Steve stepped off the elevator, surveying the scene. Even on days like this where the mission was the transferal of a baby from its mother to a surrogate, nothing at all to do with him or the team, he still felt like he should be doing something.

Bucky had gone with him for their usual run, his best friend understandably nervous about the procedure that they all hoped would result in saving the life of his baby. Steve was hopeful for him. When Marley entered Bucky's life, she's unwittingly brought out more of the man he'd once been. The guy from Brooklyn that Steve had known since childhood, the guy who had taken care of him. His desire to take care of her had pulled Bucky to the surface.

And that was a wonderful thing. Marley had a good heart and really loved Bucky, a good thing since she'd be terrifying with her particular abilities otherwise, and Steve was grateful to her. Grateful that she made his best friend happy and that she understood his friendship with Steve and didn't feel threatened by it.

Breakfast was in order, so he headed for the food court. Thor and Loki were having a heated argument, so Steve nodded politely, tried to act as if he were oblivious to their conversation. It was hard not to hear Thor even when he used his "indoor" voice, much less when he was angry.

"Brother, the animosity you receive is a direct result of your past actions," Thor told him. "You can't expect to enter this compound and have the man of iron and his companions welcome you to the team with a clean slate and open arms."

"So, there's no forgiveness among earth's mightiest heroes?" Loki shot back sarcastically.

"You can be forgiven," Thor's expression was stern. "But it must be earned. You did yourself no favors when you arrived and immediately began harassing Lady Marley."

"And then I helped her to stage a rescue mission to save the lot of you," Loki shot back bitterly. "That apparently counts for nothing."

Steve placed his order at the counter as they continued behind him. Loki wanted forgiveness? To be part of the team? Interesting. Why the change of heart now? Was he that afraid of Thanos?

"It counted for much," Thor's tone softened. "But it will take time before they will accept you. Trust you as I do. Their trust must be earned."

Loki's deep sigh whispered behind him.

"Patience, brother," Thor said finally.

"Patience is not a particular strength of mine."

Out of the corner of his eye, Steve saw Loki walk briskly out of the food court.

"How fares Lady Marley this morning?" Thor's booming voice was directly behind him.

Steve turned, smiling at his friend. "Ready, I think."

"I hope it goes well," Thor told them, stepping up to place his own order as the lady at the front gave Steve's to him.

"Same here," Steve told him before heading outside to the terrace where he often ate before getting started with training.

Normally, he took the time to look around him as he ate, taking in the sky, the bit of woods behind the compound he could see. Occasionally he even got some sketching in while those around him were glued to their phones.

Today he couldn't concentrate, couldn't go about a normal day. He needed to line everything up for the day so he could be there for Bucky, Marley, and…

Emily.

Steve's thoughts drifted to the dark-haired woman far too often. There were so many feelings where she was concerned, and he barely knew her. There was the concern for her welfare, protectiveness, because of the abuse she suffered at the hands of her ex. The bruises she hid with her makeup were large and fading to dull yellows and greens. She'd received a pretty vicious beating, the bruising so bad on her body that Helen almost didn't deem her fit for the pregnancy. It didn't help that Steve had met the son-of-a-bitch who'd beaten her, saw how much bigger the bastard was than she.

Steve hoped he showed up again. He'd be far less cordial to him this time.

He held great admiration for Emily's kindness, her willingness to help Marley by offering herself as a surrogate. Tony had immediately become suspicious of her offer, combing through every bit of information on her and her family for the third time just to make sure she wasn't an agent or a plant of some type. Steve had to admit that it had crossed his mind but apparently, her offer was real. Sad that nowadays an offer of kindness and selflessness by an ordinary person was a reason to doubt.

On top of all of that, she was beautiful. How could anyone want to lay hands on something so delicate? Her face was a study in delicate curves, hers a heart-shaped face with large green eyes, bow lips, and a nose just slightly turned up at the tip. He rather thought he'd like to sketch her at some point.

He'd meant it when he'd said he'd help her through the pregnancy. She had no children according to the information Tony found. There was a miscarriage in her hospital records but not a lot of details given. It was a lot to sign on for. She was helping give Bucky a family, helping heal his friend. That was no small thing in Steve's book. It was huge. He just hoped she'd allow him to be of service to her since she'd be living there in the compound.

"Hey, Cap." Sam sat across from him at the table, pulling his own breakfast out and digging in. "What are you deep in thought about?"

Steve felt his face heat up.

"Uh-huh," Sam muttered, smirking. "So, what's up for today? I imagine you're going to stick close to medical."

Steve nodded. That was it exactly.

"I was hoping that you could help with that, pal," Steve told him. "Can you take the troops today, work on those training maneuvers we've been putting off out here? It's a perfect day out here."

Sam nodded, trying his best not to appear pleased at being put in charge of the trainees. Normally, Clint or Nat handled things when he was otherwise occupied but they were both out of commission at the moment. Even if Bucky weren't in the middle of the day's events, it wasn't something he was ever interested in doing.

"Vision can help you, so can Wanda," Steve advised. "Just keep an eye on Peter."

"He's doing something with Tony today." Sam continued working on his breakfast burrito.

"That works," Steve told him, knowing Peter's enthusiasm often got him in a bit of trouble.

A helicopter overhead drew their attention. Steve finished up the rest of his breakfast and rose from the table. "I guess that's the doctor Helen called in to help. I'm going up to see how everything is going."

Sam smirked at him again.

"What?"

"Going to check on Emily, Cap?"

Steve shook his head. "I'm sure I will since she's the surrogate."

"No other interest?"

"No," Steve tried to keep a straight face.

"Because she's really cute," Sam pointed out.

That she is. "She's a nice girl."

"So, you are interested?"

"Come on," Steve acted a little more incredulous than he felt. "She just got out of an abusive relationship and she's going to be carrying my best friend's baby, Sam."

"Sounds like reality television." Sam laughed.

"Yeah, it does." Steve had to give him that. "But my interest in her is to offer her my support since she's helping Buck and Marley. She's going to need it."

"It's cool. You know I've got your six."

"Good, I'm counting on you."

Steve made his way into the compound and hit the elevator. He reached medical, seeing Marley and Bucky in with Helen, Bruce, and Shuri in some discussion.

In the next room, Emily sat alone with her hands in her lap. He didn't like that she was left alone. He knew only too well what that was like.

Emily glanced over her shoulder when she heard someone walk in, her expression wary at first. Her expression warmed as he came to a stop before her.

"How are you, Emily?" he asked, keeping his tone as friendly as he could.

Emily smiled, nodded. "I'm a little nervous," she admitted.

"Understandable," he told her. "I know you've never done this before but you're going to do a great job. And you won't be alone."

Emily's face flushed a deep red and she lowered her head.

Had he said something wrong?

Lowering his head, he tried to get on eye level with her and catch her gaze. "Hey? You okay?"

She nodded, not meeting his gaze. "Actually, I have…kinda… done this before. At least…"

The miscarriage. Damn, he should have watched what he said.

When he didn't say anything, she continued, glancing up at him.

"I was pregnant once. Last summer. At first, it was a terrible thing because I'd been trying to leave him." Emily's hands twisted in her lap to cover the fact that they shook. "And I was so sick for the first three months. I couldn't hold anything down."

Her laugh was a sweet little sound but couldn't kill the dread he knew was coming with whatever she would say next.

"But by then, I loved my baby," she explained. "I wanted it… so much. Billy stayed so upset the entire time. He kept accusing me of getting knocked up to trap him. I actually had hope for a little while that he would leave me over it, and we'd be okay, my baby and me. I was… I was even talking to a lady at the women's shelter."

Oh God. Just what had the bastard done?

"One night I came back to our apartment and was carrying groceries. He opened the door for me. My neighbor swears she saw him… I just… I tripped. Since I had an armload of groceries, I didn't catch myself and I -we - fell down the stairs. I broke my leg in two places. The little one…"

Emily shook her head, blinking back tears.

"How far along were you?" Steve had to ask.

"Six months."

Steve covered her hands with his own, trying to lend her his strength.

"I was told I could have other children and the tests and exams here have proven that's true. And I'm relieved about that. I just… Marley wants to keep her baby but can't have it. I lost mine. If I can help one of us..."

Now things made sense to him.

"It's going to be hard to give him or her up at the end I'm sure. But I'm hoping Marley and I will be good friends and I'll be able to come and visit. Or she can see me if she wants to."

The hope in her face had his heart clenching in his chest.

"Maybe one day, things will be right in your life and you'll be able to have another baby, Emily," he said slowly, squeezing her hands gently. "One you can keep."

The light in her green eyes… "Oh, I hope you're right, Steve."

Bucky cleared his throat from the doorway, arms folded across his chest and he smirked at them.

"Are you ready?" He asked Emily.

Grinning, she nodded and used Steve's hand to balance herself as she climbed off the exam table.

Turning back to him, she smiled. "Thank you for listening. I think I'm over the nerves now."

Steve couldn't help smiling back at her. "Any time."

Pressing herself against him, she gave him a tight hug, surprising him with her strength. He squeezed her gently, enjoying the warmth and the fresh floral smell of her until she let go.

"Thank you," Bucky told her, pulling her into him for a warm hug. "I know Marley had already told you that, but I wanted to let you know that I'm grateful to you too."

Emily nodded then walked past him to where Bruce and Helen waited by the door with a short, thin man who introduced himself to Steve as Dr. Hilu.

"Let's get started," Helen told them.

Marley reached out of the door, giving Bucky one last kiss, before going back in to take her place.

"Okay, take Dad somewhere else," Bruce told Steve. "We'll take good care of them."

Nodding, Steve patted Bucky on the back and they headed for the lounge at the end of the hall.

They reached it, Bucky sat down. He was clearly wrecked.

"You think they'll be able to pull this off?" he asked Steve, worry clouding his bright blue eyes and leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.

Steve smiled, nodded. "I do. Helen said her friend is one of the best obstetricians in the country right now. I'd say they are in good hands. Try not to worry."

Walking to the window, he watched as Sam and Vision worked with the trainees and agents outside. He saw Tony and Peter in the field beyond testing out a new suit for Peter. The kid would be dangerous in an iron suit.

"How are Nat and Clint?" Steve asked him. "Have you talked to them?"

Bucky nodded. "They seem to be doing well. Clint's chomping at the bit to get out of there though."

"I'll bet," Steve smiled.

A nurse Steve didn't recognize walked into the lounge, smiling. She was a tall, young woman with black hair pulled back and an enormous smile.

"Gentleman, I'm Mina. I'll be here in case you need anything," she said to Steve then turning to Bucky who really wasn't paying her much attention.

Steve didn't notice her shoot the dart at Bucky, didn't know how fast his friend lost consciousness. He felt something sting his neck, so he smacked at it like an insect. He felt the dart, thinking that it didn't feel right, but he hit the floor before he could turn to the woman behind him.

The smell of flowers was the next thing he noticed. It reminded him of the flower box his mother kept in the window of their home back in Brooklyn, the smell gentle but soothing. He opened his eyes to see Tony standing above him, pulling up security footage to display along the wall.

He felt gentle fingers running through his hair and realized his head was in someone's lap. A quick glance up, showed him Emily's face gazing down at him in surprise.

"He's awake," she whispered.

Tony spun around. "There he is."

Reluctantly he pulled himself away from Emily. If it weren't for the stark realization that something had gone disastrously wrong, he'd have gladly stayed in her gentle grasp the rest of the day.

"What happened?" Steve asked, rising from the floor and reaching back to help Emily up as well. She had a long cut on her cheek and he lightly ran his finger along it. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, pointed to Tony.

There before him was security footage of the operation room. Marley was on one table, Emily on another with Bruce, Helen, Shuri, and the doctor he'd met earlier appearing scrubbed and ready for the surgery.

Then it all went to hell. Before they'd started, an unknown agent entered the room, and darts flew hitting Shuri and Helen and dropping them to the floor. Marley struggled to get up but Dr. Hilu had caught her hands, held her as a dart knocked her out on the table. Emily dropped off her table onto the floor as the doctor pulled out a syringe and jammed it into Bruce's arm. Bruce began to transition, turning green and beginning to enlarge. He flailed violently, heading straight for the alleged doctor and it was enough of a diversion that Emily was able to crawl away although the video didn't reveal where she went.

"Then what happened?" Tony ask Emily as Peter entered the room.

"I crawled into the storage room and hid in a cabinet. When it sounded like they'd moved away, I made it to the first room on the left."

"Natasha's room?" Tony asked.

Emily nodded. "She was out. I couldn't wake her. So, I ran down here, and I found Steve on the floor. I called you on his phone."

"Bucky? Where is he? Was he here when you reached this room?" Steve asked.

Emily shook her head. "I'm sorry."

"So Helen's friend...?" Steve was trying to work it out.

"Must have been a disguise," Tony offered.

Emily shrieked as Vision floated through the wall. She dashed to the other side of Steve.

"My apologies, miss," Vision said gently.

"What's the damage?" Tony asked.

"It appears they've taken Dr. Cho, Miss Cooper, Sergeant Barnes, Princess Shuri, and someone appearing to be Emily Andrews," Vision reported looking at Emily Andrews. "They left with a minimum of fuss via the helicopter that brought them. The darts appear to have been of the same variety used against our team when we were captured. They are most certainly HYDRA."

"Vision, Emily's here," Steve tipped his head in her direction. She was still clinging to his arm.

"Someone who appeared to be her," Vision said again. "Clearly Ms. Andrews is here."

"Peter noticed the helicopter and thought it was odd they were done so soon. Then Emily called." Tony frowned at her. "How do we know you are the real you, Emily?"

Steve felt Emily tense behind him.

"Is there footage of them taking Emily?" Steve wanted to know, Tony began to search.

"What's happened?" Thor's voice announced his presence.

"Thor? Where's your brother?" Steve asked, turning to his friend.

"I know not. I was hoping one of you had seen him," Thor told him.

"Here," Tony drew their attention to the footage of armed agents moving the unconscious figures into the chopper on the compound's roof. First Bucky, they'd bound his wrists and ankles in heavy cuffs. Then Helen, Shuri, Marley…

"There," Thor pointed to a faint green glimmer that appeared on the screen when they picked up "Emily." "That's Loki."

Tony stared the god down. "You're certain?"

"Aye. He took the form of this young woman to keep them from taking her which means…"

Thor came up behind Emily, patting her down, surprising her enough that she let go of Steve. He reached into the pocket of her robe to pull out a glowing stone. Emily trembled, gripped Steve harder.

"Proof," Thor held it up smiling.

"What's that?" Steve asked.

"Loki's way of helping us find them," Thor looked excited. "As long as she has this, we can find him, and he can maintain his disguise."

Steve nodded. That was handy.

"Can we trust him right now?" Steve asked.

Thor's expression was thoughtful. "I believe we can."

"HYDRA is pissing me off." Tony scrubbed a hand down his face in frustration. "They are making us look like Police Academy as opposed to earth's mightiest heroes. And they made one really huge mistake."

"And what is that Mr. Stark?" Vision asked politely.

"They've stolen my nephew," Tony said too calmly. "They are going to pay for this."

"Agreed," Steve said. "Let's get everyone together."

"Tony?" Pepper ran into the room, into Tony's arms, surprising everyone as they embraced. "What happened?"

Tony kissed her cheek. "Bad things. The usual. We're going to come up with a plan. Wanna help me?"

Pepper nodded, worry clouding her expression. "What about the baby?"

"They took the mommy, the daddy, and the baby along with the doctor and a princess," Tony told her.

Steve stopped listening. He was done. He was done with HYDRA and suffering losses at their hands. He was going to get Bucky and his family back. Their taking of Shuri guaranteed him Wakanda's full support and at this point, Steve didn't care what it took, he was going to get them back. All of them. Once he did, he wasn't going to rest until he'd stopped HYDRA once and for all.

Marching out of the lounge, he headed for the elevator.

"Steve?"

He stopped at the sound of Emily's voice, turned to find her in the hallway.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" she asked, looking so small standing there in the hospital gown and robe, holding the glowing stone in her hand.

Brave.

Steve smiled. The first thing that came to mind was a kiss. It was way too soon for that. He wasn't even sure she liked him that way.

"I'd like to finish that nap after I bring everyone back," he told her, wishing he could go back to her lap and sleep like a cat while she petted him instead of dealing with HYDRA once again.

Emily grinned, color darkening her face. "I can do that."

Nodding, he headed again for the elevator, promising himself that he was going to get his friends back sooner rather than later.