The Time Has Come

Chapter 1: Now We Have Seen

AN: So this is my first Avengers fanfic and I really hope it turns out good. WARNING: THERE ARE SOME CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR SPOILERS IN THIS FANFIC. NOT A LOT. There are four things to say for this chapter in this author's note. 1. The titles won't make sense at first but if you stay to the very end of this fanfic there will be a message explaining it all. 2. This fanfic will be updating almost every week, I make no promises. 3. If you really want to read the next chapter send me a message. The more messages I get the more I will post in a day or week. 4. After every post I will ask if I should keep going or delete the chapter. Simply answer this by reviewing saying either Yes or No. Now, shall we begin?

Before the fight, before the division of who was right and who was wrong, before the teams of Captain America and Iron Man, the Avengers were inseparable. Nothing could keep them apart. Sure they would argue sometimes like every team does but the next day they would laugh about it. They would talk using sarcasm about how silly they were acting. If only that could happen now. If only they could laugh about how silly they had been to let the government come between them. Come between their friendships. Somehow Steve felt it had been more than the government that had put a line between them. Maybe it was because no matter what had happened when they were together, no matter how many times they fought together, they still lacked trust for each other. After all, trust is what real friends have. You can't have somebody put their life on line for you and they don't trust you. That's not how things work. It didn't work like that in the forties and it doesn't work like that now. Steve had to accept that over the time he was frozen maybe some things didn't change.

Being the leader of the Avengers took a lot. He was used to having to adapt to the change. Soldiers were required to do that. The problem was how much the Avengers didn't want to change. They are always used to winning a battle, to never having to face the consequences in major ways. Sure sometimes they were injured, sometimes there were victims, and sure sometimes there were moment when the Avengers weren't confident they were going to make it out alive but they would dust themselves off, get back up, and finish the job. When the so called Civil War came that's when everything changed.

Steve learned sometimes keeping secrets isn't the best option. When fighting a war your fellow soldiers are the ones you trust with your life. You need to let them know what's going on so they aren't left to figure it out by themselves. That's what Steve should have realized. He should have told Tony about his parents. Maybe if he had done that, the mess he was in right now wouldn't have happened.

Sam was glad everything was over. He was never against fighting for the people he cared about and what he believed in but when you end up fighting your friends and sometimes people almost get killed or do get killed, that's when it's time to stop. The war had brought out a side in him he didn't think he had. It was a mix between compassion and a whole lot of rage. He felt sorry for Bucky. Though he didn't know who Bucky had been before he was the Winter Soldier he felt as though he probably wasn't as bad as everybody is saying he is. After all if Steve was willing to give everything he had just to save Bucky, then he had to be good, right? He sure hoped so. If Bucky turns out to be some psychopath that desires to enslave humanity and make people suffer, then Sam was going to kill Steve. Not give him a stern lecture or a light punch on the soldier, he was going to put Steve through the ringer.

Every once in a while Sam wondered how he had gotten to meet such a guy like Steve. Ever since Riley had died, finding a real friend that was somewhat similar to Riley never worked. It took him so long to realize that a change needs to come. Not everything is going to be the same way it was and it may be hard to adapt but if the people around you could do it who had been through much worse than he had, then he could do it too. He felt privileged to have such friends and he had always hoped nothing would get between them. Then he would tell himself to stop being a sap and pay attention to what Fury was saying even if it was boring as heck. Now that the war has passed and there are sides between his pals he wonders what he could have done to prevent it from happening. Maybe he shouldn't have picked a side. Maybe he just should have been neutral. It would have been better than where he was now.

Most of the team-or so called team- is missing or in very bad shape. Steve was gone and Tony was a bit ignorant to the fact that the most trustworthy and patriotic captain was nowhere to be found. That would change though, Sam would make sure of that. He left his room and headed for the compound with a gun in his jacket, shades on his face, and a regular cap on his head. Like a boss.

Tony didn't regret what he did. He didn't care if the war drove them apart, maybe it was time for a break anyway. All he wanted was Pepper back and a donut. After fighting for who knows how long he was sure he lost some weight. A donut would be pretty good right about now. If Steve were there he would have said that was an unhealthy thing to do but honestly who gives a flying crap about what Steve says. At that moment two things went through Tony's head. One, since when could crap fly, and two, Steve. Just the name Steve. Then the realization of what the War between friends had done to him. Before the feud Tony didn't mind Steve, in fact no matter how much it pained him to say it; he kind of considered Steve a friend. They would go out together with the other guys and talk about sports and technology and other things. It was kind of a way on catching up. After Ultron, when Clint retired, Thor went back to his place in the sky, and Banner went solo, only Steve and Tony were left. Sometimes Sam would tag along but during the time they were together Tony always felt relieved. He considered Cap an unbearable role model. Steve would tell him war stories, Tony would ask questions and make dirty jokes, then they would laugh. Steve really was a good friend. His mind continued to wonder until he heard the door open to his room

"Why the heck are you wearing a hat inside the compound? Actually how did you even get in here?" Tony asked

Sam glared at him and answered "Cap taught me well." He replied ignoring the first question."

To that Stark had nothing, "Fair enough. What do you want?"

"I want to know why you aren't out there looking for Steve. I know you guys had your disagreements but it's over now. Time to move on. He might actually need your help now."

"He hasn't needed my help before?" Tony snarled.

"Not the point Tony. I want to know if you're going to be on his side this time. I will find him, I just want to know if you're going to be with me when I do find him."

Tony was silent for a second then he spoke. "If he really needed help he would have called."

Sam wanted to laugh at Tony for having such a bad excuse but he held it back.

"Do you really think he has his phone on him? There are so many reason why he might not have called. He could have been kidnapped, he could have been robbed, and heck he could have just forgotten how to use his phone! You did get him an iPhone for God's sake. People are crazy now who knows what happened. Look man, make excuses all you want but now is the time for you to make a decision. Are you going to let something in the past get in the way of you two? And don't tell me you and Steve aren't friends because that's a bunch of bull; the time has come for you to take a stand. What are you going to do?"

Tony was silent. He knew what he should do and he also knew the easy way out. Sam was right and now was the time to take a stand. A stand for all things worthy and- you know what forget a speech.

"Sam does Steve wear those glasses I sent him?"

"…I think so. Why?"

"I put a tracker on them. If you're ready I think we should go now. I want to get back here as soon as possible so I can eat a bucket load of donuts."

"I ain't even gonna ask."

Tony stood up. "Well then, let's go get our Captain."

For hours Tony drove while Sam sat in the passenger seat. There was a lot of room, which was nice, and Bucky wasn't complaining about having too little space so Sam couldn't start an argument. They managed to track Steve down and both were slightly surprised. It turned out he wasn't that far. He was near some forest with a river. When they arrived Sam took out his gun looked at Tony. Turns out neither of them came unprepared. Tony was wearing some sort or watch or bracelet that Sam could easily identify; it controlled his suit or whatever. It did something that had to do with Iron Man.

"I'm not getting out first," Tony said with a sigh. "You wanted to come here and save his butt so you go first."

"Are you really going to do this right now?! Seriously?! Fine but just know I'm a bigger man than you are."

"I don't think birds are considered men."

Sam slowly turned towards Tony who had a smirk on his face and was already jumping out of the car.

"That's how it is! Fine! Just don't be so surprised when my bullet accidently finds its way in your butt." Sam replied.

He then jumped out the car and started walking ahead of Tony. A sudden blur of movement caught his attention and he slowed down. Tony apparently heard it too and took precautious steps. As the great Han Solo once said, "I got a bad feeling about this."

Sam didn't get too far before Tony grabbed his arm and stopped him.

"Can you hear that?" Stark whispered.

Sam listened around for any sound that might be out of the ordinary. Birds, blowing wind, rushing water, muffled screams. Nope nothing-wait hold up.

"Who's trying to scream?" Sam said in the lowest voice he could manage without being completely quiet.

"If I told you it might be Steve would you be amazed? Why do you think we're here, nature walk?"

Sam started walking again and noticed the noise was getting louder. So they were getting closer. Good, Sam hated not being able to see everything around him. The faster this problem was solved the less time he would have to be in this forest. It was starting to give him the creeps.

"I found him." Tony said without whispering.

"What happened to being quiet?" Sam questioned still keeping his voice down.

"No need whoever has Steve knows we're here."

"How do you know that?'"

"If you looked to your right then you would know. God, pay more attention will you."

Sam slowly turned to his right and suddenly became alarmed. There was only one man but Steve was there as well. He was on his knees and his face was bruised and bloody. Several wounds could be easily spotted on Steve's white tee shirt and wrinkly pants. However, his glasses were still intact. They were laying right next to him. There was a gash on his head that was bleeding heavily. His left eye was swollen shut and both his mouth and nose were bleeding. Steve looked really pale and quite tired. Poor guy. How the heck did this happen? Steve could always handle any situation no matter how big or small. How did one guy cause all this? Especially looking the way this guy did. His dark brown hair was long and messy. He couldn't have weighed more than 140 pounds. Something else had to be going on here.

"What do you want and are you alone?" Tony said.

"Oh so we're just going to start with questions? No introductions! That's rude." The man replied.

"No, rude is kidnapping someone and beating them senseless no offence Capsicle."

"Oh come on lighten up, Anthony. We're just having some fun, aren't we cap?"

Steve could only cough which mad the man angry. He pulled Steve's hair and put his hand around his throat. "That's not a proper answer. Use words."

Steve then tried his hardest but still couldn't have an answer without going into a coughing fit.

Sam stepped forward but was stopped by Tony. He wanted to push off Tony's hand but he stood down. The man looked at both of them and then back at Steve.

"It seems as though the time has come my friends." The man said. Fear rose in Sam's throat and before anyone could do anything, the man grabbed a syringe out of his pants and stabbed it into Steve's arm. Steve screamed in protest but was quiet after about five seconds and fell on his back. The man then was engulfed in a bright light and once everything settled he was nowhere to be found. His attention turned back to Steve who was doing nothing but staring at the sky. His eyes were less blue than usual. In fact they looked kind of grey.

Tony was the first to reach him and immediately searched for a pulse. It was fast and irregular which made him worry. He lightly tapped him on the cheek hoping to get some sort of response. He did but it wasn't necessarily a good one. Steve shoved Tony to the ground and reached for the gun he had kept hidden just in case things had gotten crazy. He removed the safety and without any emotion pointed the gun to his head.

Tony got back up and tried to grab it from him but Steve moved out of the way. He was seconds away from seeing Steve shoot his brains out and he had nothing to say. He actually didn't know what to do. Sam put his hands up in surrender and leaned toward Tony.

"I'm going to try and get him from the back you keep him preoccupied. See if you can make him stop and think."

Tony nodded and hoped he didn't say anything stupid.

"You don't want to do that Rogers. I'm serious it's not going to solve anything. People are gonna miss you and I'm not looking forward to attending a funeral any time soon. Why don't you put the gun down and maybe we can talk about this."

Steve didn't say anything but his expression slightly changed. Sam was moving slowly out of view and soon this would all be over. One way or another. Good.

"Steve I'm sorry. I'm sorry we fought and I'm sorry about all those things I said. Heck I'll even say sorry to Bucky if you want just please stop. There are so many people who need you. Think about Natasha, think about Clint, and think about Thor! If any of them found out I let you freaking kill yourself they would put me in the grave early. You may miss Peggy and the forties and the old Bucky but look at what you have now! You once told me that sometimes things have to change. How am I supposed to take that to heart when I don't even know if you are willing to do the same? Please, Steve just don't."

Tony looked back up at Steve and saw tears. Which was not what he was expecting. Steve was crying. The gun was still pointed to his head but one of his eyes was blue again. Tony jumped when he head Steve speak.

"I'm sorry."

Tony was confused. "What are you sorry for? Just put the gun down."

Steve held back more tears. "I really wish I could. I don't think I can though. There's something wrong with my head. I don't have control over what I'm doing."

So that's what the injection was. Another way to control Steve without having the tesseract. Brilliant. That's why his eyes are grey. One is blue because he is slightly gaining control. Just not enough to stop whatever was going on. Tony hoped Sam got herein time.

"Tony just in case whoever is in my head gets what they want and finally ends me-"

"Don't speak like that Spangles."

"I want to say I'm sorry too. Maybe that's why all this is happening. Just so the world could tell us that friends should probably stick together."

"Don't get all emotional and touchy-feely Steve there's no need."

"Tell Natasha I'll see her later."

"I have no idea why cause you'll be able to see her yourself right after we stop this from happening."

Tony could see Sam behind Steve and started to feel relief. "Just hang on a little longer."

Sam was only a couple feet away and Steve's hand tightened. Sam ran and tackled Steve just as a gunshot could be heard. Both of them fell to the ground but only Steve lay limp on the floor surrounded in even more blood than before. Tony fell to his knees and for the first time in his life, he prayed. He would do anything just to find out if Steve was alive. He put his fingers on Steve's neck and felt for a pulse.

TO BE CONTINUED…..

End Note: Should I continue? Yes or No?