Steel Hearts

- 7 -

Days turned into weeks. It had gotten to the point where Sam and I took shifts. Alternating between who would go home and shower, bringing food for the other when we came back. Avoiding facing the reality of life, I stayed on the day shift. Spending more time in an uncomfortable chair than I did with real people.

Sam had asked me for help with hand-to-hand combat and I agreed to teach him what I know. The two of us practiced on the hospital lawn, not daring to go any further in case Steve woke up. He had wanted to rely less on his wings and guns, so I taught him for days on end. Our training was mutually beneficial as he helped with the aiming of my force fields. The time not being particularly enjoyable for anyone, but we wanted Steve to wake to his two friends being actual friends instead of acquaintances.

Sam and I sat by Steve's bedside and spoke about anything and everything as if we had known each other for years. The two of us became fast friends, playing all sorts of music we had thought of playing when Steve woke. The Troubleman soundtrack being Sam's request, played softly in the background as the two of us sat in silence, scrolling the internet on our phones.

My feet on Sam's knees, leaning my elbow against Steve's bed, I scrolled through the internet debating whether or not I wanted to go back to working at the F.B.I.

"Ella?"

My body stopped working for a split second, like a glitch in the system. Butterflies flooded my stomach. I had heard correctly: Steve spoke to me. My eyes slowly make their way up to his tired blue ones. A tired smile raised the corners of his lips as he adjusted to the bright fluorescent lights above.

"Morning sunshine," I joke, scooting my chair closer before placing my hand in his, squeezing it gently.

"You scared me," his grip on my fingers tightened, taking in the comfort of not waking up alone in a hospital room.

"I told you I wasn't gonna leave you," I tell him, brow furrowed, "You didn't think I'd leave without you, did you?"

"I knew you wouldn't. That's what scared me."

"You don't have to worry about me, Steve."

"I'll always worry about you. Besides, we still have a date to go on," he quotes me from right before we stormed the Triskelion and I smile in response.

"I hate to break up the adorableness that is this interaction, but it's good to have you back buddy," Sam says with a smile.

"On your left," Steve tells him, earning a smile from the both of them. An inside joke between the two of them. His gaze fell to our joined hands, neither of us releasing our grip; fully content there. "What have you been doing since..." He wasn't sure what to make of the situation or really what to call it.

"Miss Congeniality over here kicked my ass three times last week," Sam tells him, rolling his eyes and pouting.

"I'm sorry you decided to go full-on a former F.B.I. and S.H.I.E.L.D. agent by sneaking up on me!" I exclaim, "I do apologize for punching you though."

"Miss Congeniality?" Steve questions, brow furrowed and not acknowledging the fact that I punched Sam.

"It's a movie! I'll add it to the list I've been compiling for you," I explain, adding it to the ongoing note on my phone.

"You have a list?" Steve asks, tilting his head like a puppy while Sam just laughs as he had helped me add to it several hours ago.

"Yes. It's a little daunting," I hand him my open phone to scroll through the long list of movies, music, and things that I had planned on getting Steve to experience. Some of which have been checked off, mostly the music I had shown him on the drive to Camp Lehigh and a handful of movies.