The weeks went by. Xyta's acculturation to the modern day world was a slow process, but it was progressing. With the help of Maria Hill and a few other female agents that Xyta had begrudgingly befriended, she had learned of many amazing things that women in this society enjoyed, including cosmetics and yoga pants. Xyta had particularly grown fond of the food here, her personal favorite being any Italian pasta dish. She often wondered what she had been missing through her time in her jungle isolation, and here was her chance to experience it all. She avoided the zoo at all costs, knowing she'd face her permanent banishment from mankind if she set the poor captivated beasts free from what she called their "imprisonment." Steve had assured her countless times that the animals were cared for and that they were safe from harm. Xyta trusted him, so she went with it.

Her relationship with the soldier thickened in their time together. Steve would take her to Brooklyn, where she would see the life he once lived, and Xyta would take him hiking through the deepest reaches of Central Park, show him how to be connected with nature. Sometimes they'd meander Central Square, or hold hands down 5th Avenue. If they weren't battling evil or debriefing with Fury, they were together. They d had become companions, lovers, and mates. Xyta didn't think she'd ever find this kind of happiness, the joy that followed being with someone she'd learn to love. For years, she had nursed a bitterness towards all people, vowing to only hate that kind and harness her power and energy for the creatures of the world. That was Africa. This was New York City. The world was bigger than her jungle island, and her short sightedness had blocked her from experiencing such wonderful things.

But as wonderful as being with Steve and witnessing a whole new world was, it wasn't all frolics and roses. Xyta found herself having multiple struggles with… well, fitting in. Training in the gyms at S.H.E.I.L.D, Stark Tower, or the Avenger Mansion was a liability, with the equipment she'd accidentally break, or the occasional agent she'd unintentionally punch across the room. It was still hard controlling her power, especially after over a decade of never needing to restrain it. Now, the smallest thing could get her in trouble. It was festering inside of her, and it was harder to control by the day. Only being with Steve could hush the spirits of the beasts that lived in her., when she was with him. Such was the essence of Xyta's ability, the souls of her Guardian ancestors protesting against the control. It only worsened, but Xyta refused to say anything to Steve, as not to worry him. It was the last thing he needed. It wasn't as festered when missions were more common. But they had dwindled down to near extinction. The smallest issue could be solved by a single blast from Iron Man's suit, and the rest of the team was off the hook. The plans for the current mission on KwaZulu-Natal were still underway, information scarcer than usual, even with Stark's impeccable security hacking skills. Steve and his newly found lover stayed in the shadows when it came to those certain matters. They went to where they needed to, and executed the plans needed.

His condition was improving dramatically, the soldier now being able to perform the actions and abilities of his post-serum days. He was once again the fearless leader of the Avengers, fully functional and cleansed of the poison. Hill and Fury's theories were proven wrong by Xyta's love. And her knack of connecting with the natural world and spirits that were able to slowly heal him. With something that made up a person's entire genetic material, it took time. But such rituals needed to be performed frequently, otherwise the effect the serum was having on Steve's body could return. Xyta's healing kept the poison at bay, but wasn't able to fully vanquish it. Even she had limits to her power. Without her, Steve would surely be weakened again. The sex helped too.

With the lack of missions and her inner beasts screaming to get out, Xyta had begun to find herself slowly becoming aggravated, close to snapping in anger at the smallest things. If they were in the kitchen of the mansion, and she'd find her favorite box of cereal gone, with Clint Barton eating the last of it, she found an overwhelming desire to rip his head from his body. Or if Tony would make a snide comment about Steve (as he was wont to do), the Amazon found herself on an edge of clawing the billionare to shreds. But she'd hold back, only bottling up more of the frustration. Aggressive intimacy with her hardy Captain would ease some of that pain, but it would leave an achy chasm that anxiety would only fill. She had been able to hide it for a good amount of time, what with Steve being the savior to the anger and all, but it was getting to the point where even Steve noticed a oddity in her behavior. Of course, he and everyone else she associated with would expect her to act animal-like, but her behavior had been so normal that nobody had really thought about it, until now. Her eyes would transition from bright blue to almost gold, and her teeth would start to enlongate. It sometimes seemed as if she was being possessed by an animal spirit, but she'd shake it off before it could take full effect. Steve figured it was just a deprivation from her recent way of life, and he's try to ease her through it through their usual rough training and lovemaking. It seemed to work… for now.

It was a quiet night in NYC, and the newest couple of the superhero band cuddled together in their now shared room, naked under their bed sheets and fast asleep. A light breeze blew inside their open balcony window and the night was peaceful. But in the unconscious mind of Xyta Albrooke, things were anything but peaceful.

Her jungle, her beautiful, beautiful jungle was on fire. KwaZulu-Natal was falling in blazing glory all around her. She ran through, avoiding the falling tress and the flaming bushes, dodging around them as she helplessly tried to cease the flames. But it was in vain, as she neared to one of the most sacred groves in the world. She halted dead in her tracks as she witnessed the scene before her, her eyes widening in horror.

Steve was kneeling on the ground, his hands tied behind his back and his shield a good distance away from him, laying upright towards her. The shield was spattered in dirt and blood- Steve's blood. She saw her Captain in his signature uniform, all tattered and stained in sweat, mud, and blood. His hair was messed and his face was coated with everything his uniform was. He was hurting, weakened and in pain. Above him was a dark figure, dressed in dark blue and holding a starless shield all too similar to her lover's. The face was masked, and it looked up to her. She couldn't see the face, but she could sense an evil smile. It spoke to her.

"Pathetic. This is what happens when you let your guard down. This is what happens when love gets in your way-" spoke the figure, raising his leg to kick Steve in the back, sending Steve crying in pain to the ground, on his side. Xyta dashed towards her love, extending her hands, but an invisible barrier blocked her from going to him. She punched the barrier with all her strength, crying out her Captain's name, but he did not hear her. The masked figure unsheathed a long, teethed blade that was hanging at his side, that evil smile still etched on his unseen face. He raised his blade, looking down to Steve, whose eyes were closed tightly in pain, his wounds great and gashed. Xyta roared, she screamed, she thrashed, she clawed. She did anything she could to remove this cursed blockade from rescuing the only one she loved. But it was futile. She was helpless.

"Steve! NO!"

The figure turned to look at her, shaking his head.

"Your love… will be his downfall."

And Steve's head was rolling across the burning forest floor.

"NO!"

The Amazon awoke violently, sitting up in the bed, her unruly hair sticking to her glistening forehead. She was breathing in and out heavily, her vision clearing back into the bedroom, where she was now. It had been a dream. She looked around quickly, sighing in relief as she saw Steve laying at her side, alive… and well awake. His eyes were sleepy and his expression was worried. He sat up next to her, pulling her in to his embrace. Xyta went limp and allowed herself to be wrapped in Steve's arms, a few tears escaping her eyes as she registered back to reality. Nightmares rarely plagued her, but when they did…

"It's alright, honey… I've got you…" whispered Steve softly as he rocked her side to side, trying to comfort the distressed Amazon. When she was able to think clearer and breathe normally, Steve let her go and leaned back to look into her eyes. He brushed some of her hair out of her face to look at her, worry stretched across his features.

"It was just a dream, love… I'm here now, and I won't ever leave you…" he whispered, cradling her face. Xyta continued to look into his eyes, scared for him. She knew many things he did not. Xyta rarely ever dreamed, but when she did, it was more so a premonition than nightmare had been the most intense she had ever had, and she needed to reflect on the dream, figure it out. In a flurry, she had leapt from the bed and dashed towards the now shut balcony window. Steve had closed it when Xyta had begun to scream, as to not wake anyone else in New York. Confused, Steve rolled out of the bed and sat on his side, about to get up, when Xyta raised a hand to tell him stop.

"It's alright, Steve. I'll be fine. I… I need time to think this through. I'll return before daybreak."

She didn't even recognize the fact that she was completely naked. She softly opened both of the doors, running out the balcony and jumping over the edge, shifting into her favorite fowl form: a sleek black peregrine falcon accented with blue eyes. Her blue eyes. She flew far into the distance, Steve watching her fly off. He was still worried sick about her, but had to accept that she was confused and scared, needing her time alone to figure out what had been eating at her. Her behavior had been so obscure recently, like she was trying too hard to hold something back. Her temper was shorter than usual, but he should have expected that.

Slowly, he climbed back into the bed, putting his hands behind his head as he tried to relax. He tried to keep telling himself that she was alright, or would be. He felt helpless, letting her take off like that without having found a solution with her. Such were the worries of a concerned boyfriend.