R͟u͟t͟h͟l͟e͟s͟s͟ {Q͟u͟i͟c͟k͟s͟i͟l͟v͟e͟r͟/ A͟v͟e͟n͟g͟e͟r͟s͟}

Chapter 15: Attack

I felt anxious throughout the entire ride. Steve said virtually nothing. I assumed he was lost in thought, which I could respect, but it was boring for me, and I had no desire to get lost in my thoughts. All they did is torture me more.

"We have about 2 minutes," Steve said, startling me slightly, "Since we have virtually no information about his location except that he's probably in his company's tower, I don't really have a plan for retrieving him." He made a face of discomfort, as if not having a plan of attack literally pained him. A smile crept onto my face. "He may be under heavy guard, or completely unprotected, nobody knows. But I do have a plan on finding him."

I almost groaned aloud. Of course he had a plan. "Okay, what's your strategy?" I found myself saying. Lately words seemed to just come out of my mouth like they weren't attached to my brain at all.

"We only have a minute." Steve said as we began to descend slowly into an abandoned back garden near Stark Towers. I looked out the window, unsure. "You're faster than me, so I feel like you can probably reach the top quicker than I could. Start looking for him at the top, I'll start at the bottom. We meet in the middle." The plane exhaled loudly, and I figured we'd landed and were out of time. "If neither of us have found him by then, we do a final search together, top to bottom. Remember the security cameras are probably watching us." Steve reminded, "Take them out if you need to."

"This isn't my first mission," I replied getting to my feet. I was still nervous, though.

"I know," Steve sighed loudly, "I'm just.... "

"Anxious? Same here. Let's get it over with." I said, the plane door sliding open, and I bounced out of the ship noiselessly. Stark Towers loomed overhead menacingly. My heart pounded so hard I wondered if I would faint. Why was this mission suddenly affecting me? I'd done this a million times. I shook my thoughts away. I needed to focus.

In silence, Steve and I walked throughout the city. Although we blended in with everyone else, I felt like all the pedestrians was looking at us. I wasn't sure why. A part of me knew we didn't stand out, but the conscious part of my mind was yelling at me that we were strange, that we were attracting too much attention.

"We should talk. We look weird walking together without talking." I managed to say. I felt like vomiting.

"Oh," Steve said uncomfortably, "I guess... How are you?"

We were getting closer to Stark Towers. The nausea in my stomach began to increase. Every inch of me was dying to run away. I could tell Steve was anxious as well. Underneath his coat, I could make out that he was gripping his shield, which was hidden underneath his coat, very tightly.

"Good," It was out of my mouth before I even had time to think about it.

"That's good," Steve nodded toward the door to Stark Industries' Headquarters, peeking inside discreetly. "There's a receptionist in the front room."

"Take her out, or make up a story?" I asked casually, or as casual as I could make myself sound.

"Make up a story," Steve chose, "We don't want to attract attention to ourselves." He pulled open the door, "Ladies first."

I didn't feel very honored. I faked a smile and nodded in thanks. We walked up to the desk carefully. "Is Mr. Stark here?" I asked pleasantly.

"He is, but he doesn't take visitors. Only on appointment." She smiled at us, her white teeth so fake I wanted sunglasses. It wasn't natural for people to look so perfect. It made me cringe.

"Oh, but we have an appointment." Steve insisted, "Just check."

The receptionist frowned, but she turned to her computer and started to search something. "I don't see any appointments today," Her eyes were suddenly full of suspicion. I looked up at Steve, my glance full of pleading for him to just take her out instead of this stupid story. "Are you serious?" Steve put on an annoyed face, "I could've sworn- Can you just check again, please?"