Guardian (Captain America FF book 2)

Chapter 9: Twenty seconds

Jade Aurora

Starks words rang through my head. He had spoken them to me before he had left. "Talk to him. You're a brave girl." I had been in here two days, my father probably was worried out his mind.

"Talk to him." I whispered to myself. "You've been through hell. You can handle talking to a man you've loved for years." Before I could think further I got out of bed and ran out of the room. I knew the briefing room was down the hall. Tony said that they had been spending most of their time there. It was three am. I knew only one person would still be here.

I ran into the room and saw him pacing back and forth. He looked over at me, confused. "Jade?" I didn't answer him. I just ran foreword, wrapping my arms around his torso, and burying my face in his chest.

Steves large arms wrap around me after a moment of shock and he buries his face in my hair. My whole body felt warm. This man was able to warm me, a Frost Giant. I gripped the back of his tee shirt and inhaled his scent of cinnamon. "I missed you." I whisper, barely audible. His grip on me tightens ever so slightly.

"You have no idea how much I missed you." was his soft reply. I closed my eyes as I spoke "I-I do actually." I listened to his steady heartbeat. It calmed me. His chest rumbled as he spoke "Jade, I have a lot of questions."

I heaved a breath and pulled away from him. "I-I will try. But S-Steve, you have to know that there are things I can't answer." Steve nodded, beginning with his questions "Do you hate me?" I looked at my boots to avoid his enchanting blue gaze while shaking my head "No. I was just afraid of seeing you again. Seeing any of you again. After spending two years the way I did. I couldn't handle it."

Steve looked down at the floor "Why did you leave in the first place?" My breath hitches in my throat. Memories resurfaced. Blood. Tears. I felt sudden weakness and my body went limp. I braced myself for impact but it never came. Strong arms caught me. Steve now held me bridal style. Steve.

(Flashback)

I lay on the floor, beaten and broke. My limbs chained to the floor with titanium chains so to prevent escape. They moved me from cell to cell for different forms of torture, while I was unconscious of course.

Suddenly, my cell door opened and someone walked in. I didn't bother looking up to see who it was. I knew only the worst would happen if I did. But I got a different surprise. "Jade? Are you in here?" That voice was all to familiar. I was never sure if it was him or not. I turned my head and looked up. "Steve?" I croaked. "Over-agh-here."

I heard footsteps approach me, he kneeled beside me. He was without his shield and his eyes weren't the same. All hope drained from my body. "No!" I screamed. "Not again! Not again! Please!" There was a slap across my face as he hissed "Shut up." I screamed and tried to escape his grip. But nothing worked. I fought back as he, a double or the occasional life model decoy, as he-as he raped me. One of many times.

(Flashback ends)

"No! Let me go! Leave me alone!" I screamed, pushing myself out of his arms with all the strength I could summon. I fell to the floor with a thud as Steve flew backwards from my force.

"Jade! What's wrong?" Steve asked frantically getting up. I pulled myself away from him screaming "No! Don't! Please!" He walked closer to me but I held my hand out "Stay where you are!" His brow furrowed "Jade, please tell me what's wrong." My body racked in fear. "Stay away!"

His face feigned pain as I watched him with fear stricken eyes. I slowly stood, some of my strength returning. I met his blue eyes. They were soft and filled with worry. I realized what I had done.

I walked towards him, my feet making no sound against the floor. Timidly, I reach up and touch his face. When I feel warmth instead of cold I take in a deep breath and fling my arms around him. "You are the real thing."

I hear him sigh in relief "What was that?" I take a deep breath, my body still shaking like a dog. "That Steve, is one of many things I can't talk about."

"Well," started a familiar voice. "I assume you two worked things out." I heard Steves breath hitch as I turned and saw my father. "Loki."