Chapter Text
“If he doesn’t want to stay, it's fine.”
“Tony, come on…”
“No, no, it’s fine. I don’t really care that much.”
“Just enough to scream about it for half an hour...”
“Pep, seriously, his life, his choice.”
“You know he have his reason to-“
“Can we just drop it, please? He wants to be free, let him be.”
“Tony, a war just ended..."
“Yeah, and I almost died to give us a chance to win without destroying an entire city."
“I know that.”
“And if that's not enough to be- if it's not enough, then I have no idea what else I can do. What else WE can do? Everyone is probably wondering the same.”
“He just needs to-"
“Yes, he told me what he needs. So, end of the story. Good job and goodbye.”
Steve Rogers rarely found himself hating the powers the serum had given him, but this was one of those few times.
He was on the balcony outside the top of the Stark Tower, sitting on the stairs still partly destroyed from the fight: Thor and Loki had fun up there and inside the building; Bruce told them that Loki 'fell' on the floor a couple of times… Clint just commented with a "smashed" between some amused coughs.
New York was recovering from the battle that took place there, trying to cope with the corpses of terrifying aliens in the streets, the destroyed buildings, and the loss of too many lives.
Steve breathed deeply, the black jacket open on the white shirt, playing with a piece of concrete he promptly let fall when someone opened the glass door behind him. He turned around while standing up.
Pepper Potts stopped in front of him with a resigned expression on her face; her long red hair loosened over the cream-colored shirt. “Captain, I-“
“Just Steve, please.”
“Steve, I’m sorry. I tried to..."
“I know. I heard.”
Pepper blinked and then sighed, “Superpower hearing too?”
“Something like that.” He smiled a bit, “But it's all right. Maybe I should be the one to apologize.”
“Tony just hates it when people don’t recognize his efforts,” she smiled patiently. “He pretends he doesn't care, but, as you heard...
"We all know he saved the city. It's not a secret.”
“Yeah, but... Maybe...” Pepper looked like she wanted to say something, then just shrugged slightly. “We're all happy that this is over... Tony just needs to celebrate in his own way.”
“I told him to go for it. He doesn't need my blessing to-"
“It’s not about that," she stopped him, her voice a bit more serious. After a moment, she continued, “Tony can be immature at times, but he's right about this. Everyone wants you to stay.”
“I'll be back as soon as I can. I just need to talk with Fury, and- try to elaborate on everything that happened. I don’t feel ready to celebrate… Not yet.”
Pepper studied him for a moment, “You’re going to leave the city?”
Steve was surprised, but again, he still used to underestimate Pepper Potts. "Was it that obvious?"
"A bit," she nodded.
“I wasn't planning on leaving the city. I'm not, I just... Need a moment to breathe. I’ll keep in touch.”
“I hope so.” Pepper took a deep breath, her expression more gentle. "Still, I wish you'd stay."
Steve looked behind her, in the attic, where Tony was screaming something at Clint. “When he calms down, can you tell him 'Well done' for me? He wouldn’t believe me anyway… Looks like I can’t talk to him for more than five minutes before start fighting again.”
Pepper smiled patiently, “That’s because he likes you.”
“Not sure about that,” Steve huffed a laugh. “It's like with his father... Their minds are like in a constant race, it's hard to keep up.”
“He can slow down. He just needs a good reason for it,” Pepper said, watching him look down. “Anyway, I'll tell him what you said to me. I’m sure he'll understand. Just take this,” she got closer and handed him a little card, “The Stark- the Avengers Tower will be always open for you, Steve. And call if you need anything.”
“I appreciate it. Really.” Steve took it, giving her a little smile. “Take care, Pepper.” He nodded goodbye and walked inside, waving a hand at Natasha and Bruce who did the same from the bar. Clint was standing next to the elevator, ready to give him a bag that he grabbed with a nod of thanks.
"Don't leave us hanging for too long, got it, Cap?" He said.
Steve nodded and watched him walk away. Taking a deep breath, he then entered the elevator and pressed the button to the first floor. Turning around, he saw Tony finishing his drink in the living room, staring at him in silence, but his cold expression betrayed a glimpse of sadness just before the doors closed.
* ︵‿︵‿︵‿︵ *
Steve’s plans after leaving the Tower almost a week before weren’t very clear: at first, he wanted to knock out the not-so-very stealthy SHIELD agents who were keeping an eye on him and just run away... He thought of going back to where his old house should be, just to stare at the new building probably built in its place. He also thought about using the number Natasha gave him and call Peggy… Other times, when at his worst, he wished to be still in the ice because the future wasn’t as bright as the people in the 40’s dreamed about.
The war, his war, ended a long time before... He sacrifices his own life for it, just to come back and start fighting another one against aliens from another dimension.
Despite how crazy it was, the soldier inside him kept telling him to follow the orders, to fight without questioning the madness all around him because apparently, this was normal now, everyone was able to deal with it, so he had to do the same. He just needed to ignore the fact that he had been three steps away from breaking down since he woke up 80 years in the future.
He still was Captain America, but he couldn't tell if that was a blessing or a curse anymore. Did people still need him in a future where aliens and Gods were walking and fighting along with them? A future where a man in a metal suit could fly into the void, save the world, and come back with just some scratches?
Just follow the orders. The soldier’s voice was tempting.
“Captain?”
Steve blinked and looked away from the city outside the window.
“Director Fury received an urgent call. I fear will be impossible for him to see you today,” the lady in a blue dress told him with a polite smile. “Would you like to leave him a message?”
Yeah, tell him that Steve Rogers will not be available for the rest of the year. Steve just shook his head, “No, thanks. I just wanted to give him the report on the city’s status. I can leave it to you?”
“Sure.” She took it and did a quick check on it before looking back at him, “Something else I can help you with?”
“No, that’s all.” He had spent days running all over the city and the HQ in the past few days. It was a relief to finally give those documents to someone else.
She nodded and smiled a little goodbye before walking back to the elevator.
Steve looked outside again, at the gray sky over the city of Washington, where SHIELD was building the new HQ. He heard the phone ringing and took it from his pocket: the message from Clint: Party is tomorrow evening at the Tower. You’d better be there. Steve sighed and put the phone away. Sure... A party was exactly what he was in the mood for.
He walked back to his room to change into more casual jeans and shirt, closing the jacket when he left the building and the cold wind of the evening hit his face.
Riding his motorcycle was probably one of the few things that helped him calm down, looking at the road and focusing on the sound of the wind into his ears… Until he parked next to the door of his apartment building and the phone rang again, this time a call. He sighed at the name appearing on the screen, “Hey Clint.”
“You’ll be there tomorrow, right?”
“I can read, you know?”
“Well, you didn’t answer.”
“Just got home,” he dropped from the motorcycle, “but yeah, I’ll be there tomorrow.”
“Good. Nat will be mad if you don’t. And we all fear that Tony will get as drunk as he can and start crying.”
Steve smiled patiently, “I doubt that, but I don’t doubt about Natasha.”
“So you’ll come?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright. Don’t forget.”
“I won’t. Everything’s alright there?”
“You would know if you’d found a moment to come here and say hi.”
“Fury kept me busy these days. Sorry.”
“You better find a better excuse for the others, tomorrow.”
“It’s not an excuse. You know him.”
“Fine, fine. See you tomorrow then. Bye.”
Steve ended the call and breathed out before entering the building and walking upstairs to his apartment. He opened the door, closed it, and placed the shield against the wall. Home, he thought looking at the place. Some boxes were still on the floor, waiting to be emptied.
He walked to the window and then something made him frown: he placed a hand on the wall to keep his balance while his vision started to go blurry. He felt a light burn on his hand and looking down at it, he saw that the palm was almost red, as if he had touched something hot…?
Turning to the door, he found a dark figure in front of it, waiting in the dark of the apartment. “Who are you?” Steve took a step forward, only to fall on one knee, feeling close to vomit.
“Sorry, that was a bit rude, I know,” said the figure, a male voice.
“What-?” Steve tried to stand, just to fall completely on the floor.
“I need to talk to you, Captain Rogers,” the man said. “It's going to be a long chat, I fear, so you can have a nice rest before we start. We’ll have time to talk later.”
Steve was going to faint not because of the pain, he just felt sick… Incredibly, horribly sick, like the worst flu of his life that he got when he saw just a kid, but that was impossible…
“Don’t fight it, Captain. Just relax. You were so tense all this week... You should take more care of yourself.”
The serum wasn’t stopping it… The serum should have stop any sickness, the dizziness…
Still angry, Steve closed his eyes because he couldn’t do anything else but lose consciousness.
* ︵‿︵‿︵‿︵ *
Steve woke up staring at a ceiling with a lamp turned off in the middle. The little room was quiet and immersed in a weak, gray light- hard to say if it was coming from a window behind him or some other point in the room.
He tried to move, but some big handcuffs were keeping him strapped to the bed by his wrists and ankles. Steve pulled again, but he was still feeling dizzy and weak- and he shouldn't be able to feel any of those things.
“Looks like the Captain is finally awake.”
Steve flinched a bit at the voice and tried to follow it behind him, turning his head until it almost hurt.
“No reason to panic. Everything’s fine.”
“Where am I?” Steve asked, rage filling every word, “And who are you?”
“So many questions, but I am not forced to give you any answer, am I?” Said the man while moving to sit on a chair next to him: the man had a strong accent, short sand-colored hair and dark eyes that were calm and focused on the soldier; he kept his hands in the dark long jacket when he sat down.
Steve studied him for a moment, “You better start talking.”
“Do I?”
“How long do you think you can keep me like this?”
“I would say… Until I will take that away from your arm.” The man said.
Steve followed his gaze and saw a needle in his left arm, some dark liquid dripping inside the IV bag close by. He pulled harder, trying to break free.
“Captain, please. Like I said, there is no need to panic.”
“What’s in there?” Steve yelled, “What are you doing to me?!” The last time he was in this kind of situation, he was ready to become Captain America, and it was a good thing, he agreed to do it, but still, the feelings of being a labrat under the looks of a bunch of doctors lingered. Now, he had no idea what was going on, and he surely didn't consent to be given anything.
The man looked at him until the soldier was calmer, “You want answers, and I can tell you something… Information, to help you relax.” He nodded to himself. “A good information is that I don’t want to kill you. Another one is that I will remove that from your arm very soon because, and this is another good thing to know, we have already done everything that needed to be done.”
Steve froze, staring at him.
“See? Good news. Soon you will be free to walk away.”
“What have you done to me?”
“Nothing more than what we needed.”
“Tell me what. What- who are you?” As the other just kept smiling, Steve screamed a furious “Tell me!”
“Let’s start from the beginning, shall we?” said the man, “My name is Christopher, and despite the situation, I’m very honored to know you, Captain Rogers.”
“Can't say the same goes for me.”
“I understand.”
Steve’s urge to punch that composed face was starting to drive him crazy, but also he felt his head clearer and he remembered something, “You were in my house… That was you? You poisoned me with- with what? What was that thing?”
“It was something we casually discovered, actually. It’s amazing how many things you can create with the right materials.” Christopher stared at him more seriously, “It wasn’t poison, Captain. Just something to help you relax.”
“So I should thank you for that?”
“Well, you slept a lot with the minimum use of it, so I presume you indeed needed rest. It must have been a very busy week for you.”
Steve dropped his head on the mattress, “You were following me...”
“Of course. It was part of the job-”
“What job?”
“and also we were curious to see Captain America’s ability to cope with another war," he continued, ignoring the question. "Sadly, I fear we missed the most interesting part. Aliens in New York,” he shook his head in disbelief, "What a time to be alive, right Captain?"
Steve frowned, “So you expect me to share information with you?”
“Oh no, we don’t need you for something that easy.”
“You won’t get my help for anything anyway.”
“We’ll decide that at the end of our conversation.” Christopher leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, “What we need you for, Captain, is to obtain one little thing we think you can provide to us without much trouble.”
Steve’s first thought went to the Tesseract, but that thing left the planet days before, along with Thor and Loki. He couldn't think of anything else as much as important. Unless…
Christopher smiled. “No, Captain, we don’t need your blood,” he said, as if he could read his mind. “We could get plenty of it at this moment,” he said looking at the IV for a moment.
“Why didn’t you?” Steve was confused, and nervous.
“We know the serum is a delicate matter, and we don’t need you to hunt us down to the end of the world to get it back. Our request is way easier: we just want you to take something for us.”
Steve scoffed. “You want me to steal something?”
Christopher nodded with another calm smile, “Not just something, of course. We need you to steal the New Element Anthony Stark created years ago.”
Steve’s confusion was probably clear like the sun on his face because the other nodded slowly to confirm the request. “Stark created a new element?” he asked, genuinely surprised.
Christopher sighed patiently, “Captain, we know you have read the files about all of your new friends… The Avengers, correct?”
“It didn’t say anything about a new element.”
“Forgive me, Captain, but I find that hard to believe.”
The thing was, Steve was telling the truth: the files on Tony talked about the Stark Industries, his kidnap, and his hostage days in Afghanistan where he started to create the Iron Man suit, and how Stark stopped selling weapons right after. It said something about an implant in his chest and Steve saw that blue light under his t-shirt on the Quinjet, but he didn’t know much about it, and there was much time to ask about it...
“Even if he told the world that he's Iron Man, that doesn’t mean that he likes to share much of his personal life with people,” Said Steve.
Christopher nodded slowly, “Not with you, it seems.” That said, he stood up.
Steve wished those words didn’t hurt, but they did.
Christopher moved in front of him with something similar to those tablets Bruce and Tony used, and after some working on it, he turned it for him to see: the screen showed a picture of Tony from far away, that blue light barely visible under the shirt again. Around the photo, there were drawings of something similar to a core of some sort.
“This is what Mr. Stark is hiding,” Christopher said, staring at him, “and it’s also the box that contains what we want.”
That’s the implant he has…?
Christopher lowered the screen, staring intently at him. “You really don’t know about it...”
Steve heard the curious tone in his voice and he didn't like it one bit. “Why do you need it?”
“That does not concern you.” He put the tablet away, “You just need to take it for us.”
Steve nodded with a sarcastic smile, “Sure. Free me and I’ll do it asap.”
Christopher smiled calmly again, “You will be free today, Captain, I promise you. And you will help us to obtain this little thing we need.”
“You better search for another thief. I’m sure there's plenty out there waiting for a stupid mission like this one.”
“It took us a lot of time to be prepared, Captain. Everything is settled now: you, Stark, the other Avengers members…”
Steve's eyes flashed in anger.
“Yes, we know lots of things, about your friends as well," Christopher nodded, “but we chose you for the task. I am sure that you are the perfect person for this mission, as you call it.”
Steve was still shaking his head, “I’ll pass. Betraying a teammate to help some freaks like you isn’t my style.”
“I know. I know that very well.” Christopher moved closer and started to unbutton his shirt.
Steve tried to move away from those hands calmly opening the fabric, and pushed the handcuff even harder.
“This. This makes me think that you will accept to do what we want.” Christopher said, moving to sit on the chair again.
Steve looked down at his chest: there was a barely visible scar where his heart was, as if he had been operated on recently. He stared at it for a moment and then looked at the man.
“I told you, we waited a long time before deciding it was time to start with our plan, Captain. We had a lot of time to think about everything and create the best strategy to get you to help us.”
“What have you done to me?”
“Something that will help you focus on the mission, keeping your eyes on Mr. Stark.”
Steve’s mind was spinning at full force, “What…?”
“It is an implant that will change you a bit, Captain. Altering your blood with minor risks.”
“My blood it’s already-“
“Not in the same way as the first time, no. We simply studied a way to make your body react to the New Element.” Christopher smiled as if he was explaining something truly amazing, “You will be connected to it, in a way. It took us time, and many tests to find the information we needed, but we are pretty sure that it will work.”
Steve didn’t say anything. His brain was still trying to catch up with every word he was hearing.
“If you will follow the plan, you will have nothing to fear, I promise. We just need the Element, and then you will be free again. We know how to reverse the connection too, of course.”
“How can I be- connected to an element?”
“You can see it like... An allergic reaction.” Christopher explained, “The reaction will be almost the same, except for one detail.” He stood up and stopped next to him again, “You will need to stay close to it, Captain, or you will fail the mission. Find the element, take it, and give it to us. That’s all.” A phone rang and he took it from his pocket, moving away to speak.
Steve was too confused to speak: connected to an element… allergic to it, but he needed to stay close to it or… or what?
Christopher ended the call and moved back next to him, looking calm as always. “I know it’s a lot to deal with, but we know you are a soldier- the perfect soldier, actually. I’m sure I have given you all the information you need.”
Steve nodded, “Yeah. I’m ready to punch you in the face and lock you and all your sick friends somewhere very far away from Stark.”
The other just smiled slightly, “I understand your anger, Captain, but there was no other choice. Everything is settled and everything will go as we planned. Find Mr. Stark, bring the Element to us and you will be free. You will never see us ever again.”
“If you really think-“
“You know how allergic reaction works, yes? You had some health problems in the past yourself, am I right?”
Steve tightened his fist, pulling again, starting to feel the handcuffs stir a bit. Finally.
“The reaction we created is much as simple: the more you will stay away from the Element, the more you will have problems breathing, moving, and seeing… It will be a long and stressful process because of your healing skills, I presume.” Christopher made an almost sorry face, “It could send you into a coma, or actually kill you, we weren't able to predict that fat, but I am sure you will test it yourself once we'll let you go. Please, be careful.”
“Everything's settled and you’re not sure about the consequences… or if it’ll work at all?”
“It’s still a prototype, after all. We are… 97% sure it will work,” Christopher said with an apologetic smile.
“And what if that 3% wins?”
Christopher thought for a moment, “If that happens, you will be free and we will probably need to leave this country and never come back.”
“Kidnapping me, telling me about your plans to steal the Element, threatening my team... You really think we’ll just let you get away with it? If is going to work at all?”
“It's still 97% on our favor, Captain.” He patted his arm, but his glare was now dark, “Don’t be too full of yourself.”
Steve watched him playing with the handcuff. “What are you doing?”
“I keep my promises,” he said moving away.
Steve frowned, realizing a second later that his wrists were free: he instantly got his ankles free too, pulling so hard that the little bed flipped and he was on his feet, ready to jump on that crazy man and punch him to death, but he stopped after two steps.
Christopher had the tablet out again, showing him different places, and different cameras around New York: a park with kids playing, a bank, a school, and a hospital. “Easy there, Captain.” He said softly, but looking at him with that dark glare again.
Steve stared at the screen without moving. He already knew what all that was about.
“If you kill me now, or if you try to say something to someone about our plan... Or if the worse happens and you fail the mission, these places will be destroyed.” Christopher's tone was cold but still with that shadow of politeness. “I told you we had all the time to think about every possibility.”
Steve didn’t move, hands clenched in fists.
Christopher put away the device, “I knew you would understand.”
“I won’t steal anything for you.”
“Oh? Captain America is ready to let all those people die?”
“It could be a bluff.”
“It could be," Christopher nodded, grabbing his phone. “We can easily prove it. Shall we?”
Steve watched the man place the phone close to his ear and tried to think, think about anything that could save him from the situation, but if those places were really in danger… If those people's lives really were in his hands now…
“It’s me. The Captain asked to show him-“
“Wait.”
Christopher stopped, looking at the soldier who just kept staring angrily at him. “Never mind. Yes, almost done.” He ended the call. “Good choice, Captain. We are serious enough to kidnap you, after all. If you don’t believe us, you will just need to go against the rules and see what happens.”
“You’re insane.”
“Am I? I think we just had a nice conversation here. I need you to do something for me, nothing more.”
“Nothing more aside from the blackmail.”
“We are not stupid, Captain. We know it would be impossible for us to take the Element. Stark is very good at defending himself from the rest of the world… That’s why we think that someone already inside his castle could succeed where we can’t.”
“You think I can fool him?”
“You think you can’t?”
“We fought together, that doesn’t mean-“
“That means that he trusts you enough,” Christopher continued, “and I am sure you will be able to use that to your advantage. Stark is just a man, after all. And you are the most perfect soldier ever created.” He smiled when the other just shook his head, looking away. “Still, I know it will take some time, so there's no rush. This way.” He opened the door and left it open for him.
Steve followed him down a little staircase that led him outside: they were under a bridge, it was New York. He turned around and stared at the big truck they just walked out of.
“The Tower is right in front of us.” Christopher said, pointing ahead and checking his watch, “I think the reaction will start working quickly, so don’t waste your time on any stupid decision, will you, Captain?”
“I still have faith in that 3%.”
“I know you do,” he smiled, going back to the vehicle, “and I will give you that. Only once. Have a good day.”
Steve watched him for a moment and then started to walk away. This is crazy. All of this- this has to be a nightmare... It has to be!
He reached the street while buttoning his shirt. He looked back and the truck was gone. Taking a deep breath, a hand over his chest, Steve looked up where the top of the Stark Tower was visible over the other buildings.
Steve then looked for a public telephone, going the opposite way. He needed to call Fury. Or Bruce, or Natasha, someone needed to be warned, to know what was happening and-
Steve slowed his pace, blinking: his head was spinning slightly, like the beginning of getting drunk. “Damn it…” he moved unsteadily over the closest wall, trying to focus. He needed that 3%, just that…
“Like I said, I've given you a free chance to test the device, Captain.”
Steve recognized the voice, but only feeling a needle piercing his neck gave him enough energy to move away with a half roar, falling against the wall.
Christopher put the syringe away and said with a cold face, “You now know there is no 3% and I will let you go away with this futile attempt. Only this one. I won’t help you again.”
“What’s in the syringe?”
“Something that will help you stay alive long enough to reach the tower, as I asked you,” Christopher said, sitting on a nearby bench, looking at the people walking around in the morning traffic. “Next warning will be an explosion in this beautiful city you fought so much to protect. We're not joking, and we are ready to prove it to you.”
“What if I decide to die, then?”
“Here? Now?” The other looked a bit surprised, considering those words. “Well, it could be a solution, I guess. In that case, we will feel obligated to help you.”
Steve frowned a moment and suddenly there was pain spreading into his whole chest, strong enough to make him bend forward a bit.
“We have control over that little thing we put under your skin, and we really can't afford to lose it. I'm sure you understand.”
“You son of a-“
“Don’t be rude, Captain, we are in the street. Kids could hear you.”
Steve kept a hand over his heart and just waited, looking down.
“So, we need to help you or not?”
“No.”
“Good. Very good. We will stay in touch and be ready for it, just in case.” Christopher stood up, “We are not joking around, Captain. Do not do anything stupid again. I say this for your own good, and the other’s too.”
Steve felt the pain starting to lessen. He looked up, but Christopher was gone, disappearing through the crowd of people. He grabbed tightly the fabric of the shirt and took a deep breath before looking up at the tower again.
For now, there was no other choice.