I was no regretting asking Steve if we could walk a little farther so that we didn’t have to eat at the diner. I knew that it was foolish but I really didn’t want to put up with Amanda any harder than I had to and I knew that seeing Steve buy me dinner would make things harder for me at work. She had the foolish delusion that Steve would want her if I would stop taking his service from her. Maybe being foolish was a requirement for working there. We walked on in silence. I was cold and my already tired feet were screaming at me. Damn it I thought damn it to hell. The wind blow slightly causing me to shiver. My waitress uniform really wasn’t meant for the elements. Steve, noticing my shiver, began to take of his jacket. I opened my mouth to protest but he shot it down with a single look.

“I spent seventy years on ice” he said draping his jacket over my shoulder “this cold doesn’t bother me.”

I nodded too tired to tell him that chivalry was supposed to be dead. Instead I just slipped my arms through the sleeves and pulled it tight around me. I warmed up quickly thanks to his remaining body heat. He smelled good. I tried not to focus on it but damn he smelled good. It was comforting; something I could easily get used to. Nope nope not going there. Not even going to think about it I thought reprimanding myself.

I could see Amanda through the windows as we approached the diner. Great; she would have a clear view of my climbing on the back of Captain America’s bike. Just great. Well there wasn’t any way I could stop her from seeing it, I might as well make the most of it. I smiled sweetly her direction as Steve brought the bike roaring to life. Slowly I climbed on behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist and slightly resting against his back. She shot daggers at me and it was all I could do to keep myself from laughing. I would pay for this later but damn it was I having fun right now. We tore off down the highway, the muscle in his back moving as he shifted gears.

I could get used to this I thought.

---

"Here" he said holding out a stack of clothes "the bathroom is in the bedroom on the right he said gesturing behind him slightly.

I gave him a small smile and took the clothes. His bedroom wasn't exactly what I had expected it to be. Of course I didn't spend a whole lot of time thinking about his bedroom so I wasn't sure what I expected. Maybe I thought it would be decked out in patriotic stuff. The full size bed was made neatly with a blue comforter. There was small stack of books on the nightstand with a little notebook opened on top. I glanced at it and smiled. It was a list of major cultural events or movies that he had missed during his time on ice. I couldn't help but at seeing it. Sometime I forgot that he was a man out of his time. I moved into the bathroom and was glad to say that it matched the bedroom in normalcy. I looked over at the shower. It would be nice to have hot water but I was just too tired to deal with it tonight. I slide out of my uniform and into the clothing that Steve had given me. Naturally the sweats hung loosely on my frame but the were warm and comfortable. I walked out of the bathroom and back into the living to find that while I was changing Steve himself had changed into pajamas, made up the couch and was now laying on it like he was ready to sleep. I had to admit to seeing him in a wife beater was a nice sight but I didn't let myself linger too long on that.

"Steve what are you doing?" I asked as I laid my uniform on the coffee table.

"Oh" He said sitting up " I didn't hear you come out. I changed the sheets on the bed this morning and moved my alarm in here so you should get an uninterrupted sleep. It looks like you could use one. "

"I'm not going to take your bed Steve." I responded with a laugh. He wasn't serious. He couldn't be. I took one look at his face and added "I'm your guest. Guest sleep on couches."

"No" he retorted “guest sleep where they're told and I say you get the bed."

"Steve this is ridiculous. I am exhausted. Just let me take the couch." I sighed as I pulled my hair out of its holder. He looked like he wanted to stay more but he didn't or at least not where I could hear what he was saying. "Thank you" I said taking his place. He muttered his good nights and then made his way to the bedroom.

I twisted and turned trying to find a comfortable position once again kicking myself for opening my mouth.The man was gonna give up his bed and you fight to sleep on the couch I thoughtthis is what you get. I could hear Steve moving around in his room. I wondered about what was keeping him awake. Could it be nightmare from the war? Or something else. Finally I felt the grasp of sleep take hold and I was out.

---

I awoke the next morning feeling refreshed. I stretched amazed that I could feel this good after sleeping on that couch. It wasn't very long before I found out why. I was expected to run into the back of the couch with my hand as I was stretching but I never did. Jerking up I opened my eyes and saw the reason. At some point last night Steve had moved me to his bed.

“Steve!” I called out as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. There was no answer. I sighed and looked around the room. That was when I noticed a note left on the nightstand. I picked it up and read it.

Cate,
You looked uncomfortable so I moved you. Don’t be mad. I went for a run and while be back later. Help yourself to anything.
Steve
PS- your uniform is in the dryer.

I rolled my eyes at the note but had to admit I was grateful for what he did. I stood up and stretched trying to decide if I wanted to eat or shower first. The shower won out.
The water felt amazing. At my place I was lucky if I had a minute of hot water and the water pressure was nothing more than a trickle. But Steve’s had the water pressure of the gods I was sure. I rolled my head slowly letting the water work on the knots in my shoulders. I tried not to think about what I would do about my living arrangement or my upcoming shift. To be truthful I tried not to think at all. I just wanted to have a couple minutes where my mind was quiet to all the things that I was supposed to be. I grabbed the bottle of shower gel and smelled it. It reminded me of Steve. I shrugged and poured a liberal amount onto a loofah. I was going to go to work smelling like him. Oh Amanda would be furious. A smile forced its way onto my face. I really shouldn't be these mean but damn it that girl just infuriated me. I stayed in the shower until the heat ran out of the water. Sighing once more I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around me. I didn't really want to put my uniform on yet at the same time I didn't want to put the clothes that I slept in back on either. At least the uniform is clean I thought as I walked across the bed room floor. The same time that I opened the door a man with dark skin walked through the front door holding a box. We looked at each other in silence before Steve walked in.

“Uh” I said blushing “I didn't hear y’all come in.” Steve just stared at me his mouth slightly open like he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. The man with him looked between the two of us; a mischievous grin growing on his face.

“I’m just gonna uh” I started to say as I stepped back into the bedroom and shut the door behind me. I could hear the man say something to Steve as I leaned against the door trying to compose myself. Moment later I stepped out of the room this time dressed in the sweats that Steve had loaned me the night before. The man and Steve were sitting on the couch talking when I walked out.

“Sorry about that” I said smoothly smiling in their direction “I didn't hear y’all come in.”

“Don’t you worry about it” the man said sending a wink my way.

I laughed as Steve cleared his throat and said “This is Cate. Cate this is Sam Wilson”

“The waitress?” Sam asked raising an eyebrow.

“You've talked about me?” I asked.

“A little” Steve said blushing slightly “he helped me bring over your stuff” He gestured to the assortment of boxes that littered the living room floor.

“Thank you” I said as I plopped down in a nearby chair “and thank you Steve for last night”
Sam looked between us the smile on his face indicating that he thought I was thanking Steve for something on the mischievous side.

“It’s nothing like that” I exclaimed feeling the blush return. Damn why was I blushing so much.

“Sure” he replied “you don’t have to explain anything to me.”

I opened my mouth to tell him that I clearly did because I didn't want him to think that something happened when it didn't but I quickly decided against it. I should just let the conversation die.

Sam didn't stay very long. We passed the rest of the day in a mixture of comfortable silence and pleasant conversation. When the time came for me to get ready for my shift I was more reluctant than usual. For one thing I didn't want to deal with Amanda but for another thing I was enjoying myself here with Steve and I didn't want to leave. Unfortunately I needed this job so I made myself get changed.

“I’ll drop you off” Steve said grabbing his jacket.

“There’s no need for that” I answered.

“Yes there is. You can’t walk from here like you did at your apartment.” He retorted grabbing his keys and opening the door.

I sighed but gave up pretty easily. I didn't want to admit it to myself but I enjoyed riding on the back of his bike; holding on to him. I mentally shook myself as I stepped out of the apartment.

Not a good idea I thought.

Notes

Good news! I think I now know where I want this story to go!!! *happy dance* Now I just have to get it there. Also I have decided that this story will tie in to another one of mine slightly. The other story is called Letters From War so feel free to check it out ( i personally like writing that one more) well thats all for now. Please leave comments telling me what you think even if you hate it. Just let me know PLEEEEEASE.