An Evening to Remember (August 2004)

Try as she might, Kate couldn't get Steve out of her head. He had angered her, and yet she continued to think about him. Thoughts about the way he had looked at her entered into her dreams at night and into her mind during meetings. Her last relationship had ended two years ago and she felt ready to move on, but she doubted that Steve would want to get involved with her. He had made his feelings about SHIELD very clear.

She knew that an event was being held at Stark Tower celebrating the defeat of the Mutant Registration Bill. Tony and Isabella Stark had been instrumental in that defeat. As a mutant herself, Kate appreciated what they had done for people like her. She didn't know it for certain, but she strongly believed it, at least in part, had something to do with her daughter. They had never actually ever said that Serena was a mutant, but Kate had read between the lines of some of their speeches and believed Serena probably was. It ultimately didn't matter to her why they had helped defeat the bill, it had been defeated and that was all she needed to know. It had been an important day for mutants around the world.

Kate was surprised when she actually received an invite to the event. There was a note with it from Logan. He told her to come and give Steve a second chance. Kate couldn't help but smile at that. She went to inform Nick of her invite and he immediately seemed pleased. To Kate's dismay Nick gave her an assignment. He wanted to get his hands on Tony's new missile plans, but hadn't been able to figure out a way to get into the Tower. Kate was now his way. Kate reluctantly agreed to do it, although she had truly been hoping for just a relaxing evening. She went out shopping and bought a new black cocktail dress and heels. She washed and dried her hair and put on a little bit of makeup and some perfume. A taxi took her out to the Tower and when she walked in she found the party was already well underway. She spotted many politicians who had helped kill the bill as well as Charles Xavier and some of the X-Men. When Kate's powers had first emerged, Phil had consulted with Charles and she had even spent a little time at the mansion.

A waiter carrying a tray of glasses of champagne approached her and she took a glass. It was then that she felt eyes on her. She looked over to the right and saw Steve there looking at her from across the room.

Since he had met Agent Blackwell...Kate Blackwell, Steve Rogers did not get as much sleep as he once did. Most nights he would just lay there in his bed, looking at the ceiling and thinking about her. His dreams were filled with her. A pair of blue eyes and golden wisps of her hair. Some of his dreams were altogether indecent to say the least. Dreams a man would have about a woman he was interested in. And Steve was interested even though she worked for SHIELD.

Nick Fury had left a bad taste in Steve’s mouth. Beyond his initial meeting he had come to distrust Nick and with good reason. Steve still considered himself a soldier who fought for good and for those too weak to fight for themselves. To him a soldier deserved to know the specifics of every mission and, after the second time Steve had discovered SHIELD’s ulterior motives behind the missions he was given he was done with them.

The event that evening was the historic anniversary of the killing of the bill for mutant registration. Steve was not a mutant but he knew several and he, like Tony and Isabella, did not think it was right for a person’s privacy be invaded just on the ‘possibility’ that they were dangerous. Steve had principles and morals and that was not right at all.

Like Tony, Bruce and Logan, Steve wore a tailored Tuxedo. It was nicely cut for his shape and though he did not much care for all of the accessories that Tony wore with his, there was something to be said for simplicity. All 4 of Isabella’s ‘men’ looked sharp and even Serena was allowed to attend.

The problem was Steve wasn’t all that much of a fan of parties. Thoughts and memories came to him as he leaned back against one of the high tables and rested his arm upon it. People in fine dresses, suits and tuxedos talked or drank and ate and even though Steve had a drink of his own he had only taken one sip from it. For the 5th or maybe 6th time tonight he removed his old compass from his pocket. He had an old, faded photo of Peggy glued to the inside face of the brass shield. Idly he rubbed the photo with his thumb and thought about her. Peggy and the dance she had promised him.

When Steve put the compass into his pocket he looked up suddenly as a woman in a black dress came into his vision. Those wisps of gold he knew and when she turned toward him even across the room he knew those blue eyes. Kate Blackwell was here at the party. Suspiciously he glanced around for Logan but he wasn’t able to find him in the crowd of people. In the background a brass band played music more akin to what he was used to. “Why not,” He said to himself as he tipped back what was left of his drink, chewed an ice cube, adjusted his coat and walked toward her. “Miss Blackwell, this is a surprise,” Steve said. “You look...amazing, black seems to suit you,” He said just realizing that what he said could be taken two ways!

Kate thought Steve looked incredible in his tuxedo. He looked sharp and very well put together. He was already a handsome man, but in that well tailored tux he looked even more so. She saw him start to walk towards her and she found she was actually rather nervous. There was undeniable sexual tension between them and it made her heart beat a little harder in her chest. She smiled at his compliment and took it in a good way.

"Thank you. You clean up nicely as well. I received an invitation. I hope it's alright that I came. I am a mutant after all so I felt I owed everyone a thank you who helped to kill that bill."

Steve’s eyebrows drew up and threatened to go all the way up to his hairline. ‘She’s a mutant? How could I have missed that?’ he wondered. The shock only lasted a moment though before he was able to calm his features. He was very tempted to ask her what her mutation or mutations were but the song that was playing was same song he had considered asking Peggy to dance, all those years ago. Isabella had taught him how to dance since then. Both he and Logan and to a lesser degree Serena as well. Bruce had no interest in it but Steve had excelled in her lessons.

“Before you disappear on me,” He began and she could take that however she wanted to as well. “Would you like to dance? I really like this song,” He said as the waltz began. He held out his hand to her. There was a waiter that moved by her and Steve nodded toward the man for her to deposit her drink onto his tray. His smile was reserved but his stomach felt as if there were butterflies as large as bulls in his stomach.

Serena covered her smile with her hand. She had seen Steve go up to the blonde woman and she tapped her mother on the arm then pointed at them. Logan leaned over toward them from where he sat and he smiled when he saw Steve and kate together. “Hah! I did that! Jus call me cupid!” Logan said in a rasp that belied his mirthful tone.

Kate noticed his eyebrow draw up, but she wasn't offended. She was rather used to that reaction from people when she told them she was a mutant. She was prepared to tell him what her mutation was if he asked her, but he never did. Instead, he asked her to dance. She smiled at him and when the waiter came by she deposited her empty glass onto it. She then took Steve's hand and together they stepped out to where others were dancing. She put her other hand on Steve's shoulder and he put his on her waist. Then, they began to dance. She was quiet for a moment while they danced before speaking.

"Telekinesis," she said, "that's my mutation. That's how I was able to get the closet door open after you and Logan locked me in," she added with a smile.

Steve’s nervousness right then was more about getting the steps right but as they began to dance he was very aware of where his hands were. Namely his left hand that was on her thin waist. Kate smelled wonderful and her hair did look like finely spun gold that gleamed in the sunlight.

He heard what she said when she told him her power was Telekinesis. Pretty formidable considering that its invisible. “About that. I...apologize for doing that,” Steve said. “Screwing around like that while on a mission could be dangerous. It won’t happen again,” Steve assured her though by her expression it seemed he took it all much harder than she did.

“When you’re not in uniform, what do you like to do Kate?” Steve asked. He knew almost nothing about her and he very much wanted to. Even now his thoughts jutted ahead. Hopeful thoughts of them hiking together or taking in a movie. His mind started to go onto ‘other’ things as well and his cheeks flushed slightly before he could push those thoughts away. She really was beautiful, he thought.

Kate just smiled at Steve when he apologized for locking her in the closet. "Well, you might end up in a closet yourself," she said flirtatiously and rather suggestively. She didn't normally flirt like this, but there was just something about Steve. Despite the rocky foot they got off on, she enjoyed his company.

"I like to keep busy. I enjoy outdoors activities. Hiking, bike riding, horseback riding, swimming. I'm training most of the time though. I like keeping my body in shape and I don't do well being idle. What about yourself?"

Steve didn’t know that as she spoke his mouth took on that boyish grin it often did when he liked what he was experiencing. They had alot in common. “I am very much the same way. Always moving, always needing to do something. I can sit and watch a game or a movie though too, sometimes. I have 55 years of old movies to catch up on so I like to watch them when I can,” He said. “And..” he began but Logan tapped him on his shoulder.

“Would you mind if I cut in? You’re monopolizing the prettiest woman here,” He said.And he only said that because Jean Gray didn’t come. Stop looked at Kate and then smiled as he let Logan cut in. He moved off the dance floor toward where Isabella and Serena were sitting. Isabella was talking to Charles Xavier about Serena.

“So, my little plan worked eh?” Logan said obviously quite pleased with himself. “Mind if I give you a few tips on our man?” he began and he seemed to dance fairly well as if he had done it before. “He’s only kissed 3 women in his life and has never gone any further,” he said. “He’s been hung up on this Peggy Carter, a woman from his past for a long time but I’ve never seen him look at a woman like he looks at you. Steve has an old soul as you might expect and his pet peeves are bad manners and disrespect, especially to women and children. He is very much a boy scout and abhors lying for any reason and no matter how much he drinks he doesn’t seem to get drunk,” Logan said. “Me either though i’ve managed it a few times,” Logan said with a grin.

Kate was pleased to hear that she and Steve shared similar interests. They seemed to have quite a bit in common. She did enjoy watching movies, that was one of the few things she could do where she was just sitting for long periods at a time, and she was about to suggest that perhaps they watch a movie together when suddenly Logan walked up and asked if he could cut in. She had wanted to spend more time with Steve but she politely agreed and watched Steve out of the corner of her eye as he walked away. She was surprised to find that Logan was actually a great dancer. She rolled her eyes and smiled at Logan's comment about his 'little plan'. She was interested in learning more about him and so she listened to what Logan told her as they continued to dance.

"But Steve hates SHIELD and I work for SHIELD. I don't know if he's going to loosen up about that."

“But isn’t that just like what they say? It's what you do for your job, not who you are yes?” Logan said with a smile. “Steve could have almost any woman he wants but he was just dancing with you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him dance with anyone but Isabella or Serena,” Logan said. “And what was that saying? Everyone deserves love? Well, I think that includes boy scouts and SHIELD agents,” Logan said with a chuckle. “Just show him who Kate Blackwell is, we both know he likes her,” He said.

An image popped into kate’s head right then. She was in Nick Fury’s office and he had given her the usb drive. “We need those schematics Kate. If Tony Stark comes up with something new then its only a matter of time before our enemies get their hands on it. You saw one of his missiles in HYDRA’s lab,” Nick said. This is important Agent Blackwell and we won’t likely get another opportunity anytime soon,” He said as the image faded away.

“Wow, where did you go?” Logan said with a smile and then he stopped and began clapping as the musicians all got up, took bows and took a break.”He’s at the bar...don’t be afraid to make a move if he doesn’t,” Logan said then saw a very pretty brunette looking at him. He smiled back at her. “Gotta go!” he said and headed straight for her.

Kate thought about what Logan said. After her last breakup she had been afraid to open herself up again. But then Steve had come into her life rather suddenly and she felt comfortable around him and like she could easily talk to him. They seemed to have a lot in common and enjoyed each other's company.

But she also thought about what Nick had said to her. He wanted those plans and she was in a position to get them. It was her job. She could see that Tony and Isabella were both distracted talking to others and it would be so easy for her to just slip away. But something began to nag in the back of her brain. She looked over and saw Steve at the bar. There was a woman talking to him, but he didn't seem interested. She then thought about the way he had smiled at her and looked into her eyes. She glanced at the hallway leading to where she believed the lab was and then back at Steve. In that moment her decision was made. She walked over to Steve and he looked over at her and smiled.

"I was going to go out and get some fresh air. Would you like to join me?"

“Telekinesis and telepathy...nice,” Steve said jokingly as he stood up. The woman on the other side of Steve flashed Kate a sour look but Steve did not see it. He didn't seem to see much when Kate was near him.

The terrace was usually where people went out to smoke. It held a faint scent of cigarette smoke bit when the wind blew it brought the floral scents of flowers and plants that were all over the terrace. There were lounge chairs, an outdoor kitchen, a table with fire coming out of the center of it and mire chairs around that. There was a hot tub that bubbled in the corner bur for the time being they were alone out there.

Inside the speeches were about to start. They were giving Isabella an award for all of her work but before that several people including Charles Xavier wanted to talk about their experiences. The air had a chill to it and like the gentleman that he was Steve unbuttoned his black coat and smoothly settled it atop her shoulders. He leaned onto the metal railing and looked down over the city. Thousands of lights glittered back at them and they were so high up they didnt hear any of the street noise.

“Thank you for the dance. I have never danced like that before,” Steve said though he wasnt looking at her then. He sounded contemplative as if he was half there and half somewhere else just then.

Kate smiled as she followed Steve out onto the balcony. She knew that the speeches were about to start but she wanted to be alone for a few minutes with Steve. There were so many people inside and she felt like she and Steve were being watched because of who he was. It was nice to be able to get away from the prying eyes and have a few minutes to themselves. They could drop the formality and relax.

It was a little chilly and Kate had not brought a shawl with her. However, Steve slipped out of his coat jacket and gently placed it around her shoulders. It smelled like him and that made her smile. She stepped over to stand with him by the railing and she looked out over the twinkling lights of the city. When Steve thanked her for the dance she looked over at him. She could see the distant look in his eyes and she figured he was thinking about Peggy.

"You're very welcome. I enjoyed it very much and would love to dance with you again Steve." She was quiet for a few seconds before speaking again gently. "You really miss her, don't you?"

Steve sighed. “Am I that transparent?” Steve asked. He straightened and turned to face her. “Its just that my feelings for her will never be resolved. I just feel...he began than he looked into Kates eyes. She was looking at him and her expression was difficult to make out in the dim light. He had kissed Peggy once and knew if he had returned that they’d be together. He had opportunities to be closer to her but he had ‘other’ things to do. Steve had not realized that he had brought his hands up to Kate’s face. He felt her cheeks grow warm and thoughts of Peggy drifted out of his mind. He knew he needed to live his life as it was happening and stop mourning that he would never get back.

“God your beautiful,” he whispered though there was no one else nearby. He saw her eyes soften and her cheeks became even warmer in his hands or it was his hands that had gotten warmer, he couldn’t be certain. He had just met Kate but he felt as if he had to know if the chemistry between them was real. Thoughts about her affiliation with SHIELD bubbled up to the surface but he stamped them down. Steve smiled at Kate and then he leaned down and kissed her. As his lips touched hers sparks flew and it was every bit as wonderful as he thought it would be. Her lips were so soft and warm though he felt her lipstick.

Kate looked deeply into Steve's eyes as he brought his hands up to cup her cheeks. Her heart began to beat harder in her chest and she felt her face flush in anticipation of what was to come. They had barely met one another. Should she really be feeling this way? Was what she was feeling real, or was it just the romantic evening? She wasn't sure how to tell...and then Steve's lips touched her own. Everything in that moment became crystal clear in her mind and heart. There was no more hesitation or doubt. She kissed Steve back. It was a gentle and yet passionate kiss and as his lips parted from hers she felt herself already missing them. She looked up into his eyes to see if he was feeling the same way she was.

Steve’s heart wanted to beat from his chest in rhat moment. He wanted the world to stop spinning and for time to just stop for them and lock them into this moment. He was about to kiss her again when the door to the terrace opened. Steve dropped his hands from her face reluctantly as if he wanted everything to continue. But he wasn't big on PDA. Private moments were meant to be private in his view, not for all to see. He reached into hos pocket and took out his white handkerchief and began to wipe the lipstick from his lips. It was Bruce that appeared.

“Isabella’s about to get her honors,” he said and took a moment to look at Kate. His face held no expression when he looked at her, he knew full well who she was. “We’ll be right there,” Steve said. And Bruce nodded and stepped back in and closed the door.

Kate wanted the moment to continue but she heard the terrace door open just as Steve did. She stepped slightly away from Steve as Bruce walked out to find them. Kate's cheeks were still flushed from the kiss and there was little she could do to hide that. She glanced over at Bruce and saw the way he looked at her. She looked away and waited until he was gone before removing Steve's suit jacket from her shoulders. She handed it back to him.

"I suppose we should head back in," she said softly and with some reluctance to her voice. She hated that their moment had been interrupted.

Charles Xavier had received the first honor and he remained on the small modular stage and began to speak about how this award wasn't just about mutants. It was about everyone who lived and fought and died on this planet. He spoke about a persons rights and equality for everyone no matter their race or gender or sexual orientation. A fairly progrsssive notion for these times. And finally he spoke about the strength and drive of one woman who stood up against all those politicians who wanted the bill to pass and spoke out against it. Her speech was moving and honest and when the vote came down many of those men and women who originally backed the bill voted against it and the bill was defeated. He introduced Isabella and she glided up onto the stage. As Isabella began to speak Steve took Kate’s hand and held it until everyone began to clap as she raised up the crystal figurine and then left the stage.

Steve turned to Kate. “You want to head upstairs, I can show you around the tower if you like?” He said but he was hoping for more of the kissing too.

Kate smiled and nodded and she and Steve slipped from the crowd, whose focus was on Isabella, and headed upstairs. It was hard to ignore the passion that was building between them. Kate was very aware of all of Steve’s movements near her. He showed her around the living areas and then the exercise rooms. There was every kind of exercise equipment imaginable in that room and Kate thought it was even better than what they had at SHIELD. There was also an indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna. They eventually ended up in the hanger where the jet was located.

“So, what about your room?” Kate asked with a small smile. “You haven’t shown me that yet.”

Steve enjoyed Kate’s company and she had a wonderful, infectious laugh. He stood close to her for most of the tour, as close as he could be anyway, and they walked side by side as they moved from place to place.

When she mentioned his bedroom he immediately began to think if it was tidy or not. Ofcourse it was, Steve lived like a soldier in many respects and cleanliness was just one of his favorable traits. Hos boyish side dos not catch the inference though nor her body language when she suggested it. That and he decided to show her Tony’s lab, well, Tony and Bruce’s lab.

It was massive with a high ceiling that looked like it could split in half. There was a reinforced testing room, a small firing range, a flat area with railings and robot arms that looked like they could move all over the place. There was an area with tables and testing machines and equipment. Storage containers and a storage area, There were desks with computers in them and all of them were on and running as if they were doing something.

“Oh, well thats not supposed to be there,” Steve said as he saw a small container. It was black and looked fairly heavy duty like it held something fragile or dangerous. “Just give me 3 minutes and let me put this back into storage ok?” He said and stepped away from her. Steve picked up the case, by the way he carried it it looked heavy and he disappeared around the corner. She heard a mechanical door open and she jeard his footsteps grow softer and softer as he moved further away from where she was.

Nicks words echoed inside her head once more. She had been a part of SHIELD for a long time. Her entire life. Now she was an agent with a job to do.

Kate was surprised when Steve suggested they check out the lab first. She didn’t think that he would be allowed to take her in there since she wasn’t a member of the team. She was certainly interested in seeing it though. She followed him inside and looked around. It looked pretty much the way she expected it to for a lab designed by Tony Stark.

She began to walk around and look at a few things when she spotted the small container. It looked different than the other containers that she saw out. One look told her it was protecting something important inside. She knew either the plans or a prototype for the missile must be in there. She watched as Steve picked it up and walked away with it. She could hear Nick’s words echoing in her head. Her mind told her to do her job, but her heart told her those plans weren’t worth risking what she and Steve were building between them. Her feet stayed planted were she was and she did not follow him. She knew it was a decision that would likely cost her her job, but she didn’t care.

Steve returned to her after a couple of minutes and they headed out of the lab. “Do you want a..drink? Or a beer? I usually drink beer but...just because I like the taste. I can’t get drunk really,” Steve said. He stopped at the kitchen went to the refrigerator and got them a couple beers. He twisted off the caps with just his fingers and handed one to her. His room was much like the other rooms except he chose a light gray color for the accent walls. His bed had a royal blue comforter and matching pillow and sheet set. It was a sleigh style bed with dark wood and his desk and other fixtures in the room also were made of that same dark wood which gave his room a homey feel. There was a gas fireplace and a large white polar bear rug in front of it He had a large black, leather recliner and a dark gray couch with lots of pillows that looked extremely comfortable. The floor was the ame dark wood and he had several black and white war photos hung on the wall near his desk.

He had a small kitchenette further in that was across from the spacious bathroom that had white subway tile and also a dark, charcoal stone in the shower that looked like it could fit 4 people inside of it. Steve just stood by his desk and held his beer as Kate looked around the room. The photos had Steve in some of them and in one such photo he was in the middle of a small group of people, one of which was a woman and Kate recognised the woman from Steve’s file. Peggy Carter was a beautiful brunette, somewhat buxom with pale skin.

Kate smiled as she looked around Steve's room. It had a very homey and cozy feel to it that put her at ease. There were personal touches all around the room that told her more about Steve. She tried not to be too nosy while she looked around, but she very much liked Steve and she wanted to get to know him better. She spotted several photos and one was of a woman she recognized from Steve's file. It was Peggy Carter. She knew Peggy was Steve's first love and she knew he missed her. She had been quite the beautiful woman and Kate wondered how she would be able to compete with a woman that he had loved for so long.

As she looked around a little more she spotted a record player and some records. She walked over and looked at the records before picking one out. She put it on and music started to play. It was a slow, gentle song for dancing to. She had slipped off her heels to make herself a little more comfortable and she smiled at Steve before they began to dance again. They danced a little closer this time than they had before and their faces were close together.

Steve looked down at Kate as they danced together to the slow rhythm of the music. Steve asked her about her parents. About her mother and what she was like and about her father and what he was like. He asked her about holidays long since past and what her favorite thing she ever got for Christmas. What her favorite foods were and what foods she disliked. He asked her what her favorite color was and her favorite ice cream flavor.

“Well, my father was named Joseph and my mother’s name was Sarah. My father died when I was very young and my mother died before I went through the change. When I was chosen to take the serum I felt it was a way I could help the war effort. Up to that point I was a pretty scrawny kid who couldn’t even pass the physical,” He said. Though his story was a sad one for the most part Steve smiled when he told it because ultimately it all happened to bring him to this point. He didn’t stop Kate when she put her arms around his neck and he shifted his hands up and lightly rubbed her arms. His hands moved down her sides back to her waist. He leaned down and kissed her and as they kissed he felt her hands and fingers massaging the back of his neck as she kissed him back. Their mouths seemed to fit nicely together and his strong hands rubbed her back and shoulders as their kisses picked up intensity.