Other Steve gaped like a fish out of water, mouth wide open as he stumbled backwards clumsily. He felt dizzy, like his body wasn't his own. He managed to let out a mangled and slightly desperate, "What?"

The collective group ignored him as Freya reached down to pull the fabric of Tony's SHIELD sweatshirt away with Steve's assistance. When he was naked from the waist up, he looked exceptionally small and vulnerable. Tony's skin was littered with mottled bruises and scratches. His veins stood out prominently, dark as though filled with poison. The dent on the edge of his arc reactor near the scarring made Steve want to scream in frustration. He moved his body so Tony wasn't in the SHIELD agents direct line of sight.

"Whatever this thing in his chest is," Freya remarked quietly, tendrils of blonde hair falling over her face. "It must be removed for me to work my magic. It's made of metal and so is my necklace, so, er. Logistically speaking it's not gonna work, otherwise."

"My lady Freya," Thor began, tone rough, a hand up aloft in her direction.

Natasha shook her head in weary negation, "It's impossible to remove his reactor. We can't. It's keeping shrapnel from hitting his heart. He'd die."

Fury's eyes met Natasha's as she glared pointedly at him. Fury's guilt was tangible if you knew the tells. He hadn't believed Tony's story before, or anything they'd said. But now he did. And he understood that the Avengers were not going to let him walk away easily from that fact. He'd hurt their ally; he knew the consequences. A pissed off Captain America, Hawkeye or Black Widow were already a dreary prospect. And now there was a damn god and goddess from Asgard ready to fight against SHIELD, also. Fury ran scenarios through his head despairingly. He needed to stop the higher ups, ASAP. Before things got even worse.

Steve ducked his forehead against Tony's with a warm huff of air, his gaze trained on the blue reactor. It was too dim. Other Steve watched him with an unbelieving dismay. They seemed so- cozy. And declarations of love? This world was insane. He didn't know what was going to happen. It set his nerves on end, he really wanted this whole thing to be an insane dream. First time in ages he would have preferred to be asleep than awake.

They didn't have much time left Avenger Steve thought, counting Tony's heartbeats. "How long would the arc reactor have to be out?"

Freya licked her lips, assuring him, "Only for a short while, minutes at most."

Clint peered back towards SHIELD mistrustfully. The thought of removing the arc reactor in front of these dangerous people made him reasonably anxious. He knew Natasha and Steve felt the same.

So the archer deflected, "We don't have clearance in the first place, guys. Tony's arc reactor has some heavy fucking duty safety mechanisms-"

"Okay, let's get this over with." Steve replied over him, squaring his shoulders and rearranging Tony so he was propped upright against a cold metal wall. Tony remained unconscious, head lolled heavily on his shoulder. He was completely unaware of the manhandling. "I'll do it."

The Avengers already know the pair are close. They know of their romantic relationship and all its trappings, even if neither men talked about it. They were both private people with larger-than-life public profiles. Discretion was understandable. But they still couldn't quite manage to hide their surprise that Tony had given Steve clearance to literally take his heart out if need be. The arc reactor was Tony's most secretive and closely-held tech besides the Iron Man suit. That show of trust was enormous.

"He showed me how to remove the reactor the same day he gave me the codes for his GPS." Steve explained, glaring at SHIELD for no reason at all. "I'd prefer if they weren't in the room for this."

Other Natasha scoffed simultaneously with Clint, pointing over to a corner, "Security cameras."

Steve gave them his meanest glower. God, he disliked this worlds SHIELD. Immensely.

"Why do you feel that way, good Captain?" Thor inquired curiously before turning boastful. "You know SHIELD will not be able to touch Anthony while we are all here to watch over the good man of iron."

"We don't know if the Tony in this world has an arc reactor." Steve stated with agitation. "They might try to rip it out of him as soon as we leave for home. With how they've already treated him I wouldn't be surprised. If fact, I'd expect it."

"No way," Other Steve burst in, overly-loud. "No. I won't let that happen."

"As if I'd believe a thing you say." Steve snapped viciously for what felt like the millionth time. Oh, punching that guy would do wonders for him. He didn't think any of his teammates would even hold it against him.

"I know, yeah." Other Steve agreed immediately. "But I still won't let SHIELD do that to Iron Man. You have my word."

"Captain-" Fury began, but Other Steve held a gloved hand aloft."We are going to have a long chat, Fury, about your lies." Other Steve informed him with a sour leer. "After which you are going to accept my resignation from SHIELD."

Other Natasha and Clint twitched awkwardly. Fury's expression was stony.

"We won't let them do it to Iron Man, anyway. We don't need your 'word.'" Natasha stated, her voice soft but deadly with promise.

"The Avengers are going to make sure that the stolen tech is destroyed." Clint agreed, smirking.

Thor raised his clenched fist in the air, "I feel we owe it to the mistreated Anthony of this world. It is our duty as superhero's, as the Facebook says."

Freya pointed at the god of thunder, "I follow Thor."

Clint, Natasha and Fury gave identical and equally affronted expressions. Other Steve warmed up to the idea quickly since he really owed Stark an apology. Well, he owed both Stark's an apology.

Avenger Steve let a twinge of humor wash over him, he was sure Tony would find this hilarious if he was awake. "It would be swell to meet the other version of Tony. And restore his stolen data to him."

"Well." Freya blinked while mentioning innocently, "This seems to be a shit show of conflicting and overpowering personalities. Some friends you've got here, Thor."

Thor grinned, white teeth gleaming, "Aye, that they are."

Freya turned at the SHIELD with a quelling look. Fury stiffened, trying not to lower his eyes when Freya stared directly at him.

"I've heard of that Iron Man dude." It was strange to listen to the Asgardian use American slang. "He's that guy who stopped the nuke in Hong Kong. Brave cookie. Sad the media treat him like the villain. What does he have to do with Brisengamen, anyway. I'm kinda confused here. You guys on opposing sides even though you're doppelgängers?"

Avenger Steve shook his head sadly, trying to explain, "Long story short, the Iron Man from this world is Tony Stark. I'm sure you know the name."

"The billionaire weapons maker?" Her eyebrows flew up. "Stark Industries CEO? No way."

The super soldier gave a rueful smile, gesturing at their Tony, "And this is Tony Stark from our world, also Iron Man."

"I guess I didn't recognize him with all the bruises." The petite goddess wrinkled her nose before her eyes rolled, "Of course Thor gets all the cool friends. Figures. Why does he always-"

"Freya," Thor interrupted.

"Oh, sorry. Let's get this done, then. Take out his shiny thing, good sir." She ordered Steve with a playfully pompous manner.

Steve took a deep quelling breath. He removed his heavy leather gloves and placed them on the floor. Kneeling, he peered closely at Tony's chest. Bringing his thick hands to cover the light of the device he deftly spun the core, hearing the mechanical lock click and release. Pressing his thumb to the center, he watched it scan his thumbprint before it was jettisoned from the base. Steadily he pulled the thick tech from Tony's chest, hearing the audible difference in his breathing immediately. Two thick wires remained attached inside his chest.

With wary determination Steve pulled them out in order and flipped a switch on the underside of the core. He watched the familiar glow flicker, darken and shut off. Tony began shivering, his lips turning blue as he twitched in discomfort. Holding the arc tight in his palm, Steve brushed strands of dark hair from his face and cradled the back of the genius's head.

Clint'd never seen the reactor removed, but Natasha had. He really hadn't been able to tell how much space it took up in Tony's chest before. X-Rays were one thing, but watching it leave Tony's body was another. It made Natasha think about what Tony had had to do when it was just a car battery stuck in his chest. Stranded within a cave in Afghanistan.

Other Steve watched with growing horror, the hole in the center of Stark's body was just downright ominous. It shouldn't be possible. Freya didn't seem bothered in the least, nor did Thor. Clint figured that their 'what-the-fuck' meter was probably on a different dimension altogether.

Freya tugged a large hand away from Tony's hair, forcing Steve to place his flat palm against the skin above the garishly empty casing. Freya's fingers were half the size of Steve's, he noticed, when she squeezed both of hers atop his. Steve watched Freya's eyes slide shut. He dutifully closed his own after a moment, knowing his friends were hovering protectively over them. They wouldn't allow anything to happen.

"Think positive thoughts," Freya instructed, voice slurred as if in a meditation. "Think of your fondest memories, of the reasons for affection and loyalty."

She paused, "Think only of him, please."

It wasn't hard for Steve at all. He let memories play beneath his eyelids. Tony hunched over his work station covered in oil, ranting a mile a minute. Iron Man's face plate popping open, revealing a beamingly bright and triumphant smile. Brown eyes, vulnerable, telling him that if he died Steve should destroy all the arc reactor's using the GPS. Tony kissing him, their mouths molding pliant and needy and so very perfect. Tony's breath on his skin, the way he sounded when wrapped up with pleasure. Something shifted, Steve felt it, and the different scenes were somehow tangible and so crisp and real that his breath left his lungs.

Tony's voice nursing him out of a panic attack, soothing and tender. Tony's hands brushing through his hair, teasing and affectionate. These thoughts all sped away in a crazy blur until no one memory was more important than another. Steve barely heard Natasha gasp from somewhere over his shoulder. When he opened his eyes, they were blinded with a white light radiating from his hands. Then Freya seemed to be lifting something from deep inside of the man, from within his very soul.

The air crackled, and Freya pulled away with a silver necklace clasped between her hands. Steve took this as his cue and began efficiently replacing the arc reactor in reverse order. As the lock initiated and the hum of the device steadily purred under his touch, Steve felt like a weight had been lifted off his own shoulders. Tony's skin brightened almost instantly, his cheeks flushing as he lungs heaved with unconscious effort. The super soldier watched Tony breathe, overwhelmed momentarily.

Freya smiled at him kindly, "This Anthony Stark may be a total idiot for touching my necklace, but I can feel your love and regard for him. It's very beautiful, Captain Steven Rogers. I shall give him a small gift since I don't think your fight in this world is over quite yet."

She leaned slowly past Steve, forearm braced on his shoulder, and kissed Tony's cheek. Steve watched in astonishment as a softer glow emanated from Tony's entire body- and then-

His bruises faded, his scrapes healed and suddenly he was completely uninjured. Even the super-soldier didn't heal that fast. Before Freya could properly give him back some personal space, Steve twined his arms around her and all-but lifted her off the ground with a fierce hug. Captain America spun the tiny goddess in circles. She was incredibly amused by the antics

"I can't thank you enough!" He rushed to say, nearly in tears, "Thank you!"

He kept repeating, "I really can't, just. Oh my. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

Burying the small goddess in hug, Steve trembled with adrenaline and happiness and sheer goddamn inimitable relief. Freya's small arms wrapped around his hips, absorbing his gratitude, "I can see why you are worthy of holding Mjolnir, mighty Captain of America."

Freya's countenance was open and pleased. She'd noticed out of the corner of her eyes that the three super-secret agents wearing black had slipped out of the room during the commotion. The Avengers hadn't noticed since their focus was still on their friend.

She didn't know if this was a super bad thing and pulled away cautiously. "Um, were those people supposed to leave."

Hawkeye and Black Widow spun, cursed loudly due to negligence, and went to storm off after them but Other Steve stopped them. He was pale, uncertain, but wearing his stubborn frown and obviously not going to let them leave until he said his piece.

"I know where they went. The Council, the higher ups, they voted. Now that they know Stark is Iron Man they've launched a tactical mission to take him out. Natasha told me earlier that we were buying time till now. The agents were deployed shortly after, er- Thor got back here."

"How many?" Natasha demanded.

Other Steve stood at attention, "At least half of SHIELD's best agents are going after him. They've sent thousands of death bots to attack Stark's skyscraper in New York."

"How long, then?" Clint paced.

"An hour, give or take." Other Steve admitted. "Coulson and Fury tried to talk the higher ups out of it, but they didn't listen. Natasha and Clint both reported that they needed more time, but after Thor showed up in Chicago even they were ignored. SHIELD wants to destroy Stark and all his tech. They'd told me it was because he was going to use it against them. Now I know it's because they don't want anyone to find out they stole it."

"I suppose Sif and the Warrior's three ought to be summoned?" Freya asked Thor.

He nodded, "Aye, and Bruce. HEIMDALL!"

"Huh?" Tony's eyes finally opened, bleary.

"What the fuck-?" Tony's confused voice echoed across the room. Steve rushed to his side, blue watching brown eyes return to their familiar sharpness. Tony stared at Steve, dazed but not in pain anymore.

His attention shifted to Freya, taking in her appearance. He was adorably baffled. "Um. Hi. So. Freya- right?"

TBC.