Attraction ~ a STONY Story ~

Chapter 10

The fresh morning air wafted gently around his ears as he walked his usual route around the headquarters. Everything seemed calm and peaceful. Some S.H.I.E.L.D. Employees who started their work shift greeted him on his way. Round after round his legs moved forward. Every time he caught the entrance, his legs got heavier. Unusual. What was he waiting for every time he looked at the door.  He ran his laps faster and faster without paying attention to how many times he had circled the entire area. His breath gasped, his gaze focused on the path ahead and yet his thoughts were far away. Until suddenly a black figure stood in front of him and Steve almost stumbled over his legs with a loud exclamation.

"Watch out, Cap."

Steve leaned forward, his hands on his knees and tried to pull himself out of his mind before approaching the figure.

„Fury?"

"It's been a while," said the man with the eye patch dryly. 

"What do you want? I suppose you don't come out for a simple conversation on a whim. "  

Fury's serious expression turned into a slightly amusing grin.

"I'm happy to see part of the team together again," he confessed. 

"Team?" Steve laughed cynically. "If it only were."  

The man in the black coat walked past Steve, his hands folded back and his eyes fixed on the large Avengers logo on the building.

"Even after all that has happened, I firmly believe in you. As different as you are, you are all fighting for the same goal.  Securing and saving our world. "  

The morning breeze seemed to move irregularly back and forth like Steve's breath. 

"I have an assignment for you." 

"I don't longer work for S.H.I.E.L.D.!" Steve promptly said. 

"This assignment comes from me."Fury turned and Steve raised his eyebrows curiously. 

With a nod, Fury pointed to his car and they both ran towards the black SUV.

The tension literally pressed in the air as both sat in the car. Fury ordered the driver to drive off before Steve was informed. The Avengers HQ got smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. Why did Nick Fury pick Steve out? Why him? What kind of mission could it be that he did not consider the others who were just there?  

While Steve waited urgently for an explanation, one thing struck him in particular.  Someone who was always on Fury's side.  And as if the mysterious man could have read Steve's mind, he opened his mouth and looked intently at the captain. 

"Agent Hill is missing.  She was last sent on a data backup mission. Hydra data." 

Why didn't that surprise him? After all these years and fighting, breadcrumbs from them could still be found. Like rats, they meandered underground through the canals and ate their way through holes, on and on. Increased more and more. Hydra was like a virus that kept coming out despite multiple vaccinations. Steve shook his head and grinned slightly. It was a disparaging grin. He didn't understand how they could keep crawling up through the rubble and building up again and again. How many times does Steve have to fight they so that it finally comes to an end. 

But that's what he was made for, wasn't it? He was the conqueror of every Hydra activity, right? And that distinguished him, made him useful and fulfilled his life, didn't it? What else did he have?

Isn't that the WHY we fight? So we can end the fight and go home?

A voice echoed inside him. But Steve just had the fight.  As much as he wanted and loved peace.  He was made for battle, wasn't he? What else did he have? His art? At best suitable as a street artist. Find a wife and start a family? No, he thought immediately. But he wanted to have a family. Comradeship, friendship, family, these things mean a lot to him. But to achieve that he had to fight.