Wildfire (Steve Rogers AU)

17

Hadley had left under the cover of darkness, Steve sleeping still while the pair had both laid together in the barn.

In his arms she'd felt safe and comforted knowing that he would never do to her what William had done.

"Which one did you go to?" Mary's voice made her jump as she snuck through the door and found her aunt sat in a chair doing some sewing.

Hadley froze. "What?"

"You don't sneak out for no reason, so who did you go and see? Brock or Steve?" She asked, beckoning her over and plucking a small strand of hay from her nieces hair. "My guess is the latter..."

She swallowed and nodded. "I had to tell him".

"I think I can guess you did more than just that". Mary said and gestured to the seat across from her. "Is he gonna marry you?"

Hadley nodded. "He is".

"Well I'm glad, but Rumlow won't be".

"I can handle Brock".

"Can you really? The man's got a temper that you ain't seen yet. I have, he shot a man dead in the street just a couple of years back - course it was a dispute that could only be solved by a pistol, but still ..."

Hadley sighed. "He wouldn't hurt me".

Mary put her sewing down, "I hope not, because I don't wanna be holding no funeral". Now she looked at her. "So...you finally opened your eyes and realised that Steve Rogers is in love with you".

"Yes".

"It's only taken you months". She smirked, "I could see it from a mile off from the first time you told me about what happened between you up at the ranch. He loves Flynn very much, and you're gonna be safe knowing that he'll treat him as his own".

Hadley smiled at the thought. "I know he will. And Flynn adores him. It's just taken me so long to see just how much".

Mary nodded. "Certainly has, so...what are you gonna tell Rumlow?"

"That I can't marry him. It wouldn't be fair on anyone".

"Need me to come with you?"

"No". Hadley said, "this is something I need to do by myself".

"Then for the love of god take a pistol with you - please".

**

Hadley headed to Red Skull ranch after breakfast, seeing Brock outside with the cattle. She headed over as he smiled on seeing her.

"Morning gorgeous".

She smiled lightly. "Can we talk?"

"Course, come inside". He nodded and she followed him into the house. "So". Brock turned to her, "what did you wanna talk about?"

Hadley looked at him. "I can't marry you Brock".

He frowned. "What?"

"I can't marry you, I'm sorry..."

"You gonna tell me why? Or don't I get an explanation".

She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Because I've realised that I've been in love with someone else all this time, and only now have I seen it. I care about you, I really do, but it wouldn't be fair for me to marry you knowing I didn't love you. You deserve a girl who does".

He glared at her. "No, no I deserve you!" His voice now thundered. "I chose you above all the other girls in town! Now you're telling me you love someone else and are gonna leave me to take the humiliation!" Then it dawned on him. "It's him isn't it! Steve fucking Rogers! It's him!"

Hadley nodded silently.

Brock walked over to her and slapped her so hard that she felt to the floor. "Well, if I can't have you? Then he can't either!"

"Brock please". She got on her hands and knees, going to get up but was struck down again.

"I'm gonna kill him..." was all she heard as he pulled her up by her hair and gave her the darkest look she had ever known.
Never before had she seen this side of him, but Mary had warned her.  "And after I'm done with him? I'm dragging you to that church and you're gonna be my wife whether you like it or not".

Her hand reached for a pan that she had seen was set on the side ,and hit him as hard over the head as she could with it. Brock's grip released from her as he fell to the floor. She stared at him, shaking and crying before survival mode kicked in.

She had to run.

Hitching her skirts up she ran as fast as she could hearing Brock now yelling for her.

The town. She needed to go where there were lots of people. He'd hit her so hard that she was a little unsteady as she ran across the grass and down towards the town, hearing the horse behind her.

She looked back to see Brock coming after her, blood running down the side of his face from the wound he'd received from the blow to the head.

Her legs took her across the trail road tracks and into town before he'd fully caught up with her, dismounting and running after her, grabbing her tightly and putting the pistol to her head.

The people now watched in horror as Brock dragged his wife to be through the town until he stopped in the middle and looked around. "If I don't see Steve Rogers here in less than five minutes then Miss Hadley's gonna be paying the price!" He roared at anyone who'd listen, his arm around her neck tightening as she struggled and cried against him.

Sheriff Fury now came out and walked towards him, Brock aiming the pistol at him. "Let her go Rumlow, if this is between you and Rogers then you don't bring an innocent woman into it".

"Innocent? She ain't innocent! She's been screwing him when she's about to marry me!".

"Let the lady go Rumlow, do you really wanna be strung up for her murder?" Coulson now asked.

Brock looked down at Hadley who was still crying and struggling against him. He let her go and pushed her forward, into the dirt. Mary and Coulson now running towards her so they could help.

"Now where's Rogers!" Hadley heard Rumlow bellow, and then her heart sank on hearing the answer from a familiar voice.

"Right here Rumlow - you wanna settle this? Then let's settle it here and now".