Chasing Shadows ;; Steve Rogers

seven.

Ana was sitting next to Steve and Sam, brand new accessories on her wrists. Tony had warned her that she wouldn't be able to take them off without his code. She could have hacked it if she wanted, but what was the point? She'd give them the microchip and then they'd take them off anyway so she could leave. She didn't feel like getting zapped in the meantime.

"You shouldn't have fought with her," Steve said. Bucky, Bruce, Natasha, Yelena and Rhodey had stayed behind at the Tower while the others flew to the warehouse to retrieve the microchip. Ana wasn't sure why they needed so many. She had thought her and Steve could go get it since so far he was the only one she could tolerate. But she didn't have much say as they began piling into the Quinjet.

Natasha had remained because apparently Ana had dislodged Natasha's shoulder and they thought they would fight again. Ana had walked away with her own injuries, but thankfully all body parts were intact. Natasha had tried to speak with her before she boarded, but Ana brushed passed her.

"She started it," Ana shrugged. "Besides, she deserved it."

"I'm sure that was an epic fight," Sam said. "You think FRIDAY got it on video? I wanna see her kicking Bucky's ass too."

Steve looked at him with an exasperated look. "Give us a minute will you, Sam?"

"What? You know you wanna see it too," Sam said as he stood to go sit by Tony. Steve chuckled, shaking his head before looking at Ana again.

"I heard what you said to her," Steve said.

"Okay," Ana said. She didn't care anymore. She was gonna be out of here in less than a day.

"And I think you should hear her out," Steve said. Ana rolled her eyes. "I'm just saying. Maybe she has a side to the story you don't know."

"Look, I get we had a bonding moment talking about being alone and missed chances and what not, but that doesn't mean I want your opinion," Ana said. "Besides, it's none of your business."

"You're right, it's not," Steve said. "But that's what friends do. They look out for each other. They tell each other when they're making stupid mistakes. And I can guarantee it's the stupidest mistake you will ever make if you walk away from here without at least hearing her out."

"And we're friends now, are we?" Ana said. She didn't think he was right. She didn't care what Natasha had to say. She would walk away after giving them the microchip and never give her a second thought.

"Yes, we are," Steve said firmly.

Ana didn't know what to say to that. She didn't have friends. She didn't want them. Friends and attachments were a liability she couldn't afford. And yet, here she was, suddenly with a friend she had a feeling she wasn't going to be able to shake.

"We're here," Tony said as he began landing the Quinjet.

• • •

"Okay, kid, where is it?" Tony said as they got off the Quinjet.

"Do I look like a kid to you?" she glared at him.

"I feel like this is a trick question," Tony said. He turned in his suit to face Bucky. "That seems like a trick question, right?"

"It's in the warehouse?" Steve asked, ignoring him.

"No," Ana said.

"Then why'd we fly here?" Sam asked.

"You all ask a lot of questions," Ana said as she began walking away from the warehouse.

"Where are you going? You know you can't get away with those bracelets, right?" Tony asked.