Perdeu, mas não esquecido (Lost, but not forgotten (Portuguese))
Disclaimer: Don't own either one
If they're any problems or mistakes, please, please, please contact me somehow to let me know. Thanks if you did read the story, not many people will and it really does feel nice to know people even bothered to click on this.
There is some language ahead.
All language translations are from the brilliant Collins Free Online Translator
You can find it at: (insert https):/(insert www)collinsdictionary(insert .com)(insert /)translator
And if anyone can see where title stems from ( it's about a scene in the chapter), I will write a oneshot on your favourite ship.
"Language!"
~Captain America/Age of Ultron
Avengers Headquarters, NY
10:55
Natasha Romanova
News travels fast in S.H.I.E.L.D, and so does gossip. Tony knocked on my door today, and there he was, holding out his arms for a hug. I didn't want to give in, but I did. The temptation for a hug was too strong. I melted into his strong arms, the relief of a fellow comrade going through the same thing running through my brain. It was comforting, being able to just let it all go and turn to a friend for help. He let go, then asked if I was alright. I had to lie. What could I do?
"I'm alright." His eyes bore into me, calculating and judgemental.
"You're not. "
"You've got no proof."
"Yes, I do. You hugged me back, which you just don't do unless you really need comfort because you are a woman who doesn't like others seeing her stumble. Not to mention that you're a trained assassin." For the first time in days, I saw the legendary Stark smirk.
"Tony!" There was really no arguing with him when he was being sarcastic.
"Now you just sound like Pepper. But really, how are you?" Did I tell him, or did I keep quiet? On one hand, it was Tony, an Avenger, and one of my most trusted friends. On the other hand, I didn't feel like telling anybody how I felt.
"I'm as good as I ever could be after my boyfriend died." There we go. Truthful enough to please Tony yet not so revealing that I would feel uncomfortable. Tony raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Yes. What are you really here for anyway?"
"You're not telling the whole truth. But don't worry, I'll get it out of you soon. Besides, do you really think that I'd turn up in your room for anything other than to send my condolences? I'm not that bad, am I?"
"You are." Tony rolled his eyes.
"Steve sends his regards but he got called away for a meeting so he can't see you now; you need to do a heck lot of paperwork tomorrow because the mine Everdeen stepped on wiped out a shit ton of forest; I expect to meet you for lunch or something soon because you still owe me for the shawarma and Fury says you're on guard from 13:00 to 16:00 at the hospital wing today. Happy?"
"I'm on guard because?"
"Katniss might be a potential target after the incident yesterday. Steve did his rounds yesterday, and I'm doing mine tomorrow so today is all yours."
"So I've got to guard the entire hospital wing."
"Nah, just gotta guard the room she's in." He looked down at his watch. "It's 11:10 now, so you got some time yet. Mind going out with me for some brunch? Pepper says that-Wait. Pepper...Yesterday...Meeting? Did I forget something?" He frowned. "I swear I've forgotten something important." He drummed his fingers on the desk, while I tried not to laugh. Confused Tony was the best Tony. He sighed and rubbed his forehead. Then his eyes lit up.
"Oh, fuck. Nat, I've got to go. I'm ten minutes late for an important meeting for Stark Industries. Gotta dash, sorry." And he ran out the door, uncaring of my response. Well, that was Stark for you.
Avengers Headquarters, NY
12:36
Katniss Everdeen
I'm in a white room. It's empty, but mirrors cover the walls, giving the illusion that I'm surrounded by clones of myself. I reach out to touch the glass and it shatters, falling to my feet in shards of crystal. I frown. What kind of mirror does that? Is this a prank? A contest? What madness have the Avengers put me in? I shake my head and step forward towards the room the broken mirror revealed. My boots crunch over the glass, some getting stuck in the sole. The new room is purple. Purple walls, purple flooring, purple furniture. There are no windows, no doors, no obvious escape routes. The sensible side of me is screaming at me to stay away, but the hunter in me is telling me to step in. I want to go, I really do. However, if I did that and I was trapped inside, undefended...I shivered. But the Avengers wouldn't really kill off their newest recruit, would they? I take a deep breath in and take the plunge. One step, two steps, three steps, and I'm in. The mirror seals up behind me, back to its original state. I tense. I walk into the middle of the room, slowly and cautiously. Then the most blood-curdling scream I have ever heard freezes me in my tracks. I whip around to see a tiny, elf-like creature. My eyes widen and I stagger back.
"RUE!"
Avengers Headquarters
12:39
Natasha Romanova
I'm on my way to the hospital wing to keep an eye out for the woman I hate the most. What luck I have. I sigh, running my hand through my curls. It's going to be a constant pain in the side, having to look at the person who replaced my dead boyfriend for three whole hours. But what Fury says is law, and I have no intention of a repeat of yesterday's performance. I nudge open the many hospital doors, looking for Everdeen's room.
Avengers Headquarters
12:42
Katniss Everdeen
My brain must be lying to me. It can't be. How is Rue alive? Where did the scream come from? I frown as I see her, alive and smiling. But it's Rue. My boots fall heavily on the floor as I run toward her for a hug. I envelop her in my arms, needing to know that she is real, that she has finally come back to me. No words are spoken. They don't need to be. She knows I'm sorry. That doesn't take away the regret I feel, though. I shiver as I remember her dying in my arms, the blood coating my hands as I held her. I let go, meaning to talk to her, when I hear the tell-tale sound of a weapon being thrown. There's a whizz, and I scream. I push Rue out the way but it's already too late. Crimson red flows over my fingers as I turn her around. I can see the end of the knife poking through her front, the blade glowing silver. Memories claw at my walls, trying to break them. But I can't break down now. I can't. Where there's smoke, there's fire. A blade slides past me, narrowly missing my arm. I duck for cover. I duck again, then weave through the cupboards to the door. Each blade narrowly misses me, sticking through something else instead. The door seems miles away. But I'm getting closer. I sprint the last few meters with a vengeance, determined to make it out alive.
Avengers Headquarters
12:45
Natasha Romanova
Why in the world is the Avengers Hospital Wing so bloody confusing? I've been searching for this elusive "Ward B1, Room 121" for ten bloody minutes! I sigh, and start searching, again. It must be around here somewhere.
Avengers Headquarters
12:46
Katniss Everdeen
I fiddle with the doorknob, my hands slipping and sliding over the metal. It's only a matter of time before the attacker catches up. I scream in frustration. The door won't let up! Tired, I kick the door as hard as I can. It opens. I stand surprised, my mouth open, before I remember the current situation and rush through the door. It closes with a decisive slam. I rest against the wood, completely knackered out. In out, in out. My breathing returns to normal and my mental walls knit themselves together again. Then there's a solid thunk, and I slowly swivel to see a knife embedded in the wood, mere inches from my face. I back away quickly. While I have the advantage, I should run. So I do. I run quickly, knowing that there's not much time left. The air blows my plait back as I run, and I smile, because this is what I'm used to. Fresh air blowing in my face as I run down the muddy lanes behind the fence. Déjà vu makes an appearance, coaxing all the happy thoughts out and leaving the depressed ones in the dust. It's not a stretch to say that I ran faster under the influence of it. My boots hit the floor in a steady 1,2 and I get wrapped up in the embrace of familiarity. My mindset slowly changes, adapting to fit the rhythm of the run. I only have one goal now. Get to safety and shelter. I run, and ignore everything else. So it's no surprise when I bump into something hard. It's not a wall, I know that. It's warm, and smells faintly like bread. I look up.
Avengers Headquarters
12:50
Natasha Romanova
Right, so I've found Ward B1. Now where do I go? I decide to go to the left corridor first. Why not? I wander down the corridor. Room 79, Room 80, Room 81. I'm gonna get nowhere with this. I start to jog, in hopes that the room numbers will pass a little faster. I look at my watch. Ten minutes to go. I better run.
Avengers Headquarters
12:52
Katniss Everdeen
"Peeta?"
"Katniss?" I smile. It's a day of unplanned meetings. First Rue, now Peeta. Who next? Confusing as it may be, I decide to let it go. It's not every day that you get to meet your dead husband and best friend again, is it?
"It's me." He smiles in return, a gentle, spreading smile. His arms come around me comfortingly and I hug him back. I rest my head in the dip of his shoulder, relishing the familiarity of it all. My heart repairs and breaks at the same time, because I know that the moment won't last forever. He breaks away, a question forming on his lips when the sound of footsteps interrupt him. We turn around in unison. Rose permeates the air, and we look on in horror.
"A very good morning to you. Glad to see the married couple having a private moment together. So unlike the pair during the games, aren't you?"
I struggle for words.
"Well?" He says, awaiting a response.
"Well," I snark back, annoyed with his antics already, "we're alright. How are you?"
"I'm great, actually. Just staged a terror attack yesterday." I shiver. He's dead, I tell myself. He's dead. I have no idea what is happening, whether I'm dead, dreaming or in an Avengers training exercise, but the fact is that President Snow is dead. Still, I can't keep the tremor out my voice when I reply. Peeta notices, and his arm slides around my waist.
"What are you really here for, Snow?"
"President Snow."
"What are you really here for, President Snow?"
"To arrest you, of course." The silence that echoes around the room speaks of hurt, resentment and panic. Peeta speaks, a low, angry tone permeating his voice.
"You won't hurt her."
"Oh really?" He smirks.
Avengers Headquarters
12:54
Natasha Romanova
Why is it that hospitals just take me for a ride, every single time? The room numbers ended at 120! I sigh and run back to the corridor, then turn right this time. Maybe the old story is right. Always choose right.
Avengers Headquarters
12:55
Katniss Everdeen
"With all due respect, sir, you cannot take her."
"I can, and I will. Isn't that right, Everdeen? Remember when I brainwashed your little Peeta? I won't hesitate to do that to you too."
"No. You won't take her." Snow raises a finger and presses a button. I look up to see a net heading towards me, and Peeta and I roll out of the way in time. President Snow chuckles.
"Nice to know you haven't lost your reflexes yet. But what if I gave you...this?" A smoking barrel is pressed against my head. The gun's been used, barely five minutes ago.
Avengers Headquarters
12:57
Natasha Romanova
Room 153, Room 152, Room 151. Wow. Room 121 is near the back of the corridor. Hospitals really do hate me. I hate them too, though, so we're even. Sighing, I run faster, hoping to make it on time. Room 150, Room 149, Room 148...
Avengers Headquarters
12:58
Katniss Everdeen
Peeta froze. The gun pressed tighter against my temple. The metal was icy, frissons of cold and pain spreading down my body. From his expression, I knew that Peeta knew there was no way out of this. Then his face hardened into a steeliness I knew all too well.
"Peeta, no." He shook his head.
"Peeta, please don't." Again he shook his head.
"President Snow. If you're to take her, take me too."
Avengers Headquarters
12:59
Natasha Romanova
Room 130, Room 129, Room 128. It seems like no matter how fast I run, the room numbers just won't move. Seconds tick by as I run. I must go quicker, or I'll be late. I hate being late.
Avengers Headquarters
12:59
Katniss Everdeen
"Gladly. Actually, I didn't need Everdeen. Just wanted you."
"Fine. First, though, give me your word that you'll let her go." I shake my head frantically, though the metal barrel is sharp. Peeta can't do this again. Not again.
"You have my word." With this, Snow pushes me and I land in an undignified heap on the ground.
Avengers Headquarters
12:59
Natasha Romanova
Room 127, Room 126, Room 125. Almost there.
Avengers Headquarters
12:59
Katniss Everdeen
"Peeta, no!" I scramble to my feet, running after the pair. Snow turns and pulls out his gun again.
Avengers Headquarters
12:59
Natasha Romanova
Room 124, Room 123, Room 122. So close. And on time too.
Avengers Headquarters
13:00
Katniss Everdeen
I can hear a clock chime in the distance as a bullet hurtles out Snow's gun.
Avengers Headquarters
13:00
Natasha Romanova
Room 121. I'm not late! I throw open the door.
Avengers Headquarters
13:00
Katniss Everdeen
The bullet hits me in the leg, and I can't help but yell out his name.
Avengers Headquarters
13:00
Natasha Romanova
"PEETA!"
I start and Everdeen sits upright, her eyes wild and face flushed.
Avengers Headquarters
13:01
Katniss Everdeen
I was dreaming. I should have known. Romanova stands in the doorway, looking rather uncomfortable.
"What are you doing here?" I snap, my temper short due to the recent events.
She doesn't seem surprised by my reaction, but then nothing really seems to affect Romanova. That's what Fury said while he was briefing me a few days ago, anyway.
"I'm here to guard your room," she replies," Fury says that you're a liable target for a further attack." Sounds legitimate. I let her get on with it. I have no qualms about her guarding my room. If Fury says so, let it be. As Iron Man quoted yesterday, while I was still awake, "His word is law."
Word Count:2263