Swan Song of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Epilogue 10

Author's Note; Almost at the end of Elizabeth's story and I don't want to say goodbye to these characters, guess that's way it has taken me this long. Thank you for your patience, remember to comment and vote as always, FanGirl8ygc3804

The past few days had been a blur what with the cake tasting, the dress fittings and most importantly the guest list.

OK, so we were still working on the last one.

''Steve! Damn it. Argh!'' I ran a hand through my messy hair and sat up in bed. Just in time to flinch as Steve slammed the door. I pulled my knees up to my chest, debating whether or not to go after him. I stretched my wings before getting up and dressed. I choose loose trousers and the shirt Steve had been wearing yesterday, needless to say it drowned me but at least it gave my wings plenty of space.

I gave him a little time to himself while I got some breakfast. When I went looking for him I took a path through the formal gardens, everything seemed to have its assigned place it seemed so tidy, so perfect; it reminded me of the garden of the worlds in Asgard. That Odin had showed me that first day outside the Institute that felt so very long ago now.

I found Steve thinking aloud. He was seated on the sill of the fountain that fed the waterfall that fell from the edge of the Royal gardens and down a great deal into the city's river below. It seemed to me he'd come here to think, as he sat facing the city with the sound of water beside him.

''Liz, I know it'll mean a lot to you but... it compromises the safe haven T'Challa has given us here.'' He paused mopping his forehead with a handkerchief. ''That's true but a lie of omission is still a lie. What am I supposed to say to her? You can't invite your brother to your own wedding in case he arrests us.''

''That's what you're leading with?'' I ask even surprising myself with the sharpness of my tone.

''No, I... you weren't supposed to hear that.'' He sighed. He still didn't meet my gaze choosing instead to adjust his position on the fountain still.

''Clearly.'' I agreed changing my tone, cleansing it of irritation as much as I could. I sat next to him, ''Just talk to me, you'll feel better if you stop keeping things to yourself.'' As I spoke I took his hand in mine entwining our fingers and resting my head on his shoulder as we looked out at the city, in the first whispers of morning light.

''I know, but every time I try I catch myself in a lie.''

''You can't always protect me Steve.'' I said, I wasn't the fragile young thing he'd first met. I'd grown up a lot since then.

''I know but that won't stop me from trying to.'' Steve kissed the top of my head tenderly before continuing, "As much as I want to make you happy by having Stark here, it puts my team in danger, not to mention it'll destroy the safe haven T'Challa has been kind enough to give us here."

"Steve, I know the pros and cons. I've done the calculations myself half a hundred times or more." I sighed, "But I think I have a solution." The idea formed clearly in my mind as I began to voice it to Steve. "Some people think that the best way to hide is in far away, secluded spaces, others take the idea of it's easy to disappear in a sea of people. Personal I prefer to hide in plain sight, somewhere people never think to look."

"And where is that then?" 

"Where they know you're not."

"I don't follow."

"Think about it Steve, my brother will come to the same conclusion as you that we have to move from Wakanda because he knows where we are. Who says we need to, he just needs to believe that we will and thinking logically he thinks that is our only play." As I put my idea to him he smiled and put an arm around my shoulder to pull me closer to his side. 

"I'm glad to see that your brother didn't get all the brains." Steve kissed the top of my head as we gazed out at the city.