Returning The Stones

9. Stark Cabin, 2023

"And returning in five... four... three... two... one."

Bruce, Sam and Bucky watched, waiting for Steve's arrival, which never came.

Bruce began looking at the controls, trying to figure out where Steve was.

"Where is he?" Sam asked.

"I don't know. He blew right past his time stamp, he should be here." Bruce said, continuing with the controls.

Bucky turned around. He knew exactly where Steve was.

"Well get him back." Sam said.

"I'm trying." Bruce said.

"Get him the h*** back!" Sam said again.

"I said I'm trying!"

"Sam." Bucky said.

Sam and Bruce looked over to see an old man sitting on a bench.

"Go ahead." Bucky told Sam with a smile.

Sam walked over to the bench. "Cap?"

The old man sighed. "Hi Sam."

"So did something go wrong or did something go right?" Sam asked with a smile.

"Well, I put the stones back and I thought, maybe I'd try some of that life Tony was telling me to get." Steve said.

"How'd that work out for you?" Sam asked, putting his hands in his pockets.

"It was beautiful." Steve answered.

"Well I'm happy for you." Sam said. "Truly."

"Thank you."

"The only thing bumming me out is the fact that I have to live in a world without Captain America." Sam said.

"Well, that reminds me," Steve said, opening the circular bag next to him to reveal his shield. "Try it on." Sam looked at Steve and then back at Bucky, who nodded. Sam picked up the shield and put it on. "How does it feel?" Steve asked.

"Like it's someone else's." Sam said, looking at Steve.

"It isn't."

Sam took a deep breath, blinking back tears. "Thank you." He said. "I'll do my best."

Steve shook Sam's hand. "That's why it's yours."

Sam caught a glimpse of a ring on Steve's finger. "You wanna tell me about her?" He asked, smiling.

"No." Steve said. "No I don't think I will."

...