First off, thank you all for the amazing reviews and comments, you have been a blessing and the reason I even decided to continue this story. Though I am left to express my deepest apologies to everyone for the lack of updates and honestly I almost decided to drop this story but your reviews kept me motivated to get back to it. For the past few months school and life kind of took over. I was taking film/movie classes, acting and working as a stage manager for a theater production for school along with my real work and life and I just didn't have any time for writing. Now I am helming my own feature film, tv pilots and working on other peoples sets….so freakin busy. Infact at the moment I should be working on pre-production stuffs but I had to get this chapter up for everyone. I looked at the story and realized just how many people were following and favorited it and crap…I cant let everyone down! I am working to keep up with my writing now and fit it in with all my stuff. It may be a while in between updates starting if I get this gig as a assistant director, so sorry in advance? I really am hoping for it cause I am planning to move to LA soon and start working towards becoming a director, so yeah, blah blah, here is hoping! Anyway, without further ado, here is your chapter :D
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You know that thing you do when someone is talking to you and they just won't stop. And while you may not have a lot to do, or maybe nothing at all, listening to them go on and on about something random or worse yet their toy collection of you – fyi creepy- isn't what you had in mind. So you do that thing: shoulder to them, short curt answers, refuse to meet their eyes and suddenly find the space in front of you to be the bloody most interesting spot in the universe and you must unravel its mysteries this very moment! Yeah that thing...ever notice that somehow you have this false hope that the person will get the hint and leave you the hell alone, but they always seem oblivious to it? Yeah well apparently Coulson WASN'T aware of that thing either because he just kept on talking…and talking…
Steve shifted impatiently from one foot to the next sighing mentally and trying his best not to look as irritated as he felt. He had only managed to get about 20 minutes of blissful non-Coulsin time in after Banner had disappeared before the agent had popped back up and made his way over to Steve. Apparently Coulson's duties on deck were suddenly lightened and he was able to get some one on one time with him. Now, 3 hours later Coulson was still at it, completely unwinded; perhaps that was his superpower…..the never ending gift of gab.
It was unnerving just how much this man knew about his history and life as Captain America. Coulson even knew about his life before the experiment and for some reason felt the need to show off just how much of a stalker he was. 'Note to self, do not do the same when Stark shows up.'
Well, it wasn't like he knew 'everything' about Tony Stark, he had only spent a good portion of the last evening stalk...er...looking up the man. The man really was fascinating. Steve had read all about his Iron Man suite and a good bit on the speculations about what the suit could withstand. Though the part that had caught his attention was the first suit he had made while being held captive. The man had a god given talent for pulling miracles out of thin air and had absolutely no problem flaunting the fact. It was ridiculous really; despite his constant taunting the government had allowed him to continue unchecked. Then again the man seemed petulant; trying to rein him in would likely cause him to act out all the more. But despite appearances and below the smug attitude, flashy cars, and good looks…er…good physical appearance or whatever…the point was, Stark seemed fragile. What after the whole being taken hostage and now relying on a machine to keep him alive. He didn't really grasp the whole powersource thing; The whole machines run our time and lives was a hard enough for him to understand let alone Stark's condition. Life was so much simpler back in the day.
"..that was brilliant! Oh! I even have the trash lid you used! Had it tested to make sure it was authentic, of course it was.…do you remember it?" Coulson's mindless banter brought Steve back to the present. His last statement had sounded like a question. Crap, he really was trying to pay attention but there was only so much he could take at a time of this man. Steve elected to give a shrug in response; it seemed to appease Coulson as the man continued on with his conversation.
And so here they were; Coulson on the bridge standing barely 3 feet away from Steve, telling him how much he admired him and what an inspiration he was on Coulson's early life. Steve glanced down at their feet. Right, scratch that, 2 feet away. Coulson had been slowly edging closer as time went by and Steve was keeping a close eye on the distance, tossing around the ideas of running to find Banner or shouting to Fury for help should Coulson get within 6 inches of his person. He really had no concept of person space and it set Steve on edge.
"Oh! Once this mission is over would you mind signing my Captain America Trading Cards? I mean, if it's not too much trouble?" And there it was, Steve had a strange feeling he had lost some sort of bet with Romanoff. He glanced over, giving the hyper agent the barest amount of his attention. "No, no it's fine."
Steve immediately resumed his forward stance; Coulson followed his lead but only for a moment. His eyes were gleaming like a child, a slap happy grin was plastered on his face. Steve settled his attention on the suits running about like good little soldiers, inwardly praying they would find Loki fast. He needed an excuse to get away. That or Stark could finally decide to grace them with his presence. Far be it from him to actually show up on time, or any time for that matter. The man apparently ran on his own schedule come hell or high water.
"It's a vintage set," Coulson's continued, his smile going from slap happy to proud, "It took me a couple of years to collect them all." Steve inwardly committed himself to never becoming a fan of anything. "Near mint." Steve turned to glace at Coulson, someone please save him now, "slight boxing around the edges but..."
"We got a hit!" A suit called from below; relief rushed through Steve like a breaking damn. Thank the heavens for small miracles! "67% match." He would have taken 40% at this point.
Fury crossed his podium, staring down at the screens. "Wait, cross matched, 79% match." A second suit crossed the floor, "Location?"
"Stuttgart Germany, 28 Coolins, Straza." On scene was a photo of Loki pulled from the crowds, he was in a suit and looked practically normal. It was surprising such a small framed person could be so infamous but who was he to judge, from to what he read, the guy wasn't even from Earth. Not that it made any sense but it was easier to just nod and accept it than try to figure out what that all meant.
"He's not exactly hiding." The second suit stated. True enough, he looked exactly like his photo in the pamphlet. At least most criminals had the foresight to hide their identity which begged the question did this guy want to get caught? Though he did seem really full of himself. I mean look at that hair..
"Captain", Fury called out to him, "you're up."
Steve's eyes grew wide. Finally he could leave this metal contraption and get back to what he was good at, ground combat, emphasis on the GROUND portion on that.
"Suit up," Fury barely got the words out before Steve had skittered off the deck as fast as his feet could carry him. He wasn't about to wait around for someone to call a 'just kidding'.
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It was taking Steve far too long to change into his new suit, his frustration was mounting quickly as it reached its peak boiling point. He was all but ready to rip off the stupid sausage suit; which for the record, what the heck were they thinking when they designed this thing?! Seriously, it was skin tight and brightly colored; he would be a giant target running around on the field for certain. Sure in the old days he had worn a similar suit but that was a long, long time ago. It was different back then, guns weren't as advanced. Not to mention it pulled in all the wrong areas. Steve scrunched as the discomfort mounted, he shifted his legs, glancing around the room before reaching down his pants to adjust himself and lessen the pull.
Whirrr
The sound of the door pulling open was Steve's only warning that someone had just interrupted his private time. He froze keeping his eyes down and silently hoping he hadn't heard what he knew he had. After a moment, a small clearing of the throat cough cut through the silence and Steve surrendered to the inevitable and looked up as Romanoff stepped inside, her eyebrows shooting up, "Am I interrupting you, Captain?" His hand dropped to his side, a rosy blush forming on his cheeks as blood rushed thankfully to his face and not elsewhere. He stared back up at her as a wide smirk pulled her lips in a thin. Wonderful, first day on the job and public indecency was going to be added to his file; only he was in private so….private indecency…was that even possible?
Steve's raised his hands in defense, opting for a quick surrender in hopes of avoiding having to find out the afore mentioned dilemma, "It's not what it looks like…." He paused mentally kicking himself, "I mean…" Great, good one self.
Romanoff's smile grew wider. "Hey it's all good soldier boy," Steve felt a muscle in his cheek twitch at the nickname. The redhead sauntered past Steve to lean against the adjacent wall, "I'm sure it has been a while for you and the suit.' She gestured to all of him, "Please, don't stop on my account."
'Right then, always lock your door, never masturbate and avoid this woman at all costs', Steve's mental check list seemed to be growing by the second, "Was there a reason you came in, without knocking?" 'Hint, knock on the door before you wander into a strangers room'.
"Yes, actually," Romanoff pushed off the wall, "It's time to go. The helicopter is waiting on you. Fury thought you might have gotten lost again so he sent me to fetch you"
"Right, sorry about that", He moved to gather his shield, "I was having a small problem with the suit, but I'm ready."
"Problem? I can give you a few more minutes if you'd like," she gestured to his crotch, "to you know, finish."
"Nope!" Steve quipped, "Ready, right now," he rushed out of the room, plodding down the hall in what he hoped was the correct direction. As it turn out it must have been because not a moment later the red headed demon was by his side, eying him up.
"Right then," her smile dimmed down a bit but was still ever present, though what she found so amusing was beyond him "follow me."
Steve had the feeling this woman was going to be a real problem.
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The flight out to Germany was thankfully turning out to be a quick one; the helicopter was apparently new breed of insanely fast. and Steve was proud of himself. He hadn't thrown up once during the flight, though the nausea had gotten rather bad at one point, he had managed to keep his lunch down, as the saying went. But why they hadn't just flown the giant air turd out here was beyond him, he supposed it was as slow as it was ugly and embarrassing. A sudden rough patch of turbulence hit the helicopter, jolting it about; Steve's hand shot out, gripping the seat. Right then...lunch was threatening a revolution…
"We're here!" Romanoff called over the speakers, "Captain?! Gonna drop you off here, Loki 's up 2 blocks. Better hustle, looks like he has a crowd."
"Right!" Great, wonderful, they couldn't just land in the middle. No, fly him out, shake him up and then make him run. What were they expecting him to do, throw up on Loki till he surrendered? The door creaked open, cool air rushing in and blasting over his face as he leapt for the ground. Ah, good ol solid earth. He sprinted across the street, silently vowing to never take it for granted again.
The crowd was easy enough to find what with all the people running and screaming, cars flipping and a weird blue lights flashing here and there. Steve gripped his shield, charging across the street. "Remember, reconnaissance, Captain." Romanoff's voice drifted through his ear piece bringing him to a halt. Stealth mode, wonderful; this cape wearing freak was causing chaos and they wanted him to just sit tight…not happening. As if catching his thoughts Romanoff continued, "Captain, we need to know what he is up to. Blend in!"
A frown played across his face, blend? Seriously…they had to be joking. Maybe it was just him but it seemed a bit hard to sneak or blend when you're wearing a bright flashy unitard.
"Kneel before me! " Loki's voice reverberated over the screams.
Steve raced in as close as he could to the center before pausing. The people had slowed to a stop, making it impossible to keep moving and not draw attention to himself. He pulled his mask off his face, hoping to alleviate some of the attention he was receiving.
"I said," Loki dropped his staff, several blue lights flashed around them, taking on the form of Loki."KNEEL!"
"Great," Steve dropped to his knees, giving people next to him the shhhh finger as he went. He bowed his head low, doing his best to stay below the heads of the civilians as they too knelt to the ground.
"Is not this simpler?" Loki's voice was now crystal clear as the crowd had gone completely quiet. "Is this not your natural state?"
Steve peeked his head up, glancing over to Loki who was walking through the crowd. Yep, this guy was out of his freakin mind.
"It's the unspoken truth about humanity, that you crave subjugation. The bright lure of freedom diminishes your life's joy in a mad scramble for power."
Steve stared at him as Loki's eyes met his and then passed on to glance over the rest. It took everything in his being to not haul off and beat the man senseless. He was just like every other tyrant ruler out there, out of their mind and completely in love with the sound of their own voice.
"Your identity, you were made to be ruled. In the end, you will always kneel." Loki grinned, apparently very pleased with his speech. Steve slid a hand up to his ear piece, pressing it as he spoke softly, "Hope you got everything you needed because I'm taking him down, now."
"No!" Romanoff's voice broke through but Steve was already standing up when an elderly voice paused him in his tracks.
"Not to men like you." Steve's eyes locked on the speaker, an old man was standing not a few feet from his location, Steve lowered himself back to a full crouch, letting the man speak. One man, only one in this crowd of what had to be hundreds was brave enough to stand up to this freak.
Loki scoffed, "There are no men like me." Steve rolled his eyes; at least he had that part correct; no one else would be caught dead in a headdress like that.
"There are always men like you." The old man faced Loki dead on. He didn't shake and he didn't bow. Steve felt a swell of pride rush through his veins at the man's bravery. What had happened to the men like him in this new generation? When it came down to it, only this one old man was willing to stand up to oppression; it stung at his heart. No one else was going to stand with this man, they would let him die alone because they feared this new tyrant.
"Look to your elder people," Loki's voice was filled with amusement as he leveled his staff to the man, "Let him be an example." His staff began to low, a thrum emanating from the core.
Steve's hand shot up to his ear, "I'm taking him down, now!"
"Wait, Captain!" Romanoff's voice was desperate, but orders be damned. Steve pulled his mask back on and leapt forward shield first, deflecting the blast that shot out. The energy ball was thrown back at Loki, knocking him over. Several people began to stand as they looked up to Steve. He quickly raised himself to full height before stepping off the ledge he had landed on.
Loki lifted his head a dark gleam in his eyes as he glared back at him. "You know, the last time I was in Germany," Steve wandered forward a smile growing on his lips as people continued to stand, 'perhaps they did just need a good old fashion image to stand behind', the thought fuelled him on, "and saw a man standing above everybody else, we ended up disagreeing."
Loki rose from the ground, recognition coloring his features from rage to mirth, "The soldier." A laugh passed his lips as he stood, "a Man out of time."
'Thanks for the news flash I wasn't already aware of' Steve's mind provided, "I'm not the one that is out of time." The helicopter's engine sounded, pulling in over his shoulder, Steve couldn't help but grin, perfect timing.
"Loki, drop the weapon and stand down!" Romanoff's voice came across the speaker but Loki wasn't listening. He launched a blue flash at the helicopter, leaving it barely enough time to swerve out of its path. Steve spurred into action launching his shield at him to prevent a second shot; it clanged off Loki's armor and ricocheted back. Steve charged, his shield slipping back on his arm as he threw a punch at Loki, it connected with his jaw causing his head to snap to the side. But Loki spun back seemingly untouched. 'That's unnerving'. Steve's punches usually sent his opponents flying. Steve's pause was all Loki needed, he reacted quickly attacking Steve with his staff and knocking his shield to the side, his fist following in a smooth motion connecting solidly and sending the Captain flying.
Steve caught himself and landed on his feet, quickly moving in, he hurled his shield at Loki as he charged him. Loki batted the shield aside and dodged Steve's first punch countering with his staff as it cut across the air. Steve dropped to a knee avoiding the blow and they danced about the field until Steve landed a fist to Loki's side. Again the blow didn't faze Loki and left Steve wide open, Loki taking full advantage and countering with a staff to the back, sending Steve across the plaza landing unceremonially on the ground.
Steve pushed himself up slowly, feigning injury. Perhaps the best tactic would be to catch the smug jerk off guard, let him think he won. Loki took the bait wandering over to him, a smug look on his pasty white face. He placed the tip of his staff to the back of Steve's head pushing him back down to the ground. "Kneel," Loki's voice was throaty and winded, Steve smirked. The jerk may be strong but he apparently wasn't used to long fights. Steve's hand shot out, grabbing the staff and ripping it away from his head, "Not today!" He spun in the air, mimicking a move he had seen on a soccer game once; his knee collided with Loki's face and sent him flailing backwards. His glory was momentary as Loki's hands shot out gripping his sides and spinning him off again for another meeting with the concrete.
Steve's head hit the pavement hard, bringing stars to his eyes and a strange noise that was growing louder by the second. Only it wasn't a noise, it was music, some sort of rock song he assumed. He rolled over as the sound grew louder and louder, suddenly emanating from the helicopters speakers. Great, just what he needed, music to get beaten up to. He glanced over to Loki and noted that he was just as confused and thankfully not sprinting over to Steve, so he allowed himself a moment to look around. A bright flash in the sky quickly caught his attention as it came streaking in connecting solidly with Loki sending him flying into a crumbled mess. The Red and Gold streak pulled back and landed in what looked like an extremely rehearsed move.
Steve couldn't help the grin that made its way to his face; Tony Stark's reputation for flashy entrances had not been over hyped, he definitely knew how to make a first impression.
Stark slowly made to stand, light reflected off the armors immaculate polish job as the Iron Man suit stood to what its own symphony of music as gears and parts whirred and clicked with its movements. It was breath taking, no wonder the man was so full of himself; it really was a work of art. The cogs and whirs sounded again as missiles or perhaps a mini machine gun came bursting out of his armor and aiming in Loki's direction. Steve to snapped out of his oogling; he had been sitting on the ground gapping at the man all the while Stark was finishing his match for him. Steve quickly pulled himself up off the floor, grabbing his shield as sprinted towards Stark.
Iron Man was standing a few feet away from the now hunched over Loki, a plethora of weapons pointing at him, "Make your move reindeer games." Steve couldn't help but grin at the comment; he did rather look like a deer. Though his mind was quickly distracted by how mesmerizing Starks voice was. Perhaps it was some trick of the suit? Cause there was no way his actual voice sounded that…...
Loki looked from Stark to Steve, a myriad of emotion played in his eyes for a moment as he slowly raised his hands. A bright glow erupted around his body; Steve pulled his shield in tighter ready for an attack. He fully expected Loki to lash out like the complete idiot he looked but the shimmering passed uneventfully and his cloak and headdress faded returning the god back to his normal appearance, well as normal as he could look. Seriously what was with that hair? Steve was beginning to wonder if it was a other worldly thing. After all, the photo he had seem of the other god, what was his name….Lore…Hor…er….Tore? Crap, he really was bad with names. Anyway, his point was the god people all had long fabulous hair and really good looks.
Stark shifted next to him, snapping Steve's mind back to the present as a shiver ran up his spine. Great…that had to be a bad sign.
Stark's arms lowered as his symphony of whirs quieted; his weapons disappearing back into his suit, stance turning from offensive to relaxed, "good move."
It was everything Steve could do to just keep his eyes on Loki. Something about Stark just radiated a confidence that pulled him in, made him want to figure out just what made him tick. He wasn't sure where it was stemming from but the last thing he wanted was to make a bad first impression. His mind all the while chanting a matra, 'don't be like Coulson, please, just don't be like Coulson.'
It took Loki's awkward glances between the two of them for Steve to realize he had been standing there, again, in awkward silence. "Mr Stark." He greeted, hoping he didn't sound as off as he felt. 'Wonderful, now he's going to think I don't like him…'
"Cap'n" Stark response was accompanied by a barely given nod as he was still focusing on Loki. A loud clank sounded behind them causing Steve to turn towards the noise as the Helicopter landed; loading gate already open with guards waiting for Loki.
"Right then, hooves up jingle freak," Stark tapped Loki on the shoulder, "Santa's waiting." Loki scowled at Stark, eyes narrowing into slits but he stood and followed Stark's lead to the waiting helicopter. "I see you're as sardonic as reports suggest, Stark. Tell me, how does it feel, hanging on by a thread to your own existence?"
'Reports?' Steve pondered, half expecting Stark to respond; the guy just seemed the type to always need the last word. But instead of responding, the Iron suit stopped, helmet tipping to the side to face Steve, "Problem Captain Spangles?"
"Huh?" Steve blinked, "No, right then, let's get him back to base." Steve bolted passed Loki and Stark, making his way onto the waiting mini turd. He needed sleep; obviously his mind was exhausted from all the flying and he really needed to clear his head before he made an even bigger fool of himself.
Stark watched him go, not moving from his spot as Steve entered the helicopter. Loki glanced between the two of them, eyebrow rising slightly as a dark chuckle passed his lips, "Interesting."
Gold and Red flashed as his helmet whipped to look at Loki, "Something you wanna share pen pal?"
Loki smirked, "Oh, can it be the genius playboy hasn't figured it out yet? Haha well far be it from me to.." He was cut off as Tony shoved him forward roughly, "Oops, did I cut off your lovely speech? So not sorry about that. Now, be a good little alien and get in the can green giant." Loki scowled at the suit but gave in and 'allowed' himself to be shoved along.
Romanoff's voice drifted roughly from inside, growing louder as they approached. Stark shoved Loki past but not before getting a good look at the situation. Widow was furious, absolutely livid and practically screaming in Spangles' face. But Steve just stood before her, head lowered to avoid eye contact but not quite a bow of submission or guilt. Stark smiled, perhaps this captain was worthy of all the hype his father had made of him. The willing soldier who would not cower or fully submit; Tony smirked, he could have quite a lot of fun with that.
TBC…I promise!
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SO hopefully this wasn't too terrible of a chapter. It has some very rough spots in it, I will keep editing it and hopefully smooth it out but I know it has been forever since I posted and I really wanted to get this out to everyone. I could edit it for years but for the sake of moving the story past chapter 5 I will give up and let it be. Reviews and greatly appreciated, they keep me writing. 3
As a note, Steve is kind of written as a inwardly funny guy, he has jokes and understands them but is very reserved and won't say them out loud. That is just how he comes off to me. He get's jokes (well most of them) he just isn't one to pop up in a room and start making people laugh like Stark would.