It's been five days since your sacrifice and the team is till in shock. Today is the funeral for the public, after you will be cremated and tomorrow they will be spread across the lake by Tony's cabin with just a select few in attendance.

The team is early to the church. Nat sees Steve standing alone at the front of pews. She walks up to him.

"Hey. How are you holding up?" She asks gently.

"I'm not Nat. This wasn't supposed to happen. I promised her that I would protect her." She can hear a quiver in his voice.

"I know, but we also know she cared more about other people than herself. She was determined to not let him win. I know it doesn't make it any easier but I keep telling myself the same thing over and over."

Steve looks down and shuffles his feet.  "We were supposed to have a future Nat. Without her I don't want to know what tomorrow looks like."

Nat wraps Steve in a hug. "We'll just have to take each day as it comes, together." Nat pulls back and wipes the tears from her face.  "People are starting to arrive. We should go outside."

The team watches as so many people that knew and loved you fill the church. The service is about to start when Steve looks over and sees Loki standing alone in a back corner.

Loki sees Steve approaching and immediately tenses up.

"Loki, what are you doing back here?" Steve asks quietly.

Loki was honestly expecting more rage from Cap. "I just wanted to be here to say good bye but I will leave.  I know I'm not wanted here." Loki turns to walk away when
Steve puts a hand on his shoulder stopping him.

"You deserve to be here just as much as anyone. I'm not angry at you for what you did. I know it was what she wanted, what she needed some one to do. I'm angry at myself for not being that someone she needed." A tear drops from his eye then a gentle smile spreads across Steve's face. "Besides she would be pissed at you for leaving and even more pissed at me for letting you leave. Thor is already seated, sit next to him, please."

Tony gives a beautiful eulogy and sits down next to Pepper. She squeezes his hand to reassure him. It's Steve's turn to give his eulogy. He stands and walks up to the podium. He takes a deep breath and collects his thoughts.

"Tony you said everything we have all ever felt about Lark. There is not a lot more that I can add to it except she was "my best girl" and I will love her until the end of time."  He reaches in to his pocket and pulls out a small box.  He opens it revealing a beautiful engagement ring. "We were supposed to have a beautiful future together but she gave that up so the rest of the world could have one. I love you Lark." He turns as the tears start to fall. He places the box back in to his pocket as walks back, taking his seat next to Nat.

The next day everyone has gathered at the cabin by the lake.Tony and Pepper come out of the cabin carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers and gently lays it in the water. There is a small box with your ashes in the center. Steve walks up, bending down he places the little box with the ring next to it. Both men push it out on to the lake, letting the water do the rest. Everyone stands in silence as they say their final good byes.

Since the funeral at the church, Loki has returned to Asgard where he remains self isolated in his chamber. He mostly sleeps or drinks during the day. At night many have heard him yelling as the sounds of glass shattering and furniture breaking leaks through the door. Thor is worried that his brother may never come back from your death. He continues to visit Loki everyday in hopes that he will see some improvement.

Three weeks later, Tony has called a press conference. Everyone from the team, but Loki and Thor are in attendance. Pepper is being her amazing self as usual fielding the questions from the press. Tony stands out in the hallway waiting to make his entrance. Pepper slips through the doors. She walks up to Tony, straightening his tie, she asks. "Are you ready for this?"

Tony straightens his back and squares his shoulders. "Ready as I can be, I guess. Is everyone here?"

Pepper smiles at him and gives him a quick kiss. "Yes, except for Thor and Loki."

"Ok, let's do this shall we." He holds out his arm for her and she takes it as Tony pushes the doors open.

The camera flashes start going off and questions are being thrown at Tony. He stands up at the podium. He raises a hand to quiet the room.

"I've call this press conference to unveil Stark Industries newest project. You may not know that recently I discovered I had a half sister.  Her name was Dr Larken Monroe. She had a brilliant mind. Even more than mine, I admit. She wanted to help the world with her medicine but unfortunately her dream was cut short. So to honor her and continue her life's work.."

Tony reaches over to an easel that is cover with a cloth and pulls it off with a flourish. A concept drawing of a beautiful building with a large sign on the side.

"I'm proud to announce that construction on the Larken Monroe-Stark Medical Research Foundation will begin next week."

A huge smile crosses Tony's face as he tries to hide the tear welling in his eye. He looks down at the rest of the team as they stand applauding your memory and how Tony is honoring it. He knows that the healing has begun.

****************

I just want to say thank you to every one of you that has been on this ride with me. I'm sure it wasn't how you thought it would end but I hope I didn't disappoint either.

Watch for an upcoming Bucky story to be started soon.

Thank you again for all love you've given me and Lark.

Jenn