Mercury // S. Rogers (Book Seven)

Ready?!

Freya...

Freya...

"Freya."

Freya takes hold of the wrist belonging to the hand that's shaking her shoulder and holds it in a vice grip. Her eyes snap open and look straight ahead into the chocolate brown eyes of Lemar Hoskins. His eyes are wide momentarily before he relaxes and and raises a single eyebrow.

"You're a jumpy one, aren't you."

"Occupational hazard," Freya quips. She gently releases his wrist and watches him rub it with a wince.

"Man, you're strong."

"Why are you shaking me in my sleep? Historically, that's not the best idea."

"You were talking in your sleep," Lemar frowns.

"Oh..." is all she mumbles. Knowing she was most likely talking about her imprisoned husband, which she had been dreaming of. She looks over to her left down the isle to the sleeping form of John. She had moved seats shortly after their last conversation to get some space and must have dozed off. Lemar's voice brings her back. "Hm?"

"I asked if you're okay," he says, studying her.

"I'm fine," she shrugs.

"You know, you don't have to be okay all of the time."

"I do if I want to see my children and husband again," she snaps. He raises another eyebrow at her tone, making her sigh. "Sorry, I'm just... I'm just stressed."

"I understand. I can't relate, but I understand. And I'm sorry you're in this situation. You shouldn't have to be," Lemar says quietly.

"Thank you," Freya nods. His gentle, caring nature almost making her smile.

"There's something else going on with you, though," Lemar presses. "You seem tired... Drained."

"I just had twins a month ago," Freya snorts.

"I know," he chuckles. "It's more than that, though."

She watches him for a moment. She feels she can trust him, but with John being his partner, she doesn't know if she wants to. She finally opts to force a smile and nod.

"I'm fine."

A yawn from down the isle grabs their attention. Lemar turns to look over his right shoulder while Freya looks down the isle. They watch John rub his eyes before checking to see if the shield is still next to him. He looks up and sees Lemar sitting with Freya. His face contorts into confusion before he shrugs it off and stands to stretch. They hear the pilot over the intercom in the meantime.

"Approaching our destination."

"You guys ready to go?" John asks.

"I guess," Freya shrugs as she stands to stretch. Her joints cracking with pleasure.

"Let's get this done," Lemar nods with a smile.

The plane lands in Munich where a helicopter is waiting nearby for them already filled up and ready to go. Once they're in, they're off to find Redwing and Sam. The three of them sit strapped in the chopper with their headsets on. Silence enveloping them. Of course, John has to be the one to break it.

"A car will wait for us if we need a ride," he tells Freya. "Once the chopper drops us off, we're on our own."

She gives him a silent nod, thankful that they don't know that she can't produce her portals at the moment after giving birth.

"This is my op, so what I say goes. You have to follow my lead. Okay?"

John's authoritative tone makes Freya lock eyes with him. He stares her down waiting for her to object. Lemar looks back and forth between them, waiting for one of them to break. Freya knows it has to be her...

"Aye, aye, Captain," she mockingly salutes him.

John lets out a sigh in response and frowns at Lemar, who's trying not to crack a grin. Freya glances over at Lemar and sends him a wink to lessen the tension in the chopper. Which makes John let out a snort of amusement.

"We lost Redwing's signal," the pilot tells them.

Something pulls at Freya's senses as they close in on their target location. Something familiar. Sam. She can sense Sam. And...

"What the fuck? Bucky???" Freya questions out loud.

"Huh?" John and Lemar both respond.

"I sense Sam AND Bucky," she tells them. She unbuckles her belt and walks up behind the pilots. "Take this highway. I can sense them this way."

"We don't take orders from-"

"Do as she says," John snaps.

"Yes, Cap," is the pilot's immediate response. The chopper turns and follows Freya's directions down the highway.

They begin to close in on two semi trucks that are driving side by side. And it looks like people are on top of them. There are people fighting on the rooftops of the trucks. Freya rips off her headset and John and Lemar follow her actions.

"That's them! We have to get down there!" she yells over the roar of the helicopter blades.

"Let's go!" John nods. Yanks the door open as the helicopter flies above the fight.

Freya watches Sam and Bucky duke it out with a group of masked individuals. And they're strong. Too strong. Even Bucky is having trouble. John looks over at her and nods.

"Ready?!"

Freya nods in return.

Bucky is gonna be so pissed.

I know... I know... It's been forever.
I've been dealing with real life stuff. It's been rough. It's a short chapter, but at least it's a start after being gone for so long. I hope you're all happy and healthy and safe!

- Mitzy