A long story

Chapter 2

Steve's POV

"If we don't get that stone, billions of people stay dead"

"Then I guess we both know who it's going to be"

"I guess we do"

I approach while trying to remain discreet to listen to the rest of their conversation.

"For the last five years I've been trying to do one thing, get to right here. That's all it's been about. Bringing everybody back."

"Oh, don't you get all decent on me now"

"What, you think I want to do it ? I'm trying to save your life, you idiot."

"Yeah, well, I don't want you to, because I- Natasha, you know what I've done. You know what I've become."

"I don't judge people on their worst mistakes"

"Maybe you should"

"You didn't"

"You're a pain in my ass, you know that ?"

They put their forehead against each other for a few moments when Clint blocks Natasha on the ground.

"Tell my family I love them"

Natasha spins around and knocks Clint on the ground before getting up and pointing her bracelet in his direction.

"You tell them yourself"

She electrocutes him and starts running to jump over the cliff but Clint shoots an arrow that explodes and knocks Nat on the ground. He starts running and when he jumps, Nat comes up behind him and attaches him to a harness.

I stand up and Red Skull begins to see me.

"Steven, son of..."

"Shut up Red Skull"

I focus back on Nat and Clint and I feel like this moment is going to haunt me for a while.

"Damn you !"

"Let me go"

"No. Please, no."

"It's okay"

"Please..."

He doesn't have time to finish his sentence that Nat gives momentum with her feet and throws himself into the void. I get to see her head smash against the ground and Clint mourning the death of his friend. I wait several minutes to digest the scene I just saw, then I turn to Red Skull.

"You said a soul for a soul then that's the soul stone, bring Nat back"

"Always trying to play the hero. You're just a laboratory experience, Rogers"

"Don't start pissing me off I'm not in the mood. Now bring her back."

"As you wish"

He snaps his fingers and the stone disappears from my hand.

"Don't try to fool me"

"Patience is the key to everything"

"I'm a little out of patience here"

"We're almost done"

I try to calm down and wait a little longer. After a while I see Natasha's body appear but something is wrong.

"Why doesn't she wake up ?"

"She reappeared as when she sacrificed herself. In your place, I'll take her for treatment."

I take her body and quickly descend the cliff then take Vision's body and plan my return. I close my eyes and when I open them again, I'm back in the HQ garden.

"Steve, you..."

"I don't have time Buck, help me take her to the infirmary"

"You did it, you brought her back" says Yelena. She leans close to her sister and whistles a tune. I don't try to figure out what this is about as Bucky and I head for the infirmary, followed by Yelena.

Bruce takes charge of her and asks us to leave for the time of the operation. I suddenly remember Vision's body in the garden.

"Bruce I have a question"

"I'm listening"

"I brought Vision's body back, you think you could use what Shuri taught you to bring it back to life"

"I think I can, bring him to me"

I go get him and bring him Vision's body. I leave the room and find Yelena.

"Can I help you ?" I ask. She doesn't answer but takes me in her arms and hugs me.

"Thank you. She's the dearest person to me in the world. I don't know what I would do without her."

"You're welcome. I also care very much for your sister and she is essential to my life."

"Can I stay at the HQ for several months ? I want to be there for her."

"Sure"

She leaves to settle in the living room and sits on the sofa. Bucky comes up behind me and hugs me.

"You made it, you brought her back"

"Now let's hope she wakes up"

I look at the time and notice that it is barely 6:30p.m. but I go to bed because the events of the day have exhausted me. I haven't seen Wanda all day but I'm going to see her tomorrow to tell her her double good news. I fall asleep easier than during the last few days.

Time skip

I wake up a little violently and see that it's Bucky.

"What's going on ?"

"She woke up"