New Avengers Facility, Upstate New York

"The rules have changed," Steve said as he walked beside Stark and Thor.

"We're dealing with something new," Tony added.

"The Vision is artificial intelligence,"

"A machine,"

"So, it doesn't count?" Steve asked perplexed.

"No, it's not like a person lifting the hammer."

"Right, different rules for us." Steve pointed at himself as he spoke and looked at the others.

"Nice guy. Artificial." Tony said glibly as Thor strode on.

"Thank you," Steve agreed.

"He can wield the hammer, he can keep the Mind Stone. It's safe with the Vision and these days, safe is in short supply." Thor told the other two.

"But if you put the hammer in an elevator..." Steve joked.

"It would still go up," Tony added as he pointed at Steve.

"Elevator's not worthy," Thor nearly rolled his eyes at the pair.

"You know you are so much funnier since Alice…" Tony started but choked on his words as he watched Steve's face fall.

"I'm gonna miss these little talks of ours," Thor said unaware of what had just happened.

"Not if you don't leave," Tony told him as they walked outside.

"I have no choice, the Mind Stone is the fourth of the Infinity Stones to show up in the last few years. It's not a coincidence. Someone has been playing an intricate game and has made pawns of us and once all these pieces are in position..."

"Triple Yahtzee?" Tony joked.

"You think you can find out what's coming?" Steve asked Thor seriously.

"I do. Besides this one," he said as he slapped Tony on the chest. "There's nothing that can't be explained." Lifting Mjolnir into the air Thor disappeared in a rainbow of colour.

"That man has no regard for lawn maintenance, I'm gonna miss him, though. And you're gonna miss me. There's gonna be a lot of manful tears," Tony walked to where his car was pulling up.

"I will miss you, Tony." Steve said seriously.

"Yeah? Well, it's time for me to tap out. Maybe I should take a page out of Barton's book. Build Pepper a farm, hope nobody blows it up."

"The simple life," Steve replied quietly.

"You'll get there one day," Tony told him sincerely.

"I don't know. Family, stability... the guy who wanted all that went in the ice 75 years ago. I think someone else came out." Tony narrowed his eyes at him, since they'd left Barton's farm he'd been different somehow. More resolute if that was at all possible.

"You all right?" he asked him.

"I'm home," Steve replied.

"What about Alice?" Tony asked. "You blew it didn't you?" looking to the sky Tony missed the look on Steve's face.

"I did not blow it Tony, it just… she's in DC and…"

"You blew it!" Tony repeated. "And I don't for one second believe that the guy who went in the ice 75 years ago isn't the one standing here now. At least a part of him anyhow. He might want a different girl, but he still wants his girl." Steve watched as Tony drove away.

"You wanna keep staring at the wall, or do you wanna go to work? I mean, it's a pretty interesting wall."

"I thought you and Tony were still gazing into each other's eyes. How do we look?" Natasha asked as she looked at the pad Steve had handed her.

"Well, we're not the '27 Yankees." He replied.

"We got some hitters," Nat said nonchalantly.

"They're good, they're not a team."

"Let's beat them into shape."

"Avengers..." Steve stood in front of the new team and straightened his back. "Let's get to work."

Three Months Later

Alice brushed her fringe from her brow and finished the wine that sat in front of her. Looking at the stark white template on her laptop her fingers hovered over the keyboard.

Steven Rogers was born in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City, in 1920 to Sarah and Joseph Rogers. Before America's entry into World War II, Rogers was a fine arts student. A passion that he held throughout his life. Fate, as is its will, thrust Rogers in another direction and as Army Officers stated at the time, though undeterred by his own multiple rejections by the U.S. Army, Steve Rogers made one more attempt to join the march of men to fight for their country in the dark days of World War II. Rogers' valiant wish to fight bullies wherever they were, his unwavering strength and determination ensured he was used as a test subject for the Super-Soldier project, this would change his life forever.

Now, a nearly perfect human being with peak strength, agility, stamina, and intelligence he went on to play a pivotal role and became the patriotic superhero we all know and love. Throughout World War II, Captain America fought the Nazi menace both on his own and as a member of a team.

The Army moved swiftly to create a colourful, star-spangled persona for Steve Rogers they called "Captain America," and put him on a tour to sell war bonds. Chafing at what he felt was inaction, Rogers jumped at the chance to join the real fighting when he received news of the capture of one of his closest friends and rushed to rescue the soldiers. Upon the successful completion of the unplanned mission Rogers determined his path as a one-man fighting force. His shield, nearly indestructible was designed and crafted by the genius inventor Howard Stark, the shield is a perfectly balanced instrument much like its owner and Rogers maintained the shield as an almost constant companion. It has become a symbol of strength to all those who recognise Captain America as this country's defender.

Steve Rogers' forthright attitude and positive disposition attracted a select group of people into his inner circle of friends. His longest companion was James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, who Rogers met in his Hell's Kitchen neighbourhood in New York and formed a close friendship with.

But Captain America cannot be mentioned without Peggy Carter. After truly joining the fight in World War II Captain America quickly earned the respect and admiration of all who knew him. And it was not only from the soldiers he fought alongside, but also from the British secret agent Peggy Carter, the founder of S.S.R and an unwaveringly remarkable figure in the truest sense of the words. It is said that she listened through radio communications as Steve Rogers entered the icy North Atlantic waters and apparently to his death.

Instead, Captain America entered into a state of suspended animation after the crash, and was recovered by S.H.I.E.L.D., the successor to Peggy Carter's Strategic Scientific Reserve. Awakened, he learned of his fate and began the long journey to acclimating to a brand-new, modern world.

Steve Rogers lived his new life serving his country and fellow man, he was a hero, some say the only true, worthy hero and the world will be thankful for eternity.

Alice blew her nose and threw the tissue on her desk.

Steve Rogers died alone on a cold Sunday morning in his home, an unopened letter by his side from an un-named woman.

Deleting the last sentence Alice sniffed and wiped her nose on the back of her cardigan sleeve.

Steve Rogers died on a warm Sunday morning in his home surrounded by his loving Children and Wife.

His Wife died with her Husband by her side.

Picking up her phone she tapped on the screen and brought it to her ear.

"Jenny?" she said as her friend answered. "Do you want to go out for drinks? I need to get out of the house otherwise I'm going to go crazy! Crazier… I'm going to go crazier…"

"I can't believe she's going to college!" Alice exclaimed as Jenny, her closest friend of fifteen years raised her hands to the air in disbelief.

"You can't believe it?!" she cried. "I swear yesterday I was changing her diapers."

"What about the boyfriend?" Alice asked as she sipped on her wine.

"Malik, he's a good boy. I think they're going to try and make it work." Alice raised hers brows.

"Young love huh?" she said quietly.

"What about you?" Jenny asked with a pointed look.

Jenny held her wine glass as she stared at Alice, she hadn't moved for a solid 5 minutes as Alice recounted her story. She'd been aware that her friend had been dating Captain America, that wasn't the issue. The issue was the decision Alice had made to leave him.

"You were so happy?" she finally spluttered.

"I was," Alice agreed.

"So why did you… end it?"

"Because it was all too much," she answered.

"For who? You or him?"

"He needed to save the world Jenny!" Alice exclaimed loudly and then looking around the small restaurant buried her head in her hands.

"Oh and you're such a distraction?!" Jenny replied sarcastically. Alice scrunched up her face in response, she was starting to hate that word.

"That's not what I meant…"

"No I know, you see how ridiculous that sounds. Now if you tell me you didn't want to be with him that's fine… but I don't think that's the case…"

"It's not that simple," Alice was regretting ringing Jenny.

"It kind of is though isn't it," Jenny replied quickly. "What changed?" Alice silently picked at her chipping nail varnish.

"I actually saw him in action, well not action but with the team. His face was different, he looked like he had the world on his shoulders and I didn't want to add to that."

"You're an idiot!" Jenny told her.

"What!"

"You're an idiot, you ever thought that maybe he needed to and enjoyed having a normal life? You said yourself when he was with you it felt normal, last time we talked you said he'd fixed the tap in the kitchen for you. Don't sound more normal to me girl!" Alice set her glass down and frowned.

"He hasn't rung…" even to her own ears she sounded pathetic.

"Have you watched the news recently?" Jenny asked mockingly.

"Fine!" throwing her arms in the air Alice looked to her friend for help. "What do I do?" she asked.

"You need to go get your man!" Alice laughed. "And you need to get me the number of that fine ass man with the wings!" Snorting on her wine Alice raised her brows.

"You're married Jenny!"

"Don't look at me like that!" Jenny told her. "We have an understanding my Husband and I…"

"I'm sorry," Alice apologised.

"Don't, you've been your normal caring, selfless self. That's why he loves you I'm sure," Alice nodded slowly. "You bring more to the table than being a distraction, and you deserve him in your life too."

"You're right," Alice said. "Very kind but…"

"I know I'm right," Jenny raised her glass at her friend. "Now, can we talk about my new job? I've had my fill of your mushy relationship woes!"

"I'd be happy to!"

Avengers Facility, Upstate New York

Steve walked through the large hanger and towards one of the security gates, the young man on the door nodded and then indicated for Steve to follow him.

"You said there was someone here to see me?" Steve asked as he hooked his thumbs into the front of his trouser waistband. "Hello Alice," he said as his eyes fell on a very nervous looking Alice.

"Steve," she whispered as she pushed her glasses up her nose. "Hello… you look good," she found herself saying.

"Thanks," Steve replied before looking at the young man and silently telling him he could leave. Steve walked towards Alice and slowly kissed her on the cheek, Alice to her credit, let him whilst her brain was screaming to grab hold of him and never let him go. "Is everything alright?" Steve asked unsure and Alice laughed.

"I'm so sorry Steve I wasn't there for you…" she blurted before squeezing her eyes shut and shaking her head. "I'd understand if you want me to leave, if you don't want to see me I understand…" Steve grinned. "I mean I wanted to see you and let you know that I'm sorry but if you don't want to…" Steve lifted her chin so that she was looking at him. "Are you busy? You're busy…" she rambled.

"Do you want coffee?" he asked her. Alice pressed her lips together and rolled her eyes.

"You're just so bloody smooth aren't you!" she said as he laughed. "I forgot how you do that," she said as she walked by his side into the facility. Steve didn't say anything until they were in his apartment, as he made them both a coffee Alice stood and looked around. "This is nice, are you happy here?" she asked. Steve looked up and nodded.

"I am," he answered as he picked up one of the cups and handed it to her. Thanking him she took a seat and then putting her coffee down pulled open her bag. Passing Steve his jacket she watched as he turned it over in his hands and then looked at her with a mixture of surprise and melancholy. "I wondered where this had gone?" he said. Alice shrugged her shoulders, taking a sip of her coffee she gave Steve a quick smile. "Are you taking your coat off?" he asked smiling at the way her coat was wrapped tightly around her.

"I didn't want to be presumptuous…" Alice shrugged as she pulled her coat from her arms. "I saw on the news, you won!" Alice didn't know what to say. "Good job!" she added as Steve barked with laughter.

"Thanks!" he replied but pretty quickly his face straightened, losing his smile he slowly moved his hand towards her and intertwined his fingers with hers. "We created the danger this time and all of the death and destruction resulting from that, is on us." He whispered.

"Where's Tony?" she asked tentatively.

"He's, taking some time… away from all this." Steve replied.

"And you?" she asked.

"I'm here, we have to keep going."

"You have to keep going," Alice commented and Steve nodded. "Of course you do," she added lovingly. "But do you think they will let you?" she added but when Steve didn't answer she didn't push further.

"I miss you," he whispered.

"I miss you too," Alice replied. "Did I make the right decision Steve?" she asked.

"I don't know," he answered honestly. Alice felt like she'd been punched in the stomach. "I know it hasn't been the same, without you…" he added.

"It was all so much," she started.

"I know," he interrupted.

"But since then, all I've thought about is you." Steve looked up from their hands to her searching eyes.

"I didn't want you to leave Alice," he told her.

"But I made the right decision?" she asked again tentatively.

"No," he finally spluttered.

"No?" Steve turned towards her.

"I don't think so, no, no you didn't." Alice smiled and took another sip of her coffee. "What do you think?" he asked her.

"I think I was an idiot!" she told him eagerly.

Six Months Later

"Welcome to the team Ms Thomas," Alice shook John Stuart's hand and stood from the chair she'd been sat on for the past hour. "Your work has come highly recommended, I think you'll settle in here very well."

"So do I, thank you for the opportunity."

Alice threw her bags down in Steve's apartment and looked around for him. Not knowing if he was busy or not she took off her coat and rolled up the sleeves of her oversized white shirt. Slipping off her boots and rolling up her jeans also she sat down and looked out of the window. Tapping on her phone she texted Jenny.

I'm here!"

…

Is he?

…

Not yet

…

Look good!

Alice smirked and then grabbed her bag, she already had contacts in so when she found her eyeliner and lip gloss she liberally applied both.

Steve strolled into his apartment and stretched out his muscles, the light was on in the living room so he made his way there. Seeing Alice asleep on his couch made him smile from ear to ear but before she could see him he quickly straightened his face and sat beside her. As she stirred he pulled her fringe from her forehead and kissed her head.

"Hello," she greeted him groggily.

"Hey," he replied. "You're here," he asked as she sat up and ran her hand through her hair. "How was your trip?" pulling her towards him Steve wrapped his arms around her and let his lips rest on the top of her head.

"Good," she answered. "I have a question, a proposal really. A suggestion…" Steve laughed and looked down at her bemused.

"Go on," he said as she bit her lip.

"I took a job, with the Kingston Times." She told him as she smiled. Steve creased his brow and then sat back, realisation sitting in.

"The paper here?" he asked as she nodded. "You mean?" he whispered as he looked at her dumbfounded.

"Is that alright?" she liked the way he was smiling at her, it made her know she had made the right decision.

"It's more than alright," pulling her into an embrace Steve never wanted to let go. "It's more than alright."

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it and please let me know what you think! XXX