Apollo joined me as soon as I walked into the house, and I swear he would not leave my side. I showered, before getting my uniform out and making sure it looked like I had just gotten it. I decided to just braid my long hair instead of putting it in a bun like I was required to do in the military. I wore black pumps instead of the dress shoes, because Apollo had managed to chew them up when he was a puppy. I applied my make up, and perfume and I was all ready to go. I was about to walk out of my room when Jeremy nocked on it.

“Come on in. It’s open.”

I stood in the middle of the room as Jeremy walked in wearing his tuxedo. He was speechless when he saw me.

“Rowan you are gorgeous.”

“Thank you. You clean up nice.”

He chuckled and came to stand in front of me. He leaned in giving me a quick kiss.

“Come on, the limo is waiting for us downstairs.”

“Okay, I wonder what everyone is going to say about us tonight.”

“It doesn’t matter to me Rowan. You are my plus one tonight, and no one can do anything to stop us.”

We climbed into the limo and headed to the premiere. I was so worried about what people would say about someone like me showing up with someone like Jeremy. It actually scared me, because after Iraq I hadn’t really let anyone get too close, that is until he broke my walls down.

“Babe, calm down. They will love you.”

“I sure hope so.”

The rest of the ride was spent with Jeremy trying to calm me down.

“So we are going to the premiere of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”

“I love marvel movies, and I’m looking forward to this.”

He smiled, and gave me another kiss.

“I also want you to meet Chris and Scarlett. I told them about you over the phone the other day and they both are excited to meet you.”

“This is going to take some getting used to.”

“What is?”

“Having you as a boyfriend, and it may not help my shyness that you are celebrity.”

“I’ll be by your side Rowan. Plus I think you and Scarlett will really hit it off. Over the phone, she sounded super excited to meet you. Something about having a girl to talk to.”

I laughed, as we pulled up to the red carpet.

“You ready to do this?”

“I’m ready.”

Jeremy stepped out and I heard the crowd go crazy. He held out his hand to me, and helped me out of the limo. A lot of whispers went through the crowd as we walked onto the red carpet and were met by Chris and Scarlett.

“Jeremy!”

He smiled as Scarlett gave him a big hug. She smiled when she saw me.

“You must be Rowan.”

I smiled and nodded.

“It’s nice to meet the girl he has been talking about so much.”

“It’s nice to meet you as well.”

She turned to Chris, and he smiled at me.

“Please to meet you Rowan.”

“Nice to meet you as well Chris.”

Scarlett and I talked for a little while getting to know each other as Chris and Jeremy caught up. Scarlett and I hit it off and made plans to meet for lunch the next day. Jeremy pulled me away, to move farther down the red carpet. We were met by a reporter who seemed very interested in finding out how we had met, and I allowed Jeremy to do all the talking. As the movie started I was okay, but as it went on the violence started to get to me. At home we are used to seeing things like that on the television and we get conditioned to it, but when you see it first hand over seas, and you are the one holding the sniper rifle, it gets hard to see things like that. I got up from my seat and ran out of the theater. I heard footsteps behind me, and then Jeremy calling my name.

“Rowan, what happened?”

“Nothing Jeremy. Go back and finish watching the movie.”

Before he could ever say anything, I walked into the women’s restroom and locked myself in a stall and just cried. A few minutes later I heard a pair of heels on the tile, followed by Scarlett’s voice.

“Rowan, are you okay? Jeremy is freaking out.”

I calmed myself down just enough to answer her.

“Y-yeah. I guess I can’t watch action movies anymore.”

“Why, what happened to you over seas?”

“People getting shot on screen over here is normal, but when you see it happen, or happen to be the one pulling the trigger, things chance.”

“Rowan, I had no idea. Why don’t you come out here so I can see you face to face.”

I sighed and walked out where she could see me. She instantly pulled me into a hug.

“Come on, let’s get your make up fixed, and we can go sit in the bar till it’s over.”

“But aren’t you supposed to be in there?”

“Yeah, but I have been to so many premieres for it already. I’ll just go in at the end, and if you feel up to it, I want you to come with me. The guys have a surprise.”

“Okay, I’ll try. This was not how I saw my evening going.”

“Things happen and we don’t know why, but we’ll have a chance to talk.”

“True.”

She smiled, as she fixed my make up. We walked out and I noticed Jeremy had gone back inside the theater, which was probably a good thing. Scarlett and I sat at the bar, talking till it was about time to go back in.

“Chris, and Sebastian have something planned. They will come out with Jeremy to get you in a minute.”

“Scarlett what are you guys up to? Jeremy was on the phone like all morning.”

“Just wait and see, Captain.”

She smiled as she got up and walked back into the theater. Jeremy, Chris and Sebastian all came out a few minutes later.

“You okay now Rowan?”

“Yes, now what are you three up to?”

“Follow us.”

Jeremy offered me his arm, and we walked behind Chris and Sebastian.

“Okay, you two wait here. Chris and I have to go say thank you to the crowd.”

Jeremy and I nodded as the two men stepped out on the stage. People clapped and cheered as they were joined by Scarlett, and Chris took the microphone.

“I’m so glad everyone enjoyed the movie. Now we have something special planned, and it’s to honor a hero. We have a decorated officer in the house tonight, and we want to say thank you for everything she has done. You may have seen her come in with Jeremy Renner, so it is my pleasure to introduce Captain Rowan Cullen, and Jeremy Renner.”

I had tears in my eyes as Jeremy walked with me out on the stage. We stopped in the center and everyone cheered. This time Sebastian took the microphone.

“Captain Cullen, on behalf of marvel, and all of the movies cast members we want to say thank you for what you did for our country.”

“Thank you.”

Chris took the microphone again as Scarlett disappeared back stage.

“I may play Captain America, but you are the real Captain America. And we decided to give you something to make it so.”

Scarlett came out with a female version of the Captain America suit. I smiled as she handed it to me. Chris and everyone cheered as I smiled and took a microphone from Jeremy.

“I don’t know what to say other than thank you. I was just doing what I was supposed to, but thank you for the suit. I look forward to showing up Chris in it.”

Everyone cheered and laughed. We all left the theater after that and headed to the after party. We had a lot of fun at the after party and Jeremy introduced me to a lot of his friends. It was nice to actually be able to enjoy myself with Jeremy and everyone else. Around midnight we left the party and headed back to my house.

“Rowan, come stay at my house tonight.”

“Are you sure you want me to?”

“Yeah. I want you to. We can just spend time together.”

“Okay, let me run into the house and grab an overnight bag.”

He nodded, as I got out of the limo. I went inside and packed a bag, and returned to the limo.

“I’m all set.”

He smiled as we started the drive back to his house.

“So what would you like to do tonight, Rowan?”

“I really don’t care Jeremy. I’m sorry about running out of the movie earlier this evening.”

“Hey it’s alright. It’s not your fault, and you should have told me about your PTSD.”

I sighed as he pulled me closer to him on the bench seat.

“I didn’t think it would happen during the movie. I guess over here everyone is used to seeing violence on the big screen but when you see it first hand it changes.”

“You lost someone over seas, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, it’s not something I like to talk about.”

He nodded. I knew I needed to tell him, but I wasn’t sure I was ready.

“Jeremy, I want to tell you what happened, well at least part of it.”

“If you want to Rowan.”

“I do. I lost my best friend Jesse when our Humvee was hit by an IED. Jesse was driving, there were two other soldiers in with him, and I was the gunner. I was the one to pull out Jesse and the other soldiers. The other woman with our group, Ann made it out okay, but Jesse and Brian, didn’t make it out alive. Ann and I got them out, and Brian was dead as soon as the Humvee was attacked and Jesse died shortly after we pulled him out. We were like family to each other. Ann and I still keep in contact.”

Jeremy had a look of shock and sadness on his face.

“Rowan, I had no idea.”

I let the tears roll down my cheeks.

“Ann and Brian were engaged, and Jesse and I were dating. We had been best friends since childhood. And the four of us survived training together and that’s when we became like family.”

Jeremy reached up wiping away my tears. He cupped my face in his hands.

“Rowan, I am so sorry. I had no idea, but I am glad you said something about all of this.”

I smiled, through my tears.

“You broke down the wall I had built up when I lost Jesse. A few other guys have tried and failed. You have been the only one Jeremy.”

He pressed his lips to mine, and I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“Rowan, I love you.”

“Y-you do?”

“Of course I do. I knew you were special when we first met. Over the past six weeks I have been admiring you and I really want to be with you.”

“Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Then you have yourself a wreck for a girlfriend.”

“Hey, you are perfect just like you are. And I love you for that.”

“I love you too.”

We arrived at his house shortly afterwards, and headed inside. It was a stunning home, and Jeremy kept his arm around my waist as he showed me the house. Jeremy and I both changed into sweats and tee shirts, and got comfortable on the sofa together.

“What should we watch?”

“I’m in the mood for something goofy.”

He chuckled.

“What about Psych?”

“I haven’t seen that show since I returned. I think we should watch that.”

“Sounds good to me.”

We watched a few episodes before I could barely keep my eyes open. I got comfortable and curled into Jeremy.

Jeremy’s P.O.V

Rowan had fallen asleep curled into my side. I carefully picked her up, and carried her into the guest bedroom. As I set her down on the bed, I gave her a quick kiss before walking back to my own room.