Steve's POV

Things were going smooth at the tower except for the fact that Tony had decided to throw a party. It wasn't just any party, according to him, it was a celebration for the recovery of two beloved teammates, and the resurrection of the Avengers. It was fine with me except for the noise that never ceased to stop. If you walked out into the living room you would see dozens of agents scurrying about with boxes of items and party supplies under Pepper's careful eye.

Clint and Bruce had eagerly escaped the madness by volunteering to go on an erand for Pepper. Vision and Wanda were nowhere to be seen and I suspected that they had left as well. Scott and Hope had packed up and left to go help Pym in the labs. So I decided to find Sam and Rhodey. They were in the middle of playing some sort of video game that required you to manipulate a virtual plane through some rings. Off to the left in the upper corner of the screen their points were listed. Sam was winning slightly. "Have either of you run your outfit by Pepper yet?"

"Yep. She said the suit was nice but I could pick a different tie." Sam stated not peeling his eyes away from the game.

"Yes, Pepper said I had a nice taste." Rhodey stated his face scrunched up in concentration. I sighed, I wasn't getting anywhere with these two.

"So, do you guys want to go hang out?" I asked stuffing my hands in my pockets. Neither of them replied for quite some time.

"Sorry Steve, you know I would but I bet Tony thirty bucks that I could beat Rhodey. I'm not losing thirty bucks." Sam reasoned staring anxiously at the scores on the screen. With that I turned on my heel and left them to their business. Bored out of my mind I entered the madness. As I had suspected the living room was crowded although there was more progress since the last time I was out there. Natasha was talking animatedly to Pepper about something with a look of irritation on her face. I wove my way through the crowd over to where she was standing.

"Look Pepper I know I could be late to the party but I really have to do this okay?" Natasha pleaded. Pepper seemed to be conflicted her face scrunched up in contemplation.

"At least tell me where you are going." Pepper stated. Natasha frowned and I noticed her hand scrunch up around something. It was a picture, James' picture.

"I'll take the jet it won't be long I promise." Natasha stated avoiding the question. Pepper noticed me for the first time and silently asked for help with her eyes.

"Um...maybe I could go with her. I'm punctual I'll make sure she's back on time." I suggested. Pepper sighed but conceded the point. Natasha winked at me as she turned towards the direction of the landing bay. I followed her through the doors out towards the next which stood glittering in the sun.

"Thanks. I figured it was about time I fulfilled my promise." She stated with a sad smile as I followed her up the ramp and into the belly of the plane. There laying out on the floor was my suit. I looked up giving her a quizical look. "What I figured you'd want to come. Now get changed I'll be up in the cockpit."

"Yeah but why would I need this and where is your suit?" I called after her.

"I left mine back in the tower, but I'm not gonna need mine!" With that she officially disappeared. With a shrug I closed the ramp and began to put on my suit. It was a little difficult to do in the dark but I figured it out. Shoving my clothes to the side I felt my way through the dark towards the cockpit door. I knocked once before opening it. Nat was sitting in the pilot's chair. The plane shuddered before spurring to life as the engine roared. I slipped into the seat next to her and fastened the buckles, if there was one thing I knew about Nat, it was that she was a wild flier. The jet lifted up slightly hovering in the air before moving forward and picking up speed.

"So why do I need the suit?" I asked again.

"It's a safety precaution. We don't know where the survivors of the organization went and they could be watching the family. And they may recognize you." Natasha reasoned flicking a switch and checking a valve above her head. She seemed so at ease being in charge of such a big machine. Her face still had that slight look of grief to it and it reflected what I felt in my chest.

"I'm glad we're doing this. They've probably heard about the explosion by now." I said awkwardly in the silence. Natasha gave no response and the jet flew smoothly in the sky. I watched the windows tinted with frost as we passed through the clouds. It was a peaceful ride and I wondered what I would say to the family. I wondered how they would react. I kept picturing the little boy in my head and wondering how he would look in person. Familiar landscape passed by as we neared our destination. The sun was high in the sky but despite that the ground still glistened with snow. "How do you know where you're going?"

"I did what I do best. I wove my way through some high security files and found their address and general location." Nat glanced at the dashboard of the plane where I noticed she had rested the picture. Silence overtook the jet yet again and only ceased when we landed in a snowy clearing? I didn't see any nearby settlements all there was were mountains a little ways in the distance. I unfastened my seat belt and turned leaving Nat to shut down the plane. I opened the ramp and stepped out into the snow. "I hope you brought your hiking boots cause we're going for a walk!"

"Which direction?" I asked. Nat smiled slightly and pointed to the right.

"You'll be surprised where these people are hiding." She mused a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. The trek reminded me of our time in the wilderness together. It was quiet and just the two of us in the middle of nowhere. Up ahead watched Natasha as she strode through the snow. Her hair glistened in the light like fire and she peeked back at me over her shoulder with that knowing haze of her. It was familiar to me and a smile played on her lips. Something itched in my chest and I opened my stride to cat h up to her.

We neared the big looming mountains. They stood tall with masses of grey rock peeking out from the snow. It reminded me of the burning village where Natasha had recruited a young boy whom we learned was name Luca. He was acing all of his tests and was now speaking English more fluently. Clint had practically adopted the young mute girl who he had decided to call Emma and she was currently training in the program with one of my rescuers Jerry. I could only imagine how amazing that team would be. I had put in a good word with Fury and it seemed to be working.

We slipped through the last of the trees and what I saw in front of me was rather impressive. Built in the face of the cliff tucked away from sight was a village. The large rock face rested over the village protecting it from any aerial threats. It was up the mountainside a bit and I was impressed that people could build something so pretty. "That's amazing!"

"I thought you would like it." Natasha smiled and turned heading towards the mountainside with a slight giddiness to her step. For a moment I had forgotten we were bearing bad news. It took us a long time to determine where the staircase was. Setting my jaw we hiked up the side of the cliff the stone steps large and slick. It took immense concentration to not slip off the side of it. The village was even more impressive up close. The houses were not in fact made of stone. The villagers had painted them to blend in with the cliff side. They were small and compact but looked rather cozy. Sadly the entire village seemed to be deserted. There was a still air about it that seemed unnatural.

Nat approached the center of the village carefully. As soon as she stepped into the open something shot through the air in her direction. She side stepped the projectile and caught a second one that had come. The first was an arrow now jutting from the ground, the second was a large stone. Natasha's eyes scanned the area for the threat and narrowed when she had located them. "Come out! Everything is fine!"

There was a moment of hesitation before a kid stumbled out into the open from behind a building. His clothes were tattered and dirty. In his hand he held a bow and I suspected he was the one who had fired the arrow. "You do not belong here! Leave!"

The boy yelled drawing an arrow and aiming his bow at us. Nat glanced at me over her shoulder before raising her hands in the air. A few more young boys emerged from the shadows all of them with simple weapons in their hands. There was a single girl who had made her way to the boy's side. She held a slingshot and was fingering a stone. Her blond curls were chin length framing her face nicely. She whispered something to the boy and he replied shortly fixing his gaze back on us. "You will not take anymore of us from this village! Not now or ever! We will go down fighting if we must."

"Where are your parents?" I asked stepping forward with my hands still raised. None of the kids moved or answered. I had a feeling they weren't supposed to be out right now, that or they were protecting their families.

"Why do you need to know?" The girl snarled angrily and I could see pure venom in her eyes like she wanted to rip us apart. The boy rested a warning hand on her shoulder and she eased up a bit. It was clear how much the Red Legion had destroyed these people. I wondered how much they had lost and for the first time I realized the significance of that single girl. It dawned on me that she was the only one who had yet to be taken.

"I need to see the family of James." Natasha called holding up the picture that was now well worn. The boy faltered for a moment his bow dropping slightly. Natasha inched forward and I could see the earnest look she was giving him. "Please, I'm not here to cause problems mean it. I'm here bearing news and it's important."

The boy still had a doubtful look in his eyes but the other kids weren't having it they were closing in and I didn't know if I would have the guts to fight back against them. Nat knelt down on the ground a solemn look on her face. "Look you aren't the only ones who have been hurt by them. You may not know who I am but you'll know the name they gave me. I'm Natahsa Romanoff an Avenger and the Black Widow."

The group gasped in a mixture of fear and surprise. "Nat careful."

"I'm the reason they took your families away. All of those years ago they figured out how to genetically modify an individual. That person was me. Ever since they've tried to re-create the process without any of us knowing. If you think I'm here to hurt you you are wrong. I lost so much from those monsters. They took my childhood away, they made me kill the man who treated me like his child, I killed for a living. They tied me to my bed at night and the next morning they had me fight a new recruit. If they lost I was forced to kill them. I was forced to do a lot of things. I hate them as much as you do. Recently I was captured and tortured by them because they wanted me back, they wanted their creation back. One of your Father's freed me and my friends." Natasha had tears running down her cheeks. "He saved us because he knew we could save the world and the rest of you from those evil people."

"You're lying!" The boy with the bow yelled. He looked like he was going to be sick.

"No. If you don't believe me then let me show you." Natasha slipped off her jacket and slipped the edge of her shirt down exposing her shoulder with the scar. The bow and girl who were obviously in charge hesitantly walked forward and stared at the mark. The boy's eyes widened and the girl's expression shifted slightly. "They branded me so I could never forget them and what they did to me. My team and I we saved your friends and the man in charge is currently organizing them by their home location so they can return here."

"That man? What was his name again?" The boy whispered. Natasha held up the picture.

"James." The boy gasped taking hold of the picture tears prickling in the corner of his eyes. "Stand down!"

The rest of the kids lowered their weapons and the bot grabbed Natasha's hand dragging her towards a hut. I followed closely behind and soon I was standing inside a small living room where a tired looking young woman was sitting. "Mom! They know what happened to Dad!"

The woman looked up in surprise and regarded us with a fearful gaze. "It's okay Mom, they're friends."

"You're his son aren't you?" Natasha asked. The boy nodded and without warning Natasha embraced him. He tensed but relaxed. "He was right you do have quite a spirit."

The woman regarded us for a moment before speaking. "You know James?"

"Yes." I replied as she smiled. She had dark black hair pulled back to reveal kind blue eyes.

"Is he okay?" She asked wrapping her arms around her son. I could feel my face fall and realization dawned on her. Her smile faded and her eyes seemed to physically break. The boy seemed to pick up on these changes and his eyes looked panicked.

"What's wrong? Where is he?" His voice cracked. He searched the room as if expecting his Father to burst through the door at any moment.

"He fell in action." I whispered. The Mother gave a choked cry and Natasha caught her before she could fall to the ground. The boy stared gaping at the ground his chest heaving.

"You mean...he's dead?" He asked staring at the picture in his hand like it had the plague. "He's gone!"

The girl whom seemed to be rather close to the boy had entered behind us without my noticing and she was as shocked as everyone else. The boy had tears streaming down his face and he wiped them away furiously. His eyes burned with a hatred I new all too familiar to me. He bolted out the back door and sprinted away. The Mom called after him through sobs but he just ran. The girl sprinted after him her blond head disappearing from sight. I glanced at Natasha before following them.

The harsh air slapped me hard and I tore through the village though it had many more people out and about now. I came across the steps of the mountainside and threw caution to the wind. I bounded down them and soon stood on the snow covered ground. Up ahead I could see footprints in the snow. I followed them sprinting hard. I broke through the trees to see the boy sitting on a rock by a frozen Creek. His shoulders shook angrily and I could hear him cursing. The girl stood cautiously to the side pain reflecting in her eyes. Collecting myself I approached the boy hesitantly. His head was bent over his hands where the picture lay in tattered pieces.

"How could he?" He demanded his face contorted in agony.

"He did it because it was the right thing to do." I reasoned. The boy laughed without emotion.

"He was always to kind, at least that's what Mom says. I only ever saw him twice!" The boy yelled a fresh burst of tears coating his face. "He said he would come back! That he would be a real Father to me but he lied!"

"No he didn't. Son, your Father is a hero. He talked about you so much. He loved you. You were the only thing he had left. You may not have been with him but the idea of you kept him going." I reasoned resting a hand on his shoulder.

"Dad's aren't supposed to leave." He sobbed. "Dad's aren't supposed to die before their kids are grown."

My throat stung and I recalled the death of my Mother and how she had spoken of my Father so loving though I never knew him. "I never knew my Father."

"What?" The boy looked up in surprise.

"He died in the military. All I had was my Mother to take care of me. I was the man of the house and I was pathetic. I hated how I couldn't take care of her because I was so sick all of the time. She died when I was young and I never forgave myself. I couldn't take care of her because I was weak. I had no parents and I had to face the world alone. And the world is a cruel hard place for those with grief." I blinked hard and out of the corner of my eye I could see the boy studying me carefully.

"What did you do? What am I supposed to do?" He asked gripping my hand.

"You pick your head up. You look at all of the beautiful things you have with an appreciation and with care. You love everything even if it doesn't love you back. You make your heart a place for everyone because you know what pain feels like and you don't want people to experience it alone. You become the image of everything you believe to be good in this world and you hang on to it. You see everything with a light that others can't understand because you know that nothing lasts. That at any moment everything can come crashing down. And you love, and care, and cherish all there is to life." I stated looking into his eyes with a fire I hadn't felt in a long time. His blue eyes glistened with amazement and he turned to face the ripped remains of the picture in his hand. A breeze ruffled the trees and he stood with a fistful of the memory of his Father. I expected him to be angry that the picture was ruined but he smiled.

"My Dad and I went fishing here once." He turned his face to the breeze as it ran like fingers through his hair. I used to pretend the breeze was the comforting touch of my Mother. With a smile on his face the boy opened his palm and the breeze stole the memory away. "Thank you, Dad."

With that I smiled and embraced the boy. He laughed and whispered to me his name. "The name's Alik."

"Steve, Steve Rodgers." The boy laughed before adding, 'Captain America' to the end. I was surprised he knew who I was seeing as how he had tried to injure us. I asked him why he had acted so aggressive if he knew who I was.

"I wasn't aiming at you. Just the girl." He smiled. "Sorry if I upset your Girlfriend."

"She's not my-" The blond haired girl joined us and nudged Alik's shoulder.

"Come on we should get back home." She stated pushing past me and Alik followed faithfully behind her. I couldn't help but smile as the two went racing through the snow.

I returned shortly after the kids to see Natasha laughing along with Alik's Mother. She told me how Natasha had explained the events of his death. How she couldn't be prouder. How they would hold the funeral in the village this evening and we were welcome to accompany them. The young blond girl seemed fascinated by Natasha and the two seemed to quickly form a bond. As it turns out the girl was an orphan and her sister had been killed in front of her by the Red Legion. That explained her anger earlier.

That afternoon the entire village crowded around a massive bonfire where songs were sang and stories were told. Most of them didn't know who James was, some of them did from the two times he had visited the settlement. However it didn't matter because they all cried for the hero. Whether they knew him or not these people didn't care. They had all been damaged and were now closer than ever before. Natasha came and stood by me her eyes glistening from the flame.

"I feel more at peace now." She stated glancing at me from the corner of her eye.

"So do I." I smiled. She returned the smile and rested her head lightly on my shoulder.

"I was thinking. What if they came to the tower too? I know I'm pushing it considering I already invited someone into the program without asking but there's something about those two." Natasha reasoned and I followed her gaze to where the girl was perched on a stack of water barrels in the corner over looking the crowd. The boy walked by quickly and tossed her an apple which she caught expertly. The two shared a look and the girl smirked as the boy re-entered the crowd of people.

"I think we could make it work." I stated quietly. "What about his Mother?"

"I'm sure we can find a way to move her into the city." Natasha noted. Alik's Mother broke away from the mass of people and slipped over towards us. She smiled kindly handing us each a drink. I accepted politely and Natasha did the same.

"Lysia I have a proposition for you." Nat began straightening and removing her head from my shoulder. So that was her name? Lysia. "How would you like to move to New York City with your son and his friend. They'll be able to train in an initiative program for a special ops team."

"I-I don't know. This is so sudden." She stated her eyes big with wonder. She glanced back at her son where he was using a stick to pretend to sword fight. Natasha reached into her pocket and produced a small card. On it was the Shield logo.

"No need to decide now. Talk it over with him. Give us a call." Natasha then produced a small flip phone which she handed to Lysia. The woman stared at it with a look of disbelief before embracing Natasha with an eager hug. She then pulled away and did the same for me.

"Miss, I'm afraid we are going to have to leave time's gotten away from us and we have prior engagements." I smiled warmly. She straightened and raised her chin.

"Of course, don't let me keep you." She paused for a moment. "Thank you. Thank you for telling me. I know he's in a better place than that terrible compound."

"Don't mention it." Nat smiled and with that the young woman turned and disappeared. It was a melancholy feeling of having to leave such a wonderful family and community behind. I trekked down the steps of the mountain side and began the journey through the snow back to the jet. It wasn't long before the dark shape of it came into view with a gorgeous sunset as it's backdrop. I heard the sound of eager feet and panting and turned to see Alik sprinting through the snow towards us. He tackled me in a hug his breath coming out in a misty cloud.

"I couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye." He said his eyes welling a little with tears. "Thank you. Thank you, Captain Rogers for bringing him home."

"Alik I didn't bring him home." I whispered looking down at the bot. He shook his head and smiled.

"Yes you did. He's home now." Alik pointed at the sky. "Up there."

I laughed knowing what he meant. Then Alik pointed to his chest just where his heart is. "And here."

I stared down at the young boy pride swelling in my chest. He was so mature for his age, so genuine it was beautiful. The world needed more people like him and for a moment I almost saw James beaming back at us in thanks. Alik turned and hugged Natasha as well before holding out his hand. "Survivors?"

Natasha smiled taking his hand and shaking it. "Survivors."

He then turned with one sad smile and left us. My heart hurt a little at seeing him go. Natasha left my side and entered the plane while I walked up the ramp. The engine came to life and I stared longingly in the distance where I saw the glittering fire of lights. Natasha reappeared by my side saying only one word. "Autopilot."

We stood there side by side gazing at the glittering horizon. I could almost see the villagers laughing and singing around the fire. The ramp rose steadily and I almost didn't want it to block the view. I wanted to capture this moment forever. The ramp rose until there was only a sliver of the image left.

"It's funny how such a cruel world can hold something so beautiful." I stated peeling my eyes away from the ramp and staring at Natasha. She caught my glance.

"Survivors?" She asked holding her hand out to me.

"Survivors." I stated placing my hand in hers. We turned together and walked into the cockpit of the jet where we would race towards the setting sun with one destination in mind. Home.