TC Stark: So, now that I tortured you guys enough this weekend, I present to you chapter fourteen! It honestly made me tear up writing that last chapter, so I am sorry to have done that to you guys, but I am relieved to see it actually met with positive reviews. So, since you guys have been so utterly amazing to me, I present you with the aftermath!

Disclaimer: If anyone has read my "Whatever Time We Have Left" story, I am reusing Tilda. I found with that story that I never developed her properly, so I'm revamping her - giving her a fresh coat of wax and throwing her into this story. Also, as much as I love the Cap, I've realized (in my head) she is much better suited in this AU, as this is a Pietro/OC story (with small parts of Cap/Black Widow because they're my OTP). This story is rated M for mature content, such as sex, violence, death, language, etc. I try not to ever be too vulgar, but also don't believe in censorship. This story deals with the serious issues of a fatal medical condition, so there's that. I do not own anyone, except Tilda and my ideas.

Chapter Fourteen

Bruce had made the announcement. He had left Pietro to grieve over Tilda's dead body, as he went to tell everyone else. Wanda insisted they not bother her brother right away, feeling the sorrow in his soul. All the Sokovian wanted was to mourn over the death of his beloved, holding her limp body last Banner had seen.

A few hours had passed. When Banner had gone back to the lab, Pietro was gone. A sheet covered her body, Bruce guessing he no longer wanted to see her lifeless. He had sighed before stepping towards Tilda, hoping that the runner knew he partially blamed himself. If only maybe he had more time, he could have found a cure.

Steve had gathered the Avengers late that evening, preparing a statement about Tilda's death, when Pietro charged in. He was taking strong, angry steps forward - fury in his eyes. Wanda recognized that look in her brother. He was beyond infuriated, and he was irrational; which meant he was going to do something stupid.

As the Cap stood up, Pietro sped forward and pushed him back. Wanda and Sam stood up, as Steve gestured for them to stand down. Looking at the younger man, Rogers asked, "What is this about?"

Angrily stepping in place, Pietro demanded, "You selfish, arrogant asshole. Why you? Why you get to live? What makes you so fucking special that you get to live and she gets to die?"

"This isn't my fault-"

"It is exactly your fault!" Pietro shouted, "If you had never become Captain America, Tilda would have normal life. What is so great about you? You no end war. You no kill Hitler. You are everything I hated about America - overinflated ego and treated like hero. Tilda could have had normal life. She is dead, because her parents wanted her to be you!"

"Pietro." Wanda scolded, putting herself in front of her brother.

Jaw tightening, Pietro shook his head and refused to be contained, "I will not back down, Wanda. This is his fault. I will avenge Tilda, and then I am going after her mother."

Steve didn't want to fight Pietro. He knew that the enhanced was just being hotheaded and looking for an outlet to take his frustrations out on. Rather than dealing with the sorrow of losing a loved one, he would rather be angry. Rogers understood that and he was sympathetic, which was why he didn't want to battle with the Maximoff.

But, it was clear that a fight was what Pietro wanted. Quicksilver sped around his sister and sent a punch flying across the captain's jaw. It knocked him back, as Steve looked up at the angry Sokovian, "Come, fight like man."

"I'm not going to fight you," The Cap ground his teeth, "You are acting irrationally."

Tears of anger filled his electric eyes, as the Sokovian shouted, "I am acting exactly like man who lost love of his life! You know what that feels like, Captain!?"

Standing up, Steve narrowed his eyes and firmly spoke, "Yes. I do. I know what it feels like to lose everyone that I loved. It's kind of what happens when you're frozen for seventy years. Now, if you want to talk about this like an adult, we can. I liked Tilda and I am sorry about what happened to her. Just like, I am sorry what happened to Banner. I had no idea what I was would turn into some sensation - all I did, was volunteer for an experiment that could help me defend my country. I think you could relate to that."

Pietro didn't want to admit that Rogers was right. He wanted to be angry. He wanted to be mad. Tilda was dead and someone needed to pay for it. But, as the words sunk in, he knew that the American was right. Steve could have never anticipated the kind of attention his work as Captain America would gain; he was just a boy from Brooklyn trying to make a difference. Just like the Maximoff twins were trying to find a way to avenge the death of their parents.

Feeling the anger slowly starting to leave his body, Pietro felt stupid, "I am sorry...it was not right of me."

"It's okay," Steve nodded, "I am sorry for your loss."

Pietro nodded numbly, as Wanda walked over to hug her brother. It was in her arms that he allowed himself to break down and cry. Natasha felt bad, she had been witness to a lot of tragedies in her life, but she still didn't know how to comfort people. In a way she felt like maybe they needed to leave the man alone, but at the same time, this felt like something all Avengers needed to be present for.

"I feel like I missed a lot in the five hours I was dead."

The familiar voice got everyone's attention, turning to face the door. Banner sighed, "I really wish you guys checked your email."

Pietro blinked, as he slowly let go of Wanda. Next to Bruce, stood Tilda. Alive and well. Her green eyes shined brightly, showing that she had regained sight in them. Her skin was back to its normal peach color, and she stood up straight; having no signs of being in pain or having ever been dead.

"I...I do not understand." Pietro expressed.

"It's...kind of simple?" Bruce pondered, before explaining, "Tilda was dying, yes. But, not really dying. That's just what we thought, because it was so new to us. You see, Tilda has been exposed to serum and radiation since a young child, but she was born normal. The formula that Steve and I have been exposed to, was only one dose, so our bodies had time to adjust. Tilda's adjusting period, was this whole time. It wasn't that she was dying, her old cells were dying. Once it was all done, she's...reborn, now finally in a body able to sustain her powers. Now, she can use her full potential, without any fear of what it might do to her."

"Apparently I'm immortal now," Tilda snorted, "Go Team superhumans."

Eyes wide, Pietro stepped towards the woman with his hands out, "I...I thought you were dead…"

Frowning, Tilda admitted, "So did I...you were by side until the end."

"I told you I would be."

As if on cue, both mutually began slipping their arms around each other. Pietro took Tilda into his body, burying his face into the crook of her neck as she pressed her cheek against his chest. The Sokovian could feel tears building up once more, holding the back of her head while kissing her hair. He couldn't believe that she was standing before him; still in shock and despair after watching her die.

Pietro and Tilda had ended up back in his room, not wanting to go to hers just yet. Considering it had been where she had been wilting away for the past few months, she just wanted to be in a place of life and positivity. The Avengers had wanted to give the two privacy during their rekindling, but the runner had lifted the telekinetic up and ran to his apartment, so they could be at peace together.

"You are feeling better?" Pietro asked, lying on the bed and facing Tilda.

Feeling him brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, Tilda smiled, "Better than I ever have before. My mind doesn't feel cluttered, my bones don't ache, and I can actually use my powers without feeling drained afterwards. I feel awake...alive."

It was indescribable how Pietro was feeling. To be with her once more, he felt as if all his prayers had finally been answered. He never wanted to let go of her, in fear that maybe this was all a dream. Maybe his mind was playing tricks on her and he simply couldn't handle the truth about her fate.

"I'm going to take a shower," Tilda murmured, laughing gently, "I feel like I need to brush my teeth."

Smiling, Pietro leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. After relishing in the kiss for a moment, Tilda pulled back and headed towards the bathroom. Life had a completely new meaning for her now. Death was no longer the finish line, and her world didn't need to revolve around preparing to die. A long road was ahead of her now, and she could decide her own fate finally.

After ten minutes, Tilda stepped out of the bathroom. Hair wet, she was simply wearing a towel while asking Pietro, "Now that I'm better...do you still want to be with me?"

Sitting up in the bed, Pietro frowned, "Of course. I want to be with you always."

Tilda bit her lower lip and looked down. Pietro had never really seen her be shy before, but it was the only was he could describe how she was acting. Playing with the hem of her towel, the tattooed woman looked back up and expressed, "Now that I'm not dying...I want...I want you to make love to me."

Tilting his head, Pietro slowly stood up from the bed and crossed the room to cup her cheeks with his hands. Tilda's green eyes were staring up into his, as the runner asked, "Tilda?"

"I've never...before. And I didn't want to, because I didn't want it to be a mercy fuck. I didn't want to feel like, it was a pity thing. You know...give the dying girl an orgasm," Breathing in, Tilda admitted, "But, now that I know...I have my whole life ahead of me...I want nothing more...than to finally feel what it's like...I want to have that with you."

Resting his forehead against hers, Pietro closed his eyes and admitted, "I want nothing more than to give that to you; only if you will have me."

Notes: I'm ending the chapter here to break it up, next chapter will feature lemony goodness!