Bound By Purpose

Heroes Are Not Born Out Of Happiness

The halls are quiet, as they have been for nearly a month now. It's late and most of the group has gone to sleep, or at least are trying to. The fallout from the snap has left us all in a permanent state of dread and sadness. Even I, who should be so excited for what is to come from me in a few months time has confined myself to room and hallway right outside. I like to look out over the bay and at the lights of New York even if they've almost all gone dark now. I close my eyes and imagine it how it was back in the 30's, the way it was the night of my 16th birthday. Bucky and I had stood on the balcony outside Steve's apartment. I sigh and open them. There was no use in pretending anymore. I look up to the stars now. I suppose that was one thing that I could hold onto now. With the darkening of the city, the stars were now slightly visible. 

I wrap my blanket around me tighter and tuck my feet up underneath me. When my focus returns outside the whole landscape seems to shake. I blink several times but as it continues I jump to my feet as a ship enters the atmosphere above the compound. I ditch my blanket and sprint down the hallway to the stairs. At the door I can clearly see the ship. "It's the same ship." I gasp under my breath. I've taken off across the lawn before it has even settled into the dirt. I freeze a few feet from it as a young woman appears from underneath partly glowing. She just looks at me and I her. She blinks and cocks her head to the side as if she knows me. I almost address her but the plank has come down. Nebula emerges with Tony leaning against her. 

They stop in front of me, heads downcast. I reach out lightly and touch Tony on the shoulder just to assure me that he is real. When I come to find that he is indeed whole I throw my arms around him. Grasping to get a good hold on him I come to find him so much thinner than the last time I saw him. In fact, he sways even as I hold him tightly. It takes him a few moments to react but he finally does by laying his head on my shoulder. I pull away and keep my arms on his shoulders keeping him steady. He breathes in short spurts clearly fatigued. He looks down and rests a hand on my stomach inquiring after my little one. Before I can so much as answer with a nod Steve approaches us.

I can't read Tony's expression but he doesn't object as Steve takes to his left side helping him to move forward. Tony speaks for the first time stopping all of us in our tracks. "I couldn't stop him." He rasps out.

"Neither could I." Steve says, for I moment I think that maybe they have forgiven each other in their shared defeat.

Tony turns to me now. "I lost the kid." He says with tears clearly lining his eyes.

"Tony..." Steve begins. "We lost..." He can't bring himself to finish his sentence, he instead looks down in shame. 

"Is ummm..." He struggles to ask the question.

"Oh my God!" I turn to see the rest of the group who has reached us half way across the lawn. I step back as Pepper comes to Tony's side. "Oh my God." She says again as she embraces him. As the others come forward to ferry Tony inside I turn to the woman who has stopped glowing now. She looks over my shoulder as the others leave. Her eyes meet mine and bring an intense presence. "I'm Carol Danvers." She says, her intense tone unwavering. "Where's Fury?" 

The realization hits and I step forward. "Oh you're... Nick mentioned you once..." Or had I seen Ms. Danvers in a file? Whatever, it doesn't matter now. I shake my head, "Fury's gone." She lets her shoulders fall just a bit giving off just a hint of vulnerability. "I'll show you." I step back and let her go past me towards the base. As she passes, Rocket comes the other way. I watch as he takes the few steps up the gang plank of the ship and falls to Nebula's side. He mirrors her in that he sits slumped over hands folded head down cast. I turn away swiftly allowing the last of the Guardians a moment to mourn together.

When Carol and I enter we catch up with the others in one of our main labs. Rhodes and Banner had tended to Tony and he now sits in a wheelchair. "It's okay." He says shooing Bruce back. He immediately goes to adjust what's ailing him. He then stares at all of us blankly as if to ask, what the hell happened? Natasha steps forward and displays our research for the entire group.