The fight was over with, Loki was captured, Tony offered me a pair of large sweats. Alone I removed the armor and outfit painfully, I stood staring at my back the golden panel still affixed to my bruised, bloodied back.
"How the hell am I supposed to get you off—" With an agonizing pain something removed itself from my spin. And the panel fell to the land with hard metallic thump on the floor. I knelt down and ran my fingers over the metal, it was smooth besides the crusted blood, and some glass that had slipped in...there was nothing to show how it had attached to my back. I sighed and managed to stand, stuffing the panel into the duffle Tony had given me. The crumpled bloody rags that had been my robes were stuffed in as well. The armor wouldn't fit but then again I didn't have a situation in which I would need to dawn it again. I was taken from my thoughts by a soft knock at the door, I stepped over the discarded armor and slid the door open. Natasha stood there, a first aid kit in her hands.
"You took some nasty blows..." I knew what she was doing so I let the door open and she slipped inside. She had me sit on the toilet and I let the sweat shirt fall to the floor. I hear her stop breathing for a second.
"I'm sorry." I hear her whisper as she starts patching me up. I wince a smile back at her.
"You never said that after handing me my butt in training."
"That was different..." I sigh and grip the edge of the toilet as she gets to the deeper wounds, feeling tweezers easy as delicately as she can, get them into my wounds pulling out glass and debris.
"I'm sorry...for all of this." Natasha is silent for a while all that can be heard is the tape being pulled and cut, I feel the rough cotton gauze as she layers it over cuts and bruises.
"Are they going to lock me up again?" I ask it before, I can stop myself, Natasha's hands stop their work and she reaches up taking my chin between her fingers and turns my head to face her.
"They will have to go through me." I didn't know my aching body could move so fast I wrapped her up in a tight hug, her return hug was gentle, still very aware of my injuries.
"Come on, let's get you patched up." I nod tears blurring my vision as she finished bandaging me up. I took my now horrifyingly long hair and managed to tame it into a loose braid that easily hid inside the baggy sweat shirt. I also pulled the hood over my head and stepped out, the duffle strapped over my shoulder and resting against my hip. Everyone looked up all of them in civilian clothing, Tony was first to approach me.
"How you feeling Camcorder?" I smile, though I'm sure it didn't reach my eyes.
"I've been better..."
"We all have." Banner spoke this as he finished lacing up his shoe but when he glanced up I saw something in his gaze that told me he remembered our little confrontation and that there was...a mutual understanding between us. I nodded a little thanks to him and he returned it with a little smile.
"So...what's next?" All of them looked to each other, and then to Loki who was still in Thor's death grip.

"We get everyone home." I nodded my grip tightening on the strap as Loki's gaze met my own, I returned it with a venomous glare and he looked away. He looked like a kid who didn't win the game. But there was nothing I could do about that. I noticed Steve looking out over the city, and I didn't have the guts to approach him. I just followed when we all worked our way down to the streets. Then to the drop off where Thor and Loki would return to Asgard. I stood a little off from everyone, watching as Loki and Thor disappeared in a shaft of bright light. I wrung the strap of the duffle in my sweaty hand. I jumps as a hand dropped onto my shoulder, I turned seeing Tony in his hand a cell phone.
"If you need anything, my number and Pepper's is in it." I blinked looking at Tony then at the phone in my hand.
"Um...I'm not sure Pepper will enjoy having a wanted criminal—"
"You're not a criminal..." I looked to my side to see Steve had walked over to join us. "Okay." I mutter and place it into the pocket of my pants.
"Thanks..." He smiles, and I know it's Tony's weird way of saying I'm not alone. I turn then intent on walking home when I am stopped again.
"Where do you think you're going?" I deflate hearing Steve and I turn eyes filling with worry.
"H‐home..."
"You're not walking there." I blink then seeing him gesture to his motorcycle.
"I'm your ride." I noticed now everyone is leaving in twos, and there is no dark vehicle awaiting to take me. No Coulson...I sigh and walk over to the motorcycle Steve easily climbs on first and then I mount after him. He starts the engine and at first I swear to myself I wasn't going to hold onto him but as we move my body presses against his and my arms wrap around his waist. I feel him laugh and the vibrations of it rumble through his back into my cheek. I blush but smile as he drives along. Weaving along in traffic I gain the courage to lift back a bit and feeling the air rush around me, the hood falls off, little tendrils of hair whip in the wind. I still keep a sturdy grip on his shoulders as we race along. Though streets and past cars away from the carnage of the city, the trip probably only took half an hour but it felt like seconds.

We pull up to the street I knew all too well, the same sturdy oak and willow trees lining the sides. And suddenly he slows the bike, and we're there. That same three story house with that weathered dark blue siding, and white trim. I hesitate as Steve cuts the engine he turns looking at me over his shoulder, I know he felt my fingers clutch onto his jacket tighter.
"What's wrong?" I look at him and then to the concrete of the sidewalk.
"What if...she doesn't want to see me..." He sighs.
"The Klara I knew would never turn someone away...much less her own granddaughter."
"But I've done so much damage I've hurt her...you I—" My excuses stop as I look up and the front door has been thrown open she stand on the porch her eyes glazing over with tears. I stare back not even realizing it, I have slipped of Steve's bike and before I can stop myself...We're running to each other, the duffle bag thrown to the side as I sprint to meet her. We meet in a desperate hug in the middle of her lawn

we're both crying, she's sobbing and crying out happily in German. I am replying, brokenly mind you, to her questions and her comments. She cups my cheek her thumb wiping away my tears.
"My little liebe..." She mutters and kisses my forehead and cheeks. I laugh and just hold her, for once the world was right. I was home, I wasn't scared...I was happy. I turned seeing Steve about to leave, I disentangle myself from Oma and stand. "Where do you think you're going?" I call, he turns, I smile a bit seeing the clear surprise in his eyes. I walk over taking his hand in mine and pull him along. "Oma..." She stands and I see the wonder in her eyes, she smiles reaching out her hands she takes Steve's face in them he smiles and I see tears brimming in his own. "Hey Klara." She smiles patting his cheek with affection.

"Hello Captain America." We all stand there for a moment, I feel a peace I hadn't felt for a long time. Suddenly Oma is elbowing me and going back to the house. I turn to Steve seeing our hands are still intertwined. I blush but don't remove it rather I look up at him giving him a wide smile.

"Do you wanna stay for dinner?" Steve laughed and his hand came up to muse his hair.
"Well I don't have plans...What's cooking?" I smile as I pull him along with me and up the old creaking porch steps. He holds up my discarded duffle bag and I sigh.
"I'm already losing my stuff." He laughs and we walk in I can already hear Oma in the kitchen and the door closed on squeaky hinges behind us.

And we're done. Happy ending...for now, thank you all for returning to my story and huge thanks to WinterLifeAmerica for being an awesome beta!