The Girl Out of Time

Chapter 8

The sun had gone down by the time Steve and I reached our apartment building. Steve pulled his bike into his usual spot. We went up stairs. Our apartment was at the end of the hall. I heard Kate before I saw her. She was coming out of her apartment with a laundry basket as she spoke on the phone.

"I gotta go though." She said quickly when she noticed us walking towards her.

She hung up the phone and threw it in her basket as Steve and I walked past.

"My aunt, she's kind of a insomniac."

Kate chuckled awkwardly while Steve nodded. I stepped away from them a little bit while they shared an awkward silence.

"Hey, if you want. You're welcome to use my machine." Steve offered.

I just looked at him like he was stupid. Using your machine that's- wait. Holy shit, that's actually genius.

"Might be cheaper than the one in the basement." He added.

Please don't be a dork Steve. Just ask her out!

"Oh yeah? What's it cost?" Kate asked while grinning.

"Cup of coffee?" Steve asked hesitantly.

Yes! That's my boy!

I watched as Kate chuckled. The blush flooding her cheeks was so clear I could see it from a few feet away.

"Thank you, but uh, I already have a load in downstairs and you wouldn't want my scrubs in your machine. I just finished a rotation in the infectious disease ward." She smiled sweetly.

"Ah well, I'll keep my distance." Steve chuckled holding his hands up.

How can a man that looks like he does act like such an adorable dork? Most likely because he use to be one of the biggest dorks I've ever known but that never changed him being my best friend.

"Well hopefully not too far." Kate said quietly as her eyes took all of him in.

Steve turned and started walking towards me.

"Oh and I think you left your stereo on." Kate said from the top of the stairs.

"Oh ok, thank you" Steve smiled stiffly.

When he turned back around he had a confused look on his face. He stepped closer to the door moving his head to listen. I did the same. I could hear his music playing loudly inside.

"We didn't leave that on." I whispered.

He nodded then put his finger against his lips. He pointed for me to stay where I was. I watched him quickly go back down the hall then down the stairs. I waited leaning into the door to listen. I heard faint voices right before the door clicked. I opened it and carefully walked inside.

"Didn't know you were married." Steve said as I closed and locked the door behind me.

I turned around to see Fury leaning forward in Steve's reading chair.

"Lot of things you don't know about about me." Fury said matter of factly.

"I know Nick that's the problem."

Steve moved towards the wall and flipped on the light. I instantly saw how bad Fury looked. The man instantly raised his hand towards us then reached over and pulled the lamp's cord. I watched as Fury typed something on his phone. He turned it around so Steve and I could see the screen.

"EARS EVERYWHERE"

"I'm sorry to have to do this but I had no place else to crash." Fury said calmly as he typed again.