The Night We Met | Steve / Bucky

eleven - keeping me alive

A few hours had passed. Within that time, Tony showed Katherine to a room that she could call her own. It was on one of the higher floors. There were several other bedrooms down a corridor where hers was situated, assuming other members of the team resided in the tower also. 

Katherine's room was bigger than the one she was to stay in back at Clint's farmhouse. It was more modern, a large double bed occupying the room with a walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom. The closet space was a waste for Katherine. She had no other clothes or no way of getting her hands on other clothes - she still sported the leggings and flannel that Laura lent her. 

Katherine washed herself up and returned to the main bedroom to find clothes items had been placed in her closet. She furrowed her brows and approached the closet. It was quite narrow with rails on one side and shelving on the other. On the shelving, several different shirts were folded neatly and placed on the shelves, along with sweats, jumpers and jeans. On the rails hung several different dresses and skirts. On the floor, beneath, lay several different pairs of shoes - converse, trainers, flat shoes and boots. Katherine had never had such choice before. She was always stuck wearing the combat boots and combat shorts while in HYDRA. 

In the corner of her closet, Katherine noticed her holster. She smiled to herself, feeling the straps between her fingertips. It felt good, the sense of familiarity but also stung in the back of her mind. Beside her holster, a pair of leather trousers and a black crop top hung. She knew these to be owned by Natasha but grateful that she would lend her gear to fight in - Tony letting her fight in. 

Katherine got dressed into a pair of dark blue jeans and a pink top. She slipped on a pair of black converse that were laid for her. She dried her hair, leaving it down natural. It felt weird to feel clean and fresh as she was usually in the midst of a mission and there was no downtime for self-care. 

Katherine decided to make her way back down to the lab. She was met by Tony vigorously focusing on one of the computers while Bruce attached tubes to the cradle. Clint remained on the floor below, trying to make contact with Natasha. 

She looked between the pair confused and then focusing her eyes on the cradle in the middle of room. Her eyes widened, "Tony," She tried getting her brothers attention, "What are you doing?" Tony didn't respond. He continued typing on the computer in front of him, "Please don't tell me you're doing what I think you're doing."

Katherine hoped for better. But from what she knew of Tony, he wasn't one to go down without a fight. "This framework is not compatible." Tony spoke, ignoring Katherine's questions.

Bruce checked the tubes coming from the cradle and then focusing on the display pad at the top, "The genetic coding power is at 97%" Katherine felt helpless. She knew she couldn't do anything and not too sure if stopping them is right thing to do either. "You have got to upload that schematic in the next three minutes."

Katherine stood to the side, helpless and confused. She heard footsteps enter from behind her, "I'm going to say this once," A recognizable voice spoke.

"How about non-ce." Tony spoke. 

"Shut it down." The voice spoke. Katherine turned to be greeted by Steve, clutching his infamous shield, and two very familiar figures standing behind him. 

Katherine's eyes widened at the sight of them. She felt her palms become sweaty and her heart begin to race. Katherine immediately held up her fists, igniting them in the direction of the Maximoff twins. "Nope, not gonna happen." Tony spoke to Steve, ignoring Katherine. Tony initially thinking Katherine was defending his and Bruce's work and not aiming her anger toward the Maximoffs.