The War Within | A Tony Stark Series

s: Playing Along

Monroe's POV

"Nat, what are we doing?" I exhaled, standing on the bridge of the compound. I stared down at agents walking in every direction while contemplating my place in this hell hole. "No matter what Tony says, something will slip that Steve won't agree with. He's not going to quit."

"Can you blame him?" Nat guarded his stance. I shoved aside all the government's opinions and remembered Steve's relation to it all.

"No."

I lowered my head to my hands with my elbows propped up on the rail. She moved closer to rub my back, easing the tension. 

"We should probably head back."

"Yeah," I muttered before standing straight and entering the building. The security footage from the cell Barnes was being held in was being displayed on the screens. Another man's voice was heard, claiming to be sent by the United Nations to evaluate him. It hadn't gotten further than the introduction when the power went out. Everyone began panicking from the loss of surveillance.

"Friday, get me a source on that outage," I heard Tony command. I caught Steve and Sam running out of the office behind us in my line of sight. I shared a look with Nat, both of us acknowledging that we weren't running after them. Steve is the only one who can get to the bottom of this. Dig up the holes before the government turns the story around. That was the plan at least. I had to switch motives when my fangs poked at my lip. I began to rush out with Nat and Tony behind me.

"He's gone rogue," I informed them.

"Please tell me you brought a suit," Nat hoped.

"Sure did. It's a lovely Tom Ford, three-piece, two-button. I'm an active-dut non-combatant."

Agent Carter had forced her way with us as we headed down to the last place Barnes was seen. Sharon and Nat split from Tony and me, trying to stay out of sight until we were clear to attack. I held a hand to my ear waiting for the signal. 

"We're in position," Nat notified. I crouched down on the pillar across from Tony as he brought up his repulsor. He aimed for the soldier and blasted him with a sonic wave. Tony proceeded to blind him with another outburst, stunning Barnes. I ran up to the soldier, blocking his strike against me. I tried throwing a punch myself but was pulled out of the way before getting shot in the chest. I jumped on his back, trapping his head between my hands. I tried to get in his head, but Barnes flipped me over him, kicking me out of the way. He tried his luck with Tony, but his repulsor jammed the bullet. I picked myself up off the ground, finding a way back in to capture the assassin. The soldier pulled his arm back as he spotted me coming, disarming the gun. Tony used the ammunition left in his hand to strike Barnes but was thrown back into me. We crashed into the tables behind us. 

I could hear Sharon and Nat run in to take their turn as I rolled over on my back, wincing at the pain caused by the impact. Before I could check on Tony, my air caught in my throat, suffocating me. I turned to see Natasha in a chokehold until T'challa broke his grasp. I coughed out as she gasped out for air. Once she recovered, our link untied, but Barnes had disappeared. 

***

"You okay?" I whispered as Ross ordered Tony around. We were back up in the office waiting for our long-awaited lecture. "I'm starting to think you're not safe when I'm not around to shield you," I laughed out.

"Don't let it get to your head," she smiled back before Ross's words caught our attention.

"It's clear you can't be objective, I'm putting Ops on this."

"And what happens when the shooting starts? What, do you kill Steve Rogers?" Nat stirred.

"If we're provoked. Barnes would've been eliminated in Romania if it weren't for Rogers. There are dead people who would be alive now. Feel free to check my math," Ross sarcastically emits.