TC Stark: So...here comes the time...to say goodbye. I know, last chapter of the story. I should have given some warning and I'm sorry about that. I wanted to write a complete story, wrapped up in a bow. Please tell me if I achieved that. I hope I told the story well and I thank from the bottom of my heart all of my reviewers and followers. You guys gave me a high I never wanted to come down from! I wanted to end this story in the same tone of the story - a love tale. I am working on a sequel, but I won't put it out right away simply because I want to see where I want to go with it. Thank you again!

Disclaimer: If anyone has read my "Whatever Time We Have Left" story, I am reusing Tilda. I found with that story that I never developed her properly, so I'm revamping her - giving her a fresh coat of wax and throwing her into this story. Also, as much as I love the Cap, I've realized (in my head) she is much better suited in this AU, as this is a Pietro/OC story (with small parts of Cap/Black Widow because they're my OTP). This story is rated M for mature content, such as sex, violence, death, language, etc. I try not to ever be too vulgar, but also don't believe in censorship. This story deals with the serious issues of a fatal medical condition, so there's that. I do not own anyone, except Tilda and my ideas.

Chapter Sixteen

Saturdays were not normally days someone would choose to wake up early on. The work week was done, and usually Friday nights were for partying, so the next day would be spent sleeping in. Children were happy not to get ready for school and their parents let out a silent sigh in relief, hoping to maybe have some time to themselves before having to go back to being a mother or father.

It didn't matter what day it was, Tilda always woke up early. Considering the fact that she had spent the past month or so in bed, she didn't want to feel like a dying person anymore. Life went on as usual and she was slowly getting back to her daily routine. It had only been two weeks, but she was feeling better than ever. More awake. Stronger. Lighter. More alive. It made jogging at seven in the morning so much easier.

The sun was barely in the sky as Tilda jogged in the nearby park. Normally, she had confined herself to the Avengers facility. Their gym, their tracks, even their swimming pool. For some reason, since becoming better; she had felt the need to be more social. Sure, she never said a word to any other fellow jogger, but it was nice being around people. She had avoided them for too long, it was time to be a civilian of the world again.

Perhaps it was Pietro's sunny disposition that was helping her. It would be fitting. The man had helped her through her final months; it would stand to reason that he would also help her in her recovery. Tilda had had a slight fear that now that she wasn't going anywhere that perhaps the Sokovian would want to back away from the relationship, but he seemed more involved than ever. This time, they could be a normal couple; without knowing there was an end in sight.

After her second lap, Tilda stopped to check her vitals. She was staring at her watch, when a blur of silver and blue stopped in front of her, "You're late."

"I was picking out my shoes," Pietro defended himself, "I do not think I like these."

With a cunning smirk, Tilda lightly scolded him, "Don't lie. You were sleeping in."

The Sokovian smiled, as they began to casually walk the path of the park, "I am sorry. Waking up early, it is not my preference. I would rather be in bed," Wrapping his arm around her waist, Pietro slyly grinned, "With you."

"Easy, tiger." Tilda smiled gently, feeling ultimately satisfied by his comment. Not only was she alive, but her sexual awakening had finally happened. It felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. No longer fearful of sex, she saw it as just another way for her and Pietro to express their feelings towards each other. It wasn't just a physical act, and it made her feel even more connected to him, as well as herself.

"There is nice bakery in town. We get coffee and breakfast there after this?" Pietro pointed out.

Stretching out her arms, Tilda tilted an eyebrow upwards, "We're about to go for a run and you're planning out eating Bear Claws after this?"

The Sokovian held his stomach and complained, "I am already hungry, beruska, I will be starving. You will have to carry me to bakery. I will not make it."

Tilda rolled her eyes at Pietro's dramatics, but ultimately smiled at his antics. Seeing her amused brought joy to him, chuckling at how she attempted to hide her enjoyment of his joking around. Content, he stuck his hands in his pockets and walked along with the agent, simply enjoying the morning air with him.

"So...I found an artist."

"Wonderful! Have you picked spot yet?" Pietro asked.

With a nod, Tilda replied, "I'm thinking the top of my right foot. It's not going to be very big. I just kept looking at my foot and I can picture the tattoo perfectly. Plus, the guy isn't going to charge me that much. I think he's done a lot of Jade elephants."

Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, the Sokovian smiled, "I do not think it will be generic, because it will be yours. I can come with you to get it, yes? Maybe I pick out something. I want to look like tough New York man."

"I think the bullet wounds make you plenty manly." Tilda snorted gently.

Pietro chortled gently at her comment, simply enjoying the morning with her. Though he was not the type to get up early, he wanted to share in Tilda's routine. He had been serious when he told her that he would always be there for her. That didn't just mean until she died - he had wanted nothing more for her to live. Now, it felt like they had been given a second chance and though not the most religious man, he felt very blessed.

For now, they were still Avengers. Still agents of SHIELD. They still had jobs to do. Tilda was still an agent. As for him, he knew he wanted to volunteer somehow. Help out the world. They had both been given abilities and he saw that they needed to apply them in a more positive way. It was the time to do that. One day, he would take her to Sokovia and they would live in a way neither were allowed to growing up.

Today just wasn't that day.

Reaching down to grab her hand gently, Pietro lifted it to his lips before admitting, "I have been doing research. I have news."

"What is it?"

Pietro stopped them for a moment, turning her to face him. With her attention on him, the Sokovian admitted, "Before you...before you died, you told me Dr. Shelley was still alive. She was still performing experiments. Is she really your mother?"

Tilda's lips were pulled downwards, shifting uncomfortably before nodding, "She donated her egg for the creation, yes. Dr. Shelley worked close with Dr. Stygar. While my father was simply a scientist, she really worked under Hydra. It was always the plan to use that research to further Hydra's army."

"Would you be mad to hear I have been doing research? I have found records. Scientists who last worked with her."

Tilting an eyebrow up, the agent looked at him skeptically, "Who have you asked?"

"Fury."

Tilda slowly nodded as she took in his words. She wasn't mad at him digging deeper into the Dr. Shelley subject. After all, they had been her final words to him. Admittedly, she had been selfish over the years. Bitter even. Dying had a way of doing that to someone - so, she hadn't very much concentrated on the mission of bringing down the scientist who had part in her upbringing. She was an agent. She did the missions she was told. Now that she was better, and not assigned to anything at the moment; it was time to start thinking about her side project again.

Reaching up, Tilda gently pulled Pietro down by his collar. The Sokovian wrapped his thick arms around her fit waist, pushing his lips against hers eagerly. Grinning, the runner rubbed the small of her back as they gently kissed one another. Having someone who made them feel so alive was gratifying, invigorating. The telekinetic wasn't sure if she had ever loved anyone before, but she knew she loved him.

While pulling away, Tilda asked, "Are you prepared to take on something like this?"

"I did not volunteer for this experiment so I could do nothing with my powers. I did this, so I could right wrongs. I took care of mine, now we take care of yours." Pietro promised, displaying that passion that always led him towards the life of an activist - something Tilda had come to admire about him.

Sighing, Tilda stayed in his arms and admitted, "I want to take on Dr. Shelley. I want nothing more to bring her operations down. To stop her experiments. I think...the Avengers definitely need to be aware of this woman. I know that she would not have stopped with me. My father...he was solely focused on me. But, she was colder than he was. She wanted to start new when she knew the damage the experiments had on me."

Frowning, Pietro held her closer to him while pressing his forehead against hers, "I will find her. I will make her pay."

Tilda balled her fists onto his chest, feeling his love radiate off of his being and engulf her. Since day one, Pietro only wanted to help her. Protect her. It was endearing and powerful. Sometimes, it was more powerful than she was prepared for. She was an agent. These kinds of missions were ones she was always sent on. Somehow though, it didn't feel right. Not right now.

"Maybe...maybe we can do this. But...we have your mission first."

Confused, Pietro asked, "What is my mission, beruska?"

Reaching up, Tilda touched her hand to his cheek and explained, "When I was dying, you told me about Sokovia. About the house there waiting for you. You promised me that you would have the strength to go back. I think, right now; that is more important. It's important you see your home country again."

"But, what about you?"

"You have taken care of me this whole time, Pietro," Tilda explained softly, "Let me take care of you."

Pietro held her close to his body, rocking her gently as he tried not to let tears run down his cheeks. Admittedly, he was a little scared. It wasn't that he was lying to her, he meant every word. But, the idea now of going back to Sokovia was frightening and he felt that he needed Tilda more than ever.

Ultimately, Pietro nodded, knowing she was right. Tilda held onto him as they stood there in silence. It was going to be a powerful journey and at the moment, it was the most important mission of her life. Though she knew he never gave without wanting anything in return, she knew it was her turn to give back to him.

Taking in a large breath, Pietro kissed Tilda quickly before asking, "We go for bear claws now?"

Laughing, Tilda pulled away from the Sokovian and stated, "Laps first. Pastries second."

"Noooo!"