Second Chance

Chapter 5

"That was definitely a new sensation. Where are we?"

"Costa Rica! Well, we are also at my house."

"You live here?"

"Not all of the time. It's mostly a place I come to get away. Especially in the winter. Come on, I have something to show you." I leave him no time to look at my house too closely. I drag him through the door, up the stairs and to my room. "This is my room, but that isn't really important. You need to change."

"Wait, what?"

"Yeah, you can't wear jeans and a T-shirt for what I'm about to show you. Go in that closet and see if you can't find some shorts that fit."

I usher him into the closet and shut the door. I run to my own closet and begin changing. I wear a two piece swimsuit with a pair of jean shorts and a cute tank top over it. I leave the closet and wait on him.

"I'm not sure I pull off flowers. " Steve chuckles as he steps out in a pair of blue and white flower swim trunks and a blue shirt.

"Don't sell yourself short. You look great. Now come on. We don't want to be gone for too long." I smile. He follows me out of the house and to the trail behind it. I take off running and he soon is right next to me. I slow down when I see our destination closing in. I stop at the top of a cliff. I pull off my shoes, shirt and shorts.

"Secret, what are you doing?"

"Come take a look." I smile and run right off the cliff. I go sailing in the air, I can feel the wind in my hair, and I splash down right into a natural swimming hole. A beautiful waterfall flows from the other side, but it is hidden behind trees if you are looking from atop the cliff. I come up and swim to the edge of the bowl shaped pool. "Come on! What are you waiting for?" I yell. He smiles and steps back. Then, I see him dive off the cliff and into the water. He comes up from under the water and smiles.

"This place is gorgeous. How did you find it?"

"It actually came with the house. The realtor showed it to me and I instantly fell in love. Before I saw this place, I was dead set on getting beach front property. Now, whenever I am stressed, I come here."

"I understand why. It's very relaxing."

"Well that's not all. Follow me." I stand up and walk over to the waterfall. He follows behind me, and I walk right into the waterfall. He sticks his hand through and I pull him in. Behind the waterfall is a hidden cave. Water drips from the ceiling, there is a smaller water pool just a few feet from the entrance. It has a natural hot spring that flows through it, making it a natural hot tube. You can see the steam coming off of the water.

"You're joking? Is that-"

"Sure is. Come on." I smile and drag him to it. I slide in gently, letting the heat rush over me slowly. Steve does the same, and I lean back against the stone walls. "So, feeling better?"

"Yes, much better. Thank you." He smiles.

"Anytime." I smile back.

"I have a confession to make. Yes, I have been having trouble sleeping. And yes it is getting hard to unwind after we get back, but you are right. That isn't all of it. I'm actually a little upset with myself."

"About what?"

"About the mission yesterday. I should have had him. I have done this before. I couldn't focus, and he got the best of me. And you just did it all with such ease. It all seemed to just flow when you did everything. I guess I'm just upset that I didn't really do much."

"Whoa, since when have you ever not done much? You do so much for everyone Steve, and for this team. We have each other's back. So what you were a little off your game, everyone has those days. And fighting an enemy is never easy, it just becomes almost routine. So don't sweat it, any other day you're the one saving my ass. It's nice to be able to return the favor." I smile. He closes the small space between us and pulls me in for a hug. I'm honestly having a fangirl moment, realizing I'm hugging captain America. His embrace is strong, yet gentle. His chest is smooth, and his warmth is comforting.

"Can I ask you something?" He asks as he lets go of me.

"Sure."

"How come you never take off the mask?"

"I was wondering when someone would ask me this. Well, its simple and complicated. I have another life without the mask. It's very high profile, and I don't really want to mix that life with this one. You see, before I joined the team, I was just a teenager trying to figure out what was wrong and what was right. My friend, Cassie, and myself would go about trying to fight for what we thought was justice. We both were interested in fighting techniques and weaponry from a young age. We took classes, trained, and thought we had it all figured out. We fought for the underdog. We were midnight crusaders. Once in college, I started this other job of mine. And I realized that they would never take me seriously if they ever found out I was a revenge-seeking hero wannabe. So I decided to wear the mask. And then the era of Secret was born. Cassie never wore a mask, but she was never really concerned with image. I met you and several other heroes along my many adventures. And I've just never taken it off on a mission since."

"Well, that makes sense. But why don't you take it off around us?"

"Because I just don't feel like its time yet. I've only been with you guys for eight months, and I just want everyone to know who I am and get to know me before I actually reveal myself."

"I see. Well if I'm not the first to see you without your mask, I just might be offended."

"Ha-ha, you will definitely be one of the first to know." I smile. "So how about one more cliff dive, and lets head back to the ship?"

"Sounds good to me." And he jumps up, running to beat me there. I run after him, knowing I will lose, but what the hell? Having fun is what we came here for, and that's what I intend on doing.