The Other Rogers

Chapter 45

Steve sighed, leaning against the door to the medical bay.

Anya was sleeping peacefully, for the first time since the battle. He knew he had to be there for her, but he didn't know how.

He wondered what their mother would do in a situation like this, but funny enough the thought of their mother had him thinking of Tony.

For a sarcastic man who hated letting people see his emotions, he was such a mother hen. Speaking of the scientist, Steve wondered how he was, where he was.

From what Bruce had told them; Tony had been with a real-life Sorcerer, from New York. He had Pietro with him; until Thanos' children arrived, then out of nowhere Bruce had seen Peter, the kid who had spider attributes.

Now, they had three members unaccounted for, and he just hoped that none of them had fell victim to Thanos' snap.

Sighing, he left the room and headed up to his own floor. Entering the bathroom, he crumpled, folding into himself at the sight of the man who stared back at him through the mirror.

Natasha and Anya had both teased him about the facial hair, saying that it wasn't very patriotic; nor was it him.

He had to agree with them; the beard had been a bet between him and Bucky, to see who could grow theirs out the quickest; now that Bucky was gone, he didn't feel like keeping it, so with a heavy heart, he shaved it off.

The shaking of the mirrors is what caught his attention.

Thinking it was a small quake, he held on the framed glass, only to gasp in fright as it continued to shake.

He wasn't alone in the confusion. Rhodey, Natasha, Bruce and Pepper were all making their way across the field that laid at the back of the compound.

Joining them, Steve held onto Natasha's hand as they watched as yet another spaceship flew over them. this time, there was a glowing person helping it fly.

Jaws hung open as the person revealed to be none other than Carol Danvers, a special person that personally knew Nick Fury.

If she was here, that was a clear sign, a bright flashing neon sign that Fury was among those who dusted away.

The door to the ship opened and a blue woman, a metal woman upon closer inspection helped a skinny and weak appearing Tony down the steps.

Running to help her, Steve pulled the shaking form of his friend into his arms while the woman disappeared back into the ship only to return holding a sleeping Pietro.

Thank God, at least not all was lost.

Steve couldn't see Peter anywhere, and that worried him.

Tony peered up at Steve, tears in his eyes. "Couldn't stop him."

Steve swallowed harshly, blinking back his own when he thought of the magnitude level at which they had failed. "Neither could I."

Tony coughed, leaning all of his weight, which wasn't much, against Steve, he pointed to the ship. "I lost the kid. Speedy survived though."

Holding his friend to him, Steve hugged him tightly, being mindful of his state. "Tony, we lost." He frowned as Tony teared up, several tears falling.

Tony's mouth opened and closed until finally words managed to find their way out, "Is, uh...?"

Pepper cried out, running towards the two men, her hand covering her mouth as she finally cried in relief. "Oh, my God! Oh, my God!"

The two lovers embraced, which only made Steve feel worse. He wasn't able to protect those he cared for.

Natasha was still here, and to prove that to him, her slender arms wrapped around his waist, but poor Anya, her love wasn't here; not to mention Pietro's twin, and Vision.