Chapter 12: An Unexpected Day:
Chloe woke up on the morning of September 14, 2013, to a beautiful crisp autumn day. She'd been looking forward to this particular off day for a while. The sun filtered through her curtains, casting a warm glow on her room. It promised to be perfect – a day to relax and not stress about S.H.I.E.L.D. missions or paperwork. More importantly, it meant she would get to spend some time with Steve Rogers, the man who had unwittingly become more than just a colleague to her.
After a brief but invigorating session at the Triskelion's gym where Steve had shown her how to properly disarm an enemy using his shield as the example weaoon, they had planned to hang out at her apartment. It was an idea that made her both excited and a little nervous. She'd rationalized it to herself by calling it "two friends hanging out," to avoid calling it what it truly felt like – a date.
She took a deep breath and looked around her apartment. It was a warm and inviting space, reflecting her eclectic personality. Chloe loved her apartment; it was a sanctuary filled with memories and personal touches that made it uniquely hers. She glanced around, making sure everything was in order as she prepped herself for the day.
By mid-morning, Steve arrived, looking casual in a pair of jeans, a simple blue shirt, and his ubiquitous leather jacket. Chloe welcomed him in with a warm smile.
"Welcome to my humble abode, Steve," she said, her voice light and friendly.
Steve smiled back, taking in the apartment with a curious eye. "Humble? You have a pretty neat place here, Chloe."
They started with the living room, where dozens of framed photographs lined the walls. Chloe pointed out pictures of herself, her friends Emilia and Lacy, and various New York landmarks like the Empire State Building, the original World Trade Center, and Central Park.
"These are fantastic," Steve said, genuinely impressed. "You've traveled a lot within the city."
"My dad, mother, myself, Emilia and Lacy are big Michael Jackson fans, so we went on tour to see some of his concerts during the 90s," Chloe said, pointing to a set of photos from those tours. "Although I never got to see MJ during most of the Bad tour being that I was only a baby, but my parents did. The closest i got to witnessing Bad was being brought along to a concert at Madison Square Garden in 88 when I was 3. Instead I got to witness most of the Dangerous and HIStory tours, half of them on television during school time of year of course, and most of them live in person for family vacations to the countries they were held in."
Steve's eyes widened as she led him to her prized collection of records and CDs. "Is that-?"
"Every album of Michael Jackson, Prince, TLC, 702, Salt-N-Pepa, Toni Braxton, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper and more," Chloe replied, almost embarrassed. "I've been collecting these since I was a kid."
Steve shook his head in wonder. "That's... impressive. I haven't seen a record myself In a while, earliest 44, latest 1945. Glad to see you kids are keeping an old tradition thriving. Beautiful collection Chloe."
Chloe could feel her cheeks burning as Steve complimented her collection. Her collection was a part of who she was, so seeing him appreciate it meant more than she could say.
They moved into her dining room and kitchen, which were quaint and cozy. Chloe loved cooking, and it was something she prided herself on.
"And here is where the magic happens," she said, waving a hand at the kitchen.
Steve chuckled softly. "It's very charming."
Next, she showed him her bedroom, decorated with various pieces of art, a comfy bed, and more photos. Unlike the living room, these photos were more personal, capturing moments with her family and close friends.
"Wow, you have quite the history here," Steve said, gently touching one of the framed pictures of Chloe and her family at a Michael Jackson concert. The photo of many was dated July 30, 1992 in London England, at Wembly Stadium. "This is incredible. I didn't know you were such a huge fan."
Chloe nodded. "Yeah, it's one of those things that's just always been a part of my life. These concerts were some of the best times with my family."
As Chloe guided Steve into her personal library, she felt an unusual flutter of nerves. The library was her sanctuary within her sanctuary, filled with books on various subjects ranging from more obviously being medical science to classic literature all the way to historical fiction and plenty of other genres.
"This is where I come to 'escape,'" Chloe admitted with a sheepish smile as she showed off the shelves filled with books. "Every book here means something special to me."
"I can see that," Steve said, admiring the collection. "I haven't seen a library like this since… well, a long time."
She blushed lightly at his comment, appreciating that he saw the value in her modest sanctuary.
"Alright, now that you've seen my place, how about some food?" Chloe suggested.
"That sounds great," Steve replied, his stomach growling slightly, making them both laugh.
Chloe decided to make her homemade pepperoni pizza, which had always been a hit with her friends. As she started kneading the dough, she couldn't help but notice the way Steve watched her every move with interest and appreciation.
"So, what made you decide to join S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Steve asked as he leaned against the counter, folding his arms in a relaxed manner.
Chloe sighed softly as she continued her work, adding the toppings to the pizza. "Well, it was kind of a mix of things. S.H.I.E.L.D. seemed like this incredible opportunity to use my skills in science and medical research. Plus, the idea of helping people on such a significant level was appealing. But, it was also unexpected. Nick Fury told me he was the one that got me the job, and that... complicates my feelings about S.H.I.E.L.D."
Steve nodded, understanding her mixed emotions. "I get that. The only reason I stayed with S.H.I.E.L.D. after coming out of the ice, the Battle of New York, everything, was because a personal friend from the war was one of its founders."
He chose his words carefully, avoiding mentioning Peggy by name. The thought of an elderly Peggy Carter was still too much for him to talk about, and he didn't want Chloe to feel uncomfortable or jealous if she felt any connection to him.
Once the pizza was in the oven, Chloe began to prepare a large vanilla cake and ice cream for dessert. Steve offered to help, and soon they found themselves working side by side, sharing small talk and laughter. Chloe enjoyed discovering this more relaxed side of him.
Over their meal, they delved deeper into what had brought them to S.H.I.E.L.D. Chloe explained how her love for science and medicine had always been driving forces in her life, while Steve shared stories of his time in the army and the difficult transition to modern life.
"I chose to stay with S.H.I.E.L.D. because it felt... familiar, in a way," Steve admitted. "It gave me a sense of purpose, something to fight for, even after all these years."
Chloe smiled warmly. "I'm glad you did. The world needs people like you, Steve."
Steve's eyes softened at her words, and there was a moment where their eyes met, creating an instant connection. He reached across the table to take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "And it needs people like you too, Chloe."
Chloe blushed deeply at his touch and his compliment. She was about to say something when the sound of loud knocking at her door startled them both.
"Chloe, open up!" shouted a familiar voice. It was Emilia, followed by the more measured tones of Lacy.
"Oh no," Chloe muttered under her breath, pulling her hand away from Steve's and rushing to the door. She knew exactly what was about to happen.
As she opened the door, Emilia barged in energetically, immediately followed by a more hesitant Lacy. "Heyyyy, just thought we'd drop by and- Oh," Emilia stopped dead in her tracks, taking in the scene. She looked from Chloe to Steve and back, eyes widening. "Oooh, are we interrupting something?"
Lacy grabbed Emilia's arm, clearly understanding what was going on. "Sorry guys, we'll just-"
But Emilia, being the excitable person she was, had already scrutinized everything in the room. "No way, were you two about to...?" She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.
Chloe's face turned beet red. "No! We were just having dinner."
Emilia wasn't buying it. She looked at Lacy and grinned. "Uh-huh. Sure."
Lacy rolled her eyes and started to drag Emilia away. "Emilia, give them a break."
"Alright, alright!" Emilia protested, though she was clearly amused. "Sorry about that. Enjoy your night!" she called over her shoulder as Lacy successfully led her out of the apartment.
Chloe shut the door and leaned her back against it, her face a mix of horror and amusement. "Sorry about that. My friends can be... a lot sometimes."
Steve chuckled, shaking his head. "No problem. They seem... fun."
"Yeah, fun…" Chloe echoed, her heart still racing from the near-miss. "How about we go to the park? I know a nearby one that's pretty nice. Might help shake off the awkwardness."
"Sounds like a plan," Steve agreed, standing up and slinging his jacket over his shoulder.
They made their way to a nearby park, the air cool and refreshing. Chloe grabbed a baseball from her bag and tossed it to Steve. "Wanna play catch?"
Steve raised an eyebrow but nodded, smiling. "Sure, sounds fun."
They took turns throwing the baseball back and forth, and before long, Chloe's competitive side emerged. "You know, Steve," she said, grinning, "if I keep up my training, I might just succeed you as Captain America."
Steve laughed, clearly amused. "Oh really? Well, let's see what you've got."
They spent the next hour playing a simple but fun game of catch, punctuated by laughter and teasing. Chloe couldn't remember the last time she'd had so much fun just hanging out.
They continued to toss the ball back and forth, the game of catch turning into an impromptu training session. Chloe found herself trying to match Steve's strength and precision with each throw. She could see that he was holding back a little, and that inspired her to push herself even more.
"Not bad," Steve said after she made an especially strong throw. "You've got quite the arm."
"Thanks," Chloe replied, her cheeks flushing with pride. "I've always been pretty good at throwing things."
Steve chuckled. "That's good to know. But remember, it's not just about strength. Technique matters too."
Chloe watched as he demonstrated a perfect throw, his movements precise and fluid. She tried to mimic his technique, focusing on the way he shifted his weight and used his whole body to power the throw. When the ball sailed smoothly into Steve's glove, she felt a rush of satisfaction.
"Nice! You're getting it," Steve encouraged.
They continued their game, the awkwardness from earlier completely forgotten. Steve's patience and gentle encouragement made Chloe feel more confident with each throw. She found herself relaxing and enjoying the simple pleasure of playing catch.
As they took a break and sat down on a nearby bench, Chloe felt a pang of nostalgia. "You know, this reminds me of when I was a kid," she said, looking out at the field. "I used to play catch with my dad in front of our house on chill days, and in Central Park on days we felt like traveling around. He always said it was a great way to bond."
Steve nodded, a faraway look in his eyes. "Yeah, things like this... they're timeless. No matter how much the world changes, some things stay the same."
Chloe looked at him, sensing the depth of his words. "You miss the past, don't you?"
Steve sighed softly. "Yeah, I do. Sometimes it's hard to let go of people and places that meant so much to you. But then I think about people like you, and it makes it a little easier."
Chloe's heart skipped a beat at his compliment. "Thanks, Steve. That means a lot."
They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, watching the children playing and families having picnics. Chloe felt a sense of peace settle over her, grateful for the simple yet profound connection she shared with Steve. It wasn't just a professional relationship; it was something deeper, something that made her heart race and her thoughts linger on him even after he'd left.
"So, are you ready for another round?" Steve asked, breaking the silence and flashing a playful grin.
"Absolutely," Chloe replied, standing up and stretching her arms. "Let's see who tires out first."
They resumed their game, this time mixing in a bit of playful banter. Chloe's competitive side emerged fully, and she found herself determined to impress Steve even more. She sprinted to catch the wild throws, laughed off her own misses, and even made a few dramatic dives to save the ball.
Steve couldn't stop laughing as Chloe exaggerated her dives and tumbles. "You know, if you keep that up, you might make it to the Avengers' baseball team."
"Oh, come on, I know they don't have a baseball team," Chloe shot back, smiling broadly. "But hey, if they ever do, I'll be the star player."
"Deal," Steve said with a wink. "You have my recommendation."
Their playful banter eased any lingering tension, making Chloe feel even more at ease. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue over the park, they finally decided to call it a day.
"Alright, I think I'm getting a bit tired," Chloe admitted, panting lightly.
Steve nodded, equally winded. "Yeah, I guess we should head back."
The ride back on Steve's Harley Davidson motorcycle was exhilarating. The wind rushing past her face, the powerful rumble of the engine, and the feeling of holding onto Steve made her heart pound in a way that had nothing to do with the speed.
Once they reached Chloe's apartment, she dismounted the bike with a wide smile. "Thanks for today, Steve. It was amazing."
Steve returned her smile, his eyes twinkling. "I had a great time too, Chloe. We should definitely do this again sometime."
"I'd like that," Chloe admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Have a good night, Steve."
As she walked towards her apartment, she could feel Steve's gaze following her, a warmth spreading through her chest.
Entering her apartment, Chloe found exactly what she expected—Emilia and Lacy were waiting for her with eager expressions.
"Hey, there's the baddest bitch on the planet!" Emilia exclaimed, practically bouncing off the walls in her excitement. "So, how was your day with the superhero?"
Chloe rolled her eyes but couldn't help but laugh at Emilia's enthusiasm. "It was fun, alright? We went to the park, played some catch, and just hung out."
"Right, 'just hung out,'" Emilia mocked, waggling her eyebrows suggestively. "Come on bitch, there's got to be more to it than that."
"Emilia," Lacy interjected gently, smiling at Chloe. "Let's not make her more uncomfortable than she needs to be."
Chloe felt grateful for Lacy's intervention but knew there was no escaping Emilia's nosiness. She plopped down on the couch, ready for the inevitable barrage of questions.
"So, did anything exciting happen?" Emilia asked, her eyes glinting with curiosity.
Chloe sighed, resigned to her fate. "Alright, we almost kissed, okay? But you two showed up at the worst possible moment."
Emilia's eyes went as wide as saucers. "No way! You're kidding!"
Lacy placed a hand on Emilia's shoulder to keep her grounded. "Chloe, we're really sorry about that," she said sincerely. "We didn't mean to interrupt anything."
Chloe waved it off, though a hint of disappointment still lingered. "It's fine, really. But seriously, your timing was impeccable."
Emilia started bouncing up and down with excitement. "So tell us everything! What did he say? What did you say? Did he lean in first or did you?"
Chloe rolled her eyes, but she decided to humor her friends. "Well, we were having dinner, talking about why we joined S.H.I.E.L.D., and then we had this nice moment where we were just... connected. We were about to kiss when—bang, bang, bang—comes the dynamic duo busting in!"
"Oh my God, Chloe! That sounds so romantic! And we being the dumbasses we are ruined it!" Emilia wailed dramatically, throwing herself onto the couch.
Lacy chuckled softly, shaking her head at Emilia's antics. "I'm sure there will be other moments, right?"
"I hope so," Chloe admitted, blushing slightly. "Then again, maybe it was just a spill of the moment."
Emilia sat up, her eyes still gleaming with excitement. "Alright, alright. So what else did you guys do? Spill, no pun intended!"
Chloe recounted their time at the park, the game of catch, and how fun and relaxed it all felt. She told them about the playful banter, the shared stories, and the overall joy of spending the day with Steve. As she spoke, she couldn't help but smile, feeling the warmth of those memories.
"So, what did he smell like?" Emilia asked out of the blue. "On a scale of 1 to 10! Come on, I need details."
Chloe laughed, shaking her head. "Seriously, Emilia? Fine, he smelled amazing. Ten out of ten."
Emilia looked dreamy-eyed. "I knew it! Super-soldier pheromones, I'm telling you!"
Lacy tried to keep Emilia grounded, though her amusement was clear. "Emilia, let's not get carried away."
"Oh, come on, Lacy! We're living vicariously through our best friend here! And she almost kissed Captain America today!" Emilia responded, shooting Chloe a playful look. "That man Steve Rogers is finer than wine, there's no shame in wanting to kiss him, lord knows I would...and then some," Emilia added, licking her lips seductively.
Chloe shook her head, feeling both embarrassed and entertained. "You two are impossible."
They decided to settle in for their movie night, Titanic playing in the background as Emilia continued to bombard Chloe with questions, some of them bordering on the hilariously inappropriate.
"So, did he flex his muscles a lot?" Emilia asked, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. "Like, showing off or anything?"
"Oh God, no," Chloe replied, laughing. "He's not like that. But, yeah, he's definitely... fit."
Emilia clapped her hands together. "I knew it! Steve Rogers is a true gentleman with a body to die for!"
Lacy, ever the voice of reason, tried to steer the conversation back to normalcy. "Alright, Emilia. Let's give Chloe a break. She's had a long day."
But Emilia was relentless, her sheer enthusiasm keeping her going. "Just one last question! Did he mention anything about future plans? Like, maybe a second date?"
Chloe blushed at the thought. "He did say we should do this more often," she admitted, feeling her heartbeat quicken at the memory.
Emilia squealed with delight, throwing her hands in the air. "There you go! It's practically a second date already!"
"Okay, enough," Chloe said with a laugh, holding her hands up in surrender. "Can we just watch the movie now?"
"Fine, fine," Emilia conceded, though her eyes still sparkled with mischief. "But you're not off the hook. I want updates!"
Lacy nodded in agreement. "Yes, we need to know how this story unfolds."
Chloe shook her head, though she was smiling. "Alright, I'll keep you in the loop. Now, let's enjoy—or rather cry tears of sadness and joy while watching Titanic, shall we?"
As the movie played, Chloe found herself relaxing more. The familiar scenes and lines of the movie combined with the presence of her friends made her feel comforted. Even though Emilia continued to make occasional comments about Steve, it was all in good fun, and Chloe couldn't help but laugh along.
Emilia kept trying to sneak in questions during the movie, whispering them loudly enough for Chloe to hear over the dialogue.
"Do you think he could lift that piece of driftwood both Jack and Rose were on?"
"Emilia, for crying out loud," Chloe said between giggles. "Can we please suspend the Steve-talk for the remainder of the movie?"
Lacy giggled softly. "Emilia, you're going to drive her crazy."
Emilia snickered and made a zipping motion over her mouth before looking at Chloe with wide, innocent eyes. "I'm done. Promise."
However, Emilia's questions were relentless even after the movie concluded. As the end credits rolled, she leaned forward eagerly. "Okay, Chloe. Just one more tiny detail and I will leave you alone. What did he say exactly when he dropped you off?"
Chloe sighed but couldn't help but smile at her friend's persistent nature. "He told me that he had a great time and that we should do this again sometime."
Emilia's face lit up. "That's it! That's the magic phrase. You know he's into you, right?"
Lacy added with a knowing smile, "It does sound promising, Chloe."
Chloe felt her cheeks heating up again. "Yeah, maybe. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, alright?"
Emilia gave a dramatic sigh. "Fine. But just remember, Captain America is not just your average guy. If he says he's interested, he probably means it."
Before they left for the night, Lacy and Emilia helped Chloe tidy up her apartment, their chatter filling the space with warmth and camaraderie. Chloe couldn't help but feel grateful for her friends, despite their relentless pestering.
After they finally left, Chloe fell onto her bed, her mind abuzz with thoughts of the day. She replayed the almost-kiss, the laughter at the park, and the way Steve had looked at her. It all felt surreal, like a dream she didn't want to wake up from.
As she drifted off to sleep, she held onto the hope that this was just the beginning of something special. The awkwardness, the interruptions, and the fumbling moments only made it all the more real and precious to her.
And with that hope filling her heart, Chloe slept soundly, dreaming of the possibilities that the future with Steve might hold.
A/N's: And that socks Chapter 12, Idk what it is, but there's something calming I like about this chapter that I can't put my finger on. Maybe someone else will find out what that is. I honestly think It might be the chill and wholesome tone that was evident throughout the chapter. Anywhos, we saw Cap and Clo nearly have a moment before that got shut down immediately by the Best Friends, some quality Steve X Chloe action, and a relaxed Girls Night, etc. Definitely one of my favorite chapters I've written thus far. And speaking of Chapters, Here's a little warning: Things will definitely pick up in the story going forward, especially in Chapters 13 & 14. A Meeting between the personification of good, and the personification of bad, Evil Lurks in every corner, that's all I'll say for now.
As always, the link to the fandom page is always here: https/captainamericalegendreborn./f
Anywhos Don't Forget to Follow, Fav & Review. As always, Have Fun, Stay Safe & Be Good People! See you in Chapter 13 :)