The Winter Soldier

SHIELD Compromised

Elise dropped off the female war vet at home before she went home but left out after fifteen minutes. She had called Nick's phone over ten times but each time went straight to voicemail. He hadn't came home either. And, yes, they stayed in the same home together. However, for some reason, while she was there, she felt like she was being watched.

It made her uncomfortable so she found herself driving over to Steve's apartment complex. She waited for a moment then called Nick's phone again, once again it went straight to voicemail. She called Agent Maria Hill's phone and she picked up after the second ring. "This is Hill."

"Hey, have you heard from Fury?" She asked.

There was a pause over the line before Hill finally answered. "Yes, I spoke with him earlier. Is something wrong?"

"I'm not sure." She answered, truthfully. "I called his cell and it went straight to voicemail. He normally answers for me and if he doesn't he'd call back." She informed her. "The house was cold like he hadn't been there all day."

"He told me to come to DC. Saying something about deep shadows conditions."

Elise paused as she saw Steve about to walk into his apartment building. "That explains a lot. I'll keep you posted." She ended the call before getting out of the car. "Steve!" She called after him and he stopped and turned around to see her jogging over to him.

"Elise? What are you doing here?"

"Would it sound crazy to say that I don't feel safe at my home?"

"What do you mean?"

"Shadows."

"Shadows?"

She released a heavy breath before rolling her eyes. "Watchers." He nodded his head understanding what she meant. "Mind if I crash on your couch?"

"You can take the bed." He told her before she gave him a funny look. "I-Its too soft for me."

"And the couch meets your standards?" She raised an eyebrow to him with a smirk as they walked inside his complex.

"Would you prefer the floor?"

"Nice clapback."

They walked up the long staircase to his floor to see pretty, blonde woman talking on the phone with a basket full of clothes. "That's so sweet. That is so nice. Hey. I gotta go, though. Okay, bye." She turned to Steve and Elise. "My aunt, she's kind of an insomniac." He smiled at her and Elise quickly picked up the hint to walk towards his door and let them talk. "Yeah." Elise sent him a smirk as she was leaning against his door behind the neighbor. The neighbor turned to Elise for a moment but they were already well-acquainted. "Hi, I'm Kate."

"Right." She said sarcastically. "Elise."

"Hey." Steve said, getting his neighbor's attention. "If you want...if you want, you're welcome to use my machine. Might be cheaper than the one in the basement."

Elise balled her lips up to refrain from laughing before forcing herself to turn away to face to door. "Oh, yeah? What's it cost?"

"A cup of coffee?" Well, played Steve. Elise thought to herself. But, if you wouldn't have turned it to a question instead of a demand....