Okay, now what?
Steve was having a bad day.
Well, it was on a Monday, and everyone knows that Mondays are bad days waiting to happen. He woke up, had his usual morning jog, and was almost convinced this day would be regular.
Then the Avengers alarm started sounding. He suited up, got into the QuinJet, and everything was still going fine. He was chatting with Ms Romanoff, and there was no technical difficulties as they got ready for take-off.
Then there was Stark.
Stark was, he had to admit, the worst part of waking up in the 21st century. Other than needing to learn about new tech and other things that had been invented while he was in the ice, Stark was there, a figure so familiar yet so different. Not only that, but Stark was also the epitome of modern technology. Just looking at him made Steve feel giddy, like his old life and new life were struggling for control. In fact, Stark reminded him so much of his father, Howard, that Steve tried his best not to be near him at all.
Of course, it wasn't just the fact that he reminded hime of Howard ("Of your old life," the nagging voice at the back of his head whispered.) , he was also the most vulgar person Steve had the displeasure of meeting. Everything to him was a joke, he was a womaniser, a playboy. He drank alcohol almost every day and thought getting drunk was fun- or so it seemed to Steve. All in all, Stark seemed to be nothing like Howard and he repulsed Steve.
Anyway, on that particular day, Stark was being forced to ride with them on the QuinJet. It was for team bonding, or at least that was what Fury said. It was more like Stark-complains-about-everything-in-life-like-the-rich-brat-he-is. After about 5 minutes of suffering this, Steve took Stark aside and gave him a few sharp words. It was something along the lines of, "Stark, no one appreciates you complaining." Steve definitely remembered adding a few choice words of his own. It seemed to shut Stark up.
Then the battle happened.
Stark was his usual annoying self, giving quips and cheesy one-liners in the middle of fighting. Steve warned him to be careful as he went off to find the scientist. Everything seemed to be wrapping up nicely. Then Steve heard Stark say "Okay, just put the gun down" and alarm bells blared in his head. Quickly ending the monster he was duelling with, he ran towards the building. Who knew what Stark had gotten himself into?
Then Steve reached the building. Entering the room, he immediately took note of the situation: the scientist had a gun. "Stark!" Before Steve knew it, the words were coming out of his mouth.
Everything seemed to happen in slow-motion.
Stark whipped back to look at him and the scientist panicked. His finger tightened on the trigger. A golden beam shot out of the gun and collided with Stark's body. Stark convulsed for a second and collapsed on the floor. All of this happened in a span of two seconds while Steve was standing there with his mouth wide open like a goldfish.
Cursing himself for his stupidity, he ran to Stark's side. "Stark, are you injured? JARVIS, give me stats!" There was silence. Making eye contact with the scientist, Steve strode towards him and lifted him up by his shirt collar. "What did you do to him?" Steve snarled but the scientist simply cowered under Steve's furious gaze and refused to say a word. Jogging outside, he saw the team waiting outside. Bruce was wrapped in a blanket, having de-hulked already.
"Captain, where's Stark?" Clint acknowledged Steve as he handed the scientist to the agents standing by.
"He's inside. The scientist shot him with some sort of gun. He's not responding." Steve replied hurriedly, before turning to Doctor Banner, who had been standing nearby. "Come with me. I think Stark needs medical assistance."
Running back into the building with Doctor Banner in tow, Steve wondered guiltily about what would have happened if he had not shouted, but brushed it off for the time being. Saving Stark was more important now.
Upon reaching Stark, Bruce rapped on the helmet. "Tony, can you hear me?"
"Doctor Banner, Tony is fine. His vitals are all normal. My systems were rebooting just now. The gun had done something to them." Steve and Bruce both jerked in surprise at the sound of JARVIS' voice. Steve breathed a sigh of relief, but Bruce seemed to feel that there was a catch. "JARVIS, why isn't he responding?"
"He seems to be- well, you better see for yourself." JARVIS' voice had a note of resignation to it as he opened the suit.
Inside the suit was a Jack Russell Terrier puppy, with huge whisky brown eyes. It was unconscious. Steve and Bruce stared at each other in wonder.
Finally, Bruce found his voice and spoke first. "Is Tony...a dog?"