A/N: Hello faithful readers! The promised chapter, and it's a decent length too! I'm actually excited to see who you guess the stranger is from the description, but Sera meets a delightful character.

Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney, ABC, 20th Century Fox or the Avengers. Just Sera.

Song used in this chapter is I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz


The Gala was long, and boring. Many attendees were investors that wanted to shake my hand, asked about my powers, and how I could have two husbands. I still got disgusted looks every once and a while, but when my narrowed eyes glowed red, the guests would scurry away. Pepper chided me for being rude, but I wasn't in the mood for dealing with people's hang-ups about the way I lived my life, and who I loved.

Bucky had called me that morning to see how things went with Kamar-Taj and the Ancient One. I was grateful he didn't mention Steve, or ask me how I was doing. Bucky was always more sensitive to my feelings and moods, while Steve was as dense as a post. Look sad? Steve would try to talk to you and cheer you up. But Bucky? He knew when things should be left alone, and to deflect questioning until you had a chance to cool off and think.

But as my time away from home came to a close, I realized that I was still trying to be wild. I had run away from them before, when I thought they were going to domesticate me, make me settle down. Now, it was a matter of them not understanding the intense stress I was under. One wrong move, and it could mean death. One wrong move, and it was game over for the universe.

"Miss," A voice said as I sat on a bench in Central Park. Happy was trailing me, as per my Dad's request, and I appreciated that someone was watching out for me. I was so oblivious that I didn't notice the older gentleman sit down beside me.

"Yes?" I said, shaking my head clear and smiling up at him. He stood about Bucky's height, with a receding hairline and matching grey mustache. He wore a tinted pair of glasses, and a playful smile.

"I'm just wondering how you are doing? You looked deep in thought."

"I guess I was. I'm sorry if you were trying awhile to get my attention," I said, gesturing for him to sit down.

"Oh no, I just thought you might need to talk," He said, sweetly.

"As a matter of fact I do. So much is going on, but I wouldn't want to bother you with it," I said, wondering if he should be burned with my worries.

"Sera, you need to talk. What you are doing isn't healthy for anyone," He said, making me look up at him quickly. I knew people knew my name, but he spoke my name like we had been old friends.

"Don't be alarmed, I come in peace. I work for the Watchers. I keep an eye on things for them on Earth, and sometimes in other places around our universe. I want to hear your story, and in turn I will tell you one."

"Okay, first, Watchers?"

"I can tell you that much. They are a celestial race, eons old, and their mission is to retrieve information and collect knowledge. There was a time when they wanted to help people, by giving them future knowledge. It backfired on them, because the race they gave knowledge to, they built nuclear weapons that ended up destroying themselves. Since then, they vowed to never interfere. But they don't need to know I made an exchange for this information. Call it a square deal. You tell me everything you know, and I will tell you what the Watchers know."

"Okay. What can it hurt, it's not like they are in league with Thanos," I shrugged after a minute.

As I relayed my story, parts he would have known about and some he didn't, he sat patiently taking in ever detail. He must have an eidetic memory to be able to relay it all back to his 'superiors'. Partway through, he gestured we get up and walk. We got drinks from the coffee cart nearby and continued to walk in the sunshine, as I spilled my guts. And as I explained the latest information I knew of our enemy and who would be helping us, he nodded, "That's more than enough."

"Really? I feel like it barely scratches the surface."

"No, you relayed more than I thought you would. I was told you would keep certain things close to your chest, so to speak, but you have impressed me."

"And now I hold up my end," He said, taking a deep breath, pressing a finger to my temple. I was taken on a wild ride in my mind as information poured through my brain, images of our enemies life flashing by, as a disembodied voice guided me through the information flow.

"Thanos is from a race called the Eternals. Born on Titan, his mother saw the evil in his eyes and tried to kill him. Later, he murdered her and his father to ensure he would never be constrained by the weakness of his parents, and to impress Death."

"But there is an even greater threat to Thanos than your team; himself. Your time in the alternate dimension to this one, showed you that you are not the only world to be plagued by Thanos's looming threat. In other dimensions, he is the 'good guy', and is the only one strong enough to defeat himself."

"There have been only three other versions of this battle that ended well in alternate dimensions. Thanos could be defeated by Adam Warlock, a being made by The Sovereign. He would control the Soul Stone, and kill Thanos. Secondly, Drax could tear Thanos's heart from his chest. In that version, Drax was originally a human and the backstory is confusing to how he got his strength. Thirdly is Squirrel Girl, a miss Doreen Green. She would defeat Thanos easily, as she is indestructible. There is one more person that might be able to help you, the InHuman King, Blackagar Boltagon."

"Inhuman King? Since when?"

"Their people live on the moon. A city hidden by technology, thriving with InHumans for years apart from humankind. Their city is called Attilan, but they will leave there for Earth, hoping for refuge."

"So what do I do? This only gives me more questions."

"Don't rely on only yourself. Too many times have I watched one of your team, go it alone, and were so close to failure."

"My team has their own problems-"

"Sera, trust an old man. These things never go over well when you take the weight of the world by yourself."

All of the sudden I was snapped out of the psychedelic mind show, to come face to face with Happy.

"Sera, are you okay?" He asked, giving me a once over for injuries. I looked around for the older man, only seeing normal faces passing by us. He was gone, vanished into thin air. I looked up at Happy, and suddenly I knew what to do. For the first time in months, I felt like I could breathe easier.

"I have to get home," I said, smiling at him, "Tell my Dad and Pepper that I'm fine. I really am Happy, but I need to go home."

"Okay. Do you need a ride to the airport, or do you need a Quinjet?"

"No need," I said, feeling my wings sprout, making a few people jump in shock around us. A few pulled out their cameras at me, and I smiled good-naturedly. No use making enemies of the good people of New York. I waved goodbye to Happy, before I took off, straight up and over the park, shooting northwest, towards home.


Gliding in to the hanger, I landed, looking around for any of my family as I retracted my wings. No one was in sight as I called out, "A, where is everyone?"

"There was an incident in Oahu, and SHIELD was sent to investigate."

"Alright, but what about my husbands, or kids?"

"Currently in the training rooms, and the twins are in their lessons with Dr. Banner."

"Okay, when everyone returns, please call them to the conference room. Alert T'Challa, the Guardians, The Pym's and Xavier's of our impending call. Unscheduled time, but it is important. Tell them it is regarding Thanos," I said, heading up to change my windblown clothes. My wings had burnt up everything but my tank top and shorts. I really needed to learn to wear my suit top under my clothes. But the summer weather was unbearable for leather, and it wasn't meant to stretch for my growing belly.

"A, in about 45 minutes, let my husbands know I am back, and I will be in the kitchen when they are available. And showered," I added, giving myself a few extra minutes. Pulling out my measuring cups and mixing bowls, I grabbed my apron and tied it around my waist. I threw the oven on, asking A to turn on my cooking playlist. Mixing together the ingredients, I put them into their respective pans and then into the oven.

I was lost in thought, looking out the window after I cleaned up my mess, when I heard movement behind me. I didn't move to greet them, because I knew it was Steve. But the song changed, and it was one I didn't remember putting on the playlist. Steve offered his hand as he came in front of me. I gave him a small smile as a tear fell from my eye without permission. He pulled me to his chest softly as the lyrics started.

When I look into your eyes

It's like watching the night sky

Or a beautiful sunrise

Well, there's so much they hold

And just like them old stars

I see that you've come so far

To be right where you are

How old is your soul?

Well, I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space

To do some navigating

I'll be here patiently waiting

To see what you find

'Cause even the stars they burn

Some even fall to the earth

We've got a lot to learn

God knows we're worth it

No, I won't give up

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily

I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make

Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use

The tools and gifts we got, yeah, we got a lot at stake

And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend

For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn

We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in

I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not, and who I am

I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up, I'm still looking up.

Well, I won't give up on us (no I'm not giving up)

God knows I'm tough enough (I am tough, I am loved)

We've got a lot to learn (we're alive, we are loved)

God knows we're worth it (and we're worth it)

I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up

He released me as the buzzer on the oven went off. I pulled away from his chest to look up at him, caressing his cheek softly.

"Sit down," I said softly, and he nodded. I pulled the loaves out of their pans, and onto a cooling rack.

Bucky came in as I put a plate of warm banana bread on the table next to Steve, and grabbed a couple glasses of milk. He smiled softly at me as I sat down next to Steve, with himself on the inside of the table facing us.

"I run."

"What?" Bucky said, confused at where I started.

"When things get a little too emotional or much for me, I run. I ran away from reality after my Mom died and confessed I was a Hydra heir, by joining SHIELD. I ran away from my Dad a day after meeting him as my father, cause I still wasn't comfortable with seeing the same love my Mom had for me, in his eyes. It hurt too much. I ran after Russia, to Xavier's, and it sort of helped me deal with my demons."

"I ran after Steve kissed me in the gym in Brooklyn, because I wasn't ready to love again. Didn't think I could. I ran from SHIELD when Nick refused to let me know of my father's disappearance during the AIM crisis. I ran when the two of you suggested we get married before the twins were born. I wasn't ready yet."

"I ran after I discovered I was InHuman. My mother had betrayed me by not telling me before she died. I ran when I thought you would hate me for who I was. I ran from dealing with Steve's…"

"Possessive asshole attitude," Steve supplied with a sheepish smile. I return his smile, "Attitude."

"While I shouldn't have run, I did learn something. A really wise old man, who I will explain later, gave me a good piece of advice. Things never go well when someone tries to take the weight of the world on by themselves."

"What you said, was true. I hold secrets that could make or break us. Not just our world, but us. It's put a strain on our marriage, on our relationship, and I wish I had seen it sooner. There is just so much I need to cover, to align so that we are ready. And to explain it to someone else to do, it would be faster to do it myself. And sometimes, I won't be able to, and it's frustrating for me. There is so much information in my head, and I just got another overload. Again, something I will explain later, but I have to let go a bit."

Steve slowly reached for my hand, cradling it in his own hands, and gently massaging the back. He stared down at it for a few moments before looking up at me and saying, "Could you- can you forgive me? I've been handling this wrong."

"I have been too," I smirked, "So if I couldn't forgive you for something I am guilty of myself, I would be a hypocrite. Of course I forgive you, Captain Studmuffin."

Bucky laughed first, lightening the mood. Steve joined him, kissing my knuckles and then my cheek.

"Thank you Angel," He said, relief coloring his voice.

"I have a question. Did you have a craving?" Bucky asked, gesturing to the half eaten plate of banana bread.

"It was something my mom and I did. When you were in the wrong in a big fight, you made banana bread. We would sit down and talk about why we acted like we did in that fight, and calmly discuss our points. Usually the whole loaf was gone, especially when you added chocolate chips. I guess I just missed her a bit more today, and it influenced my thinking," I smiled reminiscently, wiping away a tear from my eye.

Steve nodded and said, "If you want to go visit her, you don't need our permission. You know that."

"No, it's not that. I just see her in little things. The other week, Elijah's eyes, got this twinkle that she had when she wanted to surprise me, or she was planning to play a joke on me. And Callie has her cheekbones. Every day it's something new, and I feel like she's still here. It doesn't hurt as much."

"Ma'am, I am sorry to interrupt, but I have alerted the SHIELD team, as well as the rest of the Avengers of your request."

"Thank you ARSENAL. Please contact King T'Challa, the Guardian's, The Pym's, and Xavier's, connecting all of them to the conference room screens. And start trying to contact the InHuman city of Attilan, on the backburner."

"Location ma'am?"

"Luthor Crater, on the moon," I said, blushing as Steve and Bucky looked at me.

"That seems a little far fetched."

"Not really. Considering Peter has lived in space for almost 26 years," I pointed out, "Shall we?"

As I stood up, Steve pulled my hand, asking me to wait. I was confused until he pulled me to his chest, cupping my cheek and capturing my lips. The kiss was soft, testing the waters. But as I put my arms around his neck, he pulled me in deeper, nipping my lip playfully, and gaining access to my mouth. I moaned softly as he pulled me against his growing bulge, before he backed up slightly.

"It will keep," He teased, after I groaned at the loss of contact.

"I love you," I said, looking deep into his eyes.

"And I love you, always," He replied, an easy smile gracing his lips, before they split to showcase his smile.

"Mmm, sunshine," I sighed, leaning up to kiss him once more.

"Now, can I have some sugar?" Bucky asked as Steve released me. I turned to come face to face with his chest, and looked up expectantly. He didn't disappoint, wrapping his arms around me, and lifting me off the ground and he kissed me. I hung on around his neck, threading my fingers through his hair.

"Okay, after this meeting, you two are mine," I panted as I was released.

"Always yours," Steve said, offering his arm for me to loop through. Reaching for Bucky's hand, we walked down the hall to the conference room, content with our reconciliation.