The Second Chance

Getting back into the game

Steve looks out the window at the lake. His mind at ease for now as Natasha tends to the stitches for his arm. She avoids mentioning anything of the battle knowing Steve clearly has severe PTSD. She hates to Steve broken and hurt like this no matter what Earth he's from. He was so fixed on the lake he didn't even notice any pain or discomfort.

"How did you guys beat him?" Steve's voice suddenly sounded normal as he turns to Nat with a serious look but Nat kept her composure.

"Tony made the big sacrifice, no more Thanos." Nat smiled as she curled her hands into his making a fist.

"But you still died." The fear returned into his voice.

"I made the sacrifice for the mission, for everyone else." Nat looked at the motions going through his face.

"War finally broke me, never thought it was going to." Steve sighed as he looked back out the window.

"Steve, it can happen to the best of us."

"It all happened so fast I couldn't do anything about it. He came outta nowhere and killed everybody without hesitation. He-" Steve stopped almost choking on what he was gonna say.

"Steve tell me." Nat leaned in.

"He killed you right there and I couldn't save you!" He almost shouted. Nat was silent as Steve hid in his hands.

"Steve look at me, I'm not mad or upset at you. You couldn't fight all that. You did your best and I'm sure other me is proud of that too." She cups her hand on his cheek. "But you need to move forward and I'll help you through it." She smiles.

"Thank you Nat." Steve holds her hand and a smile smile appears on his breaded face.

They sat together for awhile as she explained what's been going on in this Earth and why they're here.

"So that explains why you're here? What was it like in there?"

"Isolation and illusions really. Gamora passed by a few times but that was re it. So I basically retired from there. I was just Natalia there."

"Which explains the hair?" He chuckled.

"Mmm, you seem to be getting fond of it." She smirks as she twirled a strand. "It was longer when I was there but I cut it to not hold me back."

You kept the cut part didn't you?" Steve asked.

"You know me Rodgers, never leave the evidence behind." She chuckled as she showed him the hair in a zip bag and put it back in her bag. "Strange said there some high tech spies and agents around now so I couldn't take a chance with it."

"Technology doesn't stop getting scarier for a old man like me then." Steve weakly smiled.

"And speaking of technology I'm surprised I haven't been mentioned once." Tony walks in shades.

"Good to see you again Tony." Steve smiled with watery eyes.

"I see Lady Godiva here has given you the heads up on the situation?"

"Unknown threat lingering around this Universe right?"

"Not just ours. It's been going around numerous ones just in the background. Whatever is this thing it wants something from here the most." Tony explains.

"Could be a weapon, artifact, or person. Whatever it is do some serious damage." Steve says.

"Yeah and that's where we come in." Tony says. "Strange and his golden buddy are rallying up a small group to stop this thing and anyone with knowledge of the stones are welcome. Look I have to head out with the family and Strange, you guys are staying here for the time being so heal up Cap." Tony hugs Nat and pats Steve on the shoulder and leaves.

Nat turns to Steve and smile.

"What's going on?"

"Tony made amends with Bucky long time ago. They probably weren't gonna be friends but he knew Bucky felt guilty about it." Nat said sitting next to him.

"That's good. So I'm guessing he's around out there then?"

"Yeah but I have no clue exactly, same with Sam." She said. She felt a connection with this Steve but she couldn't understand why.

"Ok sailor scoot over, I'm gonna take a nap. Gamora is downstairs if you need anything." Nat lays next to him and closes her eyes.

"Hey Natasha, thanks."

"Of course Steve."