Retaliation

Chapter 30 Goodbyes

"Remember. You have to return the stones to the exact moment you got 'em or you're gonna open up a bunch of nasty alternative realities." Bruce instructed Steve.

Bruce and Tony had managed to get another time machine working. Steve has tasked himself, and himself alone, to return the stones to the exact times and places from where we took them. It was a bittersweet moment. I had no idea if the others knew too but I kept my mouth shut, trying not to let the sadness show on my face. Though I couldn't fool Jasmine, she stood close next to me trying to comfort me. Though, the behavior could also be because of Bucky despite me telling her there was nothing going on between us.

"Don't worry, Bruce," Steve reassured. "Clip all the branches." Jasmine and I were standing next to him along with Sam. Bucky and Tony were standing by themselves a couple of feet behind me. Judging by both of their reactions, it was very well possible that both of them knew. That or Steve had just told Bucky and the playboy genius figured it out by himself much like I had deduced.

"You know, I tried. When I had the gauntlet. The stones. I really tried to bring her back... I miss her man." Bruce whispered referring to Natasha.

"Me too." Steve comforted.

"You know if you want, I could come with you." Sam offered.

"You're a good man, Sam. This one's on me though." Steve then glanced over at Bucky and walked over to him. "Don't do anything stupid till I get back." He joked.

"How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." Bucky shot back with a weak smile on his face. The two then pulled each other in for a hug. "Gonna miss you, buddy," Bucky whispered.

"It's gonna be ok, Buck," Steve whispered back. 

It confused me why Bucky wasn't going back with him. I would have to ask about that later.

"Hey man, can you hurry up already? I don't have all day." Tony announced.

Steve took the stones and Mjolnir and walked onto the machine. He pushed the button on his wrist to activate his suit while the machine turned on.

"How long is this gonna take?" Sam asked Bruce.

"For him, as long as he needs. For us, five seconds. You ready, Cap?" Steve gave him a nod. "All right, we'll meet you right back here, ok?"

"You bet."

"Going quantum. Three...two...one." Bruce pulled the lever and sent Steve back in time. Bucky, Jasmine, Sam, Tony, and I all stood around the machine. "And returning in five...four...three...two...one." Bruce flipped the switch but Steve didn't come back, sending Sam into a rage.

"Where is he?" Sam asked. Bruce hastily pushed buttons like his life depended on it.

"I don't know. He blew right by his timestamp. He should be here."

I noticed Jasmine had walked off with Bucky right behind her. Leave it to her to notice something was off and went to confront whatever it was first. I noticed she looked back behind her and gave Bucky a confused look. Bucky just gave a weak smile in response.

"Get him back!" Sam shouted at Bruce.

"I'm trying."

"Get him the hell back!"

"Hey, I said I'm trying."

"Sam." Bucky cut the two off, bringing Sam's attention over to him. We all walked over to where the two were standing. The five of us looked out onto a bench where an old man was sitting. "Go ahead," Bucky assured Sam.

It couldn't be, though, I'm not sure what else I was expecting.

Sam turned to him, giving him a look of confusion before we made his way to the man. As he neared his face lit up with realization. "Cap?"