Only one true love

Part 3: Chapter 7

 When I came to my room sometime later, I saw boxes on the floor that I didn't have time to unpack. I had so much stuff, which was weird considering I came to live on Earth about 7 months ago and I didn't have too much stuff when I came.

I sat on my bed and opened the first box. I took out a picture. In the picture were Bucky, Steve (when he was still skinny) and me. Even though the picture was black and white, I recognized the place instantly. We were in Sunset Park in Brooklyn, having a picnic. I took a second picture from the box. This one was of Bucky and me, in the camp. It was when Bucky and Steve came back after Steve rescued him. The next one was of Bucky and Steve; Bucky was in the military uniform. It was before we went to escort Bucky. The next one was of Bucky and Steve again; Bucky was in the uniform again, but this time, Steve was too. It was the last picture of them together before they went on the mission to destroy HYDRA. I wished Bucky was here, with me, now.

I spent a lot of time looking at the pictures, remembering, until I fell asleep.

***

I woke up the next morning with pictures all around me. I was still in the dress I had last night. I put the pictures back into the box. I wasn't bothered to unpack yet. I got up, stretched and thought about how a run could be perfect now. I changed into T-shirt and sweatpants and went to the kitchen to make myself a smoothie for energy. I took an apple, a banana and an orange, peeled and cut them. I put them into a blender, poured some milk and turned it on. While I was waiting for a smoothie to blend, I prepared a glass where I'll put it. I poured the smoothie in the glass and went to the dining room. There, I saw Nat eating a toast, Tony still half asleep, and Steve reading a newspaper. I nearly started laughing when I saw him. He looked like someone's grandpa. All he needed were glasses.

"Mornin'," I said. 

"Morning," Steve said, without looking up.

"Morning," Nat said, looking up from her plate. Tony just mumbled something.

"Where are you going?" Nat asked me. Steve looked up.

"For a run," I said.

"How are you not tired or hangover?" she asked me, "I mean, I understand Steve, he is a super-soldier. He can't get drunk. But you?"

"I didn't drink that much," I said.

"Will you shut up? Please? Both of you," Tony spoke, his head in his hands.

"Sorry," I said and sat down to drink my smoothie. There were a few minutes of silence.

"Can I come with you?" Steve suddenly asked me.

"Sure," I said, getting up, "Just be fast because I want to go now." 

"Be done in five minutes," he said and went to his room. I went to the kitchen to wash the dishes while waiting for him. When I was done, I hurried to my room because I forgot to take a hoodie. Steve came out just as I was closing the door. We went to the National Mall and stretched out. As soon as I started running, I felt relief. I loved to run. It helped me think. After a few minutes, I picked up a pace. I saw Steve do the same. After two laps, Steve was running before me. I didn't come here to race, so I kept my pace. We were coming close to a man who was also running. The man turned his head when he heard footsteps. When he saw Steve, I heard him say: "Don't say it. Don't you say it!"

"On your left!" Steve warned him and hurried past him.

"Come on!" the man said and ran faster but wasn't able to catch up with him.

After a few more laps, I stopped and leaned on the tree to catch a breath. Steve was still running, and when he passed the man again, I heard him say: "On your left!" again. I saw the man wanted to catch up with him every time Steve said that, and I couldn't blame him. If someone was like that with me, I would do the same thing. The man sat down, leaning on the tree I was leaning on. He was breathing heavily.

"You know him?" he asked me when his breathing calmed down.

"Stev? Yeah. He's my friend. I'm Rose," I said. The man didn't have time to introduce himself because at that moment Steve came.

"Need a medic?" he asked the man.

"I need a new set of lungs," the man said and laughed.

"Dude, you just ran like thirteen miles in thirty minutes."

"Guess I got a late start," Steve said.  

"Really? You should be ashamed of yourself. Should take another lap," the man joked, "Did you just take it? I assume you just took it."

While they were talking, I was quiet, surprised at how normal that guy was talking to Steve. I was sure he knew whom he was talking to. Most of the people started to brag about how happy they were to meet him, and they kept asking him for an autograph or a photograph. If they ever managed to talk to Captain America.

"What unit you with?" Steve asked him, seeing the logo on the man's hoodie.

"58th pararescue, but now I'm working down at the VA. Sam Wilson," he introduced himself, extending his hand.

"Steve Rogers," Steve said, taking Sam's hand and pulling him onto his feet.

"Yeah, I kind of put that together," Sam said, "Must have freaked you out, coming home after the whole defrosted thing." 

"Takes some time getting used to," Steve said, "It's good to meet you, Sam."

Steve turned away to leave. I followed.

"This your bed, right?" Sam asked Steve.

"What's that?" Steve asked, confused. I didn't have any idea what he meant either.

"Your bed, it's too soft. And I was over there, I sleep on the ground, use rocks for pillows, like a caveman. I'm home, lying in my bed, and it's like..." Sam said.

"Laying on a marshmallow," Steve finished Sam's sentence, "I feel like I'm gonna sink right to the floor. How long?" I still had no idea what they were talking about.

"Two tours. You must miss the good old days, huh?" Sam asked.

"Well... things aren't so bad. Food's a lot better. We used to boil everything. No polio, good. Internet, so helpful. Been reading that a lot, trying to catch up. This one is already ready," Steve said, pointing at me. Sam thought for a few minutes before he spoke again.

"Marvin Gaye, 1972, 'Trouble Man soundtrack'. Everything you missed, jammed into one out," he said. Steve took out a small notebook from his pocket.

"I'll put it on the list," he said and wrote something into his notebook. His and my phone rang. I looked at my phone. The message was from SHIELD.

"All right Sam, duty calls. Thanks for the run. If that's what you want to call running," Steve said, shaking hands with Sam.

"Oh, that's how it is?" Sam said.

"Oh, that's how it is," Steve said and smiled.

"Okay," Sam laughed, "Anytime you want to stop by the VA make me look awesome in front of the girl at the front desk. Just let me know. Both of you," Sam said to us.

"I'll keep it in mind," Steve said, backing away.

"Me too," I said, "See you, Sam." We shook hands.

"Hey fellas!" a voice behind us said. We turned around and saw Nat in the car.

"Hey!" I said, going towards the car.

"Hey!" she said.

"Either one of you know where Smithsonian is? I'm here to pick up a fossil," she said. I laughed and sat in the shotgun.

"Hilarious," Steve said and came to the car. He sat in the back.

"How you doin'?" Sam asked Nat.

"Hey," she greeted him.

"Can't run everywhere," Steve said.

"No, you can't," Sam said.  

"Oh, shut up Steve. I'll get you out of the car, and we'll see where and how long you can run," I joked. Sam laughed. I waved at him, and Nat started the car.