AN: Soooooo, I know it's been awhile but I've been busy and I have two other stories to update as well... this actually took a lot longer to write than I thought seeing as I had to rewatch a few scenes in the movie to make sure I got the lines right... since from here on we'll be basically following the movie plot, I'm only going to include scenes in which Steve is involved. Also, since my OC is also in this, we'll get some stuff from her POV... Finally, since I'm sure you've all seen the moive, I'm not going to include EVERYTHING since it's in the movie and this story is mostly just centered on Steve and his feelings about all of this, so, for example, the scene in which Steve meets Bruce isn't included in the chapter... I've babbled long enough. Thanks again for reviewing and everything. I hope you enjoy.

I own nothing.

Chapter Eight:

When Steve got back to the apartment, Waverly was bustling around, gathering things together in a small suitcase that was placed on the couch. She was wearing her SHIELD uniform and was mumbling to herself about Fury. When she noticed Steve had returned, she blushed.

Waverly stopped her frantic packing and took a few paces towards Steve. "Steve, listen, I'm sorry."

Steve held up his hand to stop her. "Let's just forget it. I'm going to shower." Steve dumped his gym bag in the closet and then hurried into the bathroom for a quick shower. Once he was done, Waverly filled him in on what she knew. It wasn't much.

"It's a level seven, which essentially means we're at war." Waverly handed Steve a suitcase. "I don't know with who though. Korea, Afghanistan. Could be anyone really."

"It's Loki." Steve said, finally glad to know something Waverly didn't. He vanished into his room to pack a few things.

"Loki?" Waverly followed him into his room. "Who the hell is Loki?"

"No idea," Steve said. "Where is it we're going, exactly?"

"The helicarrier."

Now Steve was the one confused. "The what?"

Despite the nervousness in her stomach, Waverly smiled. "You'll see."


It hadn't taken Steve and Waverly long to get ready. They tossed their bags into the trunk of Waverly's car and then Waverly took off into the nightlife of New York. She took as many back roads as possible and even blew a few stop signs. Whatever this Loki was, it must be serious. Steve watched building by building flash by until the scenery changed to mostly open fields. A tower could be seen in the distance. They were heading for an airport. Waverly was driving one handed, her phone pressed to her ear.

"Got it." She said shortly. "We'll be there in like two seconds." Waverly hung up the phone and slipped it into a pocket of her jumpsuit. She steered the car towards a runway at the far end of the airport. Large, deadly looking jets were parked around the tarmac. The car pulled up to a gate and Waverly handed a security guard her badge. He slid it across some electronic device held in his hand and with an affirming buzz, the gates slid open. The guard had just managed to pull his hand away from Waverly, after handing her back her card, before she sped off. She parked the car near a small jet that looked like it was built for speed, rather than power.

Stairs had been wheeled to the jet, allowing Waverly and Steve access to the entrance. Standing at the top of the stairs was a man in a sharp, black suit. He had a clean haircut and although it was the middle of the night, he wore sunglasses.

Waverly jumped quickly out of the car and tossed her keys to another man in a suit. While Steve got the bags out of the trunk, the man got into the car, preparing to take it to a secure garage. Waverly began climbing up the stairs. Steve followed. The last few hours had been a whirl of activity and Steve wasn't quite sure what was going on. It felt good though, to be thrust back into action. It was like he was back in the military; it was strangely comforting.

At the top of the stairs, Waverly nodded at the man in the sunglasses. "Agent Coulson."

"Waverly." Coulson nodded back. Then his eyes fell on Steve. The agent took off his sunglasses to get a better look at Steve. "Agent Phil Coulson." He held out his hand. "Captain Rogers, it's an honor."

Steve set one of the bags down and shook Coulson's hand.

"Are we ready for takeoff?" Waverly asked.

Agent Coulson turned back to her. "Not quite. We're waiting for the go ahead from Director Fury." Coulson nodded towards the inside of the jet. "Let's go in and get settled. I'll fill you in."

Waverly disappeared into the mouth of the jet. Steve picked up the bag once more and followed her. The jet was small; Steve could barely stand straight up. Two pilots were seated in the cockpit, strapped in with helmets obscuring their faces. Waverly motioned to Steve and pointed out where to put the bags. Then, they took to their seats. Once the young agent and the super soldier were strapped in, Coulson shut the jet's hatch and took a seat across from them.

"So what's going on?" Waverly asked the moment Coulson's rear end hit his seat.

"You know SHIELD's top secret project, the one regarding the Tesseract?" Coulson began. Waverly nodded. "It was activated last night. A portal opened and a hostile force came through. He calls himself Loki."

"Where did he come from?" Waverly asked.

"Asgard."

Steve was surprised to see Waverly's eyebrows rise. Clearly, Waverly was familiar with whatever 'Asgard' was. Steve on the other hand was completely lost. "Asgard?" he echoed.

Coulson nodded. "It's another realm."

"Another what?"

Waverly turned to Steve. "I can explain it to you later." Turning back to Coulson, Waverly went on. "Thor's brother?"

"Yes. He took the Tesseract, along with some of our own. He plans to start a war." Coulson took his smartphone from his pocket and handed it to Waverly. On the screen was a picture of Loki.

Waverly couldn't help but shiver. The man was tall and thin. His eyes seemed to burn right through the screen into Waverly's skin. He had the hungered look in his eyes of a madman. Steve leaned over to look as well. His eyes widened. This Loki character was armed with a deadly looking spear. Still, it was a spear; how dangerous could it be against the guns and bombs of today's military. But, if this guy had the Tesseract, he could be just as dangerous as Red Skull.

Waverly handed the phone back to Coulson. "Who did he take?"

Steve knew Coulson was a professional. He was a SHIELD agent, a spy, a trained negotiator. Still, the captain saw Coulson's unintended nervous twitch. "Selvig," Coulson finally answered. The agent then listed off a few other names. Finally, he looked Waverly in the eye. His voice was low and Steve could hear a hint of concern when Coulson spoke. "And Clint."

Steve raised his eyebrows. He turned quickly to see Waverly's look of shock. Her mouth was open, her eyes were wide. She looked pale, and as if she might throw up. As fast as it had come, the shock vanished, but was replaced with a look of horror. Steve felt Waverly tense up beside him. Without quite knowing why, the captain placed a hand on Waverly's thigh. She relaxed ever so slightly, but when she spoke, her voice faltered.

"But, he's alive?"

"We think so. Loki did something to him. Some kind of mind control."

Waverly shifted nervously in her seat. Though Coulson continued to explain their situation, she looked distracted. And why shouldn't she be? He brother had been taken captive or brainwashed or something. Steve lightly shook himself. He realized he was just as distracted as Waverly. Why was he so concerned with how she was feeling? Steve turned back to Coulson and listened to the agent's recount of Loki's attack.


Light was just beginning to spill over the horizon when Colson finally received the go ahead for takeoff. He leaned into the cockpit and the pilots brought the jet to life. With a small jolt, they were off in the air, speeding towards the helicarrier. Waverly hadn't spoken since Coulson mentioned her brother. Steve broke the awkward silence by asking who else was being called it for this mission.

Coulson handed him something that looked like a computer screen. On the screen, Steve recognized the figure of the Hulk. A newsreel played, showing the Hulk destroying buildings, cars, pretty much anything.

"Dr. Bruce Banner is being called in to trace the Tesseract." Coulson said. He jerked his head towards the screen in Steve's hand. Turning away from Steve, Coulson put on a headset, no doubt to radio back to base.

Of course, Steve already knew about Banner from Waverly, but he watched the film anyway. When Coulson turned back to him, just for the sake of conversation, he said, "So this Dr. Banner was trying to replicate the serum they used on me?"

Coulson nodded. "A lot of people were. You were the world's first super hero. Banner thought gamma radiation might hold the key to unlocking Erskine's original formula."

"Didn't really go his way, did it."

"Not so much. When he's not that thing though the guy's like a Stephen Hawking." Steve looked up, confused. Coulson tilted his head back in forth in though. "He's… like a smart person," he said quickly. Then, sensing Steve was feeling out of the loop, Coulson continued. "I gotta say it's an honor to meet you, officially. I sort of met you. I mean, I watched you while you were sleeping." Coulson stammered, a little embarrassed. Steve set the computer screen down and rose from his chair, looking out the windshield of the jet. Coulson joined him. "I mean, I was… I was present while you were unconscious… from the ice. You know, you know it's just a… it's just huge honor to have you on board."

"Well, I hope I'm the man for the job." Steve said, a tad nervous. A man, seventy years out of time, how was he supposed to help stop this Loki character?

"Oh, you are," Coulson said. His voice was eager, but filled with reassurance. "Absolutely." Coulson seemed to be getting embarrassed again. After a brief pause, he switched topics. "Uh, we made some modifications to the uniform." Proudly, the agent added, "I had a little design input."

Steve raised an eyebrow and looked at Agent Coulson. "The uniform? Aren't the stars and stripes a little… old fashioned?" That was one thing that concerned Steve. Ever since he had awakened, Steve noticed the national pride, the American spirit that had been abundant in the 1940's seemed lacking in today's world. A lot of people claimed to dislike America, many of them being her own citizens. Steve wasn't quite sure how he felt, jumping into battle with red, white, and blue plastered all over his body. He had no problem with America, be he wasn't quite sure how well received his presence would be.

"Everything that's happening," Coulson said with a sigh. He looked Steve in the eye. "The things that are about to come to light, people might just need a little old fashioned."

Steve nodded in understanding and Coulson sat back down in his seat. He pulled out his phone and immersed himself if SHIELD data files. Steve watched the agent for a while, expertly tapping away at the touch screen. After a while, Steve sat back down next to Waverly. "Are you all right?" He asked in a low voice, conscious that Coulson could hear their every word.

Waverly sighed and looked up at Steve. Her eyes were dark and made her look older than she was. She shook her head slightly. "He's the only one I have," she said quietly.

Steve understood her feeling. When his parents died, Bucky was really the only solid figure in Steve's life. He knew what it was like to have the one person you could count on, your rock, torn away from you. He knew what it was like to be lonely. "Well, you've got me now too, ya know?"

Waverly's lips titled up ever so slightly. "Okay, Steve."


Coulson informed Steve and Waverly that they were approaching base. Waverly, having finally pulled herself together, undid her seat restraint and stood up, stretching. Steve followed suit. He went to grab the bags from the overhead storage, when Coulson stopped him.

"We'll have someone take care of that for you." Coulson turned towards the jet's hatch as the aircraft began to slow, descending on top of what looked like an aircraft carrier. Steve had never been on one, but he knew what they looked like. The familiar military scenery reassured him. Coulson was still speaking, so Steve turned back to look at the agent. "When we land, Agent Romanoff will instruct you where to go."

Waverly nodded.

"Who's Agent Romanoff," Steve whispered to the young agent.

"She's my brother's partner. You've probably heard of her. The Black Widow?"

Comprehension dawned on Steve's face. He nodded. He had indeed heard of the Black Widow. She was a super spy, an assassin, a negotiator; pretty much a jack of all military trades.

The jet touched down with a small thud. Coulson opened the hatch and stepped out. Waverly and Steve followed. Standing on the massive ship's deck was a woman, tall and thin with short red hair. No doubt she was Black Widow.

Coulson indicated the woman. "Agent Romanoff, Captain Rogers."

"Ma'am," Steve said politely, inclining his head towards the woman.

"Hi," she answered. Agent Romanoff then shared a look with Waverly. Both women nodded.

Romanoff then turned to Coulson, instructing him to go to the bridge. Looking back at Steve, she said, "It was quite the buzz around here, finding you in the ice. I thought Coulson was going to swoon. Did he ask you to sign his Captain America trading cards yet?"

"Trading cards?" Steve asked, confused yet again.

"They're vintage," Roman off added. "He's very proud."

Steve then noticed Dr. Banner awkwardly standing off to the side, watching as SHIELD agents marched by. Steve immediately went over to meet the man. Waverly, however, hung back with Romanoff.

"Natasha," she said quietly. "What… what's the word on Clint?"

Natasha and Waverly looked at each other. Though the former kept her emotions carefully concealed, Waverly could tell she was worried about Clint. "We're looking for him. We don't know where he went after Loki… after Loki did whatever he did to him."

"But, he's okay?"

Natasha nodded but a shadow crossed her face. "Waverly, if he…" She stopped and took a breath. "He's been turned."

"I know," Waverly said. "SHIELD is top priority. But, is there… is there a way to get him back?"

Natasha turned away from Waverly. "I don't know." With that, the assassin strode over to Steve and Dr. Banner, advising them to go inside.


While walking to the bridge, Waverly quietly explained to Steve that they were aboard the helicarrier. Steve's head swam with the overwhelming about of information Waverly laid on him. The helicarrier was SHIELD's flying base. It had its own laboratories, power plant, weapons, a kitchen, and rooms for all the agents. It could even be masked so that it appeared invisible. The thing was massive, probably twenty times larger than the airship Red Skull had built. Steve was in shock to say the least.

Natasha led them to the bridge. It was a huge room, filled with at least two dozen agents stationed at computer screens. In the center, a small raised platform looked out over the agents below. A thin woman was perched on it, issuing commands. Fury was also present, looking out the gigantic windshield of the helicarrier.

Steve would have sworn in astonishment, but he knew that wasn't appropriate. Instead, he slipped a ten from his wallet. Fury turned towards them at that exact moment and addressed them. "Gentlemen," he said with a nod.

Steve, mouth slightly agape, slipped Fury the bill. With a small smirk, the director took it and pocketed it before turning to the doctor.

Standing at a railing, Steve looked over the scene before him. Waverly stood by his side. "This…" he said, heaving an astonished sigh, "this is something else."

Waverly sigh as well. "I probably should have told you about this sooner seeing as Fury would like you to be a member of SHILED."

"I probably wouldn't have believed you," Steve responded. "Having a hard time to believe it as it is. Are you sure I'm not still asleep in the ice?"

Waverly laughed, bringing a smile to Steve's face. "No, Steve. You are very much awake." Waverly turned away from the captain and located Agent Romanoff. The spy's eyes were glues to a computer screen displaying a picture of a man. Waverly face dropped once more into a look of concern. "I'll be right back."

Steve figured the man on the screen was Clint. Waverly and Agent Romanoff seemed to be pretty concerned with him. Steve had to wonder if there was something other than just a partnership between Romanoff and Clint.

Steve didn't get to stir in thought for long. Coulson joined him at the railing. "I, uh, I have a set of super hero trading cards."

Steve nodded.

"Including you." Coulson tried to keep his voice casual, but Steve could tell he was like an excited child meeting his favorite celebrity. "If, um, if you could sign them, I'd really appreciate it. I mean, if it's not too much trouble."

Steve shook his head. "No, no, it's fine." But, to be honest, it was a little awkward.

"It's a vintage set. It took me a couple of years to collect them all. You're mint," Coulson finished proudly.

Steve was saved from having to respond by an agent calling out from his station. Apparently, he had located Loki.

Director Fury took in the information then turned to Steve. "Captain, you're up."