Loving The Captain

Chapter 4

Cora had just finished putting the last of the dishes away, her thoughts once again wandering to Sam and Steve. She brought her fingers up to her lips, remembering the gentle kiss that she and Steve had shared the night before they had left. That had been several months ago, and Cora hadn't heard from either of the guys in almost three weeks.

Unsure what the situation was, Cora had only tried to call Steve once. He had been carrying an unregistered pre paid phone at the time. Someone had answered, but all Cora heard was what sounded like gunshots in the background, and then the line went dead.

Turning, Cora sat down at the table. It was going on midnight, and although she was exhausted, she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep. What if that call had been all she would ever hear of them again?

While whatever feelings she and Steve may share were still very new and unexplored, Cora couldn't deny that she cared about him.

And Sam. He wasn't a replacement for Riley. Rather, he was like the second big brother that she had always needed.

While Cora did have close friends here in Ohio, she didn't know what she would do if she lost Sam. She didn't think she could survive having to bury another member of her family. And that's if they were returned to her.

Steve had made it very clear that the people who were hunting his friend were very dangerous.

Heavy footsteps sounded across her front porch, and from the sounds of it there was more than one person. This late at night, Cora knew that it wasn't any of her friends. Especially considering that it sounded like men wearing heavy boots.

Quietly as she could, Cora got down, crouching so that she wouldn't be seen through the windows. Reaching up onto the stove, she grabbed her grandfather's heavy cast iron skillet, and moved into the hallway.

The lights were out, all except the ones in the kitchen. However she still kept herself pressed flat against the wall, holding the pan like a weapon. As she came across to the bottom of the staircase, she craned her head to look out the window nearest her. All she could see were the silhouettes of three figures, two of them helping support the third.

Flipping the porch light on and throwing open the door, Cora raised the cast iron skillet above her head, ready to knockout whoever they were, or at the very least put up one hell of a fight.

"Woah, woah, what the hell is that for?!"

Blinking, Cora lowered the skillet. "Sam?" Panting, she looked from Sam to Steve, to the man who was being supported between them.

They were dirty and all a bit worse for the ware, Sam had his Falcon wings on his back and Steve was wearing a new version of his suit. It was such a dark blue that it almost appeared black, the star on his chest was barely visible.

The man in the middle hung his head, dark hair covered his face. He was leaning most of his weight on Sam, and favoring his right knee.

"Come in," Cora opened the door wider and the three of them followed her to the living room. After helping Sam sit Bucky on the couch, Cora turned to Steve who was standing in the living room doorway.

Steve was panting, holding his left side over his ribs. Going over to him, Cora helped him to the large armchair. "Are you being followed?"

Steve shook his head. "We worked out a deal. They granted Bucky amnesty. At least for the time being." Panting he winced as he leaned back in the chair, setting his shield against the chair.

Cora nodded and knelt down in front of Bucky. Holding her hand out she said "Bucky? I'm Cora. It's nice to finally meet you."

For the first time since arriving, Bucky raised his head and met her gaze. He took her hand in his, and flashed a crooked grin. "So you're the girl who Punk keep talking about. Nice to finally meet you."

Cora blinked, feeling a small blush creep onto her cheeks. "Are you hurt at all?"

"Not really. Messed up my knee, but it'll heal." Bucky shrugged, glancing over at Steve who was watching the two of them intently. "Don't worry Punk. I'm not gonna steal your girl."

"Jerk." Steve glared at him, but his eyes shone with a happy glint.

Cora couldn't help but laugh at that. Standing she looked to Sam "You remember the room you stayed in when you came home with Riley?"

Sam stood and nodded "Sure do."

"You can take that room, Steve and Bucky can have the one down from it. There's two beds in there. The other rooms aren't ready for guests." Cora looked to Steve who was moving to get up, holding his side and gritting his teeth in pain.

"Oh no." Cora went over to him and gently pushed him back into the chair. "You stay put and let me have a look at you."

As Bucky followed Sam out of the room, he turned back to Steve and said "Hey Punk. Don't do anything stupid."

Without missing a beat, Steve looked up and gave a pained smile. "How can I when you're taking all the stupid with you?"

Bucky shook his head, laughing, and followed Sam up stairs.