A Super Soldier for the Modern World

Chapter 25

Captain Steve Rogers was a caged animal as they flew from California to New York. A six hour flight with the news about mission was absolutely the worst thing he could think of.

He'd been in such an amazing mood as he boarded the plane. He'd been eager to get onto another mission as well as to get home to Amanda.

But now he was angry and everything was fuzzy.

Steve looked at his watch. Forty five minutes left. That was forty five minutes in which he had to figure out a plan to take down the Red Skull.

The briefing sent to him by Nick Fury didn't actually say much. But what it did say was that they had reports that Johann Schmidt, also known as the Red Skull, was actually alive. And Steve, Amanda and Phil Coulson and Company would be leading the SHIELD team to take him down.

Steve took a deep breath and tried to calm down. There was nothing that he could do from the plane. But he sure as hell was going to be ready when he finally landed. And if the Red Skull really was around, well, he'd just better know how much anger is coming his way.

\/\/\/\/

"Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to have Captain America on the bus, but we don't have the space," Ward told Coulson.

Coulson seemed unaffected. "We'll make room."

"Bunks are full, sir…"

"The couch pulls out," Coulson replied.

"We have both Cap and Agent 13coming with us. And you want to put them on a sofa bed?" Ward asked.

"Who's coming aboard?" Skye asked as she joined the two men.

"Captain America…"

"Rogers. Captain Rogers," Coulson corrected him.

Skye's jaw dropped. "What?" she said, immediately panicking. "The real Captain America?"

"We're picking up Captain America?" Simmons asked as she joined them with Fitz.

Ward tried not to roll his eyes while the two females present squeaked to one another about Cap's attractiveness.

"Do you think he'd let me run some tests?" Simmons asked. "It would be incredible if we could crack the serum."

"It had to be pretty good if he was frozen in ice for 70 years and thawed out and he was fine," Skye said. "And he is fine."

"The serum hasn't been able to replicated by anyone since Captain Rogers," Simmons said.

Skye looked confused.

"Doctor Abraham Erskine was shot and killed only moments after completing the experiment," Fitz told her.

"Please refrain from using the word 'experiment' when describing Captain Rogers. He doesn't really appreciate it, but he'll be too nice to say so," a woman's voice said from behind them. "Fortunately for him, I'm never described as too nice."

Amanda Carter had made an incredibly quick trip home and packed faster than she ever had. She had two bags with her: one full of her things and another with some clean clothes for Steve along with his suit. She knew he'd only taken his shield with him. However, she suspected that he'd go after the Red Skull without his suit

Her own suit was packed, as well, but it was pushed to the bottom of her bag. She'd been given a new clean one, still in bright white, but she was a bit nervous to wear it. However, she'd put it on when she had to.

"Agent 13," Coulson said in greeting.

All eyes turned in her direction and these folks didn't look at her like she was dead. They must have had a lot of practice after working with Coulson for a while.

"Good afternoon, everyone and Agent Coulson," Amanda said to them. Everyone was there, with the exception of Melinda May and of course, Steve. His flight was due in 20 minutes.

Agent Ward stepped forward and smiled.

"Agent Carter, I can take those bags for you," he told her, extending his arms to do the gentlemanly thing.

"I'm fine," Amanda answered simply. "I'm Amanda Carter, also known as Agent 13," she introduced herself to the group. She knew who everyone was, but she thought it would be slightly more polite if she took the time to introduce herself.

"I'm Skye," she said, extending her hand to shake Amanda's hand. "It's really great to meet you."

Amanda looked at the girl and tried to read her. It took simply a second. "You have no idea who I am, do you?" Amanda asked. She wasn't trying to be rude. She was just asking.

"Well…" Skye trailed off, looking uncharacteristically sheepish.

"Don't worry," Amanda smiled. "I'm just joking."

Skye laughed nervously and moved away. Amanda was then introduced to both Leo Fitz and Jemma Simmons.

"Amanda, I'll show you to your room," Coulson said, interrupting the introductions.

"Are you sure you don't want some help carrying your bags? It's no trouble," Ward said.

"Thanks, Phil," Amanda said. "Thank you for your offer, Agent Ward, but I'll be all right."

She smiled in a friendly manner and followed Coulson away.

"Don't tell anyone I've got this room socked away," he laughed once he let Amanda in.

She said nothing and Coulson laughed again.

"Just kidding. I don't want to assume, but will one room be all right for you and Captain Rogers?" he asked.

Amanda put her bags down on the double bed and surveyed the room. It was nothing too fancy, but that really didn't matter. They weren't really here for a relaxing vacation.

"It's more than enough. Thanks, Phil," she smiled. "Thanks for having us; not that you had much of a choice…"

"The more, the merrier. Besides, I'm please to be able to fight against the Red Skull," Coulson told her.

"Have you told your crew?"

"Ward and May," he replied. "Have you talked to Captain Rogers since he's found out?"

"I haven't been in communication with him since I found out myself. Although, I suspect I know how he's reacted…"

"I think we can all assume how he reacted," Coulson said. "How are you doing? Any side effects from the formula?"

Amanda smiled. "None that I've noticed. Well, actually, I nicked myself when I shave my legs the other day and the cut was gone in a couple of hours."

"Well, that's helpful."

There was an audible gasp from a distance away.

"Steve must be here," Amanda said.

Down below, back on the loading ramp, Steve was walking towards the group of young SHIELD agents who were still discussing Agent 13.

One of the two young women gasped at the sight of him. Steve shook his head amusedly. He wished that would stop.

He was carrying his shield and the one bag. He hadn't taken his suit and hoped that Amanda had grabbed one for him.

Steve's attitude improved now that he was removed from the jet and a step closer to Amanda and finding the Red Skull.

A man, about his own age, stepped forward. Grant Ward. Steve had done his research.

"Captain Rogers, it is very nice to actually meet you," Ward said as he extended his hand to Steve.

Steve nodded and shook the other man's hand.

"You're Agent Ward, correct?" Steve asked politely.

Ward nodded. "I am. How did you…"

"Everyone seems to know who I am before I walk into the room. I try to make sure I know people as well," Steve said, smiling.

It was an insanely logical statement. Being a living legend had its pros and cons.

"Well, welcome aboard, Captain," Ward said as he led Steve further onto the plane and the others assembled.

He took turns shaking hands with all of them and really wished that their civilian recruit would stop staring at him like that.

However, he didn't even hear the question that Skye had asked when he locked eyes with Amanda who was a short distance behind her.

"Well, it's about time, Captain Rogers," Amanda said with a smirk on her face.

"I could only get here as fast as the plane could fly," he replied. "Agent Carter," he said as he returned the smirk.

He tried to take in what she was wearing without ogling her too much and he was certain that it wasn't being accomplished. She had on a dark olive green skirt and black button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. He dark hair was done up in a knot on the top of her head. She looked beautiful. He couldn't stop looking at her.

Coulson followed Amanda out and was partially oblivious to the reunion between Steve and Amanda.

"Captain Rogers, welcome to our air bus. Not as roomy as the helicarrier, but she does okay for us."

Steve shook Coulson's hand.

"I wish the circumstances were more pleasant, however," Steve said.

"Well, we're at your disposal," Coulson told him.

"Cap, why don't you follow me and I'll show you your accommodations?" Then once we're up and running, we can reconvene and go over the specifics of this particular mission."

"Sounds good, 13," Steve said in his official voice.

"Wheels up in two minutes," came Melinda May's voice from over the loud speaker.

Steve picked up his shield from the ground where he'd leaned it and followed Amanda.

"I trust your flight was pleasant," Amanda said to him as she led him back to their room.

"Well, I've had better. And worse, for that matter…" he trailed off.

Amanda opened the door and walked in. Steve was behind her and closed the door hard behind himself.

Before he could utter another word, Amanda was up against him. He pressed his mouth to hers and he spun them around so that she was between him and the door.

Both of them felt the air bus taking off, but they made no movements to make sure they were safely attached to anything.

"I missed you something awful," he said, pulling away from her for a second.

"I missed you, too," she breathed.

His hand traced down her side and over her hip. "I like this skirt."

"I thought you might."

"I'm sorry that we have to go hunt the Red Skull instead of go on a honeymoon," he said suddenly and very seriously.

"I suppose that's what happens when you elope," she replied. "I'll take an IOU."

"Don't go getting shot again, then."

"Deal," she laughed before kissing him again.

"I love you, Mrs. Rogers," he whispered in her ear before returning his lips to hers.

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Author's note: well, there it was…let me know what you think!