Chapter Text
He and Natasha were waiting to be debriefed, Tony was late, as usual, but it was already 2AM, everyone was tired and Steve was loosing his calm. He took out his phone to call Tony, let him know he was on his last nerve. The millionaire ex-playboy had called them to the debriefing more then 20 minutes ago. All Steve wanted was a hot shower and his bed.
How did this new phone work? He had gotten used to the old one, had liked using it, this one was supposed to be better but so far he wasn't sure he agreed. He found the contact tab and slid his finger through it to find the right one then tried to select it. Nothing. So he looked at the number, repeated it a few times to himself, brought up the phone application and dialed it in. He was annoyed, he knew Tony probably had a good reason to be late, but he didn't care. The phone rang and was picked up.
"Where are you? We’ve been waiting for ten minutes. You told us to be ready for debriefing twenty minutes ago." He breathed, trying to calm down.
"I'm sorry, but I think you have the wrong number." The owner of the voice sounded freshly woken up, tired - and no wonder, it was 2 AM.
"I am sorry Ma'am, I must have misdialed."
"That's ok, hope your friend gets there soon. Have a great night." The line went dead. He looked at his phone, quickly repeated the phone number he had tried to memorize. He had misdialed. He took a moment to think, replaying the conversation in his head and smiled. As awkward as it had been, he had really enjoyed that. He decided to call her back, just to apologize, of course. He redialed.
"Hello stranger." He smiled then noticed Natasha looking at him weirdly and ducked his head, walking to a corner where she couldn't see him.
"Hi again. I wanted to apologize for before, waking you up." He heard her soft chuckle.
"You decide to apologize for bothering me by ... bothering me?" He thought he could hear a smile in her voice. It was a nice soft voice and was having quite an effect on him.
"So it seems." He heard her laugh. Then she swore under her breath and he heard the sound of a child crying. Getting louder. "Did I wake your baby up? I’m so sorry." He heard her coo a bit then nothing.
"That's ok, Charlotte is a good sleeper. She's already back to sleep. No harm done." He let out a breath he hadn't realize he was holding. "I should get back to sleep too..."
"Steve." He quickly cut her off. "My name is Steve." He felt warm all of a sudden.
"Well Steve, I should really get back to sleep. Good night." The line went dead for a second time, just as Tony strode in the room. Natasha was still looking at him strangely. He put his phone away after adding the stranger with the silken voice to his contacts.
Steve sat up in bed looking at his alarm clock. 8:30. He stretched feeling joints pop into place. He had slept better than he had in ages, thinking about that soft voice he had heard over the phone. He wondered if he would ever hear it again, he did have her number, maybe later he could call her again, or maybe he was being a creep. Frowning, he got dressed. His stomach made a growling noise and he headed for the communal kitchen. He didn't like Avenger Towers as much as he would have preferred his own place, but this was more practical. After what had happened in DC he was probably better off here. At least no innocent neighbours would get hurt.
Cereal, a half gallon of milk and two coffees later he felt more human. Grabbing his phone he headed to the gym. He wanted to get some running done this morning - he had skipped it the day before and felt bad about it. He plugged his earphones in and started the player, the sweet sound of Ella Fitzgerald working its magic. His phone buzzed and he looked down at it. Sitting on the treadmill, he had received a text. He worked his fingers on the touch screen, bringing up his messaging app.
Sorry I was a B last night, Hope your friend showed up. Have a great day!
He smiled. She had messaged him, the stranger with the silken voice had texted him. Wow. Steve didn't know what to think. At least now he was free to message her back and not seem like a stalker. He pulled up the virtual keypad and answered.
Totally understandable. I hope you managed to get back to sleep last night.
He thought about something before hitting send, then added:
Please let your significant other know I’m truly sorry for the inconvenience.
He hit send. ‘Smooth move, moron,’ he thought to himself, that was completely not obvious. He put the phone back on the stand while still running, his pace unchanged. He was sure that was the last he would hear of her.
His phone buzzed again.
Is that your way of asking me if I'm single Steve? ;)
‘An emoticon, cute,’ he smiled to himself. Maybe he hadn't been such a moron after all. He had never been great with the ladies, his luck had improved drastically in the past few years, but he never could seem to find someone he felt comfortable enough to be himself with. They expected Captain America, and all he really wanted to be was Steve Rogers.
Maybe. I mean, if it's not too forward.
He waited a few seconds before she answered.
It's only forward since you haven't even asked me my name yet.
He chuckled. She was right he didn't know her name. His phone rang, surprising him. He saw her number and answered it, sliding his finger on the phone icon.
"Hi Steve." He smiled, concentrating a bit more so as to not miss a step. "How is your morning going?" He picked up a bit of speed, the incline on the machine having tipped a bit.
"I'm good stranger, how about you?" She laughed, it was soft and airy. It made him think of the girls way back in his time and he liked it.
"I'm Claire, by the way. And I'm doing fine Steve. I just got to work, managed to pour my coffee on myself like the big girl that I am, and now I am getting changed." His brow shot up, his step faltered just a bit.
"Oh really?" He did his best to sound flirty, though all he felt was shy.
"No I mean... well never mind. I'm just a klutz." She answered laughing softly. He chuckled. "Anyway, I gotta go, I have a meeting in less than half an hour then I have to head to Stark Tower to meet with a friend for lunch."
Steve lost his smile temporarily.
"Stark Tower. You having a secret meeting with Tony Stark? Should I be jealous?" Yeah, he was openly flirting. He had no shame. She laughed, a beautiful throaty laugh, and it made him smile.
"Nah, I'm meeting with Pepper, we've been friends since college. Haven't seen her since Charlotte." He nodded then realized she couldn't see him so he hummed lightly instead.
"Anyway, I gotta go, it was really nice talking to you Steve. Maybe we can do it again sometime." He smiled.
"That would be nice Claire. I hope so too." He heard the line go dead and took a few deep breaths. Claire, her name was Claire and she was coming to the tower to meet with Pepper for lunch.