After changing back into his regular day to day uniform, Steve set off in search of Lucy. Amends between the two were long past due. The lady in question was currently lounging in her office. In one hand she held a partially full glass of schnapps, which she was slowing churning back and forth, savoring the aroma more than she was enjoying the drink. In the other she held a compass. It was a standard issue compass; there was nothing too unique about it. The only difference it had to other compasses were the words engraved on the back. It read 'To Steve. Love, Lucy.' she had had it engraved as a present when she heard he was finally going out into the field. She had hoped it would prove to be something useful to remember her by. Rubbing her finger across the letters she wondered, not for the first time, if it was something too forward to give him.

Knock, Knock Knock. Came a rap from the open office door behind her, breaking Lucy out of her reverie. There was no need to turn around, she knew who it would be.

"May I come in?" floated the polite voice of Steve.

She waved the arm holding the alcohol in a sign of acknowledgement.

Lucy had a tiny office. There was only enough room for a desk, a bookshelf, and a chair. The cramped quarters suited her just fine; most of her work took place in the spacious lab anyway. This was the first time Steve had found himself in this room. Usually his time at the SSR was spent in the war room where he helped plan future missions on large maps that sprawled wall to wall. He took note of her position, slumped in the only chair in the room. Her face was indifferent to the happenings around her. The ever-present weight that had been pressing on his chest since seeing her the day before doubled in size. It hurt to see her so unlike herself. Gone was the lively smile and witty banter that he missed so much. She wouldn't even look at him. So he knelt down beside her chair and took the hand not holding the glass into his own.

As he opened his mouth to speak she beat him to the punch, "I'm sorry." She said, finally meeting his eyes.

"What?" Steve furrowed his brows, "You can't be sorry for something you didn't do. I'm the one that's sorry." And he leaned in closer, "I'm sorry I panicked. I'm sorry I don't know how to talk with dames. I'm sorry I almost let her kiss me. I didn't want to kiss her." And he gently touched her cheek, "You know that, don't you?"

She nodded under his hand, "I'm sorry I got angry, I had no right to be. I don't own you. You're free to do what ever you want." And she looked away unable to meet his gaze any longer. It hurt too much to imagine Steve with other women, taller, prettier women, girls who were more worthy of his attention. Steve chuckled causing her to snap back to him, this wasn't a laughing mater. She glared, willing him to stop.

"For a genius you are really very silly aren't you?" he guffawed. Squeezing her fingers he continued sincerely, "Haven't I made myself clear?" he shook his head, "I guess not, I never really said it aloud." He cleared his throat and waited for her to stop glaring, "Lucille Bares, you do own me. Heart and soul, you own me. I've never wanted anyone else. I haven't looked at anyone else in a very long time. I've been waiting for you, darling. Hoping one day you'd notice me. And I vowed, if that day ever came, however unlikely it maybe, I'd never let you go." He lifted her hand, still clasped around the compass, to his lips and gave it a soft peck.

Lucy blinked, slowly turned to set down her cup and looked at him. His face was pleading with her to forgive him. Then, without her deciding anything, she found her arms to move on their own and suddenly be around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss.

For someone who stuttered and stammered around women, Steve was not timid in his affections. Lucy's arms settled around his shoulders. Her fingers buried themselves in the delicate hairs on the nape of his neck. She pulled him closer to her, pressing their chests up to each other. Steve's arms in turn wrapped around her back, solid and steady.

This kiss was different from their last. The night at the bar, it had been soft and tentative. Testing the waters, not wanting to offend the other. It had been full of sweet joy and elation at the discovery the other felt the same. It was short and memorable, full of promises that more was to come. This one was hard and unyielding. Packed with the lingering anger and confusion they had felt for the other. But it was also sprinkled with relief. Their relationship was intact and that fact spread through the both of them like wildfire, starting at their joined lips and racing through the rest of their bodies. It left behind a warm pilot light taking permanent residence deep within their chests that refused to be put out.

After what felt like days, Lucy's fingers released the soft strands of Steve's hair, allowing them to breathe in some much needed air. Gasping, they rested their foreheads against one another. When she regained had her breath, Lucy lowly, "I've always been yours."

Steve's face cracked in a triumphant grin. His happiness filled his chest almost to bursting. He couldn't look away from her exquisite face, drinking in the details of this spectacular moment. He kissed her again.

Her lips were so soft against his; it was a feeling he was quickly committing to memory. His fingers snaked in among the luxurious strands of her hair, massaging her skull as she did the same to him. Running his hand down the length of her hair, he accidently tugged on a few of the tangles. In response Lucy let out a slight moan into his mouth and he knew he had to pull away before they went too far.

As they released each other Lucy cleared her throat abashedly. Looking around the room for a distraction her eyes settled on the compass she had discarded on her lap in her haste to embrace Steve.

"I got something for you." She announced picking up the small device.

Willing the blush to leave his face Steve murmured, "You didn't have to get me anything."

"It's nothing fancy." She reassured taking his hand and placing the compass inside of it. "Something to help you on your missions, and something to remember me by."

Steve studied the compass, she was right. It was a simple design; even so, his smile grew brighter when he saw the inscription on the back. "It's wonderful, thank you." He proclaimed brushing her cheek with his mouth. Then looking back at the gadget he flipped open the top. The top part was perfect to stick a picture inside. He glanced around the office, "Have you got any pictures of you I can have?"

Lucy stood confused and went over to her desk. Pulling open a drawer she took out a small box. From its depths she plucked out a photo. "I have just the one." She handed a copy of her SSR picture to him.

"That's perfect." He praised. Cutting out the shape to fit inside the compass he secured the paper and showed her the final product. "Now you'll always be with me."

Studying the mechanism, Lucy felt affection swell inside of her at his thoughtfulness. Moving closer she hugged him leaning her head against his chest. "Be careful out there. I won't be there to save you."

He tightened his grip on her shoulder, "As long as you watch yourself around here. You never know who could be Hydra."