Two Weeks Later

"This is new," Steve commented as the pair worked out together. Caroline smiled as she continued to pummel the heavy bag hanging in front of her. Strength and endurance was one thing but knowing how to fight was another. Caroline had continued to enhance her skills with the sword on her own but had reluctantly gravitated towards Steve in pursuit of combat skills. Who better than to show her the ropes he'd argued but Caroline had been unsure. Steve Rogers had been a hero his entire life, Caroline Holland certainly hadn't and still wasn't as far as she was concerned. She'd protected Steve because she loved him, she hadn't even thought through her actions! It had been reckless and stupid! And then the only thing on her mind when she'd come to in the circle of stones was revenge. An anger and fury had come with being Lionheart and it scared her to death. She wasn't on par with Steve, she wasn't like him.

Nevertheless over the subsequent weeks Caroline had come to understand that she had failed to take into account Steve's propensity for not taking no for an answer. What she didn't see in herself he saw in her, the chance to be a hero, the chance to help others and make a difference. He had likened it to her cooking for so many families, providing something, bringing people together. Helping. So with his help she slowly but surely felt that part of her grow. She hadn't known it was possible to love someone even more than she already loved Steve Rogers.

When she watched Steve punch his heavy bag off the hook, the thing sliding across the floor she smirked and sat her hands on her hips.

"Show off," she said jokingly and Steve just shrugged his shoulders in response as he hooked up another bag. "You ready to go?" Unwrapping the bandages from her hands she came to stand by Steve who continued on. Flicking her wrist a bolt of energy shot from her fingers and flung the bag across the floor, Steve turned to Caroline and folded his arms across his chest looking decidedly annoyed. "What?" Caroline asked innocently.

"Anybody ever tell you that you have zero patience?" Steve told her as he unwrapped his own hands and threw the bandages at Caroline's face.

"I've made a Demi-Glace Steve, on more than one occasion. I know what patience is, I just don't like exercise!" physically pushing him towards the door Steve laughed.

"I don't know what that is by the way," he commented as he started to push against her in retaliation.

"It's something that takes a very long time," she told him quickly as she used him to open the door. "Now come on, let's get home and I'll make a Chilli." Steve marvelled at her, even after everything he knew she was happiest just doing what she loved which was cooking. A small part of him felt sorry for her, that she'd been catapulted into a life she'd never asked for. He wondered if at times he was the one pushing her into a new life. He'd had time to consider what he was about to take on all those years ago whereas she hadn't. Stopping her from walking on he took her by the shoulders.

"Are you okay?" he asked her seriously.

"I'm fine Steve, why? Do you think something is wrong?" Caroline asked, seeing the concern in his eyes.

"No I don't think anything is wrong, I just had to ask." Caroline squeezed his hand.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"You'd tell me wouldn't you? If there was something…?" Caroline nodded.

"Oh we're in this together now, you'll be the first to know!" Steve kissed the top of her head.

"Good!" He replied comically, gripping the top of her arm and squeezing. Caroline flexed it in response, "Not bad!"


"Yo Cap?!" Sam said catching his friend's attention who was stood in front of him. Turning Steve gave Sam a quick smile.

"Hey," he answered as he crossed his arms and looked at him expectantly. Sam had noticed a marked improvement in Steve's temperament recently and knowing what he knew, well, it scared him.

"How are you?" he asked tentatively.

"I'm good Sam, you?" Steve answered.

"Yeah, I'm well, err… Look, I just wanted to check in with you. You seem, good?" Steve realised what Sam was inferring and pulled him to one side. He proceeded to tell him everything, about Caroline, what had happened and who she was now. Sam listened with a strange mix of awe and incredulity, on a few occasions he even considered whether or not his friend was having a nervous breakdown or psychotic episode of some kind. But he knew it was the truth and he felt an overwhelming sense of relief and happiness knowing that his best friend's girl and his friend was alive and well. "Can I talk to her?" he asked and Steve nodded telling him she was at home in their apartment.

"She'd be happy to see you Sam," Steve told him. "You understand don't you? She needed time and it wasn't my secret to tell…" Sam slapped his on the back reassuringly. "I know she'll be happy you know," he added.

"I've gotta be honest, that's one hell of a story!" Sam said laughing and shaking his head.

"Kind of beats being frozen in ice huh?" Steve joked and Sam slapped Steve on the back again.

"I always said she was better than you anyhow!"


Running through the streets of China Town the small boy dodged in and out of the shops that lined the small street. The rain pounded against the road and blurred his vision as he crept down a narrow alley and through a fire exit door. Shaking his head he wiped the rain from his eyes before catching his breath. Looking down the corridor he tentatively took a step forward before his path was blocked by the imposing presence of a man at least six foot tall.

"She's weakening," the boy told him and with a grunt the man set off down the corridor, the boy following quickly. Watching from behind the boy saw an old man sitting in front of a large paper dragon, the access to the realm of the Crimson Dawn lying just behind.

"We need the elixir now!" the man shouted to the old man.

"The portal is not large enough, we need more power." The old man whispered as he looked to the boy. "This is very dangerous my boy, we are dealing with magic you do not understand."

"Where do we find such power?" the man asked ignoring the other's protestations. Closing his eyes and heaving a heavy sigh the old man looked up once more.

"In magic," the old man told him. "In the one who protects the dimension. She will guide the way."


Caroline held on to Steve's arm tightly as they made their way towards the team's headquarters. After Sam had visited her Caroline had come to conclude that if she were to find a balance between her newfound duty and living her life she had to become part of something bigger than herself. And on this world, that meant the team and family Steve had found in the Avengers. In the back of her mind she thought about Otherworld and when the day would come that she would have to leave Earth, it was always too much for her to think about even if she did have a sense of duty towards the realms. She hoped, maybe naively, that she could serve both.

"Stop worrying," he told her as they turned a corner and saw the large building up ahead.

"I'm not worrying," she replied nervously.

"You are, stop. You'll be fine." She felt more Caroline Holland than Lionheart and had little confidence that she was going to take it all in her stride. A courier rounded the corner as they did and Caroline instinctively held her hand out as the trolley was about to hit them. Papers and parcels scattered and shredded into confetti as Caroline looked on in horror. Steve had pushed Caroline behind him and looking down at their clasped hands saw that hers were glowing.

"I'm so sorry!" Caroline barked at the poor courier who looked on in horror.

"Don't worry Miss, happens all the time." He replied as Steve grimaced with a mix of concern and embarrassment.

"Excuse us," he said politely before pulling Caroline towards the bank of elevators. Once inside he turned to Caroline who had her lips tightly pursed together and was staring at the door.

"I told you I was nervous," she said quietly to Steve.

"Remind me not to make you angry," Steve replied earning him a jab to the ribs.

The team had been asked to come together but none knew why. It was only Natasha and Sam that recognised Caroline walking towards them beside Steve and only Sam that knew why she was there. For the others it was the first time they were setting eyes on 'Steve Roger's Girlfriend'. They'd all heard about her, eaten the food she'd made that Steve had brought in from time to time but their only knowledge of Caroline Holland had been the brave act of protecting Captain America from Thunderball and the ensuing disappearance. Given that they had all believed she was dead it wasn't surprising that the likes of Tony Stark and Bruce Banner audibly proclaimed their surprise.

"Is that?" Tony started.

"I don't know?" Bruce replied as he took off his glasses. "Nat?" he said turning to the red head beside him.

"Yeah," Natasha answered.

"Is that?" he asked and Natasha nodded quietly. As the pair walked in Sam made his way towards them and smiled at Caroline.

"You finally decided to join us?" he asked quietly.

"I just blew up all the post!" Caroline whispered to him wild-eyed leading Steve to take her hand and pull her with him towards the centre of the room.

"Hey Cap!" Tony said standing and waving at them both. "You want to introduce us to your dead girlfriend?" he asked looking at Caroline sceptically. "That's who this is isn't it? You don't strike me as the 'rebound' type?!"

"Watch it Tony," Steve replied sternly. Bruce could see that tensions were running high and quickly walked between the pair and towards Caroline.

"I take it your Caroline?" he asked, smiling softly at her.

"Yes, it's nice to meet you." Caroline held out her hand and Bruce shook it gently.

"Nice to meet you too, I'm Bruce. I'm glad you're… well?" Caroline laughed quietly, appreciating that he was being so cordial.

"It's good to see you Caroline," Natasha told her and Caroline found herself fighting back tears.

"Thank you Natasha," she managed to answer quietly. Tony appeared between them once more, eyeing Caroline up and down.

"So you're the one who put a spring in the icicle's step? Nice to meet you, Tony Stark." Holding out his hand Caroline shook it slowly. "So what happened? Felt like skipping out? I don't blame ya."

"Caroline Holland," Caroline replied quietly, ignoring his remarks and feeling uncertain as to the man's motives.

"I've got a few questions if you don't mind?" he started, pointing in Caroline's direction but Steve held up his hand.

"Can we give it a minute…?" he started but Tony waved his hand between them dismissively.

"Oh I don't know, I'd like to get to it if you don't mind. So Caroline, you died?" Tony started walking around the room and Caroline quickly clasped her hands together tightly behind her back. "Great job by the way, saving Cap here. You're a keeper!" Pointing his finger at her once again and winking Tony continued to pace between everybody. "And then what do ya know, this Knight of the round table or whatever came crashing down and defended poor Cap's honour! You wouldn't know anything about that now would you?" Natasha stood, knowing better than anybody how Tony Stark could appear to outsiders. His intelligence and ego had the, from time to time, undesirable consequence of upsetting people and she could see from the look on Steve's face he was fuming. Likewise when Steve glanced at Caroline's face he could tell that she was feeling threatened and given the fact that she'd just blown up a pile of papers because she was feeling nervous wasn't feeling at all easy with the way the situation was going.

"Tony," he called out to him aggressively.

"Caroline Holland you say? Also known as…?" Tony continued, leaning toward her and waiting for her reply.

"Lionheart," without blinking Caroline stared Tony down until he clicked his fingers and span away from her.

"I knew it!" he exclaimed. "Cap, you sonofabitch! I knew you'd hook up with a…" Caroline surrounded herself in an azure spark and appearing before Tony with her broadsword trained on his chest, the fiery mask showing nothing but her flaming eyes she waited for him to finish his sentence. There was that fury and anger again!

"Go on," she told him.

"Caroline," Steve warned, standing beside them both and watching Caroline intently.

"Is this a good cop, bad cop thing?" Tony asked Steve acerbically.

"Were you never taught that first impressions count Mister Stark?" Caroline asked him sternly. Tony looked down at the tip of the sword pointing at the miniature arc reactor on his chest and then back up at Caroline.

"Unfortunately not," he replied cautiously. "I loved your scones by the way," he said glibly. "Best I've ever eaten!" he whispered conspiratorially and then backing away raised his eyebrows at Natasha who simply rolled her eyes and sat back down.

"Lionheart!" All eyes fell on Thor who had approached the pair. "Lionheart of Avalon, ruler of the realm. I am Thor, King of Asgard!" Taking a breath Caroline took a step back and put her sword away slowly. Looking to Steve she saw the concern in his eyes and nodded tightly his way, letting him know she was alright. As far as Steve was concerned Tony deserved everything he got.

"Thor," bowing her head in his direction she held out her hand, Thor took hold of her forearm and held on tightly.

"Remove your mask, you are with friends Lionheart and I wish to see the beauty that has captivated our Captain." Steve shook his head wearily and Caroline waved her hand in front of her, the mask disappearing from her face leaving her armour and Broadsword remaining.

"Nice trick," Tony quipped. "Can you make him disappear?" he said as he pointed at Steve. Caroline turned her attention back to the Iron Man.

"Do you have a problem with me Mister Stark?" Caroline asked calmly.

"You're quick!" he replied casually.

"You're rude!" Caroline replied. Turning to Steve she smiled at him warmly. "I'm leaving," she told him firmly and turning to everybody else apologised for wasting their time.

"Caroline wait," Steve started but Caroline held her hand up.

"It's alright Steve, really." Turning back to the team she gave Sam a wink who looked mortified and nodded at Natasha. "It was lovely to meet you Bruce, Thor." Not looking at Tony Caroline walked from the room.

"You're an ass Stark!" Steve ground out.

"You have no idea who she is Cap…!" Tony started but Steve cut him off.

"Yes I do! You're the one who doesn't and you wouldn't even try!" Turning Steve began to leave also.

"How do you not know this was the plan from the very start?!" Tony shouted after him. "Little Miss Betty Crocker and then bham!"

"You're wrong Tony," Natasha interrupted.

"Fine," Tony shouted after him. "Sorry! You want me to be nice to your Girlfriend? Fine I will!" Steve didn't answer and disappeared out of sight.

"Really Tony?" Bruce exclaimed and then left himself.

"What?!" he replied tersely, already knowing deep down he'd been way out of line.

"You really are an ass," Natasha added before she too left the room.

"I fear you have made a mistake Stark, magic and sorcery are powerful and dangerous, Lionheart appearing here means powers are growing, she will be our only warrior to defend us from the dark magic." Tony stared at Thor as he too left.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Tony shouted after him. "Thor! Seriously?! What we talking about here? I've seen David Copperfield in Vegas! It's all an illusion." When everybody had left Tony stood staring at the wall. "Crap."