You Can't Save Everyone

Chapter 8 - A Dangerous Game

Y/N POV
I did my best to stay away from Barnes for the next few days hoping whatever was stirring between us would disintegrate. We had decided to take our time planning how to infiltrate the Rome base instead of just storming in guns blazing. That meant that we'd all been cooped up in the tower so despite my best intentions, I couldn't always stay away from him. For instance, we had to be around each other in team meetings... though I may have found ways to rial him up.

*yesterday*

"That's insane and impractical." Bucky spat at me.

"We can't just ignore this part of the base." I retorted, aggressively pointing to the biggest lab on the blueprint.

"Going in there is suicide. It'll be the most heavily defended part of the base. What have we got to gain?" He argued.

"It's what we've got to lose Barnes. We can't let their research survive. Imagine the serums they've created that are just sitting there waiting to be used? It's not the most heavily defended area for nothing and if we leave it untouched then what's even the point in going in? We could blow the place up and Hydra would still be able to find a way back in. This central lab is built like fort knox and it's the biggest one they have. A bomb won't touch it unless it's set from the inside." I explained passionately.

"And who's supposed to set it huh? They'll kill themselves." Barnes scorned.

"Not necessarily." I spat, my frustration growing. "The doors have a deadbolt so it'll withstand the blast when they close. I use a guard's palm and retinal scans to get in, set the timer for 45 seconds and get the hell out of there before the doors close on their 15 second cycle."

"It's impossible! The window is way too small and that's providing you can even get through the mass of guards who will be defending it." He snapped.

I smirked cockily, "I can get through"

"You think too highly of yourself." Barnes snarked.

"We'll see about that." I replied coldly.

Bucky rested his hands on the table we were working around, "You are not carrying out this plan Peters."

"A Lieutenant doesn't need your permission Sergeant." I snapped.

"Don't pull that rank crap with me. You're not my Lieutenant." Barnes spat.

"Actually, she sorta is." Tony noted.

I had pretty much forgotten the rest of the team was in the room with us, we were too wrapped up in our argument.

"Since when?" Sam spoke up, "Our leader in Cap."

"True and y/n doesn't outrank Rogers, but technically she outranks the rest of us. I spoke to Fury about it and he said she earned her rank so when on missions, we have to respect it. Jess is also a Sergeant by the way." Tony explained and I smiled smugly at Barnes.

"You kept that one quiet." Clint said glancing at Jess.

She shrugged, "It's not a big deal. Doesn't mean much anymore."

"This is bullshit. I don't take orders from Fury and I sure as hell don't take orders from her." Barned yelled as he pointed aggressively at me.

"Calm your shit Barnes. I don't care about you taking orders from me. I just want you to be clear that I don't take any from you." I said in a definite warning tone.

"We're not getting anywhere with you two arguing constantly." Steve said standing up from his seat. He looked at me, "Can you honestly succeed in your plan?"