[ she shouldn't be so surprised that his instincts would tick (again) towards barnes. but it doesn't change how his line makes her mouth go dry and every last nerve seems to constrict with a cocktail of frustration and regret. it's not his fault. it's not his fault. this him, this version of him, wasn't the one who split her heart in two.

but perhaps it's telling how she doesn't rise to meet steve in his moment of confession. funny, really, how she can offer up a wellspring of carefully articulated sympathy for barnes himself but she can't bring herself to discuss the subject here and now.

so it's a blessing that he reins the conversation back to that first painful admission: she needs his help. ]

I'd prefer not to explain these circumstances to anyone and everyone. People tend not to like hearing they've been met before but simply don't remember it. [ bad enough that she's imply as much to steve -- but it's a burden she's calculated that he can bear. ] It would be helpful if I could explain away any future knowledge -- any recognition of Avengers or SHIELD agents -- by letting people believe you told me.

[ the words come so easily to her. too easily. although she rushes past them in a bid to secure his cooperation -- an almost hopeful look stealing over her face. ]