Fate

Steve should have known as soon as he saw the man that things were going to go terribly wrong. The man had looked familiar the moment Steve set his eyes on him, but he had just assumed it was one of the many people he passed everyday at the base. That wasn't the only red flag though. The man wasn't wearing the simple, white, security bypass card that everyone needed to get pass the gates. Then there was the way the man was looking at him, like he was nervous answering his questions. All of this should have added up, but Steve was too busy trying to find The Doctor.

It had taken Tony the night to figure out where The Doctor had gone, and by time they had figured it out, they assumed that he had the nights lead on them. They had split up as soon as they had gotten to the base, hoping to have found anyone who had seen the tweed wearing alien. That's how he had ended up meeting the man.

It wasn't until he turned around that everything clicked together. The man looked familiar because it was one of the people working with the Winchesters, and he was here to break them out.

Steve considered his options. Jimmy was small, not very muscular, and didn't look like he could run very fast. He could run and take him out, but over the years Steve had learned not underestimate people, and he wasn't about to throw that lesson to waste.

Steve tensed, remembering all his training from the war. Wanting to get this over with as fast as possible, he reached behind him and sent his shield flying towards Jimmy. There was a sickening crunch and a thump. Steve turned at the last second to catch the shield, seeing his work.

Jimmy layed crumpled on the floor, and even from how far away he stood, Steve could tell how much pain he would be in. Shield at the ready, Steve headed towards Jimmy, ready to arrest the man. It wouldn't be too difficult, he looked out cold, and broken. At least those were his thoughts until Jimmy slowly stood up.

Steve took a step back in shock. Novak didn't seem to be in any sort of pain. He stood facing Steve, his left side of his body lower than his right from the sheer force of Steve's shield hitting him. A small trickle of blood ran down the side of his mouth. Jimmy Novak looked like he had returned from the dead.

Steve almost ran at what happened next, and he had seen some pretty strange things. The lights flickered for a moment then a shadows began to dance. Out of Jimmy's back shadowy like objects emerged. As they spread out, Steve realized that they were wings, very broken wings. Only a few feathers clung to the bones.

"I am Castiel angel of The Lord. I am here for my friends, leave now and let me be, and we can both be on our way." Jimmy said, giving Steve a choice, his voice seeming more powerful than before.

Steve didn't hesitate to respond," I've dealt with some pretty shady figures, and you aren't any different. You know I can't let you go, it's your choice now. Come with me peacefully, or try and fight." Steve knew he sounded stronger than he felt. This man was either crazy, or was completely honest, or a crazy killer, none of which satisfied him.

Jimmy struck faster than possible. Steve barely had a chance to raise his shield before the weapon he was holding struck. It was a long, silver, knife like object that looked rather dull, but that was another thing Steve wasn't going to underestimate.

Castiel stepped back and kicked Steve in the stomach, winding him. Steve bent over, regaining his breath From the powerful kick. Castiel went for another blow, his knife aimed for Steve's bowed head. This time Steve managed to avoid it this time, rolling out of the way.

Seconds later the next blow came, thankfully deflecting off of Steve's shield. Using the small moment when the knife rested on his shield, Steve shoved his shield back, knocking Jimmy off balance. Using his change from defense to offense he began to attacking using the edge of his shield and his right fist. Many of his blows hit Jimmy, but he wasn't going down.

As Steve threw another punch, a ringing sound came from his ear. Trying to ignore it, Steve kept his fist flying. Jimmy still didn't show signs of tiring out, every time he was down he got right back up, injuries seeming to heal themselves.

Finally the ringing got the better of Rodgers. He paused for a second and pressed his fingers to his ear, accepting the call.

"Took you long enough Capsicle! I've been trying to reach you forever!" Tony complained through the earpiece.

"Hate to agree with Tony, but even for you that took an exceptionally long time," Natasha's smooth voice came through too.

Captain Rodgers would have replied, but in that small moment he had been distracted Jimmy had gotten to his feet and was now the attacker.

"What is going on Cap? Did you get yourself locked in a cupboard?" Tony asked, laughing at his own comment.

Dodging another knife attack, Steve took a moment to answer, "Tony, I am a little busy right now, can we talk about this later please?"

"Steve," Natasha's hardened voice came through, "What is going on?"

Steve didn't respond, he couldn't. He should have been able to see the attack coming. Jimmy had faked a high attack, and naturally he had lifted his shield to defend himself. What he didn't see coming was Jimmy lowering his knife and ramming it threw his stomach.

His shield arm dropped instantly. He had been right about the knife, it looked dull, but it was wickedly sharp. He didn't really feel it at first, it was like a numbing pain. His voice didn't seem to work, and he was off balance, the world swirling around him.

Jimmy didn't let him fall. He grabbed Steve in a sort of hug and gently lowered him to the ground and gently set him down. He pulled the knife out quick, and that's when the pain settled in. Every part of his body seemed to burn; not a sound came out of his mouth.

"You have a good heart," Jimmy said quietly, sadly, "There's not a whole lot of people like that anymore. I hope that you get a chance to make it, I can only leave it to whoever decides the fates of others now. All I can do now is lessen the pain, I can't let you stop me, too many lives are at risk if I let you go. Without a prophet, I may never be able to return home. I am so sorry." Jimmy touched his hand to Steve's forehead.

Steve didn't understand a lot of what Jimmy said, or why he said those things, but what he did know is that the pain stopped as soon as Jimmy touched him. He wasn't dead, but the pain dulled to an aching throb. Lifting his hand from Steve's head, Jimmy walked away.

Steve didn't want Jimmy to leave. It had always been one of his fears to die alone. When he was younger the winter was the worst time of the year. He could never get warm, and his asthma had restricted him from even breathing. He was scared that one day he would be on deaths doorstep, and no one would be there with him and he would go alone. His fears got worse once his parents died. Bucky was the only person left after that he wanted by his side when he died. Even during the winters when he looked and felt that way and Bucky was by his side all the time he was scared. He was scared of Bucky just abandoning his sick friend.

Now his worst fears were coming true. This part of the SHIELD complex wasn't used a lot, construction keeping most people away, even though it hadn't even started yet. He could hear the voices of his friends off in the distance, yelling for him, begging him to answer.

Instead Steve laid there, looking at what possibly could be his dying sight. A pristine white roof slowly faded away into darkness.

That was the moment in which Captain Steve Rodgers heart stopped beating.