Avengers 10 Song Challenge

Disclaimer: I own nothing in these drabbles. All references to the Avengers belong to Marvel, the songs belong to their respective writers/performers. I'm just playing with the characters, but I'll put them back where they belong when I'm done.

Rating: G

Summary: Written for the 10 song challenge: "Take your music player, put it on random/shuffle mode, and write a drabble for each song that plays. You only have the length of the song to write. No lingering!"

Author's Note: First Avengers contribution. I've never read the comics, this is all movie-based or my own imagination. Thanks to the peeps at the Beta Branch for catching my spelling errors!

Black Jack's Lady – Heather Alexander, 2:58

Tony came into his house from another mission to see his email alert flashing on his computer screen. He stepped into the robotic arms that would divest him of his suit. "Jarvis, open the new email."

"Yes, sir," the AI's voice said blandly.

A holographic screen popped up in front of his face. Tony scanned it and frowned. "Jarvis, trace this email.'

The text of the email was chillingly simple.

"I know who you really are, Tony Stark. No matter what face you present to the world, I know you for what you are. You used me and discarded me, and one day, I'll make you pay."

Who You Are – Caedmon's Call, 3:03

Sometimes it was hard to remember. Despite the fact that he had been seventeen when his parents had been killed in the car wreck, Tony often found himself wondering if his memories were completely honest, especially when it came to his father.

It was never driven home to him more clearly than when two of Fury's SHIELD agents set the heavy grey lockbox down on the floor at his feet and Tony could see the lettering stamped on top. Property of H. Stark.

Now, as he watched the footage that his father had recorded and left behind for him to remember, Tony couldn't help but wonder if he had misjudged his father all these years, and confused his obsession with work with a lack of love for his son.

People Ain't No Good – Nick Cave, 5:40

Despite what she had told Loki when he was being held in the cage that the SHIELD scientists had designed for Bruce Banner, it was hard to admit that there could be good people in the world. She had seen far too much in her life, and her experiences had molded her into the deadly assassin that she was. That was the reason that, before she had joined SHIELD she had been indiscriminate in her use of her skills.

However, she knew that Clint was one of those good people. Sure, he'd done things that he was ashamed of, but when it came down to it, he had strong morals and he knew the difference between right and wrong. They had been partners for a long time, and he had spoken with her several times about their future together, both as SHIELD agents and as people. Natasha knew that Hawkeye was more than a little bit in love with her, and she was the same. It was a credit to their training that they were able to work together without letting those feelings get in the way of their missions.

And yet, for some reason, he had never asked her where she had gotten the code name Black Widow from. That was a secret that she was determined to take to her grave with her. It was not, as some suspected, because she could be as deadly as the spider that they believed was her namesake.

No, when it came down to it, people really could be good…but far too often, they were bad.

Kokomo – The Beach Boys, 3:38

"Pepper, when was the last time that you ever took a vacation?" Tony questioned as he made an adjustment on his gauntlet and Pepper sat beside him, organizing the papers that she needed him to sign before he left on his next mission.

"This side of never," she commented. "Keeping up with you is my full time job, Tony. And when I say full time, I mean, full-time."

Tony put down his gauntlet and frowned in her direction. "We're going to change that."

Pepper glanced up from her stack of papers. "Pardon me?"

"I'm thinking…sunny island, gentle waves…maybe something like Port Au Prince, or Key Largo."

"Tony, there's no time. The Stark Tower is almost complete, we have to continue the press and work on the zoning for the next three buildings…"

Tony moved to her in swift strides and captured her lips in a breathless kiss. "All that can wait. Pack your swimsuit – and make sure it's a bikini."

Gilded Cage – Blackmore's Night, 3:43

The night had always comforted him. Loki laughed at him, but it was something that was especially comforting to Thor. By day, he had to be a warrior and a prince, surrounded by the trappings of his rank and family. But at night, he knew it for what it was. A gilded cage.

Oh, he knew that when the time came, he would take the throne and rule the people of Asgard well, especially with his experiences with the Midgardians, but it wasn't time yet. It was because of that gilded cage, however, that he found himself spending more and more time on Midgard.

At night, he could look at the stars of the different realms and remember the night that he had spent with Jane Foster, telling her about the Bifrost and his people, and learning in turn about her world. She had even taught him a few songs and played some gentle music from an object she had called an iPod.

If Asgard was a gilded cage, then night on Midgard was peace and security.

My Favorite Things – Julie Andrews, 2:19

"What are some of your favorite things, Natasha?"

The question came from out of left field, and Black Widow turned to look incredulously at Steve Rogers. "What?"

"What are some of your favorite things? I remember baseball, playing games with my best friend Bucky…the soft caress of Peggy's hand on my cheek…" Captain America's voice trailed off and a look of sorrow crossed his face.

Natasha suddenly understood. He missed the home he knew, and he was trying to find a connection with his teammates. She thought about it. "I guess…the quiet of the night time, with the full moon overhead and the stars shining. That perfect peace that lets you just let go of the world and its burdens."

Her team leader looked at her closely for a moment, before he nodded, understanding her unspoken message. Some things were universal, even in this day and age.

You'll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins, 4:17

"You won't be alone."

Her voice haunted him, and Steve couldn't help but wonder what had happened to her. She had promised to wait for him at the bar, but he had never shown up. Instead, he had lain in the ice for seventy years. Had she moved on with her life? Gotten married, had children and grandchildren?

He knew that Fury or Coulson could probably tell him if he asked, but Steve was almost afraid to ask the question. What if she had never moved on? The last thing that he would have wanted was for her to live her life alone, waiting for him to return and never knowing if he would.

But at the same time, could he really deal with the truth? Was it better to simply pretend that she had moved on and lived a happy life once the war ended? She had promised him that he wouldn't be alone, but now, in this future world, he was alone. Everyone he had known and loved was dead. Was this new world worth fighting for?

That was the thought that consumed him right up to the moment when Hawkeye crashed the quinjet into the pavement. As soon as the rear hatch opened and he saw people running in terror and screaming, he knew that he had to fight.

"You won't be alone."

Standing with his team as Tony landed behind him, Steve knew it was true. Even in this world, he wasn't alone.

All I Ask of You – The Phantom of the Opera: Original London Cast, 4:15

Natasha stood on the deck of the helicarrier, her arms wrapped around her in a futile effort to ward off the cold. Yes, they had won the day in New York, reclaimed the Tesseract, and beat back the forces of the Chitauri that Loki had set against them. They had even succeeded in capturing Loki and restoring the minds of Erik Selvig and Hawkeye.

But Natasha still felt cold. It had been so close. Her head was still throbbing from where one of the Chitauri had landed a blow, despite the medical attention she had received.

"Tasha?"

She stiffened and didn't turn around as she heard Clint's voice behind her.

"The others were asking about you. Stark somehow got hold of some champagne and wants to propose a toast. I told him I would find you."

"I'm not interested," Natasha said quietly.

Clint came up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. It had taken years working as her partner to know when he could safely touch her. "I'm here, Tasha. I'm not going to go anywhere."

"I didn't say you would," the Black Widow bit back, sharply.

There was nothing more to say. All he could do was show her, so they stood together in the cold on the flight deck, sharing the silence of the night.

Once in a Garden – Blackmore's Night, 3:32

Pepper's heart was in her throat as she watched the news footage. The fighting prevented the reporters from getting any really clear shots of the battle, but every so often she could see the very recognizable form of Tony flying around the war zone.

When had she come to care for him so much? He was impulsive, reckless, and at times irresponsible. Yet somehow, he was also caring and kind. Sometimes she wished they could be a normal couple, with a normal dating scene.

Maybe something like a garden setting, with the sun setting behind them as they sat on the grass enjoying a picnic, fantasizing about what their lives would be like together. Then, just as the sun touched the horizon, Tony would kneel down and ask her to marry him. She would of course say yes, and then they would kiss, knowing that they would have a peaceful life with a happy ever after.

Instead, she had a billionaire playboy with an AI for a butler and a genius level intellect.

She wouldn't trade him for anything.

On the Edge of the Forest – Meg Davis, 4:32

"You ready for this Cap?"

Steve looked over at his team. Prominent in his absence was Bucky. The loss of his childhood best friend still tore at him, and he had to remind himself that he was doing this for all of Europe and America, and not for the purpose of revenge. He had promised Erskine that he would remain a good man, and thus far he had.

"Let's go. Take your places. Timing needs to be perfect," he replied as he headed for his motorcycle.

His shield was slung over his back, his leather coat secured around his shoulders. Just as he reached his bike, he saw Agent Carter – Peggy – come up to him. Her gun was holstered at her hip, and he could see the determination in her eyes.

"Be careful, Steve," she said.

"I will," he replied.

He wished that they didn't have to do this, that he could just take Peggy's hand and lead her away from the war and the misery, take her dancing, and maybe finally have a chance at a life. But this forest was dark with the shadow of the war, and until Red Skull was gone, there would be no peace.

So be it. There would be another time, and another place.