"Glad to be of service." Steve grinned and kept up the rubbing for her. Hey, he figured it was the least he could do to help make her more comfortable.

Maya smiled when the baby kicked at his hands a few times. It wasn't the hard, upset kicking from before, so Maya didn't mind it at all.

Steve grinned. "Still feisty," he murmured. "Cute. Bet she's going to be a handful."

"Seeing where her genes come from for myself, I think I understand," Maya murmured, opening her eyes a bit and glancing at him. "Her father is not a docile man."

Steve paused for a moment at that before he resumed placidly. "Never has been," he agreed easily. "Although he likes to blame some of that on me."

"Oh?" Maya asked, raising an eyebrow. She had to admit, she was a little curious about the man who was the Winter Soldier, but she was also curious about the man who was Captain America, too.

"I got into a lot of fights growing up." Steve grinned. "Buck always said I got him into trouble, too. Since he helped me out of fights more often'n not."

"You... picked fights?" Maya asked. "I don't think I understand, how is that significant? I would imagine not many people would want to fight you."

"This was back before the serum," Steve said. "When I was still about a hundred pounds soaking wet." He ginned. "I got beat up a lot."

"That makes sense," Maya murmured. "It explains a few things, at least." She was quiet for a moment. "He is still protective of you. That's good, it means that the baby is likely to be loyal and compassionate, too."

Steve paused at that for a moment before he nodded.

"Any kid of Bucky's is going to have that in spades," he told her honestly. "Probably be a little charmer, too, once she's a bit older."

Maya nodded a bit.

"Especially considering all of her genetics," she pointed out cautiously. Nobody had brought up her own parentage yet, so she wasn't sure how anyone felt about it."

Steve nodded. "I wouldn't be surprised if she's a genius," he added. "Or at least very intelligent." He grinned at her. "Your little girl's gonna be a heartbreaker someday."

"She'll be able to take care of herself," Maya said softly, resting her hands on her belly. The baby shifted a little, but didn't kick. "I'll make sure she has everything she needs to be able to look after herself."

Steve smiled a little and settled in there again. "She'll be fine," he assured her. "She'll be more than fine, I bet."

"I hope so," Maya murmured as she squirmed a bit to get comfortable on the couch. She sighed a bit as she kept her hands on her belly, and then quirked a small grin. "She's getting big."

"Yes she is. Only a couple more months now, right?" Steve raised an eyebrow at her. So far he was still calm about the little ball of trouble that was soon going to be plaguing the tower.

Maya smiled slightly and nodded.

"A little less than three," she said, rubbing her belly a bit. "Everything I've read says she still needs to grow some more before she's ready to be born."

Steve nodded. He didn't know a lot about babies, so he'd just trust her on that one.

"Still pretty soon. Do you have everything you need yet?"

Maya hesitated for a moment before biting her lip and shaking her head a little.

"No," she murmured. "Nothing. I don't know what she'll need."

Steve nodded slowly. "Alright. We'll find out and make a list of everything," he decided. "We've still got some time."

"I have no money of my own," Maya pointed out cautiously. "I can't afford anything."

"I've got enough," Steve said with a little smile. "I don't mind. Not like I'm paying rent here, anyway."

"What?" Maya looked at him. "What do you mean? Why would you pay for everything?" She went quiet for a moment, looking down at her belly. "I mean," she added softly, "the baby isn't your responsibility, after all."

Steve floundered for a moment. "Maya," he said, looking at her, "it doesn't matter that it's not my baby. You--I consider you my friend, of course I want to help." He shook his head a bit.