Set the World on Fire

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and ocs. Enjoy and feel free to let me know what you thought.

Chapter 3

The first sound Catalina registers is the annoying buzzing she associates with medical machines. She keeps her eyes closed, mentally cataloging each ache and pain she's gained. With a groan, she slowly opens her eyes, only to shut them quickly once again. She wasn't prepared for the bright fluorescent lights to greet her.

"Sir, she's awake," she heard a female voice speak, yet she couldn't pin point exactly where it was coming from.

"Thank you Friday for the update, let's see just how Sleeping Beauty is feeling this evening," she vaguely recognized the voice that spoke, recalling it from talk shows Mac kept on at the shop.

"So, what's your name?" She slowly opens one eye, looking at the man standing beside her cot carefully looking over her machines.

"Where am I?" her voice was hoarse from non use, which prompted the familiar stranger to grab a pitch from the table beside her and pour her a glass of water.

"Can you manage or do you need me to hold it for you too?" Her whiskey colored eyes narrowed fractionally as she pushed herself up into a sitting position and reaching for the glass he was holding out.

"God, you're as arrogant as your father," she mumbled, finally placing the man beside her. She watched as he tensed for a moment before looking over the charts in his hands.

"Impressive. They certainly did a number on you, and you're almost completely healed. Mutant?" he questioned, watching as Catalina eased herself back against the pillows.

"Fast healing," she mumbled, turning her head away from the man of Howard Stark to see dark windows.

"Sure, and I'm Mary, Queen of Scots," he replied, adjusting something on one of the machines.

"Looking good for a dead woman Stark," he paused, looking her over.

"What makes you so important Shield wanted you back?" he questioned, watching her carefully. Cat raised a delicate eyebrow, turning her attention back to him for a brief moment as she thought over her lie.

"I make a mean pizza, and well they just love it, Granny Nat's recipe," she snarked, watching was Stark narrowed his eyes briefly.

"Look, I'm one of the good guy. I'm just trying to help you before they send in a Shield Agent to question you," she watched him carefully for a few moments before exhaling a breath.

"I'll talk to Director Fury," she finally answered, watching as he threw his hands up in obvious exasperation before turning on his heel and leaving her alone in the medical room. Cat closed her eyes for a few moments, reciting every mission log she had ever completed as she waited for the next person to come interrogate her. She heard the tell tale sighs of the automatic doors opening before a throat was cleared to gain her attention. She kept her head stubbornly turned to the dark windows that showed the lights of the city and refused to look at the agent they had sent in.

"You know, it's been a while since I've seen Stark leave a room even slightly annoyed. I'm impressed that you could do that in as little as five minutes," the deep voice that she knew belonged to Director Fury reached her ears.

"Well I was always able to do the same to his father, just have to know what buttons to push," she answered with a shrug, or what she could manage for a shrug. Fury chuckled as he walked closer to the cot she was laying on.

"Wanna tell me why they took you?" he questioned carefully, taking a seat in the chair beside her bed, watching her with a careful eye.

"They wanted a new Asset. Natalia was comprised, Shield had been able to completely deprogram her. Me, they didn't know I was a Shield Asset either and thought it would be easy to activate me," she answered, her voice neutral.

"Maybe Peggy wasn't completely foolish when she found you," he spoke, amusement coloring his voice. In an instant, Catalina was out of the bed, her hand wrapped tightly around the Director's throat in warning.

"I'm aware you don't like me, let alone trust me, Director. However I won't allow to to disrespect Miss Peggy. She was a good woman and an even better Agent. Watch your tongue," her voice was low, the threat evident in the way she applied a bit more pressure to the man's throat before she released it.

"I see you're feeling better, that's good news," he answered as he lightly rubbed the spot she had held.

"Quick healer," was all she said as she stood, ripping the wires that connected her to the machines from her body. Fury sighed, closing his one eye as he saw her about to remove the medical gown.

"You could always take me up on my offer for a safe house you know," he commented, listening to the rustling of fabric, the only noise in the nearly silent room.

"I do better alone. Besides, it took you and your people over forty eight hours to find me. I like my chances alone, thank you," she answered, pulling a plain black shirt over her head. She could only hear Nick Fury hum as she pulled a pair of skinny jeans out of a pile of clothes that was placed on a spare chair on the opposite side of the room. She was decent finally as she gathered her silver strands into a messy top knot, turning to face Nick.

"I'm decent Director," she spoke up, watching as his eye opened.

"Before you go dark, there is someone who would like to speak to you, if you have time that is," he spoke, carefully choosing his words.

Cat raised a delicate eyebrow, sliding her feet into a pair of cheap flip flops before answering his unasked questioned.

"I'm not ready to face her just yet. The last time we saw each other, we set our world on fire and agreed we were both dead. She... She may have turned over a new leaf a few years later, helping Shield, but I didn't. Not right away, not until Peggy found me. So, keep it mum. I slipped out when there was a shift change or something," she answered, turning to the window across from where Director Fury was sitting.

"She'll know a lie, Miss Petrova, you and I both know that," he stated, watching as her shoulders sagged.

"I can't," she whispered, easily picking the lock on the window, and Nick knew exactly what her play was going to be. He breathed a sigh, watching her slip out easily.

Later, Nick Fury will realize that was a mistake when he was faced with a furious Winter Solider and an irritated Black Widow.

"What do you mean she's gone?" Bucky growled, winter blue eyes narrowed as he glared at the Director of Shield. Nick Fury sighed, running a hand over his head as he watched Steve place a hand on Bucky's shoulder, attempting to calm his volatile friend down.

"You didn't try to stop her," Natasha stated a fact, no accusation in her voice. Nick sighed, once more, turning his gaze heavenwards as he thought over the repercussions of keeping what knowledge he possessed from them.

"I tried to talk her out of it. She was adamant about this being the best play," he explained, watching the Russian's emerald green eyes narrow to slits before turning on her heel.

"Tell us where we can find her, now," Bucky demanded, watching as the Director sat back, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Last I heard she was staying in a small town in Canada," he answered, watching as the Winter Solider offered a sharp nod before turning to follow the red head, her soulmate hot on his heels.

A/N: Another Chapter done. Feel free to let me know what you thought. Chapter 4 should be up in a few days. Enjoy!