Not So Innocent (Captain America FF book 1)

Chapter 18:

Jade Quill

"On your left."

"On your right."

"On your left."

We all chose to go for a morning jog. Well, at least Sam did. He was on his second lap while we were on our fifteenth. I was in the lead do to my extraterrestrial abilities. "I'm gonna wipe the floor with all three of you." I call back.

Steve and Bucky weren't far behind me at all. I was just holding back so they wouldn't feel bad. Steve and Bucky came up on both sides of me. "Beat you two to the Lincoln memorial!" I take off in a sprint towards the memorial with the boys a few feet behind. "That's no fair, you got a head start!" I smirk back at Steve "Old habits die hard babe!!!"

I had obviously won. I stood at the top of the steps, doing jumping jacks while Steve and Bucky raced each other up the stairs. It was a tie between them. And Sam came up the stairs about eight minutes later. "How does it feel to be beaten by two 96 year olds and and an assassin?" Steve asks as Sam lays on his back, trying to catch his breath. "Shut *pant* up."

I hop on the balls of my feet and ask "How does it feel to be beaten by me?" Steve changed the subject by saying "You've beaten me before." I smile proudly and state "Yeah!!! This time no one got hurt. No gun shot wounds, no ones head freezing and falling off-" Sam cuts me off "Frozen head falling off?" I nod and make an ice shard float above my palm "Yeah. Watch."

I shoot the shard into a nearby water fountain, the water stops flowing and freezes instantly. "Whoa. That's cool. But you just destroyed private property." I huff, crossing my wrists before spreading them apart, causing the ice to melt back into water instantly. "You guys are about as much fun as prune pants over here."

Steve pouts cutely "Hey! I am fun. Watch." He throws me over his shoulder and begins to run home. "Rogers!" I cry out as I bounce around. I push myself up so I look at Sam and Bucky. Sam and Bucky were laughing and dog whistling. "Go Steve!" I stick out my tongue "Thank you for the help gentlemen!!!" Sam gives me a thumbs up "Welcome Nancy."
Steve laughs as he runs "I could hear Stark now!" I nod as I bounce "Yeah. 'Don't get her pregnant, Steve, but if you do name the kid after me' then I'd kill him." Steve spanks my butt, sending shivers throughout my body. "Hey! What was that for?" I could almost see Steve's innocent little face "You get punished every time you threaten one of us guys." I reach down and smack Steve's butt "And you... don't tell me what to do."

Steve laughs as he jogs into the apartment building as I say "Remind me not to call the grumpy old prune of no-fun land anymore." Steve sets me down "You call me that?" I shake my head, leaning against my door "Phhhhh. No. Maybe. Yes. Only at the tower. With Stark. On a regular basis." Steve nods clearly shocked "Wow Jade. I don't think you have ever been that honest with me. Ever."

I shrug and reply "I'm not the person you met Steve. I'm actually a lot different. There's still a lot of anger but, I don't let it show. I'm actually a pretty happy person." I unlock my door in one swift movement. I do it before my better judgement gets the best of me or Sam and Bucky get back. I hop up on my tip toes and peck Steve on the cheek. "I'll see you later Steve." With that, I disappear into my apartment leaving a gobsmacked Steve behind.

~~~

"So where have you been hiding out this whole time?" Steve asks Bucky as we all sit at a corner cafe for lunch. Bucky folds his hands together and replies in his gruff raspy voice "Here. Ever since the whole incident. I was just really good at staying hidden."