Avengers: Fever

Authors Note: I do not own, or claim to own any of the characters or things mentioned in this story. I have an immense respect for the men and women who brought these characters to life and I would love nothing more than to just sit back and admire, and possibly write some smut about them. All rights belong to their respective owners (Like Stan Lee) and Marvel ©™. xo

P.s; It's been a while since I've written a story, so bare with me here guys. If you're looking for some Stony, you've come to the right place. Maybe.

Smut to be expected in later chapters.

It had been months since Steve had seen or heard from any of the other on the Avengers team. It was almost like they had never even met. But even though it felt like it, Steve knew otherwise. Tony was all over the T.V now-a-days. He was still the famous Iron Man. The famous Anthony Edward Stark. Steve sank back into the large leather sofa he was sitting in, with a sigh. Thoughts and memories of his past flooded his mind. Howard Stark, Tony's father, had been one of the great men who 'created' him. He was gone. Bucky, his best friend and loyal soldier. Gone. Everyone he loved, even Peggy. Then there was Doc, of course. Steve closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the wall, gently. The man who started it all was gone too. The only man to ever believe in Steve. He believed Steve could be something and he helped him become the soldier he always wanted to be.

"I wish you were here Doc." Steve sighed. "I wish this wasn't all so damn hard and confusing. I feel so lost!" Steve's hands balled into fists at his side. They were all gone and not a single goodbye was able to be spoken. But that's what stung the most. Knowing that he had sat in ice for sixty five years, untouched, while everyone around him was growing older, falling apart and dying. Steve lifted himself from the sofa. Determined, he made his way out of the hotel room. It was time for some fresh air. Maybe a walk would clear his mind a little? Zipping up a hoodie he had picked up along his travels, he walked across the parking lot and onto the sidewalk. Steve was about an hour outside New York. He had been all over the country, and even visited Peggy. She was an old woman now, but he owed it to her and himself to see if she was still alive. It was all so different. Just knowing he was ninety year old man was weird enough, but he still looked as if he were in his early twenties. He feared that he would probably never get used to it.

Tony plucked another ice cube from the tray and dropped it into his glass. A scotch this time. Tony had been drinking since 5:00pm. It was now 11:00pm. Tony took a large mouthful of his drink and swallowed. Pepper had gone off on business. Tokyo or some place. Tony couldn't recall. The billionaire steadied himself against the counter and laughed at his clumsiness. The conversation with Pepper was a blur now. But I wouldn't have called it a conversation. Tony and the redheaded CEO had gotten into an argument before she had left for Tokyo, Japan. Alcohol was the subject, no doubt. But Tony didn't care. Not right now. Nothing could bring this man down. He was on top of the world. Tony turned to look out a large wall made up of glass. Slowly he pressed his palm against the cold glass and smiled down at the city below him. New York's night life was just beginning. The many bars and clubs were calling the billionaires name, telling him to come, drink and be merry. Tony downed the rest of his scotch and placed the glass down onto the table. Carefully placing his feet as he walked, he went straight for his favorite leather jacket and slipped into it. He checked himself out in the full length mirror that was on the back of his front door, just before leaving. Yes, he did look hot. "Don't wait up Jarvis." Tony called out into the empty house. He winked at himself and was out the door.

Steve had ended up in a park just across the street from the motel. As it turned out, he didn't want to go on a walk after all. Fearing it would only make everything worse. This world was so different from what he once knew. It seemed like the only thing that had stayed the same was the named of the States of America. Steve heaved a deep sigh as he looked out over the neighbourhood from the top of the jungle gym. It was perched on top of a large hill in the middle of a field, overlooking the houses below. Of course there were trees that lined its perimeter, and one single, very tall, very big tree stood next to the jungle gym, giving it shade. It reminded him of when he was just a boy. Feeling so small in such a big, unknown world. He could relate to that feeling again now. Steve began thinking about New York again. Was he ready to go back home to Manhattan? Could he handle all the change the city had undergone? The shock of seeing the city of New York adorned with tall buildings, flashing lights and billboards that seemed to cover every building, was enough for him. If all that had happened to New York, what had they done to Manhattan? The great Captain America was scared. Steve wished that he wasn't alone. If he had only asked to go with someone, or asked someone to come with him. But everybody seemed have someone. Tony had his brilliant friend Bruce, Thor had his brother Loki and Natasha had Clint. Steve had no one. It was overwhelming, learning about this new world all alone. Tall sky scrapers that seemed to reach up into the clouds, smog filled skies, blinking lights at every corner, billboards lining the roads and covering every building. The world had changed a lot in sixty five years.

Steve had planned on going to the city, and he couldn't be afraid of change forever. The soldier brought himself to his feet and made his way back to the motel. There he gathered up all of his things, threw it all in a duffle bag and headed to lobby to pay the lovely girl that worked there. She was a sweet, pretty girl who wore glasses. Probably only in her early twenties, Steve thought. She was a big fan. Swooning over him when she thought Steve wasn't looking. When he approached the counter, he found her finally asking for an autograph in the most polite way Steve had ever heard. He could only smile. "It would be my pleasure, ma'am." Steve took the pen and paper that she had handed to him and wrote the girl a small note;

Jessica, it was a pleasure meeting you.
Thank you for being so kind.

Steve Rogers
Captain America

Steve handed the pen and paper back to Jessica, and smiled at her. "Thanks." was all the solider said before he exited the lobby. He zipped his jacket up and mounted his motorcycle. He hesitated a moment, keys centimeters from the ignition. "You can do this Steve. You're already in Brooklyn. Just a few more miles and you'll be in New York." Steve said out loud to himself. It seemed to help calm his nerves, but he was still hesitant.

"Hey Cap!" A small voice called from behind him. Steve turned to look at who it was, and there stood Jessica, the young girl who had asked for the autograph.
"Oh. Hey." Steve watched as she walked up and stood next to his bike.
"Everything alright?" She asked."Cause you look a little down?"
Steve paused. Was it that obvious that he wasn't okay? This girl must to of have noticed his hesitance, because she didn't wait for his answer.
"I know the world seems like a big, bad, scary place... It's probably so different from what you are used to, and I can't even begin to imagine what you have gone through..." The girl paused, her gaze drifting to her feet for a moment, as if deep in thought. When she looked up, however, she wore a smile.
"But it doesn't have to be like that. There are people who care about you, who want you around. It hurts us to see you so sad... Cap... Mister Rogers... Sir..." She was cut off by a phone ringing from her desk. She turned towards it with a roll of her eyes before looking back towards Steve. She stepped backwards, her smile still intact.
"The world around you may have changed, but it is constantly changing. The people around you have changed too, but someone will always be there for you when you need them the most, even if you don't believe they will be."

Steve didn't know what to say. This girl he had just met a day ago was giving him sound advice. Steve smiled. "Thank you Jessica. I needed to hear that." He sent Jessica a small nod, before he slipped his helmet on and put the key in the ignition. He turned the keys and the motorcycle roared to life. "I can't be afraid forever, I guess." Steve steadied himself on the bike and looked at the road ahead of him. "See you around Jess." He said, and then took off in the direction of the Brooklyn Bridge. He would be in New York within the hour. The words of what Jessica had said playing over in his mind.

"The world around you may have changed, but it is constantly changing. The people around you may have changed too, but someone will always be there for you when you need them the most, even if you don't believe they will be."

Tony ordered the limo driver to stop outside of one of Tony's favorite bars. He emerged from the limo and was greeted with dozens of paparazzi invading his personal space. 'Perfect.' Tony rolled his eyes and tried to push passed them all, trying his best to avoid answering any questions. Pepper had advised him not to talk to the press while she was away.

"Mr. Stark, is it true you're an alcoholic?"
"How are you tonight, Tony?"
"Where is Pepper Potts?"
"Are you even running your company anymore?"
"Mr. Stark, tell us; Do you miss the other Avengers?

Tony stopped and turned to face the man who had asked if he missed the other Avengers. "Do I miss them?" Tony repeated, and he thought about it. Did he? He hadn't heard from any of them. All except for Bruce. Who Tony had offered a job to and was now, staying at Stark Tower. "Do they miss me?" Tony raised his fist and slammed it into the paparazzis lower jaw. He heard a crack and stepped back. Had he just punched a man in the face for asking about missing the Avengers? What had gotten in to him? "Sorry." Tony pushed his way through the crowd and ran down the street as fast as he could. He didn't care who saw. He just needed to get away. Pepper was gone, Bruce was busy working, Agent Phil was dead, and Director Fury was doing whatever it was that man did. Anyone who had previously bugged Tony was now too busy for him or gone. He was alone again.

It was 1:00am now, and Tony had been thrown out of at least five different bars and clubs. He stumbled down the sidewalk, and wandered into a dark alleyway. The ark reactor in his chest shone dimly through his favorite Black Sabbath shirt. Unfortunately it wasn't bright enough to light up the pitch dark alley. "Hello?" Tony asked, his words echoed in the empty space. He heard shuffling down at the other end, but it was too dark to make out anything. "No need to be afraid. It's just me, Iron Man." Tony slurred his words. Eyes half lidded he stepped forward. "Hello?" He greeted again, but this time he was greeted back. A large black man emerged from the darkness, followed by a couple more men of color and some not.

"Hey there. Mr. Stark." Stark." The large black man had a scar that covered the majority of his face. It ran down the left side of his face, to the base of his neck.
Tony felt no fear. "Nice scar big guy. How'd you get that?
"I killed some guy."
"Oh nice." Tony replied. "Was he a big guy too?"
There was no response. "I'll take that as a maybe." Tony smiled and waved at the other men. "How are you fellas doin' toni-"

Tony was cut off. A punch to gut had assured that. Apparently these men didn't like Tony as much as he had previously thought. Tony doubled over in pain, holding his stomach. Coughing, Tony looked up at the man who had punched him. The large black man stood above him, smiling. "I guess we're not playing." Tony coughed again. He brought his hand up to his mouth as he coughed. He pulled his hand away to find it covered in blood. "That can't be normal." Tony slowly got to his feet and wiped his hand off on his jeans. "Alright. You want a fight?" Tony raised his fists and swung at the big man who had punched him. But it was a swing and miss, as Tony stumbled past and walked right into another man with a knife. The man grabbed Tony by the shoulder and drove the knife into his stomach.

Tony gasped as he felt a sharp pain in his torso. It felt like everything was in slow motion. He looked down, and there shone a blood stained knife in the man's hand. Tony's blood dripped from the knife and onto the pavement below.
"Why?" Tony looked up and locked eyes with his attacker.
"To remind you you're still just a man." The attacker drove the knife into Tony again, then once more for good fell to the ground, hands clenching at his stab wounds.

"To remind you you're still just a man."

Steve Rogers had said a similar thing to him once."Big man in a suit of armour. Take that off, what are you?" Tony's response was of course sarcastic and full of ego. They hadn't been the best of friends, but Tony wished Steve was here now. If anyone could save him, it would be the soldier. Tony's body was screaming at him, telling not to move. But he needed to get out of this damned alley. No one would find him if he stayed there in the dark, and what if they came back to finish him off? Tony wasn't about to find out. He dragged himself out of the alley and onto the sidewalk, which was, for once, empty. Not a single person was in sight. "Shit!" Tony winced in pain, again. It hurt to try to get back to his feet, but he collapsed. He was losing a lot of blood and he could feel himself getting weak and tired. He glanced behind him, where a trail of blood followed and where it was now pooling under him. At this rate he would be dead in about twenty minutes.

Somehow he needed to get someone's attention. Tony lay down onto his back and put pressure on his wounds. He swallowed his pride and took a deep breath.
"Help!" He screamed at the top of his lungs, hoping someone would hear his plea. "Somebody! Please! Help!" The sharp stabbing pain in his stomach was getting worse. Tony groaned in pain and brought his knees to his chest. He didn't want to bleed to death, drunk, laying on some dirty side walk in New York. It wasn't going to happen. Tony yelled for another ten minutes before he began to slip in and out of consciousness. He could hear the roar of a motorcycle off in the distance, and he could hear himself faintly crying out for it to stop and for someone to help him, but everything suddenly went black. The noise around him faded and everything went static, and then silence.

AN: I know it's not perfect by any means, but I hope it's a good start.

This is a rough draft, and hasn't had any second opinions yet.

I would like to know what you all think, and would like some constructive criticism. (:Thanks!