OKAY! I'm really sorry this took as long as it did. This chapter was actually supposed to be twice as long, but, as I kept writing the following scene, I realized that it would be better being a chapter all on it's own, so I'll have chapter four up and running tomorrow! ...if there are still people out there. ._.

This will end up being five chapters! And I PROMISE you won't be disappointed!

AGAIN! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS! They mean SO MUCH! And, don't forget, if you have a question, feel free to ask! I will answer. =^-^=

NO LONGER WILL I KEEP YOU!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the hysterics my brain's in because I just realized Chris Evans played Jake Wilder in Not Another Teen Movie, which has been one of my favourite comedies since '01.


3: Star-Runner

Clint held the bullet-like device in front of his face, close to his eye as he inspected it: it emitted a soft blue light with ridges of the shell going all the way around and black sensors running up and down the sides. A soft, high-pitched noise came from it, which was more of an annoyance than any auditory pain.

"So let me see if I understand this correctly," Clint started as he brought it down. "We drop this little thing down the hole and it's supposed to somehow shock those things?" He held it out to Bruce.

"That's the gist of it." Bruce took it back and walked over to the metal table in the center of the back room to the trailer. "Since what's down there disrupts electric currents, once it tries to disable it, the outer shell comes off and—"

"—boom goes the dynamite," Tony cut in as he hobbled towards them from where he had been sitting in a metal chair against the wall. Steve, who had been standing next to him, held his hand up to stop him, but Tony merely waved him off, garnering an aggravated look. "The water that's down there goes through the entire passage. A nice shock, bye-bye birdie." He set his left hand on the table when he approached it and used it to keep himself up. "The question is who are we sending to do this daring mission? Dropping a bullet down a hole – very intense. Might not come back alive."

They all exchanged glances as Banner shook his head and set the device down on the table, keeping it from rolling. Hawkeye glanced to Natasha, who had her arms crossed over her chest as she watched Stark; her eyes quickly darted to him when she became aware of his gaze. She shrugged and looked back to the group, uncrossing her arms. "Give it to me." She stepped forward and held her hand out.

Bruce picked it back up, holding it between his thumb and index finger. "You're certain?" Her response was taking it from him. "All right, but we've only got one shot at this." She only nodded. "It might cause the ground to collapse if the target's large enough."

"Love a little excitement." She sent a small smirk to Clint before shifting back and holding the bullet tightly in the palm of her hand.

"You're not going in alone," Clint said, expression even, getting her to raise her eyebrows.

"Oh? And I suppose you're going to with me?"

"Actually, I am." They turned to look at Steve. "I've got a score to settle."

-o-o-o-o-

Tony batted Steve's hand away when he tried to aid him up the steps to get onto the plane. With a crutch under his only working arm supporting his damaged leg, it took him longer than he anticipated to get up the six steps; however, when he made it, he sent a smug look to Steve and looked over his shoulder at Bruce, who had been behind him in case he faltered, to send a similar look. He moved passed the Captain to go into the cabin, though the other's hand was lightly set on his lower back for the support. Tony went to the first seat on his left. Shoving the crutch into the other's hands, he grabbed the chair and hobbled to the chair closest to the window, being careful as to how he twisted himself to sit down. As he situated himself, he took his crutch from Steve and placed it between the chair and the wall.

When Steve stepped to sit in the seat directly across from him, Tony raised his eyebrows.

"What? I need a chaperone, now?"

"Until you prove you don't need one," Natasha commented as she walked by them to the other set of chairs near the back wall.

Tony stuck out his tongue, mocking her, while Steve and Bruce snickered. As Clint got onto the plane, he grabbed the headrest to the empty seat next to Stark. "Stop trying to get yourself killed, would you?" He nodded to the other's damaged leg; Tony just waved him off with his good arm.

"I'll consider it."

"Speed this up, everyone. We need to get off the ground," the pilot called from the opened cockpit as he flipped the switches to start the propellers. Clint moved off to sit in the empty aisle seat next to the other trained assassin. Bruce patted Tony on the shoulder as he followed Hawkeye and sat in the seat across from him, facing the cockpit. "Everyone in?" the pilot asked, trying to look over his shoulder. The response came from Bruce and the pilot seemed content and made a notion to his co-pilot. As the thrusters came on, the plane began to move, turning to go down the small runway. The weight and movement from the plane caused the ground beneath the wheels to start to give way. Part of the rear wheel dropped when the ground cracked, but as it sped up to go straight, it caught back on stable ground. Bruce and Natasha were the only ones looking out of the windows to see the ground collapse around them; Clint was trying to ignore the danger by adjusting his uniform in every way possible; Steve had both hands gripping the armrests on each side of him, keeping his eyes shut, waiting for the feeling of being in the air; and Tony was leaning over the empty seat next to him to look behind him into the cockpit.

The plane shook as it sped up, cracking over the ground; and as the front set of wheels began lifting up, the ground beneath the back end completely broke off from the change in weight, making the aircraft bob downwards before stabilizing off the ground. As they gained altitude, the air in the cabin seemed to relax and, with the exception of Tony and Dr. Banner, everyone was looking out of the windows to see the ground give way, sinking to reveal the burning and shriveling veins that had taken over the underground.

When they were finally smooth in the air, the door to the cockpit was shut. Bruce had started looking over folders involving bioelectric strands, making one-hundred percent certain that the device that he had engineered had the capability of destroying the underground tunnels. Once there was no doubt, he began researching new ways of incorporating that same technology into other devices, which would be used to aid modern advances. He had moved to sit by Tony to discuss the idea and that resulted in a discussion on modifications and how to incorporate it into modern technology. They were discussing test runs to perform once they returned and were able to get a prototype ready. Bruce moved back to his original seat to write down possible methods, leaving Tony strictly in Steve's company.

Stark tried shifting to keep the pressure off of his injured hip bone.

"How much does it hurt?"

Tony looked up to see Steve giving him a very concerned expression.

He pressed his lips together and shook his head. "Nope."

Lie.

Steve heaved a sigh, but nodded, nonetheless. Tony settled back into the seat, still in obvious discomfort, though he willed it not to show. He could hardly even feel his leg. When he had checked it while the Captain and Black Widow had gone to drop the bullet, the area on and around his hip was turning a dark purple, almost black. He managed to stint it with cardboard and an ACE rap, but the feeling of numbness could not overtake the sharp pains that radiated up his side and down his leg any time he moved.

He exhaled as he relaxed in the seat.

"Tony," Steve started, grabbing the other's attention. Stark's expression was impassive as he looked ahead of him to the older, though younger-looking, man. "What I said down there—"

Tony waved his hand. "Don't worry about it."

"No." His voice was firm, making the other stare at him curiously. "Let me talk." Tony nodded, giving a slight shrug, meaning he would try to keep quiet. "I want to sit here and tell you that none of it was me – that it was that thing or whatever – but I can't." He watched as his ally's eyes cast downwards. "I know I'm always comparing you to your father and that's not right. It's not fair to you. Maybe it's because I'm still trying to get used to everything and with you being his son, it's the only thing that seems familiar to me. And even that's just some pathetic excuse, which still doesn't make up for anything."

"It's a start."

"Tony." Steve frowned and Tony rolled his hand, meaning for him to continue. "I know you're nothing like you're father." Stark went to staring at the chair next to Steve. "There were things he did that you could never do, but, at the same time, you've accomplished so much more. You've well surpassed him and I guess I have to get used to that fact." He went to staring down at his hands as they fumbled over themselves. "It's gonna sound really stupid, but…Howard was my hero, so seeing someone go beyond him is…it keeps reminding me how far out of everything I am." He looked up to see Stark looking back at him, still keeping his word to stay silent and allow the Captain to finish. "You're a great man, Tony Stark."

His silence was broken.

"You're not going to kiss me, now, are you?"

Steve frowned, despite the small smirk tugging at the edges of his mouth. "Don't tempt me." They both laughed. He inhaled, continuing. "In all seriousness, though, I honestly was wrong to say you're nothing without your suit. I'm just…angry…all the time. I try not to show it; and maybe it's because you do have an air of familiarity about you why I find myself lashing out at you all the time." He set his hand on Tony's knee. "I'm sorry."

Tony inhaled and leaned back, looking uncomfortable. "Look, I'm not fond of chick flicks, so how about we cut this one short, hm?" He looked to Steve, who did not look amused. Sighing, he followed up with, "Fine. I accept your apology." His slightly sarcastic tone was read through by the other man, who now seemed content.

Standing, Steve got up to sit next to him, falling back into the seat. He glanced sideways, watching Stark adjust the strap on his sling. Shifting, he pressed his shoulder against Tony's and when the Iron Man went to move, Steve merely kept his body pressed against the others. Releasing an aggravated sigh, Tony dropped his arm – failing to adjust his strap – and glanced to the Captain. "Yes?" Sarcasm filled his voice. Steve leaned over in front of Tony and grabbed the strap with one hand as he pulled the layer through the metal clasp to tighten it. Tony's breath jerked in his throat for only a moment when it was too tight, but the older man fixed it to where his arm was resting comfortably.

"Better?"

Tony shrugged his indifference, but when Steve frowned, he released a breath. "Yeah." He fell back in the seat. "Thanks." Steve nodded and went back to sitting upright in his own chair. Adjusting his own position, Stark leaned against the other man, laying his head on his shoulder.

"Uh…Stark?" he asked, taken aback as he gazed down at him. "What are you doing?"

"I'm tired and you're conveniently sitting here." He shifted his head, making himself relaxed. "You're comfortable. Take it as a compliment."

Steve shook his head. With his right arm, he set his hand on Tony's slung forearm.

"You're something else, Stark." He looked down at the other man, whose eyes were shut and breaths even, with a light smile on his face. He sighed, relaxing, and set his head on Tony's. "You're really something."


It's short. I KNOW. But that's because the other part is longer. I told you it was all supposed to be one chapter, but the following honestly doesn't run that well. That's why it took me so long. I JUST thought to split them up, and I had this done ages ago!

The next chapter will DEFINITELY liven you all up!