[ WP ] After years of battles hard fought , at the close of a Civil War , Steve Rogers retires from the Avengers . Hanging up his shield and uniform , he settles down in a quiet little neighborhood , where he is known as simply as Mr. Rogers .

`` I wonder what sort of pension a retired Captain earns?'' `` I would n't know Tony, besides, the U.S. Government seems to think that I've gone beyond and above the call of duty and I will be taken care. It seems that my 401k has also had an average rowth rate of 1200 % over the past several months.'' Rogers lifted his eyes from his duffle bag to Stark with a pause before continuing. `` You would n't know anything about that, would you Tony?'' Stark tapped several images on what was a holographic interface being displayed above a digital device wrapped around his wrist. `` Would you look at that. Says that start up financial security company Kirby-Excelsior has set unprecedented returns on investments for its customer. Sounds to me like the government made some wise investment choices with its emoloyees financial security. Wish they could manage to do that with the rest of the budget.'' Stark smirked as Steve zipped the duffle bag, slinging it over his shoulder. 
 
 `` So is it the Sunny Oaks retirement home? Green Acres? Where does a 92 year old geriatric retire to?'' Steve laughed to himself as he and Stark made their way through the building. `` Well seeing as most retirement homes require someone to be at least 65. They keep telling my I.D. Is fake, and Green Acres does n't actually exist. I know I looked into it.'' As the two men reached the final doorway they stopped, Tony's face looked a bit puzzled. `` Steve, I was kidding.'' `` I know Tony, so was I.'' Laughter erupted from the two men filling their immediate vicinity, Tony bent over holding his stomach. 
 
 Tony had to catch his breath, Steve wiped some water away from the corner of his eye. As the two regained their composure and silence returned, they each knew this was it. Steve was hanging it up, for good. What seemed like seconds of silence dragged out before Steve finally spoke. His hand extended to his friend, Tony's hand firmly meeting it. `` You be careful and take care of yourself Tony. I'm not going to be there to watch your back anymore.'' `` I would n't worry about it too much boy scout. I still have Goldilocks and Fury to keep three eyes on me. Just make sure you keep your Life Alert on you in case you fall.'' Tony smirked while Steve gave a slight nod. `` I'll see you around Tony.'' `` I WILL see you. Captain.'' Steve started on his way, glancing back to wave at Tony before he entered the car that was waiting for him. Tony stood and watched while his friend drove away to a new life. 
 
 The quiet neighborhood was an undisclosed location, obviously wanting to keep the Captain's whereabouts a secret. It was speculated that he had most likely retired to a location somewhere in upstate New York, perhaps not too far away from his birth place. Of course his identity was n't exactly a trade secret, and while many had suggested Steve move to another country or at least to a remote location where it was likely he would be as off the grid as possible, Steve responded in only the way he could. `` I'm not going to live my life in hiding or fear. I plan on enjoying my retirement.'' 
 
 Steve did just that, he had purchased an older home that needed plenty of work done, a fixer upper was a nice way of putting it. But he had decided it best to keep himself busy, and what better way than to tackle an entire house remodel single handed? It was an average neighborhood, small suburban life with a local neighborhood watch, car pool club, holiday barbecues and a community garden. 
 
 Steve had to deal with rough conditions on more than a few occasions, so the first nights spend on a military issues cot did little to deter him from sleeping like a baby. His days started early, an assortment of measurements were taken, lists of materials needed and trips to the lumber yard were made. People were either being polite and did n't point out that Captain America was purchasing wood from their lumber yard or renting some minor equipment. Or they genuinely did n't recognize him. Either way, he appreciated the modest anonymity he was experiencing. 
 
 The work was easy, decades spent honing and training his super human body to battle insurmountable odds was as adaptable to the task of tearing out the kitchen sink as it was fighting against Stark and the others during the recent Civil War. He found himself reflecting on years past, did he miss Tony already? 
 
 A knock at the door broke his daze. Another and he had opened the door, jeans and shirt dirty wiping his hands with a rag of the grim and gunk. `` Hello there, we're your neighbors. I'm Liz Lee and this is my son Nathan.'' The woman appeared to be in her early thirties, maybe late twenties and her son looked to be about seven. He smiled and held up a bowl of food. He spoke in a rapid, enthusiastic. `` We brought you fruit, bread and some snacks!'' 
 
 Steve smiled, doing his best to clean his right hand before extending it. `` I'm Steve Rogers nice to meet you.'' He shook her hand before bending down to meet Natan eye level. `` Well that was mighty nice of you and your mother to bring me some food Nathan.'' Steve reached for the bowl as Natan blurted out. `` ARE YOU CAPTAIN AMERICA?'' Causing Steve to laugh. 
 
 His mother tapped him on the shoulder. `` Nathan Lee, what did I say about that!'' Steve stood, smiling at Liz. `` No, that's okay Mrs. Lee.'' She smiled politely before replying. `` It's just Ms. Lee. But please call me Liz.'' `` My apologies. Liz.'' His gaze turned back to Nathan who was staring at Steve in awe. Nathan may have been young, but he knew all about Captain America and had read everything he could about him. 
 
 `` To answer your question Nathan, no. Sorry buddy. I'm not Captain America.'' Nathan's smile instantly dissolved, his hopes sinking. `` Oh. I thought you were.'' `` I **used** to be Captain America. I'm retired now.'' The young boy's eyes lit up and he beamed that smile right at Steve again. Steve returned Nathan's smile with a wink before looking back at Liz. `` But please, I am done with that. I'm just here to fix up this place and enjoy being part of your community and neighborhood. I'd appreciate it if you just called me Steve.'' 
 
 Liz smiled and nodded in agreement. `` Well we're happy to have you here Steve. Welcome to the neighborhood. Let us know if you need anything.'' `` Thank you Liz, I will. And thank you again Nathan for the food.'' Nathan's mouth was a big agape at this point as his mother again tapped him on the shoulder. `` Oh, you're welcome.'' `` Nice to meet you Steve.'' Liz said. `` And nice to meet you too Liz, and Nathan.'' Steve replied. `` Okay let's go Nathan and let out new neighbor get back to his work.'' She took her son's hand as they headed off and waved. `` Bye Steve!'' Nathan exclaimed with excitement. `` Nathan.'' His mother said as if to remind him of his manners. `` Sorry. I mean by Mr. Rogers!'' 
 
 Steve smiled and waved at his new neighbors before returning to his home to continue the remodeling process. Over the course of the next few days Steve got to know more people the lived in the neighborhood. Most were families with children, some older couples whose children were grown and had children of their own now, and some renters rounded out the collection of neighbors he slowly got to know. Some knew who he was, but they seemed nice enough people and did n't bring it up. His home was coming along nicely, and despite his capability to compete the work at the rate of an entire crew, Steve took his time and enjoyed this new process of tearing down and rebuilding what had been into something new. He found peace in it. 
 
 Of course anything that invoked the smallest amount of engineering or electrical work could n't go unnoticed with a friend like Tony Stark. Somehow Steve had managed to persuade Tony he could help, but only if he did it Steve's way. But what Steve did n't know, would n't hurt him, Tony reasoned as he left a few special **upgrades** behind. Every now and then Steve would head out onto his front porch, either to enjoy some coffee or grab the newspaper only to see a flock of children scatter from a bush they had been hiding behind. 
 
 `` Steve, I wanted to come earlier, it's just..you know how busy things get with S.H.I.E.L.D.'' `` It's okay Sharon, you do n't need to apologize. I'm glad you came, I'm glad you're here.'' Sharon Carter was still an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Steve knew what that meant. She had taken some time off and stayed with Steve at his new home. Even within the agency Steve's whereabouts were known only by two people, Fury and Sharon. But the time went by fast and it was time for her to leave. `` Steve, I...'' He cut her off so she did n't have to say it. `` I know Sharon, I would n't ask you to quit for me. That's not what I want.'' She was leaning into him, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. `` But that's not the same as me not wanting you to be here.'' She looked up at, placing her hands on his face and kissed him. `` I know.'' Sharon relied, picking her bag up she walked to the cab and waved good bye. 
 
 Anyone who exercised enough understood the body's need to exert itself, take the most physically well condition human specimen and that made for one busy body. Steve was already on mile nine when he came across a minivan parked on the side of the road with its flashers on that looked familiar. He opened his stride a bit and closed in. `` Mom! Mom! Look! It's Mr. Rogers!'' Nathan nearly shouted from the back seat. By the time the boy had finished his prof location Steve had arrived, a bit sweaty but hardly out of breath. `` Hi there Liz. Hi Nathan. Having some car trouble?'' `` The single mother smiled. `` Yeah, I do n't know what I was thinking. The fuse for my gas light must have gone out or something. I called road side service but they said their closest truck is going to be at least two hours.'' 
 
 
 ( Story updated and completed. Three parts. )
