"Sir," Jarvis' voice pulled Tony out of his semi-sleep at his desk. "You have an incoming message."

Tony grumbled slightly, "Fury?" He questioned straightening his sore shoulders.

"No sir, it appears to be the cult leader known as the Examiner."

"Put it through and trace it." Tony said suddenly awake.

The screen in front of him clicked on.

"Ah, hello Mr Stark." The Examiner said, smiling through the screen. He could see Steve in the background. His head was laying on his chest. He was hanging from his wrists, both legs bent under the weight. And he was covered in blood.

"What do you want?" He hissed at the screen. There was no response. "J?"

"It appears it is a one-sided message. It is live, but you can not converse."

Steve was staring at the camera now, confusion lacing his features. Tony could now see the blood covering his face and the way his friend was gasping, like oxygen, was something precious he wasn't use to. It made Tony sick.

"I believe you will be quite relieved, " the madman continued, "to know that your little plan worked. Some of the countering agents you suggested have been quite useful in combating the serum." Tony's eyes widened in shock.

"Jarvis?" He breathed. If what he suspected was true...

"I will run full diagnostics on all files pertaining to the Super Soldier Serum." The AI promised.

"As you can see he is quite docile at the moment."

"You're a liar," Steve's voice barely made it through the speaker.

Tony felt a small amount of relief at the voice. Whatever had been done to the soldier's voice wasn't permanent. And he still believed in Tony. The inventor allowed himself a small smile.

"Ah, always looking for the best in people. I assure you, in this case, your trust is misplaced. Tony here informed me your little mission here. He told me how to capture you and what to do once I had you. He's been pulling the strings the whole time."

"No,"

"Yes, he was tired of your constant heroics, 'it would be better if he just died. Then at least he'd stay out of my business,' was the exact quote if I'm not mistaken."

A look of recognition and hurt crossed Steve's face. But, only Clint and Bruce had been there. How...

"Jarvis, where was Cap when... You know."

"He was in the adjoining room, Sir."

He heard the whole thing. Steve heard every cruel, drunken word.

"You see Captain, it's better if you just accept it now."

Steve's head fell back against his chest, defeated. Tony thought he might throw up.

"Today was just for my amusement, " the madman continued, "tomorrow we shall start on the agreed on experiments. Until tomorrow," There was a small wave before the screen clicked off.

Tony collapsed further into his chair. Steve had only been gone for twenty-four hour and they had already counteracted the serum and beaten him severely. And tomorrow they were going to start full experimentation. They had to get him back. He needed to find the base yesterday. As it was, there was little he could do but sit and wait.

~A~

"Sir, the Avenger's are requiring your presence upstairs."

Tony had been deeply engrossed his project. If all things went accordingly, this radar would help him more accurately find where the video had come from.

The inventor pulled himself, feeling exhausted from only getting about twenty minutes of half sleep. This would give him a chance to get more coffee. He desperately needed coffee.

When he reached the conference room, everyone was there. Bruce sat fidgeting in an armchair. Thor was standing, arms crossed and his face grimly set. Clint sat on the couch, cleaning his bow with a tense expression. Natasha stood behind Clint, tightly gripping the back of the couch.

Tony gave a small glance before going to the kitchen. He needed coffee before he could deal with this.

"So, " he said when he finally made his way in the room. "Is this my trial?"

Natasha was first to speak, "How long have you been studying the Super Soldier Serum?"

So this was his trial, great. "I'm not. I worked on briefly before New York. Haven't opened it since."

"Then how'd Sygma get it?" Clint said in an icy tone.

"I don't know," Tony answers honestly.

Clint rolled his eyes, "You don't know. We read the file. You'd been working to neutralize the serum. You've even figured out him to counteract it."

"I didn't know if it would work."

"So you sent him to your cult friends to figure out?"

"No. I didn't. Do you really think I'd be stupid enough to let them contact me here if I did? Like I wouldn't know you'd watch the video. I'm not that stupid Barton and I'm pretty sure I'd be dead if you actually believed I turned him in."

Clint stood up and walked until he was toe-to-toe with the billionaire. "If it were up to me, you would be." Then he stormed out.

There was silence before Thor sighed, "I apologize for my precious accusations. I know you would not betray us. I was simply angered for out Captain."

Tony felt a tiny smile creep on his lips. At least someone believed him.

"The file was probably stolen. If we can look for ghost accounts we might be able to find something." It was Bruce. Calm, reassuring Bruce.

"I've been running diagnostics for it. I, uh, I could use a second pair of eyes."

Bruce smiled, "Let's not waste any time them."

They turned to leave.

"Stark."

The one word from Natasha made him involuntarily flinch.

"Barton's angry. He's not thinking clearly. He'll come around."

The relief he felt was so acute he thought he might pass out. "Thanks."

"Let me know if you find anything." The words were spoken softly and so, unlike the assassin that Tony turned around.

"I will."

He would find Steve. With his team behind him, he could do anything.

~A~

Don't worry, things get worse before they get better :)

And this story will be Romanogers. I just wrote a future chapter which is 100% Romanogers and I love it.

What do you think about the teams reaction?

What's up with Steve?

What kind of experiments will Sygma run?

Let me know what you guys think!

God bless,
Jamie