I let out a small groan as I open my eyes, my head is pounding. Why did I drink so much last night? I look over and see Nat still asleep next to me before slipping out of bed and heading to the kitchen. I open the cupboard and grab the paracetamol. I quickly grab two tablets and leave the box out, knowing full well that Nat will probably need them when she wakes up. I place my tablets on the counter and grab a glass and fill it with water. I need to stop letting Natasha push me into drinking so much. Quickly, I place both tablets in my mouth and swig the water, allowing myself to swallow them before looking in the fridge.

A smile falls on my face as I see the left over dough for croissants that I'd made a couple of days ago. I turn the oven on and roll out the pastry before shaping and rolling it. As I continue to wait for the oven to heat up I grab my phone which is on the kitchen side and open it up

I hope you and Nat got home safe. I'm sorry about what happened tonight, fingers crossed we can get that sight seeing planned as soon as possible

I quickly type a response saying I'm free whenever to be Steves tour guide before placing the dough in the oven to cook and setting a timer for 18 minutes. As they cook I sneak back into the bedroom to change out of my pyjamas, I grab some jogging bottoms and a tank top and go to the living room to change so I don't wake Nat up. As I'm changing the smell of pastry fills my nose and I let out a sigh of relief as I collapse onto the sofa whilst turning the TV on for a bit of background noise. I stick the empty glasses in the dishwasher that I'd left out before Nat and I had set off to the club and switched it on as a hungover red head grumbled and joined me in the kitchen as she sat at the breakfast bar and rubbed her head

"Good morning sleep head!" I exclaimed as I retrieved the orange juice from the fridge and began pouring her a glass "You sleep OK?"

"Shhhh, you're being too noisy" she moaned as she took the glass from my hands and eyed up the paracetamol "Can I have some?" she asked as she looked at me and smiled

"Left them out just for you" I chuckled as she began to open the box and get some out for herself "There are croissants in the oven for us and I'm pretty sure we still have some jam left in the fridge" I confirmed as she threw the tablets back before taking a sip of her juice.

"Last night was so much fun" she mumbled as I nodded "I still can't believe you didn't kiss Steve though" she joked as I rolled my eyes at her "Have you heard from him this morning?" she asked as I shook my head

"He text me last night and I've just replied but I'm guessing he's not up yet. It is only 9AM after all" I answered as I motioned to the clock

"It's ONLY 9AM?! You're lucky there's good in the oven or I'd be going back to sleep" she continued to sip her juice and looked me up and down "Why are you dressed?"

"I was actually going to go for a jog. I can leave you here though if you need more rest, sleeping beauty" she let out a groan as my timer went off, signalling breakfast was ready. I put on my oven mits before opening the oven door and pulling out the pastry which were a nice golden brown now. I set them on the hob and went to the fridge to grab the jam "Do you want anything else?" I asked Nat as she grabbed two plates and a knife for us

"No this is all perfect" she smiled as I took the plates and threw the pastries on "I swear though if neither of us end out in a serious relationship in 5 years, I will be marrying you. Your baking is too good to waste!" she chuckled whilst spreading the jam on hers. After she was done I took the jam from her, spread it on mine and placed it back in the fridge before taking a bite. We ate in silence before my phone buzzed and I checked the text I'd received

I'm actually free today if that works for you?

"Steve's just text you hasn't he?" Nat said before taking another bite of her food, I threw her a confused look "You're smiling like an idiot at your phone" she explained as I rolled my eyes at her and text Steve back letting him know I was going for a jog then I'd be free. "Ooooooh you're meeting today?" she exclaimed as she she grabbed my phone and ran off

"NATASHA GIVE IT BACK!" I shouted as she ran into the bathroom and locked the door. Nice try Romanoff but I've been working on a little something. I clenched my hand and heard the lock flick before opening the door

"H-How did you?" she asked as I snatched my phone back and saw she had texted Steve back

"Party trick I've been working on" I smirked whilst reading the message. Great, she'd invited Steve on my run and had told him my address and to be here in... 30 minutes!? I was now going to be running with a guy who could run about 30 miles in 30 minutes and not break a sweat "I'm going to look such a fool now!" I exclaimed as she chuckled at me and walked into my room, picking up her clothes from the floor on the way past

"If you don't like him, why are you so bothered about looking a fool if you don't like him?" she asked as she began stripping from her pyjamas and changing into her clothes

"Because it's Captain bloody America! I still need to impress the team!" I exclaimed as my phone buzzed again,

Sounds fun! I'll be there in no time!

"Why do you need to impress the team?" Nat asked as she pulled her top over her head, I couldn't help but stare. Without a shadow of a doubt she was one of the hottest girls I've ever met "That's why you don't like Steve. It's me you like" she winked as I giggled

"Oh of course! Also I'm no where near you guys. You're all hero's, I'm a woman who has only recently stopped killing people for money" I admitted as her head shot to me

"El... Your past does not define you. YOU are a hero! Do you think for one second New York would've gone the same if you didn't create that tornado, keeping all those things from entering our world?" She asked as she grabbed my hand, I shrugged my shoulders and she lifted my head up so I was facing her. "You are the strongest on our team and if anything, we should want to impress you!" she added as I smile fell on my face, "I don't want to hear you doubt yourself ever again... OK?" I slowly nodded my head "Anyway, I need to get home. Meant to be in a meeting with Fury at 12 and I need to grab a few things from mine" she pulled her pants up and laced her boots before coming and placing a kiss on my cheek and pulling me into a hug. "Have fun with Steve today, text me all the details and feel free to make a move on him" yet again my eyes rolled at her remark and she waltzed out the front door after grabbing her left over croissant, leaving me on my own to clean up. Oh how convenient for her. I quickly stuck the radio on as I got on with the dishes and before I knew it there was a knock at the door. I danced over and flung the door open

"I'll turn the music down Mrs Nor- Oh hi Steve" I smiled as he stood there holding his arms "I didn't realise it had been half an hour already" a small chuckle left my lips as Steve smiled at me "Come in, I just need to put my shoes on" I invited as he walked into my apartment and looked around

"It's a cute little place you have here" he said as I smiled and grabbed my running shoes "It smells delicious too"

"Oh yeah, I made breakfast for Nat and I. She's gone now, had a meeting with Fury and needed to swing by home" I informed him as he nodded "Also I am in no way up to your level of fitness. You'll have to slow down a little for me"

"Can't keep up?" He smirked as I shook my head and giggled

"No, I most definitely can not keep up with a super soldier who has the metabolism faster than the speed of light... Do you need any water?" I asked as I grabbed my bottle and began to fill it up, he shook his head and I screwed the lid on before motioning him to leave. As we left I ensured to lock the door behind us and we entered the street

"How're you feeling after last night?" He asked as we began walking down the street

"I feel fine actually, my head doesn't hurt too much and there's no hangover" I confirmed as he looked at me

"I mean after the incident" I was really hoping this wouldn't be brought up... "Honestly if I ever see that guy again I swear I'll-"

"I'm OK thank you Cap, I was shaken up last night but it's in the past. I can't let it faze me or I'll never go on another night out ever again" I laughed as I pointed down the street "OK to we'll head down there towards the park. Cut through, loop around, come back here so I can change and then go sight seeing if you wish?" Steve smiled at me "What?" I laughed

"Nothing, you're just very cute when you're authoritative" he blushed as I smirked

"Well I suggest you follow the orders because you won't like me when I'm angry"

***

I giggled as we exited the lift of the empire state building, that was the last stop of our sight seeing tour. We'd visited Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and the 9/11 memorial site. We were going to visit the History Museum but decided to save that for another time. On our journey I'd turned Steve into a full blown tourist. He had on an American cap and a I love NY t-shirt. We'd visited many different food places and both of us had eaten enough to last us weeks.

"You still never answered me" Steve said "Where is your favourite place in New York?" he asked as I looked at him and smiled, his blue eyes shined under the moon and he tilted his head at me, still waiting for a reply to his question

"It's nothing like where we've visited today" I admitted as he shrugged his shoulders

"I don't care. I want to know more about you and what you like" Steve explained as I looked around us, the streets weren't as busy as they usually are on an evening

"I'll show you. But this place stays between you and I, Rogers" I warned as he nodded "Luckily it's not too far from here but we do have to make a pitstop along the way" I added as we began walking "Whilst you eagerly wait in anticipation I want to know more about you Steve Rogers"

"Well obviously I became Captain America in 1943-"

"No. I don't want to hear about Captain America. I want to know about you. What life was life before all the muscle. Who you were, what your dreams and aspirations were" I smiled at him and he returned it

"No one has ever asked about me, you know" he admitted "Being Captain America is pretty much a full time gig. I was born in Brooklyn on July 4th 1918. I lived with my Mother and Father until he went off to fight in the First World War. Sadly he didn't return back to us so it was my Mother and I for a pretty long time after that. I was a good kid though, always tried to help out where I could, did well in school... With classes, not the ladies" he chuckled "I was a pretty small, skinny kid and with people like Bucky around the girls didn't give me a second glance"

"Who's Bucky?" I asked as he smiled

"Bucky was my best friend. I've known him for as long as I could remember, we grew up together and went to the same school. He always included me you know, even when he had a date with a lady he'd ask her to bring a friend for me. Of course her friend never showed much interest but it never stopped him from trying. He was the kid who'd stand by my side and stick up for me when I couldn't do it for myself" he recalled, the smile never falling from his face "We fought in the war together. He saved my life so many times I've lost count" he chuckled as I smiled

"He sounds amazing" Steve looked down at me and laughed

"Though I have to say if he were alive now it'd probably be you with him and not me"

"Steve, right now. I wouldn't be with anyone else... Literally even if he were here he'd be 70 and wouldn't need to be shown around New York" I joked as we approached a store, I quickly pulled him and and he threw me a confusing look

"This is your favourite place in New York?"

"No, this is the pit stop" I chuckled as I grabbed a bunch of flowers and we walked to the cashier, as I reached into my purse Steve placed his hand over mine

"Allow me" he smiled as he paid for them, picked them up and guided me out of the door "Where too now?" he asked as I looked up at him

"You didn't have to get those" I said as he looked back down at me

"I wanted too... Now, which way?" he questioned as his head flicked left and right. I hooked my arm around his and lead him left "So do I get a hint where we're going? and what these are for?" he lifted his arm that held the flowers and I shook my head "Anyway I want to know more about you now. Let me think, what is your all time favourite food?" he asked

"All time favourite?" I hummed as I thought about it "It would have to be a home cooked lasagna, with chips and salad" I smiled

"What about your favourite place you've travelled?" he asked

"100% Athens, there was so much to explore there! It was also the place I learnt about my Mum, I went with my Auntie and Uncle and we explored the mountains and ruins from he roman age. I was 7 at the time and actually ended up wondering off because I wanted to see if i could find something like a secret passage. My family were not happy at all that I went missing and I got told off after" I laughed as we turned round the corner into a cemetery

"Did you ever find a secret passage?" Steve asked as I shook my head

"No! I thought because of my Mother being a greek Goddess and all I'd have been able to use my fingerprint to open some secret door. I pressed almost every single brick in the ruins and nothing opened up" I giggled

"Well hopefully one day you can go back and find one" I smiled at the thought of returning to Greece "What about your favourite animal?"

"That one is easy... An elephant! Don't ask me why, I just love them!" I chuckled as I brought us to a stop and looked at Steve

"Is everything OK?" he asked as I nodded and took the flowers from his hands

"You asked to see my favourite place in New York... It's here" I answered as I looked down at the two graves next to us and smiled. I split the bunch of flowers in tow and placed a bunch on each grave before sitting on the ground between them both "It's my Uncle Phil and my Dad" I said as Steve sat in front of me

"Eleanor, you didn't have to bring me here" he argued as I shook my head

"I think Uncle Phil would've loved to. imagine you visiting him" I smiled as I looked to my Uncles grave "Even when they passed they were still inseperable... We didn't request he be buried here it was just the first available spot..." I said as Steve looked at my Dads grave

"It's fate" he muttered as I looked at him and smiled. "Mr Paul Partick Rice, a beloved son, brother and Father" he read as I watched him "and Mr Phillip Coulson, a beloved son and brother... I had no idea you and your Dad were close. I'm so sorry Eleanor"

"It's OK. No one knew. He's the reason I learnt to cook. He inspired my music taste as did Uncle Phil" I chuckled

"What's your favourite song?" Steve questioned

"It's called Love of my Life by a bad called Queen" I admitted as he pulled out his little notebook and wrote the song down "I remember when I was little... And actually, right up to the night before he was- before he passed away. He would play the song and I'd stand on his feet and he'd dance around the room with me. He was my best friend. I've never loved someone as much as I love him" I whispered as a tear fell down my cheek, Steve brought his hand up to my face and wiped away my tear with his thumb "I come here all the time just to talk to him"

"Well Mr Rice... May I have a dance with your daughter?" Steve asked as he looked to my Dad, I smiled and looked at Steve "Did he say yes?'

"He called you crazy, there's no music" I giggled as Steve pulled out his phone

"This is something Tony taught me..." before I knew it Love of my Life began playing from his phone and he stood up in front of me and held his hand out to me "Has he changed his mind? May I have this dance?" I bit my lip and nodded whilst taking his hand and pulling myself up. Steves arm made their way around my waist, sending shivers up my spine and took my hand in his, I slid my free arm over his shoulder as we swayed to the music, I closed my eyes and let myself take in this moment. Memories came flooding in and another tear fell down my cheek as I smiled, I haven't danced to this song since he died, we stayed like this for the majority of the song. Steve spun me around and we returned back to our original position as the song slowly ended, he pulled away and looked down to me "So... What did he think of my moves?" Steve joked as I looked back down at my Dad.

"He says there's room for improvement" I mumbled as Steve laughed

"I'll have to have you teach me" he smiled. I returned the smile and pulled away from him before kissing my hand and placing it on my Dads tombstone

"Come on Rogers, let's head back" I said as I guided him to the exit of the cemetery

"Thank you for showing me this, Eleanor" Steve blushed as I smiled at him. As I was about to respond I shivered "Are you cold?" Steve asked, I nodded and before I knew it Steve took off his jacket and placed it around my shoulders. I thanked him and walked together, ending up coming out at a different part of the cemetery "Well, I'm this way" I said as I slowed to a stop, knowing that Steve lived the opposite direction to me from a conversation we had earlier

"Don't be silly! I'm walking you home! Not because you're some damsel in distress before you start" Steve pointed a finger at me as I chuckled "But because I'm not ready for this day to end just yet" he added as I looked at him "Erm.. Unless y-you want me to go" he nervously said

"Come on soldier" I laughed as. I grabbed his hand and pulled him in the direction of my house, it wasn't until a few seconds later I realised I was still holding his hand "Oh" I muttered as I released his hand "Sorry" I blushed as we walked down the street

"Is that a pay phone?" Steve looked across the street

"Oh yeah! I haven't seen one of those in a long time. I had no idea it was even here!" Steve nudged me before running across the street towards it "Come on!" he shouted as I followed him "Rumour has it, you can pick up the phone and talk to your future self" he gushed as he picked up the phone "Hello Steve... Yes, it's Steve... How're you?' he asked as I laughed "No I'm good! Just calling you whilst I'm with Eleanor... Yeah do you remember? Sight seeing in New York?" he said as I shook my head and smiled at him "He wants to speak to you" i grabbed the phone from him and held it to my ear

"Hello future Steve!" I chuckled "Oh really? Yes of course... No no, he's still here. We just went and saw my Dad! Have you improved those dancing skills yet?" I heard Steve laugh at me "Well I look forward to seeing it from present- erm.. past you?" I gave Steve a funny look "Of course. I'll put him back on!" I held the phone out to Steve "It's for you" he smiled and took the phone from my hands

"Yes Steve, it's Steve again... Oh is she? Yes can I speak to her?" Steve said as he held the phone away from his mouth "He's just putting you on the phone... Eleanor! How are you?" he asked as I smiled. Steve thinks we'll still be talking in the future? "Oh no I wouldn't dream of it I-" he then looked at me "She said can you give us a moment please?" Steve said to me as I rolled my eyes, chuckled and stood a little further away from him. I could hear him faintly muttering but couldn't make any words out what he was saying "OK ELEANOR YOU CAN COME BACK NOW! She wants to speak with you" I walked back and grabbed the phone

"Oh El, my favourite how're you? Yes I'm fine. No I'm happy, we've had an amazing day! What's that? You have to go save Steves arse? OK well be safe, don't let him get too hurt!" I chuckled as I put the phone back on the holder and looked at Steve and smiled at him "Are you going to tell me what you spoke to me about?" I laughed as Steve shook his head

"You'll have to wait for future me to tell you" he sassed as I flashed him a smile "Come on, let's get you home" he said as we began to walk again and as if the world wanted to ruin a perfect day it began to pour it down with rain "RUN!" he shouted as he took off running, I threw my head back in a fit of laughter and chased him down the street, he wasn't taking it easy on me and before I knew it I had fallen behind massively

"STEVE" I shouted between breaths as I began to slow down, I saw him stop and turn to face me "You're too fast! I can't keep up" I shouted as he jogged back to me

"Well them, I best save this damsel in distress from the rain" he laughed as he got to me, before I could push him he scooped me up in his arms and began running. Even while carrying me he still managed to run faster than I could and it didn't take long before we arrived outside my apartment building

"Would you like to come in for a coffee or something? Give you chance to dry off and have this rain ease a little?" I asked as Steve nodded. He followed me up the stairs and into the building where Mrs Norton was collecting her post, lord knows why this woman doesn't just collect it in a morning when it arrives. "Hello Mrs Norton! How're you and Mr Norton this evening?" I asked as she turned around and smiled

"Ellie! We're good thank you! Jus- Ooooh who is this handsome young man?" she asks as I smiled and hold back a chuckled

"My name is Steve M'am, it's a pleasure to meet you" he says as he holds out his hand for her to take which she gladly accepts

"It's about time you brought yourself a man home as opposed to Miss Natasha!" she exclaims "I hope you're treating little Ellie well here. You don't want to be on the wrong side of me and my husband" Mrs Norton warned him as I giggled

"You need not worry about that Ma'am"

"Ooooh please, call me Selma, Ma'am makes me sound old!" she chuckled as she walked over to her door and we followed her "Anyway children, I best be getting back inside. Lord knows what my husband is getting up to in there without me!" Both Steve and I said our goodbyes before entering my apartment. I flicked the lights on and turned the heating up to ensure the place was nice and toasty

"Your neighbour seems lovely" Steve smiled as I set off to the bathroom

"Mr and Mrs Norton have lived here for about 30 years now. I met them when I first moved in and they cooked me a wonderful dinner. I, of course returned the favour with a plate of brownies and since then they keep a close eye on me to make sure I'm OK" I told him as I entered the bathroom and grabbed a towel each for us "Here I got you a towel" I entered the room and threw the towel at him which he caught "Would you like a drink?" I asked as he nodded "There is tea, coffee, water, juice, or Pepsi" I offered as he began drying his hair

"I'll take a coffee please. Black, no sugar" I walked over to the kettle and filled it up before switching it on and grabbed two mugs from the cupboard. I prepared the drinks whilst the kettle was boiling and passed Steve who was now looking at my movie collection

"I'm just going to change into something... Less wet" I chuckled as he nodded and continued looking at the DVDs. I walked into my bedroom and grabbed a tank top and some shorts before slipping out of my wet clothes and throwing them in the wash. I quickly slipped into my pyjamas before heading back to the kitchen to see Steve was pouring he now boiled water into our mugs "You don't have to do that Steve! You're my guest" I exclaimed as he looked at me and smiled

"It's fine. Do you take milk in yours?" he asked as I nodded sat on the sofa, no energy to fight him about making drinks. Before I knew it he'd sat down beside me and placed my cup on the coffee table in front of me "Thank you for today Eleanor, I've really enjoyed myself" Steve said as I looked at him "I finally feel like a true New Yorker" he chuckled

"It was my pleasure Steve" I responded as I reached for my tea and took a sip "Would you like to watch a movie or anything?" I asked as he nodded "Stepbrothers?"

"Of course! I can cross it off my list then!" I quickly pulled Netflix up on the TV and found the film

"Do you want any popcorn? A blanket? Anything?" I offered as he readjusted his position on the couch

"I'd love a blanket" I crouched down by the TV stand and grabbed the throw that was neatly folded below whilst mentally thanking myself for tidying up yesterday.

"Here you go you loser" I threw the blanket at him

"I wish you'd stop throwing things at me" he laughed as I turned the lights off ready for the film. As I walked back towards the sofa I stumped my toe and Steves shoes he left out

"SHIT STEVEN ROGERS. DON'T LEAVE YOUR SHOES OUT" I shouted as as I hopped over to the sofa and sat down

"Are you OK?" he asked as I nodded "Sorry about that" he chuckled as I poked his side, he jumped up and threw me a look

"Is Captain America... Ticklish?" I teased as he shook his head

"Eleanor please... No. For your own safety don't do it" he warned as I smirked. I quickly grabbed the blanket and spread over the sofa

"Got me the sofa to myself though" I proudly said as he scoffed and lifted my head up before sitting down and placing my head down on his lap "Leave your shoes on my floor again Rogers and I will tickle you" I joked, he went to reply but I quickly shushed him as the film started "Watch" I whispered as I felt Steves hand on my hair playing with it and before I knew it, I was in a peaceful sleep.