Stars Stripes and Metal

Phoenix

Wakanda, Africa. October 2023

Ana's eyes jolt open, air fills her lungs. Every millisecond she inhales feels like fire. Her hand move to her chest, willing her body to accept the air being forced into it. She feels like this is the first breath she's ever taken. She blinks once her lungs begin to function properly. Tilting her head from side to side she looks around, trying to place herself. She sits up, acknowledging her clothing is too tight, particularly around her stomach. She looks down, her suit.

Why am I in my suit? Where are am I?

Ana looks through the trees, and sees Wakanda in the distance.

Wakanda. Then it hits her, the fight. Thanos snapping his fingers, James turning into ashes before her eyes.

James!

Ana looks around frantically, seeing him laying a few feet away, his hair covering his face. She struggles to her feet, trying to get to him. Her body sluggish like it hasn't moved in years.

James, Ana's voice hoarse and pained. She hears him inhale sharply.

Ana breathes a sigh of relief, she reaches him and lifts the hair from his eyes and cups his face. Her thumb rubs his bottom lip while she leans over him.

Hi soldier.

Doll. He tries to sit up, struggling as he does. What happened?

I don't know, I think we lost. She looks around, trying to stand and reaching down for his hand. She pulls him to his feet and he wraps his around around her waist.

Panic starts to rip through her, Where is Steven? She ask quietly.

Steven! Ana yells, breaking free from James' arms.

Silence. Oh god. Steven. She yells louder.

Ana? A man's voice calls to her from her left. She spins in the direction of the voice.

Sammy? She runs to him, he looks her over quickly checking to make sure she's alright. He wraps her in a tight hug. He nods at James who is making his way over to them.

Where is he honey? Where Cap? Sam asks.

Ana pulls away, her face full of worry. I... I ... don't know.

We'll find him.

Wait, my phone. Ana pats her suit until she finds her phone. Quickly dialing her husbands number and turning away from James. Her breathing increases rapidly as the phone rings quietly on the other end. Ana closes her eyes.

Pick up. Pick up. Please... pick up Steven. She whispers.

Baby? His voice confused and shocked, and a little relieved.

Ana gasps, Steven.

Hi baby. He's a little calmer now.

Where are you? She asks him, holding her hand out for James who takes it without hesitation.

At the compound, where are you? He asks he, Ana can sense the worry in his voice.

Wakanda.

The line goes dead. Ana inhales sharply, Steven?

Nothing.

Steven! She looks at her phone, it appears to be fine. What the hell?

She dials the number again. This time it doesn't ring.

Something is wrong. We need to get to New York. She looks between James and Sam, James grabs her. Holding her tightly. He can see the panic building.