Winter's Daughter

Chapter 23

The days dwindled down fast. S.H.E.I.L.D. was left with three days until the attack. Time was precious to everyone, and the Triskelion was left nearly empty. Steve and James sat quietly in the conference room, discussing final plans for the war. Everything else had shut down until the battle commenced.

"So, when are you going to tell her?" Steve questioned.

"I'm not. When the right time comes, she'll know."

"By that you mean, when we're all out of time, she'll have to go back under and not get a proper goodbye to anyone she knows and loves."

James sat quietly for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. I guess you're right."

Steve shook his head. "You really should tell her about what you're planning to do."

"And let everything I've done crumble around me? No. Absolutely not." James sent a glare to Steve and shifted his gaze onto the table filled with files.

"She isn't going to take this well. You know that."

"I know, but what choice do I have? I have to look out for her future and this is my way of doing it. Even if I die."

Steve followed his friend's gaze to Vic's opened file.

"Even if you didn't go through with it, she'd be fine."

"You always say that. Her first mission where you said that she got taken. This time, it'll be worse. I don't want to see her die out there." James told Steve quietly, picking up the opened file and reading over its contents.

"I know." He replied quietly.

"I'm getting a cup of coffee. Can I get you anything while I'm out?" James asked, tucking the file underneath his arm.

"Yeah, I could go for a cup."

James nodded and walked out of the conference room. He could hear Vic's exercise routine echo through the empty base. He hoped she wasn't going to hard on herself. After a few minutes, James returned to the conference room and handed Steve his coffee cup.

"Thanks."

"Of course." He smiled slightly.

'I wish we had more time.'

Steve pulled James in for a hug.

"I'm with you till the end of the line."

James smiled and hugged his friend back tightly.

" Till the end of the line."

Steve let go of him after a few seconds and sighed. He knew moments like this would be rare in the near future. He was glad Steve stayed with him through the years.

'Just a little more time.'