New Avenger (A Steve Rogers love story)

Rescue Mission

Steve's POV

Tony led us to the base. It had been almost two months since Alexx flew away. Miranda called and told us that Alexx left the hotel after visiting her, but that was so long ago. I searched everywhere, going crazy every second. 

Tony had finally located where Alexx's phone was and knew she'd be with it. Deep in my stomach there was a knot, twisting itself, telling me that Alexx was in trouble. I trusted that feeling and told everyone to be prepared for anything.

We got to the base with no trouble at all. We took out the few guards and made our way to the back door. 

I pried the door open and we all slipped inside. Bruce and Abby went to visit Miranda, making sure she was okay. Nat, Clint, Tony, Ryan and I were on a rescue mission. Ryan told us he knew this place, that it was where Alexx had been kept by HYDRA for half of her life. The other half of her life was a mystery to us. 

We went through the maze of halls, taking out everyone that we saw. Soon we reached a prison like area. A woman and a big man stood facing a cell.

I threw my shield and it slammed into the man's head. The woman spun on her heel, surprised.

"That's Ashley." Ryan whispered. She quickly ran down the hall, away from us.

"Nat, get her." I ordered.

Nat smiled. "With pleasure." She ran off, following Ashley.

Clint made sure the man was knocked out and tied up while Ryan picked the lock on the bar door to the cage Ashley and the man were in front of, and threw it open. I put my shield on my back and knelt beside Alexx.

I placed a hand on her shoulder. "Alexx?"

Her body jumped at the contact and she turned to me, her eyes and hair dark and blood red. Her beautiful long hair had been chopped off, stopping just below her ears.

I looked over her body. Alexx was completely naked, laying in the fetal position. I'd bet she was like this the whole time. Her body was covered in gashes and bruises, blood all over her. Blood leaked from her nose and dripped down from the corner of her mouth. Long, clean cuts covered her stomach, back, and arms. Her wings were bloody, covered in cuts and missing feathers. She looked terrible.

"What's...happening to me...?" Alexx groaned.

Alexx looked up at me with tears in her eyes. Her body jolted and she groaned in pain. It was just like when she grew her wings, but worse.

Alexx's eyes fluttered as her consciousness began to slip away. I scoot closer and she fell unconscious, her head landing in my lap. I brushed stray strands of hair away from her face.

Ryan walked over, a gun in his hand. He looked down at Alexx's unconscious body.

"Damn it, Alexx." he sighed.

"Get Nat. Clint, will you go prep a spot for Alexx?" I asked. 

Clint nodded and headed out.

Ryan nodded too and headed down the hall. I gently picked Alexx up bridal style, her arms dangling and her wings dragging along the ground.

I headed out to the quinjet, holding Alexx close to my chest. Nat and Clint stood inside the jet, the back door open while I carried Alexx inside. Ryan climbed in and the door closed.

"I found Alexx's backpack." Ryan held up the pack.

"Where's Ashley?" I asked.

"She got away." Nat said. She looked defeated.

"JARVIS, is Dr. Cho still there?" Tony asked.

"Yes, sir." JARVIS replied.

"Perfect. Tell her to prep everything. Alexx is our top priority." Tony said into his Bluetooth as he started the engine.

I sat down and held Alexx in my arms, afraid to put her naked body against the hard metal of the jet. Nat walked over with a blanket and laid it over Alexx.

I looked over Alexx's body again. The bruises on her body were dark purple and looked painful. The gashes and cuts were covered in dried blood.

Alexx stirred in her unconscious state, groaning as her eyes fluttered open. She tried to speak, but coughed up blood instead.

"Don't say anything. You need your strength." I whispered.

Alexx grunted and her body tensed. I held her hand in mine and let her squeeze. After a minute, she relaxed. I brushed a stray hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. She pulled my hand down to her stomach, wincing when she forgot about the cuts that called it home. Alexx held my hand tightly as she could, her fingers barely curling around mine. I combed my fingers through her short, dark hair. We would get through this.