Finding Love in France (Alternate Version)

Part 11: Stroll

After dinner, Steve was curious about the rest of the farm. "It's still light out, can we take a walk? I'd love some fresh air."

"If you are up for it, why not? Let me get your boots." She ran downstairs.

While she was down in the bunker, he called down "Sorry about the smell, Doctor!"

They walked around the property, Mila playing tour guide. "Over here is the chicken coop, source of all the eggs you have been eating...if you look to your left, you will see the barn full of junk...off to your right, the half-dead gardens..." she was trying not to overwhelm him after their dinner conversation.

"This place is beautiful!" Having grown up in the city, this was all new for him. "Are those cherry trees?" He walked towards the row of fruit trees on the edge of the main garden.

"Careful! Don't reach up too high or you'll hurt your ribs!" She was too late, he was wincing and holding his side.

"Guess I overdid it?" He couldn't manage to laugh, it hurt too much.

"Sit down and rest. If you want some fruit, I will get you fruit." Mila climbed up the rickety wooden ladder next to the tree and started pelting him with cherries.

"Hey! What's the big idea?" He put his hands up to deflect the fruit from hitting him in the face. He was finally able to laugh and started throwing some back at her. He stood up and accidentally bumped into the ladder. As she fell, he put his right arm out to catch her.

"Shit!" She yelled on her way down.

"Language, Doctor!" He laughed as he caught her. He had his arms around her as she was laughing hysterically. He froze when he realized how much he was enjoying himself and thought about Peggy and Bucky. As he did, he let go of Mila, and she fell to the ground. "Sorry!" He held out his hand immediately helped her to her feet.

Brushing herself off, Mila smiled "Thinking about them again, yes? It's alright. Just try not to drop me on my ass, please."

"Sorry, Doctor. Haven't laughed like that in a while, Then I felt guilty because I was having fun, but the people I love might be dead..." he sighed.

"I understand...I feel guilty every day because so many people are not here..." she squeezed his hand. "I'm not sure I will ever get used to it, and I worry that it will be the end of me..."

"How long has it been since, you know..." They had started to walk back to the house. He continued to hold her hand to comfort her.

"Going on 4 years, give or take. It's hard not knowing, I hope no matter what, you at least get answers about your friends..." she was holding back tears. "Never knowing what actually happened to my family haunts me..."

"I'm sorry, Doctor. That's sounds awful." They were back at the house. Why did he instinctively want hold her again to comfort and protect her?  "Are you okay? If you want to talk about it, I'm obviously not going anywhere for a few days." His leg was throbbing from the walk.

"Thank you, Captain Rogers. I appreciate it." She looked down and smiled. "Can I have my hand back please?"

When he let go of her hand, there were squished cherries all over his palm. "Really?" He laughed.

"That's what you get for dropping a woman on her ass!"