All characters from Marvel belong to Disney as well as all characters from Twilight belong to Stephanie Meyer. I own nothing except my version of events.

A/N: Oops. I got caught up in words again and ended making a lot of last minute changes to this chapter lol It took me a while to edit so I'm sorry I'm uploading it later in the day.

By the way did you guys enjoy my Marcus from the last chapter? I wanted to make him a silent observer this time around instead of a tortured soul. I couldn't help myself, I just love me some Marcus.

Chapter 15 Words Wield Power

"I still can't believe this is happening." My dad murmured absentmindedly for the hundredth time this morning, sounding completely overjoyed as he toggled the holoscreen in front of him.

I giggled at his expression. It had been a couple of days since I'd announced I wanted to expose my identity to the world and accept my position as a new Avenger. I was feeling both excited and terrified. "Well believe it old man because it's happening." I responded as I watched him coordinating the announcement. He was going all out, making a celebration out of the whole thing. We were planning the reveal in two-week's time, on September 13, which also happened to be my birthday. I'd chosen that day specifically, thinking it was kismet.

He turned to me with a bright smile, "I know." He hadn't stopped smiling since I'd told him. When we'd arrived from Volterra he wouldn't sleep until he could ambush Pepper with the news. She in turn had cried as she watched my dad's elated expression. It made me happier than I ever thought it would, but underneath all of the excitement I was devastated. Catching the shift in my eyes his current expression sobered up as he tentatively asked me the one thing I wished he wouldn't. "Is Steve handling it any better?" He asked, with a worried tinge to his voice.

Why did he have to ruin our morning like that? It's been a sore topic, one I loathed talking about. "The same. Except now he's made a remix, adding more reasons for me not to join. Apparently now that Pietro and Wanda are joining there's no need for me anymore... I should just leave it to you guys who have more experience and he instead encouraged me to focus on the business, to focus my energy on something I already know." I said angrily and I was angry. This was the first fight Steve and I have had and it was a pretty big one.

After we'd arrived from Volterra we didn't say a word to each other. I think we both knew if we did it would inevitably lead to a fight and we just wanted a peaceful sleep together, to be in each other's arms and be thankful for the successful outcome of the Volturi confrontation. The day after that however had been a nightmare. We had fought, a lot. He just couldn't get past the idea of me putting myself in danger. Meanwhile, all I wanted was his support, and to find that he felt like I was doing something wrong disappointed me more than anything ever could. It was like he didn't believe in me, like he didn't believe that I was capable of being more than just a worker bee at my dad's company. Ever since then, things have been tense and I've made it a point to avoid him as much as I possible.

Dad's eyebrows raised to his hairline. "I know he wasn't happy about your decision but I didn't expect him to say that. It's rather… insulting."

I huffed out a breath, dropping my head on the table in front of me. "It is... The only other person I needed to believe in me, other than you, was him… and he doesn't… and it hurts." I admitted openly. I knew my dad would understand, he always did, and he also knew how I would lash out. We both didn't handle being hurt from our loved ones very well, always resorting to anger first and making things harder.

I could hear my dad's footsteps as he approached, he pulled my head gently off of the table as he leaned on the desk in front of me, tilting my chin up to look at him. "You know he doesn't mean it like that. He's just worried you'll get hurt."

"If that's the reason, then how come you're not worried?" I reasoned.

He released a low breath as he thought about what he was going to say next. "I am worried, Bella. You're my only daughter and losing you would break me, but I've seen how hard you've trained over the years and how powerful you've become. I know you can protect yourself better than I can. I worry you'll get hurt but I also know how much good you would do in the world, Marcus was right, you are like no other. There is absolutely no one that would ever equal to you. You're brave, strong, determined, caring and loving. You would bring so much to the team and not just with your powers. I have to admit most of the Avengers are more analytical and calculating with our moves, Steve remains our biggest source of morality but even he has become jaded. Yes we want to save people and our world but sometimes we get lost in the whirlwind of fights after fights. We need to bring someone new into the mix, someone that can keep us morally conscious with every decision we make that could affect the world as we know it. We need you, Bella, and maybe with time Steve will see that too."

I have to admit, his words blurred my vision with love filled tears. I swallowed the lump in my throat, "Thank you, dad." I squeezed out, absorbing his beautiful words. If only I could have Steve say the same thing about me, but he wasn't. It was irate just thinking about it again. "So how much time am I supposed to wait for? Because I'm not exactly patient."

"He'll get over it, Bella. He won't be happy about it for a while but like I said, just give him time. You have to acknowledge what a big change this is for him, not to mention that after all of these years of loving you from afar he finally has you and now you're running straight into danger. He's terrified of losing you. The only other woman he's ever loved was Peggy and he lost her before they could ever be anything. He's terrified that history will repeat itself."

I looked up at my dad in slight surprise, I have to admit I tend to forget my father is a lot more observant than I give him credit for, especially when it relates to me. I reflected on his words. He was right of course but it still hurt. "I get it, I do, but it still doesn't make any sense. How is it right for him to put his life on the line every time he goes off on missions but it's not ok for me to do it now? It's a double standard... What? Does he just expect me to stay home, work at Stark Industries Monday through Friday from 8-5 and that's it? To let my powers slowly die inside of me? To keep me hidden from the worlds just so I'll be safe? No, Dad, It's stupid." I argued back.

"You know that's not what I'm saying. I don't agree with him but I do know that it'll take time for him to adjust. All I'm telling you to be is patient."

I huffed but didn't say more. I was growing incredibly irritated and I didn't want to take this pent up anger out on him. "I forgot to ask, is two weeks enough time for you to coordinate the conference, the party AND Pietro, Wanda, and I's new Avenger suits? It seems like a lot and I don't want you to run ragged." I said, voicing my concern. I was worried we were asking too much of him, of course it was of his own doing. Pepper had offered to help but he said he wanted to take point. He relinquished control concerning the press over to her since it was her specialty but other than that he refused any more help, stating that his children were all going to join the Avengers and it was his responsibility to make sure it lived up to everyone's expectations. It had been a happy surprise hearing Wanda and Pietro declare their wish to become members along with me. My dad had been absolutely elated with the news... and so was Steve... ugh, let's not get into that again. I had to admit I was kind of stunned by my dad's quick acceptance of Wanda and Pietro's offer, but I was more stunned by Pietro's desire to become a permanent part of us. I clearly hadn't seen that part coming.

He was so deep into SHIELD that I never thought he would ever want to join us. He was still willing to go on a SHIELD mission here and there if they ever needed him but he wanted to settle and spend more time with the family. Just like me, he'd had a revelation during our battle with the Volturi. He'd missed the family and he'd finally felt complete fighting alongside us, but he also wanted a chance at a life. He'd finally come to understand it wasn't ok for him to continue to sacrifice his wants and needs for the greater good and even though he didn't regret it, he knew that in a way he had been punishing himself. It was survivor's guilt, guilt that he'd escaped Hydra labs and given a second chance at life by SHIELD. Even though they hadn't been able to give them a normal life, at least not a life that children like Wanda and he deserved but I had to admit they did the best they could under the circumstances. Which was why Fury had released them from SHIELD when I'd first met them. It explained so much now: why it had been Fury's idea initially, how easily he released them from their SHIELD contracts, why my dad had welcomed them happily into our makeshift family. He must have known all along. Not that any of it mattered now. I was happy with the outcome of their decisions. I was more than willing to share the spotlight with Pietro and Wanda. If anything I was thankful I wasn't going to have to do it alone.

He scoffed, "Oh please, I can do all of that in my sleep. Plus I kind of already had some ideas for your suits but I am going to need you guys to come up with superhero names. I realize how lame that sounds now that I've said it aloud but we all have them and you guys will be expected to do the same by the public. Also, that would help me as to what direction to go with your suits, to have those themes somehow woven into your suits."

I dropped my head back onto the desk, "Ugh! That sounds like so much work. I have no idea of what name to use. Why can't we just go with Bella and hope for the best? Superhero names are kind of dumb." I declared.

"Hey! Iron Man is iconic!" Dad protested childishly.

I giggled again as I raised my head to look at him. "You don't even use iron in your suits." I quipped. His eyes narrowed, making me laugh even more. "I kid, dad." I finally said, standing up and releasing a tired huff as I stood up. "Alright, I gotta head out. I'm going back home to drop out of school and pack up some of my things. I'll be a couple of days but I'll think about a name while I'm gone and I'll pass on the message to Wanda and Pietro. I'll call you when I figure it out but let me know if you need me sooner."

"Will do, sweetheart."

I bent down to kiss his cheek and walked out of his work space, heading to twins floor. I figured Emmett and Wanda would want to come seeing how they would need to do the same as I.

The elevator dinged and I walked to their apartment and into their space like I owned the place. I found Pietro sitting on the couch watching TV, or at least pretending to, but his eyes were seeing right through the screen. I crossed my arms over my chest as I observed him, he hadn't even noticed my presence yet. His left leg bounced at an inhuman speed and I decided to interrupt him before he managed to create a hole down to the floor underneath.

"It's hard to get used to, isn't it?" I asked loud enough for him to hear.

His leg stopped it's movements in an instant as he blinked away from the screen, looking in my direction as his eyes focused on me. "What is?" He asked, pretending to not know what I meant.

I rolled my eyes as walked over to him, sitting next to him on the couch and holding on to his hand. "Trying to be somewhat normal and attempting to have a life. You're not used to being in one place for too long, you're anxious to get back out there." I determined.

He huffed, unhappy with my conclusion. "How the hell do you know me so well?" He asked me. I could hear the disbelief in his voice but as I looked at his face he was looking down at me with love and happiness, like he was happy that I knew him well enough to know that he was struggling and why.

"Did you forget we dated for like three years?"

He smiled sadly at me. "I could never forget that, Bella. It was the happiest time of my life." I frowned at his words, he sounded so… wistful. "I'm about to admit something to you but I need you to promise not to think about it more deeply after today."

"What do you mean?"

He turned his body to face me, lifting his right thigh to place on the couch and he grabbed both of my hands before speaking. "I'm sorry for what I did."

I frowned deeper at his apology, completely confused by it all. "You didn't do anything." I reassured him.

He shook his head with a sad smile tugging on his lips, "Yes I did. The way I went about things, it wasn't fair to you. I took you for granted. I just abandoned you and expected you to always be there waiting for me but in my own way what I was really doing was pushing you away. Pushing away the happiness that you so willingly gave me. I've regretted it ever since, but I was so young and full of pain at the time. You pulled me out of that pain at the beginning, you were so loving and caring, but I ended up throwing your love back in your face without a care because I thought going out on missions was more important… but it wasn't. You were more important, you always were. I loved you Bella, and it pains me to know that it was because of me that we're not together anymore."

I blinked back the tears, "Petey…" I started, but he cut me off.

"I'm pretty sure I'm still in love with you, and I know I always will... but I'm not trying to get you back, Bella. I know how happy you are with Steve and I'm happy that you found love again. I couldn't imagine a better man worthy enough for you than Steve… he is Captain America after all." He said with a teasing smile, but quickly sobered up again trying to rein in his conflicting emotions. "I'm only telling you this because I felt like I needed to apologize, and I just felt like I needed to somehow let it all out in the open. I've been keeping that in for so long and it felt like it was about to explode out of me if I didn't."

I let go of his hands and I wrapped him up in a hug, "I love you too, Petey, I know its different now but you're always going to be in my heart. Things didn't work out between us, at least not the way we'd both wanted, but I know someday you'll find someone to love. Someone that will help you heal more than I ever could." I said, nuzzling my face into his neck. I could hear him breathing me in, his arms tightening around me like he never wanted to let go. It was bittersweet but we weren't meant to be together in the end because what I felt for Steve could never be trumped by anyone else.

He pulled away with a sad smile and I could see he was a little misty eyed. He reined in his emotions as he saw my tear streaked face and he lifted his hands up to wipe my tears with his thumbs. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry. I have a feeling you didn't come here for a heart-to-heart with me." He chuckled lightly to dissipate the heavy atmosphere surrounding us. "So what's up?" He asked instead.

I giggled, sniffling back more tears. "Uh," I started, shaking my head to get rid of the sadness and tears. "I was coming to see if you guys wanted to go back home with me. I have to quit school and pack some stuff, maybe get out of here for a while before we have to permanently live here."

He frowned down at me as I spoke and I knew he'd caught the undertone of sadness in my voice along with the almost desperate need I had to get away. "Sure but what's wrong? You don't sound too happy about it."

I huffed as I dropped my head back on the couch. "Nothing… I'm fighting with Steve and I just need to get out of here." I admitted.

He hummed quietly, "Is it intrusive if I ask about what?"

"No... Let's just say that Steve isn't exactly thrilled with the idea of me joining the Avengers."

"Ah." He said, concluding what the problem was. I mean it wasn't that hard to figure out. "I get it, I guess… but you're fucking badass Bella. What you did in Volterra, it saved us all. That would have been a hard battle to beat without you by our side. I mean, we may not have all gotten out alive. I'm positive we would have had some casualties. What we all saw you do that day... well, you are more than capable of taking care of yourself... and us."

"Exactly!" I exclaimed, lifting my hands up in the air and dropping them angrily on my lap. "But I guess Steve doesn't see it that way." I concluded sadly.

He grasped onto my hand and squeezed, "He will, B, just give him time."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "That's what my dad said… is this some sort of man code? Coming to each other's defense? Needing time to adjust to changes? Wanting to keep your significant other hidden under a rock so they won't get hurt? Because it's kind of ridiculous, even out in the 'normal world' I could get hit by a bus tomorrow and die."

He chuckled at my expression. "That's a lot you just threw out there but nothing is really a man thing. I mean, I just kind of put myself in his shoes and I could see why he wouldn't want you to join the Avengers. Everyone needs time to adjust to changes and I think you getting hurt is everyone's concern, not just Steve's, but we also know we can't control you and so does he… I'm assuming he told you he doesn't agree but not once did he order you NOT to do it, right?" He asked.

I started to glare this time, "Why are you trying to make sense right now? I'm mad at him and that's final." I grumbled.

He chuckled at me and nodded in understanding. "And you have every right to feel that way." He said, trying to placate me.

Realizing I was trying to release my anger on him, like I had been tempted to do with my father earlier, I changed the direction of our conversation abruptly. "Let's get Wanda and Emmett, see if they want to come with." Being in a fight with Steve made me feel unstable and I hated it, but I wasn't about to relent or pretend like what he'd said was ok.

We both stood up heading to their room but it opened and they both stepped out.

"We're ready whenever you are." Emmett declared. "I can drive."

I laughed as he let go of Wanda and threw his arms over my shoulders, lightly squeezing me into his side as we walked out of the apartment. I know he was trying to comfort me after he'd heard Pietro and I's conversation. He knew I wasn't feeling too great right now with what was going on with Steve.

We headed up to the roof, knowing we'd need a large form of transportation if we wanted to transport the large amounts of boxes containing our belongings. The hanger to the Quinjet opened and we all stepped in, Emmett going straight to the controls.

I blinked in surprise as I watched him flip switches, turning the aircraft on like he'd been flying it all his life. "Uh, Emmett, how do you know how to fly this thing?" I asked.

He turned to look at me with a childish smile, his dimples appearing on his cheeks. "Vampire memory, I watched Clint do it on our trip to Volterra and back home."

"That's amazing." Pietro said, "You know Emmett, sometimes I forget you're a vampire." He admitted.

I laughed. "So just watching them do it twice you remember?" I asked.

"Watching him do it once, I remember." He corrected.

Wanda spoke up then. "Uh, Bella, if you didn't know that Emmett could fly this thing… then who did you expect would?" She asked curiously.

That was a good question. I could attribute my moment of idiocy on my conflicting emotions that made my brain just a scramble of thoughts, most of them focusing on Steve. It was annoying. "I don't know. I figured Jarvis could fly us there. You can, right J?" I asked into thin air.

"Yes of course, Miss Bella." He declared through the speakers of the aircraft.

"See?" I said aloud, I wasn't completely lost right now… or at least I didn't want to appear to be.

"Cool" She said then absentmindedly added, "and where's Steve? He's always around to say goodbye whenever we leave or to join us whenever he can."

I shrugged my shoulders in fake indifference. "I don't know."

She frowned at me in worry, sensing something was wrong. I belatedly realized Emmett hadn't said anything to her while I spoke to Pietro earlier. "Does he even know we're leaving?" She asked.

"I don't know."

"Bella, you should—"

"Babe!" Emmett exclaimed from the cockpit, already lifting us into the air. "Let it go." He said sternly.

She huffed in aggravation, she looked like she was going to argue but Pietro gave her a withering look. She snapped her mouth shut, not saying another word but I could tell she wasn't happy about it. Join the club, I thought sarcastically.

We flew back home, mostly in silence. Pietro and Emmett breaking the silence every once in a while when the tension became too much to bear. Wanda and I were too upset to pretend like nothing was wrong. She continuously threw angry glances my way throughout the flight but I ignored her.

As soon as we landed in my home I alerted them I was leaving for the Dartmouth admissions office. I knew Wanda needed to go too but I didn't want her to share her disapproving thoughts on my recent behavior on the drive there, so I left without her. She could go with Emmett later. Pietro sidled up next to me, silently communicating he was going with me. I appreciated his silent support and said nothing as we both slipped inside. He picked the music in the car but other than that he said nothing else, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I knew it was wrong to leave without letting Steve know, but my dad knew and I figured if Steve really wanted to know where I was then he could just ask him. I was just so… hurt, and just like my father I was masking my hurt with anger. It was a failsafe, something to easily do to protect ourselves from further pain.

Dropping out of school was a lot easier than I thought it would be, all I had to do was sign some papers and I was off. Out of courtesy I emailed my professors and thanked them for the help since starting my MBA last year and wished them all the best. On the drive back I was able to relax a little and finally engaged Pietro in conversation, feeling slighly free now that at least one thing had been successfully taken care of. He was just as I remembered, completely open and honest, teasing me whenever he could and I quickly realized how much I'd missed him over the years. I was glad he was back permanently. We had the chance to rebuild our friendship, something we should have done a long time ago. When we arrived home Emmett and Wanda were nowhere in sight.

"Need help packing?" He asked.

I nodded happily, ordering him to get the boxes from the jet and he went without complaint. I threw all the clothes I wanted to take on the floor of my closet and I could see Pietro leaning on the door frame silently watching me. I left him in my closet ordering him to pack those while I packed some things from my bedroom but I became distracted pretty quickly.

I jumped, hearing Pietro's irritated voice. "Stop." He ordered me this time.

I turned to look at him, surprised to see him sitting on my bed watching me. I wasn't quite sure how long he'd been there.

"Stop what?"

"Stop packing and take a break."

"I don't need a break."

He walked over to me to make sure I couldn't avoid eye contact. "Yes you do. You've repacked that same box four times already and you're practically vibrating with energy, I could feel it from the closet."

I raised an eyebrow in question, "Are you serious? Because I didn't do it on purpose. I actually didn't know I could do that."

He rolled his eyes and huffed, "Stop deflecting. We're not starting a discussion on your powers right now. We're discussing your emotional well-being and you're not ok right now. Go take a break, settle your mind and I'll finish your closet. Tomorrow you can worry about the rest." He advised.

I hated to agree with him but he was right, I needed to just relax and sit with my thoughts. I could think about my powers another time when I wasn't so high strung. I moved forward, placing my forehead on his shoulder. "Thanks."

He leaned his temple on my head and hugged me. "Not a problem." He murmured. "You know it'll work out Bella. Steve can't live without you and I'm sure when he manages to pull his head out of his own ass he'll come crawling back begging for your forgiveness" He chuckled lightly, "but when he does be honest about your feelings. Let him know what's really going on in that pretty little head of yours and don't hide your hurt behind your anger. Tell him what you really feel and why, it's the only way to move on from this." He advised.

I giggled slightly at his words, "Since when did you become so wise?" I asked, pulling away from him.

He looked down at me with a sad smile. "Since I've recently reflected on my past misdeeds and chose to learn from my own mistakes. I want you to do the same." He said quietly. I nodded in understanding, he was trying to help me. To prevent me from making the same mistakes he had. "Go hide in your cocoon." He teased, releasing me from his hold.

I smiled and nodded, heading straight to my study room the one place that would guarantee me comfort and I instantly fell asleep.

When I woke up I was slightly disoriented. I didn't know how long I'd been here but it was dusk now and I could see the light of the sun barely peeking over the trees in front of my window. I was sad, really sad. I really wanted to be in Steve's arms right now, watching the beautiful scenery before me. To see the myriad of colors as the sun moved to shine on the other side of the world.

Time passed until suddenly I could feel Steve's energy delicately sliding over my skin. I wasn't quite sure how I knew it was him but I was 100% of the fact. But instead of lighting up at his presence I shut down, continuing to stare out of the window in front of me. I didn't know if he would be angry or what he would say first. I heard his careful steps as he neared until he was standing right in front of me, blocking my view. I begrudgingly looked up at him.

"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?" He asked with a firm voice, but as I looked at him he looked completely unsettled. Nothing like his usual composure.

I shrugged my shoulders trying to show him my indifference. "Because I don't have to tell you everything I do... What for? You'll probably just disapprove anyway." I said rather bitterly, throwing my legs out of my cocoon and walking away from him to stand in front of the window, not bothering to look at him.

"Bella…" He started but I could see he wasn't quite sure how to handle me right now. He could tell I was closing myself off from him, he wasn't expecting that. I was usually good with expressing my thoughts and feelings when I needed to but this time he'd hurt me deeply and I couldn't bring myself to admit it. We had fought but we were both incredibly angry at the time so neither of us bothered with tact. This time around I could tell he was more weary than angry, he was missing me and he wasn't handling it very well. Neither was I but apparently I was better at hiding it than he was.

He neared me again, trying to reach over to make physical contact but I moved again not wanting him to touch me. I knew if he did I would break, my emotions were already so close to the surface, even while I did everything I could to push them down. I headed over to the lounger behind me. From the corner of my eye I could see how tense his body had become after my rejection. I felt slightly guilty and I couldn't help myself as my eyes swiveled up connecting to his baby blue eyes but I quickly diverted them back to the floor when I felt my sadness starting to pour out of me and trying to slide into his. He froze as he watched me, having seen enough from my eyes to alert him of my pain because his hands instantly tightened into fists.

I couldn't bear it. I lifted my legs up, hugging them up to my chest trying to protect myself in any way that I could and hiding my face behind my knees.

A silent moment passed before I felt him kneel in front of me. I was feeling incredibly vulnerable right now, knowing his following reaction would determine my happiness. It was slightly terrifying, and suddenly all I wanted to do was to throw myself into his arms. To give him whatever he wanted just so we could erase our fight and the silence between us that followed afterwards, but I couldn't, this was too important.

He dropped his forehead on the other side of my knees and he grasped onto my ankles. "I hurt you." He said quietly with so much pain and regret weaved into his voice. He wasn't wrong and I wasn't going to tell him otherwise. I lifted my head up, peeking over my knees. He lifted his own head up when he felt me move, sliding his fingers into my hair, cupping my cheeks and caressing me with his thumbs. "But I'm not sure how. Will you tell me?" He asked quietly.

Pietro's earlier words slipped into my turbulent mind. He was right, I needed to express myself, to let Steve know how he'd hurt me. I lifted my head up completely and bit my lip, not really sure how to express myself properly but decided to just let the words flow out me. "You said I should keep my head in the business, that I didn't know what I was getting myself into and I should stick to what I know. You brushed me off. You treated me like I was some impulsive teenage girl when you know how long it took for me to come to this decision. It was both terrifying and thrilling at the same time and you were supposed to be there for me to support me, to be there for me on this new journey I'm embarking on… but you weren't." I finally said aloud.

He sighed sadly, looking away and breaking eye contact with me. "You're right, I did, but it's only because I worry about you."

"That's the thing Steve, you're always worried about me. How are we supposed to be equal partners in this relationship when you think I'm weaker than you? That I need you to protect me because I'm younger and I don't know any better."

He shook his head, turning back to look at me. "That's not it, Bella." He said frowning. "I know you're not weak, Sunshine, you're the complete opposite. It's what I love about you the most. You're ability to remain strong even during the hardest of times is awe inspiring… it's just that… I'm terrified of losing you. I never thought I would ever love anyone again, and then you appeared. At first it broke me to not be able to love you the way I wanted to, but now that I have you it's like I have this desperate need to make sure you don't slip through my fingers. I love you so much, Bella, so much that I can't even bear it sometimes. I can't lose you, Sunshine, my world would fall apart without you."

Dam, that was sweet, and also slightly dark. I didn't expect him to be so pessimistic on his view of life. I cupped his face in my hands, tenderly but firmly. "I get it, Steve. You think I don't worry every time you leave for a mission? That I don't stay up at night worrying about you and wondering if you're ok? The idea of you getting hurt or you not coming back at all terrifies me, but I believe in you Steve. I believe that you're brave and strong and that you'll do everything in your power to come back to me… I have trust that you'll come back to me and that's all I can really do because I would never ask you to stop. It has never once crossed my mind. Your job is important, you save lives just like my father does and just like our family does and there is nothing in this world that would make me want to change that." I shook my head, trying to communicate vital information. I needed him to believe in me because or else we would never work. "I need you, Steve, but need you in more ways than one. I need your love, I need your support, I need your trust, but most importantly I need you to believe in me. If you don't... then I don't know if..." I closed my eyes tightly, not wanting to finish the end of that sentence.

His eyes widened as he mentally finished what I couldn't say out loud. He leaned forward and gently pressed his lips into mine, he didn't go any deeper as he pulled away enough to press his forehead against mine. "I do believe in you, Bella, more than I believe in anything in this world. I'm sorry I didn't say it from the start but I'll always be there for you and I will be there with you every step of the way. I promise." He vowed.

I smiled lovingly soaking his words into my being. It's what I wished to hear from him from the start. "I love you, Steve." I whispered.

His whole body froze and he pulled away from me but kept his face within inches of my own. His eyes were shifting erratically between each of mine as if he were searching for the answer to his existence. "What did you just say?" He asked, his hands slightly tightening on my face.

I giggled at his expression, "I love you, Steve, more than anything in this world. I have always loved you, even when we were just friends… I just didn't know it at the time. When we first got together I wanted to tell you then but I knew you wouldn't believe me, you said as much, but it's the truth. I love you, Steve, I love you with every fiber of my being." I declared.

He remained frozen in place, looking shocked but as my words slowly registered into his thick skull he broke out into the happiest smile I had ever seen. Like his world had just burst into a million colors and it was all because of me. He smashed his mouth down onto mine, kissing me so fiercely it made me lose my breath. He pulled away from my mouth an inch away just to say, "I love you, Bella." I breathed in his love and I reciprocated the kiss, melting into him like I wanted us to become one.

He lifted me out of my chair, cradling me in his arms. He walked out of my study room and into my bedroom laying me down gently on the mattress. I watched him as he silently took his clothes off until he was bare before me. He was beautiful to look at, every inch of his body carved like a beautiful sculpture. He leaned down kissing me again and then he pulled my shirt over my head. He placed gentle kisses all along my chest, down to my stomach until he reached the button of my jeans. He unhooked them, sliding them down along with my undies and kissing my newly exposed skin as he went. I helped him by removing my bra. He ended with a kiss to my foot and then kneeled in between my legs, silently looking over my body.

"Steve." I whined, by hands balling into the sheets beneath me, desperately wanting him to continue to touch me.

His chest heaved in anticipation and he bit his lip as if he weren't quite sure where to start. I groaned at the action. I was sure if he had the ability to, he would consume my body all at once. He deliberated for some until I could see him coming to a final decision. He leaned down lifting my legs over his shoulders and wasted no more time licking me from my entrance all the way to my clit and sucking it into his mouth. I arched my back completely off the mattress, grasping onto the pillow underneath my head. He swirled his tongue over my sensitive bud and I melted back onto the mattress, undulating my body, matching the movement of his tongue. He devoured me like I was the tastiest morsel on the planet. I loved it when he did that, it made me feel so loved and wanted. He moaned at my taste and the vibrations flowing out of his mouth sent chills up my spine. I thought I couldn't reach new heights of pleasure until he pushed two fingers inside of me. He pumped them hard into me and I screamed out, feeling my orgasm near but his tongue was gentle on my clit. A complete contrast to his fingers and I lifted my hips up to push myself further into his mouth.

"Steve." I moaned again.

Hearing the desperate need in my voice he went from gentle to fierce, my hand moved into his hair unconsciously and I lost it. My orgasms hitting me like a freight train. I pushed his face into me as hard as I could evaporated into the thrill running over my body.

Slowly my body and mind came back from the high heavens and I felt his slow gentle kisses run up along my stomach, kissing each of my nipples delicately before he reached my face. He blanketed me with his body as he looked down at me with a smile.

"Tell me again." He begged.

I kissed him lightly and smiled, "I love you, Steve."

He pushed roughly into me as soon as those words left my mouth, we both groaned at the action. He looked at me with a completely mesmerized expression, "I was right… It was worth the wait." He declared, starting to move slowly in and out of me. It felt so good, so right. Feeling his love surrounding me was like nothing I could ever dream of, I could only hope I was doing the same for him. I cupped his face, pulling him closer, trapping him in a kiss. One of his hands slipped down my throat, going lower, tracing the side of my breast. He continued his gentle touch gliding over my hips until he reached the back of my thigh and lifted it to hook it over his hip. He moaned as the action made him slip further into me.

"Bella." He whispered, dropping his forehead down to mine, "I need…" He tried to say but he couldn't finish as he groaned and his body began to tense in my arms. I automatically knew what he wanted from me.

I cupped his face, caressing his bottom lip with my thumb. He kissed it reverently as his eyes penetrated mine. "I love you, Steve, I love you so much… Come with me baby, please come with me." I begged, already feeling the stirring in my lower belly.

He groaned, tensing even further before finally releasing into me. I let go as I felt him get impossibly harder, soaring high in the skies alongside him, embracing him tightly as our bodies continued to move in tandem.

I needed this, I needed him. Being connected with Steve both emotionally and physically had finally settled my mind and I finally felt like myself again. Like everything was right in the world once again.

Slowly our bodies relaxed and our harsh breathing mingled together. We were both covered in a light sheen of sweat.

"That was…" He tried to say, but I could tell he wasn't quite sure what word to use to express what had just happened. I smiled and nodded, not needing him to have a word to express how he felt when I had experienced it myself. He looked into my eyes, penetrating straight into my soul. "I love you, Bella."

"I love you, Steve." I declared happily. I knew this wasn't going to be the last fight we would have to endure but if our make up's ended like this, then I guess they would all be worthwhile.