It was quiet on the ship as the team flew back to New York. Tony piloted, Banner was listening to opera to stay calm, and the others helped Clint stay comfortable while he recovered. Elsie had stepped away to remove her gloves and put her ring back on, the diamonds glittering under the sunlight that peeked through the windows.

"You okay?" Steve checked on her.

"I'm ready for a hot bath," she replied with a soft smile. "A burger, and then a very long good night's sleep."

"Will you be energized enough for our engagement party later?" he teased.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

They leaned in for a kiss, but Nat's voice interrupted them, "Thor, report on the Hulk."

"The gates of Hel are filled with the screams of his victims," Thor reported in a triumphant tone.

Nat glared at him as if he slapped her in the face, and Banner buried his head in his hands.

"B-but not the screams of the dead, of course," Thor nervously backtracked. "No, no, wounded screams. Mainly whimpering, a great deal of complaining and tales of sprained deltoids and gout."

"Hey, Banner," Tony chimed in, "Dr. Cho is on her way in from Seoul. Is it okay if she sets up in your lab?"

"Uh, yeah," Banner nodded. "She knows her way around."

"Thanks." He turned to Jarvis. "Tell her to prep everything. Barton's gonna need the full treatment."

"Very good, sir," replied Jarvis.

"Jarvis, take the wheel," Tony commanded before getting up from the pilot's chair. He turned to Thor, gazing at the scepter. "Feels good, yeah? I mean, you've been after this thing since S.H.I.E.L.D. collapsed. Not that I haven't enjoyed our little raiding parties, but…"

"No, but this," Thor replied. "This brings it to a close."

"As soon as we find out what else this has been used for," Steve said. "I don't just mean weapons. Since when is Strucker capable of human enhancement?"

"Banner and I will give it the once over before it goes back to Asgard," Tony promised Thor. "Is that cool with you? Just a few days till the farewell slash engagement party. You're staying, right?"

"Yes, yes, of course," the Asgardian nodded, his hands on his hips. "A victory should be honored with revels, and love should be celebrated when two people pledge to spend their lives as one."

"Yeah, who doesn't love their revels? Or marriage proposals, for that matter? Captain?"

Steve nodded. "Hopefully this puts an end to the Chitauri and Hydra. So, yes, revels."

"And you're marrying my niece next April."

"Which reminds me," Elsie stepped closer to them, taking Steve's hand into hers. "Tony, I've been doing some thinking, and since my dad can't walk me down the aisle or dance with me would you do the honors? I wouldn't want anyone else."

He froze for a moment upon hearing her ask that, but his heart melted and he said, "Yes."

Throwing her arms around her uncle, she pecked his cheek. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," she smiled widely.

A few hours later, they make it back to the tower, landing on the launchpad where Agent Hill and Dr. Cho were waiting for them. As soon as the hatch opened, Dr. Cho's team rushed Clint to the medical wing. Steve and Tony stayed on the ship while the rest of the team exited.

"I am getting out of this," Elsie referred to her suit, yawning. "Right after I get off my feet for a minute."

She flopped down onto a couch in the tower's common area, finally off her feet after such a long and grueling mission.

"You fought well, today, my friend," Thor encouraged her.

"Thank you," she smiled.

"Coffee?" Tony's voice asked from beside her. "It's not a mocha, but I added the hazelnut creamer you like."

"That'll do," Elsie nods and takes the drink. The first sip relaxed her from a long fight and flight.

What is he gonna do with the scepter, she thought. The blue light glowed bright just above her, and she could sense it indeed held something very powerful. But what?

With no new missions for the time being, Elsie was able to rest and recover from the events in Sokovia. Elsie and Steve began planning the details to their wedding such as decorations, who would be in their wedding party, finding the venue, and even Elsie setting an appointment at Kleinfeld to find her wedding dress.

Steve couldn't be happier about marrying the woman of his dreams, although he did worry about her safety even more so now that she was an Avenger. He knew she could take care of herself—she'd proven that more times than he could count—but some part of him would always want to protect her. She'd already been through hell and back with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s fall from grace, but her resilience and courage made him fall in love with her even more.

By the night of the farewell-slash-engagement party, the Tower came to life and glittered with golden lights. The terrace had been transformed into a sleek and classy lounge with jazz with full bars set up for serving cocktails. Jazz music filled the air, and a view of the New York City skyline was the icing on the cake. Employees of Stark Industries, the wealthier folks from around the country, and even some war veterans were in attendance and mingling with each other. Bartenders moved with practiced ease, shaking cocktails and topping off glasses to keep everyone's favorite drink within reach.

Sam and Steve battled it out over a sleek black pool table, chalking cues with friendly trash talk.

Nearby, Elsie sat on one of the velvet loveseats, legs crossed, dressed in a fitted tweed skirt and a cream-colored blouse. Her hair was curled in loose waves, and she happily sipped a strawberry margarita as she showed off her sparkling engagement ring to Nat and a few friends in the field.

At some point in the night, Steve caught Sam up on everything that happened in Sokovia.

"Sounds like a hell of a fight," Sam replied as the two men strolled up to the next level, a drink in his hand. "Sorry I missed it."

"If I had known it was gonna be a firefight," Steve replied, "I absolutely would have called."

Sam chuckled. "No, no. I'm not actually sorry. I'm just trying to be tough. I'm very happy chasing cold leads on our 'missing persons' case. Avenging is your world. Your world is crazy."

"Be it ever so humble."

They stopped in the entryway to the main sitting area where they spotted Elsie sitting on one of the couches talking to Nat and two other women in attendance.

"You found a place in Brooklyn yet?" Sam asked as he sipped his drink.

Steve shook his head. "I don't think I can afford a place in Brooklyn."

"Well, home is home, you know?" There's a pause before Sam realizes something. "You and Tony are about to be relatives. Couldn't you ask for some money to find a place?"

"Elsie and I have talked about it, but I think we want to try to pull our savings together and find a place. She's not one to mooch off of others."

Sam nods. "Doesn't hurt to ask for help."