And it is Saturday once again! Gotta love Saturday. If you don't...well...I hope this makes it a good one!

I would have posted earlier this morning, but my church was doing a backpack giveaway. It was so fun! I tell you what though, those little kids can hit hard when it comes to giving you a high five! Ouch!

Also, a big thank you to all my lovely readers and reviewers! You all are awesome!

Chapter Thirty-Six

Trying to play it normal the next day could only be described in two words: EPIC FAIL. We resumed our four-thirty practice as we had before the incident; running laps and throwing punches at the bag. But it didn't take long to get distracted. One instance in particular was when I threw a wrong combo and Steve had to 'help' me get it right.

"No, that's not how you do it."

He got behind me and gently took my wrists, his muscular arms wrapped tightly around me. I was trying extremely hard not to blush, hoping that the red in my cheeks from working out would cover it up. He moved my arms into a combo that I couldn't recall because he was so close.

Just relax.

"You've got to hit like this, see?" He instructed, breathing hot air into my ear. I had to force myself to focus on the bag in front of me and not look at him, or else I think I would have lost complete control and kissed him right there. Not that he would mind or anything, but there were cameras everywhere. If my uncle were watching...well, let's just say that was not the way I wanted him to learn about our relationship.

But the fear of my uncle's anger seemed dismal the longer Steve was wrapped around me. I knew I should have pull away and not risk the chance of kissing him, but I couldn't convince myself to pull away.

"Why, yes Captain Rogers," I lied, "I can see it perfectly."

His arms pulled around me even tighter, drawing me close to his chest. He was having a hard time trying to stay apart too. I instinctively leaned into him, my lips so close to his I could almost taste him.

His grip suddenly loosened and his arms pulled away. I was hurt until he mouthed the word 'cameras.' I gave him a curt nod in understanding, nearly slapping myself for doing some so stupid. Hadn't I just told myself to steer clear of any romantics?

"Then...umm...please proceed." I managed to throw a few swings together and he smiled.

"Perfect."

Liar.

"I think..." Steve rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "maybe we should...go clean up and get around."

"Coffee?" I asked as we walked out to the elevator.

For a second, I was a little nervous he would say no.

Maybe he's changed his mind about me.

"Always." He replied with a smile that made my heart melt.

We went ahead and went to our separate floors, cleaned up, and resumed our morning routine of coffee. For the first time in weeks, my Steve was back in my apartment, sitting at my counter and enjoying my company.

I had my best friend back. The realization made me want to cry, but I quickly refrained.

Now's not the time for that, silly girl.

"So Aunt Nat knew the whole time?"

Steve nodded in confirmation.

"She knows everything."

So she had known the whole time while I was wallowing in misery on my bed that Steve had feelings for me? It almost felt cruel that she had kept the truth from me. But then I understood she was giving Steve time to tell me the truth himself.

"So she won't be surprised if she finds me kissing you in the middle of coffee, right?"

"Noooo..." He leaned in for a peck on the lips before taking another sip of his coffee.

"You know, I'm really starting to get used to this."

"We've been together less than twelve hours." He reminded me.

"Still..."

I could barely sleep the night before because Steve constantly flashed through my mind. Admittedly, I giggled. Okay, maybe a lot, but that's all I'll ever tell you. That morning, I had to get up extra early before four-thirty practice and try to look as best I could without makeup before he showed up on my floor. Let me tell you, I now realize why girls constantly want to look dolled up. Seeing him so excited to see me, calling me pretty, it was worth the extra effort.

"I do like the thought of you being my girlfriend." The statement made me blush. I wasn't used to being called a 'girlfriend.' I'd never dated in my life, so this was all new to me.

"Captain America as your boyfriend doesn't sound too bad either."

My cell phone buzzed and I picked it up. Aunt Nat's name flashed brightly.

It read: How are you feeling this morning?

Since I had gone from being to a wreck to being a girlfriend all in one night, I texted back: Fine.

Steve's phone buzzed seconds later.

"It's Nat."

"She just texted me." I replied.

"I guess she still thinks I haven't cleared things up with you." He showed her message: You better talk to her soon or I'm going to strangle you like I should have the other night.

I looked from the text to him with a quizzical look.

"She may have had a small talk with me..." He began. "and threatened me a little."

Usually, I wouldn't have been surprised. Aunt Nat and death threats walked hand-in-hand if you tried to cross her, but now that Steve and I were together, it just felt wrong.

"Doesn't sound like a little."

"She didn't kill me, so I consider that a positive."

"We've got to talk to her."

"Alright, but if your uncle's there, you have to stand between us."

Later...

We entered into the Barton abode where all was quiet (a rare sight). Aunt Nat must still be getting around. This also meant the rest of the family was still fast asleep, which gave us some time alone.

"Maybe we should discuss how we're going to tell them."

"I wouldn't worry about your aunt. She's already fine with it. She's the one who wanted me to talk to you in the first place."

At least we could count on Aunt Nat to be on our side. But I was mortified of her husband.

He's going to kill us...or Steve.

"How do we tell them?" He shrugged.

"How should I know?" You would think that the same man who gave a flawless speech at the Triskelion would have the exact words for this situation. Instead, he was as worthless as Tony in a three-legged race, but that's another story.

Neither of us had done this before. Do we play it cool? Look excited? The less nervous we acted, the better Uncle Clint might take it. Key word: might. There was still the 99% chance of an eruption that no one on earth had ever seen. God help us all.

"I think you should tell him."

He looked at me like I had just told him to walk into traffic. "You cannot be serious."

"I told him about the training thing. I'll back you up."

"Nope."

I jutted my lips and folded my arms.

"You're mean."

"But you still like me don't you?"

I rolled my eyes. Boys were frustrating. I just never knew how much until I had a boyfriend.

"Whatever." I turned on the TV to pass the time until my aunt decided to stroll in. So much for a grand plan. Maybe we would just wing it. Get it, wing it? Because my uncle's Hawkeye?

"Oh, look. It's the St Louis Cardinals." I grinned evilly at his least-favorite team. He stuck his tongue out at me.

"Big baby." I teased.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

He mmhmmd before turning back to the game, but our focus wasn't there long.

"You two are up early." My uncle's voice made us jump. I was really hoping we could tell Aunt Nat first since she would be the easiest (go figure since she was the deadliest of the two master assassins).

"Just hanging out. I missed last night's game." And for a very good reason I might add. "Thought I'd catch the game on your DVR."

Uncle Clint shrugged as he reached in the fridge and grabbed some orange juice. "Cap, you want some?"

Steve politely refused. The hand that offered him some orange juice now might easily turn into the fist that slugged him later after he heard what we had to say.

"Who won last night?"

"Cards." Uncle Clint was just as disgusted with the team as Steve was. I liked them, but I wasn't about to say so.

"So what made you miss the game last night? It usually takes something really important or life-threatening to do that."

"I had a matter to attend to." If we kept the subject as vague as possible, the less likely something suspicious would blurt out of our mouths, especially mine.

Uncle Clint still didn't suspect a thing. For a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, he'd really lost his touch.

A solid thirty minutes passed before another word was uttered. Steve was forcing himself for once to watch a baseball game beside my uncle. Actually, he looked downright scared of him-and it was really funny. His eyes would shift over to him every few minutes then flick back as soon as he was sure my uncle was still on the couch and not trying to strangle him from behind. I tried to sneak him a reassuring glance, but that didn't help much.

"You two are here early." Aunt Nat suddenly appeared from the hallway and made her way to the kitchen.

"That's what I said!" Uncle Clint commented. "It's the first time I've seen them together in days."

"Yes, it's all very strange." She concluded suspiciously. "Hannah, would you come help me in the kitchen?"

I wandered off to the kitchen, leaving very little space between my uncle and Steve.

"Are you feeling better this morning?" She was whipping up some boxed pancake mix, all the while focusing intently on my answer.

"Yes." I replied. "I'm doing fine."

"And Steve?" She passed a look in his direction as Steve sat nervously by my uncle on the couch. "He seems...odd."

"He's fine."

"And what exactly does 'fine' mean?" She raised a quizzical brow.

"Well, actually, we're a little more than fine." I started with an awkward smile. "We're..."

"Auntie Hannie!" Two little voices screamed at the top of their lungs and I felt myself being jostled by two pairs of arms.

"Hi, guys!" I exclaimed. "How are..."

"We saw Uncle Stevie kissing you last night!" Natalia squealed, followed by a burst of giggles.

"WHAT?!"

My face paled at the sound of my uncle's yell.

We're doomed.

Leave it to the kids to blurt out everything! I love 'em!