Facing Our Fears - One Shot

"Are you sure about this?" Steve asks as he grips tightly to my hand. I stare at the familiar building that had been the source of so many horrible memories as a child and I let out a shaky breath.

"Yeah," I reply shakily making him rub his thumb therapeutically on my fingers.

"Okay, just remember I'm here for you." He says giving me a reassuring smile and I return a forced one.

"I know Steve; it's just; well you know."

"Yeah, you've told me."

"I guess, I'm just terrified about the fact that he's in there."

"I know, but it will be okay. I'm right here. I'll be with you the whole time."

"Thanks again, really," He leans across the center council and gently places a kiss on my lips. I smile into his lips happy that his action made most of the sorry disappear instantly.

"Then shall we?" He asks as he pulls away.

"Let's get this over with," I say as I open the car door and stepping out into the cool night stare wide eyed at the school sign. "This is gonna suck." It had been ten years since I had stepped foot into this decrepit old hell hole and when I heard about my class reunion I had decided not to go; but when Steve had seen the email over my shoulder he thought it would be a good idea to go. He mostly wanted me to go so I could get over some fears about an ex boyfriend and the bullying I had been put through. Told me it would be a good experience, at the moment I was silently cursing him. I feel a hand gently touch my back and I turn to see him smiling lovingly down into my eyes.

Steve and I had been dating for about a year now, ever since he walked into the diner where I worked as a waitress. He had been handsome, sweet, kind, and charming so it took me no time at all to fall for him. I didn't know at the time that he was the famous Captain America so it came as quite a shock when he told me on our first date. He had been worried that it would have been a deal breaker but I didn't care that he was famous; he was just Steve Rogers to me.

"Anything else I need to know before we go in?" He asks rubbing circles on my back.

"Um, how about we not tell anyone that you're Captain America? I'd like to keep you next to me all night and if any of the girls in there find out-" I stop as I think about that event that had happened all those years ago my heart clenching. As if sensing my worry he turns me toward him and places a passionate kiss on my lips making me weak in the knees. Dear god I loved this man. I loved the way he knew how I was feeling without me ever having to say anything, and the fact that he treated me like a real lady made it all the more amazing.

"Better?" He asks pulling his lips away but leaving our foreheads touching.

"Much," I say licking my lips. "But now I want to do something else entirely."

"We can do that later," He says a chuckle escaping his lips.

"Mmm," I bite my lip and reluctantly pull away from him and looking up into his dreamy blue eyes say, "Okay, let's go." I grab tightly to his hand intertwining our fingers as we start to head toward the doors. People were completely oblivious to us until we reached the lobby. Women turn and look at Steve with hungry eyes and I clench me jaw. I wasn't the jealous type but being here was making me one. We move to stand in line to get our name tags and I feel Steve run his thumb over my fingers again making the jealousy start to waver.

When we reach the front of the line I see one of the last people I wanted to see and freeze. There sat in all her glory was the source of most of my bullying, Carrie Styne. She looked like the last ten years had been very good to her, not a single wrinkle or flaw. Her long raven hair cascaded down her shoulders in long wavy curls. She was wearing a tight black cocktail dress that was almost just a t-shirt her tanned legs folded nicely over each other. I suddenly felt very self conscious in my navy blue cocktail dress and black pumps. Using my free hand I gently tug at its hem.

"Name?" She says not looking up from her phone. Steve's grip tightens on my hand.

"(F/N) (L/N)." I say firmly not letting my emotions get the better of me. Her fingers freeze as she quickly turns to look at me. I see her twitch slightly before quickly finding her composure.

"Well (name) I have to say I'm surprised to see you here," She turns from me and her eyes fill with lust as they look Steve up and down before continuing, "And with such a hunky friend." Her eyes find mine and I glare at her. "What's your name Hun?" She says turning back to Steve.

"Rogers, Steve Rogers; I'm (Name)'s boyfriend." He says matter of factly making me look at him with loving eyes. He smiles back at me as he gives me a quick wink.

"Of course you are," Carrie says and I can sense the annoyance in her voice. She quickly finds my name tag and practically throws it at me before offering to place Steve's on him. Steve refuses and I can see the anger crying to break free from her. She hands him his tag before saying, "You two have a nice night." Steve and I are about to walk away when Carrie says under her breath, "Not that he'll let you."

I freeze. My face turns white and I could feel a panic attack coming on. My heart races and my breath catches making Steve turn me toward him and say, "It's okay (Name), I'm here and no one is gonna hurt you." He rubs my arms reassuringly and I smile at him.

"What did I ever do to deserve someone as amazing as you?"

"You were born," He says as he leans forward and places a loving kiss on my lips. I smile into his before I pull away and take his hands in mine.

"You're making it really hard for me to stay Rogers,"

"Oh? How so?" He says a smirk covering his lips.

"I think you know." I say as I tilt my head up and meet his lips passionately.

"Okay good point." He says pulling away and clearing his throat. I smile triumphantly at him and he blushes. I hear someone else clear their throat and I chuckle. He takes my hand looping my arm with his as he leads me into the Gymnasium where the party itself was taking place. There were loads of people dancing and walking around hugging and reminiscing with others while music from our school days played around us. Surprisingly I didn't recognize any of them. Steve leads me over to a table and pulling out a chair for me says, "I'm gonna go get something to drink. You want one?"

"Yes please," I say as I give him a loving smile. He kisses my cheek before he heads off toward the bar. I follow him with my eyes biting my lip as I think about what we would do later. My eyes land on his back and I chuckle inwardly as Tony's words comparing Steve's physical ratio to that of a Dorito fill my mind. I pull my eyes from him and back toward the party. Steve had been right; this was nothing to be afraid of.

"(Name)?" I hear a voice say and my blood runs cold. I gulp down a breath of air as I turn toward the voice to see John standing there looking just as handsome as he had all those years ago. John Jones had been my high school crush. He was the quarterback with dark brown hair and piercing grey eyes. I hadn't stood a chance against him. "Wow you look," He pauses looking me up and down making that self conscious feeling return. "Beautiful."

"Uh, thank you." I say forcefully as I look back toward where Steve was to see none other than Carrie herself standing too close to him and my heart clenches.

"Can I sit?" He asks and I glance back up at him before nodding. "Thanks." Pulling a chair out next to me he sits down and lets his long legs stretch out grazing mine. I pull mine away quickly before folding my arms over my chest. "So how've you been?" He asks leaning in closely to me.

"Fine," I say blatantly looking away from him and back to Steve. Carrie was definitely putting her moves on him and it was starting to infuriate me.

"Just fine?" John says a chuckle escaping his lips.

"Yes," I say and he sighs.

"Look (Name), I'm sorry about Carrie." He says and my head instantly snaps toward him in anger.

"You're sorry?" I ask anger filling my body.

"Yes," He replies staring at me apologetically.

"You-" I say louder than I meant causing me to look around before lowering my voice and continuing, "You told me you loved me John, then the day after I finally sleep with you, poof; you were gone. Off into the arms of little miss cheerleader over there. So please save your sorry for someone who cares?" I am about to push away from the table and walk away when he grabs my arm holding me in place. "Let go of me John." I say as I stare at his hand.

"Just let me explain please?"

"There is nothing to explain. You chose her John. You have to live with that."

"I did love you (Name), I did. I was just a stupid kid."

"Yes you were, do you know what I went through because of you? The rumors, the looks, the bullying? They terrorized me John. I was known as the one and done girl. John I was in love you, you meant everything to me and then what? You chose the one person who hated me and wanted nothing better than to make my life hell. You say you loved me but who does that to someone they love?"

"I'm sorry, I can never an never will forgive myself for what I did to you. You were beautiful and kind and everything I had ever wanted but I was stupid and thought I wanted more. The truth is I slept with her before I slept with you."

"And that's supposed to make me feel better?"

"It was at a party I was drunk but that's not the point, the point is it happened. I instantly regretted it and hated myself for years because of it; even more so after we spent that night together."

"Why stay with me then? After you and her did what you did and you regretted it so much, why stay with me?"

"Because I loved you; I thought that I could keep it a secret from you and i could still have you."

"But?"

"Carrie came to me the day after we made love and told me that she was pregnant." He says and my heart clenches.

"You have a baby?" I ask tears threatening to fall from my eyes.

"Unfortunately no," He says as he shakes his head, his steel grey eyes turning sad. "Carrie had a miscarriage soon after you left school. I tried to find you but no one would let me near you. After a few years I figured you didn't want to be found. So I let you go; but seeing you're here tonight,"

"Let me stop you right there," I say as I pull my arm from his grasp. "Do NOT tell me you still have feelings for me."

"But-"

"Shut up John, let me talk." I say firmly making him clamp his mouth shut, "I did still love you I did; but that was before I met Steve."

"Steve?"

"Yes Steve," I say smiling softly at the mention of his name. "Steve loves me for me and he would never, ever cheat on me. For one reason he can't get drunk and the other being he just wouldn't."

"No man is that good."

"He is," I state blatantly meeting John's eyes. Funny they no longer made my heart clench. "He's old fashioned, literally, but I love him and if he ever asks me I plan to spend the rest of my life with him."

"You really love him don't you?" John asks his face turning melancholy.

"I do," I say nodding at him. "Look John, I understand why you did what you did but you should have explained things to me. If you had then maybe things would be different but that doesn't mean I want things to change. You look like you live a happy life and I wish you all the happiness in the world. Just not with me."

"Didn't think it could hurt worse the second time?" He says furrowing his brow. "But I guess that just means I'm gonna make it."

"That it does John. Now if you'll excuse me I have a soldier to find." I smile at John and he returns my smile. He leans forward and hugs me tightly before pulling away and giving me a happy smile before walking away. I smile after him proud that I had accomplished getting over my fear of seeing him again. Thank you, Steve.

I start to walk toward the bar only to see that Steve was no longer there. "No..." I say as I frantically look around for him. Where was he? I see a hint of blue out of the corner of my eye and see him walking back into the gym an unreadable expression on his face followed by Carrie looking victorious. My chest starts to heave as tears threaten to fall from my eyes. Steve wouldn't do that; he wouldn't hurt me like that. I stare completely unable to move at him as he makes his way toward me. His eyes meet mine and he freezes. His face suddenly fills with concern and before he can move I turn and walk away.

I make it to the lobby before I feel a hand grab mine. I turn to see Steve standing there worry filling his eyes as grabs my face and says, "Are you okay? What happened?"

"Wha-what happened?" I say on the verge of tears. "You disappeared with Carrie of all people Steve! You know how much she hurt me, you know about my past with her and you just disappeared!"

"Alright hunny listen to me," He says firmly and I raise an eyebrow at him. "I did leave with her, I won't lie."

"SEE!" I yell pulling his hands from my face.

"Shut up and let me finish!" He says angrily taking me aback. He meant business. Furrowing his brows he continues, "She said she needed help with some things; but when I followed her it turns out she wanted more."

"I'll kill her!" I cry out as I go to walk past him only to have him pull me back and let out a groan.

"Sweetheart you're trying my patience,"

"Sorry," I say folding my arms over my chest to keep from running to kill a bitch.

"So when she tried to kiss me I pushed her away and told her no. I said there was only woman in this world I would let kiss me and she wasn't her."

"Then why did she look so smug when she came back in?"I ask raising an eyebrow at him.

"I may have told a little lie to her."

"Why Steve Rogers you don't lie," I say chastising him.

"You're right, I'm always honest. So forgive me cause I told one little lie."

"Are you gonna tell me what it was?"He smirks before leaning into whisper in my ear, "I told her I meet her behind the bleachers at midnight."

"Oh really? And what pray tell do you have in mind for her?"

"Nothing, I was gonna leave with you before then."

"Make her wait for something that never happens, teach her a little humility. I like it Rogers, I think I can get used to this side of you."

"Yeah sorry, but he's only here for tonight." He smiles and I blush. "You still mad?"

"Of course not," I say as I let out a sigh and lifting my hand gently place it on his cheek as I say, "I'm not gonna lie there for a moment I was tempted to tell on you to Bucky since he's the only one I know that will knock some sense into you; but I'm glad I didn't have too."

"I love you (Name), never forget that."

"I won't Steve, I never will." I say as I lean forward and gently place a kiss on his lips. His arms wrap around my waist pulling me in closer and I smile into this lips. "You know, I always did have this one fantasy."

"Oh?" He asks raising an eyebrow at me.

"Yup, wanna help me with it?"

"I aim to please miss," He replies and I smile devilishly.

"You might come to regret that decision once you see what I have in store for you."

"Oh?" He asks and I wink at him before taking his hand and leading him down the hallway toward the choir room. Once we reach the room I smile at his confused look. I pull away from him and walking over to the director's desk grabs some paper and tape. He narrows his eyes at me and I roll mine. "Here hold this." I say as I hand the tape dispenser to him. I lift the paper up over the little door window and then grabbing tape, tape the paper over the windows leaving no opening what so ever. I then turn back to him and smile playfully.

"So Steve what do you wanna do now?" I say as I walk past him to look at the ballet style mirrors that lined the wall.

"Well, what did you have in mind?" He asks as he walks over and stands inches in front of me. I smile as I lean up and kissing his lips grip tightly to the front of his shirt.

"Make love to me Rogers,"

"Here?" He asks cocking an eyebrow at me.

"Uh huh, right here right now." I say unbuttoning his shirt.

"What if someone comes?"

"The doors locked, and the window's are covered. No one will see us."

"You really are a bad influence on me."

"You love me and you know it." I say and he smile as he reaches over and gripping my hips pulls me in closer our hips rubbing. He kisses me and that's all she wrote. We make love there on the choir room floor for what seems like hours before we collapse completely spent. "Best. Idea. Ever!" I say as I roll over and wrap my arm around his chest.

"I love you," He says raising his head to place a kiss on my forehead.

"I love you too Steve, now I hate to ruin the mood but we better get out of here."

"Oh? You don't wanna go back to the party?"

"Well for one, we smell like sex; and second, I can't wait to get you home."

"Dam woman you're gonna kill me."

"You're a super soldier, you can handle it." I say as I jump up and start collecting our clothes.

"You can't use that against me every time." He says pulling his pants on.

"I can and I will," I say as I pull my dress over my shoulders.

After we are dressed we sneak out of the choir room hand in hand out the lobby doors and into my car. When we are alone he smiles at me before saying, "You ready to go home?"

"As long as you're there, anywhere is home."