An introverted waitress stumbles into Captain America during Loki's attack on New York. After taking a bullet for him, he lets her go, wondering. She's on the run, but he can't know that. When she meets the Avengers again, escape is all but impossib...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
AMERICA'S POV
"This way," Steve says, leading Sam, Hill, and me down a dark hallway in SHIELD headquarters.
"How do you know?" I whisper in his ear. "Have you ever been here before?"
"No. I'm making this up as I go."
"Oh. Gotcha."
Sam glances at my outfit. "I like the suit."
"Thanks," I say, grinning. The majority of the suit is dark red, trimmed with navy. It's spandex and easy to move in, with hidden pockets for knives and weapons. And tucked beneath the suit is my blue teardrop necklace from Steve. I've never taken it off. "Okay, I'm going this way. I'll see you guys later."
"Be careful," Steve warns.
I want to kiss him again, but there isn't time. And I'll see him soon, because this is going to work. There's no way I'm about to let Hydra win. "I will." And I run off.
With the healing wound on my side, I'm slightly slower than usual, but within a minute I'm in front of a middle-aged woman. She must work here because she's wearing the standard blue button-down and black pants. And she's about my size. Perfect. Her eyes widen with recognition.
"You're- you're- you're-"
"Yeah, I am, that's me." I sigh. "Listen, I'm really sorry about this." I knock her out seconds later and drag her into a closet. This is really rude, but I have to do it. "I am so, so, so sorry, but I'm saving everyone here. You can't be picky about how you do it." As I strip her clothes off and pull them over my suit, Steve's voice comes on over the loudspeaker. That means they made it in. So far, everything's gone to plan.
"Attention, all SHIELD agents. This is Steve Rogers. You've heard a lot about America Evans and me over the last few days. Some of you were even ordered to hunt us down. But I think it's time you know the truth." He hesitates to continue, and I give him a small, reassuring smile. "SHIELD is not what we thought it was. It's been taken over by HYDRA. Alexander Pierce is their leader. The STRIKE and Insight crew are HYDRA as well. I don't know how many more, but I know they're in the building. They could be standing right next to you. They almost have what they want: absolute control. They shot Nick Fury and it won't end there. If you launch those Helicarriers today, HYDRA will be able to kill anyone that stands in their way, unless we stop them. I know I'm asking a lot, but the price of freedom is high, it always has been, and it's a price I'm willing to pay. And if I'm the only one, then so be it. But I'm willing to bet I'm not."
I roll my eyes. He really has a way with words. I snag the woman's glasses from off of her face and slide them on, breaking out the lenses because they're too blurry for someone with perfect eyes. Hydra gave me enhanced everything, even vision. By now, I'm fully dressed in the woman's clothes and ready to go. At least she has an undershirt on. That makes me feel slightly better. It's a supply closet, so I find a few garbage bags and lay them over her before leaving. I take off down the hallway to the control room, keeping my head down. I'm not as recognizable as Steve, but people still know who I am.
No one takes notice when I walk into the room, which is good news for me. The longer I'm undercover from authorities, the better. As of now, Hydra doesn't even know that I'm here. But these people need to know. I walk to the front of the room.
"Excuse me." I pull off the glasses as gasps resound around the small control room. "My name is America Evans. I'm working with Captain America. Any second now, Brock Rumlow's going to come in here and order you to launch the Helicarriers, but you can't. Don't listen. He works for the same people who tortured me for ten years. He works for terrorists. You can't let this happen. We need to stop it, and I need your help."
Murmurs sweep between rows of computers. Some seem ready to join me, and others are ready to hand me over. They will make the decision ultimately. Steve and I based this part of the plan off of his belief that most people will take a stand for what's right. A new voice silences them all.
"I believe her." A blonde woman stands up. Kate from next door. A woman I hated. A woman who protected us. I give her a grateful nod. "She's right. This is their plan, and they want to use us to do it. Everyone sit down and go about your business, we're going to save lives today." I pop the glasses back on and slide over next to Kate. The door bangs against the walls, echoing oddly in the open space. Everyone turns to see Rumlow and his men storm in. Right on time.
"Found him," I breathe just loud enough for Steve, Sam, and Nat to hear through my earpiece.
"Good. Keep him there as long as you can," Hill orders, and I nod even though she can't see me. I keep my head down for now, just waiting. Just a little longer.
"Preempt the launch sequence. Send those ships up now," he demands angrily, leaning over a young tech worker in a threatening manner.
"I'm..." He hesitates visibly. Steve's words really must have had an impact on these people. Others' faces show similar expressions of concern.
"Is there a problem?" He yells at the worker.
"I'm sorry, sir," he stutters, trying to calm himself down. He takes a few deep breaths before looking up at Rumlow. "I'm not gonna launch those ships. Captain's orders."
Rumlow pulls a gun to his head so quickly that I almost blow my cover. "Away from your station," he snarls. I speed next to him and pull a gun of my own.
"Not just the Captain's orders," I whisper, looking straight at Rumlow. I don't miss the fear that flickers in his cold, dark eyes. "Mine." And everyone in the room holds up a weapon, too. Not only Rumlow's men, but every single worker who is ready to help me. Pride fills my heart as they all stand resolute.
"You were powerful, Evans," Rumlow sneers, staring right back. "But you picked the wrong side."
"I chose the side where I could choose."
He drops the gun. It lands with a thud on the floor. I don't know what to make of it. People never give up that easily, especially those with motives.
I'm right, of course.
He draws his knife so fast I have no time to react, and that's saying something. His hand swings and cuts my forearm, causing me to drop my gun and allowing him to catch it. Everyone starts to fire, and it's hard to tell what's happening. I kick him in the shins, but he retaliates by kicking me in the side, in the exact spot where the Winter Soldier shot me. I groan and double over. Pain courses through my body, stemming from my abdomen and branching out. My vision goes blurry. I'm guessing I already ripped a few of those stitches. Oops.
"Mer? What's going on down there?" Steve's frantic voice asks in my ear. "Are you okay?"
"Nothing, just a little situation," I say through gritted teeth. I stand up only to see Rumlow running out of the room. I get ready to chase after him, but the screens catch my eye. I bend over to read.
"Little? How little? Are you hurt?"
"It's fine, I'm fine, everything's fine!"
OVERRIDE.
"Yeah, it's actually a big situation."
Hill chimes in. "They're initiating launch."
"I know, I know!" I duck into a side hallway and rip off my disguise, leaving the suit underneath. Luckily, the beautiful cut Rumlow gifted me with isn't deep, so I'll be fine. And my side hurts, but it's too late to do anything about that. They need me. "Where are you guys?"
"Outside. We could use your help," Sam adds."You coming?"
"I'm coming."
I love this chapter for some reason. TWS is almost over, you guys. Comment and vote, love you all.
