this isn't just about me," Natasha said leaning forward a bit.
"This is exactly why I have one friend. Caroline has never once given me a reason not to trust her." I mumbled under my breath to myself.
"What's going on Joe? Where is this mystery man you came here with?" Natasha asked as the bartender replenished my drink.
"That mystery man is exactly that to me now. A mystery. You probably know more about him than I do." I replied after taking a large gulp of my mixed drink.
"What's that supposed to mean?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, my date Steve is none other than Captain America," I answered. "I thought I knew him so well."
"Oh, that Steve!" She chuckled, "That would explain why that permanent scowl has been replaced with a slight grin at all times." She looked at me to speak again before she placed the puzzle pieces together. "He's the one that lied to you."
"Ding, Ding. We've got a winner folks." I mumbled with an eye roll. "You did too, by the way."
"Yet here you are sitting here talking to me which tells me that my lying doesn't bother you as much as his." She asked before taking a sip of her drink. "I just don't understand why he would lie to me about who he is." I answered, playing with the small straw in my drink. "He did tell you his name was Steve. So technically, he didn't lie about who he was." She pointed out. "Well, he wasn't totally honest about his job." I told her. "What did he say he did for a living?" She asked before finishing off her drink and gesturing to the bartender for another. "He told me he protected and served. Basically, he told me he was a cop." I scoffed. "That's an obvious lie."
"Jolene, he did not tell you he was a cop, you assumed that. He was giving you the clues to figure it out yourself. Do you watch the news? Read the newspaper? Anything?" She asked me. "No." I shrugged my shoulders before looking over at her. "That's not his fault." She shook her head before letting out a chuckle. "He's a well known man. All of his laundry has been aired for so long he probably figured you'd figure it all out on your own if you hadn't already." The bartender sat her new drink down and she picked it up, taking a sip before speaking again, "There is one thing I've noticed about Steve in my time working with him. He doesn't lie, he's a very truthful man. So as much as you hate him for not coming out with the facts up front, he's probably hating himself just as much if not more." She shrugged her shoulders before looking around the room again and stopping when her eyes caught something. "There had to have been a reason he omitted them, be it for his own personal reasons or for your safety, it had to have been something that seemed logical to him in the moment." "He said it was for selfish reasons," I answered her. "Well, just know he's kicking himself right now." She added, "He standing over there," she gestured with a tilt of her head, "looking like a scolded puppy. It's obvious he's as distraught over this as you are." I looked over my shoulder, seeing him in fact, standing in a corner, surrounded by people who were talking animatedly with laughs and smiles, while Steve looked down at his drink, swirling it around and ignoring the world. My eyes stayed on him, watching him and letting the ache in my heart take hold. He looked up, his eyes locking with mine and allowing me to read into his soul like they always had. He was distraught like Natasha had said, full of heartache and remorse for what he had done, but just beyond that lay the wanting that had been there since our first night, that same look of secret adoration that he had when he said goodnight after walking me home. I dropped my gaze, the ache in my heart growing to be too much to handle. "You can see it, can't you?" Natasha said as she leaned back in her chair. I nodded, giving her a grin and I could feel the tears beginning to brim in my eyes. "It's just hard to have something feel so real and then have it ripped away in a moment. How do you fix a relationship when they've broken your trust?" I said, looking up at the ceiling trying to fight against the pain and tears.
"I can't really answer that for you. I understand that feeling of betrayal more than you know," She said with a shake of her head. "Do you know the big green guy?" I nodded, "Banner is a good man, heart of gold that one has, I fell for him...and then he just...disappeared. He knew how I felt and he just ran." My already aching heart broke for her as she looked absent-mindedly off in the distance as she spoke before looking back at me. "But I can honestly tell you, if and when he comes back, yes I'll be extremely mad at him, and I'll make sure he knows it, but I'd give him the chance to make it up to me." She gave me a weak smile before taking a sip of her drink and looking back at me, "We love who we love, it sucks, but the heart wants what it wants." "You can say that again." I smiled back at her before finishing off my drink. "Let's get drunk." Natasha said, giving me a devious grin, "And I'm looking at something that would do just that for us." I followed her line of sight to see the flask Thor had been sipping on earlier. "He said.." I began before being cut off. "Oh screw what he said." She said, leaning over me and grabbing the flask. "Cheers to getting over this pain," She said, opening the flask and lifting it up a little bit before placing it to her lips and taking a sip. She pulled back with a frightful expression on her face before handing me the flask. "Oh my god that is potent as hell." I shrugged my shoulders before taking a sip myself. The liquid was cool which was surprising since I had seen it was housed against Thor's body which should have surely warmed it. Natasha was in fact correct, it was very strong and I could feel the burn of the liquid as it made its way through my body. "Oh no ladies," Thor's voice boomed as he grabbed the flask from my hand, which earned a laugh from Natasha, making me giggle as well. Tony's live entertainment had left, being replaced with a DJ, Natasha gave me a smile before grabbing my hand and tugging me through the crowded space to the dance floor, where we stayed for what seemed like the rest of the night.