Stone Walls - We The Kings.

"The kitchen is the heart of every home, for the most part. It evokes memories of your family history." Debi Mazar.

"Katie!"

Looking up from the homework she was helping Riley with, Katie's head turned towards the back door where she heard Harley's voice coming from.

It was just after three in the afternoon and Katie had heard the school bus pull up just moments ago. Riley was only in kindergarten, so she only had half days which were in the morning this month, therefore she was home around lunch. But, Harley normally went straight to the garage after getting off the bus. He would stay in there for a few hours before coming in and starting his homework. And he didn't say it, but Katie knew he was disappointed every time he walked in.

It'd been a few weeks now since Tony stopped by. The night that Tony took Harley to 'show him around' had been one of the longest nights for Katie in a long time.

Once she'd finally been able to get Riley in bed, all Katie could do was stay up and watch the clock. She was so on edge that she couldn't even get herself a drink. She just kept glancing at the clock every minute, praying that Harley would get home before his mother did. And when he finally walked through that front door - with a few bumps and bruises - Katie had never felt more relieved.

However, Katie quickly realized that Tony wasn't with the boy and she didn't need to ask Harley where he was. She was pretty certain he'd found something on his 'tour' and he was now off on a lead.

Over the next few days, Harley stayed in the garage. It got to the point where Katie had to bring him his food just so he would get something to eat. He explained to her that he had to get Iron Man up and running again and he had to be ready in case Tony called. And Katie was more than happy to let him help. After all, it'd been a while since she'd seen Harley look this happy. Plus, he could help Iron Man and any another Avenger he wanted. As long as he stayed in the garage, Katie was fine with it.

Then, one morning, Katie wake up and turned on the TV, only to see that Tony had done it. That idiot had actually done it. The Mandarin was gone and Tony Stark was alive and well. And Katie couldn't help but smile.

"Katie, come here!"

Katie narrowed her eyes together before standing up from the kitchen chair, Riley not far behind her as they both stepped out into the bitter air and walked the short distance to the garage out back.

"Harley." Katie spoke as she pushed the door opened. "What are you yelling-"

Katie froze as she looked around the garage with wide eyes. Gone was the old, run down, dirty looking garage. Now, it looked brand new. Tools and mechanics lined the walls, desks where covered with tablets and computers. There was even a mini robot on one desk and a car sitting in the background.

"Tony."

The name slipped out of Katie's month so low and soft, that even she wasn't sure she said it. Nevertheless, a smile started to form on her face as she stepped farther into the garage.

"My watch!" Riley pushed pass her babysitter and towards the desk, picking up a Dora watch.

"Isn't it so cool?" Harley looked up at Katie with the biggest smile she had ever seen on his face. "Oh! And this was left for you!"

Harley turned around and grabbed an envelope off the desk to hand it to Katie, who took it with a curious look on her face. The only thing on the front was her name, so Katie turned the envelope over and ripped the back open. Inside, she found a piece of paper and -

A plane ticket. To New York.

Katie stared at the ticket for what felt like forever, her mind racing. She couldn't think of anything to do or say as she slowly opened the folded piece of paper.

There's worse things than having a parent worry about you. Talk to Cap. I don't want to be invited to any awkward thanksgiving dinners.

Katie released a breath that she didn't even realize she was holding as the corners of her lips started to turn up. Somehow, Tony always managed to surprise her.

Katie's little talk with Tony had been on her mind a lot the past few weeks. She felt like an idiot for treating Steve the way she did and leaving in the middle of the night instead of just sitting down and talking to him when things started to get too bad. The number of times Katie got close to giving Steve a call… She picked up the phone a number of times and even dialled the number and hit call once before hanging up again.

Steve deserved more than a phone call. Katie wanted to talk to him in person and apologize face to face. Then, it was up to Steve if he wanted to deal with her or not.

And really, at this point, the only thing that was stopping Katie from jumping on a plane was Harley and Riley. She didn't have a problem with money to get a ticket. She had a problem actually buying the ticket, because then that meant she would be leaving the kids.

But now Katie had the ticket in her hands.

Katie glanced up from the piece of paper in her hands and looked over at the kids who were all smiles and laughs as they played with the little robot on the desk.

Suddenly, Katie felt like it was okay to leave. Part of her knew the reason she couldn't leave the kids before was because she didn't want them to believe that everyone who came into their lives would leave them, like their father did. But they were smarter than that. Plus, Katie wasn't leaving them forever, she'd see them again. And Harley and Riley would be just fine.

It was time for Katie to head back to New York and deal with her own problems.

Katie had to do something soon, or she was pretty sure one of the neighbours would call the cops on her.

But she couldn't. She couldn't will herself to move as her eyes stayed glued on the red door in front of her. The painted red door. She'd been staring at it for so long now that all the details on the door slowly started popping out at her and she could see specs of grey behind the red.

Surprisingly, Katie had had no problem actually leaving Tennessee and going back to New York. She hadn't second guessed herself when she'd talked to Harley, Riley, and their mother. She didn't talk herself out of leaving as she packed or on the two hour plane ride. It wasn't until she reached Steve's door of his New York apartment that Katie froze, because there was one part of this whole trip that she'd been putting off.

She had no idea what the hell she was going to say.

She couldn't just knock on Steve's front door with a smile, a wave, and then ask what he had planned for supper.

She'd been gone for three months. Katie packed up in the middle of the night three months ago and left, without as much as a word to Steve since then.

Katie sighed. This was ridiculous. All she had to do was knock on the door and explain to Steve what had happened, why it had happened and how she felt.

But what if he wouldn't have it?

Katie wouldn't be surprised for one bit if Steve slammed the door in her face the moment he opened it. Because he had every right to be upset and mad at Katie, he had every reason to not want to talk to her. Katie just hopped he would let her get a word or two in before he turned her away, if it came to that.

Taking a deep breath in through her nose, Katie slowly raised her hand before knocking on the painted red door, the sound of her hand hitting wood echoing all around her.

She heard movement coming from the other side of the door before the sound of footsteps filled her ears. Katie couldn't help but hold her breath when she heard the footsteps stop and the doorknob start to turn, everything suddenly feeling like it was moving in slow motion as the door was pulled open.

Katie watched as Steve's face came into view and went from curiosity to confusion and surprised in point three seconds, no one speaking as they stared at each other.

The first thing Katie noticed about Steve was his hair. Gone was the clean, old-fashion, 1940's hair style that was styled to the side. His hair was still clean-cut, but it was more modern, and shorter. He was also sporting a pair of casual jeans and t-shirt, as opposed to the plaid tucked-in shirts that he used to wear before Katie left.

Then, her eyes met Steve's, and it took everything in Katie not to look away. Steve's jaw was clutched and eyebrows were narrowed. But it was in a more confused way than angry, through the hurt that was clearly showing behind his eyes was enough to tear Katie up inside.

"Hi." She breathed, breaking the dead silence and letting out the breath she didn't realize she was holding.

Katie didn't really except Steve to reply, so it took her by surprise when his face relaxed ever so slightly.

"Hi." Steve replied before silence fell around them again, and Katie could heard the edge of bitterness in his voice.

Now what? Katie had no idea what to say or do as she started to chew on her inner cheek. The silence felt like it was going to last forever, that is until Steve cleared his throat.

"Did you want to come in?"

All Katie did was nod as Steve stepped to the side, somewhat unsure at first, and she stepped through the door.

Katie walked a few feet into the apartment before turning around just as Steve was closing the door.

"I'm sorry."

The front door clicked shut and Steve turned around, his eyebrows pinched in confusion as he stared at Katie.

"Excuse me?"

"Before you say anything," Katie took a breath. "I just, wanna say sorry. For leaving. And for not calling you in three months. For everything…"

Katie trailed off, not really knowing what else to say. The coldness that Katie could see behind Steve's eyes was killing her a little inside, causing her to glance down at her feet.

She'd never done this before, apologize to her father, and she just really wanted him to understand where she was coming from.

Looking up again, Katie watched as Steve started to rub the back of his neck, taking a few slow steps towards her as if she was a scared animal that would run away at any moment, but he was still on guard.

"Why don't we sit down?"

Katie nodded before slowly following Steve into the living room and sitting down on the love seat, Steve sitting across from her on the couch.

Katie didn't think she could take another semi-awkward silence again, so she let out a breath as she started tapping her index figure gently off her leg.

"Surprised to see me?" Katie asked softly, not really knowing how else to start this conversation.

"You could say that." Steve replied, the coldness in his voice coming out at full force, almost as tense as his daughter.

Katie could tell he was trying to keep his anger at bay. Steve was a pretty hot-headed guy, Katie knew this from different stories she was told over the years. She supposed he didn't want to yell at her and scare her away. But - and this may seem crazy - Katie wished he would yell at her. Yelling she could deal with, it was the coldness and bitterness in his voice that was ripping Katie apart.

"Listen," Katie sighed, leaning forward slightly. "I just want to say that I'm sorry, about everything. I didn't mean to leave like I did. It's just.. I feel like everything was-"

"Rushed?"

Katie raised her eyebrows slightly, giving Steve a surprised and confused look.

"We rushed into things," Steve explained upon seeing the look on Katie's face. "It took me a few days after you left to realize that. And I tried to find you, and… and talk to you. But when I went to DC, you weren't there and I couldn't get a hold of you."

"I went to Tennessee," Katie said softly, causing Steve to send her a slightly confused look. "That's where I was staying when I got a call from Nick saying that they found you."

Steve nodded before he moved forward slightly, sitting on the edge of the couch.

"I didn't mean to push you, Katie." Steve explained. "I didn't mean to, or want to, rush things. But, you could have come to me, we could've talked things over. Instead of you packing up in the middle of the night and leaving."

Gone was the coldness that was once in Steve's voice, now it was replaced with hurt. And honestly, Katie didn't know which was worse. Hearing the pain in Steve's voice and seeing it on his face, it broke her heart.

"I know," Katie spoke so low, she was surprised Steve even heard her in the first place.

"And maybe I should've-"

"It wasn't your fault," Katie shook her head, cutting off Steve. "This is all on me. Besides, all this, is new to both of us. I had no clue what we were doing."

"But still-"

Katie knew what Steve was doing. He was blaming himself for something that wasn't entirely in his control. Her mother, Uncle Howard, Ches, the Commandos, they all used to tell Katie her father did this a lot. No matter if he was to blame or not, Steve always found a way to make everything seem like it was his fault.

"Steve. You weren't the one who ran away from their problems." Katie cut him off before letting out a sigh. "I should've spoken to you. I should've went to you when I realized something wasn't right, instead of running away from my problems like I did. I… I screwed you over some many times…"

"Maybe, next time you have a problem, you should try talking instead of running."

Katie watched as the hurt and pain slowly started to fade out of Steve's eyes. It didn't disappear entirely, but seeing it faded even a little brought a small smile to Katie's face.

"Yeah, I guess I could." Katie said, before a moderately comfortable silence fell around the two.

Katie knew she had a long way to go until Steve would fully trust her again and let his guard down around her. She knew he would be on edge around her now, hoping he wouldn't say the wrong thing that would cause Katie to make a run for it. But Katie wasn't going anywhere.

Months ago, it was Steve who had to prove to Katie he wasn't going to up and leave her. Now, it was Katie's turn to prove the same thing to him.

Katie returned the smile, glad that Steve was warming up a bit more to her now, and a comfortable silence fell around the two for a few moments until Steve spoke up again.

"What brought you back?" Steve spoke up after a few moments, eyebrows pinched together slightly as if he'd been trying to figure out the question all day.

"It's… a long story." Katie sighed. "I just realized that there are worse things than having a parent worry about you."

Steve sent another small smile Katie's way before his face suddenly turned uncertain.

"Are you… are you staying here?"

"Not here." Katie stated before explaining herself. "I'm staying at a hotel a few blocks down."

Katie didn't really think now was the best time to move back in with her father. Maybe that was what starting pushing them apart in the first place. Most kids moved out of their parents house by the time they were twenty. So, maybe living on their own was what was best for Steve and Katie.

And by the look on Steve's face, he'd realized the same thing.

"Well," Steve pushed himself up off the couch. "Would you like to stay for dinner?"

"I'd love to." Katie couldn't stop the smile that made its way onto her face as she stood up and followed Steve into the kitchen. "Besides, this way you can tell me everything you've been up to these past three months. Nice hair cut by the way."

"Thank-you. Natasha insisted on it."

"Natasha?" Katie raised an eyebrow as she leaned back against the counter.

"Yeah," Steve glanced over at Katie as he made his way to the fridge. "She's not happy with you by the way."

"Figured that." Katie groaned. "You weren't the only one I didn't call or talk to while I was away. Wait a second," Katie crossed her arms over her chest. "You've been talking to Tash? And by the sounds of it, a lot."

Steve closed the fridge door behind him before placing the ingredients on the counter top and turning back around to face Katie.

"She's been on a few missions with me."

"Missions?" Katie raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at her lips. "What else have you been up to since I've been gone?"

"Let's make dinner," Steve smiled. "Then talk."

"I like that plan," Katie pushed herself up off the counter. "The last thing I ate was airplane food. And if there's one thing that hasn't improved over the years, that would be it."

Steve laughed before turning back to the food on the counter, Katie walking over to help with a small smile on her face.

Now, whenever Katie thought back to the past three months (or more specifically, why she ran away for three months) she felt like an idiot. The biggest idiot. The whole time she was in Tennessee, it hadn't hit her once that maybe Steve felt the same way as her, that maybe he understood why she left.

She'd definitely need to stop by and thank Tony sometime in the future. If it wasn't for him, she probably would still be in Tennessee right now, trying to run away from all her problems.

But, if the biggest problem Katie'd had was that her father cared about her and worried about her (maybe even too much), she was okay with that now..

This was her life. Cooking dinner with her father who 'died' seventy years ago. Talking with Captain America about what he'd been up to.

This was her life. It'd never been normal, and it never would be.

And Katie was okay with that.

Bit on the shorter side and a bit tougher to write, but I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter!

I seen Age of Ultron this past Friday. What did you guys think? I enjoyed it overall, but there were still a few things that I didn't like...

As always, shout out to my beta for being amazing.

As always, links in the profile :)