This is a little something that came to me last night and just thought I would give it a shot to see how it goes. This is only my second story that I have uploaded to so if you see any typos, just ignore it for now. I will eventually come back once I've finished it and edit it. Anyway this I my crack at Avengers and X-Men.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avengers, X-Men, or any of the characters related to the franchise of either. I only possess the rights of all of my OCs.
Steve Rodgers usually come to the gym late at night because then everyone would be gone and he wouldn't have to worry about others gawking at him as his fists pounded against the punching bags until they flew off their handles. He always brought his own spare to replace the ones that he broke and that was the only reason the only didn't mind when he did so. But today was different.
After the New York Battle fiasco with Loki Steve and the rest of his team, the Avengers, had it a sort of plateau. There wasn't really anything much to do lately. Crime had been at an all-time low and what little crime there was, it was merely petty crimes that could quickly be dealt with.
Dr. Bruce Banner has decided to rejoin society after the mess a few months ago and needed some semblance of normality. Dr. Banner accepted a position at the New York General Hospital and occasionally volunteers his time over at SHIELD when the need arises.
Romanoff did as she did best, kick ass while looking gorgeous. She continued to take assignments from Fury and SHIELD for international cases that the usual agents couldn't handle. But Natasha, he just got comfortable enough around her to call her that has definitely loosened up to her new teammates. She even calls in to check up on them from time to time and to let them know what's going on. Her tough exterior has a little, but none of them were idiots. They still knew not to mess with the Russian assassin.
Barton was a completely different story. No one has really seen or heard from him since the debacle a few months ago and he's been hard to get in touch with and locate. SHIELD can't get a location on him despite all of their technology and even Stark is finding it a challenge to find the guy. But he is named Hawkeye for a reason. Steve knew that Barton just needed to get away for a while and wanted to go under the radar. He's probably just sticking to the sky right now to avoid cameras and other people recognizing him. Steve couldn't imagine what it would be like to be possessed by the insanity that is Loki Laufeyson.
Speaking of out of this world, Thor is currently in here in New York with Jane. They have gotten really close since the ordeal with his brother. Of course it didn't happen at first. A couple months after locking up Loki safely, he returned back to Earth to see his beloved Jane. The welcome reception wasn't exactly as he had imagined it-a very hard slap to the face delivered by hers truly. But after a lot of talking, and a couple more hits, they finally reconciled and picked up where they left off. He even introduced Jane to the Avengers. Darcy Lewis was a spitfire that enjoyed making Steve blush as much as she could, so he has spent many days locked in the bathroom to avoid her.
But Steve wasn't here in the gym at 1 o'clock in the afternoon risking the wrath of any crazy fans or the penetrating stares he most likely will receive because of a missing archer, a doctor, a terrifying Russian assassin, or even a feisty brunette, no he was here because of Stark. Just the mere thought of Stark can send Steve's blood boiling. You'd think dating Pepper would calm Stark down or at least make him tolerable, but no! Stark still enjoyed to make fun of Steve as often as he could. The little cracks about Steve being from a different time were tolerable, but the ones that he would make hinting about his lack of sexual experience drove him over the edge.
He needed to get out of that stupid, ugly tower and as far away from Stark as he possibly could. Steve wore a pair of gray sweatpants that hung loose on his hips, a pair of old sneakers, and a wife beater tank. He made sure to grab his gray hoodie with the hood and the draw string to cover his face and kept his head low as he entered the gym. He was shocked to find the place silent and empty as he entered. He looked around and didn't see anyone and he relaxed.
Taking off his hoodie and throwing it on top of his gym bag that he placed on a bench near the punching bags he wrapped his hands up in preparation. He only did this as a precaution. It would look odd if someone were to come and to see him punching the bags as hard as he will be with no cuts or scrapes on his knuckles. The serum would heal him up too fast.
Steve was in the zone as he imagined it to be Tony Stark's face that he was terrorizing and he didn't hear the door to the gym opening. He didn't notice the small patter of a dozen pairs of feet entering the gym or the hushed murmurs or giggles as he continued to beat on the punching bag. It wasn't until the punching bag flew against the other side of the gym and hitting the wall with an exhausted puff that he noticed a slow clapping noise.
Steve spun around to see twelve little faces looking at him with a mixed reaction of awe, disbelief, and a hint of fear. All of their little jaws were dropped and their eyes wide. But his eyes swung to the woman beside them who continued to clap at a lazy pace. She was a small little thing, most were compared to Steve stature, but even by normal standards she was tiny.
The woman couldn't be nay taller than 5'3 and couldn't weigh more than 150 soaking wet. She had smooth caramel skin and long dark curls that were dyed at the end and fell down to her curvy hips. Steve could feel the heat rush to his cheeks as he took in the woman's curvy figure. She was slim and short, but her body was filled out in all of the right places with a tiny waist, giving her an hourglass figure. And she had really tiny feet.
A cleared throat brought Steve back to the woman's face that now had a raised eyebrow and a slight smirk to her full lips. She had a small nose that fit her apple-shaped face. Her cheeks were a little chubby but he could make out small indentations on each side from dimples that were used often when she smiled or laughed. He blushed again at being caught staring.
"That…was…awesome!" The exclamation from an overeager little brought the two out of their staring contest. The gym filled with chatter from the children beside the women.
Steve blushed even more at the praise and awe from the children. He still wasn't used to the praise he would get from other people.
"Could you do that again?" the same hyper kid from before asked Steve.
"Uh…"
"Dominick, I'm sure he's a little tired from the last time. Maybe he'll do it again later if you ask again," the woman replied. Her voice wasn't as he expected. It was strong and authoritative in a husky and sensual way, but still soft and kind enough to calm the child. He nodded again a little sad, but then perked back up at the thought of the large man doing something cool again later.
"Okay," the child agreed.
"Why don't you guys go and get changed and meet me back out here in five minutes so that we can get started?" the woman instructed the children and they ran off excitedly to the dressing rooms.
"Um, I didn't—"
"You didn't know that we'd be here?" she asked, already knowing what he'd say. Steve could only nod. She strolled casually over to Steve and held out a hand to him. When she stood in front of him the height difference between the two was even more apparent. She still was a few inches shorter than his shoulders, but she stood far enough back so she didn't have to crane her neck to look up at him.
"I'm Sam," she introduced herself holding out her dainty hands to Steve. Steve took it and was surprised at her strong grip. "I volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club in Brooklyn and bring the kids here every Tuesday afternoon. Jim, the owner lets me reserve the gym for a couple of hours every Tuesday to let the kids come here and enjoy themselves. I see you didn't get the memo."
Steve smiled abashedly and rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh, sorry. I usually never come here during the day. I just needed to get out today, and I apologize Ma'am about intruding on your time. Er, I'm—"
"I know who you are Captain," the little slip of a woman stated with a teasing stilt. Sam took notice of Steve's change as he fidgeted nervously in front of her and rushed to explain. "My dad grew up hearing stories and reading comics from his dad about you back in the day. I naturally know who you are from reading all of your adventures in my dad's comics. I could recognize you almost anywhere."
"So, you're a, uh, fan?"
"You could sure say that again. But don't worry about me going all 'gaga' about you, or anything. I don't have a thing for blondes." He knew from the tilt of the corner of her mouth that she was teasing him now. He relaxed after that. Steve was shocked that he was so quickly able to relax around her. There was something comforting about Sam.
The rush of children's feet and excited chatter entered the gym and disrupted the silence, but Steve couldn't be annoyed by it.
Steve enjoyed his time at the gym despite his plans being ruined. Steve liked Sam. He really enjoyed her company and the children, despite their ruckus and overexcitement; he had fun playing with them. Steve could see him and Sam becoming really good friends in the future. Sam was naturally laid back and sarcastic, but for once Steve didn't mind her sarcasm or her cynic humor. She wasn't like normal girls of this time period that he was sued to. The attraction Steve and Sam shared was simply platonic, though, and they both enjoyed each other's company. Steve promised to come and help out with the children again soon.
Steve made good on his promise and visited the gym every Tuesday afternoon promptly at 1 o'clock. The children got used to his huge stature and his strength and adored him. The loved to have him chase them around the gym or pick them up and toss them in the air. Steve would never admit it aloud, but Dominick was his favorite. The little blonde boy always had a bright smile on his face that never dimmed. Steve liked to watch as Dominick would flirt with Sam. Sam good-naturedly played along and let him play in her hair or would 'protect' her from Steve whenever they played.
After a few weeks, Sam grew comfortable enough with Steve to open up with him, and he likewise. They told each other of their childhood. Steve even told her about the serum and the Super Soldier project, and Peggy. Sam listened without putting in her input. She let him just talk for hours and never interrupted him, only encouraged him to open up. Steve has never done that with anybody, not even Bucky.
Steve learned about Sam's background too. Sam's father was a Major in the U.S Air Force. He followed after his father and became a pilot, and met a woman during one of his assignments in Canada. Major Christopher Saunders settled down in Anchorage, Canada with his wife Anna and had a son they named Scott. On a trip to America one summer when Scott was seven, the back of the plane caught fire and the plane went down. Sam's father lost his pregnant wife and son in the accident. Scott's body was never found, however, and he spent years searching for him. Christopher met a black woman by the name of Valerie in New Jersey who was a detective in an effort to find his son. She had moved to America when she was thirteen from France. He didn't expect to fall in love with her and get married after only six months, but they did.
Sam had a bright smile on her face as she described how perfect her parents were for each other. Despite the obstacles they faced and discrimination from others and Valerie's family, they stayed strong. They had their first son Liam, who was conceived on their honeymoon, and then Emmet-James a year later who was nicknamed Joey. Two years later they were surprised by Darrel who was born in their anniversary. Darrel was a tough pregnancy for Valerie and Valerie was put bed rest the last four months of her pregnancy. Because of the high risk pregnancy Valerie had for Darrel, Valerie was told that the chances of conceiving were very slim, and the chances of conceiving and carrying a healthy child full term were slim to none.
Christopher was saddened by the news but had to be strong for his distraught wife. They both wanted a little girl to complete their family. Christopher wanted a mini Valerie who would become his little angel to protect and cherish. But they quickly accepted their fate and put all of their love and energy into their three boys. Christopher was shopping for Liam's sixth birthday present when he got the call from his wife about her pregnancy. He nearly crashed on the way him from driving so fast in an effort to get back to his beautiful family. He opened the door to reveal his gorgeous wife with a tear-stained face clutching her still-flat tummy.
After visiting the doctor and being warned several times of the consequences this pregnancy could have on Valerie they both agreed that it was a risk that they were willing to take. They decided to keep the gender a secret. And on the early morning of June 3, 1992 Samantha Jasmine Saunders was born. The three Saunders boys doted on their little sister and she quickly became daddy's little princess.
Steve was not at all shocked to discover that Sam graduated high school early with honors and then went on to join the Marines. She spoke so highly of her father and knew she looked up to him, so her following in his footsteps were no surprise. Sam was granted honorable leave when her mother developed Ovarian Cancer and came home to help her family care for her mother. Sam moved her entire family to New York right before the attack to get the best care for her mother that money could buy.
Liam already lived in New York as he owned a few fashion boutiques in the city. Joey back home from L.A after trying to make it big in Hollywood as an actor. He starred in a few commercials, and one low budget film before coming to the realization that it just wasn't meant to be. He's back in school now to become a pediatrician. Darrel never moved away from home. He lived with their parents working as a mechanic and owned three garages in New Jersey. He opened up another in New York and is in the process of opening another in Long Island.
Sam explained to Steve her need to stay active and help out her community so she loved to volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club with the kids. She wanted to keep the boys and girls off the streets as much as possible and to show them that their world doesn't only consist of the four walls of their neighborhoods. Most were from poor families and had a lot of siblings and single parent households. Although she couldn't relate personally to the single parent homes, she wanted them to see that they did not have to become a product of their environment.
"Where you goin' Capsicle?" Steve sighed in annoyance and rolled his eyes. He was already late for meeting Sam and the kids down at the gym. He was supposed to be teaching them some self-defense moves today.
"None of your business," he only replied and moved to go to the door.
"You always leave at the same time on the same day for the past month or so. I know you don't have any other friends, so what'cha up to, old man?" Steve glared at Stark. Tony Stark stared confidently back at Steve as he leaned casually back against the kitchen island with a clear glass of bourbon in his hand. It was never too early for a drink if you asked Tony.
Tony looked immaculate as always in his professionally tailored suit and freshly shaven face. His hair was perfectly styled in his usual do.
"Don't worry about what I do, Stark, or whose company I keep," Steve only said before he left the tower. Steve contemplated moving out almost on a daily basis but knew that it really was no use. Stark would always find a way to get under his skin, and SHIELD needed a way to contact him at all times. Bruce lived a floor below Steve and Natasha kept a floor ready just below Bruce just in case she wanted to stop by. Not to mention the free food and utilities.
Tony Stark watched as Steve looked both ways before crossing the street and walked down the block and around the corner before turning around to face the screen above his fireplace.
"Jarvis?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Suit me up," Stark commanded before taking one last gulp of his bourbon.
"May I ask why, sir? I do not detect any disturbances the police radio has been relatively silent today. SHIELD has not contacted me today, either."
Tony huffed, "Why must you question me so? I could've sworn I made you to obey my every command."
"Actually sir—"
"You know what, never mind Jarvis. I'll suit my own self up. It's so hard to find good help these days," Tony mumbled as he stomped down to his lab and pouted petulantly.
"Miss Potts actually finds 'help' for you sir. You just do the firing," Jarvis added in an almost teasing tone.
"I don't remember adding a 'Smart Ass' chip to your mainframe."
"Alcohol consumption of your degree tends to affect the brain and its ability to remember certain details, sir."
"Jarvis?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Remind me to unplug you when I get back in," Tony remarked as he locked into the suit and the face portion closed.
"As you wish, sir." Jarvis drawled as though this comment was not out of the usual.
"What do we have here?" If anyone were to look up they would notice Iron Man eating a cheeseburger inside the giant donut on top of the donut shop Holy Moly Donut Shop across the street from Jim's Gym.
Tony watched as Steve entered the gym.
"Jarvis, hack into the security system of Jim's Gym so that I could see what Captain Alzheimer is hiding."
"Stalking is a criminal offense, sir, and sir is the violation of the first amendment," Jarvis reiterated but obliged anyway. Tony would have said something back had he not noticed what Steve was actually up in the gym.
Tony watched in delight and shock as Steve greeted a young mixed woman as though they'd known each other for years. Children ran around the gym and greeted Steve. One particular little boy tried to jump on his back in effort to surprise him, but barely made it half way up his back. Steve laughed as he grabbed the small child and flung him up in the air effortlessly.
Tony continued to watch as Captain Gray Hair played around with the children at ease before attempting to teach them self-defense. After a while Steve and the woman sat by themselves and periodically checked on the kids while talking and laughing.
"Hm, so Cap done found himself a girl, huh?" Tony murmured to himself as he witnessed Steve give the girl a hug and a kiss on the cheek before leaving the gym and walking back towards the direction of the newly built Stark Tower.
"Jarvis upload the footage of this afternoon onto my 'Shame Wall' Drive. I'm gonna have a field day with this," Tony laughed in delight as he couldn't wait to see the astonished look on Cap's face when he reveals his secret.
Tony didn't understand a few things though. Why go through this whole effort to hide a secret girlfriend? It's not as if the chick's ugly, or anything. She's actually really hot. If he didn't have Pepper he'd definitely invite this girl back for a few drinks at his house before continuing in the bedroom. Cap had nothing to be ashamed of with this one, so why hide her form everyone?
"Jarvis, do a scan of facial recognition on the Cap's girl and find out everything you can about her."
"Yes sir." A minute later Jarvis chimed back in, "SHIELD is contacting you sir."
"Ugh," Tony scowled and took off, "What did the memo say?"
"That Fury will be there in 30 seconds, sir."
"Nice heads up," Tony mumbled.
"Stark, you're late. Didn't you get the heads up I sent?" Fury demanded in his usual strong voice of his but Tony barely acknowledged him as he headed for the bar still in his suit.
"Oh, yeah, the 30 second heads up was real effective. Romanoff," Tony nodded to Natasha who leaned back in his island chair cleaning off her knives. She nodded back with a small smirk on her face in amusement.
"Stark, nice to see you're still an asshole."
"It's a lot harder an image to keep up than most people think," he casually commented walking over to the counter. "It's really this wall that I put up as a defense mechanism in an effort to hide how much society really affects me and the lack of love and affection of I received from my father," he took a sip of his drink. But he couldn't hold in his laughter for long and snorted. "Eh, who am I kidding?"
Natasha snorted and continued to clean her knives as Fury just rolled his eyes and sighed in impatience. Pepper walked into the room and greeted everyone.
"And where were you all morning?" Tony turned to Pepper Potts who was dressed in her usual attire that consisted of a gray pencil skirt, white blouse, and burgundy blazer that went with her heels. She had very little jewelry on and her hair in a low bun.
"Doing your job, remember?" she snarked back, used to her boyfriend's antics. She walked over to him and replaced his glass of bourbon with a glass on water and sipping on his glass.
"Director Fury, Natasha," Pepper nodded and smiled, "What brings you here?"
Stark glared at his girlfriend's back, without any real heat in it, and grimaced as he took a sip of water.
"Jane contacted SHIELD this morning distressed after Thor was beamed back to Asgard unexpectedly. Thor just got back into contact with us a half hour ago with disturbing news. I want you to assemble the team and meet me back at SHIELD headquarters tomorrow morning."
"I don't know if it slipped your mind or you didn't notice—I wouldn't blame you though since you only have one eye—but Birdbrains is still MIA," Tony remarked not even looking up at Fury and seeing his glare.
"Barton reached out yesterday and is currently staying at SHIELD. You would know if you read the memos and didn't spend all day trying to hack us."
"How early tomorrow morning? I don't wake up before ten," Stark commented completely ignoring the end of Fury's lecture as he just glared menacingly at his glass of water as though it personally offended him.
"He'll be there at eight," Pepper announced. Fury nodded and left with Romanoff following close behind.
"Um, no, I won't," Tony shouted after them in defiance. "Why would you go and tell them that?"
"Because you will. You have a meeting at 11 o'clock with a contractor that you have already missed twice and you will meet with them tomorrow."
"Why must you always take the fun out of everything," he pouted as he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close to him. She reached up to grab ahold of his collar and kissed him deeply.
"Is that fun enough for you?"
"I'm not sure. I think I may need a more convincing demonstration."
The Avengers assembled the next day at SHIELD headquarters. A sense of nostalgia swept across the group as they remembered the last time they gathered around this table. It feels as though it were only yesterday when Loki attacked the flying death trap and everything went to hell. Coulson was still a sore spot for the Avengers and many SHIELD agents who were close to him—well, as close as you could be to the mysterious man that was Phil Coulson. They looked at one another knowing they were all thinking along the same lines.
Bruce cleared his throat. "So…does anyone know what's going on?" Tony called Bruce while he was in the middle of a surgery. Bruce luckily didn't accidently snip any major veins or arteries when Tony startled the shit out of him.
"Pantene's got some news from outer space for us. Fury wouldn't tell me what it was exactly and had me get you guys here." Tony replied as he typed away on his tablet.
"You didn't hack into SHIELD like you always do and find out the answer yourself?" Steve sassed. Tony merely lifted and eyebrow at the dig.
"I did actually, but seeing as though the information was transferred verbally they have no on file records of the conversation."
The group collectively rolled their eyes at the billionaire. His habits have become a sort of routine for the group.
"I'm just going to ask the question that we've all been dying to find out: Where the hell have you been Barton?" All eyes swung to the brunette archer who was tweaking his bow and arrows.
"Yeah, where have you been? Everybody's been trying to get in touch with you, but you just…disappeared." Steve added.
"That is what tends to happen when one does not want to be found." The archer lazily drawled. His dark brown eyes looked up to connect with Bruce's who's shared a sense of knowing. Bruce knew exactly what it feels like to not want to be found; to want to just be left alone.
Clint felt a pair of pair of penetrating eyes looking at him and looked to his right into the eyes of his longtime friend, Natasha Romanoff, and he looked back down. She always could tell when something was off with the archer and he could do the same with her—which was one of the reasons he needed to get far away from SHIELD's radar. He knew Tasha, as he called her, would quickly discover something was wrong and would demand that he tell her. He didn't feel like talking to anyone about it because none of them would know what it was like to be in shoes, except maybe Dr. Eric Selvig, but that guy was a bag of crazy all on his own. No one know what it was like to have a psychopath inside your brain making you do and say things that you didn't want to no matter how much you didn't want to.
The group looked up at the sound of heavy boots stomping across the room to them after their tense moment of silence. Fury's expression mimicked his name and his black, leather trench coat bellowed out behind making his entrance even more dramatic.
"It looks like you all listened for once," Fury noted as he reached the table.
"Actually, Thor isn't here," Tony interrupted.
"He's on his way," Fury said curtly before Stark could say one more thing to piss him off. It was too early in the morning for his bullshit.
"How come he get to be late and I get yelled at when I am?"
"Because you're never on time, Stark, and Thor actually has a plausible excuse, unlike you. Now shut up."
"I do have excuses: I just don't feel like it."
Fury went to snap at Tony when the elevator dinged behind all of them and the Avengers stiffened as they watch Thor enter Loki cuffed beside him. Clint jumped out of his chair and tensed ready to attack Loki with his bow and arrow drawn. Natasha took note of that out of the corner of her eye and made a note to bring it up later to him.
"Be at peace friends. Loki comes bearing no ill will," Thor announced in that ricocheting voice of his.
"That was not a part of the deal." Loki drawled blankly looking around. His eyes connected with the archer's and he smirked as Clint's hands tightened around his weapon of choice.
"Barton, yield!" Fury barked. But Clint ignored the command and stood stock still, ready to pounce at any second.
"Please friends, let's discuss why Loki is here. I assure you that Midgard is not at risk with Loki here," Thor proceeded.
Tony snorted at this. "Tell that to all the lives he took and the destruction he caused, not to mention my tower, which is still under construction as we speak."
Bruce and Steve rolled their eyes at the last bit but kept their eyes locked on Loki.
"…Well, Midgard is no longer at risk with Loki here," Thor corrected himself. "Please friends, I assure Loki is not a danger to anyone any longer. As his punishment, our father—"
"Your father!" Loki sneered.
"—my father has revoked Loki of his powers and has lent his services to the Avengers Initiative. He must remain on Midgard until his services are no longer needed, at which time he will return back to Asgard to complete his punishment in the Sine Tempore room."
"What does that mean?" Steve asked, not knowing how putting Loki in a room is punishment for his crimes.
"Sine Tempore is Latin for without time," Bruce explained, but still looked confused by the name of the room.
"Exactly, my friend," Thor responded delighted, "The room was enchanted by a great sorceress to be the only place in the universe that does not abide by the limitations of time. What will only be one year for us…" Thro trailed off.
"Will be a millennium for me," Loki finished with a blank look on his face. He pointedly ignored his brother who turned to look at him apologetically. The big oaf couldn't even begin to comprehend what it will be.
Nearly every person in the room cringed just by the thought of that room. Endless time of being all alone, no one to talk to, to see, with only your thoughts to keep you company. There is a reason humans can not be isolation for a long period of time without going insane.
"What are we supposed to do with him?" Bruce asked trying to not think about the room and the effects it will have on Loki's mind. He would not even subject his worst enemy to that kind of mental torture. Thor shrugged clueless.
"Father did not think that far ahead." Loki only rolled his eyes at his brother's idiocy.
"We could have him assist everyone in the repairs in New York," Steve suggested.
"He could start with my tower," Stark announced, "And then he could help other businesses and homes that were ruined. Once he's done with that I say we make him get jobs and work for free. The economy pretty much sucks and it would help businesses that need the employees but don't have the money. Think of it as a way to give back to the community."
"That is a wondrous idea!" Thor proclaimed raising his giant hammer in the air, narrowly missing Natasha's head.
"Fine," Fury bit. "If I can think of anything else I'll get in touch. While he's at Stark repairing I want everyone to station themselves there. I want round the clock monitoring. For the time being, the only jobs I want him at are yours'. New York knows what he looks like, I don't want to just throw him into some bakery and scare a little girl who wants a cupcake."
"Aw," Tony cooed, "You do have a heart."
Fury growled in response and exited the room as he entered, with flair. Everyone's eyes went back to the bored God who simply looked around the room in disgust.
"Boy, are we going to have some fun with you." Tony smiled bitterly at Loki.
So, how was it? Not too shabby, huh? Let me know what you think. Leave me a review if you want or have any questions. I'll update this again after I update my other story Never Let Go. It's a Harry Potter fic with another one of my OCs. Check it out if you want.
