So my computer crashed :( I still don't own the Avengers. In this chapter: Chores!

Chapter 3

Steve found himself waking up and rolling out of bed at three a.m.. Quietly he made his way to the bathroom to dress and shave. He had a lot of pent up energy and really wanted to go for a run, but decided that would have to wait. Having finished his morning routine, he glanced at his watch. It was only 4:15.

Sighing, he wandered upstairs and perused the bookshelves. Grabbing "To Kill A Mockingbird" he walked back downstairs and sprawled on the couch. He was halfway through when Thor and Sam stumbled out. Well, Sam stumbled; Thor seemed to be doing just fine.

"Morning fellas," Steve greeted them, snapping his book shut. He checked his watch once more. "4:45; we best head on up."

"We still have fifteen more minutes," Sam yawned, dropping into a nearby chair.

"If you're not early, you're late," Steve threw his book at Sam who caught it. " I'll check on Bruce and Tony."

He left Sam who yawned again and struggled to his feet while Steve pounded on the other door. There was no answer so he opened it a crack. Both beds were made and empty.

"Guess they beat us to it. Let's go slowpoke."

"Slowpoke?" Thor repeated as they walked. "What does this mean?"

"it's too early to try and explain thins Thor," Sam responded. The Asgardian shrugged and they came up to the barn. Tony sat leaning against the wall.

"Morning Sleepyhead's," he grinned widely. "Were you planning to sleep the whole day away?"

Sam gaped but Steve rolled his eyes. "Never went to bed, eh Stark?"

The billionaires face fell. "What makes ya say that?"

It was Steve's turn to grin. "Your bed was made; I get the feeling you haven't done that in awhile."

"Who knew; the Capsicle has jokes."

"Are you two seriously fighting already?" They turned to see Clint, Natasha, and Reagan approaching them.

"Bickering Barton," Tony corrected. "It's called bickering. Banter even, but not fighting."

"Whatever you say."

Reagan cleared her throat. "If y'all are finished…I have the chore assignments for today."

"Yippee," Tony remarked and Steve kicked him. "Ow."

"First off I want everyone to pick out and get used to their horses until breakfast while I put the stock out to graze. Clint will give you a riding lesson. After that I'm sending everyone but Natasha to the back field to hay. One man in the tractor, the rest raking. Go get your horses and head to the corral. See ya at seven."

"Are these no winged horses?" Thor asked skeptically as he patted a big bay horse.

"Uh no," Clint replied and Tony said, "You've heard of flying horses but not flying monkeys? Seriously dude."

Thor shrugged. "On Asgard, all horses fly. We do not have monkeys…flying or otherwise."

"That explains so much," Tony mused and Clint tapped his foot. "You're going to wish for flying monkeys if you make my sister mad. And we don't have iron horses either, so just pick already Stark."

Tony scowled but wandered over to a big black horse. "I dub thee…the Iron Horse!"

"Actually, his name is Comanche. Natasha, the one you picked is Sparkles, Thor that's Bree, Sam's got Buck, Bruce has Blue Jeans and Steve, that's Old Yeller. If everyone is ready, grab your TAC and let's go."

It had been a long time sine Steve had been on a horse. The summer before he and Bucky had graduated, they had spent the months before school started back up on Bucky's uncles farm in the country. His mother had hoped the fresh air would help improve Steve's poor health, and for those few months it had.

He was snapped out of his reverie by a soft whinny and he patted Yeller's neck. They had had a good run around the corral, and quite the show while the others had saddled up and attempted to walk around the corral. He grinned to himself as he finished grooming Yeller; the satisfying sight of seeing Tony sprawled on the ground after his saddle came uncinched would stay with him for a long time.

"What's got you all smiles?" Sam asked as he leaned against the stall.

"I was thinking about Tony laying on the ground again. Priceless," he grinned as he stood and Sam smiled too. "It was pretty epic…ya know, if I didn't know any better I'd say the country life agrees with you."

Steve gave him a wry grin as they started towards the house. "What…you didn't think Captain America would be at home in amber waves of grain?"

Sam laughed. "Maybe we should call you Farmer Joe?"

"Maybe we should race and see how much breakfast is left for you when you catch up."

"Touché."

They ended up being the first ones back at the house and Rose was just putting a heaping platter of pancakes on the table. She was a short lady with salt and pepper curls and smiling brown eyes. "Good morning boys."

They both returned the smile and Steve asked, "Can we help with anything ma'am?"

Rose beamed at him and patted his shoulder. "I'm all finished; the rest will be joining us shortly, I hope."

"They had a bit of trouble but I'm sure they won't be too much longer," Steve assured her.

"Good. In the meantime you two can help yourselves to some coffee."

Steve took one of the mugs from the table and poured himself a cup. Taking a sip he broke into a large grin. "This is the best coffee I've had in 70 plus years."

"Have you never heard of Dunkin Donuts man?" Sam asked as he poured his own cup, with a generous amount of cream and sugar. "Or is that on the list?"

"That never went on the list. The day I pay two bucks for a cup of coffee is the day pigs start flying."

"You mean you do not have flying swine either?" The others had finally joined them and their alien friend was once more frowning. "What kind of a world is this?"

Sam's laughter was contagious as they all sat down around the table and dug into the best breakfast any of them had had in a long time.

None of them were laughing two hours later when the sun shining down on them and the heat was sweltering.

"I thought North Dakota was supposed to be cold," Sam said as he wiped his forehead. "This is hot; very very hot."

"Just be grateful you won't be here in the winter when it gets very very cold." Clint replied.

"Right now…I'd take it."

"I'm gonna have to agree with him," Bruce spoke up. "It is way too hot."

"Ya know, even Tony isn't complaining."

"Tony's on the tractor," Sam pointed out.

"Steve isn't either."

"Invalid; he never complains. Where is Cap anyway?" Sam asked as he looked around.

"Three rows over; he's seriously about to catch up to us and there's four of us."

"Hey, we aren't super soldiers Farmer Brown."

Clint just rolled his eyes and began raking with a vengeance.

"Have you ever done any gardening before?" Reagan asked as she and Natasha picked the remaining squash.

Natasha shook her head. "No, I grew up in Russia, in the city. No gardens for at least a hundred miles."

"Wow…I can't imagine. Gardening is one of my favorite things."

"Really?" Natasha looked at her dirty and scratched hands. "It's a lot of work, seems like."

Reagan nodded and removed her hat. "It is, but it's worthwhile work. My Daddy used to tell us farmers were the backbone of America, paying for some one else's food and yours and maybe breaking even in the end."

"I never thought of it like that," Natasha said in surprise.

Reagan shrugged. "Not many people do. I think we've got as many squash as we're goin to get. Come on, let's go bring those working boys some water."

By the time they had all gathered once more around the table for dinner even Steve was tired. His hands were cracked and blistered and his shoulders felt like he'd just run a few miles carrying the Hulk. Glancing around the table, his team didn't look much better. Even Tony was quiet for once.

"You all worked really hard today and I just wanted to say thanks," Reagan said after the meal had finished and they had dragged their aching bodies up. "I'll take care of the evening chores and see you all in the morning."

Within thirty minutes Earth's Mightiest Heroes were sound asleep before eight o'clock at night. But oddly enough, they all felt quite satisfied.

This is quite a chore, updating on my little tablet but here it is :