Author's Note: Last chapter! I can't believe I'm done. There were some points in this story where I just had no idea how to keep writing, but I got ideas in the end. I'm really excited for the next one which is going to be called... A Game of Heroes. It will cover pre-Age of Ultron, Age of Ultron, and Civil War. I don't have a date for when I'll start posting. I have part of one chapter written, but I think after finishing Agent Tolvar, I need to take a break. I'm applying for full time jobs and my books are gathering dust, so I think I'll be taking a hiatus. But don't worry, I will always come back and I will always finish my stories. I won't make you wait too long. I'll tell you a little more about the other two Marvel stories I've got planned in the author's note in the epilogue.

Thank you so much for reading! It means so much to me. I hope you enjoy my Avengers stories as much as I enjoy writing them. :)

32 – Heroes with a Cause – April 30, 2014

Sam drove them to New York in a U-Haul truck. They didn't have many belongings and one trip was all they needed. Phoenix sat on Aspen's lap, purring deeply while Aspen absent-mindedly stroked her fur. The cat seemed completely unopposed to moving, and Aspen couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement. They were moving into Avengers Tower. They would finally be a team. Tony had enthusiastically taken the news of them moving in and had set to readying their quarters as he called them. He said Natasha was still MIA and Clint was quiet, but Bruce had been living there for awhile now and Thor was there frequently when not with his girlfriend Jane. Pepper made sure to tell him to tell Aspen that she was excited for her to arrive. She was outnumbered without Natasha there though Maria Hill was still working for Tony. Aspen was excited to see everyone again. She hadn't seen Thor or Bruce since the Battle of New York and looked forward to actually getting to know them. She'd never met Pepper, but she'd heard a lot about her and Tony seemed to worship her.

Even Steve looked more optimistic than he had since they'd gotten back from Madripoor. He had even cracked several smart remarks about Tony that had made Aspen burst out in laughter. When New York came into sight, Steve looked out the window eagerly. It did feel like coming home, and Aspen could tell from the look on Steve's face that he felt the same way. Aspen's heart was pounding with excitement when Avenger's Tower appeared on the skyline rising above some of the other buildings with an elegance that Aspen hadn't taken the time to notice last time she'd been there. Before it hadn't felt like home, but now it did. She would never have thought the day would come when she'd count herself as an Avenger, but after all she'd been through it only felt right.

As soon as the U-Haul pulled up in front of the tower, the front doors burst open and Lucy ran out, her face vividly excited. She waited impatiently for them to get out. Aspen tucked Phoenix into her case and handed her off to Steve as Lucy ran toward her and hugged her fiercely. "It's so good to see you!" she fairly squealed. "I can't even believe we'll be working here together."

"It's wonderful to see you too," Aspen greeted her. "Hi, Noah," she greeted the boy standing back a few feet.

"Nice to see you again," Noah greeted her.

"Steve, Sam, this is Noah. He helped Lucy and me out when SHIELD was under attack. And Sam, this is Lucy. She's Maria Hill's niece."

Sam and Steve shook hands with Noah while Lucy looked suddenly shy. She was an avid Captain America fan though she tried to play it cool. Noah took it in stride. "My grandfather worked with Peggy Carter," he told Steve. "He always spoke highly of her, and I know she thought highly of you."

"She's an incredible woman," Steve agreed.

"Come in!" Lucy said. "Tony – Mr. Stark – arranged for some people to help you move in. They'll get everything brought up while he gives you the tour."

"Hello Captain Rogers, Miss Tolvar," Jarvis greeted them as they entered. "It's nice to see you both again."

"You too – well, nice to hear your voice anyway," Aspen greeted the chipper British voice. Lucy kept up a steady stream of conversation as they entered the elevator and took it up to the same floor Aspen had been before. The living quarters looked much the same only this time she was seeing it in a new light. Tony was sitting on one of the couches, and he rose to greet them. Pepper was there too. Aspen recognized her from photos she'd seen. The strawberry blonde woman looked excited to meet her.

"Aspen, it's so wonderful to finally meet you," she said, offering her hand to Aspen. Aspen took it.

"You too," she said. "I've only heard great things about you." She smiled at Tony.

"I'm really looking forward to becoming friends," Pepper said. "Lucy has told me all about you."

"Speaking of which, shouldn't you be overseeing the moving?" Tony asked the young girl.

"Oh, right!" Lucy hugged Aspen once more and then took Noah's hand and dragged him back into the elevator.

"Bundle of energy, that one," Tony said. He held out a hand to Steve and then Sam while Steve made the introductions. "I heard you were part of the action in DC," Tony said to Sam. "Pretty impressive set of wings."

"Yeah, well they got destroyed during the fight," Sam said, carefully not mentioning the Winter Soldier.

"Still, we could use someone like you on the team."

Sam gave Steve a glance. "Maybe someday," he said. "Right now I've got some things to take care of."

"Sure. It's an open offer."

Aspen looked around the room while Tony and Steve caught up. The room was open with several sets of stairs leading up and down. There were different levels and a set of doors leading out to a landing pad. Everything was modern and industrial. The couches were comfortable though, and Aspen could very well imagine settling in.

"What is that?" Aspen turned around to see Tony staring at the cat carrying case which Steve had set on the table.

"Our cat," Aspen said. "Did we not tell you we had a cat?"

"No, I don't believe you ever mentioned a cat." Tony looked affronted by the mere presence of the animal. "I don't do cat fur."

"She can stay in our room," Aspen assured him as Tony continued to have a stare off with the small cat.

"Speaking of which," Pepper spoke up, "your room been set up to suit your needs. Tony designed a floor for each Avenger. Yours is the twenty-sixth floor. It's got everything you need, living quarters, kitchen, training facilities."

"I figured you two wouldn't mind sharing a floor," Tony inserted.

"You built all this specifically for us? That's a step up from Stark Tower." Aspen was surprised. Tony hadn't liked the idea of the Avengers right off the bat but now he had changed his entire tower to suit the needs of his team.

"Do you want to see it?" Pepper asked.

"Yes." Aspen grabbed Phoenix's case. "Very much so."

"I'd better head out," Sam said. "I'll let you two get settled."

"You don't have to go so soon," Aspen said.

"I've got a session to run tomorrow," he told them. "And some things I need to catch up on."

"Thank you for driving us here," Aspen said, giving him a quick hug.

"Thanks for everything," Steve added, taking Sam's hand in a friendly grip.

"Don't mention it. Enjoy your tower." He gave them a smile before taking the elevator down. Aspen was sad to see him go, but he still had a life in DC. Her and Steve's lives were her in New York again.

Their floor had a hall leading to a door. Tony had configured it so that the door automatically unlocked for Steve and Aspen and told them if anyone came to the door. Inside was an open floor plan with a living room and kitchen. One door led to the bedroom and another to a training room. Floor to ceiling windows lit up the bedroom, kitchen, and living room. Everything was simplistic and modern and comfortable looking. Already their things had been moved in, the boxes waiting to be unpacked.

"It's yours. You can do whatever you like to it," Tony told them. "We'll let you get settled in, but tomorrow night I thought it'd be nice if we did dinner upstairs. Bruce will join us and I might be able to persuade Thor to stop around if he isn't too busy."

"That sounds great."

"You're welcome to use the lounge upstairs any time. Bruce and I spend a lot of time in the lab on floor thirty. It's right above the lounge. You're welcome to stop in any time. Let us know if you need anything. Kitchen is stocked."

He and Pepper backed toward the door, and Aspen and Steve turned to survey their new home. "I love it," Aspen said. "I want to start unpacking even though I'm tired from the drive." She unzipped the cat carrier and let Phoenix out. The cat stepped out, sniffing around the air, then she moved methodically around the floor, sniffing each piece of furniture in turn. Aspen walked over to the window to take in the view. It was incredible. No apartment would ever have a view like this. Steve walked up and put an arm around her waist.

"Are you happy?" he asked.

She looked up at him. "Yeah, I am," she said. "If you are."

Steve looked down at her. "I can be," he replied. "You make me happy." He pressed a kiss to her head. "Let's start unpacking and make it really feel like home."

…

Aspen had long ago decided that anywhere with Steve was home, but she had to admit that their apartment did feel like home once they were done unpacking their books and Steve's record player and Phoenix's toys. The kitten had already settled in, claiming a spot the couch closest to the window so she could watch pigeons roosting along the framework of the building.

The training facility was a wide, open space designed specifically for Steve. It did include a shooting range for Aspen. Now that she was officially an Avenger, she'd have to train harder than ever. She didn't want to have to rely on her powers. She didn't want that to be her only strength.

She decided to call her mom that night. She hadn't talked to her in ages, and a lot had changed even since SHIELD's fall. She sat down on the bed and dialed the number. "Hey, Mom," she said when her mom answered.

"Aspen, I was about to call you, but I didn't know if you were busy."

"I just got home actually. Steve and I were…well, all over. We're in New York now at Avengers Tower. We're going to be living here now."

"Oh, that's wonderful," her mom said. "How is Steve?"

"He's…" Aspen looked over at the soldier. He was dangling string for Phoenix to play with in the living room while Frank Sinatra crooned in the background. "He's taken some emotional hits, but he's already moving forward. You know how he gets. He puts his own needs last. I keep trying to remind him that it's okay to think about himself every once in awhile."

"Well tell him 'hi' for me. You two are welcome to visit any time. Maybe we could do Christmas together this year. I know it's a ways off, but I want to make sure Steve knows he's part of the family."

"That would be nice. He'd like that."

"I did want to call you about something, but now that you're an Avenger officially, I'm not sure you'll need it."

"What is it, Mom?"

"Your aunt and I finished the antidote," she said in a rush. "We've found a way to reverse your abilities, but only if you want that."

Aspen was quiet, her mind processing her mom's words. A year ago that was all she had wanted – to be rid of her powers forever and be normal again. Now she wasn't so sure.

"You don't have to decide one way or another right now," her mom assured her. "I just wanted you to know that it's here if you want it."

"I don't know what I want," Aspen told her. "Things have changed now."

"I know that. Just take some time to decide what's best for you.

"I'm not sure that's relevant anymore," Aspen told her. "Not if my powers help me save people."

"What's best for you is always relevant," her mom insisted. "You can save people without your powers. You've always had that ability. Just think about it."

"I will," Aspen promised. "Listen, you and Aunt Vi should come and visit some time. Grandma is welcome too. I'm sure Tony would send a private yet."

"So you're on a first name basis with Mr. Stark," her mom said teasingly.

"Well he did save my life a few weeks ago, and we will be cohabitating a tower."

"How are he and Steve getting along?"

"Everything is peaceable so far, so we'll see how long that lasts. His girlfriend Pepper is here, so she'll keep him in check."

"Is Clint there?"

"No. I'm not sure where he is right now. I haven't heard from him since he left. I have no idea where Natasha is either, but tomorrow night Steve and I will be supping with Thor and Hulk."

"What a life you live," her mom said, laughing. "I hope the Hulk has good table manners."

"Don't worry, I'm sure Doctor Banner is keeping a tight lid on his anger these days. Tony might not appreciate him Hulking out in the tower."

"Well let me know how things go. I'll let you get back to settling in."

"Okay. I love you mom." Aspen felt a sudden wave of longing. It had been far too long since she'd been able to actually hug her mom.

"Love you too, sweetie."

They hung up and Aspen leaned against the doorway, watching Steve and Phoenix play. "My mom says 'hi'," Aspen told him. She knew he'd probably heard the whole conversation. He'd never eavesdrop on purpose, but he couldn't help his keen hearing.

"She finished the antidote?" His eyes were intent as he watched her.

"Yeah."

"You should take it if you want to. This isn't about anyone else but you."

"You're one to talk. You never put yourself first. Why should I?"

"Because you don't need your powers to save people. But you've worked really hard to learn to use and control them. You're not afraid of them anymore."

"So you're saying I shouldn't keep them but I also should." She gave him a questioning look.

"I'm just saying this has to be your choice and it should be for your reasons not anyone else's." He surrendered the string to Phoenix, who wriggled around like a mad animal on the rug, and walked over to Aspen, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Either way you're an incredible person, and I will still love you." He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Have I ever mentioned how insanely irresistible you are?" Aspen asked, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"More so than Phoenix?" They looked down at the kitten who was currently attempting to eat the string.

"I'm going to have to be honest; it's neck to neck."

"Hmm, we might have to fix that," Steve said, giving her a playful grin.

"I like it when you say that."

…

True to Tony's word, both Bruce and Thor were at dinner the next night. Maria Hill, Lucy, Noah, and Pepper joined them. Jane was on the verge of an important discovery, so Thor brought her apologies. The god of thunder clasped hands with Steve and then with Aspen. "It's good to see you again," he said to her.

"You too. We didn't get much of a chance to get to know each other before."

"I look forward to getting to know you better then," Thor said with a hearty smile. "I'll be staying here when I'm not with Jane. Her work keeps her busy."

"Then you're staying on Earth?" Aspen realized she had knowledge of Loki that would probably send Thor back to Asgard faster than you could say Bifrost.

"Yes. I feel that my place is here among my teammates." He was wearing modern clothes though he still looked like a god even without the red cape. His blonde hair was neatly tied back with a leather string.

"I feel the same way."

Bruce was shaking Steve's hand, and Aspen turned to greet him. "Hello Doctor Banner," she said, putting on a smile. Bruce had seemed a bit shy the last time she'd met him, but then again he'd thought himself a danger to everyone on the Helicarrier. She was determined to let him know she didn't have any qualms about befriending him.

"Bruce, please. I know we met, but I was a little distracted then," Bruce said, shaking her hand.

"I think we all were."

They sat down for dinner in the kitchen downstairs that Tony had shown them earlier. It was a common dining area and Tony had a professional cook serving them. Aspen and Steve sat next to each other while Lucy took the seat to Aspen's left.

"Well, here we all here. Well, some of us," Tony said. "I think this calls for a toast." They raised their glasses. "To a new team and a fresh start." They echoed his toast before taking a sip.

"I was serious about your friend," Tony said to Steve.

"He'll join when he's ready," Steve said, carefully avoiding mentioning Bucky.

"Sam's still a little in awe of the whole Avengers thing. It might take a little while to warm him up to the idea," Aspen suggested.

"Like you?" Tony asked, lifting a brow.

"Maybe. I've accepted my fate now. I'm where I belong." She'd never been so sure before. She turned and smiled at Steve. "We're where we belong. The world needs people like us but we also need each other. Who else is so well equipped to help us than others like us?"

"Well spoken," Thor said, raising his glass to her. "I am proud to fight alongside such valiant warriors and such true friends."

"I didn't realize this was going to get so touchy-feely," Tony said. Pepper gave him a playful slap on the shoulder.

"I'm reserving my major speech for when Clint and Natasha are here," Aspen told him.

"And hopefully that will be soon. They aren't one-man slash woman shows now. We're a team."

"They'll be here," Aspen said. "When we're all needed."

…

"So what do you think?" Steve asked later that night when he and Aspen were settled on the couch in their living room, electric fireplace crackling quietly across from them. Aspen was nestled under his arm, and Phoenix was curled up in his lap.

"I think I feel safe and comfortable and happy." She looked up at him. "You can still be happy," she told him. "I know a part of you feels guilty for it when he's still out there, but you can't just feel bad about it all the time."

"I know."

"But take your time. There's no time limit for how long you worry about a friend. I'm worried about him too."

"He knows how to look out for himself. He's a soldier after all."

"One day that missing piece is going to fit back into your life and you'll feel complete," Aspen told him. "That's how I felt the day I met you." Her words touched him, and he leaned down to kiss her.

"Thank you for understanding."

They sat in silence, letting the dancing flames lull them. Aspen fell asleep, her head on his chest, and Phoenix was snoring softly. Steve felt his shoulders finally relax as he leaned his head back against the couch. The flames were making the light flicker over the surface of his shield where it stood propped up against the bookcase. There was something exciting about the future. He felt like his purpose was here with the Avengers working as a team to keep the world safe. They were in charge. It wasn't like SHIELD where half the employees and leaders were Hydra and he never knew just what the mission was. He might not always see eye to eye with Tony, but a team could work their problems out together. They could be honest with each other.

And then one day he would find Bucky or Bucky would come to him. Then, as Aspen had said, he would feel complete. Until then, he had work to do.