so dear readers here the next bit

disclaimer: still not owning anything but the idea

Some days earlier.

"Maria do you have a moment?"
"Sure." She watched Pepper expectantly as she sat down in the chair across her.
"Talk to me." Maria looked confused at the woman in front of her.
"About what exactly?" But she eventually knew what Pepper wanted.
That she talked to her about this Helicarrier thing.
About the fact that she had sat days beside Steve's bed at the hospital and waited for him to wake up.
About the fact that she accused herself for doing what she was ordered to.
"You know what I mean. But okay, let's play answer the question game." Annoyed Maria rolled her eyes but eventually gave in.
"Shoot."
"So how many overtime hours since he left the hospital?" Pepper knew exactly what she needed to ask her to find out what she wanted.
"37" She replied silently and endured the harsh gaze of her friend.
"He is out for four days now and you have 37 overtime hours? Why don't you visit him, get yourself a hobby or a dog?" Maria sighed and decided to give in.
Her friend was right she needed to talk to someone about it.
And she didn't have to hide anymore.
"I can't do it. I was there yesterday in my car. But somehow I couldn't get myself to leave it. I don't know if I can look into his eyes. I know that he said that I should do it but still. And he wasn't alone."
"Clint, Tony and Bruce were over at his place."
"A good reason not to go upstairs then."
"You should have."
"Just to hear one of Starks annoying pattern?"
"He needs your help. He just got to know that the person who wanted to kill him is his best friend he thought died was a tool of Hydra. Now he disappeared and he wants to find him. He needs you!" Pepper made a pause.
"I know that there has been more between the two of you. And that you still have feelings for him." Maria tried to argue but Pepper continued.
"Otherwise you wouldn't have been there. Go and talk to him."

And now she was sitting with him in a small café and talked about holiday and this Helicarrier thing
"I don't know. I just wanted to see that I didn't kill you. That you'll make it. That I'm not losing another person I care for."
He took her hand and squeezed it lightly.
"Hey, I ordered you to do it. It wouldn't have been your fault." Maria didn't reply and took another sip from her coffee.

Steve watched her.
He knew that she had hid behind the mask of a serious and distant Agent Hill but now she couldn't do it anymore.
It wasn't Agent Hill he had fallen in love with back then but the woman who had hid behind the mask.
This woman knew what she wanted but had her weak moments which make her even more human.
She herself had told him that there were not many people whom she allowed to look behind her mask which made him happy that she was doing it again.
That she was talking to him although he had the feeling that there was still something unsaid.
Something she didn't want to talk about or couldn't talk about.

"Don't worry. Come with me." He took her hand and made her follow him.
"Where are we going?" He didn't replied as they reached his motorbike and he offered her the place behind him.
She smiled drunk the rest of her coffee and joined him.
"Well then, surprise me." She whispered into his ear and wrapped her arms tightly round his waist.