This story was inspired in part by the deleted Steve Rogers scenes in The Avengers. The idea of Steve being aimless, and the ramifications of losing everything you once knew. I was also inspired by a former teacher of mine, who Steve's tutor, Dr. Roberta Harrison is partially based on. He encouraged and inspired me in ways that I'll always be grateful for. I hope everyone has a teacher like him and Dr. Roberta Harrison in their past/present. I was also encouraged by a fellow Avengers writer My2BrownEyes, who writes Steve wonderfully, so thank you.
There will be appearances of other Avengers and Marvel characters in later chapters, but not all of them. So keep an eye out. Any words of advice and constructive criticism through reviews and/or PMs are always most welcome.
Cable Car
Steve Rogers was sitting down at his dining room table, in his Brooklyn apartment courtesy of S.H.I.E.L.D. It seemed silly, having a dining room table large enough for a family. It was just him, it was only him. Steve pushed the thought from his mind.
Initially he had been happy to find himself back in Brooklyn at least, it would be something familiar. However, after one day in his old neighbourhood it became obvious that it was anything but. His old neighbourhood had become gentrified, and he no longer fit into it. Once again, Steve did not have a place.
The only thing that Steve was a part of was the Avengers. After the attack on New York, he had managed to acquire some lifelines. The other members of the Avengers had become trusted and respected team members. A camaraderie Steve hadn't felt since the military, with his men: Dugan, Jones, Falsworth, Morita, and Bucky. Though what he had with the Avengers hadn't come quite so easily as it had with his military men. But they were his friends now. Not that they could ever replace his men. But the Avengers certainly made him feel less alone.
"Less isolated…"
Until recently anyway. Dr. Banner had gone back into hiding and was supposedly off the grid, though Steve knew that S.H.I.E.L.D. would be tracking his whereabouts. Stark had returned to work and was rebuilding his tower after Loki and his army had attacked it. Thor had returned to Asgard with Loki immediately after the battle.
"Well… after the shawarma." Steve smiles to himself just thinking of the memory. He'd never been so happy to eat a meal since the scarcity of regular meals during the Depression.
Steve had no idea where Hawkeye or the Black Widow had gone, though he supposed that was the point, and so he was alone again. He was left to his own devices, and fell into a typical routine for himself. He would wake up with the sun every morning. He'd then leave for a morning run, because he could avoid more people in the early hours. He'd return home after an hour and shower. He'd make himself breakfast, and then read over S.H.I.E.L.D. files that had been declassified for him. Nick Fury was still trying to officially court him, but Steve had not been able to bring himself to make a firm commitment outside of his participation in the Avengers initiative. He would then try to have lunch outside of the apartment, in an admittedly half-hearted attempt in exploring the city he no longer knew.
Today he'd already done all those things. Sometimes he'd wander into a different and unexplored part of the city and sketch some scenery or architecture, but it had started to rain today. So now he was home, sitting at his dining room table, alone, again.
Knockknockknock
Only one person ever came to visit him. Steve pushed himself away from the table and stood up. As he was opening the door to his apartment he greeted the only man he knew would be behind it: Nick Fury.
"Hello Sir," Steve said while stepping aside to let Fury in.
"Hello Captain," Fury replied stepping into the unit.
Steve would normally offer to take his coat or offer him something to drink, but he knew Fury would not accept either offer. Fury never bothered to telephone him, or send someone else in his place. He still wanted him to become an active participant in S.H.I.E.L.D. and until that happened he felt the need to always appear in person.
"So, what brings you here Sir?" Steve asks. He had intended to sound polite, but it came out more as exasperated.
"I'm here because something needs to be done about your situation. As you know, we've been keeping an eye on you. It's very clear that you're not adjusting well. We wanted to give you time to adjust on your own, at your own pace, but it has been over a year now since you've woken up. I'm here because even though you do not officially work for S.H.I.E.L.D. yet, I cannot allow this to keep going the way it is."
"Sir, with all due respect, I am really not up for a mission. Can't you send in Stark?" Steve responded.
"Captain you misunderstand. I'm not here for your help. I'm here to help you." Fury replied.
"I don't need your help, I am managing perfectly fine on my own." Steve replied a little bit too quickly.
"With all due respect," Fury repeated at him, "I don't think that you are. How do you expect to catch up on 70 years alone and without context? I've seen you Captain. You wander New York aimlessly until the Avengers are needed to assemble. You're drifting Captain, and I can't allow that to happen."
"Of course not… you want me as a part of S.H.I.E.L.D… you can't allow me to become useless…" Steve knew that 'help' from S.H.I.E.L.D. was often laced with an ulterior motive. S.H.I.E.L.D. did a lot of good things, but they often did not do those things out of good of their heart. If nothing was to gain, S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't bother.
Steve pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. He was trying desperately to think of the most polite way to tell Fury to leave him alone. But if you have nothing nice to say…
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has hired someone to help you. They have no previous affiliation with us, and therefore has no S.H.I.E.L.D agenda, just simply to educate you, to help get you up to speed. That way when you do accept our offer, you'll be prepared," Fury stated.
"Educate? Sir, I don't need—"'
"Captain do you know the significance of the date November 22nd 1963?" Fury interrupted.
Steve's mouth sat open, unable to come up with an answer. So Fury continued.
"What can you tell me about the Cuban Missile Crisis? Who is Ronald Reagan? Why was there a wall in Berl—"
"Alright! Enough! I get your point…" Steve acknowledged.
Okay so maybe his History was rusty… Everything he had ever known was gone, or rather everyone. Looking back just didn't seem to make sense. Looking back hurt.
"Looking back just reminds me of what I don't have."
"Do you accept this offer then?" Fury asked.
"What exactly are you offering?" Steve inquired.
"Think of it as a personal tutor rather than a formal education. I don't think you're ready to be enrolled in any College courses. What I am offering is a qualified educator to tutor you and allow you catch up to the rest of us. At the very least, it'll get you out of your routine." Fury answered.
"Can I think about it?" Steve requested.
Fury turned and headed back to the door. As he opened it to leave he turned to Steve, "S.H.I.E.L.D. Central 0900 hours Captain."
With that he left.
"Well then… I suppose that's that." Steve mused.
If you DID like the chapter please review/follow, if you DIDN'T like the chapter please review/follow. The next few chapters will be longer, I promise. So until then, until then.