Irene walked down the busy streets, shoving her hands into her pockets as she smiled and looked up at the Christmas lights dangling above her. A puff of white air wafted around her, temporarily warming up her face from the freezing cold. She was surprised to feel something slightly heavy over her shoulders as she looked down and noticed the jacket that Steve was wearing. She looked up to the man who only smiled down to her as they continued to walk in silence.
She wanted to argue with him and give back his jacket but her arms said something completely different. Irene felt herself wrap her arms around her body, bringing the jacket closer to her. An idea popped into her head as she wrapped her arms around Steve's waist and rested her head on his chest. Almost immediately, Steve returned the affection as he wrapped his arm over her shoulder to bring her closer.
"Where are we going?"
Steve only smiled as he continued to move her through the crowd, almost like as if he was back in time. Irene looked around at the people passing back, trying to pick up on some sort of clues that Steve wasn't really telling her. It didn't matter, the citizens just continued to walk on in their normal world, leaving them alone. Irene then turned and tried to force Steve to look her in the eye so that she could ask once again.
Steve chuckled, "You can't do that. I've read your profile already. I know what happens when I look you in the eye"
"Then why don't you tell me where we are going?"
"Because it's a surprise" Steve told her, "And I don't want your power to spoil it for me. Just go along with it. Trust me. You'll enjoy this"
Irene sighed in defeat as she dropped her head down and let her feet guide her through the streets of New York. She saw a couple of women, just as old as her, stare at Steve and gawk at Irene as they passed by. She couldn't help but smile to herself at how jealous they must be with him. To them, he was a tall, handsome, gentleman who knew how to treat a lady.
But that's not even half of the story; they just didn't know that he was a man out of his time. Someone who wanted more than anything to go back to the 1940's. Thinking about him leaving this present time sent a pang of emotion slapped right into her chest. Would he drop the very little thing he had with her in order to go back to Peggy Carter?
"Do you hear that?" Irene asked.
Irene stopped as she heard music playing in the distance, the smell of popcorn and cotton candy were close in the crisp air. She turned around and noticed that Steve was smiling down to her.
"I told you it was a surprise" Steve responded, "I might've asked the agent to pull a couple of more strings. Just to see what was your favorite pastime. Luckily, this carnival was staying an extra five days. That or it was most likely fate. It was written all over-"
"Maria told you!"
"Not me" Steve continued, "The agent that practically is head over heels for her. Why don't we talk about this later and have some fun right now?"