You Only Live Once

Chapter One

Alright, I can do this. I've been going to conventions for years. They're just regular guys... guys I look up to and that are good looking and... stop. Okay. I can do this. Jamie looked ahead of her in the long line she stood in as she tried to calm her rapidly beating heart. Today she would be meeting her two favorite people in the world, Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan. Those two guys have gotten me through more than I could ever tell them...

The line moved up some, which made Jamie gulp as she followed the que. I should not have decided to do this by myself. She sighed and fiddled nervously with her fingers as she looked down at the floor and tried to count the small tiles she stood on to calm herself down. When the line moved again, Jamie noted that her hands were starting to shake, notifying her that an attack would be soon if she didn't do something about it. What the fuck am I supposed to do now? I... I can't do this.

Jamie closed her eyes tightly for a moment, trying to focus on her breathing. As she calmed slightly, she opened her eyes and took a shaky breath. Taking a few steps forward again, she was getting close enough that she could easily see the men sitting at the table now. Realizing she was minutes away from being face to face with them, her breathing picked up, her palms began sweating, and her heart beat faster once again.

Steve smiled at a young man as he shook his hand after handing him his autograph before he looked down the line and noticed that a young woman looked a little off kilter. He furrowed his brow and leaned off to the side. "Seb," he murmured, hoping to get his friend's attention.

Sebastian smiled at the young woman in front of him as he handed the photo to her. Looking over at Chris, he gave a questioning look. "What's up?"

"Further down the line, red hair, green blouse," Chris said, before the next fan walked up to him and he greeted them with a wide smile.

Sebastian looked up, spotting the person his friend was referencing. Taking a moment to sign his name on the next photo, along with a little note to the fan, he shook the hand of the person in front of him before finally responding, "What about her?"

"Watch her," he replied while signing the next autograph. "I'm worried she's going to hit the floor soon. She's showing signs of a panic attack, watch her hands."

Seb paused between fans for a moment, turning his full attention to the woman in line. His eyes widened slightly as he took in her actions. She looked tense, out of breath, and maybe even a little scared. Her hands were shaking as she twisted and rubbed them.

"You're right. She looks like she could pass out or something if she isn't careful. Should we, I don't know, have someone check on her?"

Chris shrugged slightly. "I don't know how we would, but we both know how she feels right now," he answered. He shook his hand with another fan and smiled as he told them his usual farewells. "Should we ask security? Or would that make things worse for her?" he asked.

"I don't know about security. But maybe we can send one of the handlers?"
Seb smiled and shook hands with the next person in line, listening to the short story they had for him and thanking them for the small gift they brought.

Chris took a drink from his water bottle, looking to see if anyone around them was available to help. "Where would they take her? Catering?" Chris suggested. "It looks like she came alone. Without support, an attack will get out of hand quickly."

Sebastian nodded, his brow furrowing slightly in worry. He knew too well what that felt like. "I would think either catering or maybe they have somewhere else quiet they could take her? One of the rooms for the panels maybe? I'm sure they have somewhere she can go if the need arises."

Chris nodded and smiled as he signed another photo and shook another fan's hand. "When is our break?" he asked. "I might take it upon myself to help calm her down."

"Not sure. I don't think we have too long left though." Seb signed another photo and took a quick picture with another fan.

They were slowly making it through the long line of people, but there were still several in front of Jamie. She shifted nervously, taking deep breaths and closing her eyes for a few moments at a time to try to calm herself.

"Should we request a break?" Chris asked quietly. "I'm leaning towards doing that and asking someone to guide her to catering. I don't think we'll need an EMT, but it might be good to have someone on standby."

"We can do that..." Sebastian started. "If you want to go ahead and let them know, we can finish signing a couple more autographs before we leave." Sebastian continued.

He looked back out over the crowd, trying to keep an eye on the woman just to be safe. She stood awkwardly, fidgeting some more with her hands, trying to look anywhere other than at the people in front of her.

Chris turned and tapped a security guard on the shoulder before he quietly told him of the situation. When he turned and greeted someone else, he noticed that security had already made a cut-off, deciding who would be the last person to get an autograph for now, and someone had already started leading the redhead somewhere.

"They're taking her to the new mother's room," the security guard told them both once he returned.

They each nodded in acknowledgment before continuing to sign items for the fans left in line. Quickly finishing up, they both waved to everyone that was crowded around as they weaved their way back toward the catering area so they could plan their next move and make sure the woman they had seen in line was alright.

"I'm thinking just one of us should go check on her? We don't want to overwhelm her any more than she already is." Sebastian said.

Chris nodded. "Who do you think should do it then? I know I said I would, but what do you think?"

"You can go if you want," Seb offered. "I can always come by once we know she is calmed down and doing okay. Unless you need a break yourself?"

Chris grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't get to take my meds this morning and it's just now hitting me," he admitted.

"I figured it was something. You hang out here, I'll go check on her and make sure she is doing alright."

"Alright... I'll get something to eat and take my meds. I don't need you to start mom-ing me." Chris smiled at Seb and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Thanks for agreeing to help her."

"It's no problem. Better to know she is safe somewhere than passed out in the middle of the convention. I'll let you know how she's doing," Seb assured him. They went their separate ways, Sebastian heading towards the new mother's room while Chris headed for the catering area.