Lifeline | Steve Rogers

Chapter 10

Thor walked up to the gate to your condo to find a couple of guys installing a camera and a gate lock mechanism. "Hello, gentlemen. Who are you, and what are you doing to my sister's gate?" Thor asked, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Whoa, big guy." The guy on the ladder held up his hands. "I'm Dave, and he's Kurt. We're from X-Con Security Consultants--" he pointed to his shirt with the name stitched on it "--and we're installing a new security system update for Ms. Hill."

"The lady asked for an installation, and we do it," Kurt mentioned with a Russian accent.

"Huh, okay then, as you were, gentlemen." He nodded, continuing through the gate and going to your front door.

You were making a batch of your mom's cookies when you heard an unexpected knock at the door. Setting down your cookie scoop, you wiped your hands clean to answer it. "Hey, Thor. Whatcha doing here? Thought you had a shift today."

"I do, an overnight shift," He pointed over his shoulder. "Why are their strange men at your front gate?"

"You're one to talk, ladies man," you scoffed, rolling your eyes. You turned away from the door, allowing him to come in as you returned to the kitchen. "If memory serves me right, you had plenty of strange women over at strange hours of the day."

"Come on, they were my friends," Thor reasoned, following you to your kitchen. "I love women, but you know, not in a creepy way."

"Fine, if you must know, I mentioned to Maria about updating the front gate's security system with a code and buzzer mechanism, and she thought it was a good investment for the property. The other tenants thought it was a great idea, too, so we're all going to pitch in and help pay for the upgrades. Plus, it will help me sleep better at night."

"Oh, so it's an investment. It's not because you almost hit Steve with the bat the other day." You averted your eyes to the cookie dough bowl, chewing on your bottom lip. "This is what I didn't want to happen, YN. I knew you would move out, and you wouldn't feel safe and..."

"I know, Thor," you interrupted him, your eyes connecting with his. "But, it's going to take time for me to adjust and feel safe. This new gate code system will just help me sleep better at night because I will know who is here before I let them in."

Thor nodded, keeping a watchful eye on you. "I understand, but why didn't you tell me Billy contacted you?"

"I can't rely on you every time," You sighed, shrugging your shoulders. "I have to learn how to fight my own battles again, and you have to be able to trust me."

"I DO!" He raised his voice, making you flinch, then he immediately dropped his voice. "It's Billy I don't trust, and if he thinks he can hurt you, again, he's got another thing coming."

"I know, I know." You shake your head, pinching the bridge of your nose.

"I just want you to know you're not alone here. You have me, Nat, Carol, and everyone else at the station." He reached out, giving your shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You have improved so much since you arrived, and I don't want to see you revert back to your old ways. You have no idea how proud of you I am, and I trust you with whatever you decide to do. I want you to know I'm here for you." You nodded with a small smile. "On another note, I'm glad you finally talked to someone about Billy."

"You mean Steve." You eyed him over, not missing the side grin appearing on his face. "Why did he tell you about what happened?"

"He was worried about you and thought I should be aware of what occurred," Thor replied, scratching his head. "When we work these long shifts together, we learn many things about each other; Stories are told, secrets are shared, and we learn to trust one another. Although he never did say why he stopped by that night?"