Chapter 37

After we had left Wakanda, it was like the nation had never been there. Sam had been the only one a little freaked out by that. We had not contacted T'Challa since then, but he had quickly given us the go ahead to return once Steve explained what was going on. I was slightly excited to go back to the secret nation, and I was alert the whole flight. Bruce and Rhodey came with us, ready for the fight we knew was going to come. Even Wakanda couldn't protect us from what was coming for Vision, but it was our best defense.

Going over to Bruce after a while, I leaned down and hugged him. He returned it, and I sighed as I sat down beside him. He gave me a look that told me he was overwhelmed a little. I chuckled a little and leaned my head back against the seat. Bruce tilted his head toward me a little bit.

"A lot has happened," I sighed. "On both our ends."

"Yea. Rhodey was able to tell me all that had happened," he murmured. "I'm glad that everyone...well...mostly is all right."

"I'm glad you are all right. We looked for you for a while," I sighed. "Where were you?"

"In another….on another planet?" Bruce asked. "I actually don't remember much, Hulk was out for it."

"What?" I asked, surprised.

"Yeah," he chuckled.

"Well...in any case, I'm glad you're back," I replied quietly. "And I'm glad you're alright."

He gave me a smile and relaxed a little. Everyone had greeted him, and things were almost back to normal. It was a nice feeling, to have most of the team back together. Patting his shoulder, I got to my feet as we approached Wakanda. Had we not been on the run, I would have stayed in the secret country. However, it hadn't been T'Challa's responsibility. Walking up to the window, I stared at the trees ahead of us that hid something more.

"Drop to 2600, heading 0-3-0," Steve ordered, joining Sam's side.

"I hope you're right about this," Sam muttered. "Or we're going to land a lot faster than you want to."

Doing as he was told, Sam put the plane in the right position and the trees disappeared, Wakanda appeared as the barrier opened up for us to enter. We were greeted by a city mixed in the jungle. Nothing that you'd see around the world. Wakanda was superior in that category. Actually, this place was superior in a lot of ways. Steve directed Sam where to go, and soon we were landing outside the King's palace. It was weird to say that. I was never going to get used to it.

T'Challa walked out, his guard following behind him. I admired the women of the Dora Milaje. The women who defended Wakanda were warriors of a different kind, they were simply amazing. Steve walked out first to shake hands with him, the others slowly following him. I hung back to make sure that Vision and Wanda were all right, and taken in the direction that they needed to go. Listening to the conversation about what allies we had, I turned my head sharply when a new voice caught my ears.

"And a semi-stable 100 year old man," Bucky smiled, walking over.

"How ya been, Buck," Steve grinned hugging him.

"Pretty good, for the end of the world," Bucky replied, turning toward me as I walked over.

"I had been told you were put under," I mused, and he rolled his eyes at me.

"Clearly I'm not," he replied, but reached out to hug me. "It's good to see you. In one piece."

"Yeah well, I got a few good people to thank for that," I said quietly, returning the hug. "I'm happy to see you."

Greetings all out of the way, T'Challa led us up into a room that had the technology needed to look over Vision. Bruce and Shuri were talking and going over what needed to be done. It was a lot of things I didn't completely understand, but I got most of it. Shuri could remove the Mind Stone and Vision would be able to walk away from this. Who he'd be after was something we didn't know. Steve looked grim about the whole thing, while Wanda looked like she could cry. Turning toward the large windows, I looked over the city for a long moment, when something caught my attention. At the same time, it caught everyone else's too.

"How long?" Steve asked.

"As long as you can give me," Shuri replied.

"Something has entered the atmosphere," Okoye murmured, as beeping went off.

"Hey, Cap we got a situation here," Sam said, coming over the line.

I shifted my gaze as a ship exploded over the barrier. Tensing, I watched several more come in at Rhodey's warning. Tensing slightly, I watched at least ten ships land and they were huge. Steve walked over to see what was going on. He exchanged a look with T'Challa and the man moved into action. My whole body tensed, knowing that this wasn't going to be an ordinary fight.

"It's too late," Vision gasped. "We need to destroy the stone now."

"Vision, get your ass back on the table," Natasha snapped, walking off.

"We will hold them off," T'Challa nodded, following.

"Wanda, as soon as that stone's out of his head...you blow it to hell," Steve ordered.

"I will," Wanda nodded.

"Evacuate the city. Engage all defenses," "T'Challa ordered, taking charge, and glanced back at Steve. "And get this man a shield."

I shut them out for a moment, staring at the army that was surely in those ships. It had been non-stop since Scotland. I was glad I had not shown my true form, even if it had been under firm instruction. It would aid the battle, giving them more time. A hand fell on my shoulder, so I gave my attention to the man who came to my side.

"Ready?" Steve asked, his voice low.

"No," I admitted, and he gave me a gentle look. "But I will be."

His fingers shifted, reaching up and touching my cheek gently. I reached up and tangled our fingers together for a moment. We had been given a brief moment of privacy, so I was taking it for what it was. We were about to enter the biggest fight of our lives. The way Bruce had spoken of Thanos disturbed me. The titan and his army weren't something to brush off.

"Love you," I murmured, unable to stop the words.

"Love you," he replied, his voice just as soft.

We heard the footsteps before they came into sight, so we shifted back just a step from each other. The guards supplied Steve with two shields, fitting on both forearms. I arched my brow as he played with them. Once he was satisfied, he made sure they were in place. The guard looked at me, drawing my attention.

"Do you need..."

"I have everything I need," I replied, glancing at the guard.

He nodded, and we were left alone again. I took a soft breath, and glanced out the window again. I had no idea how this was going to go. It reminded me of New York all over again, but this was going to be worse. Narrowing my gaze on the barrier, I felt the readiness wash over me. There was no running from this fight. Not that I'd run anyway, but we had people to protect.

"It's time," he rumbled.

Turning my head, I watched as he prepared to walk out. He was suddenly the captain I had been so used to seeing. Reaching out, I grabbed his arm making him turn back toward me. Wasting no time, I moved into his space and pressed my lips to his. It was probably the last chance we had. He kissed me back, giving me all the love I needed. When he pulled back, he pressed a final kiss to my forehead. Standing there for a moment, I pressed my forehead against his chest for a moment.

"Let's go," he rumbled, and I nodded.

The Wakanda forces mobilized in what felt like minutes. Rhodey gave the Hulkbuster to Bruce, and we were soon moving out. I stood in silence on the ship that took us toward the barrier. Rhodey and Sam flew above us, and I glanced up at them for a moment. Bucky shifted next to me, drawing my attention. He sighed in my direction, and I leaned over and bumped my shoulder against his. The man nodded quietly, taking the gesture for what it was.

"I'm picking up two heat signatures," Rhodey confirmed over the line.

We were all moving quickly, lining up as Natasha, Steve and T'Challa walked off to meet the woman we had fought in Scotland. My eyes narrowed briefly, and I shifted in silence. It was too far for me to hear, so I had no choice but to wait. Around us, the tribes were chanting, ready for battle. It helped me get ready for what was to come. Long ago, I'd have been ecstatic for this type of fight. Part of me still was, but I had bigger things to worry about. People I care for. As the others came back from the barrier, Bucky sighed.

"Did they surrender?" Bucky asked, as Steve and the others approached.

"Not exactly," Steve grunted, as the ships opened. "Hold out as long as you can."

"I'll do my best," I replied. "But no guarantees."

He glanced back at me, and nodded his head as the creatures rushed from the ship. We all stood in silence as they attacked the barrier. Some made it through, while others didn't. The barrier itself ripped the unfortunate ones apart, which was helpful. However, there were the few that began to make it through. Even those who'd been ripped in half, were still attempting to rush forward.

"What the hell.." Bucky muttered.

"Looks like we pissed her off," Natasha rumbled, watching the monsters die.

Those that made it through were quickly picked off by the tribes. Sam and Rhodey also took on the fight. We watched in silence as the explosion went off. Flames licked up the side of the barrier, and I shifted. We couldn't do this all day, something had to happen.

"Cap if these things circle the perimeter and get in behind us, there is nothing between them and Vision," Bruce said quickly.

"Then we better keep them in front of us," Steve rumbled.

"How do we do that?" Okoye asked, looking at him.

"Hmm," I rumbled, not liking where the conversation was going.

"We open the barrier," T'Challa murmured gravely, and touched his com. "On my signal, open North-West Section Seventeen."

"Requesting confirmation my King, you said open the barrier?" Shuri asked.

"On my signal," T'Challa nodded.

"Oh boy," I breathed, as Steve activated his shields.

"Wakanda forever!" T'Challa roared, and the army behind us echoed him.

Yeah, still here. Looking for breadcrumbs or whatever. Don't know if y'all still like the story so I'm fishing for reviews here lol! This battle was difficult and fun to write. I do believe I rewrote it like...six times. Anyway, hope ya enjoyed this update!