Chapter Two

Parenting

*Steve's POV*

Buck and I have moved into the living room/kitchen since Nat left with the young girl. It's still early, so no one else is up and about yet.

"Look, she'll come around," Bucky assures me, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "she's obviously been through serious trauma and has trust issues. Give her some time." I sigh, nodding as worry continues to eat at me.

"She's so thin, Buck," I say quietly and sadly. I put some toast in the toaster then turn and lean against the counter, Bucky leaning against the counter opposite me. He crosses his arms and nods.

"I know, kid. I carried her here remember?" He reminds me and glances at the door, smiling slightly. "I think Nat has everything under control." I look over and see what looks like an almost completely different girl walking in with Nat. 

She's clean and in new clothes, although still wearing Nat's socks and Buck's sweatshirt. Her hair is still wet but has already started to form big curls. Her skin is about two shades lighter than I thought it was but is still dark like upturned earth. If it wasn't for the scar on her face I wouldn't know it was her. The two girls walk in and the young girl sighs when she sees us, clearly tired of us already. My chest deflates slightly at the sight, but I smile softly anyway.

"Hey. Want some breakfast?" I ask as she and Nat walk over. I jump when the toast pops and send Bucky a glare when he chuckles. "Toast?" I offer her my own. She scrunches up her nose slightly and shakes her head.

"No, thanks. I'll make my own." She slides by Bucky and me to get to the fridge, careful not to touch either of us. I butter my bread as Natasha and Buck head over to the couch. The girl looks through the fridge as if looking for jewels.

"I'd like to know your name if you wouldn't mind sharing it," I say gently, deftly slipping the butter into the fridge without touching her. She doesn't even look at me.

"Jo." She tells me unemotionally.

"Jo," I repeat happily. She looks at me with an amused smirk.

"Glad to see you can pronounce it, butch." She teases, finally emerging from the fridge with a handful of stuff. A slight chuckle leaves my lips as she lays everything out.

"You can call me Steve if you like," I tell her, continuing to try to connect with her.

"Thanks, Steve." She says in a slightly mocking tone. Sighing, I take my toast and walk over to the table with Buck and Nat. Nat lays a hand on my shoulder and gives me a supportive smile.

"You've got to grow a tougher skin, Rogers." She says, trying to be helpful. I laugh dryly.

"Thanks, Natasha," I say and eat my toast in companionable silence. Jo eats at the counter away from us and has at least five sandwiches. I press my lips together as I look at her back.

"Back off, Steve," Nat warns and I look at Bucky, who also has a warning in his eyes. He turns to Nat.

"Have you learned anything?" He asks her quietly.

"Later, gentlemen," Nat says as her eyes leave us and go to Jo, who has since stood and made her way over to us. Her gaze skims us searchingly.

"You said there was a gym?" She asks expectantly. I'm up in a second, balling up the paper towel my toast was on to throw it away.

"I'll show you." I offer. She nods once and I slip past her, throw my trash away, then open the door for her to slip through. Rolling her eyes, she walks through the door and I quickly follow. We're mostly side by side, but I'm a little ahead because she doesn't know the way.

"Uh, Steve?" She calls for my attention and immediately gets it, a small smile on my face from her use of my name. She's looking up at me, her expression a bit apprehensive. "You really don't have to try so hard." She continues curtly. Shock runs through me at her words and she seems to notice. "You're trying to be friendly and nice and it's cool, really sticking to the whole wholesome American boy thing, but it's irritating. Please just chill." She tells me. I blink and open the door to the gym, staring at her as she walks inside the room. I shake my head and shut the door behind me.

"Sorry, I just-" I hesitate as I follow her around the gym. "How about we be frank with one another?" I ask, a little impressed she read me so quickly. She hums her approval as we pass the hanging punching bags. "You're different and no one knows why. I have a lot of questions, but I've been waiting to ask them." I hedge slightly.

"I'm not going to promise I'll answer all of them, but if you'll stop looking at me like I'm either going to kick you again or burst into tears, I'll promise to be honest." I chuckle slightly and my look turns into admiration.

"Deal." I sit down on the edge of the ring as we pass it and let her keep moving around. "So, how did you get that scar?" I decide to be concise and quick about the question I'm most curious about. Jo pauses on her way back over to me and her eyes glaze over. She stares off into space and I notice her hands begin to tremor. 

When her breathing starts to pick up I'm up and over to her in less than a second. I put my hands on her shoulders and bend over to look in her eyes, but the second I touch her she throws my arms off. Before I can block it, her small fist punches me directly in the face. Pain bursts in my head and stars dance in my field of vision before all of it just turns dark.

*Jo's POV*

I just fucking knocked out Captain America. "Shit. Shit, shit, shit." I instantly kneel beside him, feeling panic rising up inside me. I tangle my hands in my hair and rock back and forth, fighting the tears that want desperately to escape. I put my forehead on his chest, trying to take deep breaths, but adrenaline and strength is still running through my veins. "Okay." I sniff and sit upright. Steve's white shirt is now stained with blood from his broken nose, caused by me. If he just hadn't touched me, dammit. "Okay, I can fix you." I take a deep breath and lean over him, putting my hands on his cheeks. 

Instantly, I feel his strength flow through me. It hits me like a truck and feels worse. My arms tremble, finally stopping after about a minute. I'm breathing hard, but I have enough energy in me to fix him. Staring at his bloody face and still trying not to cry, I push heat into my hands. They heat up steadily until I hear another snap like the one before and Steve's nose looks good as new. I let out a relieved sigh and almost start laughing. Shaking my head to clear it, I take my shirt off that's under Bucky's sweatshirt and do my best to clean off Steve's face. Once his face is clean I stand and wipe away the few tears on my cheeks that managed to escape. I look around at the gym and after seeing no one, I leave.

I go back to my assigned room, throw the bloody shirt in the hamper, then strip. After folding my clothes and placing them on the counter I climb into the tub, turn on the shower, and just cry. The water beats all the emotion out of me and I let it. I've been so overwhelmed, tired, scared, and full of shit, so I need a release. This is it. 

Once I'm spent, I get out and get redressed. I drink at least a gallon of water straight from the sink before exploring my room some more. Luckily, the drawer next to the bed is absolutely filled to the brim with pillow chocolates, so I proceed to eat most of them. Sucking on one in my mouth, I go to the wall of windows and find I have my own little balcony. I step out onto it and flinch at the cold, but go out anyway. I let out a sigh and watch the puff of breath float away, then look down at my raw knuckles. I flex my hands a little to feel the familiar burn, then close my eyes when the wind blows. It's been a long time since I've healed someone, but it's still as easy as it's always been. I fold my arms on the small rail and plop my forehead on them.

"What on earth am I doing?" I ask myself. What is the Captain going to think when he wakes up? I hit my head against my arms while groaning, but stop when I hear the door open.

"Jo?" I turn and find Natasha at the door, her burning red hair making her easy to identify. "Are you up for meeting some other team members?" Sighing, I nod and head to the door.

"I guess it's inevitable right?" I ask rhetorically and slip by her. She takes the lead and takes me back to the kitchen living room thing we were in earlier. No Steve yet, but Bucky is still in here along with some others. Tony Stark, Wanda Maximoff, and the Vision stand awkwardly beside the dinner table waiting for me, I suppose. I steel myself before walking in, I hate meeting new people. Natasha introduces me nicely.

"Jo, this is Tony, Wanda, and Vision." I nod once, not even considering offering my hand to shake. Vision inclines his head to me politely.

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you, Jo." His tone is kind and refined, as well as his pressed slacks and tan sweater. Overall, he looks kind of like a therapist and sounds like a butler. I remind myself not to touch him especially, his powers would most likely hurt like a thousand fucking brands.

"Hi," Wanda says shortly, her accent strong and voice light. Tony steps forward and crosses his arms, considering me.

"You're another silent, passive-aggressive type, aren't you? God, like we need another one of those." He rolls his eyes.

"Shut up, Stark," Bucky calls out from the couch and Tony rolls his eyes again, a smirk now on his face.

"Silent? No. Passive? No. Aggressive? Definitely, so try not to be such an asshole." I say in a monotone. His eyebrows pop up in surprise at my words as Bucky out and out laughs, Nat chuckling beside me.

"I'd listen to her." Steve walks in, thankfully wearing a new, blood-free shirt. Guilt floods me at the sight of him. At least his face looks alright. He winks at me as he passes me, heading to the couch. My mouth pops open at the gesture, shocked he isn't angry at me. "She's got a mean right hook." Swallowing, I gently push a still shocked Tony out of my way and go to the couch as well.

"I am sorry," I whisper softly. He's still smiling at me although I'm sure he knows what happened. I'm pretty sure I didn't knock any of his brains out.

"I'm making lunch. Want to help?" He asks, jumping up and heading to the kitchen. I blink, not understanding. Turning, I follow him and see that everyone has disappeared except Natasha, Bucky, and Steve. I guess I'm not that interesting. I stand between the island and the counter, absolutely baffled at what to do.

"Uh, are you aware I knocked you on your back a little while ago?" I ask bluntly. He lets out a light chuckle and pauses after setting a pot on the stove.

"Yeah, I'm aware. I'm also aware you broke my nose, then reset it. Although I don't know how." He says, his tone still light and unbothered. I'm still uncomprehending. Steve sets a cutting board on the island, as well as a couple of huge carrots and a knife. "Could you cut those into small pieces?" He asks and continues moving around the kitchen. I hesitate only slightly before doing so. I chop them quickly and without effort, knowing my way around a knife. When I'm done I turn towards him behind me with the cutting board in my hands.

"And you aren't upset?" I ask him as he takes the cutting board from me, looking impressed that I cut them so well. He adds the carrots to the pot as he adds tomato sauce.

"No. I'm impressed, actually. You hit a lot better than I thought you would." He answers honestly. I snort.

"So, a woman can't hit?" I question, crossing my arms. He shakes his head.

"That isn't what I said. Some of the best fighters I've ever known were women, including Nat. I'm talking about your age and size. You might be smaller than I was before I took the serum." He hands me the cutting board and some green onion, which I cut as well. I absorb his words with a frown.

"Gee, sorry I couldn't fatten up on the street." I sass, turning and once again handing him the cutting board. He sighs and sets it on the counter beside the pot, turning his entire body towards me. His eyebrows shadow his eyes as he appraises me.

"Look, that wasn't a slight towards you. It was an observation." His expression is kind, open, and inviting. A true American boy indeed. At least, what America should be. I consider his sincere blue eyes as he continues. "You've got to stop thinking everyone is out to get you, kid. I mean, Jo." He corrects himself and I can't stop my lips from twitching slightly. I let out a dry chuckle.

"Sorry, Cap. I'd much rather be a pessimist and constantly be surprised than be an idealist and constantly be disappointed." I remark. The eyebrows of concern make another appearance and my lips twitch again. "I think it's sweet that you're so hopeful though," I say quietly. He presses his lips together as he looks down at me. I pop my lips and head towards the door, but pause when he softly calls my name.

"I'd like to know how you reset my nose, though." He finally asks. I'd been waiting for this question. I smile and shrug.

"Where's the fun in telling you?" I ask rhetorically. A confused, but nonetheless genuine smile appears on his face as he nods once.

"Alright, how about instead of answering you stay in here? Lunch will be ready in less than an hour and it'll be good for you to get to know the team better." He asks nicely. Sighing, I turn and head to the love seat beside the couch. I plop down and glance at Natasha and Bucky looking at me from opposite sides of the couch. I wiggle my fingers at them and cross my legs under me, reaching for the tv remote. After claiming it, I turn it on and press the guide button to see all the channels. The minute I choose one, Bucky groans. I set the remote down and look at him.

"Can we maybe let the homeless girl have control of the remote for like an hour without your complaining? God, men are such babies." I immediately snap, effectively shutting Bucky up. Natasha has a hand over her mouth, I suspect to hide her grin. After Bucky recovers and shuts his open mouth he responds.

"Could the homeless girl who now has a home get an attitude change?" He sasses back and Natasha finally lets out a light laugh, making Bucky look at her in surprise. Bucky and I glare at each other before Steve tells us to cut it out from the kitchen.

"Can you both behave?" Steve asks, then mumbles something about children before returning to cooking. I look at the tv and continue watching various women try on wedding dresses.

"I don't think I've ever seen this," Nat remarks, leaning forward towards the tv. I half-smile as a mother goes absolutely berserk about her daughter showing her tattoos in the dress she has on. Surprisingly, Bucky doesn't leave. When the second episode starts I see him completely focused on it.

"That's such bullshit. Why can't she just get what she wants?" He asks seriously and I turn away for a second to hide my grin.

"Language, Buck." Our heads all turn to find Steve at the bar, watching the show as well. "I still can't believe how high the prices are for a dress people only wear once." Steve shakes his head. Nat shakes her head back.

"Most little girls dream of their wedding day, Steve." She points out as we all turn back to the television.

"Which is exactly why the prices can be so high, it's a social construct that a girl has to wear a wedding dress on her wedding day. So, all wedding dresses can be thousands of dollars and people will pay it because no 'real' wedding is going to be without a dress." I rant bitterly. Natasha is smiling and nodding the whole time, but Bucky is shocked. I'm sure Steve is too.

"Damn. Noted." Bucky replies, returning his gaze to the tv.

"Time for lunch guys. Friday, could you announce it to the rest of the team?" Steve speaks to us, then Tony's A.I. I get up and get ready to turn the tv off, but Bucky shakes his head. My eyebrows pop up, but I set the remote down and head to the kitchen table. I sit on the edge and make sure I can see all the entrances to the room. Natasha sits in front of me and Bucky sits to my left, eyes still on the television. 

The rest of the team files in and sits down, leaving the head of the table to my right for Steve. He walks over and puts the huge pot on a potholder, then gives everyone a bowl. Everyone applauds as he walks over beside me and sits, grinning bashfully. Steve takes my bowl and fills it first, handing it back to me. I take it and set it down, waiting for everyone to get a bowl before eating. 

I poke the stew a bit just to see what else is in it. Carrots, celery, corn, hamburger; it's a weird combination in a red tomato soup. Very much aware of Steve's eyes on me, I eat the whole bowl and nicely ask for more. I know fattening me up is on his nice things-to-do list. As I suspected, he grins and fills my bowl up to the brim before handing it back to me.

"Are we really watching Say Yes to the Dress right now?" Tony asks, his eyes rolling.

"Yes," I answer simply as I watch a woman who said she absolutely did not want a strapless dress choose a strapless dress.

"I like it," Natasha says and that makes my lips twitch happily as I continue eating.

"It's actually not horrible," Bucky admits, sending a small smile my way. I press my lips together to stop myself from smiling as I finish my second bowl. Without me asking, Steve fills my bowl again. I give him a look, but he just looks down at his bowl with a soft smile on his face. I shake my head but eat all of this bowl too.

"You're all going soft." Tony remarks and is met by outbursts of disagreement.

"I believe you're the one that likes to watch those cartoons...what is it called?" Wanda starts and waves her hand in the air as if she can recall the information from thin air. Tony frowns.

"It's Disney and it's completely different!" He defends himself and everyone chuckles. When my bowl is empty I hold a hand up at Steve before he can fill it again. He grins at me and nods once.

"Yeah well, everyone please remember what day tomorrow is." Natasha reminds everyone, but I'm just confused.

"It's team building day," Bucky tells me quietly. Realization dawns on me and I nod.

"So, I'll just stay here tomorrow?" I question, looking between him and Steve. Bucky shakes his head.

"No way. I've got to see these skills Steve's been talking about." Bucky says with a charming, yet challenging grin. It certainly challenges my control not to smile back. Bucky glances at Steve and I do too, seeing the warning glance in his eyes.

"Steve, I can swing it," I assure him.

"Come on, Steve, let her have a little fun." Nat elbows him and the two of them seem to speak telepathically for a moment before he nods.

"Okay." He turns towards me with concern all over his face. Man, this guy is softer than a marshmallow. "But if you get hurt or want to pull out you have to do it, alright?" He asks, eyebrows knitting together in anxiety. I smirk.

"I'm not going to have to, but deal. What are we doing anyway?" I ask curiously. Natasha grins and shrugs.

"I'll let it be a surprise for you tomorrow." She states. I nod and stand, taking my bowl and spoon to the sink and washing them before leaving them to dry. After glancing back at the team, I quietly leave and go back to my room. I shut the door behind me and head to the bed, sitting down and unzipping my bag. I write down everything that's happened in my journal, getting out a new one when I run out of pages. 

Once that's done, I get out another notebook and flip through it with a small smile on my face. After grabbing my pencil pouch, I start to sketch. I draw Cap's concerned face, Natasha's signature smirk, even Tony rolling his eyes. When I'm done drawing the team the side of my hand is shiny from the led, as well as my pointer finger from shading. I get up from the bed and head over to the desk beside the balcony window. I set my sketchbook down there and turn on the small lamp. I hadn't realized how dark it's become. 

One glance out at the city and I know I have to draw it. I move back and tug the desk over in front of the sliding doors. I fold my notebook and sit down on the chair, folding my legs under me to get more height. Happily, I sketch the skyline full of shining buildings and sparkling lights. Until I'm interrupted, anyway.

"You can come in, Steve. I promise not to hit you." I joke as I look up at his surprised reflection in the glass door. I shut my notebook and get up, turning around to face him. His mouth is halfway open, but he doesn't speak.

"Sorry, I just didn't want to frighten you." He says gently as he walks over to me. "You been drawing?" He asks interestedly, holding up his hand and pointing at the side of it to refer to my shiny hand. A little embarrassment rises up in me and I shrug. He moves to the desk beside me and glances at me for permission before opening my notebook. I can't think of an excuse for him not to open it, so I let him. Thankfully, he opens it to where I just was, the drawing of the skyline.

"Uh, I'm no professional," I say to dispel the discomfort in my chest. He looks up at me and shakes his head.

"Could've fooled me. This is really good." He compliments me and I half smile. He doesn't flip through any more pages and I'm grateful he doesn't. He turns away and gestures to the door. "I came by to tell you that dinner's ready."

"Really?" I ask, my eyes widening in surprise. He chuckles slightly and begins walking, me by his side.

"Yeah. I understand. When I draw time slips away too. That's something we have in common." He says happily and I try not to roll my eyes. Still trying a little too hard. I hum in agreement to keep my smartass mouth shut. It's nice that he tries, I shouldn't be a jerk about it. "Uh, are you ever going to tell me how you healed me?" He asks, a nervous tremor in his voice.

"First, you don't have to be scared of asking me questions. We're just normal, sort of, people. I'm not going to run if you ask me something personal." I tell him sincerely, watching him as he watches me.

"I'm not sure if you remember, but last time I asked you something personal you punched me in the face." He reminds me and I grimace.

"Okay, point taken." I respond, not a fan of the reminder.

"How about this, I ask you something personal, you ask me something personal." He proposes as we turn into our destination.

"Deal. Uh, where is everyone?" I ask when I see that the room is empty.

"Not personal, but I'll answer it anyway." He teases and I roll my eyes. "The team has a meal together at least once a day. Since everyone had plans for tonight, lunch worked out best. Tony has a meeting, Nat and Buck are cleaning weapons, and I think Wanda and Vision are working out at the gym." I look at the table and note the burgers and fries set nicely on plates with assorted condiments and such. I raise an eyebrow and look at Steve.

"So, you made a fancy dinner for ten just for the two of us?" I ask and walk over, sitting down where I did before. He sits across from me, looking a little embarrassed. We divvy up the food as he explains himself.

"Well, this isn't that fancy first off, but thanks. My mom always insisted that out of all the meals of the day, dinner should be set apart. It should be eaten at the table with real plates and napkins and all that. Although, now that I think about it she said that about every meal..." He trails off as I giggle, looking at me as if I've gifted him something special.

"That's sweet. Thank you for all this, by the way." I tell him genuinely. "Uh, in exchange I guess I'll answer your question." I sigh, getting a little nervous. "I can...heal people from things, I guess," I say lamely, pinching the skin connecting my thumb to my hand anxiously. Like a gentleman, Steve finishes eating his fry before answering me.

"Okay. Any idea how you got this ability?" He seems to take it in stride and I eat a couple of fries to get myself to relax. I shake my head no. He nods slowly as he absorbs this information. His eyes lighten a little when he looks back up at me. "Your turn to ask me a question." He says kindly.

"Right, right. Uh, shit." I curse as I try to think of an interesting question. Of course, golden boy isn't happy about my language. "Sorry, oh shoot." I correct myself with just a little attitude. His lips turn up again as I continue to eat and think. "Hmm, who is your favorite Disney character and why?" He answers after laughing.

"Ah, you're lucky I raided Tony's stash and watched them. Hercules. He reminds me of myself a little." He says and I half-smile, agreeing. It's basically the story of him. I gesture towards him as I finish my fries and move onto my burger. "What happened to your parents?" He asks slowly and softly, tiptoeing around my feelings. Luckily, I knew this question was coming eventually.

"I'm okay, Steve," I assure him and see some tension leave his shoulders. "They're dead," I tell him in a monotone, shutting down any image of them that comes to mind. "Murdered and off-limits for now," I say as my hands start trembling and panic starts to rise up in my throat. He nods quickly, but I see the sympathy and understanding twinkling in his eyes.

"I'm sorry for your loss." He says but doesn't say anything more.

"Who is your favorite teammate?" I ask just to change the topic and release the tightness in my chest. He laughs and my lips twitch at the goofy sound. I start eating again as he thinks momentarily.

"Other than you, you mean?" He teases and gets an eye roll and a kick to the shin for that.

"Yeah, right. Nice try." He chuckles and doesn't seem perturbed that I kicked him. I move onto my second helping as he now answers the question honestly.

"Bucky is and always has been my best friend. I have to go with him." I nod, expecting that answer. "Alright, my turn. Uh, why were you living on the streets in the first place?" I can't help but give him a look of slight condescension.

"Steve, my parents are dead. I'm seventeen. I have no other family except an uncle who is, well, let's say a little too interested in young teen girls." Steve frowns deeply at that and his mouth opens, but I hold up a hand. "Off limits. Anyway, it was him or a foster home." I shrug. "I chose the streets," I explain without emotion, watching the various emotions cross Steve's face. When it settles on parental concern I stand up, taking what's left of my burger and another in a napkin for good measure. "Thanks for dinner, but I think I'm done for the night." I tuck the covered burger in the crook of my elbow and take my empty plate to the sink.

"Hold on, I'll walk you to your room." He says considerately. I press my lips together and shake my head.

"No, no. You're fine. You don't need to parent me any more tonight. See you tomorrow." I nod at him and slip out the door, walking to my room and continuing to sketch until both burgers are gone and my hand looks bionic like Bucky's.

A/N; Hiya, so yes, I know the chapters are long. I actually never intended to post this, but got a request. I'm sure the chapters are crazy on mobile especially. Sorry! I wrote this on my laptop, so the paragraphs probably look super long on mobile. Promise they're relatively normal! Hope you like what you're reading anyway! :) Vote and comment! I love hearing whatever you have to say. :)

Keep reading dearies!