A/N: Hey guys! As promised, Tony finds out in the chapter. Nuff said. Haha but please enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney, or the Avengers. Just Mia.
"Steve?" I called out after the elevator opened. A crash sounded from the kitchen, followed by, "Just a minute!"
Following the sound of the noise, I found Steve furiously working over a stove. Giggling, I carefully toed off my heels, and snuck up behind him.
"Hey," I said, putting a hand on his shoulder, drawing his attention.
"Hi," He said, turning to give me a kiss. It was sweet and soft, even as he turned farther to bring me closer.
"You clean up nicely," I commented, noting the dress slacks, and navy blue dress shirt, with their sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
"I wasn't sure if you were going to dress up or not. Better to be safe than sorry," he said, before looking at my outfit.
"And you look gorgeous. I love that color on you," He said, a faint color coming to his cheeks.
"I'll remember that. You like me in purple," I laughed as he turned to stir a pot.
"It's ready," He said, bringing the pot to the table.
"Penne Alfredo? How did you know?"
"I may or may not have asked Pepper. She had a very knowing look on her face."
"Oh. She must have known it was you from my description of you."
"Really?" He asked as he served my food, "And how did you describe me?"
"Well for starters, I told her I took you back to my hotel and we had hot sex. Then she asked me what you were like. I replied boy next door, but more mature. Blonde hair, blue eyes, muscles galore. You seemed like you needed to be at a Jazz club rather than a dance club."
"And she pieced that all together?" He asked, probably wondering how others saw him.
"I mentioned your name was Steve and she got this huge, Cheshire cat grin. I thought her face was going to break from excitement."
"She was equally as excited when I asked your favorite food." He laughed.
"She must have been plotting," I chuckled. The conversation was put off for a few minutes as I dug into my food hungrily.
"Remember to come up for air," Steve teased as I finished off my plate.
"I don't get much opportunity to eat these days," I said, taking a second helping. Steve was already on his second helping.
"I hope you're taking care of yourself," He said, looking worried.
"I am eating, it's just very long periods in between getting the chance to eat. Plus there is bacon in this, and that's my favorite food in all the world." I said, giving him a reassuring smile.
"So, how do you like the Tower so far?" He asked, after we had finished eating. I grabbed some dishes to wash up, running water to clean them off and replied, "It's not as crazy as I thought it would be. I have a lot of space to myself, which I do like sometimes."
"Yeah, I think Tony understood that if were around each other too much, we would start to go crazy." Steve said, taking the dishes from my hands to load the machine.
"I just wanted a place to stay. I was thinking about getting my own place, in a different building, but I'm happier being closer to Tony." I said, turning to lean my back against the counter.
"How often have you been up to the shared lounge?" Steve asked, starting the dishwasher. Thinking, I replied, "Twice. Or three times if you count when I stopped by to ask Pepper if she'd prefer a Saturday or a Friday for shopping."
"Would you like to watch a movie?" Steve said, gesturing to the couch.
"How about we just talk?" I smiled as I coyly walked to the loveseat. He followed, looking nervous.
"What would you like to talk about?"
"Us. More specifically, what this is… I'm not looking for an exact DTR, but I'm wanting to know if you're serious about trying."
"DTR?" He asked, with one eyebrow raised.
"Define The Relationship," I explained, to which he nodded in understanding, as he sat down beside me.
"We are two people… who are fond of each other, and would like to see where things go. And if you are still worried, just know, I want to get to know you regardless of where this goes. I genuinely want to know everything about you I can learn."
"Well, I am pretty awesome," I blushed.
"And beautiful," He said taking my hand, as his other arm went around my shoulders.
"I believe 20 Questions is in order." I said, smiling as he watched my reaction.
"Okay, favorite color?"
"Blue, the shade of sky on a sunny day," I said, thinking of the last true day in the sun I had, "And yours?"
"Was red, now I'm thinking purple," he teased, playing with the hem of my dress.
"Best childhood memory?" I said, trying to conceal the shiver in my voice.
"My mother took me to the beach one time. Bucky and his parents tagged along, and we played for hours in the sun. I couldn't run with the other children because of my asthma, but it's the most prominent memory in my mind."
"That's wonderful," I said, squeezing his hand.
"And yours?" He asked, looking into my eyes.
"I was only four. I'm not sure if I remember this correctly, but Tony was having one of his good days. The ones where he was trying to be in my life rather than having a nanny raise me." I smiled sadly.
"We were playing with trains. I don't know why trains, but he wanted me to understand their movement, and the mechanics behind it," I chuckled to myself, "We set them up in his room, because seeing the ocean view he had was calming to me. I was a hyper active child. I'm surprised the nanny I had didn't end up in a psych ward. She's so sweet, still sending me birthday cards and Christmas cards-"
"Trains," Steve said, getting me back to my story.
"Anyways, we set the tracks to go up, over, around and underneath his bed. He let me use the remote control to make the train go forward, and to switch tracks. It kept us entertained for hours. Especially on rainy days, I brought them up to his room, in hopes we could play. Even if Tony wasn't there, I would set them up and play by myself. It was a simple childhood, not without lonely days, but I managed to keep myself entertained."
"It sounds lonely." Steve said, while I shrugged.
"Lonely days led me to books. That's where I discovered I wanted to be a doctor." I said, touching the precious gem hanging around my neck.
"Was that your mother's?" Steve asked, looking at the pale purple diamond.
"My father gave it to my mother on their wedding day. Tony tells me the story, but is unsure of the exact words he said, but it went something like this. "Until my dying breath, I'm with you till the end of-""
"The line," Steve said, sadly.
"How…" I asked, before realizing.
"I knew your father was intuitive, but I didn't think he'd remembered that."
"Who did you say it to?" I asked, noticing his sadness.
"My best friend. I'm still trying to find him." Steve said, before I realized who he was talking about.
"The Winter Soldier," I said.
"His name is Bucky," Steve said, sighing, as if he'd had this argument before.
"I'm not judging. The Winter Soldier was ordered to kill my parents though. If he was as brainwashed as everyone keeps telling me, then I have no right to hold a grudge."
Steve sighed, before squeezing my hand.
"Favorite animal?" He asked.
"You." I said, raising an eyebrow suggestively, to diffuse the tension. It worked because the full belly laugh echoed from his mouth to every corner of the room.
"Okay, I really want to be a gentleman, but I've been dying to kiss you."
"You have kissed me." I laughed.
"I'm not too sure you're understanding what I'm saying," Steve said, inching towards me.
"I do, I just want to hear you actually say it."
"On a first date, it's not polite to ask that of a lady," He said, gently bringing our noses to touch.
"Steve, I wanted to see you again after our first night together. I wanted to tell you not only did you take my breath away with a mind-blowing night, but you treated me like a lady. I remember how soft and slow you were at first," I said, ghosting my fingers up his forearm.
"I remember you demanding more after that first one," Steve chuckled.
"Like I said then, you don't have to ask. I'm…" My mind told me not to say it, but my body was screaming it.
"Are we serious about this? About pursuing each other?" I asked rationally.
"I am." He said, pulling away to look me better in the eyes.
"Then, maybe we shouldn't…"
"You're right. We will wait until we are more comfortable around each other." He said, Captain face overtaking his happy demeanor.
"We were pretty comfortable the other night," I laughed.
"I want you to trust me. I know it wasn't her story to tell, but Pepper told me about Connor almost as soon as it happened. She was scared for you and Tony wasn't any help." My blood ran cold at that name.
"I'm not afraid of men Steve. He just didn't respect women. He kept dating when we were together. I called him out on that, and he tried to beat me. Luckily, I know quite a few forms of martial arts." I smiled, as I thought of the broken bones I gave him.
"He still hurt you," Steve said, referring to the scar on my back, where Connor tried to cut me with a kitchen knife.
"It's healed, and besides I wasn't emotionally invested in him. It was just a frivolous relationship. Nothing was ever going to become of it." I said, swallowing the emotion that bubbled up inside me, reminding me of the unseen scars from that night.
"And besides," I said, cradling his face in my hands, "I trust you."
"Trust me when I agree we should wait," He said, looking scared of my reaction.
"See how long we can go without giving in. It will make the next time that much more special," I nodded in agreement. His smile lit up the room, and I felt butterflies erupt in my stomach. Shuffling closer, I leaned in towards him, hoping he'd understand how much I just wanted to kiss him senseless. Apparently he got the hint because the next thing I know, my dress is up around my hips, and I've been moved to straddle his lap.
"This isn't helping," I laughed as we kissed sweetly.
"We're making out like teenagers. There are no rules," He chuckled. Gently untangling myself from him, I managed to fix my hair and kiss his cheek.
"I shouldn't stay if that is going to lead somewhere else," I said, gathering my shoes.
"Can I at least ride with you to your floor? Make sure you get home safe?" He teased, wrapping an arm around my waist, and bringing me flush to his chest.
"What a gentleman," I said, as he partially released me, so I was tucked into his side.
"I'm more of a caveman when it comes to you," he replied, as the elevator doors opened to reveal Natasha.
"So," She said, eyeing the two of us.
"Don't tell Tony," I begged as we walked in the elevator, "I want to tell him myself."
"How do you two know each other?" She asked knowingly.
"A club," Steve said, surprising Natasha obviously.
"Fossil went to dance club?" She teased.
"Yes he did," I said thinking back to that night. I wasn't looking for a relationship, but I was I ever happy I found one.
"I'm impressed," she said plainly, and then pushed the button for the shared floor.
"Where was the club?"
"I can't even remember the exact location." I thought about where it was, but Steve beat me to it.
"18 Little W 12th St, it's called Cielo." Steve said as the doors opened. Tony was explaining something to Bruce while they watched the football game that was on.
"Hey Mia, Cap," Tony said giving us a quick glance before Steve realized he had been holding my waist.
"Steve," Tony said slowly, turning the TV off, and getting up to face us.
"Tony, it's not what you think," I said, trying to calm my brother down. He had the crazy look in his eye, the same one he had when I finally told him about Connor.
"Then what is it Mia?" He said, as Steve released me. It looked as though Tony was trying to back him into a corner.
"We met weeks ago, we just didn't know who the other person really was."
"Uh oh," I heard from the bottom of the stairs that led to Tony's floor. Pepper was there and trying to back away without tony noticing.
"You knew?" Tony asked, hurt.
"I suspected… It wasn't until Mia told me about her night before she arrived at the Tower that I even had a suspicion."
"What happened the night before?" He asked, directing his question at Steve accusingly.
"Well," Steve stammered, blushing at being caught.
"You… you…" Tony said, piecing together the unspoken hints. Without hesitating Tony smashed his fist into Steve jaw.
"Tony, don't!" I yelled, stepping in between him and Steve's fallen form. He wasn't expecting it, and barely caught himself from landing on his face.
"You son of a-"
"Finish that, I dare you," I said, eyes blazing with fury.
"I broke my hand on his hard head," Tony said, glaring at Steve.
"Serves you right," I spat, helping Steve up, and walking back to the elevator.
"Mia," Tony said, sounding like he was trying to apologize, but was really justifying his actions.
"One more word, and I break your face," I threatened, "I'm a big girl, and I can make decisions for myself. I knew what I was getting into that night, not specifically who it was with, but I knew. You do not have a say in the people I spend my time with Tony. If you think you do, than you haven't changed since Afghanistan. My life, my choice."
And with that, Jarvis closed the doors for me dramatically, and I said, "Steve's floor please Jarvis, and don't let my brother come to see me at all for the next few days."
"Yes ma'am,"
"Mia, I'm fine," Steve said, taking my hand.
"I'm not," I said, cradling his head again. "I am mad, and hurt."
"I don't want to be the reason you and Tony fight."
"Steve this isn't our first fight. He fought me on becoming a doctor. My intern year, he refused to help me financially, because he thought it was a waste of my time. I wasn't too hard pressed for money, but my internship paid well." I explained as the doors opened to Steve's hallway.
"Do you need ice?" I asked, gently touching the forming bruise.
"No, I'm fine. How are you though?"
"I don't want to talk about my brother right now." I said, motioning for him to sit while I got an ice pack from the freezer.
"You need to talk about it though."
"My brother is an idiot that thinks he can risk his life, but I'm not smart enough to pick a decent guy. I'm going to run a hospital in under a year. This is not a fling, because, truth be told, I hope this is for the long haul, because I'm tired of dating."
"I think I want this for the long haul too. We give it time, and we get to know each other better, outside of the bedroom."
"You really think this is going to work?"
"Until we know each other well enough, we won't know if this is going to work or not. But we have to try," Steve said gently cradling my head in his hand.
Looking into his eyes, I saw everything I ever wanted, reflecting back to me. Smiling up at him, I said, "Okay, Captain."
"Now, you should go before I change my mind, and try to take you on this floor." He said, winking slyly at me.
"With our track record, we'd probably christen every surface in this apartment," I laughed walking back to the elevator.
"Wait, come back!" He said jokingly.
"Goodnight Steve," I said as the elevator opened.
"Sweet dreams," I whispered, winking at him. My mind was racing from learning about Steve. I had heard all the stories from Pepper, about how long he was in the ice; to knowing my father was a friend with him. When my brother had taken me to meet my father's friend Peggy Carter when I was 8, I was worried she wouldn't like me. Now, knowing who she was to Steve, I tried not to be jealous of an elderly woman. As the elevator opened on my floor, I sighed audibly.
There were papers strewn across every surface, much like my brother's lab. Except mine included essays, research of my own and scans. Dropping my purse, and shoes in a heap next to the table, I heard a soft yelp coming from the bedroom. Confused, I went to investigate, only to melt. There in a wide short box, was a small Golden Retriever puppy. Around it's neck was a red and gold ribbon, and I knew that Tony had left it here well before our fight. He had a little bit of food in the box with a puppy-training pad. Sighing, I bent down to pet the tiny thing.
"He thinks this is going to make up for being a jerk to me most of the time," I said to the puppy who playfully nipped at my fingers, and licked the palm of my hand. I noticed a card on the bed, and quickly snatched it, while the puppy whined.
"Welcome home sis. Don't worry about taking her out, as I've made an artificial turf area for her next to the gym in your apartment. It will automatically clean itself. I know how much you wanted one when you were growing up. I hope this makes up for me being a jerk to you. I apologize in advance if I go a little overprotective of you while you're here. Tony," I read aloud, noticing he left no indication of a name, but I was already loving the idea of naming her.
"Are you a Jasper?" I said looking at the puppy who was nipping my fingers. She tilted her head in confusion, but continued to play with my fingers. Setting her down I quickly changed into some lounge pants and a tank top. She stared at me, as if waiting for me to give her a command.
"Lie down," I said gently. She surprisingly did as she was told.
"How about Bailey?" I asked, thinking back to a friend of mine in med school. The dog continued to stare, as if knowing the right name would come out of my mouth.
"Athena." I said, smiling slowly. She barked, a slight howl to the end of the sweet sound, as her tail wagged.
"Athena it is," I said scooping up the puppy and going to the box to retrieve her small bed. Knowing she would continue to grow, I felt the need to take tomorrow off. Calling the hospital, I let my night nurses know I wouldn't be in first thing tomorrow, to let the next shift know. Leaving a message for Gabby, I explained the situation with the puppy and how I couldn't possibly bring the dog to work. Athena growled playfully at a stuffed animal I had pulled out of the box, pouncing.
"Now, only tonight will you be sleeping in my bed." I said, picking her up and letting her curl up beside me under the covers. Turning off the lamp, I made sure my phone was plugged in and texted Steve to come to my floor around 9am the next morning. Chuckling, I noticed Athena was already closing her eyes.
"Goodnight sweet girl," I cooed, closing my eyes, and letting my exhaustion over-take me.