Strange Reunion (A Doctor Strange x OC One Shot)

Reunion

The battle was over, it had been won, but not without great loss. Tony Stark was dead and Stephen couldn't even begin to process it. Not until he'd seen her. Not till he'd actually held her in his arms again.
They'd seen each other, for a few brief seconds, but it was neither the time nor the place for a reunion. And so, though in that brief moment Stephen had seen Telana Zilarra, his wife, standing less than fifty feet away, after five years spent as dust in the wind thanks to the snap of Thanos, it wasn't until now, after the battle was over and clean-up had begun, that Stephen had the chance to really see her.
It was across the battlefield that he first saw her again, helping a wounded sorcerer to his feet.
"Zilarra!" She'd been in the military, it was why she went by her last name so frequently. It didn't seem right for her to change it after their wedding, when it was what so many people knew her as. He'd call her by her first name on occasion, but in public, it was usually 'Zilarra' just like everyone else.
Her eyes shot up at the sound of her name from the familiar voice. Her lip started to tremble as she ran forward at full speed, just as he did. "Stephen!"
Moments later, the world felt much more...right. He held her tight in his arms. "Telana," he whispered as he took in a deep breath, and even over the ash, rubble, dirt, and other smells of battle—he smelled her.
"You're alive. You're really alive. You're here. You're alive," she repeated as she squeezed him tight.
"I'm here, Telana," he whispered, then sighed deeply. He couldn't imagine what she'd been through the past five years. "Telana, I'm so sorry."
"Don't be sorry. You're here now. There's nothing you could have done that you didn't do. You did what you had to do," she gently said as she pulled back far enough to see his face. As she did, a smile came across hers.
"Doctor," a voice called out from behind Stephen. Both of them turned to find Captain America, Steve Rogers, standing there. He looked exhausted, which he was. "I'm sorry to interrupt."
"No, it's alright. Steve, this is my wife—"
Zilarra held out her hand. "Telana Zilarra. Everyone calls me Zilarra. It's an honor to meet you, sir. I'm so very sorry for your loss. I know you and Tony were dear friends."
A storm of emotions crossed through Steve Rogers eyes before he took in a deep breath. "Thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am. I had no idea that Doctor Strange was married."
"We kept it pretty private, and it had only been a few months before...before the snap..."
Steve was putting two and two together. "So you two were newlyweds...and then—"
Zilarra nodded. "I was left behind, Stephen was snapped out of existence."
"This is the first you two have seen each other since then, isn't it?"
Stephen finally stepped into the conversation. "I was on Titan when I reappeared. She was in New York City at the Sanctum, holding down the fort with Wong. We didn't have the chance to speak when I communicated to Wong the plan to provide backup.
Steve nodded. "Thanks for the assist."
Strange bowed ever-so-slightly. "Of course."
Steve frowned. "You two should be off on a second honeymoon, not out here cleaning up. We'll find our way—"
Both Stephen and Zilarra spoke at the same time. "No." They then turned and smirked at each other before Zilarra continued. "We wouldn't have it any other way than to be here, to help. There'll be plenty of time later on for us. For now, we want to help."
Stephen nodded in agreement and Steve relented. "Alright, then. I was coming over, Doctor, to let you know that we've spoken with T'challa and all the remaining alien tech and any injured are going to be taken to Wakanda for processing at this time. We were wondering if some of your Masters could assist with the transport via the Portals."
"Of course. Zilarra, would you coordinate the transport of the injured? I'll work with Wong on coordinating the safe transport of the tech, and then join you. Both Zilarra and I have actual medical expertise, Captain, once we get all the injured transported, we may be of assistance in Wakanda with the injured."
"Brilliant. I'll let Panther know to expect you."
"And Steve," Stephen called out after the man had turned away. He turned back to listen. "Please, let me know when arrangements are made...for Tony. I'd like to attend."

**—**—**

Hours later, Doctors Zilarra and Strange were both in what had once been their native element, in a hospital ward, tending to patients. They were weary, but both were clearly going to keep working till they either fainted from exhaustion, or till every patient was tended to. That was, until they were interrupted.
"Excuse me, Doctor Strange?" a voice called out from behind where Stephen was washing up after bandaging the wound on another patient.
Stephen turned around and was surprised to find King T'Challa there with General Okoye. "King T'Challa, hello. Is there something I can do for you?"
"Yes, you can take a break."
"I'm sorry, sir?"
"You and your wife have been working non-stop since you arrived here five hours ago, before that you were in heavy battle, before that you were only present in body again for a mere few hours, and she was busy creating one of the biggest portals ever created, as I understand it. By the power vested in me over this hospital ward, I am insisting that the two of you take a break. Get some rest."
Stephen's eyebrow went up, and he glanced over to see his wife two beds over, now turned and listening in.
"With all due respect sir," Stephen started to argue, but didn't get very far.
"I could have you escorted out if necessary," T'Challa said, motioning towards Okoye.
Stephen deflated. He was being benched, but at least it was with his wife in tow. "Very well—we'll portal back to the New York Sanctum for the evening and report back in the morning."
"That won't be necessary. We have quarters assigned for you here."
Zilarra finally stepped forward, coming to stand by her husband. "We'd hate to be a bother."
"No bother. Okoye will escort you. We've arranged for you to stay in one of our finest suites, consider it both a thank you for all you've done, and a belated wedding gift," T'Challa said with a smile.
Suddenly things seemed to fall into place. "Rogers told you."
"He may have mentioned that the two of you didn't have very much time as newlyweds, and asked if we could provide appropriate quarters."

**—**—**

"Oh my god, Stephen, look at this place!" Zilarra gasped out as she looked around the massive suite assigned to them. He was quiet, so she turned back to find him looking only at her. "Stephen?"
"Sorry, I'm a bit too distracted by the most beautiful thing in the room," he said. He may be exhausted, but his charm still came through.
She blushed. "I'm going to check out the bathroom."
He rolled his eyes. "Why is it that women always find the bathroom so worthwhile to 'check out'?" he asked to her as she left the room. "It's not as if much time is spent there.
"Speak for yourself—I may never leave this room!"
He frowned and followed after her, finding her staring at a massive garden tub. He felt his heartbeat start to quicken as he approached her from behind and placed his hands on her hips. "I suppose a hot soak could be good for the muscles. It's been a terribly long day," he mumbled as he nuzzled into her neck in the first display of true affection since their hug on the battlefield.
She let out a low rumble. "It's been a terribly long five years, Stephen Strange," she said before spinning around in his arms. "You owe me quite a few hot baths."