A/N: And here we are, twenty-two shots later at the end. A big thank you to everyone who reviewed, read, or even just lurked around the story. You guys have been great, and I hope you enjoyed! Also a big shout out to Merideth-kun who helped beta some of these one shots for me. Of course, now sitting here at the end, I realize I sorta named the piece from my initial idea of having Tony and Steve bunker down somewhere during the snowstorm, which unfortunately didn't make it into the the final story, but hey, that's part of the fun of story telling. I'm never quite sure where the tale's going to end up. Thanks for reading!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

22. Revelation

Bruce tapped the end call button on the Stark Pad. "SHIELD should be here in an hour to pick us up."

Steve nodded his thanks, still a little embarrassed he hadn't been able to figure out how to get the tablet working. He regarded the scientist for a moment. "How are you holding up?"

Bruce shifted awkwardly. "I'm fine. Missing my glasses, but well, nothing new there."

"And . . . the data?" Steve asked, and Bruce stiffened at its mention.

For one tense moment no one spoke.

It was several more before Bruce felt sufficiently calm enough to apologize. "I'm sorry. This one is on me. I just . . ." He rubbed at his tired eyes. "I thought all of it had been deleted years ago. I should have known better."

"It's not your fault."

A sharp bark of laughter escaped Bruce. "Not my–"

"Bruce, you were taken by surprise."

"That's not an excuse. It shouldn't have happened to start with."

Steve shook his head. "Maybe. But you know what I remember?" He waited until Bruce was looking at him. "I remember you carrying us out of there. You got us to safety, Bruce, and that's what's important." He smiled, adding with a laugh. "I can't imagine how it must have looked, the three of us showing up in front of that car you found."

Bruce frowned. "I think it was snowmobilers." Steve let out another chuckle, but Bruce didn't see the humour. Director Fury, for one, was not going to be happy with them. "That data . . . it's still out there."

But Captain Rogers was already shaking his head. "No. It's gone, Bruce, right along with that lab." But for all the confidence in Steve's tone there was an equally troubled look on his face.

"What? What is it?"

Steve hesitated. "Your research . . . you didn't happen to start it, did you?" There was almost a hopeful note in the blond's voice.

Bruce eyed Steve for a long moment, before slowly shaking his head.

"Oh." Steve swallowed hard, suddenly looking ill. "That's . . ." He ran an agitated hand through his hair.

Bruce let him be, knowing Steve was more likely to talk if he wasn't pressed.

It was another few minutes before the Captain found his voice again. "Did you know that Tony's father, Howard, was interested in the super soldier formula?" He grimaced, slowly adding. "I don't have proof, but the stuff he said, I think– after I went into the ice– he might have started doing research with the military."

"And you think my research comes from that."

Steve nodded, eyes staring at nothing. "He mentioned using radiation."

Bruce sat back, rubbing his face. Of all the things . . .

"Bruce?"

"I'm okay . . . I guess." He sighed, finally looking back up at Steve. "What do we do about it?"

"What we already did. If there are more places out there like that one, Tony– I mean, Stark will find them."

"Of that, I have no doubt." Bruce gave a wry smile. "But next time, we're letting Tony blow the place up."

Steve let out a hearty laugh, while beside him, Tony continued to snore into the mattress. Bruce wouldn't be surprised if the inventor started drooling soon. "Here." On a whim, Bruce leaned forward, pushing the Stark Pad toward Steve. A rare mischievous grin spread across the scientist's face. "Let me show you how to use the camera."

As for the rest of it, well, they'd worry about it later.

END