When The Captain woke up he was panicked where am i how did- the though dissapeard as soon as it had come...right. Tony took his things to the tower damn him. he'd fix it today and go to the tower. he didn't like the idea of seeing the other avengers, he knew that they didn't hate him of couse, but he also knew that none of them particularly likehim either. It didn't bother him much, he was used to it. But he did wish for a good friend every now and then, just to pass the time. He knew that he was lonely, but he couldn't bring himself to care. He showered and changed into some cloths he had hidden in a knap sack in the wall. Paranoia can be useful on occation. With that in mind, he left the shell of his apartment and caught a bus to the tower.

At the tower he was greeted warmly by and older man in the lobby and escorted to the elavator that led to Tony's floor. He was angry again, he just wanted to be left alone. While the elavator was acending to the top floor, it suddenly stopped. of all the days for Tonys equipment to malfunction he only became more annoyed until he heard fire alarms going off. Seconds later, the elavator began to shake and he couldn't find a way out of the renforced steel box, nore could he pry the doors open, he was between floors. "shit" was all he had time to say before he felt the elavator drop into ablivion.

Hospitals. i hate hospitals. the captain could tell where he was before he opened his eyes. He was in pain, he could tell that his body had taken a lot of damage if he wasn't already healed yet. He couldn't breath, and he knew why. This had happened before when he was in the war, a rib had punctured his lung and because of his advanced healing, his lung healed around the bone. but whenever he moved, the broken rib would tear into the soft tissue and he would be in agaony. History was once again repeating itself. He knew what was coming, and that made it so much worse. A nurse walked in and upon noticing that he was awake, went to get the doctor.

The doctor entered a short while later carrying a clip board and looking grim. "mr. Rog-" he didn't get far before he was interupted by his patient. Steve spoke in a pained, garggled rhasp, but he was clear.

"i know what happened, i know the medical challenges my conditions pose and i am prepared for the operation. we're both aware that this has happened before and that, if anything, it willbe far less painful this time around. thank you for your care"

The doctor, knowing that he was dismissed walked out of the room to make preperations.

3 hours later, the avengers walked into his room.

(avenger pov)

they saw their Captain in the holpital bed, knowinng that it was their fault he was their fault, not on purpose of course, but they had all been in the lab...

and know Cap was hurt, he was pail and brused. the doctors said if he was anyone else he would be dead ten fold. it's a miracle that even he survived and from what the doctors said, he needed surgery on his punctured lung...without anestesia. and all of them turned shades of green. they said he had this surgery before, and that an untrained team mate had to do it with a hunting knife and some alcohol. and looking at him now...he was so young. none of them had realized before but he didn't look 26 years old. he looked like he should be on a collage campus playing football and studying. and that made their innards twist.

The captain looked at them with annoyence when they walked in. at least it was the normal reaction. he didn't hate them.

"what?" he asked quietly but still sharply

"we just came to see how you were doing is all. sorry about breaking you" Clint said sincerally.

"i'm doing fine, thanks"

"some on capsicle, you don't need to lie to us"

that set something off "and what makes you think that i'm lying?"

Tony was about to say something when the docor walked in "Excuse me Mr. Rogers i just need to go over some basic information before the surgery"

"of course" he said returning his attention to the doctor

"name?"

"Cap- it's Steve Rogers" the avengers noticed his hesitation

"weight?"

"250 pounds"

"age?"

"21"

"d-"

"wait what?!" Tony yelled. the others followed suit. "what do you mean your 21?!"

he lookedat them as if he was explaining a simple concept to children "it means. im 21 years old"

they were shocked. how old was he when he went to war? when he killed someone? when he died and lost everything he ever loved? oh shit he's still a kid

they let it sink in their captain was barely old enough to drink.

he smiled at the doctor and finished answering the questions

he looked to the avengers "now if you would kindly get out of my room. i need surgery so i can breath"

the avengers exited the room and Tony bribed some doctors to let them in the viewing room.

surgery was brutal. they watches as their captain was cut open and operated on. The man out of time winces as the scalpul was plunged into his skin and began to shake violently as the operation began. he held as still as he could, his jaw clenched in silent agaony and tears spilled from his eyes. he didn't make a sound. he didn't pass out from the pain. gods above, why couldn't they help him?

days passes without word from the captain until Tony recieved a hand written letter from the captain demandidng that his things be returned to his appartment.