Worship Her - Steve Rogers (AU)

Chapter 23

ASGARD GUITARIST AND HYDRA DRUMMER IN LATE NIGHT BAR BRAWL

ROGERS AND RUMLOW ARRESTED AFTER BAR FIGHT IN LA

HYDRA ANNOUNCES RUMLOW DEPARTURE AFTER FIGHT WITH ASGARD GUITARIST

RUMLOW 'SLAPPED' ROGERS WIFE AFTER SHE 'REFUSED HIS ADVANCES' SAYS SOURCE. 

GBH CHARGE FOR STEVE ROGERS. 

"Just be glad that we're in the studio for the next month so that this can all just blow over". Tony stated as he sat in the back of the car as he accompanied Steve to the recording studio a couple of days later. "Is there just one day that you can go without getting yourself into some kind of shit?" Now glancing over to him. 

Steve sat slumped in the seat, the cuts and bruises of the fight between him and Brock evident on his face. "He put hands on Maggie, I'm not having that - it's a wonder she's not putting assault charges to him - bastard deserves to pay". 

He'd won that fight fair and square. Rumlow had come off worse with a broken nose as well as a badly bruised eye and other minor things. It had been a wonder how he hadn't strangled him with his bare hands. Of course the paps had been called, and by the time the cops were leading them both out in cuffs, the flash of lights were blinding whilst they snapped away, all wanting that winning shot for the front pages. 

Well, they certainly got it. 

"Believe me, his actions have pretty much cost him his career, so I don't think we'll be seeing him anymore - how is Maggie anyway?" Tony asked. 

"Not good. I've  told Nat and Sam that she's done working at The Zion. Tried to make her bring charges against Brock, but she just says it'll only add to the media shit storm. She's right, but at the same time he's hurt her more than just by punching her. She cried last night - I haven't ever seen that girl cry since the day I met her. Even flinched when I rolled over and tried to hold her when we went to bed. She ain't good". Steve cracked out a cigarette and lit it up, rolling the window down halfway to let the smoke out. His stress levels were through the roof and he knew a good old line would probably ease him, numb him for the rest of the day. "I dunno what to do..." 

"How about getting clean for a start" Tony eyed him. "I'm not stupid Rogers, I know what the hell you try and hide from me. You're getting just as sloppy and Rocket, and even now I'm sure he's gonna end up as a lost cause". 

Steve took another drag. "He already is...", then pausing before stating. "Don't tell Mag...she'll kill me". 

"No she won't. The coke will". Tony replied and then there was another moment of silence. "You need to be straight with her - otherwise you'll just end up in a sticky divorce trial splashed all over the news for everyone to read about. And you'll be the bad guy". 

"Always am". Steve shrugged, "I'm trying Tony..." 

Tony shook his head. "Not trying hard enough. You need to focus on the damn music, not when your next hit or fuck will be". 

He nodded, "I know, I know". 

Steve would admit that he was falling back into old habits again, ones that Maggie wouldn't approve of, but whether he could actually overcome the demons he faced was another matter. He hadn't been able to so far, and knew that like Rocket - he was just another lost cause who would probably ruin his whole life because he made the wrong choices. 

**

Maggie smiled faintly as Wanda brought her some coffee that afternoon. Steve had kept to the house for the last few days since Tony posted his bail and got him out. The manager had been none too pleased though, especially as it meant once again the band were in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Bucky had retreated back to his place to give the pair some time to talk, but Maggie hadn't wanted to. She was furious for her husband even going down there in the first place, let alone getting into the mother of all bar fights. 

They'd barely spoken since he'd been released. She hadn't wanted to - what more could she say? Currently she was battling with the knowing of every time she closed her eyes, she could see Brock's face leering at her, the pain of the hard whack across her face that he had inflicted. Every morning she would cover it, even though there really wasn't any point. She didn't want sympathy from others. She just wanted the feelings she had now to disappear. 

"Why don't you take the rest of the day off?" She offered to the housekeeper, who flat put refused. 

"You need someone here with you, even though you'll say you don't want it". Wanda replied. "You and Steve are similar in that way". 

Maggie curled up on the sofa. "So this is what it's like to be married to one of the biggest rockstar's on the planet". She sighed. "Must admit, the novelty has worn off". 

Wanda shrugged. "You knew what you were dealing with, and if I'm honest, you handle him better than most do. You take none of his crap. He needs that. Needs to be grounded - he's not had that in so long". 

"I still feel like I have so much more to learn about him". 

"You do". Wanda nodded. "That just comes over time". 

Maggie sipped her coffee and stared into space. "Yeah, if we even last that long...things have been tense to say the least". 

"He loves you, he wanted to protect you, get a message across to everyone not to even think about coming near you. I think it was message received". She said honestly. "He may be a complete asshole at times? But he's a loyal one - trust me I know" . 

Maggie frowned. "Did something happen?" 

Wanda shifted uncomfortably and then looked away. "My brother died, a few years back. Wasn't an accident and everyone knew it. I kinda went off the rails, but Steve paid for my rehab and I haven't so much as drank since". 

"And yet you work for him, here? Where there's been pretty much alcoholic orgy parties?" Maggie didn't understand.

"To remind myself of what I could become if I had let it get outta control. In return I kept him in check, threw out the trash that would be in his bed every morning. It was like a silent agreement between us. He took care of me, and as a thanks, I make sure to try and keep him in line - that was until you came along and made that part easier". 

Maggie smiled pitifully,but admired Wanda for being so strong as to still be around the things that could've sent her on a dark course. "I'm sorry about your brother". 

"Yeah. So am I".