This one was tough to write because of all the emotional intensity of Steve's. I don't know, this whole story has been full of angst but somehow this chapter was more difficult to put into words. Anyways, enjoy the pain and please review.

Steve stared at the cellphone in his hand. He still hadn't figured out most of its functions but he knew what button to press when it rang. It had to ring. Surely, they'd already seen the footage over at S.H.I.E.L.D. Steve inhaled and looked up at the TV screen glowing ominously in the corner of the living room.

Earlier this afternoon, the residence of Tony Stark, the founder and former CEO of Stark Industries, in Malibu, California was attacked by an army of militarized aircrafts allegedly sent by the renowned terrorist, Mandarin, who is responsible for the many attacks-

With a shaking finger, Steve pressed the mute button and sank back in his chair. His hands were trembling uncontrollably. He couldn't bear just sitting there in the safety of his apartment, while Tony was fighting this man alone.

If Tony was even alive…

No, he would not think that. Tony Stark had invented the Iron Man. Hell, Tony Stark had probably invented the weapons that were fired at his home. Surely, he could handle a few planes and a flimsy terrorist… Steve laughed out loud and heard noises that sounded almost hysterical come out of his mouth. He swallowed hard twisting his hands as he watched the silent footage replay the explosion of Tony's house again and again.

They said no body was found. Pepper had made it out alive – Steve saw her pushing away reporters and digging furiously at the debris around the front door of what remained of the house. They didn't show much of her before they began replaying the footage of the explosion, but they showed enough for Steve to know that Tony was missing.

God damn it, why hadn't they called?

Steve was sure that S.H.I.E.L.D would intervene. Whatever differences they may have had, Tony was one of Fury's most prized agents – after all he had invented most of their weapon arsenal before he switched over to the Iron Man. And of course they would call Steve in. They had to – who else was there? Natasha and Clint were away on a mission, Steve was certain. Banner couldn't possibly be trusted to work alone, and besides he was probably somewhere in Calcutta on a humanitarian quest again. It had to be Steve.

"GOD DAMN IT!" Steve cried in helpless fury as he sent the phone flying into the wall. Fortunately, it didn't fall apart. It couldn't have – it was another one of Tony's brilliant inventions. Steve dropped his head into his hands and allowed the angry sobs to reverberate through his body. He had to do something. He would never forgive himself if anything happened to Tony while he just SAT IN HIS GOD DAMNED LIVING ROOM.

Very quietly, the phone began to buzz. Steve scrambled to his feet, tripped, and almost went flying into the same wall his phone collapsed into earlier. Regaining his balance, Steve grabbed the phone pressing all buttons at once.

"Yes?" He finally managed in a hoarse whisper.

"Captain," Fury's voice cut through the speaker.

"Yes," Steve almost cried with relief. Fury would tell him he had a mission – a mission to save Tony, and Steve would set it all right. He would save Tony, he would bring him back home, and perhaps then he could tell him how he had felt ever since they parted what seemed like a decade ago in New York.

To be fair, Steve wasn't sure how he felt. He really just wanted a chance to speak with Tony again.

"Director Fury, I request to be immediately dispat-"

"Captain," Fury cut him off. Steve heard him sigh heavily. "Stark's been compromised."

"I know, sir, I've seen the footage…" Steve stopped mid-sentence when the full meaning of Fury's message reached his brain. "You mean he's alive?"

"Yes."

"Are you positive?"

"Yes, Captain, you need to-"

"Thank God," Steve exhaled. He had hoped, prayed that Tony was alive, yes, but there were no reports to refute his death, no reports that the terrorists captured anyone. It was nearly impossible for Tony to survive that explosion if he was still inside, and if he made it out alive, surely he would have been captured.

"JUST LISTEN!" Fury finally snapped. Steve felt a drop of cold sweat make its way down his back. Fury never lost his tempter unless the situation was critical.

"He was wearing his suit and he was able to program it to take him to safety before he lost consciousness. We had estimated a location, but lost him within the hour. It appears Mr. Stark doesn't want to be found or assisted."

"But how do you know he's not hurt? Or captured? How can you be sure he had not been taken prisoner by Manda-"

"CAPTAIN ROGERS!" Fury bellowed in his ear. "You sound like an anxious school boy! GET A GRIP, SOLDIER!"

"I'm sorry. Director Fury, sir. I was worried for Stark. Sir," Steve replied coolly feeling the heat rising to his cheeks.

"Look, Captain," Fury sounded weary now. "This information is classified and not to be disclosed to anyone but those directly involved with the mission. I only called you to let you know Stark's alive before you sprinted off into the sunset to rescue his unfortunate ass."

"I understand," Steve replied softly having finally regained some clarity of thought. "Wait, sir. What do you mean 'only those directly involved with the mission'? I thought you were calling me in?"

"Captain Rogers, as I've already told you, Stark doesn't seem to require assistance. However," Fury stated firmly before Rogers could interrupt, "we will be closely monitoring the situation and should it become critical, we will be prepared to intervene, get Stark to safety or help him defeat the terrorist, whatever's necessary."

"So call me in, sir," Steve pressed. "Give me a location and I'll join the team. I'm sure Tony can handle it, but as you said, should the situation become critical-"

"I cannot authorize an agent who is emotionally compromised about the objective of the mission to participate, Captain," Fury declared with a hint of softness in his tone.

"Emotionally compromised?" Steve choked on his words. "I-I don't understand, sir."

"I think you understand very well. Look…we all know, Captain. I have no interest in this…delicate business of yours, but I cannot assign you to a mission where you will be incapable to perform fully due to your personal…issues."

"Sir, whatever 'issues' you think I may have…I can assure you that they will not impair my abilities to perform any mission."

"It's done, Captain Rogers," Fury declared in a formal tone. "This phone call is private and was not recorded by S.H.I.E.L.D at my request, so I trust none of the classified information I have given you will be leaked."

"No, sir. Thank you, sir," Steve replied, defeated. Fury was about to hang up, but Steve inhaled and blurted out without thinking. " Sir, if anything…if Stark doesn't make it," his voice fell to a whisper, "I would want to hear it from you before I see it on the news."

"Captain, such decisions will be made at my discretion if a need arises," Fury replied coolly and ended the call leaving Steve to listen to the loud beeps in his ear as he collapsed against the wall and slid softly to the floor.