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The Playground
Morning
Steve and Natasha stood by the hanger doors as they opened up and a Quinjet flew inside. It landed several feet from them. The ramp lowered and Mack, Bobbi, and Daisy walked off.
"Mack," Steve said in greeting as the trio reached them.
"Captain," Mack said as the pair shook hands.
"Thank you for coming. We weren't sure where else to turn," Steve said as they dropped hands. "This is a delicate situation."
"From what you've said, that's putting it lightly," Bobbi noted.
Downstairs, in the cell that had once held Grant Ward, Alexei walked back forth calmly. Outside his cell, Clint sat in a chair, eyes watching his every move like a hawk.
"You must hate this. Forced to spare me once more, knowing that I am your only clue to Lord Apocalypse," Alexei said mockingly.
Clint did not rise to the bait, didn't give any indication that he had heard Alexei. It was taking all his self-control not to lower the barrier and put him down permanently. But right now, he was their only link to Apocalypse. And since they doubted torture would make him break, they had decided to hand him over to SHIELD for the time being, reasoning they were too close to the situation to get things done, considering their history with Alexei. Hopefully, SHIELD could get some Intel out of him that could help them figure out Apocalypse's next move.
Clint was broken out of his thoughts as Steve, Natasha, Mack, Bobbi and Daisy descended the stairs.
"This brings back memories," Daisy muttered as she eyed Alexei in the cell.
"Hey Clint," Bobbi said as Clint got to his feet.
"Bobbi," Clint greeted pleasantly.
"So, this is the infamous Alexei," Bobbi said as she eyed Alexei. "He's shorter than I expected."
"Step inside and I'll show you how tall I really am," Alexei said with a smirk.
"Enough," Mack said as he stepped forward. "I am Director Mackenzie of SHIELD. You will be taken into our custody and escorted to a SHIELD prison, where you will be monitored and watched at all times."
"I'm shaking in my boots," Alexei said sarcastically but Mack ignored him.
"This is Daisy Johnson," Mack said as he gestured to Daisy.
"Ah, the infamous Quake," Alexei said with a smirk.
"So you know me. Good," Daisy said as she stepped forward. "That makes this easier. You try to escape, I Quake you. You make a wrong move, I Quake you. You even breathe wrong, I Quake you. Do you understand?"
"Perfectly," Alexei said with a twisted smirk.
Steve and Mack exchanged a look before Steve noted to Natasha. Natasha pressed a button and the barrier acting as a wall between them and Alexei lowered. Alexei held out his hands, smirking as Bobbi walked around him. Then, to his surprise, she pulled out a syringe and jammed it in his neck, injecting it.
"Very clever," Alexei grunted as he fell to his knees. "Sedating me so I won't try to escape. But it won't matter. Lord Apocalypse will rise and you can do nothing to stop him. The day will come where…all…will bow…to…lord…"
Alexei slumped to the floor, out cold as the sedative took full affect.
"Don't give him an inch; don't let him get to you. He's gonna look for a way in, don't rise to the bait," Clint warned grimly.
"We won't," Bobbi said with certainty.
In the lab, Stein was sitting in a chair, holding a vial of blue liquid when Jax walked in.
"Hey Grey. So this is where you wondered off to," Jax said before he noticed the vial in Stein's hand. "What's that?"
"The answer we've been looking for. It's a decelerating formula," Stein explained and Jax started.
"You mean-"
"It will allow us to separate, permanently," Stein confirmed. "Cisco and Dr. Wells, with some help from Catlin, were able to develop it."
"And you wanna take it now," Jax realized after a beat and Stein nodded.
"If Apocalypse does threaten the multiverse…I wish to spend these final months with my family. Making up for time lost with Carissa and Lily, regaling my grandson with bedtime stories. Perhaps that makes me selfish, but it's what I want," Stein said apologetically.
"Nah man, I get it," Jax said although Stein could see sadness in his eyes. "You want to retire, the only reason you haven't is because of me. You deserve to go back to Clarissa and Lily. Just…don't forget about me Grey."
"Never Jefferson," Stein said fiercely as he got to his feet. "Just as I found myself unexpectedly with a daughter, I also found myself unexpectedly with a son. You are a better son than I could have ever hoped for, and no length of time or space will change that. Should you need me, I will be there, no matter what."
Jax, overcome with emotion, pulled Stein into a hug. Although surprised at first, Stein returned the hug, knowing was very much a goodbye.
Later, everyone stood in the briefing room as Steve and Caitlin addressed them.
"Obviously, this didn't turn out the way we planned," Steve said apologetically.
"Given everything that's happened, we understand if you guys would like to head home," Caitlin said.
"So wait, you're not getting married?" Wanda said in confusion.
"We're kind of down a venue and a minister," Caitlin pointed out, as SHIELD was still doing cleanup of the tower. "And is anyone here in the mood for a wedding?"
"Maybe that's why you should have it," Oliver pointed out and Caitlin and Steve looked over at him. "Some dark times are ahead, we could all use some joy in our lives."
"And if you're worried about a venue, why don't you just have it here? I'm sure I can set up something," Barry said with certainty.
"And if you still plan on doing this, I think I can help you out with a minister," Tony said and Steve and Catlin exchanged a look, seeming to have an entire conversation with just their eyes before turning back to the others.
"Alright, I guess we're having a wedding," Caitlin said with a smile.
Washington DC
Same time
In his office, Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross was holding a vial of blood before he turned to face his guest.
"You have done well War," Apocalypse said as Ross handed him the vial of blood.
"Why did you want Banner's blood?" Ross asked curiously as Apocalypse smiled darkly.
"All in good time my Horseman. Tell me, what of my Disciples?" Apocalypse inquired.
"Merlyn fell to Oliver Queen and the prophet took her own life rather than be captured, but Alexei still lives," Ross said and Apocalypse nodded, looking unsurprised. "He has been taken into SHIELD custody. He might become a liability."
"Alexei still has a role to play in my plans. He is aware of this, he will not betray me," Apocalypse said as he turned away from Ross. "Do not worry one bit about Alexei. Everything is going according to plan my friend."
The Playground
Afternoon
Nearly everyone stood in the gym, all the equipment having been moved so they could have the ceremony there. As the guest stood on either side of the room, Steve and Tony stood in the center of the room.
"Bet you never thought we'd be here, huh Cap?" Tony asked.
"No. We've both come a long way," Steve said with a smile.
Natasha had programed the stereos to play the wedding march as soon as Caitlin and Stein entered the room. Steve's heart skipped a beat as he saw Caitlin in her wedding dress, she was beautiful. Stein handed Caitlin off to Steve before stepping back into the crowd.
"Well, we all know why we're here. To see these two finally tie the knot. Hopefully without the Nazis this time," Tony said and everyone gave a slight chuckle. "I've known Steve for a few years now; we've seen each other at our best and worst. And I can honestly say I have never seen him happier than he is with Caitlin.
"Living without love, it's not really living. It's just kind of existing," Tony paused, thinking of Pepper before moving on. "Which is why I'm happy that these two crazy kids found each other. And I think they've prepared their on vows, so get to it."
"Caitlin," Steve tried to find the words as he gazed at his bride. "I never thought I would meet someone who would help me get over my first love. But when I met you…Barry had told me all about you, how kind and compassionate you were. But what he didn't say was how you were the most loyal and selfless person I'd ever meet. How you'd light up my world in ways I could have never imagined. We've both loved and lost, but everything we've gone through has led us here, to this moment. I promise to love and cherish you for as long as we both live."
"Wow, would not want to follow that act," Tony said after a moment before looking at Caitlin. "Well, you're up."
"Steve, when we first met, I was not in a good place. I'd lost, I'd been burned, I had pretty much given up on love all together. I had just sort of shut my heart away. But when you came into my life, something just shifted. I knew you would be a good man, but I never imagined you would be the one to make my heart start again, to make me start living again. We literally come from two different words, but as long as we're together, I don't care what planet we're on. And I cannot wait for us to begin our lives together," Caitlin said with a tearful smile full of joy.
"Well, I guess that settles it. Rings?" Tony asked.
Sam stepped forward, holding out the rings. Steve and Caitlin each took one, placing it on the other's finger.
"By the power invested in me by people crazy enough to give me the power to perform a marriage," Tony said and everyone laughed. "I now pronounce you married. Cap, you may kiss your bride."
Everyone broke into applause as Steve and Caitlin finally shared their first kiss as husband and wife.
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If you enjoy please support me on my patreon Future 80+ chapters at patreon.com/Darkphoenix11
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