Ch. 10
Clint sighed, and picked up the phone. He was sure that Fury was going to be angry.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Agent Barton. I take it you know why I'm calling?"
"I believe so."
"Is he with you?" Oddly, Fury sounded calm.
"Why do you need to know?"
"I wanted to be sure that someone with taking care of him."
"Oh. Really?" Clint was shocked. Everyone looked over at him, confused by his tone of voice.
"Yes really. If he's okay enough for it, I'd like to meet you all at HQ in an hour."
"Why?"
"There's some things we need to discuss."
"Okay. Fine."
"See you then."
The line went dead.
00
Steve had been extremely reluctant to meet with Fury. He only agreed to go because Clint had told him about how calm Fury had been. Still, Steve was afraid of what might happen. Fury might kick him off the team. That was his biggest fear.
When the group showed up at HQ they were lead into a large conference room where Fury was waiting. Steve stopped in the doorway when he saw who else was there. Tony was sitting at the head of the table.
"Don't worry, Captain. You can come in," Fury said. His tone was even. "Stark will not bother you."
Frowning, Steve made his way inside and sat as far away from Tony as possible. The other Avengers followed.
Once everyone was seated, Fury closed the door.
"This room is sound proof. Anything we discuss remains here. Now," he said, looking at Steve, "I believe we have something important to talk about. Stark informed me of your condition earlier today."
Steve's shoulders slumped. "Yes. It's true."
"And Bruce, you can attest to this?"
Bruce nodded his head. "I can. I ran several tests and performed an ultrasound."
"I see. Captain, did you have any idea that this could happen?"
"No," Steve answered, honestly. "I didn't."
"You know what, stop right there," Tony said. He looked at Fury. "I can't believe that you're falling for this. He's a man! Men can't get pregnant! Christ, didn't you take health in elementary school? It's a physical impossibility!"
"Creating a super serum to make the Captain as strong as he is was considered a physical impossibility, as is Bruce's condition. No one would have thought it was possible a hundred years ago. Look at yourself, as well. Do you think that living with an arc reactor in your chest would have been considered possible?"
Tony opened his mouth to reply, but no words came out. He couldn't really argue that. He crossed his arms, looking annoyed.
"If you really need proof I could show you the ultrasound photos, if Steve is okay with that," Bruce offered.
"No thanks."
"Assuming that Captain Rogers is in fact with child, then some changes will need to be made," Fury continued.
Steve braced himself for what was coming next. Tasha placed a hand on Steve's leg, trying to comfort him.
Fury saw this and rolled his eyes. "I'm not throwing you off the team, Captain," he said, as if he could read Steve's mind.
"You're not?" Steve sat up a little straighter.
"Of course not. You're too valuable. Nonetheless, for the next eight months you will be unable to fight. What I propose is a temporary leave of absence. From now until your child is born, you'll not be allowed into combat. You will still be consulted for strategy, should an event occur where the Avengers are needed. After the child is born we will re-evaluate your physical and mental status to decide when you can return to action."
Steve didn't like the thought of being unable to fight alongside the others, but he knew that doing so would be a bad idea.
"That sounds...fair. And logical."
Fury half smiled at him. "Good. I'm glad that you agree. Someone else will have to take over as team leader, though."
Tony raised his hand, "Uh, sitting right here!"
"Not you, Stark."
"Why not?!" Tony seemed offended, "I'm clearly the best choice for a replacement."
"Your behavior has been deplorable. You should consider yourself lucky that I've not kicked you off the team. You have hurt your fellow Avengers, and you went behind their backs to contact me. Those are not the actions of a good leader."
Tony knew that Fury was correct. He didn't want to admit it, but he knew it. It wasn't that he hated Steve, or was really even all that angry at him. He just didn't know how to handle the situation. He never had been good at dealing with emotions. He was always better at fixing things physically. Looking at Steve, and how he seemed so weak and vulnerable hurt Tony, though. It was his fault.
"You're right."
Everyone, including Fury, seemed shocked at Tony's response.
"I hurt Cap. I hurt everyone else. I don't deserve the spot." Tony looked at Steve, "I'm sorry for what I did to you."
There was a silence as everyone tried to take in what Tony had just said. Finally, Clint spoke up.
"Wow. Never thought that I'd hear Tony Stark apologize for something."
Tony shrugged, but said nothing.
"Well, then," Fury said, "Perhaps there's a chance you can mend your friendships. Anyhow, I'll be recruiting another person to take over in the Captain's absence. If they accept, you will meet with them next week."
Everyone agreed.
With that, Fury opened the door to let everyone out. Fury, Clint and Tasha walked out first, followed by Thor. Steve was about to leave when Tony grabbed his arm.
"Steve. Can you stay? I think we need to talk."