I didn't think too much of it when I felt nothing beside me the following morning.

The blinds were still down, so only thin streams of sunlight peeked through. I heard people arguing outside. I rolled my eyes. There was no reason for people to argue at this time of morning.

I sat up, stretching my arms out. On my right, the bed was wrinkled and the sheets were tossed back. Clearing my throat, I shuffled out of bed, smoothing down my hair. I rolled up the blinds, nearly blinding myself in the process.

It seemed like a tame day in D.C., like it had been since I'd moved here with Steve.

~*~

This felt so strange.

I'd unpacked my things I'd moved from the apartment in New York. Now, I felt a little more at home.

"You don't have to step on eggshells, Kiara," said Steve, startling me. "This is your place too now."

"It's strange to think it," I murmured. I licked my lips. "Your neighbor was eyeing me when I first got here."

"What neighbor?"

I rolled my eyes. "Kate. The other blonde who lives here. Seriously, Steve, I've only lived here a day and I know who your neighbor is."

"Guess I don't really pay attention."

"That much is evident. Might want to start, just in case. We can make some friends here."

"Not sure our lives permit us any social aspects, Kiara."

"Mind you, I never said you couldn't look at other women," I blurted.

"I know you didn't. I'd rather respect my lady than step on her toes."

I blushed a bit. "How thoughtful of you."

"You'd set them on fire if I did."

"Hmm, I'd maybe set you on fire first," I teased. "Then maybe her. Or the other way around. But you're on my good side, Steve." I glanced at him questioningly. "What's with the chivalry anyway? Have a bad experience with the last girl you tried to court?"

"'Court'?" He chuckled. "Your other-realmness is showing, Kiara."

"Well, that's what it's considered!"

"In your realm, maybe. We call it 'dating' here."

"I know, I know. Tony gave me that explanation. Seriously, though."

"Okay, well, I'd had a little...mishap with a girl, and Peggy kind of saw."

"Did she beat you up?" My eyes widened.

"No. Um, when I found my shield, she'd tested it. She fired a gun at me."

My mouth parted slightly. "Well, you knew how to pick them, Steve. You must like playing with fire."

"Guess I do so long as I don't get burned." He smiled.

~*~

I'd felt like a stranger then. Now, I felt like this was my new home.

Well, it was.

I grabbed my phone, checking for messages. None. Every once in a while, I'd get something from Todd. We'd talk every now and again. Other times it'd be Tasha, asking either me or Steve to go on a mission for S.H.I.E.L.D. Steve had volunteered to go every time and let me take a backseat. Not that I didn't appreciate that, but, I'd like to really stretch my legs.

I padded out of the bedroom, into the bathroom, splashing cool water on my face. Feeling a little more energized, I went out to the kitchen. It was a rather tight fit, but it worked for two people.

Something caught my eye on the counter. Curious, I found a note addressed to me in what could only be Steve's scrawl. I picked up the note, reading through it slowly.

Went out for a run. Be back soon.

P.S. Left you something. And, no, it's not what you think.

My eyes squinted in confusion. I peeked past the paper, seeing a small box on the counter. It's not what you think.

I breathed a little easier. So, not an engagement ring. I was hardly disappointed. Neither of us was in a rush to marry. Hell, to my knowledge, we didn't discuss the idea.

I shook the thought out of my head, picking up the box. I pulled it open, and what was inside made me truly see that I had a genuine man beside me. Picking it up by the chain, I inspected the charm. It was a well-made small replica of Steve's shield. The detail was exact, from the ring of color, to the white star in the middle.

On the underside of the top of the box was another small note. Shaking my head in amusement, I read it.

A little piece of me whenever I'm away.

I unhooked the chain, fastening it around my neck. The shield fell right in the center of my collarbone.

My phone buzzed, and I snatched it almost immediately. It was from Tasha.

Mind if I steal your man for a bit?

I typed back: What mission is he needed for now?

Jealous, Kia? ;)

Just curious.

Is that a yes or a no?

You know whatever I say doesn't matter, you'll steal him anyway.

I meant about you being jealous, but, whatever.

Great, so, Tasha was already staking a claim on Steve for a mission. Apparently, it required Captain America's services, not Cynder's. Truthfully, I hadn't had a lot of outings compared to Steve. He seemed to be the person S.H.I.E.L.D. always chose first.

"So, I'm being benched again," I said loudly as Steve came back into the apartment.

"Tasha got a hold of you, huh?"

"It's almost a cruel joke, how she asks for permission even though I know she's taking you with her." I frowned slightly. I moved out of the kitchen, into the bedroom, where I found the shield sitting on Steve's corner of the bed. It was almost an extra limb of his. He always kept it close by. I picked it up, sliding my arm into the handles. "Huh. I've never actually used this before."

"Sometime, I'll let you."

I turned my head. "You know, I could help. Did she say what the mission is?"

"I'll probably get debriefed later."

I rolled my eyes.

"Kiara." I lowered the shield at my side when Steve grabbed my arms delicately. "If S.H.I.E.L.D. needed you for a mission, they would've told you so."

"That's a bad attempt to make me feel better, Steve."

"Look, it'll probably be a small one. Get in, get out, then I'll be back with you." His fingers caressed the small shield charm delicately. "I see you found it."

"Yeah." My lips tried a smile. "Thank you."

"Figured we'd been together for a little while and I needed to get you something."

If a "little while" is almost two years for him, I can't imagine how much a long time is. "I can't find it in myself to be mad at you right now, Steve Rogers." I thumbed through his hair. "You're too good."

"Can I have my shield? Kind of need it."

I looked at him slyly. "Not before you pay the toll."

He kissed my mouth softly, nearly leaving me dizzy. I winced at the impatient honk of the horn outside. One second, Tasha!

"What's this?" I reached for the chain I found around Steve's neck. I pulled it out from under his shirt, exposing a rather intricate, small flame. It was colored red and orange.

"You've got something of me; I've got something of you."

I laughed. "You're such a dork. But I like that." I handed the shield over. "Go, before Tasha breaks something and pulls you out."

"I won't be long."

I pulled him down for another kiss, this one longer. I almost sent him stumbling into the wall when I let him go, he looked so dazed. I giggled after he left the apartment and got Tasha on the phone.

"You bring him back in one piece, and don't let him do anything stupid," I said maternally.

"Not sure I can guarantee that," Tasha said seriously. "But I'll try."

"You be careful too."

"Not in my nature."

I chuckled nervously as Tasha ended the call. I rubbed the shield charm around my neck. Let me know when you're in-route back, Steve. Be careful.

**Oh, Kia, you're far from the only one who wishes she could wield Cap's shield more...**