Chapter 2: The Game of Life

A/N: Huge shout out to RavenSkys who reviewed on my last chapter! She had a lot to say and I am definitely going to listen to her thoughts so thanks RavenSkys!

Pepper's POV:

Tony has us all stand up and follow him down a few floors to a previously unoccupied, empty floor of the building. We all step onto this floor and instantly notice that he changed each group of floor tiles to represent a giant board game.

"Tony Stark!" I gasp knowing that he spent way too much money on this.

"It's okay babe, this is a test run and if it goes well i'm gonna start marketing this in other places." Tony steps up as he speaks and kisses my cheek.

"So what exactly is this Stark?" Sif questions as she steps forward carefully and looks around.

Tony walks to the middle of the room right under a jumbotron like screen and smirks. "Ladies and gentlemen, may i present you the New, Electronical, Hands On, AVENGERS game of life!" A few of us gasp the others, such as Natasha, just look confused. "Each of us have our own character pieces that are automatically paired up," Tony explains as he steps on a large green tile nearby and grabs a pair of the glasses on a table. "Iron Man," He says loudly and the giant screen in the room logs him in.

We step up one by one and log in as ourselves as the computer partners us up with our significant others.

"Okay, as the creator I will spin first," Tony remarks as a wheel of numbers appear in a hologram and he spins it quickly. Pepper and him both step forward five spaces and we all soon catch onto the entire concept quickly.

Thor and Sif roll a 12 right off and they both move forward. Suddenly a loud noise occurs and hologram people appear to show a battle. The pair quickly fight off the holograms one by one until one sneak attacks Thor and he falls to the ground. Sif quickly takes down the rest of the enemies before running to Thor.

"What in Odin's name has happened?!" Thor shouts as he sits on the ground holding his leg as Sif kneels next to him.

Tony laughs, "You experienced an 'injury'. Now that limb will be numb for the next 3 turns."

Natasha's POV:

We all keep rolling on with this game, and honestly it is hilarious. Bobbi and Clint just got stopped by a hologram Coulson and have now lost a turn because they have to complete paperwork.

Bruce and Betty spin next and step up 3 spaces when we suddenly hear the sound of a loud explosion and Betty's glasses turn solid black. "I can't see!" She shouts in a panicked tone.

"Oh you landed on an experiment gone wrong space," Tony remarks with a smile. "That is a permanent injury sadly so you will have to rely on sweet ol' Brucie here."

Betty groans as Bruce rubs her back and helps her understand whats all going on.

Tony and Pepper are the first to pass the marriage space in our game and they share a kiss as fake confeti goes off as they move on.

Steve and I are the next ones to pass it and then because of a 'promotion' we used our extra spin to bypass Tony and Pepper only to get stopped by the 'buy a house' space.

A large screen appears in front of us with different house options. Steve and I pick the house in the suburbs with a huge yard and 4 bedrooms. Eventually we all pick one that suits our style. Tony and Pep chose a large mansion on the coast, while Bruce and Betty pick a small apartment and studio in New York. Thor and Sif chose a large, historic stone castle in Europe, and Clint and Bobbi chose the rustic farmhouse.

Soon comes the part of the game with the chance to start families and change careers. Betty and Bruce land on career change and they both quickly agree and are soon ahead of the others.

We are all shocked to realize that Tony built in a way to make us all look aged and poor Bruce is the first one to start getting grey hairs.

Pepper laughs out when Tony and her land on twins and two holographic babies appear and Tony instantly begins to panic. Clint and Bobbi land on baby boy as Thor and Sif land on baby girl. Thor steps away as they start blushing, since they are the only group here that are just friends.

I look up at Steve as he spins our number. We both bypassed all the baby plates except for one which is exactly 4 spaces ahead of us. I know it's just a game but it still puts me on edge. Steve looks up happily as we watch the spinner start to slow and I watch it spin past 4 again and again. The spinner slows to a slow crawl and stops on a 5 and Steve and I both let out a sigh as we move forward 5 spaces to the Birthday space. I look up and watch as Steve graciously ages and I can't help but shed a tear. Steve hugs me tightly as all our friends move closer to retirement with their holograms aging.

Soon Steve and I step into a peaceful early retirement with Bruce and Betty as the rest of our friends take the long route with graduations, weddings and grandkids.

Steve and I step out of the room setting the glasses on the table as we head to the bathroom as the others finish up. Steve shuts the door as I grab tissues and dries my eyes and blows my nose.

"What's wrong Nat?"

"What if we tell them and we lose it?" Steve grabs me and pulls me into a hug and kisses my forehead.

"They deserve to know, they are our friends. I know Tony found out by being nosy and a douche but he has helped a lot."

I smile a little remembering how excited Tony was to know that he got to help keep our little secret. I look up at Steve, resting my chin on his chest and smile. "So I guess we should tell them."

Steve lifts me up kissing me deeply, just like he did when the pregnancy test came out positive in the small bathroom. "Thank you Nat, I am so tired of having to hide the greatest gift you have given me from everyone."

"I'm sorry, how about we head up and get the ultrasound pics and I tell the girls and you tell the boys."

Steve quickly runs upstairs never setting me down as he rushes to our apartment while the others are occupied with the game. We both go to our safe that is hidden under our bed and pull out two copies of the most recent ultrasound. I am only a few weeks along so all you can see is a little peanut looking glob but it makes us both smile.

Sif's POV:

The game went on for awhile as Thor and I watched a hologram little girl grow and live until we both finally retired. It was awkward to play as husband and wife in this game since Thor still hasn't moved on past Jane.

I sigh stepping back pretending to tie my, what midgardians call, sneakers. I wait for everyone to leave before I sneak upstairs and starts packing my clothes. I pack up and closes the door to my bedroom before taking a quick look around the apartment I share with Thor.

I grab the picture of Thor and I on the ferris wheel at the land of Coney Island and shove it in my bag before all the memories flood back. I walk to the elevator and call it down as I look around the apartment one more time. When the elevator opens I turn to see Thor standing there.

"Sif? What are you doing? Is something wrong?" Thor questions as his voice laced with concern.

"Nothing Thor, I am just no longer needed here. You seem happy once again, so I am going to return home."

Thor looks hurt as he steps out of the elevator and embraces me suddenly. "I need you Sif," I hear him whisper softly in my ear.

I gently push him away, "Prince Thor, you do not need me. Look at all of the other more worthy people who wish to spend time with you."

"Sif don't act like that," Thor looks up as his voice breaks.

"Like what exactly?"

"Like everything we've been through doesn't matter. You did the same damn thing when I left Asgard. You acted like we didn't have something special…" He trails off as he looks at me with his hurt filled eyes.

I look down remembering how upset I was that day, I threw the necklace that he bought me off the bridge and pretended like he was nothing to me. "Thor, I need to go to Asgard and serve my realm under the Allfather."

"No way Sif, there is so much more to life than just being a warrior."

"Maybe for you, but not for me. I don't have a kingdom to run or have people falling at me feet professing their undying love for me. Everyone is scared of me! Odin treats me like some simple minded warrior he never met, and even here I am just another someone who is willing to fight."

I walk to the elevator and Thor turns as I walk away and I barely hear, "But Sif, I love you."