The Captain's Assistant (Captain America Fanfic)

Chapter 31: Blame

"Steve, this isn't your fault." I heard Coulson say just to the side of me. I looked up to see Fury, his straight gaze latched on to me.

"Coulson is right, you can't keep this up, you have a whole world to protect." Fury spoke up.

I hadn't stopped looking for Griffin. I knew of possible locations I hadn't managed to get to yet. I was sleep deprived, and I felt as if I had already run around the world a few times. Fury and Coulson came to find me. My eyes looked up to meet theirs, they stood just in front of the Helicarrier that landed only a few minutes ago.

"Don't you understand?" I looked between the both of them with a cold stare. "They are the enemy." I spoke up. "If we don't find Griffin, they will use her, to get to us."

"Don't you see!" Fury's temper was starting to show. "They already have. They're using her now. Your decision making and rational thought has already flown out the window!"

I shook my head in disagreement. "I'm fine." I spoke up, stumbling forward as I got up from the stump I was previously sitting on. "I know what I'm doing."

I heard Fury let out a laugh. "Cap, you've been looking for her for days, and you have nothing to prove from it." He came closer, putting his hand on my shoulder. "Even the best need time to recharge and help when called for."

I shook my head. I couldn't stop and I couldn't sleep, knowing she was still missing. "Do you know the things they could be doing to her right now?" I spoke coldly. "On top of it all, she still has the information they want!" I raised my voice. "Tell me, how do you know they don't have it now?"

I watched as Fury backed up some, crossing his arms. "I get that you're in love with her." He paused. "But this has to stop."

I gave him a short look. "Stop what?" I paused. "As far as any of you are concerned I'm the only one looking for her."

"Cap,-" Fury began. "-I need you to stop with this fantasy of yours. You and her can never be together. Let her go."

It was dead silent for a few seconds. "I'm tired of hearing that. I'm done with that. I've heard it plenty. I'm not going to let her go." I replied.

"But you're willing to give up being Captain America?" Fury questioned. "Ha, I can't believe you!" He paused as he took a few steps forward. "Where is that man who wanted to be a hero and to save mankind?"

What he was asking of me. I couldn't do anymore. "Sir, with all due respect, I was never a hero. I just did what was right."

Both Fury and Coulson gave each other a glance before looking back at me.

"Very well then. But you can't do this alone." Fury finally spoke up. "That's why, we have someone here that can help." Fury turned to look back at the Helicarrier. "You can come out now." He called over his shoulder.

I couldn't make out the figure coming out. The moon was bright, but not enough light to see much past Coulson and Fury.

"It's about time you boys called for my help." A voice spoke up as the figure came closer.

Her red hair flashed between Fury and Coulson. It was Natasha.

"Steve-" she looked over at me. "-you're looking rough."

I flashed a smile. "Well it's been a rough couple of days." I ran my fingers through my hair.

"Here." Coulson spoke up. "You'll need this." I watched as he handed a device to Natasha. "We know where Griffin is. Bring her and Cap back in one piece."

"Well, I can't promise anything with this one." She shot me a glance.

"Get going." Fury spoke up. "You two are losing time."

"Cool it." Natasha replied back. "I'll get his princess, and bring him back all in once." She looked up at Fury. "You've got nothing to worry about."

"I hope not." Fury coldly replied. "If we are done with the chitchat, we'll be going then." He turned around as he signaled for the Helicarrier to start up. Before he stepped foot onto it, he turned and looked directly at me. "Don't forget what I said." He called back. "You might have to do it, Cap."

I watched as him and Coulson disappeared. The wind off of the air craft blew around me and Natasha for a moment as it took to the sky. Then it was gone out of sight.

"They always leave us to do their dirty work, don't they?" Natasha teased next to me.

A faint laugh left my lips, but my eyes were glued to the device that she now held. I was going crazy, knowing that it had the information of Griffins whereabouts.

"Steve." Natasha spoke up. "You're too attached."

I looked at her with a questioning stare. Was she here to lecture me too.

"Don't think I don't know." She said as she began to walk forward. "She means a lot to you, I can tell." Suddenly she stoped dead in her tracks. I watched as she turned to look me dead in the eyes. "Steve-" she finally spoke up. "-you might have to let her go."

"I'm not going to do that." I replied. I wasn't going to do that even if the situation escalated to that.

"What if she can't be saved?" I felt her hand on my shoulder now. "What if they've already made her into something that can't be changed?"

I shook my head. I wasn't going to think this way. "We don't know that." I looked past Natasha. "I have to keep believing she's ok, and that I can save her."

At the last of my words things fell silent. I could hear the leaves around us rattling as the wind blew by.

"Let's just find her." I looked at Natasha.

"Ok." She replied as she turned on the device Coulson had given her. Suddenly I heard it, a single beep. She looked in the direction it was directing us to.

In silence we walked forward. The only sound that could be heard was the device as it pointed the way.

I knew that Griffin was close. I could feel it.

No matter what lay before us, I would save her.

I had to.

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I can't stop writing this... so good news for all my readers. I also apologize for any grammatical or spelling errors, as I am writing this fairly quickly. Ha. Hope everyone is enjoying! Much love!
- RandomPanda <3
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