Lieutenant - Daughter of the Captain

Chapter 22.0 - Grief

Steve pulled Carter up into his arms, exiting the room as her frantic breathing increased.

She didn't fight, but every muscle in her body was tense, and he knew he had to get her eyes to open before she began spiraling.

She'd had a few panic attacks in the last year, but they'd never been able to resolve them. They couldn't pinpoint triggers without her going into one, and it was all Steve could do to hope that this one would be easier to pull her out of.

Neither of them were too keen on trusting a single psychiatrist with every intimate detail of her time at H.Y.D.R.A., let alone what she knew about S.H.E.I.L.D.. Coulson's death alone was level seven clearance.

He found a small, deserted corridor down the hall, and leaned himself against the wall, sliding to the ground.

She was shaking in his arms, not gripping onto him like she normally would. Her breaths were ragged, and tears leaked from her twitching eyelids.

He held her away from him, and with a steadying breath, he tapped the two metal devices behind her ears.

Her eyes shot open and she gasped, his hand already clenching hers gently. She was staring blankly at him, taking deep breaths, feeling his calm concern flood into her through their link.

Her panic welled inside him, but he kept his gaze steady and his breathing even.

He gave her a few minutes, before speaking- this being one of the rare moments when she could hear his voice.

"Take it easy, just breathe with me. Eyes up..." He spoke sternly, but she knew the gentleness in his voice made it different from how he spoke with others.

Another few minutes pass, and she sucks in a steady breath.

"Thank you," She nearly flinched at the sound of her own voice after so long, but knew he wouldn't let her go if she did.

He looked her in the eyes, analyzing the emotions coming from her, trying to find any trace of panic left in her through their temporary link.

She smiled slightly, "I'm okay," she whispered, greatful for his concern for once.

He stared at her for a few more seconds, now studying studying her drooping eyes. She looked exhausted.

She sighed as he tapped her E.A.R.S. and the world faded into the familiar buzz that had become her normal over the last year.

The two stood, and found their way out of the deserted hall and back towards the viewing room.

Maria Hill poked her head out of the door, "I've gotta take him," She said, frowning slightly.

Steve just nodded, and they watched her dissapear.

A second later, Natasha exited the room.

She made eye contact with Carter, recieving a small nod from the girl, before turning to Steve.

"Why was Fury in your apartment?" She asked bluntly.

Steve's intense stare held, "I don't know," He responded.

Carter contained her surprise, not sure why Steve was lying to the Widow, but smart enough not to interject.

"Cap," An agent gets their attention from down the hall, "They want you back at S.H.E.I.L.D." He states, before clarifying, "Both of you,"

With that, he eyes Carter suspiciously, and she can't help but give him a steele glare back.

"Yeah, give us a second," Steve says, turning back to Natasha.