The Man Behind the Shield

A Friend

Sams POV

Today was one of those days when hours moved as fast as some of these Vets, slow. Sure, for a Saturday it's not as busy. Most vets end up visiting their families.

Its close to closing time and I move to the back entrance for lock up when I'm getting called by Joel, one of the other full time volunteers.

" Sam, sorry to bother you but someone is asking for you. A young woman? I told her she can sit in your office."

That's strange, who would come here to see me?
He pointed to the office where I can see the figure of a woman with long hair. When I move closer I can see clearly who it is.

" Thanks Joel. I got this. Go on home. Tell Nora I say hi, okay? " I insist and wait till I see Joel walk down the hall and out the building.

" Hey Heylee." I say and walk close to her. 
She looks tired, like she hasn't slept well for days. Her hair is messy, and she's wearing a white shirt two sizes too big for her. Probably one of Steve's.

" Are you okay?"

" I just needed a place to go."

" do you want me to call the police?"

Her eyes widened with fear. " No! No police."

Looking her over more closely, she is hiding something on her wrist. I want to see why she's holding holding it close.

Slowly, I gently move her hand away and I see that her wrist is bruised and bleeding at the edges. She pulled her handcuff off whatever she was attached to, and she was hurt.

" it's not how it looks."

" It looks like you managed to escape something dangerous."

She shrugged her shoulder. " ok, it is how it looks."

We giggle but I want to know what happened and I know she won't talk until she knows she's in a safe place.
" come on, I got tools at my house that can take these off." She nods and allows me to help her up.

I close down the building and walk her to my car. She continuously turns and looks around.

"Whose after you?"

She stays quiet. She either doesn't want to tell me because she thinks I'm with the people who are after her, or because she's trying to protect me.

We pull up to the house and I rush her inside. I lock up and tell her to sit at the table so I can get the first aid kit and my locksmith tools.

When I return, I take her hand and see what kind of handcuff it is.

STATE OF THE ART, military grade. The cuff on the other side still in its lock. Whatever she was attached to she pulled or broke off, with consequence. Her wrist doesn't appear broken but severely bruised. It was red with angry scraped along her skin. It's gonna look more ugly tomorrow once it starts to heal. I'd have to take off the cuff to double check the extent.

I was able to unlock her cuff, and pulled it back slowly so I wouldn't hurt her. I bend her arm and don't hear any cracking.
" does it hurt?"
She shakes her head no." just tender."

I nod and start to clean her wrist.

" I know you want an explanation..." she says, looking as I clean her up.

" I just need the cliff notes."

She nods. " Something is going on at SHIELD. Something that even Steve and his partner never knew about. And it's big. Big enough that even SHIELD agents will try to kill them."

" And because they want Steve, they want you."

She nods and hisses as I wipe the alcohol swab to a tender area.

" We were given a drive, thats why they were after us. They wanted it. We went to find its homing location...and when we left I got spotted. I knew I needed to get caught for them to make it out...hence the new bracelet." She pointed to the handcuff.

I finished, and placed her hand back in her lap.

" You're very brave. Escaping agents such as SHIELD is not easy, and you did it. Steve would be proud of you."

She sighs loudly and wraps herself in a hug with her arms. " I just hope he's okay."

I nod. " That boy has nine lives and he aint close to losing any more yet. Come on, I'm making you a Sam Man Sandwich, get some meat on your bones."

She smiles and moves into the kitchen with me.

We ate our sandwiches and I offered her my second bedroom to wash up and sleep. She thanked me and said goodnight, closing the door behind her.

I heard the shower go on and placed some spare clothes for her to wear. I checked on her an hour later to find she was asleep on top of the covers. My sweatshirt being oversized covering her more then enough.

I had a hard time staying asleep knowing something big was going on. Something involving the government and not for any good.

I figured I could get a run in before dawn broke, it always gets me to clear my head and think straight.

I made it back to the house just as the sun was over the horizon. I check on Heylee and she is still sound asleep.

My throat screamed for something cold, so I go to the kitchen and grab the orange juice. I'm about to take a sip when I hear a tapping on my door. I put the juice down and walk towards the noise.

Opening the door is Steve and the red head. Both are covered in ash and soot.

" Hey man." I say.
" I'm sorry about this...we need a place to lay low." He apologizes.

His friend explaining. "Everyone we know is trying to kill us."
I sigh, and let them in. " Not everyone."

They come in and I lock the door behind them.
I look at the woman. "You can use my bathroom, Steve is gonna use the spare room." I point the direction and she nods and goes ahead.

I show Steve to the Spare bedroom. I lift my finger to my lips to say stay quiet and open the door.

He sees Heylee resting and his mood shifts with relief. "Thank God, they didn't get her."

I shake my head. "No, they did. She escaped."
"She escaped?!"
"Ripped the cuff right off the handle, lucky for her she only suffered bruising and minimal scrapes. She came looking for me, remembered I worked at the VA.

He nodded, taking all the information I was giving.
" How is she?"
"More worries about you then with what's going on...what is going on, Rogers?"

He gripped my shoulder, and answered " I'll explain everything, I just need a few minutes with my girl."

I smirked and nodded. "Take your time, man. I'll be outside."

Before I could leave the hallway I couldn't help but watch this man admire the sleeping woman. He truly loves her.

So I tried something different in this part and made Sam the lead in this chapter. I hope you guys are enjoying my story! Make sure to vote and comment! Till next time- LisaBGreen