Sorry I took so long to update this chapter. I wanted it to be perfect and there is a lot of material to cover in this chapter sooo, yeah.
Thanks for all the reviews you guys.
Kristybauer7: Haha thank you so much. Yup it's coming towards the Winter Solider story line though I am not really going to dive into that, being a few things will be different like when Steve met Sam will be much earlier ;). Olivia's friends was fun to write, mainly because I based them off my own friends xD so it wasn't too hard.
awesomesaurus: Thank you and yes I will :3
Loreleievans: I have to agree, she is very loveable.
enjoy!
xx
SSC
Steve stood at the center of his small living room. He had his hands placed on his strong hips as his eyes wandered about the space, echoing his desperation.
Despite his early start at packing, he was nowhere near close. He hadn't packed his collection of records yet. He was yet to empty his fridge. There was an entire shelf of books to pack. The only thing he had managed to do was make boxes, out of flat cardboard.
It was hardly a productive day. He knew just who to blame for his procrastination.
Himself.
(You were probably thinking Olivia Thorne, well her too.)
There was a knock at the door. Steve turned to left to acknowledge the noise. Strange, he wasn't expecting anyone to drop by. Maybe it was his neighbor Mrs. Jenkins. She loved asking him for sugar. Though by her raspy tone for a fifty year old, Steve knew sugar was a euphemism she poorly disguised.
He shuddered at the thought.
He approached the door and gazed out through the peephole. It was a man who looked familiar. He was wearing one of the infamous S.H.I.E.L.D attire. Black coat and pants paired with a white shirt and plain dark blue tie. He had his short, dark brown hair combed back to perfection. The man had a very square face with a strong jaw that was clean shaved. His sharp nose and dark thick brows made him seem aristocratic.
Steve watched the man eye the hallways nervously. The stranger had his hands tucked into his pant pockets while waiting for the Captain to respond.
He stopped looking through the hole and twisted the door knob.
"Morning Captain Rogers." The Agent greeted with a quick salute.
"Morning, you must be my escort." Steve observed firmly.
"Agent Kevin Odell, Sir." He stuck his hand out, Steve returned the gestured and they shook hands. Steve couldn't help but notice the oddly dark shade of the man's eyes, they seemed almost black.
"I'm here to make sure that your transfer runs as smoothly as possible." Odell returned his arm to his side.
"Thanks but I wasn't expecting you till tomorrow." Steve uttered uncertainly. Kevin's eyebrows furrowed in concern.
"Director Fury thinks it is best to help you from packing day and onward. I thought he had informed you."
Steve resisted the urge to roll his eyes at Fury's installment tactics. It was typical, he could understand Stark's mistrust in the man.
"No, he hadn't." Steve responded keeping his annoyance at bay. It's not right to shoot the messenger.
"Sorry about that Sir." Kevin said despondently. Steve pitied the man, he was after all, just doing his job. Besides, he could use the extra hands.
"Well now that you are here." Steve opened the door completely gesturing for the agent to enter. Kevin accepted the invitation hesitantly. Rogers shut the door behind him and turned to the Agent.
"Would you like something to drink?" Steve offered amiably.
"Sure." Kevin responded with a simple smile. Steve nodded and made his way to the kitchen as Kevin began to assess the apartment.
Steve was about to pour orange juice in to a pair of glasses, when two voices from the entrance caught his attention. Concerned, he neglected the carton and made his way back into to the foyer.
Kevin was standing in front of the door, with one arm posed on the back of the door. His posture was rigid and made a human barricade for whom ever was on the other side.
"Can I help you Ma'am?" He questioned sternly.
"Oh, sorry I must have the wrong apartment-" Steve shot forward into action when he instantly recognized the meek voice of the woman.
"Olivia." Steve greeted appearing right behind Kevin, startling the Agent.
Olivia was equally stunned but she soon recovered and beamed up at him from over Kevin's shoulder.
"Steve hey!" She acknowledged with a small wave. Her enthusiasm simmered when her attention was drawn by the solemn Agent.
"Who is your friend?" She questioned from the threshold of his apartment.
"Agent Odell, ma'am " Kevin answered before Steve could.
The Captain gently clapped the man on the shoulder.
"It's okay Agent, Olivia is a friend." He said diplomatically. Kevin nodded and immediately drew back and retreated to the living room. Steve and Olivia watched the man disappear behind the bend to the living area before Olivia decided to voice her concerns.
"Is this a bad time?" She asked. Steve looked to her and smiled.
Steve wondered how Kevin could think a woman wearing a large black Charlie Brown T-shirt, paired with blue jeans, could be even remotely dangerous?
"No of course not. Sorry about Agent Odell he is just doing his job." The captain stated sincerely.
"Oh right, as your body guard?" Olivia asked.
"More or less." Steve said with a simple shrug.
"Come on in." He insisted. She smiled and accepted his request and strolled in. She had her arms plastered to her side and holding two mysterious objects. She also had a navy blue pack-pack attached to her back.
"I thought we were meeting up later?" Steve wondered after closing the door.
"Well yeah then I remembered you have to pack by yourself so I brought over some root beer and duct tape." She raised her arms and Steve saw the case of beer in one hand and the thick roll of silver tape in the other.
"But-I guess you already have help." She mused casting a sly glance in the direction of the living room. Kevin stood by the curtains, gazing out the window.
"No please stay." Steve announced grabbing her attention "I would really love it if you would."
Steve wasn't looking forward to making small talk with a SHIELD agent. He honestly had no idea how to converse with the young man. But he knew he would make any excuse as long as Olivia stayed.
Olivia smiled warmly, her heart melting at the sight of his wide pleading eyes.
"Well I can't say no to that face." She teased and gently nudged him in the side. Steve grinned and took the beer casing from her grip with a carefree ease.
"Make yourself at home." He insisted and made his way back to the kitchen.
Olivia hesitated a little at the foyer. She pushed back the slight social anxiety and decided to approach the awkward gentleman.
"Hey." She called, he whirled around to face her. She smiled to ease him.
"Kevin was it?" She asked uncertainly, her arms clasped behind her back.
"Yes, sorry about that cold greeting." He smiled sheepishly and looking away, abashed.
"I was just-"
"Nervous?" She added all knowingly.
"What makes you say that?" He questioned stunned by her observation.
"Call it a hunch." She said, her eyes a gleam.
Kevin looked over her. The kitchen was in direct view from the entrance arch to the living room. The agent could see the hero of the nation, standing at the kitchen table, ripping into the cardboard casing. Kevin looked back to young woman. She stared up at him, anticipating his reply.
There was something about the girl. Maybe it was her fresh face or kind eyes, he just wanted to tell her everything. He relaxed his stiff posture a little and leaned down so he wasn't towering over the girl.
"Guarding Captain Steve Rodgers, it is a dream come true." He whispered excitedly, Olivia's shapely brows raised in wonder.
"Fan?" She question grinning from ear to ear. Kevin nodded eagerly.
"Is there any way I can say yes without sounding like some sort of creep?"
Olivia laughed, the bridge of her nose crinkled in delight. Kevin smiled, her laughter was pretty contagious.
"Chill." She breathed waving her hand dismissively "You don't sound creepy, I get it. Steve is pretty great."
Kevin noted the fond twinkle and soft smile she held at the mention of Steve. He was extremely intrigued by it.
"How did you two meet?" He asked curiously. Her gaze on him narrowed playfully.
"Is this an interrogation or just general curiosity?" She smirked.
"A little of both." He confessed with a dimpled grin that Olivia couldn't help but find adorable.
"Everything okay here?" Steve emerged, wiping his hands on a dish rag.
His two guests turned their profiles at his arrival.
"Yeah, Agent Kevin here was just telling me what a big fan he is of yours." Olivia responded cheekily. Steve blinked in surprise and looked to the Agent. Kevin immediately tensed and his face flushed with embarrassment. He gave a stare of utter betrayal in her direction.
"What no I mean uh-you did help save our nation, twice, Sir." Odell struggled to explain like a drowning man.
"Oh, it was no big deal really." Steve replied equally abashed.
Olivia shook her head in amusement, it seems Steve has found his modest match.
"So, what we drinking?" She asked looking to the Captain. "Nothing too strong I hope because packing and alcohol never works, there was this incident where I packed my garbage and threw out my bean bag when it was supposed to be the other way around."
Steve bit his lip, suppressing a laugh at her comical babbling. Kevin gave her a look that seemed to question her sanity and the validity of her story. Seeing this, Olivia began to explain.
"They were both black... and vodka makes it hard to differentiate." She said with a luckless shrug. Kevin chuckled and nodded in agreement.
"I only have orange juice and milk, but you brought root beer so we can pop that open." Steve added.
"Great." She enthused.
"So what are we starting with?" Olivia asked as her honey brown gaze surveyed the space.
" Well I didn't bring much so I already have more help than I initially planned." Steve answered. It was true in a way. He didn't have much to take with him. Fury had informed him that his new apartment was fully furnished. All he had to do was bring his personal belongings.
"Well what do you have?" Olivia inquired looking to him with her hands posed on her hips.
"These are the things we bought." Steve directed her attention to a pile of objects he had gathered, in the far corner of his living room. He had piled a few books (ten to be exact) which were mainly comic books that Olivia had insisted he read. His records, a few items that had caught his eye. A sleek digital camera, a juice maker which was yet to be unboxed. He had also bought a few objects from his time, a record player, a radio and a clock.
Steve's attention returned to Olivia and Kevin to find them staring glumly down at the pile of items.
"This makes me sad." She murmured pityingly, voicing her thoughts. Clearly she was saddened that he didn't have more to take with him.
"Why?" He demanded, confused by her words "I was very happy when I bought them."
The earnest warmth in his words captivated her. She stared at him in wonder and questioning the validity of his statement. He smiled and it was assurance enough.
"Alright." She grinned and clapped her hands, dispelling the slight (unintentional) enchantment he had casted on her.
"Let's get started." She announced. Steve snapped out of his reverie and nodded.
They ever unaware of the taciturn Kevin that observed them.
The tasks started out easy enough. Kevin and Olivia both trumped in moving out experiences so all Steve had to do was follow their advice. They began with the living room. After creating boxes form the flat cardboard, they began to pack.
Steve neatly arranged all his records into a small box. Kevin was in charge of sealing and packing all house hold items and Olivia situated herself at the book shelf. Steve wasn't surprised by this, she looked for any excuse to be around a book. He liked that about her.
In fact, he found himself occasionally looking her way. He liked to observe the way she sat, her legs crossed towards her. She had a pile of books neatly arranged in front of her but she was distracted by a few leather, hard bound books. He admired the way she gently traced the edges of a random, open page. She seemed at home in the tiny corner of his living room.
Kevin had shed his formal jacket and lumbered from the box to the pile of Steve's purchases. He had also thrown his tie over the back of the couch, happy to work in his white shirt and pants.
The three of them had worked quickly enough and by three they decided to take a break. Kevin knew of a place nearby that delivered sandwiches. Once the order arrived they gathered around Steve's coffee table. The good Captain brought over three root beer bottles (courtesy of Olivia) and they sat on the couches. Steve and Olivia occupied the long leather settee and Kevin chose the single one, facing them.
They began talking about random topics, until Kevin brought up the Fantastic Five and excited Olivia.
"No way, you are friends with the Human Torch?" She demanded in shock, practically leaning over her arm rest and to Kevin.
"Johnny Storm?" Steve questioned unsurely, the Agent nodded. Steve frowned in disapproval.
"I've read his file." He murmured trying to hide his disdain. Kevin couldn't help but smile. He wasn't surprised by Steve's condemnation of Johnny Storm .
After all, the two were polar opposites.
"Well he isn't like that anymore, I mean yeah the guy's head is huge but he has his moments. He is dating my best friend actually." Kevin said in an amiable defense of the misunderstood super hero.
"I thought he was dating that Tempest chick?" Olivia pondered uncertainly Kevin laughed and her eyes widened in shock.
"No way your best friend is the Tempest?" Her excitement doubled.
"Well I call her Eli, but yeah." The Agent mused fondly "They are pretty serious."
"Cool." Olivia added, grinning in between the two men. "Hey what's the Thing like? does he need like special furniture, is it all rock?"
Steve was immediately amused by her coy tone.
"Yes he does and I think so." Kevin answered his eyes a gleam.
Olivia leaned forward a bit more, her eyes shifted about slyly.
"How does he like...you know."
"Olivia." Steve called, scandalized by her question.
"What?" She inquired with an innocent shrug "I am curious. I mean how would you know if he is turned on or not if he is hard all the time."
Steve had to admit, that was an intriguing question that caused him to hesitate. Seeing him contemplate Olivia nodded all knowingly. Kevin was laughing with his root beer held tightly in his hand.
"It's okay, I am pretty curious about it too." He said, still chucking "I can't exactly ask Eli since it's her uncle, Johnny on the other hand-everything regarding Ben is a joke to him. Except when it's about Eli."
"Aw." Olivia cooed, beaming at the answer "That's sweet."
"I like Ben, he is a good man." Steve' s words their attention "I was a little shocked by the sight of him at first but he has a good head on his shoulders. It's a shame what happened to him but he used his powers for the greater good and that is admirable."
"Yeah, I can think of a few more who are admirable for the same reasons." Olivia added directing a tender smile his way. Steve was caught off guard at first. He was not expecting the soft, doting look in her honey brown eyes.
He stared for a long silent moment, feeling the rush of blood to his cheeks from the high regard of her words. She held his gaze with equal interest with that same dimpled smile that he found so charming.
She abruptly broke the connection, suddenly aware of the other presence within the room. Steve blinked, dazed by the immediately release.
"So Kevin, what about you?" She questioned her voice chipper once more.
"Me?" Kevin asked seemingly oblivious to the fleeting moment between the Captain and Miss Thorne.
"What's your life story?" Olivia asked while bringing the brim of her bottle to her lips.
"Nothing much." Kevin said, suddenly rigid in posture "I was born and raised in Long Island by my mom and dad. My dad served in the Gulf War for a few years then he returned home to raise my sister and I. We have a pretty strict up-bringing, strict but comfortable. My father had his wealth from grand papa's side."
"You have a sister?" Steve asked, interested by Kevin's background.
"Yes, twin. Fraternal"
"Cool what is she like?" Olivia wondered friendly.
"I honestly don't know." Kevin smiled haplessly "She has been missing for a while."
Steve and Olivia were instantly alarmed, not expecting the casual tone of his distressing words.
Throne's bewilderment immediately warped to compassion. Her small, pretty features softened in sympathy, as she shifted closer to the Agent's side.
"I am so sorry Kevin."
"No it's fine." The agent insisted, attempting to dismiss the air of sorrow he had casted upon them. "She is the main reason I joined S.H.I.E.L.D. I am hoping they would be able to provide the answers I seek."
"You think they will be able to provide them?" Steve asked, his fair brows furrowed in concern.
Kevin hesitated under Steve's probing stare. His dark eyes shifted between them contemplatively before he lowered his gaze to his lap.
"My sister wasn't like the others." He began "She could do things."
"What kind of things?" The captain queried.
"I think the proper term for it is psionic abilities."
"She could move things with her mind?" Olivia was quick to ask, surprising Steve with her knowledge.
"Well not move, it was more like control." Kevin responded with an air of certainty and motions with his hands.
"Isabelle had always been a little different. She had this weird way of memorizing things and used to freak out my mom by reciting conversations she had at tea parties with her friends, word to word. But her difference was really obvious the day our cousin Jackson moved in."
"What happened?"
Kevin's gaze was a far.
"I was a pretty wimpy kid, Isabelle was always the tougher one. Jackson liked to bully me a lot, I didn't really say much about it then because Jackson scared me into it. Anyway Isabelle saw him beating me up one day and."
"and what?" Steve demanded, feeling the mild waves of anger from his own abused past.
"Jackson wears a hearing aid." The Agent stated. "I remember one moment she was telling him to stop and the next moment he was on the ground crying, there was this high pitched noise that came out of his hearing aid and I am pretty sure there was blood in his ear."
Olivia's eyes widened in both slight fear and deep wonder.
"Wow."
"Yeah." Kevin agreed with a sigh "Scared my parents. My dad the most, so he had her placed in a rehabilitation center for people like her."
"Was it Doctor Xavier's school?" Steve asked, Kevin shook his head.
"No, though that would have been best." He grumbled. The witnesses did not miss the shadow of hate that made his sharp features seem fierce.
"It was supposed to be a safe place. One of my father's so called friends from back in the day ran the place. Part of the science department in the government made for people like her."
"I am guessing it wasn't as it seems." Olivia murmured since the forlorn tone of his voice wasn't going to give a happy twist to the tail.
"I've been to the place when I was a kid when my mom and dad wanted to check it out. It seemed legit, military but real. Remind me of a hospital now that I think about it. There is no mention of it now. Not on the net, in private documents. All I found out was that place used to house a facility for the mentally unstable, and was shut down due to a fire and hadn't been open since nineteen eight seven."
Kevin paused to see if Olivia and Steve echoed the same shock he was experiencing. When they didn't seem to comprehend his reasons for the dramatic gap, he added.
"Isabelle was admitted there in nineteen eighty nine."
"This is starting to sound like a major cover up." Olivia breathed in astonishment. "Did your parents know about it?"
"We have a pretty big blow out over it and I haven't talked to them since. There have been no other leads to her whereabouts."
"That's not good enough." Steve cut in with a sternness that startled the other two. Kevin was caught off guard by the heated look the Captain directed at him.
"You need answers, lord only knows what happened to your sister, this cannot go uninvestigated." The Captain stated before abruptly pulling out his cell phone and angrily dialing a number.
"Are you contacting Fury?" Kevin asked fretfully ready to pounce off the chair to confiscate Steven's phone. The Captain sent a sideways glance at the agent, with the phone pressed to his ear.
"No." He answered firmly "The one person I know who knows how to dig deep and find the truth, its Tony Stark."
"Thank you Cap." Kevin uttered after a moment of stunned silence.
Olivia was unable to turn her attention away from Steve. She had read about his unfailing commitment to helping people, even witnessed it herself. But seeing it in action as a witness. She found it hard to believe such a honest, kind person existed in the world.
Kevin had left at around seven in the night. He was summoned back for a mission that he couldn't expose in Olivia's presence. They had managed to pack all of the moveable items into separate boxes and piled them by the door, ready for transport.
The final cardboard box that contained the books, sat beside the Captain as he stood in the centre of the living space. Steve felt sad at the sight of his near empty apartment
"Well I guess there is no turning back now." Olivia added miserably from beside him as they simultaneously observed the seemingly larger living room.
"Guess not." Steve mused from beside her. He smiled bravely and turned away to busy his hands by picking up a sealed box on the floor.
"You nervous about DC?" She asked while watching him take the box to the wall beside the door.
"Not really, but I am sure it will hit the moment I start working again." He said conversationally.
"Yeah I'm more of a last minute nerves kind of woman too." Olivia murmured while rubbing the back of her neck. There was a moment of stillness between them as Steve bent over and placed the cardboard box on to the floor.
"What time are you heading out?" She asked from behind him. Steve noticed how messy the placement of the boxes seemed, so he began to arrange them neatly, piling them one by one.
"Tomorrow morning, I'll be riding with Kevin." He answered absentmindedly.
"Damn." He heard her curse, this immediately grabbed his concern. He straightened up and spun around to face her.
"What's wrong? " He demanded. Olivia held a stoic pensive expression as her amber eyes quivered in reaction to her racing thoughts. Feeling his stare, she looked to him and shook her head to dismiss his worry for her.
"No I have a client to meet in the morning, I was hoping you would be leaving mid day or something so I can say bye." She answered with a hapless smile.
The concern on his face softened to a tender doting look at her response. Steve felt his heart warm a little at the idea of her arriving at sun up to say bye to him.
The boxes left his mind completely and he found himself magnetically pulled towards her.
"Sorry" He whispered apologetically, appearing in front of her. She raised her glittering gaze to his and smile kindly.
"Its fine, so what do you want to do?" She asked, quick to change the subject and dispel the air of glum.
"Um well I don't know, you usually have the best ideas." He insisted.
"I was pretty bummed out to really think of anything to do." She said in that same adorably despondent tone. Steve felt strong need to elevate her spirits, and gather her into his arms. Since he can't do the latter, he chose to try and think of an activity.
"How about we just hang out here?" He suggested. Her eyes suddenly sparkled at his proposal.
"And order in?" She added eagerly. He grinned and nodded.
"You said you wanted to show me that movie, R for Revenge?"
"V for Vendetta." She laughed, her amber orbs glimmering in delight. "But yes, let's do that."
Steve beamed excited at the prospect of spending more time with her.
"Wow." Steve stared speechlessly as the credits roll on his flat screen TV. Olivia sat beside him with a slice of pizza at hand and sending him a arrogant smile.
"I know." She agreed with a confident nod of her head.
Steve honestly had no words to express how utterly amazed he was by the movie. It was not at all what he had expected. He deduced from the title that it would be a movie about a man's sole search for revenge, only to find out it was so much more. It was about finding freedom and reinstating justice to a corrupt world.
IT was as if Olivia knew he would enjoy it.
"I think I might watch that again." He said after a moment of stunned silence.
"Then you will be a few dozen times behind me." She boasted "I was obsessed with that movie and when I get obsessed I go all out."
"What do you do?" He asked directing his attention from the blank TV screen. He admired they way she had made herself comfortable on his couch, with her legs up and crossed in front of her. She had a paper plate on her lap and pillows behind her back to keep her body propped bag lay silently beside her.
"eBay, I purchase every sort of trivia item involved with the object of my affection." She responded cheekily.
"What's an eBay?" He asked, confused. She took a crater of a bite from her slice of margarita pizza.
"It's a online store." she said while munching silently "You should check it out when you can, I put it on the list."
Steve was further confused by this, he didn't remember her writing in his book.
"When?" He inquired.
"Oh not that list, I uh." Her nervous stuttering came to a stop and she sighed pessimistically.
"Well I guess I should give it to you now." She added mysteriously. She abandoned her half eaten slice of pizza on to her plate, placed the plate on the table space between them and turned away. Steve watched as she pulled her backpack on to her lap, unzipped it and began to rummage through it.
"What is it?" He asked, his curiosity had peaked under her mute search.
"I made you a little something." She said directing a grin at him "It's not much but after I saw your little pocket book list I thought, why not make a Grande sized one eh?"
Before Steve could respond Olivia pulled out a large book. Nine by twelve inches. It was black leather bound and had the words "THE BINGE BOOK" in golden plated text. Rogers held the book in his hands, utterly marveled by the design of it.
"Olivia this is..."
"There is an index page and an appendix at the back." She cut in enthusiastically before he could express his gratitude. She slide up closer to his side and flipped open the book for him on a random page. He was a little startled by the closeness at first and had his attention focused on the top of her head.
Olivia paid no mind and turned over several pages till she reached her desired one.
It said LORD OF THE RINGS. In a bold silver font. The entire document took up two pages and it was organized with small versions of three individual movie posters. The Fellowship of the Ring, the Two Towers and the Return of the King.
"I placed the DVD's behind the movie posters, see?" She slide her index finger under the space behind the graphic and picked out a luminous disc. Steve was amazed by this and she pushed it back in and her fingers danced over to a little illustration at the corner of the page.
It was of two short men, dressed in drab clothes and frozen in the process of climbing a mountain.
"For the pop up areas you have to pull this tab, see?." She tugged at a small, slip of card at the angle beside the image. The moment she pulled the two figure moved as if ascending the mountain with a will of their own. She explained that these were the two main creatures known as "Hobbits" and he will understand later on when he watches the movie.
"I tried to make it as light as possible but you have a lot of material to cover, my friend. There is a brief history of the world after you went into ice. The 90's is my favourite part of course I am being biased considering I am a 90's kid." She said with a hearty chuckle. Steve was robbed of his voice, his mind racing with the troubling thought on how he was going to express all the emotions he felt in his heart.
Gratitude, cherished, happiness and most of all disbelief. That she had gone through such a detailed process in order to create this book for him. The book had alphabetized tabs. He didn't know where she got the time.
"Olivia..." He whispered his voice tight from the sentiment "You really didn't have to do this."
"I wanted to." She insisted smiling up at him, and then turned away as if they intensity in his eyes was too much to bare.
"Plus it was fun, I got to pull out my collection of coloured card, used glue and scissors. I had a grand old time. Although Anakit spilled the glue bottle all over himself, that was no fun to wash off for the both of us. I have the scratches to prove it." She babbled conversationally while smoothing her free hand over her right arm. She was honest enough, Steve saw the traces of a few healed cuts on her in wrist and towards her elbow.
He smiled and averted his attention back to the book, finding it hard to believe it was for him. He dazedly flipped through a few pages, marveling over the pop up art. It was the first time he had seen such a creative use of card to bring life to a manuscript. He was particularly amazed by the different colours and meticulous work for the Jurassic Park section.
Along with each part of the encyclopedia she had recommended a few sites as footnotes. He closed the book delicately like handling china. He smoothed his hand over the black leather, still struggling to find words.
"I don't know what to say." He stressed unable to meet her gaze. Olivia laughed and shook her head dismissively.
"A thank you will be just fine." She claimed, kindly bumping against his shoulder.
Steve sighed and craned his neck to look to her.
"It doesn't seem enough." He said contritely "But thank you."
Olivia's smile wavered for a moment. Steve was concerned when she lowered her gaze to the book and began to stroke it absent-mindedly.
"It is going to be really dull without you around Steve." She murmured desolately "I might actually have to start working for a living."
"Same here." He droned, equally dismayed.
"Well be sure to come visit on your days off." She demanded her spirit rising once more "Weekends and long holidays sort of thing."
"You know the same applies to you." He stated fondly.
"Heck yeah." She exclaimed passionately "I'll be over every chance I get. I bet DC will be a lot more fun without the frequent power cuts due to construction here."
"Yeah that is a bummer." He agreed, remember not too long ago when he had to endure a hot night due to the lack of electricity.
"I was boiling last night, ever felt so hot that you passed out from the heat?"
"No." He said contemplating the question for a moment "But I have been so cold that I passed out and woke up seventy years later."
He flashed her a mischievous grin. She stared stunned by his words for a moment before the laughter began to bubble at her throat. Steve watched her snigger uncontrollably while chuckling himself, but he was hardly paying attention to his own humor. When Olivia was in hysterics her face lit up in the most attractive way. He had seen it plenty of times around her friends.
He loved the slight crinkling around her eyes. The way her dimples deepened and her row of white teeth revealed themselves. Usually when she smiled it was a tight lipped one that was adorable, but he preferred her laughing smile more. It was friendlier and seemed more, her.
"I shouldn't have laughed at that." She gasped out breathlessly and relaxed into the cushion.
"Why not, it was funny." He insisted charmingly.
"Oh and I am all for finding humor in tragedy but still it doesn't change the fact that it is a tragedy." She said, her expression sobering.
"Do you miss your loved ones from then?"
Steve's posture immediately went as rigid as a snow board. Her question hit home, a problem he had been avoiding.
"It's just, you never speak about them and I don't know if it's a good thing to not." She said slow and unsure.
He lowered his gaze, a trifle chagrined
"I think you know it's not a good thing." He uttered stiffly.
"Yeah... I don't like talking about Norah either because it just reminds me of what I lost but. It did help, it's gotten... easier. You made it easier." Steve felt a stirring of affection at the words she spoke. He glanced at her and she was looking away, seemingly dejected by his lack of confidence in her.
"And I know we haven't got shared life experiences but if you ever need someone to listen, I am here."She confessed amiably.
Steve felt his heart tighten in his chest at the warm, heart breaking smile she directed at him. It was enough to assure him that she was willing to lend a shoulder and an ear any time he wanted, a friend he desperately desired. But he was still conflicted, it's not that he didn't trust her he just felt that if he brought it up it would mean he would be dealing with the reality of his situation. Steve knew that when he kept his insecurities at bay they felt almost nonexistent , but they placed a heavy burden on his mind and shoulders.
He wanted to be free, desperately so.
"So I am going to clear a few of these up." She announced taking his silence as an obvious 'no'. Olivia tried not to feel too depressed by it, after all its his choice. She rose up from the couch and reached out for her half eaten slice of pizza.
"You remind me of him."
She stilled in her actions. She looked over her shoulder to find Steve staring up at her, with his clear blue eyes.
"Who?" She asked feeling hopeful, that maybe he was trying to open up to her.
"My best friend, Bucky." He began with a fond smile across his lips "He uh, he would have liked you-I mean, you would have liked him."
Olivia's heart warmed in happiness. Clearing up left her mind completely and she returned to her spot on the couch. Steve's eyes followed her movements and watched as she settled back on to the settee.
"Well, we are a lovable type." She added jovially while pulling her legs onto to the leather cushion. Steve observed the way she made herself comfortable, like a child ready for story time.
"What is it about me that reminds you of him?" She asked, her eyes glimmering in interest.
"Just the way you talk, the way you carry yourself and how you are with others, interactions I mean. But don't get me wrong you are your own individual person I'm just saying that there are certain things that remind me of him."
Olivia found Steve's nervous rambling extremely. She tried not to seem too charmed by it, afraid that if she did. He might be too embarrassed to say anymore.
"Well, I am honored. How long were you and Bucky friends for?"Her questioned broadened his smile. A raspy laugh escaped his lips as if recalling a amusing memory.
"Since I can remember." He said. Steve turned his profile to face her, his side pressed into the backrest. "He was the one guy that didn't laugh at me when I fell in the playground. In fact, he was the one that made the laughing stop."
"He sounds like a stand up guy." She mused with a impressed down turn of her lips.
"Did he fight the war with you?"
"Yeah, we made this team, the Howling Commandos." Steve explained, shoving his hand through his blonde hair "He really knew his way around a sniper, saved me more times than I can count. Bucky always had my back, even before he..."
His grin fell for a moment and a sadness clouded his sky blue eyes. Olivia stared unsure of how to react to the situation. She predicted from a single look that Bucky, as important as he was to Steve, he didn't last in the war. Her heart clenched in pity. She wanted to embrace him and show him that she understood. But she didn't want to frighten him in case the affection was unwanted.
"The others fella's on my team were great as well." He added, even though the sadness still remained in his soft eyes, he had willed it away from his face with a bright smile.
"Tell me about it." She said softly.
"It's a pretty long story." He uttered almost timidly. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes, typical Steve, not wanting to waste anyone's time. She didn't understand why he could ever think she thought he was such.
"You've got all my time today, Steve." She stated factually "Until twelve, gotta be reasonable right?"
"Right." He chuckled and nodded in agreement. Olivia stared expectantly with an eager awaiting smile. Steve was assured by this and began his tale.
"Well when we first started it was a lot harder. Dum-Dum and I had very different ideas about the dynamics in the team, so naturally we argued."
Just like that Steve Rogers had someone with a open heart and keen ear to listen to all he had to say and still wanting to know more. Soon they were so wrapped up in each other's company that they hadn't realized the hours that passed.
"Sorry about the time." Steve apologized like a contrite school boy as he escorted her down the side walk to her building. The had arrived in his bike and he parked it by the closest lamp post.
"Nah forget about it. I am actually not that..." Olivia's words trailed to a slow stop as her lips parted in a wide open mouth yawn.
"Sleepy." She murmured smacking her lips together, completely contradicting herself. Steve stifled a laugh as she blinked rapidly, trying to dispel her fatigue.
"Wow, what the heck was that? I swear I wasn't sleepy." She vowed. Steve laughed.
They arrived at the steps to the entrance. Olivia glanced at the door illuminated by the street light before looking to him.
"You just had to drop me home didn't you?" She teased.
"Well I couldn't let you take the subway at night? It's not safe."
"I've taken the subway much later before."
Steve shot her a disapproving stare that made her enthusiasm falter.
"I mean uh, with a friend in a cab, there was no subway and it was a reasonable hour."
"You are a terrible liar." He said with a fond twinkle in his eye. She scoffed and shot him an incredulous look.
"This is coming from Captain Obvious with his." She paused to mimic Steve's poor attempt at seeming innocent with his dubious shrug and shifty eyes. The captain was not aware of this flaw and suddenly understood why it was so easy for Natasha to detect his lies.
"Is that what gives me away?" He wondered naively.
"Aw Steve." She cooed, lightly punching him on the arm "You never seize to amaze me."
Steve hoped she meant it in a good way, but when it came to Olivia, it wasn't that hard to tell.
"So..." She droned, looking down the empty streets and then back to him. "I guess this is bye for now."
Steve stiffened, he knew it was coming but even though she had stayed longer than curfew, it still didn't feel long enough.
"Yeah." He muttered disinclined to accept the situation.
"I am so awkward at this part." She uttered uncertainly, after a long moment.
"What part?" He inquired curiously.
"The part where I feel a hug is needed."
Steve blinked, surprised by her statement. She stared up at him with her honey browns eyes shining in vulnerability and Steve didn't know how to react.
"You want a hug?" He asked in his unschooled ways. Olivia rolled her eyes and Steve tensed at the worry that he had said the wrong thing.
"It's not that I want a hug- you just made it worse." She grumbled shooting him a dejected glare.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you." He whispered cautiously, feeling foolish for not noticing how equally anxious she was.
"No Steve I mean." An exasperated sigh left her lips and she paused for a moment to regain her cool.
"Don't you want a hug too?" She asked significantly calmer than before. Steve contemplated her question. He didn't know why he thought about it for so long considering all he wanted to do was embrace her.
"Yes I want a hug." He stated confidently despite his heart racing in trepidation. Olivia lifted her arms up from her sides.
"Then let's hug." She exclaimed with a enthusiasm that surprised him.
"Alright." He cried just as loudly and shyly brought his hands out of his pant pockets. Olivia was the first to initiate the embrace and came at him like a quarter back, intending on tackling him. She wrapped her arms tightly around his middle and rested the side of her face against his chest.
Steve stood uncertainly for a moment, having never hugged a woman (other than his mom) before. He awkwardly placed his hands on her back. He was careful not to go too low to be inappropriate or too high to make her feel unwanted. It was a tense line to keep steady on but Steve managed for the moment.
"I am going to miss you Steve." She murmured, her voice was tight and miserable. The restlessness that accumulated in his shoulders abruptly melted away and he no longer felt like it was a social hug but rather a necessary one. He returned the embrace just as tightly and placed his head on top of hers, like it was the most natural thing on the planet.
"Probably not as much as I am going to miss you." He whispered into her dark hair, that smelled vaguely of lavender.
Olivia's eyes prickled a little from the emotion she felt and she was annoyed by it. What was she so sad about? She barely knew the guy. Yet it was weird how normal it felt to be held in his arms and nerve wracking at the same time. She didn't want to let go yet, the honey comb scent of him was intoxicating. But she knew if she held on any longer it would be that much harder to say bye.
She pulled away and Steve released her reluctantly. His arms lazily dropped back to his sides.
"Don't like..." She struggled to make eye contact and when she could, a scowl was the best she could muster to keep her true feeling at bay.
"Don't eat cookie dough without me."
Steve smiled, despite the ferocity her expression held, her words were hardly threatening.
"I don't think I want to." He said earnestly, her features softened in response.
"Good." She stated firmly "Keep that mindset. But also make lots of friends so you can tell me all about them when I call."
"I feel like I am being lectured." He grinned.
"This is a lecture." She claimed and posed her hands on her hips.
"I would tell you to eat your vegetables but you already do that. But most of all stay safe."
"I will. " He nodded trying to be serious despite the smile that begged to show.
"Good." She repeated and hesitantly glanced up at him. He beamed kindly and she reluctantly returned the smile.
"Good night Steve." She said bravely.
"Sweet dreams Olivia." He responded with a rueful smile. Olivia was a little entranced by the intimate warmth in his eyes, it was hard to turn away from. But she had to hoping that soon enough, they will meet again.
Steve waited till she disappeared behind the entrance doors before allowing his smile to fall. He was not looking forward to returning to his empty apartment, he knew it was going to be tedious to try and fall asleep only to wake up to the reality of his departure.
SO That was depressing :'( Sigh. KEVIN MADE A APPEARANCE. (he is from my Johnny Storm fic if no one has read that,but I don't think you will necessarily have to read it to get what's going on)
Anyway if you haven't guessed I am starting to apply the first layer of bricks to the Bucky fanfic. Yes it will be coming soon once I am somewhere in the middle of this story, which won't take too long. The Steve story will really be a short one, hence the long chapters. No one is complaining right?
Please review, I really want to know what you guy think :D