Sheilded (Steve x reader)

13.

The party had been great, you'd loved every second of it even if Steve had been a little uneasy. What wasnt so great was the hangover, Steve however was fine. Tony caught your eye over breakfast, the same expression plastered on both your faces. Like father like daughter you guessed.

Clint had been cleared from the hospital wing, Nat was allowed up but not on missions. You pushed the cereal around your bowl. "Guys, Fury called." Bruce said from the back of the room. "There's been an attack in the city centre, could be the Shadow, could be something else." You were up before anyone had registered his words.

"I volunteer." You said quickly. Tony groaned, his head bursting from the sudden noise. For you however the idea of fighting the Shadow again had pushed any drink from your system. Bruce shrugged.

"I'll be back up. Captain?" Steve nodded going to suit up. Bucky followed him. Clint went to stand up but you pushed him down.

"Your being excused on medical grounds." You said pulling your dad up. "And being hung over isnt a medical reason. Suit up." Tony mumbled something you couldn't hear. You smirked and ran to get ready.

~~~

The day was cool, the hairs on the back of your neck stood up as you scouted the area for any emotional hints as to where the Shadow, or the threat may be.

"Guys I'm getting had vibes from behind the diner." You said.

"Which one?" Tony asked, having perked up considerably.

"The one we went out to for Bruce's birthday last year." You replied heading in that direction. The feeling grew stronger as you grew closer. It wasnt the Shadow though, you knew that. He had been seemingly emotionless with his mask on. Unless...

You frowned glancing down at the floor you saw the black mask. Scooping it up you shoved it down your suit, looking to make sure no one had seen you contiued forward.

"Any memories from being down an ally Steve?" Bucky said from behind you, you turned frowning quizzically at your fiance.

"Not as in having sex." Steve explained. "Before the syrm I used to get beat up all the time." You smiled sympathetically and focused again. The pulse of negativity was coming from over the wall. Clint and Tony were on the roof.

"Do you see anything?" You whispered into your com.

"No, but it's a fucking shadow right?" Clint answered.

"Language." You threw a smile Steve's way before running and jumping the wall. Your feet hit the other side with almost no noise. You strained your senses. Clint had his arrow ready for the slightest movement. Steve held off the others from jumping.

"If he moved I've got him." Clint said calmly.

"I think he knows that." You said taking a step forward, you were careful to stay in the middle of the alley. Something glistened ontop of a bin. The pulsing feeling grew stronger as you approached it. You frowned, a slight outline of a man was pressed against the wall. You smirked.

"Where's your mask?" You taunted. The man went to bolt, but you shook your head. "Hawkeye never misses." He sighed and took something from his pocket, a pill. You lunged to grap it but it was too late, he swallowed and collapsed. "Okay hes down. Took some drug or something." Tony flew the knocked out Shadow back to the tower. You grapped the shinning memory stick and retreated with the team.

~~~~

"Shall we watch it?" You asked staring at the memory stick. Tony nodded taking it from you. It had been labelled with your name. After much contemplation you'd decided to watch it with just Tony first.

"Jarvis play." He said, taking your hand in his. The screen lit up, a women was tied up on the floor, her body bruised and cut. A voice which was too automated to tell who's, stated to speak.

"Y/N Barnes." He drooled. "The most powerful experiment that ever succeeded. How? No one quite knows, everyone else died. What makes you so special. What makes you any stronger than Elizabeth here." The girl stopped struggling against the restraints. You winced at the dead look in her eyes you knew all too well.

"And yet, there you are in the Avengers, engaged to Captain America. Daughter to Tony Stark. Must be great mustn't it. But have you forgotten all the pain, every ear splitting scream? Because I haven't. I used to love you begging me to stop, your pathetic sobs." You shivered as you began to peice together who was speaking.

"See, we want you to come home, with you...we wouldnt need to put Elizabeth and others like her through what you went through. They'd be free." Tony's grip on your hand tightened, he knew guilt tripping like that would work on you. "Selfish really isnt it? Your safe happy, and yet their still struggling." Elizabeth shook her head. "Why dont you tell them Lizzie..."

The gag was pulled down. "You've been my idol Y/N. Dont let them take you, they'll make you destroy everything."

"Shut up." The man snarled. Elizabeth ignored him.

"We look up to you! Tou survived, we will too. Dont let them stop you from doing good. We know you'll help us when you can, I beliv--" the gun was fired, and her face exploded on the screen. Tony looked away but you didnt even flinch.

"Y/N you have two days, or the same fate occurs to all the lab rats." It clicked off. Tony said something but you only saw his mouth move. The ringing of the gun shot rang around your head. 'We know you'll help us when you can.' Her words broke your heart. You knew what those long nights of pain and hopelessness felt like. These people hoped you'd save them, that's what kept them going.

The thought made you sick. You stood up, Tony was quick to follow you.
"Y/N, dont pull that face." He said reaching out to take your arms. You pulled away. "He's manipulating you." You groaned in frustration.

"No! Everything he said was true." You screamed. "I know what it felt like Dad. I was there, it shit. And I've never even thought back that the might have taken more people..." guilt weighed your chest down. Tony went to speak again, but you turned and punched the wall so hard it created a dent.

Tony winced. You turned and ran. "Jarvis lock all doors and window, make sure she cant get out." You heard Tony whisper. You knew he was trying to help you, but your needed to help them. You let out another frustrated scream, as you kicked over a table. Steve appeared at the door.

"Y/N?"

"I failed Steve! Their alone." You pushed past him before he could say anything else. You heard Tony stop following you to explain. But you had a plan.