Hello hello,

Its me again, taking a ridiculously long time to update, and I apologise for that.

Life's been keeping me busy, but it will be slowing down a little for the next couple of months so I will try and get more chapters out over the coming weeks.

Many thanks to QueenBookDragon, AnUnexpectedAdventure, Keys25, Elsa - 18, chena98, Snowball A.K.A. WinterWolf, nityag2003, boofrog04, ExiaDark, Eliza1964, UnicornFlight98, ibaibaibaibaibaibaibaibaiba, hotpocketbbg, sillystring-roxs-the-earth, LivForMusic, GoddessOfShadows, adorablygranger, Jim Adames, chrissyweir, and MissImperfect1996 for choosing to stay up to date with this little tale. I should really work on updating more regularly again just so my thanks doesn't take me over half an hour to write hahaha

Thanks also to reviewers Janeth16, AliceCullen3, leeny len, xRaspberryx, mellifera19 and p0mel0 for taking the time to write too!

And now, you've waited long enough.

Enjoy

xo

Chapter 33

Obnoxiously Optimistic

Lex walked up the ramp, fidgeting in her suit slightly. She was so preoccupied she nearly ran into Steve as he stopped.

"You good?" he asked looking back at her in amusement as he turned around.

"I hate these things. What's wrong with a pair of jeans and a baggy top? Seriously? Why's everything got to be tight?" she muttered in annoyance.

Steve smirked at her and shook his head, before looking around the group solemnly.

Today was the day, they were heading through the Quantum Realm and taking the stones. Steve, Tony and Scott were lined up alongside her. They were going to the New York timeline to get the three stones there. If they lined it up perfectly, they should be dropping in right when the Avengers were dealing with Loki.

Steve stood tall and looked around at every single person that was ready to make the jump. "All right. We have a plan. Six stones, three teams, one shot," he began. Lex pressed her lips into a thin line as she looked down at the floor in the centre of the group, careful to not to look at anyone. She knew what was about to be said and she immediately felt anxious as she remembered what she had lost. "Five years ago, we lost. All of us. We lost friends. We lost family. We lost a part of ourselves." There was silence all around as Steve spoke. "Today, we have a chance to take it all back. You know your teams; you know your missions. Get the stones, get them back. One round trip each. No mistakes. No do-overs. Most of us are going somewhere we know. But it doesn't mean we should know what to expect. Be careful. Look out for each other. This is the fight of our lives. And we're gonna win." He paused, looking around at everyone one more time. "Whatever it takes. Good luck."

Lex took a deep breath to calm her nerves and looked around at everyone, seeing most with looks of hardened determination on their faces, lest for Thor. He looked pretty miserable.

Rocket raised his eyebrows and nodded towards Steve. "He's pretty good at that."

Scott grinned proudly. "Right?"

"Ugh!" Lex groaned, rolling her eyes.

Tony clapped his hands together once. "All right. You heard the man. Stroke those keys, jelly green."

"Tractors engaged," Bruce called out in response, before hurrying back up the ramp.

Clint looked down at the miniaturized Milano starship he held in his hand. Rocket looked at the archer pointedly. "You promise to bring that back in one piece, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay," Clint huffed, with the slightest of smirks on his face as he glanced from the raccoon to Lex, who raised her eyebrows with her own smirk on her face. "I'll do my best."

Rocket narrowed his eyes at Clint. "As promises go, that was pretty lame."

"See you in a minute," Scott said nodding to Rhodey, who was standing directly across from him in the circle of Avengers.

Lex steadied herself as they landed in a back alley of New York. She looked around wildly as she heard a roar overhead, seeing ugly aliens launching themselves from buildings and onto the streets below.

"Whoa…" she breathed as she disengaged the helmet of her suit. She knew of the attack in New York, she had watched it with great interest on TV when she was in the UK. But this, this was different. "They're even uglier in real life."

"You think that's bad, wait until you see what they look like from the inside. Where were you when this was happening, pray tell?" Tony asked mockingly, also removing his helmet and starting to take off his suit.

"UK, Surrey, to be exact. It was all over the news though," she explained removing her own suit, watching as the aliens zoomed overhead, squealing as they went. "Still, I thought I had seen everything."

"Something you'll learn with us, kid," Tony said, putting his arm around Lex's shoulders. She stiffened under his touch and looked at him with disdain. "You ain't seen nothing yet!"

She narrowed her eyes at the billionaire, before grabbing his hand by his thumb and removing it from her shoulders, making him yelp in pain. "First of all, I am older than you, so you can piss off with your 'kid' business. Secondly, don't touch me if you ever want to be able to pick up your daughter ever again."

Tony was quick to remove his hands from Lex, glaring at her in horror.

"Hey, cool it, Lex," Steve warned, moving to stand between her and Tony, drawing her attention to his face. "We're on the same team here."

"Sure, so if this team could respect my personal space, that'd be great," Lex responded without missing a beat, looking out of the alleyway they were standing in as there was a monstrous roar from above. They all followed her gaze as a green blur appeared, landing on a car and causing all the windows to explode outwards. "Wow."

She glanced sideways at Bruce, who watched on sheepishly as his timeline double launched himself into the air again, roaring as he landed against the walls of the skyscrapers adjacent to them, smashing his fists against hordes of aliens, before launching to a building across the street and making his way downtown that way. He looked down at her, shrugging in exasperation. "It wasn't one of my best moments in time, okay?"

"I don't agree," she said with a grin, as Tony and Steve moved back into the alley, with Scott close behind. The pair joined them, Lex adjusting the SHIELD uniform she was wearing. "So?"

Steve turned to face the rest of their group. "All right, we all have our assignments. Two stones uptown, one stone, down," he began, looking at each of them in turn as he spoke. "Stay low. Keep an eye on the clock."

Behind them, there was another almighty crash, as the Hulk crashed to the ground again, before picking up a car and throwing it at a group of aliens.

"Nice…" Lex praised quietly, earning her an elbow from Steve. "What?"

Steve looked back to the Hulk as he slammed a fist against another car and then roared into the sky. The sound rattled Lex's bones, but she still smiled at Bruce, who was trying not to look at his past self, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Steve, who was still watching Hulk as he turned and ran down the road, finally spoke again, glancing sideways at Bruce. "Feel free to smash if things don't go your way."

Bruce sighed, before removing his shirt and tossing it aside with their suits. "I think it's gratuitous, but whatever." He made a fist and brought it half-heartedly down onto a wrecked car, making a soft growl sound. He cleared his throat, trying again with only a slight improvement.

Lex snickered to herself as Bruce glanced back and grimaced, before taking off down the street. Poor Bruce, he had worked so hard to improve on himself, and here he was, acting the monster again.

Steve sighed and shook his head, before looking back to the others. "Come on."

Lex slipped on a balaclava and helmet as she and Steve stepped out of the fire escape of the Stark Tower, onto one of the mid-level floors. She hurried to keep up with Steve, replacing the gloves of her uniform. "I don't get why I couldn't just dress normal."

"Even in your everyday clothes, you stand out Lex," Steve answered, moving to check around a corner as she slipped in behind him.

"No, I don't!" she retorted.

"You're six foot, blonde and…" Steve hesitated, glancing back to look at Lex for a moment, his eyes roving over her. She raised an eyebrow, looking at him expectantly, smirking into her balaclava. The pink on his cheeks did not go unnoticed. "You turn heads, okay?"

"Hey Cap, while it's all very nice that you're trying to tell Lex she's hot, you've got to hustle," Tony interrupted through their comms system. "Things look like they're just about wrapped up here."

Lex tried her best not to cackle as she saw Steve take a deep breath and grimace, his cheeks definitely turning a shade of red in the process. "Got it. We're approaching the elevator now." They moved in sync, Lex moving her rifle into a more comfortable position in front of her, with her finger poised beside the trigger. While there was no immediate plan for her to actually discharge the weapon, it was a force of habit and made her feel comfortable. The rifle was more or less for show, but they had decided having life ammunition would probably be best, just in case. "Besides, weren't you the one that said that Pierce would recognize you the second he saw you?"

She bit her bottom lip in annoyance, only grunting in response as Steve looked back at her pointedly. He was right. During the years before and after the alien invasion, she had long been off the immediate top of the HYDRA list of targets, thanks to the likes of The Winter Soldier, a numerable amount of 'Inhumans' and Steve's bringing down of the HYDRA agency from within SHIELD, but they were still well aware that she was around.

They made their way along the corridor towards another elevator at the far side of the tower in silence.

"Ugh, Mr. Rogers," Tony's voice broke through the silence on their comms. "I almost forgot that 'THAT' suit did nothing for your ass."

Lex stifled another laugh, forcing her lips together in the effort to prevent making any unnecessary noise. "No one asked you to look!" Steve hissed in annoyance, Lex spotting his cheeks beginning to go even redder from embarrassment.

"I think you look great, Cap," Scott interjected over their comms. "As far as I'm concerned, that's America's ass."

A quiet laugh escaped Lex's lips, earning her a glare from Steve and she was quick to press her lips together again before shrugging. He sighed, shaking his head and continuing towards the elevator.

Tony's voice came through their comms again. "All right, Cap. I got our scepter in the elevator just passing the 80th floor."

Steve glanced back at Lex, who nodded once, acknowledging the intel. They were up. "On it."

Lex hurriedly hit the call button on the elevator, before stepping aside for Steve to stand in front of her. "So, America's ass?"

"Not now, Lex."

"I dunno, I think I could get used to it. The name, I mean, your ass really does nothing for me," she replied quietly, smirking under her balaclava as she glanced down at the topic of conversation.

"Wipe the smirk off your face, we've got a job to do," he muttered, looking up at the elevator floor numbers with a serious expression on his face.

"Okay, your ass isn't that bad. I'll admit it."

Steve's eyes snapped to Lex and she saw the tell-tale pink tinge reaching the tips of his ears and across his cheeks. He glared at her but was quick to clear his face of any expression as there was the sound of a ding, announcing the arrival of the elevator. Lex quickly straightened, schooling her face of all expression and waiting patiently for Steve to lead the way.

Inside the elevator, several men dressed in black tactical gear stood surrounding a bald-headed man dressed in a finely pressed, black suit. In his hand, he held a large metal case. It was the scepter. The man in the suit looked at Steve with a puzzled expression, before eyeing Lex as Steve stepped into the elevator. He greeted Steve. "Captain. I thought you were coordinating search and rescue?"

"Change of plans," Steve replied, offering a ghost of a smile to the man. Lex stepped into the lift and stood closest to the door, angling herself so she could watch all the men in the elevator, with the wall of the elevator at her back for protection.

The man to Steve's left, who was in charge of SHIELD's special tactical team, that was actually entirely made up of HYDRA grunts, looked sideways at Steve. "Hey, Cap."

"Rumlow." Steve had debriefed her on all the men in the elevator, and she was well aware of how dangerous it was for her to be there. They were banking on the fact that these men shouldn't know her identity, as they were simply grunts and not intelligence men.

The man carrying the case was named Sitwell, and she recalled the name from her investigation into her past and the formula used on her as a teen. She regretted not reading up on him while she was in the archives.

Steve glanced over to Lex, and she blinked in response. She was monitoring the men behind him, checking to see if any were getting itchy at having him there. They were all throwing shady looks his way, but none made a move to react to his presence. "I just got a call from the Secretary. I'm gonna be running point on the scepter."

Sitwell, and the rest of the HYDRA agents, looked to Steve in surprise. "Sir? I don't understand."

"We got word there may be an attempt to steal it," Steve answered easily. Lex had to admit, he was playing his role well right now, but she continued to maintain a watchful eye over the men surrounding them.

"Sorry, Cap. I can't give you the scepter," Rumlow objected, eyeing him suspiciously, before his gaze moved towards her. She didn't react, simply watching the unfolding conversation. She noted his gaze lingered on her body and his eyebrows raised slightly as he realized she was a woman. A carnal glean entered his gaze as his eyes moved up to meet her gaze. She subdued the urge to reach across and pull his eyes out of his sockets. It was a pretty easy feat, she'd done it once or twice before.

"I'm gonna have to call the Director," Sitwell said finally, reaching into his pocket to pull out his phone.

"That's okay, trust me," Steve murmured, offering Sitwell a malevolent smirk that made Lex feel a twinge of pride. She'd been working with him on that ever since they had decided on the plan several days earlier. He leant towards Sitwell, before whispering into his ear. "Hail HYDRA."

Steve and Lex hurried along a corridor on their way out of the tower.

"Aww, Steve, that performance made me so proud," Lex gushed as she hurried along beside him, taking her helmet and balaclava off.

"I feel disgusting," he retorted, pulling a face as he looked around nervously. "Put your balaclava back on, someone might see you." He had managed to pull it off, convincing the undercover HYDRA agents to hand over the scepter, and it really hadn't been that hard either. What concerned him was how easily they believed he had been turned. Was that because of how gullible they were? Or was him turning really that believable?

Suddenly, he heard a commotion over the comms from Tony and Scott. He couldn't make out what they were saying, but it sounded like they were both panicking. He stopped fast, glancing at Lex, whose brow furrowed with a concerned look of her own. "Tony, what's going on?" he demanded over the comms, trying to decipher what was happening with Tony and Scott. Lex moved a little ahead of Steve as she tried to look down into the lower levels of the tower from their current position on the catwalk. "Tell me you found that cube."

There was incoherent babble on the comms, and Steve clenched his teeth in frustration as he began to slowly walk again. Steve knew this could only mean bad news. He was so concerned about what was happening, listening from any word from Tony or Scott, he didn't notice Lex stop fast in front of him and ran into her back.

He stumbled slightly and looked up in surprise, before groaning. "Oh, you gotta be shitting me."

Ahead of them, was him. The current timeline version of him. He raised his hand to his wrist and spoke. "I have eyes on Loki. 14th floor."

"Really?" Lex asked incredulously, glancing sideways at Steve as he moved to stand protectively in front of her. The other Captain America's eyes darted between him and Lex, furrowed slightly. Obviously, having Lex there confused him, as Loki didn't have any offsiders unless they were influenced by the staff.

"I'm not Loki," Steve began, as he heard Lex flip the safety on her rifle off. "And we don't wanna hurt you." He looked pointedly at Lex, hoping that she understood what he wanted. He didn't want her to shoot, because first and foremost, they didn't want to hurt anyone in this timeline, and secondly, it would draw more attention. She pouted sullenly but flicked the safety back on.

He looked back to his 2012 version, hopeful that perhaps he would see reason.

He did not. Captain America ran towards them.

Steve tossed the case to Lex, who dropped her rifle and moved to duck as both men threw their shields at each other. There was a resounding clash and both shields ricocheted away, while both men moved to attack each other. They traded punches and kicks, Steve managing to kick his counterpart backwards. Lex took advantage of his lack of balance to kick a lounge seat at him, but he managed to recover himself just in time and jumped over it.

"You were certainly a lot more spry, Steve," Lex commented, as the 2012 Captain America moved to attack her too, causing her to back up slightly in preparation to defend herself. She used the case to block a punch, while Steve hurried to try and draw his attention away from her again.

"Just go!" he shouted, grabbing his counterpart and throwing him backwards, causing him to skid along the floor. Unfortunately, he threw him closer towards one of their shields.

His counterpart scrambled to his feet and picked up the shield, as Lex turned and made a break for it. Steve hurried to try and attack Captain America, but he managed to throw his shield. It bounced off a wall, before collecting Lex by the shoulder, knocking her forward and into a railing. The jolt of the shield hitting her caused her to drop the scepter and it skidded across the floor, landing near the edge of a catwalk that crossed the tower.

"Ugh! Come on, Cap! Kick your ass will you."

"I'm trying, Lex" Steve retorted in annoyance as she moved to try and grab the case again. He jumped at his counterpart again, only to be kicked away into a wall with great force, before 2012 Captain America turned and began running at Lex again.

"Oh, no you don't!" Lex exclaimed, turning around to defend herself, forgetting about the case. He lunged at her, and she kicked out at him, connecting with his chest, but he quickly recovered and moved to tackle her. As they struggled, they bumped the case, causing it to fall from the catwalk, and down several floors. "Agh! Shit!" she growled in frustration.

Steve was quick to get back to his feet, as Lex managed to throw Captain America over her head, flipping back onto her own feet. Steve ran forward, trading blows with himself again, until Lex jumped in with a flying knee at his 2013 version and managing to push them far enough apart that Steve could take a breather.

The 2012 Captain America looked between the two of them, a resolute and determined expression on his face. "I can do this all day," he said, raising his fists in front of him.

Lex looked at him, dumbfounded, before looking at Steve with the same expression. "Really, Steve?"

"Yeah, I know," Steve groaned, before he and Lex ran at him again. "I know."

Lex and Steve worked together to try and subdue the 2012 Captain America, but he managed to give Lex the slip as she tried to get underneath him to lift him over the railing and throw him down a few floors to give them a chance to escape.

As she tried to recover from her failed maneuver, he grabbed her roughly, turning her around and gripping her by the tactical vest she was wearing. "I don't want to hurt you, he's got you under his control, you can fight his influence," he growled, as she continued to try and fight him off. He snaked an arm around her throat. Steve could see what he was trying to do. He was going to try and make the female super soldier pass out. He had to free her, and fast.

"Wow, Steve, even back then you were obnoxiously optimistic," she sneered breathlessly while she tried to loosen his grip around her, as Steve ran forwards to try and help her.

"Shut up," he retorted as she dropped all of her weight, causing 2012 Captain America to over balance and loosen his grip. She slipped out of his grasp and into a heap on the floor, right as Steve reached him, tackling him to the ground. They broke apart, before Steve stood up slowly. His age was starting to catch up with, as his younger version jumped back to his feet.

2012 Captain America looked to the ground, seeing a crumpled and well-worn photo lying on the floor. Steve was quick to move to try and grab it before his counterpart could, knowing it was his own. His counterpart also dove for it, both wrestling on the floor. Steve soon found himself in a headlock as 2012 Captain America tried to wrestle the image out of Steve's hand.

"Where did you get this?" 2012 Captain America demanded. Steve heard shuffling behind them, and Lex's strained voice.

"Winter Soldier…" she coughed.

Realising what she was saying, Steve struggled to loosen 2012 Captain America's headlock on him enough to speak. "Bucky... is... alive!"

Captain America's grip slacked off immediately, and he sat up, staring at Steve in shock. "What?" he demanded. There was a resounding thud, and Steve felt Captain America fall away to the side, unconscious.

Steve sucked in some deep breaths before rolling onto his back, to see Lex standing over him, her rifle in hand with the butt raised. She had hit 2012 Captain America in the back of the head and knocked him out. "You okay?" she asked, collapsing to her knees beside him and sucking in deep breaths of her own.

"Yeah, you?" he asked, sitting up carefully. His body ached, like he had just gone ten rounds with the Hulk.

"Have I ever told you, that I kind of hate you?" she replied, nodding towards the unconscious Captain America. "Because that pretty much solidified that opinion."

"I kind of hate myself a little right now, too, Lex," he replied, patting her on the knee. He clambered to his feet, pulling her up too, once he was steady. They both looked down at Captain America.

"That is America's ass," Steve murmured, earning a scoff and a hearty laugh from Lex.

Look, I'm not gonna lie, I do kind of like the bonding between Lex and Steve right now.

xo

Krayzee