Steel Hearts

- 51 -

After what felt like forever, Steve and I were traveling through the quantum tunnel again. We took our time on Vormir and grieved Natasha accordingly.

Our feet scuffed the dirt in an abandoned alleyway of a military base now that we were in the 1970s.

"We need to change," Steve states, his eyes were scanning our surroundings to be sure we weren't seen in our suits.

"Thank you Captain Obvious," I smirk at him and he rolls his eyes.

"It's Captain Rogers actually."

"Oh really? I hadn't noticed!"

He scoffs, "You're funny."

"The most hilarious person I know!"

He grasps my arm gently and leads me toward a dumpster to hide behind. A door several feet away from us swung open with brute force and a couple was arguing loudly as they exited into the alley.

I take advantage of them facing away from us and send a force field into the backs of their heads, knocking them out cold. Quickly, I steal the woman's trench coat and throw it over my existing clothes until we could find something to change into. Without thinking, I start digging around her purse and pockets before grasping what I was looking for and holding it up in confidence.

Steve's face was full of disappointment, "Really?"

"We ran away from the government for years and now you're going straight on me? It's just petty theft."

"That's robbery."

"Not if it's under $1,200. Plus if we go around using money printed after 1970 someone is bound to get suspicious."

He tilts his head to the side in understanding before nodding and allowing me to continue sifting through the cash that the unconscious couple in front of us had on their persons. They collectively only had about $197 on them, but it was better than nothing and would last us long enough to get in and get out.

Soon enough we had both found a change of clothes and stashed our suits in a large bag as we figured out a way to get to where we needed to go. I didn't need to keep my face hidden as people wouldn't recognize me, but Steve most definitely would. He pulled his cap further down his forehead and we walked along a sidewalk toward the largest building on the base.

I really had no idea where we were going, Steve was leading us there. We kept quiet as we walked in order to keep from having unwanted attention drawn to us.

He pulled me through the crowds of soldiers and I was bumped and jostled every which way, but he kept a tight hold on my arm. But soon enough we were bumped and jostled just enough for his grip to falter and I was separated from him, carried with the crowd like a plastic innertube in a wave pool.

My eyes widened in panic and surprise before I stopped in my tracks and spun around. I couldn't see him anymore and I dodged the elbows and bags that swung in my path. Without thinking, I practically dove into the crowd going in my opposite direction in order to attempt to get back to Steve.

Ducking and dodging were my saving graces as I stumbled through the soldiers that surrounded me. Eventually, I was essentially spat out and fell into a heap on the dirt path. I huffed a piece of hair that had fallen in my face away as I stood, brushing myself off and straightening my clothes.

Well, that was unexpected.

I must've looked like an idiot as I turned and my eyes scanned every visible inch of the military base, searching for any sign of what direction Steve might've gone. Peeking inside my bag, I confirm that the tesseract is nestled carefully inside. If I can't find him I'll just have to figure out where to get this back to by myself.