Cornelia Street - Avengers

Lagos

Lagos, Nigeria

2018

(Don't Let Me Down, The Chainsmokers)

...

"Nervous?" Steve asked Bethany quietly so that nobody else in the Quinjet could hear him.

A small frown graced her expression, as she continued to ajust her cuffs. "What?"

He gave her an almost reassuring smile. "I'll take that as a yes."

"I'm not nervous," she chuckled, nudging his shoulder playfully before resuming her position. "Just...did you really have to be that hard on them? I know Pierre wanted to come too, to get used to finally fighting in a realistic setting."

"Yes," the blond affirmed. "But they need to get used to being separated."

They had received a tip mere hours ago that Brock Rumlow and his team would be trying to attack the city of Lagos. 

Beth had never faced him directly before, but she knew more than enough about the man he was. And she didn't think very highly of him, to say the least. This mission would be different now, she was more confident, and they were all working impeccably well together as a team. Their training levels were higher, and they were much more prepared.

"Alright, everyone. We'll leave the Quinjet one at a time to avoid suspicion. Space out, but not too far apart. Remember, always be aware of your surroundings. There will be civilians all around us," Steve addressed the group, of him Sam, Wanda, Natasha and herself. "Let's go get them."

Steve was first to leave the jet, donned in his helmet and suit, while she had chosen army green loose-fitting pants, tucked into brown boots, aviators resting on the bridge of her nose with a loose, white-fitting tank. 

The heat of Lagos could be brutal. She had pulled her hair into a low bun, pulling a hat down low over it. The last thing that any of them wanted was to be noticed, ultimately causing the mission to fail. Every five minutes a person would leave the Quinjet, with Steve soon followed by Wanda, then Sam, then Beth, and Nat last.

She took in the sites of the busy city as she walked, eyes peeled. She knew if Steve saw her, he would scold her for not being more aware of her surroundings, so with every honk of a car or slamming of a door she made sure to clock it. 

She was registering every single movement around her. But it didn't mean she couldn't at least enjoy the place a tiny little bit. The sun beat down on her bare shoulders as she chose a seat a good distance from everyone else. 

She attempted to find a table with an umbrella, but even that didn't help, and she could feel the sweat trickling down her neck as she sipped on her ice water.

Glancing back at Wanda she saw her drinking steaming hot tea, stirring sugar into the cup. How was the woman drinking a hot beverage when it was ten degrees?

"Is anyone else dying of heat stroke?" Bethany asked through her comm after they had been sitting there forty-five minutes or so, keeping a 'close watch'.

The brunette heard Sam chuckle through her earpiece. "What? Is the heat too hot for you Sokovia?"

Beth rolled her eyes. "No, I can handle heat. But this city is a fucking furnace."

"Let's stay focused everyone. Alright Wanda, what do you see?" Steve asked, beginning to test her.

"Standard beat cops. Small station. Quiet street. It's a good target," Wanda rattled off, glancing around before pouring extra sugar into her drink.