Morning at the National Mall

[notapilot]

The barest hint of dawn is touching the white marble of the National Mall as Sam runs along the reflecting pool. He loves getting out this early, when the walkways and streets are nearly deserted and he can be alone with his thoughts; especially on days packed with back to back sessions. He also loves the history of the town, history so thick you can breath it in, though what else would you expect from the epicenter of America? Here, even the most jaded can believe in the dream of America. Here, you can feel the potential and responsibility of the true American Dream.

At least he can. Your milage may vary.

Comments

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve is out early too, though it's more because of the privacy you can find at this time of morning than any other reason.

As he approaches the other runner, he obeys runners' etiquette, and warns him, "on your left," as he speeds past.

[notapilot]

Sam gives a nod of agreement but the guy is already past him...way past him.

Man's gonna burn himself out if he keeps that pace up, he thinks. Good form though. Damn good form.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

The sky is still pink and purple when Steve makes a full circuit of the Mall and passes the man again.

"On your left."

[notapilot]

What the hell? Sam thinks as the guy passes him. He looks over his shoulder to gauge how far he's run and shakes his head at the other runner. He decides, then, to keep an eye out for when this guy collapses so he can perform CPR.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

The next time Steve passes him, they're in front of the Jefferson Memorial.

"On your left."

[notapilot]

"Uh-huh, on my left, got it," Sam says to the man's retreating back as he picks up his own pace. If the guy is going to play, Sam's got some game in him.

Of course he is quickly left behind again, which is making Sam wonder if he's an olympian or a superhero. He certainly deserves a gold medal as far as Sam can tell.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

One more circuit...

This time they meet by the Lincoln Memorial, as the sky becomes blue and clear, the sun fully risen.

Steve passes the man with a quick, "On your left."

[notapilot]

Since he has his game up, Sam hears the guy coming and just as Steve's speaking, Sam says, over his shoulder, "Don't say it, don't...", but Steve is already gone.

"Come on!" Sam exclaims and drops any hint of caution to take off after Steve's retreating back. He manages to hold onto Steve for a few yards but the gap grows all too quickly and Sam is left behind. Gasping, he gives up and lands at the base of a tree to try and find his breath and dignity.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Would it be right to say that Steve enjoyed pacing himself by the other runner?

Why yes, it would.

And when he drops behind, Steve slows his own run and goes to check on him. It would never do to give someone a heart attack from trying to keep up with him.

"Need a medic?" Steve calls when he finally finds him.

[notapilot]

"Well, if it isn't the Running Man," Sam says after a few more lung fulls of air. "Nah, I'll be alright. Could use a new set of lungs, though."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve grins and points at Sam's sweatshirt. "What unit you with?"

One soldier will always know another, it seems.

[notapilot]

"I used to fly with the 58th rescue squadron but I'm with the VA now," Sam answers with his own smile. He holds up his hand and gives a 'gimme' flick of his fingers for a hand up before adding, "Sam Wilson."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve clasps Sam's hand and hauls him up. "Steve Rogers."

[notapilot]

"Yeah, I kind of figured that out. I think you did thirteen miles in thirty minutes just now."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Must've gotten a late start," says Steve, still smiling. He likes this guy.

[notapilot]

Part of Sam's brain is screaming, "Captain America! I'm talking to Captain America!" but luckily, the greater part is managing to keep it cool.

"You should be ashamed of yourself," he says out loud, in mock censure. "You should take another lap. Did you just take it? I assume you just took it cause you run so fast."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I'll go finish that run," Steve says. "Good to meet you, Sam."

He turns to go. (Thirteen miles is nothing. Fifteen every morning, that's his usual warm-up.)

[notapilot]

The fanboi voice in Sam's head panics and takes over control long enough to blurt out, "It must have freaked you out, coming home after the whole defrosting thing."

Mortified, the rest of him adds, "Sorry. That wasn't very appropriate."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve shrugs it off -- he's used to it.

"It takes some getting used to."

[notapilot]

"You missing the good old days?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Things aren't so bad. Food's a lot better--we used to boil everything. No polio's good...internet, so helpful. I've been reading that a lot, trying to catch up."

[notapilot]

"There is a lot to catch up on. You a music man? If so, check out Marvin Gaye's Trouble Man. The whole album is a good sum of all that's been right in music for the past few decades."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

With a nod, Steve says, "I'll put it on the list," takes a little notebook out of his sweatpants pocket and writes "Trouble Man/Marvin Gaye," on the most recent page, along with things like "Berlin Wall (Up & Down)," "Steve Jobs," and "Nirvana (Band)."

[notapilot]

Sam nods at the list.

"That's a good idea. Hey, like i said, I work at the VA. I organize group sessions for combat veterans who have trouble adjusting to civilian life. If you ever have the time to stop by, I'm sure they'd love to meet you. Or if you ever want to talk. We bring a lot home from wars, things we never meant to bring home. I can't even imagine the things you might be carrying."

"Or we could just go shoot some pool or something. Don't know if your superhero friends do that or not."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Not for a while," Steve says. "It's hard to get together sometimes.

"I'd love to shoot pool or something. Or...come to a session."

THough he worries for a moment that his coming to a session might be more of a distraction than a helpful tool to the matter of healing.

[notapilot]

Sam catches the hint of hesitation.

"I think one sidetracked session for the boost in moral you'd bring would be worth it. Unless...you are thinking of yourself? I meet one-on-one sometimes and there are other counselors if you'd prefer or if I'm not available."

"Listen to me. I meet Captain America and pull my work into it. I'd be happy to help if you want to but I'd be just as happy to just go shoot pool or whatever. Heck, you can even run laps around me if you'd like. I'm here most mornings."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve laughs, bashful.

"I'd have to think about counseling. I've had a long time to deal with it all, and a lot of help.

"But meeting your group would be an honor."

His grin is a little lopsided. "I've been looking for the perfect route, and I think this is it so I expect I'll be here most mornings, too."

His phone beeps and he takes it out to see a message from Natasha.

"All right, Sam. Duty calls."

[notapilot]

"Yeah, I gotta go shower or I'm going to be late," Sam replies offering his hand again. "It was an honor, Steve."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Honor's all mine. Thanks for the run -- if you want to call that running."

[notapilot]

"Oh, is that how it is?" Sam replies not even bothering to hide his grin.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Oh, that's how it is," Steve says, stepping away to the curb to wait for Natasha.

That she knows exactly where he is comes as no surprise.

[notapilot]

Sam leans over his knees and cocks his head to the side to see who's driving when the car pulls up. He just manages to keep from dropping his jaw. Damn, Captain America and Black Widow? And damn, she's hot. They both are really. No one is going to believe this.

"Have a good day at the office," he says and waves to both Steve and Natasha.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve gets into the car and sends Sam a wave goodbye.

"Can't run everywhere."

[notapilot]

"Pshew, like you couldn't out run this baby."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve laughs, Natasha guns the engine a little, and off they go.