Steve met Shuri in the lab after Jane had gone with Okoye to the gym and he had a shower and put on some fresh clothes. She was happy to see him and gave him a quick hug.
"What have I missed?" he asked her.
"What haven't you missed?" she teased.
He chuckled. "She's changed again."
"More than just her looks," started Shuri, "long story short, her body heals very fast, perhaps even faster than yours, she's showing higher than normal strength, stamina and speed. She's learning at an unprecedented rate and we're running out of ways to keep up with her in every way."
At the words, 'heals very fast' Steve's eyes instinctively shot to the light table, the surface strewn with various scans after Jane's encounter with Ayo. Shuri had been studying them.
"How do you know that her healing is accelerated?" He asked, moving closer to the table.
"There was an incident, the one we spoke about briefly when I told you she was unconscious." Offered Shuri.
"Yes, but you never told me why." His eyes shot to Shuri.
"We thought it would be best not to upset you while you were working." Defended Shuri.
"I'm here now, so tell me what happened."
"You have to promise me that you won't do anything rash." She half pleaded.
He raised his eyebrows at her. He wasn't playing this game.
"After the first week that we started her training, she was scheduled to start the more rigorous combat training with the Dora Milaje, she had learned and gained strength in a week what takes other trainees three months to master physically and mentally."
Steve's eyebrows twitched slightly, but the sternness did not subside. He gave a small nod, prompting her to continue.
"Okoye was called out of the gym and Jane was left with Ayo."
Realisation dawned on Steve as he looked back at the scans.
"How bad was it?" He asked darkly.
"She had multiple contusions, some broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder, a skull fracture and a cracked jaw." Shuri relayed nervously.
Steve's jaw clenched as anger boiled in his veins.
Shuri quickly moved around the large metal table and opened her laptop.
"Look. She went back to face her as soon as she was healed."
Steve walked over to where Shuri was standing and watched the video play on the screen. It was security footage of the gym on the day Jane went back to face Ayo.
He watched as Jane walked in and the Dora Milaje surrounded the sparring mat, as Ayo asked if she was back from the dead and eventually, as Jane blocked Ayo's every move to attack, not letting herself be intimidated.
He felt a deep sense of empathy for her, as well as pride. He also felt anger. Ayo was just another bully.
"Where is she?" he asked Shuri when the video ended, his voice still tight.
"Ayo? She was sent on a mission and she is yet to return," said Shuri.
"How are the sessions with Dr Leloka going?" he asked.
"We've decided to do a psych evaluation on Jane later this week. The doctor's schedule is so full that she hasn't been able to get here." Replied Shuri.
"What's happening with the box?" he asked.
"We'll have to go to it. The South Africans don't want to let it go, they feel that my brothers' interest warrants it to stay there."
"Is he back, your brother?"
"He should be back tomorrow."
"Do we know when we're going to the box?" asked Steve.
"Not yet." Replied Shuri.
He turned to leave.
"What, no more questions?" teased Shuri.
It was just after 17:00 when Jane walked out of the gym. Okoye had increased all her sets and weights markedly and she felt it. Sweat glistened on her skin. She was desperate for a shower. Dog had come to find her in the gym halfway through her workout and had a nap not far from her while she worked. He trotted beside her as she walked to her room and collapsed on his blanket while she had a shower. She picked an outfit from her cupboard that was a little nicer than she normally wore, knowing that she would see Steve at dinner.
She pulled on the skinny jeans and the vintage style, slate blue blouse. It tied around her neck, leaving a big loose bow resting on her chest. She dried her hair and let it fall in loose curls over her shoulders. Slipping on a pair of pumps, she motioned for Dog to follow her, and he got up, stretching into a bow as if in approval of her outfit before he ambled past her into the hall.
The two were halfway to the cafeteria when Steve emerged from his room. Dog stopped and turned at the sound and Jane looked around.
She smiled and began walking towards him, Dog staying just behind her. They met halfway.
"Who's your new friend." Asked Steve, watching as Dog peered around Jane's legs at him.
"This is Dog. He is living here now." Jane cupped her hand around her mouth as if she was imparting a secret and said in a hushed tone "I think he likes the food."
"You're calling him 'Dog'?" asked Steve.
"Until I can find a name that suits him." She answered.
Steve's eyes took in the mid-sized animal. He had long gangly legs and a lean body that reminded him of an Italian Greyhound, but with nowhere near as much sleek finesse. His back roached a little toward his backside and his tail looked like it was stuck on at the wrong angle as it swooped in a loose curve to the left. His face was cute enough though. With his almost too-large ears pricked, looking at Steve, he had shallow wrinkles across his brow above intelligent, light brown eyes. His muzzle was black with a curved white line down the bridge of his nose.
Steve crouched, smiling to himself, and held out his hand, inviting the dog to come closer. Very reluctantly, shooting worried glances at Jane, he sniffed the air between himself and Steve and slowly closed the distance between them, until Steve could touch him.
He had a short ridge on his back which Steve scratched, Dog pulled a face, kicking his back foot at his chest. "He loves that," chuckled Jane.
Over dinner, Steve told Jane what Shuri had told him: "We are going to have to go to the box. The South Africans are not willing to part with it".
She was eager to know when they could leave. He told her that once she was a bit more advanced in her training, they could go and promised to help her.
Jane had plated up extra food that she kept sneaking under the table to Dog. People in the cafeteria were less than thrilled with the stray dog as a dinner guest.
"Is this all you've been feeding him?" asked Steve.
Jane looked up, a little taken aback. "What is wrong with this food?"
"Nothin', it's just that you get special food for dogs. I'll go and get some tomorrow."
Jane blushed, but got over herself quickly, jumping at the opportunity to leave the design institute.
"Please take me with you?" She pleaded.
"It's safer for you here." Steve placated.
Jane raised her eyebrows at him, her face saying 'really?' She knew that Shuri probably told him about what happened with Ayo.
He sighed and looked down at his empty plate.
"Steve, please, the last time I left, and I mean really left this place was when we went to the city with Shuri."
After a pause, he finally said: "Okay, fine, you can come with me."
A brilliant smile spread across her face, and Steve found himself unable to stop his own grin.
That evening they found a good movie on one of the networks and settled down to watch it together. Dog stretched out on the carpet. Just before Citizen Kane began to play, she looked at Steve.
"Is there anything else I should know about you?"
He felt his ears go warm. "I guess this is where I say that you can ask me whatever you want to know."
It was apparent that offering such an open invitation to his innermost thoughts made him feel uncomfortable.
Steve thought about it for a moment and realised that he would have to stray out from behind his walls if he wanted this connection with her. He hadn't realised just how much he missed her until he saw her again today and he couldn't deny that he wanted her to know him, all of him. Another part of him believed that it was better if he kept her at a distance, for her sake. His head had won this argument with his heart many times over since he last saw her, but his heart never quit.
He searched her eyes like they held his world together.
"Who told you... about me?" he asked.
"Hendrik."
"Of course he did." Muttered Steve.
Jane looked at him, puzzled. He took a deep breath. "Come with me, I want to show you something."
He got up from the couch, offering his hand to her. She looked at it and then at him before placing her hand in his, letting him support her as she got up. Electricity fired from where her skin touched his and he was burning all over, his heart running away again. A half smile played across his features as he relished the feeling.
Jane felt a blush creep onto her cheeks as Steve's clear blue eyes held onto hers. She did not know or remember what she was feeling at that moment.
He reluctantly let go of her hand and showed her out of the room before falling into step with her toward Shuri's lab with Dog in tow.
"Where are we going." She asked as they walked.
"I want to introduce you to someone." He replied a little nervously.
Walking down the spiral ramp into Shuri's lab, Jane could see her busy around the man with one arm.
"You know this man?" She asked, intrigued, without taking her eyes off the scene.
"You can say that."
Shuri looked around as they approached.
"Ah, I'm glad you decided to bring her."
"Steve," came Bucky's voice.
"Buck." Steve returned his greeting.
"I've seen you before," he said, looking at Jane, straining at the memory. "You were hurt. Lying over there." He made a motion with his head in the direction of the bed where she laid when she was injured.
"I remember you too." Said Jane.
"Jane, I'd like you to meet my best friend, Bucky Barnes." Said Steve.
Jane's eyebrows shot up as she looked at Steve before her eyes darted to Bucky. A million question playing on her face.
She stretched out her right hand.
He took it and shook it gently.
"So, you are the White Wolf?" She asked.
"So you're Li liweyo." He answered.
They shared a knowing look.
"What's Li liweyo?" Interjected Steve.
Jane looked down, before answering. "It means 'forgotten one'."
Steve looked at her, a mix of disbelief and concern on his face.
"It is okay Steve, they are not wrong." She placated. "But if it's okay, I would prefer it if you knew me just as Jane."
"It is. If it's okay that you know me just as Steve," he replied.
Looking into his eyes she understood why he didn't want her to know about Captain America.
Bucky was shooting glances from one to the other, gaining an understanding of his own.
"Hey, Steve, what d'you say to a double date, for old time sake? You, Jane and Me and Shuri."
Steve felt his ears burning, looking at the ground. Shuri had walked over to where they were and was busy clicking on images projected in mid-air next to Bucky.
"Hey Shuri, what d'you say, you, me, Steve, Jane, dinner?"
Shuri snorted. "In your dreams white boy!"
Steve and Bucky shared a chuckle. Jane seemed confused.
"What is a double date?" She asked, her brow knotting into a frown.
Bucky looked at Steve with his eyebrows raised, "she couldn't be more perfect for you." Steve blushed and looked away.
Shuri closed the image she was working on and turned to face the three of them. "Okay, enough chit-chat, I have to get back to work, and you," she said to Jane while looking at Dog, "need to get that out of my lab."
"Good to see you, Buck." Said Steve.
"See you soon." He replied. "Nice to meet you, Jane."
"And you," she returned.
Walking back to the Lab lounge, Jane had a grin on her face.
"What?" asked Steve.
"Thank you for introducing me." She said. "I know he means a lot to you."
So do you - thought Steve.
"There are more people I want to introduce you to in the morning." He said.
She smiled at him, excitement and curiosity shining in her eyes.
Something changed between them in that moment. They carved a door in some invisible barrier and gave each other a visitors key. Steve felt a feeling of contentment beginning to well in his chest, something that he hadn't felt in a very long time.
Back in the doctor's lounge, they settled down to watch what was left of Citizen Kane.
As the movie played on, they shifted positions every now and then, drifting subconsciously closer to each other, until Steve noticed Jane's warmth soaking into his shirt. His body reacted to her proximity and his heart sprang into his throat.
She was tired from the long day and she found herself relishing in the warmth of Steve's closeness. His presence had lifted the vice that had been on her stomach and around her heart since he left. Being next to him made her feel very comfortable and her eyes began to feel heavy. Before long, she drifted off.
Her world shook with a gentle rocking as she felt arms around her. She nestled against the warmth and breathed in a familiar pleasant smell, sighing as she breathed out.
Steve was carrying her back to her room.
Dog was prancing around him, looking up at Jane in his arms, clearly concerned about her.
Steve looked down at her as he felt her curl into his chest. It felt like his hammering heart would wake her. His body was radiating heat. She sighed into his shirt and he nearly tripped over Dog.
He opened the door to her room and carefully carried her in, almost reluctantly putting her down gently on the bed.
He pulled the covers over her once he'd taken off her shoes and crouched next to her. Her hair had fallen over her face and he gently pushed it back with his fingers, whispering: "Goodnight Sunshine."
Dog circled his blanket a few times before lying down after he'd inspected Jane and was happy that she was okay, Steve closed the door as quietly as he could.
Once back in his room, he decided to take a long, cold shower.