Hey all, so I updated this as I have now seen all but two of the Avenger films. I also added a third chapter cos I'm awesome like that :) Enjoy!

Steve was finishing his mission of returning all the infinity stones, and he only had one left: the soul stone. He appeared at Vormir and felt nauseous. This was where Natasha had died. Breathing in deep and exhaling, he stepped forward. He made his way towards the mountain, and he wondered what he was going to find. He had saved this one for last because he had known how hard it was going to be. His plan was to bury Natasha if he found her to at least give her some kind of proper send off. After everything she had been through and done for the world and the team, she deserved that. He made his way to the top of the mountain and waited. Where was he supposed to put this stone? He looked around.

"What is it you seek?" a voice asked. The hair on Steve's arms jumped straight up as he turned to face the hooded, hovering figure behind him.

"I am here to return the soul stone," Steve answered. The shape moved forward, and Steve saw his face.

"We meet again," Red Skull sneered.

"Y-you?!" Steve exclaimed.

"This is where I ended up, yes," Red Skull said flatly.

"So you didn't die after all," Steve commented. He felt angry about this. How many more people from his past were going to show up having survived this long like he had? He doubted that Red Skull had been frozen.

"No. It seems my punishment for trying to control the stones is to put me here to forever stay," Red Skull replied.

"You shouldn't have even tried."

"You will never understand."

"No, I won't. I've seen what happens when someone has all the power, though. It didn't end well."

"Good for them for doing what I couldn't."

"They died."

"Well, at least they had succeeded first."

"We undid it," Steve said, the urge to punch this skullish face in front of him was strong. He clenched his fist. Red Skull contemplated the man standing before him for a moment, wondering what he meant, but he didn't ask. He was annoyed at seeing this super soldier in front of him. His anger towards Captain America was always on the surface. Red Skull blamed him for ending up on Vormir, for thwarting his plans.

"So why are you here? Come to kill me? I'm afraid it's impossible," Red Skull scoffed. Steve didn't want to be in his presence any longer than he had to be, so he got to the point.

"I am returning the soul stone," Steve said, holding it out to him. He wondered if it was wise to have someone such as Red Skull guard this stone, but clearly he was unable to use it. Red Skull waved his arm, and the stone floated up and out of sight.

"Seems foolish to return something powerful like that," Red Skull said.

"We don't need it anymore," Steve replied carefully.

"So you think," Red Skull scoffed.

"What do you know about the sacrifices to get this stone?" Steve asked. He had to know.

"They usually end up down there," Red Skull pointed, and Steve looked towards the edge of the cliff where the wind was whistling and thrashing every which way. He turned back, but Red Skull was already floating away, leaving Steve feeling awkward and a little stunned. Why was Red Skull even here? Shaking off the encounter, Steve went to look for Natasha's body. He felt shivers as he looked as though he was being watched. He carefully climbed down the mountain and went to where she should be at the bottom. He stood directly below where the ledge was above that Red Skull had gestured to, but there was no Natasha.

"Okay," Steve said. "This can't be right." He looked around again. Where was she? Had Red Skull done something to her? He was about to call for that ugly bastard and find out when a shout made his hair stand up.

"Steve?!"

Steve whipped around at her voice, and he felt as though he was in a dream. She couldn't be, could she?

"Nat?" he whispered, almost afraid of the answer.

"Oh my God, Steve!" Natasha shouted, rushing forward to hug him tightly. Taken aback, Steve reflexively hugged her back.

"How are you...?" he started, but his voice faltered. He couldn't understand it.

"My death was an illusion," Natasha explained, pulling back. "It looked as though I had died, but I didn't. I was meant to stay here forever with no way home. I'd rather die than that, but here you are! You can take me home." She looked at Steve expectantly. He felt elated for about five seconds before he realized what this could mean for his original plan.

"Steve?" she prompted, looking at him.

"Uh, yea," he answered. "I can take you home."

"You look unhappy," she noted. "Is it something I said?" She laughed nervously. She wanted to leave this damn planet. Steve calculated in his head what he could do. It should work, but he felt worried.

"Steve?" she said again, reaching out and touching his hand.

"All right. I can get you out of here, but there's one stop I have to make first," Steve said. It would be enough. He had made sure of that. If worse came to worse, he'd get more pym particles.

"Where are we going?" she asked as he took her hand in his tightly.

"1945," he answered.

"Wha-?!" Natasha started, but then they were gone.

...

They landed hard on the ground. Natasha felt the wind get knocked out of her, and she rolled onto her side, trying to get it back. Steve coughed as he lay on his stomach on the ground.

"What the hell?" she asked, gasping for air finally.

"Sorry," Steve apologized. He pushed himself up and sat on his haunches. Natasha sat up and looked around.

"Why are we here, Steve?" she asked. He looked at her.

"I'm staying here," he answered.

"What?" she asked.

"I want to try living life like Tony suggested."

"I don't understand."

"I'm not asking you to. Look, you can go back to 2023, but I'm staying here," Steve said firmly. He took off his time travel suit and and handed it to her.

"I feel weird leaving you here," Natasha said.

"It's okay. Trust me," Steve replied.

"Thank you for coming back for me," Natasha said as she zipped up the suit. She looked at him intently. "I would have stayed there forever if you hadn't."

"If you didn't die, then do you think Thanos's daughter is still alive too?" Steve asked. Natasha looked thoughtful.

"You could be right. I'll mention it when I get back."

"Good luck," Steve nodded. "And Nat? It's so good to see you."

"And yet you're saying goodbye so soon," Natasha said sadly. He hugged her again tightly.

"I have to do this."

"I know."

"They will get quite a shock when you show up instead of me," Steve laughed.

"Be careful, and I hope you find what you're looking for," Natasha said.

"Oh, I will," Steve promised.

"One more thing," she said.

"Sure."

"Did we win? Is everyone back?" She had to know. Was her sacrifice worth it?

"Yea, Nat," Steve nodded. "Everyone's back."

"Oh thank God," she breathed.

"Take care," Steve smiled.

"You too," she said. She squeezed his arm one last time before activating the time travel. Steve felt glad that he had found her, that she got a second chance at life just like he was about to get. He turned and looked over at the building in front of him. Peggy was going to be absolutely stunned when she saw him. He couldn't wait.

Stay tuned for the reactions of the others when Nat shows up instead of Steve :)