My Little Girl - Tim McGraw.

"No matter what your've done for yourself or for humanity, if you can't look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?" - Lee Lacocca.

Steve was a god-damn mess.

He examined the papers in front of him for the millionth time. The words were starting to blur together and fade in with the paper, but he couldn't take his eyes away. Hell, he couldn't blink. He had to find her. He had to find Katie. He had to and needed to find his daughter.

Steve was a mess. He still was one. He had been from the moment the old S.H.I.E.L.D. building blew up and that had to get away without Katie. He couldn't get to her in time, and it broke his heart. The moment they got to Sam's house, Steve wanted to start looking for his daughter. But he couldn't. If he dropped everything right then and there, HYDRA wouldn't be stopped and everyone would more than likely be dead before he even reached Katie. It killed him, but they had to stop HYDRA before they could get Katie.

That was way easier said than done.

After going up against the Winter Solider - twice - and finding out he was actually Bucky. Plus stopping HYDRA from killing millions of people and being in the hospital for some time, Steve was finally able to start looking for his daughter.

Of course, it was hard. Steve was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He had to find Katie, but he also had to find Bucky. At first Steve tried to do both at the same time, but that was just a disaster. Thankfully, Sam stepped up and offered to follow up on some leads about Bucky while Steve focused on getting Katie back.

And he wasn't alone in that department either.

Not only was Steve working around the clock, the team had his back. They relocated to Avengers Tower once Steve was out of the hospital. The moment Steve explained to Tony what happened, they got straight to work. Natasha called in Clint while Bruce got a hold of Thor, who was with Jane. Both were over to the Tower within hours.

Hardly anyone slept. Steve was pretty sure Tony was running on coffee and alcohol at this point. Within a week they had found their first HYDRA base and moved in for the attack. But there was no Katie.

And that's what it was like for months.

JARVIS was able to go through all the files Natasha leaked online and pick out a number of HYDRA bases. For others, it took some more digging on the Avengers' part, but they found them. They found HYDRA bases as if it was a piece of cake. And yet, finding Katie was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Whoever had her didn't want anyone to find her.

Plus, on top of all this, they had to deal with all of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secrets being all over the internet now. Meaning everyone now knew every detail about their lives. Luckily, they had Pepper to help keep the press at bay and away from the team while they all focused on getting Katie back and destroying the HYDRA bases. Still, Steve couldn't help but wonder how Katie was going to react once they found her and filled her in on everything. Her life was out there. Everyone knew who she was. Her whole life she hid from the world that she was Captain America's daughter. And just like that, with the click of a button, the whole world now knew.

Meanwhile, months past by and nothing. Bases and buildings were destroyed all over the world. But no Katie. And everyone was anxious and tired and losing hope.

And Steve, he never felt like more of a failure. He should have gone after her when she ran out. He should have got to her. He should have gotten her out after the bombing. There were so many things he should have done, that he just didn't.

"Staring at the files isn't going to change them."

Steve slowly lifted his head and found Natasha standing a few feet away. He didn't even hear her walk up.

And she was right. Steve had been sitting here all afternoon, staring at the files on the coffee table in front of him. The last he saw Natasha was this morning. Her and Clint were trying to track down some HYDRA agents to bring them in and try to get information out of them. Tony and Bruce were down in the lab working with JARVIS to pull some more information from the web and debates files. And Thor was off somewhere, Steve wasn't sure.

Steve sighed. He ran a tired hand over his face, his facial-hair scratching his hand. He was such a mess and so deep in trying to find Katie, he gave up on shaving a few months back. He then sat back against the couch. "Just trying to make sure I didn't miss anything."

Because of his super-enhanced body, Steve didn't need much sleep to begin with. But that didn't mean he could go this long without sleep. Steve couldn't remember the last time he closed his eyes and got a good night's sleep. He hardly ate, he didn't run anymore. He worked out when he needed to work off some steam, but that was it. In short, he felt like crap.

"I doubt you missed anything," Natasha slowly walked over to the couch and sat down next to him. "You've been looking over those files for hours now."

Steve didn't reply. He didn't know what to say. Then again, no one did these days. The only time anyone really talked was to share what they found or to talk about their new plan. No one could carry a full and light conversation anymore it would seem.

"I gotta find her, Nat," Steve spoke. His voice was barely above a whisper. But as he glanced over at Natasha, he found her eyes on him. And he knew she felt the same way. "I have to find her. Before-"

"We'll find her, Steve." Natasha cut him off. She reached over and grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze. "Katie is a fighter. We'll find her and we'll bring her home safe."

Steve glanced up. He locked eyes with Natasha and he could basically see his tired and helpless expression on her face. He knew. He could tell that she felt just as guilty as he did. He could see it in her eyes. They both felt the same thing, because they were both the ones who couldn't get to her in the first place.

Natasha dropped her cool and calm composure as she let out a shaky breath. She looked away from Steve and down at the papers on the coffee table. Her hand was still holding his.

"I keep thinking about that day. About the bombing." Natasha spoke in a low voice. "About how I…"

Natasha trailed off and Steve gave her hand a squeeze.

"I do too." Steve let out any equally shaking breath. "I'm her father. I should have fought harder to get to her. I should have went after her. I shouldn't have let her be taken."

Silence fell around the two, either knowing what else to say. Hell, Steve was sure this was the longest conversation he pretty much had with anyone since getting out of the hospital.

Steve slowly looked up at the giant painting Tony had hanging over the fireplace. It was the main focal point of the whole room. It was a painting of all the Avengers, the whole team standing side by side in their uniforms, smiling brightly. It looked like a giant family photo, only the family was dressed up like superheroes. And even though it was a painting, it looked really realistic.

Steve's eyes went right to Katie. She was smiling brightly, it almost looked like she was even smiling at him. Her eyes were bright and shining, holding so much laughter and life as she stood in her Golden Girl uniform with her long blonde hair in curls.

Steve started to feel choked up. He couldn't help but picture a little blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl running around, playing with her daddy. Or asking for help with her homework. He couldn't help but picture what it would be like to teach her how to draw, or tell her bedtime stories. To hug her and give her kisses. To tell her he loved her.

He needed his little girl. Her need to find her and get to her. Now.

The sound of running footsteps getting closer and closer suddenly pulled Steve out of his thoughts. Both Natasha and Steve stood up and turned around, only to find Tony running into the living room. Bruce came in not far behind him just as Tony opened his month.

"We have a hit."

Within hours, the team were knocking down HYDRA's door. The base wasn't as far outside D.C. as Steve thought it would be. However it was very remote, in between Washington and Baltimore. Just a few hours outside Columbia actually. But the place was so remote and well hidden, that Steve was surprised they picked up on it at all.

"No wonder we never found this place on any files," Clint commented as Tony landed the jet in the middle of a field. "Why the hell would HYDRA put a base this close to Columbia, the place known for being so damn happy all the time."

Clint was right. Steve had looked over ever file, both digital and hard copy, more times than anyone. He probably knew them like the back of his hand at this point. And nowhere in those files was a base around this area mentioned. HYDRA wasn't mentioned in a lot in the files anyways, but there was normally a reference to a place or JARVIS would catch strange activity nearby. But over the past five months, no one had even thought to look here.

Tony stopped in the middle of suiting up to raise an eyebrow. "They're actually best known for their drugs, Robin Rood."

"Doesn't matter what they're known for," Natasha butted in. She clicked a button and the back of the jet started to drop. "Let's find Katie and blow this place."

Natasha's eyes flickered to Steve's for a second before she turned away again. The mood dropped. Everyone continued getting ready in silence.

Steve picked up his shield. This was what it was always like. It was always 'let's find Katie'. No one ever mentioned the possibility that she may not even be in there. They always acted like she was in there, when she really wasn't.

Everyone was suited up in no time and started making their way out of the jet when Steve suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and found Thor watching him.

"With every enemy we destroy, we are steps closer to retrieving Lady Katherine once and for all, my friend."

Steve managed to form a small smile on his face as he nodded.

They walked off the jet. Together, Steve, Thor, Natasha, and Clint started to follow Tony as he lead them to the right spot. Bruce was staying behind on the jet, getting everything ready for if they found Katie this time around. They'd call him in if they really needed him.

It was a bit chilly out, given that it was mid-October at this point. They walked a nice ways before Tony stopped. The whole team was on guard as they looked around. They could see nothing, though. Whatever HYDRA used this base for most have been important, given that it was this well-hidden. They all stood at one end of a clearing. There were tress all around and the start of a little rock mountain right across from them.

"Stark?" Clint turned to him with an eyebrow raised. But Tony just slowly stepped forward.

"JARVIS. Scan the area. Please let there be a secret door."

Steve and the rest of the team watched in silence as Tony walked closer and closer to the rocks. A few moments passed before Steve saw Tony raise a figure and point to a spot just a little left of centre on the rocks.

"Thor," Tony glanced over his shoulder. "You're up big guy."

Thor walked over to Tony, with everyone else close behind him. Natasha still had her gun in her hand while Clint had his bow ready and Steve gripped his shield tighter. They all stood guard and carefully watched as Tony stepped up, standing next to Steve. Everyone made sure to stand some distance away as Thor walked to the spot Tony just pointed at. He lifted his hammer before bringing it down on the rocks. The ground shook and if the HYDRA agents hadn't known they were there before, they did now. Bits of rocks flew up in the air and landed all over as the rock split. Steve and Tony then helped Thor remove the remaining bits of rock until a shallow tunnel was revealed and Steve could see a door just a few feet in front of them.

"Ready to party?" Tony said as they all took a moment to watch the door. It was such a Tony comment, but his voice gave away how tired he was. How tired they all were. They were to get in, look for Katie, and blow the place as quickly as they could.

"Let's find our Golden Girl." Steve heard Natasha say softly. He glanced over at her and found that hard look of determination on her face. The same look she wore every time they were about to take down a base.

Looking back at the door, Steve saw Tony waiting for his order. Steve gave a nod, his eyes hard and heart beating fast in his chest. They'd done this a million times, and Steve got the same feeling every time. They knew the plan inside and out. It never changed. Thor, Tony, and Clint fought the agents while Steve and Natasha looked around the base for any sign of Katie. That had been their plan the first time they did this, and it was their plan now.

Upon Steve's nod, Tony turned to the door. With one of his lasers, he melted the lock of the door. Everyone braced themselves and got ready as the heavy, mental door swung open.

They were met right away by gun fire, but that didn't stop anyone. They ran right into the fight. Tony flew through the door and started attacking every agent and guard he could. Thor used his hammer and started beating down on a number of different agents while Clint started shooting arrows left, right and centre. Natasha fought her way through and Steve punched, kicked, flipped, and threw his shield at anyone who got in his way. The same bundle of anger started to form in his stomach that was always there when he fought HYDRA agents. He had hated them before, he hated them even more now. And if anyone stepped in between him and getting his daughter back, Steve wasn't hesitating.

Then, the ground under them started to shake violently. Steve was almost knocked off balance, but he held his own and throw a punch as hard as he could, causing the agent go flying and taking out some others.

After fighting and using his shield to take out as many agents as he could, Steve finally reached a break, and Natasha closely followed behind him.

"You go left, I'll go right." She told him quickly. Even if Steve was going to respond, he didn't have time to. Because just like that Natasha was gone.

With Thor, Tony, and Clint keeping the guards busy, Steve cut to the left. He was a pro at looking through rooms and down hallways quickly at this point. He still managed to run into groups off agents and guards, but he was so in the zone and determined that this did nothing to stop him. He took out every man before moving on, his body buzzing with adrenaline.

Steve didn't know how much time had passed. He looked through every room he passed by, checked everything over twice. But nothing. There was no Katie. And soon, the yells and bangs and running stopped.

"Entryway way is clear and secure," Steve heard Clint's voice in his ear. "Natasha, Cap, status?"

"Negative," Steve heard Natasha's voice, and his heart broke. With every mission that went by, Natasha was starting to sound more and more defeated. "Heading back now."

Steve stopped and sighed. He failed, yet again. He couldn't reach... That's when Steve say it. Just as he was about to turn and head back, he saw it. A staircase at the end of this impossible long hallway that had way to many twist and turns.

"Cap?"

Steve knew Clint was talking to him. Steve knew he should answer. But he couldn't. Instead, he held his breath as he got closer to the steps.

"Steve?"

"I found a staircase." Steve started softly. He slowly put his foot on the first step. "I'm going down."

"Cap," Tony's voice could be heard. "Where are you? We'll come and back you up."

Steve didn't answer him however. He could hear the others trying to reach him, trying to talk to him, but he wasn't listening. They were acting just as annoying buzzes in his ear. Steve could feel his heart starting to pound in his chest the farther he went down the stairs. He had this feeling in the pit of his stomach, and he couldn't yet tell if it was a good one or not.

Then, Steve arrived at a metal door. He braced himself and got his shield ready. He then took a deep breath before kicking the door opened and waiting for a few moments, but he saw no one. There were no more guards or agents. Steve took a few steps and entered a dimly-lit hallway with a few cells.

And that's when his heart completely stopped.

Steve always imagined what he would see if he ever found Katie. Each thought was worse than the last. But this… His imagination had been nothing to what he saw before him.

He could just pick her out. She was sitting in the far corner of one of the cells. She looked so small, curled up like an injured animal. Steve's heart clenched as he took in her state, and Steve knew, this was what it looked like to be through hell and back. Steve wanted to cry out in pain and joy at the same time. He'd seen a lot of horrible things, especially when he and the Howling Commandos destroyed HYDRA base after HYDRA base in the war, but this was different, this was his baby. And then his eyes met hers. They were half closed and held more pain than Steve thought was humanly possible. They were no longer their bright, sparkling baby blues, but dull and lifeless.

Steve snapped out of it after some moments. He grabbed the bars and ripped off the gate door, throwing it into the hallway behind him.

Slowly and carefully, Steve stepped into the cell. It was only when he saw tears in Katie's tears that he picked up his speed and knelt down beside her.

"Daddy," She choked out, sobs wrecking her fragile body as Steve's heart shattered.

Steve ripped his helmet off. Her could feel tears in his own eyes, because God, he'd wanted nothing more than to hear his daughter call him that. Steve pulled Katie closer. She gripped his uniform as if her life was about to slip away any moment.

"I got you now." Steve promised. Because there was no way he was ever letting Katie go again.

Steve felt Katie's gripping loosen and when he glanced down, he saw that she was out. Steve wanted nothing more than to just hold her and make promises that everything was okay now. But Katie needed help, she needed to see a doctor. Therefore, he carefully placed his shield on his back before wrapping his arms under Katie and lifting her up.

It broke his heart as he watched her go limp in his arms. And it broke him even further when he realized she weighed close to nothing.

With ease, Steve carried Katie out of her cell. His body and mind was buzzing with millions of different emotions. As he walked out of the cell and back towards the staircase, he tried to keep his eyes forward. He didn't want to look around at the details of the place. Because he was already ready to blow up the place himself.

"Cap!" Steve almost jumped when he heard Clint's voice in his ear. "We need to go! Where are you?"

"I have her." Steve breathed. He reached the top of the stairs and started re-tracing his steps to the main area. "I got her."

He still couldn't believe it. He tightened his grip on Katie, as if to make sure she really was there. Steve's head was spinning and his heart beating hard. After five months, he had her. She was here in his arms. He had his daughter back again.

"What?" Clint's voice held just as much disbelief as Steve's did.

But Steve didn't reply however, because just as Clint spoke, Steve turned a corner and entered the main entrance. The front door came into view along with the team waiting around.

He watched as all their eyes flicked from his, to the blond haired girl in his arms. A flicker of different emotions past on all their faces. Upon seeing Katie, Tony looked like he was about to start World War Three and Steve swore he saw tears in Natasha's eyes.

"We need to go." Thor's normally booming voice was nothing but a whisper.

They all nodded their heads. Steve walked towards the door and back outside with Natasha and Clint behind him. Tony and Thor stand back for a moment to set off the bombs they set up while Steve had been down it the cell.

Just as Steve, Clint, and Natasha reached the jet, they heard explosions going off behind them. They turned around for a moment and saw Tony and Thor moving towards them, with the rocks behind them in the distance going up in smoke.

"Oh my…"

Steve turned around and saw Bruce standing on top of the drop door. His eyes went wide and his hand flew to his mouth once he caught sight of the girl in Steve's arms.

Quickly and carefully, everyone made their way back into the jet. It took them no time to put their weapons away, and before Steve knew it, Tony was out of his suit and at the wheel, lifting them off the ground.

Steve placed Katie down on the hospital bed on the far right. Bruce was there right way, hooking her up to an IV and starting to check her over to see what her injuries were.

The moment Katie was out of his arms, Steve felt like he may faint. He took a few steps back before falling into the chair behind him. He never took his eyes of Katie's face. Even as she was sleeping, she looked like she was in pain. And for all Steve knew, she was. And it was killing him to see her like this.

Suddenly, Steve felt a hand on hand on his shoulder. When he looked up, he found Natasha standing there. They didn't speak, hell, Natasha didn't even look at him. Instead they both stayed put, watching as Bruce did whatever he could to help Katie.

"Bruce," Clint spoke up softly for his spot in the chair next to Katie. "See anything while we were inside?"

Bruce glanced up for a moment before looking back down at Katie. He nodded. "A jet flew up from out of some rocks just moments after you went in."

"So more than likely, whoever did…." Natasha paused as she stared at Katie. "They got away."

Steve felt angry in the pit of his stomach again. Whoever did this to his daughter managed to get away just as he walked through the front door.

"They wouldn't be gone for long," Tony spoke up from the front. He was gripping the wheel so tight that his knuckles were white. "We'll find them."

There was a silent agreement as everyone went silent again. Tony was right. Whoever did this to Katie, whoever hurt his daughter, the team would find them. And if there was one thing in his life Steve was sure of, it was that the people who did this would never see the light of day again once Steve and the team got their hands on them.

Aww, Steve has his baby back! What did you guys think?

Now, just wanted to let you guys know, there won't be an update next week cause I'm going on a family trip. Therefore the next chapter will be September 2nd.

And holy cow guys! 40+ reviews on the last chapter! I love love love you guys so much! Think we can do that again this chapter?

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