Stars Stripes and Metal

The Calm

Wakanda, Africa. September 2018.

Ana shifts restlessly in her seat, trying to get comfortable enough to fall asleep. An impossible task she's been trying to accomplish since the team New York 8 hours ago. Steve looks over seeing Ana make an uncomfortable face as she pulls at her suit across her tummy. Kevlar plus the nylon and spandex blend make her feel like a stuffed sausage. Steve can't help but smile at her discomfort, knowing it's his baby boy making her uncomfortable.

The jet flights over the misty hills of Eastern Africa. Clouds sit in the valleys in between the hills as the rising sun moves above the horizon. The landscape before them a mix of pale grey and bright hazy yellow. Steve sees Lake Victoria and decides it's time to wake his poor wife. She's going to be a miserable mess.

We're here baby. Steve pushes the loose strands of black hair that fell from her braid out of her angelic face. She blinks slowly, not wanting to wake up in Wakanda. Wheels down in 10. Steve announces slightly louder to the group. Everyone nods, or shows some indication that they understand.

Ana looks around after Steve walks back over to the cockpit, where Sam is piloting the jet. Drop to 2600, heading 0-3-0. He orders.

Sam waves his hand dismissively. I remember how to get here Cap.

She smiles seeing the interaction and the look Steve gives Sam. Ana looks around to her team, everyone seemed to have migrated to their other person. Vision and Wanda sit close together. Her legs draped across his lap, her hand at his shoulder. Their faces close together. Natasha sits near the communications center while Bruce stands next to her. His arms folded across his chest as they quietly hold a conversation. Natasha catches Ana's eye, the two women share a brief smile before Natasha turns her attention back to Bruce. Good for her. Rhodes and Sam fly the jet while Steve supervises.

He turns his attention back to Ana. She offers him a small smile just before she spots the landscape before her instantly transform as the shield cloaking the city gives way to Wakanda. Her smiles fades and she sighs heavily.

As if someone turned on a light switch, the familiar pull towards James builds inside her chest, something she didn't realize was missing until now. Hitting her like freight train, without warning, happening so fast it nearly takes her breath away. Steve watches Ana struggle with the suddenly closeness to Bucky, and they haven't even landed yet.

Sam maneuvers the jet around the city twice between touching down in the small air field at that center of the city, outside the palace. T'Challa and the Dora Milaje gather to greet the Avengers as they depart from the jet, T'challa at the front, Okoye next to him. Ana smiles seeing her old friend through the windshield. Sam starts flipping switches and pressing buttons immediately after the wheels touch the tarmac, shutting the jet down and opening the back ramp.

Everyone stands and prepares to disembark, except Ana. She looks down at her shaking hands, she hates that James gets her this worked up. Steve sighs and walks over to his wife, grabbing her hands.

You don't have to see him right away. He tries to comfort her.

Ana chuckles softly and raises her eyebrows, he's right out side baby. I'll have no choice.

He quickly kisses her, his hands moving to her neck, holding her steady as his tongue dances across her. Ana sighs and melts into him and the kiss.

I love you baby. He reminds her.

I love you Cap.

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