Tears of an Angel

Payton was sitting on mandatory rest. Everyone else doing something and she was slowly losing her sanity as she counted the tiles on the ceiling for the tenth time(There were 54). She pushed her laptop away from her slightly, leaning her head against the pillows. Maybe she could convince FRIDAY to let her go to the gym? Or just out of the tower? At least she had her web shooters now. Payton took a deep breath through her nose, brushing her hair back from her face. It's only been two hours, she shouldn't be this bored!

The hairs on the back of her neck stood as almost inaudible footsteps came towards her. She quickly turned, instantly shooting a web- Only for it to miss and hit the wall next to where Nebula and Gamora stood. Nebula who was wearing a sleeveless purple shirt.

"Oh." Payton turned to them. "Hi."

"Hello," Past Nebula spoke softly.  

"What can I help y'all with?"

"You killed our father." Gamora said as the two walked closer to her.

"Well it was a tough call but yeah." Payton said as she tensed slightly.

"You did what we wanted to do for years." Gamora continued.

"Y'all aren't here to kill me are y'all?" Payton asked, a slight head tilt. "Cause y'all seem nice." She looked to Past Nebula. "I'm friends with this time's version of you. But it'll still be awkward if you try to kill me cause than Tony will kill you and then Star Lord tries killing him and it turns into this whole thing."

"No. We're not here to kill you." Past Nebula said, both rolling their eyes.

"We're here to thank you." Gamora spoke up. "Our father slaughtered billions. Would've done worse if he had succeeded."

"...Your welcome." Payton said hesitantly. She never wanted to kill, but Thanos left no other choice. "What are y'all going to do?"

"The wrath of Thanos can still be felt in our time." Past Nebula said. "Several of his followers still live."

"They won't be for much longer." Gamora said, a small smile on her lips.

Clint smiled at her as a nearby siren went off, the nearby car on fire courtesy of a certain arrow. 'If you want to stop me, you'll have to keep up, kid.'

"So y'all are going back?"

"After the others return from the mission to return the stones, we'll be leaving." Past Nebula said.

"I never thanked y'all for joining us in that fight." Payton realized. "We wouldn't have won if y'all hadn't. thank you."

Both were silent for a moment.

"Here." Gamora said sliding a small silver object out of her sheath. Gamora moved it, unleashing a long blade, before handing it to her, hilt first.

"Your sword?" Payton questioned softly taking it.

"Use it well." Gamora encouraged before stepping back.

"And this." Past Nebula handed her a pager like device. "The Fox and Danvers helped me with this. It will allow communication across different timelines." Payton accepted it.

"Use this to contact us if you need anything."

Payton smiled up to them. "I can't thank y'all enough. If there's anything I can do-"

"You've already done it." Gamora said a small smile on her face.

*******

Tony stood by Bruce as he readied the time machine. They were just outside the Compound grounds that was currently undergoing reconstruction.

"So you going to tell me how y'all did this?" Tony asked as he popped in a blueberry.

"Nope." Bruce said typing in some more numbers.

"Come on why not. I bet we can make some even cooler upgrades to this. Right Har?"

"As much as it pains me to say it," Harley said from where he was sitting on the other side of Bruce. Flash was a few yards further away, messing with the scepter. "We can't."

"Told the Ancient One that we'd put everything back." Bruce explained, not really paying attention to Tony. "So that means no time travel shenanigan's."

"I'm not going to screw up the timeline." Tony defended. He paused. "... I won't purposely screw with the timeline."

"Sorry bud, can't risk it."

"Fine." Tony sat defeated as he pulled out his phone. "But you better let me work on the next cool project."

"Are you done whining yet?" Nat teased as she and Steve walked over. They were wearing their standard uniforms. But Tony knew they were wearing the last time travel watches.

The others had apparently already been destroyed, these two would be given to the space sisters after the mission.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Alright." Harley closed the lids of the two cases. "Five magical rocks secured for their return trips."

Everyone looked over at the sound of a small explosion to see a tree had been destroyed. And Flash was failing to hide the scepter behind his back with a guilty look on his face. "How'd that happen?"

"Give." Natasha commanded taking one of the cases for herself as Steve grabbed the other, Mjolnir in his other hand.

"In my defense," Flash said sheepishly handing it over. "I didn't know it could do that."

"Well now you know." Natasha said as she walked over to the platform.

"You know we could go with y'all." Sam said as he and Bucky walked over.

"Thanks," Steve said with a small smile. "We got this though." He looked over to Bucky. "Don't do anything stupid 'til I get back."

"How can I?" Bucky questioned. "You're taking all the stupid with you." The two men embraced each other. "Gonna miss you, buddy."

"It's gonna be okay, Buck."

"Remember," Bruce said as Steve moved over to the platform. "You have to return the stones to the exact moment you got them or you'll open up a bunch of nasty alternative realities."

"Clip all the branches." Steve nodded.

"Ready?" Bruce asked as they activated their suits.

"Ready." Steve nodded.

"Alright, we'll meet y'all back here, okay?"

"See you in a minute." Nat smiled.

"Going quantum." Bruce said as he messed with more buttons. "Three- two -one."

In a blink of an eye they were gone.

"You seriously got to teach me how to work this." Tony smiled walking closer.

"You wish." Harley said pushing a couple of buttons. "Returning in five- four- three- two- one."

In another blink Natasha appeared in front of them. Her hair was slightly longer now, more of her natural red was showing. Her eyes were slightly red and puffy as if she had just finished crying.

"Where's Steve?" Tony asked as Harley got up, and Bruce looked to his beeping screen.

"I don't know." Bruce said eyes frantically scanning his screen.

"Get him the hell back!" Sam demanded, fear coursing through him.

"I'm trying." Bruce said frantically.

"Sam..." Bucky said softly.

"Steve-" Natasha finally said as she descended the steps. "Steve's-"

"Sorry about that." They all turned around to see Steve standing on the other side of the platform walking closer to them. He then lifted his wrist to show the watch that looked slightly dented. "Had trouble calling my ride."

"Steve?" Natasha said walking fast to meet him.

"Couldn't leave my best girl." Steve said as she grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him close into a deep kiss.

Well then. Tony thought as he stared at the couple, everyone seemingly stunned into silence. How about that.

"YES!" Harley yelled breaking the silence as he raised his arms in victory. "I called it. I called it, Thompson!" He jumped over his chair and walked towards Flash who groaned, walking away. "I called it! Pay up!"

"Not gonna happen, tin boy." Flash said walking towards the Compound.

"Didn't think you were going to come back." Bucky said walking towards them after the new couple separated.

"I'm with you 'til the end of the line, remember?" Steve said holding a hand out to Bucky.

Bucky grabbed it, before they pulled each other into another hug.

"So," Sam as the rest of them walked closer. "You going to tell us what happened?"

Natasha and Steve shared a smirk.

"No," Steve said. "I don't think I will."

****2 Months After Return****

"What's Reed and Ben up to today?" Payton asked Sue as she pushed her down the hall. It's been a couple of weeks since Nat and Steve returned the stones but they were still overseeing the construction. Although they were due for a visit soon. But now Payton, the Starks, Harley and Flash were all in the city.  

"Reed is out in San Francisco talking to Hank Pym." Sue explained matter of fact. "And Ben decided to join him."

"I though you'd want to meet Jan. Why didn't you go? Not that I'm complaining."

"You are so lucky you don't have to deal with press all the time." Sue said annoyed. "They're almost as exhausting as an actual battle. So if I can't avoid them, I could at least do a couple of days without two of three of my idiots."

"The joys of having a secret identity is not having to deal with press." They stopped in the living room where Harley, Flash and Johnny were all on the ground fighting over the remote that laid on the table. "But I do understand the three idiots feeling."

Payton watched as Harley was about to grab the remote- Only for a forcefield made of light blue  energy to surround the remote. Payton smiled up to Sue, seeing the same light blue energy surrounding her hand as she moved it to them.

"That's cheating!" Johnny whined as the three boys fell to the ground in a huge pile. "We agreed no powers."

"I made no such agreement." Sue gloated as she got comfortable on one of the couches, Payton seated next to her. Sue looked to her. "You have anything you'd like to watch."

"Not particularly."

"I vote for ESPN!" Johnny said as the boys untangled themselves. "They're showing that motorcycle show I was-"

"I say myth busters!" Harley interrupted.

"Friday mute TV." Pepper said as she walked in. T'Challa and Shuri walking in behind her. Shuri holding onto a large box.

"Hey!" Payton lit up at the sight of the two. "I didn't think I'd see y'all so soon."

"Underestimating again Colonizer." Shuri teased as the boys got to their feet.

"Princess." Johnny greeted. "Your Grace."

"It is good to see y'all again." T'Challa smiled. "Miss Parker you seem to be doing better."

"I do feel a lot better." Payton admitted with a smile. "Where's Okoye?"

"She is a few floors down talking to Natasha and Tony." Shuri said sitting across from Payton as T'Challa, Sue and Pepper talked. "Avengers business I'm sure."

"Of course." Payton said quietly. She wasn't jealous that she couldn't go join them. Or go on any mission. Or even swing. She could barely even stick at this point... Ok. Fine, so maybe she was a little jealous.

Shuri leaned forward, a wide smile on her lips. "I have something for you." She gently placed the box on her lap.

Payton smiled at her before turning to the box. In it was a dark silver arm with red accents that matched the built and size of her remaining arm.

"It's beautiful." Payton said running her fingertips over it. It was definitely Vibranium.

"It also has a camouflage feature." Shuri said, pushing an almost undetectable button on the inner wrist. The arm shimmered slightly as the silver arm turned into the same shade of her skin.

"This is amazing." Payton whispered in awe.

"Let's get it on." Shuri excitedly said. "As you can probably tell it is made of Vibranium." Shuri narrated as she put the arm on. "Meaning it's incredibly durable." She then looked at Johnny. "Should even be able to withstand you."

Payton blushed at Johnny's nervous laughter. "Yes that's um... Thanks."

Shuri laughed. "Colonizer's, y'all are so fun to mess with."

"Have y'all met Ororo yet?" Payton asked desperate to change the subject as her cheeks slowly began to cool.

"Bast she's amazing." Shuri smiled. "I wish I could've met her sooner. But as it turns out she and T'Challa had already met."

"Really?" Johnny asked leaning forward, "She didn't mention that before."

"She knew a boy named T'Challa from her travels." Shuri explained. "She just didn't realize that T'Challa was the same Prince T'Challa of Wakanda."

"Did he recognize her?"

"Yes, her white hair is very memorable."

"That's not the only memorable thing about her." Harley noted.

Payton smiled at the memory. On a visit to Wakanda, Ororo was also their on behalf of her country to meet with Okoye and Queen Ramonda. Payton had brought Harley with her. Ororo ended up sending him flying with a small tornado when he doubted her abilities.

"So my turn for a question." Shuri leaned forward. "What's going on between Natasha and Steve."

"I have no idea." Payton smiled as Harley turned back to Flash, the two falling into another debate. "And she refuses to answer of course. It's like Budapest all over again."

"What happened in Budapest?"

*******

"-Head out there again sometime next week?" Sam said into his phone as he walked down the hall towards the Common Room.

"The boys would love that." Sarah, his sister responded.

"Ah come on. Don't act like you don't miss me."

"Fine, maybe I miss you a little." There was a crash like sound in the background. "Boys you better not-" She sighed tiredly.

"Duty calls?"

"Yeah, I'll call you later."

"Talk to you later." Sam hung up the phone as he entered the common room of the floor. Natasha, Steve and Bucky were already there.

"Hey man," Sam greeted as he went to go sit on a couch.

"Hey." Steve greeted a small smile on his face. "How's the family?"

"Good. Nephews causing trouble again."

"What is it about getting kids together that causes mayhem?" Steve wondered aloud.

"You weren't exactly a saint growing up either." Bucky pointed out.

"We." Steve said gesturing towards each other. 

"No you were the one always rushing into fights when you were a scrawny kid."

"So was Payton."

"Payton can lift 10 tons, you could barley breath."

"Actually," Natasha's face was slightly scrunched. "It may be closer to fifty tons."

"Bull." Sam called out the same time Steve said, "How could you possibly know that?"

"Well she did steer the plane that had a bunch of our equipment from the outside. A plane of that size would be at least- what- 45 tons?"

"That doesn't include the fuel or equipment though." They turned to see Rhodey and Tony walk in. It was Rhodey that spoke.

"That would put twenty tons for the fuel," Tony continued as he thought out loud. "And the equipment would generously be two tons. So that's roughly sixty seven tons."

"Would the warehouse be more or less than the plane?" Steve asked.

"A building versus a fully stocked plane?" Rhodey asked incredulously. "I'm like 90% sure the plane is more."

Tony's face was scrunched up slightly. "Wait a minute..." His eyes moved rapidly as he did mental math. "She also held together a ferry for a couple of minutes."

"A ferry?" Sam asked. "When did that happen?"

"Long story." Tony dismissed as he continued. "So the ferry is-" He sat up straighter. "Son of a bitch."

"That can't be right." Rhodey said, apparently on the same mind set as Tony. "That would be 3,000 tons-"

"And that's not including water intake, passenger weight, or cars on there."

"Bull shit." Sam called out. "She's like the size of a twig. And even if we take in the fact spiders can lift like 100 times-"

"170 times-" Bucky interjected.

"-170 times their weight. That is still nowhere near the supposed 3,000 tons y'all seem to be thinking."

"But she was also bitten by a genetically altered spider." Natasha pointed out. "Meaning we have no idea what modifications were made."

"Meaning she could theoretically lift that much." Rhodey pointed out.

"She could also theoretically turn into a giant spider or a mass murderer." Sam pointed out. "That doesn't mean it's true."

"This is like the hammer all over again." Steve sat back a lost look in his face.

"It still goes up!" Tony cried out exasperated.

"What were y'all up to?" Natasha asked deciding to change the subject.

"I'm going to do some PT with Payton." Rhodey explained.

"And me and Princess Leia are going to look over some stuff." Tony said.

"How's Payton been doing?"

"She's..." Rhodey hesitated. "She's getting there. She just needs time."

"Maybe I should go talk to her." Natasha said getting up, only stopping when Tony put his hand on her shoulder.

"She hasn't been too forthcoming about what she's been feeling. And Pepper insists that we just give her time."

"I've seen what happens when we give people too much space." Natasha grabbed her arrow necklace.

"Come on," Tony said leading her out, Rhodey following. "Let's go talk to Shuri. Then after her PT you can talk to her."

"So what are your plans now?" Sam casually asked as the others left the room. Bucky having ducked out at some point.

"That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about." Steve took a deep breath as he pulled out a large leather circle case from under the couch. Sam instantly knowing it was the shield. "You know it was years since I touched this. Before the time heist."

"You think Tony's going to try taking it back?"

"Oh no. We already talked about it a while back. He said keep it, consider it an early Christmas gift."

"Alright." Sam nodded. "So you going to be using that and lead the team?"

"No." Steve sighed. "You don't get it. I wasn't Captain America anymore. I wasn't anything anymore. When you lost Riley you devoted yourself to helping others. When I lost you and Bucky and the others disappeared, I shut down."

"We all deal with things differently." He tried to assure.

"But I should've stepped up. With or without the shield, I should've been there. It  shouldn't have to be up to Payton."

Sam sighed thinking of the girl who was currently relearning to walk.

"I don't think I can ever be Captain America again."

"Alright." Sam spoke slowly. "Alright. So what are you going to do then?"

Silently Steve handed him the case. Confused, Sam took it.

"It's yours now."

Sam stared at him. "I don't- I..." He trailed off, staring down at the case.

"Try it." Steve encouraged a soft smile on his face.

Quietly, Sam slid the now repaired shield out of the case before sliding it onto his left arm.

"How does it feel?"

"Like it belongs to someone else."

"It's yours now."

He couldn't do this. How could he be Captain America? Would anyone even want him to be?

"What about Bucky?" He couldn't help but ask as he lowered the shield.

"Bucky is still trying to find himself. But the entire time I've known you, you've known exactly who you were. You've always strived to help others, no matter what you were going through. I mean how many times have you had every reason to do nothing, and yet are still out fighting for others. Not even I could do that. If anyone deserves this it's you."

"I'm not even a super soldier."

"You do know that's not a requirement right?"

Sam was silent looking down at the shield. He could remember being younger running around with paper plates and round pillows, pretending to be Captain America. But this?

"You don't have to decide now." Steve assured. "But at least think about it."

*******

Rhodey had met her in one of the private gyms. In the center of the room were two long parallel bars, a blue mat on the ground between them.

"You ready?" Rhodey asked as the nurse who walked her in left.

"Sure." Payton nodded as Rhodey moved to her side. "How hard can it be?"

"Oh if you think it's easy that means I'm not doing it right." He paused. "I thought Tony made you a pair of leg braces?"

Payton gestured to the back of the chair where they were hanging on the back of the seat. "I want to see what I can do without them."

"Payton-"

"Please." She looked up to him desperately. If anyone would understand it'd be him, right?

He let out a small breath. "Fine, but if you fall the leg braces come on. Understand?"

"Of course." She smiled up to him.

"Alright." Rhodey gently tapped the parallel bars. "Grab onto these as you try to stand."

Payton did as he said, testing out her Vibranium grip. She took a deep breath before she forced herself to stand. Her legs instantly started shaking like a leaf.

Keep me up. She silently begged her legs. Don't let me fall.

She hissed slightly as she took a small step forward- Only for her legs to give out. She clutched tightly onto the right bar with both arms to stop her mid fall. She panted, finally realizing sweat had been forming on her forehead, ignoring the sting in her eyes.

"You alright?" Rhodey asked kneeling next to her.

"I'm fine." She insisted letting go of the bar as she maneuvered herself to sit with her legs stretched out in front of her. "Let's try it again."

"Alright." Rhodey nodded as he stood. "Alright. Let me grab the braces."

"I don't need them." Payton insisted as she grabbed onto the bars again.

"Payton."

"Rhodey."

"We had a deal." He harshly reminded stepping closer.

"You should've gotten it in writing." Payton snapped as she tried to pull herself up. She was barely off the ground when Rhodey gently grabbed her shoulder and pushed her down. She glared up to him. "Let me go."

"You can't walk on your own yet." Rhodey firmly said. "You need the braces."

"No I don't." She insisted. "I have enhanced healing I should be fine already."

"You'll get there, just not yet."

"Don't tell me what I can and can not do." She hissed her voice getting louder as she slapped his hand away.

"I'm not. I'm just reminding you you're not healed yet."

"I'm fine."

"You need the help."

"No I don't!" She finally snapped, unable to hold back tears anymore. "I am Spider Girl! I am stronger than this! If I can't use any of my abilities, I should at least have the fucking ability to walk by myself! It's only fair!"

The room was silent save for her panting. Did she seriously just snap at Rhodey? He was only trying to help.

But there's nothing that needs fixing. She fiercely told herself.

"Forget it." She said grabbing onto the bar again. "Forget it. You wouldn't get it."

"Actually I may be the only one here who does." He knelt next to her, braces whirring, placing his hands on the bar besides her. "I was angry after the accident too. When Tony first showed me the braces I wanted to throw them across the room, but I know he was only trying to help."

"Yours was an accident. I did this to myself."

"So would you stop yourself knowing what happened."

"No. That's-That's not what I meant. I just- I can't get mad at anyone else for this. It was my input the made time travel possible, I insisted Nebula go to Morag. and I grabbed the Stones. So it's my fault I'm like this."

"You're right it is your fault." She looked up to Rhodey.

"You really suck at comfort. Anyone ever tell you that?"

"Yes. But I'm just agreeing with you. And it is your fault. Your fault we got the Stones. Your fault my best friend is back.  Your fault half of existence was able to return. And your fault Thanos is gone."

"I could stick to buildings. I could lift tons. And now I can barely pick up a brush and..." She looked to where she had grabbed the bar when she fell. "Not even a dent."

"You don't need your abilities. It wasn't your powers that made Tony and Pepper care for you."

"I just-" Payton sighed. "I'm just frustrated."

"I get it." Rhodey said kindly. "Really I do. But healing isn't a straight line. You're not going to instantly get better. Are you ready to try the braces now?"

Payton stared at her legs. One day she'll be able to use her legs again. To run along ceilings. To leap across multiple buildings. But that won't be today.

"Yeah." Payton finally relented. "I guess I am."