We Can't Go Back

He Deserved to be Talked About

The weeks and months flew by with Steve getting deeper into SHIELD and Lizzie doing research for Stark Industries. About a month ago, Lizzie had saw on the news that Tony's house in Malibu was destroyed but by the time she managed to get in contact with anyone, he was already home.

When he called her, he said he was done making Iron Man suits and was gonna focus on the other sides of the business. She knew that wouldn't last though. He was just like her and neither of them knew when to stop.

She was working on one of Tony's agricultural development projects when she heard a knock at the door. She didn't usually get visitors so she is a little surprised when she opened the door to see Sam Wilson.

She tried to go out and meet Sam every once in a while but she's been inconsistent. She didn't want to see a therapist so he became her confidant. It made it easier now that the whole world knew her relationship to Captain America. She didn't have to explain those things anymore. He was the only person other than Tony who knew about the serum. She broke down and told him after the pressure got to be too much. She doesn't regret it exactly but she regrets how much she shared.

"You haven't been answering my calls," Sam said as he walked through the door.

"Hello, to you too," she said as she closed the door behind him.

"It's a mess in here," he said as he looked at her living room.

There were various notes and books everywhere and several mechanical parts that she'd been tinkering with. She knew it was a mess but Steve had been on a mission for a month so she hadn't had to hide her bad habits from him.

"Not that I don't love seeing you , Sam, but-,"

"Do you?"

"What?" She asked in confusion.

"Do you love seeing me? It seems like you've been avoiding me," Sam said.

She's about to backtrack before she sees his teasing smile. That's one thing she liked about Sam. Even though he didn't agree with all of her decisions, he made sure she had a judgment free zone to talk. She loved her brother but his disapproving looks just made her feel guilty. And at least with Sam, he didn't tip toe around her like everyone else in her life. Well, except maybe Tony but that's because he was as insane as she was.

"Where's your brother?" Sam asked.

She could tell he was trying to be casual but like everyone else, whenever they saw her, they were wondering if Captain America was around the corner. She knew that Sam was here for her but it still made her groan.

"You also part of my brother's fan club?" She asked.

He holds out his hands in surrender, recognizing her frustrated tone.

"Just curious is all. He was a historical figure. If Abraham Lincoln was suddenly walking around, you're telling me you wouldn't want a glimpse?" Sam said.

She guessed he had a point. It was just hard to think of Steve as any kind of figure. She guessed that will happen when you've seen a man through the awkward stages of puberty.

"Fair enough. Want something to drink?" She said.

"Water would be nice," he said as he followed Lizzie into the kitchen.

"You didn't tell me why you're here," she said.

"I told you. You weren't answering my calls and I worried about my friend," he said.

She handed him the water before turning to face him; leaning against the counter.

"Well, clearly your friend is fine," she said.