Being on the run, even with someone you wanted to be on the run with was a bit like living in a perpetual twilight. It wasn't a life.
They'd made it to the safe house. Nat had made him wait in the woods while she checked it out.
"Wouldn't it be better for me to be there with you in case it is a trap?"
"I'm less concerned there's a trap and more concerned about Mason."
"Who?"
"My supply guy." She took a deep breath. "It's a long story. The short version is he owes me and he's proved to be very useful."
"But you don't want him to know I'm here with you."
"Nope."
"Should I be jealous?"
"The less he knows the better. With Ross closing in, it's not a matter of if but when he gets to Mason. We've got a code, but..."
"I get it. I'll be here if you need me."
#
She slipped into the safe house-little more than a large trailer-and silently checked each room. The gentle sound of snoring came from the bedroom. She kicked Mason's feet, and he jerked awake.
"You're in my bed."
"I'm... I'm not even under the covers," he protested.
"Did you get everything on my list?"
"Got passports, entry visas, couple o' local driver's licenses." He handed her a thick bundle. "Mix and match and you should be able to stretch it to twenty or so identities."
She flicked through them. "Fanny Longbottom?"
"What?"
"What are you, twelve?"
"That is a legitimate name!" He chuckled. "We've got a generator outside, it's petrol powered, and the septic tank will need a flush in a couple a weeks but, y'know, I've got a guy coming for that. You'll have to haul your rubbish into town, but it's only a twenty minute drive."
He continued moving around the kitchen, gesturing. "I've got your basic hardware kit stashed under the stairs."
"Nice."
Mason loved to show off, and she ordinarily enjoyed ribbing him for it, but she was getting impatient.
"You okay?" He'd stopped moving and leaned against the counter next to her.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"I hear things. Something about the Avengers gettin' divorced."
She scoffed. "It's fine. I'm actually better on my own."
"You sure?" He leaned in.
"Yeah." She stood up straighter.
"Cos you can tell me, you know. That's the way the whole 'friends' thing works."
"I know. I have friends."
"People who have friends don't call me."
She looked at him for a long moment, and crossed her arms. "And I don't pay you to worry."
He sighed and shook his head before heading towards the door. When she didn't stop him, he paused to look back at her, then hurried down the steps and out to his car.
She let out a long breath.
#
The only time either of them got out was when they alternated supply runs. The rest of the time was spent in the trailer. They'd played every card game they knew many times over, read every paper book twice, and listened carefully to the radio for any news.
"Gin." She grinned at him.
"I never was very good at cards."
"Don't sell yourself short, Rogers."
He studied her for a moment. "I know a better game we can play."
"Oh yeah?"
He swept the little table over, knocking the cards to the floor, and pulled her onto his lap. She pulled at his flannel shirt, untucking it, while he kissed her. Her fingers stroked his beard, and he closed his eyes, inhaling the soft scent of her skin. He picked her up and walked the short distance to the bedroom where he tossed her onto the bed.
They hadn't gotten tired of one another, per se, but there wasn't much else to do besides each other. After four weeks, they needed a change. So when the call from Mason came in, she jumped on it.
#
"What'd you get me this time," she teased. "An upside-down lawn mower?"
He said nothing, merely pointed.
She turned. The Avengers jet sat in the early morning light, dew glistening on the cockpit.
"See what I can get you with a bit o' time and money?"
She gaped at it, speechless.
"Go on, say it. I wanna hear it. It would really be good for me to hear it. Really."
"I'm impressed."
"Well, yeah."
"You've always been a really good friend to me." She resisted the urge to hug him. She had never missed a thing quite as much as she had missed the jet.
"That's what every man wants to hear." He grinned.
#
"Get up," she said, shaking him awake. "Come on, we gotta pack."
Steve scrambled up, still foggy with sleep. "What's happened? You okay?"
"I'm fine. Just dandy. But we've had a change of plans. Get your stuff, I want to be wheels up in twenty."
"Wheels up.. wait a minute," he climbed out of bed and pulled her back into the bedroom.
"No time," she said, her eyes glancing appreciatively over him. "I got the jet back."
"How..."
"I'll explain when we get in the air. Come on, come on," she extricated herself and threw open drawers, grabbing handfuls of clothes and stuffing them in a duffel bag.
