Chapter Seven~ The Beginning

A/N: Alright, y'all. I'm finally ready to stop beating around the bush with this crap. Time to get serious. Here we are, going into CAWS! I so excited! Also, I realized that it starts off in Washington D.C., Jessika actually lives in D.C. Yeah, yeah, I know "Well then how did he get her to Stark Tower?!" Easy, he didn't. Tony has another building there, it's only logical that he has his fingers in all the biggest cities. She was later transferred to the Avengers Tower. There you go, plot hole explained. On with the show.

Time passed rather quickly for Steve. But, then, anyone who spends seventy years stuck in a block of ice might feel like that. His life consisted of mission after mission, occasionally tracking down leads on who could have been targeting Jessika. That, however, always came up empty. Even Tony was getting frustrated at this point, with Bruce constantly trying to get him to leave it be for a little while and come back later with fresh eyes. They had no idea who had tried to kill her, or even how they got in her apartment. And since her collapse, with the new Stark Tech security system, no one had come in or out besides her and her friends. For the most part, Jessika saw little of the Avengers for a long time after her grandfather's death. Then again, she supposed that saving the world didn't give much time for social interactions.

Still, Steve made a point of visiting every Saturday for movie night, staying over for Sunday breakfast. It was a new tradition for them. It didn't matter how late he got home from a mission, he would always come straight over there after changing out of his uniform. Once he got there, Jessika would send him to the bathroom for a shower and make dinner while he got clean. Then, they would sit down and watch whatever they could agree on. Sometimes, she wanted to watch anime, which he wasn't too keen on. Sometimes, he wanted to watch documentaries on some of the most random things. To be fair, there was a lot of history he didn't know because of the education system he had growing up. That's not saying that he wasn't smart, because Jessika thought he might have been the smartest man she had ever met (not including her grandfather, Tony, and Dr. Banner). There was just a lot he missed. Eventually, they would agree on something, usually it was Jessika conceding to watch whatever historical thing it was that he wanted.

As usual, they would fall asleep on the couch. Usually, she would be laying down with her feet tucked under him. But, occasionally, Steve would fall asleep with his head in her lap, her hand resting on his head or shoulder as she fell asleep long before him. Steve rarely got called away during these times, but when he did, Jessika would smile and send him off with two or three plates of cookies or brownies, or other baked goods for the men and women on the teams. Though Steve was pretty sure it was against protocol, he would just laugh and take them anyway. And they were much appreciated. So much so that the strike team had taken to asking him if she had sent anything with them. Rumlow was chief among them.

Sometimes during the week, when neither of them had anything to do, they would go out running. She couldn't keep up with him, but Steve occasionally would slow down for her. Other times, he enjoyed running circles around her. She knew why he did it, that he had trouble sleeping, and she didn't blame him. After all the things he had seen, all the places he'd been, his pillow top mattress must have made him super uneasy. Of course, she never asked him about it. She knew better than that, and he would talk about it when he was ready.

)0(

Jessika was startled awake by the sound of her cell phone ringing and Miguel softly woofing at it. Turning over, her alarm clock read 4:37 a.m. The Captain America USO "Star Spangled Man With A Plan" song played from the speaker on her phone. Picking it up, she saw the picture she had taken of Steve in one of his less than clean cut moments. It showed him biting into a giant burger she had made for their annual New Year's cookout. Having seen her out of the corner of his eye, Steve had turned at just the right moment, eyes wide and burger still held to his mouth, leaving her with the perfect calling image. She remembered the indignation of the picture, trying to get her to delete it, even going so far as to chase her around the park trying to steal her phone. In a moment of luck, a group of people had passed between them, making him Steve have to stop, and she was able to shimmy up a tree and send the picture to Tony so that he could save it for her and send it back later. As soon as she had done that, the behemoth of a man deftly jumped into the tree, climbing up to her quickly, and snatched the phone away from her.

"You better have a really good reason for waking me up at 4:30 in the morning, Rogers." She griped as she tried to wipe sleep from her eyes.

"Wanna go for a run?"

Jessika sat up in her bed. She knew that voice. He'd had another nightmare. "Not particularly," she told him, knowing he would hear the joke in her tone.

"Good, because I'm outside." As soon as he said that, she heard the knocking on her front door.

"Of course you are." Jessika hung up her phone and dragged herself from the warmth of her sheets. Miguel followed her, circling around her feet, then going to sniff at the bottom of the door. "Gimme a sec." She called out.

"No rush." Came the response. Tapping the code for the alarm, she disarmed it, then undid the four locks Tony had insisted on installing. And there he was, standing in a grey muscle shirt and dark grey sweats, smiling bashfully at her. "Sorry to wake you up so early."

"Nah, s'alright." She waved him in, letting the dog attach himself to the large blonde man he had come to know as friend. "Go ahead and get Miguel ready for a walk while I go get dressed. That mutt is probably gonna mess up your workout, as bad as he has to go." Jessika walked into her room (which by now had been redecorated from the way her grandfather had it), and left the door open just a crack so she could hear him. She never had to worry about him trying to peek in on her, which was nice. And besides, he couldn't have seen much but the wall if he tried.

"It'll be fine. Besides, I'm not planning on going slow today."

"Oh, well fine then," she said in mock hurt. "Just leave me to deal with this insane canine fuzzball, why don't ya?" Her ponytail swung as she shook her head, hopping to get her shorts on. Unlike most women, she didn't wear the tiny-ass booty shorts that were made specifically by men for men. Nope, she wore stuff that was a little looser, a little longer, and all together more comfortable. Donning a light blue tank top, she walked back into the living room and swiped her shoes from beside the door.

"It's not like you're actually going to be talking to me or anything, Jess." He told her when he saw her grab her earbuds and plug them into her phone. "Besides, I need to actually run today, not meander like I normally do with you."

Jessika gave him the stink eye, "Yeah ok, whatever, you big fruit loop."

Steve started laughing, holding his belly. "You can't even give an insult right, Jess."

"I can, too!" She said with chagrin. "I just don't do it to you, because I'm nice like that." She didn't give him a chance to say anything else. Instead, she shoved her headphones in her ears and took the dog leash from him. "Bye, Tulio. Behave while I'm out. Don't kill the sofa!" Her words were answered by a drawn out meow.

)0(

The sun was just starting to peak over the horizon, illuminating the sky with pinks and purples. Once they started on the trail, Steve and Jessika split up. Not that they went in different directions. Steve just took off, not at his full speed, she knew, but faster than any normal person could comfortably run for any length of time. She, on the other hand, took her time, letting Miguel do his business every so often and picking up what could be picked up with her blue doggy-doo bags. There were only three people on the trail that morning: Her, Steve, and one other man.

As she ran, Steve passed her six times, tapping her on the arm as he did, knowing she wouldn't hear him. The other man only passed her twice. The sun rose steadily, and by now, Miguel was ready to really run, not just the nice jog they had been going. She actually caught up with the man, settling into a rhythm beside him. The fourth or fifth time Steve passed them, she heard him speak. Tugging out one earbud, she said, "What was that?"

"I said, can you believe this dude?"

"Yeah, I can." She laughed, sliding the headphone back into place and letting him get back ahead of her. Jessika finished her two rounds, allowing Steve to catch up to her on his last go. Instead of walking with her, he strode ahead to talk to the man now sitting against a tree, gasping for air.

"You need a medic?" He asked.

"I need a new set of lungs." The black man responded. "Dude, you just ran, like, thirteen miles in thirty minutes."

Steve shrugged. "Well, I guess I got a late start."

"Oh, really? Shame on you. You should take another lap." He looked away for a moment before looking back. "Did you just take it? I assume you just took it."

Jessika and Miguel came up on them right as she heard Steve ask, "What unit you with?"

"58th Pararescue. But, now I'm working down at the VA." The man held his hand up as a way of asking for help up. "Sam Wilson."

"Steve Rogers."

"Yeah, I kinda put that together. Man," he groaned, still trying to catch his breath. "The hell did they feed you back in the day."

Jessika chuckled. "Vita rays and penicillin, or so I'm told. I'm Jessika Wardell." She said, switching Miguel's leash to her left hand so she could hold out her right.

"You worked fast, didn't you?" Sam shook her hand, talking to the man beside her. "Got yourself a lovely little lady here, Cap."

"Steve and I aren't dating," she laughed. Turning to Steve, she rolled her eyes. "Why does everyone immediately assume we're together?"

"Might have something to do with the way you presented yourself." Steve shrugged.

"Sorry, didn't think..." Sam backtracked, calming when he saw her wave it off. "Uh, right. Anyway, must have really freaked you out coming back after the whole defrosting thing?"

Steve nodded, then looked around to his friend. "It takes some getting use to. But, having a good friend or two that's willing to help out makes it a whole lot easier. Nice to meet you, Sam." He turned to leave.

"It's your bed, right?" Jessika spun to look at the other man.

Steve stopped. "What was that?"

"Your bed. It's too soft. When I was over there I'd sleep on the ground, using rocks as pillows like a caveman. Now, I'm home, lying in my bed and it's like-"

"Laying on a marshmallow. Feels like I'm gonna sink right to the floor." The super soldier finished. Jessika put a hand on his arm. "How long?"

"Two tours. You must miss the good ol' days, huh?" He asked, crossing his arms.

Steve got a playfully thoughtful look on his face. "Well, it's not so bad. Food's a lot better. We used to boil everything." The woman snorted. "No polio's good. Internet," Steve said, with an explanatory gesture, "so helpful. Been reading that a lot trying to catch up. Jess here let's me watch movies at her place so I can see what kind of media I missed in the ice. We watched Rocky this past weekend, that was pretty cool."

Sam nodded, then jumped as a thought came to his mind. "Marvin Gaye, 1972, Trouble Man soundtrack. Everything you missed, jammed into one album."

"Very good choice." Jessika nodded. "I hadn't thought about that."

Pulling his little red notebook out of his pocket, Steve said, "I'll put it on the list." Just as he finished, they all heard a light beep from his pocket. He pulled out his phone to read the text from Black Widow. "Well, Sam, duty calls." The two men shook hands. "Thanks for the run...if that's what you wanna call running."

"Oh, that's how it is?"

"Oooh, that's how it is." Steve affirmed. "Jess, gotta go. Nat's coming to pick me up. You ok to get back to the bar by yourself?"

"Aye, aye, Captain." Jessika mockingly saluted him. "I'm a big girl, Stevie, I'll be fine. Besides, who'd mess with this terrifying hunk a fur?" She said, gesturing to Miguel, who looked up at her, then the others, then laid down and rolled over hoping for belly rubs.

"Yeah, I'm shaking in my boots. Somehow, that," he pointed to the drooling retriever, "does not exactly seem like much of a deterrent."

"Say what you like, Cap. He's a mean, gold, biting machine when he's people are being threatened. Anyway, let me know when you get back. I've got a new idea for something you need to watch."

"And what would that be?" Sam asked.

"Doctor Who," she said with a smile. "All fifty-five glorious years of it. Steve, don't forget to swing by for the cookies, I made extra chunky chocolate chip. See ya later, boys." And with that, Jessika plugged her headphones back in and started on her way home.

"Damn. You sure y'all aren't together?" When Sam saw the look on Cap's face, he raised his hands in surrender. "Kidding. What bar were y'all talking about?"

"You know Pop's Bar?"

"Downtown by the bookstore?"

"That's the one."

"Yeah, I know it. I've been down there a few times. The old man that owned it died, didn't he? Left it to his daughter or something."

"That was his granddaughter, she owns it now."

"No way." Sam made an appreciative face. "Cool. Hey, anytime you wanna come down to the VA and make me look cool in front of the girl at the front desk, just let me know."

"I'll keep that in mind." As he said this, a black sports car rolled up to the curb.

The window rolled down, revealing Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow. "Hey, fellas. Either of you know where the Smithsonian is? I'm here to pick up a fossil."

Steve shook his head. "That's hilarious." Once he was in, he turned to Sam, "Can't run everywhere."

"No you can't." Then they pulled away.

"So, how was your run?" She asked, steering them expertly into traffic.

"Eh, it was alright. Nothing like running ops, that's for sure. Besides, I can't run full tilt around here without attracting attention."

"True enough. How's Jessika doing? She seems pretty good all things considered."

Steve nodded. "She is good. She's great. No more attempts on her life since Tony put in all those extra surveillance things, so that's nice. Yeah, she's doing alright."

"Good."

)0(

"Alright, I'm gonna sweep the deck and find Batroc. Nat, you kill the engines and wait for instructions. Rumlow, you sweep aft, find the hostages, get them to the life pods and get them out."

"Strike, you heard the Captain." Once orders were issued, Rumlow followed Steve and Natasha. "Hey, Cap. Did Miss Jess send anything with you?" He asked.

Steve laughed and dug a container out of his bag. "One each. We don't need you boys getting sick during the fight. We can split the rest afterwards." He handed the plastic bowl to the strike leader and sent him to dispense the now traditional good luck treats. From there, they went full mission mode. "Secure channel seven." He said into his comms.

"Seven secure." Nat replied. "You do anything fun Saturday night?"

"Well, all the guys from my barber shop quartet are dead, so...not really." At the look Nat gave him, he chuckled. "Jess and I watched the Rocky series. She made chicken alfredo, it was pretty fun."

Natasha rolled her eyes. "I swear, if I didn't know you guys, I'd think you were an old married couple."

"Coming up on the drop zone, Cap." Said the voice in their ears. Steve hit the switch to lower the ramp.

"You know, if you asked Kristen out from Statistics, she'd probably say yes." Nat told him over the howling of the wind.

"That's why I don't ask."

"Too shy or too scared?"

"Too busy!" He said, right before jumping out of the plane without a parachute.

)0(

Steve was steaming. First of all, there was the fact that Fury had lied to him about why they were on the ship, and then there were the helicarriers that could wipe out thousands of targets in seconds. Why would anyone build something like that? Nothing good could come of it, and he had told the director as much. As it happened, his week just kept getting worse after he got back from the mission. For whatever reason, he had been compelled to visit the Smithsonian display of Captain America and the Howling Commandos. Meandering through those screens and stories about things that happened so long ago, he couldn't shake the feeling of how truly alone his was in the world. There was no one that shared the same sentiment or experiences with him. Steve Rogers was the man out of time.

The next day, he went to visit Peggy in the nursing home. It was a nice place, quiet and well run. More importantly, Peggy liked it there. He knew her minds was getting worse, weaker. The doctors told him everytime he visited that there were good days and bad. Recently, the bad tended to outweigh the good. The two of them had been in the middle of a conversation, and she had been doing so well. Until she turned away to cough and he got her a glass of water. She had been looking away from him for less than fifteen seconds, but when her eyes returned to him, he saw the look of being in that moment fade away. Her memory lapsed and she seemed surprised to see him, started crying and telling him how long it had been since she saw him, and that she had never stopped looking for him, not once.

When he finally got home and found Fury beaten and battered in his living room, everything went to hell. It all happened in a flash. The bullets ripping through the wall, Kate from next door turning out to be a SHEILD agent, then chasing after the man with the metal arm, only to lose him when he jumped off the roof.

)0(

After closing up the bar at three thirty in the morning, Jessika nearly collapsed face down onto her couch, not even bothering to strip out of her jeans. It had been a rough couple of nights. For whatever reason, there had been so many people coming to drink and watch sports and socialize. She had been run off her feet. Jessie reached into her back pocket, pulling her phone out as Miguel and Tulio hopped up on the bed for the night. The screen showed that she had no missed calls or texts.

That was strange. Steve had said it was a simple mission, and would probably be done with overnight. That was four days ago. If he were going to be longer than the expected time, he would usually text her, letting her know that he was ok and just working, not dead.

It's not like he's your boyfriend or anything... She thought to herself. He doesn't have to let you know what he's doing all times all day long.

Maybe not, but he's my best friend. It would just be nice to know he's alright. Maybe he got caught up in a place where he can't get to his phone, or doesn't have service...or something. With a groan, she rolled over and peeled her pants off while still laying down. Reaching for the coffee table, she turned on the T.V. and started flipping through the channels.

Kid shows, war movies, black and white westerns, Fox News (lies, lies and more lies)… "Isn't there anything good on? Hell, I'd settle for Adult Swim at this point," she muttered to no one in particular. Clicking a few more times, an image made her stop.

Man Shot in Apartment, Captain America Chases Down Suspect, Destroys Office Building.

She sat shock still. That was Steve's apartment building. Someone died.

Without even turning off the television, she yanked her pants back on, pulled on her boots and grabbed her coat as she ran out the door.

)0(

It had been easy enough to get a cab to the street of the apartment building. Less easy was getting past the police tape. She stood there for fifteen minutes trying to convince the officer that she was just trying to make sure her friend was ok and that she wasn't some crazy fangirl. She showed him her ID, she showed him her contact for Steve, his number and the picture she had taken as his caller ID, showed him the texts that they sent back and forth.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, I can't let unauthorized personnel into the building. I don't care if you have a friend named Steve that you put that picture to and he just happens to live here."

"How many times do I have to tell you this?! I am not just some random person! I am worried about my goddamn friend and if you don't let me in there to make sure he's ok, I swear to God I'm gonna fucking report you!"

The man held a hand out with the other on his gun, about to tell her to step back, when a voice from behind him yelled, "Officer McMichaels! Just what do you think you're doing?"

The two of them turned to see a blonde haired woman striding towards them. "She was trying to get into the building, Agent. Said she's a friend of the Captain. I was just telling her to back up. Our orders were not to let anyone in."

"Yes, but she's not just anyone. This is Jessika Wardell. She's on the list of people that is to be given clearance for any and all things pertaining to Captain Rogers. Come on through, Miss Wardell." She finished, holding the tape up for her to pass.

"Kate? I...I thought you were a nurse?" Jessika stared at her, wide eyed, looking over the suit that the other woman wore.

"Undercover. SHEILD assigned me to watch him. My name is actually Sharon. Captain Rogers isn't here, by the way. He's at the hospital."

"Is he ok?! I saw the news, that someone had been shot." The dark haired woman had to jog to keep up with the longer legged agent. "Please, tell me he's ok!"

"He's fine. It was Director Fury who was shot, they are performing emergency surgery on him as we speak. Rogers didn't know that I was SHEILD either, so don't worry. He wasn't all that happy with me when he found out. Now, listen to me," Kate...Sharon stopped in the hallway just outside Steve's apartment. "We don't know who it was that attacked him and Fury. All we know is that he's still out there. You need to be extra careful. Whoever this person is, it's very possible that he could come after you too. Ok?" She waited until Jessika had nodded. "Good. Look, there's no telling how long it will be until this guy is caught. I think it would be best if you stayed in New York with Tony Stark until all of this is cleaned up."

The younger woman thought about it for a moment. "You said you don't know how long it will be until everything's safe again, right? Well, you listen here, Miss Thing, I've got a business to run. And I can't very well do that if I'm locked up in a tower like some fucking princess. My customers would riot. You find help Steve find this bastard."

"Of course."

"Oh, and if you don't mind, tell his dumb ass to call me or text me, or something. I've been going crazy the last couple of days not knowing if he was ok."

"I'll tell him. And, Jessika...be careful. Don't trust anyone."

"Thank you, Agent...Sharon."

)0(

The call never came. Jessika watched the news for any sign that something else had happened. Nothing. Not even any chatter about the mysterious man who attacked Steve and killed Director Fury. Days passed, and no one told her anything. She had even tried contacting Sharon, but was only told that she was busy. Not even Tony could find out what was going on, with all his technological genius. Whatever was going on was seriously underground. So, Monday morning came around, and Jessika was, for some reason, drawn to the mall. She didn't usually frequent it, simply because there was nothing there she could ever afford before. But, something in her gut told her that it was where she needed to be. Besides, who knew what kind of stuff she'd find at the Barnes & Noble there.

It was actually pretty nice. Bustling as it was, even on a Monday, there were plenty of young people. Some of them probably should have been in school and were playing hooky. Jessika smiled, remembering being in high school, going to the park and hanging out with her stoner friends that did that on a regular basis. Strolling through the crowd, her attention was caught by a particularly beautiful painting (or a reprint of one anyway) that depicted a green fairy surrounded by small woodland animals as she supported the head of a blonde haired knight. He looked like he was in pain, but she held a hand over his wound, healing him. Her mouth turned up in a small smile at the irony of the picture. Still, it was very beautiful, so she bought it. It would be something to make the apartment more her.

Happy with her find, Jessika started back down to the first level. On the way down, her eyes fell on someone that she didn't think she would ever see in a mall, let alone in their gear. Brock Rumlow was coming up the escalator, and he looked like he was on a mission. Sharon's warning came back to her as he got closer and closer. The look in his eye was one of someone who was out for blood. In a quick attempt to keep him from seeing her, she put her phone to her ear and started talking into it as if to a real person, then bent her head like she was searching through her bag, letting her hair fall over her face.

"Yeah, I know Lyla, but I can't get out of it. Boss-man is pushing us to the breaking point the last few weeks." She stopped, as if listening to a response. "Of course, I wish I could be there. But, there will be other parties. Lord knows you throw enough of them that I won't miss much. Maybe next time." From her spot, as Rumlow passed her, she heard him talking into his comms.

"Work your way back. Check every store if you have to, just find him. Rogers can't have gone far."

Rogers?! Why are they looking for Steve? Shouldn't they be hunting down the man who shot Fury? She made it down to the first floor safely and without being seen. Once she was, she started walking, making her way to where she had come into the building. Somewhere behind her, she heard someone laughing...she knew that laugh. Jessika spun in a circle, looking around for the source of the sound. It wasn't until she turned back around, thinking that myabe she had imagined it, that she saw him. Passing right by her with his arm around some pretty redhead in a hoodie. He looked strange in glasses and a baseball cap. Despite the smile on his face, she could see the way the man's eyes darted around.

"Steve?" She said to his back as he kept walking. She almost jumped when his head turned nearly imperceptibly towards the sound of her voice. "Steve." She said a little louder. He said something to the red-head, who turned her head just enough to see Jessika in her peripheral vision, then seemingly tightened her arm around his waist, hand fisting the material of his shirt and their pace quickened. "Steve!" Jessika tried to catch up with them, but was blocked by a mother and her gaggle of homeschooled children. When they finally passed, the two were nowhere in sight. She continued the way she had seen them going, which led her out the same door that she had been heading to. Once outside, her head moved back and forth fast enough to give a person whiplash. Off to the right, a big black truck roared to life and screeched past her. Very clearly in the driver seat, was Steve.

)0(

"Nat, you should have let me talk to her!"

"No, Steve, we can't afford to stop and chat. Besides, her being seen with you, even for a moment would make her target number one for the Winter Soldier."

"She probably thinks I'm dead or something..." Steve mused.

"I doubt it. Jessika is a big girl, she'll be fine until we figure out how to stop him. For now, focus on the mission."

)0(

The news over the next couple of days was horrible. Jessie had been lounging around the house, tired from the night before, head still reeling from Steve completely ignoring her, when the first footage of the fight at the bridge came on air. There he was, in civilian clothing, fighting a man in black clothes, long, dark hair, and...and a metal arm... She turned the sound up, listening to the dialogue about the mini-battle. Miguel and Tulio watched the screen just as attentively as she did, the dog barking everytime gunfire was heard or an explosion turned the scene orange and black with fire and smoke. The same red-headed woman she had seen at the mall was firing at the man fighting Steve, and the men on the bridge that seemed to be their enemies. Suddenly, another man came flying in on what appeared to be mechanical wings. Jessika clenched her hands to her mouth to keep herself from crying out every time her friend was hit.

The fight ended with a final explosion, then the three of them were surrounded by men in black tactical outfits...SHEILD strike team. What the hell was happening? Why were they arresting Steve? Eventually, the footage ended, just replaying in loops as the news anchor tried to understand what had just happened as well. Jessika swiped up her phone and speed dialed the Captain's number. It rang out, then went to voicemail.

"You've reached Steve Rogers. I'm unable to come to the phone right now. Please, leave a detailed message, including your name, number, and the reason why you called. Have a good day." Beeeeep.

"Steve, it's Jessika again. I need you to call me back as soon as you get this. Please, I need to know that you're alright. I just saw the news. What's going on, Steve?! Call me." With a gulp, she ended the call, then leaned her head against the hand holding the phone.

)0(

"Steve, it's Jessika again. I need you to call me back as soon as you get this. Please, I need to know that you're alright. I just saw the news. What's going on, Steve?! Call me." Beeeep

The soldier rested his head in his hands. That was the tenth message she had left him, not including the multitude of texts, and he still couldn't talk to her. It was too dangerous. Sighing, he stared down at his phone, special Stark Tech that couldn't be traced by anyone except Tony. Surely Stark had told her where he was by now? He wanted to talk to her, let her know he was ok and that he would be by to see her as soon as he possibly could. For a moment, he contemplated it, before moving to unlock the screen and go into his contacts. Just before he was able to tap the little green button, the device was swiped from his hand.

"What the hell?!" He exclaimed, standing toe to toe with the Widow.

"You're not calling her." She said plainly. "She's in enough danger as it is. Pierce already knows you spend a lot of time with her. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't already sent someone to deal with her. There's not a doubt in my mind that they are watching her right now, tapping her phone to see if she can contact you. I bet they figure that if she can get in touch with you, they can use her to draw you out. Do you really want to do that to her?"

"Of course not." He growled.

"Good. Then I'm gonna hang onto this until this is all cleared up," she told him, waving the phone in her hand. "Now, we need to suit up. Come on."

)0(

Two days later, and the news was even more grim than Captain America getting into a scrap in the middle of the city...much worse. At the moment, there were three huge helecarriers hovering over Washington D.C., rising higher and higher with every passing moment. Jessika had been on her way back from the store when she saw them. Even from that distance, she saw when the explosions, then the guns when they suddenly activated and started pointing themselves at the people down below. She stood, in the middle of the street, gripping her groceries hard, gasping for breath as one of the guns was turning to face her general direction. People were going to die...and it was very possible that she was about to be one of them. But, she couldn't move, couldn't run. She knew that it probably wouldn't help any. Tears made their way down her cheeks, along with those of the men and women and children all around her who knew that something bad was happening.

It was a tense ten minutes for everyone.

Suddenly, there from what she could see, the guns turned. Not to some other place on the surface of the earth, but on each other...and opened fire. Pieces started falling off. Jessika tried not to think about the fact that some of that debris was probably people as well as she watched on. Then, they were falling too. Even being a few miles away, she could feel the shockwave from the impact of the hulking metal aircrafts on the ground. People started cheering, hugging one another. One lady even tried to embrace her as she was jumping for joy. But, Jessika couldn't be happy. There was a very real chance that Steve had been on one of those things...who else could bring down something like that? What if he was hurt? Or worse?

Knowing that there was nothing she could do, she trudged back to the apartment, hoping against hope that he was safe. Once inside, she went to her computer to do some inventory work, worrying the whole time that she would never see her best friend again. Eventually she gave up trying to organize things, and just thumped her head against the table. Beside her, her cell phone beeped. It was a text message from one of her few friends, a guy she'd met in high school who had turned into a conspiracy theorist. A nut job, her grandfather would have called him. But, knowing Steve and the Avengers, and knowing what they did, she had no doubt that he was sometimes right about some of the things he told her about.

Have you seen this?! The next message was a link to some nutball page. She knew because this was not the first time he'd sent her things like this. Usually it was nothing, but she humored him anyway.

No, what is it?-JW

Someone in SHEILD just dumped all their secrets onto the internet! Some of it's encrypted, but you HAVE to see this! Don't ask, just read it.

With a shrug, she typed the link into the browser on her computer, because she'd rather read something that was probably lengthy on a bigger screen than her phone. Once it came up, she couldn't stop reading. There were all kinds of things about personnel, mission reports, secret files that should never see the light of day and would probably be turned into something really bad if they fell into the wrong hands. There was one file in particular that made her stop. Right there, in little black letters with a tiny file image next to it, was her name.

"Shit," she breathed. With the few hacking skills she had, she managed to extract the file and erase it from the internet. Of course, it wasn't really erased, just wiped as well as she could to make it a zillion times harder to find. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, threatening to burst through her ribcage. Pop had done his best to keep the information she knew was in that file from anyone. How SHEILD had gotten their hands on it, she didn't know. Though, she wasn't surprised. She had seen the men and women that came into the bar, the ones that seemed to have far too much interest in her. They weren't the only ones. She had noticed the people that seemed to follow her wherever she went. Once she knew that they didn't intend to harm her, she went on her way and ignored them. They were just surveillance.

No one needed to see that file...ever.

)0(

A/N: Dun dun duuuun! Ut-oh? What is on that file that she doesn't want anyone to see? What secrets does she hide? Find out next chapter.

Read and review, my dears. Comments are much appreciated.

AcaciaDawn105