Chapter 5

"And if you hit this button at the right time, your character will say something mean, just for kicks and giggles," I finished, pointing out the appropriate button on the controller Steve held in his hands. Currently, while Pepper and Tony were smoothing out some details about the party (mostly how they were going to get Fury to not ruin everything by being, well, Fury), I was teaching the Cap to play Soul Caliber Four.

"What's the point of that?" Steve asked, frowning. I laughed.

"Just for kicks and giggles," I said again, turning the game on. "It's a taunt, and it's supposed to make your opponent angrier or something. I just think it's funny, is all." Grinning, I curled up on my couch cushion, leaning against the armrest, feet tucked up under my butt. Steve sat up straight on his half of the couch, staring intently at the character screen.

Quickly, I made my character choice, picking my favorite. She had this giant staff thing with a blade at the end, which she slams on her opponent from a safe enough distance. She also kicks people in the face, which is pretty awesome in my book.

Not knowing the strengths and weaknesses of any of the characters, Steve just let the game pick a random one for him. He ended up with a character that my friends and I refer to as Squigily Squid, due to the extremely weird way he moves. It's like he has no bones, and it's really creepy.

"I'm so going to kick your butt, Cap," I teased as the match started. A smile worked its way onto my face as I proceeded to demolish him in several rounds of the game, over and over. In fact, he was doing so terribly I was surprised he hadn't quit yet.

"I'm going to win this time," he muttered as we started yet another match. This time, I was Darth Vader, and we were on the Death Star. Totally my favorite place in the game.

"Dude, it's on," I answered, completely serious. The only sounds in the room were those from the game as the fight commenced, both Steve and I completely focused.

"GOD DANG IT!" I shrieked ten minutes later, throwing my controller to the floor as I watched Vader fall to the ground. "COME ON, VADER! AND ON YOUR OWN SHIP, TOO!" With an unintelligible cry, I fell of the couch and onto the ground, beating the floor with my fists. I heard Steve laughing, so I looked up and fixed him with a glare. "Why you hatin' on me, bro? All I ever wanted to do was win!"

"Lily? It's just a game," Steve began, and I sat up quickly.

"Just a game? What?" I barked. "IT'S NOT JUST A GAME! IT'S ONE OF THE GREATEST GAMES EVER AND I JUST LOST TO A MAN WHO DOESN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO WORK A CELL PHONE! ARGH!" With that, I dived face-first into a pillow on the floor and screamed into it. Laughing, Steve crouched down next to me.

"Just so you know, he cheated," came Tony's voice from the doorway to the living room. My head shot up, and I scrutinized the Captain, who gave me an innocent look. From the corner of my eye, I saw Tony leaning against the doorframe, beer in hand.

"I did no such thing," Steve said, looking affronted.

"How in the world could he have cheated, Tony, when he barely knows how to play?"

"He was button mashing."

"Tony, button mashing hardly counts as cheating. It's just annoying. Like you." I rolled my eyes, pushing myself into a sitting position. I used my arms to prop myself up, and my right arm brushed against Steve's. A light blush rose on my face as I looked at him, then looked away.

"So, Steve, I'm going to give up on this game. I've lost my faith," I sighed dramatically, and earned a chuckle from the Cap. "You wanna watch a movie or something? Because I really don't want to know why I have a voicemail from the caterer wanting to know where to drop of the thirty pounds of shrimp that I did not order." I tossed a glare in Tony's direction. He smirked and sauntered out of the room.

"I swear that man will be the death of me," I muttered, climbing back onto the couch. "Cap, come join me, and let's watch a movie that kind of reminds me of you. HERCULES!"

A/N: Okay, I'm sorry for my strange updating patterns. This story, even though I've been planning it for over a year, is throwing me for a loop. I've got good news and bad news. The good news- I had the next couple chapters written. The bad news- They were crap. I didn't like where it was going, so I scrapped it all and started over.

But I now have inspiration and drive, delivered to me in the form of Iron Man 3, which I watched last night. :D It was AMAZING!

Also, I met Captain America last week. Totally made my life, right there. He gave me a hug! :D I was being such a nerd, gosh, but it is what it is. AWESOME!

I hope you guys like this chapter, because I got up at five this morning to write it for you. That's how much I love you guys. I got up before six to write you this story. You're welcome.

Okay, I guess I'm done here. See y'all on the next chapter!