The Avengers managed to make it back in one piece despite the deathly glares Tony was sending Steve's way. Walking into the compound, they were greeted by Bucky and Bruce. Both who looked over all of them to make sure they were in one piece.

Bruce was about to make a comment on how they all survived until he saw the body of Naki being carried out.

"What happened?" He didn't get an answer as everyone walked past him. Bucky decided to speak up at that time.

"Fury wants you all in the briefing room when you get back." A collection of groans filled the air. That's how they all ended up sitting back at the table with Bruce at the head and the table separated by teams.

The TV played in the background as they waited on Fury. Another game of Family Feud played on the TV but was quickly interrupted by breaking news, capturing the attention of all the Avengers.

"Breaking news! Hours ago, witnesses reported seeing Spiderman facing off against the New York Police department. Sources claim, the masked vigilante was preventing a social services worker from taking a child, one of the Foster Seven, Sarah Smith. Spiderman shot a few employees with his webs before swinging away with the child on his back. Reports have been made that one of the officers shot at Spiderman, nearly hitting him and the child in the process. Internal Affairs has reportedly been involved."

"Seriously?!" Clint sounded off. "What kind of dimwitted person shoots at a person with a child near them?"

"I don't think he was shooting at the child," Bruce reasoned.

"Is that supposed to make it better? Besides that's not the point. He could have hit that child. It's reckless."

"I couldn't agree more," a voice said from the doorway. All eyes turned only to land on Fury as he walked through the door. Despite his calm demeanor, his face clearly showed that he was pissed. Bruce flipped the power to the TV causing the screen to go black.

"I give you a simple mission. Just grab and come back but you managed to fail at that. Was it a mistake for me to allow you back in the field?"

Before anyone could say anything, the director held up a hand. "That was rhetorical." Taking a deep breath, Fury ran a hand over his bald head. "I hate to do this, but I'm going to have to bench my best defenders."

"What about HYDRA?" Rhodes asked with a frown.

"I'll figure something out. As for all of you, you are benched until further notice. That means no field work."

"You can't be serious," Steve said in shock. Fury's eye landed on him.

"Oh I'm very serious Captain."

"I agree with Spangles," Tony voiced.

"As nice as that is, my answer is final. Had you brought Naki to me alive, like I asked, we wouldn't be having this conversation." Tony opened his mouth to protest but Fury shook his head.

"The higher-ups made me responsible for this team. It's my ass that gets chewed when you mess up. I don't want that. I feel you aren't ready to face the world, so your benched until I say otherwise."

With that, Fury made another dramatic exit. Silence filled the room as everyone looked at each other.

Finally, Sam spoke up, "It took them months before they let us out, just to bench us again. All because of one person's mistake."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "I assume you are referring to me."

"Apparently," Bucky voiced causing Tony to stiffen. Both men looked at each other before Tony spoke.

"In my defense, I was saving your friends Star Spangled ass."

"But did you look before you went blasting?" Clint asked.

"So now I have to look both ways before saving someone?" Tony asked, anger evident in his voice.

"Yeah, some restraint would be nice."

The room suddenly filled with people blaming Tony and the scientist trying to defend himself. Bruce did his best to try and calm everyone down but wasn't having much luck. Natasha looked over at Steve who remained quiet.

When their eyes met she raised an eyebrow as if to ask, what are you going to do? Her words from earlier filled Steve's head.

We need a leader, Rogers.

As if sensing that's what the man was thinking, Natasha nodded. Taking a deep breath, Steve stood causing the room to go quiet. Pushing back from the table, he walked to the door only to be greeted by the voice of Bruce.

"Where are you going?"

"To fix this."

Steve found Fury standing in another room, watching as a group of agents all filed out. When the last agent left, he closed the door behind him. Fury looked up with a frown on his face.

"Captain, I figured you would be in the gym."

"No sir. I'm here to ask you something."

"Answer is no, Rogers."

"Give us one more chance."

"Why? Your team failed, Captain."

Steve couldn't deny that. They technicality did. They allowed for Naki to die. Granted, from what Tony said, it was an accident but still. Fury leveled the Captain with a stare as he tried to come up with a reason.

Deciding to take pity on the man Fury spoke up. "I want to let you in on a secret, Rogers. I'm not stupid enough to send a group of hot-headed Avengers into the field without keeping a close eye on you. I watched the whole thing. From the moment you landed to the moment you all boarded the jet after you smashed it."

Steve looked up at that, allowing a lump to be forced down his throat. "You cannot deny that your team is not functional right now."

"Sir-"

"The answer is no."

Inside Steve deflated but on the outside he remained straight and tall, just like in the army, as if he were standing in front of his supervisor. Not showing weakness.

Fury eyed the man carefully and despite the answer he just gave him, the man didn't seem like he was about to back down. Licking his lips, Steve looked Fury right in his eye.

"You've never messed up a mission?"

Fury's eyebrows went up to his non-existent hairline. "Of course-"

"Exactly. We're human. You did just throw us together after months of being separated on bad terms. You can't expect us to just come together over night." Steve kept his voice firm and very Steve-like.

Fury seemed to think about it, before shaking his head no. Seeing that he was getting somewhere, Steve continued. "Give us one more chance. If we screw this up, I will go to the higher-ups and personally take responsibility for it. My team, my call."

Fury released a sigh as he looked around. Looking back at the first Avenger, he shrugged. "Let me think about it. I'll get back to you in a couple of days."

"That's all I ask." Steve said with a sigh of his own.

Fury nodded towards the door. "Make sure your team stays at the compound. Roast marshmallows or something." Steve nodded.

"Dismissed, Captain."

Steve nodded before going back to the briefing room where his entire team waited. They all looked up at him as he entered the room. All their eyes full of expectancy.

"What did Fury say?" Bucky asked as he watched his friend closely. Looking around at all of them in turn, Steve spoke clearly. In a way that is befitting Captain America.

"We're all confined to the compound," he started and watched as each one deflated in sadness. "But, he said he'll think about it and get back to me in a couple of days. Which is better than nothing."

And sure enough before his eyes, Steve saw hope flash in the eyes of every occupant in the room.