Ch 19 - Here, there, and back again

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: Thanks guys for being supportive. The muses have apparently gotten over their funk, and are trying to ignore canon. Which led to me having 4 skinny tiny Steve fics of over 20,000 words on the way. Read practically all of the Iron Man Noir fics with Steve in them—specially those with skinny Steve, never read the comics, but the fics were good—while I was brooding, and those 4 are the end result. I probably won't be posting them any time soon since I have three unfinished fics posted, and I don't think I should, but who knows, if they go over 40,000 words I might.

Also the updates will still be a bit sporadic since I'm just starting chapter 21. I have some ideas as to where I want the fic to go, so it'll take a bit of time to get there.

The next chapter is massive, around 8,000 words, and apparently finished. I'm just proof reading it, as well as trying to find a good way to break it. Although I might end posting it the way it is now.

On the second part of the chapter I wanted include a bit more of Thor, but I don't think I really got him right. For starters, I think he's a bit more complex as a character than he's usually portrayed in fanfiction, or the movies too for that matter. He has to be if he's been alive for at least a thousand years, and has had the training to rule a whole realm.

Then there's the fact English is not my first language, or the language I speak everyday (truth be told, since I don't practice I'm really awful at speaking it), and the way Thor speaks is... Well more than a bit difficult for me to write. I hope he did not come too OOC.

Total size without notes: 4,442

Keys:

"Speaking aloud."
'Thoughts'
'Name: /Mental interfacing between technopaths and/or tech\'


No sleepin'

"Steve, it's all right kid, you're not in the future, or in a lab. You're at the tower with me and the other Avengers," Tony was saying both aloud and through a mental link, but the kid's mind was a confused, drugged mess, and he was not getting through.

"You're safe, Steven," Thor told him, trying for a reassuring tone of voice, while he picked up the confused youngster like he was a babe, and returned him to the bed. "We will not allow anyone to harm you."

"No Red Skull..." Steve mumbled confused, then frowned. "Wrong... Skull's gone... Gone?" He corrected still frowning as he tried to clear his mind, with little success. "Not lab?" He was in a lot of pain, and his mind was just so scrambled, he remembered feeling like that in a lab... or lab like place. It... frightened him. "No... No Kraft?" he trembled in remembered fear.

"No kid, Kraft's gone, remember? Hulk got rid of him for you, Steve. I'm Tony remember? Tony Stark, this is my private infirmary," Tony told him both verbally and through the connection they shared, "with doctors I trust."

Tony: /You're safe here, Steve. I won't let anyone harm you, and neither will the others. I just need you to calm down, and stay in bed.\

"You worri'd," Steve slurred. "Why? Wha's wrong? Dang'r?" In his muddled mind he did sense the other technopath was very worried, so he tried to get off the bed to deal with whatever was worrying Tony.

"No danger kiddo, we're safe," Tony reassured him, doing his best to keep Steve on the bed without hurting him. "We're at the tower."

"But... You... Worri'd! Why? Why're you… Worri'd?" As team leader it was his responsibility and his duty to see to his people, to make sure they were well after missions. Or if hurt, to ensure they received medical attention.

"I'm worried for you, Steve," Tony told him, and did his best to project some calm and reassurance.

Unfortunately Tony had never been all that good at it. Trixie's parents always complained he made her jittery when he was trying to be calming. She was a four year old technopath he mentored a year ago, when he was living in Malibu. Now Chad, another technopath who lived closer to her, took over her mentoring. He was one of the best mentors they had down south.

"Me? 'm fine, no worry fo' me," Steve tried to reassure him.

"Steve, you were injured during the battle. You had internal bleeding, and the Super Soldier Serum was healing you, but it was not fast enough. The doctors had to operate on you," Tony explained slowly choosing not to lie to Steve. He could feel the kid would not like it, and it might even lose him some of the boy's trust. "So please stop struggling, Steve, we don't want you hurting yourself anymore than you already are."

At his words the boy finally started to calm down, and stopped trying to get off the bed. He was stronger than they thought, and it had been difficult to restrain him without hurting him more than he already was. Thor had had to place an arm across the kid's chest to keep him from getting up again.

"Team... alrigh'?" he slurred. "Not... hurt?" Steve needed to know they were fine. It was part of his duties as their leader. He could not rest, or allow himself to be treated for any injuries, until he knew his team was fine, and it they were not, at least got medical attention.

"Everyone's fine, Cap," Clint reassured the kid as he entered the room followed by Nat and Bruce.

He reached the bed and grabbed an ankle, giving it a firm squeeze. Tony was sitting on the kid's legs wearing his suit sans helmet, his hands holding the Cap's face rather gently. He was trying to keep the kid's attention focused on him, but Clint could see whatever drug cocktail they used to sedate him, was making it very hard for Steve to actually focus his eyes, or his mind, on anything.

For his part Thor had just removed his arm from the kid's chest. Instead he moved to the head of the bed, and used both hands to gently hold down Steve's shoulders. He was keeping the kid from getting up, but was not using as much force as he had.

"Just a few bumps and bruises, nothing to worry about," Clint added.

"Don't worry about us Солнышко(1), we're fine." Natasha said as she approached the head of the bed, and rather tenderly carded her fingers through his hair. Clint stared at her in shock, and she did not blame him, as she only shared this side of her with him and his family. "You on the other hand are not. Be assured we'll be having words about this once you're better." Her tone was slightly stern to convey her seriousness.

"Thor? Bruce?" He felt a large hand squeeze his shoulder gently, and realized Thor was the other one holding him down.

"I am unhurt, young Captain" which was not entirely true, but he knew he would be fine with proper rest and some food. The Man of Iron's healers had done a good job of patching up the small wound Loki inflicted. "Your concern is appreciated, Steven. Howbeit, I find myself disquieted by your injuries young warrior. You must serene yourself, so as not to aggravate the wounds you received in battle."

"I'm here as well, Steve," Bruce grabbed the kid's other ankle, a bit surprised he was not balking a their hands touching him.

In fact, as soon as he had all of them touching a part of him, Steve sighed and finally relaxed. That clearly meant he trusted them not to hurt him, and he also felt safe around them. It was surprising progress, and Bruce believed Steve might recover from what Kraft and his minions did. It did not mean it would be easy, but it truly was good Steve was willing to trust older men.

"I need to check if you did not pull your stitches kid because if you did we'll have to sedate you again." He was also paying close attention to Steve's reactions.

They needed to know how long it took the youngster to metabolize this particular dosage of the sedation cocktail doctor Hamill—the anesthesiologist—concocted. Bruce already knew he did not like how disoriented Steve was, and the way he was slurring his words.

They would need to work on a better version, one which left Steve less confused, and with better muscle control. Because while he was capable of moving about, those movements were sluggish and uncoordinated.

"No, no sleepin', no wakin' in tha future. No losing people... No losing..." He gasped as the memories started making sense, and Steve realized his mother was gone. She had died with him being unable to do anything but hold her hand, he had not been there to protect her. "No, no! My Ma's gone, no. Not fair... Not fair!"

Tears began falling down his cheeks, a strangled sob escaped his lips, and it was soon followed by others. He cried finally allowing himself to start grieving, because he had not grieved for his mother in the past, when he thought he first lost her. Steve had been too focused on surviving, and doing what he knew he had already done to allow himself to really cry for his mother.

The older genius was the one to offer comfort, as well as hold him, even if Tony was not used to it, and did not quite know what to do. Frankly, he had received so little comfort in his life that he barely remembered it.

But Steve was for all intents and purposes his kid, his son. Sarah's Will named him as her son's guardian, and he had given her his word to take care of Steve. So from then on, Tony would be expected to provide whatever comfort and support Steve needed, no matter how inadequate he felt. Or how bad he was at it.

Bruce managed to check Steve's sutures while he grieved in Tony's arms. He had torn up some stitches during the struggle, but they were not many, and could wait until Steve cried himself out. He left to call doctor Davidson, and allow them some privacy. The others followed, but did not go far.

The kid had cried until he could not any more. He was conscious, but listless, and in quite a bit of pain, which Steve shrugged off saying it was something he got used to bearing when he was injured. There really had not been much relief for pain back then, morphine was not always available.

Steve told them to just stitch him up, he could take it, he was no stranger to pain, and it would not be the first time doctors had to stitch him up without anesthetics. Instead of reassuring them, they became even more stubborn, and every one of his team mates adamantly refused to let that happen again.

They all balked at the idea of him being in pain, and that included doctor Davidson who had caught that conversation as she came into the room. But it was Bruce who told him they were going to give him some morphine, and something to put him to sleep so he could finally get some much needed rest. He was taking no arguments.

Doctor Davidson had a nurse bring the necessary drugs to sedate Steve so he could sleep, but he did protest, and tried to get off the bed again. He did not want to be injected with that thing again. The sedative had left him feeling disoriented, and waking up reminded him of his time in the ice. It made him feel like he had skipped years again, and he never wanted to feel like that.

Tony promised to be there when he next awoke, as would the others, to remind him it was still the year 2012. Only after the promise did Steve allow the doctor to sedate him. Doctor Davidson assured him they would be monitoring him closely to make sure the medicines were working properly.

They would also be modifying the dosage at intervals to find what would be the ideal amount for him, and do their best to avoid the side effects he reported. Once he was sedated, doctor Davidson and her staff took Steve to the operating room to stitch him back again.

With Steve back in doctor Davison's capable hands, the team finally allowed themselves to relax. The kid was out of danger, and he would heal, physically at least. In fact, he would probably be up and about in a week or so, which was reassuring to all of them.

Healing emotionally was another matter, but they were not leaving him alone. That was important, as was letting him know he had their support. They were staying with him to make it clear Steve could count on them, and he truly was not alone, specially not after his very recent loss, and his fear of awakening alone in the future.

Tony had a few of his people bring some extra beds, blankets, pillows, and couches which they arranged in the very large room. They only waited for the nurses to settle Steve back on his bed before collapsing on their chosen sleeping surface. Even Natasha was asleep before her head hit the pillow.


Asgardian musing

The next morning Thor was the first to wake, as his injuries were minimal, and he had not been as tired as the midgardian warriors. The knife wound Loki inflicted was healing fast, the blade's point had barely pierced through his armor. So with good food, the assistance of the midgardian healers, as well as some hours of rest he had his energy and health back.

He chose to sit by the Captain's bedside, and ended deep in thought, while he watched the youngster and the Man of Iron sleep. The boy was resting on his uninjured side, head tucked under the Man of Iron's chin, body curled towards the older man unconsciously seeking comfort and protection; acting like the young boy he had been when he was lost, and who was forced to grow up faster than any child should have.

On its own, finding himself alone and in a strange place with no way back home, was enough to mature, or to break any child. Add to that the fact young Steven chose to get involved in war, chose to be a warrior, and to become the leader of older and more experienced men.

The Son of Rogers had been forced to assume responsibilities no child should have—which according to what he had been told, as well as seen Steven had done admirably, even better than some grown men would have—and yet... the young boy he was was still there, still needing the support from people who cared. Specially during such trying times as the loss of a mother was.

For his part the Man of Iron was sleeping half on his back, one arm keeping the boy close, and snoring lightly. During the night the young one had been awakened by nightmares twice—despite the sleeping potions the Healer was giving him.

The nightmares had clearly been bad as he was very shaken. The potions the Healer was giving him had made him too disoriented, which had not helped the young one. Bruce had not been pleased by the potions effects, and he had taken copious notes on one of those flat contraptions the Man of Iron provided for him. Thor could see the man behind the Hulk would be personally taking the job of finding a better sleeping potion for the young Captain.

The second nightmare had been the worst, Steven had screamed, cried, as well as begged, and it was hard on all of them to be reminded of what was done to the youngster. Knowing the Hulk had taken care of those evil men was no real comfort, even if they knew justice was served, and Steven had been avenged.

It had been very difficult to awaken the son of Rogers from the nightmare, and even when he had opened his eyes, the young one had not recognized them. He had to restrain him again, as the young Captain tried to get off the bed, and run away. Thankfully their reassurances and comforting words did help, and Steven was finally able to tear himself from the nightmare's grip.

Unfortunately after such terrible dreams the youngster had refused to go back to sleep, with reason. They all understood where he was coming from, since neither of them were nightmare free, but young Steven had need of rest to heal. In the end the Man of Iron climbed on the bed, and held him like a father would his young son. All the while he whispered reassuring words, and promises of protection.

Thor still found it hard to believe the Captain who led them into battle—and who had earned his respect as a leader—was a child, in the body of an adult. But it was left clear to all who could see the Son of Rogers not only had the spirit, and courage of a true warrior, he was clearly a natural at it.

He felt honored to have fought besides one such as he. There would be good tales to regale his friends with when he returned to Asgard. Thor was sure Lady Sif, and the Warriors Three, would want to meet such a courageous young warrior, as well as the rest of the Avengers. Once the Bifrost was repaired, the opportunity might present itself.

The Son of Coul had told him Captain America's story, full of trying times because of a frail health since he was born, as well as brave and courageous acts, but everyone had believed him a grown man. In Asgard young Steven would have been honored with feasts and songs about his prowess in battle, and the Allfather himself would have greatly rewarded him.

The Son of Rogers' many victories over his enemies, as well as his honorable sacrifice to protect his land, and its people would have become legends for future generations to appreciate and be inspired. The Son of Coul told him things were done somewhat differently in Midgard, but the young Captain had been honored in their way.

The only sign Thor had seen it was so were the Son of Coul's own words, his respect, and admiration. Because the SHIELD had kept young Steven in the shadows, a secret from the people he had sacrificed himself to protect, and guarded like one would a dangerous criminal, not an honored warrior.

Then the SHIELD's own people hurt the young Captain in ways no man, woman, but specially a child should be hurt—even if young Steven looked like a grown man, and not the boy he truly was. The fact it was done right in their fortress, and under their very noses with no one the wiser did not speak well of the SHIELD.

What happened to him was not right, and the Son of Rogers' soul was hurting deeply because of their evil deeds, and complete disregard of his honorable actions. It was shameful, and Thor did not like it at all. It made him believe his trust in the SHIELD was misplaced. Yet young Steven proved his greatness, his prowess as a fierce warrior, as well as a leader, by pushing everything aside to fight once again to protect his homeland.

To be truthful Thor had already been concerned for him, after their conversation at the eatery, before they came across young Steven's deathly injured mother. He could see the Captain was strong, and resilient—now that he knew more of his true history, it was even more evident—but even the best of warriors had a limit, and Thor feared the young Midgardian had reached his.

The Son of Rogers had lost everything, in a very short period of time. To make things worse they discovered the young one had travelled through time, he had lost all he had known and loved twice; and to lose his mother, just when they were to be reunited only added to the heart ache.

He really did not know what the young one could have done for the Norns to be so cruel to him, but Thor would speak to them on young Steven's behalf once he was back in Asgard. The youngster deserved some peace and happiness in his life.

Thor found it difficult to picture how young Steven must have felt when he discovered it was him the one which the legends—or the Midgardian version of them—spoke about. It required much fortitude to know about the tragic—although victorious—end awaiting him, and still go through with it.

Yet, in the true way of the bravest and most courageous heroes, the Son of Rogers met his destiny head on. Young Steven went to face his death, only to discover that instead of dying, he had been in a frozen slumber for many years.

From what the Son of Coul told him, it was the SHIELD who found young Steven, and rescued him from his frozen prison. The Captain had gone full circle, and was back to where he started, yet it was not the joyous occasion it should have been.

While the Director might have had good intentions, the fact remained the SHIELD's people had not only grievously hurt the young Captain when he was most vulnerable, but they had also betrayed his trust. The SHIELD's people had nearly broken him, when he had held strong after so many trying circumstances, and now the tragic death of his mother just had added to that.

Thor feared the young Captain might not pull through, and it made him more determined to find a way to return to Midgard as soon as possible... The Son of Rogers should not be left alone. At least the Man of Iron was taking young Steven into his family, which was good. Bruce would also be close, and thankfully the archer and Lady Natasha chose to side with the Captain.

The boy would not be alone during such trying times, but Thor still felt he should be close as well. Perhaps the gem the young one found might provide the portal to cross from Asgard to Midgard. It was certainly an option to consider, and he would consult with his mother and the Allfather about it.


Thor had not been keeping a vigil for long when Lady Natasha awoke. The first thing she did was check on the young one, carding her fingers through his hair tenderly, and giving him a gentle kiss on the forehead.

Then she checked the others, giving him a small nod in greeting, which Thor returned. What she did for her team mates was a surprisingly caring action from someone who showed little emotion. After she had seen to everyone, she went out of the room for a few moments leaving him puzzled.

When she returned Lady Natasha pulled one of the comfortable chairs to his side and joined the vigil. Thor knew better than to offer assistance, being friends with Lady Sif had taught him that. Her Prince he might be, but Sif would have kicked him in the family jewels so hard he would probably still be feeling it after a century.

Thor knew well female warriors were proud creatures, and they fought much harder than men to get accepted and recognized. The best compliment he could give one, was not to treat them like frail flowers... unless he was courting the favors of one, and even then some of them still did not like it.

He spared her a look, but Lady Natasha was a very hard woman to read, and there was not a hint as to why she had left. Still, Thor was curious as to where she had gone, but decided not to ask. He knew the volume of his voice was loud—even when he tried to lower it—but his brothers in arms needed the rest, more than he needed to satisfy his curiosity.

Moments later some... servants—he supposed that was what they were—came with folded clothes, towels, and toiletries. Lady Natasha suggested he took a shower, and while he did she would keep watch.

Thor took a whiff at himself, and grimaced, he stank bad enough they were probably smelling him back in Asgard, so he accepted the opportunity to be clean. Yesterday they had been too concerned for young Steven, and too tired to even think of bathing.


The bathing room was the largest and most comfortable he had seen so far in Midgard, and luxurious enough to compete with those of the Asgardian Palace. Thor was impressed at the facilities the Son of Stark provided for them. Thankfully, Thor had learned how to use the Midgardian facilities room the first time he visited. Darcy, his Lady Jane, and Erik had taught him how to use them.

Before he entered the bathing chamber, Lady Natasha gave him linens to dry himself, some manly smelling soap, as well as the strange metal container which contained something Darcy called deodorant—and which she had insisted he used without fail. Then she searched the clothes the servants brought for something that might fit his larger frame.

When he came out feeling refreshed, as well as hungry, Hawkeye and Bruce were sitting on their sleeping places—a comfortable couch, and a narrow bed—looking half awake. Lady Natasha went to get herself cleaned at another bathing room while the archer used the one he was coming out of.

As Thor took his place by the bed to keep his vigil, he noticed the Man of Iron was awakening as well. They would soon be calling the healers to remove the sleeping potion, and awaken the young Captain.

They were all cleaned up, wearing loose trousers, and t-shirts (as Darcy called them) with the Son of Stark's family name, which for some reason had him chuckling while the archer mock scowled at him, and Lady Natasha just rolled her eyes at them. Someone had brought hot and cold drinks for them, as well as some pastries for a very light repast. That wonderful midgardian beverage called coffee was amongst them.

The Man of Iron called the healers after they all had broken their fast. They pronounced the young warrior on the mend after their examination, and informed them the stitches might be removed in a couple of days. The bandages around his ribs had to remain a week, though.

Young Steven healed much faster than normal midgardians, so Healer Davidson was sure he would be up and about in no time. Before the Healer removed the machines giving the boy the sleeping potion the Healer instructed her nurses to give the young one a bath.

They had all vacated the room for a few minutes to give the Captain some privacy, although Lady Natasha refused to leave the Son of Rogers alone with strangers. She stood guard by the door, watching the nurses work with the protectiveness of a warrior mother.

Lady Natasha made sure none of the nurses hands would stray to take advantage of the young one's vulnerable condition. No one would violate young Steven's body—like that midgardian named Kraft and his minions did—while on her watch. They were all deadly warriors, but the Son of Coul had told him Lady Natasha was the deadliest of them all, and Thor did not doubt it .

All went well, the nurses did their job respectfully, and once they were done, they removed the machines giving the boy the sleeping potion. The Man of Iron was about to climb back onto the bed with young Steven—as they did not want him to wake up panicked again—when the SHIELD's Director arrived.

The one eyed Master Spy came into the room as the healers left. His one eye widened in a bit of shock at seeing the young Captain on the bed, and not awake. There was no hiding the fact he had been injured. The Man of Iron's face took a forbidding look, and he moved to place himself protectively between the Director and the boy.


(1)Солнышко = Solnyshko = Small sun