[ Steve had been given nothing but a set of coordinates, a date, and time. He'd been wary at first, knowing that the world was slowly exploding from the inside out under Ross's thumb, and that Steve had played a part in it, whether he liked it or not.

(He won't be able to shake the look on Tony Stark's face in the bunker for a long, long time, he suspects. But some things are what they are. He can't change the past no more than he can try and predict the future. He didn't predict this).

The spot is in a hilly, mountainous area, which he'll give it to Fury - it's secluded enough that no one will look here right away. It gives him time to take a breath, to try and close both eyes at once instead of keeping them both wide open. So, he waits. Watches the occasional car come and go from the little gas station parking lot, but one car catches his eye. Maybe it's the careful way she circles once before pulling in, the way she waits in the car and looks around, but Steve knows in his gut this is the person he's expected to meet.

So he settles against the passenger side of the car, like he's just gotten out of the very same to stretch his feet, save for the bag he's left propped against the front wheel. A hat pulled low over his brow, he peers over his shoulder at her, glancing warily first to the pumps then to the store. ]

Spy passwords aren't exactly all that useful when you don't know who is on your side.

[ A soft huff, like it might have been amused, once upon a time, but instead - he just sounds tired. The last car in the parking lot skids away and he raises his head then, the light playing across his face. ] I'm Maria's friend. I appreciate you helping out. I won't stay long, don't worry.