A Heart Break In Time

Yep. We're All Kinds Of Stubborn.

I laid back on my bed and groaned. I didn't expect finding Wanda to be easy, but I definitely didn't expect any of this. I know she's happy in her illusion, and I almost wish we could leave her there. If anyone deserves a whole revolving around them, it's her. But she had to take a whole town hostage with her. I sighed and rolled onto my stomach, I thought of everyone else. Thor was off fighting in space with the others. Carol was... god knows where. My mind wandered to Steve and I shook my head. Nope. Fuck that.

I sat up in the bed and grabbed my phone and called Sam. It rang twice before he picked up.

"Talia." He sighed. "It's not the best time."

"What's going on?"

I heard traffic in the background. "I was just at the bank, trying to get a loan to save the boat. It... didn't go well. Apparently being erased from existence for 5 years makes me a liability."

"How much do you need?"

There was quiet on the other line. "What?"

I rolled my eyes. "I have a wedding fund. And no wedding. How much do you need, Sam?"

"I can't do that. I can't take money from you."

"You'll pay me back, I know. It's fine. Just give me a number."

Sam sighed before he answered. "I appreciate it, seriously. But I can't take money from you. I'll figure it out. Besides, just 'cause you don't have a wedding now doesn't mean you won't."

I laughed. "Right. Okay."

"I'm serious. Don't be like that."

"If you say so, Sammy."

Sam chuckled. "I gotta go, though. But thanks. And I'm glad you called. Nice to hear a familiar voice."

"Next time you call me, 'Kay? And think about the money. I miss you."

"Yeah, you too." And then the line disconnected.

I got up out of the bed and took a quick shower. I dried off and threw on a tshirt before climbing in bed and turning on the tv.

"We need a real person who embodies America's greatest values. We need someone to inspire us again, someone who can be a symbol for all of us. So, on behalf of the Department of Defense and our Commander-in-Chief, it is with great honor that we announce here today that the United States of America has a new hero. Join me in welcoming your new Captain America."

"YOU GOTTA BE FUCKING KIDDING ME!" I threw the remote.

Flashback

"You know, and thank you by the way. For listening. Plus, something about just getting it off my chest, and putting it out there in the atmosphere, instead of holding this in... I mean, this is what gets people sick, you know. Wow, I had no idea you two were such a good listeners. To be able to share all my intimate thoughts and my experiences with someone, it just cuts the weight of it in half. You know, it's like a snake swallowing its own tail. Everything comes full circle." Tony was talking and I realized Bruce and I had both dozed off. I pushed his shoulder as Tony kept talking.

Bruce didn't wake up. "Bruce!" I whispered. Nothing.

"And the fact that you've been able to help me process..." Tony turned to us and rubbed his eyes. "Are you with me?" Bruce startled awake.

"Sorry... I was, yeah. We were at, uh..."

Tony crossed his arms. "Were you two actively napping?"

"I uh-" I stuttered.

"I was... I... I drifted." Bruce admitted.

"Where did I lose you?" Tony rolled his eyes. 

"Elevator in Switzerland."

Tony scoffed. "So, you heard none of it?"

"I made it to the part about me!" I volunteered.

Tony rolled his eyes. "Course you did, kid. Thanks for that."

"I'm sorry. I'm not that kind of doctor. I'm not a therapist. It's not my training." Bruce attempted to explain but quite frankly Tony didn't care.

"So?"

"I don't have the..."

"What? The time?"

"Temperament."

Tony gave a huge smile. "You know what? Now that I think about it... Oh! God, my original wound. 1983, all right?"

Bruce sighed and slumped back on the couch. "Yes."

"I'm 14 years old, I still have a nanny. That was weird."

I reached out to grab his hands. "Tony, Tony."

"Yeah, kid?"

"We get it, you defeated the mandarin, got rid of the glowy chest thing, and you had a crappy childhood. You wanted me here for a reason?"

"Yeah, Fury called me. About you."

"Okay?"

"I don't like getting phone calls." He stated.

I raised an eyebrow. "I didn't ask him to call you."

"I know. He wanted me to talk to you about something. Hold on. I wanna get this right." He pulled out a black piece of fabric and cleared his throat, he placed the fabric over his left eye when he spoke. "I'm here to talk to you about the Avengers initiative."

*

"Buck, call me. I know you're freaking out right now. I am too. Just... don't kill Sam. Call me." I emphasized on the voicemail message. I hung up but quickly tried calling again. When Bucky didn't answer for the third time I decided I'd just have to wait. I walked outside of my hotel room and was immediately swarmed by paparazzi. Great.

There were flashes of cameras and people yelling my name. "Hey, Mrs. America." I groaned at my old public nickname. "How do you feel about the new Captain America?"

"First of all, my name is Talia Aimilios. Not Mrs. anything." I pushed by then stopped. "There's only ever been one Captain America. That's it. You don't just get handed the shield. You can't just pick the first blonde haired, blue eyed soldier you see and bam, Captain America. And that's the last thing I will say about it." I walked out of the crowd and my phone rang. Sam.

"Sam."

"You saw." He replied, not asking.

I sighed. "Yeah. Already getting hounded by the paparazzi about it..."

"Why am I surprised? You all right?"

"You'd think there being a new Cap would mean I wouldn't get called Mrs. America and yet..." he laughed and I continued. "I'm pissed, but I'm fine. How about you?"

There was a bit of silence before he answered. "I don't know."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Have you talked to Bucky? I called him, he's gotta be freaking out."

Sam didn't answer, but I heard yelling in the background. I couldn't make it out, but I could hear Sam's reply. "Good to see you too, Buck."

I stopped walking. "He's there?"

Sam didn't answer me. Just replied to Bucky. "Hey, hey, look, I'm working, all right? So all this outrage is gonna have to wait. Talia, I gotta go." And then the line disconnected.

Great.