Stars Stripes and Metal

New Beginnings

Fall, 2015. New Avenger's Compound, Upstate New York.

It had been a few weeks since Sokovia. Fall had moved into New York. Although the leaves hadn't changed colors yet, the mornings are colder and the nights more brisk. After Ultron's attack inside the  Avenger's tower, and then then mess with Vision. Tony moved the remaining Avengers into an old warehouse in upstate New York. The facility had been updated and Tony spared no expense making sure everyone was comfortable.

The Avengers took a hard hit after Sokovia. Bruce took off in the cloaked quinjet, and his location untraceable. He ignored Natasha's calls, she's taken it hard. Clint left, stating that he was retiring but gave Ana an open invitation to the Barton house whenever she needs. The spare room is hers. Tony decided to take time off, not letting anyone know when or if he would be returning.

Steve and Ana's relationship is rocky. They don't talk about what happened in Sokovia, how Steve was devastated thinking Ana had died. How he lost it and destroyed $300,000 worth of equipment. How he prayed to every god he could think of, begging for her to not be gone. Or how he practically proposed to her when she and Thor landed in the Safe Zone an hour after the explosion. He was so happy she was alive. Like he had a reason for living again. 

It was the first time she saw him cry, she held him until he settled. They don't talk about how they laid together that night. How strained it had been, almost forced. They blamed stress and high emotions from the day but haven't been together intimately since. They don't talk about how Ana tried to comfort him for weeks but he kept pushing her away, convinced that he can't handle losing her again. So if that means not having her at all then he won't. Eventually she stopped trying. A week after Steve stopped showing her affection, Ana started her search for James.

Still when he thinks know no one is looking, he steals a glance. Or holds her gaze too long. Careful not to touch her. She preferred when he acted like her hated her, at least he touched her then. The atmosphere between them too thick, too heavy with worlds left unsaid, feelings unshared. Neither willing to truly let go, nor willing to try again. They were in limbo. Working together has starting becoming difficult, Ana doesn't stay in the same room as him unless she has too. Every day that passed Ana got angry, more hurt.

One morning in early September, Thor stuck his head into Ana's room. She took her ear buds out of her ears and gave him a warm smile. "Hey you."

He blushes slightly, "Hey little one."

She rolls her eyes at his nickname for her, truth is she loves it. She owes him her life, and she's beyond grateful to him for saving her twice.

"What's going on?" She asks, her face worried after noticing his wearing his armor.

"I came to say goodbye." His eyes sad.

"No, why?" She whines.

"I need answers, and I can not get them here."

Ana nods, "will you be back?"

Of course, "we're Avengers aren't we? The world will always need saving. I'll be back when you need me. Besides I can't leave my best girl alone with the Witless Wonder." Ana throws her head back as she laughs at Thor's new name for Steve.

"He's a fool for letting you go."

Ana shrugs, sadness in her eyes.

"You know how to get ahold of me?"

Ana smirks. "Yes, I stand in the middle of the yard, scream your name as loudly as I can to the sky and you will descend from the Heaven's like the God of Thunder that you are." She looks at him affectionally, and holds his hand.