Yours... 'til the End of the Line

Bullet Wounds and Interruptions

We set out for France at the end of the week. The plan was simple: get in, destroy anything they have, get out unscathed.

Steve and I snuck up to the entrance door after taking out a few guards. Standing on either side of the metal frame, I looked at Steve, my mask cover most of my features and he nodded to me. Spinning around on my heel, I delivered a harsh kick to the door and busted it open. Steve flew through the entrance with his Tommy gun strapped to him and set off rounds.

Bullets pinged off his red, white, and blue shield as we made our way inside. I dodged and weaved out of the oncoming attacks as the troops poured in behind us, blasting away at the enemy. Running ahead, I leaped in the air and took out a man that was aiming a gun toward James. The machine hit the ground with a clang before I knocked him out by slamming my bracelet into the side of his head.

We took out the Hydra base in France, Belgium, Poland, and Czechoslovakia with ease. I was shocked to learn that James was a sniper, a good one at that. The group grew closer as the months passed by. Jones was one of my best mates. He would constantly tease me about my closeness with James.

I ignored his comments, but his words stuck with me. It was rare to see James and me apart when we were camping out. Both going out of our way to find the other and talk. I would tell Jones that I was just trying to keep grounded, but in reality, I just wanted an extra moment with James. However, my grounded statement came true, especially after our last mission.

I was running beside one of the jeeps as we ran toward the Hydra base. James was hanging off the back of the jeep, reaching out to me, trying to pull me onto the vehicle, when a fighter plane swooped over us, guns blazing. Steve, Jones, and Dugan were behind us and taking the brunt of the attack.

Groaning, I veered on my track and began running back to them, to offer aid, when Jones opened fire and stitched it up the middle. The plane spun out of control, caught fire, and crashed just meters from me. I skid to a halt, the fire licking my skin. Before I could react any further, a strong arm wrapped around my waist before the person tossed me over their shoulder. My body jostled as I struggled to free myself from their grasp.

I was thrown into the trunk of the jeep as it peeled off. Whirling around, trying to gather my senses, I glared up at the person who had grabbed me. James. He looked at me with the same harsh glare.

"I had it!" I growled.

Pulling my body out of the trunk, I swung my leg over the side and held onto the bars of the jeep, staring James down.

"You could've died!" James cried as the jeep sped along the track.

"I didn't!" I hollered. "You can't protect me all the time, James!"

"I can't lose you!" He screamed in frustration.

I faltered slightly at his tone. The look in his eyes was devastating. His eyes watered slightly, due to the wind rushing in our faces. His hair was blowing around his face as he gazed at me.

"I can't... we can't lose you, Elettra," he corrected himself. "We haven't lost anyone yet and I don't plan on you being the first."

"You're right... I'm sorry," I muttered.

The vehicle rolled to a stop just along the outskirts of the forest and we quickly departed. Jumping to the ground, I watched and made certain that all our men made it through the woods. The dewy air clung to my skin as I abandoned my post and dashed through the woods, catching up to the group with ease.

Twigs and snow crunched beneath my feet as I made my way through the forest. Cool air stung my lungs, and I pumped my legs harder. Running up alongside James, I patted him on the shoulder and jerked my head toward the opening that I saw. He nodded his head before whispering to the men to follow. Steve and I dashed ahead, both being faster than the average soldier, and crept along the tree line.