0700 Hours – Avengers Private Kitchens

Steve stood above the sleeping woman whom he had dreamed about the night before. It was one of the first nights in which he had actually stayed soundlessly under for several hours and it was thanks to her. He knew it was because he hadn't wanted to wake up, doing things with her in dreamland that he shouldn't but wanted to do in reality.

Here, though, she lay wrapped in a heavy knitted jumper, curled up like a lazy cat. Her face was peaceful in slumber but he could still see the small twist to her lips. Such smile seemed to be a permanent part of this woman. Not mocking. More like she had a secret that she wasn't about to tell.

Steve sighed heavily, sitting across from her. He hadn't intended to get so attached. She was just so witty and funny and damn beautiful that he was drawn to her. It was like she knew exactly what made him jump; made him smile even when his thoughts were dark. Darcy Lewis was truly one of a kind.

He was beginning to waver in his determination to leave for a few days. He thought perhaps she would like some time away from him as well, but here she was. Asleep on the couch where he had first seen her. No… He really should go. Give them both chance to question what it was they wanted.

Sighing once more, he raised his foot and wiggled her arm with his big toe. In truth, he didn't trust himself to be any closer to her least he kiss her soundly and take her right there on that damn couch. Like he had in his dream.

He groaned at the reminder and covered his face. He should just get up and leave, coffee be damned. The worst part was, he didn't even like the stuff that much, but he knew he'd stay and have a cup with her if only to be in her presence.

Maybe he was really smitten. It was just so strange to feel something so strongly so soon.

"Ouch." She groaned, startling him out of his thoughts. He looked up quickly, concerned she was hurt, only to see she was pinching the bridge of her nose, eyes clamped shut.

"Darcy?" He asked quietly, hating the way she flinched as he spoke. She peaked a blood-shot eye out from over her fingers.

"M'ok. Just hung-over. Coffee me before I die." She grumbled, throwing an arm over her face. He smiled, remembering the one and only time he had ever been drunk. And the hell of a hangover that had felled him the next day.

He silently made the black bitter brew for her and as the machine was working on that, he started her some greasy food. That's what Stark assured him helps with his hangovers and he had a feeling Tony knew all about it.

It was a simple act. Him making her breakfast and coffee. It wasn't even the first time he had done so but somehow this felt more intimate. A little domestic.

A little voice at the back of his head reminded him that he was supposed to leave after one cup. Don't stay..

0730 Hours

"-and after an hour of trying to calm her down, I finally managed to get her into my bed. And then I didn't want to sleep on my couch. I guess I thought, you know, this one was so comfortable. I don't know." She mumbled, a laugh beneath her voice making his stomach knot. Still he said nothing, not really able to say what he planned out loud. Steve had remained silent as she ate and talked and he knew she was growing increasingly concerned.

How can he tell her he needs a few days away? He didn't want to simply leave after last night. She might get the wrong idea, but he couldn't stay. Not with her so close.

How was he even going to leave when it was these small moments that brighten his day? Steve was having a hard time convincing his brain that it was for the best, but then she stood and stretched, her arms lifting the ridiculously large knitted sweater up to reveal her wearing small flannel shorts. Arousal spiked through him and he simply couldn't take his eyes off of her long bare legs. All of that milky white softness that he could spend days memorizing.

She caught his eyes, and laughed huskily. He tried not to blush. Really, it was like he was a boy in leading string by the way he averted his eyes after being caught.

"Well, I should go." She paused, looking at him questioningly. He thinned his lips and looked out the tall windows, afraid if he spoke he'd say all of the crazy things that bounced around his head. Things like, 'I want to kiss you so hard you forget how to think.' But he couldn't. He was leaving after all...

"Yea… Well, the big guy is due in an hour or so and I need to get the Lady Jane up and decent looking." Darcy explained, making her way slowly to the door. He felt a pull. To say something, to do something. She was twisting the hem of her sweater and he knew it was his inaction that was causing her distress.

She paused by the door, looking back to him with a small twist to her lips. He knew it then. Knew as she looked down and closed the door silently behind her, that he had messed up big time. The look of sad disappointment that crossed her face made him stand to go to her but by the time he did she was long gone.

Steven Grant Rogers. Not able to talk to girls since 1918.

0830 Hours – Tony Stark's Lounge.

Steve sat in the gaudy expanse of Tony's lounge area. The place where not so long ago the Asgaurdian miscreant Loki had been stopped by The Hulk. Although the crater in the floor had been fixed, there was a large painted "A" that signified the spot. The Avengers symbol. A shining example of his seeming hypocrisy.

It was something he hadn't considered as a youth. Vigilantism. Going against the law to fight the evils of the world. But now, when even the world's governments could not be trusted, he knew it was his responsibility to be the moral rightness.

But that wasn't why he was here. Thor was due to arrive via magic circle (He didn't even want to think about it) and he knew that Jane and Darcy would be present. But she's not the reason either... Really. It was his responsibility to be here. For his teammate..

Just as Stark and Banner was. And if Barton and Romanov were not busy on mission, they would also be here. Simple as that.

His eyes kept glancing at the door, NOT looking for the curvy figure who should be here any second.

0900

"Hey Cap!" Called a cheeky voice from behind. Stark and his never ending supply of wit sauntered up to where he was sitting rigid, staring out the windows to keep from looking to the doors.

"Stark." Was his stiff reply. Steve really didn't want to talk to the other man at the moment. They got along fine most of the time and Steve could even ignore the quips and dry humor the other man seemed to have in buckets. But not today. Not when he knew he fucked up.

"Should have said something." The other man quipped, coming to stand in front of him. Steve jerked out of his thoughts to glare at the little shit. Had he been spying on him and Darcy? How much did he know?

"My casa! Besides, Jarvis had been keeping tabs on her since the first time she walked into that room with the stolen key card." Tony smirked, a little too much admiration shiny in his eyes.

"It's none of your concern what I should or shouldn't have done." Steve managed through stiff lips. Something about this conversation was grating on his nerves, but he did concede it might be because she hadn't shown up yet so he could apologize for being a dunce.

"All I'm saying is that she's not one to wait around. She's too much like my own feisty ball of chaos." Tony smiled, his gaze drifted over to the tall strawberry blond, sitting at the bar. Her hair was up and she was all casual elegance, but Steve knew what she had raging under that freckled skin of hers.

He looked back to the other man, the (almost) tender grin making his features seem less severe. Steve had to admit, a woman like Pepper could take a dandy like Stark and turn him into a man like Tony, then she was a mighty fine one.

Before he could even form a response, there was a loud screech overhead. Tony simply grinned, the cocky billionaire was back.

"Thor's here!" He exclaimed, making a hasty retreat.

Thor was one of those fellows Steve remembered from his days in the army. A big man with a powerful structure and a hunger for a good fight, but was all smiles and kindness. He liked him. Sort of reminded him of a young Bucky, back before everything.

Darcy and Jane had appeared out of nowhere as soon as Thor arrived, stepping from a giant circle of scorched ruins. He only had a moment of realization before the party moved back inside. There were too many people, too much going on for him to get Darcy by herself to have a word and by the way she was avoiding his gaze, he had to assume that she didn't want to speak with him. God, he could kick himself.

1000 Hours – Stark Lounge

They sat around a large glass table. Food and drinks were traditional whenever Thor came to visit, which was more often lately. He brought a sort of joyous atmosphere that could overcome any language barrier there happened to be. Steve might not understand everything the man was saying, but he knew a friend when he saw one.

Right now, however, he wanted to kill him.

"There will be a bounty of young Asgaurdian men! All have heard the great tales of Lady Darcy. You must join us. Come with Jane and I." Thor boomed, his face brightening over the idea of taking Darcy to his ancestral home.

All Steve heard was, "There are god-like men already interested in you. Come, check em' out!"

And the worst part of it all was that she was smiling, laughing along and by the look in her stunning blue eyes, she was actually contemplating it! Here he was, thinking of going away for a few days, not even giving thought to her leaving.

"Is that Fandral going to be there? Cause I have a thing for the Robin Hood act." She laughed easily. He would have been terrified that there was another man she was interested in, had it not been for her eyes. He could see the truth there.

"He will be. It will be a proper festival if you were there. What say you?"

She was quiet at first, her rounded face contemplative. She must have sensed his eyes because she looked around the table, only meeting his for a fraction of a second. He didn't think he could take it anymore.

"I'll have to think about that one, big guy." Darcy sighed dramatically, though the wry twist to her lips was ever present. "You'll have your answer before Scotty beams you up tomorrow."

He hadn't realized his fists clenched on his legs, the fabric nearly torn, until everyone started moving. They went about their duties, Jane explaining to Banner for what looked like the millionth time what the sounds meant coming from her equipment. Thor laughing at some witty thing Stark said. Even Coulson was there, bantering with Ms. Potts like old friends.

Somehow, in the midst of all the chaos, Darcy had slipped out of the room. He only noticed a moment after and was about to stand and follow when a large hand came down on his shoulder.

"Captain. My greetings. How fare you, friend?" Thor asked, his deep blue eyes were more serious than before.

"Thor! Hey, I'm good." Steve replied, falling back on old manners. He stood and shook the thunder-god's hand. A strange life he led, indeed.

Thor, however, must have sensed something was off because he steered Steve away from the others. They stood gazing out over New York, while all he wanted to do was to go search out Darcy and make things right. He won't let history repeat itself.

"What ails you?" The large blond asked, his body turning slightly to face Steve. He sighed, wishing he could escape all of these prying eyes.

"Just some personal stuff." He supplied, not wanting to lie to his friend but also dearly wishing for a little privacy. Alas, it was not to be.

"Should I then ask the Lady Darcy? She seems to be affected as well."

"No!" He choked out. "No. I just have to talk to her. Besides, it's not anyone's concern." He said stiffly, finally reaching the end of his rope. Thor, however, was not quite done.

"I think of her as not only a dear friend, but as family. Understand what that means." The Asgaurdian cautioned. Steve could hear the threat under it all and although he didn't fear the other man, he did have a healthy dose of respect for his powers. And now, for his protectiveness over Darcy. With that thought heavy in his heart, he simply nodded and left the others quietly.

He had a lady to find and had to somehow convince her not to fall into some Godly Robin Hood's arms.