Chapter 8

It was visiting day and Tony came to see them, and he was not thrilled about Andy's condition.

"Why does she look so thin?" Tony questioned.

"It's the medication Tony, they're still trying to find the right dosage." Steve told him. Tony could see that this was taking a toll on Steve too, he looked tired and frustrated.

"Is she being treated properly?" Tony wondered.

"Why don't you ask me? I'm sitting right here." Andy huffed.

"Are you being treated well?" Tony asked.

"Yes, the program is hard, but it's fair." She sighed. "What are they saying in the papers?" She questioned.

"Some mutants are angry, they just don't understand." Tony told her. "I know this is hard for you, and this feels like the right option, but have you considered the surgery?" Tony suggested. Steve's face fell, they had talked about it, it just seemed so risky.

"We've talked about it, it's really risky." Andy confessed. "I'm not one to take the easy way out, but I don't know how much more of this I can take. I'm in constant pain, I can barely eat, I'm stressed, and I can't be intimate with my boyfriend." She said as tears pooled in her eyes.

"If that's what you want, we can do that. I have the top surgeons in the country at my disposal." Tony offered. The three of them discussed it and came to the decision, she would have the surgery. A week before the surgery Steve took her out to dinner, while they were waiting for dessert Steve got down on one knee.

"Are you serious?" She asked and a large grin spread across her face.

"I asked for Tony's blessing this morning." He told her, nervously biting his lip.

"I would do anything to have been a fly on that wall." She giggled.

"So, are you going to say yes, because my knee is starting to hurt?"

"I don't know, it's kind of nice having you on your knees for a change." She laughed and Steve blushed.

"Andy." He scolded.

"Of course I'll marry you." Steve stood up and slipped the ring on her finger, the whole restaurant clapped. Steve kissed her, Andy grabbed him by the tie and whispered in his ear.

"What do you say we skip dessert and head home to celebrate?" She suggested.

"I like that idea, maybe you'll get to see me on my knees a little more." He said quietly. Steve wasn't naturally submissive in the bedroom, but he'd do anything for Andy. If she wanted to try something new, he'd try it. The first time she asked him to beg he thought she was joking, he started laughing, and kinda killed the mood. People who knew Cap would never guess he had a kinky side. In conversation he'd blush at the word sex, in private he did things most people wouldn't dream of. Steve and Andy went home, had a bit of fun, and fell asleep in each other's arms, dreading what was to come.

The day before the surgery Steve and Andy met in the bathroom. Steve started the shower and pulled her close.

"Steve I'm scared." Andy said, looking to the ground. He put his finger under and chin and tilted her head up.

"I know, just don't think about it right now. Just relax." Andy took a deep breath and let it out. The couple undressed and got into the shower. Steve washed her hair one last time and she tried to enjoy it. When they got out, Steve dried her hair and got to work.

"Don't look in the mirror while I'm cutting, it will only make it worse." Steve advised. He cut her hair until it was short enough to pull out the razor. Andy stared at it for a moment, lost in thought.

"Do you need to take a break doll?" He asked and she shook her head, she wanted to get it over with. When Steve was done she looked in the mirror and sighed.

"You're still as beautiful as the day I met you." He said and kissed her cheek. "Come on, let's go eat dinner."

"No, I can't go eat with the team." She argued.

"What did I say this morning?"

"I'm beautiful and if anyone says otherwise you'll kick their ass." She huffed.

"Damn right."

The next morning they went to the hospital and met the surgeon. Under normal circumstances she would have met him sooner, but this was anything but normal. He walked in and Andy had to admit he was pretty attractive, she just hopped there was a big brain behind the pretty face.

"Good morning Miss Stark, my name is Steven Strange and I'll be your surgeon. It's time to go back now." He told her. Tony hugged her and Steve gave her a kiss before they took her away. Steve sat in the waiting area, while Tony kept pacing back and forth.

"I'm going to the chapel." Steve announced, sounding a little distraught.

"Can I come with you?" He asked and Steve gave him an odd look.

"Sure." He answered.

"I just.. I don't want to be alone right now." Tony confessed. Tony followed him to the chapel and sat down beside of him in one of the pews. Tony looked over at Steve, who was praying, he folded his hands and looked up at the cross. Tony hadn't been to church since he was little, he wasn't sure if he believed in a higher power, but Steve certainly did and it seemed to give him hope.Tony closed his eyes and said a silent prayer.

'Hey God, I know it's been a while, but I could really use some of that hope right about now. I've lost Andy before, because of my own stupidity. Please don't take her from me.' He pleaded.