Present day

"Captain Rogers?"

Steve looked up from the book he was reading to see Lily's nurse smiling down at him. She was a small girl, with blonde hair and blue eyes. By the excited look on her face, he knew what she was going to tell him before she opened her mouth.

"She's awake."

"Can I see her?"

The nurse smiled.

"Come with me," she said softly. Steve nodded and stood, as the little nurse led him out of the viewing room and into the hallway. Upon seeing them, Dr Gale set down his clipboard and smiled.

"Take it slowly, Captain. Your daughter is very confused, and terribly frightened. She might not remember you straight away."

"Thank you, Doctor."

And then he was allowed in.

Steve shut the door behind him, took a deep breath and turned to face the girl.

"Hi," he said quietly, walking towards her slowly. He paused for a moment to gather his nerves, before taking a deep breath and continuing with steady steps.

When he was close enough, Steve ran his fingers along the mattress, hoping he didn't look as nervous as he felt. He'd visited her daily since Fury told him about her, sure, but it was different now she was awake.

Steve smiled at his little girl, trying to comfort her, and was sure she could see the pain, joy and wonder all in his eyes. Lily didn't let anything show on her face, and stayed perfectly still as she regarded him suspiciously.

"Who are you?" she asked in a low voice. The distrust in her eyes sent a sharp pain through Steve's heart. He tried to look as honest as possible, terrified he might frighten her further. He shrugged a little.

"I'm...your dad."

Lily frowned a little. There was a moment of silence that made Steve feel anxious, as Lily watched him carefully. Had anyone ever told her about him? Did she have someone else to call her father? His heart sank at the thought.

As Steve came closer and stood quietly beside her bed, he just watched her. He waited for her to collect her thoughts, sort out her feelings. Her steady gaze didn't leave his the entire time.

In her eyes, Steve could see that she was terrified. She had no clue where she was, why she was there, and indeed how much time had passed. She didn't know if her mother was still alive, if there was still a war going on, if she was healthy. Steve didn't even know if the doctors had managed to preserve her memories of her life before the accident.

After thirty seconds that felt like forever, Lily seemed to jolt herself out of her reverie of thought, and blinked, looking up at Steve as her eyes filled with tears, and she broke down.

Steve panicked, and knelt in front of her, trying to calm her in whatever way he could, hands on her shoulders.

"Hey, hey..." His hands moved to her face as he tried to look into her eyes, and eventually she managed to focus on him. Steve smiled, tears in his own eyes. "It's alright. I'm here now. And they fixed you," he whispered. Lily's vision cleared for a moment, and she tried to smile.

"I remember," she murmured, and Steve's heart leapt. He smiled, and met her halfway as she leaned forward to wrap her arms around his neck. She took a deep breath, and smiled more easily. "They told me stories about you."

Steve couldn't help the wave of joy that swept over him, and he tightened his arms around his daughter, a hand on the back of her head as he pressed his lips to her hair. She was really there, and she knew who he was.

They didn't move for a moment, until Lily moved to tuck her head into his chest, ruffling her brown curls. Steve sat back on his heels to look at her as she went distant.

"I'm scared," she whispered, looking up at him with wide eyes. Steve nodded.

"I know. But you don't need to be, not any more. I'm gonna look after you," he told her. He absently stroked her cheek as she watched him, trying to focus. Steve smiled. "I promise."

Lily paused for a second and glanced at the door, at the viewing window they were inevitably being watched from. She lowered her voice and looked at Steve with worry in her eyes.

"Do you know where my necklace is?" she asked. Steve frowned.

"No, I'm afraid not. Do you need it?"

Lily nodded, looked down at her hands.

"More than they realise. Mum gave it to me."

Steve set his lips.

"I'll find it."