Fighting for You 🔞

Thirty

Tony absolutely adored her. The way she handled the whole day, and right now at the meal, he saw what she was doing. She was taking on work of the team so he had time to go over everything he was feeling. She had always been good in the lab, and though he'd never say it, she was better than him. He held the bottle in his hands, playing with the label. She wasn't rushing him, and he knew that she wouldn't let anyone interrupt or talk over him.

'As Adams said, she gave me the files. I saw and read it all. She's right, it wasn't Barnes, it was the soldier. I honestly don't know how you survived all of that..'.. He took a breath, knowing how hard it was to talk vulnerably... 'I don't blame you Barnes, I blame them. I'll try to not be an asshole to you, but you're welcome to stay here. We'll need your help to bring them down. You'll be free, and as Adams said, I'll get justice for my parents..'.. Tony swallowed back the lump, and looked down the table at Barnes. He could see the man's eyes were bright, fighting back emotions.

'It wasn't you, I can see that now. I'll help Adams get you free, I give you my word on that..'... Tony felt Peppers hand on his leg and he looked to her, next to him. He saw her give him a smile, tears in her eyes. He leaned in, giving her a kiss, letting her know, he was ok.

'Thank you Stark..'.. Tony turned his head back down the table, seeing Barnes look at him... 'Thank you. I'll earn my place here, and your trust. I want them to go down, and I'll do whatever it takes..'... Tony sighed, putting the bottle down, and standing up to walk around.

He held his hand out to Barnes, and the man rose to his feet, and shook it... 'Now that the therapy session is over, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm in serious need of a drink..'

Lexi chuckled, knowing that was Starks way of glazing over it all. He didn't do emotions. She stood, and pulled him in for a hug... 'You're a good man Stark..'.. She stepped back, holding onto his shoulders... 'They'd be proud of you..'

He shoved her off him, rolling his eyes and sniggered... 'Shake that ass for me..'... She called to him as he headed to the small bar in the corner.

She turned back to the table, nodding at the rest of them... 'Rogers, Barnes, clean up please, then go get changed for training. The rest of you, have the night off..'.. She nodded towards Stark... 'He needs it..'

She saw that they understood, and she walked to the elevator... 'I'll meet you both down there. Don't keep me waiting too long..'.. She stepped inside and headed to her floor.

Sam looked around at the team, as he still sat in his seat... 'Where the hell has she been hiding? Why isn't she already on the team?'

Nat chuckled across at him, as she sat back, letting Steve take her bowl... 'Adams is an amazing agent. She is highly sought after, from many governments around the world. A lot of them have thrown money, incentives at her, trying to sway her to work for them. And as her usual charming self, she told them where to put their offers. She made it clear on what she does, and told them she would glady work with them, not for them, under strict conditions...'

'She walked into a UN meeting and sat herself down at the front. No one knew how she had gotten in, or that she had taken control of their screens. She had a very detailed contract drawn up, giving them all an option, sign it, or she would clean up their messes, starting with them..'.. Clint laughed, picking up his beer.

'Are you serious? Shit, that's crazy. Didn't she get arrested or something?'.. Sam leaned forward, listening intently.

'No, she didn't. Many were actually impressed with what she did. She told them every detail about herself, down to what brand of shampoo she uses. She told them that if they wanted to work WITH her, they needed to know everything about her..'.. Nat turned to Clint... 'Didn't she go into specific detail about the time she lost her virginity?'

Sam burst out laughing, holding his stomach... 'Really?'

Clint nodded at him... 'Really. Look, Adams is great at keeping secrets, and she does it for a reason, to protect. But aside from that she's really honest. As Nat said before, she may come across as a bitch, but Adams... Clint smiled at Nat, then looked back at Sam... 'There's no one better, to have on your side. You've already seen how she is, she already loves you like family. If she didn't, you'd know about it. She's got your back. If you ever asked her for anything, don't say its a favour..'

'Why not?'.. Sam asks, looking between the two of them.

'She doesn't do favours, and she hates when people call it that. She'll help you, and doesn't expect anything in return. Most of the time, she'll find out if you need anything, and do it without you knowing. She's always putting others first..'... Nat tells him.

'They're right..'... Tony comes to sit with the three of them, placing a tray of drinks on the table... 'She's the most selfless person I know. She's saved each one of us, one time or another. There's nothing I won't do for her, I owe her everything..'

Clint picked up a glass from the tray, and the others did the same... 'Steve, Buck, get over here a minute..'... He calls to the two of them. He nods his head to the remaining drinks on the tray, for them to take. He looks around, seeing that everyone had one... 'To Adams..' They all toast to her, feeling good about everything.

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Lexi walked into her lab, after getting changed, ready for training, and headed to draw her blood. She quickly did what she needed, and ran the test. Seeing the results she dropped her head, sighing.

'Jarvis, engage Lathe protocol in my lab..'.. She says, walking back to the elevator.

'Protocol engaged Agent Adams..'..

Lexi stepped into the elevator, taking deep breaths. She had to keep the tem together, and take down Hydra, fast. She wasn't going to give in just yet, she had to make sure, Barnes was free. As the doors opened to the training room, fear crossed her mind, worried that she wouldn't be able to see this mission through.

Stepping out, she headed straight for a punching bag. She had so much anger and frustration built up, she needed to let it out, before the other two came down. She could only hope, no one would find out the truth.

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