Whatever It Takes

2.5

We arrive on the tarmac, quickly getting down the stairs of the plane and jogging over to where we spot the Captain standing alone. He's suited up, his shield shining in the sun, courtesy of an AWOL Sharon Carter.

Coming up to them, Stark and Rhodes fly in, Stark firing an electric amp at the helicopter the Captain attempts to run over to. They land, Stark's helmet pulling back.

"Wow, it's so weird how you run into people at the airport. Don't you think that's weird?" Stark asks, turning to Rhodes.

"Definitely weird," the other iron man responds.

"Hear me out, Tony," the Captain starts. "That doctor, the psychiatrist, he's behind all of this."

The silent feet of a cat prowls and leaps over a luggage cart, standing tall. "Captain," he greets.

"Your Highness."

"Anyway, Ross gave me thirty-six hours to bring you in. That was twenty-four hours ago. Can you help a brother out?" Stark asks, stalking around Rhodes.

"You're after the wrong guy."

"Your judgment is askew. Your old war buddy killed innocent people yesterday."

"And there are five more super soldiers just like him. I can't let the doctor find them first, Tony. I can't."

Natasha and I glance at one another at the fact, coming up behind the Captain.

"Steve," Natasha starts. "You know what's about to happen. Do you really want to punch your way out of this one?"

He gives her an apologetic look, turning back to Stark.

"Alright, I've run out of patience," Stark announces. "Underoos!"

A web like a spider's attaches itself to the Captain's shield, ripping it from his arm and securing his hands in the same material. A red-suited figure pauses on top of a baggage truck, holding the shield triumphantly.

"Nice job, kid," Stark compliments.

"Thanks. Well, I could have stuck the landing a little better, it's just, new suit. It's nothing, Mr. Stark. It's perfect. Thank you." His voice is that of a teenager, not yet dropped from puberty.

"Yeah, we don't really need to start a conversation."

"Okay. Cap-Captain," the kid salutes. "Big fan. I'm Spider-Man."

"Yeah, we'll talk about it later. Just..."

"Hey everyone."

"Good job."

"You've been busy," the Captain notes.

"And you've been a complete idiot." Stark doesn't try to mask the disappointment in his voice. "Dragging in Clint. 'Rescuing' Wanda from a place she doesn't even want to leave, a safe place. I'm trying to keep...!" His voice is loud, but he pauses, sighing and composing himself. "I'm trying to keep you from tearing the Avengers apart."

"You did that when you signed."

Stark watches him, fed up now. "Alright, we're done. You're gonna turn Barnes over, you're gonna come with us, now, because it's us or a squad of J-SOC guys with no compunction about being impolite." Stark watches him, wishing his words will work. "Come on."

The Captain pauses, looking around at all of us, then raises his trapped hands above his head. An arrow whistles through, cutting the webbing and freeing him. Stark's helmet encloses his head.

"Alright, Lang," the Captain says, and a man materializes next to the kid holding the shield, kicking him off the roof of the truck. His suit is red and he wears an insect-like silver helmet, walking the shield back over to the Captain.