The restaurant was fairly nondescript, a little family eatery in upstate New York that was tucked out of the way but served up homestyle food. Sam Wilson liked to go there, it reminded him of eating at his Grandma's. He thought it would be a nice, neutral setting for… What exactly did he call this?

"Are we on a date?" Rebecca asked quietly, as if she could read his thoughts.

"Um, I dunno. Yes?" Sam looked over at the small redhead intently to gauge her reaction, which was tough to do at the best of times. "Maybe? Would you like it to be?"

Rebecca gave him a soft smile, one he realized she only ever showed to him. "I would like that, yes."

"Alright then, a date," Sam smiled. "Technically, I suppose, a double-date."

"We're not here with you," Caitlin called from across the restaurant from where she sat with Wanda, the two of them perusing their menus thoughtfully. "We just happen to be in the same place at the same time."

Sam snorted softly. "Yeah, that's just semantics."

"I agree," Rebecca murmured. "However, they are attempting to give us our privacy and yet still obviate the discomfort of being alone on a… on a date."

"Well, I'll try to work on that obviation," Sam joked as he picked his menu up. "You want my recommendation?"

"I would like to hear your opinion, yes please."

"The veggie bake is really good, they do the broccoli in this balsamic vinaigrette sauce that's awesome."

"That sounds very enjoyable. Very well, I shall order that. What will you have?"

"I like the tuna casserole. Sound common, but it melts in my mouth."

The waitress came and took their orders, leaving behind a pair of sweetened iced teas that they had requested previously. Rebecca looked around the room as Sam took a sip of his drink.

"This is a very nice place."

"Yeah, reminds me of home."

"It does?"

"Mmhmm. Used to live with my Grandma and Pa for awhile, least until I left for the service."

"That sounds nice."

The couple looked around the room, both desperately trying to find an acceptable topic of conversation.

"They make an odd pair," Sam mused, glancing over at Caitlin and Wanda who were seemingly conversing animatedly.

"They are not a couple."

"Oh, no, I didn't mean… I just meant, like, as friends. I didn't figure on the two of them ever talking civilly. With their history and all, y'know?"

Rebecca nodded solemnly. "Yes, I understand. It was difficult for Caitlin to, what is the phrase… break down their…"

"Walls?" Sam interjected.

"Yes, I suppose that works. In any case, once they did and began to converse, they realized they had much more in common than they realized."

"Huh," Sam commented. "Like what?"

"They both despise Tony Stark."

"Yeah, well, he can be a difficult guy to tolerate," Sam snorted softly in agreement.

"Also, they have both lost someone close to them. They have both experienced betrayal, and have taken actions they regret. They are, in fact, very good for each other."

The food arrived then, and they spent the next few minutes eating quietly.

"You were correct," Rebecca murmured after a while. "This is quite delicious."

"Glad you like it. Did you wanna try mine?"

Rebecca nodded, and Sam took a forkful of his casserole and offered it across the table to her. Rebecca blinked uncertainly, but leaned in to take the bite and chewed it thoughtfully.

"The taste is not objectionable," she stated, but then began to blush furiously.

"What?" Sam asked, concerned.

"I did not realize that was a somewhat intimate act, your offering food to me like that," the redhead whispered. "Caitlin noticed."

Sam shot a glare across the room but the brunette in question had her head down to study her plate and was actively avoiding looking his way.

Rebecca reached across to lay a slender hand on his arm. "It is alright, Sam. She already apologized."

Sam chuckled ruefully. "It's hard to get used to, the two of you being able to hear each other across a crowded room without raising your voice."

"But it can be fortuitous at times," Rebecca commented, returning to her meal once more. "We coordinate well together."

"Yeah, you do," Sam grinned. "I remember that one training ex you two did with Steve and Romanov, the two of you moved like a single unit. It was pretty damn impressive."

Rebecca blinked at him, her fork halfway to her mouth. "Am I? Impressive?"

"Yeah, you are," he replied softly. "You impress the hell outta me. Little scary, actually."

"Oh," Rebecca said, a blank look on her face, as she finished taking the bite and sat her fork down, chewing thoughtfully before swallowing. "Yes, Caitlin, I know that was a compliment," she muttered. "If you will not keep your nose to yourself I will begin telling Sam about things you do not wish for him to hear."

"Oh, now it's gettin' interesting," Sam chortled. "What kinda things?"

Rebecca glanced over at the other table and Sam did the same. While Wanda was giggling merrily, Caitlin was shooting daggers with her glare.

"She has a ticklish spot," Rebecca whispered, her words dancing with a humor rarely displayed.

"Hmm," Sam said thoughtfully, unable to keep the grin off of his face. "Now that's pretty highly classified intel."

"Oh, it is. And I am the only one who knows of it."

"Well, then, pretty valuable too."

"Yes. Highly sought after."

"Now, what could I possibly offer to woo that highly sensitive secret from you?"

Rebecca blushed brightly and looked down at her plate. "I… That is… Um," she stammed softly.

"Oh! I didn't mean…" Sam cleared his throat, realizing that he was blushing furiously as well. "Sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you."

"Is it alright, Sam. If it helps, we have sufficiently amused Caitlin that she no longer desires violence upon our persons."

"Well that's something, at least."

Rebecca nodded. "Sam?"

"Yeah, Becca?"

"This was a wonderful date."

"It was?"

"Most definitely."

"Well, alright then. I had a good time, too."

"Perhaps the next time, we might see a movie?"

Sam grinned at her. "Already planning our second date, huh?"

"I am. Do you object to this course of action?"

"Not at all. And I think a movie would be nice."

"But we will not bring Caitlin the next time."

"No, maybe we could risk going solo," Sam said with mock seriousness.

Rebecca nodded solemnly. "We will have to endure her pouting on the car ride back tonight, however."

"Long as we're together, won't bother me a bit."