She stood there, looking just over the cliffs edge, examining out towards the ocean, her waist length auburn hair swaying lightly in the breeze, twenty-three year old Ivory Leagues. Abruptly, there was a heavy hand settled on her shoulder, Ivy glanced into intense blue/green irises, with her own green eyes.
There behind her stood Steve Rogers, "Ivory, do you regret it?" he asked, searching her eyes with his own, looking for any sign that she might be lying to him, Ivy turned to face him, blue dress flaring out as she spun.
"No, Steve I don't, but I wish I could have at least saved him," a depressed sigh filled the air between them as Ivory wrung her hands. They were standing in the aftermath of destruction, all which remained of the little house, now little more than just bits of wood floating out to the sea.
His blue/green eyes filled with an understanding light "We all wish the same, Ivory… Ivy, but sometimes it's impossible to save everyone" he said it in a kind voice, "All we can do is try our best," Steve spoke lightly.
Ivory lowered her head and rested it against his suit-clad form; he was still in his Captain America uniform, though shield and mask were noticeably absent. They'd fought hard and long against someone who'd been family to her and in the end, they'd won.
But at what cost, besides the avengers, all she had was herself, the last of her family "I know, and really, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart" Ivory sniffled softly, feeling the loss hit her hard, she really was alone, now she doesn't even know if they even want her to stay with them.
He seemed to understand her train of thought, and hesitantly Steve raised his arms to wrap them around the petite form of the redhead who had fought her hardest to stop her uncle from killing hundreds of people "You aren't alone Ivy," he settled his chin atop those auburn locks.
He tugged the woman closer, while the others gathered behind them, watching "What?" Ivy jerked her head up and Steve hastily got his chin out of the way to avoid getting whacked, "You mean you aren't going to…." she trailed off as he pressed a finger to her lips.
"You're an Avenger now Ivy, we could never leave you" Steve chuckled lightly, "You've been one of us since the day you got your powers." He smiled gently, wiping away the tears that had slid down her pale smooth cheeks.
Her green eyes lit up in remembrance "I know, heck of a day to, it was The Day My Life Began when I met all of you" Ivory laughed sweetly, thinking back to three years ago, the attack on New York City and all the memories she'd created since then.
Steve shook his head in amusement "What a shock it was to see you, we're the ones who are lucky to have met you, Ivory," he murmured, blue/green eyes flickering over his shoulder taking in all those gathered, before bending his head down.
Ivory gave a start as soft, warm, lips were pressed against her own "I'm also lucky to have met you, for, without you, I wouldn't have found love again," he sighed, pulling away her cheeks held a soft blush as they turned to face the ocean again, a new beginning for them.
The Avengers stood behind them, all of them reminiscing on the memories they'd each created with Ivory Leagues, the day that they'd all been brought together, the day Loki had started his attack, the fierceness in which she'd fought, and most of all the love that had formed between Captain America and the auburn haired woman.
