Memories & Reality

by EightiesKat

This is an origin story of Natasha & Steve's relationship in an alternate universe. Their worlds and lives intersect in an earlier life at the FBI Academy. It follows their journey and the consequences of their actions through the past to present day. Angst / Romance / Pain / AU / Slow burn. I do not own any of this or any part of Marvel or the MCU

28. Endings & New Beginnnings

Note – I'll keep this short for now, so you can get to reading…Know this story has never left my brain or heart over the last year…As much of a black hole that 2020 was, I really wish I could have written and posted to provide a little more of this world I love so much…But, that wasn't possible. A year + later, after everything hit the fan, and I'm just hoping everyone's 2021 is going better.

I received some lovely messages and notes on this story in the last year and most were from guests I couldn't respond to. Know your words of support mean the world to me and I cherish them all!

I hope you enjoy Chapter 28 – Note at the end.

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Memories & Reality

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

Chapter 28 – Endings & New Beginnings

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12 Years Ago- New York City

"Bucky, I swear if you don't get out of the bathroom right now…"

Maria's voice accompanied her fists, as the banging sound reverberated off of the bathroom door. The sounds produced by her accomplished one other thing…Jostling Steve and Natasha awake.

Natasha groaned into Steve's chest, slowly blinking as her eyes opened, "Please tell me we have a little longer, Rogers. It cannot be time to get up yet."

She was laying directly on top of him as Steve grumbled back into Natasha's ear, "Is it too late for me to go back and agree for us to just get our own apartment in the city?"

Steve was of course, referring to their conversation only a few weeks prior, when Loki had taken the six men and women into NYC in a limousine. That was when Steve was adamant that Natasha lived with Maria and Wanda. And that he lived with Bucky and Sam. Steve felt right about the decision then. And Natasha did too after the words came out.

That was then. This was now.

Two weeks had passed since graduation. And it had been…chaotic. They all moved from Quantico the same day as Graduation, which wasn't hard because all of their belongings from their dorm rooms fit into suitcases. But the following two weeks were a whirl wind.

Fury made it clear to them as he waved them off at Quantico, "Two weeks. Have fun. Do whatever it is you need to do. Get settled in. Go be tourists and learn to be obnoxious locals in the city for all I care. But come Monday morning on your first day? Come ready and early to work at Headquarters. I'll see you in two weeks. Don't be late."

Fury didn't have to tell them twice.

Two weeks off? That amount of time seemed endless at the end of Quantico. In reality? It went by incredibly fast as their new beginnings in New York unfolded.

How did it go by so fast?

Life.

Bank accounts. Driver's license. Parking stickers. Insurance. Updating addresses. Employment paperwork and payroll information. Health benefits and reviewing employee policies. It was a pain in the ass, but it all needed to be done. It was part of transitioning anywhere.

And then there was the more fun and not as serious stuff, but just as important.

Moving trucks. Navigating their way through New York. Steve and Bucky and Maria showing pretty much everyone else in their group of 11 around. Where to eat. Where to drink. Where not to eat and drink.

The six men and women moved into their separate three-bedroom apartments. And the normal hustle and bustle of moving into a new living space filled their days, along with new responsibilities.

They shopped for cheap furniture and were able to convince some of Maria's family into donating a decent couch and chair. Maria convinced her dad to upgrade his house, and the women reaped the benefits. Then there was more shopping…for plates, and rugs, and towels and toiletries. For a cheap television that didn't make it look like they were watching T.V. in the 80's.

It was truly the women's and men's first adult apartment they'd lived in. Yes, Bucky and Steve had served overseas, but they'd been shipped around from location to location and intermittently stayed with their mother when they were on leave. Sam was the same. Maria had lived with her family, despite the constant joking and ridiculing she received from her siblings, while she went through the police academy. Wanda was fresh from college. And Natasha? Well, her story had been well written up to this point.

In short? No one, out of the six of them had to furnish their own apartment, prior to this experience. Becoming an adult, was in full-effect. And the rest of their friends couldn't help but laugh.

Loki and Tony were more…well off, to say the least. There was no need to buy cheap furniture on their watches, (which weren't cheap either, by the way.) And Rhodey, Thor, and Bruce were all a couple of years older, and just…weren't as stressed out with the world of buying dishes and Windex, and rugs, and paper towels as the six of them were.

Scratch that.

As the six of them, were stressed out…over the women's apartment. The men weren't strained in the slightest, by their own living arrangement. They were left to their own devices, and Sam and Bucky and Steve did not disappoint for humor's sake.

The men went to a hardware store, a discount furniture store, and Craigslist, and had their entire apartment furnished by Monday evening. Not even 12 hours after they'd opened up the apartment door for the first time as their own.

Granted, furnished was a loose term.

Furnished…to the three men, meant a queen mattress and box spring without even a frame in each of their bedrooms. It meant chipped dishes and cheap towels. It meant a rickety futon, and an old couch and loveseat. But they splurged and bought three obnoxiously large recliners that were on sale at the store they purchased the mattresses at. The salesman wanted to laugh, but he had to hand it to the men…they were efficient, and they knew what they wanted.

Furnished…meant they had a place to sleep and eat, and that was all that mattered. Everything beyond that? Well, it was all still in bags and boxes at their apartment. 'Future,' Steve, Bucky, and Sam could worry about actually making their apartment into anything other than a place to simply exist.

Back at Maria and Wanda and Natasha's, only a couple blocks away?

Their apartment…told a different story. Steve and Bucky took Sam's advice and left Wanda and Natasha on Monday, their first day after Graduation in the city. The women decided to go to Ikea in the suburbs first. And then Bed, Bath, and Beyond. And then Pier One after that, searching for bargains the entire time. Steve hadn't seen Natasha since they parted ways about 14 hours earlier when he crawled into bed with her that night.

Then Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday rolled around, and the women crashed at the men's apartment because all three of those nights, their own was airing out from cleaning supplies and paint fumes. The women realized they couldn't work on the men's apartment…when the men didn't even have as much as a throw pillow or blanket yet, or anything besides slabs of meat, beer, and water in their fridge.

But they stayed for three nights regardless, after working tirelessly on their own each day.

The women fell in love with their apartment, decorating it and getting everything just how they wanted it right away. They made the best with what they could on a tight budget, and somehow, they made their apartment a home. Bright colors, warm candles, and three days of painting and cleaning and decorating, and their apartment was officially ready by Friday. And the fumes were finally gone, so they could stay there again and not at the men's, "four walls and a floor," as Maria told Sam on the last night she crashed on their rickety futon.

"Jesus Sam, I've seen cardboard boxes with more character than this place."

The good news, was that yes, the women loved their three bedroom and two-bathroom apartment. Natasha won the game of rock, paper, scissors in determining who got the bedroom with the bathroom in suite. It was a tossup of who was more excited. Steve or her. And it was a tossup of who was more annoyed…Bucky or Maria.

Wanda tried to stay optimistic because she was…Wanda. But Maria knew. She knew that Bucky and Steve would be over…a lot. That wasn't the issue. The issue…was going to be centered around Maria getting her time in the morning to shower and blow-dry and get ready for work. Maria and Wanda coordinating around a short morning was one thing. But her, Wanda, and Bucky, (who didn't have a care in the world when he was tired,) was another.

Regardless, the first few days went by quickly. And they all celebrated at the end of their first week in New York. Everyone had more than gotten situated into their own places, but their official welcome to the city christening, took place at the women's apartment.

They had one week left of freedom. So, all 11 of them on Friday night, convened in Natasha and Wanda and Maria's little home they had made. It was just like Loki had warned when they came to NYC two weeks ago. Which resulted in a very late night, loud music, lots of pizza and beer…and a mess to clean up the next day.

The good news…was yes, the women's place was homier. Warmer. Nicer. More inviting. The bad news, was…that only meant the men were already inviting themselves over on the weekend. "Hey Sam, why don't you and those two blockhead brothers actually work on unpacking and making your apartment your own, instead of just making yourself at home here?"

Sam chuckled, "Your cute when you're trying to find a way to say, 'This is gonna get real annoying, really fast with the Brooklyn Brothers spending every night here.,' Hill. I think you're gonna have to have a talk with Wanda and Natasha about it, if it's annoying you."

Maria rolled her eyes on that Saturday morning, as she looked back and saw Bucky pulling Wanda into the hallway bathroom to make-out, but then sipped on her coffee and stared at Sam, "Why aren't you more annoyed, Sam?"

But before Sam had a chance to answer, Maria answered her own question…and threw a pillow at him, "Oh my god…you are the one coming out of this whole arrangement smelling like roses. God, I'm an idiot. Here I am lumping you into my concerns because you had to deal with this love bird crap at Quantico…just like me."

Sam was grinning ear-to-ear as Maria glared at him, "But you're happy as a clam right now because…you think you won't have to deal with them. You think because we've made our apartment nicer, those idiots will stay over here every night, and you'll basically have your own apartment."

Sam stood up and stretched, "Aw Maria. If you wanna come crash on our futon again, just text me. I'm going over to Thor's condo tonight, and we're gonna take it easy. Maybe watch some movies with Rhodey and Banner. My place will be all empty because I'm sure the fearsome foursome back there will not see the light of day until tomorrow morning…"

Maria playfully smacked him upside the head, "I don't want to sleep on your futon, Sam. I want to sleep in my bed." She took a breath and continued, "I don't mind them being here. They're family. You are too…but I want to shower…and wash last night's pizza and beer smell off of me. And I can't right now…because Bucky just pulled Wanda in the bathroom to do god knows what."

Sam laughed a little louder, "Oh Maria, I don't think we have to be God, to know what they're doing in there. I predict you won't make it to next weekend before you're calling a roommate meeting…to address the huge elephant in the room."

Maria started to argue back, "I don't care if they're hooking up, Sam…"

But Sam was laughing and waving her off, "Maria, the even bigger elephant called…Bucky's a slob and works on his own time…and doesn't see the obvious if it doesn't include his brother, his mother, or his girl. And even then? That is a stretch sometimes."

But Maria took a deep breath, "No, I'm just hungover. It's fine. Those two are like my brothers anyway. It's fine…I love having them here…I can just…wait to shower."

That was Saturday. They had a little over a week until they started at Quantico.

After a week of crashing at the men's apartments while paint fumes cleared the air, and then after agreeing to hosting the welcome party for all 11 of them, who could blame Maria for just wanting a relaxing weekend? She was chalking her nervous feeling up to that too. She just needed to find some time to relax, and everything would be good. A relaxing weekend, and then a week of settling into a morning routine before the very real world came calling a week from this coming Monday.

Sounded like a great plan, right?

Oh, the joys of having a roommate. Oh…the joys of having roommates with very serious boyfriends.

Sam…wasn't going to poke that bear right now. He was going to ride this train until it kicked him off. Maria was right. He had to deal with their 'lovey dovey,' crap all through Quantico. But specifically, he had to deal with Bucky being a slob of a roommate too, which was honestly worse. So, he was going to enjoy this while it lasted. And Sam was already counting the minutes until the impending blow-up between Bucky and Maria. Especially after he left their apartment that Saturday to the scene of Maria picking up Bucky's dirty socks on top of a pizza box in the corner.

"Why would he even put them here, Sam?"

"Oh Maria, you haven't even seen half of it." Sam chuckled and left her to the rest of her weekend.

That was Saturday. That was a week ago. This was Monday morning. The Monday morning of their first day on the job, "Barnes…I have no idea what you're even doing in there, because you still look like a scraggly troll when you get done…Hurry Up!"

Maria's voice made Natasha's eyes pop open this time. Yes, it was Monday morning, it was 5:00 am. And her alarm went off, blending in with Maria's pounding, as she reached over to turn it off. Steve grabbed her by the waist to hug her tight to his chest, "Sam told me yesterday at Mom's that there's an issue between those two…but I told him he was being an idiot. Now I'm not so sure."

Natasha yawned and kissed Steve's bare chest with a smile, "Oh, I tried to talk to your brother yesterday at Sarah's house too. I tried to talk to Maria even. I offered for her to use our shower, but she refused. She said I might have won our own private bathroom, but our shower was tiny, so it was a trade-off. She wanted her shower and tub…with her shampoo, and that it would be fine. Steve…she told me, Bucky would pick up on the fact that he has to be more sensitive to everyone's needs as roommates. That he'd figure out obvious boundaries."

Steve laughed pretty loud for it only being 5:00 am. He kissed the crown of Natasha's head and ran his hands up and down his T-shirt that she was wearing, "Maria…has siblings of her own, and clearly is in denial about how thickheaded my brother is at times, especially with his own shortcomings. Bucky…has always been a slob. And let's just say…he's always been obtuse about other people's priorities interfering with his own personal time."

Natasha ran her hands through Steve's hair as she looked up at his eyes. They were both waking up a little more, as green met blue, and a little warmth spread between them. Natasha drew her knees up at Steve's side as she curled every part of herself around him. Steve turned his head into the palm of her hand and settled his own hands on the curve of her ass, that was resting provocatively on his lower stomach.

"What did you say to Bucky yesterday at Mom's anyway? It was so chaotic with her having all 11 of us over for brunch, that I didn't even see you talk to him, Nat."

Natasha started placing small kisses on Steve's neck. And then his jaw. And then his chin as his breathing picked up a little before she answered, "It wasn't a long conversation…I just told him that he might want to consider the fact that he's in our apartment, and offer to use the bathroom last, after Maria and Wanda have finished…especially on workday mornings, otherwise things are going to get ugly soon."

Steve's hands pushed down on her, as his hips lifted up, causing that warmth to grow between them a little more. Their eyes darkened a bit, "What did he tell you, Nat?"

Natasha…wasn't even sure what they were talking about anymore, because she was biting her own lip in between sucking on Steve's, as her hips moved in rhythm with his hands. She could feel his good morning salute towards her as she sighed, but she answered anyway, "Your brother's a moron, Rogers. I love him. And he and Wanda are perfect for each other. But god, he doesn't have a clue with stuff like this…at all. He told me there was nothing to worry about, and that Maria loved him like a brother, like I do. And that we're all one big happy family. We'd only lived in New York together for two weeks, so there was nothing to worry about."

Steve's hands tightened on Natasha's waist as he felt her lips tease his own. Dawn had risen, and so had their desire. And all Steve could focus on was the smell of vanilla on Natasha's skin from her lotion, "And that was it? Conversation over?"

Natasha moved to kiss Steve's neck again, before she slid right over that good morning hello from a few seconds ago. A soft moan came out of her, and a heavy breath out of him, as only his boxer briefs, and the thin fabric of her underwear separated them. Natasha laughed a little breathlessly, "I think…we should let Bucky and Maria sort out these details right now. And I think this conversation is officially over, Rogers. Now let's start off our first Monday before work with a bang."

Natasha blew a kiss to him as she moaned a little louder, pressing down onto him as he held her tight, with his hands under his shirt on her back, "God, I love you, Romanoff."

They settled into their morning wake-up as the alarm shut off and as Maria's pounding kept going.

Some endings and beginnings were bigger and more meaningful. Some…were a simple awakening to adulthood, the real world, and all the adjustments and responsibilities that go with it.

Yes, two weeks had flown by in New York City. And they were officially about to start their first day at the FBI. Their time as trainees had ended as their time as agents was about to begin…But there were a few loose ends to tie up first. Steve and Natasha worked towards their loose ends as they tried to stay quiet, while Maria was about to work on her loose end with Bucky.

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Present Day – Two Weeks Later - Task-Force Compound

News Report:

CE: I'm Christine Everhart with Marvel's 616 Live Broadcast. We have an update for you at this hour.

It has been two weeks since Poseidon's base of operation was taken out. And as you all know by now, the heroic group that has been branded as, The Quantico 11…or The FBI Avengers, laid one of their own to rest two days ago.

The public funeral of Loki, the man who gave everything in his own life, to save the lives of others, was held here in New York City two days ago. It was a beautiful memorial and a sad site to see. But wow, did people see it. His brave team members from the past 12 years, stood at the front of St. Patrick's Cathedral, while his service moved 10's of millions of people to tears, tuning in from around the country and world.

The Quantico 11 were stoic. Their brave faces settled as President Ellis addressed the attendees, and as Directors Pym and Ross of the FBI and CIA spoke. Next, as Secretary of State, Thaddeus Ross delivered his message. And finally, as Assistant Director Nick Fury gave the final word.

The Arch Bishop of New York presided over the funeral with a moving sermon. And of course, the list of famous singers and guitarists, and the choir was all impressive.

It is still a mystery as to why none of Loki's team members spoke. The media was told that they were too distraught to be able to speak at the service, but everyone watching was truly hoping to hear from any one of the other original 'Avengers.' Specifically, the team's leader Steve Rogers, or either of the siblings that this story has centered around, Clint Barton or Natasha Romanoff.

The thirst for information about the siblings and their involvement with Loki has only sky rocketed over the last two weeks. This entire story and how it unfolded, is something out of a vintage Cold War story, or a New York Times best-selling fiction novel from Tom Clancy.

But to all my listeners out there, you know as well as I do, this wasn't fiction. It was all too real.

Poseidon – an old Soviet terrorist group that grew decade after decade, seeking world power. Wanting to tear down the ideals of Western advancements and culture. Poseidon - a group that had successfully planted spies in our own government and others, internationally. The infiltration had been more than successful, with a spy rising in ranks, as high as President Ellis's own cabinet. Of course, I am speaking about Secretary of Defense, Alexander Pierce.

The public will have to wait patiently for justice to be served towards Pierce and others, like Jasper Sitwell, Obadiah Stane, Barron Zemo, Senator Stern of New York, and Darren Cross. Yes, patience will be needed as we wait for their trials, as well as all of the lower level Poseidon operatives, arrested and taken into custody by the FBI.

That same patience will be needed world-wide, as the terrorists captured overseas by the brave men and women that stood tall around the globe two weeks ago, all await trial too.

The FBI and CIA Directors have been releasing statements daily since that horrifying day, after President Ellis's initial address to the nation that same evening.

We all remember that President Ellis apologized to the American People, as other leaders from around the world did the same. And we all remember that President Ellis promised to work relentlessly to root out every last weed and operative…to right the wrongs, infecting this country, decade after decade. He may not have been around when Poseidon first found their way into United States' democracy, but President Ellis promised to eradicate every last Poseidon terrorist under his watch. And he promised the American People, they would be cured from Poseidon's infection.

Unfortunately, the statements from the FBI, CIA, Homeland Security, NSA, and the Whitehouse have not released many more details than that. The public trials will begin in six weeks from now for all of the men I just mentioned. Secretary Pierce will surely take most of the spotlight. The prosecution team seems to have a slam-dunk case on its hands, with all of the intel rumored to have been secured from Poseidon's camp by The FBI Avengers two weeks ago.

But the public interest in this story only continues to grow.

The outrage from the public is only increasing, that this ever happened to begin with. The anger that is directed at the media and news outlets, like yours truly, is strong. I have said it before, and I will continue saying it. We at Marvel 616 were wrong, along with every other news outlet as we reported on Nick Fury and his team.

Loki, and the siblings from Russia, were never out to harm this country. We only have him and Nick Fury's entire team, along with all of the other brave men and women that stood up and fought two weeks ago, to thank. And we will continue to thank all of them.

Whatever you want to call them, The FBI Avengers…The Quantico 11…They have taken over media, news, and pop culture across the globe. The Quantico 11 of course includes all of the names that you have grown to know and love over the last two weeks, from Steve Rogers to Natasha Romanoff, and all of their friends and family. T-shirts have been made. I've seen citizens of New York, and images of fellow global citizens world-wide, getting actual tattoos with some of The Avengers' faces on it.

Yes, these brave men and women have become quite famous over the last two-weeks in this country. And their world-wide counter parts have too.

From the Carter Sisters in London, to the Rogue team called The Guardians of Australia, who's accidental message by Morse Code went viral for several days over the last two weeks. Interest in these courageous people has skyrocketed, and only continues to rise, as they all continue to decline requests for interviews. No one has even given a single comment.

And with each day that passes, the questions pile up as interest grows in The Quantico 11. They saved thousands upon thousands in this world. And what now?

Are they hiding out? Are they overseas? Are Natasha and Steve in love again, like we found out they were many years ago, back in their days after graduating from Quantico? Will Clint and Natasha ever return to Russia? Or will the siblings stay in the states, now that they are finally free? What will become of Stark Industries? Will we ever get the happy family shot of Wanda, Bucky, and Peter Barnes that people, globally are begging for?

And will Nick Fury continue as the Assistant Director of his brave team after this trying period of time over the last several months?

These are all questions that are on American citizens' minds. We respectfully understand that The FBI Avengers need time to heal.

But the citizens of the world want to know and understand their heroes that they love.

They want to continue to pay tribute to Loki – a man who fell from grace, only to rise from the ashes to save his friends and innocent lives across this country, by sacrificing himself two weeks ago. Yes, Loki. A man who was originally part of this Quantico 11, and who fell into the criminal underworld. He climbed to the top of the FBI's most wanted list, and he gave his criminal empire up for the love of his friends…to save his best friend Natasha Romanoff.

Loki's journey to save his loved ones continued, only to save the rest of his family of friends, two months later, by choosing to stop the criminal Adrian Toomes, under the command of Wilson Fisk, (New York's menace from years ago.) He prevented the bombs from disappearing into the world, that could have killed 10's of thousands of lives, and he didn't hesitate a second to do so. We were all reminded of this, through the sermon and from the words of the leaders who beautifully spoke at his funeral.

But it only leaves us all wanting to know more. Each day the desire for the media to sit down with The FBI Avengers from New York, grows. And each day since that tragic day two weeks ago, they are nowhere to be found in the public.

With the exception of two days ago, when we all saw The Quantico 11 standing stoically at the front of St. Patrick's Cathedral…without shedding a single tear, they have been missing from the public eye. Do they actually have a secret hideout? Like something out of a comic book, that has been rumored at, in the tabloids?

We don't know, but the public sure wants to know.

If you're listening Avengers, know that we love you and we thank you. We would love to hear from you. The public just wants to be able to spend time with you, in any way they can. We want to continue to pay tribute to Loki. We want to pay tribute to all the men and women who lost their lives two weeks ago. We want to thank you for ending Poseidon, and for starting a new beginning in this country. One without the terrorist group infiltrating our government.

Thank you, listeners for tuning 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.

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The radio turned off with a resounding click that seemed to almost vibrate through Steve and Natasha's bedroom at the safehouse.

Steve turned it off, and Natasha's face flinched a little from the silence that followed it before Steve spoke, "I think nothing good is going to come from listening to that crap…especially this morning, Nat."

Steve had just finished getting dressed. He was in his suit and tie. The same suit and tie that he wore to Natasha's funeral. Only now, it wasn't for her funeral. It was for Loki's. And not the public farce of one that was 'performed' two days ago. This was the day of his actual funeral. With his actual family of friends.

It was morning, and they were all about to leave soon.

Natasha…was taken aback when she looked over at Steve, "You…you shaved?"

Natasha's eyes couldn't leave Steve's face. She was staring at him…so much so, that he began blushing. His face, which for the first time, in a very long time, she could actually see. The blush crept up his cheeks that wasn't covered by his beard right now. She couldn't say anything else at the moment, because honestly? She was a little in shock.

She wasn't frowning. But she wasn't smiling either. Natasha didn't know what to think, because all she could focus on, was that she was looking at Steve Rogers' smooth skin and baby blues that went so well together. She was looking at that face for the first time…in seven long years.

Steve had never cared what anyone thought of his appearance. It just wasn't in his nature. But the way Natasha was looking at him right now, was a little unnerving. He let about 15 seconds pass before he finally said, "Natasha…I'm sorry if you don't like it…I just. With today and all. I…"

Natasha couldn't help it.

The same young man who actually fumbled over his words, when they first ran into each other 12 years ago, was still undone by her inquisitive stare. And all Natasha could think, was how much Loki would love this moment, as she chuckled through a choked breath. A tear quickly followed as she wiped it away. She was in her black dress that went to her knees and covered her arms and was all ready to go. Walking over to Steve, she ran her hands up the lapels of his jacket, tightened his tie a little and looked up.

Natasha ran her fingers gently over his chin…and then his cheeks, before lifting herself up on her toes to kiss him firmly on the mouth, "You look very handsome, Soldier. You just caught me by surprise. And then all I could think of, was how much Loki would love giving you a hard time, with how adorable you look without your brooding beard."

Steve blushed again. She was right. She always was. "I promise, Nat. I'm not keeping this look up. I'm growing the beard back right away…I just…I thought that I should shave it today…for Loki."

Natasha grinned at him, "Steve, contrary to Loki's jokes. You saved me. Not your beard. And I love the beard, so I'm not gonna lie…I'm glad you're growing it back. But this?" She patted his cheeks lightly as he shut his eyes and took a breath, "Well, it's nice to re-visit your handsome face, even if it's short lived. It reminds me of Quantico."

Quantico. Their beginning. How long ago it seemed right now.

Steve held her hand in his over his cheek as he took another breath, "Yeah…that was kind of the idea. It's just us with him today, to put him to rest. So, I thought…I don't know. Maybe it seems stupid."

Natasha knew what Steve was saying, "I get it Steve. You want to just remember a time when everything seemed…good. A time when all of us were together early on. It's a nice thought…and it's very sweet. And Loki would love that he…was finally the thing that got you to shave your beard…Temporary or not."

Steve's arm circled around Natasha's waist as he pulled her closer. He brushed his lips across hers gently as the hint of vanilla and cinnamon came across his senses that he loved so much. And she could smell the simple smell of after shave and deodorant on him. Yes, it was silent after the radio was turned off, but their heads were loud with thoughts as Steve held Natasha tight.

---

Thoughts consumed Steve and Natasha for a moment.

Thoughts about the last two weeks. The last two and a half months. The last seven…and then 12 years. The 11 of them from the FBI. Clint. Everyone else they had met and become close with, since Loki was arrested.

And then the negative ones followed. Beyond just the heartache and pain. Beyond the grief of their fallen brother in arms and best friend. Beyond the horrors of losing so many good men and women two weeks ago, in their fight against Poseidon.

It was the negative thoughts and feelings that formed…from that goddamn news report that Steve had just turned off from Marvel's 616 broadcast.

The last two weeks had been utter chaos as the team grieved and reeled through everything together back at the safehouse. Just like Natasha and Steve waded through their own grief and pain, after she was saved and woke up from her coma…after the realization that they'd lost a child…the entire team in the safehouse was wading through their grief together, now too.

Anger. Depression. Bargaining. Denial. Acceptance.

So many revolving emotions.

The anger and pain were evident as the team returned to the compound the same evening after Loki sacrificed himself. They had returned…to a very distraught Maria, Thor, and Rhodey. Fury held it together, like Sarah. Mainly for Peter, but also because things had to be done on the global scale as Fury worked with Ross and the Directors and President Ellis and Colonel Phillips on communication strategies with the media, as they sifted through all of the intel recovered world-wide on Poseidon.

Daisy, Bobbi, and Lance took off and said they would stay in touch form D.C. Dum-Dum-Dugan and Carol Danvers and their teams both checked in when they were back at their bases. Valkyrie and her crew left too.

Murdock and Rand…and now Luke Cage still needed medical care. Yes, the mercenaries became close with the task-force over the last short period of time. But…they also needed space. They were used to it just being the five of them plus Clint (when he showed up) most of the time. And most importantly, they also knew, just like everyone else, that the task-force needed space to grieve on their own.

So, Dr. Strange and his colleagues helped stitch up Luke Cage that evening, and Dr. Cho oversaw the mercenaries' transfer to a wing in a hospital in New York City. With the threat of Poseidon gone, the mercenaries would be safe. And they were unknown to the public, just the way they liked it.

The Doctors didn't need to stay under lock and key with the team anymore, so Dr. Cho returned to the city, and promised to be the attending physician over the mercenaries at the hospital. And Jane and Laura took over the responsibility of staying at the safehouse. They had…personal interests besides actually wanting to help.

And Dr. Strange? He was busy the evening of the explosion, to put it mildly. Stitching Steve's stomach. Sewing up Sam's arm and Bucky's shoulder. Examining Tony's knee, and removing the bullet from Clint's thigh. Cleaning up every single one of the eight task-force members' cuts and bruises and bleeding lacerations. "It's a good thing I had an affinity towards the game, 'Operation,' as a kid. Although you all have given me more practice than all of my rotations in medical school combined over the last three months."

Dr. Strange…was more than ready for a break.

And just like that. Just as Stephen Strange whirled in to save Natasha, that fateful night after Steve saved her at the cabin and brought her back to FBI Headquarters…he vanished just as quickly. His parting words were true to the man the team had gotten to know, "Well, Stark. It's been nice slumming it, truly. But my car…and shower…and bed are calling."

Strange smirked at Tony, "Sorry, Stark…this is really a nice and quaint facility you've patched together. But I need my space. And now that you've all…saved the world or whatever it is that you did, exactly…I think I can leave you all recovering nicely, and in the capable hands of Dr. Foster, Dr. Banner, and Laura and Sarah."

Tony nodded as Strange left. Contrary to their butting of heads on their first meeting, Tony gave Dr. Strange a grin. He wasn't offended, and understood. Strange and everyone else, were trying to give the over-sized, but also, very over-crowded safehouse…just a little more room. He was leaving, so the remaining people could breathe a little, and could somehow, begin to process and grieve what'd just happened.

That was the beginning of their physical recoveries. And as horrible as it sounded on the surface…the actual injuries from what they'd all just been through, were the easy part of the journey. Clint was limping around. Steve kept holding his side, like Tony kept rubbing his knee. Sam and Bucky held their arm and shoulder. Bruce and Wanda and Natasha all looked like they'd been through the ringer too, with their butterfly bandages over scrapes and cuts, and ice packs over swollen bruises. They all fit together, and looked like a scrappy gang that had paid their due.

Turns, out when David meets Goliath, and wins? The evidence shows.

It showed on the outside, physically. But the evidence poured out, in between the glances from the family of friends.

After all the surgeries had been performed, and after everyone that was leaving had gone, Pepper and Betty and Sarah sat in the kitchen going over needs for the safehouse and other incidentals with Laura and Jane.

Earlier, the reunions were filled with tears of relief, but also sadness. Maria and Laura hugged Sam and Clint. Sarah kissed her sons and hugged her girls. Betty and Pepper fell into Bruce and Tony's arms. Rhodey and Thor made their rounds too. Relief was there in their tears, but so was pain.

Pain from who wasn't with them.

Peter was scared to see why Bucky was bleeding and why Wanda had puffy red eyes and bruises, and why everyone looked dirty and sad, but mostly he was relieved to just be hugging his parents again. And then hugging Steve and Natasha, and everyone else. Sarah had sheltered Peter from finding out about Loki, or understanding much of what really happened, when Steve and everyone were on comms from earlier that day. How could he understand? All he understood right now, was that his parents were okay. And mostly everyone had returned. He fell asleep quickly in Wanda and Bucky's arms as they sat on the couch later that evening.

Silence filled the air, as the 10-remaining task-force members, along with Clint, sat with Fury on the couch and loveseat and recliners with the fireplace crackling and burning bright. They didn't dare turn on the television that night.

It was Thor who actually spoke first. He and Maria and Rhodey, were dealing with their own unique layers of guilt and blame, wishing they somehow could have been in the field with their team that day, "I guess we all look like we belong on misfit island, now don't we?"

Rhodey patted his shoulder as Sam smiled and Tony let out a small chuckle, "Yeah, Patches. We all match now…like any good ending in battle. We all look banged up…just enough."

Sam and Bucky and Clint's gunshot wounds, and Steve's stab wound, might have been too close for comfort. But even Tony's sarcasm dwindled because of how everyone was feeling.

Shock. Anger. Sadness.

The incredibly profound feeling of all three emotions.

Fury had tried to comfort his team initially, with his own words, "I want you all to know, I'm so proud of each and every one of you…" But he couldn't continue. He hadn't cried yet, but he was at a loss for words.

Overcome with emotions, all Fury could think about, was how not even 24 hours ago, he and Loki had shaken hands and officially put all of their crap behind them.

A leader and an agent. In some ways, they had the father and son relationship that Loki had always wanted, that he was lacking in his own life, and that Fury had never experienced. That's how he felt towards everyone in his group of 11. And Clint had fallen into that category by default.

So, losing Loki?

Fury couldn't say exactly what it was like to lose a biological son or daughter in this world. But he imagined it was somewhere in the realm of what he was feeling now. And it all came to the surface as he looked at his battered sons and daughters, he'd grown to love over the last 12 years. And for the first time in his life, he truly didn't have an answer or directive for his loved ones' emotions. Maria started sniffling. Rhodey and Thor patted each other's backs. Tony and Sam became tight in the throat. They all sat there quietly, filled with emotion as Fury's voice broke.

That was how grief worked. Yes, sometimes even when you win you lose. What a painful and unfair lesson in life that they were all feeling and breathing right now. Grief isn't pretty or organized. It isn't fair or seamless. It ebbs and flows and is viscous with its timing.

Wanda was happy to be holding her son and husband. And Natasha was relieved to be in Steve's arms, with him recovering from a stab wound that thankfully wasn't deep. But they were a wreck. Hair disheveled. Voices ragged from sobbing all afternoon. And bloodshot eyes.

When Fury looked at them, he had to finally excuse himself as the words trailed off, "I'm going to get a little air." Sarah watched him leave, and then went out the door to get some air with him.

That left 11 of them sitting around the fire with Peter, sound asleep.

11.

A number that always meant something whole to them. Something complete. The group of 11 from 12 years ago. The 11 friends that became a family of agents. That had lost each other, and found their way back to each other.

Now, that number was truly 10, plus one.

Now, their time as the 11 friends from Quantico was no more. It was the end of that cherished time. Their time together was frozen in their memories now. Because that's where Loki would remain forever. In their memories and hearts…and in the past.

Clint was a surrogate and felt a little odd being there. He didn't want to intrude as he stood up, trying to do what everyone else had…giving the rest of them a little space. But Tony shook off the wavering thoughts in Clint's head and confirmed what everyone was feeling, "You were out there with us today, Barton. We're all only here together again…We all, only got to find Loki again because of you and him working together. So, don't even think about going anywhere. You're one of us. And in a way, you've been there, since the beginning with all of us too."

Everyone tried to form a smile and Steve nodded at him, which did comfort Clint as he sat back down next to Tony and Bruce.

More sniffles. More clearings of throat. They were all trying to hide the fact that they'd just been to hell and back. And they were all kind of on the verge of a breakdown. It all mixed with the fire rumbling in the background, and with the murmuring of Pepper and Betty and Jane and Laura in the kitchen, quietly making lists of things to do and order and organize.

No one expected Wanda and Natasha to speak. Wanda held Peter as Bucky sat by her. And Natasha sat on her other side, holding her other hand as Steve wrapped his arm around her.

The five of them were crammed onto the big couch, and wouldn't move an inch from each other's sides. First, five minutes passed since Fury left for some air. And then 10. And then 30. The all sat quietly with their thoughts, until it was actually…the four-year old boy waking up in his parent's arms that broke the silence.

Peter yawned and looked around at all of the adults surrounding him, and it looked like something out of a cartoon. A cartoon with recovering heroes, all bandaged up. He looked up at his Dad first and then his mom, making sure that they were okay before he peeked over at Natasha and Steve. And then he looked at everyone else he'd gotten to know over the last month, and noticed…someone wasn't there.

"Mom, where's Loki?"

Clint muttered under his breath, "Damn." Bruce looked down as everyone else held back tears that were now coming in full force.

The innocence of a child.

Sometimes they can bulldoze their way through emotions in the best possible way. Sometimes, all the filters are taken away. And when the 11 adults looked at Peter's innocent eyes. All they saw was that he was looking for a friend. His funny and fantastic friend that'd taught him magic tricks and who he loved to tease about being the team pet from his drawings.

Such an innocent thought, but Peter's face and realization that something bad had happened, summed up all of their pain inside. The team watched as Peter's innocence washed away and as fear filled his eyes.

Peter didn't know what he was feeling, of course. He wasn't old or mature enough to understand what exactly happened. But children are incredibly smart. And Peter…was very perceptive for his age. He was smart enough to understand, that everyone was sad when they returned to the safehouse. That everyone was still sad when he woke up. And now? Everyone seemed to get even more upset at the mention of Loki's name.

No…no one expected Natasha or Wanda to talk, but somehow, they were the only ones who could speak in that moment. It was poetic in a beautiful way, that the remaining two women from the trio of best friends, guided Peter through another harsh lesson in life. Peter was learning that sometimes, people we see every day…people we grow to love and want to be there, even if it's just to laugh and tease and learn magic tricks from. He was learning that people who are there one second, sometimes aren't there the next.

Peter was learning about death.

It was as simple as that, in this thing called life. Life is precious and short and beautiful. But it's oh so fragile and fleeting at times. And moments like these? Whether someone is young or old, these moments stay with them for life.

When Peter was at Natasha's funeral, he was far too young to realize anything that was going on. This was different.

Peter would remember this. Because knowing that death is part of life? It's one thing to see it in movies or in comic books or hear it in stories. It's entirely another, to experience it in a way, that allowed him to process the sadness inside. To realize that someone he'd gotten to see a day ago, was gone.

Yes, it was Wanda and Natasha who guided Peter through this very tough lesson in life. Not at the adult level, with the dark and horrific details, they knew all too well. But at his level.

They told Peter the story of an unlikely hero.

---

Wanda looked at her son with her tired and red eyes, but ones that were still filled with love. And then she looked over to Natasha and somehow found the way to answer his question, "Peter, I want you to think of your stories that we read you at night. Like, 'I Love You, Stinky Face.' Sometimes in the stories there are princes and sometimes there are the people the princes are fighting."

"Like a dragon?" Peter looked up at his mother and she smiled warmly at him, "Yes Peter, like a dragon."

Natasha naturally picked up where Wanda stopped, "Peter, sometimes in your stories though, it's not a dragon. Sometimes, it's a person that they're fighting, isn't it?"

Peter nodded as Wanda took over, "Well today, your Uncle Loki was the bravest prince of them all. Out of all of the stories you've heard…, Loki was the bravest."

Natasha took a breath and squeezed Wanda's hand, "A long time ago, Peter. Loki was born. And just like princes in your story, his family had a lot of riches. His father, was not type of father you have. And you have the best type of father, in the whole world. But Loki's mother? She was kind and loved Loki, very much. And she was able to teach him about loving others, and she helped him become the man that was always supposed to be."

Wanda squeezed Natasha's hand back, "Loki made some mistakes in his life, just like some of the princes in the stories have. But above everything else. At the end of the story? Loki's family and his friends…everyone in this room…were the most important thing to him. His mother gave him his heart. And because of the love that Loki had inside, he was able to stop some very bad men that wanted to hurt a lot of people today."

Peter looked around at everyone in the room and saw that they were physically hurt, but Natasha spoke to ease his thoughts, "Everyone here fought with all of their heart and strength, Peter. And we all came away with a few bumps and bruises. But we're all going to be okay."

Peter looked at Natasha, and somehow made a connection, "Were the bad men like the ones that hurt you, Nat?"

Steve's arm tightened around Natasha as she shut her eyes for a second and took a breath as Wanda continued, "Peter, they were some of the same bad men. And your Uncle Loki, was so brave and strong out there today…We all fought together, just like in your comics and stories. But Loki stopped them for good. And all of us were able to come back here because of him. But Loki…wasn't able to come back."

Peter started to make another connection as he heard a couple of tightened breaths and heavy sighs from the adults surrounding him. His face fell as he asked, "Is Loki…dead?"

Wanda kissed his forehead as Natasha blinked tears away. He looked to both of them as they both nodded at him while Wanda spoke, "Yes, sweetheart, Loki died today. He stopped the bad men today, and stopped them from being able to hurt a lot of people. He was so brave…"

Wanda's lip started to tremble as Peter leaned back on Bucky's chest and whispered, "He's gone?"

Natasha took over because Wanda wasn't able to anymore, "Hey Peter? You know how Loki liked to teach you magic tricks, right? Well, I think he saved his best magic trick for you, and for all of us…for last."

Peter looked at her as she continued, "When we love someone? When they're important in our hearts? Well, that is when the magic comes to life. Loki will always be in here…and in here."

Natasha pointed to his head and his heart as Wanda kissed her son's hand, "Natasha is right, Peter. He's always going to be in our hearts and memories. When you remember him? When you draw him as a cat? When you do his magic tricks? You'll remember him, and that's the magic. Because he'll never be gone then. He'll live on with us, every time we remember him."

Peter was crying. He didn't understand the complexities or seriousness behind what he'd been told. But he understood that his mother and father, and every other adult in the room were sad. Sometimes, you don't need to know details or drawn out explanations. Sometimes you only need to see, that the most important people in your life are hurting, to hurt too.

Peter was a sweet child with his father's spunk and stubbornness. But he had his mother's heart. And he understood that things were different as he sniffled into Bucky's chest for a few minutes until he fell asleep again.

That was how the night after the explosion ended. First Clint, Bruce and Tony went up to their rooms. Then Sam helped Maria and Rhodey and Thor back to their gurneys. Then Wanda and Bucky made their way to their room with Peter.

Finally, Fury came back inside, as he and Sarah made their way to their separate rooms.

Steve and Natasha didn't leave the downstairs that night. She fell asleep against Steve's chest crying as he rubbed her back. They were both in pain on the inside and out. They were both trying to wrap their heads around what'd all happened that day. And they both were trying to figure out what the end of Poseidon meant for their new beginning.

---

The following week and a half, was filled with chaos that filled everyone in the safehouse's day-to-day schedule.

Pepper worked on statements to be released to the media, but always declined for any personal comments. And the task-force soon realized that a frenzy had formed about their lives and interactions.

About them.

From trending on Twitter daily, to the 24-hour news cycle always reporting on Poseidon, and the take-down by the task-force in America and world-wide…well, their faces and names were plastered all over the internet and television screens day after day.

The Quantico 11. The FBI Avengers…And Clint and Fury.

Every single one of them swept it under the rug and thought it would blow over. They had other matters to deal with.

They spent each day sifting through all of the intel gathered at Poseidon's compound. They assisted the FBI, CIA, and other worldwide intelligence agencies to seek out the rest of Poseidon's lingering terrorists, and watched them be arrested, one-by-one.

The team would listen to daily reports from Phillips and the CIA. Reports on the leads…and dead ends with tracking down Rumlow, Oksana and Ivan. Fury saw the frustration growing with each passing day in Clint and Natasha's eyes, but assured them a week after Loki's death, "With each lead that we can cross off, it just narrows the focus. The world is looking for them, and Russia wants nothing to do with them anymore. They'll turn up soon."

Everyone worked on healing and getting better physically, and trying to find a way to still joke and keep going, even though the quips weren't as snappy, and the jokes weren't as funny for that first little while. Loki being gone left a hole. But for the most part, they all worked and lived and dealt with their grief, both as a whole and individually.

They all had their moments, dealing with bouts of anger or depression. But they had all accepted it. It wasn't easy, but they saw it with their own eyes and heard it through Loki's last words. There wasn't a question like Steve had with Natasha. They knew this was different, and it was a new beginning for all of them.

A time without Loki. A time after they'd won…when Poseidon was done.

And then about a week and a half after the explosion, Secretary Ross came by and told the team what had been directed to him, by President Ellis. Ross told them, that a very public funeral was going to be held at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. He tried to sugar coat it and spin it, into a story of honoring a great man and having all of these accolades at this service for him.

But none of the team were having it. They knew what was really going on.

The country was fucking angry as hell that terrorists had almost succeeded. They were livid at the government because Poseidon was able to infiltrate, all the way up to the level of Secretary of Defense. And they were beyond pissed off, that the media had bought into Pierce's lies…The lie that the task-force and the 'sibling spies' were to blame.

The President needed a win. The media was salivating for the glory and pomp and circumstance to be on display. And the task-force could smell it a mile away.

Clint laughed sarcastically when Ross told them their "Presence was requested by the President at the Cathedral for Loki's service." Fury knew this was headed for a blow-up. Tensions were high and emotions were fragile.

And Natasha was not afraid to speak up, "You want us to perform for you, Ross? So, everyone who wanted to hang us publicly not even two weeks ago, can feel better about their guilt? You want us to pretend that any of you give a damn about Loki being gone? You don't care about any of it. All you want to do is make yourself look good. And you know that if we're not all there, then no one will buy any of your pathetic show."

Natasha was standing as Ross stared at her, "Fury, control you attack dogs. You know the drill here. It's not clean or nice. But it's necessary…For the greater good. You know it. This country needs to heal, and needs to trust that the people who fought Poseidon, are on the leaders of this country's side. You know it's how this works, Nick. I expect every single one of you to be at the funeral in three days."

The team was bitter. It felt wrong. It felt twisted to be doing something fake…even if Ross had a point. He tried to do his best and say something he thought would help, "Look at it this way. Loki would have loved all of the attention his funeral is going to get."

Bad timing, and definitely bad wording on his part.

Ross was only the messenger, but none of them were having it. Wanda may have been the heart of the team, but she was hurting right now. She shocked the hell out of everyone as she stood up from the conference table marched over to Ross, and slapped him hard across the jaw.

Rhodey and Tony cracked up laughing as Sam and Maria's eyes went wide. Clint muttered, "Shit." And everyone was left stunned as she looked at Secretary Ross and gave him a chilling stare, "Secretary Ross, don't pretend like you're our friend. You wanted to lock us all up only a few weeks ago. You wanted to hang Clint and Natasha and Loki. I know this wasn't your decision. But don't come in here and pretend like you give a damn about us. And don't you dare, ever pretend like you know what Loki would have wanted or not."

Ross glared at Wanda and then looked around the room. Fury sighed heavily and nodded at him, "Ross, why don't I walk you out. Now may not be the best time for you to prove…that you have an ability to overstay your welcome."

Ross listened and did leave after talking with Fury privately for a few minutes, and Fury came back…to a conference room full of arguing team members and friends over what Ross had told them. Most of them were adamantly against it. A couple of them like Bruce and Rhodey, saw the bigger picture and knew that the situation wasn't so black and white.

Fury chuckled to himself at a memory. A very similar memory, finding them all together arguing, two and a half months ago…after Steve arrested Loki and returned to the FBI with him.

Fury's laugh caused everyone to stop and stare as he spoke to them, "Look. Ross is an easy target right now to focus all of our anger at. But I'm going to tell you something I know you don't want to hear. He's right."

Clint was the first to voice his thoughts, "Fury, Ross is full of shit, trying to tell us that this is what America needs. He's only here because President Ellis and everyone in Washington needs a win. That's it, and you fucking know it. They don't care about American citizens actually feeling better."

Bucky grabbed Wanda's hand that she'd slapped Ross with and began rubbing her knuckles, and Natasha had her elbows on her knees as she looked down. Fury took a deep breath, "Clint, I know that. Yes, everyone who's going to be at this sham of a funeral might not be putting it on with good intentions, but that doesn't mean what he said was wrong."

Fury took a breath, "Look, the truth is, Tommy and Janie…who go to work every day for their families, just to come home, live their normal lives, and get up and do it all over again the next day…don't give a damn about what their intentions are either."

Now Fury had their attention as he went back to the front of the table, "What'd we teach you at Quantico? Sometimes, the most ridiculous, or the most mundane, tasks can help the people of this country. No, Tommy and Janie don't give a damn about what Ross and Ellis's motivations are. They care that they were almost killed last week by a terrorist organization that was growing inside this country. They care that they were failed by our leaders. That they were lied to by the Secretary of Defense about all of you. So, you need to know, they sure as hell care about all of you. Because you didn't fail them. They care a great deal about all of you, and everyone that gave their lives that day."

Fury was striking a nerve as he went on, "Loki is the face of their feelings, and they're pouring it into that. I know you all didn't ask for the spotlight, or any of this. But the people of this country care about their grief and mourning, and they also need to be able to see that you are grieving right along with them. It will help them heal, so they don't feel so damn scared anymore when all they're trying to do, is get up and go to work, just to come home to do it all over again."

A couple of sighs came out of Tony and Bucky and Sam. They started to realize what Fury was saying, was making a lot of sense, no matter how much they didn't want to hear it.

Their job? Yes, required fight and will and determination. And yes, sometimes it required sacrifice. But it also required, them to swallow the gross feelings they were wanting to regurgitate right now for the greater good.

The greater good…

Loki…gave his life for all of them…but for the greater good too. To save innocent lives. But what they were being asked to do right now? No, maybe the citizens of this country didn't require it. But it would help ease their fears. It would help to see the team all together on television, paying their respects to their fallen teammate, representing all of the fallen people that day. So, while it wasn't required…It was definitely something that could help, no matter what the actual motivations were behind it.

Sometimes, the greater good required compromise. To swallow a person's pride or stubborn fight. Sometimes, it simply required someone to do something they didn't want to do.

They all knew that and had jumped through hoops and had done stuff like this before in their professional careers. Smile and make nice. Swallow their words and actual thoughts. Show up to an event or ceremony when they knew it was for a photo op by someone like Secretary Ross. They all knew this, which is why it had gone eerily quiet in the room until Tony broke the silence.

"Rogers, now is about the time you usually come in with your inspirational words to make all of our hearts swoon. What are you thinking?"

Steve grabbed one of Natasha's hands and looked at her as she took a breath, "I think…I'm not the one to lead us in this particular instance, Tony. Wanda…Natasha, Loki was a friend and family member to all of us. But we all know, it's not the same compared to both of you. No matter the truth in what Fury is saying, we all need to be together on this. If there's one thing that the last two and a half months has reinforced, it's all of us being stronger together, right?"

Steve looked around as Tony smirked and Sam and Bucky gave a small smile. A few nods of the head as Steve looked at Fury last and went on, "So, I think the two of you, should think about what Fury said. And we'll follow your lead. We're a family here…and we're in this together. And as sickening as it is to know the media just wants their pound of flesh in this too, it'll be far worse if we don't all come to an agreement on this. No one needs to be singled out for showing up on their own, or not going. All or none. But you guys decide. We're with you either way."

Natasha smiled at Steve and then looked over to Wanda before she grabbed her hand where Loki's ring was. They didn't need to think about it. Did they lash out at Ross? Yes, and they probably would again. Because they were hurting, and he simply wasn't close to them. But…they also knew and had been through enough. Fury was right. No matter the motivations, this request by the President, would help people put this dark chapter in American History behind them, so they could continue on with their normal lives.

This wasn't about the team moving on. That would come at Loki's actual funeral. Not this sham. This…was about their jobs, and the greater good, and doing what was needed. Wanda rolled her eyes and let out a little laugh as Natasha asked, "What is it?"

Wanda barely spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, "I hate…that the asshole was right. Loki would have absolutely loved all of the attention he is receiving."

Natasha smirked at her friend, and then looked back at Steve and smiled. It was just enough…to relieve the tension in the room, and for the first time in a week, since the explosion…they all thought about Loki with a smile on their faces instead of the pain in their hearts.

They thought of how he would be relishing in this idea, in the room right now, and probably suggesting more people in power…possibly even some trashy celebrity guests at his 'fake funeral.' He'd request it to be broadcasted on every network, and have an obscene number of flowers filling the cathedral.

They thought of all of that as Natasha laughed, and then Wanda followed. And then everyone else in the room copied and let a little sigh of relief out. Loki was gone, and there was nothing that they could do about it. It was heart wrenching, and their grief would continue throughout their lives for it. But his memory warmed them, and soothed their pain just enough for them to realize that yes, they should all do this for the greater good.

Natasha wiped a tear falling and looked around, "I think we're all together, Steve. Fury, we'll be their puppets and show up. Do their little dance…but we're not speaking at it. This will help everyday Americans. We get it. But I'm not speaking at this…because it would be a performance. I'm only speaking at Loki's real funeral. With us."

Loki's actual funeral, they had decided…would be five days from now. Two weeks after the explosion. The harsh truth was that with the explosion and crater that was left at Poseidon's compound, very little was left to be recovered.

But they had an idea a few days ago, as Fury put in a request. They'd each receive a jar of dirt from the site of the explosion. It was as close as they could all come to holding Loki's ashes. And they would let him rest in peace permanently, at the last beautiful site they'd all seen together.

Niagara Falls.

They would hold their private little funeral in five days from today. Which meant, that they had to get through the circus and performance, three days from now at the Cathedral first.

Fury wiped his face and let out a breath, "Thank you, Romanoff. Maximoff. I know this doesn't make you feel great, but thank you. And don't worry, I'll be the shield between all of you, and Ellis and Ross and the D.C. brigade. No one has to speak. I'll take care of that for us. You're all dismissed for now."

Everyone got up to leave but Fury nodded at Steve as he, Natasha, and Clint stayed back for a second. They knew what Fury was going to say before he opened his mouth as Natasha cut him off, "Nothing new, right? Ivan, Oksana, and Rumlow are still in the wind? It's almost been a week and a half. They could be hiding anywhere, Fury."

Steve's hands were on her shoulders as Fury scoffed, "I don't have anything new…but keep your heads up. We'll find them, Natasha. Ross and everyone else in the world are looking for them. And the United Nations and all of our allies are putting pressure on Russia to help. As crazy as it might seem, the actual Russian President wants this stain and coverage done and gone. Or at least he wants the appearance of it being done. There's a lot of imbalance and shifting going on in your mother country right now, and the public is demanding change too. That's for them to figure out, but…as far as world-wide perception goes? They want Ivan and Oksana and Rumlow gone too. I think we'll catch a break soon. So, keep your heads up, okay?"

They all blew out a breath and got back to work. Poseidon had ended, but they were still tying up loose ends each day, sifting through more data and information, and tracking down operatives trying to hideout.

---

12 Years Ago –

Endings and New Beginnings.

It's an idea that can be promising yet sentimental. It can be fresh and exciting as much as it can be intimidating. To start something new, just when someone has become accustomed to their environment. To step into a new world, to find a new comfort zone. It could be overwhelming for anyone.

But for the 11 friends that had graduated from Quantico two weeks ago, it hadn't been asoverwhelming as it could have been. Because they moved to New York together. So, that meant the thought of starting their new job on this Monday morning, didn't have to be as intimidating. It didn't have to be such a jolting new beginning, because they'd all be in this together, right?

Turns out, starting their new jobs as FBI agents, was the least of their concerns. At least for a handful of the 11 friends.

"Bucky, I swear to god, if you don't wipe that smirk off of your face, I'm going to do it for you."

Natasha, Maria, and Wanda's apartment…was still filled with too much noise for a Monday morning.

It was an hour later after Natasha's alarm went off, and the women, along with Steve and Bucky needed to leave within the next hour if they were going to make it to headquarters on time. And Maria finally got her turn in the bathroom after Bucky was done. She'd finished and was currently trying to make coffee in her kitchen, but Bucky was taking up a lot of space, while trying to fry some eggs.

Wanda was finishing up her own bathroom time. She happily allowed Maria to jump in, in front of her, trying to cool this little argument before hitting its peak. But all she'd done was delay it.

Wanda walked out of her bedroom, at the same time as Natasha and Steve, and they all looked at each other with a little hesitancy as they entered the kitchen area.

"Maria, I'm trying to do something nice here. I'm making you guys all breakfast. The least you could is thank me."

"Bucky, you used all my eggs and ham that I was going to use later this week. You know the term, mi casa, es su casa?"

Bucky…bless his heart, was oblivious. And Steve wanted no part of this drama. He tried sneaking off back to the bedroom, but Natasha snatched his arm, "No chance, Rogers. If I have to suffer through this, then so do you."

Steve groaned as Bucky failed to realize the size of the hole he was in with Maria…and the fact that he was wearing out his welcome, "Aw Maria, don't worry. Just stop at the store tonight and pick up some more. It's only Monday."

Bucky…was not getting it at all as he smiled at Wanda and Natasha and Steve, "Hey guys! Happy first day on the job. Looks like someone didn't get enough sleep…"

Bucky made a joking motion and pointed to Maria. They both cringed, waiting for the fallout. But Maria didn't yell. She didn't even hit him. But boy did she give him a look that could kill.

It was early. Maria was off-schedule. It was the first morning, before their first day of work. And this idiot Brooklyn Blockhead was driving her crazy, and making himself at home without regard for boundaries or how much space he used.

What Maria did do next…was stop Bucky, or anyone else from enjoying the groceries that she'd bought.

Maria slammed her coffee mug down on the counter, walked over to the stove, and grabbed the frying pan full of eggs, and plate full of ham. She shoved Bucky out of the way in the process and stepped toward the sink, to start dumping it down the garbage disposal.

Bucky was in shock (of course he was), and had no idea what was going on (of course he didn't.) He tried to make a move to save the plate of ham, "Maria…what the heck has gotten into you? I was trying to do something nice for you, for crying out loud."

Steve and Natasha stared at him with wide eyes, and Wanda tried to interrupt, "James…I think you should…"

But it was to no avail. Maria shoved Bucky's arm away, turned the disposal on with hot water, and grabbed the spatula to swat him on the shoulder. "Ouch, what the hell, Hill. Why are you so grumpy?"

Maria didn't speak next. Neither did Wanda or Natasha or Steve. And neither did Bucky.

But the five of them heard the sound of laughter. The loud sound of almost…cackling laughter, coming from their doorway. Sam and Loki walked in. Loki had picked up Sam, and they'd brought coffee for everyone. But they'd walked into the domestic upheaval inside the women's apartment, because Bucky had no idea how much he was imposing, or what everyone else around him had learned all throughout his life.

That Bucky was an adorable and lovable…slob.

Wanda glared at Loki, and Maria stared at Sam, telling them silently to shut up.

But of course, they didn't listen. "How's that idea to just let things blow over treating you, Maria? I seem to remember you telling me a week ago, that everything was fine…And I told you, to just come use the shower at my apartment?"

Sam chuckled as he turned to Loki, "I mean, Loki…I've been up for a couple hours already and had all this space to myself…"

Loki couldn't help himself, "It's the life, isn't it, Wilson? Having freedom to take as long of a shower as you want…having as much space and time to myself to do whatever I need to do…"

Steve groaned and Maria threw a roll of paper towels at Sam, but he caught them…just as Wanda shot Loki another glare.

But Loki clapped his hands loudly, "My my…And here I thought I would be walking into one big happy Brady Bunch scene at the Hill, Maximoff, and Romanoff estate…What have these Brooklyn Brothers done to your poor sanity, Maria?"

Steve tried to keep himself out of his brother's idiocy, "Hey, I haven't done anything. Sam, you wanna go to headquarters early?"

Natasha raised her eyebrow at Steve as Bucky was still staring at the garbage disposal, trying to keep up with what'd just transpired over the last five minutes. But Sam was loving all of this too much, "Nah, Rogers. I think we're good. We can all go together…as one big happy family."

Loki was assessing the entire room and the five people who'd slept in the apartment the night before. He knew instantly what was going on. Anyone with half of a brain in regards to personal boundaries with living space…especially in a living space that wasn't your own, could pick up on what was going on.

And for the first time since they'd all moved to New York, Bucky started to realize that maybe what Natasha had tried to talk to him about the previous day…was actually true. He blinked and looked at Wanda as she rolled her eyes at him. She had asked him not to touch Maria's food, but Bucky's stomach did the thinking, which made him almost as stupid as when his southern region did the thinking.

Bucky looked at Natasha as she shook her head, and then he glanced at his brother as Steve glared at him, trying to make him realize that this was not his place, and this was not their mom's house either, where he could just do whatever, whenever he wanted.

And then a lightbulb finally went off inside his head as he looked over at Maria and asked both ignorantly and innocently, because the truth was, Bucky's thick skull just hadn't realized it yet, "Maria…are…Are you mad at me?"

Maria huffed out a breath and Loki and Sam both burst out laughing again. "How in the world, did you manage to graduate from Quantico, Barnes?" Loki started as he couldn't help himself but continue through his laughter, "Wanda…I mean this with all due respect…I've always known you were the brains in this relationship, but my god, that is an understatement."

Bucky's eyebrows furrowed as he glared at Loki now, and Wanda spoke up, "Loki, quiet. You're not helping."

The difference between Loki and Bucky right now? Bucky didn't stop, because he was ignorant to the fact that his…lack of respect to Maria's time and boundaries and personal items in the fridge, was grating on her, to say the least.

Loki, however, knew exactly what he was doing, and still didn't stop, "Okay fine, let me re-phrase. Bucky, for as smart as you are in the field and with a gun and your fists…and boy, do I love to see you work those fists…especially along the shaft of a gun…"

Steve groaned as Natasha bit her lip to stop from laughing, and Wanda went over to try and hit Loki, but he evaded her, "For as smart as you are, Barnes, you're still an absolute moron when it comes to women."

"Loki, can it…now."

That wasn't Bucky or Wanda talking. It was Maria. And this was not the way she wanted to start her morning, before her first day on the job. She was like a pot of water that'd started heating up two weeks ago, and was officially boiling over, "Roommate meeting, now."

Maria walked over to the living room in her wet hair and work clothes, as everyone stared at her, "Wanda, Natasha…That means you two." Steve made the motion to Sam, begging to please get him out of there, but Maria cut them off, "Steve…Bucky…since the two of you have officially been here every minute of the day for the last 72 hours, I think you should have a seat too."

Loki clapped his hands again, "We hate to interrupt, but I think that's my cue. I'll let your happy little family be. Sam, let's go wait outside."

Of course, Loki wanted to run out after he'd provoked. That was his specialty. But Maria wasn't having it as she walked over quickly to stand in front of the door, "No way. You show up early this morning…and then laugh at this little fearsome foursome that I've been left to deal with, and think you're getting out of the actual talk? No. Go sit down, Loki. You too, Sam."

Loki was right. Bucky didn't have a clue sometimes when it came to women. He did, even though he'd provoked them all. But he was joking, and Loki really did care about Maria as a friend. And even Loki knew his limits as his hands went in the air, and he and Sam found their way to a seat.

"Alright, you're all going to listen, and I'm going to make this quick. Since none of you seem to care about the short amount of time we have, in order to get through a morning routine and make it to Headquarters on time, I will run through this…fast."

Steve and Bucky stared at her, wide-eyed. Wanda felt awful, that she hadn't been able to get through to Bucky and was worried Maria was going to be mad at her too. Natasha just rolled her eyes at Bucky. And…Sam and Loki sat back on the loveseat and tried to stay out of Maria's eyesight as they listened to her go on.

She made a circular gesture towards all of them with her finger, "If this…is going to work, we need to set some rules, that much is clear. But let's make something else clear, first. I am not a control freak. I'm not a dramatic person. And I grew up in a household of men and older brothers, who are all part of the NYPD. I understand the notion of sharing and being part of a loud and boisterous family…But, Bucky? You need to listen."

Bucky had seemed to catch up and started putting two and two together, as he looked at her and nodded as she went on, "I love you, Barnes. And you actually remind me of a couple of my brothers. You are family. And you're my friend…So take this with a grain of salt. You are driving me crazy…And we've only lived here for two weeks."

Bless Bucky's heart. He actually seemed a little hurt as Maria went on, "I don't know what you were doing in the bathroom and shower for an hour this morning, when Wanda was still in bed. But that's not gonna fly."

Bucky was trying to make things better. He honestly was as he looked at her and apologized, "Maria, look. I'm sorry. I will buy you more eggs and ham today after work."

Sam chuckled, as Maria glared at him, "Wilson…I've had it, with you getting away scot free in this one too. Steve…Bucky…Don't you think it's odd that Sam is only paying one-third of the month's costs for your apartment, but yet, he gets his own place basically whenever you stay here?"

This may have all seemed petty. But anyone that has ever had to experience the joys and pitfalls of having roommates knew, that this was part of the adjustment period.

Before Sam could say anything, Maria looked back at Bucky, "This is not about the eggs, Bucky…Well it is, but it isn't."

Loki actually saw an opportunity to help. Honestly.

He stood up and went over to Maria, "Look, as the only objective person here. And I say that with the full intention of roasting Barnes a little more…let me try to communicate what you are getting flustered about, Maria."

Maria sat down and looked at the clock. They had to leave in 30 minutes now, as Loki began to talk, "Barnes…what Maria is trying to say, is that yes, she's upset about the eggs. But what she's really upset about, is that it's 30 minutes until she has to leave for work, like all of us. And all she wanted to do was have a cup of coffee while she was blow drying her hair, that she'd planned to be finished with, probably an hour ago, so she didn't feel rushed on her first day on the job…does that cover it, Maria?"

Maria sat back wide-eyed herself and looked at Loki, "Yeah actually, it does."

Loki looked around. "I mean for god sakes Barnes, why is your toothbrush on the kitchen counter? Why is your jacket on the floor by the door? And why are your dirty socks on the coffee table? My god, I was provoking you, Maria. But I see now…I wouldn't have made it two hours here before losing it. Bucky, were you raised by a pack of wolves?"

Bucky looked around, and Steve could see it. Another light bulb went off in his head as he reached forward to grab his balled-up socks, "Jeez, I thought I had gotten better since not living with Mom anymore. Wanda, I'm not that much of a slob, am I?"

If a picture could have been taken of everyone's faces. Two weeks had passed, and Maria's pot had boiled over. But not without good reason. A week in, Sam had joked with her, she was going to crack. And the last week? She almost lost it several times.

When Bucky left the television on loud after he went to bed. When he left the window in the living room open, even though it got really cold that night. When he refused to try and put the toilet seat down, time after time. Those were just the tip of the iceberg. Using pots and pans but not cleaning them. Using food and drink that wasn't his. Leaving dirty socks, all over the place.

Maria, ironically, was the least bothered by the fact that she knew he and Wanda were going at it like jack rabbits a few times last week. At least he was out of her hair at those times. And she had told him several times over the last few days, how important it was for her to get in the bathroom this morning at her normal time. Bucky smiled and nodded, and Maria, bless her heart, hoped that he'd finally realized.

But Bucky, woke up early, and just went in to do his own routine, and didn't even look at the clock. That was how he operated. And he was soon realizing, that Maria had a reason to reach her boiling point as he started thinking of everything that Loki, and everyone else was calling out right now.

Steve…couldn't stop as the bubble of laughter came out, and he cracked up with Sam. They'd lived with the man at Quantico. And Steve had been dealing with this, his entire life. Sam had lived with him over the last almost six months. And Bucky never had the clarity he was discovering now. Maybe it took an intervention from his family, from Wanda and Maria, and from Loki to have a breakthrough. Or maybe it took Loki calling out his toothbrush and socks for him to realize…he needed to do better.

He needed to stop acting like he lived in a barn.

Wanda shrugged her shoulders, "James, I was joking with your mother about it, yesterday."

Maria had calmed down, "Bucky, Steve…this goes for you too. I love you both. But just because our apartment is nicer, and homier, doesn't mean you should move in here. You have your own places. That doesn't mean I don't want you here. That's the best part about roommates and us all being in NYC together. But I think you should work on unpacking and making your own apartment a home, instead of just relying on ours."

And then Maria turned to Barnes, "And Bucky? I'm not really mad at you, but you…have got to let me in my bathroom in the mornings. I told you last night I was going to get up at 4:30 every day to shower, and you were in there when I woke up. You've got to pick up after yourself. And you've got to stop brushing your teeth at the kitchen sink. I'm sorry, but that's just gross."

Wanda grabbed Bucky's hand, "How about, Natasha and I spend this next weekend helping you guys unpack, and we can decorate your apartment. That way we can stay at both places…"

Steve still wasn't sure how he got drug into this, but Loki prodded anyway, "Oh Rogers, you and Romanoff may have your own private bathroom here, to do god knows what…And by the way? God knows exactly what you're doing in there…We all know exactly what you're doing in there…"

Steve rolled his eyes and Natasha smirked as he went on, "Romanoff. I say this with all sincerity, you are living with Wanda and Maria. You ladies had an awesome first week. Don't you want to spend a night or two away from the Brooklyn Brothers, and actually experience that roommate stuff? Isn't there a saying, absence only makes the heart grow fonder? Think about it. What have the four of you done over the last week, besides us all partying here on our first Friday night, without each other?"

Wanda and Natasha both blushed. They all took a deep breath as Sam incredulously asked, "Wait, does that mean I'm not going to have my apartment to myself anymore?"

Steve wasn't feeling as awkward anymore. None of them were because Bucky understood. And so, did Maria…and Natasha and Wanda. This was a new beginning.

This wasn't Quantico and the dorms anymore. This was their time together, actually living and working and eating and paying rent, living in the very real world that was going to welcome them bright and early this Monday morning at FBI Headquarters. Adulting is the term that would be coined, years from now.

Their more frivolous time as trainees, still growing together, had ended.

So, as this new journey began?

They would all have to make adjustments. Compromises. Learn how to grow and live and breathe together. They would go through similar adjustments in the actual field too. Loki and Sam, and Bruce and Thor and Rhodey and Tony, would all have their own growing pains in the real world. They would all know what it was like to be stressed and exhausted, and have to still find a way to work through minor annoyances, and larger frustrations with their family of friends.

Tony and Loki would have to reign in their razzing at times. Bucky and Steve would learn time and time again, that domestic squabbles with Wanda and Natasha would bleed into their work life, just like May and Coulson had warned them, which would only compound the stress.

So, this little roommate pow-wow? It was only their first steps into the very real world. And Maria took a breath, "Bucky, I'm sorry. I love you. Seriously, like a brother. I don't care how often you guys sleep here. I just need my morning coffee, and I need to be in the shower at a decent time. So, how about I agree to go in at 4:00 am instead of 5:00, to give us all a little more time."

That was all it took, and Bucky couldn't stop trying to make things better now. Bucky…could be an obtuse ass, but he loved his stupid family of friends, and the last thing he wanted, was to cause Maria stress, or inadvertently Wanda stress over nothing. So, he picked up his socks, and then went over and picked up his coat. And then his toothbrush as he made a face, realizing just how gross it actually was to be brushing his teeth in the same sink that housed their dishes.

"I'll do better. I will shower last when I'm here…and I won't use your groceries anymore, I promise."

Steve decided to add to it, "Buck, how about we make it even better. We'll start staying at our own apartment, and actually make it into a living space. Sorry Sam, you're stuck with us."

Sam wasn't upset. He smirked at Hill as he went over and gave her the coffee he and Loki had brought, "It's like I knew you'd be rushed, Hill. I held the sugar, just the way you like it. Now go blow dry your hair. It's the first day and all, you don't want to look like you just got out of the shower."

Sam's little joke was the cherry on top of this sundae of apologies, and everyone burst out laughing. Part of the real world and 'adulting' was learning to compromise and let things go too, otherwise the stress of mundane chores and annoyances would eat them alive.

So, they did compromise.

There would be nights that Steve and Bucky would stay at their place with their girlfriends. There would be nights Wanda and Natasha didn't stay at all. There would be nights, when Wanda and Bucky, or Steve and Natasha, somehow ended up with either apartment to themselves. Anyone could guess, how those evenings were spent. There wasn't a schedule or a micromanagement system that was put into place. But there was an understanding of respect.

Boundaries. Being aware, that living in the real world, and starting work as an agent was going to be stressful enough. They didn't need to add to it, by acting stupid outside of it.

This was the first…not the last of their domestic quibbles as roommates, but it was the beginning of them begin able to work through stupid annoyances. It was the beginning of them taking more steps into adulthood, after Graduation.

Maria finished drying her hair, and they all ran around over the next 15 minutes. They even had a minute to spare, making it all out the door in time to drive to Headquarters. They'd soon realize that most mornings, they would start taking the subway, but that would be another step into the mundane realizations of their everyday life.

Wanda jabbed Loki as they were walking to their vehicles, "Loki, you started off as a real ass up there, but you sure turned it around."

Loki laughed as he watched Bucky jokingly punch Maria in the arm as she swatted him across the head. "Oh my dear, we're all one big happy family here. We made it through Quantico, I think we can all make it through the pains of your boyfriends' morning beauty regime."

Natasha and Steve stayed back, just for a second as she leaned up to kiss him quick, "Hey Steve? Are you okay if I stay at the apartment by myself a couple nights this week? With Maria and Wanda, if they want? I think it'd be a good thing for us to have some time together as roommates."

Steve smirked at her. Did he want to sleep without her? Absolutely not. But did he love the fact that Natasha loved Maria and Wanda, and actually wanted to stay here on her own with them? Yes, because that was something she'd never had in life. And he couldn't be happier for her, "Of course I'm okay, Nat. We'll figure all of this out as we go, okay?"

He kissed her back, and Loki couldn't help but get in one last jab before they drove off to their first day on the job, "Don't worry, Natasha. You guys can just sext each other…or have phone sex on the nights you spend apart."

Steve blushed and Wanda and Maria rolled their eyes. But they all burst out laughing as Natasha asked, "What's sexting?"

Loki grinned, but Steve cut him off, "Put a cork in it, Loki. You've done more than enough this morning."

Loki looked back at Natasha, "Let's save it for tomorrow's lesson, Romanoff. Don't worry. I'll fill you in later."

That was how their first roommate squabble ended. That was how their first drive to Headquarters began.

---

Present Day – Niagara Falls

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

---

Drumming. Tapping. Bouncing. Sniffling. Whispering.

Sounds.

There were a cacophony of sounds filling a luxury charter bus right now. With all of the different sounds though, the atmosphere was still quiet. Quiet and tense, coursing through the coach as it made its way from the small airport that the team had landed at an hour ago, to Niagara Falls.

One luxury coach. And 17 passengers, along with the driver.

Steve and Natasha. Sam and Maria. Bucky, Wanda, and Peter. Fury and Sarah. Clint, Tony, Thor, Bruce, and Rhodey. And Pepper, Laura, and Betty.

Jane Foster didn't make the trip. She'd only been around Loki a couple of times, and her and Thor had only just begun to talk about possibly seeing each other once they'd all settled back into their normal lives.

Normalcy…whatever that meant.

None of the mercenaries or Daisy or Valkyrie and their teams would be present today either. They were all at Loki's public funeral two days ago. Today, was for his family of friends, and their immediate loved ones.

Today, was truly about laying him to rest. Everyone else that'd taken down Poseidon, wanted to give the task-force as much privacy as they could have. Especially since invasions into their privacy were being requested constantly, with the heightened media attention over the last two weeks.

The people that were Loki's family all along, and that were with him in his last moments were the ones putting him to rest today.

So yes, the bus was filled with a barrage of sounds.

Humming of tires and the engine. The quiet and irregular rhythms of people's strained breaths, trying to keep their emotions in check. Peter's quiet questions that he was asking Sarah as she held him in her lap while she shushed him soothingly. The drumming of Maria's nails on her jar of sand and dirt from the site of the explosion, as Sam stilled her hands and just held them in his. The quiet rubbing of backs by Pepper and Betty on Bruce and Tony. Thor's foot quietly tapping. Rhodey adjusting his brace in the middle of the bus so he could straighten his leg. Clint and Laura quietly whispering to each other.

And Bucky and Steve, shifting in their seats right across from the other as they kept looking at each other. Natasha and Wanda were at their sides, looking out the window as the scenery passed them by.

But the loudest noise of all…was the constant thrumming of rain on the roof and windows of the bus.

It was pouring out.

It was dark and grey and wet outside when they'd left the safehouse a few hours ago. The weather, was the only thing that finally got Tony to shut up about Steve's freshly shaved beard, "Wow, Rogers. I haven't seen that handsome, chiseled jaw in years. You could stop traffic."

Steve chuckled at first, but after Tony's 10th joke, trying to lighten the mood from the obvious sadness on everyone's faces, "If you think my jokes are bad, just imagine what Loki would be saying right now…He'd probably make some inappropriate remark about you not giving Natasha beard rashes all over her skin anymore…"

"Tony, not now." Steve said it quietly, and Tony stopped immediately, "Sorry, Steve…I just…I don't know."

They were just trying to get through the day. They were just trying…to put their loved one to rest, permanently. Steve wasn't upset in the slightest, "I get it, Tony. We're all trying to figure out what to say and how to act right now. For all of us, but for Wanda and Nat especially."

So, silence took over the flight. And silence from speaking, more or less…filled the bus right now.

A jingle from Natasha's army chain made everyone look as the vehicle drove on through the rain. Loki's ring hit Steve's dog tag as she took it from inside her dress to run her thumb over it.

Steve put his hand over Natasha's, but she didn't look at him. Her eyes stayed glued on the window, getting lost in the onslaught of rain. Wanda was the same on the opposite side.

Natasha stayed that way for several minutes, until her chuckling officially broke everyone's train of thought. She was laughing to herself as she kept looking at the dreary landscape outside. Steve squeezed her hand, "What's so funny, Nat?"

Natasha hadn't even realized she'd been laughing. She looked over at him, and then looked at everyone else and her cheeks reddened, realizing everyone was staring at her. But she answered Steve regardless, "Maybe this is awful of me to think. But I just had this thought run through my head…about Loki's fake funeral. I imagined him whispering to me, telling me that my funeral from two years ago, had nothing on his earlier in the week. And then I imagined him grinning and telling me that I really needed to up my game, because my funeral was really fake. But he had a fake one, and a real one. And that it was the last competition in our lives and he'd won."

Natasha had been chuckling throughout her short little recollection, but her voice broke at the end as Steve sighed, "Nat…"

Steve didn't really know what to say. It was the darkest of humors, trying to find something that made you laugh, connecting the horrific time in Natasha and Steve's life, during her captivity when they'd had a funeral for her, to Loki's 'fake funeral' from earlier that week.

Maybe it was a reach, but often times when someone is grieving, that's when those inappropriate or awkward and yes, humor filled moments come out.

If you don't laugh you'll cry, the saying goes.

And they'd all cried and cried over the last two weeks. And two years. And Steve and Natasha, specifically, the last seven. Sometimes, a person's body just needed to feel a different reaction than crying.

Apparently, Natasha wasn't alone on this. Because Wanda started chuckling too, "Loki…someone who's personality was too big, for just one funeral. He'd probably request another on top of it, just for show. He might even want some sort of parade or performance at one if he was actually planning it. It would have been more authentic than what we all had to sit through at the church."

Natasha laughed back at Wanda's joke as Sam even joined in, "Can you imagine what Loki's funeral would be like, if he actually planned it? There'd probably be some sort of map or quiz you had to answer. And we'd definitely all be wasted at it." Maria joined in, "I wouldn't put it past him, to have strippers performing, just to see people's reactions."

Tony laughed a little more, "I wouldn't put it past him, to request you, Wanda, and Natasha to strip, specifically, Maria. Just to make us remember that whole fiasco with Fisk eight years ago…And to see Bucky and Steve's faces."

Fury even chuckled at that thought.

And then bus…was filled with laughter. It wasn't boisterous, but it was laughter. And it felt wonderful, even though they were all on the brink of tears. Steve and Bucky thought back to the craziness of Maria and Wanda and Natasha's undercover takedown of Fisk and how crazy they'd all been. And then Wanda and Natasha looked over at each other and wiped their eyes as they nodded and laughed. Wanda spoke softly, "Yeah, Loki would've loved to see James's and Steve's frowns, one last time…"

Bucky and Steve scoffed as Bucky nudged Steve's shoulder, "He probably would've made you even take a shot of absinthe, Steve."

They all sat back and remembered their incredibly drunken night at Quantico, and then all burst out laughing again. Fury was chuckling even more now, remembering a much simpler time in all of their lives. Sarah smiled warmly at them as Peter looked up at her, "Grandma, what's a stripper?"

Tony clapped his hands loudly and laughed a little more, "Oh kid…believe me, your Uncle Loki would have lovvved to tell you all about them. You see, Peter…when a middle-aged man, needs a place to go in a track suit…"

"Tony."

Wanda and Bucky's said it together as Tony shut up. Pretty soon silence overtook them again.

As they finished their drive to Niagara Falls in the rain, Natasha continued to think of Loki's first funeral, from two days ago.

---

Present Day – Two Days Ago - New York City- St. Patrick's Cathedral

The limousines from the compound had all driven the task-force into the city, right up to the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral. They were met with a gaggle of news reporters and flashing lights as each member of the team made their way into the church.

That unwanted and instant fame began to spread like wildfire on social media. Everyone in the country was mad and angry at how close Poseidon had come. But they were equally curious and enthralled with, The FBI Avengers. The public wanted to show thanks to them. They wanted to know them as much as they already loved them. Just as Marvel's 616 broadcast would communicate with its listeners each day, so would every news station. And with each update and broadcast, The Quantico 11's pictures, along with Clint and Fury's, were plastered across the nation.

Loki's lead the way.

The media…and the public salivated over the story of his life.

"Everyone loves a comeback."

Pepper told them that two days ago, when the family of friends was dumbfounded by the increased number of phone calls and news coverage on their lives. She'd told them that Loki hit everyone's hearts, because of how rich his story was. A man who'd found love in his friends and family. A man who'd fallen from grace…And he'd found grace again through the love of his friends, only to save them in the end because of that love for them.

And the public, revered him. The public revered all of them.

They wanted to know about the history and rumors. The rags to…espionage upbringing, of Clint and Natasha, even though they ended up on the right side. They wanted to know the love story between Wanda and Bucky obviously, but also all of their love stories. Other 'unnamed sources,' were quoted in the past week, as fellow classmates from Quantico spoke to the media. Stories of Natasha and Steve's love were written about. About how much Sam and Maria flirted. About Wanda and Bucky first starting to date, and all of their shenanigans back at Quantico. There were unnamed sources on all of their stories and lives.

And none of them knew how to take it. Tony had a little experience because of his father's company, but it was nothing compared to this level. Ironically enough, the only one in their lives, that would've relished in this instant fame, was Loki.

Pepper tried to coach and prepare them, but when they'd gotten out of their SUV's at the Cathedral, to all walk up the steps to attend the fake funeral together, they were beyond shocked at the mob of reporters and photographers swarming them.

Bucky was upset because Peter could have been with him. (He wasn't.) Sarah stayed back with him at the compound. They didn't need to confuse Peter on the complicated matters of why Loki was having a large funeral, but also their real one in two days from now. Peter would only attend the real one.

Everyone else wished they could be in the same boat.

But they all did their part, as Steve kept his arms around Natasha's shoulder, and they all made their way into the church. The media…stayed outside for now. They wouldn't be allowed to come in until the service started.

"Jesus, what a shit show," Rhodey looked back and wiped his face as everyone nodded. It would only be the 11 of them sitting with Fury, all the way in the front on the left-hand side. Pepper and Betty and Laura wanted to sit with them, but Ross told them the President wanted, "Just the team and Clint and Fury," sitting up front, which only annoyed them even more.

"Yeah, what an absolute circus," Bruce added.

They were all at the back of the Cathedral. The church was packed. Valkyrie and Daisy and Jessica Jones were all sitting in the very back of the church with their teams. They'd all escaped the barrage of fame because their names were left out of any media reports. And they knew not to impose on the private funeral later that week.

Honestly, their presence today, was the most genuine part about this whole charade. They wanted to pay their respects to Loki, so they'd all snuck in and found a seat in the back. Pepper and Betty and Laura and Jane, Dr. Cho, and Dr. Strange all joined them.

And two friendly faces appeared, which actually caused the team's emotions to almost break.

Melinda May went over to hug Fury as Phil Coulson followed. They obviously felt the same way about this charade as the team, but showed because they wanted to pay their respects to Loki.

"This may not be the venue to fit Loki, but that doesn't matter. There are a few people present, that are actually here for the right reasons. And that's what matters. You all remember that." Phil smiled through his words at his former trainees as Melinda followed him inside after giving small hugs to Wanda and Maria.

Secretary Ross, and Director's Pym and Everett Ross were all waiting for the task-force next, as they shook Fury's hand.

"Thanks for being here on such a sad day, Nick." Director Pym was trying to be genuine. He was. It probably could have been anyone saying the line. Or any line for that matter. Whatever it was, was going to be met by glares from Fury's team, and was going to be met with a scathing remark by them too.

There was no doubt that everyone they'd seen sitting in the back of the church, along with May and Coulson had warmth in their hearts and were here for the right reasons. But the team was so irritated by this fiasco, that no one else got a pass.

"You're absolutely right this is a sad day, Director Pym." Wanda started as Natasha took over, "But don't pretend for a second that you're actually here to pay your respects to Loki. Not to us. And not back here when we all know the truth."

Wanda seamlessly added, "Out there in the church, sure. Say your sad words. We'll all do our part and sit perfectly still. But don't pretend that you're actually sad about Loki."

Secretary Ross shook the directors off as they made their way up to the front, "Nick. I expect I can count on you to keep everyone…"

Ross didn't get a chance to finish, and Fury kept Wanda and Natasha from saying anything further with his stare…and with his words, "Ross, for once…just stop speaking."

Fury took a breath and spoke a little quieter, "Look…We're all here. And we're all going to get through this charade together. So, you can go tell President Ellis, we'll all be on our best behavior. And yes, I'll give a little speech too. But don't try asking again to have anyone else talk. I have 40 more years practice with this crap, to try and be able to stomach this bullshit today without throwing up."

Ross huffed out a breath, "Jesus, Nick. Do you think I like this? But it's my job. I just…not everything about today is fake, you know. I may not be as heartbroken for Loki's death as all of you. I get that, and I know you can paint me as the bad guy. But I am being honest with you when I say, I'm sure glad he proved me wrong with how brave he was. I know you don't believe it, but I am actually trying to honor him today. I didn't plan how big of an ordeal this was…So, take that or leave that. But I sure am sorry for all of you."

Bucky grabbed Wanda's hand and Steve's arm circled around Natasha while they huddled together. But silence was short-lived because the circus…was just getting started.

President Ellis entered with this cocoon of Secret Service agents surrounding him. The President wasn't a bad man either. None of the remaining people in power truly were. But with power…came responsibility, yes. But with power, also came other influences.

Lobbyists. Aides. Other political factions. Donors. Media. Foreign Governments.

It was impossible for those leaders in power to act only on their emotions. Just as it was impossible for the team to not feel the rawness in their emotions. The leaders' actions were shaped by all of those different hooks and angles, and yes, eventually, agendas were formed.

So, while President Ellis, the Directors, and Secretary Ross truly did want to pay their respects to Loki and the team, and were dealing with so many emotions about everything that'd unfolded in the last couple of weeks, their positions at the top of the pyramid, required fluid actions on their part.

Creating a faux funeral for an FBI Agent turned criminal, turned savior of the country in the media's light, had the intent of bringing the country together. But none of them had intended on it becoming the circus that it was right now.

But just like any plan at that level, President Ellis or Secretary Ross said jump, and all of their staff said how high…and ran with that ball.

And the ball started rolling fast on this. Consultants and aides and workers at the White House took over in the planning, and whether it was by a purposeful leak or accidental one, it didn't matter. The media caught on.

And then all of a sudden, a week and a half after Loki had died, his 'funeral,' was going to be broadcast on every major network and public television. The Cathedral it was held in, was going to be packed to the brim with elected officials, dignitaries, Washington D.C. and New York City government officials and law enforcement. And the President. There were even some famous musicians that would be helping with the music.

It was a circus.

Maria whispered to Sam and Tony, "Does anyone actually think the people at home are going to believe this bullshit?"

Tony scoffed, "Well, they believed we were all working against this country and trying to hurt them only a couple of weeks ago. So, yeah, I think the majority of them will believe that this is all real. We're all here, after all."

The circus became even crazier, because the side entrance to the Cathedral at the back opened. And in walked, several prison guards, and Loki's biological father, who he'd been estranged from for years.

"You've got to be shitting me. Fury, you didn't tell us Loki's father was going to be here." Thor's voice was loud as Fury looked at the ground, "I didn't know he would be. I thought maybe they would do this, but I hoped they wouldn't. But we all need to stay quiet. They might have organized for him to come for the spectacle, but you bet your asses if any of us end up saying something to him, the media will have it recorded. So, everyone stay quiet."

Loki's father, was escorted up to the front of the Cathedral. They'd allowed him to be in in a suit, and only handcuffs for the day. But the murmurings and whispers all began echoing through the tall vaulted ceilings as he made his way up the aisle. Sam just shook his head, "That man is the last person that Loki would want to be here today."

Natasha's voice was dripping with irritation and sarcasm, "I guess it's only appropriate. The further you get to the front of the church, the more fake the audience is."

Ross was about 30 feet in front of them, halfway up the aisle and turned his head around to Nick and nodded. It was time. A casket was wheeled out as the team all stared at each other with disillusionment.

Bucky finally asked, "Fury…what the hell is in the casket?"

But Wanda answered, "Come on James, I'm so over this…it's best to not even ask any more questions."

The sad irony in all of this, was that the Cathedral truly was…majestic. Tall spires. Vaulted ceilings. Gorgeous cream and gray marble flooring that shined. It was all something to behold, in the echoed walls as the organ played. Beautiful lighting from a gorgeous day outside filled the space of the Cathedral as the beams of sunshine glistened through each of the intricate, stained-glass windows. And bouquets of red and white roses, with Navy blue ribbons were spread all across the front of the church, on top of the casket, and at the end of each aisle.

The setting could almost be described as stunning…because it truly was beautiful on the surface. And the glowing sunlight should have made everything feel warm and inviting. But the task-force couldn't help but look around and feel…empty. They weren't here to grieve and to lay Loki to rest. They were here to fulfill a job requirement. And for all the beauty that surrounded them…it only felt hollow.

It was time…Fury guided them to their places as he led them to the front of the church. Bruce and Clint were first. Then Tony and Thor. Then Rhodey and Maria. Then Sam and Bucky. And then Natasha and Wanda. Fury had the 10 of them paired off, and Steve was last, because President Ellis wanted everyone to see who the leader of the team was, under Fury.

So, the 12 of them made their way up the aisle, all in their matching black suits. All with their stoic expressions. All, very sad and heartbroken, yes. But equally numb and irritated by this charade. The reporters were inside now, and were quiet. But the sounds of shutters going off from all of their cameras at the back and in the balcony, could only be described as insane, as the team made their way up the aisle.

The 12 of them made their way past Betty and Pepper and Laura. Past the Doctors. Past Valkyrie, Daisy and Jessica Jones and their teams. And past Melinda May and Phil Coulson…past the last people the team felt comforted by, in being there. All of the people that actually knew Loki, for the man that he was and accepted him for it, were behind them now.

Everyone else…the closer to the front of the church they got, seemed to be benefiting more from the spin machine that was at work. First it was local politicians and leaders and law enforcement. Then it was some higher ups at the CIA, FBI, NSA, and Homeland. Then there was the Governor of New York. There were even some famous people, that'd been big supporters of law enforcement that were present.

The task-force was almost to their seats when they saw the Directors, as Loki's 'casket' was only 10 feet away. Then they saw Secretary Ross and the Cabinet of the Presidency with only five feet to go. And then, the President sat in the front row on the right of the church, as the 12 of them made their way into the front row on the left.

A parade is exactly what it was. And the cameras were rolling.

They were rolling as both Directors got up and gave their opening remarks, quoting their oaths of office. The scene was being recorded as Secretary Ross stood up and spoke about courage, and how in the darkest of times, America has the bravest women and men to make it through to the light. The entire fake funeral was broadcasting, to what would be realized later, in over 30 million households, watching worldwide.

The organ played loud as Amazing Grace was sung by the famous Harlem Gospel Choir. Of course, they sang, and the music they sang was truly, like the name of the song, 'Amazing.' Natasha and Wanda even looked at each other out of the sides of their eyes as they saw a couple of women crying at the performance. Whether the women were performing with their tears or not, they didn't know and didn't want to find out.

And then President Ellis stood up and spoke about the nation. About America. About the constitution and the founders of this country. He talked about what'd happened, and that the bravery of Loki, requiring him to spend the rest of his time in office to eradicate any damage that Poseidon had caused. He pledged his promise in helping the nation heal through their grief. He promised to earn back their trust.

Ellis's speech…was genuine, even though the biggest cynics could see this being used in his re-election campaign. But the task-force wasn't even listening. Not really. The only way they could get through this was by trying to block out the sham that it was.

Yet somehow, it wasn't a sham to everyone in the church. May and Coulson were crying in the back, quietly. So were the rest of their closest friends that'd come to pay their respects. And as cynical as the team felt about everything today, there was true and genuine emotion in the crowd.

The truth? The country was hurting. People…were incredibly sad and moved by the bravery shown by all of them, and by someone that was most surprising of all, in Loki.

And what the team would realize one day, was that yes…Loki's funeral was planned with the intention to heal, more than it was to truly mourn him. But it didn't mean that there wasn't real emotion in that church. The team…hadn't gotten to that point yet, because they all knew they would be having their own private service for him, in two days from now.

But then Fury got up, and did what none of them could. He found a way to speak from the heart, when this whole affair had only filled their hearts with cynicism.

"For those of you that don't know me, my name is Nick Fury. I had the pleasure of working with Loki for five years. And I was lucky enough, to have been able to work with him again as he came back into my life, and the life of the FBI over the last three months."

Fury had agreed to speak. But he wasn't going to give them everything that they wanted. The media wanted gossip or details. Fury, was going to be genuine, but he wasn't going to truly put Loki to rest, until Loki's actual funeral.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to be long winded up here. I think the best thing about so many people showing their respect to Loki, is that we can all learn a very valuable lesson. Seven years ago, I made a grave mistake, in not fighting harder for him after he made a stupid miscalculation as a young man. He lost his way in the years that followed, but never lost his heart or his love for his FBI family. And when he found us again, he helped save 10's of thousands of lives. He helped stop an attack on this country, even though the media was reporting that he was actually the one trying to attack the United States, along with his team."

"We're fortunate that Loki never truly gave up on his country, and that he was brave enough to make the sacrifice he did in the end. He may have lost his way, but he never lost his soul. The lesson we can all learn, is that all of us can overcome our own mistakes…and all of us, should learn the power of forgiveness, if we are so blessed to have that opportunity given to us. Never give up on your loved ones. Never stop searching for the actual truth. Never stop fighting. And never forget those that have given their lives for this country. Because as much as we are honoring Loki this morning, we should be honoring all of the brave men and women that lost their lives in the United States and around the world, in taking down Poseidon."

Fury's speech was succinct and meaningful enough for the packed church. But it also had an underlying tone. A subtle poignancy to it, telling the President that this service, should be for all of the heroes of that day.

The choir sang while the organ played again. And the team continued to do their part. They exited the church, and got into their limousines as the press took more and more pictures. They went to the cemetery for a burial with an empty casket at a gravestone that would become a tourist attraction in the city. It would be a site that none of the task-force would ever visit again in their lives, because it wasn't where they were truly putting Loki to rest.

---

Present Day – Niagara Falls

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

---

The bus pulled up to the clearing and overlook. Fury had worked with the Governor of New York to block it off for the day. The task-force would have the time and peace, to be by themselves for what they were about to do.

Typically, the site was breathtaking. But with the dark sky looming from above, the falls roared with a constant drumming that almost vibrated in their ears.

Their surroundings were haunting.

The downpour of rain had quieted to more of a mist…So everyone was damp as they stood outside under their umbrellas. There were chairs waiting for everyone at the clearing but no one planned on sitting on a wet seat, so standing would have to do for now. Fury saw the worry on some of his team's faces and decided to ask the question for them. He turned to Natasha and Wanda, "I know we're here, but you are all sure that you want to do this today, right?"

They were standing by each other as Wanda reached down to grab Natasha's hand, "Yeah, Fury. We're doing this today. Rain or shine."

It was as if Loki could hear her say it.

Because right on cue, the drizzling stopped. Gray skies still darkened the day around them, but as far as having to stand in the rain, it looked like there was a break for them, that didn't show up on the radar.

Bucky made the joke, "I mean…the weather still could have been dramatic…why couldn't Loki stop the rain before we actually got out of the bus?"

Sam and Rhodey chuckled as Tony said, "I think our trickster just wanted a little rain to fall off of Rogers' chiseled jaw that we haven't seen in years. I think Loki would say you could cut stone with that thing, Steve."

A few more half-hearted scoffs as Steve shook his head. And as Fury started the ball rolling, "Okay then…rain or shine, or whatever Loki throws our way this morning. Let's get started, shall we?"

The group made their way over to the chairs that Sarah and Pepper had wiped off with a couple of towels. Some of the women's heels might get muddy, and the cuffs of pantlegs might get damp, but no one particularly cared. Black suits and dresses were worn by all. As everyone made their way to the two rows of seating right by the overlook. It was loud still, but with the rain having stopped, they would be able to hear each other well enough by staying close and speaking up.

Ironically, the setting could not have been more opposite to the Cathedral earlier that week. The Cathedral was large and tall and filled with sunlight from outside. It was filled to the brim with people and music and elected officials and law enforcement as all the typical sounds of a funeral inundated their senses.

This was nature. It was outside and private and primitive. And even though the constant sound of the water below the overlook was loud, it was also peaceful. Because Loki's actual family and loved ones were finally with him in spirit.

Endings and new beginnings.

Two weeks ago, Loki made a choice to sacrifice…and end his life by taking out Poseidon's remaining weapons and the criminals trying to hurt others, for good. It was an ending that shocked and broke the team member's hearts. It was an ending that they weren't prepared for.

But whether it is through sacrifice or not, often times in death, the people left behind are just that. Not prepared. They aren't prepared for the permanency that comes with death. It is an ending that one cannot come back from. It is an ending, that forces a new beginning in the lives of the deceased's surviving family and friends.

Loki's end, meant that their short-lived reunion as a family of friends was over. And they would have to begin a time now, without him. They would have to move on, past Poseidon and the last several months, knowing that they only had this opportunity together, because in large part, due to Loki.

And as much as all of the splendor and flowers and music and words were thrown in their faces at the Cathedral, none of had shed a tear that day. That was not the case right now.

There was no casket. There was no organ.

There were only waterfalls in front of them and below the overlook. There were only the gray skies above them. And there was only the wet grass and mud beneath their feet and chairs.

They all sat down as Peter became the first person to cry. He didn't understand fully, what was happening. But he knew enough, that his mom and dad were still sad. He knew enough that everyone was struggling to smile right now. And he remembered from two weeks ago, that Wanda and Natasha told him that Loki was gone. He didn't understand fully what was happening around him that evening, but he did understand the basics. He understood what was told to him. And he understood over the course of the last two weeks, that no matter how hard he kept looking, Loki wasn't at the safehouse anymore.

Loki was gone, and wasn't able to play any magic tricks with him anymore. And while Peter began to understand it a little, two weeks ago. He understood it even more right now. He felt how serious this was right now because for the first time in his life, Peter understood the unfair permanency of death. He wasn't going to see Loki in the physical again.

Peter lifted his head from Bucky's shoulder and looked at his dad, and then his mother. Wanda wiped his eyes as tears formed in her own.

Sometimes, a mother couldn't take the sadness away from her son. Wanda was learning that now. Sarah had learned that long ago, and she felt the same pangs in her chest that Wanda was feeling, looking at Peter. Because Sarah…couldn't take the pain away from her sons either. That's what grieving and death brought. They would celebrate Loki after this. They would honor his sacrifice. But right now, they were grieving.

Peter looked over at Natasha and Steve, who were about to take their seats, and Peter asked a question that sent a chill down Steve's spine, "Why couldn't you save everyone?"

The innocence in Peter's voice was evident, and he was really asking everyone. But Steve stopped in his tracks, thinking back to his dream from a couple weeks ago. The chilling images of war, morphing into Natasha's funeral. The haunting image of being able to see and observe Natasha's memorial with a lot of the same people that were at Loki's right now. And the unnerving image of his nephew asking him the same question at the time.

At the time, it was just another bad dream. It was a darkened thought emerging through Steve's pain and worry about fighting Poseidon. Now, Peter's words in his dream seemed like an eerie premonition, and Steve's veneer cracked.

Anyone of them could have been lost. Steve had to live through a time, when he thought Natasha's funeral, was a very real thing. And now, after all the turmoil in their lives, they were all here, burying someone without a casket, in their hearts.

They were all sitting down as Natasha looked over at Steve and saw the haunted look in his eyes, "Steve, are you okay? What is it?" Steve squeezed her hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist. Natasha was caught off guard. There was something else going on in his head, but she knew that he didn't want to talk about it right now. She looked at him again before running her hand along his smooth jaw, "Let's not think about old ghosts today, okay? Let's go pay our respects to a very special man in our lives."

Natasha had experienced more pain and horror than anyone present. And she was hurting as her eyes welled up, but she also knew, she had Steve. And somehow, they would get through this together. Steve saw that resolve in her eyes, through both of their glassy eyes as he took a deep breath, held onto his mason jar with dirt, and went to sit down with her by his side.

They didn't have any passages from a bible that they planned to read. They didn't have anyone singing or any music playing. It was a time that memories were meant to be shared, and when whatever anyone wanted to say could be said. It was their time together with him, for one last time.

Tony looked around at everyone and decided that he would actually go first. He stood up from his chair and went to speak in front of everyone. "I know we wanted this to be the opposite of that charade at the Cathedral. But maybe we should have planned a little something…I don't know…now that I'm standing up here, I kind of feel like I jumped out of a plane without a parachute."

He took a breath to collect himself, "But I guess that's appropriate, because that's how Loki lived his life. Jump first, and then figure out the plan on how to land safely. Man did we have some laughs over the years. To think, Fury. He and I made it through that stupid driving test at TEVOC, when we almost crashed that red car together."

Tony spoke for a little while longer, before he became silent. The emotion was weighing on everyone now. He looked up at Pepper, and then his team. And then Fury before he finished, "Thanks for the ride of a lifetime, Loki."

And that was how it went. One by one. Maria and Sam talked about some drunken nights at Quantico. Thor talked about trying to sneak into his room during the mole test as trainees, and Loki always having the one up on him, "Somehow, no matter how hard any of us tried, Loki always seemed to be one step ahead of me and everyone else."

Rhodey and Bruce talked about the five years they spent together after Quantico. And Clint, blunt as always was the shortest in spoken time as he stood up and wiped his eyes, "Loki…I only knew you from the perimeter, but you changed my life. And helped give me…and everyone here the greatest gift of a lifetime. You gave me a second chance with Tasha. Thank you." Clint looked right at Natasha as he went to sit back by Laura.

Bucky carried Peter up in front of everyone as he spoke first, "You know…maybe on the outside, it looked like Loki and I weren't so close. He always commented on my…appearance. And he loved how uncomfortable that always made me."

A few chuckles were heard as Bucky went on, "And I usually looked like I was going to hit him…But I think the best thing, and the only thing that I can think right now, is that my wife…is the greatest judge of character here. And Wanda loved Loki from the get go. I think in some ways, Loki knew you, Wanda…in ways that I never fully understood. And I was always so happy for you, that you had someone like that. Because god knows, I wasn't going to understand your computer talk."

A few more laughs came out, "So, there's a ton of memories I could talk about. There's the last few months I could think about. And I will…we all will, again and again. But for right now, I think I just want to thank you Loki, for being that other man in my wife's life, and someone who she could always turn to as a friend. It always meant the world to her, and it meant the world to me seeing the joy you brought out in her because of it."

Wanda looked at her husband, somehow with more love in her eyes than from before he went up and spoke. Bucky might have been full of brash and Braun. But he had a lot of love and spirit in him, just like everyone else. And as much as he was deeply saddened over losing a dear friend, he was even more heartbroken for his wife.

"What's that buddy?" Bucky was asking Peter who was whispering into his neck right now. Bucky sniffed loudly, trying to stop himself from crying but then saw what Peter had. Peter had a deck of cards in his hand. One of the decks of cards that Loki had taught him some tricks with. And Peter had drawn a cat on the outside of the box. "Well, my son…it's no surprise, has my wife's heart too. And he warmed up to Loki the minute he met him. So, I guess I need to thank you too, Loki. Because I'm pretty sure we're going to be getting a cat when we're all settled after all of this…and that you've made Peter a fan of magic for life."

Peter was crying now as he held onto the cards and as Bucky sat back down. Wanda rubbed his back as Steve stood up next. Seeing Peter so distraught had him thinking of that dream more and more from a few weeks ago, but he did what he always did when the power of the moment almost overwhelmed him. He took a breath and found the words that came from his heart.

"I uh…I echo so many things that have already been said. Loki was a man that you'd always have a fun time with…even if you couldn't remember it the next day." Natasha laughed and so did everyone else, remembering the night Steve drank absinthe because of Loki's mischief.

"I…like Clint…I can't thank him enough, for helping bring Nat back."

Steve's voice tightened as he looked at her. That overwhelming feeling was not so easy to hold back right now, "Loki didn't just help bring Nat back into my life…I think if you ask my mom…or brother…they'll tell you…that Loki helped bring me back to them, too." Sarah and Bucky both looked down at the same time. Loki and Clint, by working together and finding Natasha, had saved Steve too.

Steve ran his hands over his jaw and closed his eyes for a second, "I think…instead of any of the fun times…or even harder times right now, I'm going to remember you how I first saw you, Loki. Right before we all went to Quantico. The night before, you all decided to get drunk and I…"

"Ran over Red!" Tony smiled at Steve as everyone chuckled, "Yeah…when I went and met Nat…but the morning after that, I stood in that hotel Lobby…and saw all of us. We were all sort of taking each other in. Sizing each other up. But Loki and Wanda…had already hit it off. They were talking about some tech news or something. And there was just this mischievous glint in his eyes that made me smile. And all I could think to myself was…he sure looks like an interesting character."

Everyone continued to laugh a little as Steve finished, "You more than surpassed my first impression, Loki. You were a character and surprised the hell out of all of us time and time again. And I will always be grateful to you, for making me come to that farmhouse to arrest you."

Steve wiped his eyes and was on the verge of crying as he sat back down and grabbed Natasha's hand. She held both of their mason jars in her lap, just like everyone else. Wanda looked over to Natasha and was about to stand up, but Natasha held her off, "You should speak last, right before Fury, Wanda. Let me go now."

Neither really cared who spoke first, but Natasha felt like in her heart, that Wanda should speak last.

Natasha pulled her chain out, and closed her eyes tight as she thought of what was resting in her hands and what it meant to her. Steve's army chain. Their promise of forever together, starting 12 years ago when he first gave it to her. She thought of the ring that Loki's mother had given to him, and their connection. How his mother told him, "A measure of a person, of a hero, is how well they succeed at being who they are."

The ring had meant so much to Loki, and for him to have shared two of his rings, from the only positive influence in his life before Quantico, with his two best friends, was something that Wanda and Natasha both really struggled to put into words.

But then Natasha had a thought. Steve's army tag was the beginning, and Loki's ring was the end of a timeline.

And then, Natasha started thinking of everything in between. The 12 years of memories and reality. The 12 years of heartache and pain, of laughter and tears, and of joy and sadness. The good times and bad. Their time at Quantico when they'd formed a bond. And their time away from the FBI, when they'd both lived lives as outcasts from their family of friends. And then their precious time back together over the last few months as Natasha found a way back into this world, and Loki…found a way out.

Natasha became overwhelmed and started trembling a little as she thought of all the people she'd lost. Steve stared at her and his heart somehow, broke a little more. And deep inside, he wondered if she'd be able to find the words, that they'd all struggled to form too.

But then…something beautiful happened.

The rain stopped a half an hour earlier. But right now, the clouds started retreating as the sky brightened and the sun emerged behind them. The grays turned to muted yellows and blues, and Natasha looked up towards the sun. Steve's breath caught in his throat. All of a sudden, he wasn't just thinking back to when he first saw Loki, but the first time that Natasha really took his breath away. He thought of her standing on the hill, after they'd first started at Quantico. After they'd first fought and spatted over her dishonesty at the time. He'd seen her standing in between the dorms, staring up at the sun, and everything came at him as it was coming at her now.

12 years.

12 years of getting older and wiser. Of so much heartache and tragedy. But of so many memories in their reality too. And not just the painful ones. Good ones. Foundational ones that made them all develop into the people they were today. And god, in this moment it seemed like two things could be true at once. Yes, Quantico seemed like a lifetime ago. But right now? Staring at Natasha with her red hair glowing more and more, the brighter the sun became above her. And then looking around at his friends and family. It truly, only seemed like yesterday.

Just like that…Loki was gone, and it was so unfair. But just like that, 12 years had passed too.

And both things, made Steve feel, like he was done letting any more time pass. He stared at Natasha, and it warmed his heart. It healed his soul to look at how strong she was. It always did, but the reverence he felt for her in that moment, was only made stronger by the resolve she was showing, staring straight at the pain she was facing…because of the man that wasn't here anymore in any of their lives.

Natasha looked at Steve and felt the tears starting to form. She honestly felt like she might crumble to the ground if she started to give into the emotions. Because it wasn't just about Loki right now. She was going to grieve and mourn his death for the rest of her life. This…was about so much more. It was about their child that was lost. Erskine's murder right before her eyes. It was about seven years of loss and all of the pain her and Clint had to suffer through growing up. And she looked at Steve, and knew…she was done letting any more time pass too.

They could communicate without actually talking at so many points in their lives. And right now, she fell into his stare that matched the blue skies above and felt the strength in her heart as she spoke from within.

"Secrets filled me when I first met you all. They consumed my brothers' and my life. It was how were raised and trained. And I know you know all of our history now…but the truth is, who I was around you at Quantico…wasn't a secret. I was a fighter, trained in one way, but you all chipped away at that. Steve really took a sledgehammer to those walls I had up…while Tony tried to just fight his way through any frustrations he had with me."

Natasha looked up at Tony and grinned as he did the same back to her, thinking back to how much they butted heads at the start. And Steve gave her another warm smile as she went on.

"But if I really think back, Loki had a different approach with me than anyone else. He and I weren't friends instantly like he and Wanda were. But the moment I knew that Loki was one of a kind, and when I first started to open up to him a little more, was during the trust test at Quantico. Later that day, Fury locked us all in a room and made us all work through our issues with each other, and we did. But before that, earlier in the day…we paired off together, in order to give initial assessments of each other."

Natasha looked down at the ground and held onto her chain and ring, and grinned, "Loki and I…without knowing specifics or details about each other's lives…had each other pegged…square between the eyes. I said that he could morph into any conversation, and that his arrogance and confidence were as much his strengths as they were his weaknesses. Loki commented on my strengths with weapons and fighting, but also called me out on my ability to be manipulative and secretive, and shying away from ever being completely honest. And he also knew it at the time, that the only person I really trusted then, was Steve."

Natasha laughed a little to herself, "Loki had this way of calling you out…and making you somehow smirk or want to laugh, even though you wanted to hit him." Everyone else laughed right along with her, "I knew in that moment, that maybe Wanda and he were a match in their talents and skills…and interests in technology, but he and I…fit very well together in spirit. It's kind of like Wanda and I…were two sides of the same coin that made up Loki. And I think that's why the three of us fit so well together from that moment on."

Wanda looked at Natasha as they both gave in and let the tears come as Natasha went on, "Loki, like all of you, knew there was more to my story. But he also somehow knew, just how deep and dark my story went. He didn't know details, but somehow…he could just tell. I always knew that. But he never pressed. And he never judged. And I don't say that as a comment on any of you…god knows I've done my fair share of things in this life, that I should be judged for. And my decision to run back to Ivan and Oksana, to try and give into their blackmail seven years ago, is one that I will have to live with for the rest of my life…"

"My life…that I owe all of you for…and I owe Loki, in helping Clint, and then helping send Steve off to save me. My life, that he…and all of you have helped me find my way back to over the past several months. Loki never judged me, and it was the same from me to him. Because in a way, we were cut from the same cloth. And Wanda? Bucky? Seeing Loki on the rooftop when we both watched your wedding reception, five years ago…was a bright moment in both of our very dark lives at the time. It started me on the path to see Steve again somehow. But it also made me feel an ounce of what we all had back at Quantico, and then in New York after that…even if it was only for a few minutes."

"Loki lived his life to the fullest, and made me promise to never stop forgiving myself two weeks ago…"

Natasha looked at Steve and nodded through her tears, "I promise, Loki…I will honor that, just as I know you forgave yourself because you deserved it. To a man who had my number from the start because of our similarities, but didn't judge me for the answers to questions he would never get at the time. To a man who made me laugh even when I wanted to hit him. To a man who with all of you, helped me so much over the last few months."

Tears were falling through emotional laughter and loud sniffles as Natasha looked at Wanda and then Steve, "To a man…who I loved very much, and will continue to honor in this beautiful gift he gave me. In this life. We have what we have, when we have it. And I'm so thankful, that I had the time I did with Loki."

Natasha finally started to cry, and then couldn't stop as Steve went up to wrap his arms around her and bring her back to their seats. She fell into his grasp and held onto her mason jar again. Steve did only what he could right then and there. He held her and kissed her forehead as they tried to get through this.

Stronger together.

Wanda wiped her eyes and squeezed Bucky's hand and looked at Peter before she stood up. It was as if Loki was smiling at Natasha's words, and felt like he was actually in the presence of his two friends and team again, because the sun became a little brighter in that moment, and a beautiful rainbow appeared from overhead.

The Cathedral may have appeared majestic on the surface, but the wonder of nature truly made everything feel magical right now.

Serenity.

It brought a little relief to Wanda as she smiled up at the sky and started talking through her shaky voice, "Loki and I…were the odd couple from the start. We both were more skilled in technology, and academics. We were interested in a lot of the same things in news and culture, although my interests never led me to the dark web like his did…"

A few laughs came out as she went on, "But Loki was always seen as this unpredictable rogue, and I was seen as this…constant and meek member of the team." Wanda looked around at a couple of frowns, "Don't take offense to that…trust me, I was meek. Loki was too in some ways though. That is my point. Loki may have made you blush an awful lot with his incessant need to unnerve you with sexual innuendos and jokes. But in the end, he and I, like he and Natasha, were cut from similar cloths too. Loki and I were just…more in line with each other from the start. We were both nerds. And we both sucked at driving."

A lot of laughter came out of everyone as Wanda grinned, "I promise, I won't take offense at those laughs that are obviously agreeing with me…Trust me, I know…I was awful. Even worse than Loki."

Everyone thought back at their time at TEVOC, and the ridiculousness of that week, where Fury had pushed them to the edge, and when Tony…helped Loki, Wanda, and Natasha.

"But whether our differences were on display, or our similarities, we hit it off from the start. You and Steve talked about this, Natasha. And James talked about Loki being the other man in my life." Wanda looked over to her husband and son and smiled, "He was. Loki was the other man in my life. He was like a brother to me, always. And in some ways, he was the brother I never got to share my life with, because of Pietro's disease."

Wanda thought of all she had lost in that moment, just like all of them had.

The last 12 years had been filled with blessings, but had also taken its toll. For all that she had gained in Bucky and his family, and giving birth to Peter, Wanda lived a blessed life. But she had dealt with her own heartache in that time period. Wanda had lost Natasha and Loki for so long in her life, but she'd also lost her actual brother. And now, everyone present knew…that it truly felt like she'd lost another brother. Wanda became a little more lost in her emotions as she continued.

"Loki was a man who gave us more life in our family. He gave me confidence as a friend. He made us all laugh, so much that we could cry at times. And he made a mark on this world that none of us will ever forget…" Wanda paused to collect herself, but she was struggling to be able to speak anymore. Peter ran out of Bucky's arms and into his mother's as he hugged her tight.

Peter, like Loki…gave her confidence and strength too as she hugged him tight. She looked at her family and friends and took a breath, "I think the best way that I can end my time, is repeating what I wrote about Loki back at Quantico. Fury chose me to write Loki's final assessment, after we were done at Hogan's Alley. And once again, Fury's mind games are at play right now, because what I wrote about him 12 years ago, is still just as true today."

Fury, got up from his seat and came to stand by Wanda to hand her a piece of paper that he had copied. The paper had, exactly what she'd written about Loki 12 years ago.

"100 words is a hard limit for a man like Loki. Is there an ego, acting like he doesn't care at times? Does he need to listen more and speak less? Yes. While those are weaknesses, his strengths outshine them, just as his personality outshines the sun. He tests limits, which is needed for someone like myself. His intellect and technological talents, are equal strengths." Wanda had to take a breath, as the tears wouldn't stop, and as Bucky came up to hold his wife and son. But she collected herself after a few seconds, and found a way to finish what she'd written about him then.

"But he's also the flavor in our mixed bag of ingredients, with his cleverness and mischief. He is irreplaceable. Without him, we wouldn't be us. That's why the FBI will be stronger, together with him."

Bucky kissed Wanda's forehead as Wanda said, just loud enough for everyone to hear, "I'll love you forever, Loki."

Nick Fury thought he knew what he wanted to say today. But he looked at his team, and honestly? He was hurting just as much as them. As much as the group had laughed at his leadership style with his never-ending stares, and his mind games to boot, Fury…loved his team. He loved them like they were his own children.

They started off as this rag tag group, and never lost that blend of personalities when they were together. But they had lost time together. And time…was an irreplaceable commodity. They would never get those seven years back that they'd lost as a team and a family. Maybe some of them would have still split off, but it wouldn't have been out of contention or depression. It wouldn't have been filled with spite and petty feelings. The team had five years of chemistry and foundational growth after Quantico, and then seven years of a fractured existence.

But what once was lost, was found again, and that chemistry formed anew. It truly was, just like riding a bicycle. And no matter where they all went after this journey was all said and done, Fury knew that the people he was staring at, wouldn't be fractured again. Even if they weren't all working at the FBI together after this, they would still be a family.

Families grow and change and move. But they can always find their way back home to one another.

And Fury's family had found their way back, but had lost one of their own. Fury felt that pain as much for his own loss, as he did for each of them. He felt like his stomach had been punched when Steve told him initially, what'd happened to Loki after the explosion. And then it settled in, and it almost felt like Fury could feel himself getting older in that moment. He'd lived through a lot in his life. A lot of bullshit and betrayal. And a lot of pain and heartache.

This team and family? The joy and happiness outweighed all of that by a landslide.

So, when Fury thought of the handshake Loki and he shared, the morning before they left two weeks ago…When they'd finally put all of the bullshit behind them. When they'd both finally put their guilt and anger aside…It only left him feeling gutted.

It hurt to see the guilt from not being able to fight, in Maria and Rhodey and Thor's eyes as he told them two weeks ago, what had happened. And it hurt like hell, as the task-force returned that evening, sullen and silent, and filled with shock and raw emotion.

It was painful to see his team in pain, knowing they'd listened to Loki's last words. And it was absolutely heartbreaking, as Fury took in Wanda and Natasha that evening, just as he looked at them now.

Fury threw out any idea of words that he had thought of before he came to stand in front of his team, and spoke from the heart.

"I could stand here and tell you all of funny memories that I have of Loki. But those will be shared again and again in the time ahead of us. Make no mistake, there is not a shortage of his shenanigans. Some of them you know about, and I'd be willing to bet, that some of them you don't."

Fury had a glint in his eye as a couple of emotional laughs came out from his family, "I think right now, all of you have shared touching memories and have showed what a complicated and layered and…unpredictable person Loki could be. But as complicated as he may have seemed…there was a simple truth to Loki too. A simple truth that we all share, and that truth binds us now, and always will. Stronger together. Just because one of us is gone from this world, doesn't mean that notion isn't true anymore. It's the opposite. It just makes the need for all of us to be in each other's lives, all the more powerful."

Fury took a breath and went on, "That doesn't mean that the FBI is necessarily where everyone will be, after this is all over and after we leave the safehouse. When everything has tempered down. But…it does mean, that I've seen you all come back together over the last three months, from all walks of life. From the brink of death, and from being on the FBI's most wanted list. From the CIA, NSA, and Homeland Security. From past relationships, and relationships that are long overdue."

Fury grinned at Maria and Sam, "Loki would be proud of me right now for causing you to look uncomfortable, Wilson. Remember, I see a lot more than what you all think. I always have. So just listen…and know that I believe this, with all of my years of experience, and all of the time that I've seen you all together, and apart…"

"Know the simple truth that drove Loki, his entire life…Well, it drives all of you too. Loyalty and love. Family and friendship. Courage and resolve."

Fury's team. His task-force. His group of trainees, that seemed to grow over the last 12 years before his eyes. And within the blink of an eye, they were all captivated by him, like they always were. "Those qualities are what made you all, into the team that you became. Those qualities are what made you all, into great FBI agents. But those truths…are also what made you into the family, that you still are."

Fury took a big breath and wiped his eyes as he collected himself and finished, "My first words to you at Quantico, in the auditorium were, "There was an idea, to bring together a group of remarkable people to fight battles for this country that couldn't be fought before."

Fury grinned as he continued, "Fidelity. Bravery. Integrity. What I told you at the start, you more than proved through growing and passing tests together. But you proved it together as a family too. I know, it can be easy to get lost in the pain. I will struggle with that too, for the rest of my time on earth. But Loki, for as complicated as he was…could be narrowed down to the simplicity of the motto of the FBI. Fidelity. Bravery. Integrity. You all fulfilled that mission, by living those simple truths. Loyalty and love. Family and friendship. Courage and resolve."

"I still believe in heroes. I've told you that before. I told you that when you graduated, and I believe it even more now. You have proven it to me, time and time again. And we lost a hero that is irreplaceable, like Maximoff said. Loki was one of a kind. He was a pain in the ass and loved being one. But he would have only wanted you to keep living those simple truths too. To keep being those heroes, in whatever avenue you find yourselves in, in the future. But more importantly, keep being heroes to each other."

Fury glanced at Natasha, "Romanoff? I think if you asked around, you'll find that other people have felt more whole again…Have felt like a part of them that was missing, was now back in the last few months since you've come back to us. Because Rogers came back to us too. And Rhodes and Thor…and Hill and Stark. And Loki. Everyone came back together, and that is what is important."

Everyone wasn't as emotional as when Wanda or Natasha were speaking, but they were feeling every word as Fury spoke, "Keep coming back together, no matter the distance or time. Because that is what Loki would have wanted, yes. But it's because it is what you all deserve. Loki helped bring you together. And remind you all that yes, you are stronger together…no matter if it is in the job or not. Where you are truly stronger together, is as a family. I still believe in heroes. And I still believe in all of you. That is what I am most thankful to Loki for. For reminding me of those simple truths, and how strong you all are together."

"I think I'll end this, with the words from a song, that Sarah thought of the other day for Loki."

Fury read aloud, the lyrics from the Beatles beautiful melody, "Blackbird," as everyone listened.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Black bird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Fury sat back down and thunder sounded from above. It startled everyone, and made them all the more aware that their short reprieve from the storm, was coming to an end. It was an odd mix in the weather. With the skies clearing above them for the last hour. With the sun peeking through, strong enough to form a rainbow. But now, it was coming to an end with the ominous clouds returning and rain soon to follow.

Time went on, and this short reprieve was almost over. So was their memorial. Wanda and Natasha looked at each other and held each other's hands as they stood up, both holding their mason jars. And everyone followed suit.

Everyone went to the overlook as Natasha and Wanda stood off to the side, holding onto each other. Holding onto their rings. And holding onto their piece of Loki, that they were about to put to rest.

Loki was never a religious man, which made the hoopla that the government displayed at the Cathedral a few days ago, all the more ridiculous. But this? There was no ceremony or minister. There was not program or singers. It was just his family of friends, putting him to rest at the last place they'd all been together at, in peace.

Everyone crowded onto the overlook, and Rhodey and Thor went first. They wiped their eyes and smacked each other on the shoulders, and stepped towards the waterfalls roaring underneath. The rushing water was so loud that even if someone was trying to talk right now, it would have been really hard to hear, with the deafening mixture of thunder coming from above.

But they didn't need to talk.

It was each of their individual, last moments before they were about to spread his ashes into the nature around them. Before they emptied their jars into the falls.

Wanda had thought of the idea a week ago, when Fury had asked them what they would like to do for their own service. And the team all loved it, instantly. Ashes to ashes. And dust to dust. Loki would forever rest in a beautiful site, soaking in the horizon and natural wonders that surrounded him. He would forever be at peace.

Rhodey and Thor unscrewed their jars and let the dust and dirt within, fly towards the water below. A dark cloud that disappeared into a pool of calming blue and white. Serenity. It was sad, but soothing. And it warmed their hearts as they stepped away from the railing to make room.

Bruce and Betty, and then Clint and Laura followed suit. Each hanging their heads and watching quietly as Tony and Pepper, and then Sam and Maria went next.

Individual jars of dirt that blended with the earth and natural elements. Individuals, standing together as they helped put Loki to rest.

Fury looked at the four people left and held hands with Sarah as they went up and did the same. Tony and everyone that had already had their moment at the overlook, got a grin on their faces, thinking of the inappropriate joke that Loki would absolutely have said right then and there…and inadvertently made Bucky and Steve squirm.

Bucky took Peter up and held onto him as he helped Peter empty his own jar, and then winced through the pain in his arm as he emptied his own, and as Peter hugged him close. And then Steve went up. Shutting his eyes tight, and thinking of how this crazy three-month journey began. At a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, with Loki setting them all up. He would be forever grateful to the complicated man he was fortunate to call a friend. And he would forever remember this moment. Another cloud of dark, that went below and spread into the light.

And then two remained.

Two that used to be three.

A trio of friends that wouldn't be the same. None of them would be. But they would find a way through. They had to. Loki sacrificed his life for them. For innocent citizens. He sacrificed, for the job and for what was right. And the right thing to do, right now, was honor him by living. Not by letting the grief swallow them whole. Wanda and Natasha held each other's hands after they took the lids off their jars.

They looked at each other as they thought of the rings that they wore. And the memories and love that they would always have. They thought of how Loki changed their lives.

And then there were two…two sides of the same coin, that made up a lot of who Loki was. Wanda rested her head on Natasha's shoulder as Natasha kissed her forehead. They held each other's waists as they each held a jar in their hands. And they turned them over and helped lay the last of Loki to rest. Two last clouds of dust that disappeared into the water below.

Loki, the broken blackbird had learned to fly and was gone.

And the two women, both whispered out through their tears, "We love you, Loki. Always."

Sarah took Peter, as Steve and Bucky both went up to hug Natasha and Wanda. And just like in life, Loki had one final trick up his sleeve. Maybe it was just erratic weather at one of the natural wonders of the world.

But even if it was just crazy weather for that day, meaning can be found. And in times of mourning and grief, people search for meaning. So, the family of friends would tell themselves from this day forward, that Loki got an awful good laugh…a hysterical one for that matter…out of what happened next.

There was no warning with a drizzle or a few droplets. There was no mist that they felt, before they could run back to the bus in order to stay dry. No.

The rain came, in a torrential downpour. And they were all instantly soaked within a minute. By the time they would all retrieve their umbrellas and run back to the bus, they would all be sopping wet anyway…so they stood there in shock of how quickly they were drenched.

The rain was relentless as they all squinted their eyes and their tears were washed away, and Wanda and Natasha looked at each other and felt it. The sigh of relief and the warmth of sheer laughter.

They felt Loki in their hearts, laughing his ass off at how they all looked like they'd just come out of a pool. And they started laughing. It spread as quickly as the water trickled down their skin. And everyone standing there, started laughing too. They would remember this moment forever. Standing at one of the most beautiful sites on earth, putting a man they all loved to rest, and then him getting the last laugh as they all became water logged.

Sarah moved first with Peter in her arms, and then everyone began to follow. They all left the overlook except Natasha. Steve looked back and saw her standing there and went back up and spoke loudly in her ear, "Nat, what is it?"

She could barely hear him, but looked up and saw the water fall off his jaw as the rain surrounded them, "I just…wanted one more minute, Steve. Stand with me?"

She was in his arms a second later as he held onto her tight. They were all still recovering from injuries from two weeks ago. Steve's stomach was almost fully healed. Natasha's bruises were gone. Rhodey was walking with a brace and a cane, and Thor and Maria still had bandages over his eye and her burns. But they were all healing. Bucky's shoulder. Sam's arm. Tony's knee. Clint's thigh.

They were all recovering, but the deepest scar from this ordeal would remain in their hearts forever.

Natasha turned her head on Steve's chest and stared at the falls, barely being able to make them out through the downpour around them. Maybe she was a little out of it with everything she was feeling. But Steve didn't care. Maybe they looked a little silly, taking another minute in the pouring rain, but no one on the bus batted an eye.

Natasha took that extra minute, to shut her eyes and tell Loki one more time, thank you. A thank you in her heart, for helping her and Steve find their way back to each other.

Steve knew what she was feeling and thinking without them talking. Yes, they always had a way of communicating, but he knew what she was feeling, because he was feeling it too. An immense amount of love and gratitude for a man that was as complicated as they came in some ways. But in others? It was as simple as Fury said. It was a man who loved his family, very much. And he'd found his way back to them.

And for them? There was nothing that Loki wouldn't have done.

Natasha had said what she needed to, and she felt at peace in the moment too. She would always hurt. She would grieve and mourn. They all would. And there would be times, where her anger or depression, or her bargaining or denial would take hold. But right now, she was accepting where she was at. She was accepting the gift that Loki had given her, and them all. She was accepting, that life was short and the man that was holding her now, she didn't want to spend another day without.

Serenity.

Natasha turned up towards Steve, and they remembered another time in their lives from two years ago in the rain. Another time when Steve ran after her in the woods outside of the cabin. They were at such a dark part in their history then, and it was right before Natasha had tried to run away from him for good.

But right now, even though the surroundings in weather might have been similar, everything was different. It was colder back then. Everything was dark in their lives as Steve snuck off and lied to meet up with her. As Natasha risked her safety to see him. It was right before the mission in Kazakhstan, and right before she'd told Steve goodbye.

And now? They were at the other end of that godawful period of time. Somehow, they'd made it through. They swam through their ocean of grief to find each other, and would get through this together too.

There were no more goodbyes. There were no more endings for them. It was only new beginnings.

Some of those beginnings were painful, like realizing the dynamic of the group would be changed permanently with one of them gone. But some of the beginnings, they were more than ready for. They were ready to put this chapter behind them. They were ready to try and live as normal of a life as they could. They were ready to find Ivan and Oksana and Rumlow, and put all of Poseidon to rest in their minds.

But right now, they felt ready, and like Loki was giving his blessing from beyond the grave somehow. Like he was truly at peace with nature and where he rested permanently. And that peaceful feeling, seeped into Natasha's heart as she looked up at Steve and kissed him. The warmth spread between them as he held her tight with her arms circling around his waist inside his coat.

It wasn't a long kiss, but it was a powerful one. They rested their foreheads against each other as she grinned against his lips and said the same thing to the man that she loved as she'd said to the man that she'd just help lay to rest, "I love you, Soldier. Always."

Steve looked at her curiously as she stared at him amusingly. There they were, water pouring off their hair and faces and clothes. He shook his head and kissed her forehead as he asked, "What is it, Nat?" Natasha grinned, "It's just going to take some getting used to is all…the beard being gone."

Steve couldn't help but give a little laugh as he kissed her quick again and whispered in her ear, "I love you too, Nat." And then they made their way back to the bus.

Inside, the sound of laughter filled the air.

The laughter from the silliness of everyone being drenched. Laughter from a joke about how Wanda told Bucky that he looked like a, "cat caught in the rain," with his scowl from being soaked. To which Peter asked, "Is Daddy a cat like Loki was?" And everyone laughed some more.

And when Steve and Natasha came on, Tony happily took over the role of trying to make a little too inappropriate of a joke as he said, "You know it's gonna be harder to tell when you two have been making out now, since Rogers lost his beard."

Steve shook his head as Natasha grinned and sat down with everyone sitting towards the aisle. Beers and water were being handed out along with towels. And Sarah, gave everyone a gift. She'd been taking pictures of all of their time at the safehouse from the last month, and she'd made a small photo album for each one of the them, including Clint.

Steve and Bucky looked at her, like they often had in life…expecting acts like this because it was who she was, but they were still a little surprised. Everyone else, was amazed and speechless. They all became silent as Tony put on, 'Blackbird,' over the radio through his phone, and as they thumbed through the albums and looked at their memories in the bindings of the albums.

Their memories and realities. Their endings and new beginnings.

There were moments from their breakfasts and planning meetings. Images of each of the couples smiling or holding each other. Of Steve and Bucky and Sam and Maria. Of Tony and Rhodey and Bruce and Thor. Of Clint and Natasha. And then of Loki and Peter. Loki and Sarah. And Loki and Wanda and Natasha. A whole album of pictures like that, mixed in with pictures from long ago. Campfires. Nights out. Nights at each other's apartments. From Sunday dinners at Sarah's. From pictures Sarah had made copies of over the years of their group.

Until they got to the end, with two final pictures.

It was the picture of the 11 of them from their graduation at Quantico, right after they'd received their badges. And the final picture, was the 11 of them, before they went off to Poseidon's compound, two weeks ago. It was their last picture, all together. Maybe other times, they would be incredibly sad looking at the photographs. But right now, it only brought them joy and peace.

Right now, it only made them warm to think of all of their memories together. And it only made them laugh as the memories came out through their stories being told. That was how the drive back to the airport and the flight back to the city went. That was how lunch and dinner went. That was how the rest of the day and evening was spent. With a few tears and sadness, yes. But mostly, just celebrating their memories and the life of Loki.

Their good times, surrounded by the people that'd been together since the beginning. The laughter that'd been a constant throughout their time together. Through their endings and new beginnings. And it was still there as they honored their friend.

Loki, the blackbird who had been broken for so much of his life, had learned to fly.

---

12 Years Ago – FBI Headquarters

"Hey Rogers, why do you all look sleepy? You and you brother stay up late having a pillow fight or something?"

Tony smiled as he met everyone in the lobby of the FBI Headquarters in New York. They had all planned to walk into the office together on their first morning. Loki let out a little laugh as Sam answered, "Oh Tony, some of us got our beauty sleep…unlike the ladies and my roommates…Let's just say, Maria and Bucky had their…"

"Come to Jesus meeting?" Tony answered as Sam added, "If that's true, who's Jesus? Maria…or Bucky?"

The three men stood by Steve as Rhodey, Bruce, and Thor joined them. They all grinned at each other, and unanimously answered, "Bucky."

Steve scoffed and shook his head as Bucky was joking with Maria behind them, and as Wanda and Natasha both yawned and were laughing. All was well after their talk, as the 11 of them made their way up the elevator, and into the bullpen.

The 11 of them stood in awe at the hustle and bustle of the department. It was already busy at this early hour. Agents were at their desks looking at files. Some were on their own and some were working together. Some were drinking coffee and discussing life. And some were eating donuts while they worked over casefiles.

Fury nodded to Steve.

Fury was standing outside of their conference room. Steve looked at his team. His team…it was the first time he had that thought in the working world as he led them to Fury.

Some of the agents already at work, peeked up and could smell the fresh graduation meat on their faces. But some, didn't look at all because they were just that busy or didn't care. This was an annual thing, and just because Fury had a hot shot group of 11 graduates (that had all the higher ups talking), it didn't sway the needle one way or the other with most of the other agents in New York. The team would have to prove their worth with their actions, not with their reputation from Quantico.

Fury brought them all in and had them have a seat as he stared at each one of them.

Steve sat right by Fury as everyone else filled in at the table. It was the first time they all sat at the conference table, that would be their meeting space for the next five years. The truth was, the team would more than prove themselves very quickly, and the agents outside the conference room would start respecting the team, not long after their first day. But this wasn't about everyone outside the conference room.

It was about the beginning of their journey as agents. It was about their very first day on the job.

They had made it.

Not wasting any time, Fury threw a box on the table with files.

"I trust you all had a relaxing weekend and are all well-rested from your two weeks off?"

Loki and Sam chuckled as Tony grinned at Bucky's yawning. But Fury cut them off at the knees, "As funny as you think I may have been at Quantico, I can assure you, my humorous side didn't transfer here to the city. Today is a whole new ballgame, and as far as I'm concerned? It's the first day of school again. Only this school, is the real world. So that means, you show up. You shut up. And you do your work. You can laugh on your own time."

Steve and Bucky…and the entire team knew what Fury was doing. He was breaking them in, and hitting the ground running. His bosses weren't going to give him leeway. Criminals weren't going to give them a learning curve. They needed to work their asses off from the start. And they were ready. Sam and Bucky nodded. Tony smiled and Loki gave a little wave to Steve, and then to Fury. It was all to say, 'We'll shut up.'

Fury went on, "Pomp and circumstance and accolades are over. As far as I'm concerned, it's time for you to start passing those never-ending tests in life that I talked to you about. And we start right away. This box contains the case files of a man that goes by the name of Kilgrave. He's connected with four people's deaths in the last year, and he is in charge of a small crime ring that sells drugs all over the city."

Fury left the box at the front of the table and made his way to the door. He looked back at his team and then at Rogers and nodded at Steve, letting him know…that it was time. They'd completed their orientation in the building last week, so they knew where their desks and labs and computers would be. They knew the floor and the building, and Steve didn't waist another second.

It was time for him to lead.

"Tony, Thor, Rhodey. Start making a list of bars and businesses that have had contacts with any of Kilgrave's circle. Let's start talking to anyone on that list today, to see if we can compile anything new. Maria and Natasha? You two will talk to the witnesses that have come forward again to see if any new details emerge. Bucky, Sam? You're with me. We're going to go check out a couple of his gang members that were arrested. Their information is in these files, and we're just going to have a talk. And Wanda, Bruce, and Loki? Get to the lab, and start entering all of the locations that are in these files. See if you can find any patterns to try and narrow our search for Kilgrave."

Steve's team all looked at him with quirked eyebrows and grins. It was just for a second. It was just a moment, as they all soaked in their new reality.

Steve fell into the role as naturally as a fish breathes in water. There would be learning curves and growing pains. There would be mistakes, both small and large. There would be difficulties and fights, both minor and consequential. There would be head butting and personality clashing and fundamental differences over the years.

But right now, this was their first moment as an FBI team together. And for any bump in the road that came their way over the next five years, there was a mountain of successes and smooth teamwork and chemistry, to outweigh it. The success of the team would spread fast and far up the chain of command, and Fury would rise to the rank of Assistant Director within a couple of years.

The team would grow and change, but always stayed together during this time. It was five years, of how things should've been. It was five years of them being, stronger together at work. Bringing down the bad guys when they could, passing those never-ending life tests, and having a hell of a lot of fun outside of work together. And as a result, they only grew stronger together as a family too.

Graduation had marked the ending of their time as trainees. And this was officially their new beginning as agents. And Steve gave just a hint of a grin back to his friends and family, and then finished, "What are we all waiting for? Let's get to work."

The second had passed.

And they were off to the races. Day one. Day one of many. Kilgrave was the first of many criminals that they would take down.

Fury stopped at the door to look at Steve as he led the team that morning. It was day one in their new school. And a smirk almost emerged on his face, but he held it back.

Fury wouldn't admit it to any of them, but he knew in his stomach and brain…and heart in that moment, that he'd made the right decision in bringing the 11 of them to New York. Fury looked at the team as they all started looking at files and getting ready to go talk to the criminals and witnesses and victims. He looked at Wanda, Bruce, and Loki as they all went to the lab.

And Fury simply nodded at Rogers, and walked back to his office, to work on his never-ending duties. He would check back in with them frequently but Fury smiled his entire walk back, because the team…never stopped surprising him. He wanted to see how they'd react to his behavior this morning, and they passed with flying colors.

It was the beginning of their new chapter in their lives, and Fury couldn't wait to see what came next.

---

Present Day – Task-Force Compound

"Rogers, Romanoff…Barton…Come in here."

It was later that evening. They'd all gotten back to the safehouse after the funeral and ate and drank and laughed…and cried. Rinse, wash, and repeat. It seemed like a cycle as they continued to share memories and look through pictures and tell stories.

It was well past Dusk as the stars shined above. Their evening continued hour after hour, until Fury called Steve, Natasha, and Clint into the conference room quietly. He was careful not to disturb everyone else's reminiscing.

Barton held his beer in his hand as Natasha sat her wine glass down on the table and Steve stood by her, still holding onto his glass of whiskey.

"What is it, Fury?"

Fury, sat at the end of the conference table. He had his old radio that he'd used when they first arrived at the safehouse, with Morse Code capabilities. Right by the radio, was a notepad, with a message written out on it.

Natasha looked at Steve and then her brother before she asked again, "Fury, what is it?"

Fury looked at them. He had a glass of his own liquor in hand. He took a breath before he finally answered, "I called you in here, so I know I need to tell you what I'm about to…but it doesn't mean that I'm not hesitant to…"

Fury…looked strained. He'd received a text about an hour ago before he came into the conference room and had been by himself for that entire time. But hearing him right now, Steve was positive…that it had something to do, with the only three people the task-force were actively hunting. And his stomach became tight too.

Clint caught on quickly, "It's them isn't it? You found 'em."

"Barton, why don't you sit."

"No, Fury. I'm done sitting. If you found them, you tell me right now."

"Clint…" Natasha had her hand on his shoulder, "Let's just sit and listen. Fury called us in here for a reason. And by the look of his notes, it seems like he just found this out…"

Fury wiped his face with his hand and looked at Steve, who looked about the same as he sat down.

Hesitant. Nervous.

Did Steve want to catch Rumlow and make him pay for every ounce of pain he inflicted on Natasha? Yes. Did he want to bring Ivan and Oksana to justice? Yes. But that desire didn't come without strings.

Another mission. Another journey. Another hurdle to jump over. No matter how much less of a challenge this mission would be, it was still a risk. And after everything the team had been through over the last two weeks…and months…and years…it just made his stomach tighten, his heart clench, and his brain hurt.

Steve just wanted to be done with this. He wanted to…not wait another goddamn second, just like he felt when he'd looked at Natasha earlier today at the funeral. But he also knew…this was necessary. Not just for him. Not even close to just being for him. But for the two people next to him. If Natasha and Clint were ever going to move on to new beginnings, they were going to have to bring their past to an end for good.

Endings and new beginnings.

A person really can't have one without the other. For something to start anew, something else has to end. A new job marks the end of time at a previous one. Or maybe it is going from high school to college. Or from one relationship to another. Maybe it's a new life being brought into this world, that marks the ending of two people just being a couple, as they transition into parenthood. And maybe it's death, marking the end of time for a soul on this earth. It marks the end of memories being created, as a new reality is formed.

And this moment in Natasha and Clint's life, was coming to the end. It was, and it was beautiful. But it wouldn't be over…They wouldn't fully stop looking over their shoulders, or waking in the middle of the night, to wonder if their nightmares might become their reality again. They wouldn't be able to stop finally seeking vengeance for all the wrongs that were done to them and the people they loved. No…none of it would stop, as long as the three people who escaped Poseidon's compound…the three people who'd been the source of their pain for so long, were still in the wind.

Would they still have to deal with the horrible memories from their childhood? And teenage years? And everything that happened to them after? Yes. That was a fact. Just like grief, that pain would never fully leave. But they couldn't fully heal either, with those three wretched people, somewhere out there.

They needed this for their closure.

Steve needed it too, but god he was scared. They'd just lost one of their own. They'd all lost so much in their life. They just came back from Loki's funeral, and now Fury was about to tell them details on where to find the last piece of this torturous puzzle.

Steve wiped his own face as Fury spoke, "It brings me no peace to give you this information, but I also know that you deserve the chance for closure. You deserve the chance…to bring the last part of the terrorist group in. Poseidon is like a disease. There will be germs, or strands…or individual operatives that get away. That's just how it is. But from what we've all been able to tell over the last couple of weeks, all of the heavy hitters have been brought down worldwide. There were high ranking officials in British Parliament. In the Australian and Chinese governments. All of the large factions have all been raided and taken apart…the ones that weren't already blown to pieces, that is."

"Everyone big…except for three." Fury took a breath and went on, "The last three, high-up operatives at large are Ivan, Oksana, and Rumlow. And if there is possibly someone…or something…that hates them more, than yes, even the three of you…It is the Russian government."

That made all three of their heads pop up as Fury scoffed a little, "Good to know I still have the ability to garner attention when needed. You've noticed my chicken scratches here. I've been communicating with Colonel Phillips over the last hour. He texted me, only to tell me that he would send me a message over Morse Code only. I think we're well past needing to do that with Poseidon being done…But who am I to question him? Turns out…that old man really does still have some aces up his sleeve, and still has a hell of a lot of connections in this world. I bet you and your brother drove him absolutely crazy in the Army, Rogers."

Steve smirked as Fury went on, "Phillips was in contact with a leading General in the Russian government. Turns out, your handlers…and that bastard, Rumlow…are enemy number one in your mother country. Now, if you ask me, it's obviously because Poseidon went 'ka blewy,' and their connections into spying on world governments were severed. But according to Phillips' contact, the Russian President is playing it off, like they are just as disgusted as the rest of the world at Poseidon's deceptive attempts. And they've been very good at separating themselves from the terrorist group. But most importantly, they absolutely hate…the bad media attention that Russia is getting from all of this worldwide."

Fury took a breath, "In short? Your mother country, wants the three of their heads on a pike. And they want it done, now. They want to put this whole debacle behind them."

Clint scoffed, "Yeah, so they can just work on the next underground ring, exploiting children from home."

Clint's sarcasm was heavy, but true as Fury answered, "Probably, Barton. But we take the information as we got it. We save today, so that tomorrow can be saved by others. That's the job. So, let's finish this one…Phillips was in contact with General Strucker, who basically fed the information to Phillips. They'll allow a small aircraft into a private airfield in your home country. And we have a pretty good idea of where to find Ivan, Oksana, and Rumlow."

Steve ran his hand through his hair as he asked, "Colonel Phillips trusts the intel? He trusts Strucker?"

Fury grinned, "As much as you can trust anyone in the spy game with world contacts. Phillips trusts Strucker in this instance…because he knows that Strucker and all of the leaders in Russia want those three gone. They're blacklisted from their mother country. They just don't know it yet."

Natasha was running her hand over the wine glass, "I believe they want them gone, Fury. But how can we be sure that it's not a trap for us?"

Fury stared at her, "You can't, Romanoff. You of all people know that. Trust in the spy game is…fluid at best. Circumstantial. But what you can trust, is their hatred for everything that has blown up in their faces. Their desire to stop the bad P.R. Russia is getting and sanctions that have been placed on them from NATO, the United Nations, and other world organizations…And you can trust the knowledge, that the three of you? Are about as high up on the pedestal of heroism as you can get on the world stage. The last thing they need is for something to happen to The Quantico 11, in their homeland."

Steve was shaking his head, "Then why not just put a bullet in their brains themselves, Fury? Why are they going through back channels to handfeed this information to us?"

Fury stared at Rogers, expecting him to figure it out on his own. But Natasha beat him to the punch, "Because there's always a catch, Steve. They want this done. They want Ivan and Oksana out. But they want their pound of flesh from this. They want the good P.R. because they want it to look like they worked with us, through backchannels to help eradicate this disease too."

"Jesus Christ. You've gotta be fucking kidding me," Clint was beyond pissed. The thought of the Russian government somehow benefitting from Ivan and Oksana's downfall, while they were the ones benefiting from their inception into the United States for decades…was vomit worthy.

Fury took a breath, "Barton? Romanoff? The two of you specifically, but I know Rogers will be in on this too. It's part of it. I'm asking…what are you prepared to do?"

Clint looked at Natasha as Fury went on, "You have a choice in this matter. You do. You may not think you do. You may think you absolutely have to have closure, but you still have the ability to choose right now. But…I wanted you to know, so you could at least choose together. The Russian government told Phillips they'd make sure Ivan and Oksana and Rumlow remained in the abandoned Gulag they were hiding out in, on the outskirts of Moscow, for five days. We could fly in, and be back here in less time than that. Your call though."

Steve put his hand on Natasha's knee, and Clint took a big swig of his beer before he set it firmly on the table, "Shit. There's always a fucking string."

Steve looked up as Fury repeated his line to his team leader, "I'm asking you…what are you prepared to do?"

Steve looked a little harder at Fury as he smirked, and Steve understood what Fury was really saying, but was by no means directing them to do.

Steve looked at Natasha, "Nat…Clint? What if we can get them, and not help the Russian government?"

Natasha looked up at Steve, and understood everything he was saying with one glance, "We leave in two days. Go in earlier than expected. We sneak in, bring in the three of them, and sneak out. That way, they're brought to justice, and we can get the news of their capture out, before the Russian media has it's chance to spin it?"

Clint was nodding and so was Steve. Fury sat back and grinned at the trio. He hated that they'd be going off into danger. He couldn't be a part of it. It would be them going off on a rogue mission for sure.

But where there were three? More would follow.

"On your left."

Sam patted Steve's shoulder and sat by his side. "You're not seriously considering going off and collecting those bastards on your own, are you? Look at what happened the last time the three of you were together in Russia without us? I'm pretty sure it involved Rogers sleuthing his way through the Kremlin Palace, and the two of you having to part ways."

Tony was smirking as he came in. And everyone else followed. Even Rhodey with his cane. And Maria and Thor were sitting down. It was Fury and the 11 of them.

Natasha tried to fight it right away, "Tony…Bucky…Wanda, I can't let you…"

And Wanda was the one to speak up, "Natasha, I love you. But stop. Just stop. This stopped being just about you and Clint, a long time ago. Loki told you that. We've all told you that. You may need it more. You may want to bring the three of them down more than all of us combined, but that doesn't change the fact that we're a family. And a team. And you're not going anywhere without us."

Natasha smirked as Steve shook his head and Bucky spoke, "Yeah, and I thought we were done with this whole, you sneaking off from the rest of us, Steve? The end of the line. No matter when that is. We're together. Stronger together, right?"

Tony clapped, "Oh good, this will give me the chance for us to use my new jet. Just so you know, Red. Loki would have skewered you three, if you would've snuck off without him. We're all going. Even Hop-A-Long, Hill, and One-Eyed Willy over here."

Thor jokingly punched Tony in the shoulder as Fury took over, "Just so we're clear. This is not a sanctioned op. This is not a recommendation by the U.S. Government. This cannot be a sanctioned op. And you absolutely, cannot be caught invading another world power, without their consent, to extract three criminals."

Fury took a breath, "Understood?"

Steve nodded, "We got it, Fury. Stay out of the light. No one can know. Whatever happens over there, is on us. Not on the U.S. We're off books here."

Natasha looked around the room as Wanda came over to hug her from behind. Natasha held her thumb with the gold band on it as Wanda said, "For Loki…and for you and Clint. For Steve and everything you've all lost. And for all of the pain they've caused us all. It ends with all of us, Natasha."

Natasha leaned into Wanda's hug as she felt Steve squeeze her knee and her brother hold her other hand, "We leave the day after tomorrow."

Wanda stood back up as Bucky came over to hold her waist and put his arm on Steve's shoulder while Natasha finished, "We finish this once and for all."

Endings and new beginnings.

They would leave in less than 48 hours to finally put an end to the source of so much pain in their lives. And to finally begin a new chapter in their lives.

---

Present Day – Task-Force Compound

Oh, my love, my darling
I've hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
Time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?

It was late as Steve and Natasha entered their bedroom. It wasn't quite tomorrow as the door shut. But it was late enough, that everyone else had gone to bed after they'd made the decision to leave in two days, to bring Ivan, Oksana, and Rumlow to justice.

Steve was worried. It was written all over his face, but they'd been through this over and over again, since he and Natasha had re-connected and began trusting and forgiving each other. Steve did trust Natasha. She wasn't lying to him. They were open and honest with one another, and she wasn't running anymore.

She wasn't running from her past. She wasn't running from the pain and heartache. But just as they both silently concluded earlier at Niagara Falls, as they paid their respects to Loki, they were done running from this…inevitability, too.

Natasha walked up to Steve, who stood by the window, and put her hands on his shoulders from behind, "Penny for your thoughts, Soldier?"

Steve huffed out a little laugh, "I think my thoughts are going to be much more than what you pay for. I'm just worried is all, Nat. About Russia. About everyone coming with. About everything…I just want this to be over so we can…"

Natasha pressed her forehead between his shoulder blades, "So we can just be with each other, and not with 20 of our closest family and friends?"

20 friends, who at any given moment in the large warehouse turned fortress, could interrupt or intrude. A warehouse, that seemed much smaller after cramming all of the task-force's personalities inside, week after week.

Steve grabbed her hands around his chest and turned around and started chuckling as he shook his head, "Yeah, to put it mildly…I'm ready for it to just be us."

God, irony filled their lives at times.

Tragic and poetic irony. So much so, that they could write a book.

A crashing meet-cute, turned into a love story that unfolded through the halls of Quantico as Natasha's mystery unraveled. A five-year reprieve in time, when they naively thought…that was their life. That they'd successfully cheated fate and her past. Five years can sound so long when it's at the beginning.

But that's the trick with beginnings and endings. Time has a magic to it. It always seems endless at the beginning. Endless possibilities. They thought they had…all the time in the world back then, as they looked forward to their future.

But fate and irony had their turn, and their naivety was wiped away in an instant when Natasha ran. Then time twisted, turning its magical head. And it made them both see the world from the other side.

After Natasha ran seven years ago, it was like the script flipped. It was trying to read a message in the mirror, because everything seemed upside down or backwards. And instead of looking forward, Steve and Natasha were always looking back, longing for that five years together. Always wondering what it would be like now, as they were ripped apart by her past and handlers. By her choices and Steve's pain.

By their fated and twisted paths in life.

Just as fairy tales are fallacies, so was there borrowed time over their seven years apart. Whether it was Natasha peering in, longing for Steve from another rooftop at Wanda and Bucky's wedding. Whether it was their reprieves and brief moments in Russia or at the cabin. It didn't matter because they were all stolen and borrowed, and filled with desperation.

Yes, irony…oh how wicked and twisted it'd been to them over the last seven years as they were separated. Seven years without each other. Seven years, without another partner in life. Seven years, knowing that even if they would find someone else, it would never come close to the feelings they had for each other.

Seven years, filled with desperate thoughts and haunted memories. With an unquenchable thirst for each other as their minds and hearts burned like salt in an open wound.

That thirst, followed them to Russia. It followed them to the cabin with their baggage of desire and longing and love. There was so much baggage in those stolen moments, that they didn't even last a day…hell, even a couple of hours, before clothes were thrown off and as they chased what they once had through physical connection.

Steve and Natasha would've never admitted it at those specific times, because of the raw emotion and heartache that filled them. But now? How ironic it was, that they were at the end of this time in their lives together. And they could truly reflect and see, just how much of a fallacy those stolen moments both were.

Russia was primal. Russia was denial. Russia was Steve and Natasha not being able to stay away, but knowing they had to be apart.

And the cabin?

Yes, two years later, and two years ago at the cabin, everything wasfinally shared. Every want and desire. Every kiss and moan. Every word of love was felt as they tried to feverishly pack everything they knew they needed and missed, into a mere 36-hour blip in time. Another blink.

But as blissful as their haze was, it was over almost as quickly as it'd started. And it left them both feeling shattered and even more filled with desire for the other, than they had been before. They knew it now, what they couldn't admit back then. It was a fallacy both times. It was a mirage in the desert of their pain. A reprieve, convincing them it was what they needed.

And sure, in a way, they did physically need each other. Steve wasn't kidding two years ago in the cabin. Natasha was like a drug to him and always would be. But it was beyond the physical. In their codependent relationship, that bordered on unhealthy at times, they hadn't moved forward at all in the last seven years. They were in a purgatory like state, even in though those stolen moments filled with lust and desire.

Because it wasn't at all, like what they'd had before, during their five years of naïve bliss. It was a puzzle, missing a piece. Or the tinman without his heart. Structurally complete, but lacking. And something so small that was missing, wasn't small at all. It was more than noticeable.

Time had worked its wicked spell on Steve and Natasha, and had caused them to always be looking back over the last seven years, chasing their memories, instead of facing their very haunted and painful reality.

Their reality.

After Steve saved Natasha, one thing became crystal clear. If they were ever going to move forward, they were going to have to work through a hell of a lot of stuff before they could ever be together in a healthy way again.

It was exactly as Bucky had told both of them months ago at the FBI Headquarters, before they'd moved to the safehouse. Steve was broken without Natasha. Natasha had faced more horrors in her life than any of them combined. But the two of them together? They needed to work on their relationship all the more because of it.

They couldn't avoid the pain. They had to face it.

So, ironically…when they finally weren't on borrowed time, clothes weren't immediately thrown to the wind. Steve and Natasha over the last two months, hadn't been intimate with each other. Instead, they did what they actually needed to, and worked through their pain. They reluctantly found a way to talk, and trust. They finally forgave each other…and themselves. They learned to be with each other again, without having to only chase their past. They learned, that in order to move forward, they had to heal. And the closest they'd come to being intimate with each other, was a little over two weeks ago, but their time was cut short.

We're they still like a drug to each other? Sure, in some ways. But ironically, in this crazy safehouse. As they brought down a world-wide terrorist group, hell bent on returning Soviet Rule to the top of the world mountain of power…As they crashed through their past, dealt with their pain, and grieved over and over together, over all they had lost…They had found, something new.

The harsh truth? If they spent time right now, chasing what they once had? They'd still be chasing a fallacy for the rest of their lives. That was a fool's journey.

They would never get back the innocence they found as they fell in love 12 years ago.

Because this wasn't 12 years ago. This wasn't eight years ago, after they'd taken down Wilson Fisk in New York. This, right now? Well, they simply weren't the same couple as back then. They were both different people. How could they not be? After all they'd been through. Similar, but changed. Time and life had worked it's magic and fate on both of them, and they were weathered souls after all they had lost.

But…they'd found each other again, and their love was still there.

And it was still worth fighting for. That was the beauty in all of this.

Yes, they were different. Yes, things would be different. Because now? Time didn't seem infinite. They knew too well, after losing each other. And the baby. And Loki.

And. And. And.

They knew…that time wasn't endless. It was precious, and they knew that they didn't have all the time in the world anymore. Even with all of that though, Steve and Natasha knew, that they were in a healthier place together. Healthier than they'd been in seven long years.

Seven. Long. Years.

As long as it sounded, it seemed even longer to both of them. To not only feel each other physically, but to go to bed, knowing that when tomorrow came, that the other person would still be there. The sheer relief, realizing they weren't alone anymore.

That was a result of the trust and love that had grown between them again.

Not the fallacy of physical desire.

And reconnecting emotionally, and in their hearts over the last two months…was like feeling the sun for the first time after a long and cold winter. It was like tasting water after running a long distance on a hot, humid day. It was breathing after being in the pool for a long swim. And it was like waking, after a never-ending nightmare.

And they had woken from their nightmares. Finally. And Steve and Natasha were so thankful to be in this reality, instead of not being able to escape the haunted images of their past.

Were they each other's drugs? Sure. But they were so much more now. They were the soldier who met the spy. Their paths met and intertwined, after that fated night on a running path from so long ago. And nothing was ever the same after that other fated night, that Steve saved Natasha in the cabin, almost three months ago.

And it never would be.

They were two halves to a whole…and always would be.

And they were done with the twists of fate and irony. They were done worrying about healing and forgiving. They were done focusing on the past or the future right now. They had buried a loved one today, making that harsh lesson that time is precious, fleeting, and always moving, so very real between them.

They'd somehow felt it as they stared at each other during the memorial earlier today. But now, as Natasha held Steve, he moved his hands up her sides, holding her waist, and they knew they were in another similar, but new place.

It wasn't like when they were young and naïve. It wasn't like when they were chasing and desperate. It was now…in the present.

And it was very real, because neither of them were running anymore.

Steve was here and Natasha had stayed. They'd been back together in each other's lives for almost three months. And they weren't going anywhere. They'd worked through the pain and misery and betrayal. They'd healed and felt the scars on each other's hearts that would remain forever.

They'd forgiven and started trusting each other even more, and somehow as they looked at each other right now? Steve and Natasha wanted each other more, than they ever had. That was the beautiful irony in their tragic tale. It wasn't just physical…it was a need felt mentally and emotionally too.

It was a feeling, from long ago from their first night together at the lake. But it was even deeper than that. It was the promise of forever, but knowing how quickly forever can be ripped away. And it all, resonated deep within in their hearts and minds, and in their souls.

Loki. Their child. Erskine. So many brave men and women around the world…Their chances at forever were all gone. Just like that. And it only made Steve and Natasha want to cherish every second.

Filled with gratitude and perspective, they knew they would be together forever…as long as they possibly could be, in this life and in the next.

Natasha slid her hands up to his shoulders and moved his suit jacket off, as it fell to the floor. There wasn't laughter. There weren't words right now. But Steve knew exactly what she wanted and what he needed in that moment. He removed his phone from his pocket and turned on a song, "How about a dance, Nat?"

Natasha smiled warmly at him and took his hand and arm that he was offering as she fell into his hold, as they both danced, to The Righteous Brothers, "Unchained Melody."

Oh, my love, my darling
I've hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
Time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me

Lonely rivers flow
To the sea, to the sea
To the open arms of the sea
Lonely rivers sigh
"Wait for me, wait for me"
I'll be coming home, wait for me

Oh, my love, my darling
I've hungered, for your touch
A long, lonely time
Time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me

---

The atmosphere shifted with all of the irony and twisted fate. With all their memories and reality between them. With the words to the song resonating profoundly in their hearts.

Steve and Natasha had both waited for each other. They hungered for each other's touch. Time had moved wickedly slow, and painfully fast at times. But time…could do so much for them. And as the question was asked in the song, 'Are you still mine?' Natasha looked up into Steve's eyes, with only the moonlight from the window and the lamp by the bed, giving them a hint of each other.

They looked at each other and nodded as the song repeated, 'I need your love.'

They needed each other's love. And each other.

And the air shifted again with the weight of their gaze.

Steve lowered his head to Natasha, and their kiss was another step towards something. Towards healing. Towards each other.

Towards bed.

They could always communicate with a look and no words, so easily. And right now, was no different. Natasha pulled Steve. And Steve guided her towards the bed in their room.

Their breathing increased as the melody to the song faded into another on Steve's phone. What it was or what the words were, neither knew. But they knew right now, it was time…to finally take this last step.

The air became a little warmer as Steve ran his hands through Natasha's red tresses and as Natasha untucked his dress shirt from his pants. He brushed his lips across hers again, "Do you remember what I told you back at the cabin that morning, Nat? Two years ago? I said the only way we get through this is together. It's as true now as it was then."

Natasha's eyes were glassed over as the pain prodded her heart from that time, and everything that had happened since. But she looked at Steve and took a breath and nodded. That was where they were now. Figuring out how to not bury emotions, and not repress pain. Figuring out how, even in moments like these, to work through their heartache together.

She nodded as she brushed her thumb under his eye and kissed along his smooth chin.

Natasha murmured, "I remember, Steve. Just like I'll remember this forever, too. Right now. I choose you. I choose us…and I always will, forever."

Their kiss deepened as her hands ran along his jaw, and as his fingers found the small of her back. She hummed into his mouth, stepping out of her heels and onto her toes. Steve slid his hands down and held her tight as he slipped out of his own shoes too.

30 seconds passed, and then a minute as the passion and desire grew between them and their kiss. Growing with a burning feeling inside as Natasha broke away from Steve, and stared into his darkened pupils, whispering against his lips, "Steve…I'm done waiting, and so are you."

Steve's lips were red. Natasha's hair was a mess. Their hearts were beating fast as both their want and need took hold. A kiss that had started as tender, became passionate. And then it turned hungry, as they gave in, letting their love guide the way.

Natasha turned around and combed her hair to the side, bending her head forward. Not missing a beat, Steve followed her movements as his lips found the nape of her neck.

More humming. More kissing. More taking each other in, with every sensual touch and sound.

Breathing in familiar scents of vanilla and cinnamon. Hearing similar sounds from her lips and his mouth. Feeling the same brushes of fingers. It was as soothing as it was overwhelming for both of them.

Some things were different, yes. But some things, like the senses surrounding them, were just the same as they'd always been. Steve let out a shaky breath, because Natasha wasn't the only one overwhelmed with emotion in the moment.

He kept kissing along the top of her spine as his hands held her waist before Natasha finally huffed out a breath teasingly, "I know it's been awhile, Rogers…but the zipper…that's the way you take my dress off."

Steve smiled against her skin and chuckled, "I was getting there…You always were a little more impatient than me at times, Nat." He kissed right above the zipper, with his hand curving up her side and over her shoulder. His fingers found the small piece of metal next, toying with it before he slowly tugged down.

Natasha slid out of her black, long-sleeved dress as it pooled on the floor, just as Steve took off his white button down and tie and undershirt. Natasha peered over her shoulder at him, blowing out a long and low breath as Steve's pants and belt and socks came off next. The tension was more than palpable, and it was growing by the second. And she knew with one glance at his darkened eyes, that Steve felt the electricity in the air too.

But Natasha, couldn't stop a prodding thought. Even though she knew Steve loved her. Even though she knew he forgave her…she was still anxious.

Steve had only seen the tapestry of trauma on Natasha's back in close examination, one other time. And that was two years ago. There were new scars, and yes, he'd seen the change in Russian tattoos, and the word for child on her when he'd saved her. But he hadn't seen her like this. He hadn't taken the full view of her in, intimately, outside of that 36-hour blip in time from two years ago.

So yes, as silly as it sounded, Natasha was nervous. Steve saw the hitch in her breath as her hands twisted together in front of her. Not even a second passed before he was behind her again, kissing her shoulder. And just like that, Steve got reacquainted with Natasha's body and skin. His mouth trailed over where her burn marks began. Gentle brushes of his lips came first, as his hands found hers, holding them over her stomach.

Steve whispered in her ear, "I don't know exactly what is going through your head right now, Nat. But please…just believe me when I say, you've never looked more beautiful to me."

Natasha let out another breath and turned her head as he kissed her temple before finding her shoulders again. More kisses. More traces of his gentle lips. Across her tattoos and scars as he reached up to unclasp her bra, revealing her breasts that'd been longing for Steve's touch, for a very long time.

Natasha let out another breath. This one was a little longer as Steve stepped closer somehow. Close enough, that she felt him behind her. Holding onto her waist with one hand, Steve's thumb ghosted along the silvery knife scars at the base of her spine. Soothing kisses followed, covering her with his healing touch.

His hands were covering her skin, yet she needed more. Natasha reached up, raking her hands through Steve's hair as she turned toward him for a fervent kiss. Traveling up her ribcage, Steve's fingers ran over the small scar from her punctured lung from almost three months ago.

That fateful night he'd carried her back into the FBI.

He paused as he took in the evidence of how frail of a state, he'd found Natasha in. Steve took a second as he breathed through the memory. They weren't repressing their pain, but they weren't buried by it anymore either. Yes, it was haunting, but it only made them feel more alive. They were here. They had survived.

And they were so damn grateful to be in each other's arms again.

Steve sighed into her mouth, deepening their kiss, right along with his tender touches along her scars.

Steve wasn't the only one getting reacquainted. Natasha ran her hands down Steve's side, feeling the single bandage remaining over his knife wound from two weeks ago, where Rumlow had stabbed him.

Another scar. Another permanent mark on their journey.

But it didn't matter. All the scars and tattoos and pain didn't matter right now, because they were here. Still standing together through it all.

Tracing down Steve's side, her fingers were careful not to push into the bandage, even though he was mostly healed. Natasha found the waistband of his boxers and slid them down without a second thought. Steve's breath was shaky as his fingers toyed with the band of her own black satin panties. He wasn't having second thoughts, but he wasn't so quick to remove them either.

Natasha pressed her back against him as Steve kissed the two bullet holes he'd discovered from two years ago. There was no argument or blow-up this time. They were part of her, just like his scars were part of him. They were changed, but still together. And Steve needed her now, more than ever before.

His fingers brushed along the front of that satin fabric, feeling just how warm she was for him. And it matched his very hard erection pushing into her from behind.

Natasha curled into Steve's touch. Into his hand, pushing over the satin. It was just enough to make her mouth open as the softest of whimpers came out. And it was just enough for him to feel her desire seeping through the fabric. Steve breathed heavily against her back as she reached around to squeeze his thigh. She caressed his scar from his other stab wound he'd suffered from, as he saved her at the cabin.

Healing touches. Longing kisses. Pleading sighs and stares. They were covering each other as Steve pushed into her panties again. This time a little more. A little harder, taking in that damp and warm feeling in again. And his breathing became a little rasped as Natasha's breath began to shake.

"Steve."

It was the only piece of fabric still between them, and as much as Steve wanted to draw this out. To consume every part of her…he knew it wasn't the time. She needed him, as much as he needed her. It had been two long years since they'd physically been together. But it'd been seven, painstakingly long years since they'd been together, while feeling the promise of tomorrow.

The promise of permanency, not the illusion of a fallacy.

Natasha held Steve's hand with her own, guiding him to the seam. They pulled the dampened fabric down as she stepped out of them, leaving them piled next to her dress. And his own pile of clothes on the floor.

Steve's breathing became rough as she turned her head and nodded at him. Her eyes flashed with a quiver on her lips, "No more waiting, Steve."

If they let themselves, the weight of their emotions could cripple this moment. The waiting. The desire and longing. It could truly overwhelm them, but Steve and Natasha were together and felt every part of themselves, both inside and out. No more longing. They were here. They trusted and loved each other. And they could get through all of it together, by taking a step forward instead of looking back.

Steve was more than on the same page, whispering right back to her. Finding her lips as she as she turned to the side, "No more waiting, Nat." It was awkward but passionate as their mouths collided, with him guiding her onto the bed.

Natasha lifted one knee up and then the other as Steve knelt behind her, between her thighs. Heavy breathing. And even heavier, was the beating of their hearts. They were trembling as Natasha pressed her ass against him, molding them both together.

Steve ran his hands around, blanketing as much of her skin as he could. Up her side and over her ribcage as he held onto her breasts that he missed so much. Teasing and kneading. Grazing and cupping. Natasha's supple skin had never felt as soft and warm to him as it did now.

Pressing his chest into her back, he covered the pain that was etched in her scars and tattoos, with the warmth and love on his own. Breathing together. Feeling each other's bodies move in sync. The warmth grew and grew to the point of almost overheating.

Until there was finally a little release.

Holding onto her waist, fingers pressed into her soft skin as Steve closed his eyes with her humming sound. Trailing down, he inched toward what they both wanted. Over the curve of Natasha's hip. Along the ridge of her pelvic bone. And down into the soft and damp curls that he'd missed so damn much.

The feel of her was within reach. And Steve felt like he could lose it before they even started. He closed his eyes again to take a breath. To collect and calm himself. But it only calmed a growing fire within both of them.

Steve kissed her neck and Natasha bit her lip as his fingers finally slid through the warmth between her legs. He'd found his way home. In so many ways. He found her, almost three months ago. They found each other, through forgiveness and love.

And now, something he'd longed for night after night. Something that'd haunted him in his dreams. Her feel and touch and taste and smell, mocking him with memories and what he had to live without. That was no more though. That had all ended.

And this was a new beginning for both of them.

Now, Steve finally felt her again. Her. His Natasha. All of her was right in front of him again. And Steve felt like he did 12 years ago. Like he could never get enough of her.

Running his hand between her thighs, Natasha's mouth opened, letting out an uneven breath as his fingers ran through her heat, waiting for him. There was nothing like that first touch. To feel, how much she wanted him and what he did to her. To feel how much she longed for him. To feel how incredibly wet she was, and how painfully hard he was.

Natasha trembled a little as Steve squeezed her breast gently, peppering kisses along her neck. His fingers teased and took all of her in, running back and forth through her center. In and around her soaking wet folds. Feeling more of her…All of her that he could, before he gave in, and slipped one finger inside.

Natasha bit her lip as he held her tight. Steve kissed her shoulder, covering the top of her burn marks as she reached back to cover his side. Covering and kissing. Rubbing and feeling. Getting reacquainted with their bodies that felt like home.

It was new, yet so familiar. They remembered each other's bodies almost perfectly in their dreams, on their nights without each other. And being with each other now, in some ways was so similar…they could almost shut their eyes and imagine that they hadn't been without one another.

Only…they had been without. It was as overwhelming as it was fulfilling. "Steve," was all Natasha could mutter out as Steve whispered, "So beautiful. Always," against her skin.

A tear fell down her cheek as one fell onto her shoulder from his eyes. It wasn't from sadness. It was from relief. A sheer sense of relief from the pain. Relief to feel love. Relief, to feel each other again in this way, when they both had thought they never would, ever again.

Steve pushed two fingers inside as she swallowed him whole. His hand caressed, as he pinched and then tugged at her nipple. And Natasha needed more too, pushing her ass back into his throbbing cock, begging to go further. As good as this felt. As truly breathtaking as this was. And it was…as their breathing had increased even more between them…they needed each other.

All of each other.

Natasha reached around to feel Steve and almost groaned. She took in his size, feeling just how hard he was. It was just a touch at first as he jerked. And then her fingers grazed along his length as his hand paused inside of her, "God, Nat. I've missed you so much."

"Oh really? I couldn't tell."

Natasha smirked a little as Steve huffed out a breath against her skin. Her thumb brushed along his leaking tip, and she sighed a little harder this time as he jerked again. Holding her tight, his hand started moving in and out of her.

Slow and deep. Again and again.

That did it. Natasha let out a husked sound, while pushing down on his hand. As good as this felt…she needed more. So much more, "Steve, please."

Steve…could make her fall apart like this all night when they were together before. He loved teasing and tormenting her. He loved pulling her apart through every breathy moan and whimper and gasp. But right now? He was right there with her. So, even though he wanted more of this. More of the liquid heat his hands were soaking in. He knew they both needed each other, in a deeper way.

Steve nodded against her shoulder, kissing the side of her head. Moving his fingers out from inside her, he held onto her hip, painting her skin with her own fluid as he whispered, "Please tell me if it hurts, Nat. I'll go as slow as I need to."

Natasha nodded against his lips on her forehead, shifting her ass against his lower stomach. His length was along her heat next, and both of them had a fleeting thought…that this might not take too long. But god did it feel amazing. That sense of pressure that was about to be relieved.

Natasha moaned a little louder as she pushed her hips down, rubbing her swollen lips along his tip. His fingers dug into her hip as they both stuttered out at the same time, "Fuck." She grinned and he let out a gravelly sound as her fingers dug into his thigh for leverage, pressing down a little more.

And just as no time had seemed to pass, they were one again. Right in sync. Right together. Right, in love with each other as Steve found his way inside Natasha.

With one slow and drawn out move, his cock entered her swollen pussy, and they were together again. Natasha's mouth opened as he pushed himself inside her, inch by inch. A desperate whimper came out as he covered her cheek with his lips. A deep groan came out of him, slowly thrusting into her aching flesh.

He covered her. He held her. And she surrounded him.

It was as perfect as it was delicious. It was as gentle as it was passionate. It was as suffocating as it was sensual.

Steve stayed still for a few seconds, letting her adjust. Letting the tightness and discomfort, of not having anything like this in two years, subside. Letting them both soak in the warm feeling of her walls surrounding his throbbing cock. And then Natasha let out a breathy sound as her ass pushed into his stomach. Shifting a little. Just enough to rock against him. A louder groan came out of him as Steve breathed hard against her neck.

Natasha's head fell back against him. And Steve cradled her with his arms protectively, holding her by her hips and her breasts. Natasha did the same as she wrapped her arm around his neck and held his thigh.

Every place they could touch, they were. And Steve slowly started moving his hips against her ass. Just a little at first, as he pulled out an inch and then slid back in. And then two as he moved painfully slow. In and out. And in and out.

And then somewhere between the kisses and moans. The rubbing and breathing. He slowly started making love to her.

God it felt like yesterday as another tear and uneven breath came out. How time can move so slow and so fast at times, is its wicked spell. But they were here now, after everything. And Steve had never been more grateful, or more in love with the woman in his arms.

Natasha's eyes were barely open as her knees pressed into the bed, sinking down on him with each of his thrusts. Steve's mouth wouldn't leave her neck or cheek. Her ear or temple. Her nose or the corner of her mouth as he moved a little faster. A little more, as his cock was swallowed by her pussy each time.

Pants of breaths. Sweat between his chest and her back. The smell of their cologne and sweat and musk, between and around them. The faint sounds of another song in the background. The soft glow of a lamp as the shadows of Natasha's red hair guided Steve to her lips.

They fell in rhythm with each as she held him close, and he held her even tighter. As her chest heaved and his rose and fell faster. As his thrusts inside her slick became needier and more erratic. As the wet sounds of Steve filling her surrounded them.

It was overwhelming. And it was beautiful.

And they might as well have been each other's drugs, because that's how they felt right now. High on lust. Full on love. Running over with desire and need and passion. Their prodding fingers and heated gazes. The thudding of flesh overwhelming their desperate sounds. It was never enough as they came closer to the edge and as her lips found his in a sloppy kiss.

Steve's hand slid back down from her hip as he kept lifting and driving inside her, over and over again. She whined into his mouth with a breathless and needy sound. And his groaning turned ragged, holding her breasts tighter and closer to him.

They were so close to the edge, but felt even closer to each other. So close, that Natasha could feel the beating of Steve's heart through his chest, and Steve could feel hers through her breasts. The beautiful and precious sound of life.

Natasha looked up at his eyes as they fluttered with her rasped breathing, "I'm close, Steve."

Steve covered her mouth desperately again as his grunts and groans became more ragged. As his thrusts inside her tight walls became feverish. As his need to tell her over and over again became so profound, that all he could do was whisper into their kiss, "I love you, Natasha. I love you. I love you."

She shook as he held her, "I love you too, Steve."

Over and over, their panting sounds were surrounded by their barely heard words. It was a mantra. It was soothing. It was the only truth they needed to hear, as their loving words poured out.

Steve ran his fingers over her swollen clit, coating his fingers with her desire as he approached the edge too, "I'm right there with you, Nat. Come with me."

The sweat and glow. The wet sounds and warmth. The loving touches and gentle squeezes. The desperate kisses. They all surrounded their bodies kneeling on the bed. With Steve holding her in a protective cocoon. With Natasha falling into every one of his touches and sounds. With her nodding against him as she cried into his mouth, "God I love you, Steve."

She was crying into their kiss as the sound of her desperate voice filled his mouth. And then she was there. Falling over the cliff as she came. Trembling around him as her pussy squeezed and clenched and milked him. And Steve was right there with her. As his cock throbbed and released, emptying inside her as he filled her with all of him, with their love surrounding each other.

He felt her twitch and her convulsing cry. She felt him jerk and thrust erratically as they came together, falling off the cliff after each other. They peppered each other with frantic kisses as Natasha's hand covered Steve's on her hip again, with him squeezing her breasts and her kissing his neck.

Steve stayed inside of Natasha for as long as he could, before they started getting cold and fell into bed. It wasn't the last time they would be together that night. What they had finally tapped into, was the rest of their intimacy, and that insatiable desire for one another, that was always there underneath the surface.

They reconnected three more times that night as Natasha moved on top of him. As Steve moved behind her hips and ass. And as he slid into her one last time, lying on top of her gently, kissing her slowly the entire time before they collapsed and fell apart together.

Maybe it was similar to their insatiable desire, like at the cabin two years ago. But it was different too. Because they knew tomorrow they would wake up, and go on their last leg of this journey together. They knew they would not be apart again. They trusted and loved each other and would continue to work through the heartache and pain…now and forever, just as they had over the last couple of months.

And they knew, just as the time of their reconnection and journey was ending, to close the book on Natasha's past, another time was beginning.

Natasha fell into his hold, curling into his side after whispering I love you one more time that night. Her lips were on his neck, and his were on her forehead. Steve whispered back to her, "I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you, Natasha. I'm going to marry you. I'm done waiting too."

Natasha had fallen asleep and didn't hear what he just said. But it didn't make Steve's words any less true as he fell asleep, whispering, "I love you, Nat."

They had reconnected, finally in every way. They had found their way back to each other. They had just come from a painful day, that in some ways was poetically beautiful in helping them realize they didn't want to wait anymore.

They were together now, and forever would be, for as long as they breathed life on this earth. They were finally approaching the ending of their tragic journey, as a new beginning shined brightly in their future.

---

End Note – Welp. I think some of you were waiting a very long time for that scene. I didn't include the smut warning at the beginning, because I wanted to surprise you all. Steve and Natasha…endings and beginnings. This story is coming to the end of their story. And how they met and fell in love, and how they came back together and fell in love…again, after all of the tragedy and heartache. The love and loss and friendship and family in between, is all a part of it.

Loki's time came to a close last chapter, but his coda…his last little scene was in this one. It is with a bittersweet tone that I say, we end 12 years ago, where they began their life as Agents. In New York. It was the smallest glimpse into how they all began as young rookies out of Quantico in the FBI. I have filled in blanks along the way, but yes, the 12 year ago timeline has officially come to a close. And it was really hard to say goodbye to the Scooby Gang at that age. They weren't high schoolers. Heck they weren't even in college. But it was a sort of coming of age story for them 12 years ago, for how they all found each other, fell into a dysfunctional family dynamic…and how they began their journey into the real world as agents and adults.

Their beginning, middle, and end, at Quantico – was filled with so many laughs and tears and really was the crux of the first 8 or so chapters in this story. It built the mystery as Steve got to know Natasha, and as Natasha opened up to Steve. Through all of Fury's mind games and tests – the trust test, the workouts, the time trials, the driving test…the mole test, Hogan's Alley, and their final assessments. It all was a fun and heartwarming journey to balance out the tragedy that unfolded after their time together, over the last seven years. It was the foundation of all of the love and friendship between this family. And I enjoyed every second, writing it. I hope you did too.

As far as the funeral goes – It was about paying tribute to Loki, but also about the team truly coming together to mourn and celebrate him. It was a hard scene to write, sure. But it was also really heartwarming.

There is a balance in grief. When I focused on it about 9 chapters ago, between Steve and Natasha, I dealt with the darkness we can find ourselves in through grieving. Through all the heartache and pain. Of course, that exists with Loki's death…but this chapter…focused more on the healing. The celebration of life and what he gave for them. And the love that will always be present.

I have to highlight the beautiful words I used from the Beatles' song, 'Blackbird.' I have loved it since I was a child, and when I heard it over a year ago on a playlist, I wrote it down as an idea for this scene. Go and take a listen. I really think the words fit so well with Loki as a character.

And finally, Steve and Natasha…after everything…EVERYTHING, they came back together. Some of my steamy scenes may have been…'smuttier' in the past. Some have been lengthier or shorter. Some have been more visceral or even funny. This…was them truly finding their way back to each other emotionally and physically, and was the last piece of the puzzle in their reconnection. I hope you enjoyed it. And go and listen to the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody" – it's a few minutes you won't regret. The words fit so well for where they were at.

Two chapters left – Thank you all for everything, always! I hope everyone is doing okay, wherever you are in the world! I truly wish I could have provided more of this in 2020, but here's to 2021, right?!

I love hearing from you, so let me know your thoughts on this chapter, and where you think we might be going as this 'Poseidon Adventure' comes to a close.

Have a great week everyone! Cheers!~~ Kat