Apologies for the long hiatus. Truth is it may continue as I do not know where this story is really going and I landed a new job a little over a month ago.
Anyway, here is another chapter.
Some months went by. Steve at this point was just going through the motions the same as last time. His missions for SHIELD, working with the STRIKE team, and his budding new partnership with Nat.
A part of it was easy for him as he knew to treat her with the respect that she deserved. He knew what questions not to ask, and during missions he knew how she operates enough to not ever get in her way.
However, Steve wasn't as close to her as he wished he was for a variety of reasons. One: she hasn't really offered to socialize with him and he didn't want to push. Two: Natasha most likely does not fully trust him yet. Last, but not least: if he spent too much time around her she'd figure out something was up and there was no telling what would happen if she backed him into a corner and he couldn't give a sane answer as to the reasons behind his behavior.
"I have been somehow been sent back in time after fighting to save the universe. Oh yeah, you and Tony sacrificed your lives" would have him committed.
Steve eventually got a small reprieve, Natasha was out of town and probably visiting Clint. Not that she would tell because it is supposed to be a secret at this point. With this, Steve was off work and decided to swing by the V.A. to see if Sam was there. Sure enough, he was. And more sure enough, Steve wound up listening to the same story from the woman.
"...I thought it was an IED." the woman said somberly.
Sam spoke up. "Some things you leave there. Some things you bring back. Its up to you to decide how you're going to carry it. In a big suitcase or in a little man purse."
The session let out and Sam was organizing some paperwork when he spotted Steve. He let out a small smile. "There he is. The running man." He held out his hand and Steve shook it. "It's been a while."
Steve nodded. "Yeah. My schedule has become a little hectic."
Sam nodded, understanding. "New job or something?"
Steve nodded in acknowledgment. "I heard the last bit of that session in there. Pretty rough to say the least."
"Everyone brings something back with them. Guilt. Regret." Sam's eyes grew a distant look and Steve knew what he was about to talk about next.
"You?"
"My wingman, Riley. We were on an op. Nothing like we haven't done before and an RPG came out of nowhere and took him out of the sky," Sam shook his head in grief. "All I could do was watch. Couldn't find a good reason to stay."
Steve nodded. "I hear that."
Sam nodded. "What about you? You ever thought about it?"
"More than you'd think." Steve told him with a slight grimace. "But right now I have work to do." Sam nodded, understanding. "Hey I may be in touch soon. See you around Sam."
With that, Steve walked out.
Steve had just gotten home and decided to watch a movie. He was debating getting a snack ready when there was a knock at the door.
Steve instantly frowned as he hasn't told anyone where he lived. He grabbed a gun he kept beneath his sink. Not really his style but with HYDRA around there is no such thing as being too cautious. His shield was by the door ready to grab. Steve looked through the peephole and saw it was Natasha with a bag.
Steve sighed and opened the door. "Hey."
Natasha tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to invite me in?" Steve relented and stepped aside. Natasha walked in with the bag and quickly took note of the piece that Steve was holding. "Expecting trouble?"
Steve shook his head and turned the safety on. "I didn't tell anyone where I lived. How did you find out?"
"I have my ways." Natasha replied smugly. She said this while taking out the contents of the bag and saw that it was apple pie. No doubt made by Laura. "A friend of mine made this. I told her who I was partnered with now and insisted that I bring it."
Steve smiled and made a mental note to thank Laura if and when he met her. "I will accept this pie if and only if you share it with me since you brought it."
Natasha considered for a second. "Deal."
"Great." Steve want to grab a couple plates, forks and napkins to use while Natasha looked around the place.
"Not too bad of an apartment, Rogers." Natasha admitted. "It could use a woman's touch though."
"Yeah, well couldn't we all." Steve teased back.
Natasha gave an amused smirk. "Oh you with the jokes." Steve chuckled. "Anyway, what were you doing before I interrupted?"
"I was about to start the Rocky saga." Steve nodded, gesturing to the TV.
"Part of your catching up?" Natasha guessed.
"Yes." Truth was, Steve had already watched all the movies before but he liked them enough to watch them again.
"Well then, lets get this show on the road." Natasha took her plate and proceeded to flop down on the couch.
Steve could only chuckle as he picked up his plate and sat in the nearby chair and got the movie started.
Hours later, the movie ended, it was dark outside and Natasha decided it was time to leave.
Steve escorted her to the door. "Give your friend my thanks for the pie. It was delicious."
"I will. Goodnight Rogers."
Steve decided to risk it. "Goodnight Nat."
Natasha was driving home while going over her visit to Steve's place.
She has spent the past few days visiting Clint and Laura. When Clint mentioned Natasha's new partner in the least subtle way possible Laura started hounding her with questions.
What is he like?
How handsome is he in real life?
What do you think of him?
Never ending questions. Then Laura made a pie for him which gave Natasha an excuse to drop by to see how he was living. Not too bad. He was kind enough to share the pie with her and let her watch the movie with him. Other than that, it was a quiet but nice time.
When she left he called her Nat and strangely she did not mind one bit.
What the hell was going on with her?
"What did you want to see me about, Rogers?" Fury asked him point blank.
"I was going to request permission to begin an investigation off the books." Steve told him honestly.
Fury couldn't help but frown but it was more out of intrigue than anything else. "Off the books?"
Steve nodded. "In all honesty I don't have anything solid. Its more out of suspicion than anything else. If approved, I would still need to tread lightly."
"Go on." Fury was beginning to get curious. "What do you have?"
Steve handed him a folder. "It's about Advanced Idea Mechanics aka AIM. It is a think tank headed by Aldrich Killian. They have been gaining momentum in the past several months. Something about them just doesn't sit right with me. It might be something miniscule. It might be nothing."
Fury looked at Steve. "So is this just a gut instinct Captain?
"Sir, have you ever had a gut instinct that something wasn't right with a picture. That something was off or hidden beneath the surface."
"More than I care to admit."
Steve nodded. "Plus look at the next few pages." Fury did so and saw two pictures of Killian. One where he didn't look so well and one where he did. "Nine months ago Killian was a walking plethora of physical problems and all of a sudden they all seem to be gone. I know how advanced medicine has gotten since I went in the ice but I haven't heard of any miracle that could fix those kinds of problems in a short amount of time. I believe there is something shady going on. If I am wrong then no harm, no foul. If I am right and there is something going on..."
"Then you'll already be on it." Fury sat back and considered for a few minutes while Steve waited patiently. Suddenly Fury leaned forward. "On your own time. This does not interfere with the actual work going on here. You tread lightly. You don't bring in any other personnel in case this is a waste of time. You get something real you come to me."
"Yes sir, will do."
"I wanted to let you know that I will be out of town during Christmas time." Natasha told Steve.
They had just entered the parking lot after a long day including a mission debriefing and a training session.
Steve looked at her. "Taking some personal time for the holidays?" Secretly he knew that she was going to the Barton farm to spend Christmas.
Natasha nodded. "Something like that."
"Have a good time." Steve told her as he knew not to press for any more info.
Steve got to his truck when Natasha spoke up some more. "What about you? I'm sure plenty of women would like to get you under the mistletoe."
Steve gave a small smile. It had gotten to that point where Natasha was trying to fix him up. "Too bad for them. Have fun Nat. I'll see you when you get back."
The Kuwait base was attacked and Steve knew he had a very small window to go to California to help out Tony. He was currently in Fury's office giving his report on the AIM investigation.
"So these vets who have sustained substantial injuries in action including but not limited to loss of limbs are suddenly remade good as new?" Fury asked him incredulously.
"Not even my serum could do that and they seem to be flesh and bone not prosthetics. Whatever it is it's off the books given President Ellis' policy on biotech projects. Maybe even highly illegal, unethical, and very dangerous." Steve pointed out.
Fury nodded. "Keep running with it. You got anything else?"
"I think that Killian is looking for backers for whatever this project may be." Steve told him.
"Why do you say that?" Fury questioned.
"I may have looked at his schedule. He has a meeting with Miss Potts at Stark Industries in a couple days."
At that Fury's gaze grew more hard. "You think it would be a good idea to go out there." It was a statement and not a question.
"Yes, sir." Steve said affirmatively.
Fury nodded. "Go. Take a quinjet so if anything happens you have gear." Steve immediately got up and Fury spoke up again, "And Rogers, remember that this is your investigation and therefore your responsibility. So no wrong moves. If you run into any real trouble then you better get ahold of me immediately."
"Yes sir." Steve then immediately grabbed his go bag that he kept in his office. He brought all the necessary gear and grabbed a quinjet.
It was time to help Tony.
I will be honest. I did not put too much effort into this as I have a lot going on right now. Hope this wasn't too bad.
Also, over the course of this story the timeline of things will be a bit messed up as will some of the dialogue from the actual movies.
Due acknowledgement to Alwayssg1 for allowing me to work in the Iron Man 3 angle.