His Detka

12. A Little Bit More Time

"Blaire, what do you say about taking a girls day today? It's been awhile since we've gone into town, and I hear that you've got an interview coming up." said Maria with a smile on her face.

"An interview? What are you talking about?"  I asked.

The room went silent as all eyes fell on me.

"Oh, um, Detka.. We've been meaning to talk to you but we've been giving you a few days since we know how tough this week is for you every year..." Pepper paused, "We have been getting hounded by the media for an interview with our newest Avenger. We've been putting this off since you came back after your miscarriage." said Pepper.

"I don't want to be on TV. My face is going to end up everywhere. The last thing I want is to be recognized in public."

"Kid, it's just one interview. They just have a couple of questions and we're officially introducing you." Tony said.

"Can I at least think about it?" I asked.

I could feel Nat, Papa, and Steve get closer. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"Detka, honey. We've all had to do at least an interview or two." said Papa.

"Some of us more than others." said Nat as she looked over to Steve.

It's true and I knew it. Everyone on the team has done at least one or two interviews. Except Bucky, but that's also because he just came back from Wakanda. The public absolutely adored Natasha and Wanda. The person that the public adored the most was Steve. Of course. The ladies absolutely adored him.

Steve walked up to me and turned me to face him head on. He put each hand on my wrists as he looked me in the eyes with an empathetic smile and said "We can put it off for a little while, but eventually you will have to do at least one interview. When that time comes, one of us can accompany you to the interview."

I looked up at him with tears threatening to escape my eyes, and I said, "I just need a little bit more time. I'm not ready."

"I know, sweetheart. We'll do the interview when you are ready" and he pulled me into a big hug.

Sharon and Maria walked up. I let go of Steve and let Sharon hug her man. They met after my graduation at S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters when I was offered the position on the Avengers Initiative. They started talking and going on dates not long after Jamie died. She was good for him. He had been a little depressed after his best friend Bucky, who turned out to be James, had left for Wakanda to be rid of the HYDRA programming that had been instilled in him thanks to their brainwashing. She gave him and his life meaning and purpose.

I looked around the dining room and noticed that all eyes were on us. When I looked back towards my two dearest friends, they were studying me, waiting to see what my next move would be. I made eye contact with Maria, and she asked, "So what do you say, Blaire? Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, let me just grab my coat and my purse and then I'm all yours." I said. Mama walked up with my favorite coat and my purse in hand and said "Here, you'll be needing these. You go enjoy your time with your friends."

I gave her a kiss on the cheek, gave Papa a hug and walked out the front door to meet Maria and Sharon at the car. Tony was nice enough to allow us to take one of the SUVS. Happy Hogan was going to be driving us around. I swore him to secrecy because who knows what he would hear today. One could only imagine.

"So, how's everything been?!" squeaked Maria.

"It's been good, for the most part. I go on almost every mission, I go to therapy, and I train." I said.

"That's it? You're not bed buddies with anyone there?" asked Sharon.

"I'm sorry, what is a 'bed buddy'?" I asked.

"Sorry, the new cadets have been giving us new terminology to use so I figured I would test it." said Sharon. "It basically means friends with benefits. Someone to help you with your late night urges."

"I haven't had sex with anyone since Jamie."

Then the SUV got quiet. Maria and Sharon froze, and Happy scanned me through the rearview mirror to assess how I was feeling. Happy was sort of like an uncle to me. He was a big help when I came out of one of my depression spells. He always drove out or ordered in whatever I was craving. We'd developed a familial relationship, and I was grateful for it.

"Guys, I'm okay to talk about Jamie. I've been meeting with Dr. Raynor at least once a week. It helps." I sighed. "Sharon, Maria. I'm really okay. I promise."

"Well, has anything happened recently? Steve said he saw you and Bucky leaving the training room around 10 last night." Sharon said.

"Well, I know who's not getting my homemade cookies next time I bake some." I said as I rolled my eyes. Of course someone caught us. Even though mine and Bucky's jobs relied on us being heavily observant. How did I miss Steve's presence?

The girls laughed and I caught Happy giggling. Then Maria piped up, "Are you sure you don't have a bed buddy? Are you withholding information?"

"I am not. We are not bed buddies."

"Then why are you blushing, Isla?!" Sharon screamed.

Jesus. She used my first name. I'm in trouble now. While they mean well, they're almost as bad as Natasha. It seems like everyone around me thinks I need to "get back out there" and have been trying to get me to go out on a date. Dr. Raynor says that I'll know when I'm ready, but I think a big part of me is also afraid of offending Jamie, his memory, and especially his family.

"Okay, if I tell y'all, can we leave it alone? Please?" I pleaded with them.

"Yes, we promise!" They shouted.

I looked at Happy, awaiting the same response. He looked at me through the mirror, with a small smile and said "I promise, Detka. Scouts honor."

"Okay, so here we go. I met Bucky at my 21st birthday party. He had walked in and grabbed a drink from Peter at the bar. When he walked in and my eyes settled on him, I felt this magnetic pull to him. I wasn't sure what it was; but we did flirt a smidge, it was harmless. Then Jamie walked up, and they chatted for a minute. I never saw him again. Well, until this week."

"So, what happened when you saw him again?" Sharon pried.

"Well for one, my jaw dropped... but we made eye contact and it was as if the world fell away. That magnetic pull came back with a vengeance. Then he asked me in the training room last night if I wanted to go on a 'friend' date with him. Before I could protest, he said he knew that I wasn't ready for a relationship since he only found out about Jamie's death this week, and it's been two years." I looked at my fingers as I was playing a few imaginary chords on my fingers. "Mama caught me singing and humming after last night. I know I'll have to talk to Dr. Raynor soon about this, but she's always said I'll know in my heart when I'm ready for that step. I would appreciate it if we left it at that for now and not to push me."

"Well, I definitely think he has a thing for you. I saw the way he looks at you this morning. Especially once Tony started talking about your interview." said Sharon.

"I agree, he definitely has a thing for you. I saw that look in his eyes. It was different than how anyone else would look at you." said Maria.

"Well, we'll see how it all plays out, I guess. I definitely can't lose him." I said.

Happy cleared his throat. I hadn't even noticed that we made it to the mall. "Here we are, ladies. Let's get to it." With that, we started my first day out in too long with two of my favorite girls.