As the darkness set in Tony moved around the lab quicker and quicker. At about twelve thirty he had JARVIS play some AC/DC to keep him awake. He worked through the night, he knew that if 'The Avengers' had any chance of defeating the threat that hung over them, they would need much better weapons and defensive systems. He had had a couple of SHIELD techs working with him but they had gone off to bed at around twelve.

He worked on Cap's shield first. He upgraded all it old functions and added a couple new things that it could block, making sure that Cap would be safe was one of Tony's main objectives, of course he wanted the rest of the team safe but Steve always came first these days.

He toyed with Clint's bow and arrows for a while, adding new features, timed bombs that he could set off with his bow even if the arrow was over a mile away. The bow itself got an upgrade. Stronger string and a better leather on the front that would hold fast no matter what. Tony's hands moved fast and he finished the bow and arrows at about quarter to two.

Nat's guns and tech next, that didn't take very long. All he did was install some new ways for the gun to aim better so, like her husband, she could never miss what she was shooting at. The kill rate on her gun was now at 98% making her safe as anyone could hope. There was nothing really he could do to Bruce, he could probably make really stretchy clothes so that when he turned back into himself he wasn't naked, then again, that wouldn't really do much to help the team defeat the threat that they faced this time.

Tony sat back on his chair and sighed. The Iron Man suit was being prepped by JARVIS so there was nothing really left to do. He pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. He was tired, but he knew there was no way he would get to sleep. He told JARVIS to stop the music so it wouldn't annoy anyone else. Picking up his cup he ran up the stairs to the kitchen.

It was dark in the kitchen, lifeless. Pouring himself a cup of coffee, he sat down and clenched his jaw. This was such a good idea a couple of hours ago. Fighting, protecting the world. Loki wasn't much of a threat and neither was Hydra. He was worried. What about Coulson and Hill? What would become of them, and why on earth had they decided to join forces with the losing side. Tony didn't know much about Hill but he knew Phil, he knew that there was no way on earth that he would willingly fight them.

"Tony?" Tony jumped and turned, he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Bruce standing in the doorway.

"Hey Bruce." Tony turned back to his coffee and took a sip. "Whats keeping you up?" He smirked.

"What do you think?" Bruce replied slight anger in his voice.

"Wooow, sorry big fella, just trying to make you smile..." Tony snapped back sarcastically taking another sip of his coffee. Bruce shook his head.

"No... I'm sorry. I just - I'm just a bit anxious is all..." He sighed "Just... I don't know how we're going to do this... especially against... well... some of us." Bruce ran a hand through his hair.

"Bruce, you've got to think of it differently. I know they were us before, but not anymore. But... I have had a thought. I know Phil. he wouldn't do this. maybe he's.. I don't know... Still with us... but a mole... or maybe that's just me hoping..." Tony looked up from his cup. "Maybe you're right... maybe this is stupid and we're fighting a losing battle... we're severely out numbered... and I ju-"

"Don't you say it." Steve cut him off. Bruce and Tony looked over to the doorway and saw Steve standing there. Tony hung his head.

"I'm sorry Steve... its just... how are we going to do this... I mean... there are six of us... and hundreds of them..." Tony sighed.

Steve moved over to where they were sat, placing a hand on Tony's back.

"We'll do this together. As a team, just like before." Steve said flicking the light on and bathing the men in a gloomy, dull light. Steve sat down next to Tony. "That's how we have always done things. I know this may be harder than before, and there are far more enemies but we have to, for the sake of the world."

Tony and Bruce exchanged a look. They both took a deep breath and smiled slightly.

"We are the main three, if we do not have Iron Man or Hulk, we are defenseless. We need you both. I need you both." Steve took Tony's hand. "Don't loose hope, please. We are the center, and we are needed."

Tony smiled. He pecked Steve's lips and grinned at Bruce.

"I'm sure we'll do it." Tony stood. "We should sleep. Big day tomorrow." He nodded at Bruce and led Steve out of the room. Bruce took a breath and stood, glancing around the room, he smirked hit the light and padded off to bed.

The morning was bleak, grey sky, hardly any sunlight, a few cracks letting it through. Rain was threatening to pour. Nat and Clint were already up and was sat in the kitchen. Bruce had gone down to the workshop and Steve was in the gym. The weather didn't help the teams spirits in any aspect.

As Tony came into the kitchen he gave a small smile to Nat and Clint and poured himself some coffee, he plonked himself down next to Clint and watched Natasha as she moved around the room. He smirked and nudged Clint's arm.

"Wow, she looks good in the mornings..." He chuckled to himself and sipped his coffee. Clint's eyes followed Nat but he smiled and nodded slightly.

"She looks better in bed..." He whispered to Tony, who laughed. Nat's head snapped round and she shot them a look.

"You two are like children!" She snapped. "I would expect more from you Stark!" She chuckled "being... well you know..." She smirked and turned back t what she was doing. Tony lifted an eyebrow.

"Gay?!" He smiled at Clint.

"Yeah..." She moved slightly.

"Well, make sure I don't touch this one. He's a real catch." He laughed and poked Clint's arm. Natasha turned and glared at him.

"You wouldn't dare?!" She scowled but had a small smile on her face. Tony turned to Clint and leaned in. Clint grinned and moved closer to Tony. Nat's smile widened but her eyebrows furrowed. "Tony... What about Steve?" She sang. Raising her eyebrows. Tony stopped. He turned and shot a look at Nat.

"Damn..." He smiled and turned back to Clint. "Sorry babe, next time..." He chuckled and picked up his coffee. Clint grinned.

"Yeah... next time."

Tony stood up moved towards the door.

"Brucey in the workshop?" He asked. Both Nat and Clint nodded and Tony moved through the doorway and ran down the steps to his workshop.

Bruce was sat with his head in a book about how to fix 1000 things and more. Tony laughed when he saw him. Bruce lifted his head and looked at Tony with a confused look.

"What?" He asked

"I just find it funny, a smart guy like you reading something like that." Tony laughed again and moved across the room to where Bruce was sat. Bruce just gave him a small huff and smiled slightly.

"[Sir. The computer has detected something.]"

"What is it Jarv?" He asked

"[It has located Loki sir.]" Tony ran over to the computer and hit a few keys on the keyboard. Bruce followed Tony. Their eyes locked to the screen.

"He's here..." Tony whispered.