Chapter 7: 'Before Too Long'

"Shit." Clint swore under his breath. "He actually picked it up."

"You, James. I now trust you with my soul. And, Asgard."

"I don't want Asgard Da-Thor." I corrected myself. "It was a drunken bet. Sides, I know what happens in the future anyway. It wouldn't be fun up there." I smiled, and gave Thor the hammer, before I left the room. While in my room, I broke down as the feeling of failure settled over.

Everyone sensed my tension with Tony. Everyone felt my eyes glaring at them as we stood inside the lab. Trying to figure out what exactly happened. Trying to see through my facade. One that was almost identical to my mothers. I could put up a wall and shut the world out. Keeping to myself and just really wanting to think things through. Steve placed a hand on my back, and I just shrugged it off. I didn't need pity. I had failed him. Failed all of them. I couldn't stand to listen to his words. To everything that come out of their mouths. I had them blocked out. I wasn't going to listen to this. I couldn't bare too. It was the beginning of a story I was all too familiar with. The guilt, the sadness, the pain. Seeing the people I grew to love dying before my eyes over and over in a never ending cycle. Like someone was playing with my mind. All of it was seeping into me as I began to listen to the conversation, not completely satisfied with it.

"You think this is funny?" Thor spat.

"No." He laughed a little, stepping forward. "It's probably not. Right?" He rolled his eyes. "This is very terrible? Is it so… Is it. It is. It's so terrible. "

"This could have been avoided if you hadn't played with something you didn't under-"

"No. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It is funny. It's a hoot that you don't get why we need this." Tony said, with a laugh. Everyone in the room was glaring at him. Natasha's eyes could have pierced him through, if she would have tried a little harder.

"People are gonna die." I said, after the few moments of silence. "We need to stop him before it's too late."

"How are you gonna do that kid." Tony sneered.

"Together." Steve answered, standing his ground firmly on the matter. Looking over at me, I could feel him looking into my very being. His eyes piercing my soul, my very being as he could almost feel the sadness creeping off of me.

"Alright then. Spangles. Let's get to it." Tony stood up and left the room. Bruce, and Rhodey hurried after, going to try and calm him down from the fit he was throwing. Natasha looked over at me, and I broke the gaze quickly and picked up my pace. Leaving the room before I lost my temper again. Or worse. Hurt someone. What I didn't notice was my father's swift arm as he pushed me up against the wall. Watching me.

"Don't let him get to you James. He's just pissed." Steve said, apologizing for Stark. Something he did more than one would think.

"Grew up with it." I said simply. "Grew up with the aftermath, the pain. I've seen worse. Don't worry about me. Worry about the team. I'll be fine."

"How could I not worry about you-"

"Yes. I'm your son. But the future is already changing. I probably won't exist. At least not this way. When I return."

"Okay. Well take care of yourself. We're going down to look at some files. If you care to join us. After that we're gonna suit up. So be ready for a fight."

"Never thought I'd hear you say that. Always thought it'd be 'It's too dangerous. I'm not letting you go out there…'"

"My best friend. he told me that, before I joined the Army. Didn't stop me. If you're my son. Didn't figure it'd stop you. Just don't die out there. Alright?" He said, giving me a pat on the back.

"Sure, Pops." I smiled, and started walking down the hall, but felt his eyes staring at me until I turned the corner out of sight.

"What comes out of Wakanda?" Bruce said, looking up from over his papers. A curiously look playing at his eyes as he saw Steve and Tony staring at each other for a long moment.

"Black Panther." I muttered under my breath and see Clint give me a curious look.

"The strongest metal on earth." Steve said looking over to his shield. I looked down at my Shield, well his Shield. And couldn't help but smile as I saw the puzzles forming on their faces. I knew bits and pieces about the future. What Tony had decided to tell me. Vague details, and major plots. Watching the events of Ultron, change with just my being here. It was amazing to see play out. To see my parents. To see Tony before he was so… Broken. "Alright. Everyone suit up. We're going to Africa." I stood and started to head towards the quinjet, shield on back. Pride, well what was left of it. Set before me as I knew this was going to be a long ride ahead. I felt the voice of the stone urging me forward. Wanting me to continued on this journey that was changing in my head. There were two stories beginning to form. This one, was told by my father.

Short little update.. And I'm so sorry. My writing muse has just been out the door recently. I can barely write up a grocery list. Anyway. More from me soon, and reviews are always appreciated.