#22: Steve Rogers' Fanclub

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"Your burdens may be heavy, but my love is strong." –Jessica Katoff

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"Oh wow, oh wow." Beth gushed as she glanced around the penthouse. It reminded me of when I brought Peter up here for the first time. Both had stars in their eyes and their jaws dropped wide open.

The trip to Paris had been as eventful and exciting as I imagined. Traveling overseas legally was a blast and Disney, pardon the cliché, was absolutely magical. I had somehow managed to nearly break my ankle in Discovery Land so Steve had to piggyback me around the park until I could hold weight, but other than that it had been one of the most perfect days of my entire life which, granted, wasn't a very long list but still. Vacations don't last forever though, and the new year needed to begin.

"Are—Are the Avengers here?" Beth turned to ask me. The girl's hair was pulled up in a messy bun and she wore a cream sweater tucked into her dark jeans and knee length boots. Since I was the boss, or whatever, I told her that there was no required uniform anytime she came here. If we were out dealing with other people we'd have to dress up but I was saving the dress clothes for that and that alone.

"Nah, not right now." I motioned for her to follow me to the dining room table. The Avengers had left a couple hours ago on a mission. It was another HYDRA base busting mission. Here's to hoping 2015 was different from 2014 and their mission wouldn't be interrupted by my ass getting kidnapped. Fingers crossed. "They'll probably be back tomorrow morning."

Beth's eyes widened, "Wow, so you're in this Tower all alone until then?"

"Not completely alone." I shrugged. "I always have JARVIS. Right, J?"

"Always, Ms. Bradshaw."

Beth stared up at the ceiling in amazement and I chuckled to myself. To this day, I still sometimes glanced up when I spoke to JARVIS just out of habit. Tony made fun of me every time I did. Being completely alone in the Tower was a little daunting, but I was more worried about them. I knew the Avengers were badass superheroes, but I don't think I'd ever not worry when they left on a mission. I'd probably stay up all night waiting for them.

"So, how was your new years?" I asked.

"It was so much fun." Beth smiled. "I hung out with some friends like I do every year."

"Not your family?"

Beth shook her head, "They live all the way out in Washington. The state. I usually only see them a couple of times a year. Anyways, let's get started!"

The way she rushed through the answer told me family might be a sore topic, so I made the mental note to steer away from it. Beth sat down beside me and readied her workspace by pulling out her computer along with a thick notebook.

"Before we jump into public relations, I do have to go over some ground rules courtesy of the Avengers." I folded my hands together in front of me. Beth nodded intently and grabbed a pen to write with as I spoke. "You've already signed all the confidentiality papers, but I need to remind you how important that is for this group. When we start going to meetings and interviews you may be approached with questions. If any of them ask you about anything Avenger related, I need you to shut it down and then just direct them to me. Don't answer anything. It's not that I don't trust you, Beth, it's more... The Avengers are peculiar about their information being out there."

More than being picky about it, they were downright worried. Leaving a social presence was a safety risk. There was always that nagging worry that a villain would be able to find some trail or clue to hurt them, but the Avengers also couldn't afford to not do this. Despite being superheroes and some of the greatest people I've ever met, there was a chunk of the public who was still wary of them. It was like they could do nothing right in their eyes. Captain America saves a family of four from a burning building, but all they focus on is the damage Steve left going from one building to the next to save them.

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