STEVE HAD been given a vast amount of medicine and was completely passed out. Lana had gone back to her apartment twice and he still hadn't woken up. She and Sam sat in his hospital room as he slept.

R&B music played in the background and the two were doing miscellaneous things. Sam had fallen asleep reading a magazine and Lana had her legs propped on the side of Steve's bed as she scrolled through her phone.

"On your left."

Lana looked up and smiled at the sight of the Captain awake.

"You're up," Sam smiled.

"Yeah and my head hurts like hell," Steve groaned sitting up properly.

"I healed you as best I could but your body has to do the rest," Lana said.

"Thank you." The two stared at each other.

Sam coughed awkwardly. "I'll leave you two alone."

Sam left and Lana glanced back at Steve.

"They want me to go to court to talk about you. Tomorrow," Steve nodded, "I'm really glad you're okay."

"Me too. I wouldn't want to miss our date," Steve smiled smugly causing her to shake her head but a smile still rested on her face. His hand slipped into hers and her face flushed, "Is the Lana Romanoff blushing?"

"I guess I am," Lana whispered. Lana looked down at her phone that buzzed, "I've gotta go. I'll see you later." Steve nodded and she pressed a kiss to his forehead. She smiled at him and walked out to the awaiting car.

➶

Lana placed her hand on the bible the next day, as the Bailiff asked, "Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

"No, I'm going to lie," Lana replied sarcastically, "I do."

"Why haven't we yet heard from Captain Rogers?" A committee member asked as she sat.

Lana clicked her tongue, "I don't know what there is left for him to say." Cameras clicked behind her head, "I think the wreck in the middle of the Potomac made his point fairly eloquently."

"Well, he could explain how this country is expected to maintain its national security now that he and you have laid waste to our intelligence apparatus."

"HYDRA was selling you lies, not intelligence," Lana responded.

"Many of which you seemed to have a personal hand in telling."

"Agent," another one spoke, "You should know that there are some on this committee who feel, given yours and your sister's service record, both for this country and against it, that you belong in a penitentiary. Not mouthing off on Capitol Hill."

"Ok, so I have a past. Capitol Hill had a history of drugs, am I complaining?" Lana shot back. The rest of the council looked at him, "You're not gonna put me in a prison. You're not gonna put any of us in a prison. You know why?"

"Do enlighten us."

"Because you need us. Yes, the world is a vulnerable place, and yes we help make it that way. But we're also the ones best qualified to defend it. So if you want to arrest me, arrest me. You'll know where to find me." She got out of her seat and walked out of the room and got into her car, speeding down the roads of Washington.

Across the room, in a disguise, Steve smiled watching her leave.

➶

Lana walked through the cemetery and saw Fury talking to a healed Steve and Sam, "You should be honoured. That's about as close as he gets to saying thank you."

Steve approached her, "Not going with him?"

"No. I have a date."

"You're staying?"

"I blew all my covers but I'll find a new one."

"That might take a while."

"I'm counting on it," she smirked, "That thing you asked for, I called in a few favours from Kiev." She handed him the file in his hand, "Will you do me a favour? Don't be late."

"I was once and I won't be again." She smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek.

She turned around and started walking away, "Be careful Steven." She stopped and glanced at him, "You might not want to pull that thread."

She walked off and got back into her car, driving away.