Author's note: Holy double update, Batman! (okay, wrong universe for this story…but you get the idea…)
Aftermath
Chapter 8
The beginning of the road trip, as it was, was slightly tense. Sharon started out behind the wheel and Steve was too quiet. However, turning on the radio proved fruitless to break the silence. Every station they landed on was reporting the upcoming event of Captain America surrendering himself in Washington DC. Yes, Steve wanted the word to get out, but he wasn't prepared for the amount of people weighing in on the subject. Even the stations that were known for playing music all day were taking a break and giving their opinions on the matter. It only took a short while of all of that before Sharon attached her mp3 player and they listened to her music instead.
They'd stopped for a short dinner break at the Michigan/Ohio border. It was a very brief because Steve's (usual) choice of disguise wasn't all that discreet and Sharon didn't want to attract any unnecessary attention.
Steve had taken over driving after their dinner and Sharon continued to search the internet for news on what was going to take place in a couple of days. All of the major news providers were giving their own take on the subject as well.
"You're everywhere, Rogers," Sharon sighed.
"What's the general consensus?" he asked.
"Do you really want to know?" she responded.
He laughed; he couldn't help it. "That bad, huh?"
"Actually, no. It's about sixty-forty, really. Most people are on your side, despite the initial support of the Accords. They would rather have you and the other Avengers breaking rules occasionally instead of no protection at all. And some people think this is a publicity stunt – probably because Tony Stark leaked the news," she said.
"Really?" Steve asked.
"Yes, some people are really on our side; supportive of the cause. The other side is calling for your head mounted on a pike. And mine, too."
"Well, they'll have to settle for mine alone," Steve said.
They were only a couple of hours behind on the trip to Washington DC. Sharon expected a call or message from Tony at any time, letting her know of the specifics. However, she'd gleaned a lot of the information from the internet already.
"Well, if they want mine, too…"
"They can't have it," Steve said, still facing the road ahead. "They'll have to get through me first."
"You know I'm essentially unemployable, so maybe they could lock us up together," Sharon laughed.
"You don't think your godfather would hire you in a heartbeat?"
"Nope. I'm too unpredictable. And as unpredictable as he is – he hates it in other people. That's why you wounded him – he was surprised as hell that you did what you did," Sharon explained.
"You're very wise."
"I just know Tony Stark. He and I grew up together," she laughed and made Steve laugh, too. "I've seen parts of him, his vulnerable side that he usually keeps to himself. I think the two of you surprised each other."
"I've come to expect the unexpected from a Stark. I never would have thought Howard would have settled down long enough to get married and have a kid. Did you meet them?" Steve suddenly asked.
"I have a couple memories of Howard and Maria at some holidays but I'm not sure if they're real or from the photo albums," Sharon said. "I was five when – you know – and I was just old enough to remember going to the funeral with Aunt Peggy and sitting between her and Tony at the church," she finished.
"I never…wanted to have to choose between Bucky and Tony," Steve said suddenly.
"I know. It's unfortunate that it came down to that. And I know Tony wishes it hadn't happened this way."
"I don't know we'll ever be able to repair the trust," Steve said.
Sharon shrugged. "I wouldn't worry about that, well, not too much. It seems like Tony wasted no time in helping out with your request."
"I'm glad that you talked to him and not me."
"Would he be the one person who could change your mind, perhaps?" Sharon asked.
"It's a real possibility," he nodded.
"I don't believe that."
"Tony is a good man…just like Howard was."
"Like you, too," Sharon replied. "I count myself lucky to know a group of individuals like you, Tony, Clint – sometimes Nat," Sharon laughed.
"She is like the letter Y," Steve agreed.
"Yes, but deep down, everything she does is for the same reason you do things," Sharon said. "Because she feels its right."
"Did you know her when…?"
"When she wasn't on our side? Yeah. I had a run in with her early on. I think that's why we ended up as friends. We both tried to shoot each other. We were able to overcome that."
"Tony and I did a lot more than just try to shoot each other, Sharon," Steve said.
"Well, I'm not going to argue with you on this for the remainder of this trip, which I figure is at least another seven hours. I'm just saying that Tony isn't good at apologies in the traditional sense and this thing – this might really be his olive branch."
"His olive branches…" Steve said, thinking back to the box set of pens that Tony had brought out when they were in Berlin.
"I'm with you – remember that. I love Tony, too. But I'm with you."
He took her hand in his and laced his fingers through hers. He needed the connection. Sharon had given him a lot to think about – things he had never really asked about previously.
…
Cathy Samuels grinned madly as she watched the news on the television. All the major networks were covering the upcoming event in Washington DC. Stark had leaked, intentionally, the whole news to the world and now everyone would know the details of the upcoming event.
It was Saturday afternoon and Cathy was impatiently waiting for Monday. She knew Sharon Carter and Steve Rogers were on their way because Sharon had dropped off the remaining groceries from her cottage. Once she'd seen them drive off down the road, she'd gone over and peered in the windows of the cottage and sure enough, it was packed up all neat and tidy.
Gary had tried to make a ruckus when Sharon was at the door, but Cathy had quickly stuck him with a paralyzing agent from a syringe into his carotid artery. He'd been out for a long time now.
Cathy was now just biding her time until Trevor and the LMD version of Gary had the change to fulfill their mission. And that mission was essentially the same as it had been before – kill Captain America and bring forth Hydra once more. This would be for every Hydra agent he'd felled and certainly for Brock Rumlow, her precious grandson.
Originally the plan had only been to take down Captain America, but Cathy had quickly realized that Tony Stark as well as many other of the Avengers would be there as well. And despite the presumable heavy guard, they would be sitting ducks.
Cathy alerted Trevor and told him to take them all out – or as many as he could. Hydra would reward him handsomely.
Whatever remaining Avengers would be too distraught to go on, and Hydra would flourish once more. The potential for world domination was there, it was ripe for the taking.
Cathy heard Gary beginning to stir once more in the back bedroom. She felt as though he would need to hear the plan so he could feel helpless to stop it. She laughed to herself as she went back to the room to talk to him.
And for the time being, Trevor was positioned in waiting. He and the LMD of his grandfather were staying in a hotel near the site that Captain America would he turning himself in.
In less than 48 hours, he was to become a founding member of the new Hydra. He would have single-handedly brought down Captain America. He was doing it all for his family – especially his grandmother and his now-deceased cousin, Brock. He was proud to be chosen and anxious that he'd been put in this position.
…
The motel that Sharon and Steve found to stop at reminded Sharon of the Bates Motel and despite being a seasoned agent, she was still wary to rent the room. She'd gone in alone to procure the key and sign the necessary paperwork while Steve tried to look as casual as possible while wearing his sunglasses at night. Sharon had tried to make him feel better by playing him the Corey Hart song, but she was the only one to find it funny.
The motel room, once they were inside, wasn't anything spectacular, but it would do for the night. Sharon relaxed slightly as she was nowhere near the office and for the fact that she wasn't staying alone.
"Are you all right?" Steve asked. "I mean, I know this trip hasn't been that great, but…"
Sharon forced a smile. "I'm just reverting back to my ten year old self who stupidly watched Psycho with her godfather."
"Your mother probably wasn't so happy about that."
"My mother didn't care. It was Aunt Peggy that was pissed at Tony," Sharon smiled.
"I'd imagine that wasn't pleasant."
"It was like the time she decided to test the strength of your shield, Steve."
He arched an eyebrow, slightly. "She told you about that?"
"Are you kidding? The Aunt Peggy shot at Captain America story is my favorite of all of them," Sharon replied before yawning.
"We should get some sleep so we can get up early and go tomorrow."
"You won't make an early riser out of me, Steve. No matter what. SHIELD couldn't do it, the CIA couldn't either. I'm destined to sleep in," she said.
"I think I got too much sleep," Steve replied.
"I could understand that."
Sharon began to unbutton her jeans and Steve watched intently.
"You're just going to watch me get undressed?" Sharon said.
"It is one of the best parts," he replied. "And it's probably for the best if my hands and I stay across the room," Steve smiled.
Sharon kicked off her jeans and walked to him. "Nope. That's a terrible idea, Captain."
She drew him down into a kiss and Steve's hands moved to the hem of the shirt she was still wearing. They broke apart long enough so he could pull it off over her head and toss it away.
Sharon was helping Steve remove his pants at the same time as a loud, musical ringtone started to play from the pile of fabric at his feet.
"That's Tony," Steve said.
"Is that AC/DC?" Sharon laughed.
"Yeah, I figured…I figured I'd recognize it anywhere," Steve said. "I need…"
Sharon sighed and reached down to pick up the phone from the floor where it had fallen from Steve's pocket.
"Go ahead," she sighed.
She handed him the phone and stepped towards the bathroom. "I'll be in the shower when you're done," she said.
Steve Rogers watched Sharon's nearly naked form walk towards the door to the bathroom, while unhooking her bra. Without looking behind her, she dropped it on the floor and stepped into the bathroom. She closed the door with a soft click. He then took a deep breath while sitting down on the edge of the bed. He answered the call while he finished removing his jeans from around his ankles.
"Tony," Steve said.
"Rogers," Tony replied gruffly. "I can count on the fact that you're taking care of my goddaughter, correct? She's safe?"
"Of course," Steve replied.
"And you – you're all right?"
"I appreciate what you've done, Tony."
"You know this could be a huge set up. You really shouldn't be so trusting, Rogers. Especially of a man who you were fighting with a few weeks ago."
"Well, Mr. Stark," Steve started. "I know I can trust you. I don't have to think about it."
Tony sighed. "Why now?" he asked. "Why, after all of that, now you're just giving up and turning yourself in?" he finished.
"I don't consider it giving up. This is the right call for this matter," Steve said. "Like what I did before was the right call, then."
"Do you have any idea of what they want to do with you?" Tony asked.
"I have a few ideas," Steve replied.
He heard the shower turn on in the room next door and Steve stared at the door like he could see through it.
"I've got Secretary Ross spamming me with calls since I shared your plan."
"And what does he want?" Steve asked.
"He wants you to sign the Accords. And make a lot of agreements to work for him. And I think he saw you as their personal poster boy for a while," Tony remarked.
"I've done that route before and I didn't care for it," Steve said. "And I still don't agree with the Accords. How are you holding up?" he asked, changing the subject.
Tony was silent for a full minute; Steve simply waited.
"You finally showed your dark side, Cap," Tony said, referencing their conversation on Clint's farm a couple of years ago.
"You said you didn't trust a guy without one," Steve replied.
"Yep," Tony replied. "Okay, well I need to get going; I have a…thing. You or Sharon message me when you've made it to town. I've got a hotel booked for you both and you will be able to relax in peace for a bit when you get here," Tony said.
"Of course. Thank you."
"Give Sharon my best," he told Steve.
"Absolutely."
"Okay, well, see you tomorrow, I guess."
"Thanks again, Tony."
Both men ended the call and Steve sat in his boxers on the bed for a moment while he replayed the conversation in his mind. Tony was keeping secrets again – as was he – but something about Tony felt different this time. However, Steve wasn't going to spend too much time thinking on it this time. Instead, he dropped the phone on the bed, removed his boxers and shirt and moved into the bathroom to join Sharon in the shower. Everything else would wait.
…
A/N: Y;all know the drill – leave me a comment! Much thanks for reading!
