Worth ('Out Loud For Me')

One Shot - #2 of 'Out Loud For Me'

Music tip:
Woodkid - Shadows
(look at the beginning of the chapter!)

Worth

Part 2
'Out Loud For Me' - Series

"Let's go."

It is the first mission since their capture about a month ago.
The wounds are mended.

It is the first mission since Steve returned to the Stark Tower a week ago.
They haven't talked much.

It is their first mission without their ever-present banter on the communication link.

Steve blames himself for it -
but the scrutinizing looks by certain teammates have been unbearable, the unasked questions as well as the lingering feeling of regret.
Now the Captain is back and little Steve safely secured in old sepia-toned memories, which he only ever dares to bring up in dreams and drawings. The damage done by the Major is contained and so he moves quietly towards his first destination, as soon as Iron Man gives the final go.

It's another Hydra base.
Another fight they should easily win.

It goes without saying that all of them are incredibly tense.

A little mistake, a short negligence, and he has nearly lost everything he has still left in this world – in this time.
It's something he can't afford, so Steve goes faster, moves quieter and thinks less. His first priority is to make sure his team gets out safely, his second is the mission. Supposedly the inconspicuous base in the South of Germany has crucial information about the scepter Thor's been aching for, since SHIELD vanished into thin air, a well-webbed net made out of lies and a stained legacy.
Helping the god to get it back is the least they (he) can do after destroying what once was the most secure place in the world (Peggy's legacy).

"Security system offline, you've got two minutes until they'll get it back up."
Tony.

"Give me one."
Natasha.

The plan rushes through his head once more: Hawkeye will keep Widow save, until she has extracted the crucial information about the scepter, Thor will fight the enemies' forces on the outside together with Iron Man, who will secure their way out at the same time. Bruce is on standby and keeps the quinjet running in case something unusual happens, something like last time and a god, two assassins, a genius and a super soldier aren't enough again to get the job done.

"Tony?" he asked quietly and rushes forward through the dark corridor below the main base. The update on the situation outside comes almost immediately. "Several enemies, nothing we can't take. Feels a little too quiet for the crashing entrance we made though."

"A trap? Again?"
Hawkeye. He sounds as disbelieving as Steve feels.

"Why not – it worked quite well for them the last time, didn't it?"
Iron Man.

A decision – stop the mission or keep going despite the risk?
Since basically everything they do is a risk and securing the scepter can't wait, he goes for the latter and sends a quick prayer upwards.
"Hawkeye?"

"We're good, Cap."
It's not a clear answer, but good enough for the moment. Before he can ask again, Widow's quiet voice adds, "I'm nearly done, thirty seconds."

Everything goes according to plan, so Steve pushes the worries aside and enters the room he has been looking for. At first it looks like a normal office, a desk stands on the opposite side of the room and the walls are decorated with maps and shelves.
The leader has been in here just minutes ago and the commotion has drawn him out of his shell like they have planned all along.
For seventy years Hydra was supposed to be non-existent, seventy years of time to plan and built bases all over the world. They desperately need some intel, otherwise there is nothing standing in between Hydra and the world they want to take over with their sick ideology.