Chapter Five

Zoë smiled at Cooper as he jogged up the steps into the Smithsonian. It had been his turn to pick a Saturday outing. He had immediately chosen the Smithsonian because he had a school history project due.
"Welcome to the Smithsonian," the overhead speakers announced. "Visitor information booths are available on the second level."

Cooper beelined to the exhibit dedicated to Captain America. Zoë rolled her eyes as she caught sight of Steve's many statues.
"A symbol to the nation. A hero to the world. The story of Captain America is one of honor, bravery, and sacrifice."

A familiar figure appeared beside Zoë, hidden behind a baseball cap and a pair of sunglasses.
"You know, I never wanted this," Steve said, looking around. "I mean, I never wanted to be celebrated."
"You just wanted to save the world."
"Exactly."

The two friends shared a small smile before Steve gestured to a woman nearby. She had her back turned to Zoë, reading through a plaque. She had bright strawberry-blonde hair pulled into a messy bun, easily identifiable in the crowd.
"I want you to meet Maggie."
"Maggie?"

At the sound of her name, the woman turned, eyes brightening at the sight of Zoë.
"Ah! Hello again, Zoë." Steve straightened slightly, pulling off his sunglasses.
"You already met?"
"Yes," Maggie said, shaking Zoë's hand. "Her—"
"At the coffee shop," Zoë cut in. Maggie tilted her head to the side before nodding.
"Yeah… Vanilla latte with no added sweetener, correct?" Zoë nodded.
"Exactly."

Steve sighed with a shake of his head.
"Seems I can never keep work out of my personal life."
"Well, when one is a hero, I highly doubt there is much time for a personal life," Maggie said.
"Maybe," Steve shrugged.

Zoë shook her head at Maggie's shy smile at Steve. The man out of time seemed to be enjoying the woman's company and vice-versa. However, Zoë knew Steve still pined after Peggy Carter… would this relationship she was seeing last?
"We should be going," Steve said. He held out his arm to Maggie, who took it.
"Have plans?" Zoë asked.
"Not really," Maggie answered. "I've just got to get to the studio before it opens."
"Studio?"

If Zoë's lies bothered Maggie, the woman didn't show it.
"Yes, I own a dance studio."
"Oh, how fun." Steve nodded at Zoë. "See you tomorrow?"
"As always."

She watched the two as they walked away, Steve's head slightly ducked down to hear whatever it was Maggie was saying. He had a smile on his face, but when he looked back to smile at Zoë, she could see slight traces of guilt.

A moment later, Cooper was rushing back to Zoë, holding a piece of paper with messy writing scrawled on it.
"I'm done!"
"Okay… who is your report on again?"
"Peggy Carter," Cooper said. "None of the girls wanted to do a report on her and I was like "fine. I'll do it." Some of the guys teased me."
"That's too bad."
"S'okay. Doesn't bother me."

That evening found the small family sitting in the apartment on the couch, watching the second "Night at the Museum." Lilia was cuddled up in Zoë's arms, Cooper half asleep nearby. It had been a long day of Zoë helping Cooper at the Smithsonian, then helping Lilia with math homework, and then working on paperwork on top of that. It didn't matter that Zoë was half retried; Fury still found mountains of things for her to do. Most of which included filling out stuff for Steve, about Steve, to Steve. It never seemed to end.

The film was about half-way through when Zoë's phone rang. She carefully maneuvered Lilia off of her, waving at Cooper to continue with the film. She slipped into the kitchen, pulling out her phone.
"Hello?"

Clint voice was what answered.
"Hey Z."
"Clint? Is something wrong?"
"I'm being sent to Russia for a few weeks."
"So, you aren't coming back?"
"Not yet, I'm so sorry."

Zoë tried to hold back her irritation.
"It's fine."
"No, Z. It's not. I'm really sorry."
"It's okay, Clint. Can the kids say hi?"
"I wasn't even supposed to call you. It's not secure."
"They miss you."
"Do you miss me?"
"I always miss you, Clint. But I'm used to it. They aren't."
"Fine. Put them on."

Zoë called to them and immediately the two kids came bounding into the room. She pressed the speakerphone button and Clint's voice came ringing in.
"Hey guys!"
"Clint!" Lilia squealed. "Are you coming home?"
"Not yet, sweetheart."
"Why not?" Cooper asked. Disappointment was mailable in his voice.
"Sorry buddy, I've got another job."
"You're never here," Cooper snapped.
"Coop," Zoë murmured.
"I'll be home soon, Cooper. We'll take a couple of weeks off, head to the cabin."

Rolling his eyes, Cooper stormed out of the room and a moment later, Zoë heard his door slam shut. Lilia reached for Zoë and the woman picked her up.
"Did you hear that I started ballet?" Lilia asked Clint.
"I did hear. Are you having a lot of fun."
"Well, I've only had one lesson, but yeah!"
"That's amazing, sweetheart."

There was some yelling in the background and Clint yelled back before talking to the girls again.
"I gotta go. I love you, Lillia."
"I love you too."
"Tell Coop I said bye."
"Okay!"
"Love you, Z."
"Yeah. Love you too."

Hanging up the phone, Zoë looked to Lilia.
"Time for bed, girly."
"Awwwwwww, really? What about the movie?"
"We'll finish the movie tomorrow after I get home."
"Where are you going?"
"I gotta go to the office."

After tucking Lilia into bed, Zoë slipped into Cooper's room, finding the boy lying on his side, hugging a small hawk stuffed animal. "Clint wants to come home, you know," Zoë said, sitting beside him.
"He doesn't try hard enough," Cooper snapped. "And one day he won't come home."
"Oh, Coop."

The boy broke down, starting to cry. Zoë wrapped her arms around him, curling up on the bed. She laid with him until he fell asleep, the hawk never leaving his arms.

Kissing his forehead, Zoë moved to her room where she sent a text to Steve, telling him that she would be late to meeting him, then collapsed into bed, hugging Clint's pillow as she too cried herself to sleep.

All rights belong to Disney & Marvel

Okay! The next chapter will be from Steve's POV and will begin in the past and then end in the present so we can get going. I know we don't know much about Maggie, but much will be revealed eventually.