2015
"On your feet," Natasha instructs after Elsie is knocked down. "Don't quit on me now, kid."
The other woman scoffs and jumps up, a bead of sweat trickling down her back. "Who said I was?"
Ever since Elsie joined the team under Agent Hill, Natasha had been training her in combat almost daily. The Stark Tower in New York had been transformed into the new Avengers Headquarters tower, and there was a whole gym equipped for exercise, training, target practice, and skills building. The two women utilized it so well, the exercise mats they trained on practically had their footprints memorized. Natasha almost never made it easy on her, but being the fast learner she was Elsie adapted quickly.
She got into her stance again, and Natasha high-kicks at her head. Elsie blocks it, Natasha kicks at her again, and she bends backward to dodge and catch Natasha's punch. Turning into Natasha's chest, she elbows her in her stomach and flips her over.
Catching her breath, Natasha sits up and smiles proudly. "You're getting stronger. That's what we wanna see."
A proud smile forms on Elsie's exhausted face as she was seeing all of these training sessions with Nat finally pay off.
"And look at your abs!" Nat points out her toned stomach that shows between her shorts and sports bra.
"Steve has been doing exercises with me," replies Elsie as she helps her up.
The two then grab their gym bags and shoes before exiting the gym, Nat patting her sweaty face dry with her towel.
"A little birdie told me Steve was taking you to dinner tonight," she comments as they take the elevator to the Avengers' apartment floor.
"Would that little birdie be someone named Clint Barton?" Elsie jokes, the elevator ascending.
"Well, he mentioned a conversation he had with Steve about you two, and Steve said he was treating you to a nice place near where he grew up."
The elevator stops, and the two women step off onto their floor.
"Well, it's one of those semi-formal," Elsie explains as they stroll through the hallway toward their rooms.
"Oh, what are you wearing?" Nat asks, her eyes lighting up.
"It's just a simple black dress, but it hugs me in all the right places."
"Simple and sexy? Rogers is definitely going to be weak in the knees. Or be tongue-tied."
Elsie giggles. "Or his ears will turn red as a fire engine."
"That, too," Nat agreed with a chuckle.
The two part ways to their rooms, and Elsie makes a beeline for the shower. She wanted to look like the most beautiful diamond Steve had ever seen in his life. He always told her how beautiful she was, even when she was a total zombie in the mornings; but tonight, she wanted to see hearts in his baby blues.
After washing her hair and shaving, she turns off the water and dries off with a towel before slipping on her peach-colored bathrobe. She tosses her sweaty gym clothes into the hamper and then begins to dry her brown-and-red locks. Despite her patience with hair-drying that of a bottle cap, she blow dried it anyway in order for her to style it.
Since S.H.I.E.L.D. fell, Tony had turned Stark Tower into headquarters for the Avengers, and that came with apartment spaces for the team. A deck on the top floor was used for parties and other occasions or just to relax, and it had a beautiful view of New York. Below that was the lab and second deck used for mission meetings. Then, it was Tony and Pepper's apartment above the kitchen, and then the Avenger complex. Other offices, weaponry, and everything else was on the lower levels.
Steve and Elsie really made their apartment a place they could call home. If she were being honest, she liked it a lot more than the apartment in Washington. More space, a brighter area, and not having to hear sirens blaring almost every night (thanks to a soundproof system Tony designed for sleeping).
The move also meant the hunt for Bucky came to a standstill. Combine that with when the tracer to find him was destroyed by a virtual firewall, they had to stop. Elsie hated seeing Steve so defeated, but they had no choice but to wait until they somehow got a tip from somewhere.
"We'll find him," she had encouraged him many times.
As she carefully styled her hair, Elsie couldn't help but wonder what Steve had planned.
Was tonight the night? She had an inkling, but part of her still hoped for the surprise to be just that-a surprise.
By that evening, Steve and Elsie were ready for their date. She was clad in the mini black dress she mentioned to Natasha, and the off-the-shoulder look was sexy but classy. Just what Steve liked. The Captain was in a black suit and tie, but what he didn't tell his girlfriend was that there was something special for her in his pocket.
In the weeks and months following the situation with S.H.I.E.L.D. and Bucky, Steve had thought long and hard about his relationship with Elsie; and the mission had made him realise that he had found the woman beyond his wildest dreams. While she was strong and courageous she remained a very sweet and kind woman who just has so much love in her heart to give. She was his rock as he was hers, and he decided to take that big step in putting a diamond on her finger. While it was nerve-racking to take just a giant leap, he was ready. After getting Tony's blessing, Steve found the ring.
He took a deep breath, his hand still in his pocket, feeling the weight of the box. He could feel his pulse in his fingertips, the moment he'd dreamed of since they'd become a couple. He never thought he'd get to this point, yet here he was, about to ask the love of his life the most nerve-wracking but exciting question.
The couple arrives at the restaurant, and a host dressed in a suit welcomes them warmly. The soft clink of silverware and the low hum of chatter filled the air as Steve and Elsie were escorted to their table. The rich scent of garlic and fresh-baked bread wafted through the air, and the candlelight flickered gently on their table, casting soft shadows around the room. A soft and romantic harmony of violins and cellos were the cherry on top.
"This place has had such an upgrade since the last time I was here," Steve noticed as he took in the luxurious-looking establishment.
"When was that?" Elsie asks.
"1944. Celebration dinner for the 4th of July."
"And your birthday?"
"No," he shook his head. "My men did a private party for me earlier that day."
Elsie smiled. "As I've said before, you're mother raised you well."
After ordering their food, Steve sits up a little straighter as he feels his ears begin to turn a bright red. He clears his throat.
"Elsie," Steve's voice dropped to a softer, more serious tone, and for a split second, Elsie thought she heard a slight tremor in his voice.
Her heart fluttered. Was this the moment?
He took a breath. "I love you."
She smiles and replies, "I love you, too."
He takes her hand as his other hand reaches into his pocket. "And you're the woman beyond my wildest dreams."
"Steve?"
The Captain was already next to her and on his knee as he pulled the box out, his heart beating out of his chest. Elsie's eyes begin to pool with tears of joy as she knew now what was happening.
"S-Steve?" she softly squeaked. A few of the other restaurant patrons began to notice the exciting event, a few "oohs" and "ahhs" erupting as Steve opened the box that revealed the diamond ring inside.
"Elsie Walker," he says as a grin appeared on his face, "will you marry me?"
"YES!" she squealed before bursting into happy tears, the other customers applauding for the now engaged couple.
"I knew he was going to propose!" Natasha exclaimed when the couple returned from dinner. "Barton, you owe me ten bucks."
Clint rolled his eyes and pulled two crumpled Abraham Lincolns from his pocket. "You know, the two of you could've waited one more day. I had a good feeling about Friday."
"Man, you should've seen the look on Cap's face when he asked me to help plan everything," Sam grinned from where he was leaning against the wall, arms crossed. "Dude was sweating more than me during basic."
Elsie laughed, her cheeks glowing. "It was perfect. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way."
Her hand finds his chiseled cheek, her mind still spinning at the thought of officially becoming Steve's wife.
Tony strolls in with a Dirty Martini in hand, arching an eyebrow at the crowd. "Well, I'm glad everyone's enjoying the world's cutest military engagement announcement. Mazel tov." He takes a sip. And blinks. "I'm going to be legally related to Steve Rogers."
"Now, there's a Christmas card you won't see often," Nat chimed in.
"Just remember, Cap," Tony adds. "Hurt her, and I'll build something that hurts back."
"With another robo-suit," Clint banters.
"In all seriousness," Bruce said gently from the corner. "Congratulations, you two. It's nice to see things looking up around here."
Elsie was about to reply when-
"I hate to interrupt the wedding bells." All heads turned as Nick Fury stepped out, wearing his usual long coat, shadowed expression, and only half his usual scowl.
He looked between Steve and Elsie with
something bordering on a smirk.
"I'd like to have a word with the bride and groom," he said, nodding at both of them.
The room quieted. Steve and Elsie exchanged a glance, and she felt her heart pick up just a bit. Steve's posture had already straightened into soldier mode as he and Elsie followed Fury.
He led them into a quiet conference room, and once the door shut behind them, he turned, hands clasped behind his back.
"Walker," he began, voice low and even, "you've proven yourself time and again -both in the field and under pressure. I've seen enough to make a call."
Elsie tilted her head slightly. "What kind?"
"From what you've shown in the last year, I don't believe you're meant to be an agent."
Her heart stops for a moment—was she being dismissed? Reassigned? She had never seen Fury smile unless it meant trouble. "Sir, I'm not sure I understand."
"You will," Fury adds.
"Is it good or bad?"
Fury's mouth twitched, the corner of his mouth showing a rare hint of a smile. "Depends on how you feel about becoming an Avenger."