Note –

It's been a little over three weeks everyone, and here's your update!

Note at the end!


Memories & Reality

I do not own any of this or any part of Marvel or the MCU

Chapter 26 –Something to be Thankful For


Present Day – Task-Force Compound

It was bright. It was hot. It was almost suffocating.

Tan and beige coloring saturated the bleak surroundings. Skin was sweaty and mouths were dry. And Steve stood under the blistering sun beating down from overhead.

Everything seemed to burn, standing in the desolate landscape.

Skin burned from the heat. Eyes burned from sand and dirt finding its way behind the protective covering of sunglasses. And the mind…The mind burned from the endless days and nights during this latest mission overseas.

Colonel Phillips's command was simple to Captain Rogers, "Lead your unit past the secured border. Find the enemy outpost and take them down. Save two soldiers that've been captured, and in the process, recover the intel the enemy has acquired."

Simple was Phillips' code for, 'Goddamn hard as hell, but suck it up because you're a soldier.'

The dirt whipped around, making Steve feel like he was in a heated tornado at times with the high winds and increased temperatures. The gusts of wind lasted either seconds or minutes. Steve couldn't exactly tell, because everything was a little blurry. Not just the images, but his thoughts and overall awareness.

But before Steve knew it, he was in the midst of a local village. Which one? He couldn't quite remember either.

Yes, everything seemed fuzzy right now.

Steve heard Bucky's voice which made him turn. His brother was yelling at a couple of other men to help grab some of the children and get them off the streets. And then Steve turned his head the other way, because what he heard next wasn't fuzzy at all. The distinct popping of gunfire sounded, and then it was all around him, inundating his senses.

Steve watched his unit work relentlessly as they saved the two captured soldiers. And then as they recovered the intel. And then, as they saved as many locals as they could, finally taking out the outpost. The area was secured and the enemy retreated.

If Steve really tried to remember this specific memory, he would recall that it was hailed a success.

Yes, what Phillips had commanded Captain Rogers to do was accomplished. But there was something different about this memory right now. Fuzzy and blurry was right. Steve scanned the site before him again. This wasn't about the captured soldiers. It wasn't about the enemy even. And it wasn't about the intel or Bucky.

It was about the harsh realization, that everyone didn't make it out unscathed. Two of Steve's men were shot, but they survived and would be sent back to the states soon after that day. And several of the locals did not survive. But that wasn't it either. No, what this fuzzy memory was about, was a severe lesson in life that'd been beaten into him and his brother in the Army. And would continue to be beaten into them in the FBI.

There was a cost. Not everybody made it out alive. Not every life could be saved.

Brutal truths in war, but brutal truths in life as well.

The gunfire was gone now. Steve stood as the eerie quiet took over, only to be interrupted by a wailing mother, kneeling over her toddler. The child was a girl, not even four or five. She'd been caught in the crossfire. She was another casualty of war. A cost. Another harsh reminder of those unfair lessons that life has to give. She was another memory lurking in the dark recesses of Steve's brain, only coming out to say hello when they wanted to.

This blurred memory? It was an old one that hadn't surfaced in quite a few years.

It was one that continued, shifting again into something different. And Steve kept staring with that burning sensation in his eyes. But the burning wasn't from dirt or heat anymore. He tried to swallow it away as he stared at the harrowing scene and took in the young girl's bloodied body, lying in her mother's shaking arms.

And suddenly what was fuzzy, started to become clear. This time the dream was different, and not because of the mother and child. It was different because of another small child's voice that snapped Steve's eyes away.

Peter.

Yes, the memory shifted because this was a dream, morphing before his eyes. Steve's nephew was standing in the midst of the chaos of sand and sun. He was standing, sticking out like a sore thumb in a little black suit and tie with his hair slicked over.

The pitted feeling in Steve's stomach made itself known.

It was a crashing of two worlds. Past and present. Young and old. Foreign and domestic. Peter wasn't even a twinkle in Bucky and Wanda's eyes when Steve was on that particular mission with his brother. Hell, he wasn't even a dream in either of their heads because Bucky and Wanda hadn't even met yet. It was years before Steve and Bucky even began at Quantico.

Yes, this dream had an unreliable narrator already. All dreams did to a certain extent. But Steve became aware…that this memory wasn't just off. It was wrong. It was the mashing of two worlds that should never co-exist.

"Peter, what are you doing here?"

Steve looked at the innocence on Peter's face fade away, as he took in the troubling images. As he looked at the young girl who'd been slaughtered. Yes, this was a disturbing memory. But it was one of many from the Army. And now, that sand storm from before, felt like it was swirling around in Steve's head right now.

Right as Steve was about to ask the question, 'What the hell is going on?' the ground shifted. And the dirt and sand beneath his tan boots and camouflaged pants began to rumble. Steve's feet began sinking into that shifting ground as he looked around for his nephew, "Peter?"

Canvasing the changing scenery, Steve finally found the familiar image of the child he knew so well. But Peter wasn't staring at the little girl anymore. He was crying, not understanding what was going on. He was crying in his little black suit and tie with that gel in his hair, that almost made him look like a little man. But his wavering and beautiful little voice gave him away.

First it was Bucky's voice. Then gunfire. Then silence, followed by the sobs of agony from a mother who'd lost everything. But now? It was the innocence of a child that sounded through the air.

"Why couldn't you save her, Uncle Steve? Why couldn't you save everyone?"

A chilling sensation traveled down Steve's spine. It felt like he'd been stabbed by Peter's words. Sweat pooled at his back, and Steve shook his head, closing his eyes tight. He knew this was wrong. He knew the memory in this village was just one of many, but it felt more tainted than ever before. A successful mission with a blaring exception. The exception that was forged from the fires of another godawful lesson in life, adding to all the others.

Sometimes when you win, you still lose.

But this…was more than that. The sinking sensation continued as Steve felt the dirt and sand start to surround his ankles and then his boots completely. It was the physical manifestation of dread taking over. And it kept going and going, until it finally stopped. Until Steve's eyes were wide open again.

Only now, the tans and beiges, and the beating sun were all gone. In the blink of an eye, Steve's world had shifted again. But there was Peter. Still standing off to the side, in his little black suit and asking the eerie question again, "Why couldn't you save her, Uncle Steve? Why couldn't you save everyone?"

No. This was wrong.

It was wrong because this memory felt too right. Too recent. And too raw.

Steve took in everything around him now. The burning heat was gone. The sun wasn't shining. And there wasn't a speck of dry sand or dirt around.

But there was soil. Soil, that was covered in a lush lawn. Steve was staring at the green grass on the ground, that lay under his feet. His feet that were covered in dark brown dress shoes. Peter had asked the question in that same suit and tie, and gelled hair as he stood off to the side. And Steve was sitting down, in his own suit that was Navy.

Saliva formed in his throat because Steve knew exactly where he was.

If Peter's words, and the memory of war from mere seconds ago were eerie, then the feeling that swelled inside him now, was haunting. Steve wasn't just confused or creeped out anymore. His body was ice cold from the terrifying truth he realized he was sitting in.

The haunted memory continued to play out as Steve soaked in the feel of the graveyard around him. It was a tiny little spot off to the side that they'd found. And gray skies loomed overhead as his mother and brother surrounded him. Wanda was right next to Bucky with Peter in her arms…The actual Peter, only two years of age. Not the one that was staring at him. And his close friends were sitting behind him, trying to find any way to support him. There they all sat on a dark and dreary day. On a day so raw, that Steve struggled to even watch.

It was Natasha's funeral.

Oh, this was a dreadful time. Both in Steve's life when he actually lived it, and then each time he revisited the pained memory in his sleep.

And each time he dreamt of it, that agonizing feeling of hopelessness invaded his heart again. How could a memory be so painful, that it could cause his actual body to physically hurt? Steve didn't know. But it was. And he felt it every time he dreamt of it, over every inch of his skin, and in each finger and toe.

Steve felt all of that pain as he forced himself to stand, and somehow speak the few words he could that day. And he felt it as he collapsed to the ground, with his Army chain in hand, and his hand on her stone. There was no body in the ground, but Natasha was gone. He'd convinced himself of it. How he would ever move on from this moment, he didn't know.

Despair and hopelessness and pain.

That's what he felt each time this haunted dream emerged.

The sobs and retched feeling came from his stomach as Bucky and Sarah tried to hold him protectively. Like an old record, this dream was playing out each agonizing song. Except again, this time…was different. This time, there was a scratch on that record. Peter was there. Still off to the side, causing everything to stop.

The memory halted as Steve looked back. The actual Peter from the memory was still in Wanda's arms as she held him tight and cried. He was in his little suspenders that were too big for his two-year-old body. Steve's brow pinched together as he looked over at his nephew again. There he was, as a young boy and child, four-years old. Just as Steve knew him in reality right now.

There he was, standing in his little black suit and tie, with his grown-up gelled hair, asking that chilling question one last time, "Why couldn't you save her, Uncle Steve? Why couldn't you save everyone?"

Somehow, a dream from the most painful time in Steve's life, had just gotten worse.


Steve's eyes shot open. He was in a cold sweat and felt panic run through him as he sucked in several breaths like his life depended on it. He looked up at the ceiling. The high ceiling with exposed piping, running towards an exposed brick wall.

"Oh, thank god."

The words came out with a breath, and were almost non-existent. But they still came out, because Steve realized where he was. The compound. He was in their bedroom as he stared at that ceiling, and felt the instant calming presence of Natasha's body in his arms.

Oh, thank god indeed.

Haunted dreams weren't a new thing for Steve. But with everything that'd happened the day before, this one felt too real. To visceral. He tried to breathe for a second as he held her, but instead, he looked at her with worry. Her hands had sunk down between them over the last couple of hours, and she was scratching again, over his FBI sweatshirt. The symptom had never truly stopped, and Bruce warned that it might not ever, but it had been on hiatus for a couple of weeks.

Steve lowered his hand to find Natasha's and gently held them as he pulled her in closer, "Nat, wake-up."

Her brow was pinched and her forehead creased. Trembling lips followed as Natasha's breathing quickened. It was how Steve had looked only a moment ago, "Natasha, it's Steve. I'm right here."

Steve held her hands as he squeezed a little tighter around her, until that unmistakable jolt traveled through her body with enough force for Steve to feel it in his own. She was awake, but he didn't let any panic set in as he whispered in her ears, "It's okay, Nat. I'm right here. We're in our room at Tony's compound. You just had a bad dream. I'm right here."

Natasha hissed as she took in a sharp breath of air. She didn't let another second pass before her arms snaked around his back to pull herself closer.

She knew she'd tried to scratch again. She knew she'd had a nightmare from the feel of chilled skin, nerves that were on fire, and the swell of emotions in her body trying to battle fear. And she knew…from the way Steve was holding her, that he'd just woken up from something too. It was a pattern they were getting used to. Different ghosts of memories paying them visits as they slept. Usually, it was only one of them.

Over the last few weeks at the compound, the dreams bordering on nightmares had lessened by an impressive amount. In large part, because of the growth and acceptance Natasha and Steve had found in each other and themselves. Because they had both started talking with Bruce. Because they'd both found a way to talk with each other, and let forgiveness into their hearts. And because as a result of all of it, trust and love growing fervently between them.

But with the events of yesterday, their minds were racing as their bodies demanded sleep. They'd only come to bed a couple of hours ago, and now they were awake, being left in the dust from their dreams.

Natasha lifted her head from his neck, feeling his beard caress her chin as she found his eyes in the dark, "You want to tell me about it, Steve?"

Steve felt a burning again. But it wasn't from sand or sun or sobbing at a cemetery.

Natasha knew what it probably was. Maybe some twist or turn occurred this time, but it had something to do with her pictures he'd received. Or her funeral. Or when he found her in the cabin. The images that had branded his brain over the last two years. He didn't want to talk about though. Not now. Not when he was just soaking in the blessed reality that she here with him. He shook his head instead and simply pulled her closer, "Do you want to tell me about it, Nat?"

Tears had leaked out of her eyes as she realized that she'd woken up in the safety of his arms. An almost natural response at this point. Steve still held her securely as he lifted a hand to brush a couple of those drops away from her face. It was the gentlest of touches, wiping her face clean, as they both tried to wipe their minds of lingering ghosts.

Natasha mirrored Steve as she simply shook her head no.

It was nothing new for her. The cell. Erskine. Seeing Steve at her funeral. Waking and seeing Steve, two months ago almost. Their baby. Rumlow's presence. Ivan's hate. And Oksana's eyes and voice.

Just as Steve's ghosts swirled around, so did Natasha's. No, there was nothing new there. Just some twisted form of another night in that goddamn cell, making her feel alone and lost without everyone in her life that she'd loved. Without Steve.

But that wasn't her reality anymore. It was a reminder, but not the lynchpin of her entire existence. Her life was right here, surrounding her. And everything else that mattered, rested within these walls too.

In this safehouse.

No, it was nothing new. And Natasha didn't want to talk about it right now, either. She just wanted to feel. She just wanted to find that soothing sensation in him that would seep into her heart. And by the look in Steve's eyes? He needed to feel that too.

No words were needed right now as her breathing increased in the sliver of space between them. They were on their sides, but what they both wanted, was clear as day before them.

Natasha pulled herself closer to Steve with a grip at his back. Running her nose along his beard, she could feel her own breath rebounding off of his skin and warming them both.

Their eyes held each other in the dark with a flicker and then two. And then they were grabbing onto that relief laid out before them. That comfort in the reality of each other's stare and kiss. Natasha's lips found his as a sigh came out of his throat.

There was something about this kiss that made it different from all the ones that came before.

And there were a lot that'd come before.

There were all of the love and lust-filled kisses during their five years together. Then, there were all of the longing and desperate ones during their stolen weekends. And then, there were Steve's endless brushes to her forehead and hands, and temple and hair, after he'd found her at the cabin. As she was put into a coma. For an entire week, he didn't leave her side and his lips barely left her either. And with each kiss, he begged silently, as he read the haunting words of her journal, that she would be able to wake up and be okay.

And then, came the avoidance of a kiss as they both were too scared for a short while to dive into the ocean of grief awaiting them. But they swam through and found each other. Both in their hearts and memories. And when Steve returned from the FBI building that night, almost three weeks ago…they'd finally worked through the avoidance. Steve finally returned the kiss that Natasha had given him, before they had to separate for a few hours.

Yes, many kisses had happened since that night, almost three weeks ago.

But this kiss? It was like a stream of water in the desert or a hot spring in the snow. It was a preserver of life. That's how desperate the need to feel was in both of them.

They'd woken in each other's arms after their memories had haunted them, almost down to the cellular level…with the dark reminder of what their life was like without each other.

Those memories. Those dreams, along with the frightening close calls and injuries to their friends yesterday, shook them to their very core. And the only way they could possible battle that darkness right now was with touch.

Touch.

The physical sensation telling them both, that Steve was not at her funeral, and that she was very much alive. And that Natasha was not in her cell, and that he was very much in her presence. Yes, they were here and awake, needing each other with every trembling breath.

Natasha's fingers ran through Steve's beard as his found the back of her neck. The shudders in her breathing were only matched by the tremors in his own. But they didn't care as their mouths pressed against each other a little more. Pulling against the muscles on his back, she tried to bring herself closer, but there was nowhere else to go. There was no space left as they molded together.

His fingers ran down her spine, holding her protectively before dipping below her sweatshirt to finally feel more skin under his hands. Natasha's tongue responded, running against his teeth in an almost involuntary way.

It was like a well of history and passion had been tapped into finally. And without either one of them hesitating, muscle memory took over. Dormant desires and familiar needs fell in sync as their bodies melded with each movement.

That desire wasn't so dormant anymore. Yes, a well had been tapped, springing new life as Natasha licked the warm cavern of his mouth. As Steve felt the heat of his own breath mixing with her own.

No words were spoken. No words were needed right now.

Natasha and Steve were so goddamn grateful to be in each other's arms that their Pavlovian responses kicked in.

Natasha couldn't help it. She was addicted to Steve and always would be. And she was done trying to fight this. There was no right time. There was no right place. And this was not a distraction. Something about yesterday and close calls. It blended with their seven years of pain. And the final touch was their treacherous dreams.

No, this wasn't a distraction. It was the right concoction from all of their love and longing that finally came calling. Natasha brushed her knee between his thighs as Steve's tongue ran along her own, tasting the mixture of both of their tears that had trickled between their lips.

Yes, they'd had many kisses since Steve had first found her almost two months ago. They'd had thousands upon thousands before she left. But none of those were like this. None were to this level.

Steve had tried to keep this at an arm's reach. Partially, because yes, he truly didn't want their intimacy to be a distraction. But part of it…was also because he was scared to death still, of how hurt she was when he found her. How haunted he still was, by her emaciated figure hanging from those rafters. Steve had brought Natasha back from the brink of death, but her mortality mocked him with her weakened state the entire way.

But somewhere along the way, their reluctance disappeared. Somewhere…between their acceptance and forgiveness, and the realization yet again, that everything can change within a blink of an eye. Or a crash of an SUV that held five of their friends. Yes, something had changed.

And now, they were right here, melting into each other. With their muscles moving from memory, almost like no time had passed at all. Except time had passed. Years had passed since they found themselves in a kiss even remotely like this. Years and years and years had passed, since losing themselves completely in each other's touch and sound, without worrying that they would be separated shortly after.

Natasha hummed against his mouth as her fingers dug in. As her leg found friction, moving between his. And finally, that rising tide of fear they'd woken up to, started to recede.

Their painful dreams had left ice in their hearts and cool sweat on their backs. But now, relief was felt as warmth grew and battled the cold, pushing it farther and farther away until only heat remained between them.

The buzz turned hazy as their kiss turned desperate. Lips pushing harder against each other, almost to a bruising extent. Steve's beard running along her chin and cheek. Natasha's mouth covering his nose and eyes and neck.

And the haze thickened, turning into a fog as they both felt the fever from each other take over. This kiss was more than all that'd come before, but it still wasn't enough. Steve pushed down against her knee as a low groan came out, feeling all of the pressure building between them. His hand splayed along her lower back, pulling her harder against him. He felt the silvery scars underneath that only his calloused fingers could caress in such a loving and careful way.

Natasha sighed over and over as she sucked on his neck and dug her fingers in harder behind him. Steve's hands traveled a little higher, as he felt her bra. Running along the edge of it, the softest of whines now came out of her.

Legs were slotted together, and Natasha pushed into him more, grazing her knee higher and higher. Until she finally could feel him, and what'd formed in the last few minutes. Muscle memory and desire. Love and longing. Desperation trying to wipe away the pain from their past.

This entanglement of touch wasn't coordinated or planned, which only added to the feeling that they needed more.

A heavy breath. And a longing gaze as Steve leaned back for just a second.

There she was. Natasha. Eyes darkened but still green, waiting for him to dive into the pools so she could soak him in. This is the furthest they'd gone and they still had all of their clothes on. But they both could tell, something had shifted. In their stomachs and minds, and hearts and souls, something had strengthened. Hesitation was gone.

They wanted this. They needed this.

She drew her bottom lip between her teeth, and he blew out a breath that warmed her skin. Finally, a word came out of her with a whisper.

"Steve."

And then his eyes flickered. It wasn't hesitation. But it was the threat of logic bursting through their bubble only for a moment…as a thought flashed through his mind. How could he be so stupid? Steve thought it to himself as he tried to figure out how to tell her. How to even broach this subject with Natasha because of what she'd lost. What they'd lost.

Natasha rolled her hips down, pushing into his thigh as her knee rubbed against him again. Steve's eyes were half-lidded but hers were wide open. She saw him actually thinking something through, and had to smirk a little. She knew Steve still, like the back of her hand. And somehow, she just knew, "Steve, it's okay if you don't have condoms. Dr. Strange has had me on the pill for almost two months to balance out my hormones while I regained my strength."

Steve shut his eyes all the way and smiled before a soft laugh escaped him, "I'm sorry, Nat. We haven't even talked about it." Natasha pressed her fingers against his back as she shrugged her shoulder, "We haven't had a need to…Now, I think we do."

The comfort. The ease. The knowing each other inside and out was all there, right along with the intimacy. Another sigh came out as she felt how turned on he was between his legs. As she knew, how aroused she was between her own, "Steve, I think we do…now."

Another shift in this drive as it went into high gear. A louder groan came out of him, and then Natasha was on her back, pulling him into a suffocating kiss. Pulling him down against her. He surrounded every part of her, and she'd never felt safer.

But Steve was worried and braced himself with his arms, "Nat, I don't wanna hurt..."

"Steve, please. Please, don't tell me you don't want to hurt me. This is the least I've hurt since waking up. Please."

Steve's fingers brushed along her face and neck, and over his FBI sweatshirt she wore, taking all of her fully clothed, but ever tempting body beneath him in, "Okay. I won't. But promise me you'll tell me if anything hurts, okay? You promise?"

A nervous nod, and then she was feeling all of what she's missed and longed for. It was now within an arm's reach as her fingers trailed along his jeans that he'd fallen asleep in, mere hours ago. No, this wasn't planned nor thought out.

But that dormancy had been prodded at, and now they were both succumbing to an insurmountable urge inside. Their love had been burning and growing constantly since he'd found her, but right now? It came roaring to life like a raging fire. It had been two long years for both of them. But it had been seven long years, since anything had even broached how they felt when they were truly together.

And this was somehow even different from that.

Natasha felt how much he wanted her. And his trembling fingers, now brushed along her pants, feeling how warm she was for him. Eyes fluttered before their lips found each other again as Steve finally pressed into that warmth at the center of her jeans. It was the closest by far, that either one of them had been to this feeling, in seven long years. But it might as well have been a decade, because that's how long it felt…maybe even more.

And they couldn't get enough of it.

Fingers carding through hair. His beard leaving red marks on her cheek and chin. Nails digging into his back as he chased her mouth with his own before finding it and claiming it as his, again and again and again. Just as it always was. And just as it always would be.

Moaning and groaning mixed as sweat began to form again, only this time from heat.

But…

It wasn't the right time. And it wasn't because of hesitation or second thoughts. It wasn't because this was a whim or that it had to be perfect. It's just…their time was simply up, as the bubble abruptly burst with a soft knock at their door.

Another groan, but not for the same reasons, as a displeased sound came out of Natasha, "You've got to be kidding me." Steve hovered over her for a second longer as the tapping sound increased and became a little louder. And then it was followed by a soft voice, "Steve? Natasha? It's Wanda…"

Damn.

The instant rush was gone as reality washed over them, and they became a little cooler. What waited for them outside their door was calling, and made it clear as day that the raging fire was tempered. They felt like they'd been doused with water.

They could almost laugh, if their frustration wasn't so overwhelming. Steve blew out a couple breaths, calming himself in more ways than one. He leaned down to kiss her forehead as another sigh came out of her. It left them both feeling like an itch was left unscratched. But the expression in both of their eyes said the same thing as they heard Wanda's voice. This would have to wait a little longer.

Natasha patted her forehead and cheeks, trying to cool herself as she took in a couple breaths and stood up with Steve. It was 5:30 am. They'd crawled in (literally) to bed fully-clothed, only a little over two hours ago.

Steve cracked open the door and Wanda looked entirely apologetic to have disrupted their sleep because everyone needed it. But then…she caught Steve's blush on his cheeks, and Natasha peered out from behind him. The red marks all over her face were unmistakable. So was the blush creeping up on Wanda's own neck as her eyes went a little wide, being almost run over with embarrassment, "I uh…Fury wanted. We're downstairs…Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry, Steve. Natasha, god…"

Well, that was just enough to draw them out of their haze as Natasha smiled and reached around Steve, opening the door a little more. Steve had been gripping it out of frustration and was kind of frozen in place with a scowl as Natasha spoke to her friend, "It's okay, Wanda. What's going on?"

Wanda shook her head one more time, "Right. Sorry, Fury…Well, he's downstairs with a few of us that are up. He got a message from Ross a few minutes ago. Ross said the news outlets are all running with the story about you and Clint, Natasha. And all of us will be named as working with you under Fury's orders. It will probably come out as breaking anytime, in the next hour or so. He wants you two downstairs so we can hit the ground running. I'm sorry you couldn't…sleep a little longer."

Steve's other hand had found Natasha's back over the last 20 seconds, and he was pressing into it a little harder right now, letting his annoyance show. Natasha blew out a breath and smiled, "Thanks Wanda. We'll be down in just a minute, okay?" Wanda gave another apologetic look before turning to walk away.

The door closed and Steve groaned in frustration.

One thing had been accomplished. The worries from their haunted memories had been wiped away. Natasha let out a laugh in disbelief as her head fell against the door. Steve's expression was somewhere between looking like he wanted to beat down the damn door, and wanting to say screw everything and just go back to bed. Instead, he drew his arms around her waist, surrounding her again, as his lips brushed over the nape of her neck.

"Steve…"

Natasha grinned as she battled the temptation from before. Steve whispered, "Nat…," as his lips traveled to her cheek. What they would give for just five more minutes of this.

But duty called. And Natasha couldn't believe she was the actual one doing this right now, but she held onto his fingers around her waist and turned around in his arms, "Well, the good news is that I guess I finally got you to be okay…with moving some things along between us, Steve."

He couldn't help it as a laugh was pulled out of him. The thrilling feeling had settled. And Steve knew it too. They couldn't continue with what'd almost happened, "I just…it would have been nice to have a little while longer in bed with you, Nat. But it just keeps coming, doesn't it?" She found her way into his arms as he rested his chin on her head, "Yeah Steve, it does. And it's not going to stop until we put an end to it."

Steve's hold tightened around her as they felt the weight of the day, fully intrude on the intimacy they were immersed in only minutes ago. But the intrusion wasn't going to stop him from doing one last thing. He tilted her chin up in the dark and found her lips once again as she ran her fingers around his neck.

Natasha pulled away and smirked at him, "Raincheck?"

Steve laughed again, feeling just a little calmer. She always made him feel better, no matter what. And god, was he ever thankful to have the feeling of his nightmare over, knowing she was very much real and alive in his arms. He brushed a final kiss against her forehead, "Yeah, Nat. A raincheck sounds perfect."


Steve's hand was on Natasha's shoulder the entire time as she led them down the stairs. It was relatively quiet because their room was the first one that Wanda had knocked on. They stood at the base of the steps and made it to the edge of the kitchen as they looked around and took the site of the main floor in.

Dr. Jane Foster was awake and was checking on each of the five patients across the floor in the medical area. Loki was sitting at the long table with Peter, and looked like he was teaching him a card trick. Natasha shook her head and raised an eyebrow at that one.

Bucky looked like he was even more worn out than Natasha and Steve as he sat at the counter by himself, smacking his cheeks a couple of times before inhaling his coffee. Wanda walked around them to sit by her husband. She looked over at Natasha and blushed again as she gave her a knowing smirk from before.

Natasha shook her head but grinned and then took in the most surprising image yet. Sarah Rogers had somehow tapped into that endless vat of energy, that only she could in times like these. She was in the process of making a second, large stainless steel container of coffee. And she was doing that in between pouring pancake batter on a giant griddle next to her.

As amazing as all of that was, that wasn't the surprising part. Sarah Rogers amazed Natasha, but her wonderment in the kitchen had stopped being a surprise long ago.

No, the surprising part…was Fury.

Nick Fury was standing right by Sarah's side, stacking already formed pancakes in warming trays in the oven. He was balancing that while working the stove as he turned over frying pans full of bacon and sausage links.

The smell in the kitchen was almost mouth-watering. But honestly, Steve and Natasha pushed past the hunger that'd woken up, right along with Wanda's knock on the door, and they looked at each other, "Steve, I know I was gone for years, but tell me this is not something that's normal. Fury doesn't usually cook you guys breakfast, does he?"

Steve looked just as baffled as her, "Yeah, Nat…this is as new to me as it is to you. I've never seen that man cook breakfast in my life." Bucky looked over at them and rubbed his eyes, with Wanda curling into him as he yawned, "I'm confused as hell too, Steve. But let's not question it. Fury can fry my bacon anytime he wants."

Fury gave Bucky a little sideways glare, "You should take a picture, Barnes. Because it'll probably be the only time I am ever serving you food." There was an inappropriate joke that Loki didn't crack, about Fury being around a lot in the mornings from now on. But no one dared say anything. Partially because of Fury's glare. But in larger part, because Wanda and Bucky, and Steve and Natasha, were kind of speechless from the domesticity in front of their eyes.

Loki did speak next though, "Now Peter, that's the greatest magic trick of them all. When you're able to silence your parents, and Steve and Natasha. Fury has been able to do that for over 12 years." Peter couldn't care at all, about whatever was going on behind him or at what Loki actually meant. Instead, he piled all the cards up and shoved them towards Loki, "Again!"

Sarah looked over at Steve and Natasha and gave them a warm smile, that already had them feeling better about their morning, "Oh good you're up. Here's a couple of cups of coffee. I'm sure you'll need them. And Nick, you reminded me of something."

Sarah Rogers was clearly running the show right now.

Natasha grabbed Steve's hand and pulled him along as they sat next to Wanda and Bucky around the corner of the counter now, "What's with Loki the magician over there?" Loki heard Natasha and grinned as he looked up but dove back into dealing Peter some cards.

Wanda shook her head, "Loki is bound and determined to have Peter see him as something other than the 'compound cat' like he drew in his picture for you the other day. He doesn't like the idea of being the group pet." They laughed as Steve and Bucky started talking on their own. Natasha looked back at Wanda, "Why doesn't Loki just buy Peter a pet? That'll bump him up a couple of notches."

"God, Natasha, don't give him or Tony any ideas…we'll end up with a Pony or something worse like a giant python that'll eat us…All because Loki didn't want to be the task-force tabby." Natasha smiled through her sips of coffee as she caught Loki's expression. The idea had clearly been planted in his brain.

Steve leaned over to kiss Natasha's forehead. No one else was downstairs yet, and if he couldn't enjoy the privacy of what almost happened 15 minutes ago, he was sure going to soak in the site of her in the morning. Puffy eyes and faded red marks on her face still from him. She was swallowed up by his sweatshirt over her leggings and still looked a little too sleepy as she drank her coffee. She was absolutely perfect.

Loki caught Natasha's eyes and gave her a devious grin as he spoke a little louder so everyone could hear, "Hey Peter, here's another magic trick. Do you want to know how to always keep a smile on your Daddy and Uncle Steve's faces? You keep the women at their sides happy, and they'll be grinning like idiots for days."

Natasha and Wanda smiled, but Peter was unimpressed, "That's not magic, Loki. Daddy makes Mommy smile a lot." The four of them were shaking their heads as a flash of light made them turn. Sarah was literally doing what Fury had said a moment ago. She was taking photos on her phone.

Steve shook his head as Bucky rolled his eyes and groaned, "Mom, com on…"

But again…Sarah Rogers was running this little morning breakfast show, "Oh James, you hush your mouth. You all wouldn't have any history of this entire place, if I left it to you. But you're saving the world, and each other while you're at it…And I for one, think it's important to remember my sons and their families and friends during this time, okay?"

Fury was hiding his smile as he put all of the bacon and sausage in another tray in the oven, before loading the frying pans up with more. And Wanda, Loki, and Natasha were all hiding their own grins…because they'd seen it all a million times before. Sarah Rogers, silencing her sons with all the love and care in the world. The woman could ask them to walk around in diapers in front of everyone, and she'd find away to make them do it, without them even saying a peep.

Loki was laughing now, "Okay, Peter. One last trick. Do you know how to make two, long-term FBI agents, cower and instantly cave? The answer is Sarah Rogers."

Peter stared at him, even more unimpressed than before and just shook his head, silently telling him, 'Duh, Loki. I know Grandma's the boss.'

Bucky didn't say anything else as Sarah snapped picture after picture on her phone. First of Loki and Peter. Then of Nick…frying his bacon. Then of Wanda kissing Bucky on the forehead as he drew his arm around her waist. And finally of Natasha leaning her head on Steve's shoulder with him turning his nose and lips into her hair.

It was all so…normal.

If the events of yesterday hadn't happened. If they didn't have the fate of god knew how many innocent lives on their hands. If they didn't have the ticking time bomb of Poseidon's attack, threatening them with all the worry of hideouts and locations and now pending news reports coming.

If.

If all of that wasn't going on in the backgrounds of their heads, this would almost seem like a normal, happy breakfast. On any given morning. On a Sunday at Sarah's with a couple of new additions with Loki and Nick. Happy additions.

But…that 'if,' that was so large in meaning, even though it only consisted of two letters, would have to wait. Just as Steve and Natasha's beautiful, 'if,' from only 25 minutes ago, had to wait too. Because everyone else was coming downstairs now, and the quiet and intimate moment of just their small little family, was over.

Sam and Tony were the first to join the breakfast crowd as they walked over from the medical suite where they'd slept. Tony was stretching, "Jane is in there with Pep. And Laura and Betty are going to join them while we all…listen for this news report that I'm sure will be just thrilling."

Natasha smiled at both of them, "How's Maria and everyone else doing, Sam?" Sam let out a breath as Tony handed him a coffee, "Everyone actually slept for a few hours except Thor and Maria. Thor woke up once, but Maria? Well, she was off and on. She's still in a lot of pain. But she's asleep right now."

Yes, the small little bubble they were all in had burst, with the reality of all that'd happened, crowding around them now. Images of animals lined up at a feeding trough came to mind as the Mercs and Daisy and Bobbi and Lance…and as Bruce and Clint and everyone else surrounded the kitchen. Sarah handed out coffee and juice and Nick truly did serve pancakes, bacon and sausage to a compound full of people.

The kitchen was loud and noisy now, with the counter space and dinner table packed.

And Loki, Natasha, and Wanda crept away to stand outside the conference room as Peter ran off to color on the living room floor. Steve had brought them some plates of food and they preferred to just stand and eat, versus try and squeeze in around everyone else. They would soak in a little reprieve for just a little longer if they could.

"I'm going to be thought of as more than a damn cat to your son, Wanda. Just you wait and see." Wanda smiled as she nibbled on some bacon, "Don't you know, Loki? The pet is always the most beloved. You should take it as a compliment…Peter did seem to really enjoy those cards though. You may have some competition as favorite aunt or uncle here now, Natasha."

Natasha drank her coffee down as she soaked in everything around her. Peter coloring. Steve talking with Bucky and Sam and Tony off to the other side of the kitchen. Everyone trying to enjoy a good meal to start another long day on this even longer journey, as five of their friends lie asleep in a medical suite, each with even longer journeys ahead of them.

But…they were all here, together. And that was something to be thankful for. It was that same feeling that Natasha and Steve had, desperately finding comfort in each other's touches and kisses, only 30 minutes ago.

"Well, if I'm in the running as Peter's favorite person here, and I don't at least get a groan out of you, Romanoff…something good must be on your mind."

Wanda held back a laugh but Loki caught it, "Spit it out, Wanda. What do you know?" Natasha's eyes perked up as Wanda shrugged her shoulders, "I think something good was definitely on Natasha's mind."

That did pull a groan out of Natasha as she rolled her eyes before finishing her pancake and drinking more coffee, "You guys apparently need to find some better material to satiate your desperate need for gossip. There's nothing to tell."

Loki grinned at Wanda before poking the red-headed bear beside him, "Nothing to tell, huh? Is that what the hickey on your neck would say, if it could talk?"

Natasha's eyes widened as she started feeling around with her hand before Loki started laughing hysterically, "Made ya look, Natasha. But you gave away your entire hand with that tell. You and Rogers must have been doing something if you thought there could've been a mark."

Wanda couldn't help it. She tried to hold it back but she let out a snicker as Natasha shook her head, "God, when you two get going, you are seriously less mature than your four-year old son, Wanda." Wanda just shrugged her shoulder, "I'm an old married woman. Your love life is much more interesting than mine."

Plates were piled on the floor as Natasha's chain with Steve's tag and Loki's ring fell out of her sweatshirt. She grabbed onto it as she stood back up, "Let's change the subject, shall we? Loki, thanks again for your mother's ring. Even though you're an ass sometimes, I really do love it."

A little of that heavy feeling quickly returned as Loki smiled at his friends, thinking of all the waiting worries outside of these walls. Wanda ran her fingers across his ring on her own thumb too, "I know we're all trying to feel good before everything hits the fan this morning…Before whatever happens with this bullshit news report that's about to break. None of that matters. But, you two and Steve? You matter. And you need to be careful today with Fisk."

There it was. Reality.

Natasha looked up at Loki as they both took a breath and Wanda continued, "I'm serious. I'm not being overly worried or protective. I just…we have five of our friends who seriously could've been killed yesterday. Any of you could've been killed. Natasha, I can't even think of how much you've been through without wanting to throw up, and here you are…going out there again today to see Fisk. You know he's not going to give information to you for free."

Loki scoffed, "Wanda, Dear. I love you. And I know you can put me in my place, more so than most people. But let's not forget, I more than just dabbled in the criminal underworld for seven years. I know men like Fisk. And I know he's going to want something big. But honestly? I think we all need to worry about the hurricane that Poseidon is forming, before we fret over any rainclouds Fisk might cause. Whatever he wants is going to be for him and his own little world. So, if we have to dance with the devil in order to get out of hell? Then, we'll do it."

Wanda sighed, "Just don't…don't go trying to be a hero or anything today. Either of you. Go and meet with him. Give him whatever the heck he's asking and get what you need. And get back here safely. We don't need anyone else in that medical suite over there."

Thoughts were weighing on Natasha. Yes, from her encounter with Steve this morning. And yes, from the fact that their friends were in hospital gurneys, only 30 feet away. But more so, from the entirety of this journey. It felt like they were so close to the end…to bringing Poseidon down. But it still felt so far away, "You know, Wanda. I think I really suck at being a hero. I sucked at being a spy too. I was downright awful at who I was supposed to be in life…"

Loki looked over at Wanda, hearing the weight of guilt and sadness at the edge of Natasha's voice. They'd talked so many times as they reconnected as friends over the last two months. And it was a blessing. A shining star in an entire sky of darkness. It was one of the good things they could all hold onto in times like these. They'd found each other again. Yes, all of them. But the three of them, specifically right now.

And they were so thankful to have one another again - rings, bad jokes, gossip, and all. Everything. And it was clear, that heavy feeling of reality, cut so much deeper in Natasha. And Loki and Wanda both just wanted to help her. But sometimes, all they could do was listen and love…and every now and then, offer a little wisdom.

Wanda nudged Natasha's side as Loki but his arm around her, "You know, Natasha. I know I was talking about my mother yesterday. With her rings and everything. I remember something she told me when I first thought about going to Quantico. I was doubting myself and said something to the effect of, that I had sucked at every other path I'd tried. Essentially, I felt like I failed at who I was supposed to be in life too, and I hadn't even really begun living yet…How utterly foolish of me."

They looked up at their friend as he smiled, "But…someone who wasn't foolish…she may have been troubled beyond compare and stuck in a loveless and abusive marriage…but god, she was no fool. My mother told me, 'Everyone fails at who they're supposed to be. A measure of a person, of a hero, is how well they succeed at being who they are.'"

Loki was a little lost in his own words as Natasha put her arm around his waist and Wanda grabbed his hand, joining them together in a circle, "Loki, that's beautiful."

Loki swallowed down the threat of tears, "Well, she was beautiful. And so are the two of you. And I think…she was right. Look at all of us. We've all failed at who we were supposed to be early on in life. But here we are now, standing and trying to do something right. For each other…for ourselves. For everyone we've lost in our lives."

Natasha wiped her eyes on Loki's shirt as Wanda squeezed his hand and he went on, "I think, when all the bullshit was wiped away two months ago, and the truth became crystal clear, we all made decisions to stand and fight…together. To be here for each other. So, Natasha? It's not about being a hero. It's about being who we are." They enjoyed their moment a little longer as they held each other.

Small moments like this, were seen around the kitchen and dining area.

And Sarah, ever true to her words to Steve and Bucky, was capturing them all on her phone. Pictures of the three of them, laughing and then just being with each other. A picture of her sons with their close friends. Of Laura and Clint. Of everyone trying to enjoy a little of this life that they were fighting for, before the fighting actually began again.

It was all something that was beautiful. It was something that couldn't be bought or sold. It was life, being lived after so much heartache. It was being thankful for that life, after coming so close to loss, yet again yesterday.

It was all of them together. And it was something they would need to cherish in their memories.

Because the moment was over almost as quickly as it started. Fury's radio sounded loudly on the kitchen counter as he placed it in the center with everyone drawing near. Peter was none the wiser and was watching a cartoon on TV while still coloring. But everyone else waited with abated breath to hear the breaking news they'd been waiting for.


News Report:

CE: I'm Christine Everhart with Marvel's 616 Live Broadcast. This just in. We have breaking news at this early hour.

Moments ago, we received chilling information with regards to the FBI attack in New York City, almost three weeks ago now. What does a criminal on the FBI's most wanted list who was supposed to be taken into custody almost two months ago, two homegrown terrorists, and an FBI field team all have in common?

I regret to inform you that their commonality lies in their traitorous actions. That they are all are working together, to attack this nation. To attack other innocent civilians in other peaceful nations. My loyal audience may want to sit down for this one, because the details we're about to unfold, sound like they are straight out of a spy novel. Unfortunately, they are not.

Marvel's 616 news outlet was sent information late yesterday evening. We've corroborated the information and verified details since then. And now, we're able to share this chilling story with you all.

Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton. Siblings by birth. Shipped over to America at a young age, they found solace in working against this country, all while under the guise of working for it.

Yes, that's right. They are home-grown terrorists. Romanoff even posed as a member of the military and as an FBI Agent for five years, before her true colors were exposed. Barton, who was thought to be dead over the last couple of years, was working with her behind the scenes the entire time.

That's not even close to the beginning. Not only did these siblings plot against this country, but they also convinced good men and women who worked with them at the FBI, to help do their bidding over the last month.

How did the sibling spies convince Assistant Director Nicholas J. Fury and his leading field team of operatives, including Army Captain, Steven Grant Rogers, to help them? How did the siblings convince both men to work against the country that they'd both fought to protect in the military? Those are about the only questions we don't have the answers to.

But what we do know, is that Assistant Director Fury reassembled his entire field team from years ago. A team, that was initially formed after graduating together from Quantico, 12 years ago.

Evidence leads us to deduce, that this reforming of a team, was for the purpose of the attack at the FBI building, and at the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Sydney and Stockholm, overseas.

We have received copies of photographs. Photos of Romanoff and Barton overseas as youth. Photos of them working against this country in Kazakhstan. Photos of them setting free, six criminals from Rikers Island seven years ago. And proof that Romanoff herself, stole intel from Quantico. Intel that gave her the blueprints to the FBI building in New York City.

Rumors circulated after that dreadful night that the FBI Building was attacked, almost three weeks ago.

Rumors about Fury and his team being killed. Rumors that the government didn't even know who was responsible. To think, all the while, it was Fury, Captain Rogers and his brother, James Barnes. It was them and their entire team, working with Loki, a man high up on the FBI's most wanted list. And while they were coming back together as a team? They were working with the sibling spies, born to be terrorists. The siblings who worked their entire lives to harm this country and as many innocent people as they could.

As chilling as all of that information is to take in, it doesn't end there. Our own Secretary of Defense and Patriot, Alexander Pierce, called the police late last night and reported a break-in. He bravely tried to play it down as nothing to worry about, when he so graciously took our call. But you could hear how unsettled he was as he spoke.

Listen, as our own Karen Page was with him at the scene of the break-in, his estate, only hours ago.

KP: Secretary Pierce, first on behalf of Marvel 616 and all of our listeners, let me say that we're so thankful that you're okay. Now, is it your belief, that your break-in at your home, was somehow tied to the awful revelations about the terrorist siblings, revealed to be working with our very own FBI to attack America?

AP: Oh, thank you Miss Page for your kind words. You know, I'll let the fine gentlemen at the local police station determine who broke in. But thank you again. It's good folks like you in this country that give me hope in dark times like these.

You know, you might be able to tell by my gray hair, that I've been around in this world for a while. I was a soldier in Vietnam, long before I became a servant of this country through politics. And it's always the people that keep your faith alive.

I was as disturbed to learn about this news, just like I'm sure your listeners were. I first heard the news only moments ago. But these terrorists will not prevail. These siblings…Romanoff and Barton…they may have succeeded at infiltrating my former friend, Nick Fury's team. They may have each agent on that team working with them to carry out their home-grown terrorist efforts in order to hurt this country. They may even have further plans in the works, beyond their attack at the FBI and against our peaceful allies in Sweden and Australia. But what they don't have, is the backing of this country. This country has always stood up to the likes of Barton and Romanoff…and traitors like Nick Fury and his entire team. And this country will stand up this time too.

KP: Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for taking the time. I know you need to get to D.C. But please stay safe.

KP: Christine, Secretary Pierce is a busy man and that was all the time he had, but we're so thankful he was able to fit us in. Back to you.

CE: Thank you, Karen. And thank you for that brave statement by Secretary Pierce. This story is just starting to unfold. But we wanted to share with you this unsettling news, as early as we could this morning. Because you as citizens have a right to know.

We will keep you informed as details keep pouring in. This is Christine Everhart with Marvel's 616 Live Broadcast, signing off for now. We are your eyes and ears when you can't be. And we will keep you abreast throughout the day and evening as this story continues to unfold.


The broadcast promised to be back on in 15 minutes and then it proceeded to list off everyone's name on the task-force. The original 11 Quantico friends plus Fury and Clint's.

Everyone else in the compound was not named because they simply weren't known by Pierce and Poseidon, and by the news outlets. That small advantage could be discussed later though. Right now, you could hear a pin drop as Fury turned off the radio and muttered under his breath, "See, it's stuff like this that gives me trust issues." No one spoke after, because they were all filled with a mix of emotions.

Shock and disbelief. Anger and vitriol. Fear and worry.

They all blended together, forming this heavy cloud hanging over the kitchen and dining area right now. There was dead silence, except for beeping heart monitors in the background. Everhart had wrongfully used the term 'chilling,' in her broadcast. Chilling was right. It was so wrong, they all felt like they could be sick.

Wanda almost jumped out of her skin from being startled, because Peter had snuck up on her after he turned the television off and tapped her on the leg, "Mommy, what's wrong?"

Pepper came out of the medical area right away and smiled down at him, "Hey Peter, your Mommy and everyone are just fine. What do you say you and I help them out by giving them a little quiet time right now? Let's go upstairs and we can read a book and play a game. How does that sound?"

Peter looked up at Wanda and Natasha and Loki, and then over at Steve and his Dad. They all somehow found a way to smile at him convincingly as he nodded his head and ran off upstairs. Wanda mouthed, 'Thank you,' to Pepper as she left too. It was just the task-force team now, as Sarah sighed and returned to the medical suite.

The beautiful breakfast moment was over far too quickly.

Clint and Natasha were staring at each other like they were having an entire conversation on their own, just by their looks. And it was unnerving to Steve, and Wanda and Loki…and everyone else.

Tony finally broke the fragile ice they were all emotionally standing on, "Jesus, we knew it was going to be bad. But that was gross. I feel like I could actually throw-up." He wasn't kidding around in the slightest.

Natasha kept looking at Clint. Steve kept staring at Natasha. And everyone else shifted their own eyes between the three of them before Fury finally spoke, "Barton. Romanoff. Whatever twisted conversation the two of you are having in your heads, you need to stop. We're all in this together. And most of us in this room, were named by Everhart. By looking at my phone for only 10 seconds, I can tell you every other news outlet is running with the same shit. If not worse."

Clint spoke a little louder than the moment called for, but no one could blame him, "We have all of this fucking proof from the drives Tasha and Steve got from Pierce's mansion. Why can't we just give that to the press. Why can't we just prove we're innocent?"

It was a valid question. But it was one that many of them started to figure out the answer to as Natasha said under her breath, "We can't give the press the information, Clint."

"Why, Tasha? All people are going to be talking about is the 11 of all of you, Fury, and me. They're not going to be talking about what is actually going on. And they're not going to be looking for any one of the actual fucking terrorists."

Natasha looked over at Steve before he took a breath and took control of the conversation, "Clint, we can't release the proof to the press because that's what Poseidon wants. This is Pierce's attempt to snuff Fury and all of us out. He doesn't realize anything was stolen with Poseidon's intel from his place last night. But he's not sure with Fury being in the wind with all of us. If we come out, defending ourselves? All that will accomplish, will be Poseidon's forces going further into hiding. They'll recede for a week or a month, or who knows how long. But they'll attack on a day that we don't know about."

Steve never took his eyes off of Natasha as she added, "It's their own fishing expedition, Clint. You know that. And we don't know where they're hiding yet. Coming out and defending ourselves would be short-sighted at best."

Clint knew it was the truth, but it was so fucking gross, having to listen to the garbage they all just did, and knowing it was what every news outlet would be talking about…for at least two weeks straight.

Fury spoke again, "Look. It pisses me off to no end, hearing Pierce talk like that, knowing we served together. Knowing that everything he's saying about us, is what the actual truth is about him. And about Ivan, Oksana, Rumlow…and every other Poseidon operative alive. But Romanoff and Rogers are right. We gotta suck it up and swallow these lies and dig in. We have a mission today. And if Rogers, Romanoff, and Loki can get the needed information from Fisk, then we can actually form a plan to end Poseidon once and for all. And then, we can set every news outlet right on this one, Barton…Even the gossip rags. The truth always comes out, eventually."

Just as Clint was about to mutter another profanity, Loki interrupted, "Call me crazy, but this may actually work to our advantage…with Poseidon at least."

Natasha and Wanda…and everyone else turned toward him as he continued, "Look. It's not great, sure. But, as you guys mentioned, Poseidon is showing their hand in a way. They're fishing, and trying to pull us out in the open to defend ourselves. They want to tie us up for a week, until they attack. They've put decades of resources into this calculated plan. So that Mother Russia can rise again, or whatever they call it. But, they're not going to divert from that plan, unless it is the absolute last resort. This is Poseidon…scattering red meat, to see if we'll sink our teeth in."

Bucky sighed, "How is that advantageous, Loki?"

"They don't know that Clint is alive. That was speculation. If they did know, they would've mentioned the mercenaries, because he's been attached at their hip for the last few years, essentially. They don't know that I was Clint's source, and worked with Maria over the last year either. Otherwise, they would've spelled that out. They throwing out the images of Clint and Natasha, and hoping anything else they say, sticks. It's advantageous for us to know, how little Poseidon actually knows. They're grasping…because they're desperate to carry out this plan of attack in a week. Clint. Natasha…They lost a lot of money from your successful takedown in Kazakhstan, and I'm betting they don't have the funds to be able to plan another one easily. Not on this grand of a scale."

Loki was making sense, but there was still confusion around the room.

He rolled his eyes, "Natasha come on. You all have to start thinking like a criminal. As long as they're throwing out red meat like this, it means the plan of attack is still on, and we still have a fighting chance to take them down. I guarantee they don't know about Fisk's contact with us. Fisk is an opportunist, and cares about local control, not global power. Whatever he has, is big…and whatever he wants, is going to be small in the grand scheme of things. That may not be an easy pill to swallow, but we all should right now. Because we're going to have deal with the rat in order to catch the snake."

Loki apparently had an endless amount of metaphors on having to deal with Fisk in order to take down the bigger fish. But Fury saw where he was going with this and took a breath, "Loki, run over what we know one more time about Poseidon's plan of attack. About what we got from Rogers and Romanoff's drives."

Loki stepped in the middle of everyone and listed everything they found on those drives:

*Poseidon's history in America (without Pierce's name because he protected himself)

*Ivan and Oksana's information and the camp they raised operatives in. Or as Loki put it, 'Their own little Manchurian Candidates"

*Victims they've killed

*Money they've stolen

*List of operatives in the states

*Information that included what Clint and Natasha have done as well

*The plan of attack – set for a week from today. With the targeted locations, including Quantico, the CIA training facility in Langley, VA, and each of the main military academies.

*It also included the revelation that Poseidon planned to attack a single location in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia. There was only one target on each continent outside of the United States, but the specific locations were still unknown to the team. It was clear most of Poseidon's resources were focused on America, viewing it as it's greatest threat, but they also wanted to make a statement worldwide, striking fear across the globe.

Loki took a breath as everyone soaked in all of the information one more time, before he added, "That's not all. I did a little more digging on the drives before everyone else got up. I guess I couldn't sleep. But anyway…I found some data on land surveillance across the United States on Natasha's drive. I think Poseidon's resources are spread out over several locations across the U.S. And from the data I looked at, those locations are more than likely open or deserted areas…like a large national park or reserve, or an abandoned military complex."

Tony jumped on Loki's words, "That actually makes a lot of sense, Loki. But there's a lot of parks, reserves, and old bases in the country." Loki grinned at Stark, "But there's also truck routes with repeated patterns too, Tony. From your father's company…I may have hacked into their shipping manifests and compared it to a list of 100 or so open industrial parks, reserves and national parks, and abandoned military bases in the country. I found three locations with frequent truck routes from Stark industries."

Loki smirked at everyone's disbelief on their faces as he added, "You can always track through money and mail, if you just know what you're looking for."

"Son of a bitch," Tony said under his breath, before he looked back up and grinned, "You are really clever when you want to be, Loki." Steve looked over at Natasha, a little in shock and asked, "What are the locations, Loki?" Loki listed them off:

*Nekoma Missile Base – Nekoma, North Dakota

*Titan East Missile Complex – East Washington State

*Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming

Wanda was more than a little shocked, "You really think Poseidon would hide in a place like Yellowstone National Park?"

Clint and Natasha were staring at each other again for a few seconds before Natasha said, "I don't know. But I trust Loki. And the tracking patterns and data he found is more than curious. Maybe they wouldn't have weapons in actual Yellowstone. But Jesus, they might have a warehouse outside of it…miles out in the middle of nowhere. Each of these locations are perfect for where they could be hiding."

Clint followed her words, "Yeah, they're probably even working as park rangers or some shit. Jesus Christ…How do we find out if there's more locations and where their main hideout is right now? We need to attack in a few days because they'll probably start rolling out by then. They'll need to in order to get to their targets in a week. We don't have time to go on a wild goose chase if none of these three locations are where they're hiding."

Loki looked at Natasha and Steve and then Fury as he said, "Well, Rogers…"

Steve sighed, "That's where Fisk comes in. If Fisk can tell us where they are, and he names these locations along with it…or if it's one of these locations. We know he's telling the truth. Maybe he knows the overseas locations too…At what cost though?"

Fury spoke over Steve, "That's for me to decide, Rogers. And for me to carry the weight of. You, Loki, and Natasha…go get ready to take off. You need to be at Rikers soon, because all of those damn news reports are going to have your pictures everywhere. So, wear disguises and plan to roll out in an hour."

It wasn't even 6:15 am, yet. And that little reprieve that Natasha and Steve had found a little over an hour ago, felt so distant as the day's mission weighed heavily. But they didn't have time to succumb to that weight, because they had to shower and dress and prepare. And they had to be out of their in an hour.

To go and meet with the man they put away eight years ago…Kingpin himself, Wilson Fisk.


12 Years Ago – New York City

"James, stop. Everyone is right outside the door."

"Hmm. I think we're gonna have to get used to that Wanda. We're all gonna be at each other's apartments a lot, after we move here."

Wanda couldn't help but grin against Bucky's hold on her as he kissed the back of her neck. The truth was, as ridiculous and handsy as he was being right now, he had a point. Things were about to drastically change for the 11 friends from Quantico as they embarked on their journey to the Big Apple.

It was Saturday.

Fury had broken the news to them yesterday.

Seven of them made the trip together in a limo that Loki demanded he pay for, earlier today. On the way up, they'd tried to give him cash, but he refused, "Consider this my gift to all of you, since you'll be paying me back with places to crash in the future, indefinitely. In fact, I think once you boys and girls find apartments today, I'm going to start planning our very first 'Welcome to New York' party. Maybe even for next weekend."

Bruce, Tony, Thor, and Rhodey stayed back at Quantico. Tony already had a condo lined up. And Rhodey, Bruce, and Thor found a townhouse through an online listing already, that the three of them planned to rent for their first year.

But the rest of them were inside of a cozy limo that Loki organized. Wanda and Natasha surrounded him at the back as Steve and Bucky sat adjacent to them on the sides.

The women had had already talked about it at great length, but Wanda had to ask again, "Loki, are you sure you don't want to live with Maria, Natasha, and me? I mean, it'd sure be a lot of fun." Natasha added, "It wouldn't be that hard to find a four-bedroom, Loki. We will just have to look a little more than what we had planned today…"

Loki was shaking them off, "Ladies, I adore you both. Truly. We'll be friends until we're wrinkly and gray and sipping on prune juice. So, take this with a grain of salt when I say…No." Natasha bit back a laugh as Wanda looked a little annoyed while he went on, "Wanda, don't look at me like that. I love you and Natasha. And even those cavemen boyfriends of yours…"

They looked at the two aforementioned cavemen at that particular moment. Steve kept messing with a bunch of buttons on the door and window next to him. And Bucky kept opening the ice bucket to see if somehow, something new would appear.

You can take the boys out of Brooklyn…

"Cavemen is putting it nicely…" Loki continued, "Anyway. I love you, but I am not the type of person who will do well with roommates. We'll see each other all the time. We'll work with each other everyday, and we'll see each other on the weekends even more than we did at Quantico. Trust me, we'll be around each other constantly. But…I'm not living with you. When I need space? I need my space. And I definitely don't need to hear the six of you flirting…and doing god knows what else with each other."

Sam and Maria peeked over at them from the opposite end. They were in the midst of 'said' flirting as Maria shrugged her shoulders like it was no big deal and Sam wiped a little champagne off her cheek. Wanda groaned at the site, "I don't understand them. How can two people flirt like that and not actually do anything about it?"

Loki actually laughed, "Wanda, you do remember how Natasha and Steve tried to be friends five months ago, right? I mean, it was comical. They were like sex on a stick, just waiting to happen."

Natasha smacked Loki as Steve looked up from the buttons on his door to give a harsh stare as he went on, "Or Wanda…it's like when you kept trying to say no to Barnes when he set the world record for how many times a man could get shot down from asking a woman on a date. I mean, his dignity may have been lost. But the whole charade was priceless from my standpoint. Some people flirt as a lead up. And some people just flirt."

Sam heard Loki and gave a cocky nod in agreement. But Wanda looked at Natasha and mumbled, "And some people just need to get their heads out of their asses." Their conversation was broken when Bucky tried to stick his head out of the sun roof, "Wooohoooo. I'm the king of the world!"

Everyone groaned at the lame callback to a certain romantic drama, about a famous sunken ship, as Loki chuckled, "Yes, Wanda. It absolutely amazes me how you were ever able to say no to that man's charm five months ago." Everyone laughed at poor Bucky's expense as they finished their trek into the city.

And now?

Wanda was pulling James away, from what would potentially be her bedroom as she stopped him from leaving a red mark on the back of her neck. She looked over at Maria and Natasha who were opening and closing cupboards, and then they were walking over to the fireplace. Maria was the first one to say something as she opened up the sliding door and peeked onto the deck, "Well we've looked at three other places, ladies. But I think this one is it. What do you think?"

Wanda was in immediate agreement, and Natasha followed along, but Steve caught her gaze.

The men had already found their place. They weren't as picky, and honestly were happy with the first apartment they stopped at. It was three blocks away from this one, and was more than perfect for them. They were all planning their big move to the Big Apple, but they were also planning to stay within the circumference of each other too. So, hearing that the women liked this apartment? They couldn't be happier about it.

And Loki had meant what he said in the limo. He needed his own space, but he was clever and mischievous as always. He was already planning their first get together for next weekend, "We'll call it a move-in party, Bucky. I think your apartment will be best for initiating us into the city. And I'm sure we will all make it a night to remember." Wanda turned around as she was walking out the door, "I think I'm onto you, Loki. You just want to trash someone else's place and not have to worry about cleaning up the next day."

"Wanda, I'm the life of the party. I can't be concerned with trivial things like cleaning up after Bucky and Sam's beer pong remnants." Sam and Bucky high fived at that notion and headed towards the door too. They were all, already looking forward to their first actual weekend of living in the city as they walked downstairs for the women to officially sign their lease.

"Hey Buck, will you call Mom and let her know we'll be in Brooklyn in about 40 minutes?" Bucky yelled back a yes to Steve as the door shut, leaving him and Natasha in the empty three-bedroom space.

"It's nice of your mom to feed us today, Steve. The guys are going to be sorry they didn't come once they find out they missed Sarah's cooking at her house." Steve grinned at her, "Well, they'll have plenty of chances in the future. We all will. I think Mom was even more excited than all of us to hear we'd be moving to New York."

Natasha let out a small laugh before she looked down at the ground for a little bit. Steve came over to her right away, noticing how quiet she'd gotten, "Nat, what is it?"

"It'll sound really stupid to you, Steve." Steve frowned at her words as he rested his hands on her shoulders, "Impossible. Spit it out, Romanoff."

She blew a breath out, "Okay. Just…don't make fun of me. But this whole thing of living with other women. With friends. I…I don't know if I'll be any good at it. I've never done it before." Steve looked at her like she was speaking fully in Russian right now, because she wasn't making any sense to him as she went on, "I know Maria, Wanda, and I are close. And I know in the field, we'll be great teammates. And going out? Sure, that's always fun. It's just that…Well, besides Clint, you're the only other person that I've spent so much time in a small space with, Steve. What if…they get tired of me?"

Steve tried to hold back a grin, because he knew she was being serious. But he couldn't help it. Natasha was as tough as nails. She could kick anyone's ass most days, and had been through more in her life before she joined Quantico, than anyone could even fathom.

But with all of that wear and tear on her, Natasha was still so fresh and bright-eyed when it came to what a normal life consisted of. She'd started to discover those small things. Things like meeting his mother. Friends. Going out, and learning to trust and open up, and letting people in. With each one of those experiences, her face always got this little sense of wonder on it, like she didn't know if what she was looking at was something real, or something she'd only seen on T.V. growing up.

It never got old to Steve. He loved being the one to help introduce her to normalcy. To love. To a life. And he'd never tire of it in the future either. It's part of what made them who they were as a couple. And on top of it, Natasha's little pout as she drew her lip between her teeth, was adorable as could be.

Steve gave her a smile, "Natasha, come her." He pulled her into a hug as she let out a breath, "Listen to me. This? Having all of this…me, friends, family. My mom already wanting all of us to come over for a welcome brunch at her house next Sunday. Clint agreeing to move to New York too. It is all going to be sogood for you. Trust me, the last thing Wanda and Maria are going to do is ever get tired of you. You spice up any situation, Natasha. You make it better. Those women love you, just like the entire team does. And I happen to be pretty fond of you too."

Natasha was finally smiling again, "You are, huh? I mean…if you're so fond of me, then why don't we just move in together, Steve. We practically live together now."

Steve chuckled. He knew what she was doing. And they'd talked about this already, late into the evening after they'd gotten the news from Fury yesterday. They'd even talked about it before yesterday, when placements were still unknown. And truthfully? There was a large part of Steve, that wanted to move in with Natasha right away. That wanted to create their own little world in their own apartment, together. But there was a larger part of Steve, that knew it would be selfish of him, if he allowed that to happen.

Natasha had never even experienced a normal school setting growing up. She'd never lived through teenage angst and crushes and gossip with girlfriends. She never had a homecoming dance or prom, or slumber parties on the weekends. She never got to experience what it was like to be a child or a teenager. This was important. Just as learning to trust him was. And learning to open up and start living. Just as making the decision to tell Ivan and Oksana off, and threaten them with her list of names, to buy her and Clint's freedom. All of it was important in varying degrees.

But Natasha getting to experience normalcy? Well, that was important in the best of ways.

Natasha deserved to know, what it was to have girlfriends and roommates. To have a life, outside of her love with Steve. So, Steve shook his head at her words, "I know what you're trying to do, Nat. But this is going to be good for you. Stretch your wings. Live with friends. Experience new things. Live a life you never thought you'd get to. Believe me, us spending the night in each other's rooms isn't going to change, but you'll see. You'll be glad you had this time with them, Nat. And we'll have all the time in the world to live together in the future."

Natasha felt a warmth in her chest at Steve's words. Yes, she was scared. Yes, she had foolish doubt creeping inside of her, because the life she was meant to live, didn't have room for friends. The world she was brought up in, was isolative and cold. Not warm and friendly.

This was always just a dream. But now, that normalcy was in her grasp, and she had the man holding her to thank for so much of it, "Thank you, Steve. For believing in me always. And for always knowing what I need, even if I don't yet."

He kissed her forehead one last time, "Okay, we better catch up to them before they start calling out a search party for us. Remember, we'll have all the time in the world, Nat."

All the time in the world…

What a crazy notion in their tragic tale. But that's truly what it felt like as they held each other for a second longer. It didn't matter what memories their pasts held, or what realities their futures would bring. The only thing that mattered, was the moment that they were standing in right now. In Natasha's future apartment with her friends. In their future together, as they embarked on this brand-new adventure in their life.

It was exciting and nerve-wracking, but most importantly, it was something to be thankful for.


12 Years Ago – Quantico

Fury walked out into the middle of the stage in the auditorium. The room was filled with nervous tension that had the air buzzing. It was Friday. Hogan's Alley was done. The assessments were in. Fury and his team's decisions were final. It was the moment that every trainee had been waiting for, for over five months now. To finally find out where they would be going in a week, after graduation.

"Some of you may be wondering what tricks I have up my sleeves today, in finding out your placements. Unfortunately, there are no more tricks. You've been here over five months. And pending your final physicals and classroom work next week, you've made it through. Congratulations. Now it's time to go and see your results and find out where you'll be moving to in a week."

That was it.

Ripping the band-aid off sounded nice in comparison to Fury's blunt statement.

Everyone looked around the auditorium a little dumbfounded as Tony mumbled, "Wow. Imagine what he'd be like as a stand-up comedian."

The 11 of them sat in their two rows in the auditorium and let everyone else pour out into the hallway to discover their assignments. Fury words came out so quick, that it left them all a little speechless.

None of them knew exactly what to expect, coming in to today. But all the trainees that were exiting the auditorium, except for the 11 of them, were about to stand and face the music because real life came calling.

Some of them were strong classmates, and would receive placements in the top office of their choosing. Some were mediocre, and wouldn't be placed where they wanted. But they'd still get placed at an office that needed new recruits. The weakest trainees in the class…that were barely squeaking by, would just be happy to be placed anywhere.

It was all a natural cycle, as class after class went through Quantico with strong, middle of the road, and weaker trainees. And as the field offices around the country would gain and lose agents each year for a variety of reasons.

But for Fury to come out, and bluntly say the words like he just had? It left the 11 of them, all a little jarred. The abruptness shouldn't have surprised them because it was Fury. But if Fury spoke for 15 seconds or 15 minutes, it wouldn't have mattered. They still would have felt the inevitability that had been growing inside of them…that everything was about to change.

Because it was.

Once they walked out of those auditorium doors, the chemistry they'd formed in their little family of friends would change instantaneously, because they'd all be going their separate ways. And they didn't really know what to do or say, because quite honestly, not a single one of them was ready for it all to be over.

That was a part of life too. Starting and ending a journey.

Time can be fickle. And some journeys can seem long and drawn-out. And yes, while there'd been fights and scuffles. Arguments and mishaps. Yes, while tension ran high amongst these 11 friends over the last five and a half months…the good drowned all of it out. They had formed this incredible bond, and now as the end approached, the only thing that all of them were thinking, was how much they wanted the journey to continue.

Fury wasn't been playing mind games with the rest of the class. All of the other trainees deserved to know their placements right away. And there was no easy way to tell the class that they got their top choice, or none of their choices, or that Fury had to pull strings for some of the weaker trainees to get placed at all. That was how it worked every year, and Fury was just as blunt with the class that came through before this one. He simply did what needed to be done for everyone else.

But for the 11 trainees sitting in his auditorium still? Fury was keeping watch, from behind the curtain as May and Coulson stood close.

"Fury, aren't you going to just tell them? You know they're all sitting there, filled with anxiety," Coulson said as May shrugged her shoulders, "Oh Phil, stop being so soft. They're all going to be screaming for joy in 15 minutes. I for one, want to see if maybe Stark even sheds a tear because he's not ready to leave his friends. We all know Wanda will cry. Should we place bets?"

Fury looked back at his two lead instructors and shook his head at Phil, "And you think I'm twisted? I am just drawing this out a little. I'm not reveling in anyone's heartache, like Melinda over there." Phil shook his head at the love of his life, and at the leader he'd followed for a good portion of his life, "Oh come on, Fury. Sometimes I think you and Melinda are cut from the same cloth. She might say it, but there's a part of you that actually gets joy from watching them squirm. I mean, look at Wanda and Barnes' faces. They almost look like they could be sick because they're so worried they're going to be separated. Just tell them."

Bruce, who was the calmest at the moment, let out a sigh, "Okay guys, I think we just need to go and see what lies ahead for us. I'll go and take a look if you want me to." No one responded, so he made his way to the door. It'd been a few minutes already, and the lines of trainees were already thinning out. So, it didn't take long for Bruce to come back into the auditorium. Only now, he didn't look calm at all, because he couldn't figure out what was going on, "Steve, will you come back here for a second?"

Now, that got everyone's attention. May, Coulson, and Fury perked up too. They couldn't help but grin. But Bruce and his friends were not smiling. They were really worried as Steve got up and found his way back to Bruce. They left the auditorium and were back inside a minute later.

"Rogers, what is it?" Tony stood up as everyone followed.

Steve drew his hands on his hips and had a skeptical look in his eye. What Bruce and Steve had seen, was that none of their names were on any list outside. And while that might induce a little panic in a couple of his friends right away, Steve knew. He knew that something was off. There was no way that all 11 of them wouldn't be placed somewhere. There was no way most of them wouldn't get top placement if there was space at the desired field office. They were all that talented.

Steve saw the curtain move on stage and the little tingle in his stomach started firing on all cylinders, "Yeah, Tony. I don't think anyone should go look at the lists outside. Because I think we're all where we're supposed to be right now. Isn't that right, Fury?"

Steve's voice got a little louder at the end. And Phil was positively beaming at Fury's annoyed expression on his face, "Well, Nick. I guess you and Melinda won't be reveling in anyone's tears just yet. Why don't you go and tell them the good news? Live a little and enjoy the moment with your future FBI Team."

Melinda even sighed and gave Fury a little nudge before he finally relented to go back on the stage.


Steve and Bruce sat back down. They weren't going to say anything about names not being on lists right now, because Fury had heard Rogers, and was standing in front of them again, with May and Coulson behind him.

Steve didn't know anything for certain. But somewhere in his stomach, there was a feeling. Fury had kept their group separate for Hogan's Alley. He'd even let it slip with how high his expectations were of them during the week's tests. Steve didn't know for sure what was going on. But somehow, he felt positive that things were going to work out.

"What is going on, Steve?" Natasha whispered. He reached over and grabbed her hand, "I don't know, Nat. But something tells me, we're about to get some good news."

Fury's voice broke through their hushed voices and thoughts as he spoke loudly.

"You see, here's another lesson in life. Trust. Moles. Weapons and surveillance. Learning to be a part of a team, and to be strong enough to go out into the field on your own. All of that shit is important, but there's just a harsh lesson that we all need to remember sometimes. Things rarely go according to plan."

Fury actually looked a little more relaxed as his shoulders settled, but the 11 trainees in front of him, were more confused than ever, "I had this idea that the 11 of you were going to be freaking out by now, after seeing that your names were not on any placement lists outside."

A couple of breaths were heard as Fury went on, "But the 11 of you haven't done anything like I predicted since day one. Back when Rogers and Romanoff almost killed each other on the first day, competing in their stupid physical fitness tests. Back when Romanoff and May almost killed each other on the mats. And back when Stark let everyone know how big of a chip he was just going to have to remove from his shoulder, before you all started to warm up to him. That first night you all sat around the campfire and he tried to pick a fight with Rogers and Romanoff."

Tony was about to say something, defending his standoffish behavior at the beginning, before Fury held up his hand, "This is not a Q and A, Stark. So, do yourself a favor and just stop talking before you've even started. You'll thank me later."

Rhodey and Thor held back laughs as Tony looked a little stunned. They all looked a little stunned as Fury started to reveal just how watchful of an eye he'd been keeping on them. And Fury…was just getting started.

"I was convinced going into that trust test halfway through, that you'd all be kicking and screaming at each other before you went into your weekends. But that didn't go according to plan either, did it? You all figured out in that moment, what your mantra would actually be here. That by trusting and working with each other, you'd all be stronger together, right? You should nod your heads, because you shoved it down my throat enough in your assessments, that it's on repeat in my own head right now."

Some of the confusion started to wipe away from the friends and a couple of smirks even started to appear. Because slowly but surely, they were all realizing that Fury had them all in front of him for something good. They didn't know what, yet. But it was something big.

"Instructors May and Coulson used terms like impressive for some of your actions. I would argue that Romanoff and Rogers, and Barnes and Maximoff's stubborn attitudes were impressive during TEVOC. Stark and pretty much everyone's ability to be a competitive ass were impressive during the Mole test. All of your abilities to act like a bunch of idiots, whether it be around a campfire, or playing tag and stealing my damn megaphone a couple of weekends ago, because you all wanted to drink every braincell away in your body, was impressive."

Okay, embarrassment started creeping up on a lot of their faces right now. Especially Tony, since Fury was staring straight at him, knowing that he was the one who stole his megaphone. Ironically, relief was felt between Steve and Natasha. While Fury had seen a lot, he clearly hadn't noticed Natasha's foolish actions in the server room during the Mole test.

"What is not impressive, is your experience as an FBI Agent…Yet."

So, Fury was trying to impress upon them how 'unimpressed,' he was with all of their competitive behavior, stubborn attitudes, arguments, and shenanigans over the last five months. And he was trying to say they didn't have a lick of experience as an agent…yet.

Mission accomplished…But even through all of the cynicism caked onto his hard exterior, Fury was slowly showing his hand. Pretty much everyone was smiling now, including May and Coulson. They all had the feeling that not only was this big, but it was fucking huge for them, both individually and as a group.

"But…I must admit. Even through all of that, you've all shown a hell of a lot of promise. And that one day, I might be standing in front of you, telling you just how impressive you all are as actual agents in the FBI."

Fury looked at them all one last time, before he changed their worlds forever.

"You've just become part of a bigger universe, you just don't know it yet…The reason why none of you are on the lists outside of this auditorium, is because you're not being placed, individually. I've been approved to lead a group of recent graduates, by my own choosing. And that group and I will be working out of the New York City field office."

All of the nervous tension and anxiety from before immediately shifted with the words 'New York City.' Yes, there was still a buzz, but it was from excitement and utter disbelief. There was so much disbelief at his words, that everyone had been stunned into silence.

"The group of my choosing will be under my direction. A strong team in the field is hard to find, because chemistry, like the chemistry you exhibit with each other, is a rarity in life. So, the FBI wants to strike while the iron is hot. But do not hear those words and think you have nothing to learn. Because you always have something to learn. This journey will be harder than any test you've taken here. So, if you're going to make the trek, be prepared to work harder and longer. To dig deeper within yourselves. And to be able to handle each other's personalities. There will be times you want to yell at each other, and times you may even want to strangle each other. But if you decide to do this, you will have each other to rely on, more than anyone else. So, you need to work through the bad if you're going to celebrate the good. I wouldn't be asking you, if I didn't see you all had those abilities."

"Are you asking us, Fury?"

Loki had asked the question.

Every single one of the 11 friends looked like some version of a clown with their perma-smiles on their faces. Fury stared at him for a second longer, before finally giving up the desire to draw this out any further, "Yes, Loki. I'm asking if the 11 of you, are interested in this once in a lifetime chance, to move to New York City. To work in the FBI there together, with the teammates you've formed a kinship with here. And to start taking down criminals, both small and large in one of the most demanding field offices in the country."

Hungry and ready, Bucky and Sam high fived each other immediately as Wanda wiped a tear away and Natasha bit her lip and looked down, finding Steve's hand. They all knew what this meant. They wouldn't be separated by distance. They wouldn't be separated for a certain time period, waiting for each other to be able to transfer.

Instead, they would stay together in a physical space as couples. And they wouldall stay together as friends.

"That's only if you accept. I know you'll all have to think long and hard about it."

They didn't think long at all. Steve started laughing as he looked over at Natasha and squeezed her hand right back. Bucky kissed Wanda on the cheek. And then…a little bit of a frenzy ensued. Pretty much at the same time, the 11 of them jumped out of their seats as they all began clapping and hugging each other.

Bucky and Steve. Loki and Wanda and Natasha. Tony and Rhodey. Bruce and Thor. And Sam and Maria. Excited yells and smiles. Hugs and handshakes, that almost turned into tackles on the ground. Smiles and kisses on cheeks, with even a few tears. It was all on display as they all realized their biggest worry and fear had been snapped out of existence.

Not only were they all going to a place that was pretty much at the top of each of their placement lists, but they were all going there together.

Fury was done. He'd shared, and the rest would follow. And he'd be annoyed with them soon enough again, so he wanted to let them have their moment alone. But he finished with, "Try not to get arrested tonight as you go out and celebrate. Try to just finish out next week with your last physicals and exams, without annoying me too much. Try to not make me regret any of this. Because right now, I'm pretty damn happy with my decision, so don't ruin it. Ask May and Coulson. I like being happy, contrary to what you may think."

One last pause as he turned to exit stage left, and added, "Individuals can accomplish anything when they realize they're a part of something bigger. So, just try to remember over the next week. And over the next months and years to come. That you're all part of something bigger now. And you'll be stronger together. Or something like that."

Fury grinned as he and May and Coulson walked off. They were actually going to celebrate tonight. It'd been a long five months. They still had a week left, but the grueling trials and tribulations were done…At Quantico at least. Their real journey was about to begin after graduation was over, and their move to New York City lied ahead. But right now, none of that was on anyone's mind.

Right now, they were realizing separations and distance were no longer a possibility between them. That five months of building worries had been wiped away in the span of five minutes. And all any of them could think, was how much they had to be thankful for.


Present Day -

"We'll be there in five minutes, Rogers. The three of you should make sure you have everything ready, because you'll want to move fast once we stop."

"Thank you, Lieutenant Hill."

Steve started checking over his vest under his uniform, and then turned to do the same for Natasha and Loki as they sat next to him. They'd left the compound about an hour prior and met up with the transport van they were in right now about 30 minutes ago. And as Lieutenant Hill said, they were five minutes away from Rikers Island.

Yesterday, Sam was the one to actually think of the perfect solution. On how Natasha, Steve, and Loki were going to find their way into the prison and go undetected.

It was in the middle of their meeting after things had settled down with Ross, "Steve, let me call Maria's father. I'm not going to tell him anything about where we are. But man, he has a right to know what happened to his daughter and that I'll at least keep him posted on how she's doing. And…I think he might be the solution on getting us into Rikers."

Cage and Jessica both asked at the same time, "How, Sam?"

They didn't know that Maria came from a family of police officers in New York. They didn't know the pride her father and her family had when she became an FBI Agent, and then the Assistant Director of Homeland Security. She was a rising star to everyone she encountered after Quantico. But to her friends and her NYPD family, she was always a star, period.

Her father, a Lieutenant in the NYPD, may not have had as close of a relationship with some of the team as say, Sarah Rogers. But he still knew them well. He'd been around them plenty over the years. Especially Natasha and Wanda, when Maria lived with them. And then also, Steve and Bucky and Sam as a result.

Sam knew him the best out of everyone in the room, "Her dad knows people in every profession, all over the city. So, if there's a prison guard that can be trusted to get us a transport vehicle, to help sneak you inside? Well, Lieutenant Hill would do it for Maria and for us in a second. Hell, he'd do it for Maria alone with how much he loves her and with what she is going through right now."

It was a great idea. Steve looked at Fury for a second before nodding to Sam to make the phone call. That was what'd started their planning the previous evening.

It was their way in.

And Wilson was right. Lieutenant Hill was so relieved that Sam called. He knew Maria was working on something big for the last couple of months, but she was allusive when she checked in with him. But it'd been over a week since Maria last called, so he was starting to get worried. Her father trusted Sam when he told him that Maria was going to be okay in the long run. But that she was going to have a rough go of it for a while. Then, that worry instantly turned to anger, and fueled his need and desire to help in any way he could. Lieutenant Hill didn't need to know specifics beyond the vague details Sam gave him about a lot of people being in danger in this country if they didn't move fast.

Sam ended the call with, "Sir, you're probably going to be hearing some crazy stories in the news over the next few days. Just know that none of it is true." Lieutenant Hill scoffed and simply responded, "I know my daughter. And I've known you and your team for years, Wilson. Anyone that is worth anything, will know a load of crap when they see or hear it. Tell Rogers, he can count on me to help. You just take care of my daughter."

That part was set. After a couple of phone calls to a man he knew well at the prison, and a little coordination, Lieutenant Hill had helped.

And now? Steve, Natasha, and Loki were all in a transport van from Rikers, early in the morning after the 'load of crap' news had already broken. It wasn't even 8:00 am yet as they approached the prison, crossing the Rikers Island Bridge.

Loki and Natasha patted their vests down one last time. Loki and Steve were wearing prison guard uniforms. And Natasha was in a black pantsuit, black-rimmed glasses, and a blonde wig. She was posing as an auditor that was coming to review some of the facilities. It was basic enough, and the guard who Lieutenant Hill trusted, said that the audit was scheduled for later today anyway, and thought it would be a perfect way in.

That same guard was an older gentleman named Stan. He was driving the van, wearing his own uniform.

Lieutenant Hill turned around in the passenger seat in the front to look at Steve, "Rogers, you have an hour. Only an hour, because that's when guard shift changes. From what Stan's told me, you'll see how much Fisk has settled in over the last eight years here. Remember, you have an hour to get in, meet with Fisk, and get out. If that all goes according to plan, Stan can escort you out, and I'll be waiting for you in the van. But don't be late. They stick to a tight and crisp schedule here."

Steve looked at Loki and Natasha. If they paused to actually think, they might actually show how nervous they all were right now. But there wasn't time. Steve nodded at them, and shook Hill's hand, "Thank you again, Sir." Maria's father nodded and repeated himself from before, "Remember, Rogers. Only an hour."


The task-force trio, and the only legitimate prison guard in the bunch, all made it past the main entrance as Stan led them through the security check point and into the lobby area.

Stan went to get Natasha a visitor badge. The three of them were nervous on the inside yes, but Stan was actually showing some of that worry on the outside. Another guard that was handing him the visitor badge at the main entrance asked, "Hey Officer Lee, you feeling okay? You look a little pale today."

Stan wiped the sweat off of his brow and shook off the other guard, "No, it's just these damn auditors. They're always showing up early. Already getting off track today, you know? Let's just keep her happy and give her the visitor badge. Then she can tell us how much we need to fix around here, right?"

The other guard laughed and believed every word as he gave Stan the badge, but finished with asking, "Are those two new guards with the auditor? They look fresh-faced to me."

Loki and Steve pretended to be talking with one another, with their hats and uniforms on. Stan looked back at them and then back at his co-worker, "You know how the auditors are. She demanded that her own security detail be allowed to come along for this one, so they were given guard uniforms and everything."

The threat of this side operation going sideways before it even started felt very high, as Natasha looked around in her glasses and wig, acting like she was already taking in the surroundings as an auditor.

"Pains in the asses, man. All of 'em," his co-worker bought everything as Stan smiled and pretended to agree with him before returning to Natasha with her badge. The three of them followed Stan down a side corridor and turned right before Loki finally whispered, "I can't believe how smooth that was. Nice work there, Stan."

Stan grinned with his own little hint of mischief in his eyes, "I haven't felt this energized in years. I need to work undercover more often."

Stan was former military himself and a retired veteran already. But he decided to keep serving the city he loved as a part-time C.O. in his twilight years. Rikers administrators were happy to get the help where they could and kept Stan mostly on transports and lighter duties. Stan had worked at the prison for close to 10 years and had decided that he was going to truly retire sometime over the next year.

Maybe it would've been easier for a man like Officer Lee to hide his head in the sand while riding his final year of working out.

Yes, it would have been easier to not stick his neck out for an odd and dangerous undercover operation like this one. But easy was not an adjective that described men like Stan. He was made of the same stuff that Maria's father was. The same grit that the task-force had inside of them. And the same resolve and determination that men like Abraham Erskine had running through their blood. As Sarah Rogers once said about her sons, Stan was made of the good stuff in life.

So, when his friend Lieutenant Hill called him up late last night and asked him for a favor, Stan was going to do what he always did. He was going to do what was right. So, pushing past any nerves that had initially emerged, Stan kept escorting the trio down the hall until he knew he was out of earshot from the main entrance.

Natasha put the badge around her neck as she caught the sign of 'Visiting Rooms' with an arrow to the right. Her, Steve and Loki moved to turn in the same direction, but Stan stopped them, "Where do you think you're going?"

Steve turned toward him, "Isn't Fisk waiting for us in the visiting area?"

Stan chuckled, "You got a lot to learn, kid. Fisk doesn't meet with people up here…Follow me."

The three of them exchanged quick glances before they fell in line with Officer Lee again as he turned left. They were headed down another dimly lit hallway, leading to a large service elevator, which they were standing inside of, 30 seconds later. Stan pushed the button to send it down three levels, into the guts of the prison.

Loki raised his brow at Natasha, "What are we doing, going down to the bottom of the prison, Stan?"

Stan paused and looked toward the three of them before sighing, "You know. You make a difference where you can in this world. Men like Fisk…there are a lot of them. Maybe not as powerful. Maybe not as violent. Maybe not with as much money. But men that look for shortcuts and that think that they can make people bend to their will. You and your team put Fisk away eight years ago. And that's all well and good. But he didn't stop being a criminal just because he was locked up. Instead of running the streets of Hell's Kitchen, he's found a way to create his own little kingdom inside these walls."

Natasha and Steve looked at each other as Stan continued, "I can't do anything about the corruption that Fisk brings with him here. At least he's contained inside here though. Happens in prisons all over the country. Natural selection takes place, and certain inmates get the little power there is to actually wield inside these walls. Fisk has done that. But what I can do something about, is helping the team that made New York safer eight years ago, by getting him off the streets."

Natasha squeezed Steve's hand. Something about Stan…reminded her of Erskine. An older gentleman, sure. But beyond that, he was a man that was good, in a world that could so easily be confused as bad. He was a man still trying to stand and fight for his country, years after retiring as a veteran. And as a soldier who'd already fought.

Even though his efforts may have seemed small in the grand scheme of things, they weren't. Whether help was big are small, it didn't matter as Natasha smiled at him. He was a man that was doing what was right. And it only reinforced everything to her and Steve and Loki once again. There were a million other reasons as to why Poseidon needed to be stopped. But the most basic of reasons, Stan exhibited now.

It was simply the right thing to do.

Steve squeezed her hand right back as Stan finished his little talk, "On the outside, Fisk was a man who was king in his own little world. A man who oversaw how the sausage was made in the underbelly of crime. It's only fitting, that he's meeting with you in the guts of the prison. You're on your own once these doors open, so I think it's time I simply say, "Nuff Said. And good luck."

The elevator groaned as it traveled down the throat of the prison to land inside of its stomach. If Natasha truly were an auditor, new lightbulbs would be first on her list of repairs. Because the hallway that awaited them was even darker than the one they'd just left.

Just as the first overhead light flickered above them, Loki said, "Well isn't this all fitting scenery to add to this nightmare." The joke was cut short as they walked out of the elevator and Steve reminded them, "It's already been fifteen minutes. Lieutenant Hill said an hour, tops. We don't waste more than 30 minutes with Fisk. We may need whatever information he has, but he can't be trusted."

The tapping sound from Natasha's heels echoed down the concrete hallway. And just as she was about to comment on the eerie quiet, accompanying the flickering lights, she stopped, "Listen, Steve. Loki, do you hear that?" They did. It was the distinct sound of classical music playing as they stared at each other, completely confused.

Three guards were walking their way and didn't bat an eye at the task-force trio. They simply looked at them and kept walking. If there was any question as to what Stan was talking about with Fisk wielding power in the prison, it was being answered right now. Those guards clearly knew the three of them were going to see Fisk.

Their pace quickened as they followed the thick piping overhead and cemented walls and floors toward the end of the hallway. They were at a T-intersection and turned left because that's where the music was coming from. They didn't have guns on them, because Stan and Lt. Hill told them they wouldn't be allowed inside with any firearms. But they did have tasers and nightsticks, and Natasha even had a knife she'd hid in her pants pocket that was made of a specialized carbon fiber that went undetected by the metal detector they went through earlier.

Another 30 seconds of fast-paced walking, and they were outside of a door, with two guards standing by the entrance. They both had the same expression on their faces as the three did that just met them in the hallway.

Complacency.

They were expecting the trio. That much was clear as the stepped away from the door and as the stringed instruments of the classical music's crescendo welcomed them. The steel door creaked open, revealing a small room. What Natasha, Steve, and Loki saw next, left the three of them all thinking the same thing.

What the fuck was going on?

'Kingpin' was at a small dining table. At least that's how it appeared. It was a steel table underneath, but there was a black linen tablecloth on top. Two candles burned bright. And Wilson Fisk was sitting on the opposite side of the table that they faced, eating steak and eggs on white porcelain dishes, using pristine silverware. He was dabbing his mouth with a bright red linen napkin. If his shackles weren't still on his wrists and feet, they might have forgotten they were in a prison at all.

The same line repeated over and over in their heads as the music was turned down by the guards, 'What the fuck was going on?'

Natasha, Steve, and Loki felt like they'd stepped into the twilight zone. Because this was beyond odd. Not only was Fisk eating by himself in his shackles and grey prison jumpsuit, but he was fine dining in the basement of Rikers, eating fucking steak and eggs with real metal silverware. Real porcelain dishes and candlelight. And real music playing on the small stereo in the corner. There were about 25 different weapons that could be constructed from everything in this room within seconds, and that no prisoner should ever have access to.

Lt. Hill and Officer Lee's words from before, echoed in their brains as Steve wondered to himself, just what type of life Fisk has carved out for himself in prison.

But before thoughts could go on, a guard turned down the stereo so the music softly hummed in the background now, and Fisk's voice bellowed through the concrete room, "Well, this is an occasion to celebrate. It's not every day that the FBI's 4th most wanted criminal, the great Steven Grant Rogers, and my former employee, Talia, come and pay me a visit."

Shit.

Unfortunately, this was starting off exactly how the three of them expected. And what they didn't want, was to get caught in a trap of time being wasted, when the seconds of each minute were already passing by rapidly. Steve blew out a breath, "Fisk. You wanted this visit to happen. What did you have to tell us?"

Fisk cut another piece of steak and ate it before he took a big swig of his coffee. And it seemed like he didn't blink at all with how he was staring at the three of them, "Now Mr. Rogers…is that anyway to talk to someone who you haven't seen in such a long time? I mean, god how the years fly by. What's it been, eight years? And my, my…haven't the three of you been busy. I mean, Rogers, you've continued fighting the good fight. What a noble man you are. But that's not all you've been doing, is it? And Loki, look at you. Rising in the ranks of the nation's most wanted. And doing it the clean old-fashioned way. Money and drugs, mostly. Why would you stick your nose into the dealings of what real criminals like me do, right? I thought local. You acted global. Good for you."

Another drink was swallowed as the sarcasm still lingered from his words. And as he stared at Natasha, "And then there's Talia. My pretty little red-headed spitfire. Such a short term of employment under my thumb. But it was long enough for that fiery red hair under that blonde wig, to leave a mark, no? The red-headed siren, and her two waitress friends take me down with an FBI raid."

Fisk nodded his head, "But wow, that was just the tip of the iceberg with you three. Eight years ago, it was just your normal run of the mill, FBI raid. I go to prison. You all go back to your life in the FBI, right?"

The sound of his menacing laugh only added to his words, "No. It seems my end was when your stories truly got interesting. Talia turned out to be a traitorous spy, and left her love and team in the dust."

Fisk pointed to Loki, "And this agent, turned criminal after his own team left him in the dust."

And then Fisk finally landed on Steve, "And then there's you. Captain Rogers. The commander of the ship that took me down. Yeah, you fought the good fight…except there was so much more to you than I ever initially thought. You started dipping your toes into the underworld of crime, after Talia turned tail and ran, didn't you?"

Fisk didn't let anyone interrupt him, "My god, you've all been busy. Overseas travels. Rendezvous. Other members of your FBI team that took me down, are even married now and have a child. And then there were funerals, but all of a sudden, Talia returned from the dead for the most shocking twist of them all."

Loki was contacted by Fisk's man on the outside. And maybe there had been slight hesitation, wondering how well-connected Fisk still could possibly be.

That question was just answered. Fisk was very in the know. He knew way too much about all that the team had been up to, since he was incarcerated. And he was taking his time too. Loki looked like he was about to interrupt as Fisk stared him down, "So…the team reunites. Rogers fights to the death to bring Talia back from the dead. And she returns to the team like a moth to a flame. All to bring down a world terrorist organization that little Talia was supposed to belong to. My god, to think I was so angry when I first came here because a boring FBI team took me down. Instead, you're anything but boring. It's been almost fucking poetic watching the drama amongst you unfold over the years."

Natasha was annoyed enough for all of them, "Fisk, quit wasting time. You said you have information."

The first flicker of anger appeared in Fisk's eyes as he leered at Natasha, "Talia, is that anyway to say hello? Maybe you feel like your time is being wasted, but I assure you, mine is not. I am enjoying beautiful music. A lovely breakfast like I always do, joined by warm candlelight, the quiet, and a return of some old…friends."

Loki rolled his eyes, "Alright Fisk. I'll just ask what Rogers and Romanoff don't want to. Name your price. We are on a time frame here, and not just on prison time. You are obviously very much in the know, with the tabs you've kept on us over the years. So, you know we're up against a clock outside as well. Maybe you don't care about that, but it's why we're here. Name your price and tell us what you brought us here for."

Fisk was grinning, "You're all wound so tight. If it's time you need, I got news for you. There's nothing but time in prison. So, maybe we switch. Maybe you come relax and live the high life in here for a while, and I go outside and take down these pesky criminals you call Poseidon."

Steve's tendons in his neck were popping out as he clenched his fists, "Rogers, would you like some of this coffee? You look like you need to relax a little." Steve took a tiny step forward before Fisk sat back finally, "Yeah, you're right. Coffee isn't going to relax you. I mean, Talia…how do you deal with that every day and night? Isn't he a little intense for you?"

Fisk looked back at Loki, "But Loki, you said, 'Name your price.' That is sure intriguing to men like you and me…It has me thinking, for sure. I mean, what if I said, I wanted Talia to come and show me a lap dance, like she promised my colleagues eight years ago. The three teases from the FBI that brought me and my operation to my knees. If I asked for that, would you do it?"

He was staring at Steve now, trying to provoke him. And it was working, but Natasha stepped forward and drew that carbon fiber knife from her pants, "Listen up you son of a bitch. You are talking like everything is the same as it was eight years ago. If you really kept tabs on us, you should know what someone like Loki or myself is capable of."

Loki smirked at Natasha's words, loving the fact that she was throwing both of them in the same end of the pool. She walked all the way up to the table, with her knife in hand, "I don't have a problem rolling in the mud. My life has pretty much been all filth except for these men and my family. And the last two years have taken nearly everything from me. So, when those same people are threatening to take all that I have left in this world, there's pretty much nothing I wouldn't do to stop them. And all you can do, is sit here with your small-minded thoughts. You sit here, with the gall to actually ask me to shove my tits in your face with a stupid lap dance."

Fisk and her were in a standoff as Natasha leaned forward a little more, "Yeah, I'll give you one, Fisk, and then I'll slit your thick fucking throat with this knife here. And your little kingdom you've convinced yourself is worth anything inside this prison, will be over. Because you won't be locked up anymore. You'll be dead. Quit playing around, and tell me what you really want. And then you can tell me what you actually know about where Poseidon is hiding out at."

Loki was grinning and looked over at Steve. Steve…was not amused, but he did have the expression of someone who was locked in with Natasha and would follow her anywhere she took him right now. They were all in this together for the long haul, one way or another.

Fisk nodded his head before he slid his plate away and folded his hands on the table, "Well now…Natasha, it is nice to see you. If you would have shown me this side of your personality eight years ago, instead of pretending to be a helpless tramp, I would have had you head up my security team instead of wasting your efforts on seducing men. But fine, you called my bluff. As…attractive as you may be, I have no interest in in any of that. I'll make it simple. I walk."

They knew it.

Was there anything else he could possibly want? No.

Fisk may have created his faux empire of luxury inside this prison. But make no mistake. It was still prison. Steak and eggs might taste good, but he was still in shackles. He would still go to sleep in his cell. He still wasn't free. It's what Stan had talked about. Men like him finding the little power they could and wielding it how they could. But they were still inside these walls. So, of course walking out of here is what he wanted.

Which is why Fury pulled Steve aside this morning to have a private conversation with the leader of his team, "You listen to me, Rogers. This is our dance with the devil. We give Fisk what he wants if he can prove he knows something. If he tells us where Poseidon is at, you make the deal and let him walk after Poseidon has been taken down. It is sick and wrong, but we focus on the big picture, so we can actually live to fight another day. And then we'll bring the asshole down a second time, if need be. Poseidon first."

Steve knew it before Fury even said it. He knew it…as soon as Loki mentioned Fisk's name yesterday. He hated every part of it, but Fury was right. Dealing in the devil's playground like this…it was part of the spectrum of philosophical debates that could drive anyone mad. Especially an FBI agent. It led to debates about who deserved justice more.

Whose life was worth more?

Did the terror that Natasha and Clint suffered, along with so many other people from Ivan and Oksana's grasp, carry more weight than the terror that Fisk thrust upon the streets of New York? Did the prevention of 1,000's of innocents outweigh the brutal murders and crimes that the thuggish brute had already committed?

It was a hell of a debate always because it wasn't that cut and dry. And it was a sticky trap that could suck anyone in. But they simply could not afford to debate it now.

It wasn't ethically right, that Fisk would walk. It wasn't. No part of this decision was easy, but join the fucking club because no part of Natasha, Steve, or Loki's past seven years of existence had been easy.

In the end, a decision was made from Fury.

And there was no hesitation from Steve. He could hate something and know it had to be done at the same time. Something could be ethically wrong and necessary. And he wasn't going to waste time arguing or debating right now, "Alright Fisk. You want back in the real world, so you can beat up innocent people and run Hell's Kitchen again in New York? Fine. You got a deal, but you aren't stepping outside of these walls and breathing the fresh air of freedom, until we have proof that you know where Poseidon is at and they're stopped. Fury's boss will get the paperwork processed. And you'll be released from here the minute that Poseidon is taken down. We won't bat an eye at your price, but you're not getting out of here until Poseidon is done."

Fisk…tried to hide his emotions, but Loki caught it. There was a second of genuine surprise in his eyes. He didn't think Steve would be able to stomach him walking.

What he didn't account for, and truly didn't have knowledge of, was just how dark and bad it had gotten for Steve and Natasha over the years. The last two years specifically, almost killed Natasha and Steve, separately, and in very different ways. It was needless to say, they were more than focused to bring Poseidon down. To do whatever it took.

The carrot was dangling, and Fisk relented. He was in prison after all, and he'd dance with his own devil (The FBI) to get what he wanted, "I'm glad to hear that, Rogers. The world is a bastard of a storm that wears you down, isn't it? Makes you realize that you gotta roll around in the slop with the pigs sometimes. Careful though…You roll around enough, and it's hard to tell the difference between the good guys and the bad guys. But I'm glad to hear Fury has enough sense about him to realize a good deal when he sees it. Little ol' me walks, and he gets to clear all of your names that are truly being drug through that slop this morning. And you all get to take down Poseidon."

Loki jumped on his tangent, "Proof, Fisk. Proof first, then paperwork. Then we take them down, and only then, do you walk."

Fisk looked straight at Loki, "National parks, land reserves, and old military bases. The parks and reserves are open areas, where Poseidon can blend in as tourists and even workers. And the old military bases? Well, there's hardly anyone at those complexes, so a group of Poseidon operatives could roll into town and throw up a small manufacturing company without an ounce of suspicion. As long as they're pumping money into the local economy, locals would let them be."

Loki was doing the talking now because he had narrowed down shipping routes and data and had located three of these parks and bases across the U.S. But he wanted to see if Fisk was talking out of his ass, or if he actually knew, "That's a pretty wide net you cast, Fisk. There are locations that fit those descriptions in all of the contiguous 48 states. Hell, even throw in Alaska and Hawaii, because there's parks and old bases there too. Narrow it down and tell me what you know."

Fisk tilted his head towards Loki, "You've almost figured it out, haven't you? It must absolutely kill you, to come here, knowing that sometimes, you just have to turn to the bad guy for help."

It was killing them. It killed Loki, with all of his brilliance, to know that he couldn't locate exactly where Poseidon was hiding. And it killed each of them to have that timeless and awful lesson reinforced right now. That you have to lose something, in order to pay the price to win sometimes.

Fisk proceeded to list off the same exact locations as Loki did earlier, narrowing it down from all of the options nation-wide. But he also added two new locations, which definitely drew everyone's attention:

*Nekoma Missile Base – Nekoma, North Dakota

*Titan East Missile Complex – East Washington State

*Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming

*Fort Carroll – Baltimore, Maryland

*Iroquois National Wildlife Reserve – 50 miles east of Niagara Falls and Niagara, New York

Damn.

It was good that Fisk had corroborated the three locations that Loki found earlier. It was. But that just meant he truly was going to get a deal out of this. He watched the three of them stare at each other as Steve demanded, "Narrow it down, Fisk. Where exactly is Poseidon at?"

Fisk was reveling in all of it, pulling each little string, "Natasha, don't you know your handlers and home country well enough, that they separate and disseminate. They have weapons stocked in each location. What's that saying? Don't put all your eggs in one basket."

Natasha fired back, "We're not talking about just weapons, Fisk. We're talking about Ivan and Oksana. We're talking about Pierce. Where are they? You're right, I do know them. They might have weapons all over, but they're all hunkered down right now, waiting to move out and finalize each little detail before they move to attack. Where are they?"

Fisk had started eating his steak again and pointed at Steve with his knife, "I can see why you like her now, Rogers. Her spirit matches your own."

They had to swallow that bitter feeling, knowing he was going to walk if they could stop Poseidon. And they had to stand here and watch him swallow more of his breakfast as he went on, "You know, I could send you on a wild goose chase if I wanted. I hope you realize that. I could tell you they were hiding out in Wyoming or Washington, or in Maryland or North Dakota. But I won't. My colleague…I left him in charge of everything when I was so graciously imprisoned by you…he goes by the Vulture. It's appropriate actually, because he sniffs out weapons all over this country just like how a vulture finds a dead carcass on the road. So, trust me when I tell you, that if you go to any of the four states I just mentioned, you'll find endless amounts of Stark Industries weaponry. But you won't find the people. The Vulture found your Poseidon operatives in America, all hiding out in the same exact state that we're standing in right now. Iroquois National Wildlife Reserve. They all used Niagara's airport to fly into about a week ago and have been hiding out in the woods by the reserve, ever since."

They wanted to run out of Rikers immediately, but they couldn't. They had to call the compound right away, "You can use your burner phones or whatever you have on you, to call your boss. And then you can get that paperwork started now." But there was still more.

Natasha shook her head, "Not until you tell us everything else. Where are the international hideouts?"

Fisk laughed, "So greedy, aren't you?" But he told them because he was just as eager to close this deal as they were to know the information. Stan had been right. The limited power that Fisk had found inside the walls of Rikers, was nothing like freedom. And he wanted out.

Each continent's target was a heavily populated city. But the hideouts were all similar. Secluded wooded areas outside of the targeted city limits.

*London, England in Europe

*Sydney, Australia in Australia

*Cape Town, South Africa in Africa

*Beijing, China in Asia

*Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in South America

Steve sent Natasha and Loki to the other side of the room to call Fury, but they didn't need to get any paperwork processed. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know what Fisk would demand. So, Fury worked with his boss and Ross the night before and gave Steve the agreement in writing, in a file this morning. A second copy was even included for Fisk, proving the deal existed.

Steve had been the one to bluff Fisk before, not letting on that the deal was with him the entire time. He pulled the file out from the inside of his vest as Fisk clapped once and laughed, "Well look at you, Rogers. You really did come to deal, didn't you? We didn't come all this way, just to get to the end without a pen, now did we?"

Steve pulled a pen out and threw the file on the table, right by his almost finished plate of steak and eggs. He looked over at Natasha and Loki, as they told Fury everything Fisk just had.

Fury didn't waste a second. He sent the non-injured Mercenaries off with Hunter, Morse, and Johnson. Those six individuals hadn't been named in the news coverage, so they were safer to travel than anyone else. They would make the trip and scope out the wildlife reserve, only an hour away from Niagara Falls. Fury would spend the rest of the morning on the phone with Ross and Colonel Phillips, and trusted contacts overseas to have them send out their own surveillance teams.

Fisk was on page three, scanning over the deal, "Tell me Rogers, do you really think the Non-Disclosure Agreement is needed with this deal? The truth always has a way of working its way out, doesn't it? Whether it's Talia, Nikki, and Kiki's truth…or Natasha's truth…or your own. Like all that you've learned about bending rules and breaking laws over the last several years."

Natasha and Loki came back over as Steve said, "Fisk, are you signing or not? We have what we came for." Fisk nodded his head, "That's true. But all I have to do, is contact the Vulture, and he'll tip Poseidon off, and then you'll be back at square one."

Dead silence.

Loki, Steve, and Natasha were all grasping at straws here, as Fisk's threat sounded every alarm inside their heads. How in the hell could they trust him? This deal felt equivalent to a dump truck making it across a frozen lake that was almost thawed. Fragile, was an understatement.

But Fisk started laughing loudly, "Being backed into a corner makes you jumpy, doesn't it? It's too easy to pull your strings. Don't worry, I'm not going to thwart your efforts to stop Poseidon. You're doing me a favor. That group makes life for a criminal like me difficult. Their global bloodlust is so goddamn tiring. I want my streets back, and I will run them how I see fit. As long as you hold up this deal? I'll keep my mouth shut for a week."

Fisk clicked the pen with his thumb and signed on the dotted line, along with the signature of the Director of the FBI, "I'm fully aware that if you don't save this fine country of yours, that I don't walk. So, go. Go be goddamn heroes. And then you smile, and eat the shit that you have to, knowing that I'll be walking free in New York City within about a week from now. You can let yourselves out. I am going to finish my steak and eggs."

The guards opened up the door, and they took the original signed document and left.

Fisk, true to his word, finished eating in his shackles and gray jumpsuit as the guard came and turned up the classical music again. Steve shoved the file inside his vest again and Natasha looked at him and Loki, "Jesus, that made my skin crawl, but I didn't expect it to go that easy."

Steve blew out a breath, "Let's get out of here, and then we can talk about how easy listening to that bastard was."


The guards at the door must have been on Fisk's payroll, or maybe they were just following orders from their boss.

It didn't really matter.

Steve, Loki, and Natasha didn't really have time to care or figure out the political inner workings of the prison system and who was or wasn't bought off by Fisk. The guards watched them leave as they traveled down the hallway, and turned right as they walked away from the classical music. But then the trio saw another three guards coming down the same hallway from before.

These men were caught up in small talk about the Yankees baseball game from last night, "Tommy, I don't know how you can call yourself a New Yorker when you're not a Yankee's fan."

One thing was clear. They weren't the same three guards from before. They were three normal guys talking about last night's ball game, just trying to get through another day of work. One of those normal guys lifted his eyes up and caught Loki's face as they passed. Loki saw it right away as the hairs on the back of his neck stood up.

Recognition.

Or at least the spark flickered in his brain, that he recognized Loki's face from somewhere. Loki turned his head around and caught the other two men, now turning around to stare, "Rogers, Romanoff…walk faster, now." They did. They picked up the pace as Natasha's heels clicked a little faster against concrete.

"Hey, you three. Wait up, we need to see some identification."

The guards had turned around at the T-intersection just as Natasha was the last to get inside the elevator. She started pressing the main floor's button rapidly, "Shit, we must be past our hour mark. There's a shift change about to happen, and the guards outside Fisk's door were obviously paid to keep their mouths shut about us."

"Come on, come on…shut," Loki's anxiety added to Natasha's as Steve saw the three men running towards the elevator now, "Yeah, these men are definitely not paid off and are just trying to do their jobs. Come on, shut, goddamnit."

The doors finally did start to shut, but before the three of them could take a breath, the elevator was stopped by a single hand sneaking in, right before it closed. The doors opened all the way back up again. Tommy, the man who apparently wasn't a Yankees fan, spoke first, "You two look new…and we don't usually see women down this far in the gutter of Rikers. You lost?"

Fuck.

'Appeal to the lowest common denominator,' Natasha thought. She stepped forward to try and do her best to flirt her way out of this, "Oh, I'm rather embarrassed, sir. These two were walking me around to do my audit…"

Natasha flashed her visitor's badge at them as she ran it past the slight hint of cleavage emerging from her button down. Drawing her lip between her teeth, she batted her lashes from behind her glasses at the man, "I told Bobby and John here, that I never new how many levels there were to Rikers. I mean, as an auditor, I should really know that, right? But before I got started on the upper levels where the inmates are, I wanted to get a real bottom up feel for the place, you know?"

The flirtation attempt was weak at best.

Natasha's cleavage wasn't even modest. It was almost non-existent. But maybe it was the lack of women in the prison, or the fact that she drew attention to her lips…but for whatever reason, it seemed to work as Tommy stared at her, "Yeah, I like to get a real bottom up feel too. Care if I escort you to the main level again? I sure would feel better about it."

Good god.

Loki glared at Steve, waning off any thoughts in Rogers' head about being over protective in the moment. But Tommy's friends joined him in the elevator, and any notion about this only being an attempt for Tommy to hit on Natasha, was left out into the hallway as the doors shut.

Tommy stood right by Natasha, and the other two men worked their way behind Loki and Steve as one of the guys said, "Hey Tommy, stop at the next floor. I just got called by Ray. They're needed up in Cellblock E for a rowdy inmate."

Tommy looked back and nodded and then put his hand on Natasha's shoulder as he reached over, "Excuse me, while I just push this little button over here." They were still two levels away from the front entrance as he pushed LL2.

Steve was watching Tommy like a hawk, and it wasn't because of his poor pick-up lines towards Natasha. It was because of the bead of sweat that he could see forming on the back of his neck. Loki caught the twitching of one of the men's fingers behind him too as the elevator doors opened up on LL2, and four guards awaited them.

Tommy acted friendly and said hello to the man named Ray as the four guards crowded into the elevator. Natasha acted shy towards Tommy, as she let one of the guys take her spot while she stepped back towards Steve.

It was all an act…on both ends. And everyone knew it as Steve, Loki, and Natasha, stood in a tight triangle in the middle of an already full-service elevator. The doors creaked open again. This time, on LL1.

Turns out, no one bought Natasha's flirtation attempt. And it turns out, Tommy was pretty fucking smart. He and the other two guards initially had called for back-up. And then more back-up when they started running. Two more guards stepped in, and stood on both of the far sides of Steve and Loki.

Shit.

That was nine guards in all, in case anyone was counting. Nine…versus the three of them. Natasha, Loki, and Steve knew exactly what was about to happen. They were trapped and were vastly outnumbered.

And all because, three guys who just happened to be doing their jobs, had caught this morning's news and saw their faces plastered all over the T.V. screens. All because they happened to recognize Loki first, and then Steve, and then finally Natasha with all of her flirtatious attempts in her blonde wig.

The guards were innocent, and thought they were doing the right thing, which really was the perfect little twist on this tightly tangled web they were caught in right now. The only good thing about any of this, was that there were no guns.

Loki and Steve peeked down. Natasha started making numbers with her hand right above her ass. She pointed to Steve first and put four fingers out at her backside, and then pointed to the back. She was indicating that Steve would be the lucky one to take out the four, not small, men at his back side.

Natasha pointed to Loki next, telling him, he had the two guards to his right. She left the last three for herself with two guards in front of her and one to her left. It was the best planning they could do with no space or option to communicate. And right as the elevator began moving, Tommy's finger moved to the bright red stop button.

Steve…was tired. Goddamnit, they all were. But all he wanted, was for one mission…One fucking side mission to go off without a hitch. He couldn't remember the last mission that went according to plan. Even when they arrested Loki, the man that he was fighting side-by-side with now, it didn't go according to plan because Maria and Tony and everyone else showed up.

And god, was Steve exhausted. He just wanted to be back at the compound with everyone safe. With Natasha, holding her close and kissing her…With where they were in bed this morning. With everyone and everything in the world that mattered most to him. Everyone that he was so thankful for having in his world.

But that would have to wait. Nothing went according to plan. Expect the unexpected. All of those brutal truths Fury had taught them.

Rinse. Wash. And fucking repeat.

Yes, Steve was tired as he took a huge breath and spoke low, not hiding any of his annoyance.

"Before we get started, does anyone wanna get out?"

The answer was no. And the repeated cycle of chaos started again. The button was pushed and the old elevator halted to a stop as the three of them started to fight.

Natasha went low, crouching down toward the ground and sweeping the first man's legs out from under him as she punched Tommy in the junk. The man to her left went to grab her hair, but only succeeded in pulling the wig off instead, much to his surprise. Natasha pulled the taser out of her pants and jabbed it into his side. His body went rigid and started convulsing as he collapsed to the ground…on top of Tommy…who was already on top of the guy she'd initially knocked down.

Loki wasn't nearly as strong of a fighter as Natasha and Steve were. He hadn't been in the field too many times during his time as an agent, and most of his work as a criminal was from pulling the strings. But he was motivated. And he was wiry.

The officer behind him advanced, sliding his arms around Loki's neck. The guard to his side punched him in the stomach over and over, causing hisses in pain to come out.

But Loki played dirty. Plunging his thumb into the guard's eye who'd just hit him, Loki used the tight space to his advantage as the man fell back against the elevator panel. His thick rubber boot struck the guard's stomach with a solid kick, and Loki used the leverage, slamming all of his weight back into the officer with his arms around his neck.

It was a real cluster-fuck, and that was only half of the elevator's occupants.

Steve was pinned back by two men standing behind him as they each grabbed an arm. He caught Loki's eye gouge out of his peripheral and Natasha's dick punch in front of him. Steve groaned loudly because the other two men struck his own groin with a knee and his own stomach with a closed fist.

"Listen, you fucking assholes." Steve tried to talk, but the words barely made it out of him.

And they weren't listening.

They all thought they were doing their jobs and helping out their country to bring in traitors, whose names and faces were blasted across the morning news. Steve pulled and pulled, finally freeing his left arm, only to pound on the guard's face who'd been holding it. With his fist clenched, Steve hit him like a battering ram. One, two, and then three times as blood spurted out from his nose and onto Steve's hand.

Two guards tried to latch onto his other arm, but Steve was lashing out at all of the annoyance and anger he felt right now. With a big kick, Steve's leg swung in the air. The rubber sole of his boot landed square on another guard's jaw as a loud cry came out, along with more spit and more blood.

Instinct took over. And the men behind Steve, who were both holding onto his right arm, paused from the sickening crunch they'd just heard from a boot meeting their co-worker's jaw.

It was a slight hesitation, but it was enough…Steve escaped from their grasp and turned around, only to glare at them, "We're not guilty of those things on the news." But they weren't listening still. Steve couldn't blame them, but this was beyond exhausting.

Steve's frustration came out with a growl when they tried to attack again. He grabbed the back of both of their necks, smashing their heads together to knock them out as they toppled to the ground.

That was two out of the nine.

Loki yelled over, "Natasha, where's your knife?"

Tommy had gotten up and currently had Natasha pinned against the elevator door. But that was his mistake, because it only gave her something to work with, "You're gonna have to work on your pick-up lines, Tommy."

Lifting her arm, Natasha straightened her fingers and shoved them straight into his throat with a stabbing thrust. She could see his eyes widen as he gasped for air. He still had a firm hold, but she'd found enough space in order to climb him like a tree as she stepped on his knee. The momentum took over as he loosened his grasp, and then all of a sudden, he was hunched over and her thighs were wrapped around his neck.

Natasha was above everyone in the elevator now, and Steve yelled out to her, "Here, Nat. Catch!" He tossed his nightstick and she caught it. Almost in the same motion, she whacked the other two men on the head, who had just managed to stand up again. They weren't up for long because the impact from the steel shaft made them collapse with a loud thud.

That was three and four knocked out now.

Steve yelled back at Loki, "No knives. They think they're doing their job, Loki. Knock em out and let's get the fuck out of here."

Loki cursed, evading another kick to the back of his knees, but he couldn't reach his nightstick.

Tommy's airway was constricted and his gasps increased as he grabbed hold of her thighs, but it was no use. Natasha had him in her web as he tried to slam her body back into the wall. With each one of his thrashes, Natasha squeezed harder as his vision started to fade, "Just fucking pass out, Tommy."

He was waning and Natasha tried to toss Loki the nightstick, but Tommy grabbed it instead. In a last-ditch effort, he found enough strength to try and hit her in the side of the head with the club.

She dodged away from the first move, and ducked from the second. But he was thrashing and slicing the stick through the air, and finally caught the side of her head on his third try.

It was enough of a frenzy that Natasha was caught off guard and loosened her hold on him. A second later, he threw her off of him and she fell to the floor, landing right on top of the two guards she'd just incapacitated.

Natasha moaned loudly from the impact on her head and her back as Tommy stood above her now. It was literally an elevator full of moving parts and bodies as he scowled at her and tried to kick her face in. She evaded his first stomp, but Steve grabbed him from behind as he tried again, "Hey asshole, you might not have noticed this before, but she's fucking taken."

Steve was pretty much mauled as a result of helping Natasha. The other two guards behind him attacked and tried to overwhelm him.

Punches to his sides. Blows to his kidneys. And bashes to his knees.

It didn't matter though, because all Steve saw was Natasha on the ground.

She was rubbing a bruise already forming on the side of her head and back, but she still managed to smirk towards Steve as she grabbed her taser and shoved it right in Tommy's thigh. He started shaking like he'd been electrocuted and she didn't let up. She slugged him in the groin, stood up, and landed the final blow to him as her taser hit his neck.

Tommy screamed out in pain as saliva came out of his mouth. And then he was finally knocked out cold with his friends.

That was five.

She stood up and shook off where she'd been hit. Natasha and Steve caught each other's heated gaze, just for a second, before Steve turned around and worked on his remaining two guards. Loki's face was bleeding from a cut above his eye as Natasha tossed him the nightstick. He clobbered the officer in front of him first, and clocked the guard behind him second. They slunk down to the ground against the elevator walls as he let out a sigh of relief.

That was six and seven, all alive, but very unconscious.

It was about fucking time.

Loki was breathing heavily with a bleeding face. Natasha was heaving with a bruised neck and back. And with how she landed on the ground, her previously dislocated shoulder from Rumlow was throbbing in pain.

The good news was seven were on the ground, passed out. The bad news? There were still two guards left, and Steve, Natasha, and Loki were battered and beaten, and ready for this to be over.

Using the extra space available now, Steve grunted and swung a roundhouse kick in the air, connecting the steel toe of his boot directly with his windpipe. A strangled sound came out of the guard as he landed on his knees, only to be met with a taser to the neck from Natasha.

That was eight.

Enough was enough. Steve's face was read. His back was sore and bruised. He had a laceration on his eyebrow, that had blood running down his cheek and into his beard. They were all so over this. Only one remained. And one on one? There was really no match, no matter how tired Steve was.

Steve grabbed the last guy and put him into a choke hold. Turning around and sucking in as much air as he could, Steve rested his very tender back against the wall.

The chokehold tightened as the guard tried to dig at Steve's hands first, and then he was grasping at nothing. Like he was trying to find air with his fingers. Natasha leaned over to grab onto the railing to lean against Loki as he said through rasped breathing, "Rogers, hurry up."

Steve groaned loudly and rolled his eyes, "Loki, please…just shut the fuck up."

It was done. The man tumbled to the ground like everyone else.

That was nine. Finally.

Maybe five minutes had passed. Five minutes. Nine bodies. A task-force trio. And a blonde wig on the ground.

It all left the three of them coughing and trying to collect their breath. And rubbing sore body parts as they wiped spit and blood off of their faces. Loki looked around at the piled-up bodies, and then looked at Steve before he burst out laughing, "You kiss Romanoff with that potty mouth of yours, Rogers?"

"I plan to Loki, as soon as we get the hell out of here." Steve stepped forward as he put his hand on Natasha's shoulder for balance. He stepped in between the bodies on the ground and toward the elevator panel. Natasha arched her back, feeling the searing pain at her side as she clasped her fingers around his hand.

Natasha was panting from everything that'd just happened as she looked up at Steve, "I love you."

"I know."

It was instantaneous. Almost involuntary. Her statement and his answer.

So was Loki's reaction as he groaned loudly, "Good god, first you two almost have eye sex in the midst of this fiasco we were in a minute ago, and then I have to listen to you literally recite Star Wars to each other. Well in that case? Han…Leia…Let's get the fuck out of here, shall we?"

No one was wasting time. They simply were running on empty, and had somehow taken out nine guards between the three of them. Steve looked at his partners, "Nat, hit everyone with a taser again, to make sure they're good and knocked out. Loki, give me a boost. We're gonna have to climb the last floor through the elevator shaft, because they're all going to be waiting for us as the doors open."

Natasha caught her breath finally and grabbed the taser. She was still in her goddamn heels as she bent down to stun every one of the nine guards, one last time. Loki lifted Steve up to pry open the ceiling panel and happened to shove his hands right into his behind, "Hey Rogers, it's taken me 12 years, but I finally get to be up close and personal with this nice ass of yours…it was worth the wait."

Natasha couldn't help it, she joined in with Loki's laughing now as Steve groaned. Maybe it was ridiculous. But their immediate threat had been squashed, and they were coping through humor, which was a lot better than panicking.

Steve had pulled himself…and his ass up through the ceiling. And more importantly, away from Loki.

He was standing on top of the elevator now as Natasha looked around and said, "Steve, I think we send this back to LL3 where Fisk is at, after I release the stop switch. It will buy us a little more time. We're gonna have to move quick, though. Loki, use Steve, and get yourself up there too."

Loki was out of the elevator a few seconds later as Steve leaned down to wait for Natasha. Leaving the wig where it was, she tossed her glasses down too before turning around and shrugging at Steve, "The gig is up. They know we're here. Might as well give up being a blonde…It was never my thing to begin with."

Steve smirked at her as she pushed LL3, hit the red switch, and jumped up as Steve caught her hand and pulled her up a couple of seconds later.

The good news, was that the elevator was old and slow and as it groaned to life again. The three of them had jumped off of the top of the elevator, where a steel ladder on the wall led them north. Steve yelled from the bottom of the ladder, "Loki keep going. We're not going through the elevator doors. We'll slide around on the ledge and then sneak out the exit at the side."

Loki held onto the rungs, as Natasha followed him, and Steve brought up the rear.

Loki whispered down at his teammates, "Hey Rogers, I bet you wish you were in Natasha's spot right now, so you could see me up close and personal too."

Steve shut his eyes, as Natasha grinned, "Loki, you're probably going to have to wait 12 more years for that one." He joked back at her right away, "Yeah, but that'll be more than worth the wait too."

They were all holding onto the ladder at separate points, and standing at the main level. Loki stood on the ledge and held onto some metal tubing above him that lined the shaft. Steve looked down at the dark cavern below, "No joking around anymore, Loki. Be careful. These ledges are slippery. Nat, you're not in rubber boots either, so careful with your footing."

Loki, then Natasha, and then Steve inched their way by the main elevator door, and then all the way to the south wall towards the side exit. There was a red lever on the door. "Is this gonna sound an alarm?" Loki asked. Natasha looked quickly at Steve and quickly answered "We don't have time to waist, just pull it and then we gotta run, Loki."

They all winced as Loki lifted the lever and opened the door…to silence.

For once the odds were in their favor. Ironically, that only mean that the door wasn't actually working properly. Turns out, that auditor coming later today might want to look into a faulty alarm on an exit in an elevator shaft.

Loki stuck his head out the door first. It wasn't clear, but they could hear the commotion from down an adjacent hallway. They quickly made their way into the corridor as Steve prevented the door from shutting loudly. Natasha slipped her heels off, to reduce any other sounds.

They turned a corner…and ran right into Officer Lee.

"Oh, thank god, Stan. We gotta get out of here now." Stan looked around and didn't even hesitate, "Aw hell, maybe this will be my last day on the job after all. Screw formal retirement."

Stan led them down a different hallway, that took them out a side exit. They made it out just as guards flooded the main service elevator entrance, bringing the nine knocked out bodies back up for everyone to see.

Not the task-force trio and Stan, though.

They were out of the prison as they heard yelling and shouting when the elevator doors opened. The guards inside realized what'd happened, and Stan and his three escapees found the transport van with Lieutenant Hill in it.

Stan looked over and said, "Change of plans, we gotta get into my SUV because I'm definitely not going to be able to come back to Rikers with this van, now."

His SUV was only a few cars away as they all ran to it and piled in. The next thing they knew, the peculiar, but godsend of a security guard, was yelling at them all to duck down in the back of the SUV. Loki was in the middle and Natasha and Steve were in the back, each covered by blankets. Stan waved to the guards at the exit, faking being sick for the day before he drove back over the Rikers Island bridge.

Back to the mainland, and away from the dangers behind them.

Yes, the prison guard, who was a retired veteran already, and was so close to retirement at the prison, turned out to have nerves of steel and a heart of gold. And maybe…a moral compass that even rivaled Steve's.

Stan never questioned the people in his vehicle. He knew what he needed to do in the moment it needed to be done. And he chose the right, but harder path. He did what he could, which was more than anyone could ask.

As he was crossing over the bridge, Stan yelled out the window, "Excelsior!" much to the surprise and amusement of Lieutenant Hill, who was wiping his brow.

And as for the task-force trio?

Loki had come up for air and peeked over the back seat. He smirked and lifted up the blanket, catching Steve and Natasha in the midst of a passionate kiss that had, 'Thank god you're okay,' written all over it. Loki grinned and whispered, "I wish this is the worst thing I've ever caught you two doing. But how about you be civil and thank this nice old man who just saved all of our asses."

Excelsior, indeed.

They all had something to be thankful for in that moment. For each other. For Marias' father. For being alive and okay. For getting the information needed from Fisk. And for an old man, who represented all the good in this country and world, by simply doing what he could with the little power that he had.

That was what taking Poseidon down would take.

It didn't matter if their power was great or small. They all had a stake in this. Anyone that had loved ones. Anyone that knew the fake stories in the news were bullshit. Anyone that loved this country, and loved their countries overseas. Anyone that could stand, and chose to stand. That's what it would take.

Strength. Power. Courage.

Stan seemed to understand all three qualities, as well as anyone in the vehicle with him. He seemed to understand that power, small or large, could be great.

And with great power comes great responsibility.


Present Day – Task-Force Compound.

Lieutenant Hill shook Steve's hand 30 minutes after they left Rikers Island. He asked Rogers to keep him posted on Maria, but knew it was best for him not to know where they were all at right now. It was safer for everyone involved. He was just glad he could help in the small way that he did.

Stan shook all of their hands and almost had a twinkle in his eye as he winked at them before driving off in the opposite direction. The task-force trio was left alone, feeling dumbfounded and looking disheveled with what'd just transpired over the last two hours. They loaded into their own SUV as Steve let Fury know they were all okay and headed back to the compound.

Loki laid down in the back seat, mumbling something about his body not seeing that kind of a workout in years. And Natasha smiled back at him and said, "You know, Loki. I love you, too."

Loki grinned at her before shutting his eyes, "I know, Romanoff. I know." He lifted his head one last time though and muttered, "If you two are Han and Leia, does that make me Chewbacca?"

She smiled as he shut his eyes again and turned towards the man next to her. Natasha laced her fingers in with Steve's as he drove on side roads, until the city met the outskirts and they were making the backroad turns and twists until they were at the compound, well before the noon hour struck.

They didn't say anything the entire ride back to the safehouse. Natasha just rested her head on him, breathing through the pain in her side and shoulder, and on her head. Loki was doing the same with his own face and knee. And Steve was doing the same with his back, and sides…and stomach and arms and face. They were all left thinking of near misses and being surrounded by nine guards, but finding a way to fight for every inch and get out of it. She held onto his hand tight, inhaling every part of him she could as he squeezed right back and leaned over to kiss the crown of her head, "Stronger together, Nat."

Each of them were so thankful that everyone in the vehicle was in one piece and alright.

And the only thing that mattered when they arrived back at the compound well before the noon hour, was they were okay, and everyone was incredibly grateful. The team welcomed the task-force trio with a standing ovation and applause when they came in through the garage door. It was silly, but celebrating this small but important victory was necessary. It was a mission that went sideways as usual, but it was still a win, nonetheless. And they all needed a win.

Bucky grinned as he pulled Natasha in, smacked Loki's shoulder, and then gave Steve a huge hug, "You should see the news now, Steve. You guys have officially taken the spotlight away from the rest of us…so there's that."

Steve groaned. That was purposefully why he didn't turn on the radio on their drive back, "Yeah, I think I have a good idea of what the news is saying. I think the truth of what actually happened is written all over our faces. Let's keep that shit turned off for the rest of the day, okay?"

Clint was right after Bucky and nodded at Steve and shook his hand before bringing his sister in to his arms, "You're showing me up, you know that? Kicking ass in heels and a pantsuit…"

Sarah was next and hugged her son tight, "There you are, Steve. You always make me proud, but you sure know how to make my heart beat fast." She moved over to Loki, and then Natasha too. Wanda followed suit, and she didn't let any of them go for a while, holding Loki in her arms the longest.

And then Tony, Sam, and Bruce, and everyone else in the compound made their way through the three of them, all being so relieved and thankful that they were back in one piece.

Dr. Strange even raised his glass towards the trio from the medical suite, "So, I guess your night watching has expanded to day breaking, or something of the sorts, right Rogers?"

Fury was waiting last for the three of them as Steve handed him the signed file by Fisk, "Nice job, Rogers. According to the news, you're no longer just part of this traitorous group. You three are the leaders of this rat pack. After showing your faces at Rikers, this entire city is going to be thinking they see Romanoff in red or blonde hair now. Not to mention they'll be looking for anyone and everyone in a prison guard uniforms."

Jokes aside, Fury took a breath and looked at his three agents. They'd started as his trainees and became his agents 12 year ago. And it's truly what they still were to him, no matter the labels or fact that Loki and Natasha hadn't officially been in the FBI for seven years.

In a very concerned voice, he simply asked them, "Seriously, though. You guys okay?"

They all looked at each other as Loki grinned, "Yeah, Fury. We're good. Trust me when I say the guards at Rikers look a lot worse than us. And let's just say we all got an up close and personal look at each other's asses out of it."

Natasha couldn't help it. She started cracking up and Loki mirrored her. It was sheer relief after a morning full of fighting. Steve looked down at the love of his life and his friend. They'd fought together after so many years without, and they all got out of it together. That sheer relief washed over him too as he pinched his nose. And a second later he was laughing too, right along with Loki and Natasha.

The rest of the team understood the coping that was going on, but still looked at them with a few raised eyebrows and chuckles of their own, knowing…it was a moment that you just had to be there for.

Steve caught his breath, and looked back to his leader, "Morse and her team, and the Mercs are all gone already?" Fury nodded his head, "Yeah, they left about an hour ago. Pretty much as soon as you called in. They should be fine, because their names and faces aren't anywhere in the news. They took an SUV and are making the drive to Niagara right now, and are gonna scope out the drive from the airport, all the way to the reserve and see what they can find."

Natasha looked worried again, "Fury, they know not to engage right? They're just scoping it out and gathering data. They know to keep their distance?"

Fury nodded, "Yeah. They'll be fine, Romanoff. They should even be back by tomorrow at the latest. Ross is working with Phillips at contacting overseas allies. It should give us all a little time to plan. And then we'll roll out. Hopefully, in plenty of time before Poseidon moves from their hideout."

"Yeah, and everything should go according to plan, right Fury?"

The sarcasm was heavy in Steve's voice as Fury looked a little surprised. But Natasha and Loki understood. Enough was enough. The end was in site. And what they would absolutely bet on, was the fact that 'the plan,' would definitely not go accordingly.

But they had each other.

Fury nodded his head, "You know, Rogers. This is what I warned you all about, back at Quantico. Rarely do things ever go according to plan. I'm sure glad I was right about all of you, though. You were all damn impressive today." Fury wasn't just talking to the three of them as he spoke loudly and looked around the room. And he wasn't just talking about today. It was a callback to the long running joke about Fury holding back on his accolades, all the way back to the beginning. And everyone of them knew it as Fury smiled again and spoke to everyone, "Damn impressive. All of you."

Sarah didn't miss a beat and brought them all some coffee as a little four-year old boy appeared from behind her and stood by the kitchen counter. Peter looked like he'd been crying as he stared at the three of them.

Wanda came over and held his hand, "Peter, remember what we said. They're three of the strongest and bravest people we know. They're okay, sweetie."

Bucky was talking quietly to the three of them as Sarah and Wanda brushed Peter's hair, "He uh…he caught the tail end of a news report that was talking out of their asses. They said something like…they didn't know if the three of you had escaped from Rikers or were in a pile of bodies that was reported to be found inside the prison."

"Jesus Christ." Steve's annoyance with what he expected the news reports to be had spiked, just from that small snippet. But it was broken up as Peter ran over to Natasha. She groaned as she picked him up from the pain in her shoulder, but she didn't care as Loki smiled and rubbed his hair and Steve wiped a tear away from his cheek.

"Hey Peter," Natasha started, "You remember…We're all pretty tough and brave here. Just like you. So, even though we have some bumps and bruises and a few little cuts, we're all okay. Just like all of our friends are gonna all be okay too." Peter sniffled as Steve put his arm around Natasha and Peter leaned his head into Steve's arm, "Loki, you promised me more card tricks."

The innocence of a child.

It was enough to make them smile, and also feel like crying themselves, but Loki looked at Wanda and then back at Peter, "Yeah, I did, little guy. Why don't we go work on a couple right now, okay?"

Natasha kissed his cheek as he jumped down and took Loki's hand to go over to the table and Wanda winked at her friend, "I guess you're officially promoted from the task-force pet, Loki. Be careful there. Peter might just draw you in person in his next picture.

Strange waved Steve and Natasha over to the medical suite as he spoke quietly to them, "You know. I'm truly, not into whatever that was, with your all of your affection and hugs. But, I am rather proud of the pain management we've been able to work through with Thor and Maria. The other three are still out of it. But I thought you'd like to see that two of your friends are awake and would like to see you.

Steve and Natasha looked at each other as Strange moved out of the way. Cho and Jane were off in the other corner with Laura, working on adjusting Rhodey and Rand and Murdock, but they all smiled at the two of them. The doctors couldn't understand exactly what the trio had been through. But they'd witnessed exactly what their five patients were going through physically, all from something that hadn't even happened 16 hours ago.

And Steve and Natasha and Loki threw themselves into danger, again, within the same 24-hour period. A person didn't have to understand a lot, to know the strength, power, and courage they exhibited time and time again.

Steve went to sit by Thor, and Natasha went and immediately started tearing up at Maria's side. Her burn bandages didn't quite reach her neck, but they were all the way along her right side. Maria was trying her hardest not to wince in pain as she let out a few shaky breaths, "I can't believe you were out there again, Natasha. All while we were sleeping."

"Maria, I'm so…" Natasha's voice started shaking, but Maria cut her off, "Don't you dare, Romanoff. You'd switch positions with me in a heartbeat, and I know that. This isn't you, so don't you dare. We're all in this. Besides…at least I don't have to go through life looking like a pirate, like Thor over there."

Thor and Steve weren't as emotional, but it didn't mean they weren't feeling everything on the inside, just as much. Thor sniffed through his nose and scoffed, "Well, I'd rather be a pirate than the bionic man like Rhodey with his metal hip and rods put in his leg…I'm sure he will laugh at that when he wakes up."

The dark humor was how Maria and Thor were coping, just as the inappropriate humor was how Loki and Natasha dealt with the dire situation earlier in the elevator. Thor looked over at Maria and nodded his head before turning back to Steve and Natasha, "We've already talked to the others, but we wanted to tell you…thank you, good friends. I don't think Maria nor I would be staring at you today…with one or two eyes…if you wouldn't have all acted so quickly to save us."

Maria wiped tears from Natasha's eyes as she leaned down to press her forehead over her friends and Steve let his hand rest on Thor's shoulders. Yes, it truly was all something to be thankful for.


Fury pretty much ordered the three of them to go up and rest for a few hours. And Peter, didn't want to let any of them out of his site, but Loki shoved the boy towards Steve and Natasha, "Go on, kid. No matter how close we all were today, I don't think I'm getting in their bed. But you can."

Loki went off to his own room and crashed immediately. And Steve and Natasha did too, with Peter lying in between them after being read the book, 'I Love You Stinky Face,' first by Steve and then again by Natasha. Steve finally took in those moments that Natasha did on the ride home as he held his nephew and looked at her, falling asleep. She was still in her oxford shirt. It was untucked now, with her black pants still on.

Natasha was the last thing Steve saw when he fell asleep and was the first thing he saw when he woke up, five hours later after sleeping soundly.

Peter had snuck out a few hours earlier, and the door was left open a crack. But it didn't stop Steve from bringing Natasha closer into his arms. It was such a different wake-up call than he'd had that morning, hours and hours ago. That wake-up was after a horrible nightmare, that'd included Natasha's grave and his nephew. But not this time. He woke up calm and relaxed, with her in his arms as she opened her eyes and smiled. She'd slept peacefully too, without any nightmares for once, as she ran her fingers over his eyebrow that had dried blood on it.

Steve turned into the palm of her hand, like he was falling into a pile of pillows, and breathed in every part of her he could. It seemed like it was the 50th time today, but it didn't matter because it was never enough as he whispered, "I love you."

"I know."

He smiled and kissed her hand, hearing the reverse of their exchange in the elevator. The temptation was there, to go and shut the door and continue what they'd started before Wanda interrupted their early morning tryst.

But something else was interrupting them now.

There was a smell lingering in the air.

Scratch that.

There were intoxicating, yet comforting, smells in the air, causing their stomachs to instantly growl from how tired and overworked their bodies were.

"Steve, at some point, this bad joke will get old. But not now. I know I was gone for a long time, but please tell me I'm not hallucinating. That is the smell of your mother's pumpkin pie, right?"

Steve smelled it too. He also breathed in the aroma of so many other wonderful foods that had travelled up the floors of the compound and into their room. If there was any smell or food that could break up the sexual tension between Steve and Natasha, it would be Sarah Rogers's cooking.

They grinned, and let their stomachs lead the way as they groaned and stood up to change into jeans and sweatshirts. Natasha threw her hair in a ponytail and they both splashed some cold water on their faces before they ran into Loki, heading down the stairs too, "I can sleep later. I smell Sarah Rogers's magic at work in the kitchen, and that is enough to wake a bear from hibernation."

They were beyond tired and beaten up. They were more than just exhausted, both from today, and from everything else. It was the kind of weariness that wore into their souls, so they were more than happy to let their senses do the talking…and walking for them.

The three of them came downstairs, and it was a madhouse.

The table had been extended with card table after card table. It was lined with fancy linens and dinner ware, and had enough seating for every single person awake in the compound. Candles lined the middle of the table, adding to the warm atmosphere before them.

Peter was watching a cartoon in the living room. And the doctors were all in the medical suite with Laura.

And Sarah…had resumed her position as acting General of the kitchen. Breakfast wasn't enough. They got a win today, and it was a cause for a celebration. She'd worked with Tony this morning. And he had called Happy to deliver everything she would need to prepare a feast.

And a warm and inviting feast it was.

It was well after 5 pm as Wanda and Bucky and Clint, and everyone else smiled at the three sleepy heads, coming into the kitchen.

Ham and turkey. Mashed potatoes and gravy. Rolls and relish trays galore. Green bean casserole and corn. Sweet potatoes, stuffing, and cranberries. And of course, pumpkin, cherry, pecan, and apple pie. Sarah was the one who would need the sleep after this was all said and done with. But there she was, directing Fury and Clint, Wanda and Bucky. Every able-bodied person was hard at work as she took pictures and gave orders.

Sarah was providing a feast to remember for this family of friends, and she was going to document it all with her camera phone as she turned and smiled at her son and Natasha and Loki, "Smile you three. You are the heroes of the day."

Steve was about to jokingly say something but Natasha stopped him, "Just smile, Steve." He did. The three of them took the photo before joining everyone for another 20 minutes of help, and of course, some liquor-filled drinks that were more than deserved.

Another 20 minutes of orders and photos and laughter as drinking and snacking and grazing occurred. And then, they all were seated at the very long and beautifully decorated table together.

Rhodey and Danny had even woken up too, welcomed by tears and hugs and thanks. Murdock was still asleep and would be for awhile as they all raised a glass to him, and to the six individuals on their stakeout near Niagara.

But they weren't going to let this moment pass. Rhodey was carefully helped over in a wheelchair. He was in a lot of pain, but the relief from being alive and with everyone in the room, outweighed it. He sat by Maria and Thor and Rand. They were all hurting too, but were all so damn happy to be alive, about to eat a mouth-watering meal.

Maria joked, "I guess we're all at the kid's table." But Thor corrected her, "No, Maria. I think this is more of a misfit's island." Everyone laughed, because they were the only ones who could possibly understand, that even in the darkest of times, humor can be found.

They all raised a glass to each other and cheered as they sat down to their feast. Fury toasted the task-force as a whole. And then gave thanks to Sarah, much to the snickering of Loki and Tony, and frowns of Bucky and Steve, and smiles of Natasha and Wanda. Thor and Maria toasted their friends again, for saving them and thanked the doctors for their great work. Strange even toasted Tony, for his wonderful hospitality and facilities, much to the shock of everyone at the table.

And then Sarah toasted her sons, "Well. This may not be a proper holiday, but I sure think it's a reason to celebrate. The country out there doesn't know what is truly going on. And you've all put your lives on the line multiple times in the span of 24 hours. They will all know the truth eventually, outside of these walls. And then they will all be just as thankful then, as we all are now. For each other and for you. For James. And for Steven."

A round of cheers and whistles came as Sam poured Maria some more water. She couldn't have liquor but she didn't care. Sam was pretty damn thankful too that she was awake and at his side.

Steve stood up and spoke last, "I'm not one to usually do this, but my mom…she uh. Well, she could find a way to make a deaf man hear with her heart. And I'm pretty sure, I'd find a way to end world hunger if it meant I could have a slice of her pumpkin pie. I know you all feel the same way. And if you haven't had it, you'll feel that way soon enough."

More laughter through drinks. Cho and Strange sat near 'misfit's island,' and Clint was by Laura. Jane had even taken her seat next to Thor. And Tony and Pepper, and Bucky and Wanda and Loki, and Bruce and Betty, all sat side-by-side.

Which left Peter, right in between Natasha and Steve as he continued, "I think Tony said it best to Ross last night. We should all be thanking Clint and Natasha and Loki. Without Clint and Natasha, I don't know where we'd all be. They stopped the deal in Kazakhstan, and delayed Poseidon getting the money they needed almost two years ago. We're only here, able to fight because of that. And Loki? Your methods sure were you, in the most dramatic ways. But without you working with Clint and Maria…Without you getting arrested nearly two months ago by us, and setting this all in motion…Well, Natasha wouldn't be here. We wouldn't all be here together. So, thank you to all of you."

Natasha was crying as Peter hugged her. Loki even teared up as Wanda brought him in for a kiss. Laura leaned over to rest her head on Clint's shoulder just for a moment as he looked very uncomfortable with all of affection, but sucked it up anyway.

And then Steve ended with, "Okay, enough of that. We all know what we're thankful for tonight. Now, let's dig in."


End Note –

Okay – I hope you were smiling during Stan's appearance. Honestly, (shocker) I cried writing him into the story. I've been holding onto his appearance for a while, and wanted to wait for the right time. It just felt right this chapter. We all have a lot to be thankful for as MCU and Marvel fans because of Mr. Stan Lee. ❤

So, an update on my progress to the end. I'm still fairly certain that there will be 30 chapters in total with this story.

So, in tying in with this chapter...call me a sap, because it may be appropriate right now. But I just am truly thankful for this community of readers that have followed this journey. I'm truly thankful for you all. And that all just kind of bled into the theme of this chapter.

You know how much I love hearing from you, so let me know your thoughts on this update, where you think we're going.

Have a great rest of the week.

Cheers!~~ Kat