Back to You [An Endgame Continuation]

Mind & Time•:

A.N./ Please please comment what you think! I'm just using my imagination to come up with what might've happened, and I'd love to hear your theories! And vote if you liked it!! XxLauren_Luv

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I checked my arm monitor under my suit so I could keep track of how close I was getting to putting back the Mind stone. The bright red timer read that I had about fifteen minutes left, so it gave me plenty of time to return to Stark Tower, get near the elevator, and wait for the "SHIELD" agents that were carrying the case that they thought had the scepter. I had to make sure I interfered before they realized it was missing.

I treaded carefully through the debris-covered streets to make sure I wasn't approached by any civilians, or Avengers for that matter. I'd already come in contact with myself before, and I didn't think distracting him with Bucky being alive was going to do much this time.

When I approached the front of the tower, I paused to look down and scroll through the menu on my screen, searching for the briefcase that was going to have the real scepter. Suddenly a thud and an all too familiar croaking noise behind me broke me out of my thoughts. The sound of scraping metal, and three more thuds. The slimy beady-eyed Chitauri continued to squawk at me, and I tried to keep as still as possible as I scrolled through my menu. "Alright guys. Gotta say this ones gonna hurt." I clicked on the icon, and the hammer materialized in my hand. I turned my head to my shoulder and almost thought they started backing away, as if they recognized the weapon. Rightly so.

I took one long stride toward them and got all four in one swing. You could hear their bones crack as they hit buildings a block away, some getting caught in the line of fire as they soared through the air and got hit by other Chitauri ships. My mouth turned up. It's been a while since I've killed one of those.

I shrunk Mjolnir back into the suit and continued on. Sweat started to bead on my forehead as I entered the tower and I avoided all recognizable faces. I couldn't screw this up. Last time I checked I had five minutes until I needed to be directly in front of the elevator to meet the agents and switch cases. As soon as they touched the case, the splinter would freeze, and I would be the only one able to move freely. Theoretically.

I had to take a separate elevator to meet them on floor 83. I nodded curtly to people who managed to make eye contact with me, and I quickly pressed the going up button. I took a deep breath to calm myself down, and I could feel my heartbeat return back to normal as I saw the number rise. I was going to make it in time. Then, the elevator stopped, and the metal doors started opening.

"Yeah, I'm gonna need Maria to wipe the slate. We'll discuss reconstruction when—"

I recognized that voice instantly, and saw that Tony was looking at me on the other side of the elevator. "Ah! The Capsicle!"

My heart jumped into my throat. This wasn't supposed to happen.

He shuffled into the elevator with me. "Little early to be changing the haircut, don't you think? I usually wait a week until I get my victory look."

"I couldn't help myself," I managed to say, and I stood stiff as a board as he clicked the highest floor. I tried to keep myself from staring at him. "W-What are you doin?"

He sighed dramatically. "Clint told me to get more drinks. Apparently he took quite the hit." I caught his eye, and he studied me. "Did you shower?"

I glanced down at my clean clothes, and pressed my lips together, nodding. It caused him to chuckle.

"I tell ya Cap, I can't believe I'm standing in this elevator with you."

"Neither can I," I said softly, and I risked a turn to look at him. He was right here, breathing, talking. My eyes focused on his chest where his arc reactor was bright blue and humming with life.