AN: Last chapter a little, fluff now get ready for some angst (not a lot just a bit, jesus I'm not a sadist.)

(Charlotte POV)

We made our way out to the massive black SUV sitting in the paved circle outside the school, Steve carrying most of my bags despite my insistence that I was pregnant, not an invalid.

"No motorcycle?" I asked.

"Not this time. I brought Sam up with me. I guess it worked out well though. Can't exactly put you on a motorcycle anymore." I faux pouted.

"I've been learning though! I was getting lessons."

"In your condition?" Steve paused in his purposeful stride to stare back at me in shock. I chuckled softly at his incredulity.

"He didn't actually let me on the motorcycle. Just explained some of the mechanics. Relax. I promise that I've been reading all the books and have been very safe." Steve nodded and we continued.

"Do you, um, have any of those books? I've never read any myself, and I should probably know some things, right?" I chuckled at his bewildered tone.

"One thing at a time. I'll let you borrow some of mine." As we approached the car, the African American man that had walked in with Steve hopped out, opening the trunk for us. He was slightly shorter than Steve, but almost as muscle bound. His hair was cropped short and he managed to pull off an attractive mustache.

"Ma'am," he reached out a hand, "I'm Sam Wilson. I work with Steve. It's nice to finally meet you."

"Work with Steve? Is that code for 'I'm a superhero too'?" He chuckled and flashed me a smirk.

"I suppose so. We met in D.C., I helped him out with a few things and decided to come along for the ride."

"Help him out with a few things? I'm assuming that you're talking about the Triskelion? I heard all about it on the news." Steve placed my bags in the trunk and shut it soundly.

"There were quite a few things you missed. I'll fill you in as best as I can."

"That's the understatement of the century. Meanwhile, he's been pining over you, and I got to hear every detail. You caused quite a bit of trouble when you left." I blushed up to my ears in shame, but Sam gave me a reassuring smile that softened the blow.

"I'm well aware," I admitted quietly. "Steve, are you sure it's okay for me to come back to the tower with you?" I asked. Steve shook his head decisively and took me by the shoulders.

"No Charlotte, I want us to be together. Really together. We've already missed six months. I don't want to miss anything else." I blushed again, not used to such attention anymore and nodded, getting into the car.

"Alright. But everyone else at the tower. They won't be upset? What about Bruce-"

"Bruce is fine, really. He probably felt worse than you did about that night. There are no bad feelings there, I promise."

"I wouldn't say that," Sam commented from the back seat. Steve turned from the driver's seat and fixed him with a sharp glare. "What? Banner is fine, but Tony's still pretty pissed. And Clint's going to kill me when he finds out I'm letting you bring her home right away. 'Go slow' my ass."

"What is he talking about?" Steve turned and started the car, driving out of the complex. "Steve?"

"It's nothing. Sam, would you quit it?"

"I'm just trying to prepare her. I'm sure a lot of people will be happy to see her, but there are a few people she should be ready for. Not all of us have your built in stoicism." Sam sat up a bit and I turned to face him. "I worked as a therapist in D.C. with veterans. I'm well versed in the soldier mentality Cap likes to put on, but I know how difficult it can be underneath it all. I'm just trying to get you ready for what's at the Tower." Steve's jaw was set hard, but he refused to answer, just driving. I shrunk in my seat. Great, I'd be going back to a place full of smart, superpowered people who hated me. Awesome. Steve placed a hand on my thigh reassuringly.

"It's just Tony and Clint really. And Clint's not even mad, he just cares about both of us. I don't know what's wrong with Tony, but he'll get over it."

"But isn't it his tower?"

"And my apartment. I've got enough saved away to buy the damn thing if I want. And once the baby's born, we'll find our own place. The Tower's great and all, but I want a house, a real one, with you." Steve finished, a sappy sort of smile coming over his face.

"That sounds nice." I sighed, relaxing again.

The trip back to New York was uneventful, but as we drove, Steve became more and more distant. I watched those powerful forearms clench and unclench almost in time with his jaw. This was a terrible idea, and I secretly began planning how to get back to Steph's. Like with all things in our relationship, we had jumped in way too fast.

When we finally arrived at the tower, Steve unloaded my bags and we got on the elevator with Sam.

"Miss Samuels, may I say that it is delightful to have you back in the Tower." I chuckled and grinned up at the ceiling.

"It's good to be back, J. I missed you."

"I missed you as well Miss Samuels." I could've been mistaken, but I could have sworn that JARVIS sounded more than pleased at my return. At least he still liked me.

"So you're acquainted with the strange voice in the ceiling?" Sam asked me.

"Oh yes, we're old pals. Isn't that right J?"

"Yes Lt. Wilson. Charlotte helped to repair my programming the night of her kidnapping. She and I, how would Sir say, 'go way back'" Sam and I laughed at JARVIS' response.

Sam got off on the floor before Steve's, and once he left, an awkward silence fell over the two of us. The elevator doors swung open and we entered Steve's apartment, still as white and chrome as ever. I noticed immediately that the Kitchenaid mixer I had adopted in my time at the Tower was gone, as well as the knit blanket I had brought from the apartment. I felt my heart crack a bit at that. Steve brought my bags into his room and I hesitated at the doorway.

"Should I maybe bunk in your spare room? Just until we get used to each other again?" I asked hesitantly. Steve turned and looked at me in surprise. A flash of hurt raced across his face before it was hidden behind a well trained facade.

"Yeah, if that would make you more comfortable," he replied stiffly. I nodded, unable to find my words at the dejection so evident in his voice. He walked past me, and I followed him to the spare room in the apartment. Half the size of his bedroom, it was still impressive, with an attached private bath. I walked over to my things, pulling my bag onto the soft down comforter on the bed. Steve began to leave, but turned at the doorway.

"Can I just ask why?" he said, his voice disarmingly quiet.

"What?"

"Why? Why did you leave? Why didn't you call me? You just disappeared off the face of the earth for six months. Six months, Charlotte!" his voice steadily rose and I swallowed hard, concentrating on the zipper of my suitcase. I knew this was going to happen. It was why I asked to stay in the spare bedroom. At some point, Steve was going to explode, and I didn't want him to have to sleep next to me afterwards.

"I was scared Steve. I was terrified of what had happened, what was happening to me."

"You don't think I would have understood that? That out of anyone else in the world, I would have understood everything changing in an instant?"

"You didn't hurt anyone Steve. I've read the history books. You went straight to being a role model, a hero. The first thing I did was take out a half dozen men." my voice broke at the memory, seeing those men motionless on the ground. "And then I set off Bruce. I couldn't control anything. There was no learning curve. I had to get out."

"But we could have learned together. All of us. We could have helped you." Steve offered, stepping forward and taking my hands. I pulled away, pulled into myself and walked over to the window.

"I couldn't risk hurting you. I know that you could have helped, but I was too panicked to make any kind of good decision. I was afraid of what I could do, and so were you." I glared at him, but tried to keep the accusatory tone out of my voice. "I saw the way you looked at me when I took out those guards. I may not have had control, but I remember every second," I said, my voice getting smaller and my arms crossing to hug myself. "You were scared of me Steve. Of me. Even leaving the med bay, when you caught me, you were scared. I couldn't stand that. I couldn't look you in the eye knowing that I could hurt you and not have any control over it." Steve sighed heavily, shaking his head.

"I was scared for you Charlotte. I worried that you had been hurt, that I would lose you. And then I lost you anyway." I turned back to him at the desperation in his voice. He looked over at me, his eyes sad and angry. "I lost you and the baby." he paused, "If the people at that school hadn't called me, would I have ever found out? Ever had known that we made a baby together, that I was a father? Would you have called me after he had been born, or wait until he asked about me?" his voice lowered, looking at me questioningly. I wanted to tell him that I would call him, that I should've called him the moment I found out, all of the platitudes that would have appeased him, but I knew that they were all lies. I made a decision when I found out that I was pregnant, and I probably would have never changed my mind if he hadn't shown up in my life again. The words caught in my throat. His eyes hardened, he stood up a little taller, and I could literally see him closing himself off. I felt my heart crack again as he shook his head and walked out the door resolutely. I choked on a sob as I heard the elevator doors close and sat hard on the bed, the emotions of the day taking over.

(Steve POV)

Steve stalked out of the apartment without a clear picture of where he wanted to go. He just knew that he had to leave before he said something that he would regret. He didn't know what he was thinking, bringing her back here so soon, but the moment he saw her, he knew he just couldn't leave her again. He missed her, he loved her, he really did, but the everything seemed to crash down on him when they arrived back at the Tower. She had left, without a word, and when she found out that she was pregnant, she had no plans of telling him. He could have gone the rest of his life with no knowledge of his son. That was nearly an unforgivable act in his book.

He stormed onto the common floor, walking over to Tony's bar and pouring himself a couple of fingers of whisky, wincing at the burn, but feeling no buzz. He poured another, before Sam joined him.

"Whoa Cap, slow down, that's Tony's good stuff." he took the bottle and placed it back on the shelf. Clint, and Thor came off of the elevator, a scowl fixed on Clint's face. He walked over to the bar and grabbed the bottle from Sam, pouring them both another glass of whisky.

"I told you both not to go too fast. What did you do? You brought her back the same day. What did I tell you?" he downed his glass in one swallow and poured Steve another glass.

"But Steven, is this not what you wanted? You have found your maiden, and she has returned to you. Truly that is joyous news!" Thor took a seat on the other side of Steve, clapping him on the back soundly.

"Things are a bit more complicated than that, Thor." Sam answered.

"Oh? How?"

"She's pregnant." Steve stated. The usually unflappable god sat back for a moment, exchanging glances with the men around him. Clint reached for the whisky and took another large shot.

"Hey, birdbrain, that's my private label! Put the bottle down!" Tony walked off the elevator, Bruce following behind.

"Steve found Charlotte," Clint replied. Tony stopped short. Bruce looked over, hope and relief evident in his eyes. Tony scowled.

"So?" he replied, "She's been fine on her own according to Legolas over here. What's the big deal?"

"She's pregnant." Steve said it again, the words finally beginning to feel normal on his lips. Tony took a step back, speechless before walking over to the bar and swinging from the bottle himself.

"She's pregnant? And it's yours?" Steve shot him a dark look.

"Of course it's mine. Nearly six months along. We were sloppy and the baby's due at the end of the summer." Tony stood from behind the bar, grimacing, his face pale. Bruce sat next to Thor slowly, a contemplative look on his face. The group fell into a solemn silence, everyone unsure of what to do next.

"You need to get out of here." Tony finally concluded. Steve looked up in surprise.

"What?"

"In fact, we should all get out of here. Come on, we'll hit up a bar I know, totally private, and have some drinks. It'll take your mind off of it all."

"That might not be a terrible idea."

"Of course not. It's a great idea. Come on, let's go."

AN: Some male bonding and Steve angst for y'all. Read on my lovelies!