| This story gets the good Captain's LANGUAGE warning.|

I do not own these characters (I just write them as a way to love them and care for them).

Reader Request: The reader likes Steve but he gets involved with someone else.

Standing at the newsstand with my baseball hat pulled down over my eyes, only a few wisps of unruly hair hung out over my ears and I'd pulled the rest of my hair into a ponytail. Hiding in an oversized olive green jacket, I casually looked at magazine covers until one caught my eye: STARK ENGAGED. I laughed under my breath as I picked it up to look closer at the ridiculous photo of Tony on the cover. Just as I was about to flip to the article, I heard a familiar voice and someone stepped up beside me.

"If Tony was engaged, there would have been a party by now."

I looked up from under my hat to see Steve grinning at me from under his own hat. "A party sounds so unlike Tony," I said sarcastically. Once I really focused and got a good look at him, my nerves got the best of me. Steve's eyes looked so blue and his lips had a hint of red. He always looked so good when he wore his brown leather jacket and today it was paired with the most classic white t-shirt and jeans. My heart stopped for a brief second when the wind shifted a hint of his aftershave my way.

Okay, you got me, I may have a ....litttttttle crush on Steve.

Just a little one, promise.

Okay, no, that's wrong. So wrong.

Yeah, it's a regular sized, non-stalkery crush and it's been going on for far too long. It's just... Steve and I get along so well. That's honestly how it started. We became great friends. It wasn't about looks. But let's just say when you already laugh all the time with someone, it begins to be hard to ignore their already chiseled good looks. Oh. My. God. His face... that face... I can't...

And if you're wondering, yes, I've seen him without a shirt and I thought I was going to pass out. Mostly because I stopped breathing and froze, not knowing where to look or how to react. Not my best moment, I'll give you that.

And that's when I felt Steve's eyes on me and I realized he'd said something. Back to reality.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" I asked, pushing the school girl crush aside momentarily.

Steve let out a quiet giggle, "I said what are you up to today?"

"Well, sir, I am going to buy a mindless magazine and then I'm going to go back to the tower and do very little today. And then after dinner, I'm going to take a long hot bath and read this mindless magazine," I smiled at him with a big cheesy innocent face. I thought I detected a hint of embarrassment from him when I mentioned taking a bath but we'll just let that one go.

"Good, you could use a relaxing day. No big plans tonight then?" he asked.

"Yeah... I just told you," I laughed.

"I meant like a date or plans with a friend... something like that. It's your day off, after all." Steve's eyes redirected to the magazine covers instead of me.

I laughed a little too hard. "A date?! Oh, sure. I'd have better odds of being attacked by a shark right here on this street."

Steve furrowed his brow and tilted his head. "You know, I like that you don't take yourself too seriously but you're a little hard on yourself sometimes, don't you think?" I knew where his heart was and I knew he meant it more as a compliment than something to be taken harshly. "I just mean—"

"I know," I said softly. "I'm only joking around." I picked up an Us Weekly and said, "I'm going to get this. You headed back to the tower?"

"Yeah," he nodded, "I'll walk you."

After I paid for the magazine, Steve walked me back to the tower, even offering me his arm. I wanted to pretend I didn't like holding onto his arm but it was chilly, and also... it was so nice being close to him. Truthfully, it was nice to be close to anyone. I haven't been out with anyone in ages.

Since joining the Avengers, I hadn't had much physical contact with anyone outside the tower. There have been times that it's been hard. I've craved my mom or my best friends. Just a hug, really. I should clarify, because this sounds bad - sounds like I'm saying the Avengers are keeping me from people. That's not it at all. We just live a different life. And it's so busy all the time, it can be hard to find time for personal relationships. Luckily, they are mostly fun to hang out with and they're all pretty supportive. I worry, too... that going to meet my mom out somewhere is like putting a target on her forehead. But that's a rant for a different day.

"Is there any particular reason you don't date?" he asked. By the way, he wasn't looking at me, I knew it must have been hard for him to ask me that. As much fun as we have together, Steve never pries into my personal life. He waits for me to offer details and I like that about him.

I took a breath that was more audible than I had intended. "They aren't exactly lining up, you know." As hard as I tried, I knew the frustration was showing on my face a bit. I have the worst poker face.

He gave my arm a little squeeze and my heart swelled. In my head, I could hear my own voice saying "No one likes me, Steve, but that's okay because you're the one I want and you can just kiss me right now and keep me forever." But I didn't say it. He didn't say anything either. Poor guy was probably at a loss for words over my shambles of a personal life.

We talked about everyday stuff for the few minutes it took us to walk back. We always did that and it was the best part of our friendship - the ridiculous topics we could take off on and just laugh.

In the elevator, I could have sworn Steve was flirting with me. He wasn't very good at it if that's what he was doing. That's what made it hard to tell. I was trying not to let my smile give me away. Maybe he was just being nice, I can't be sure. But I was getting a warm feeling creeping over me and the irrational voice in my head was telling me to just ask him out.

"You look good in a hat," he smiled. I could see the little dimple that showed up when he smiled more on one side of his face than the other.

I love that dimple.

I want to pack my bags and move into that dimple.

Geeze, I sound like a psycho. I promise I'm not. Just a frustrated girl.

"Thanks," I said. I was getting ready to throw my dignity away and ask Steve to a movie when the elevator doors opened. "Steve, would you like to maybe—"

"Oh, hey, there you are!" Pepper's face was overly animated as she spoke to Steve. Then I noticed she was standing with someone else. This woman was dressed much nicer than me and she carried a pretty expensive purse. Her eyes darted to Steve immediately as he and I stepped off the elevator. "Y/N, Steve, this is Sadie Sennett. She's doing an article on Tony and she wanted to meet the rest of the team," Pepper smiled.

Steve's hand shot out for a handshake, "Miss Sennett, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you," I said, looking to make eye contact with her and maybe shake her hand but her eyes were fixated on Steve. No surprise there. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and just waited with a smile on my face.

"Captain, I'd love to get your thoughts for the article. Do you have time?" she asked, giving Steve a sickeningly sweet smile. Something about it turned my stomach.

Steve gestured towards me as he started to say, "We were just..." but she talked right overtop of him. This lady is not scoring any points with me, I'll tell you that.

"I promise, it will be brief," she cooed, reaching out to touch his arm.

"Okay," he breathed out. Knowing Steve, he seemed agitated but he was being polite. She snaked her arm around his and walked him down a hallway in one fell swoop. Hey, that's my arm.

Pepper and I were left there looking at each other, which is not a problem because I adore her. And she keeps Tony pretty together for, well... for Tony. Now that I think about it, she's amazing. She doesn't get nearly enough credit.

"I'm sorry, I think I interrupted you and Steve," Pepper frowned.

I gave her a reassuring smile, "No, it's okay. I see him all the time." Remembering what I'd bought at the newsstand, I flashed it in front of her. "Did you see this?" I laughed.

Pepper's face got red with the breath that she was holding as she chuckled. "That's hilarious, Y/N."

I suddenly felt like an idiot for bringing it up, maybe it wasn't something she wanted to think about. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be insensitive—"

She reached out to touch my arm. "It's really okay, it's not a sensitive topic anymore. I used to think that's what I wanted but now, I'm not sure the two of us being married is the greatest of ideas." Pepper shifted her weight onto her other leg. "We're already a lot like an old married couple anyway."

"Well, you definitely are his better half," I smiled. "If you'll excuse me, I'm off to go waste a day."

"Not doing something with Steve?" she asked.

"No," I tried to smile pleasantly, "we just ran into each other and walked back together."

Pepper had the slightest odd look on her face but I just let it go and said I'd see her later.

Then I managed to blow the most beautiful fall day laying around my room and doing nothing, only interrupted to talk to my mom on the phone at some point. Instead of eating dinner with everyone else, I made a sandwich to take back to my room and munch on while I sat in a bath. Is that weird? I feel like it might be weird or gross. I've never tried it before but honestly, all I want to do is soak and be antisocial today.

I ran the hottest bath I could and added epsom salts and a couple drops of lavender. It was so hot, it took me 5 minutes and adding cold water to finally get in. But I was determined to relax with a long soak.

Sinking down into the water, I let out a deep sigh and closed my eyes. I thought about how I was starting to get hungry. I looked across the room at the countertop where my sandwich sat. That was brilliant. I guess I'll just have to wait. I'll just read my magazine...

AWW COME ON! I looked at the magazine sitting next to the plate. What is with me today? My brain is so unorganized... I don't get it.

I sighed and stretched my legs out, looking at my toes wiggling. Well, maybe I get it. Could it be the whole thing with Steve?

Just let it go.

I closed my eyes and tried to think about nothing, just relaxing my muscles. Missions had been a real B lately and I had some pretty good bruises and sore muscles. I must have stayed that way for longer than I realized because I noticed the water starting to get cold. I stretched my fingertips out underwater and waited for the heat to release from them, then I moved my hands around in the water to spread the heat. Firepowers come in handy sometimes.

Someone knocked at my door just then but I didn't make a sound, sitting there naked and unsure of what to say. Before I got the chance, I heard Natasha. "Hey, it's me. What are you doing?"

"Taking a bath," I called out.

"Why didn't you come to dinner?" she yelled back. "You missed seeing Steve leave with his date."

I froze. Slight panic shot through my body. I wasn't sure what to say. Finally I muttered, "Oh."

I could hear Natasha pacing around my room. Finally, she poked her head in the bathroom. "Let's go out, I'm bored."

"Uhhhhh, I don't know..." I really didn't feel like it, especially after hearing that Steve had gone out on a date.

"Okay then, let's go watch a movie upstairs," she suggested.

"I did that already."

"Which movie did you watch?" she asked.

I sheepishly shifted. "I watched, like... every movie today." I really had done a great job of being lazy.

She was quiet and then I heard her laugh. I started to get out of the bathtub and wrap my towel around me. "Sorry," I called out, "I'm a little off my game today."

Natasha walked into the bathroom. "What's up?"

"Wish I knew," I said as I flipped my head back upright with a towel wrapped around it. I thought for a second. "You know what? I will watch a movie with you... I need to get out of here." Natasha waited for me as I dried my hair and got dressed.

I grabbed my uneaten sandwich and we headed to the lounge. It was so nice just to hang out with Nat. We talked and acted like silly idiots while we watched Gossip Girl ...we couldn't agree on a movie. Sam came in and started making fun of us for watching it, until he sat down and started watching it and then became too hooked to leave. It was all good stuff to distract me from what was really on my mind: Steve was out with someone else tonight.

The three of us started drinking and that made things even more fun. But I quickly sobered up when I saw the elevator doors open and Steve walk into the hallway with the reporter from earlier. He saw us and nodded to us with a smile before he opened the glass door into the lounge and let her pass through before him. Always a gentleman. You can take Steve out of the 40's but that part of him will always remain.

We all said hello to them. Steve introduced her to Sam who stood up to shake her hand. Apparently, Natasha had already met her. Sadie was cordial to Sam but not overly friendly. My guess is that she realized there was nothing Sam could do for her so she wasn't going to go out of her way. I know I sound bitter and yes, I do like Steve, but I have always considered myself a pretty good judge of character. Also, I felt less crazy when Natasha shot me a look. We were on the same page about Sadie.

Steve excused himself. "Sadie, I'll go get the pictures we were talking about. I'll just be a second."

She nodded and reluctantly sat down in a chair near us. It was easy to see she wasn't thrilled to be left alone with us.

"So you and Steve had a date tonight?" Natasha asked. I know that girl enough to know she's fishing for something and I love her.

Sadie gave a tight lipped smile with her eyebrows raised and clutched her purse on her lap. She looked anywhere but at any of us. "Is... Tony around?" she asked, suddenly perking up.

"I don't think so," Sam said. "Did you need something?"

"No," she said curtly.

I watched Sam shift in his seat and it appeared that he was also uncomfortable. Hey, at least I'm in good company.

"Where did you two go for dinner?" Natasha asked her.

Suddenly, Sadie loosened up. "That Italian place around the corner." The look on her face casually revealed that she hadn't enjoyed it. "Does he take all his dates there?"

"He goes there a lot, I think he's just comfortable there," Natasha said.

"Hmm," Sadie said quickly. "Is he always so boring?"

My jaw clenched up and I had to look away. Sam gave a polite laugh as if Sadie had been joking, although we knew she wasn't. It was so awkward. The door opened again and there was Steve, giving us a smile and holding a large yellow envelope. "Sadie, I have the pictures. Why don't we head to the conference room?" She got up without a word to us and walked to the door which Steve was holding open for her. Steve gave us a little smile and then they walked down the hallway towards the conference room. Once the door was closed, Sam sat straight up on the couch. He spoke out of the side of his mouth, "That girl was a..."

"She was a total bitch," Natasha said. "You know I don't like to call another woman that but I can't think of a better descriptor."

"Did Steve really ask her out?" Sam asked, shaking his head.

"Tony told me they had a date," Natasha added. "But she may have asked him out."

Sam stood up to get another beer. "So it's not just me then... I hope that was a one time thing."

I felt Natasha look over at me but I was busy staring at my hands. "You're awful quiet," she said to me. She and Sam glanced at each other. I wonder if they know.

"I'm a little tired, I think I'm going to get to bed," I said, getting up and stretching. "See you in the morning, Sam. Goodnight, Nat."

They said goodnight and I walked out to get onto the elevator. Once the doors were closed, I felt hot tears sting my eyes. I don't want that, I don't want to be that girl. I have no right to be jealous, he's not my boyfriend, he doesn't like me. And it might even be my own fault that I haven't told him how I feel. I was leaned back against the wall with my hands on the rail when I realized in my emotional state, I had heated up the rail with my hands. I let go of the rail and stepped away from the wall, taking a deep breath. I have no intentions of letting this get the best of me.

After a somewhat decent night of sleep, I woke up to get ready for the day. Luckily for me, today isn't an ordinary day.

I walked into the kitchen with my overnight bag and Sam was waiting for me. "Hey, sweetie. You ready to hit the road?"

"Sure am," I smiled. "Let me grab a Pop Tart." I reached into the cupboard for a silver packet and then went to the refrigerator to grab a little jug of orange juice.

"You don't want to heat that up?" he asked.

I laughed to myself and said, "I'll just heat it up on the way."

"Silly me," Sam grinned. He grabbed my overnight bag from me and we headed for the garage. "So how are you this morning?" he asked softly. I think he wanted to know if I'm okay after last night but I don't think I want to open that can of worms. He's not pushing, he would never do that.

"I'm looking forward to this mission, actually," I confessed. "This is going to be much more lowkey than usual."

"Yeah, no fighting," he smiled. "Hey, plus they booked us a reallllly nice hotel."

"Awesome."

Truth be told, this would be an awesome mission. Sam and I were sent for surveillance purposes which meant nice hotel, nice car, decent food, no fighting... all in all, pretty chill. Plus, I get to wear a disguise sometimes and something about that is always so fun for me. We were only driving to the Canadian border so it wasn't even going to be a long trip.

I pulled out the magazine that I still haven't gotten to read and laid it on my lap before finding us a new radio station, at Sam's request. We got talking and before I knew it, it was time to pin my hair back so I could wear my dark wig.

"You're lucky you only have to wear a hat and sunglasses," I told him.

"Don't I know it," he sighed. "That looks very complicated."

It wasn't long before Sam and I were walking through the hotel, him carrying our bags. Sam's a sweetheart, he always does that. He says it's so we look like a couple and we're less conspicuous but I honestly think he's just a gentleman and wants to carry my bag. It's a perk of going on a mission with either him or Steve.

Once we got to the room, he took my bag into the room with the bed and he started unpacking his things in the dresser near the pull out couch. I immediately started taking my itchy wig off and then proceeded to unpack our surveillance gear.

I handed Sam his comm and he put it in his ear, "I'll head down to the street. How about I bring back lunch later?"

"Perfect," I said, putting my own comm in.

Hat and sunglasses on and Sam was out the door. I stretched as I walked through the spacious suite and kicked my boots off, finally stopping at the window, hiding myself behind the sheer window coverings with my binoculars. I could tell Sam was on the elevator because I could hear the ding as each floor went by. "Nothing from up here yet," I told him. "Careful out there, birdman," I giggled. I was trying to be lighthearted because now that I was finally alone, I felt a pang of nerves run through my chest. I know what's bothering me. I don't want to admit it, but I know what it is.

I set our miniature video camera on the windowsill carefully, trying to hide it as best I could and then I kept watch, like a hawk. Only, not as great as Hawkeye because, man oh man, is he good at this. If I was on a mission with Clint, I'd be the street man. But Clint's semi-retired at this point so we don't see that much of him. My focus got better, the more I watched. I barely thought of Steve. When I did, I was somehow able to brush it off.

Until Natasha ruined that for me by sending me a text. She said, "The witch is back in the building and she actually talked to me today. She's got her hands all over Steve. Gag."

I didn't reply right away, I wasn't sure what to say. And I especially didn't want to give my crush away to Nat... even though I'm pretty sure she knows. She'd never do anything with the information but there's something about this that's hard for me to accept.

I finally got some action from across the street when a few vans pulled up to the side of the building and unloaded boxes at the dock. That was mainly what we were waiting for so when I saw that, I let Sam know because he didn't have a view from where he was.

Twenty or so minutes later, Sam returned with lunch. I was so hungry, I jumped right into the grilled chicken sandwich... and it was so good. "Sam, I love you, bud. This is amazing." He'd already eaten in the cafe facing the building so he didn't look like he was just roaming around over and over.

He laughed and set himself up in another chair at the window. He was quiet for a minute before he asked, "Are you okay today? You don't seem like yourself." He was as sensitive as he could be.

"Everything's great," I lied. Ughhh, I lied to Sam. I really didn't want to.

His eyes flickered over to the magazine laying on the bed and then back out the window. He let out a sigh like he was about to say something he didn't want to have to say. "So how long have you had feelings for him?"