he who hesitates is toast

Sam studies them both, then glances at Nat, who smiles and shrugs. "You get used to it," she says.

"Uh-huh. Good to know." He goes to the wardrobe on the far side of the room and pulls Steve's shoes out from under a spare blanket at the back of the middle shelf.

"Thanks," Steve says, taking his shoes. He borrows the chair just long enough to shove his feet into them, then stands back up. "We'll stop at the nurse's station on the way."