"Steve, you really don't have to carry my bags for me" Steve ignored the brunette pleas, as he walked next to her. Shopping with Grace hadn't taken long, not that he would have minded found the young Stark to be great company, he had from the moment they had first spoken.

She wasn't loud, nor did she like to embarrass him like some of the others. Infact she reminded him of Bruce, except with Tony's wit. He found her a good listener, and been quite happy to listen to him talk of his time during the war. Not that he had randomly started to talk about it. She had tentatively asked him about him it.

Most people tended not to talk to him about the time before, perhaps thinking it would be painful to speak about. However, in this strange world he had found himself in, it was almost a relief to be able to share about what he knew.

"Grace, you're injured, I'm carrying your bag "He spoke with a finality that left little room for argument. They'd just finished shopping, and the pair had decided to stop at central park, before they headed back.

Steve had noticed that as Grace had walked round New York, he was surprised to see that she knew her way round the city, which was strange, as Steve was under the impression that she had never been to New York, as she had lived in Malibu. He had also noticed, that despite the fact that she appeared to be enjoying her time in the city…Something was off.

She was tense, and he noted that she was almost keeping an eye out for something. He might not be an assassin like Clint and Natasha, who noted these things with ease, but even he could tell something was bothering the petite stark. However not being one to pry, he decided to leave it for now, and instead he decided to get to know Grace more.

"Thank you again for coming with me Steve" Steve was snapped out of his musings, and instead turned his attention back to the brunette.

"It's no problem, I needed to get out of the tower anyway." Grace smiled at this.

"Yeah, living with dad, can be a bit exhausting" Despite her comment, Grace's eyes lit up at the mention of Tony.

Steve laughed

"Don't know how you've coped for so long" Grace chuckled at this.

"Well you get used to him…he grows on you…like moss." Steve smiled at this.

"You and Tony, really do get along well" Grace smiled softly at this.

"Yeah, he's… he's all I really have" Steve noted that sad tone in her voice.

"…And your mother?" Grace looked at him shocked, and Steve regretted the question, he then immediately apologised, only for grace to laugh.

"It's fine… I was just surprised. "Upon noticing Steve's confusion she decided to explain.

"No one ever talks about my mother…"

"I'm sorry if I've offended you Grace…" Grace shook her head

"its fine, I was just surprised "She paused for a moment before looking ahead, at the bustling park.

"My mom, she was one of dad's one night stands" She said bluntly. "I was the result of that. I don't really remember her to be honest, she never really cared about me. I lived with my grandmother, and she'd come to visit I think" She wasn't sad when she spoke about her mother, it was almost like cold acceptance. As if she was talking about a stranger… it saddened Steve slightly.

"I know she liked to go out partying…to be honest I think the novelty of having a baby died off. One day she just stopped visiting" Her memories of her mother were limited, but she had the impression that her mother had never really wanted her, especially when she realised how hard it was to raise a baby. She'd been a new toy to play with, and then when she got tired of her, Grace had been discarded.

"She's probably still alive…"Grace mused "But…I haven't seen her since I was small" Steve couldn't help but feel angry. What mother, no what parent could even think to abandon their child like that? Sure he knew it happened, but it still bothered him.

"I'm sorry, for asking." Grace smiled

"Its fine, it happened a long time ago, besides…Pepper's been more like a mother to me"

Steve didn't necessarily believe anyway can think that being abandoned by their mother was fine…

"My father died in the first world war. My mother raised me till she died of tuberculosis" Steve stated

Grace frowned

"I'm sorry Steve."Steve shook his head.

"Its fine, just thought I should make it fair" Grace smiled at this. Eventually their conversation turned to their likes and dislikes as well as how Steve was doing catching up with modern times.

"OH you have to watch star trek! Ah but then again, there is also all those Disney films you missed" Steve watched as she scrunched up her nose in deep thought, and for a second the word cute flooded into his head.

NO! This was Tony's daughter. Howard's Granddaughter! He couldn't even think about getting romantically involved with her. She was a good friend! Nothing more, nothing less. Besides, he still loved Peggy…didn't he?

Peggy had moved on with her life. He'd been forced to accept that, and whilst Peggy would always hold a special place in his heart…he had no future with her anymore. She had grown old without him, their future together had been ripped away from him…

He knew logically had to move on with his life. Not that he wanted to suddenly get into a romantic relationship, but maybe.

Maybe he could take one step at a time, and see where it took him

"W-would you…"Grace glanced at a flushed Steve. "Would you watch them too? I-I mean with me…"Grace smiled.

"Of course I will! We could have our own movie nights!" Her chocolate eyes lit up in excitement, at thought…but then she paused.

"Ah, sorry for getting over excited "She smiled weakly at him. "I've just never… really done something with friends before "She then looked panicked

"We are friends right? I mean I don't want to just assume…"Steve placed a hand on her shoulder, noting the way she tensed, before relaxing.

"Of course we're friends"

And friends looked after each other, Steve silently vowed. His gut was telling him, that something had happened and was still happening to Grace…and he would get to the bottom of it.

He would protect her…because that's what friends do.

Pepper had finally returned back to the tower, after her conference, only to find Tony…pacing back and forth, and ranting to the two assassins and Bruce, who didn't actually seem to be paying him too much attention…

"Tony… what are you doing?" Tony paused, and he looked at Pepper, like his puppy had just been butchered in front of him.

"Pepper! Thank god you're back, it's terrible! "He whined, as he hugged his girlfriend. "It's Grace-"

Pepper pulled away, and searched his face… fearing the worst

"What do you mean? Did something happen to grace? Is she okay?" Tony shook his head

"It's terrible!" he repeated. Pepper had never seen Tony so distraught…

"Tony…it's going to be okay… just tell me what happened. "Natasha who had been finding the whole thing oddly entertaining, took a sip from her glass, and added to the conversation, without even turning away from the program she was watching.

"Grace is on a date with Steve "Pepper slowly blinked…as if trying to comprehend what she had just been told.

"She wanted to go into town, but she said I would be the last person she'd go with! So she went with spangles instead! They've been gone all day!"

"…Is that all?" Her tone was dry and unimpressed. Honestly she'd only just gotten back only for tony to scare her over nothing. Tony pouted

"But its capsicle!" pepper rubbed her forehead, in frustration.

"Welcome back miss Potts."Pepper smiled

"Thanks Jarvis, has everything been okay since I've been gone."

"...Yes miss" Pepper raised an eyebrow slightly at the AI's hesistation, The others seemed to notice this as well… as they frowned in confusion.

"Jarvis? Is something the matter?" Bruce asked

"Everything… is fine Doctor Banner" Tony frowned, Jarvis was acting strangely…

"J, are you malfunctioning?"

"Negative Sir, I am working as per usual." Tony sighed in relief, but he couldn't help but think that his AI was acting strangely…

It was then that Steve and Grace stepped out of the elevator. Upon seeing pepper, Grace's eyes lit up

"Pepper!"

Pepper looked up and smiled as she saw the younger girl, and she happily accepted a hug from the girl.

"Grace! How are you!" Tony pouted as he saw his two girls chatting and sharing a moment without him. So Tony being Tony, he wrapped an arm round both of them.

"So kiddo, how was shopping with spangles?" Grace smiled brightly.

"Me and Steve had a great time…right Steve? "Steve, nodded in agreement.

"It was nice to just take a break." Tony narrowed his eyes in suspicion… the pair seemed to be more comfortable around each other… if the exchanged smiles were anything to go by…

Tony didn't like it one bit…

"Tony! We're ordering pizza…what do you want? "Tony's attention turned to the archer, and his eyes lit up.

Grace narrowed her eyes as he opened his mouth

"Don't even say it" Pepper simply sighed, whilst the others looked confused.

"Is something the matter?" Grace turned to Bruce.

"No… it's just tha-

"Guys we already have pepperoni! So you don't need to order it!" He said this as he hugged an annoyed pepper, as he gestured to the pair of them.

The avengers stared blankly at the man, and Grace looked at them apologetically.

"Well, you don't need any pizza then do you" Grace laughed at this, as Tony quickly rushed towards Natasha, explaining that he still wanted pizza…

The pizza was soon devoured, and eventually the group decided it was time for bed, Grace however was still awake. She sighed as she ran a hand through her chocolate locks, her eyes wide with fear, as she scanned the room. Her breathing was heavy as she tried to settle back into reality.

She was safe. She chanted this over and over again, though her fear didn't lessen. She picked up her phone again, trying not to think of the latest message she had received. It was just before she had been about to go to sleep…

I've found you, bitch.

Underneath that message had been a picture.

A picture of her and Steve at Central park.

She felt herself tremble, and she hugged her knees as she stared into nothingness.

He'd found her.

Zac had found her…