Let Me Love You

Carry On

Tony's POV

It's been 2 months since Kate went back to Malibu. It was a struggle but I finally found a buyer for the mansion. It took so long because of the high price but there's no way I was going any lower. Kate was supposed to move back into the tower but she hasn't answered any of my calls or texts.

The first 2 weeks after she left were pretty hard but after that I kinda fell back into my old routine of engineering, partying, girls, repeat. If she hasn't spoken to me in 2 months there's probably no hope left for us, so I decided to give up.

Our missions have also been lacking immensely lately, which is a good thing since there's no threats to earth, but it's been kinda boring around here.

Nat and Clint are always off doing their own thing. Sam and Bucky are always at each other's throats. Bruce is usually working on something with other doctors and agents from SHIELD. Thor is out keeping the nine realms in order. Nobody sees much of Steve anymore, he only comes out of his room for food or briefings. Lucky for him, there's a briefing in a few minutes.

Steve's POV

"So as you guys know, HYDRA has been quiet for quite some time." Fury begins. "Due to our lack of intel, we have no idea what they're planning."

I shoot a look at Tony as Fury speaks, knowing full well that it's 100% his fault.

"Luckily, we found another hidden HYDRA base. The only thing is, it's on the other side of the country."

"Where?" I ask, wanting nothing more than to get back out there.

"Malibu." As the word leaves his mouth I instantly feel a punch in the gut. I glance over at Tony who must be thinking the same thing. Kate.

"When do we leave?" Tony asks, suddenly more interested in the mission.

"About that.." Fury looks at all of us. "Only Steve will be going."

What?

"What?" Tony takes the words right out of my mouth. "He can't defend himself against a full base of HYDRA agents!"

"We can't have all of you across the country, it's too dangerous, it opens up the possibility for an attack on this coast." He explains. "You won't be alone, Steve, I'll be sending SHIELD agents with you as backup. Your mission isn't to destroy the base, it's to get any and all intel that you can."

I nod my head. "When do I leave?"

"Right now." Fury says, leading me out to the quinjet that's waiting for me. "There's a duffel bag of extra clothes, weapons, medicine, and comms if you need them. Good luck soldier."

And with that, I'm on my way across the country.

Kate's POV

"You'll talk eventually." The man smirks, I just spit at his shoes. "Poor girl, thinking she could hide from us." He laughs. "You could've, if your idiot of a boyfriend hadn't given up his address to sell his mansion." He kicks me in the stomach again, causing me to double over. "You have to admit, it does make a nice base for us."

Sitting in this room I can remember the first time Tony brought me here, when he helped me move in, our first Christmas together, the New Years party that he threw, my birthday party that consisted of only him and tons of presents and food and kisses. I can see him and I cuddled up by the fireplace that they had recently torn out, or him throwing me into the pool on the other side of the large glass window. I remember the first time he told me that he loved me on the patio under the stars. It kills me knowing that now it'll be used for everything that Tony hates and is trying to destroy.

"If you cooperate, you won't get hurt... as much." He plays with the knife in his hand. "All you have to do is tell us what the avengers know, how they're planning to strike, what weapons they have against us; then you'll be accepted back into your true family."

I look up at the man, my cheekbone bleeding and my lip busted from a few punches and slaps; a cut in the side of my arm from him getting a little knife-crazy; my wrists and ankles bleeding from the ropes tightly wrapped around them; and motion for him to come closer. He's been at this for the past few hours but I'd take this over what they were doing weeks ago.

His eyes widen and he smirks as he leans down just to be head butted by me and go stumbling backwards.

"Go to hell." I yell through my gritted teeth. Even though I don't know anything, I won't tell them that.

"That's it, bitch." He clenches his jaw and plunges his knife into my left leg, right where my scar is, and slices up to my knee. I scream out in pain, crying for help.

I hear shouting come from another room and look up to the man holding the knife. He quickly ties a cloth around my head to cover my mouth and keep me from screaming. He then runs off to see what's going on, leaving me tied to a chair, losing more blood than survivable at this point.

I hear more shouts and gun shots until it all becomes eerily quiet. I hear someone approaching me but have no strength to lift my head and see who. I see a pair of boots stop in front of me before someone kneels down to my eye-level.

"Oh my God." I hear a soft whisper and do my best to look up.

"Steve?" I croak once the gag is removed from my mouth.

He presses his finger to his ear and says something but I've lost so much blood that I can't hear clearly and am starting to pass out.

"Kate, stay with me. I'm here now, I've got you." Steve says as he unties me and picks me up bridal style. "You're gonna be okay, I'm here."

The last thing I see is Steve looking down at me with worry before everything goes black.