Cable Car

This last week had been a crash course in academia for Steve. As a young man he thought himself an avid reader, books were free and easy to come by in the library, but now he wasn't so sure. Roberta had him reading every single evening after their three-hour sessions together each day. Steve didn't really mind of course, he enjoyed learning about what he had missed, and they had gotten as far as the Korean War this week. But now it was the weekend.

Steve had intended to reach out to Pepper earlier in the week to thank her for all of her help. But for the first time in a long time, he was busy. So Friday afternoon, as he was taking the subway home, he remembered what J.A.R.V.I.S. had shown him and texted Pepper, offering to take her out to lunch sometime that weekend if she was still in town.

She was.

Steve was meeting her at a café that was not too far from Stark Tower. Steve imagined that Pepper was a very busy woman, so he didn't want to make her travel too far out of her way.

As Steve approached the café he remembered why he liked it so much. It had a large open window concept, so when the weather was nice, one could sit inside but still have fresh air and a lovely view. It had a patio outside that could be used to the same effect, but Steve could hear the music better from inside and this joint played music he not only liked but, also from time to time, recognized. It was one of the few lifelines Steve had managed to find after he woke up, and he was just thankful that it had been nowhere near the brunt of the fighting during the battle for New York.

Steve scanned the café but Pepper wasn't here yet, which was fine as he arrived slightly early. He walked up to the bar to order and was greeted by a smile.

"Hey Steve, its good to see you, it's been a while. What can I get you?" asked the barista.

"Hello Stephanie, good to see you too. Can I please get a medium decaf Americano and one of your turkey club sandwiches?" Steve requested.

"Of course, is that all for today?" Stephanie asked.

"No actually, a friend will be joining me soon and could you put whatever she orders on my tab? Is it alright if I just leave the extra money here at the counter with you?" Steve asked.

"Sure no problem. For now though it'll be $10.35," Stephanie said.

Steve dug into his wallet and produced the exact change, while also handing over a $20 for later. He then put some money in the tip jar, in case he forgot to later.

"Thanks Steve, I'll bring out your food as soon as it's ready."

Steve smiled and nodded at her, and took his usual seat at the open window. It was a beautiful autumn day. He would have to enjoy the fresh air while he could. Soon enough it would snow and the café would have to close up this window. While he waited he took out his sketchpad and began to draw the old couple sitting just a few feet away on the patio.

Steve was unsure how much time had passed when felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up from his nearly completed drawing to see Pepper smiling down at him.

"Hello Steve, I hope you haven't been waiting long," She said.

Steve stood at her presence and pulled out a chair for her.

"Not at all, I got here early. Please have a seat," He offered.

As Pepper and Steve sat back down, Stephanie brought out Steve's Americano and turkey club.

"And what can I get for you?" Stephanie directed toward Pepper.

"I would love a small non-fat café au lait and any kind of salad you have that doesn't have strawberries in it, I'm allergic," Pepper requested.

"We have a fall special that is a salad with walnuts, butternut squash, red onions, and chicken that comes with an apple cider and maple syrup dressing?" Stephanie inquired.

"Oh wow, yeah that sounds amazing, thank you."

Stephanie nodded and left the two alone.

"Thank you for asking me to meet you Steve. Sometimes I forget to take time for myself on the weekends, so this is lovely. How did you ever find this place? I tend to stick pretty close to Stark Tower," Pepper inquired.

"It is a little strange but I was taking a walk, in one of my many attempts to re-learn New York, and I heard something. I could hear Take the 'A' Train, which I recognized from back in '41. I followed the music because, well it sounds dumb, but it reminded me of home, my old home. The title is a reference to the subway line from Brooklyn, where I was from, all the way to Manhattan. Then, I found this place," Steve explained.

"It must be nice to have a place that reminds you of home," Pepper replied.

"Yeah they play some great music here. But I also like it here because nobody recognizes me. They let me sit here and sketch, and I like the people that work here. They're good people."

Stephanie, as if on cue, appeared with Pepper's order. "Enjoy you guys, give a shout Steve if you need anything," Stephanie said while handing Steve his change from Pepper's order.

Pepper noticed the money exchange and looked questioningly at Steve.

"It's on me Pepper, it is the least I can do, after everything that you did for me yesterday," Steve explained.

"Well then thank you Steve, this was very thoughtful of you. But just so you know, I was happy to do it. Like I said, it was nice finally getting to meet you."

"Oh I didn't mean just the technical side, but the support as well. I was really unsure of the whole tutoring thing and you helped put it in perspective for me. So I just wanted to say thanks," Steve explained.

"Well then you're welcome Steve. Anything for a friend right?" She replied smiling.

Now that Pepper's meal had arrived, Steve began to enjoy his meal. The two were now able to take the time to actually get to know each other.

"So Steve, what made you decide to join the military?" Pepper asked politely.

"It was the right thing to do. Everyone else was volunteering to go fight, and who was I to not do the same? Though they didn't exactly want me at first," Steve replied.

Pepper stopped mid-bite and looked at him with astonishment.

"The army didn't want you? You're a walking tank Steve!"

Steve chuckled, "I wasn't always like this," Tony must not have told her. "I was a test subject for the Super Soldier project headed by Dr. Erskine. He believed in me when I was barely 5'0" and weighed 90lbs soaking wet with change in my pockets. He gave me a chance to help people."

"I think it is safe to say that you've followed through pretty well with that," Pepper said.

Steve just smiled and continued to eat his sandwich. It was a kind thing to say, but Steve always felt a little odd receiving compliments or praise about being Captain America. He was just doing what was right.

"I feel as though I'm at a disadvantage here Pepper. You already know about me, but I feel as though I don't know enough about you. CEO of Stark Industries is incredibly impressive. How long have you headed the company?" Steve shifted the conversation.

Tony hadn't told him about Pepper at all, but he was pleasantly surprised. Before the ice it would essentially be impossible for a woman to head a company. The role of women in society after the ice was definitely on Steve's list of improvements. International relations on the other hand…

"I actually have only been CEO for a short while, but I've been with Stark Industries for years now. I began as an entry-level employee, an administrative assistant for someone lower in the company. A combination of my skill set, education, and ability to put up with Tony on very little sleep eventually got me to the position of Tony Stark's administrative assistant. A few years later he made me CEO of his company. It was a difficult time for Tony. I didn't know at the time but he was initially making me CEO because he thought… he was dying…" Pepper admitted, now feeling slightly awkward.

Pepper continued to eat, allowing the very personal information to hover in the air. Steve smiled encouragingly at her, "Well, it appears Tony could not have made a better decision. You've been doing a lot with Stark Tower and sustainable energy, isn't that right? Tony told me a little bit about what you've been doing."

Pepper nodded her head and smiled; she liked Steve.

The rest of the hour passed by smoothly. Pepper explained how the company became such an important leader in sustainable energy, and how it was primarily thanks to Iron Man's arc reactor. She also informed Steve of the plans that she and Tony made for Stark Tower after the attack on the city, if the Avengers ever required it. But she made him promise not to tell anyone about that yet.

Steve answered some historical questions for Pepper, with quite a few pertaining to Howard Stark. Steve had noticed that his father was a difficult subject for Tony, so Pepper's curiosity was understandable. Also, it felt nice to have an opportunity to discuss his past without the other person feeling bad for him. Pepper allowed him to enjoy it, by smiling or laughing. She particularly enjoyed it when Steve told her about the time Howard explained to him what fondue meant. Steve was talking to a friend, and for the first time in a long time he felt like a normal person again.

"So where is Tony anyway?" Steve inquired.

"Oh, well after the reconstruction of Stark Tower, he and I thought it would be best if he went back home to Malibu. He would've loved to see you Steve, really. He even told me to say hi for him, which he never does. But after what happened here with the missile… he doesn't need the reminder of it," Pepper explained. She had the same bitter tone she had earlier in the week when the nuclear missile was brought up. She's very protective of Tony, and would probably have some choice words for Fury if she ever saw him. "So he's been back in Malibu and spending time with Rhodey." She concluded and the bitter tone disappeared and was replaced with a smile.

"Who is Rhodey?" Steve inquired.

"Oh, James Rhodes. He's been Tony's best friend for as long as I've known Tony. You'd probably get along with him pretty well actually; he's a military man like yourself and is actually able to have some control of Tony. Once, he even took one of Tony's suits," Pepper explained.

"Tony just let him take one of his suits?" Steve questioned with an exasperated look on his face.

"Tony didn't let Rhodey do anything, Rhodey just did it," Pepper said with a sense of accomplishment.

Steve sat back in his chair and nodded his head; he was impressed. "I'd have no issue meeting the man who can take one of Tony's suits and live to tell the tale. Maybe I'll meet him one day."

Pepper just smiled and sipped her beverage quietly.

Steve had noticed that any time Tony was brought up Pepper would either trail off or bring up how Tony almost died. He could see her attempting to not let the subject bother her, but it was obvious, at least to him.

"…Is he okay Pepper?" Steve asked.

Her smile faltered only for a moment. "He's Tony. He'll figure it out."

Steve nodded and took a sip of his Americano. Fair enough. Tony was Tony, and if something was wrong he'd probably he able to take care of it. He hoped.

"If you or Tony ever need any help… I know I'm here in New York, but just say the word and I'll be there okay?" Steve offered.

Pepper nodded thoughtfully but then suddenly chuckled and tried to cover it up with the back of her hand. When she saw Steve give her a quizzical look she simply chuckled again and said, "Assemble?"

It was official: Steve definitely considered Pepper his new best friend.

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