I read this quote once that said 'you don't have to see the whole staircase just take the first step'. Yep Martin Luther King Jr...I bet he didn't expect My first step to be back. That's how I ended up where I am today. By taking a step back instead of climbing the first stair, I did the right thing. I think...
Quotes define our lives. That's what makes them so special. We read them and we feel privileged. We feel special. We feel...well what else we feel is personal and differs between us. What if there was a quote that said 'when you shake deaths metal hand...look him in the eyes and said you've done well'. Well I guess it's now a quote because I made it up and it's down on paper. Well when I shake the Winter Soldier's hand when death comes...I just hope it's swift. For Steve's sake.
"Hi again. It's me. Just worried about you. Call me back Em, I lo--". I delete yet another voice mail message left from Tony. I haven't bothered to call him back, no matter what the messages say I'm not buying it. And I'm not ready to face him and Pepper yet.
"Hey Em, I'm going to go make a living" Sam called through the closed bedroom door. I sat curled up in my bed, on my phone, in my Pjs.
"Okay. Have fun" I called not really paying attention. I hear the front door open and close and I know it's just me. I sigh and close my eyes. I can't stay here all day but I can't do nothing either.
So then it comes to me. If I really did speak to Captain America, I needed to learn more about him. The Smithsonian was having an exhibition on Captain America and the war. So that's where I'd go.
'It will be fun' I think to myself as I get dressed so that no one will recognise me and call Tony. Suddenly a thought popped into my head, a rather unpleasant one. "Shit, I'm starting to sound like Pepper" I say with a shudder.
I quickly pull on an oversized coat and pulled the hood over my head. I then wrote a note to Sam explaining my absence and that I'll pick up stuff for dinner should he arrive home before me and left. All the way to the Smithsonian I checked for any signs of Tony or the Winter Solider but there was nothing.
The walk to the Smithsonian was beautiful. For the first time I could clear my head of worry and focus on me. Some me time, I've missed it. When I reached the museum I purchased my pass and walked to the exhibition. It was very crowded. So many people crowding around each of the artefacts. I stopped at the least crowed one to see a journal. It was worn around the edges and the paper had turned to parchment. I could see a drawing of a monkey carrying a shield and on a unicycle. It looked like it belonged in a circus.
"What an odd monkey" a man said from next to me.
"Yes, very odd. But yet...beautiful" I said not taking my eyes off the drawing.
"Apparently Captain America drew it" the man said.
"Yes. I could imagine that" I said, pulling my hood further over my head. Out of the corner of my eye I could see the man. He wore a baseball cap and a big jacket. And he was looking at me.
"It's strange how often we run into each other" the man said looking back to the monkey. I froze.
"I'm sorry" I said a little flustered. He gently held my shoulders and turned me around to face him. He then slowly removed my hood and took off his cap.
"Steve?" I asked. He nodded once and put his hood back on.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Studying. Well more for passing time the being productive. You See I met this really big jerk of a Super Soldier and I couldn't help but want to get to know him. I mean what he was like in the 1940's" I say as Steve and I wonder away from the drawing to a bike.
"A jerk?" He asked, raising his eyebrows at me. I gave as all nod, I didn't want to offend him but I had a habit of speaking the truth.
"And a dork. And a bit of an ass" I say staring at the bike.
"So what changed? Why do you care so much about him?" Steve asked.
"I dunno. Maybe because whenever he's not around I feel lonely. And because I like him" I said. Steve raised his eyebrows.
"I see. You see, I met this girl. Her brothers a real jerk. She's nice I guess but she can be a sarcastic pain and a bit of a know it all" Steve said.
"Oh really. And why are you telling me this?" I ask. He huffs and looks at the bike.
"Because in all my life...a very long life, she's the only thing keeping me sane. Does that sound crazy?" Steve asks. I shake my head.
"No. That doesn't sound crazy at all" I mutter so only he can hear it. Steve smiles down at me.
"Why else are you here?" He asks. I shrug.
"Might as well enjoy life, nobody lives forever" I say. He smiles.
"That seems fair enough" he said walking away, leaving me and his old Harley bike alone. I wasn't going to let him slip away again. Not that easy.
"Steve!" I called after him. He turned and raised his eyebrows.
"Yes?" He asked. Then I lost all my courage.
"Nothing" I say and walk off to the opposite side of the museum. I could have kicked myself. Why couldn't I have just said 'why don't we hang out?'
'Because' I tell myself over and over again 'because then you'll have to admit your feelings.
And Stark's aren't good at that'.
YOU ARE READING
My Star Spangled Hero
Fanfiction"What changed?! What happened?" He shouted after me. I turned around and stormed back to him. "You happened" I yelled. He stood looking at me, clearly confused. "And I don't know whether to slap you or thank you" I said softer, almost in tears. Em...
