A/N: Well, a little bit of back lash against poor old Maggie in the last chapter, I see. LOL Boy, try to get Cap to play for the other team and suddenly she's a pariah. ;)

Let's read on to see what happens next. I'm getting a bit excited as we get closer to the end of this fic and more things fall into place. My fingers are crossed for an update tomorrow as well – stay tuned...

Chapter Fifty- One

Maggie's face lit up. "Oh Steve, it makes me so happy to hear you say that. I'm sure I can set up a meeting with the Defenders as early as tomorrow and you can meet properly and-"

Steve was forced to interrupt Maggie's excited plans. "I think you're right, Maggie," he said again, "the Avengers are a train wreck and yes, they're not the kind of team I'm used to being involved with-"

"Great, then you'll meet with the Defenders," she interjected happily. "It's going to be amazing to see you take on the true mantel of being a leader again. I can't wait."

"Maggie, I don't want to lead the Defenders," said Steve quietly but firmly.

Maggie looked taken aback. "Oh, but-" she frowned, "but you just said-"

"I know what I said and I know what the Avengers are and yes, like I said, it's not the kind of team I'm used to but that doesn't make them bad or not worth the effort."

Maggie sat back in her seat and looked confused. "I don't understand."

Steve gave a sad smile. "I didn't either, for the longest time, until just now really. I've been spending all these months, since I woke up, longing for things to be how they used to be." He moved his shoulders restlessly. "All I lost, my old life, the people I loved-" Steve snuck a look at Maggie and then looked away. "I was mourning them and I wanted them back. I didn't want to let go of everything I had, because I was afraid it'd mean it wasn't important somehow." His brow creased as he struggled to find the right words to explain the turmoil he'd been dealing with for so long. "Those people, that life, it meant something, something important and I didn't want to forget, ever." Steve gave Maggie a serious look. "I kept comparing the Avengers and this life to what I used to have and finding it lacking but the truth is you can't compare the two. They're as different as apples and umbrellas. Just sitting here, I suddenly realised the only thing that hasn't changed is me. Before I thought that was a bad thing and I just needed to get with the times because there was no place in this world for a man like me." Steve shook his head. "But that isn't true. I've fought beside the Avengers and lived with them and you know what, each one of them is truly amazing. Sure, we all might be a bit dysfunctional, but in a crazy kind of way, I think the team actually benefits from all of those big personalities." He looked Maggie in the eye. "Nothing worthwhile is easy and I believe, no, I know, the Avengers are worthwhile. As for the Defenders, if any of them wanted to join the Avengers and were sincere, then of course we'd look at that, but that is something else again. None of us chose each other in the beginning, but we've all chosen to stick it out and I'm not going to walk away from that." Steve drew in a long breath and leaned back in his chair, realising all of that had been brewing inside of him without even knowing it. For the first time since waking up, Steve truly felt a part of something bigger than himself.

Maggie looked a little shock but tried to cover. "Well, I guess that was you telling me how you really feel. I'm sorry I mentioned it. I didn't mean to upset you."

"I'm sorry," he said quickly, "I didn't plan to dump that all on you, but you're right, that's how I feel. The Avengers are something special and I'm proud to be a part of the team, warts and all."

Maggie half-smiled. "Well, if nothing else, I'm glad you seem to have gotten some clarity on that front."

Steve nodded, pleased. "I have," he said in satisfaction. "I really, really have."

oooOOOOooo

Tony sat, suspended, in the safety pod. The device was equipped with an ergonomic chair which matched whatever position you wanted to be in, sitting, standing, and even reclining. The chair was more of a metal frame where a person could lean back into and be secured in it. When you stood up, you could just walk and the ball would roll smoothly with you. Running, this thing was going to be even faster, as a little effort from the person inside guaranteed a bigger return from the energy absorbing outer casing. Tony ran a few more checks on internal structure, having just equipped the pod with a series of lasers which would pop up on the outside of the ball at a touch of a button. He was going to have to do some more testing of this in a bigger area, maybe a field of some description. He wondered idly what Yankee Stadium was being used for during the off season and what the chances were he could talk Happy into doing a few laps so he could calibrate the targeting system. Even while Tony was working on the pod, another part of his mind was thinking about Pepper and the baby. She still hadn't told him and Tony feared if she didn't tell him soon, he was going to go officially insane. He didn't know what that would exactly entail, but his past moments of insanity had been fairly spectacular, so it seemed to him it was safe to assume this was going to be bad.

Pepper was everything to him and the thought of losing her had him breaking out in a cold sweat. Tony had made the mistake of looking up pregnancy on the computer last night and the range of things which could go wrong had him spending the rest of the night just staring at the ceiling. He'd never realised how dangerous this whole pregnancy business could potentially be for a woman. It was only real to him now that it was his woman at risk, his Pepper and Tony didn't know how to tell Pepper he was scared for her without making it sound like he didn't want the baby. It wasn't so much that he didn't want the baby, it was more that the entire thought of a baby was such an abstract one, Tony couldn't begin to formulate a way to comprehend what a baby really meant. Tony couldn't get past surviving a pregnancy and all the worry involved of that, the concept of a baby and the endless areas of heartache and confusion a child would bring was beyond him.

"Agent Coulson is entering the laboratory, sir."

Tony started at Jarvis' calm observation.

Phil Coulson walked into the lab, somehow getting past Tony's security coded door and stopped in front of the safety pod.

"You know, it's polite to knock," said a disgruntled Tony. "I could have been doing anything in here."

Agent Coulson looked over the giant clear ball before addressing Tony inside. "I'd hate to see the hamster this was made for," he noted calmly.

"It's a safety pod," Tony corrected him automatically.

"I know, for a giant hamster," said Coulson, not missing a beat.

"It's a self-contained offensive and defensive safety pod," Tony returned.

A little smile played around Coulson's lips. "Is that something we're doing now, arming giant hamsters?"

Tony moved so the ball was facing him. "Is there something I can help you with, Agent Coulson?" he asked in vexation. "Or is busting my chops part of your job description now?"

"It's not a part of the job description per se but it is actively encouraged, particularly by Director Fury," said Coulson in amusement. "And I do have an update for you on our progress with the Hammer issue."

Tony was instantly on alert as he pressed a button and a part of the pod opened up, forming a door. He climbed out and looked at Coulson with interest. "Well?"

"We're making progress with tracking down this Ghost person, we're getting closer."

"But you're not there yet?"

"No, not yet."

"So, you're progress report is that no actual progress has been made."

"No, there has been progress."

"Just nothing we can use."

"Correct."

Tony pointed to his expressionless face. "Do you see this, Agent Coulson, this is me being entirely underwhelmed. Watch carefully, I'll do it again." His face remained impassive.

"I realise you were hoping for more," he said apologetically, "but I thought you'd like to know we're closing in on Ghost and we all feel like he's the key to Hammer. Without Ghost, Hammer is just another crazy guy with a bag load of money."

"They can still be dangerous," Tony warned him.

"Oh, we know," said Coulson, fixing Tony with a pointed look.

"I'm not crazy," Tony protested.

"I think what I like best about your giant hamster ball is the way it catches the afternoon light," said Coulson, straight-faced.

"The safety pod is a revolution," said Tony defensively. "You mark my words, SHIELD is going to be clamouring for a fleet of these things."

"They float?"

"If I want them to." Tony scratched his cheek thoughtfully. "I mean, probably, if I did some tweaking."

"I look forward to the day when I can say I've been immersed in Tony Stark's balls," said Coulson without missing a beat.

"I'm going to go ahead and assume that I'm hearing that out of context," said Steve as he walked into the lab and sent a pleading look at Coulson. "Right?"

"Tony was just telling me about his giant hamster ball," agreed Coulson.

"Safety pod," said Tony in frustration. "Why is that so hard to remember?"

"We can remember," said Steve blithely. "It's just more fun this way."

"I'm not here as a source of amusement for you, Captain Freeze Frame."

Steve's lips twitched. "It's so cute that you think that."

"You're in a good mood," said Tony accusingly. "Where have you been?"

"Out."

"With Marketing Mad Margaret?" Tony quizzed him.

"I tend to just call her Maggie," said Steve wryly.

"I prefer Olivia," Tony announced. "I liked her, a lot."

"You mean you liked how Olivia would routinely inflict pain on me?" Steve challenged him.

Tony laid a pleading hand on Steve's shoulder. "Is it really outside the realms of possibility that you having a girlfriend could be a source of entertainment for the both of us?" Tony waited for Steve's snipe back at him, but it never came. Instead Steve just smiled. Tony frowned and looked over at Coulson. "What is that, what is he doing?"

"He's smiling," offered up Coulson.

Tony gave Steve a suspicious look. "Why are you smiling?"

Steve shrugged and continued to smile. "I guess I'm just appreciating the moment and all that I have right here, right now."

Tony looked worried as he addressed Coulson again. "What do you think he means by that?"

"I don't know, why don't you ask him?" returned Coulson.

"What if his answer makes this an even more awkward moment?"

"Could the moment be more awkward?" countered Coulson.

"Side note," said Steve, "I'm still in the room. Can't a guy just be pleased to see his friends?"

Tony scowled at him. "No, it's weird and creepy. Don't ever do it again."

"You can be pleased to see me again," volunteered Coulson happily.

"Don't encourage him," Tony hissed. "We don't know where this could lead."

"It's leading to me catching a movie." Steve looked at Coulson. "Want to come? I'm trying to catch up on current American cinema."

"He's working," said Tony quickly.

Coulson looked like he'd just been asked to prom. "I'll go," he said eagerly.

"You're working," Tony protested.

"Technically I'm still on sick leave," said Coulson, touching his chest gingerly.

"Great," said Steve easily, "I don't know what's playing, but I'm happy to watch anything."

Coulson was grinning. "Sounds good to me."

"Am I invited to this cinematic outing, or is just going to be you and your fan girl here?" asked Tony with an arch of his eyebrow.

"You can sit still and not talk for two hours?" asked Steve in disbelief.

"Theoretically," Tony threw back at him.

"That means no," said Coulson knowingly.

Steve half-smiled. "That's what I thought. Come on, let's go, Phil."

"Again with the Phil," said Tony in exasperation. "What is that all about?"

"It's my name," pointed out Coulson mildly.

Tony snorted. "Whatever." He watched them go and rolled his eyes before calling out some last minute advice. "You just watch him once the lights go out. Just because the guy buys you some popcorn, doesn't mean he gets to be all handsie. Remember, nobody is going to buy the cow when you can get the milk for free."

Steve looked back over his shoulder. "Which one of us are you talking to?"

Tony shrugged. "At this point, I'm really not sure."

"Ignore him," Coulson advised Steve, "he's just jealous."

"Would you two stop making this weird," Steve begged them. "I just want to see a movie."

Tony's lips quirked, knowing there was never going to be a time when he didn't enjoy rattling Steve's cage. It was a dull man who didn't have a hobby he decided.

oooOOOOooo

Senator Kidston walked into his office and came to an abrupt halt when he saw the man standing by the window, looking out on the cityscape below. "Director Fury," a note of disapproval in his voice, "I wasn't aware we had a meeting scheduled."

Fury turned to face him, his face inscrutable. "Some things are more important than schedules."

"Is that right?" asked Kidston in irritation as he walked into the room and immediately went to sit behind his desk, placing himself at the centre of the room, the seat of power.

Fury hid his amusement at the man's obvious attempt to gain control of the situation.

"What is this about, Director?"

"What do you think this is about, Senator?"

Kidston made an impatient noise. "I don't have time to play guessing games with you, Director Fury. Say whatever you feel you need to say and then get out. I'm a busy man."

"You certainly are," agreed Fury casually. "But is your time being invested wisely?" He walked up to the desk and fixed Kidston with a hard look with his one good eye. The patch had its own way to intimidate. "You're making a mistake by climbing into bed with Justin Hammer."

Kidston looked indignant. "I have done no such thing," he said sharply. "I'm merely a supporter of the man's willingness to work towards the corporate good." Kidston sent Hammer a pointed look. "Something you'd know nothing about seeing as you and your little team of vigilantes are intent on working outside any kind of law or government. Hammer was smart enough to know it takes friends to really get things done."

Fury's lips curled in disgust. "And that's what you think you and Hammer are, friends?"

"We're two people who know what collaboration for the greater good can achieve," said Kidston with a typical political reply.

Fury shook his head. "You think you're using him to secure your political position, but the truth is, Senator, he's using you."

Kidston's tone dripped with disdain. "I think I have a better understanding of our arrangement then you, Director Fury. Justin Hammer is all about the glory."

"No," Fury corrected him ominously, "Hammer is all about the power and he's using you to secure it. This is all going to blow up in your face when he shows his hand, and mark my words, Senator, that day is coming, faster than you think. My only concern is just how many innocent people are going to pay for your lack of judgement and political ambitions."

Kidston just smiled. "Do I detect the faint odour of sour grapes wafting off you, Director Fury? The Defenders are beloved by the people, while you have no real control over your band of misfits. You backed the wrong horse. You could have been in on being a policy maker, a man with the power to change the world, but instead your continuing intransience has doomed you to be on the outside looking in. You could have been a part of something incredible, but threw it away for your precious autonomy."

"I am part of something incredible," countered Fury, "and it's something without an agenda."

Kidston waved a dismissive hand at him. "Oh please, Fury, as though you didn't come here with an agenda. It's how the world works."

"I came here to warn you that you've made an ill-advised bed mate in Hammer," said Hammer darkly. "There is a lot more going on here than some pissing competition between two bands of heroes."

"Maybe, but that's the only thing you care about," shot back Kidston. "All you care about is that the Defenders are making the Avengers look bad and they, along with you, are being dragged through the mud."

Fury's gaze hardened. "Do I look like a man who is afraid of a little mud to you, Senator?"

"You look like a man desperate to hang onto the little empire he built up around himself."

"Take a look in the mirror, Senator, I think you're talking about someone else." Fury tried one last time. "Hammer is a dangerous, unpredictable man and you're playing right into his hands for your own political gain. This is going to end badly unless you withdraw your support for Hammer and his paid goons, you mark my words."

Kidston just smiled. "Consider them marked," he said coolly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a senate committee waiting on me, and I do hate to keep good, law abiding folk waiting."

"You just remember this moment, Senator," said Fury portentously. "You remember this as the moment as when you could have saved yourself and a lot of others and how you walked away from it for the promise of power and position." He turned on his heel, not giving the Senator a chance to respond and just walked out the door. Fury knew there had been little hope in convincing Kidston to change his alliance, but he wanted to look the man in the eye and see just what it was he knew. It was now obvious to him Kidston had underestimated Hammer and wasn't privy to what was really going on. The pieces were falling into place but Fury was worried that it was going to come together too late for SHIELD and the Avengers to minimise the damage. His jaw hardened as he strode down the halls of power, boots echoing loudly. He wasn't one to shy away from a fight and Hammer was drawing very distinct battle lines and that was his first mistake. Hammer had relied on them underestimating him up until this point but Fury knew that the more power the other man managed to wrangle for himself, the more cocky he'd become and that was ultimately going to be his downfall, because the Avengers never made the same mistake twice...