Dark Arrow

Chapter Thirty Six

I walked into the kitchen area of the compound, fully equipped for the mission that had dragged me out of bed. Steve was already there, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand. He looked so domestic it was beyond cute.

He handed me a to go cup, knowing I wouldn't have time to stop. His eyes roamed my body as I took a step towards him, his eyes slightly darker than usual. It was a look I knew all too well.

"Don't give me that look."

He smirked as he lifted the cup to his lips.
"What look?" He asked too innocently, staring at my ass as I reached for a granola bar in the cupboard.

"You know perfectly well what look."

"You mean the same look you gave me when we woke up?" He teased.

The memory was still fresh in my mind, not to mention the way my legs still ached from the results of me looking at him like that.

"That was different, you were naked and looking...well like you."

I'd dare anyone to not wake up next to him and need to have him. The man was beautiful. I'd happily have spent all day in that bed with him, showing him how much I loved him. Yet apparently duty calls so that would have to wait. By the look still lingering in his eyes it was evident that he felt the same way.

"What's your point sweetheart?" He asked, putting his drink down to wrap his arms around my waist. His lips pressed against my neck, kissing the spot he knew made me go weak at the knees. "Have I told you lately how much I love your ass in this suit?"

"Once or twice." I managed to squeak out, trying to stop myself from taking him back to bed.

"Good." He pecked me on the cheek before moving away as if he hadn't just riled me up.

It took me a moment to get my body to work again. Thankfully Nat chose that moment to interrupt us.

"Rain? You ready?"

"Yeah." I cleared my throat before trying again. "Yeah I'm good."

By the smirk I was getting from Steve, he knew exactly what he'd done. "You I will deal with later."

"I look forward to it sweetheart."

I walked over and placed a soft kiss against his lips before grabbing my coffee.

"Try and stay out of trouble." Steve called out, hiding his hatred of me going on a mission without him.

"Always do Vanilla."

I'd pay for calling him that later, but it was why I did it. If I had to go out riled up, I'd make sure I wasn't alone in my frustrations.

***

Nat had done nothing but smile at me the whole time we were on the Quinjet, it was driving me insane as I looked over the mission file for the hundredth time.

"Oh just spit it out already."

"You just seem rather happy today." She noted, that knowing grin on her face only growing.

She was right, I'd had a skip in my step all day. Something I hadn't had in a long time.

"Waking up to a super soldier will do that to you. You should know that." I half teased her, knowing all too well how much she understood it.

"So you're finally back together then."

I knew she was fishing for details, no doubt having some wager with Bucky for how long it would take me and Steve to sort out our differences. I made sure to tune my hearing aid into the comms channel as I strapped on my parachute.

"Mission first, then gossip!" I called out as I dove out into the sky.

This was the part of my job that I would never tire of. The adrenaline rush as I fell through the sky was something I loved. I pulled the chord to release the parachute, landing perfectly on the ship below us. As I shrugged it off Nat landed beside me.

"Does that mean we're getting a double date soon?" She asked, falling into step beside me.

"Get the intel, then we can talk dates."

"I'm multitasking!" She called out as she leaped over a barrier to go get the intel.

"You're procrastinating, now move." I countered back, ready to clear the ship of the small remaining hydra members.

I came up behind one as FRIDAY called out into my ear.
"Incoming call from Captain Rogers."

I smiled hearing his name. Leaping up onto the back of the man in front of me I snapped his neck effortlessly with my thighs. A move Nat had taught me years ago, one that I loved to use. I told FRIDAY to patch him through as I landed on the ground.

"Sweetheart? Where are you?"

I slid under the next persons legs, slicing at his heels as I went.
"Can't tell you that Cap." The man groaned out in pain before I sliced through his neck, silencing him.

"Will you at least be back in time for dinner?"

"Depends on what we're having." Another neck snap as I avoided the shots now being fired at me.

Most normal people would've stopped talking, but this was what I'd been doing for years. Having a conversation with Steve while I did it made for a nice distraction.

"How does pizza sound?" He asked, knowing what my answer would be.

"Sounds perfect." I brushed the dirt from my knees as I shot the remaining enemy effortlessly between the eyes. "You know I can never say no to pizza."

"Seven o'clock at that place just down from the compound. Stay safe sweetheart."

I smiled. "I'll try my best."

The call disconnected as I headed towards where I knew Nat would be. As I got close, someone jumped out at me. I managed to get the upper hand, making sure he landed underneath me as we crashed through the door.

I put my full force behind the punch to his face. "Stay." I muttered as his head lulled backwards.

Nat chuckled. "Having fun?" She asked, hunched over the computer in front of her.

"Why do you get the easy jobs?" I asked, stepping over the unconscious man beneath me.

"Because I'm smarter than you."

"And I'm quicker than you." I countered, coming to her side. "You done?"

She pulled the data drive from the computer. "I am now."

Movement out the corner of my eye caught my attention. The man I thought was unconscious suddenly grappled to his feet, throwing a grenade our way as he ran.

"Shit!" I called out.

I grabbed Nat, pulling her with me as I shot the window to a connecting room through. We jumped through as the explosion went off. Pain radiated through my ribs as we landed, knocking the wind out of me. I pulled myself to sit against the wall, my hand gripping onto my side. I knew nothing was broken but I was certainly bruised.

Nat came beside me, pulling a very similar face to my pain stricken one. It was my fault for not killing the guy, but I'd hoped we'd get information out of him. Chances are he was now long gone.

I rolled my head to look at Nat, pushing down my guilt. "I vote we don't tell the guys about this part."

They were nothing if not protective and we both knew what they'd be like if they found out what had happened, it wouldn't be pretty for either of us.

"I second that vote."

Slowly but surely we managed to get off the ship onto the waiting jet. Both of us cleaned ourselves up the best we could, not wanting to give anything away. There was a large bruise turning my ribs purple, something that I was going to struggle to hide. I would have to get creative if it meant hiding it from Steve.

I looked at the time, we'd make it back in time for me to make it to dinner with Steve. The problem was I needed time to shower and change too.

Yep. I'm going to be late again.