DISCLAIMER: This fanfiction will follow its own timeline, however, I've tried to stick to the movie timeline as much as possible. It must be noted that this story is rated M as there will be some explicit content mentioned later in the story (depictions of sexual intimacy, and also mentions of rape and abuse) but forewarnings will be provided at the beginning of the respective chapter.

It must be noted that I don't own any of the Marvel characters or anything affiliated with the Marvel Universe. However, all OC and original content have been created by me.

CHAPTER SIX

"The One with The Opportunity"

Normal. What is normal after you've learned that the man you have had feelings for – for the longest time – is not actually dead, but very much alive and in hiding? For Lilah, normal became searching for James' face in the busy streets of Washington. Wherever she'd go and no matter whom she was with, her eyes continued to scan the crowds for him.

"Lilah…?" the voice was faint in her mind. "Lilah!" Sophia shouted from across their small lunch table, finally grabbing Lilah's attention from staring down at the street below. "Girl, where is your mind these days?" she squealed with an exasperated huff. Lilah chucked her sandwich half which was barely eaten into the takeaway container, "I'm really sorry, Soph, I just can't help it," Lilah sighed, swallowing her bite of the sandwich.

Sophia Lewis was Lilah's closest and dearest friend for well over 10 years and one of the nurses at the BridgePoint hospital where Lilah worked. Sophia was there for Lilah during the darkest of times and she couldn't be more grateful to have her as a solid presence in her tumultuous life. Above that, very little was unspoken between the two of them. Sophia knew all about Lilah's situation with James and the run-in with Steve and Sam 3 months ago.

"You can't possibly think that the guy is still here, Lilah," Sophia exclaimed, "The guy is in hiding, babe! I wouldn't be surprised if he's already in some remote country like … I dunno… Guam!" Lilah's mouth curled briefly into a little smile at her friend's comical effort to make her lighten up and then continued to poke at her sandwich.

The idea of 'love' and 'relationships' came so easily to Sophia that sometimes Lilah felt a twinge of jealousy toward her. Sophia embraced her African American beauty. Tall, slender, with naturally flowing black hair, her friend carried herself with such grace that she could easily rival any model on any platform and packed a punch when pushed the wrong way. More than once, Lilah caught herself thinking that if she and Sophia had met as adults, it was possible that they wouldn't have been the greatest of friends. They were the complete opposite. Sophia was a 'work all day and party all night' kind of girl and a glowing extrovert, while Lilah was a quiet introvert who preferred nights in with a good book or movie and popcorn.

But having met at University and sticking together ever since, they found that they could not imagine their lives without each other. They learned to balance and push each other in a way that was both grounding and strengthening.

Back in the cafeteria, watching Lilah hopelessly prod at her lunch, Sophia dropped the chip she was about to bite into and gently took Lilah's hand, "Babe, I know that you want to find him, I do …" she carefully leaned in closer to her friend, "but you can't keep putting your life on hold for someone and something that might never be," she said softly. Lilah closed her eyes and exhaled, "I know but -" she was cut off by Sophia, "- but nothing, Lilah! The guy's memory was erased on almost a daily basis, I'm positive that he won't even remember you and because of that, I'm going to be brutally honest with you and tell you that you're never gonna meet him again, so move on."

That was almost a year ago.

Since then James' face had been sprawled all over every News network, social media platform, and every placard in the city. His name had become the topic of every conversation and Lilah's heart thrummed at every mention. He had been accused of murdering King T'Chaka of Wakanda at the UN conference in Vienna. Lilah was glued to her newsfeed as more information emerged on James' whereabouts and the tracking of the whole situation when suddenly, everything just went silent. The news channels stopped reporting on the situation after Wakanda instated T'Challa, the late King's son to the throne and, for the rest of the world it was as if everything was swept under the rug and forgotten … But not for Lilah.

Where was James? Is he alive? Or was he dead? Actually dead this time? Could you kill a super soldier?

Sinking deeper and deeper into the comfort of her reading chair in her apartment, the questions enveloped her. It was a warm Sunday afternoon and the sun was streaming in through the windows of her apartment at just the right spot that should have given Lilah enough warmth and coziness to read. With frustration and irritation bubbling through her body now, it seemed only appropriate to give up on reading and so she slammed the book shut and hugged it to her chest. Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See would just have to wait another day.

Over this time, Lilah kept contemplating calling Steve. She knew he was also caught up in whatever this mess was but he would be able to answer all of her questions. On the other hand, the terms of the agreement the last time they had spoken, while not the best, were clear – she told them what she knew and would never hear from them or speak to them ever again. Lilah looked down at the tattered business card that sat on her coffee table. The edges were curled and the paper started to crease from her constant wringing and bending as she debated with her inner council to call Steve's number on the card. Lilah had found the card in her post box right after Steve left on that first day he had visited her apartment. At that time, all she wanted to do was scrunch it up and chuck it in the bin knowing that there was no way in Heaven, Hell, or in between that she would ever call him. However, in typical bookworm fashion, that day she was short a bookmark and Steve's business card was the closest thing she had to it and so, it stuck in the book.

Reaching down for the worn-out card, she worried her lip and started the argument in her mind all over again. This back-and-forth was beyond infuriating, and now it was becoming physically exhausting to the point that Lilah was losing sleep.

"That's it!" She shouted decisively at herself, "I'm calling him!". Getting up from her seat with the business card in her hand, Lilah started frantically looking for her cell phone, "Where the hell is that thing?!" she cursed as she tossed up the cushions lining her sofa, feeling all the edges in case it might have slipped in there. Nothing. She grumbled. Suddenly, from somewhere far in the apartment, her cell phone began to ring. She scrambled from her spot and darted to her bedroom, seeing the bright screen of her phone on her bedside as she entered the room. Glancing down at the screen, the words 'Unknown Number' blinked back at her as the phone continued to ring. Normally, Lilah would have just answered the call without any hesitation but now, her mind started to think … could it be him? She picked the phone up and in that instant, the phone stopped ringing. Too slow, Lilah. She clenched her hands and swore at her ceiling, wishing that she didn't have this hesitation when came to making these kinds of decisions. Work decisions she could make with her eyes closed and arms folded behind her back, but when it comes to her personal life – it was like she was paralysed. Suddenly, there was a notification sound that came from Lilah's phone. She glimpsed down at the device to see the notification that read, one new voice message received.

Now, in her kitchen, Lilah stood holding her phone to her ear and replayed the voice message left by Steve for the 6th time.

"Hi Ms. Novak, this is Steve Rogers. I know that we didn't leave on the best of terms during our last conversation but I would like to offer you an opportunity to work on a part-time basis with SHIELD and before you stop listening…" he added the last part quickly, understanding that he might have made a mistake mentioning SHIELD at all, but he clearly wanted her to continue listening. There was a brief moment of silence from him as if he was contemplating his next sentence, "It involves working with James," Lilah's breath caught in her chest again at the mention of his name, "He's okay … For now, at least." Steve pause again. Lilah nearly blacked out from relief the first time she heard him say those words. It was as if the relief had just rolled off her. "Look, if – and only if – you're interested, I can arrange for us to meet so I can explain in more detail, so call me back and let me know" Steve paused again, "I hope you're well Ms. Novak," he murmured and then cut the call.

The sincerity in his voice was almost curious to Lilah. Sitting at her breakfast table now, she took a deep yoga breath – four counts inhale and four counts exhale and then began to contemplate Steve's proposition. What do you want to do, Lilah? Grabbing a piece of paper and a pen from the kitchen counter, Lilah began to scribble.

Author's Note:

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