New Start
Lightning flashes across the sky casting eerie shadows on the walls. Rogers lay in his bed, trapped in a restless nightmare. His head jerks, his breathing is quick, and his eyes flutter as the overwhelming wave of images come, one after another. Images of Bucky hanging onto the train as he dangles high above the cliff, the metal pipe that was the only thing between him and death was beginning to falter. With terror in his eyes and Steve's hand inches from his, Bucky struggles to hang on. Steve reaches as far out as he can as he risks his own life to get closer to his best friend all while the train speeds along the tracks. No matter how far Steve stretches out his hand and how far he climbs out on the shaky chunk of train car, he never seems to get any closer. The sound that Steve was dreading finally comes - the metal creaks under the weight and breaks away from the train, sending Bucky into a black abyss.
A streak of lightning flashes across the sky, releasing another memory, causing Rogers to toss from his back onto his side. Sweat beads on his forehead and Steve clutches the blanket in his fists. "You were meant for more than this" echoes through his mind as Peggy's beautiful face, half covered by her wavy brown hair, comes into view. She's sitting at a table, alone, in an empty Stork Club. Chairs are stacked on top of the tables as an employee sweeps up the floor to close down for the night. Tears fill Peggy's deep brown eyes. Memories strobe across his vision, flashing between Peggy's face and images from the war. The images stop and Peggy's face comes into view again as she begins to slowly turn her face to look at Steve as if he were sitting across from her. "You missed our dance." She says as a tear falls from her eye. Steve tries to speak, but nothing comes. He tries to yell, but no sound escapes. He wants to pull her into his arms and tell her how sorry he was, but there's only silence. Another memory flash comes and intercepts Peggy's teary eyes as Schmidt appears with an evil laugh echoing in the distance before fading back to Peggy. Suddenly, Bucky appears behind Peggy, emerging from the darkness, soaked to the bone and half frozen. He was pale with tattered clothing hanging from his thin body. Peggy slowly stands as more people from Steve's past begin to walk into view. The Howling Commandos, Dr. Erskine, Howard Stark. As they come into the light their faces are revealed, half decomposed with flesh hanging from bone. Some have gunshot wounds riddling their emaciated bodies and others are missing limbs. Lightening flashes as Peggy's once flawless face is now distorted like the rest of his friends. Marked with death and disease. "You left us Steve. You left all of us," She says as she walks closer. "You left me." Steve's heart breaks as she says these words. "Now you're alone. Come back to us, Steve. You left your grave when you should have stayed in the ice." Peggy's decomposing hand reaches out to Steve and she gently caresses his face. She steps back and the whole horde of people who were once his friends begin to close in. Steve tosses in his bed, mumbling in his sleep as he tries to escape the ever tightening grip of his past, trying to plead for forgiveness, to make them understand. But no words come to him as he tries to scream through the silence. The room turns black and Steve is suddenly being grabbed and pulled back down into the dark icy waters by the hands of his friends front he past. Steve begins to panic as he struggles to break free.
Lightning streaks across the sky followed by a boom of thunder. "No!" Steve gasps and shoots up from his bed, startled out of his nightmare, panting and covered in a cold sweat. Memories of the icy water that surrounded him send shivers through his body. The rain is beating against the windows and lightning continues to flash while echoes of gunfire, men yelling and grenades exploding fill Steve's ears. Rubbing his face in his hands, he tries to bring himself back to reality. He brings his knees up to his chest and wraps himself in his blanket as he tries to control his shaking. Steve looks around the room to reassure himself that he's not living in the nightmare he just awoke from. All he sees is strange furniture, an unfamiliar skyline outside the window, and someplace that isn't home. Tony had insisted he come live with him, Pepper, and the other Avengers at Stark Tower at least until he decided what he was going to do and where he was going to go. Steve had hesitantly accepted his offer and had been staying there for the last two days since leaving the hospital, moving in with only a small duffle bag filled with two sets of sweats and white t-shirts from the hospital to his name. Steve was still adjusting to everything. Tony's place was fancier and had more tech than anything Steve had ever seen before and he was honestly still trying to figure out how things worked in the house.
"Sir, are you alright?" the computer voice of JARVIS asks as Steve nearly falls out of his bed at the unexpected voice. He was still trying to get used to JARVIS.
"Um, yeah, JARVIS," Steve says, feeling a little foolish for talking to someone that wasn't really there. "Thanks."
"You're welcome, Sir. Can I get you anything Captain Rogers?" JARVIS asks.
"No, thank you JARVIS. I'm fine."
Steve knows that he won't be able to get back to sleep even though he was only just able to fall asleep a couple hours ago and is mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. Over the last two days he's probably only slept about 7 hours. Rogers gingerly rolls out of the bed, his side still a little sore from the wound where he had his surgery. His bare feet hit the frigid floor and makes his way for the door. He quietly opens the door and walks down the hall to the elevator. Steve had been sneaking up to the rooftop terrace to watch the sun rise ever since he first started staying with Tony. He would watch the sun rise and then make his way back downstairs before anyone noticed he was gone. He didn't want to worry anyone or explain why he was up at such an early hour. Going up there and being out in the open air seemed to help calm his nerves and collect his thoughts. The warm summer breeze was soothing and the sunrises were always beautiful. A far cry from his terror and death filled nightmares.
Up on the rooftop terrace it was still and quiet. The night sky was still full of rain clouds and thunder rumbled quietly in the distance as the storm was beginning to roll away with the coming morning. It was nearly 4 in the morning and the sun would be rising over the city skyline soon. Steve found the lounge chair under a sheltered area that he had been visiting every morning for the past couple days and settled his tired body in. He gazed out into the night as the stars began to shine through the clouds. The eventually stars faded into orange, red, and purple streaks as the sun began to rise over the horizon. Steve was lost in thought, thinking about his nightmares that plagued his sleep and what he was going to do now in this new world that was so far away from anything he knew. Tony wanted him to join his team called the Avengers. Steve had met the members of the Avenger's team when he first moved into the tower. Hawkeye introduced himself first. He seemed like a man that was cocky and not someone you wanted as an enemy. Steve talked aiming and technique with Clint and how arrows and shields compared. Natasha, also known as Black Widow, was about as intimidating as any man Steve had ever met. She had been quiet and reserved, studying him, when they were first introduced, obviously suspicious. Steve smiled at her, sheepishly, as he said hello. He seemed to charm his way through her icy exterior. Thor was next to introduce himself. He was about as tall as Steve and just as strong, maybe stronger. Steve could tell just by shaking the man's hand. He was very enthusiastic and welcomed Steve with open arms, literally. Thor had grabbed up Steve in his huge arms and shouted, "Welcome Captain! Or Spangly One as the Man of Iron calls you!" Steve smiled and thanked Thor as he awkwardly hung in mid air during the hug. Once his feet were back on the floor he met the Hulk. Hulk was definitely taller and stronger than Steve. He looked up at him and the Hulk didn't make a move at all. He just stared Rogers down with a suspicious and untrusting eye. There was a long silence between the two until Steve finally decided to take a step toward the giant green monster and extended a hand without saying a word. Hulk eyed the offer with a look of doubt and suspicion. He slowly lifted his own enormous hand and grasped Steve's, covering his entire hand and almost half his forearm. He gently shook the smaller man's hand, grunted, and left. Tony had assured him that that was one of the best meetings Hulk ever had with someone new. Steve later met Banner after Hulk had calmed down.
Steve had started to form a friendship with Tony, but he still didn't really know anyone else. Literally, he knew no one else. For the first time in his life he felt like he was directionless. With his mind racing, Steve eventually relaxes as the warm summer air blows across his face. He sinks into the cushioned lounge chair and watches the sun rise. Exhaustion and weariness finally overtake him and he starts to drift into a light sleep.
Steve's uneasy dozing is interrupted after what feels like only a couple minutes. He feels something shake his shoulder and, out of instinct, he quickly jumps up and grabs the hand on his shoulder and has the arm behind the back of whoever it belonged to in half a second.
"Ow, hey!" Tony yells as he tried to escape the grip. "Easy Cap, it's just me!"
Steve snaps out of his haze, suddenly realizing that he had fallen asleep and didn't made it back down to his room before everyone had gotten up for the morning.
"Tony?," Steve replies through a sleepy fog.
"Yes, it's me. Will you let me go, please?"
"Sorry," Steve says as he releases him from his grip. "I don't know what got into me." Steve sits down and runs his fingers through his hair.
"No worries Cap. Believe it or not, that wasn't the worst "good morning" greeting I've had," Tony smiles and sits in the chair across from Steve, stretching out his sore shoulder. "Steve, what are you doing up here? Pepper was worried when you weren't in your room and you hadn't come down for breakfast. She was so worried, she woke me up and made me look for you."
Steve stands up and walks over to the edge of the terrace. "I just came up to watch the sunrise," Steve says simply, not really wanting to say more. "I must've dozed off."
Tony looks at him, knowing there is more to it than just that, but doesn't push the matter. "Well, the sun has risen, it's nearly seven in the morning and Pepper is "making us breakfast." Tony says as he makes air quotations.
Steve doesn't really understand what that means, but he is a little worried.
Tony and Steve make their way down from the terrace to the kitchen in the penthouse. Black smoke billows into the elevator when the doors open. Tony and Steve cough through the smoke and slowly walk into the kitchen where the smoke alarm is blaring.
"Don't say a word," Pepper's voice comes through harsh, frustrated, and in no mood for one of Tony's smart comments that she knows is coming. He had told her to just let JARVIS make breakfast, but she insisted on making a meal from scratch for Steve to help him feel at home.
"I wouldn't ever dream of it," Tony says and he opens a few windows and turns on the vent above the oven to try to disperse the smoke. "You're meal is looking wonderful, darling."
Pepper shoots Tony a look that Tony can't really see through the dark smoke, but he doesn't need to. He continues to open windows in silence.
"I was whisking eggs when I completely forgot the bacon on the stove top when it just burst into flames," Pepper sighs as she pulls a burned pan off the stove top with something black and crumbly scalded to the bottom "I just wanted to make you a nice breakfast, Steve." Pepper looks over to the super-soldier who has a big grin on his face. He walks over to Pepper and gives her a hug.
"This is just like what our house looked like when my mom used to make me breakfast when I was a kid," Steve says as he embraces Pepper. "She was no Betty Crocker, but she did her best. Thanks Pepper."
Pepper looks at Steve and smiles through wet eyes and she gives him a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Well," she begins, "Lucky for us we have JARVIS as back up for breakfast this morning."
Soon after the kitchen disaster there is the delicious smell of bacon, eggs, pancakes, fruit, waffles, and coffee. The aroma soon spreads though the whole penthouse floor and the other Avengers are lured from their rooms into the kitchen. Thor is the first one to make his way down. As chipper and bright as ever, he puts together a large plate and fills his coffee mug and sits at the table with the three. Banner comes in next and grabs a plate to food and some coffee and sits himself down next to Tony as they talk about some new article that was released in some sort of science journal. Steve is still getting used to seeing Banner instead of the Hulk since he had changed from their first meeting. It amazes Steve that a man who is so smart and soft spoken and just down right pleasant could be harboring a Hulk on the inside. Clint shuffles in next, not saying a word, eyes half open while grabbing a cup of coffee and sits at the end of the table. Natasha brings up the end of the train as she wanders in, grabs coffee and some eggs and sits next to Pepper. As the coffee cups are slowly emptied, conversation begins, other than Thor constantly talking of course, and Steve enjoys listening to everyones stories and how everyone does their best to annoy each other every chance they get. It reminds him of his friendship with Bucky.
Soon, everyone seems to notice that Rogers hasn't said a word since they have sat down for breakfast. The super soldier is sitting at the end of the table, staring into his coffee cup, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Steve suddenly realizes that the chatter has stopped and he looks up to see concerned looks directed toward him. Steve feels himself blush a little as he looks around, feeling a little uncomfortable as he doesn't know what to do or say.
"Hey Cap," Clint says, seemingly in a better mood since his cup of coffee, "tell us about yourself. What do we need to know about Steve Rogers?"
"What do you want to know?" Steve asks as he shifts in his chair and takes a sip of his coffee.
"Where did you grow up?" Natasha asks. Steve is pretty sure that was the most he had heard the woman say since he first met her.
"Brooklyn," Steve replies with a smile. "Born and raised."
"Family?" Tony asks as he shovels a forkful of eggs into his mouth.
"Only child," Steve answers taking another sip of coffee.
"Any other family?" Bruce asks.
Steve pauses for a moment. "My father died when I was a kid. My mother was a nurse and picked up TB. She couldn't shake it and ended up dying shortly after my dad. "
"Who took care of you after your parents?" Pepper asks, horrified at the thought of little Steve not having parents to care for him.
"I grew up in an orphanage across town," Steve replies as his eyes shift from Pepper to his plate. "That's where I met one of my best friends. We looked out for each other. Well, he looked out for me a lot of the time."
"Was that Bucky?" Clint asks. Steve looks up at him with surprise. "What? I read the file SHIELD had on you when you became Captain America."
"I didn't realize I had a file," Steve says, looking out the window. The past memories of growing up with Bucky began to flood in. "Yeah, that was where I met Bucky."
There is a bit of a long pause when Tony finally brakes the silence. He is good at that. "So, what was it like when you first became Captain America?" Tony asks, trying to change the subject.
"Yes!" roars Thor. "Please Captain, share with us a story of one of your many glorious battles!"
Steve sits for a second, and then looks up. "Maybe a little later" Steve answers quietly with a weak smile as he stands up from the table. "I think I need to get a little air. Thank you again for breakfast Pepper."
Rogers picks up his plates and brings them over to the sink while the Avengers at the table exchange concerned glances with each other. Steve rinses his plate and walks into the elevator.
"We're all idiots," Tony sighs flatly and he rubs a hand across his eyes.
"What?" Natasha asks. "We just wanted to get to know the guy. If he's going to be on the team we want to know something about him other than the obvious."
"But we asked all the wrong questions," Bruce says, agreeing with Tony. "The guy just woke up 70 years in the future. We can't expect him to be an open book on day three of his new life, especially with questions about his past."
"Do you think he's going to be okay?" Pepper asks.
"This is the Man of America, is he not?" Thor replies. "A great warrior and force to be reckoned with. Surely he shall be fine."
"He will be Thor," Tony says as he stands from his chair. "We're going to make sure he is."
….
Steve has made his way down to street level and decides to take a walk around his old neighborhood. The hope of seeing something familiar is quickly crushed as he makes his way through the strange streets. All the little mom and pop stores have been switched out with large department stores and skyscrapers. Television screens replaced the old billboards and water towers, mannequins were displayed in windows with scraps of fabric, most of which would have been a stretch to pass as a shirt in Steve's day, being sold as dresses. People are rushing by him without a smile or hello. All running through their day either coming or going from something, cell phones in hand either checking emails or texts or on a call. Steve's world was frozen in time for 70 years and now it is rushing by him faster than he can keep up with it.
Steve sits on a bench and watches the world run about it's business on another day in present day New York. Rogers begins to think about the decisions that are ahead of him and the past that was behind him. Steve knew that if Bucky were here he would tell Steve to quit being a bum. Bucky was the only one who always believed in Steve and was always on his side. It was then and there that Rogers decided that he was going to try to make the most of this second chance. He wasn't really sure how he was going to do it, but he would figure out a way. Rogers starts to walk down the street back to Stark Tower. He has been gone for quite a while now and figures he should be getting back.
On the way back to the Tower, an explosion erupts from a nearby building that sends people screaming and running down the street as the whole block feels like it is shaking. The force of the explosion throws Steve into a wall and he falls roughly to the sidewalk. Steve struggles to get to his knees, his vision is blurry and his ears are ringing. Chunks of concrete and shattered glass rain down and he covers his head with his hands. People are laying injured in the street. Steve is pretty certain that he dislocated his right shoulder from the impact, but he makes it to his feet to try and see what exactly had happened.
The building that had blown up was a small Asian market. The building is unstable and beginning to crumble. Produce, dry goods, and other foods are scattered along with the brick and glass on the street. Six men emerge from the chaos wearing masks and military camouflage. Each is armed with automatic weapons, knives, crowbars, and hand guns. Steve watches them come forward from the disaster behind them as the biggest guy steps forward and begins to shout over the chaos.
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen!" he shouts above the screams and sirens. "My name is Crossbones and we are a small part of a much larger body called The Order. We are dedicated to keeping our great country pure! This city has been stained with the masses of immigrants and those who seek to take power away from the American people! We still believe in the potential of this country, but we must take up our arms and fight to protect her from the terrorists who seek to destroy her from the inside out!" he continues as he points his gun at an Asian woman and her small child.
The man's speech and execution are sharply interrupted when a stray hubcap flies into his face with a clang. "This country doesn't need help from people like you," Steve shouts as he quickly plants himself in between the woman and the barrel of the man's gun. "The only terrorists I see here are you six."
"You protect this scum that pollutes your country?" The man snarls as he wipes the blood from his nose and mouth. "These creatures that steal our jobs, pollute our culture, and threaten our very way of life? You are willing to stand and put your life between them and us?"
"Always," Steve replies as he readies himself for a fight. "As long as there are fools like you who threaten to destroy the freedom of this country and harm the innocent, I will always stand between you and them for as long as I live."
"Hm, that may not be for much longer" the masked man smiles. "Get 'em boys."
Steve is really wishing he had his shield right now as the five other men surround him with their weapons ready - crowbars, knives, and guns. Crossbones watches with an evil smirk on his face. The first man lunges at Steve with a chain in his hand. He raises his hand and tries to strike Cap with it, but the Captain is too fast and grabs the chain and uses the other man's momentum to launch him over his head and crashing into another man getting ready to stab Steve in the back. Steve's shoulder throbs from the movement, but swings around to take on the remaining three when he feels a sharp punch to his side. One of the men is able to get off a shot, hitting Steve in the left side. Steve falls onto his back and the man with a crowbar runs up to him and strikes him in his wounded side. Steve tries to hold in a cry of pain as the man comes back at him again for another blow, but Steve is able to grab the crowbar mid-swing and kicks his feet out from underneath him as he lands flat on his back. The two men that Steve had taken out have recovered and have returned to their friends. One of them takes a run at Steve as he's struggling to get back on his feet and swings his knife at him, catching his arm and then slicing across his chest. Steve stumbles to the ground as one of the men takes aim with his hand gun, getting ready to deliver the final blow. Steve stares him down, unflinching, when a flash of red and gold flies past his vision faster than Steve can comprehend. The whole group is stunned, including Steve, when arrows fly into two of the men's arms from out of nowhere. The ground shakes and a great roar fills the air when Hulk crashes onto the scene and rushes over to the collapsing market to try to give the people still inside time to escape. Widow guides the confused and scared civilians out of the building as quickly as possible. Thor brings lightning down upon the group of terrorists, scattering them. Clint runs over to Cap's side and tosses him his shield.
"Thought you could use this," Clint smiles and extends a hand to help Steve up.
"Thanks," Steve says in a groan as he grabs hold of Clint's hand, leaning on him for a moment as he gathers his strength.
"Are you good, Rogers?" Clint asks, looking at the large blood stain on the side of Steve's white shirt.
"Fine," Steve grunts. "Just help me pop my shoulder back in quick," Steve says as he holds his arm out to Clint.
"Are you sure about this?" Clint asks. "Its going to hurt like hell.
"It's the only way I'll be able to throw my shield," Steve insists as he braces himself.
Clint grabs Steve's arm firmly and braces his foot against Steve's leg. With a swift motion he jerks Steve's arm forward and feels a sharp pop as his shoulder is jerked back into it's place. Steve doubles over after letting out small cry of pain. Steve lingers for a moment as he pulls himself together and looks up to Clint and says, "Alright, let's take out the trash."
"….really Cap?" Clint asks with a raise brow. "Super old school line."
"It wasn't old school the last time I used it," Steve says, looking a little disappointed.
"Come on, old man," Clint laughs.
The team gathers together after all the civilians are safely out of the building and the group of men responsible for the chaos have also regrouped.
"You okay Cap?" Iron Man asks as he keeps his repulser rays aimed at the men.
"I'm fine," He winces. "Let''s just finish this."
"We shall stand with you Captain," Thor declares, his hammer ready for battle.
Tony could tell the super soldier was obviously favoring his shoulder and was breathing heavier than normal. Iron Man had every intention of finishing this fight quickly, but before he has a chance to act, Crossbones steps forward with something in his hand and shouts "We're willing to die for our cause, are you?"
"He's got a grenade," Widow yells as they run for cover. Captain America winces in pain as he throws his shield at the man knocking the grenade out of his hand, sending it flying into the air. The grenade detonates, blowing out windows and shaking the buildings and city street and also sends both groups flying back in separate directions. Rubble and debris rain down to the ground as both groups struggle to get up. Crossbones stands to his feet, the rage burning in his eye as he yells, "What have you done!? You've ruined everything!" He runs for Captain America. Cap takes his shield and quickly shoves it into the incoming man's face, sending him flying back. Cap then jumps onto Crossbones, pinning him to the ground with his shield pressed to his neck.
"Still willing to die for your so-called cause?" he growls to the man as he struggles uselessly under Captain America's weight. No answer comes as he stares at the Super Soldier with hate in his eyes.
"You wear the colors of this country and fight in her name, but you bring shame to her by supporting the scum that are destroying her," Crossbones snarls at Captain America. "You are not worth to wear that flag," he spits.
"I fight for the American People," the Super Soldier says quietly, but with conviction as he stares the man down. He leans over and gets face to face with Crossbones. "I've fought against people like you before. They lost 70 years ago and you will lose today." Cap raises his shield and slams the edge of it into the ground near the man's head. Crossbones flinches and lets out a pathetic whimper. "That's a promise," Cap whispers. "Get up," he orders as Crossbones struggles to his knee. He quickly grabs a knife out of a holster around his ankle and buries it into the side of Steve's thigh.
"Cap!" Tony shouts as he sees the knife plunge into his leg. Captain America drops to his knees from the sudden sharp pain and Crossbones quickly grabs an automatic rifle that was left on the street from the blast. Clint quickly jumps in front of the wounded Captain America and lets loose an arrow that hits its mark, lodging itself into Crossbone's shoulder. Iron Man then shoots the gun out of the man's hand with one well aimed shot from his repulsers while Hulk makes sure that he stays down this time. With one swift punch he sends the man flying across the street. Thor and Natasha cover the other remaining terrorists and make sure they sit the rest of the fight out.
Tony and Clint rush over to Steve as he is trying to sit up to reach around to pull the knife out.
"Stand down, solder," Tony orders and he gently pushes Cap back down to the ground, his face twisted into a painful grimace. The knife was a short blade and Tony pulls it out in one quick motion. Steve bites down on his lower lip trying not to let any noise escape as Tony pulls it out, but a strained gasp escapes his lips as Cap clenches his fist and hits the ground. "Sorry," Tony replies as he quickly takes the strip of fabric Clint had ripped off of his sleeve. Tony ties a tight knot around the wound while Captain America tries to breath though the pain with the pressure on his leg.
"Looks like the gun shot wound is a through and through," Clint says as he examines the Captain's side. "You're going to be bruised as hell though. We need to get you back to the Tower."
"I'll be fine," Cap says flatly. "I'm a fast healer. Just help me up."
Clint helps the Super Soldier up to his feet and helps support him as he stands. The police began to clear out the six men in cuffs as they are taken into custody.
"So, are we walking home?" Steve smiles a tired smile and limps slowly down the street with his arm clutched to his side, still sore form being wrenched back into it's socket.
"Nope," Tony replies as he presses a button on his wrist. Before their eyes a small aircraft uncloaks itself. "We saw you getting your butt kicked on the news and rushed over in style to save your behind."
"The only ones who got their butts kicked are those six fellas back there. They're going to be hurting in the morning, I can promise you that." Steve says proudly as they board the jet.
"Yeah, they're not the only ones who will be hurting tomorrow," Tony says. He eyes the large gash across Steve's chest. "We need to get you back to the tower."
"I told you," Steve starts. "I'm a….
"We know, we know," Natasha mocks. "You're a fast healer and a macho man. Blah, blah, blah. Just get in the jet."
"It was truly a glorious battle Captain," Thor replies with a laugh. "We were able to fight along side you and defeat the villains who dared attack our city. But the battle is over and now it is time to rest and heal so that we may be ready for the next battle!"
"Alright, alright. I give up," Steve surrenders and smiles at his team. He reluctantly sits on the medical table in the jet. His face turns serious as he stares down at the floor while Clint opens up a medical pack to start cleaning out the slash on his arm and chest. Steve raises his head and looks at his team. "Thank you, for backing me up out there."
"We've got your back, Cap," Widow replies and Steve thinks he actually sees a hint of a smile on the stern woman's face.
They make it back to the mansion uneventfully and Bruce and Tony help get Steve into the infirmary. A sling for his shoulder, some bandages, and a number of stitches later, Steve is patched up. Bruce firmly insists he stay inside the medical bay for at least a day to make sure that he is healing properly, but Steve firmly declines. He eventually cuts a deal with Banner to rest in the main living area for the remainder of the evening where Bruce can keep an eye on him when he notices the other man's skin turn a little green with the frustration. The day is coming to an end and Steve is laying in on the couch with his eyes closed, but not sleeping. He has an icepack that Bruce made him place on a very dark purple bruise that had appeared over his forehead above his eye. Bruce had just left after checking Steve's pulse and changed out the bandage on his leg, as it had already soaked through. Tony walks into the living area with a glass of water and sets it on the end table above Steve's head next to the couch.
"You know, you're pretty tough for an old guy. Good work out there today, Cap" Tony says as he flops down into a chair across from the couch.
"You too," Steve softly replies, wincing a little as he turns his head and cracks an eye open to look at Tony.
"So, have you given any thought to my offer?"
Typical Tony. Just jumping straight to business, no fluff or small talk. "I have," Steve answers, closing his eyes again, making Tony wait and squirm.
"And?" Tony asks impatiently, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.
Steve takes in a deep breath. "Today made me realize something," Steve slowly starts as Tony falls back into the chair, exasperated that Steve won't answer his question. "I realized that this world, as different as it is when I last saw it, still has men who stand for evil. Even some of the same evils I fought against 70 years ago. But there are also people who stand up and fight for what's right, just like there were back in my time. Men and women like the Avengers. I've been given a chance to make a difference now and I can't ignore it or waste it." Another long pause comes.
"So…," Tony pauses for a moment. "Does that mean you're saying yes?"
Steve doesn't answer and Tony thought he had fallen asleep.
"Cap?" Tony prods Steve's non-dislocated arm in disbelief. "Cap?" Tony stands up in frustration and runs his fingers over his face with a groan as he starts to leave.
"Yes." Cap finally answers quietly with his eyes still closed, but a smirk on his face.
"Say what now?" Tony asks as he quickly turns around and stares at Steve over the back of the couch with an annoyed glare on his face.
"The Avengers," Steve says, opening his eyes and looking at Tony from behind the icepack. "I've got your guys' back."
"And we've got yours, Cap." Tony says as his glare turning into a smile.
Tony leaves the room and Steve lays on the couch thinking about getting up and going to bed, having fulfilled his commitment to Banner after spending the evening in the living room. For the first time since he arrived, his bed was calling his name. Steve lays there for a few more minutes and eventually exhaustion catches up with him and he falls asleep still holding the icepack on his bruised forehead. Tony comes by to check on Steve before he goes to bed, and finds the Super Soldier sleeping on the couch for real this time. He throws a blanket over Steve, carefully takes the icepack away from his hand without waking him up and lays his hand across his chest. He turns off the lights in the living room before retiring to bed. Bruce walks by and is surprised to see that Steve is still on the couch. Banner walks over and checks Steve's vitals and gently pulls up the bandage covering the bullet wound on Steve's side to check for bleeding. Bruce is relieved to see that the bleeding has slowed down substantially. Steve takes a deep breath and shifts a little. "Hey doc," he whispers quietly through half lidded eyes.
"Hey Cap," Banner says while he replaces the bandage. "Sorry to wake you. How are you feeling?" He places a hand of Steve's forehead.
"Never felt better, Doc," Steve answers as he shifts to get up.
"You're a horrible liar," Banner says with a smirk on his face and puts a hand on Steve's non-injured shoulder to ease him back down. Steve winces from the movement that jars his achy body.
"Maybe I'm a little sore," Steve quietly admits as he sinks back into the soft couch.
"Get some sleep, Steve," Bruce orders as he stands up.
Steve nods and relaxes, falling asleep almost immediately.
Steve sleeps soundly on the couch through the entire night for the first time since he was pulled from the ice a few days ago, finally beginning to find peace in his new life and his new team.
…..