Following Team Orders (A Steve Rogers AU x F1)

Monaco

Liv fidgeted, the ripples on her gown flowing down. She tried to calm her nerves, but nothing was working.  Tonight is the annual charity ball that Formula one hosted.  Monaco was the ideal location since the richest of the rich attended.  Movie stars, billionaires, anyone who was anyone attended paying the $10,000 per seat price tag.  The drivers were invited, of course, since the race was the same weekend.  But tonight, it was about the ball and nothing Liv thought or did could clear the nerves.

"Hey Bug! You ready?"  Frank adjusted his bow tie in the hall mirror. Liv sighed before grabbing her clutch and walking out of her suite. Frank offered to escort her to the ball, knowing how bad her nerves were going to be.

"I can't do it Frankie.  Everyone will be looking at me.  They'll be judging me from Spain."

Frank looked with sympathy at his best friend. Spain had been a shit show from the onset.  Olivia arrived still reeling from Miami and was unfocused. She qualified 16th and was distraught.  It took Andy, Bucky and himself to coax her out and head to the hotel.  Steve, luckily, had stayed away, hanging out with Johnny Storm of all people.

Race day was hard but Liv worked it like a champ.  She ended seventh but kept pace.  Unfortunately, Drysdale decided to insert his two cents during the post-race interviews, insinuating that maybe a woman could not handle the pressure. Liv shut down completely after that.  That was until Charles stepped up, saying that since natural talent was hard to come by, that could be the reason why Ransom had failed to win another championship. The other drivers, including Steve, agreed with Charles, leaving Ransom fuming but Liv had checked out, barely answering any more questions.

"Liv," Frank called out, "you can't hide Bug. Yes, people may talk but that just means that you should be even more determined to prove them wrong.  Let's just get through the gala and then we can focus qualifying."

"Frankie," Liv peeked her face and he could see the tears pooling in her eyes.

"Oh Bug," he pulled her in.  "Don't cry.  Don't give Ransom the satisfaction. C'mon, wipe those tears." He kissed her forehead. You look beautiful.  He stepped back to take her in.  The navy-blue haltered dress gathered at the deep V below her sternum and flowed down to an A-line dress.  It had a slit up her right leg and he could see the silver strappy stilettos she was wearing. "You will bring every man to his knees, Bug."

"Stop," she replied with a blush. She calmed and fluffed her long hair once more. "Ok, let's get this over with."

"That's the spirit." Frank smiled, held out his arm for her to loop hers through and headed down to the hotel ball room. There was a curved staircase and Frank held onto Liv tight to make sure she didn't fall.  The room was already full when they arrived, and all eyes were on the couple.  Steve had his back turned to the staircase, talking with Bucky, Charles, Johnny and Andy. When Bucky inhaled harshly, he turned and his mouth dried.

She was a vision in blue, her long dark hair in soft waves down her back, her face in a neutral pallet with just a hint of color to bring out her eyes.  When she took a step, her gown reveal a flash of her long legs and the fuck-me heels she was wearing. Before he had a chance to react, Charles moved around him and went to the bottom of the stairs.  When she arrived, he took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles like the fucking suave debonair he was.  Steve grinded his teeth at not being able to think of doing it first but kept his face impassive.  Charles guided her to the group with Frank trailing him and he was able to breathe her in.

"Hi, gentlemen." Liv felt herself blush at the looks she was getting from around the room.

"Bug, you look lovely," Andy said as he reached over to kiss her cheek.