**A/N: So when I wrote the skeleton outline for this chapter, I assumed it would just reach 4000 words. So I added more scenes after the Shawarma scene (which I actually wrote first…). As I started filling the rest of the chapter in, I realized "huh… this is almost 8,000 words… Ooops?"
I finish school on Monday, and then have a couple weeks of exams, but I'll also have a lot more time to write. So you'll have to be patient for the remainder of April and almost all of May (I'll be on vacation), where the updates will happen, just maybe once every one and a half weeks. With baseball season in full swing, that's 3 hours a night where I don't do anything but sit down, watch the game and write. The sound of the ball hitting the bat is strangely soothing for me, and helps the creative juices flow. Don't be surprised if I throw more baseball into here. It's a guarantee.
Chapter 21
After stopping by in Bethany's room to get the top part of his suit, Steve followed her to gather Natasha, and hopefully Clint. As Bethany opened the door, she walked in as though she owned the place. "He okay?"
"'He' is fine," Clint said exiting the bathroom. Bethany gave him a small smile, moving over to hug him. "The question is, are you okay?"
"You know me," Was her only answer.
"Does anyone know how to fly one of those ships?" Steve asked, taking a step into the room.
"I do," Clint said as Bethany let go of him.
"Met us in the hanger," Bethany said turning to Natasha. "We know where the cube is, and while we need to move fast, we also need to have a plan."
Natasha nodded, not asking any questions. Bethany looked back at Clint, "I'm happy we're on the same side again."
Clint nodded, "We're gonna be in therapy for years, aren't we?"
"Maybe you," Bethany said with a joking tone. "But I'm getting therapy in the form of a boyfriend."
"Right," Clint said, looking over to Steve. "Nice to meet you by the way."
"You have a suit?" Clint nodded. "Then suit up. Beth," he pressed.
"Go ahead, I'll be there in a minute," she said before he left.
"So," Clint said, his old tone back in his voice. "Are regular sized condoms good, or should I send the large sized ones?"
Bethany hit his arm, rolling her eyes. "I'd be angrier, but this just shows you're back to normal."
Leaving the room, she ran to catch up to Steve, "I'm handing you the reins," she told him. "When we gather, you set the plan into motion."
"I just want to make sure," Steve said as they entered the hanger, moving to where Tony was fixing his Iron Man helmet. "You trust him?"
"With my life," Bethany confirmed. "He made a condom joke, trust me, he's back to normal."
Steve frowned, but didn't let it phase him. "Tony, since you have the suit and it's your tower, you head there as soon as you can and try to stop him. We'll follow you, but the best bet at turning off the power source is through you."
"Call J," Bethany suggested. "The sooner you get him to turn off the power source, the better. Like you said, the cube only needs a kick start."
"I'll get on it," Tony said, finishing with the helmet. "But there's only so much JARVIS can do."
"As long in the long run we stop Rock of Ages, I don't care."
Tony smirked, "I already called him that. You lose, I win."
"What about us?" Natasha said walking up behind them as Bethany pouted slightly.
"The four of us will follow behind," Steve said, authority leaking through his pores. Bethany held back a small shiver at how turned on she was. She barely ever saw him give orders, but this was not the time to drag him to the storage room and have her way with him against the wall. "Until we get there, there's nothing we can do. Assuming Stark can turn off the power source before the cube kick starts, we capture Loki and take him into custody."
"And plan B?" Tony asked, putting his helmet under his arm.
"We fight aliens," Steve said simply. "We cross that bridge when we get to it."
Tony nodded, turning to leave. "Hopefully Thor comes back," Bethany said as she began to rummage through a bin that was stocked there, which she knew held small weapon prototypes. "We could use the extra muscle, not to mention the lightning."
She began to pull out her favorite things, some small Tasers, some knifes, and two guns with a bunch of extra bullets. "What's that?" Steve asked, pointing to the small blue device in her hand.
Bethany picked it up and held it to one of the agents in the hanger, clicking the button quickly. The man passed out in seconds, Bethany shrugging. "Who knows if it'll work on aliens, but it works well on humans. Oh relax," she said looking at Steve's face. "He'll be okay in 10-20 hours."
"I know," Clint said suddenly. "She's scary sometimes. You get used to it, and then you start to like it."
"Clint," Bethany said, finishing off stuffing her belt. "Stop it, or else that'll be you on the ground."
"Ready?" Steve asked.
"Let's go," Bethany agreed, as Steve pulled the mask of his suit on. "Ah, there's that beautiful piece of vibranium," Bethany said as he picked up his shield. "I forgot just how magnificent it was."
"The fact that you're attracted to the shield," Clint began before shutting up at Bethany's warning face.
"I thought I'd never see it again," Bethany explained. "There are very few inventions slash creations of mine that I feel protective over and that shield is one of them. I mean, it's the reason why the company's initials are SHIELD."
"I… I just noticed that," Clint said, putting it all together.
"You two ready?" Natasha asked, securing her widow's bite wristlets.
"Let's go avenge shit," Bethany announced, sticking her earpiece in her ear.
Steve led them to the quinjet, only stopping as one SHIELD agent stopped them and said they weren't allowed to be there.
"Son, just don't," Steve told him, making Bethany shiver slightly again. As Clint and Natasha took the seats, Bethany pulled Steve by the wrist into the most secluded area they could get on the quinjet. "What's wrong?"
"A lot of things," Bethany said quietly. "The fact that every single person I care about, and I do mean every. Single. Person. Is about to fight a demi-god and his army of aliens. Then there's the fact that I'm terrified of what'll happen if we don't succeed. And I can't forget that I am extremely attracted to you when you give orders, and if we get through this, you will be exercising that in the bedroom."
The cut outs of his mask allowed Bethany to see the slight rose tint take over, but if she wasn't expecting it, she wouldn't have seen it at all. "As much as I would love to talk about that," Steve said, putting his hand on her shoulder. "Now isn't the time for bedroom eyes."
"I know," Bethany agreed. "I just needed to say it. But there's one more thing."
"Okay," Steve said, waiting patiently as the quinjet took off.
"When we're out there," Bethany began, putting a hand on his chest. "You need to focus on the overall objective. If something happens to Natasha or Clint, to Tony or me, you keep doing what you're doing. Especially me," she stressed. "It doesn't matter how beat up and exhausted I look. Unless I ask for help, you let it play out. You understand Rogers?"
"Yes ma'am," he said seriously before giving her a small smile. "Thanks for the reminder. Sometimes I forget that you're not a fragile as you seem."
"I'm fragile," Bethany disagreed. "No one bruises and bleeds as easy as me. But I bounce back quick, and you'll do well to remember that. Unless it's a fatal wound to the head, I usually heal instantly. It's like learning how to ride a bike. At first it took my body a while when getting shot, but now it's seconds."
He shook his head slowly, face solemn. "You shouldn't have to know that at all."
"I'm a spy," Bethany reminded him. "And I could avoid getting shot so much, but there's so much fun in watching the guy freak out when the bullet pops out."
"You never cease to amaze me," he told her, leaning down for a quick kiss.
"Good," Bethany said with a smirk. "If I got boring, our relationship would be over pretty quickly."
"You two about done?" Natasha called.
"Not that we're interrupting or anything," Clint assured. "She doesn't understand the whole 'confess your feelings of love and gratitude before entering a war zone'. She's Russian, she doesn't know any different."
Natasha just ignored him as the city came into view. "Stark, we're on your three, heading northeast."
"What? Did you stop for drive thru?" He demanded to know. "Swing up Park. I'm gonna lay 'em out for you."
"Hold on," Bethany instructed to Steve as the quinjet began to shake as shots were flown around it.
"Nat?" Clint said as Loki's green and gold clad body came into view.
"I see him," She confirmed, taking her shots. They all missed Loki, and didn't make a dent in the bubble protecting the Tesseract. Instead, with one shot, Loki hit the wing of the quinjet, sending it spiralling down. Bethany and Steve held onto the rails, their legs flying about as the aircraft rocked.
When the jet hit the ground, Bethany let go instantly, falling on her feet, ready for action. Her and Steve exited the jet, Clint and Natasha hot on their trails to see the scene. Everywhere there was chaos. Broken buildings, cracked roads, battered cars. Civilians were running every which way, trying to find the perfect place to hide while the Chitauri's blue rays soared throughout the air.
"You see something new every day," Bethany muttered, looking up at the portal.
"We've gotta get back up there," Steve instructed, all eyes on the portal. Bethany's drifted down to Stark Tower, which was really only 'Sta' Tower now.
"Plan B it is," Bethany confirmed, taking out one of her guns and loading it.
A giant slug like creature emerged from the portal, moving with increased speed past them, on its way to destruction. Some of the aliens jumped out from the transport and onto the buildings, outnumbering them ten times over. "Stark, are you seeing this?" Steve asked to Tony.
"Seeing. Still working on believing. Where's Banner?" Tony responded as Bethany took her first shot. "Has he shown up yet?"
"Banner?" Steve asked confused, throwing his shield to hit two of the Chitauri before it came back to him like a boomerang.
"Just keep me posted," Tony commanded.
Bethany ducked as one of the blue rays came firing past her head. "My advice? We need something to hide behind."
Steve nodded in agreement, the group running to an area of deserted taxis, looking over the bridge. "We've got civilians still trapped up here," Clint noticed, looking at one of the buses filled with passengers.
"Loki," Steve said, watching as some Chitauri flew past on hovercrafts.
There was no time to react and explosions came left and right. "They're fish in a barrel down there," Steve noticed, his attention on the bridge and people running wild. Natasha stood up and began to shoot as Bethany picked up a spear of some type that was left behind.
"You need to get them off the streets," Bethany explained, touching the tip of the spear and feeling a shock travel through her body. "They won't listen to us, so it's up to you."
Clint moved his positions, getting a better angle as the Chitauri moved all around them.
"We got this," Natasha confirmed. "It's good. Go."
Steve looked at Bethany once, then over to Clint. "Do you think you can hold them off?"
"Captain," Clint responded, getting his arrows ready. "It would be my genuine pleasure."
"This isn't our first rodeo," Bethany reminded him, pointing the spear in a direction, a blue ray emerging from the tip. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Steve jump onto the bridge, but directed all her attention to the problem at home.
Back to work, she thought, throwing the spear and hitting one straight in the chest before pulling out a gun and shooting. "Clint, get those people out!" Bethany yelled, gasping slightly as on Chitauri soldier grabbed her arm. She quickly elbowed it, tilting the gun under it's chin and shooting.
"Just like Budapest all over again!" Natasha said to Clint when all the civilians were clear of the area.
"You and I remember Budapest very differently," Clint added.
Bethany scoffed, letting a blue ray hit her arm, tearing her suit. "I don't think this compares to any mission any of us have ever done."
"Duck," Clint directed to Bethany, who followed orders. Clint shot two arrows at the same time, hitting two more Chitauri soldiers. The fighting continued, Bethany using her best asset, healing, to her advantage. She was able to get closer to the alien warriors than any of the others. Unclipping a small electric impulse grenade from her belt, she threw it at a group of the Chitauri, watching them shakes as the electric spark pulsed through them, falling down.
A shield blocked her view momentarily as Steve protected her as a rock was thrown near her. "Just in time," Steve muttered, throwing the shield to knock the guy out.
"How's it down there?"
"Better than up here," he responded, hitting three warriors in one swing. Then all of the soldiers were hit with electricity, falling to the ground as Thor landed near them. "What's the story upstairs?"
"The power surrounding the cube is impenetrable," Thor enlightened.
"Thor's right," Tony announced. "We got to deal with these guys."
"How do we do this?" Natasha asked.
"As a team," Steve instructed with authority.
"I have unfinished business with Loki," Thor declared.
"Yeah?" Clint asked, collecting his arrows. "Well, get in line."
"I don't care what you do with him," Bethany added. "As long as I get to kick the shit out of him."
"Save it," Steve said walking forward, the group following him without a second thought. "Loki's going to keep this fight focused on us and that's what we need. Without him, these things could run wild."
"We need to be prepared for them turning on Loki too," Bethany added, personal experience speaking for itself.
"We got Stark up top," Steve listed. "He's going to need us to-"
A sputtering of a motorcycle drew everyone's attention to Bruce riding through the debris. The group started walking over to him as he got off the motorcycle. "So, this all seems horrible."
"I've seen worse," Natasha told him.
"Sorry," Bruce apologized, looking truthfully guilty.
"No," Natasha disagreed. "We could use a little worse."
"Stark," Steve spoke over the earpiece. "We got him."
"Banner?" Tony asked.
"Just like you said," Steve clarified.
"Then tell him to suit up," Tony directed. "I'm bringing the party to you."
As Tony's Iron Man suit rounded the corner, the giant slug like transport followed him. "Fun," Bethany mumbled, loading her gun.
"I don't see how that's a party," Natasha responded.
Bruce turned around to face the giant slug, only to turn as Steve spoke to him. "Dr. Banner. Now might be a really good time for you to get angry."
"That's my secret Cap," Banner said with a hint of a smirk. "I'm always angry."
With that, Banner's body grew into the Hulk's, his clothes ripping, skin turning green and muscles thickening. He reached full form as the slug reached him, where the Hulk smashed into it, the body building up and with the help of Tony, exploding.
Steve used his shield to cover himself and Natasha as Bethany and Thor protected their eyes from the light, but watching as the dust settled. Hulk roared loudly, ready for battle. The group circled together, Tony landing next to Bethany as she took out the blade from her boot, touching the blade lightly, watching as it easily sliced opened her finger.
"Guys," Natasha said, drawing their attention to the incoming Chitauri members from the portal.
"Call it Captain," Tony instructed.
"Alright, listen up!" Steve began, falling into the leader role so easily. "Until we can close that portal, our priority is containment. Barton, I want you on that roof. Eyes on everything. Call out patterns and strays. Stark; you got the perimeter. Anything get more than three blocks out, you turn it back or you turn it to ash."
"Give me a lift?" Clint asked.
"Better clench up, Legolas," Tony joked before the two soared into the sky.
Legolas, why didn't I think of that? Bethany thought as Steve gave Thor his orders, the demi-god using his hammer to fly into the air.
"Us," Steve said drawing Bethany's attention. "The three of us stay here on the ground. We keep the fighting here, and people off the perimeter. And Hulk," The green monster turned around at Steve's words, looking at him expectantly. "Smash."
The smile they received before he jumped high into the air was both terrifying and adorable, his happiness to get permission to smash overwhelming. Bethany let out a deep breath before running forward, jumping on a car and onto the back of one of the aliens, stabbing it with her knife.
As the fighting surged on, Bethany strayed away from Steve and Natasha in favor of getting closer to the warriors. Cutting one open, she starred at it for a couple seconds, head cocked. "Are these things… droids?" She said to no one in particular.
She felt arms wrap around her neck, a sharp edge running across her neck. She fell to the ground, turning to her attacker, gasping for a couple seconds as her skin stitched itself back together. The soldier's head turned to the side slightly, confused at what it saw.
"I know," Bethany responded, standing up and taking a spear with her. "It's really not fair, is it?"
With that she threw the spear through the air, hitting her attacker. Looking around, the alleyway she was in was free from the alien species. Making her way back into the streets, she looked up at the bridge where Steve and Natasha were fighting. She cringed as she saw Steve narrowly miss an attack. She could feel her heart speed up in a way she never had for she never feared for her own life. A loud explosion to her left made her jump slightly, her gaze being drawn to the destruction around.
"Why is it always New York?" Bethany said to herself, thinking about the millions of TV shows and movies about the destruction of New York. "Why not a deserted island, or the arctic?"
Pieces of buildings were falling, adding to the ever growing piles on the ground, dust settling all around. The empty crushed cars all around made Bethany, for the first time in a long time, feel bad for humanity. There was no way of knowing exactly what would happen after this. Things wouldn't be easy, that much was for sure. There would be billions of dollars in repairs, people in therapy, hospitals, and most likely, graves. The worst thing was that there was no way of knowing if this would end with their victory.
"Steve?" Bethany called over the earpiece.
"What's wrong?" He asked, clearly out of breath, and clearly concerned with the tone of her voice. "Beth?"
Looking all around her, she knew she'd be crazy to not say it. She had to say it. If this was it, she wasn't going to lose her chance again. And if it wasn't, would it be such a bad thing? She knew it was true, and knew that the only reason she didn't want to say it out loud was fear of losing him all together, fear of it being permanent. But like he said, if it wasn't going to be hard, it wasn't worth fighting for. And it was worth fighting for.
"I love you," she said before ducking as an alien staff came flying by her head.
"You… what?" Steve asked, almost like he couldn't believe she said it.
Bethany took hold of the staff and rammed it backwards, the alien flying to the brick wall where he met his destiny with the spear as she punctured a hole through its body with it.
"I-" she began to repeat, taking in a deep breath. "I love you. I just wanted you to know."
"You need to work on your timing, Bethany," she heard Tony's voice through the comm.
"Private conversation here, kid," Bethany responded, running up the bridge and moving to where Steve and Natasha were fighting off some aliens. Using the borrowed staff, she used it like a machete and cut two of them in half with one swipe. Steve took out four with his shield as Natasha finished off another two before the street was eerily quiet.
"This is pointless," Bethany said as they met in the center. "Everytime we get rid of ten, twenty more come."
"We need to shut the portal," Natasha agreed. "Captain?"
Bethany looked up where Steve was watching Bethany carefully. "Do I have something on my face?" She asked, hand moving to her cheek.
"I think he's in… shock," Natasha said, pointing her gun up to the sky, shooting down an aircraft two aliens were riding.
"No," Steve responded, shaking his head. "Sorry, I just… never mind. How do we close it? Our biggest guns couldn't touch it."
"Remember what Erskine said?" Bethany thought, taking a step back and looking up at the portal. "'There are already so many big men fighting in this war. Maybe what we need now is a little guy.'"
"Good memory," Steve said, ducking slightly as a hovercraft flew by his head.
"All I'm saying is, maybe it's not about the biggest guns."
"Or guns at all," Natasha said, it all connecting in her head.
"If you want to get up there," Steve said, as Natasha started walking to the edge of the bridge. "You're going to need a ride."
She threw her spear aside, giving a smug look. "I got a ride. I could use a boost, though."
"Are you sure about this?" Steve asked.
"I'll go," Bethany volunteered. "If I fall, I'll be fine."
"It's good," Natasha fought. "It's gonna be fun."
Bethany shrugged, "It's your call."
Natasha responded by running and jumping on a nearby car, then onto Steve's shield as he pushed it upwards, her grabbing onto the hovercraft and sailing away.
"You said it," Steve said suddenly. "I-I wasn't expecting you to."
"You said you wanted spontaneous," Bethany reminded as Steve moved his shield to protect the two of them from a blast. "I'm gonna go up and see if I can help Clint-"
"No," Steve spoke, grabbing her wrist. "Stay here."
"Steve-"
"Please," he begged. "Just do it."
Bethany responded by taking out one of her guns and aiming for an incoming alien's head. "Fine," she agreed, taking her shot.
"There's more," Steve pointed as another group started towards them. Bethany responded by picking up Natasha's discarded spear and twirling it around her head.
"If only I retired," Bethany muttered, swiping at an alien's feet. She began a rhythm, her and Steve working as a team more than once. At one point, Tony landed by them, using his lasers against Steve's shield to destroy a couple of the soldiers before he flew away, leaving only two left.
Bethany headed towards one as Steve pursued the other. Taking a different approach, she tackled it to the ground, banging it's head against the pavement repeatedly before twisting it and pulling it straight off. Taking a second to breathe, she saw as Steve finished with the alien he was fighting.
"Captain," Clint's voice rang through the comm. "The bank on 42nd past Madison. They've cornered a lot of civilians in there."
Bethany offered her hand to Steve, helping him up. "We're on it," she responded to Clint as Steve caught his breath. "Any ideas?" She asked as they started running in that direction.
"I'll take on the Chitauri," he planned. "You get the people out, and into safety."
As they reached the bank, Bethany pointed to the window. "I see them on the top level. Go in from there. I'll go through the main door."
Steve nodded, the two splitting directions. As Bethany approached the doors, she was caught by a cop. "Hey, where are you going?"
"Inside," she said as if it was the stupidest question in the world.
"I can't let you in-" He began, taking a harder grip on her arm. Bethany rolled her eyes, careful to avoid real damage, twisting his arm. He let go, as she kicked open the door, a Chitauri member turning and going to attack her, his spear slicing open her face. The cop shot the alien, watching as Bethany's skin healed.
"Can I go in now?" Bethany asked as the cop stared at her skin. "Okay," she said receiving now answer and barging inside. As one came close to her, she grabbed it's neck, kicking its stomach and breaking his head off the body.
She heard an explosion from the level up, watching as a couple of the aliens fell to the ground. "EVERYONE DOWN!" She yelled, taking out her gun and as the crowd lowered, shot the remaining Chitauri down before everyone started filing out.
She turned to the cop and firemen that just joined them. "Get them off the streets. Basements-"
"Or subways," the cop finished. "I know, Star Spangled gave me the rundown."
"Have respect," Bethany said with a smirk. "He's an American Hero."
With that, she turned and helped Steve up off the top of a taxi where he undoubtedly fell. "You okay?" She asked, as he winced.
"That's going to leave a bruise," he muttered, looking as the panicked people exited the building. "This is exactly what I didn't want to happen."
"This," Bethany started, gesturing. "Is one of the reason why SHIELD was created. C'mon. We can take a breather after."
"I can close it," Natasha said as Bethany, Steve and Thor stood, surveying the area. "Can anyone copy? I can shut the portal down."
"Do it!" Steve responded quickly.
"No, wait." Was Tony's reply.
"Kid, look around!" Bethany called out. "They keep coming."
"I got a nuke coming in." Tony explained. "It's gonna blow in less than a minute. And I know just where to put it."
Bethany's brows frowned for a couple seconds before her head darted up to the portal. "He wouldn't…" she said quietly, not wanting to believe it.
"Stark," Steve said, looking at Bethany's face, studying her emotions carefully. "You know that's a one-way trip."
"Tony," Bethany warned. "You don't have to do this."
"We both know that's not true Bethany," Tony responded, no waver in his voice. "I'm laying down on the wire."
Bethany's face fell a little, but she knew that if Tony was making this decision, then she shouldn't question it. But what she couldn't stand was her two favorite people in the world, both so different but meaning more to her than her own life, were making these decisions.
First it was Steve. And now, Tony. She was lucky enough to get Steve back, but as the hot rod red and gold of his suit got smaller and smaller, and Steve's body got closer to hers, she could feel her heart breaking. Then, he was gone.
They could see the explosion in the other universe and all the Chitauri around them stopped and fell to the ground, their power source gone. All of the group was looking up, waiting, hoping, none of them wanting to be the one to make the call, but knowing that the portal had to be closed before the after effects of the explosion travelled back.
Steve wrapped an arm around Bethany's body, her clutching to him tightly as they waited a couple more seconds. "Close it," Steve finally said.
As the portal got smaller and smaller, Bethany waited for the tears to come, but they didn't. It was almost like she had cried all the tears she could, and couldn't express her pain outwards anymore. This is why you don't let people in, she told herself.
Then, a small figure came falling out of the shrinking tunnel and Bethany let out a sigh of relief. "Son of a gun," Steve said, watching as his body fell fast.
"He's not slowing down," Thor spoke, starting to swing his hammer to catch him when the Hulk jumped from nowhere and caught Tony before he hit the ground. The three of them quickly ran to where the Hulk and Tony were laying on the ground. They all gathered around him, kneeling to assess his condition.
"Is he breathing?" Steve asked.
"He better be," Bethany said, keeping the fear out of her voice for her own sake. "Or I'm reviving him just to kill him."
Thor pulled off the lid of the helmet, showing Tony's dark features, eyes closed peacefully. Steve leaned down to listen to him breath, only sitting back up and placing a comforting hand on Bethany's back.
"Tony?" She said quietly, trying to keep a handle on her emotions. "Kid?"
She could feel tears welling up, and her desire to wrap her hands around Loki's throat and strangle him increased tenfold. She could barely even process this. There was no way she could live her life, a happy life, without Tony in it. He was more than her nephew. He was, despite his desire to not be, a Howard replacement. She always had one of them. She always needed one of them.
A loud roar from the Hulk made her jump, but also brought Tony back to the life of the living.
"What the hell?" He demanded, his eyes wide. "What just happened? Please tell me nobody kissed me."
Bethany chuckled, laying a hand on his chest, letting one tear fall down her face. "You asshole."
"We won," Steve told him, a small pant in his tone.
"Chitauri died Phantom Menace style," Bethany added, unable to keep her smile off her face.
Tony let out a relieved right, eyes closing in relaxation. "Alright, yay! Hurray. Good job, guys. Let's just not come in tomorrow. Let's just take a day. Have you ever tried Shawarma?" He asked looking at the Hulk. "There's a Shawarma joint about two blocks from here. I don't know what it is, but I want to try it."
Beside her, Steve was chuckling under his breath, Bethany shaking her head in amusement. "Your near death experience made you want to try Shawarma? Wait, what am I talking about? The last time you wanted Burger King."
"We're not done yet," Thor reminded them.
"Then Shawarma after," Tony said.
Bethany let out a tired chuckle, "And then a nap. No, a bath and then a nap."
Tony let out a hum of approval, "But not the entire team together."
Bethany rolled her eyes, using Steve's shoulder and pushing against it to stand up. "Let's go get the emo princess before I fall asleep."
"Yeah, just let me…" Tony started, his arms and legs moving up slightly. "I just gotta…" He let out a groan, his face scrunched up before sighing and relaxing again. "Someone's gotta help me up."
Steve stood up, and with Thor's help, they helped Tony. "Looks like you need an oil can, Tin Man," Bethany said, her eyes batting heavily with fatigue, her adrenaline gone.
"Ha!" Tony let out sarcastically. "That's hilarious, Snow White."
Thor looked at Steve, "Do you understand their madness?"
Steve chuckled, "All too well." Wrapping his arm around Bethany's shoulder, allowing her to rest her head against his body, he looked around. "Some mess."
"S'okay," Bethany told him. "SHIELD'll clean it up."
A huge yawn escaped her. "When's the last time you slept?" Tony asked as they all started walking back to Stark Tower.
"Does the time that I was unconscious from being dead count?"
Tony thought about it, "Let's say no."
"M-Monday?" Bethany asked, not sure herself.
Steve stopped where they were, the entire ensemble stopping with him. "Gesh, Beth. It's Friday."
"You want to head back to your apartment?" Tony asked. "I can get J to reroute the power on the suit and drop you off-"
"No," Bethany said shaking her head, pulling Steve forward again so they could keep walking. "We're a team. We do this as a team. Plus, I want to see the look on Loki's face when we take him in. And why would I miss Shawarma?"
"Point taken," Tony agreed. "Have you ever tried it?"
"No, which is why I want too."
As the Tower came into view, Tony, Thor and Hulk flew up, or in Hulk's case, jumped up.
"Elevator, I guess," Bethany mumbled as her and Steve looked up. As they walked into the building, she let out another long yawn. "Hey, J. You wanna start up the power again?"
"Of course, Miss. Stark. And welcome Captain Rogers," JARVIS' voice rang.
"What was that?" Steve asked as the elevator dinged, the doors opening.
"That would be JARVIS," Bethany said, clicking the button for the top floor. "Just A Rather Very Intelligent System. He's Tony's artificial intelligence. He runs the building, Tony's suit and basically any other thing owned by him. He knows everything."
"Everything?" Steve asked as the elevator started upwards.
Bethany nodded, her eyes fluttering as she buried her head deeper in Steve's body. "Ask him a question."
"Oh, okay… umm, JARVIS?"
"Yes, Captain Rogers?"
"What's Bethany's favorite thing to eat?" The question made Bethany laugh, snuggling into his form even more.
"I meant something more broad," Bethany said in between her giggles.
"For breakfast, Miss. Stark prefers chocolate chip waffles. For lunch, she usually leans towards pasta and cheese. Her favorite dinner food is fajitas and dessert is chocolate fondue."
"Chocolate fondue?" Steve said, looking down at her.
She let out a delighted hum. "Instead of cheese and bread, its melted chocolate and fruit."
"Yum," Steve said, his stomach letting out a low rumble.
"Maybe fondue after Shawarma?" Bethany asked as the elevator reached the top for and opened.
"I really think you need to sleep after Shawarma," Steve disagreed as they stepped into the open space, the majority of the room in shambles. Spotting the team out on the terrace, they started over, seeing an unconscious Loki lying on the ground.
"No, I feel gross, I need a bath," Bethany said, the last word distorted with another yawn. "But I really want fondue."
"How about in the tub?" Steve suggested as the rest of the team noticed their arrival.
Bethany smiled. "Now you're talking. A little champagne, some bubbles. Maybe some soothing music."
Tony made a face, "I don't care how innocent this conversation is, please stop."
"Shall we?" Clint said, pointing to Loki, who was starting to stir.
They all silently and exhaustedly gathered around the demi-god as he turned over, face cut and a look of, not quite guilt for his actions, but for being caught, overtook his face. "If it's the same to you," he said, looking to Tony. "I'll have that drink now."
Bethany scoffed, moving her hand up to her ear. "Director? We have him. Stark Tower."
"Copy that, Agent Stark. I'll be there with a team momentarily. You'll have to come in for debriefin-"
"No, no, no," Bethany interrupted. "I think we've done enough today. We're going out for Shawarma after you pick up Loki."
No response was given, but Bethany could only assume Fury was angry. Although, when the team did arrive, he didn't hold any hostility. Instead, with Thor's strict instructions on how to keep Loki in SHIELD's hands until such time as he was ready to return to Asgard, he allowed the team to go get Shawarma.
By this time, Bruce had returned to his normal form. Tony, who had taken off the suit, happily provided him with some clothes. Bethany took the first aid kit out from under Tony's bar, which was there at Pepper's insistence, and sat Steve down at a bar stool and began to look at the red scratch on his arm.
"Its fine," he assured her. "I've had worse."
"I'm aware of that," she told him. "It's almost healed."
"See?" Steve said with a hint of a smile. "I'm in one piece. What about you? Still doing okay?"
"Now that Loki is in custody and I get a long deserved vacation?" Bethany asked, taking her hair out of the pony tail and massaging her skull. "Yeah. I'm doing okay."
Arriving at the Shawarma joint Tony suggested, the owners were only glad to offer them food in exchange for saving the town, and most likely the world. Bethany and Natasha went to the tables, pulling two together as the men ordered their food.
"I heard something about a vacation," Natasha said, pulling some chairs over.
"Ireland," Bethany revealed. "Clint will probably get one too. Fury just wants to make sure we won't crack from Loki's control."
"Do you think you will? And tell me the truth," Natasha said, leaning close to her across the table. "I need to know. As both your friend and his."
"Right now, I feel fine. I'm exhausted, but I feel good. In control. But to tell you the truth, I don't know if it'll last. I agree with Fury's suggestion. Taking on too much now might drive me certifiably insane."
As for the conversation with the men, Clint and Thor were getting to know each other. Banner was looking over every food option and trying to determine which choices would best satisfy his hunger. Tony, however, was thinking over his near death experience. All he wanted was one more moment with Pepper, who he quickly called on their way over to the restaurant. He truly thought he would never see her again, but knew what he was doing was the right thing.
He understood Steve a little better now. Tony knew that everything was going to change, and he was going to take every moment that Pepper would give him to prove his undying love and respect for her. He would protect and care for her like he never would before. He would, in a better sense, be like Steve.
"Take care of her Cap," Tony said to Steve, who looked at him surprised. "I know she's this big bad SHIELD agent, but she's fragile. She's always needed someone to look out for her, even if she's capable of taking care of herself."
"I know," Steve said softly. "Now more than ever before."
"She's vulnerable with you," Tony revealed. "She's emotional. She's reckless. But she's vulnerable without you too. Just in a different way. She may be different now than I've ever known her, but she's happy. I know that."
"Thank you. I needed to hear you say the words."
Tony reached over the counter for his finished platter. "You're welcome wing head."
After changing out of their uniforms and giving very brief statements, Steve and Bethany got a ride home from some SHIELD executives. It was almost impossible to get through any street in the area, the majority of it blocked off by SHIELD or other governmental organizations. The ride back to the apartment was longer than Bethany anticipated, but she really didn't mind seeing as she fell asleep five minutes in.
When Steve woke her up when they arrived, she could feel how sore her body was. Yes, she had regenerative blood, but that didn't mean she didn't feel the strain of her workouts every once and a while. As they hobbled up the stairs, both of him babying their muscles, the apartment seemed almost completely empty.
"People must've fled," Bethany said after letting out a long yawn. "Do you want to head in and start the bath? The bubbles are under the sink, just read the instructions. I just want to see if Jen and Theo are home."
Steve nodded. "Sounds good. And by the way, I didn't know what to do with Molly, so she's over at their place right now."
He took out the keys and unlocked the door as Bethany nodded. She went up to Jen's door and knocked four times before the door opened. Jen looked completely frazzled, but thankful to see her. "Oh thank god you're alright!"
"Theo okay?" Bethany asked as Molly trotted over to her, rubbing her head against Bethany's leg, her purrs loud.
"Yeah, he's in his room right now." Jen explained. "We were watching it on TV and then… Bethany, I hope you don't mind me asking, but where were you?"
Looking past Jen's head, she could see the TV screen flicker, showing clips of all the Avengers. She could see Tony's suit, Natasha's brilliant red hair, Hulk's bulging green muscles, Thor's lightning, Clint's arrows, Steve's shield and an out of focus image of herself.
Shit, she thought. As a spy, she always did her best to keep out of the spotlight. And besides her occupation, there was the small fact that she was technically supposed to be dead. Yes, she changed her hair colour, but she didn't look that different to her old self, especially considering the fact that the majority of old photos of her were in black and white.
It has been possible for SHIELD to erase any relation between her and Steve, but they couldn't erase her existence completely. "Around," Bethany settled with. "Look," she began again as she saw Jen's frustrated face. "I can't… I can't talk about it right now. Does Theo… did he..?"
"Recognize you?" Jen asked. "No. I don't think anyone would that doesn't know you. But, he did see Captain America. Which is another thing-"
"I know you have questions," Bethany said leaning down to pick up her calico cat. "But I can't answer them now. I will though. Soon. Before I leave."
"'Leave'? Leave where?" Jen questioned, leaning against the doorframe.
"Ireland," Bethany said with a sigh. "Steve and I are going on vacation. We're… we're trying to make a relationship work, but we need to get away from everything first."
Jen nodded, a look of disappointment crossing her features. "How is it that you find someone as perfect as Steve so quick and I'm still dating no-good jerks?"
"I've had my fair share of those," Bethany assured. "But Steve and I… there's a lot of history, and a lot of heartbreak. But there's more good than bad, and I can't remember the last time I've been so happy through desperate situations."
Jen gave her a small smile, fingers tapping on her thigh. "Where is he now?"
"Drawing a bath," Bethany said, stuffing one hand in her back pocket.
"Mustn't keep him waiting," Jen responded, her voice plain.
"Wait, are you… are you mad at me?"
Jen scoffed, shaking her head. "Not mad… just…"
"What?" Bethany demanded, growing patient. "Look, if you're mad, just tell me why."
"Momma?" Theo called from his bedroom.
"I've gotta go," Jen said, closing the door on Bethany's face. Bethany stood there for a moment, unsure of how to react. She was confused, hurt and a little dazed. This is why you don't get closed to people, she thought for what was most likely the millionth time that day.
Shaking her head, she turned on her heel and made her way into her apartment. Putting Molly down, she peered into the bathroom, noticing that the giant bathtub was full of bubbles, but empty of a certain soldier. Turning her head at a small clacking in the kitchen, she saw Steve cutting up some bananas and strawberries in just his pants.
Closing the door, she leaned against it, watching as his muscles tensed with every movement. She could see the scrapes and bruises all over his chest, arms and back, but she knew a few more days and they would be nothing but a memory.
"What you doing, soldier?" She asked, swaying over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her forehead against his skin.
"Cutting the fruit," Steve told her, his voice low. "They aren't in the best of shape, since we got them a couple days ago, but I think they'll be fine."
Bethany smiled, placing a kiss on his spine before pushing off him and going to get her homemade fondue kit. It took a mere seconds for the broken chocolate pieces in the pot to melt, and gathering the bowls and a bottle of champagne, set up their dessert in the bathroom.
"Your breath smells like garlic," Bethany teased as Steve leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I think that's the only downside to Shawarma."
"Well, now we know," Steve said, watching as Bethany plugged her iPod into some speakers, soft music filling the room.
"I miss my phone," Bethany moaned. It had been left where Loki's hideout was, and since she turned it off, they couldn't track it. Nonetheless, she put the iPod down and pulled her hair to one side of her head. "Hop in," she instructed to Steve as she took some fluffy towels out for later.
Steve nodded, stripping of the rest of his clothes and quickly getting into the tub. The line on where they stood was being blurred. They were together, but agreed for no sex. Then there was also the fact that here they were, about to take a bath together- naked of course- after just saving the world.
Steve watched carefully as Bethany slowly started to remove her clothes, wincing slightly as her muscles moved. "Nice and warm?" She asked, turning to meet his gaze.
Steve ducked his head a little. Despite everything, he was still embarrassed to be caught staring at her. She, however, gave him a sweet smile before unhooking her bra and leaving her body bare. "Should we sit facing each other, or?"
While the bathtub was leaning on large standards, Steve realized that the best position to be in would be her back against his chest. He opened his arms, gesturing for her. She climbed in, letting out a sigh of relief as the hot water enveloped her, leaning back against Steve's body.
Steve smiled as the familiar melody of The Way You Look Tonight floated through the air, Peggy Lee's beautiful tone filling him with fond memories. Bethany hummed under her breath, occasionally singing a line of two.
"Lovely, never, never change. Keep that breathless charm. Won't you please arrange it for I love you. Just the way you look tonight."
"Say it again," Steve whispered against her ear. Bethany let out a questioning hum, her eyelids fluttering closed.
"Say what?" She asked, compressing a yawn.
"You know very well what," Steve responded, his arms wrapping around her torso, his fingers very close to her breasts. "The only thing I've ever wanted you to say?"
"Oh," Bethany said, a smile crossing her face. "That. Maybe I want to take it back," she joked. "The world isn't ending and we're both- ahh!" She jumped as Steve's hands cupped her breasts suddenly, giving them a tentative squeeze.
"Say it," Steve said lightly, breathing against her neck.
"I love you," she let out as he kissed the crook of her neck.
"Again," Steve instructed. She could feel him smiling against her skin.
She let out a small moan, her hands resting on his and dragging them back down to her stomach. While she trusted him to play nice and stop when he needed to, she didn't trust herself. "I love you, Captain Rogers."
"One more time," he pleaded, tilting her head to look into her eyes.
When she opened her mouth again, Steve could see the truth shining from the green orbs. They were no longer filled with pain and bad memories, but hope for the future. "I love you, Steve Rogers."
"I love you too," he told her with a soft smile, leaning down to capture her lips, the kiss not as heat filled as it could have been, but being perfect nonetheless.
**A/N: Look who, after 21 chapters, finally came to her senses and said those 3 little words.
Next update will be after I see Winter Soldier, and since I have a million questions for what Steve's life is like after the battle of New York, the timing couldn't have been more perfect.
Jordan Lynn 7: Haha, yeah not at all. He's in for a rude awakening, that's for sure.
FeliciaFelicis: I'm not gonna tell you everything about the upcoming plot, so you'll have to wait a little longer. I'm seeing it the 3rd of April, so not too much longer to wait. I made the decision on reading spoilers… yeah, I'm regretting that. My feels are taking a beating like there's no tomorrow. And of course I'll be staying through the credits! Haha, my dad is taking me that night (his treat, so why would I refuse?) and he never lets us leave until the entire thing is done, no matter what movie it is.
BellaDamonLover: Inflating my ego, eh? Let me tell you, when I read your comment, it was literally 'let's compliment Katie' day. All day I kept getting a million compliments. It was a good day. I have a huge Stony crush too. I mean, I have a t-shirt of them and I wear all the time. Love them.
Aschen: Yes I will! Not right after these events, as the movie takes place two years after I believe. I want to try my best to fill them with adventures, mishaps and of course fluff. Plus, despite the fact that I already have 7 (yes 7) different occasions planned to see the movie, I may prolong writing about it until it's out on DVD. I haven't really decided yet.
But trust me, I already have some things planned for Winter Soldier and even Age of Ultron.
I just know where I want Steve and Bethany to go, and I'm hoping the scripts will accommodate.
252020: As I've said before, I'll be weening off the movies a little now just to focus on the next two years of Steve and Bethany's life. If there's anything specific you want to read, feel free to tell me! Not to mention, what you found interesting so far, so I can do more of that for you. Nonetheless, thanks for the kind words.
GENERAL QUESTION: How long should I wait until more steamy scenes do we think? ;)