"You want to believe that there's one relationship in life that's beyond betrayal; a relationship that's beyond that kind of hurt. And there isn't." – Caleb Carr

Chapter Eight.

The crippling news of Stark's betrayal struck the entire team hard but none more than the captain. In the rushed panic that followed, with Hill attempting to guide the team, Steve stiffened — fists clenched, jaw tightened, rigid posture. Stark may have questionable behavior but never did it cross Steve's mind that his teammate and friend would join the ranks of the terrorist organization of the 1940s. The same organization that threatened the very principles Steve swore to defend. Tony was not Hydra. There wasn't a doubt in Steve's mind and yet the world said otherwise.

It can't be him, Steve argued with himself. On the night he met Stark, the night he apprehended Loki in Germany, Steve garnered the impression of a rich, pompous, silver spoon-fed smart-ass. But over time, with Captain America battling by Iron Man's side, the pair grew close, inseparable. Two sides of the same coin. Stark made sacrifices for the team, even bargaining his own life when the time called for it. That can't be the same man who joined Hydra. Steve refused to accept the betrayal so easily.

"Steve." Natasha's voice lulled him from the abyss of his thoughts. Only then did he realize the hand on his shoulder, and the look of concern that consumed her features. Blinking back to reality, Steve noted the rest of the team had gone silent and all eyes were on him. Being the alleged captain, they looked to him for guidance in times of trouble. Now was one of those times but Steve could barely think straight on his own. He had so many questions that could only be answered by the one not present. Unlike the others, he didn't have the luxury of breaking down. He had to stand strong for the team and put up a face of confidence. No doubt his cool demeanor may confuse his teammates but they needed it.

Steve stepped forth to address his teammates, his expression focused but void of emotion.

"Suit up. We're going after the Iron Man." Steve spoke with the utmost determination, which encouraged his compliant teammates. "Assemble here in ten," he added as final instruction. The two former S.H.I.E.L.D. agents left to their private quarters in search of their gear, leaving Bruce Banner with Hill and Rogers. Thor remained unaccounted for. This was the leadership they sought. If only someone looked close enough, he or she would have noticed the dangerous glint fixated in Steve's darkened eyes.

"Is that really the best call here, Rogers?" Hill interjected, hands on her hips, questioning his impulse. It was expected. Steve faced the woman, giving her the chance to continue. It was clear she wasn't finished. "Your team is in no position to handle a rogue member especially after news like this. You're emotions may cloud your judgement."

"Ma'am, with all due respect, I believe the best course of action is going after Iron Man while he's still in the city. If we wait any longer we may lose him. You said it yourself, it's my team so it's my call."

"You don't need the Hulk for a manhunt." She continued, nodding in Banner's direction. Steve suppressed a sigh. Time was ticking. The seconds the Avengers could use searching for Stark were being thrown down the drain because of unnecessary procedure.

"I have no intention of using the Hulk. Dr. Banner frequently worked by Stark's side, he could be useful in locating him." Steve said through clenched teeth, his tone edging on impatient. Hill took note of this and after a moment of consideration she backed down, leaving Rogers to govern his team. She tapped on the earpiece, on a line with an unknown informant, and left the premises.

Steve, previously consumed by his own coming to terms with news of Stark's betrayal, just realized the lost look in Banner's sunken eyes behind those clear lenses.

"Dr. Banner?" Steve prompted, hoping to gain the doctor's attention. In the time the team has spent together, Banner was on Steve's short side of interaction. Steve may have ended up spending more time with Stark but it was apparent Banner had trusted the billionaire most out of everyone. Now he had no one. Perhaps it was time to change that and Steve tried to reach the good doctor through his question of concern. "Everything okay?"

The good intention was not lost on Bruce but the last thing he needed was pity. He was angry—conflicted. Tony was his most trusted teammate, friend even, a it's been ages since Bruce had a lasting relationship like the one he shared with Tony. And if what the others say is true, Tony being affiliated with this Hydra, Bruce reverted back to the chapters of his troubled past along with trust issues.

"I-I'm sorry Steve." Bruce muttered delicately, aware of his own building anger. He couldn't even look Steve in the eye. His ears burned. The inside of his stomach churned. The tight lipped doctor shook his head and stuffed his balled fists in his pockets for good measure. The captain was probably expecting a reason for this apology, Bruce reminded himself. His head snapped up, green-tinted eyes trained on the captain's own.

"I'm quitting the team."

Taken aback, Steve froze. But Banner's retreating form did not wait for a response. Steve recovered in time to catch Banner at the doors of the elevator. He even reached his hand hesitantly before curling his fingers and dropping it. Better not to upset the doctor further.

"Dr. Banner, wait." There was an urgency in Steve's voice, one of desperation, which he did not reveal earlier when addressing the team.

With a heavy heart, Banner put a halt in his step and pressed a finger on the open button, holding the elevator and leaving enough time to hear the good captain out. Steve saw his window of opportunity and pressed on, talking to Banner's back.

"The team can't afford lose another team mate. I can't lose another friend." Steve's words offered promise, and they were almost believable through the passion of his deliverance. It's probably why he was an obvious choice for a leader. "We'll get through this, as a team."

Bruce didn't turn around. But he didn't close the elevator off just yet either. Instead he squeezed his eyes shut and gently removed his glasses to wipe a hand down his face. He gave Steve's words some thought. Bruce took the bottom of his shirt and used the fabric to clear the invisible smudge in his glasses. Insignificant tasks like this distracted him in part from his rage. It kept him level-headed. For the most part.

"Hill was right. Besides, I won't be of much use. I understand you were vouching for me, and I appreciated that but I need to be alone." With a delicate hand, Bruce placed his glasses back on the bridge of his nose. Steve didn't have a chance to argue. The elevator doors closed shut and just like that Banner vanished without another word.

"Captain Rogers."

Steve almost forgot about the computer.

"J.A.R.V.I.S?" He didn't know where the AI's allegiance stood but since befriending the billionaire, Steve had permissions within the tower including personal access to AI system. For a minute, Steve's barriers shattered. He was vulnerable and grasping for straws. He had to believe there was more to the story than what was being told. Being old-fashioned, Steve didn't place blind faith in technology like the others did. He relied on his fists and morals. But in this moment, he had to believe J.A.R.V.I.S held the keys to unlocking the truth. "Is it true? Tony's Hydra?"

"My apologies, captain. I cannot confirm nor deny your query. You no longer have full access to the database."

Steve clenched his jaw, bowing his head, hands on his hips. "Where is he?"

"I'm afraid I am unable to provide you with that information." The computer left him with no options to find the Iron Man. Steve had no platform to begin with.

"J.A.R.V.I.S?"

"Yes, captain?"

"Keep him safe."

"I will do my best."

Back in private quarters, Clint and Natasha changed into their proper suits. The archer knelt by a black case at the end of the room, unlocking the case with a satisfying click, revealing his prized bow. But he kept an eye on Natasha who moved effortlessly, gliding across the room to fetch her utility belt. Her face was unreadable. Others may see a focused agent but Clint knew her better than anyone. Or so he liked to believe. He saw betrayal behind her blank features. But she would never admit it. It angered him almost. Clint broke the burdening silence that haunted them both.

"He's a coward. A coward and a liar, traitor." Clint growled through gritted teeth. He could only be talking about one person. He couldn't lose the tension building in his neck and shoulders even massaging it didn't help. He kicked the base of the wall. It left a dent. But it didn't help. Nothing did. Clint had one target in mind and hitting that target would calm his nerves. His fingers twitched. He was ready to shoot down Stark the moment he spotted the lying traitor given the opportunity.

"How are you so calm?"

"We have a job to do, Clint." She reminded him sharply. Natasha donned her stingers over black gloves. "Bring in the traitor Anthony Stark and then we can talk about your feelings."

"Anthony—? Christ, Natasha you sound detached already. Tell me you're angry at least." Clint had to vent to someone, if not to his best friend then who? But she didn't give him the chance.

"We're still in the tower. His tower. The sooner we evacuate the better. Once we track Stark down, I'll show him my anger." She promised, loading the magazine of her gun with a soft click.

Clint and Natasha showed up moments following Banner's departure, finding Steve standing by himself on the quiet party deck. They were equipped from head to toe in the same gear used on the first day of the team's unlikely alliance. Clint with his bow and arrows; Natasha and her gun and stingers. She probably had a couple extra surprises hidden in her utility belt.

"Where's Bruce?" Natasha questioned Steve offhand, handing him an earpiece. Clint had the same query written on his face as he handed over the captain's shield. Both agents looked to Steve for the answer.

"He left." Steve said simply as he adjusted the earpiece, voice barely above a whisper. What else could he say? Bruce left so abruptly without leaving any means of contact.

"So we going or what?" Clint piped up. There was an eagerness in his tone, he couldn't stand still in the same fashion joggers ran in place waiting on red light. "When I see Tony I'll put an arrow between in his lying teeth."

"At ease, Hawkeye. We're bringing in the Iron Man unharmed."

"No way—" Clint began angrily, pointing an accusing finger only to be cut off.

Without warning, a whirlwind of papers went flying announcing Thor's long overdue arrival. He walked past the glass panels overlooking Manhattan, New York and entered the party deck, joining the team—or what's left of it. He remained uninformed. No one volunteered to relay the bad news of Stark's allegiance to Hydra. But Thor loudly voiced his confusion.

"Where are Stark and Banner?"

Steve stepped forth. He felt compelled to inform his teammate but his inward struggle prevented him from speaking, he still grappled with the fact Tony was Hydra and saying it aloud felt wrong. He looked at Thor with a pained expression, mouth open, but no words fell from his lips. Instead, Natasha beat him to the cut.

"Stark is the traitor."

The Asgardian's grip on the hammer tightened as well as his jaw. As though Thor needed confirmation, he looked to the captain who he knew to be close with the one Tony Stark. "Is this true?"

Steve could only nod. Softly. His heart wasn't into it. With each passing second his image of Tony slipped into darkness and Tony only ran further. Finding him will be no easy task and Steve could use all the help he could get from his teammates. But Thor walked back to the outside deck from where he landed previously. This raised a red flag. Steve rushed forward to meet Thor.

"Where are you going?"

"It was an honor to serve by your side, Captain. But I should have left ages ago. Man is so easily corrupted. I shall return to Asgard in search of … answers." He whipped his hammer into the air and leapt off the platform, disappearing into the horizon.

The team was falling apart in the same way pulling a single strand of thread dismantled an intricately woven rug. It started with Hydra infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D, snaking its way into the Avengers, and losing Tony was the icing on the cake. All else was compelled to crumble behind like dominos. But Steve had to hang onto that last thread of hope for his remaining teammates.

"What now, Cap?" Clint grumbled, arms crossed clearly unimpressed with the non-stop bad luck. Natasha had the same question on her mind. For the final time, both agents looked at Steve for answers.

Steve held up his shield and stared into his distorted reflection. The shield had long been a symbol of hope and justice. He held onto this ideals and never settled for less. But he couldn't bring hope to half of his team. In a sense, he failed each one of them. Tony joined Hydra. Bruce lost faith in himself where Thor lost faith in humanity. Steve couldn't let Stark get away with criminal activity without facing justice. But the Avengers were broken. Steve had to accept that and teach his remaining teammates how to say goodbye.

He dropped the shield, turning to face the last fragments of the team.

"I'm disbanding the Avengers."

AN: Inspiration strikes at the strangest of times. This chapter was long over due and I'm thankful for those of you who were patient for an update.