All the message told them to do was to follow the coordinates, which meant walking over the bracken landscape for hours, under the torturous heat of the sun. The suits prevented them from getting burns or overheated on the flesh they covered, though their faces had to be covered with hats, sunglasses, and layers of sunscreen. However, the girls still insisted that their suits were too hot and rolled the tops down to try and cool their necks. As night began to fall, so did the temperature, and the five were forced to set up the tents in their backpacks and sleep.

"We only have three tents." Bucky announced. He and Rickon hadn't been given any, instead carrying an extra load of powered food and water bottles.

"Who wants to sleep alone?" Rickon grinned menacingly at Kaitlyn, who sighed with her nose upturned. Ever since her obvious letdown that Bucky was a loyal boyfriend, she hadn't taken a liking to any of the group. "Then it's settled. Me and Ben, Bucky and Iris, and Kaitlyn. Simple."

Ben opened his mouth as if to disagree, but was set down by a glare from both Iris and Kaitlyn. His request was probably to have the two girls bunk and leave Bucky on his own, and none of the party in question were going to pleased with that.

"It's okay. I've got it." Bucky whispered, setting up their tent in silence. She nodded, turning back to attend the small fire they'd built. Boiling was two packets of dried food with some water mixed in. It was easier to do the morning's breakfast the night before so they could just reheat and eat, even missing out the first part if needed.

The desert was quiet. The scratching's and squeaking's of it's residents were oblivion compared to the endless murmurs of HYDRA, or the clattering of the cities. In the other two tents Kaitlyn could be heard snoring, while Ben and Rickon fought quietly over space, only to fall asleep at the same time. By the time the moon was fully risen, it was only her and Bucky awake, lying back to back with tense shoulders.

"You never told me Ben still worked for SHIELD."

"I didn't really know. I thought that after the war he would have gone into hiding like a good agent. I thought Tilly's death had taught him enough to at least try and run."

She knew what he actually wanted to say, and so forced herself to stay awake, waiting for him to break.

"When did I become your boyfriend? It's not that I don't want to be, it's just that I would have liked to know before the rest of our team."

The answer had been nagging at her all day. Was it because they'd kissed? Because it seemed to fit? Because she just automatically assumed?

"You became my boyfriend the second I gave up everything to find you. You don't really have a choice in the matter." She decided on, letting herself relax as another yawn captivated her tongue. Bucky chuckled, rolling over so his body was pressed against hers, head on her shoulder.

"I wouldn't have chosen any differently anyway." He whispered, kissing her neck gently. With a quiet groan, she rolled over so her head was pressed against his stomach, his heart beat flowing over the amplified noises of the desert. Just before the gentle rhythm lulled her to sleep, he whispered four words, the vibrations echoing against her cheek.

"I love you Iris."

She tried to say it back, but her tongue was heavy and her eyes tired and she wasn't sure that he'd heard it.

The first thing she felt when she woke up was the pressure of his lips against her head, arms holding the two of them in place.

"So...did you two fuck?"

Of all the things Iris was expecting Rickon to say while they scanned the west side of the land they'd camped in, that was one she wasn't ready for.

"I...no...er...what, why...I...STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT! WE DID NOT FUCK!"

Her voice echoed slightly in the small dip they'd resided in, causing her brother to look up from the fire, obviously startled.

"Jeez, okay. I just thought, one night totally alone together, pent up desire, etc, etc. We wouldn't have minded! Wait, was it the lack of condoms? Because you could have always asked Kaitlyn- she always has some just in case she-"

"Did anyone ever tell you that you say way too much?" She snarled through clasped teeth. Rickon looked at her in surprise.

"It's the reason I didn't get accepted into Operations. If I was ever captured and tortured for information, I'd either spill or take the pill."

This made her release her jaw from its tight clench. "What pill?"

Rickon shrugged, tapping one of his teeth. "A HYDRA technique. A few of us got them implanted- it's not SHIELD nesassary though! Actually, it's kind of SHIELD illegal, so if you'd mind-"

"Who else has them?"

At this question the man's eyes dropped. He must have been barely a year younger than her, but it that moment he looked about ten years old and four foot tall.

"Just some of my mates. One of them was bragging about it, so we got them as well, because there'd been a lot of capturing going on in the missions of our friends. We didn't know that it was HYDRA until..."

In a small act of compassion, Iris wrapped one arm around him in an awkward hug, patting his right shoulder carefully. "It's okay. We're going to get them all, and leave their stupid heads hanging."

The best way to destroy HYDRA, Iris realised, was to not. To preserve them, lock them in their own bases. The head would be intact, but silenced. No blades, no bullets, no SHIELD.

For a few seconds, the band of five seemed invincible in her head. HYDRA was nothing to them- they'd survived war, torture, discovery, Alfred, loss, death (repeatedly) and even Natasha fucking Romanov.

Unfortunately the most invincible things are always the easiest to break.

Author's Note

PLOOOOOOOOT!

Next Chapter- Snap

"Wakey wakey sunshine."