Author's Note:

No triggers for this chapter except for excessive fluff. As always please review and let me know what you think.


Astrid was completely giddy as she waited for Steve to pick her up from the hospital. She was wondering what he had planned. She was still learning all about Steve. He wasn't like anyone she had ever met and she was looking forward to learning all about him. Genuinely. Something that actually surprised her. She never thought that she would be curious about a guy in a romantic sense. Much less actually seeking to get to know him better.

Right on time he arrived. Panting slightly. The clothes he was wearing were slightly too big for him and worn on the edges. Perhaps the two of them would be able to go clothes shopping. Steve might not have the money but Astrid could always support the two of them.

"Astrid," Steve stated continuing to pant in front of her. That snapped her back to reality. They had only just started dating. It was a bit early to be picking out wallpaper colors.

"Steve," she replied leaning down. Placing one hand on his cheek and kissing his other. "I would be lying if I didn't say I have been looking forward to this since I saw you last."

"Way to put pressure on a guy," Steve laughed with a faint blush on his cheeks. "But I haven't been able to stop thinking about you either."

Astrid smiled and took his hand. She felt his hand curl into hers. As if it always belonged there. Her heart skipped a beat with that knowledge. "Don't keep me in suspense. Where are we going?"

"You'll see." He signaled for a taxi. Helping her in once he flagged one down. He whispered something to the driver who nodded.

As they started driving along Steve glanced out the window.

"Know this neighborhood well?" Astrid asked.

"You could say that." He pointed out the window. "I got beat up in that alley. And that parking lot. And behind that diner." He brought his chin into his chest looking downward.

Well, Astrid couldn't have that. She cupped his face with one of her hands and turned it so that he was looking up at her. "Did you have something against running away?"

Steve shook his head. Grasping her hand. "You start running they'll never let you stop. You stand up, you push back. They can't say no forever, right?"

Astrid took a deep breath. "I actually know what that is like. To have everything stand in your way." They lowered their hands so that they were resting on the car seat. Steve unconsciously tracing tiny circles on top.

He nodded. "You don't see many women doctors." He paused as if choosing his next words carefully. "What made you want to become a doctor?"

She stiffened slightly. Steve noticed and gripped her hand tighter. "It was more of a career that was chosen for me rather than my own choice."

He frowned at that but didn't push any further. Something that Astrid was grateful for. "Well, what was it that you wanted to do?"

Astrid sighed. She had to tell Steve something. Might as well tell him all that she could. "I was actually training to be a professional dancer. Until life took me on a different course."

"Really?" Steve looked over her as if picturing it. "So I probably shouldn't be taking you dancing then?"

Astrid chuckled in response. "No, I left that part of my life behind me."

"You ever want to go back to it?"

"Only if I found the right partner." Steve's smiled widened as she echoed what he stated during their first date.

The taxi came to a stop and Steve paid him. Astrid and him got out and she looked at what was before her. The Brooklyn Museum.

"Isn't this placed closed?" she asked taking Steve's hand. The two of them walked up the staircase.

"Not when you're friends with the director." Sure enough, the two of them were let in and enthusiastically greeted by the director. An older man with graying hair who lavished praise on Steve calling him one of the best up incoming artists. Astrid's smile growing wider. Looks like Bucky wasn't kidding when he said Steve was good. After shaking the director's hand multiple times, he left them to their own devices.

"You are taking me on a private museum tour?" Astrid asked looking at all the art. "This is incredible." Slowly Steve took her through the exhibits. The International Watercolor exhibition, Contemporary Painting in the United States, Ancient Art and so much more. Explaining the different techniques used. His knowledge of art was incredible. Despite the fact that he was partially color blind. Which is why he did most of his own work in black and white. Sometimes he would bring his art book a sketch out the great masterpieces. Though his favorite thing to draw was the intimate moments of the city.

"I would love to see it sometime," Astrid stated as they walked through the Oriental section.

"What?" Steve asked

Astrid rolled her eyes gently at him. "Your artwork. Unless of course, it's private."

"You actually want to see it?" It actually seemed genuinely surprised by the question.

"Obviously I want to see it before it ends up in an exhibit like this and seen by millions. I mean just the way you talk about art tells me that yours is a sight to behold." Steve's eyes went wide and he blushed. Rubbing the back of his head before continuing his museum tour. Astrid never wanted this to end. She could have stayed here with Steve forever. Eventually, he led her to one of the main galleries. Where set up before her was a picnic blanket and basket. Lite up by candles.

"You set this up yourself?" she wondered sitting down on the blanket. Her mind was completely blown.

"I asked the director to lay it out," Steve replied. "Bucky's mom is the one who made the food. If I tried cooking I would be likely to poison ourselves."

"Lucky for you then that I can cook." She sat down on the blanket and looked around at all the art. "I think this is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me." It was possibly the only romantic thing anyone had ever done for her but she didn't want to diminish Steve's efforts. Besides the look on Steve's face was worth it. He was absolutely beaming as he sat down next to her. Looking at him filled her with such fuzzy feelings. Until this moment she wasn't sure that she would be able to be happy being alone with a guy in a romantic sense. But Steve, her dear Steve proved her wrong.

She pulled him closer to her. He was too far away. Steve ended up curled to her side. Her arm wrapped around his shoulders. He let out a soft sigh of contentment and put his head back so that it was resting on her shoulder. Looking at her with his bright blue eyes. She could have melted into a puddle right then and there. If she had an eternity to describe his eyes alone she wasn't sure she would do them justice. It felt they held that position for a long time. Just taking each other in. Realizing the meaning of the fact that they fit together like two puzzle pieces. They were so close that she could tell Steve was breathing a little hard. That is heartbeat was quicker than normal. She wondered if he could tell the same about her.

"We should probably eat something," Astrid stated if also to let Steve catch his breath. His breathing was starting to concern her slightly. "Don't want Mrs. Barnes to think we don't like the food."

Steve nodded moving away from her and opening up the basket. It really was picnic food. Salads, sandwiches. Even a container of lemonade. Once it was all laid out the two of them started digging in. One-handed. They couldn't bother to let the other one go.

"She is a really good cook," Astrid added in after she had her fill. She really was. She might actually have to stop by Bucky's place. She wondered if Shamira had met his parents yet. Somehow she doubted it. Shamira was never one to go over and meet the parents. No matter how much the guy she was seeing was in love with her.

"Been feeding me for years," Steve replied with a smile. He cautiously laid down in her lap. Something she didn't object to as it allowed her to play with his hair. His soft fluffy hair. His eyes fluttered closed and sighed.

"You've know Bucky a long time haven't you?"

He gave her a thoughtful smile. "We have been childhood friends for as long as I can remember. There were times when all I had was him. What about you and Shamira?"

"Next door neighbors. It was inevitable. Even after we had lost contact with each other for a while, we managed to reconnect. She was everything to me." She would never forget those days. The days her body was too weak to even let her sit up and Shamira had to feed her by hand. Those days where she begged for death and Shamira equally begged her to hold on. Shamira was the one who rescued her from that ditch in the first place and brought her back to her father. She had no doubt that without Shamira she would have left this earth long ago.

Steve opened his eyes and sat up. Looking at her. She immediately missed the feel of his hair through his hands. "Why did you lose contact?"

Astrid's entire body stiffened. Her grip on Steve tightened. "Let's say it wasn't by choice." Her entire demeanor was tense. "I was taken to Berlin and stayed there for a little while."

Steve paused. His expression grim. "Not a lot of things were your choice, were they?"

Astrid let out a hollow laugh. "You could say that again." She was mentally kicking herself. Once again she had managed to turn a date dour. Steve shuffled so that he was sitting in front of her. Taking both her hands into his.

"I promise." He swallowed a lump in his throat. "That whenever you're with me I will always make sure that you have a choice."

"Steve," she whimpered. Despite all her years of training, she could still feel the tears prick her eyes. How she longed for a guy to say that to her. Never thinking it would actually happen. She brought him in for a hug. Her arms perfectly wrapping around his entire frame. She could feel his breath quicken as he wrapped his arms around her. Normally she would never do this. Never would think she would want to do this. But Steve was intoxicating. The feel of his breath on her. Of his body pressed against hers. His hands roaming her back and her's his. She wanted to feel every inch of him. Wondered what his lips would taste like. But now was not the time for that.

She let him go when it was getting hard for him to breathe. Panting heavily against her.

"Breath with me Steve." She brought his hand against her chest. Slowing down her own breathing. Beckoning him to follow her. After a little bit, his breathing steadied. More normal. She looked over him concerned. Seemed like he was rather sickly. A flare of worry crossed her. "Does that happen a lot?"

"I wouldn't know," Steve said with a glint in his eye. "It only seems to happen when I'm in the middle of a date with the most beautiful, talented woman I'll ever meet."

Astrid swore she could feel her blood pressure rise. Her mind taking a minute to recover before she could say anything that wasn't gibberish. "As much as I appreciate the compliment," she nudged him gently, "Tell me the truth."

"Yeah, it happens often." He looked a little downcast. His face once again dipping down. She felt a pain in her chest. Only wanting to put a smile back on his face.

Astrid placed her hands on his chest. "Well, it's a good thing you'll be seeing your doctor quite often now." Steve looked perplexed until he realized that Astrid was talking about herself. "I think I have a trick or two that can help keep you healthy."

"You wanna..." Steve was grasping at words.

It was her turn to take his hands into hers. "I'll be your lady if you'll be my man."

"Yes, God yes." He was unable to get the words out fast enough.

She pressed their foreheads together. Her happiness undeniable. Flowing through her like waves.

All too soon the date had to end. Astrid had to work in the morning. Steve stayed with her until they reached her apartment. Not wanting to part from one another. Too soon however she was at her door. Both of them lingering. For as soon as she went inside the date would be over. And neither of them would want that. Holding hands as they stood in front of the door.

"I don't want to leave," Steve finally said.

"I don't want you to leave," Astrid replied but she could see him stifle a yawn. "But you should head home before it gets too late. I'll see you before you know it."

"I would hope so." He gave her one last hug. Stepping back and starting to turn around. Heading home.

"Don't get into any fights on the way home."

"I'll try not to!" All too soon he disappeared from view. Astrid sighed and opened the door. Only to find Bucky and Shamira standing by the door smiling.

"I should go catch up with Steve," Bucky stated heading out. Leaving Astrid and Shamira who was smiling wickedly. Her fate was sealed.

"So should I expect you two to be waiting at the door after every date?" Astrid asked moving towards their small kitchen.

"No, sometimes we'll be at Bucky's place," Shamira replied sitting down on their love seat. "Pass me a glass of water will you?"

Astrid rolled her eyes, grabbed a glass off the shelf, and filled it with water. Before floating it over to Shamira who carefully grabbed it from the air.

"Thanks. So where did he take you?" He didn't try to get frisky did he?"

Astrid turned to face her. "He was a perfect gentleman. We went to the Brooklyn Museum of Art and had a picnic."

"That's super sweet."

"I'm not even sure I want to ask about your date with Bucky. I'm pretty sure I know what you guys are up to."

Now it was Shamira's turn to roll her eyes. "I'll have you know we had dinner first. Then we came here for some fun."

Astrid let out a chuckle. Shaking her head slightly.

She started to boil water for tea and sat down next to Shamira. Resting her head on her shoulder. "I really like him," Astrid mumbled. Shamira rested her head on top of hers. "I know you do." The two of them sat there for a while. Soaking each other in. Astrid closed her eyes. She wasn't sure what was going to happen with Steve in the long run but she knew that Shamira would be with her every step of the way.