Captain's Hart

Chapter 14 Tension

June 25, 2013

It had probably been the longest six months for Arianna, and that was saying something. She was exhausted, both mentally and physically. Having to deal with the aftermath of her conflict with Steve had left her completely drained emotionally, and it was taking an effect on her mind and body.

While she knew better than to let personal feelings get in the way of missions, she found herself tiring much quicker than usual. Not that it was any surprise really.

After one such exhausting day when she'd gone home with the full intention of just collapsing in misery, however, Fury called Arianna.

"Aria." She answered, and he ordered curtly: "Go secure."

Arianna frowned, but quickly did as he said, switching her phone onto secure. The phone itself was Tony's design, and she'd tweaked it herself to ensure it could never be hacked. She confirmed: "Secure."

"I need you to do something important." Fury told her and Arianna frowned. "Sir?" She asked and he said flatly: "We have a mole in SHIELD."

Arianna's face blanked, shock making her entire body freeze.

"A mole?" Arianna repeated numbly and Fury said grimly: "I won't say much more over the phone- I want you to come in at three in the morning so that I can pass you the details myself. I suspect it won't take you too long, but I want this mole found and out. Understood?"

"Understood, sir." Arianna answered firmly. Fury cut off and she breathed deeply, getting up. There goes my rest. She thought wryly although the thought was tinged with anxiety. A mole in SHIELD was unheard of for good reasons. They had the best techies and security- the idea of someone getting past the staff screenings was worrying to say the least.

Looks like I'm in for a long week. Arianna mused as she thought about her next steps. But at least it will be good distraction from... current affairs. She thought, avoiding thinking about a certain golden-haired Captain determinedly.

Her resolve faltered slightly however as she spotted her dresser and remembered the locket tucked away inside the drawer. Her face scrunched up and she was suddenly fighting to breathe as she felt the tears she'd been pushing back for months threaten to fall. How did it get to this? She wondered miserably.

**********

June 26, 2013

Steve P.O.V.

Steve was feeling agitated. Again. Since January, and particularly since Arianna had returned from wherever it was she'd disappeared to for three weeks, things had gone from bad to worse between them. She remained distant and cold, and Steve had made no attempt to reduce that distance. In fact, he was now just as actively trying to avoid her.

But despite what he'd said, he couldn't shake the painful tugging in his heart- it wasn't an accident, and he wasn't sorry it happened, not in that way. He was sorry because it had caused a larger rift between him and Arianna, but he wasn't sorry he'd done it. Because even now, when remembered the feel of her body on his, his lips would tingle and his heart beat a little faster.

Unable to sleep any longer, Steve decided to just go for a run. The sun was just starting to rise, casting a faint pink hue in the sky as Steve left his apartment. He'd just started his laps around the city, when he spotted another figure ahead. That was unusual, no-one else was usually up at this time.

Steve murmured as he passed the man: "On your left." The man just continued on his morning jog, but Steve soon made his lap and spotted the man ahead of him again. "On your left." He called, and the man replied lightly as he jogged: "Uh-huh, on my left. Got it."