the price of freedom is high

It had seemed strange to Steve when he didn't see Sam at the New Year's Eve party, but in the chaos that ensued, his attention and efforts all going toward making sure people got safely down the mountain, it managed to slip his mind. He didn't sleep much that night, on edge just thinking about everyone who was trapped at Kagura, hoping they would all be alright. He left for his run earlier than usual, and that was when he remembered Sam's absence. Steve tried to make excuses for it. Maybe, without any warning of what had happened the previous year, Sam had elected to go down to City Hall and watch the burning effigy instead. Maybe his distrust of Kagura was enough to keep him away. Maybe Steve was just assuming the worst, without any real basis for worry.

He ended up jogging over to Sam's apartment. It was still obnoxiously early by the time he got there. Sam would have complained Steve's ear off over being woken up so early, had he been there. But he was gone. Steve knew it when no one answered the door, even after he nearly knocked it off of its hinges. He forced the knob until it broke and went inside, just to confirm what he already knew. He collected whatever Sam had left behind that seemed of value or importance. Then he left.

Hours later, he is at the boxing gym. His shift is over, and it's been a very long New Years Day, but he doesn't want to go home just yet. He wants to keep working at the punching bag, so that is what he does. Usually, he holds back, not wanting to inflict any real damage on gym property. Today, he gives it his all, and then some. He tires himself out, or at least tries to. He goes at it until he can't anymore, takes a short break, and picks it back up again. He doesn't know how long it's been when she swims into his line of sight. Losing track of time, and of everything else, really, was kind of the idea. But when he sees Natasha, he pulls back, breathing hard as he steps away from the bag.

"How long've you been there?"

The Avengers Initiative was founded on the idea that a group of extraordinary people could unite to combat the foes that no individual could face alone. There was a need for them, when they first came together that day in New York. And there is a need for them now, here in Darrow. Perhaps not immediately, not today, but eventually that time will come. The events that took place here a couple of weeks ago impressed that need upon Steve.

He doesn't know what will happen next. But he's lived in Darrow for long enough to know that there will be something. There always is. The best that they can do is be prepared. And for that to happen, they need to get organized. He doesn't call them together right away, however. He figures they could all use time to themselves. He needs it, certainly, to get his bearings back after losing his abilities. He imagines that Banner will need time to readjust as well. And although neither would ever admit to it, he suspects that Stark and Romanoff could use the extra time to settle in.

After enough time has passed, he reaches out. AVENGERS ASSEMBLE, reads the text message, because he couldn't resist. Below the call to action are instructions to meet at his place.

Eventually, there are three Avengers trying to make themselves comfortable in his living room. He jumps right in, no point in keeping them waiting. "I called you all here today because it's become clear to me that there is a need here in Darrow for the Avengers. By now we've all seen for ourselves the sorts of strange things that occur in this city. I want us to come together, to get organized, and to be prepared the next time that something happens."