through a glass, darkly {closed to notyourgerbil}

[throtteen]

[Four weeks have passed; leisurely, pleasantly, wonderfully passed. Nights filled with moans, sighs, gasps, and lips; days filled with laughs, sighs, smiles, and caresses. Sharon can't imagine being happier than right now and right here as Steve's wife in the White House. The meeting with the British Prime Minister goes smoothly, and Sharon is there by Steve's side as she meets him with a wide grin. The charity dinner for the Veterans of Foreign Wars goes off without a hitch, and Steve is there by her side as Sharon basks in the glory. Waking up in the morning in his arms with soft words of love and endearments, gently drifting to sleep with him still in her, soft touches when no one's looking, stolen kisses behind the rose bushes; you make her feel like a schoolgirl, Steve.

Things are perfect.

Amidst cries of protest and confusion, Sharon enters the Oval Office, a mob of flustered aides and assistants behind her suddenly quieting at the sight of President Steve Rogers with some members of his cabinet.]

I need to talk to you. [Arms at akimbo, jaw clenched, eyes cold and hard, and voice rigid, she's either unaware of the meeting or she doesn't care. Survey says, it's the latter; Sharon's so blind with rage and her brain filled to the brim with anger that she just doesn't care.]

Now.

*

Comments

[notyourgerbil]

[He didn't know her well enough to realize he'd insulted her, but the look on her face made it plain that he must've said something wrong.] I'm sorry. [He moved his hand to her cheek.

But her request? He tried not to frown; he couldn't possibly do what she was suggesting, Banner was too much of a threat, and he would probably throw himself at the prison where Stark and Fury were being kept as soon as he could. The Hulk was among the most powerful of Steve's enemies. He just couldn't do it.]

I'll think about it, but they won't hurt him anymore. Promise.

[throtteen]

[She let out a sardonic laugh, turning her head away and her face back to its original, firm look.] You shouldn't have to think about it, Steve. You should know it's wrong. I mean -- how is it any different than what the Army was doing to you? Is it because it's not happening to you that it's automatically morally correct?

[notyourgerbil]

No, Sharon, I never-- [He sighed and shook his head. Why couldn't she just be alright with it and agree with him? He'd never win, would he?] Sometimes I gotta do things.... I don't like them, but I have to.

If I let him go, he could kill us, kill you, bring this whole thing down. Can't just make that decision lightly. I'm sorry. I have to think about it.

[throtteen]

[She tries again, looking up at him with determined eyes.] Steve, what if curing Dr. Banner kills him? What if all the diseases, injuries, and fights he's been in were all kept in check because of the, uh, Hulk?

You don't even have to let him stay here. He seemed happy traveling around the world anyways. [She doesn't know how she knows that, but she does.]

[notyourgerbil]

[Hmm, she had a point; he would have to ask the doctors to look into it. But for now he just nodded, making himself look a little regretful, as if this revelation had dawned on him.] I'm glad I got you, you make me a better person.

Guess I could let him go, so long as he didn't come back. But... were you talking to him? Did he tell you that he wanted to travel? [Or she was remembering things she wasn't supposed to.]

[throtteen]

[Letting out a long sigh, her body deflated from exhaustion, the anger and determination flooding from her body like water. The slight purple bags under her eyes and the slight redness in her eyes more noticeable since she's calmed down.] Alright. Thank you.

[A soft smile, Sharon wraps her arms around his waist, setting her cheek against his chest.] Hm? Oh, no. I've never talked to him before. Banner just seems like the type of fella that enjoys traveling.

[notyourgerbil]

[He did notice the bags under her eyes, and it made him worry. He returned her embrace, nodding at her words, though he seriously suspected there were some lapses in the brainwashing, and that her mind was making up for them by making accurate assumptions about people she wasn't even supposed to know in the life Faustus had constructed for her.]

Hey, Sharon, you alright? Looks like maybe you haven't slept much, or there's something else wrong.

[throtteen]

I'm just a little exhausted, that's all. [And a little nauseous. And throw up-y. Her eyes slip close and her hold around him tightens a little.]

We did stay up late last night.

[notyourgerbil]

[He holds her when she tightens her grip, his eyes cast down for a moment until she mentions staying up late. And he has to smile at that.]

Yeah, we did. Maybe we should stop that for a few days.

[throtteen]

[Softly laughing, she looks up at Steve with a cocked brow.] Hey, I'd be more than happy to sleep for eight hours if someone stopped wearing those tight, thin shirts.

[She looks away for a second, frowning, then looks back at him with a sigh.] I'll go to the doctor today, alright?

[While she hates and distrusts doctors, what she hates even more is not being able to stay up most of the night with Steve. Having sex with him is only a small part of what they do during the night. They don't get to spend that much time together during the day and the few hours they have alone together at nighttime is really meaningful to her. And, yeah, the sex is really good.]

[notyourgerbil]

[Yup, the sex was definitely very good; and he did enjoy all the time he spent with her, outside of that, too. Very occasionally he thought he'd be happy if he just went and lived with her and let all of this go, but of course he was never going to do that. He was committed.

He kissed her hair, laughing softly at her words.] Really? Maybe I'll just have to wear those more often from now on.

If the doctor says everything's alright, I mean.

[throtteen]

[She smirks wryly at him.] I'd like to see that in writing please. [Though, as long as he wore shirts and didn't go bare-chested (or didn't let his hair on his chest or on his face grow out), things would get done, the country won't go to shambles, and they won't die of starvation.]

Don't worry. If I'm dying, I won't tell you. You know how I like to surprise you anyways. [That little wry smirk is still on her lips.]

Would it be too much to hope that you're free for lunch?

[notyourgerbil]

[He pretended to look offended.] You would? Don't trust me? [He moved his thumb over her lips, his hand resting on her face.] You're not dying, maybe you're just working too hard. You'd better not be dying.

And I guess I could be free, for you. [In other words he'd put off whatever he had to do to spend time with her.]

[throtteen]

I just like making things official. "Officially Steve Rogers can wear nothing but tight, thin shirts." That should be the law. [Fingers fiddling with Steve's tie, her lips smooth into a thoughtful frown.] And if I was and did, I hope you wouldn't look over your shoulder.

Oh no, if you're busy I don't want to interrupt.

lol every time you use that icon, man....

[notyourgerbil]

Right, but only if we add that it's just for you. Hope I'm allowed to wear other stuff over those tight, thin shirts, too. [He stroked her cheek, tilting his head and frowning slightly.] I'd hate to lose you, not sure I could go on. [Ok, that was a lie.... And he doubted that would ever be true, he'd lost other people he cared about and still went on. But it didn't make it any less difficult. And she was actually on his side, even if he'd brainwashed her into it.]

Nah, I'm never too busy for you, specially when you're feeling bad.

[throtteen]

What would be the point of it all if I can't admire you in them from afar then? [She stops messing with his tie, fixing and straightening it back.] No, you could. Your strength and resiliency is a reason why I love you so much. You just wouldn't have great sex anymore. [Her voice edges from a low, solemn tone into a gently teasing one.]

No, no. You continue doing what you were doing and, we'll stay in tonight instead. Order dinner in, watch some television, then... we'll go to bed early. I should be going to the doctor anyways. [Her brow tugs upwards.] How does that sound?

[notyourgerbil]

[He lifts his eyebrows.] Didn't know you spent that much time watching me. I don't think the others would be too happy if I dressed like that all the time.

[Hearing her say she loved him was always nice.] Yeah, or somebody I could talk to for hours, confide in, somebody who tells me when my people are going too far. [Actually he could do without that last one, since what happened to Banner occurred on his orders.

He kissed her forehead, both his hands migrating to her back.] Alright, if you say so. Sounds nice.

[throtteen]

I thought you were the president, and you can do whatever you want. Or is that just a line you use to seduce me?

Oh, you could probably do without my nagging. Admit it. I won't get mad at you, promise. [That's a trap, Steve. She will get mad, don't walk into it.]

Easy there, tiger. [Sharon gently pushes his hands off from her.] You still have six more hours left until supper.

[notyourgerbil]

Yeah, I could, but appearances matter, otherwise I'd do it.

[He shook his head, though she was partly right, but he was happier with her around than without her, despite the nagging.] Maybe sometimes, doesn't mean I'd be happy if you died. I love you.

Right, yeah, six hours. [He leans in closer to her.] Can I have a kiss to get me through it?

[throtteen]

Oh, good save. [She's a touch bit annoyed about his answer, but even Sharon must admit that there are somethings that Steve does which she can easily live without. She just won't voice them.]

With the need in your voice, one would think my kisses are a necessity for you. [Even while towering in three-inch heels, Sharon still has to stand on her toes to close the gap between her and her tall husband with her lips. Fingers bunched in his suit jacket at first, they slowly travel up to dishevel his hair as the kiss becomes less chaste and more tongue-y. She's able to pull away before things become NC-17; her lips swollen, checks flushed, and eyes bright. At the sight of his rumpled jacket and unsettled hair, she smirks.]

How's that for appearances?

[notyourgerbil]

Thanks. [He gives her a smirk.

And then she's kissing him before he can reply and his arms move about her waist, pulling her closer, his tongue pushing against hers and... before he knows it it's over and he's looking down at her, breathless; she looks so good like that. So much that a small part of him wants to throw her on the couch and just take her, if she wanted it; she had that effect on him.

But no, he's the president, not some horny teenager. So he lets go of her and smiles, running a hand through his hair.] It's... something. Can't even think of a good word for it, think I'll just stick with 'wow'. And 'I love you.' [He put out a hand and brushed her cheek.]

[throtteen]

[Her smirk softens into a coy smile, gaze casting downwards, and a faint blush lighting up her cheeks.]

I think that's why I love you so much. After a decade, you still make me feel like a schoolgirl. [Sharon presses her hand against his.] I'll see you later then, yeah?

[notyourgerbil]

[He gave her hand a squeeze in response, then let go..] Don't do it on purpose, it's just... well, you. [He wondered then if this want would diminish, but he couldn't see that happening anytime soon, not when she was so willing, when she wanted him so much...]

Yeah, later. I'll just be counting the hours. [Alright, he's kidding, but he did wish he could cancel the day's work and spend the rest of his time with her, espeically since she wasn't feeling well.]

[throtteen]

[The smile still remains as she looks up at him with a cocked brow.] So it's my fault that almost nothing gets done around here, then? Well, in that case, I regret nothing.

[Now she's rolling her eyes, turning on her heels, leaving, and throwing a wave over her shoulder to him.] Yeah whatever, Romeo. Just don't you dare be late.

[Six hours later...

With a giddy smile threatening to split her face into two, Sharon smoothes down her floral-printed dress again before moving over to the small table in their bedroom to check the dinner, almost as if she was making sure that the meat, potatoes, and vegetables still looked perfect. A few hours earlier, as promised, she went to the doctor and, well, obviously what she got there wasn't bad news. It was good news, in fact; very, very good news. Now, she's waiting for Steve to come back; sitting on the edge of the bed with her barefeet pulled under her knees, Indian Style, watching a Daily Show rerun.]

[notyourgerbil]

[He really had counted the hours, though not obsessively, but the thought of spending time with Sharon that evening, just like every other evening, made the day easier. Still, he had no doubt that what he was doing was right, that he was the best thing for America, and his confidence in his mission didn't waver.

It was just that having her around brightened everything. And he was hoping everything was alright, too. So when he entered the room and saw the look on her face, relief washed over him. It couldn't be anything bad, right? Not if she looked like that.

Taking off his jacket, he took in the sight of her, smiling as he appraoched her, planting one soft kiss on her lips.] Hey, what'd the doctor say?