Later that day, Steve went down to the V.A. where Sam and Sharon were still in sessions. As he stood outside the door listening to the stories from his brothers and sisters in arms, he realized that Sam was making a difference for them. As the veterans depart, Sam and Sharon see Steve standing outside, and beckon for him to come in.

"Steve, how long have you been listening," Sam asks.

"I just heard the last bit. You two really are doing good for the soldiers. Sam, how you responded to the woman with the story about the I.E.D, that was amazing."

"We've all got our demons to deal with Steve. You know why I started doing this?"

Shaking his head no, he listens as Sam tells his own story.

"I started doing this right after I got back. It was because of you and Bucky. You two risked your lives so I could pull Riley out. Even though I lost him, your sacrifice that led to our friendship is what pulled me through. And sometimes just having someone to talk to about shared experiences is all it takes. So what brought you down here today?"

"I was in the neighborhood. I just left the Met. Had some time to kill before I went back home."

"Come on Steve, the Met is in Manhattan. I know the drive from there to Brooklyn hasn't changed. So why do you look like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders?"

Since they became friends, Steve has never been able to hide anything from Sam. He knows all about Natasha, from what Steve was willing to share. So he waits patiently for his friend to tell him.

"Sam, I'm not sure what is wrong with me. I'm glad to be home, and getting back to a life away from war. It's just that I feel like I didn't really come home. No matter where I go, she's there."

Steve gets a far-away look in his eyes, one that Sam is all too familiar with. Sharon is confused. She's still learning how to read people, and she can see something is really bothering Steve, but she can't figure out what. So she listens as Sam speaks again.

"Steve, it's been what? Twelve years since the fight you two had? You know this is actually very common with veterans. Of course some cases come from survivor's guilt, or aftermath of an injury. Take Bucky for example."

"Bucky? Bucky's fine, isn't he?"

"He is now Steve. He still feels like he owes you everything for saving his life. But he had nightmares every night while you were still overseas. The past year was hard on him. He still wanted to be over there with you."

"He doesn't owe me anything. He's my best friend."

"Tell him that. But for you, it was your decision to follow him that put you in this situation."

"Sam, are you saying that I have P.T.S.D.? Nothing could be further from the truth. Bucky and I saved you, and tried to save Riley. With Dugan's help my platoon survived heavy fire. He helped me get them out even though Colonel Phillips thought we were on a suicide mission."

"Steve whatever it is, you're experiencing it because you never really let her go. The last words between you were spoken in anger. Until you reconcile that, Natasha is going to be there, in your memories, and your dreams. Let me ask you this, you thought you saw her when you were leaving the Met, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I was walking towards my bike, and I caught a flash of auburn hair. I chased her down, but when the woman turned around it wasn't her."

"And what were you doing before you saw this woman?"

"I walked right by the Monet exhibit, and towards the Da Vinci's. It's where Nat and I had our first date."

"Exactly, going back to that particular exhibit triggered something. Do you ever wish that you could go back and redo it all? Enlisting, the fight, make it so it didn't happen?"

Steve doesn't know how to answer that question. He wants to tell Sam no, and that he has no regrets of joining the Army. Deep down though he knows he would be lying to himself. He is proud to have served his country, but the honest truth is that he wishes Nat had been more supportive of his choice. Even after she told him what happened in the first Gulf War.

"Maybe you're right, Sam. And maybe I'm overthinking this. So what should I do?"

"Steve, I can't tell you what you should do. You have to decide for yourself what to do next. I can only suggest that you find a change of scenery. Go someplace you and Natasha never went, make new memories for yourself."

"Thanks Sam, I owe you one."

"It's okay; just don't forget about next Friday."

As Steve walks away, he gives Sam a friendly clap on the shoulder. He's only been back three days, and he hopes that his birthday party makes this feel like home again. When Steve is finally out of earshot, Sharon asks the questions she's wanted to ask since Tuesday night at the bar.

"Sam, who's Natasha, and why does Steve seem so distant every time her name is mentioned?"

"It's a long story Sharon, but really not mine to tell."