Awakening Quake
By Misha

Disclaimer in Chapter One.

Chapter Seventeen: Date Night

"You look beautiful." Steve told Skye when she opened the door to her apartment. He had insisted on meeting her at her door and escorting her to the theatre. His old school manners would take some getting used to, but they were also incredibly charming.

"Thank you." Skye told him, closing her door behind her.

Steve offered her his hand and she took it. She felt a little bit like she was going on her first date. But then, she hadn't had a lot of proper dates with sweet guys who met her at the door and held her hand and opened doors for her, so in a lot of ways this was a first.

"So what movie are we watching?" Steve asked once they were settled in the theatre.

It wasn't your traditional movie theatre, because instead of traditional rows of seats there were comfy couches scattered throughout the room. Made for a more comfortable viewing experience. Also a bit more practical since there were a dozen or so residents of the Avengers Tower and they didn't exactly need seating for a 100.

"Batman." Skye told him with a grin. "The one from 1989."

"Batman? He's a comic book character, isn't he?" Steve asked hesitantly.

"Yes." Skye told him. "He's been around since the late 30s, so I'm surprised you're not familiar with him."

"I never read a lot of comics." Steve said with a shrug.

"You're missing out." Skye told him. "But yes, he's a comic book character and one of the best. He's a superhero without super powers, he's just really smart and really rich and has lots of fun technology."

"So, he's like Tony." Steve joked.

Skye giggled at the comparison. "Kind of, just a lot broodier and without a Pepper to keep him in line. Anyway, there are a lot of Batman movies and they're making more new ones, but my favorite is the one from 1989."

"I look forward to it." Steve told her, helping her into her seat.

Since Tony's world was unlike anyone else's, he had staff to see to their needs and Pepper had arranged for someone to bring them snacks. Skye thought it was a little ridiculous, but then she felt that way about a lot of things in her new life. From living in her van to life in a billionaire's personal playground, life was certainly strange sometimes.

"So you like comic books?" Steve asked, before the movie started.

"Yeah," Skye told him, "I always have. I've always loved the idea of superheroes. Growing up in the orphanage, I imagined that I was special and different and one day I'd be able to prove it and that I'd do great things and help people like the characters in the comic books I read."

"And that wish came true," Steve pointed out, "now you're a superhero."

Skye wasn't sure she'd ever get used to those words.

"It did." She agreed. "I can't believe it. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to wake up and it was all a crazy girl and I'm just an ordinary girl on my own."

"There's nothing ordinary about you." Steve told her. "You're one of the most extraordinary people I have ever met."

"And that's saying something since we live with a Norse God." Skye joked, trying not to blush.

Thankfully at that moment JARVIS dimmed the lights as the movie began. Skye leaned back against the couch and settled into watch the movie. Steve settled beside her and reached for her hand. His hand felt warm and comforting, reassuring without demanding anything. Just like Steve himself.

"That was kind of dark." Steve commented when the movie was over.

"Batman's kind of dark." Skye told him.

"Don't people want superheroes to make them feel better about themselves?" Steve asked her, brushing her hair out of the face.

As they watched the movie, they had ended up switching positions and Skye had found herself cuddled against Steve's strong shoulder, his arms wrapped around her.

"Batman keeps Gotham safe," Skye argued, "He just does it from the shadows. Sometimes that's what people need. I mean, S.H.I.E.L.D was all about protecting people while staying in the shadows."

"And that worked out so well." Steve pointed out.

Skye shrugged. She might have left S.H.I.E.L.D behind but she still believed in the idea of it and in the people in the organization. "S.H.I.E.L.D wasn't all bad," she said lightly, "it brought the Avengers together."

"Yes, it did." Steve agreed and then he smiled, "and if it wasn't for S.H.I.E.L.D I'd have never met you, so I'm grateful for that. I guess, I just disagree with a lot of how things were handled."

"I can understand that." Skye agreed.

"You miss it." Steve said softly. "Being part of S.H.I.E.L.D, I mean?"

"Yeah." Skye said softly. "It was the first place I'd ever really belonged. I'd been on my own for so long and then suddenly I was part of a team and more than that, they were like family. Then San Juan happened and I didn't belong there anymore."

"Have you contacted anyone in your old team?" Steve asked her.

Skye shook her head. "No. You said I had to cut ties with S.H.I.E.L.D, so I did."

It was hard. She really wanted to let Coulson and May know she was ok and see how Fitz was adjusting and talk to Jemma about… Well, everything.

"I'll talk to Tony and Natasha, but I think you should at least be able to call your old team." Steve told her. "We were all pretty angry at Agent Coulson and I think we were a little hasty to declare that we wanted nothing to do with S.H.I.E.L.D."

"I'm surprised you agreed to take me on at all." Skye told him. "The way you felt about S.H.I.E.L.D and Coulson."

"It was the right thing to do." Steve said simply.

Skye smiled. For him it was that simple. He lived his life trying to do the right thing. She'd spent so much of her life attracted to the complicated bad boy, but this good, honest man… He was something else entirely and suddenly more appealing than any bad boy.

Skye leaned in and kissed him. Steve quickly returned the kiss, lifting her up so that she was straddling his lap and then cupping her face with his big hands as the kiss grew deeper.

He let go of her mouth, but kisses all over her face and down her throat. Skye moaned at the contact, threading her fingers through his thick blonde hair and then his mouth was on hers again.

Finally, they pulled apart, but she was still straddling him.

"I could kiss you forever," he told her tenderly.

"Yeah…" Skye agreed, "but this is probably not the place."

"No." Steve agreed, "However I'd guess we wouldn't be the first."

Skye laughed, knowing he was probably right.

"However, you're right, this isn't the place." He said, he leaned forward again and kissed her, but very tenderly this time and then stood up, Skye still in his arms. He very gently set her down and offered her his hand. "I'll see you upstairs."

Hand in hand they walked to the elevator and then when they got to their floor. Skye motioned to her door. "Do you want to come in?"

"Yes." Steve told her honestly, "but I don't think I should. I don't want to rush you, Skye, and I had a really hard time leaving last night."

"I had a hard time watching you go." Skye admitted. She wanted to assure him that she wanted him to come in, that she was ready for anything, but… "There are things I have to tell you," she said finally, "about me."

"You can tell me anything." Steve assured her.

"I know." Skye said softly, "and I will. But not tonight. I don't want to ruin tonight."

Steve just nodded and then he leaned down and kissed her again. Skye wound her arms around his neck, needing to be as close to him as possible. This felt so good. She wanted to stay in this moment forever and block the rest of the world out.

"What I want is to stay here with you and imagine the outside world doesn't exist." The words floated in her head suddenly, completely uninvited and it was like she had been doused in cold water.

"Skye." Steve asked in concern, when she went still in his arms. "Are you okay?"

No, I'm not. She thought, I'm not sure I'll ever be okay. Because I was stupid.

She just nodded. "Yeah."

"What happened?" Steve inquired, his eyes gentle and concerned, "did I push too hard?"

"No." She assured him. "The kiss was wonderful and I wanted it. I want you." She sighed. "As I said, there are things I have to tell you, about my past."

"Whenever you want to talk, I'll listen." Steve promised.

"Thank you." Skye said and she stood on her tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss against his lips. His arms tightened around her and he pulled her into a comforting hug. She leaned against his strong chest and mentally kicked herself for letting the memory of Ward ruin the moment.

Natasha was right, she had to find a way to put the past behind and exorcise the ghost of Grant Ward once and for all, but how?