Finding Love in France (Alternate Version)

Part 21: The Talk

He blew out the candle and followed her into the empty living room. "Mila, will you please talk to me?" He pleaded with her. "I just want to make sure you're okay..."

"Like I said, I'm fine." She already had pulled the floor cushions out and was setting up some sheets. "You don't have to worry about me, Steve. You can go back to your Peggy with a clear conscience..." she couldn't help herself. "...it was just sex, nothing more."

"Mila!" He grabbed her arm and she finally looked at him. Her big green eyes swollen from crying tears he knew he caused. "That's not all it was and you know it!" He felt her heart breaking as he looked at her. "Do you have any idea how much you mean to me?"

Mila started crying, so much for being strong. "You must be joking, how much I mean to you? Why? Because I saved your life? Because I'm a 'girl who was nice to you'? Because you feel sorry for me? No. You do not get to stand here and tell me how much I mean to you after making me think that I actually did mean something to you..." she was so angry, but saw the hurt and confusion in those oceanic eyes. "...do you know how much you mean to me, Steve?" He put his arms around her and she let him. "You are the best friend I've had in years, do you know that?" She scoffed. "How stupid is that?"

He kissed the top of her head. "That's not stupid at all, in fact, I agree. Other than Bucky, I've never had a better friend than you." He rubbed her back. "This is what I was trying to tell you...you are so important to me, it felt disrespectful not being completely honest with you..." he sighed. "I am so sorry for hurting you. All I want is to do the right thing here."

"I know..." she conceded. "It's just not what I had gotten my hopes up for..." she sobbed into his chest.

"Mila, please, I'm so sorry." He stroked her hair. "Hey, just think..." he tried to joke. "Once you meet Howard Stark, you'll forget all about me!"

She looked up at him. "My darling, I could never forget you..." she sighed. "...even if I become the Empress of India..." she tried to joke back. "Hey, how was the tart?" She had been looking forward to trying it, but had forgotten about it for obvious reasons.

"Hadn't tried it yet..." he smiled. "...wasn't exactly in the mood for pie before. Wanna split it?"

"You drive a hard bargain, Captain Rogers. You really think that you can fix this with pastry?" She smirked.

He shook his head and laughed. "All I can do is try."