FALLEN ─ marvel

XV. The Shield

Chapter Fifteen
Sam

After Jade was set free, we decided we should all go out and celebrate. When Bucky, Sharon, and I got our freedom we celebrated at a bar, but with Jade's powers still being unpredictable, we decided to pack up some alcohol and celebrate in the forest away from other people.

We lit a fire and we are currently all sitting around it: Soroya, Bucky, and Alex are huddled together, talking quietly and sharing a bottle of rum, Caden is passed out, hugging an empty bottle of vodka, John is drinking some scotch alone, and Jade and I are drinking two beers. She's never had alcohol before and has determined she hates beer, so I'm actually drinking both of the beers.

As we've been sitting next to each other, I can't help but notice she doesn't look in a celebrating mood, and I know it isn't because of the beer. She has her knees tucked against her chest with her arms crossed on top of them. She's staring into the fire, her eyebrows knitted together in deep thought.

"You don't look like a woman who just won her freedom." I comment, setting my beer down on the ground.

"I'm thinking about what comes next. Yes I'm free, but I have nowhere to go. My family is gone, I haven't been to Denmark since I was fifteen, and this Ross you keep talking about, I know he won't let me wonder around and be on my own. I'm just really confused."

An idea comes into my mind, one that I think is a really good one, but I'm not sure how she will react. Perhaps it's the beer giving me courage, but I find myself offering: "You could stay with me."

She turns her head to me, surprise in her eyes. I feel panic rise in me, thinking I just made her uncomfortable, but that panic subsides when a smile starts to spread on her lips. "Really?"

I nod. "Of course. I have plenty of room and I wouldn't mind the company. You can stay as long as you want."

"And Ross—"

"You let me deal with Ross. My guess is that he'll want you to sign the accords, which will make it so you can be used by the government to complete missions, just like we are."

Jade nods, turning herself to face me more. "So I'll have to use my powers to help save people?"

"Yes, but I will try my hardest to make it so Ross doesn't have a hold on you. You've been used by HYDRA for your powers your whole life, you don't deserve to go through that again."

"But HYDRA made me use my powers to kill innocent people, if I work for Ross, he'll make me use them to save innocent people. I don't mind that Sam. I've caused so much destruction and pain...I think I want to spend my time saving people, just like you saved me."

"I didn't save you, Jade," I tell her, sitting myself a little closer to her. "You saved yourself."

"But I couldn't have done any of this without you. I'll never be able to repay you for all you've done for me."

I chuckle softly, shaking my head. "There's no need for that. I'm just happy that you now get to do what you want with your life, and that I get to see you more."

It could be the flames reflecting on her face, but her cheeks begin to redden. She turns herself back towards the fire, trying to hide her face from me. As I lift the beer back up to my mouth I try to hide the smile spreading on my own face. As I'm enjoying my beer, I watch John get up off the ground and make his way over to me, asking if he can talk to me alone. Jade takes this as a cue to leave, and I feel disappointed as she goes over to sit with Soroya and the others.

"What do you want to talk about?" I ask with a slight sigh.

John raises a brow my way, a teasing edge to his voice. "Was I interrupting something?"