His brow beetles, and for as sharp as Steve can be on a lot of things, it takes him an embarrassingly long time to put together what the two statements have to do with each other. His eyes widen.

"What? No, it isn't like -- it's more like we're partners..." Fudge, that was the wrong choice of words. He pinches the bridge of his nose. "Not like-- OK, listen. I think this guy helps us on a mission. I don't know when, I just know he's from here, and he's Air Force."

But like hell is he going to mention the Air Force booty shorts and skimpy top the guy was in, or the USO getup Steve was in, when Natasha is looking at him like that. He swallows, wondering if this is what he looked like to his teachers in Catholic school when he did something wrong.