Steven Grant Rogers was rarely surprised. He'd been thrown off by many things, but nothing truly caught him unaware, especially after Hydra resurfaced. Not after Bucky. So he wasn't at all shocked to find the Towers in full blown media circus, reporters flying away with the news of Starks home being attacked by terrorists.

Steve wanted nothing more than to stay out of the light, to brace against the wall and sink into the crowds. One little flaw; his suit. Like the worlds biggest sore thumb, Steve gleamed in red white and blue and while he couldn't resent his uniform, he did not like the attention it brought about outside of combat.

It felt like hours, calming the Nations fears about the attack, ensuring the people that no information was stolen. They believed a man like him, which was why it was so important that he do all of the interviews rather than Stark or Nat.

Regardless of his wants, he played the part. All show. He was, in times like this, only Captain America. Nothing more.

Not like how Darcy saw him. No one saw him like she did. Not even Sam the rest of the gang. She was different.

It was the thoughts of her that made him speed the interviews up, cutting off a nosey blonde reporter making far too many "sultry" looks his way.

"If you'll excuse me, I'd like to return to my previous engagements." He commanded, voice strong and loud over the obnoxious crowd.

The blond raised a crudely drawn on eyebrow and made a face one could only describe as a sneer. "Oh and does the Captain have a date?" She asked, her tone making it clear that she thought the idea of him having a date was laughable.

He smiled, looking directly into the camera and said, "I do and she'll be missing me. I've got to run." And with that he turned and left, leaving the jaws of many a viewer slack. And of course, the laughter of Sam could be heard echoing through the tall stone lobby as the winged hero had perched himself above the crowds.

"Come ooonnnnnnn, guys. Just tell me already!" Darcy whined loudly, her voice carrying through the cathedral-like building. Event to her ears, she sounded bratty but Thor and Jane were taking her somewhere they said was crazy awesome and they wouldn't tell her what it was. She wasn't really mad; she did actually like surprises, but she figured Jane liked it when she acted younger. "Her own age." Bah.

She pouted, stomping dramatically as Thor laughed heartily. Jane smiled, knowing that she had the upper hand.

Asgaurd was pretty awesome so far, and Darcy was kind of enjoying it after coming to terms with the fact that she'd stay here until she got word from the other side that Steve was back and ok.

It took a lot to not worry about him but still she found herself worrying her bottom lip to the point of serious damage. That's when Jane demanded to show her around a bit, offering Thor as a guide.

Darcy couldn't stay mad at the big lug. She knew he hadn't intentionally whipped her across the universe. Even though he hadn't said it, she knew he was trying to be as brotherly as possible in an attempt to make up for his less-than stellar behavior towards his insane adoptee brother.

She could see him trying to come to terms with his loss and she knew he felt the guilt for it all. So she agreed to let him show her about, throwing herself into the ride to hide her worry over her own superhero.

If only they actually got to the sights…

Cheese and Crackers, this was one long walk…

It had taken him almost the whole night to complete the forms and speak with the three people who needed his debriefing. Pepper, Coulson, and Hill. From there on out, he was free to go and spend the rest of the next day with Darcy before they would be once again be interrupted to go to Thor's thing.

He couldn't blame his friend, however. It was a large occasion and Darcy would want to be there for Jane either way.

He couldn't help but smile softly, the cold early morning air whipping his face as he sped across the freeways towards his hidden abode. There was only one thing on his mind as the countryside flew past him, a blur of green and brown.

He wondered if she'd be asleep, her body curled around the pillow she'd used the other night. He imagined her face peaceful, only interrupted by moments of small smiles, so miniscule that one wouldn't have noticed if they weren't watching intently. Which he had been.

His brain awoke him, long before his alarm. Images of the nightmare still fresh, pinning his heart to his chest as he'd dreamt of Darcy, her arms outstretched to his but for some reason he couldn't reach her. His dream had been short but the last thing he remembered was a red face behind her, smiling, pulling her further away from him.

He woke, his hands finding her stomach, instantly relieving his pain. He felt her heart and listened intently as her breathing had been steady and clam.

These were the serene memories he clung to as Steve walked into his cabin, calling out for Darcy. She hadn't responded and his heart began to race, but his brain was telling him it might be another false alarm. Another nightmare.

Thor had his hand placed on the small of Jane's back, neither noticing their third party watching the couple with teary eyes. Darcy had found some awesome friends here. A strange kind of family whom she loved. How it happened, she wasn't sure, but she watched her two friends walked together (still…. holy crap where are they taking me) each leaning into the others body.

This was the life she was leading. It was chaotic, it was nuts, but it was amazing. And she had the boyfriend to prove it.

Darcy grinned, aware that her smile was a little crooked and a little sad that her man couldn't be here to watch the couple too, but she'd see him soon. Holy Odin she hoped it was soon.

Before she could think much more about it, Thor threw open a set of guarded doors, the size of which would make Stark jealous. Like, two story tall doors.

She was about to comment when she saw the "awesome" surprise.

"A freaking Tree?"

It was not a nightmare. His movements became militant as he searched each room, having become quiet. His pistol at the ready, around each corner. His heart slammed against his chest as images of the Red Skull flitted across his mind.

His normal calm began to leave him as he finally shouted her name in the desperate hope that she was hiding. But no, as he came to the final room, the one he'd shared with her just last morning, he knew she was truly gone.

He only heard the blood rushing to his ears as he came to stand before the bed, a loud thud resounding through the room as he dropped the pistol.

The bed was a crumpled mess, snacks and a soda spilt across the sheets indicating she'd been there when something happened.

It was the scorch marks, however, that made his heart stop. Undefinable and cold to the touch, black lines zigzagging the length of the sheets.

"Darcy…" His voice broke, panic finally winning.