A/N: I unfortunately do not own Marvel. I hope you enjoy!
The twinkling of little fire flies buzzed through the dark sky. The lights burst randomly in unforeseen patterns causing the semi-buzzed young lady to feel semi disoriented. Her wedge heels tapped out casual time on the cobble stone streets of the charming, southern town. Sultry songs, booming basses, and country twang flowed from several different bars around her.
Temptation to saunter into her favorite hole in the wall The Gray Lady overcame her practicality. She knew that it was way past her self-imposed bed time, but it had been a while since she had really gone out. Plus, she had seen Mr. Tall, Dark, and Mysterious turn through the wooden doors.
The young lady, August, waltzed up to the bar and in a light voice ordered, "Mint Julep, please."
"Sometimes, I wish it was more acceptable for men to order fruity drinks. They always look so good," came a deep voice next to her. August looked up at him from beneath her eyelashes eyes latching onto her target.
"Why don't you just be secure in your masculinity and order it anyways darlin'?" she coyly shot back.
A big grin splashed across his face and he held up his hand to get the attention of the bartender.
August had seen this man before. He sat in front of her in her criminal psychology class. He was always pointing out things to the professor that she never really considered. He seemed intelligent, well-mannered, and confident. Plus, she always thought he had such a fine back of the head. Suddenly a large hand extended in front of her.
"My name is Chadwick. Don't we have a class together?'
"I believe we do," August hesitated. She took a deep breath and let her bare hand be encased by his. He had a firm handshake and she could see his blue eyes dilate. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
"So do you think that Professor Mcallister is as batty as everyone makes him out to be?" His voice cut through her worries.
They fell into comfortable conversation. She let her guard down, being in a place that she was comfortable with, with a guy she felt comfortable with, in an outfit she deemed as comfortable. Comfortable. Comfortable. Comfortable. August should have known better. Nothing in her life had ever stayed comfortable.
August could tell that it he was into her. She didn't go out often enough to be the center of an attractive male's attention. Faking confidence, she continued to flirt with attractive southern gentleman.
Chadwick bought her another drink and touched August's elbow. Out of reflex, she jerked her arm back. He looked a little surprised. Her face flushed in embarrassment.
"Sorry! I- I just need to use the lady's room. I'll be back in a second." She spun around and clunked towards the back. As she turned the corner, she ran hard into a large chest. Looking up, catching eyes with a blonde stranger, she threw him her most charming smile and apologized.
Once in the restroom, August splashed some water in her face trying to collect and sort all of her feelings. Chadwick, although a little too hipster in nature for her normal tastes, seemed like a catch. He genuinely seemed interested in her. She just wanted to make sure she wasn't projecting- "Everybody was Kung-Fu Fighting…" Her phone blared indicating a call from someone she had not heard from in several years. Surprise entered her dark brown eyes.
Digging into her purse she answered the call, "Barton?" she asked hurriedly.
"Gus, it's me! We have reason to believe you are being targeted. Get your ass out of there!"
"What?" hands shaking and her voice cracked she waited for more information.
"Go out the back door. Don't take your car home. It's been bugged. There is a team at your house getting your stuff. Don't worry. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
August pushed her body into motion. She calmly but quickly shuffled down the hall and out the back door not looking back. In the back alley between two bars, she glanced at her surroundings her training from her younger years kicking into high gear. Anything could happen in fifteen minutes.
"Clint, now what? I am outside and I don't see anyone-" Her phone beeped indicating that the call had been dropped. She growled to herself, threw her phone on the ground and stomped on it, killing it effectively. For all she knew, whoever was after her could be tracking her gps.
Shit. Shit. Okay, I can do this. I need to get to a more public area. Stay Calm.
Pulling her keys into her hand a spreading them between her fingers like claws, she suddenly wished she hadn't had that last drink. She made her way onto the main street. Seeing the lights of the park, she remembered seeing a flier about an outdoor movie being shown that night. If she could make it there, it would be safer for her. Now armed with a game plan she walked as steadily as she could towards her destination. Her pace was calm and she didn't move to fast.
If I run, that draws attention. Blend in.
She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand and knew immediately that someone was watching her. She could hear the faint shuffle of men's loafers behind her.
What was that thing Clint always said? Throw your tail off guard. Do something unexpected.
Suddenly, August flipped around and asked her pursuer "Do you know what time it is?"
She came face to face with Chadwick. How typical. She immediately hit him as hard as she could with her purse and started to run.
So much for not running.
"Fuck, What was that for? August! What's wrong?" he questioned alarmed. His voice sounded genuine.
This threw August a little. Still clutching her keys, ready to stab, she faced the handsome young man.
"You aren't trying to attack me?" she whispered taking baby steps backwards. He put both of his palms up trying to show peace.
"No! I came out here for a smoke and saw you sneaking away. I- I thought we were hitting it off!"
Possible kidnapper and smoker. Nope, not my kind of guy.
"I am so sorry! I just- I just have a legit emergency and have to go. I'll see you in class!" as she turned back around to continue on towards the park she ran into a large chest. Gloved hands grasped her wrists keeping her from falling. August's keys rattled to the pavement.
"Steady there love, where are you headed to so quickly?" came a gruff voice.
She looked up to see that it was the blonde man from the bar that she had run into earlier. Her eyes locked onto his hands. Panic and dread filled her whole body like alcohol on an empty stomach.
"Why are you wearing gloves in May?" She whispered. The man's knee swiftly came and hit her in the gut. She doubled over.
"What the hell man! Let her go!" came Chadwick's voice. He came at her attacker trying to save her.
August, still doubled over, felt a hard kick in the center of her back causing her to hit the pavement hard. She looked up in time to see Chadwick stabbed with some syringe as he doubled over. August screamed and it was quickly muffled when the man tackled her, throwing his gloved hand over her mouth. He dragged her squirming body into the alley. She fought as hard as she could. Scratching, biting, kicking, and elbowing.
Longest fifteen minutes of my life.
August knew that if she was to stand a chance, that she would need skin to skin contact. She bit hard on the gloved hand and slammed her elbow into the man's gut. The man groaned and threw his body on top of hers and straddled her. She bucked her hips up and tried to scream again. His other hand socked her in the mouth and her secured her wrists into one hand.
"Stop your screaming or I will go back and shoot that man. You understand? Now stay still!"
He pulled another syringe out of his pocket and pulled off the cap with his mouth. August started to shake, flashes of lost memories skittering in front of her eyes. She bucked hard and threw him a little bit. She saw a sliver of skin, ripped one hand free, and slapped it across the man's bare neck making a resounding thwack!
Feel my fear. Take all of it you fucker! She channeled all of her emotions into her attacker. His grip loosened and he started shaking. His eyes bugged out and she landed a well placed kick into his chest. Standing up on wobbly feet, she let adrenaline take over she started to run, but only made it five steps. She felt a sharp pain near her Achilles tendon. Looking back, she saw the man had slammed the syringe into her skin. He rolled over and folded into the fetal position starting to cry.
August fell to her knees feeling warm blood drip down her chin from the earlier punch. The wall in front of her swirled like the inside of a raging tornado. Her face hit the cold cement and her eyelids started to flutter. Before her vision went, she saw feet run in front of her. Darkness over took her.