Author: Black Dragon on the Rocks/animealam

Rating: T

Pairing: None so far, mentions of one sided Steve/Peggy

Summary: The Universe stared at the boy for what seemed an eternity to him, only to change into a decrepit, dirty alley, and that was the last thing Steve saw before loosing consciousness. The small frail boy banished in a flash of blue flames. Be warned VERY AU Young Time Travelling genius tech savvy Steve.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Avengers, I'm just borrowing them. I'm using a good number of the movie dialogs, even if I added bits and pieces to some of them. So if something looks familiar they are obviously not mine, and belong to their respective owners.

Warnings: NOT SLASH, AU, Completely totally AU, Time Travel, Younger Steve, Violence, Adoption, Smart Steve, Technopaths, Technopath Tony, Technopath Steve, Canon Character Deaths, Minor Character Deaths, OOC-ness, there are quite a lot of movie dialogs which I decided not to change but I did add my own twists and turns to make them a bit more interesting.

Characters: Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton, Thor, Nick Fury, Phil Coulson, Maria Hill, Sarah Rogers, mentions of Bucky, mentions of Peggy Carter, mentions of Howard Stark, mentions of Colonel Phillips, mentions of the Howling Commandos, Jarvis, Pepper, Happy, Rhodey

Timeline: Pre Avengers, Captain America: The First Avenger, Avengers, Post Avengers

Author's Note: I'm sorry for making you all sad. I cried when I initially wrote it, as well as on a good number of the revisions I did for it.

I sorted the chapters faster than I thought, so I'm posting earlier, but it's a bit shorter than my usual. The next chapter is of average size for me, but chapter 19 is massive, still growing, and I have not found a way to cut it.

Total size without notes: 3,435

Keys:

"Speaking aloud."

'Thoughts'

'Name: /Mental interfacing between technopaths and/or tech\'


What's going on?

"Explain, now," Natasha demanded making it clear they would not get away with silence. She had assisted them with the story without questions because she saw it was important to the dying woman. But now she wanted explanations.

"Only if this goes no further," Tony said firmly and looking at each of them straight in the eye. He was not putting Steve at risk.

"The Other Guy will be VERY displeased if this comes to the ears of ANYONE at SHIELD," Bruce said in a very mild tone, which only made the implied threat even more dire.

Threatening people was so unlike himself, specially after the Other Guy came to be. Because it had only been after his appearance that he began working on the issues he had been carrying since his childhood. It was when he began meditating. But keeping Steve safe was more important than feeling uncomfortable by being more passive aggressive than he had been in… Well so many years.

"It's really shocking to me, but HE truly likes the little Cap. In fact, Steve's the only person the Other Guy has been willing to listen to," he pointed out.

"Do we have your word this will remain amongst us?" Tony looked at each of them in the eyes again trying to make a point.

Thor was now very intrigued. How could the woman who just crossed the way to Valhalla be the young Captain's mother? Yet she was, the grief the youngest one was feeling was too raw and powerful to be anything but true.

"I Thor Odinson, heir prince to the throne of Asgard, give you my word, Man of Iron. I will not inform the SHIELD whatever you confide to me today." His tone was formal.

In Asgard one did not give their word lightly. It carried much weight, specially when he added his title. It seemed the Man of Iron understood what he had offered because he straightened before replying.

It shocked Tony to hear the formality in Thor's tone, and while he was not one to observe protocol, he did know some monarchs and/or heirs to the throne did not give their words lightly. Their word actually meant something, and he supposed it was specially so in Asgard.

"I, Anthony Edward Stark, accept your word Thor, heir prince to the throne of Asgard," he said with equal formality. He could see the others staring at him, Romanoff with a frown. Thankfully none chose to comment

"And you?" Bruce asked the spies.

"You have mine as well, Bruce, Tony," Clint said after thinking about it.

He was too curious and wanted to know what the fuck was going on; and could actually see why neither of the geniuses would want SHIELD to know. After they fucked up so badly time and again in regard to the Cap, even he was reluctant to leave him in SHIELD's hands, and he had worked for them for ten years.

Besides, Clint owed him one. The Cap included him on the team trusting Natasha's assessment of him. No questions asked, no time doing psych evaluations, just a nod from her, and he was trusted to be part of his team. It was more than SHIELD did.

"Romanoff?" Tony asked, seeing as she was hesitant. "Look," he said with a sigh, "this is not about me keeping things from SHIELD to fuck up with the pirate, although I won't deny it's a nice bonus for me"—he turned to look at Steve, who was still going strong against the ugly whale thingy; the kid was truly worrying him—"This is about him," and he nodded towards the young man. "This is about us," he signalled Bruce and himself, "keeping Steve safe when he isn't able to do it himself.

"Believe it or not, Romanoff, I'm not a selfish narcissistic bastard all the time. SHIELD nearly destroyed him," Tony said in a tone which showed just how angry he was on Steve's behalf, but also how protective he was of the young Captain. "Steve's still around only because he's made of sterner stuff than anyone believes.

"But SHIELD just keeps fucking things up, and everyone has a limit. It's not right, what they've done to him, not right at all. Steve doesn't deserve it after what he's done for the world." He said no more as he turned to look at the kid.

Tony's eyes assessed the youngster, making sure he was not hurting himself… too much. Otherwise he would have to ask Thor to intervene, because he knew the rest of them, with the exception of the Hulk and the Asgardian, were not a match for Steve.

"We're asking you to help us protect Steve," Bruce went on when Tony said no more and just focused his attention on the kid. "That was what that video Sarah Rogers was so adamant to record was all about. What she used the last of her energy to ensure… her son's protection.

"SHIELD might want him as an asset… No," Bruce corrected, "it's Fury who wants him to be an agent, but not everyone does. Kraft was not the only scientist SHIELD has, Romanoff.

"I can also tell you without any doubt, he was not the only unscrupulous one," Bruce pointed out knowing he was not wrong. "They want him locked in a lab now, and they won't stop at anything to get him if what just happened reaches their ears. Fury or no Fury," Bruce told her.

Natasha sighed, they were right of course. Fury had set his eyes on the Cap as an asset for SHIELD the moment he was informed Rogers was actually alive. She also knew the Director revoked most permissions he had initially approved to take samples from the Cap, but not all. The science guys had NOT been pleased, with Kraft being the loudest complainer.

The samples they did obtain from the Captain had been in the Bio-Science labs annexed to the Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. Installation, and were lost when it was destroyed. So Banner and Stark did have reasons to worry, the scientists were going to want more samples to substitute those they lost.

While she knew the Director would not authorize them, it did not mean the science guys were not going to try to get them anyway they could. Banner was also right about some, although thankfully not all, of SHIELD's scientists.

A couple of scientists, had actually tried to obtain extra samples from the unconscious Super Soldier by sneaking into the room they assigned him, or by bribing the guards. They were the reason, besides Kraft, Coulson was instructed to watch over Rogers while he regained consciousness.

Natasha's eyes fixed on the Cap, he had not stopped, even when she could see he was on his last legs. There was so much anger there, but also so much pain. She had to wonder if he would pull through, as well as what his real age was. Natasha also knew the only way she would have answers would be by agreeing to keep silent.

She had left the Red Room because she wanted to be better, to… work for the good guys. Her loyalty was to SHIELD, and yet… She could not deny they had messed up with Rogers badly enough it had touched her, enraged her, and made her want to destroy those who hurt him.

She had felt so… protective towards Rogers, whom even Fury believed to be a boy, and he clearly was younger than they thought. Did what she witnessed change anything really?

Her mind brought back the images of the betrayed, scared, hurt, and lost Rogers they had witnessed on the helicarrier. Natasha would never forget them because to her shock back then, seeing such a strong, confident, and powerful young man looking so… vulnerable had affected her.

Perhaps Rogers super power was not being a Super Soldier, but being able to awaken protective instincts towards him in everyone he met, even those who believed they had no hearts, like Stark… or herself.

She sighed, her heart was aching at seeing the Cap keep pounding the alien monster, even when he clearly had exhausted himself, and had very little strength left.

"Very well, Stark"—at hearing his name the billionaire took his eyes from the young man—"Banner, you have my word. I will keep whatever this is from anyone but those present at this moment," she agreed. "Now, explain."

"We can't say much out here, you understand?" Tony said, who knew who was listening in? As it was, he was sure some people had already taken either photos, or video from the scene with Sarah. They all nodded.

He caught a few, those closest to them, and managed to make the images unusable but he was too tired to further his range. He did warn JARVIS, and the AI was already searching the Internet for any images of them where Steve's, and the assassin duo's faces, were visible, besides those of them with Sarah. JARVIS' job was to delete them, from the source if possible.

"We don't have the whole story," Bruce began, "there has not been time for it. But in short, Steve is a time traveller," they all stared at him in shock. Barton… Clint even gaped. "He was born in 1999, and the woman who just passed away was indeed his mother, his only relative.

"He is truly a genius, and had an illness list as long as my arm. Steve did graduate from MIT at eleven with two Master titles, one in Mechanical Engineering, and the other in Computers and Philosophy…"

"So he was the one who hacked the surveillance room, not Stark," she concluded sounding a bit impressed. Graduated out of MIT at ELEVEN? Not even Stark managed that. Besides, Natasha knew it was not as easy to hack SHIELD as Stark believed.

"Yes, that was him," Bruce confirmed, seeing no damage in doing so.

"But how the fuck did he end in the past?" Clint could not help but ask.

"I think we should leave the rest of the explanations for a more private setting," Tony said pointedly looking at the small crowd they were beginning to attract.

Many of those congregating close to them had their phones and tablets out. So Tony decided the best he could do was to just temporarily disable any cameras in the vicinity, but he did erase any photos and video of them on those closest.


Jake: /What the fuck are you doing, Tony? You just disabled HC's camera, and deleted some amazing photos and video. I just got him repaired.\

Tony: /Sorry about that.\ He was surprised to hear him, and his eyes searched for the other technopath. He knew Jake worked and lived in Queens, so what was he doing in Manhattan?

Eva: /No you're not. Let me tell you Mikey is not happy to hear bubbles…\ They could feel he was lying.

Jake: /Bubbles?\ He mentally snorted.

Tony: /So your kid ended a technopath as well?\

Jake and Eva were the other two technopaths in New York City. Mid range both of them. She had a three year old son who had been showing signs of having inherited her abilities.

Tony: /Anyway, what the fuck are you guys doing in Manhattan, and out on the streets after we almost got invaded by aliens and nuked by those in power?\

Eva: /Yeah he is one of us, and don't ask, Jake, it was Mikey who named my newest smart phone. I had an appointment at Stark Industries' Human Resources Department, if you must know. You're hiring now, Tony.\

Jake: /Same here actually, everyone knows your company pays very well. Didn't expect to get caught in your super hero shit though. Good job by the way, and thanks. I rather not be enslaved by those ugly aliens, or fried by a nuke.\

Tony: /I'll talk to my CEO about you.\ He really could do with some technopaths working for Stark Industries. /Look guys, there's not much chance to chat. I really need to keep any photos or video of my companions, those where their faces are visible, from being posted anywhere.\

Tony: /Two of them are secret agents, the real kind before you say anything, Jake. I told you I did consulting jobs for SHIELD. The blond pummeling that whale like beast is one of us, he fell through the spaces in our net, and no one mentored him. His Mom just died…\

Jake: /Tony, the guy is a carbon copy of Captain America! He can't be one of us.\

Tony: /He is…\ He mentally sighed Jake was as much of a fanboy as Agent had been. /Look guys it's a long story, and I'm beat. Believe me, fighting aliens is no fun. I promise I'll explain later, right now I just need to keep Steve and the ninja assassins safe from exposure. So I really could use a hand.\

Jake: /And his name is Steve as well?\ He felt Tony's annoyance at his question, so he backtracked. Tony in a snit always gave him a long lasting migraine, never mind the fact he tended to change the settings and passwords of all his tech. /Okay, okay, don´t get your titanium whatever suit in a bunch, Tony. Don't worry, we'll take care of it.\

Eva: /You can count on us, Tony. Do you want any of the others to help keep the net free of their photos?\ She sent him a mental hug, and sensed Jake sent him a bro hug.

Tony: /Yeah, yeah, that'll be… That'll be great guys. JARVIS is on it, but technopaths are better at this type of thing. Tell everyone I said hi, and they have my thanks.\


"That's actually a good idea," Natasha agreed noticing what Stark was looking at. There were too many people starting to gather to gape at them and at Steve, who had just fallen to his knees in exhaustion.

"I will go assist the Son of Rogers," Thor said looking in the young midgardian's direction. The boy was actually crawling back to the Chitauri transport beast to keep pummeling it.

The young Captain did not respond to him when Thor addressed him. He was completely focused on destroying as much as he could of the beast, but he had no strength left. What little he had regained when he slept at the feasting place was gone by his attack on the Chitauri troops transport.

The boy was only able to give him some token resistance when he pulled him away from the very mangled beast, but he had not uttered a word of protest. Thor tried to get him back on his feet, but the Son of Rogers simply could not remain upright anymore, so he picked the child in a grown man's body up. Thor knew none of their brothers in arms had the strength to carry the young one, with the exception of the Hulk, but it was the doctor who was out.

While Thor went to get Steve, Tony told them they were going to take Sarah's body with them, to which all agreed somberly. It was simply not right to leave her there for the crews to pick up later. He had a room at the tower they could use to keep the kid's mother until proper funeral arrangements could be made. Tony would take care of them, but he also wanted to have Steve's input, if the kid was able to speak about it.

Tony did not hide his concern, because Steve had not uttered a word, or responded to anyone since his mother passed away. A look at the others told him he was not the only one worried, specially when Thor approached them carrying the unresponsive and limp kid in his arms.

Bruce immediately went to check on Steve, taking advantage of the ambulance's equipment. He could not deny being very concerned when he realized Steve went into shock, and it was not just the emotional kind. His pulse, breathing, temperature, and heartbeat told him something was seriously wrong with him.

Bruce was no medical doctor, but had learned quite a bit of medicine during his time on the run, and even before that when he was trying to replicate the Super Soldier Serum. So he did know enough to tend to Steve. Clint and Natasha had also ample experience in field first aid, so they were valuable assistants.

"He's gone into shock," he informed them. "Thor, lay him down on the floor. Tony find something to raise his legs with. Romanoff get me one of the thermal blankets and something to cut his uniform with. Clint get me the paramedic kits from the ambulance including oxygen."

Bruce was all business while he tried to assess just how bad off Steve was, and wondering what the hell was wrong, he had seemed to be banged up but with nothing life threatening. The rest of the team scrambled to follow his orders.

Natasha was quick to provide a thermal blanket to cover their young Captain. She also produced from who knew where a knife—he thought she had used them all during the battle, but he clearly was wrong—to cut Steve's uniform's top to give him better access to the kid's arm, so he could insert an IV, as well as let him check on the bleeding wound on his abdomen.

"Fuck!" was the collective exclamation when they saw the damage done to Steve's torso.

"Want me to start him on an IV?" Clint asked as he knelt besides their young Captain. He had enough knowledge of field emergency medicine to do that, and frankly Rogers did not look good.

"Yes, do that. Natasha can you finish removing the top of his suit?" She just nodded while Bruce examined the bruised mess and prepared some bandages to try and stop the Chitauri wound from bleeding. That thing looked nasty and rather deep.

They had noticed the wound, and even asked about it, but Steve waved off their concern. He told them thanks to the Super Soldier Serum it was already healing, and since it was a burn it was also cauterized. The youngster clearly strained it enough to open the wound again when he was beating the shit out of the whale thingy.

There were a lot of bruises on Steve's chest, one in particular looked terrible, and it really did not take a doctor to realize underneath lay broken ribs. Gentle probing confirmed at least two were broken, and they clearly punctured something since there was sign of internal bleeding. They should have ignored his reassurances and checked on his injuries. The next time they would.

They all realized Steve had been more seriously injured than they believed, and he had not told anyone about it. The worst thing about Steve hiding the severity of his injuries was not knowing whether he did it because he was used to being injured in combat, and letting the Super Soldier Serum heal him, or because he did not trust he would be safe if a medical team tended to his injuries. Maybe it was a combination of both.

Bruce, with Clint's and Natasha's aid, managed to stabilize Steve enough to move him, and he suggested they get him to a hospital ASAP. Not SHIELD though, anywhere but SHIELD was better, and they all agreed it was for the best to keep him away from the agency.

Tony told them he had a fully equipped and staffed infirmary come hospital at the tower, and it had not been damaged. It was a concession to Pepper because she worried about him and she knew how much he hated hospitals. Pepper had made him promise to get medical attention if he was ever injured bad enough to require it.

The doctors and nurses at the tower where amongst the best, and all had signed confidentiality contracts. They could be trusted to take care of any injury the team had sustained which needed treatment, but specially Steve's. He also had a well equipped operating room, which Bruce believed would be needed for the Cap.

With Steve safely cradled on Thor's arms, and Bruce hovering close by to keep an eye on the teen's vitals, they began making their way back to the tower. Clint and Natasha were in charge of the gurney transporting Sarah's body while Tony made arrangements on his phone. Once he was done, he took Natasha's place.