Chapter Two: Steve Rogers

(Five Months Ago)

Pushing open the café door, Steve stepped inside. It was quiet, a few of the back tables full of students listening to music, working on their screens. It was very different from his time.

Everything was different from his time.

Slowly, he was getting used to the era. He liked the food, TV was… enjoyable. Mostly, however, he liked the fact that unless he wanted it, nobody knew who he was. Unlike his own time. They didn't know that he was the Steve Rogers. The Captain America. And for now, he wanted it to stay that way.

Someone called his name and his head shot up to see the barista grinning at her.
"Hey, Steve."
"Afternoon, Maggie."
"The usual?" He nodded, pulling out his wallet. "Three-sixty-eight," she said, writing his name on a cup. He handed her the money, dropping an extra bill into the tip jar.

She shook her head.
"Steve…"
"Don't think about it, Maggie," he shrugged.
"If you say so." He nodded again, taking a seat near the door. He pulled out a book, reading up about the Berlin Wall.

So much had happened over the past few decades.

He looked up from the book when Maggie set his coffee in front of him. She also placed a blueberry muffin beside the coffee.
"Ah, thanks Maggie." She smiled at him again before walking back behind the counter.

When her back was turned, Steve watched her. He couldn't really help himself. Her hair was strawberry blonde and curly, pulled back into a messy updo. Even with the coffee stains on her apron, she was quite pretty. But there was only one problem.

She wasn't Peggy.

He knew, in the back of his mind, that it was wrong to compare them. They were two completely different people. Peggy was an SSR agent and Maggie was a barista. Sure, they were both smart and pretty and for some reason caught Steve's eye. But they were different.

It was a fact he constantly reminded himself.

The chime of the antique clock behind the counter signaled Maggie's shift over and he watched as she pulled off her apron, grabbed her leather bag and practically ran out of the shop. She always rushed out at the same time. It didn't matter if she was in the middle of an order or not.

Once, he had arrived late and she had been taking his order just as the clock chimed. She gave him an apologetic smile and stepped away from the counter to let her coworker take over. She darted out of the place a few moments later, but, as Steve remembered fondly, had not forgotten the blueberry muffin. He never ordered it and he always wondered why she went out of her way to buy him one.

As soon as Maggie was out the door, Steve stood, following after her. After weeks of debating, he finally decided to see where she went after her shift. They didn't talk other than her greeting him in the morning, taking his order, saying goodbye when he left. Part of him wanted more of a conversation, but he didn't know what to talk about. What did pretty dames like her talk about these days.

He knew she didn't know he was following her because she didn't even act nervous. Unless she was used to someone tailing her… but that didn't make much sense. He was getting to paranoid for his own good.

She stopped outside a school, tapping her foot impatiently. She kept glancing down at her watch before back to the school doors. A man came outside, taking in a low voice. Maggie sighed, darting up the stairs to the front door. She took the steps two at a time, much to Steve's worry. She could slip after all.

Five minutes later, she remerged, dragging a red-head out behind her. A prim looking woman with a daughter, who's blonde hair had been dyed green, came out after them. Maggie and the woman gave each other firm head nods, the younger girls glaring at each other.
"Send me the hairdresser bill, Mrs. Tuli," Maggie murmured.
"Oh, I will." The woman marched away, her daughter trailing after. Maggie sighed before walked away, the red-head next to her.

He kept within hearing distance as they started walking down the street.
"Maggie, loosen up," the girl snapped. "It was just a prank."
"Putting green dye in someone's hair isn't a prank, Molly!" Maggie scolded. "Hannah's hair will be green until it fades!"
"Thank God we used washable," Molly grumbled.

Maggie stopped mid-stride, spinning to glare at her sister.
"You will not take the Lord's name in vain, Molly-Ann Barlowe."
"Or what?" Molly asked. "He'll strike me down?" Maggie shook her head in exasperation.
"I don't know why I put up with you, I really don't." She started walking again, a bit faster. "We're gonna be late to open the studio today," she muttered, fishing through her bag for keys. "Do your homework and then get downstairs for your session. We're visiting Grandma tonight, please don't forget… and wear something appropriate."
"Whatever."

Steve paused a few buildings down to watch Maggie open a door to a building with large windows. He glanced at the decal on the left window.

Barlowe Dance Studios
Mon-Fri 2:15-9:15
All ages welcome.
Acquire about lessons inside.

Now it was no surprise on why Maggie practically glided as she moved. She was a dancer. And from the looks of it, she was a dance instructor as well. A small line was already waiting outside. "Start getting signed in and warmup," he heard Maggie say. "I'll be just a minute."

And then she was gone from his sight. He wandered closer, not afraid of being seen. A piece of paper was taped to a post advertising the dance studio.

Barlowe Dance Studios
Veteran Nights
Saturdays 7:30pm-10:00pm

He pulled the sign down, holding it in his hand. He still hadn't been dancing. It was too soon. He still grieved the life he could have had.

Could have, would have, should have.

The thoughts plagued his sleep. Kept him awake more than they should. Life was miserable. Peggy wouldn't want this for him and honestly, he shouldn't be struggling. What was done was done. Though, every part of him wished he could go back. Walking away from the building, Steve headed to Zoë's favorite café to pick up her morning coffee.

All rights belong to Disney & Marvel

Before I forget, the first couple of Steve's chapters are before Winter Solider. They will eventually meet up, but not for a few chapters.
-Amy Thorton