Who: Sharon and Sam What: catching up over drinks Where: Bonnie Belle When: the night after his arrival Warnings: low
Sam shouldn’t feel awkward about seeing his friend. He enjoyed Sharon and thought the world of his friend. But, it was one thing to need help fighting someone, while dinner in a dome where they couldn’t leave felt like something completely different. And, Sharon was someone he couldn’t thank enough for her help.
This whole situation felt surreal to Sam, to be perfectly honest. But, he waited outside for Sharon to arrive. Thankfully, Target proved helpful in the ‘buying new clothes so he wasn’t stuck in his new Captain America suit’ the whole time.
The thing in this town, though, is how naked Sam now felt not carrying the shield. Oh, he had it in town. It arrived with him. But he left it in his apartment for the time being. Somehow carrying it with him to dinner seemed even more strange.
When at last he saw his friend, Sam relaxed. “Hey Sharon.”
Sharon did feel awkward about catching up with Sam. There were so many things he didn’t know about her past--about who she was when they interacted… then again, did he know about them? What came out about her in the future? Did the whole world figure out what her story was? It didn’t matter that she’d put that all behind herself here in this alternate universe… did it?
He was willing to meet with her in a public place. He seemed very friendly--just like the Sam she remembered. She was trying not to feel nervous. Worst case she’d just go home and explain everything to Scott before the ugly truth came out. He’d understand… right?
The restaurant was sweet. It had an old-timey feel. Sharon had been, though it’d been a while. When she arrived, she wasn’t surprised to see him there waiting for her. A bright smile crossed her features, and she stepped forward to hug him. “Hey, Sam.”
Sam’s last memory of his friend was helping her after she got shot. So, to him, the awkwardness was the whole situation, and not specifically dinner with Sharon.
“I’m glad to see you.” He wrapped her up in a hug. “This place looks cute. I hope they have tasty food.” Once they were shown to a table, Sam looked at Sharon. “Well you’re in better shape than when I last saw you with the bullet wound in your abdomen.”
The more natural Sam acted around her, the more Sharon’s mind was put at ease. He seemed like he didn’t have any additional information about her, about the Powerbroker. That’s the way she liked it. Sharon hugged him tightly, then smiled much more warmy, more genuinely, when she was released.
“It’s great. Scott brought me here for one of our first dates.” She motioned to lead the way inside.
The table was a good one--good view of the door and the bathrooms. Sharon liked to have her back to a wall, and have a view of all the exits. Old habits. “Ah, yes,” she said, setting down her menu. “I arrived here right after that. Thankfully, someone picked me up and got me to the clinic. I was actually really lucky. Half an inch in any direction and I might have died.”
“How is it, dating Ant Man?” Sam saw no reason not to act like his usual self around Sharon. Yeah, they might have an issue here and there, but they were friends. He noticed the change in her expression, but didn’t say anything.
“I’m glad you got help, Sharon. You deserve it.” The server came by for drinks, and Sam ordered a beer for himself, and waited for Sharon to place her order.
“So, what are you up to in this town?”
Sharon blushed deeply at that. How was it, dating Ant Man? A smile crossed her lips and she leaned back in her chair, turning instantly into a much younger woman, silly with infatuation. “It’s wonderful,” she breathed softly. “I never imagined that I could have… this. Being on the run, being wrapped up in yours and Bucky’s messes,” she said with a tease in her voice (though a hint of truth, too). “It’s domestic, and charming, and he makes me laugh. It warms my heart.”
Guh. She’d just beared her heart and soul to Sam. It was a little embarrassing.
“Well,” she said, shifting in her chair, sitting up again, smiling warmly, but less stupidly, “I work for Pepper as her personal assistant. It’s fantastic. I love my job.”
Sam watched his friend’s demeanor change as she spoke about Scott. Man, had she caught major feelings. But, Sam thought her feelings were a good thing. If anyone deserved some happiness after years of shit, it was Sharon. He laughed. “Look, Bucky and I need you to save our asses sometimes. And I’m glad he makes you laugh. You deserve it, Sharon.”
He fell into deep thought for a minute. Maybe here he could form a romantic relationship. His life back home didn’t leave much time for love.
“You’re working as an assistant?” Sam’s eyebrow raised. “I guess I can see it, but as long as you enjoy your job.”
“You know I’ll always be there to save your ass, Sam,” she teased. Honestly, it all felt so different here as compared to the world they’d come from. For starters, there was no Madripoor here. She’d gotten out. It felt good to be out. No longer worrying about who might be trying to kill her in her sleep. No longer paranoid that people were going to find out her secret. No one in Madison Valley seemed to know, and that was fine by her.
“I am. For Pepper,” she amended, as if that made all the difference. --And it did make all the difference. “She’s hands-down the best boss I’ve ever had. Just don’t let Nick Fury hear me say it.”
He laughed at the teasing. Sharon remained a good friend and someone he wanted on her side. And if she’d voiced her life back in Madripoor, Sam’s look of shock would be real. He had no idea.
Sam winked. “Your secret is safe with me. I’m glad though. Pepper seems like a good boss.” He didn’t know Pepper well, but thought she had a good head on her shoulders. A server made their way over to Sam and Sharon.
Sharon nodded, smiling warmly. “She is. I’m sure you’ll have a chance to get to know her here. This place is… it’s a second chance for all of us.”
Then the server was at the table. Sharon was so hungry she was about to order one of everything on the menu. Still, she’d refrain. She was just… incredibly happy to be back in touch with Sam, and that he didn’t seem to know her secrets. Safe for another day.