Experimental

Chapter 11

Thea lay awake that night, listening to the sounds of Manhattan through her open window. The cool New York air blew her white curtain around the room, she could hear taxis and buses honking, people walking and taking to each other. She was sweating in her shorts and tank top, it all made her restless. Not that she was planning on sleeping much anyway. The uniform Steve and Nick Fury had presented her with earlier that day hung inside of her closet, the door shut and locked. She couldn't even look at it.  The tower was completely silent, Thea could year the quiet breathing of the Avengers and the soft snore coming from Tony's quarters. With a heavy sigh, she sat up from the bed, stood and walked to the window. The cold air hit her legs and rustled her sleeping shorts. She placed a bare foot on the window ledge, climbing out and onto the fire escape. She climbed up onto the roof of the tower and sat on the edge, letting her feet dangle as the wind whipped at her ponytail.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?" Thea jumped at the sound of Steve's voice, latching onto the edge of the building.

"Woah!" She steadied herself, slapping away Steve's hand as he tried to help keep her still. "Yeah, it's nice," she pat the space next to her and nodded toward him, "Have a seat, grandpa." Steve chuckled and sat.

"Can't sleep?"

"Did you really think I could sleep with that uniform in my closet?" He shook his head.

"Not at all. I was the same way when I got mine." He played with his hands. She scoffed.

"No offense Cap, but your first uniform was a showgirl's outfit." He laughed loudly.

"Touché." They sat in silence for a while. Thea's head found its way onto Steve's shoulder and she began to doze. Steve looked down, something on her leg catching his eye and frowned. "Are you wearing Captain America shorts?" He laughed again, teasing her for the rest of the night.

"You're lucky I'm so tired or I'd have pushed you off of this roof."

***

"Avengers," Steve was in the front of the room, hands clasped in from of his uniform and shield on his back. Each fluffy seat at the conference table was taken by a member of the team, briefing tablets in hand. They all knew what was coming next, some were out of their chairs already. He finished dramatically, "Assemble!" Everybody stood, some already removing their outer layers of clothing to dress in their own uniforms. Thea stood up, smoothing out her shirt. "Thea?" She turned.

"Yes, sir?" Steve cleared his throat.

"A word, please?" She nodded, smiling at an exiting Tony. Steve made his way to her, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder and squeezed lightly. "I'm proud of you, Thea." He began. She blushed and looked up at him as he continued, "I just want to make sure that you're comfortable doing this. Going against HYDRA...it can be taxing and I want to make sure-"

"Steve," he stopped and looked down at her, his towering form hovering over her like one of the New York skyscrapers, "I promise you, I can handle it. After the whole thing with Ollie, I think it will be good for me." Steve smiled slightly and nodded.

"Well then, Agent, suit up. Wheels up in 20."