Flicker ✦ STEVE ROGERS¹ [✓]

16 | OLD FRIENDS

STEVE'S FACE WAS ONE OF COMPLETE SHOCK, WHICH KATO COMPLETELY UNDERSTOOD. She had showed up unannounced out of nowhere, so she knew he wasn't expecting to see her. And he certainly wasn't expecting to see her there.

Suddenly Steve tackled Kato in a bone crushing hug. She was shocked for a moment, but quickly hugged him back - albeit very awkwardly, but still a hug nonetheless. Apparently Steve had missed her a lot more than she'd thought.

Steve leaned back, looking at Kato as confusion washed over his features. "Oh my god, what are you doing here? Where did you go after you left? Why didn't you contact me? Why aren't you-"

"Steve, Steve, Steve." Kato shook her head and her hands. "I know you have a lot of questions, but for now we have to focus on the mission, okay? I promise I'll tell you everything later."

Steve frowned. "But what are you doing here? How'd you know where to find me?" A thought seemed to occur to him, and his smile disappeared as he asked, "Wait... Did Fury send you?"

Kato sighed. She had a feeling he was going to ask that. "Not officially," Kato admitted. "I showed up at S.H.I.E.L.D. and asked him where you were, and he said he'd tell me only if I came to help you."

Steve scowled. "He knows I can handle this myself, right?"

"He does, and so do I." Kato put her hand on his arm. "But he did say that you may need backup. And he wouldn't tell me where you were unless I came."

Steve scoffed. Kato could tell he was annoyed, but she didn't have a choice. She wanted to see him, and Fury wouldn't tell her Steve's location unless she came as backup.

Suddenly Kato sensed movement. The pirate she had knocked out - Batroc - was up again. Steve sensed it well, for without hesitation he charged at him with his shield, lifting the pirate into the air and slamming him into a nearby door, which was ripped off the hinges from the impact.

Kato shrugged and walked into the room after him. There were dozens of high tech computers, each one off but obviously still very advanced. She wasn't surprised at this point.

And Natasha was hovering over one of them.

"Well, this is awkward," the redhead said.

Steve frowned when he saw her, storming up to her. "What are you doing?"

"Backing up the hard drive," Natasha replied nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders. "It's a good habit to get into." She looked up, seeing Kato standing there, and a smile tugged at her lips. "Nice to see you again, Kato."

Kato gave her a two-fingered wave. "Hey, Natasha."

"Rumlow needed your help," Steve snapped to Natasha. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Steve went over to Natasha to look at what she was backing up, and Kato followed before standing beside him. It took her a moment to realize what Natasha was doing. "You're saving S.H.I.E.L.D. Intel, aren't you."

"Whatever I can get my hands on," Natasha told her.

"Our mission is to rescue hostages," Steve informed the redhead. His tone was a clear sign of his irritation.

"No, that's your mission." Natasha finished backing up the drive and pulled it out, then grinned at Steve and Kato before she patted his arm. "And you've done it beautifully."

But as Natasha started to leave Steve grabbed her arm, halting her in her tracks. "You just jeopardized this whole operation," he snapped.

Natasha gave him a look. "I think that's overstating things."