Finding Love in France (Alternate Version)

Part 14: Night Raid

After her bath, Mila grabbed a bite to eat and set up her cushions on the floor. She was already wearing the oversized nightgown left by the previous tenants, so big on her, she had to tie the straps behind her neck to keep it in place. Steve was sitting at the table keeping her company. "Hey, Mila? Why do you always sleep up here?" He had been curious since she yelled at him the week before. "We could alternate nights taking the bed if you want."

"That is a very thoughtful suggestion, but you are still healing and need your rest, Captain, I mean, Steve." She smiled. "You are more than welcome to stay in the kitchen as long as you want, but I can hardly keep my eyes open."

He got up to use the bathroom and by the time he came back, she was asleep on the floor. "Good night, Mila..." he whispered. He watched her sleep for a few minutes, then went downstairs.

A few hours later, they both woke up to the house shaking. Mila ran downstairs to check on Steve. He was standing next to the bed with his shield in his hand. Mila started laughing. "Is that designed to protect us from an air raid?"

He realized how silly he must have looked, standing there in some stranger's pajama pants and undershirt, holding a vibranium shield, and laughed. "Maybe? Haven't really tested it against an bombs..." he put it down. "Pretty good with grenades, though." He noticed the house shaking more than usual. "How close is this one?"

"Too close..." The house shook violently. She gasped and jumped back, nearly tripping over the shield.

He grabbed her to keep her from falling. The house shook again and he instinctively pulled her close to protect her. "You okay?" He asked.

"Better now, thank you for not dropping me on my ass again." She looked up at him and tried to smile.

He couldn't stop staring at her eyes. His heart started pounding as he tried to ignore what he was thinking so she didn't "hear" it. But he also didn't let go.

The house shook so violently they could hear things falling over and breaking upstairs. She clutched at him and tried not to scream. "If this is it, it's been my privilege, Captain Steve Rogers."

"Same here, Dr. Mila Abrams..."he started to worry that she might be onto something. "Just in case I don't get a chance to tell you, thank you for everything. You are incredible..."

She was trembling. The house shook again and she buried her head in his chest. He held her tighter and stroked her hair to try and comfort her. His heart was beating out of his chest. She looked up at him. He slid his hand from her hair to her cheek. What the hell is happening?

Before he could overthink it, he kissed her. And she kissed him right back.