A Soldier's Journey

Part 24: Pieces Falling Into Place

Life's been good to me. It's been a few months since Steve and I went back home from the honeymoon. We got a two week break until we received a call from Tony. The Avengers have been looking for Loki's scepter. Searching roof to floor of every Hydra base known. Apparently Tony's been for a while, since Shield collapsed. He said he figured we deserved a break before he called us to join them. So, we've been living at the Avenger's tower for a while now, searching every week at a new base.

So, that's how I ended up here, riding behind Steve on his bike as we rush through the exterior of one of their bases. Located in Sokovia. Tony flew ahead to try to get inside the base and everyone else is spread out throughout the forest surrounding the base. We even got Thor to join us on our parade. Bruce stayed back near the jet, trying to avoid a code green.

I shoot at passing Hydra agents in uniforms as Steve controls the bike. We hear a loud roar, which can only mean that the Hulk has been unleashed. I share a quick glance with Steve, but it's cut short by a loud explosion a few feet behind the bike. Through the wall of trees, I get a quick glimpse of the Hulk fighting. Steve continues to drive ahead, me shooting and covering him.

"Shit!" Tony yells through our comms.

"Language!" Steve tells, making me scoff and roll my eyes. "Jarvis, what's the view from upstairs?"

"The central building is protected by some kind of energy shield. Strucker's technology is well beyond any other Hydra base we've taken." Jarvis responds.

"Loki's scepter must be here. Strucker couldn't mount this defense without it. At long last." Thor responds. "'At Long Last' is lasting a little long." Nat says. Steve slows down and glances back at me. I kiss his cheek, then jump off the bike, landing on my feet and immediately engaging in hand to hand combat with nearby agents. "Yeah, I think we lost the element of surprise." Archer Obvious says. "Wait a second, is no one gonna deal with the fact that Cap just said language?" Tony jokes, making me chuckle as I swing my leg around, kicking an agent to the floor. "Come on Disney Princess, back me up here." Tony adds.

"Sorry babe, you're never going to live that down." I say. I hear Steve sigh through the comms. "I know. It just slipped out." He says, making a smile play at my lips. My eyes glow red and I engulf a group of agents in fire. A few approaching agents turn and run, but I burn them before they get the chance to escape. I hear movement behind me and flip around, raising my hands in preparation to roast someone. I pause when I see Steve behind me. His eyes widen when he realizes that I was about to burn him. I lower my hands and he relaxes. "Well, glad to know the romance isn't dead." He says, making me let out a breathy chuckle.

He walks up to me and kisses me. It's short lived, but still passionate and full of love. "Have I ever told you that I find it very sexy when you roast people?" He asks, leaning his forehead against mine as he grips my arm with one hand, the other tightly on his shield. "That's demented." I murmur. "Maybe, but that's just part of my charm." He says, making me smile. "Oh come on guys! I don't want to hear that." Tony says through the comms. Steve and I share a look when we realize that the comms are still on. "Man, we should have left them on the jet." He mumbles. "You get used to it." Clint says, making me roll my eyes.

Our moment is rudely interrupted by more approaching agents. Steve and I disperse and begin fighting again. My eyes turn from red to white as I cover groups of agents in ice. "Clint!" Natasha yells. My chest tightens with worry. I see a blue blur pass by, something hits Steve, but he flips and catches himself. "We have an Enhanced in the field." Steve says. "Clint's hit!" Nat responds. I look through the trees, trying to find where they are, but more laser shots flying past my face get my attention.

"Somebody want to deal with that bunker?" Nat asks. I hear a large roar, which can't be mistaken as the Hulk's. "Thank you." She replies sweetly.

"Stark, we really need to get inside." Steve says. I look over to see him throwing his shield at approaching agents. "I'm closing in." Tony replies. I take a short breath in relief, but continue attacking nearby agents. I pull out my twin knives off of my thighs, swinging through the crowd of agents, slicing down their torsos and across their necks. "The drawbridge is down people." Tony says. Thor lands close to me, helping me fight off these agents. Once the area is clear temporarily, Steve runs over to us.