Steve sat at the conference table at Stark Tower and reviewed his troops. Thor was not only contacted but he brought with his the Warriors Three and Lady Sif. She-Hulk joined them, as well as the Hulk, Spider-man, Dr. Strange, War Machine, Winter Soldier, The Falcon, Ant-man/Giant Man, the Wasp, Natasha, Clint, three Strike teams, Logan, Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Black Panther and Dora Miljae, Mocking Bird, Ronin, and, finally, Iron Man. From the region they were getting support from Crimson Dynamo, Red Guardian, Colossus, Vanguard, and Kraven the Hunter. It was an impressive list of heroes, which Steve had to make work as a team. He started by break them into roles.

The Falcon, Iron Man, War Machine would handle the skies along with Quinjets. The drones and whatever fighters they had would be theirs to clear out. Hulk, She-Hulk, Thor, Colossus, Red Dynamo, the Warriors Three, and Lady Sif would handle the Destroyers, tanks, and whatever armored forces they had. Ground troops would be cleared out by the Red Guardian, Spider-man, Winter Soldier, Logan, the Black Panther and Dora Miljae, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Ronin, Daredevil, Vanguard, and the Strike teams. The humanitarian effort, clearing citizens and protecting them would be handled Dr. Stange, Natasha, Clint, Mocking Bird, Kraven the Hunter along with support from SHIELD. Steve would do what he had to do to end this and get the Red Skull. Like all plans, he expected it to fall apart the moment boots hit the ground, but as long as everyone knew they had a role and tried to do their job he knew they would succeed.

Sokovia and its capital City Novi Grad were about to be invaded by one of the most powerful forces in the world. It wasn't going to a pretty sight. Director Fury had worked hard but one of his Helicarriers was ready for use. He was going to act in support, including moving citizens and the injured to safety. Steve had faith that this was the right plan for the moment.

Tony Stark enter the conference room with two cups of coffee. He handed Steve a cup then he sat down.

"All this work done in three days. Impressive," he said.

"I wish had more time," said Steve.

"We could use a little bit of training," smiled Stark, "but I think it should go okay."

"I hope you're right," he said.

"You should see the party I'm planning after this," said Tony. "It's going to take five days to plan."

"Howard would have enjoyed you," said Steve.

"Dad enjoyed the occasionally party," smiled Stark.

"He was a helluva a man," said Steve. "I wished I had more time with him. And Peggy."

"Well, Cap, there are plenty of us to spend time with now. There's Clint, Natasha, Lang, Pepper, and me just to start. Don't isolate yourself," advised Stark.

"I intend to take time out and live a normal life for a while after this," said Steve.

"What's normal?" asked Stark.

"Not planning invasions of countries or fighting off Hydra or Aliens," said Steve.

"Okay, that's a start," smirked Stark. "Hopefully, it means more."

"It does. There's my art. I'm going to sketch and paint," said Steve. "And help people in a different way. I was thinking charity work."

"Pepper can help you there," said Stark.

"And be prepared for when I'm needed again," said Steve.

"You'll be needed again, Cap. I'm glad you know that," said Stark. "Pepper and I are going to spend more time on the West Coat. I have a great house out there. Plus, my company is headquartered out there. New York is nice, but it's time I get some sun."

"With Pepper?" asked Steve.

"Yeah, with Pepper. Pepper Stark. It's sounds like a lunch special," Stark laughed.

"I've never spent time out West," said Steve.

"You should visit sometime," smiled Stark. "Maybe we can have a cookout. I've never really done a cookout."

"Sounds like fun," said Steve. "If you are out West and I'm retired who will be in charge of the Avengers?"

"I was thinking of putting the Falcon and Rhodey in charge. They are both military men and both have strong opinions," said Stark.

"Sounds good," smiled Steve.

"Well, I guess it's time to get some sleep before D Day," said Stark.

"Yeah, I guess so," said Steve.

AVENGERS

Steve Natasha in their rooms. She had gotten some takeout for them, burgers and fries along with cup cakes. Natasha found cup cakes with red, white, and blue frosting that she had to buy. After they ate they took a shower together, cleaning each other, and then dried each other off. Once that was done they made quiet love, which they got lost in. They didn't know if it was minutes or hours, but when they finished they slept soundly.

Waking up the next morning, Steve showered again then put on his Captain America gear. Natasha put on her Black Widow gear. They were ready for the day. Taking the elevator up to the communal floor they were not surprised to find a buffet was laid out and everyone was getting food before it was time to leave. Pepper oversaw everything. When she saw Steve and Natasha she walked over to them and gave them hugs and kisses.

"I want you two to be careful," she said. "There is so much for you to do when this is done."

"We look forward to it," said Natasha.

Pepper looked at Steve then said, "Make sure Tony gets back to me."

"I will," he nodded.

"Go eat," she said.

"Smells good," smiled Steve.

AVENGERS

Battles are chaos. Sometimes they were controlled chaos, but mostly they were just chaos. The world fell apart around you while you had to keep your head and do your job. Invading Sokovia, especially Novi Grad was just as Steve remembered battle to be like. You felt like you part of a group, but you were an individual in that group. The group was important, but it was the individual that made things work.

In the skies Iron Man, War Machine, the Falcon, and quinjets dealt with drones and fighters. The Destroyers were being deal with by Thor, She-Hulk, Colossus, Red Dynamo, Warrior Three, and Lady Sif. Because of their regenerative abilities they were taking extra effort but they were on the losing end of the battle. Unfortunately, the Hulk started to free-lance immediately. He was doing damage, but it was as much to buildings as it was to Hydra forces. Everyone else did their job, also. It was an onslaught of action and violence.

Steve was doing his own damage. Riding a bike he was headed to the castle/bunker the Red Skull was using. He had the help of the Red Guardian, Winter Soldier, Black Panther and the Dora Miljae in his pursuit of the Red Skull. They helped him open up a path through Hydra forces and technology. They received some help from above in Iron Man, War Machine, and Falcon, once they were sure they owned the skies.

The chances were that this was the end of Hydra. Sinthea Schmidt hadn't been found, as well as several other Hydra leaders, but this was going to be the beginning of the end for Hydra. Steve listened to the babble of battle in his earpiece. There was calls for assistance, for medical help, and exfil. He focused on what was ahead of him.

"Captain," T'Challa said to him through the earpiece.

"Yes, your highness," Steve responded.

"We should reach the castle soon," he stated. "Any orders?"

"Get the Red Skull at all cost," he ordered.

The castle and the troops in it didn't put up too much of a fight. Of course, the reason was because of the Red Skull. He wanted Captain America. He wanted to end this against his greatest enemy.

"Ahh, Captain, it is good to see you," the Red Skull said to him. "In our last fight I was sent on a trip to the stars. I learned a great deal among those ancient races that consider themselves gods. I learned that you and I are truly superior. Do you know what makes us superior?"

"We aren't superior, Skull," growled Steve.

"Yes, we are. Because of our will. We both have indomitable wills. There is nothing we can't accomplish if we put our minds to it. Not our bodies, but our minds," explained Skull. "Erskine should be revered for creating us. I was his first and you were his second. All those who have come after us as pale imitations. We are superior, captain."

Logan along with the Winter Soldier and others broke through. They stopped to watch. A war had now become something almost ancient, a one on one battle between leaders. The leader who wins was the victor of the whole thing. The Red Skull removed his long black leather coat to reveal his old Hydra uniform. This was an event meant for pay for view and cable TV.

Steve tossed his shield aside then unbuckled his helmet and took it off. It tossed it to the ground. This was going to be old fashion, fist to fist. The skull jumped down from the platform he was on. He landed on dirt in front of the castle. Steve walked forward.

"We have been having this fight for many years, haven't we?" said Skull. "I made a detour to the stars and you became frozen in time. But all that counts it that we are now here."

"I agree," said Steve.

With those words the two men attacked each other. They fought with ferocity and hate. These were enemies. This was not just a fight but it was a battle of attrition. The winner would not only be victor but he would be the only one left alive. Everyone who watched could see this was a fight to the death.

Stark found Natasha and flew her to the site of the fight. He landed beside the Winter Soldier and Black Panther. She watched Steve fight. The Red Skull was right about indomitable will. Steve possessed it in greater quantity than even the Red Skull himself. Steve had broken ribs, a broken cheekbone, bruised sternum, a knee that was now swollen to three times its normal size, but he continued to fight. The Red Skull was battered, also.

Those watching found themselves wanting to turn their eyes away, but couldn't. This was a moment of history in front of them. It need witnesses and they were there to be the witnesses. For ten, twenty, now thirty minutes they fought. Neither man had anything left. How could they?

Steve attempted to stand up. He stumbled but stabilized himself. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he grinned at the Red Skull. His teeth were red from blood. The grin was feral. The Red Skull didn't return the grin, though. Instead he focused him and attacked Steve for final time.

Everyone watching knew this was the end of the fight. There was something in the air that told them it was over. As the Red Skull came at Steve, he jumped up and kicked the Skull in the chest with both his feet. The Skull flew back and landed hard on the ground. As he struggled to get up, Steve was up and on top of him. He grabbed the Skull and put him in headlock then he started to squeeze and squeeze using all the strength that he had to muster. His bicep and forearm had his head in a vise until everyone heard the cracking and breaking sound of the Red Skull's neck. Steve released his opponent who fell dead to the ground. In a dazed state he looked around to see everyone staring at him then his eyes rolled back in his head and he fell to the ground.

Bucky and Natasha were the first two to get to him. He was unconscious. Between the battering he took and exhaustion he went down for the count. She looked at Tony and yelled.

"Get a medic here right away!"

What had started so long ago was finally finished.

AVENGERS

The aftermath of the Sokovian invasion was almost as chaotic and tumultuous as the war itself. Yes, it was a war not just a battle. Congress wanted investigations and hearings with people like Stark and even T'Challa speaking. The person they wanted the most to speak they couldn't get, though. Steve Rogers was unavailable. First, he need several weeks to recuperate from his fight with the Red Skull and, more importantly, his life had changed drastically. He was not only in retirement, of a sorts, but he was busy with a greater matter.

Laura and Clint Barton got their farm in West Virginia back. The farm was a festive place, too, because it was the sight of the wedding of Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanov. He wore a tuxedo and had a best man of Bucky Barnes. She wore a white silk dress without a veil and her maid of honor was Laura Barton. Lila was the ring bearer and Cooper was the head usher. The guest list included Tony Stark and Pepper Potts, as well as Thor and Jane Foster, Coulson and Melinda May, Lang and Hope Van Dyne, Rhodey with a date, Bruce Banner and Betty Ross, and a small number of other guests.

Betty caught the flowers when Natasha threw them. Lang caught the garter belt when Steve tossed it. Food was eaten, alcohol drunk, and cake cut and eaten. It went perfectly and at the end of the evening, Clint was final able to corner Steve.

"Cap," he said, as Steve finished a beer.

They were in the kitchen. Steve knew what was to come next.

"Natasha is more than a partner to me, she's a sister. I need you to know that," he said.

Clint was a little tipsy. Steve smiled.

"I love her and if you hurt her, I will be an explosive arrow in your heart," he said.

"I have no doubts about it," said Steve.

"You're a great guy, but she's the best. Treat her that way," he said.

"Clint, I intend on loving her and cherishing her for the rest of my life," he said.

"Sounds like a plan," he said then nodded his head. "Give me a hug."

Steve gave him a hug.

"You know you can visit her anytime," he said.

"I know," replied Steve.

"And Laura and I intend on visiting Brooklyn Heights," said Clint.

"I'll expect you," smiled Steve.

AVENGERS

With the help of Fury Steve had bought a brownstone in Brooklyn Heights under the name of Steven Leary. Leary was his mother's name. He intended for Natasha and him to spend many months, if not years, living there in peace. The first and second floor had people renting the apartments. The third floor belonged to Natasha and him with one of the rooms turned into a studio for him to sketch and paint. With the help of Pepper Natasha got involved with several charities. One of them was for a local dance studio, which took up a lot of time. She even started teaching ballet to young girls. So it was a great surprise when Natasha called him into their bathroom six months after they had been living there.

She sat on the toilet without pants on and holding something in her hand. He entered the bathroom.

"Yeah, doll face," said Steve.

She was staring at the item in her right hand then she looked up at him.

"I'm pregnant," she said.

"Huh? You're what?" he said.

"I'm pregnant," she repeated then a smirked pursed her lips.

"Wow," he said then a big smile lit up his face, "We are going to be parents."

"Yup."