Author's Note:

No overt triggers but the dark past is starting to creep in. This is only the beginning. As always please review and let me know what you think.

Astrid was the most nervous she had been in a long time. Worse than she felt during her final exams or stepping foot in America for the first time. She clicked her tongue a couple of times as she paced back and forth through their apartment. Shamira watching her from the love seat.

"You actually seem more nervous that I am," Shamira pointed out. "And I'm the one who's actually seeing him."

"They are Bucky's parents," Astrid replied stopping in front of Shamira. "They basically helped raise Steve and were there for him after his mother died. I'm basically meeting his parents for the first time. What if they don't like me?"

Shamira gave her a what really look. "You are a highly trained doctor, decent to look at, and a wonderful woman. Most men would kill to be with you. Some women too. I'm fairly certain that they will like you."

"Not if they knew that I am-" Shamira lifted a hand up interrupting her.

"You promised me that we would leave that behind us." Shamira sighed. "We have a new life ahead of us. Let's not ruin by bringing the past into this." Astrid wasn't about to start arguing with her. She was probably right. They needed to move on after all that happened. Make a new life for themselves.

Her mind completely switched gears as she smoothed out her small floral print dress. Shamira continued to roll her eyes at her as Steve and Bucky stepped in.

"How are my favorite girls doing?" Bucky asked giving Shamira a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Looking forward to your mother's food," Shamira answered with a grin while Astrid walked towards Steve taking his hand and planting a kiss on his cheek. Still blushing every time she did.

"I can't look at you without losing my breath," Steve stated taking her in.

"That's not much of a compliment Steve," Bucky added in turning away from Shamira and facing him. "Considering how often that is."

"Maybe it's because of how often she's on my mind." Astrid felt the warm fuzzies flow through her on that one. AS the two of them continued to playfully bicker she glanced at Shamira who was looking pretty pleased. Shamira was right. There was no need to bring the past into this. Not at this point.

"Shall we continue lollygagging here or shall we actually start heading towards your parents' place," Shamira asked.

"Let's shall we," Bucky responded. "They are looking forward to meeting Astrid." That sent a spike of nerves through Astrid. Everyone knew that Shamira was one of the many girls that Bucky spent time with. But this was the first time Steve was essentially bringing a girl home. Steve gave her hand a good squeeze. Noticing her nerves.

"Relax, they are going to love you. I certainly..." he seemed to stop himself from whatever he was going to say. "I certainly think so."

"That's what everyone keeps telling me," she replied as they walked down to the street holding hands. Another fortunate thing about living close by. They didn't have to give out money for a taxi. It also gave Astrid time to collect herself. She just had to think that this was another job and not introducing herself to two of the most important people in her boyfriend's life.

Didn't seem like it was enough time as before she knew it, she was at the door and a short plump woman was bringing everyone into a hug. Spending extra time on Steve and her.

"Oh, it's so wonderful to meet you," she stated.

"Thanks, Mrs. Barnes," Astrid replied once the woman let her go.

"Please call me Winnifred. We are basically family. I only wish Steve brought you home sooner." She gave Steve a playful glare before beckoning them inside.

If Astrid had to describe this place in one word it would be comfortable. It certainly had that lived-in feel. Furniture clearly worn but well-loved. Colorful wallpaper well taken care of. Winnifred was clearly a homemaker as she beckoned them to the table and the spread she laid out before them. Meatloaf. three different kinds of salad. potatoes. Astrid also got introduced to the rest of the clan. Mr. Barnes or George as he insisted, a rather lanky man that brought them all in with a warm demeanor. Benjamin, Bucky's 16-year-old brother. Rebecca his 14-year-old sister and Logan the youngest boy at 10.

Winnifred beckoned them to start digging in but before Astrid could bring a fork to her mouth Winnifred started throwing out questions. Now, this was something Astrid was used to. An interrogation.

"You're a doctor," Winnifred stated not yet touching her food. She was sitting right across from Astrid. "Don't see many female doctors." She saw Bucky glare at his mother from the corner of her eye but this she could handle. Bucky was sitting at the head of the table across from his father, with Shamira to his left.

There was no point in outright lying. But withholding the truth a little. "I was handpicked for the program. Didn't matter what gender you were as long as you met the necessary qualifications," Astrid answered with a shrug. "I did."

"Still it's not going to be an easy job to have when you have kids." This time it was Steve who choked. Covering it up as a cough. Instinctively Astrid started rubbing circles on his back. "You do plan to have kids right?"

"As many as my husband wants." Winnifred seemed happy with that answer finally taken a drink of the homemade lemonade. Astrid glanced at Shamira who was sitting on the other side of the table tapping her head. Astrid connected their minds. Allowing her and Shamira to communicate telepathically.

'You sure you've never done this before?' Shamira questioned in her mind. 'Because you are a natural.'

'I've handled many an interrogation,' Astrid answered. Shamira had to stifle a laugh.

'Well, it certainly is that. Hopefully, you can handle round two where she starts questioning your dating history.'

'What dating history?'

"What about Steve caught your eye?" Winnifred asked after Astrid managed to swallow the first bite of food. "I mean a beautiful woman like yourself could have a pick of any fella." Astrid actually didn't mind this line of questioning. Winnifred was only trying to protect Steve from getting hurt. Her body language was giving her away. The way she kept glancing at Steve.

"Mom really?" Bucky asked.

Winnifred shrugged. Faking innocence. "I only want to learn about her."

"What about Steve that isn't worth catching my eye?" Astrid asked bringing the conversation back to her. There was no way to avoid it. "He's the most kind, courageous man I've ever met and more importantly one of the few people in the world actually willing to stand up when something wrong is happening. I'm the one whose honored for being considered his lady." Bucky launched her a huge smile while Steve turned an interesting shade of red. Astrid snaked her hand so that she was holding his other under the table. Rubbing her thumb over it. Winnifred, however, didn't quite seem satisfied. Again, Astrid didn't blame her. Anyone could string together a bunch of pretty-sounding words.

"Still I'm pretty sure that you are discerning about the men you have gone with. Most of them must share those same qualities with Steve." Astrid took her hand back and brought it to her opposite forearm.

"Steve is the only person I've ever been steady with."

Winnifred looked at her surprised. Eyebrows raised. "Really? There's no one you left behind in Germany? There's never been anyone at all?"

Astrid let out a laugh. Oh, she remembered the one she left. She remembered the bruises, the burns, the beatings. She could still remember his hot breath against her skin as she begged him to stop. His weight against her body. The sour smell of his sweat. Her hand started digging into her arm. She noticed Shamira ready to interrupt but she lifted her hand slightly off her arm. Shamira got the message. She always did.

She gave Winnifred a sweet smile but only those who really knew her would notice the edge in her voice. "The only person I have willing been with is Steve." And she was planning to keep it that way. If he would have her. "I was alone. Away from my father and focused on my studies. Didn't give me much time to chat with men." She reached and took a sip of the lemonade. She could tell Winnifred was still suspicious, but she wasn't going to pursue it any further. For now, anyway.

"You must have made your parents proud," she continued. "I'm sorry for your loss." Astrid nodded not sure what to say. She did miss her parents. She missed what they had before everything went wrong. "You ever think about going back?"

Astrid let out a scoff. "Not in this century. Not as long as that man is in power." There was no hiding the anger in her voice. Shamira grinding her teeth on the other side.

"What I don't get is why you left in the first place," Benjamin asked. He was sitting on the far end of the table next to George. On the same side as Shamira. Astrid could tell he was trouble at first glance. "You two are Krauts after all." He shot her a look filled with loathing. It wasn't anything she wasn't used to. Luckily she didn't have to say anything. Steve shot him an equally loathing glare while George gently smacked him on the back of his head. Chastising him.

Benjamin didn't want to back down though. "I mean I get that she's a pretty face but still German." Astrid didn't normally fight with teenagers and this wasn't an exception. He was angry. A lot of people were. She even understood it. But that didn't make it was excusable.

"We were poor, desperate and Hitler was the light at the end. It wasn't until later that we realized he was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Most still haven't realized it," Shamira pointed out taking Benjamin's attention away from Astrid. "Astrid lost her mother to Nazis and I honestly don't know if my family is alive or dead." Shamira took a deep breath. "We have been fighting this war a lot longer than you realize. Since he took power."

"Trust me," Astrid added in. "If you think you hate him, it pales in comparison to how we feel. He destroyed our country, our homes, our families." This definitely wasn't how she intended for this to go. But she seemed to have won both George's and Winnifred's respect. Shamira doing so as well. Conversation flowed smoothly after that. Even Benjamin contributed every once in a while. Once the main course was finished up Astrid offered to help clean up. Taking plates and bringing them to the kitchen while Winnifred was setting up dessert. Some sort of pie. Whatever it was it smelled divine. Filling up the entire kitchen.

"Sorry for all the questions," Winnifred said as she sliced the pie into pieces.

"It's nothing to feel sorry for," Astrid replied placing the plates in the sink and started washing them.

Winnifred put the knife down and looked over at Astrid. "Steve really likes you. I've never seen him like this about anyone." That made Astrid's heart pound. The butterflies in her stomach going into overdrive. "He's basically another son to me. If you break his heart."

Putting the plate down Astrid turned off the tap and looked at Winnifred. "Why would I ever do that?"

"Because women can be cruel. I've seen Bucky try to set him up before. Only for them to turn up their noses because of his looks. Some have pretended to be interested only to stand him up. And you... you are one of the most accomplished, beautiful women I've ever met. And Steve is a wonderful man, but he's still..."

"The most amazing man I've ever met?" Astrid snorted. She had to fight down the desire to find the woman that stood up Steve and laugh in their faces. Show them all they missed out on. "Trust me, I'm far from perfect. I have my own problems." She closed her eyes. Even now her blood could still run cold. Opening them again she saw Winnifred looking at her curiously. "Steve makes me happy. I actually enjoy spending time with him. I miss him when he isn't around. And he genuinely makes me want to be a better person."

"From the sound of it, you don't need his help to be a good person." Oh, how little Winnifred knew. If she knew she would probably be screaming at Astrid to get out of the house. "You don't have to explain it to me, dear," Winnifred smiled. "I felt the same way about George when we first started dating. And my first meeting with his parents was way worse."

"What happened?"

"I accidentally burnt dinner. It was a lovely roast that I turned to cinders." Both of them started laughing. Astrid picturing it now. "Now let's bring out desert before the boys start a protest." They brought out the desert for everyone. Turned out to be an apple pie. Steve's favorite according to Winnifred. She would give Astrid the recipe later. They were having a great time. Continuing with tea and coffee after sending the kids to bed.

All too soon they had to leave. Having stayed much later than Astrid expected. Waving their goodbyes after Winnifred pulled Astrid into one last hug. Saying that she was welcome over at any time and for her to come back soon.

"I told you they would love you," Steve said as they walked back to her and Shamira's place. "Sorry about Benjamin."

"It's not your fault," Astrid answered. Yet Steve still seemed troubled. "I have the feeling something else is bothering you."

"What you said during dinner. About me. Did you mean it?"

"Every word." Steve stopped in his tracks. Astrid stopping next to him. He looked up at her as if to say something. She felt her heart leap up in her throat. He brought up a hand to her face and she leaned into it. Soaking him in. Wishing that she could be closer. She felt cold when Steve removed his hand. Whatever he was going to say was lost. Astrid didn't mind. There wasn't any rush. Her and Steve could take as much time as they needed to sort things out.

"The others are waiting for us," he pointed out. She glanced behind her and saw Shamira and Bucky standing. Waiting for them. Though Astrid knew that they would wait for the two of them she knew that she could stand here forever with Steve. That was one of the things she really liked about him. Regardless of what they were doing, she felt comfortable in his presence. She took his hand and walked up to Bucky and Shamira. A smile on all four of their faces. She would have more time with Steve later. Plenty of dates in the future and perhaps even more.