Again // The Winter Soldier

five.

The two walked towards the entrance of the hospital, now in less noticeable clothing. Steve struggled to walk in the awkward shoes he would never choose on his own if it was him. Yet he pulled his hoodie up over his head and walked as if he was some 20 year old with no real purpose.

What Steve had really struggled with though was how Carmen looked. She let her wild curls down to cover more of her face and found a floral dress that gave Steve way to much deja vu over the dress she was wearing when he saved her all those years ago. Her facade to make her seem younger really worked and for the second time within 24 hours he saw the real Carmen. The Carmen he had known from the beginning.

Carmen could feel his stare on her as she looked at the strappy white sandals she wore. She grew a bit uncomfortable and shoved her hands in the jean jacket she had thrown over her. Slowly she turned to look at him as well and he stumbled slightly. There it was, the thing that shocked him to his very core. Those eyes and this time they were really her's. They weren't devoid of any emotion, it was her. All of her staring right back at him.

Steve sucked in a breath and his stomach began to tingle. My God she was finally back. All of her and more. The glow like the light of day, happy, young, innocent, and pure. But now they were also wise and worn. It was everything about her he loved displayed right in front of him and he didn't know what to do. Steve stopped her abruptly and Carmen shot him a confused look.

"Steve, what are yo-" he pulled her into a hug. She didn't know how to react as the tall man bent down to wrap his arms around her. He gave her a light squeeze and lifted her off her feet. Slowly Carmen wrapped her arms around him too and Steve let out a sigh of relief. He was holding his girl. She was no longer numb and lost and their two year separation really paid off.

"What was that for?" she asked as they pulled slightly apart, their hands still holding each other.

"For being you" Carmen let a slight blush rise to her cheeks and she felt the burning sensations of his hands just below her rib cage, just like that night in the bar. "And maybe when all this is over we can finally go dancing, just like we planned"

"I would love that" with that Steve locked his hand with her's and brought her down the hallway and in front of the vending machine but the spot where the bubblegum was, was empty. Just before the two could turn to each other they were interrupted by Natasha's reflection in the glass as she blew a bubble of gum. Just as Carmen was letting out a relieved sigh that it was only her Steve had her in his grip and shoved her into the next room. Before Carmen could even react he smashed her against the wall and pulled off his hood.

"Where is it?" it was a low grumble and Carmen was almost surprised he didn't seem to trust her but then again he wasn't there when she sent Clint to kill her and he ended up bringing her back. He wasn't the one who put in countless hours of training for the girl. She was just someone he worked with and invaded his personal space way to much.

"Safe" Carmen pressed her hands into her head as she awaited the moments to come.

"Do better" Natasha blatantly ignored this as she replied.

"Where did you get it?" she stole a glance at Carmen who wasn't even paying attention at this point.

"Why would I tell you?" Carmens head snapped up and she was a little surprised it was taking so long for him to realize she was an ally. Natasha could see it in Steve's eyes though. All the answers she wanted were right there.

"Fury gave it to you, why?" Steve tightened his grip slightly.

"What's on it?" all the unanswered questions slowly started to clump and Natasha and Steve could both see it folding together.