past prologue.

I'm reading the same papers you're reading. I see the shootings and the terror; I see the flash point, the fever pitch. And what I think we need, more than anything, is a minute to sit back and talk to each other. Everybody is afraid of what they don't know. Everybody casts aspersions when its all they have. But knowledge is a good, strong righteous right arm. And not everybody can stare truth in the face and with a lie on their lips.



A lot of intangible stuff up there, I know. But it's a formula.

You scared of something? Find somebody, talk about it. You wanna talk? I'm always going to be here to listen.

[SAM]

How's Mom? I got her a thing.

[TONY]

What's the news from DC?

[AVENGERS]

You wanna stretch your legs? Cause I think we oughta stretch our legs.

Bucky if you're out there
please How are you all dealing with the heat?

[AVENGERS]

We're training double-time. You all did well working together to rescue Bruce but it's important we work fluidity; anytime we're in public, we're a single entity. The barbecue in Central Park was good but the next time there is a level threat, we need to be seen as the team that gets things done with minimal loss of property and minimal loss of life. I'm counting on all of you to be on your A-game.

[SHARON]

I probably shouldn't be doing this.

[SAM]

That chopper on the boat.

Ramadan ended yesterday, and while I was glad to celebrate it, I'm just as happy to finally eat during the day again, OMG! This video totally sums it up. LOL! I totally did that thing, where I ate something and then remembered and spit it out. Me and my family went to the mosque for Eid al-Fitr and have been visiting relatives all day. I'm secretly updating on my phone.

A month of fasting made me kinda weak. A cousin of mine suggested I take some vitamins and supplements, so my Ammi bought me some. Fish oil capsules? Ew. I hope it doesn't taste fishy.

[Private to the Avengers + Tony]

I've been staring at this blank screen for hours, trying to think of how to begin. But I owe you all an explanation and an apology.

I left because I was overwhelmed. I didn't want to fight any more, I didn't want to release the Other Guy again. What happened in Johannesburg cinched it. Even though it wasn't technically my fault, my mind had been fucked up with, it was still me who caused all that destruction and the loss of lives. I could've killed Tony. And it could happen again.

So I ran. I admit, I'm a coward. It was a reflex reaction. Hey, it worked before, right? I managed to stay hidden for nine years. Or at least SHIELD let me think that way. It was a blissfully ignorant nine years, where all I had to worry about was myself and dealing with my anger issues, and helping other people as best I could. I hoped to return, or recapture, that simpler time.

The reason why I didn't didn't contact any of you - I've been asking myself that, because I know you'd be asking, too. The only answer I could come up with is that I was punishing myself. I'm a monster, I don't deserve kindness or friends or lovers. Anyways, I figured that since SHIELD knew where I was the first time I was hiding, it wouldn't be that difficult to locate me if I was needed.

Thing is, HYDRA found me first. And I always took it for granted that the Other Guy was strong enough to protect me, that he was invincible. But somehow they've come up with that drug to put the breaks on my transformation and knock me out. Now I'm even more scared, because I can imagine the damage they could cause if they could get a hold of my blood, sample my DNA, make clones or perform experiments to create other monsters, as bad as Emil Blonsky, or worse.

I'm sorry I ditched you guys. I really am. I don't know what else to say. I've learned my lesson that I can't run away from my problems, I'm here to face them. Or at least try to.

Whatever you guys decide to do with me, I'm fine with it. But this awkward silence is driving me up the wall.

Who: The Avngers, HYDRA NPCs, Bruce Banner
Where: South Pacific Ocean
When: Tueday, July 14, not long after this announcement
What: The Avengers rescue Banner from HYDRA's clutches
Warnings: PG-13
Status: incomplete OOC / IC

( Avengers Assemble... )

Happy 4th of July, America. We got so much meat up in Central Park, PETA gonna have a fit, and we've used my mama's very special, secret BBQ sauce. I guarantee it will be the best BBQ you can get outside of Texas.

[After a stern talking to by the Avengers legal counsel, the entry has been updated to:]

Happy 4th of July, America. We got so much ethically sourced, pasture raised, sustainable meat wtf does that even mean up in Central Park, and we've used my mama's very special secret BBQ sauce. I guarantee it will be the best BBQ you can get outside of Texas and other states which are renown for their BBQ cuisine.

- Falcon OUT (and eating)

[Vision]

Yo V. Not very subtle. If you wanted to be a surprise, that is.

Unless you've signed up for some Still Life classes in your spare time. Which actually...would not surprise.

[Steve]

What do you call 100 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean?

A good start.

Happy Birthday, man. 97 years young!

All these kids got the devil inside of them, I swear. You owe me.

Every year I look forward to the Fourth of July -- not only because it's my birthday, which is nice, I like chocolate cake -- but also because I get the opportunity to remind everyone that the principles upon which this nation was founded is still rooted in all our hearts.

We have to remember that together, we're stronger. And when we fight as one, there isn't anything that will be able to stand in our way. So, if you got 'em on the ropes, remember I'm in your corner. And we'll fight those shadows back together.

Also, if you aren't doing anything on the Fourth, come to Alice in Wonderland sculpture in Central Park around 8:00 PM. I bought a lot of sparklers and ice cream for the kids.

[AVENGERS]

And tomorrow, it'll be 0700 in the courtyard, team.

Avengers

Anyone else feeling restless?

Sam

Breakfast should happen.

[SAM]

You could be from Venus
I could be from Mars

... okay. That's Air, I listened to Air & nope.

Well, it's good to be back.

[AVENGERS + SHIELD]

I'm back. It seems there are no lasting effects apart from the broken wrist which should be good as new in a few weeks. I'd like to take this moment for apologize for the past few weeks and to thank you all for your efforts in containing the situation in the cafe and taking care of things the last few weeks.

Onto business:

• May's briefed me on what I've missed from SHIELD's standpoint. Anything else I should know?
  
• How can we coordinate a response to these kidnappings? I don't know if we have records on all these kids, but SHIELD's records are open to the Avengers.
  
• It turns out the carving was meant to be a 3D model. JARVIS has digitized the model and it's uploaded on the servers, so you should all have access to it. The search for this city is a high priority. It's what the Kree are looking for.
  
• I'm not the only one who was injected with this drug, so it's possible HYDRA's looking for the city as well. We need to beat them there.
  

[Steve]

Captain, if you have some free time, I'd like to speak with you. I owe you a debt of gratitude.

[Skye]

Care to explain to me just what the hell you were thinking?

[May]

Dinner. Out. I owe you a thank you.

[FILTERED TO TOWER RESIDENTS]
I'm Jessica.

I don't know how long I'll be here but I'll try to keep out of the way.


[Filtered to Carol]
Hey, going to be out of my apartment for a while. Taking care of somethings. if you need me, I'm still around.

[Filtered to Tower Residents]

This is to let everyone know that we have a visitor in the Tower right now. Her name is Jessica Drew, and she's been working with me as an outside expert while I gathered some information about old HYDRA bases. We tangled with some unpleasant people and she's recovering from her injuries.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[Filtered to Coulson]

Yes, that Jessica Drew. She walked out of HYDRA on her own and she's been acting as an outside resource for some time. She has some biological modifications and I think both SHIELD and Jess would benefit from letting Bobbi and Simmons give her a once-over. Let me know what you think.

[Filtered to Tony and Steve]

If you want to yell at me talk about this, you know where I am.

[Filtered to Clint]

You can say it.

Peru is a country that has carved out a place in my heart for being filled with beauty, warmth, and immense generosity. I was so moved by the wonder that is this country that I picked up a souvenir of my newest favorite R&R destination.

Ladies, Gents, and Other, I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the Avengers Family:

( Steve Rogers. )

The resemblance is uncanny.

( Steve'n'Steve. )

When you see the good in someone, you don't give up on that someone. Even when they don't see it themselves.

This Tuesday is Remembrance Day. For every man or woman who has been beside me in a foxhole, and for every man or woman who gave of themselves to further the cause of personal freedom and collective independence, you have my respect. And whether your battlefield was on the sea, in the air or in the shadows -- it's your efforts, and your protection that keeps us safe.

Here are some facts about the veteran community you might not know:

Veterans between the ages of 18 and 30 are twice as likely as adults in the general population to be homeless, and the risk of homelessness increases significantly among young veterans who are poor.

Roughly 56% of all homeless veterans are African-American or Hispanic, despite only accounting for 12.8% and 15.4% of the U.S. population respectively.

About 53% of individual homeless veterans have disabilities, compared with 41% of homeless non-veteran individuals.

Half suffer from mental illness; two-thirds suffer from substance abuse problems; and many from dual diagnosis (which is defined as a person struggling with both mental illness and a substance abuse problem).

Homeless veterans tend to experience homelessness longer than their non-veteran peers: Veterans spend an average of nearly six years homeless, compared to four years reported among non-veterans.

http://www.greendoors.org/facts/veteran-homelessness.php

Join me at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, 11/11 for a remembrance gathering in Battery Park. Join me to make lunch for our veterans in NYC. We'll have music, and we'll have opportunities to meet one another. There will also be employers and colleges looking to partner with veterans to give them a running start.

[ELI]

I talked to Christine Everhart. She's an award winning investigative journalist, and she wants to hear your story.

[Sam Sharon Peggy
JamesTONY]

How many times have you re-invented yourself?

Stark Industries has no comment regarding the statement made by Major General Forrest, other than to suggest that the comments regarding our sister organization - Stark Global Securites - are baseless and categorically false. If Major General Forrest would like a tour of our facilities, it would be my own deep and abiding pleasure to personally host him.

[RESIDENTS OF AVENGERS TOWER]

A few notes for all of you who, despite some really weird predilections, are doing great. Just really great. Please keep up the greatness, and please keep these notes in mind. I just really want you to think about all the people you're living with.

Despite the fact that you all have a kitchen in your apartment areas, you seem to really like using the galley/meeting space. I'm really moved by the way you work together, and apparently eat together. But it's also important to note that you need to clean up after yourself. And in that vein: person who is leaving the bread uncovered, I know who you are. Some of us don't have super-sized immune systems and would prefer to not eat mold.

Try to refrain from seeing if you can stick refrigerator magnets on James Barnes' arm. That's really gauche and if it happens, I'm going to find you and we will have a very serious talk about your lack of respect for your fellow residents.

While I'm sure everybody likes Nikki Minaj, we don't like it at 3:00 AM booming through the intercom. I've asked JARVIS to root out the source of this music, and if you come to me first, it might actually end up saving time. Which? Nice.

WHO IS EATING MY YOGURT
But I'm really, really glad that you're here. Not that I think it's a great idea to have Earth's Mightiest Heroes all under one roof because, really, if I were some sort of villain, maybe I'd target this building. No. I'm actually really glad you're here because I know you all have each other's backs. And I've got your back.

So if you need anything, let me know.

Sh
Bu Na

Halloween wasn't a thing when I was a kid. I don't think we thought about getting dressed up to beg for candy, not when we got really good begging a pie from old Mrs. Filmer. She made the best pumpkin pie. Buc

[SITWELL]

You have one of these things, right?

[AVENGERS + SHIELD]

Sitwell is legit.

It's weird, isn't it? Watching the world change so suddenly. I mean, Avengers notwithstanding. And aliens.

That's just all weird. That's the macrocosm.

But on the everyday. Where the rubber hits the road? One minute you're living in a van and the next, you're not living in a van. I mean, I'm clearly not living in a van. I miss my van.

[RAINA]

So if he wants to see me so much, where is he.

How is fall treating all of you?

[AVENGERS + CARTER + WILSON]

I've been contacted by someone claiming to be Sitwell, & we are meeting. This is just an FYI in case it's a shot across the bow from HYDRA. I'm going alone.

[COULSON]

I received word from someone claiming to be Sitwell.

SKYE:

So how did New York treat you in my absence?

So, I'm thinking and most anybody can tell you that's a dangerous pasttime. But I'm thinking about how, when I was a kid, I had to scrape (literally scrape) and fight for art supplies, or school supplies of any kind. The NYPD are doing their best to find the girls who are missing, and we have to make sure that them and all their friends have every implement they need to learn.

I'm asking you right now to lend a buck or two - or more - and donate supplies to local schools in the area. You can bring your donations to Stark Tower, and leave it in the lobby. We'll be sure to disburse it.

[SHIELD, SGS, OPERATION BARNES BAITING PARTICIPANTS]

To each and every one of you who took part in bringing Bucky back to the United States, and bringing him under our protection, I give you my thanks. Besides being my best friend and brother of many years, Sergeant James Barnes has the distinction of being America's longest serving prisoner of war. He was owed our devotion in bringing him back to the fold.

Our work in Havana was the first step in a journey whose distance we are only beginning to map out. So, I beg your patience. And I beg your understanding. Most especially, I beg you to remember that HYDRA is the enemy and HYDRA is still present in the world. We have data, and we have intel. Our organizations have been methodically shutting down HYDRA cells across the world. But our work isn't over.

SHIELD and SGS have to work hand in hand to root out HYDRA influence and fight it on every front presented: from the battlefield to the laboratory. And I am going to be here with you. The Avengers are going to be here with you. As long as you're here with me.

[AMERICA]

Heya. I'm back in NYC.