Everything hurt.

Parts of my body were cold. As I slowly came to, my senses refocused. My vision was doubled, but I realized I wasn't in the chamber anymore. Instead, I was on concrete ground. Ahead, there were openings to see the snowy outside.

I pushed myself up with my arms carefully, my head still pulsing. As my vision worked itself out, my heart fell into my stomach.

Bucky was lying on the ground, his metal appendage gone from his left side. Steve had Tony straddled, Tony's helmet and face plate nonexistent. Steve held his shield over Tony, as though he was ready to decapitate him. Tony looked to be cowering in fear.

Once, they were friends. Now, they were enemies. And it looked as though Steve was about ready to kill.

"No," I croaked, my voice raspy. "No. Stop it, both of you!" Tears fell down my cheeks. Groaning, I got onto wobbly legs. "STOP IT!" Fire ignited on my palms.

Both men looked at me, both faces bloody and bruised. A sob rose in my throat. How could this have gotten so bad? How could that man's plan have worked?

If you kill each other, I'll have to bury both of your stupid asses. Please, for the love of the gods, stop this, I said to both of them.

Steve looked at Tony before bringing his shield down on the suit's core. Steve got off of Tony, slumping down to the ground. The two panted for breath. The shield remained in Tony's suit.

I stood, motionless, as Steve found the strength to rise, plucking the shield from Tony's armor. Tony rolled onto his side as Steve went to Bucky, who was also bloody. My husband helped his best friend up. Scanning, my eyes saw Bucky's missing arm.

"That shield doesn't belong to you," Tony said angrily to Steve. "You don't deserve it. My father made that shield!"

The hesitation in Steve was palpable. But, he dropped his trademark weapon, continuing onward with Bucky's remaining arm around his shoulders. Steve gave me a look as they departed.

Right behind you, I said sullenly, casting a glance at Tony.

Once Steve and Bucky were out of sight, I approached Tony carefully. He remained on his side, breathing heavily.

"If I lend you a hand, are you going to blow it off?" I asked curtly.

"What, not running off with your soulmate?"

I sighed. "Tony, I really don't want to be like this with you. I've got a massive headache, and I'm sure I'm bruised to the bone. Do us both a favor, put aside the anger, and take my damn hand." I bent slightly, allowing my arm down to his level.

Tony eyed my hand as though it were a snarling animal. But he took it all the same. While I didn't expect it to repair what damage had been done, it was a start.

"I'm sorry, about your parents," I said sincerely. "I had...I had no idea."

"It's not good conversation, I don't like to bring it up."

"Still, you're one of my best friends, I should've known..." I swallowed. "Are we even friends, still?"

It was his turn to sigh. "I don't know, firefly. I don't...I want to be, but..."

I nodded. "You don't need to explain. The anger is still bone-deep. I guess this means I won't be seeing much of you anymore."

"I-I guess so." Tony sniffed.

I looked at the man sadly. "I didn't want things to end like this. I hoped that maybe the wedding would've repaired some of the rocky waters you were on, but I guess that was asking too much. You're one of the most loyal people that I've ever come to know, and now..." My throat closed up at the thought.

"I think we've shed enough tears here, Kiara."

I held back the sob. He rarely addressed me by my usual name.

"Go on, you've got places to be. Just...be smart, about where you go. What you do. I don't want the next time we meet to be seeing you behind bars."

He doesn't want to shut the door entirely. I could take it as a silver lining, for now. "I'll do my best."

"Oh, you're breaking my heart," he said dramatically. "I'll allow one last hug, but then that's it."

I choked out a laugh. I'd rather hug him instead of him in his armor, but I would take this. How he still allowed conversation and interaction after everything that happened...

What made me so special that only I had the privilege?

I took one last look at Steve's shield, lying on the concrete ground, as I walked away from Tony.

By the time I ventured my way out, the scene outside the bunker had changed. For one thing, there was an extra quinjet. For another, Steve was talking to T'Challa, who was donned in his suit, minus the cat helmet. Bucky and the man who started all this was nowhere to be found.

"You missed out on quite the party," I noted to T'Challa. I made the mistake of raising my voice—the volume of it sent my head throbbing. I was pretty sure I had a good concussion going.

"He was just telling me he had one of his own," said Steve. "The man behind it all didn't get away. He's going to be dealt with."

"And Bucky?"

"He will be coming with me," said T'Challa.

I cleared my throat. "You're kidding."

"I've come to the realization that Barnes was not responsible for my father's death."

Took you long enough. "Glad to know you saw the light."

"We had a discussion about his next steps, and we figured something out."

I looked to Steve. "And you?"

"I've got some business to take care of."

By business he means a jailbreak of our friends. "You need my assistance?"

"Go with T'Challa, allow his medical staff to look you over. You took...quite the fall, Kiara. Just for peace of mind, for both of us. I'll meet up with you and Buck later, I promise."

"If you're sure."

"I wouldn't suggest this otherwise."

"Then I guess we'll see each other soon, then. Just don't do anything stupid in the meantime."

"No promises."

I sighed dramatically. "I should've known you'd say that. Troublemaker."

"Ah-ah, it usually finds me."

"Sure. Go on, before you convince me that I'm better off keeping an eye on you instead of getting medical attention."

It felt like it had been forever since the two of us had properly hugged. His touch was just firm enough to where my body didn't erupt in throbbing pain.

I kept my feet planted as Steve got on his respective quinjet. "So," I shot T'Challa's way, "just where are we going?"

"Someplace few outsiders ever get to see."

"Sounds exciting."

**Did some order an extra dose of freaking pain??**