As the four of them started running; Steve and Bucky took the lead easily. Evelyn took a relaxed pace with Sam as they chatted getting to know each other.
"My nephews think I am the coolest Uncle since I've become an Avenger," Sam said smiling.
"I'm sure they thought you were cool before the Avengers - but now it's something they can't ignore," Evelyn said looking over at him, "so are they your sisters or brothers kids?"
"Sister - it's just the two of us now. They are still in Louisiana which is harder for me to see them but I still have some connections which make getting down there do able," Sam said
"It's great you still make time for them and make an effort to see them as much as possible," Evelyn said as they went around a bend. "Plus it doesn't hurt you get to go to Louisiana to see them!"
"You've been to Louisiana before?" Sam asked, shocked.
"Yes - I lived in Ohio but we took family vacations," Evelyn laughed, "the food is incredible."
"Any favorites? Maybe I could bring you some back?" Sam asked smiling
"Beignets and Po' Boys were my entire diet when we were down there," Evelyn said remembering back to when she waited in line for 20 minutes for her first beignet and being covered in powdered sugar when she had a coughing fit when she breathed in before she took her first bite.
"Here they come," Sam said shaking his head
Evelyn gave him a look from the corner of her eye and then heard the footsteps coming up from behind them.
"On your left," Steve said as he passed next to Sam
"Hey Doll," Bucky said as he passed next to Evelyn making her blush.
"Yep - show offs," Evelyn said, agreeing with Sam. Watching them disappear in the distance.
"At least you're here with me. Normally I am pushing my body to its limits to even come close to them," Sam said laughing.
"Sam - you're an Avenger because you're you. You don't need to be like them," Evelyn said, nudging him.
"Thanks E," Sam said smiling, "Are you excited to come to the VA tomorrow?"
"Very - but I'm a little nervous about what I am supposed to do there except bring a ton of treats," Evelyn joked.
"You being there talking and being a friendly face will help more than you think," Sam said, "you remember what Ken said about how he's used to be treated."
"That's such horseshit - I hope that guy can't breathe normally," Evelyn said, clenching her hands.
"Calm down there Rocky," Sam said nudging her.
"Can you make me one promise?" Evelyn said looking at him
"Of course," Sam said looking over at her
"Promise to not let me do anything to embarrass myself?" Evelyn asked, "I am not used to talking to people and don't want to make a fool of myself where I won't want to go back."
"Promise - it will be great for you and everyone else," Sam said smiling "here they come again."
"On your left," Steve said passing them
"On your right," Bucky said laughing
As they went into the distance Evelyn looked over at Sam, "you wanna get some payback on them?"
"What do you have in mind?" Sam said looking at Evelyn
"So they've been running at full speed this whole time right? What if we challenge them to a race but you trip one of them and while they are distracted I can take the win?" Evelyn said mischievously
"You think you could beat them?" Sam asked raising an eyebrow
"Fairly - no. But I think we could win this way," she laughed.
"I'm in!" Sam laughed as they sat on the bench waiting for Steve and Bucky to make their lap.
Steve and Bucky came around the corner and saw Evelyn and Sam sitting on the bench. The two men looked at eachother and stopped in front of the pair.
"You guys okay?" Bucky asked looking over Evelyn.
"Yeah, we were just talking about if it was long distance running you guys excelled in or are you still quicker than us in short distances too," Sam explained and looked to Evelyn who shook her head in agreement.
"Feeling like a race to see?" Steve asked laughing.
"Why not?" Evelyn asked, "Loser pays for lunch?"
"Sounds fair to me," Bucky said looking at Evelyn trying to see what she was up to.
"Great!" Sam said, clapping his hands together, "if me or E win then you two split the lunch bill and if Steve or Bucky when then we will split the bill. First person to the bend wins."
Everyone nodded their agreement and lined up. Sam stood to the far left, then Steve, Evelyn, and then Bucky.
"Okay on the count of three," Evelyn said, "Ready, 3 - GO!" She yelled as she bolted forward leaving the three men behind.
"Oh she cheats - I like it," Bucky laughed as they took off.
Evelyn was leading the group but could hear them getting closer, "now Sam!" At her command Sam tripped and took Steve down with him only leaving Evelyn and Bucky running. She could hear him getting closer and pushed her legs to go faster.
"Go Rocky!!" Sam yelled from behind her pushing her even more.
"Buck GO!" Steve yelled, making Bucky laugh from behind her.
The bend was in sight and Bucky was closing in. Soon he was next to her grinning. "Hey Doll."
"Hey Sarge," Evelyn said, trying not to show she was hitting the wall, "where are you taking me on our first date huh?"
Her question took him off guard but he was quick to recover, "Doll, I'll take you wherever you want to go."
Evelyn smiled noticing she took him off guard and took a deep breath pushing herself for the final stretch. When they were a little over six feet away she looked over at him, "I'm thinking your bedroom would be a great location."
Bucky tripped, hearing her say that; allowing her to take the final feet and win. He laughed as she jumped up and down at the finish line and heard Sam and Steve both cheering as they came up from behind them.
Evelyn smiled widely at Bucky, "are you mad at me?"
Bucky shook his head smiling at her, "depends."
"Depends on what?" Evelyn asked as he walked up to her.
Before Bucky could answer Sam ran up and picked Evelyn up spinning her around. "You did it!"
"I told you my plan would work," Evelyn said as he let her down.
"Plan?" Steve asked looking at Evelyn who bit her bottom lip.
"So what are you craving for lunch Sam?" Evelyn asked him to avoid eye contact with Steve and Bucky.
"All that talk about Po' Boys made me crave some deli sandwiches made from scratch," Sam said nudging Steve
"Oh my gosh - a Reuben sounds amazing," Evelyn said, her eyes lighting up.
"We know the best place," Steve said smiling. "It's a deli that's been open since we were younger."
"Shut. Up. That's amazing! I can't wait," Evelyn said looking at Steve.
"Well let's get going then!" Sam said wrapping his arm around Steve and Bucky's shoulders.
YOU ARE READING
Resilient
FanfictionEvelyn had lost everything the day Hydra took her. Her friends, her family, and her freedom. She had given up hope and then The Avengers attacked the base she was at and saved her; taking her to the Tower to heal. The Avengers are determined to h...
