Whatever it Takes: Endgame

Chapter 13

In the weeks that followed, Tony had healed to the point where he was clear to go home. Thor had been given a smaller dose from Bruce for his arm after the battle, which healed in days since it wasn't as bad as Tony's.

After Tony was cleared, they all began the process for Steve's funeral. Tony and Bruce found the shards and pieces of the shield from the battlefield and wielded it back together in his memory.

After some digging through the stuff that survived the blast, Tony found Steve had his funeral planned out on a hard drive with the name of a lawyer for his will.

According to Steve's lawyer, Matt Murdock, Steve wanted his shield and the mantle of Captain America to go to Sam, who accepted hesitantly. Steve also asked that the government not interfere with his body, his serum, or the mantle. Since there was no body, the government agreed to leave Sam's new title alone.

Natasha knew Sam would be a great Captain America when he wanted it. Right now, he seemed overwhelmed with the loss of his friend. Bucky on the other hand, was not holding up as well and was in deep grief after losing the man who was practically his brother. Though Natasha had a feeling Sam and Bucky would end up being good friends.

On the day of Steve's funeral, the original Avengers gathered near each other. In the audience were the others who fought against Thanos, their families and people whose lives Steve touched over the years.

Natasha and Bruce stood with Clint, Tony and their families. She turned to see Alexei, Melina and Yelena at the back. She knew they were paying their respects the only way they knew how. Behind everyone else was Nick Fury, who nodded at her.

The next day, Natasha volunteered to take the hammer and stones back to their original timeline and took Gamora back to her time as well.

"You sure you want to go to go back," Natasha asked the woman.

"I'm sure. The Guardians aren't my family. Maybe one day, but I need to live a life without Thanos."

"I get it," Natasha said in an understanding tone.

She knew all too well how it felt to want your own life with the influence of another. If a past version of herself who had just destroyed the Red Room was suddenly thrown with the Avengers, she'd want to leave to find herself too.

When Natasha eventually reached Vormir after dropping off Gamora and the other stones, she felt calm knowing that the place couldn't hurt her or haunt her nightmares anymore. She put the soul stone on the ground and let herself look at the view. If it wasn't for what the place truly was, it could pass as beautiful.

After a few minutes she was met with the Red Skull, who said, "A soul for a soul."

Several souls who looked like they were asleep appeared. Natasha recognized Steve and Gamora. Since this was a different universe, Natasha was not among the fallen.

The Red Skull continued, "These are the lost souls from over the years, past, present and future. After retuning the soul stone, one must wait to bring back another."

She could only bring back one. Natasha looked from Steve to Gamora, but ultimately knew who to save.

"Gamora," she told the Red Skull.

He nodded, and Gamora's body and soul were reunited on the cliff.

Gamora breathed heavily and looked around while Natasha kept her distance to give her some space. Sometimes when Bruce transformed back, he had no idea where he was or how much time had passed and this was probably no different.

"How am I back," Gamora asked.

"A soul for a soul," Natasha answered. "I returned the soul stone and brought you back."

Gamora whipped her head towards her in confusion and asked, "Who are you?"

"Natasha Romanoff. I'm friends with Thor and I've spent the last six moths working with Nebula and Rocket after Thanos used the stones. We brought everyone who suffered from Thanos back, including the Guardians. They miss you, which is why when I was asked to trade the stone for a soul, I chose you. I know what it's like to lose a sister and the person you love most in the world."

"Peter. Is he okay?"

"He's fine."

"Nebula?"

"Missing you. If we leave now, you can catch the Guardians before they leave Earth."

"Thanos?"

"Dead," Natasha reassured the woman.

The other woman seemed relieved as she said, "Thank you."

Natasha nodded and told her to hold on as the two of them went to the current time. Before they left, Natasha looked at the cliff and said, "I'm sorry, Steve."

Once the two women were back, Natasha walked up to Bruce and nodded, telling him it was done and the timelines were secure.

Gamora ran to find the Guardians in the distance and Natasha watched as Nebula met her first. Peter and the others were close behind.

Natasha met Bruce's shocked expression as he asked, "How did you...?"

"A soul for a soul," she replied as she walked up to him.

"Why didn't that work with you when Steve returned the stones?"

"I don't think he stuck around long enough to hear the terms and conditions. Took a few minutes for the Red Skull to meet with me. I had to choose between Steve, Gamora and others I didn't recognize."

"You chose Gamora because you understand what Nebula's going through."

"And Peter," Natasha added. "You were gone for three years and I lost my sister for five thinking there was no way to get her back. Those eight years was the most heartbreaking time of my life and I wouldn't wish that on anyone else. It wasn't an easy choice, but I know that Nebula wanted her sister back, even if she didn't say it out loud."

"Anyone ever tell you that you have the most beautiful soul?" Natasha smiled as she looked down from her husband's adoring gaze. He kissed the top of her forehead and continued, "You're the reason I de-hulked in 2015. You saved Pietro and countless others. You have your family back and the Avengers are stronger than they were the first time we went through this. You're the reason Tony is still alive and now Gamora. You saved the world in a new way. I am so proud of you, moya lyubov'."

She couldn't stop her tears and he cupped her face with his hands to wipe them away. She knew then and there that she had done all that she could for this timeline.

"Our fight's over," she told him. "No more running, no more fighting. My ledger is as clean as it's gonna get. I'm ready for a life with you."

They were about to close the gap between them until Tony called out, "Lovebirds! Your crazy family is going to drive me up the wall!"

Bruce put space between him and Natasha then yelled, "We're coming."

He carefully shut the machine off without any problems, then took her hand in his as they walked back to the tower in comfortable silence.

Note: There are still a few more chapters until this series is officially complete.  

Moya lyubov' means "my love" in Russian according to google translate.