READY AIM FIRE *A Captain America Fanfic*

Chapter 21: I'm Gone

(Addison's P.O.V.)

It's been 4 days since the team left and I'm going out of my freaking mind. I tried calling Tony but it goes to voicemail. Same with Steve and Bruce. Pepper told me that would happen. My dreams have become nightmares, mainly the team dying in a terrible accident. It makes me dread going to sleep, I keep wish Steve would come waltzing into my room with open arms and a warm smile. Working out even drives me crazy. I tried to go workout with Pepper and it just seemed so empty in that training room. She used the treadmill and the elliptical as I punched the rubber dummy after we had done my warmups. Pepper says that it never gets any easier, that I'll always worry. And not knowing scares me.
After Pepper and I watched Dear John with Channing Tatum, I tried to call Steve again. I sat on my windowsill in my bedroom, watching the rain fall from the sky, as it just went to voicemail. I wipe away a tear, knowing that no matter how many times I call Steve, he won't answer me. My heart aches as I sit there alone, watching the rain fall from the cloudy sky.

I jolt awake, immediately covering my mouth from screaming. Tears fall from my cheeks, making me bat them away. I had another bad dream about something bad happening to the team. Suddenly, am arm wraps around me. I look over to see Steve sitting up in bed, his eyes full of caution and worry.
"Baby, shh, it's okay." I turn over and crawl onto his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck.
"Steve when did you get back? Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?" I kiss his jawline, holding him tight. God, I missed him so badly.
"When SHIELD says I have to go, I have to go. It's just one of the many responsibilities this job has, Addy." His face suddenly gets serious, "Addison-"
"But Steve, I miss you." Tears fall from my cheeks as he disappears.
"Addison!" That's not Steve's voice.

My eyes fly open, sitting up quickly. A scream starts to fly out of my mouth when a hand clasp over it. I look up to see Pepper, her eyes are full of fear. She puts a finger to her lips to indicate for me to be quiet.
"There's someone inside Stark Tower." Pepper says, "And she has powers."
My heart starts racing. She? How did she get past Jarvis? How did she get past Happy? Pepper grabs me by the bicep and takes me over to the closet, shoving me inside. Before she shuts the door, she gives me one last look.
"If I don't make it back or the girl comes in, scream as loud and with as much force as you can." She says confidently, like my mother would have. "Scream until the place has crumbled down. But Addison. Just. Scream."
And with that, Pepper shuts the closet door and rushes out of my room. Tears fall down my cheeks as I try to stay as quiet as I can. What's Pepper going to do? Maybe. God, I wish Steve was here. And Tony. And Bruce, Thor, Natasha, and Clint. They would know what to do. I would be safe. Pepper would be safe. But we are not safe now.
Suddenly, I hear my room door open slowly. Pepper? I get my voice ready as my heart races, holding a hand over my mouth to silence the raging devil inside me. Heels click against the wooden floor. Pepper? Suddenly, I catch a glimpse of the unknown woman. She is tall, very tall. She carries a gun in her hand. She looks under the bed and in the bathroom. Then the woman sees the closet. I can't help but squeak as she starts to walk towards the closet. The woman stops at the door, smiling evilly. As he reaches for the handle, I remove my hand form my mouth. An earthquake like scream escapes my lips, fire burns in my throat. The closet door flows across the room along with the unknown woman. My scream ends, my throat tightening. The woman stands up and walks towards me, an evil smile on her face. I go to scream again but she grabs me by the arm and throws me on my bed. She points the gun at me.
"Scream for me, Addison dear." She says with a smirk, "Let daddy know you need him."
"Who are you?" My voice is high, squeaky.
"You really don't recognize me, sweetie? Even after we worked together for a year?" She fake pouts, laughing.
Then it dongs on me who she is. It's one of that mad doctors nurses. Jennifer. Icy chills run down my body. Oh god, no. No, I can't go back! I can't! My body sheds uncontrollably. I can't go back to the needles and dark rooms with metal operating tables, being strapped down and shocked when I don't behave.
"No! Go away!" I shout, a scream in the back of my throat.
"Addison, I'm going to need you to scream." She says cunningly, am evil smile on her face. "For sweet little Pepper."
I suddenly let out a loud scream. I wail over and over, kicking the covers as I fear going back to my old life. The glass in the picture frames and the mirror shatters into shards, flying everywhere. The furniture shakes, a few falling over. All the lights go out completely, leaving us in the dark. Suddenly, Jennifer's hand clasp over my mouth. I look up her with tears running down my cheeks, my throat like fire.
"You can quit screaming now, sweetheart." Jennifer says, a mixture of anger and annoyance in her voice.
She jerks me out of the bed and puts the gun to the side of my head, we walk out of my messy room. We slowly make our way down stairs. That's when I see him. He's in his Ironman suit! Tears fall from me cheeks at the sight of him. Where's the others? Where's Steve?
"Tony!" I can barely manage to get out.
"Let her go!" Pepper's voice echoes out of the suit. Pepper?
"Or what? You'll light me with with a laser? Too bad, sweetheart. Addison is needed elsewhere." Suddenly, we fly through the glass.
Pepper automatically chases after us but it's too late. Jennifer already has me thrown into a cage in an invisible hovercraft before she can make it to me. I'm gone.