Worthy

Part 58 - You Didn't Have Me

The only time Thor's hand leaves yours is when you finally get back to the compound. Standing waiting for you is Tony, instantly you run to him, wrapping him in your arms as you launch yourself on him. "Easy Kate." Bruce warns, but Tony grips you tighter as you try to pull away.

"It's worth all the pain." He smiles, making you pull back harder. "I'm fine Kate," Like Frigga he brushes your hair from your face. "But if you EVER do that again then..." He huffs out, trying to keep himself composed, eyes watering. "Don't ever leave me like that again, you hear me."

"I promise," You laugh before he hugs you again. Finally letting you go, Bruce grabs you too; while Vision gives you a curt nod while the rest of the team head back in.

"Good to see you again Brooks," Fury meets you in the doorway. "How was your vacation?" He gives you a small smile, before pulling you into a small hug.

"OK, who are you and what have you done with Nick Fury?" Tony asks, hand placed on your back.

"Just glad to have my sharpest tool back in the set," he laughs, placing a hand on your shoulder. "Take as much time as you need, OK?"

"Seriously?" You hear Barton and Nat laugh behind you. "Who are you?"

As you walk further in, you can still see the damage from Thanos' attack. You're not quite sure how long you were away for, but so far nothings been repaired. "OK, everyone." Tony shouts out. "Cheeseburgers all round. Get washed up and ready." As everyone walks away, you search for Thor, not seeing him.

"Tony, I need some time." You pull at his arm. "Thor..." You start to well up at the memory of Loki and Odin. Tony looks around him too, finally seeing who's missing.

"Go," he kisses your forehead. "They'll fill me in." You kiss his cheek and head straight for Thor's bedroom. "OK," Tony starts as you disappear from view. "What's up with the big guy?"

"He lost his father," Steve says sadly. Bruce and Tony sigh in sympathy. "Odin sacrificed himself for Loki."

"And Thor gave him the throne," Nat chimes in, gripping Bruce's hand tightly.

"Wow," Bruce sighs heavily, running a hand through his hair. "No wonder he's so..."

"Look I agree, it's sad." Quill interrupts. "And I feel for the guy I do, but we need to get out there looking for Gamora. Stopping Thanos. Not sitting here and..."

"I AM GROOT!" A tiny voice rings out.

"He's right Quill, shut up." Rocket marches forward. "Normally I'm all with you for the destruction, that's my favourite part. But you just saw what he could do, Thanos is big time dangerous."

"I am Groot."

"Yeah yeah," Rocket sighs, tapping Groot lightly on the head. "And that's your sisters boyfriend. Give them some time."

"The tree," Tony stops as Groot throws him a look that someone shakes him. "Sorry. Groot is right. I get you want your girl back, but we got Kate back. Small wins. We need to rest up and get back to full strength."

"But..." Quill starts to object when Drax places a hand on his shoulder, his stony silence enough to make Quill stop. "Fine." He marches off outside. "Have you fixed my ship yet Rocket?" He yells, making Rocket sigh and follow after him.

"We have another problem." Fury starts, finishing off a conversation with Steve, turning everyone's attention back to him. "Thanos not only caused havoc on Asgard." He takes a pause, "But he got the tesseract too."

"What?"

"Heimdall told me, before we left." Steve admits. "He didn't want to cause anymore strain to Thor and Kate."

"That's why they were able to vanish so quickly?" Nat blurts out, finally realising.

"So now he has two?" Tony rubs his forehead. "Man I wished I had been there..."

"Wouldn't have changed anything Tony." Bruce admits. "Rocket has us monitoring Knowhere. If he uses any of the stones there, then..."

"Then we know he has the reality stone. He'll head back here." Steve can't help but look over at Vision. "We need Doctor Strange..."

"Already been informed." Fury replies. "He's making some arrangements and will join us first thing in the morning."

"That may be too late..." Tony sighs, looking down the hallway once again to where you left. "Well, you guys get cleaned up and we'll get some food. Go over everything again..."

The door to the compound bursts open, Parker practically running in. "Sorry, but I couldn't wait for Happy..." he sighs, out of breath, looking around at everyone's resigned looks. "Did you get her? Is Kate home?" Tony can't help but smile and nod. "Is.. is she OK?" He asks.

"She's fine kid." Tony grabs him, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. "She just needs some time." Parker, desperate to see you wants to protest, but the look on Tony's face stops him. He simply nods.

***

After dropping some food off at your door, Tony marches back through to the group, now sitting silently just eating. "I'm sorry," Steve sighs before getting up. "But I think Quill's right. I feel like we should be doing something."

"Like what Cap? Go to Knowhere and get our asses kicked again? Turn Vision into a Christmas decoration and hope he doesn't notice?"

"Your not helping Tony." Nat mumbles in between bites.

"Well what is his bright idea?" Tony shouts, frustrated. The fight with Thanos weighing heavily on his mind; a mixture of guilt and fear overriding him.

"I don't know, OK!" Steve yells in frustration. "Just something..." He sits back down, head in his hands.

"Always ready for a war ain't ya Cap?" Tony lets out, not meaning to. Steve's eyes darken and the two end up staring at each other, daggers being thrown between them. "I'm sorry," Tony puts his hands up. "It was meant to be a joke."

"Whatever," Steve sighs before once again looking down.

***
"Come on," Quill sighs, eyes never leaving the sky. "Said you'd be here by now."

"Quill, did you use up the last of the power?" Rocket yells. "I told you not to put too much pressure on her, she's still getting there."

"Yeah. I had to send a message" Quill replies, not taking his eye off the sky. "We need some serious help." Confused, Rocket marches up to see what he's looking at, before realisation hits him.

"You idiot!" He yells. "That guy is...is..."

"Here." Quill smiles, as a bright light starts to descend, landing close to the Milano.

***

As the team still sit contemplating what their next move should be the commotion from outside draws some of their attention. "I'll check it out," Steve marches onwards, desperate to just do something.

The footsteps meet him as he reaches the door; a mixture of laughter and Rocket's incessant complaining. "Steve!" Quill smiles proudly, as he walks through the door. "Just the guy..."

"This is a bad idea," Rocket sighs before walking away. Steve, although hesitant as Rocket's words can't help but be swept up by Quill's enthusiasm.

"Never mind him," Quill smiles, before opening the door to reveal a stranger. The guy is shorter than Quill, but with a similar build, but the arrogance of him is the first thing Steve notices. "Let me introduce you to someone who could help us. This is my father, Ego."

"Nice to meet you Cap." Ego grins, sending shivers down Steve's spine. He couldn't tell why, but this guy's name suited him. He was full of it, and instantly it put Steve on edge.

"Uh, hi" Ever the gent, Steve extends his hand out for Ego to shake. Instantly ignoring it, Ego smiles and walks past him towards the sound of the rest of the team. An argument had broken out, half the team agreeing with Steve, the other half with Tony.

"What could we possibly gain Wanda? Vision is strong, yes, but he's also a target. What makes you think that would work?" Bruce asks frustrated.

"You didn't have me." Ego yells, making all heads turn towards him.

"And who the fuck are you?"