Riding Out the Day's Events
Chapter 36- Sweet Emotion
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Bruce receives a phone call from an old friend. The Avengers go into battle against Hydra again at an Army base near Culver University.
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In the lab, Darcy and Bucky were following Bruce's lead in yoga. Darcy was jealous of how quickly Bucky picked up nuances of different positions, but understood that at least part of that was serum-related. She wasn't at all clear on the various serums her friends had pumping through their veins, but knew that Bucky's gave him greater strength, durability, and agility. She had the impression it hadn't made him larger, though. She hoped that since Bucky didn't have to work as hard as she did to learn poses, he would begin to reap positive mental rewards from yoga sooner. He pushed himself hard, but seemed to enjoy the exercises… though far less serenely than Bruce. Moments into a series of poses, Bruce exuded peace and serenity. After several poses, Bucky pulled off his t-shirt and used it to wipe his face.
Darcy rolled her eyes. "I must have done something right in my last life, to be surrounded by so many amazingly-cut guys in this one!" She frowned, wishing for alone time with Steve and hoping (vainly, she was sure) that he would be in a better mood as the day wound down. She also frowned at the inconvenience of 'Aunt Flow,' her unwelcome visitor who would be around for at least another couple of days, and put a crimp in any sexy times that might improve Steve's mood.
Bruce huffed a laugh. Bucky drawled and winked at her. "Aw, thanks, Doll! Most people get stuck on the arm, and miss out on all of this."
Darcy laughed. They continued for a long session. It helped settle her feelings quite a bit.
As they were cooling down and beginning stretches, Sharon Carter entered the room and stopped dead in her tracks. She forced a smile. "I wondered if you'd like to join me for a late lunch, Sergeant. JARVIS told me I could find you here…" Her gaze skimmed over Bucky's body hungrily.
Bucky smirked up at her from his mat. "I'd join ya, Sweets, yeah." Sharon licked her lips, all anticipation.
Darcy watched the way Bucky looked at Sharon for a moment, nearly transfixed. She'd never seen such masterful eye-fuckery before. It was kind of breathtaking.
Bucky threw his shirt back on, and waved at Darcy and Bruce. "Later! Thanks, Bruce. Take it easy, Doll."
After they left, Darcy laughed to break the tension, "Geez! THAT was subtle." Bruce smiled tightly. She glanced at him, and frowned. "Uh... Let's work at this a little while longer…" They continued stretching, peacefully, growing more relaxed and quiet with each breath. Darcy focused on the movements, the soft music, Bruce's calm voice, and her own breathing.
Bruce's phone rang, playing the ring tone 'Sweet Emotion'.
His head jerked around to look at the phone so quickly that Darcy thought he might hurt himself. He let out a strangled gasp, and his face went pale. Bruce scurried to the phone, and pressed the button feverishly, calling out "Betty?!" with an urgency she'd never heard from her friend before. His face suffused quickly with color, and then it all drained away.
Darcy's eyes opened wide with alarm, then gut-level terror. A few seconds later, she was scrambling back, and barely managed to catch Bruce's phone as he tossed it to her, simultaneously howling and beginning to transform. It looked as though a green flame sparked in his eyes, and then exploded out across the rest of his rapidly expanding body. Darcy jumped up, shoved the phone into her sports bra under her left breast and ran to the largest exit window, slapping a button to open it. She was shaking from head to toe, in full flight mode, terrified as she looked down from more than seventy stories above the ground. Inside her mind, she was already screaming, panicked. She fumbled with the bangles at her wrists, unable to manage the buttons due to her fearful shaking, and finally shrieked, "JARVIS!" Debris began to fly as Hulk emerged with a primal and deafening roar. He turned to glare at Darcy as she shrieked.
Heart in her throat, Darcy forced herself to jump out the window, screaming, "JARVIS! Boobies Suit, NOW!" She shrieked as she fell, struggling to force her limbs into the position that would offer the most resistance, like she'd seen people do in movies. It was almost impossible to convince her body to leave the fetal position, and difficult to move against the force of the wind… and gravity. Despite the racket she was making, and the other sounds around her, she could hear the rumbling sounds of the enraged Hulk rampaging within Avengers Tower.
Happily, suit pieces arrived, and slammed into place tightly (ow, but… more than okay, all things considered), with a new mask that was composed of nearly opaque energy mesh. Tears ran down Darcy's face as JARVIS engaged thrusters just in time to keep her from hitting the ground. People were running out of the way on the sidewalk below, some screaming, others too afraid to make a sound. Darcy shrieked in terror then for a full five seconds as she was flown upwards, and stopped shrieking when she finally heard Tony yelling her name, and telling her to shut up. She looked up and saw Hulk leaping away at top speed, heading south.
She yelled hoarsely. "Gah! Shit! Shit! Shit! Betty called! Bruce went nuts, and Hulked out! His phone is in my bra getting squashed by the suit. Bring me in! He's gone!" Indicators inside the face force field showed that JARVIS was taking her to the roof, instead of returning her to Bruce's damaged lab. The force field was an awesome improvement over a metal faceplate. It was gold-tinged, easy to see and breathe through, and didn't bother her at all. She recognized it from Jane and Bruce's testing efforts, as their take on the field Jane had seen used on Asgard to contain prisoners. She breathlessly managed to speak. "Th…th..this new face-covering field is aces, Tony! I… think… I… love it! Holy shit!" Still shaking with terror, Darcy fell into a spate of nervous babble… commenting on the suit, the expressions on people's faces below, and Bruce's ring tone for Betty.
As Steve first heard JARVIS' alert of a Hulk incident, and then the sound of Darcy screaming, he almost broke the Hydra scientist's other shoulder, from sheer panic. Tony saw that and cried out to him. "Cap! It's okay! Darcy's fine because my tech works, and she did what she had to. She can scratch sky diving from her bucket list. I don't even think she threw up in the suit! She's making conversation, and screaming less. So, chill!" Steve had gone gray, his mouth set in a firm line, and his grip on his shield tight. He stood utterly still, behind the scientist, out of the man's sight, so that his own terror wouldn't show and break the flow of useful information… and, so that he wouldn't accidentally kill the man. He knew it would take next to nothing to push him over the edge at that moment. Natasha could see his state. She stepped up her efforts with the scientist, keeping his attention off of Steve until Steve could collect himself again.
Tony barked at Natasha. "Widow? I've got another party to get to now, at the very least bringing Hulk in after an uncontrolled incident, though I'm sure it's more, so sure I'd bet my favorite car on it! Wring everything out of that guy that you and Cap can, and then get a heading from JARVIS, and join us using the smaller jet. I'd guess there's trouble at Culver U., but, I haven't confirmed it." He stepped out into the hallway outside of Containment, and asked JARVIS to override other commands and bring him an elevator immediately.
The elevator door opened. Tony stared at Sharon Carter and Bucky Barnes for a beat, as they stopped feverishly making out, and looked at him as though wondering how he'd interrupted their private time. "Okay, Barnes! Wipe the lipstick off, and come with me. You can do this later. Banner just went nuts and Hulked away to the south, I'm guessing to Virginia." Tony stepped into the elevator, the mere force of his presence causing Bucky and Sharon to step apart. She calmly re-buttoned her blouse, straightening her clothing and expression with studied calm.
Bucky's face contorted with worry, "Darcy…"
Tony nodded, "…is fine. She went out the window, and called for her suit. She just flew up to the roof, and last I heard, she was thanking me for the mask improvements, and babbling like a magpie; so she's fine." Bucky let out a breath, relieved. He closed his eyes for a second, centering his emotions. When he opened his eyes again, he looked at Tony with clear, calm focus.
Tony looked Bucky over and nodded once. "JARVIS! Have a tech get Barnes' new Kevlar, a bunch of guns and knives he likes, and run it all up to the Quinjet, pronto." To Bucky, he shared. "Steve had my R&D guys make you new Kevlar, a double-button navy tunic with brown pants and utility belt, like a modern version of your Howling Commandos get up. So, that'll do for you to suit up now." He glanced at the metal arm. We can change your star to look like Cap's shield icon, if you like, but later." His tone turned chilly. "If you try to kill anyone on our team, I'll blow you back to the 1940's, or at least activate a Sonic Taser and paralyze you for fifteen painful minutes and kick your ass the whole time you're unable to fight back."
Bucky's tone was equally cool. "Where's Steve?"
Tony directed JARVIS to take them to the roof, and snarled, "Cap and Widow will join us as soon as they're done. He's still breaking bones, looking his most evil, and scaring amazing amounts of intel out of that sadistic Hydra asshole. I think the left shoulder break was for you. Feel loved?"
Bucky raised a brow, made a face, and nodded, "kinda... Anything he does for my sake is fine by me. That guy they're talking to is a sick fuck. Just, please, tell me Steve broke the bastard's hand for groping Darcy!" His voice was a low growl. "It hurts to see it every time she covers her chest to hide from that memory."
Tony nodded, grinning through gritted teeth. "Oh, yeah. Both of the creeper's wandering hands are pretty much crushed. After hearing her cries while they tortured her in the video on his laptop? I was ready to do it myself!" Bucky winced as he realized that the prisoner likely had videos of him, too. Tony shrugged. "But, Cap had the satisfaction. He used the shield to do it… extra patriotism points." Tony waggled his brows and tried to lighten the moment. "You can't really blame the poor guy for groping those boobs, though. They're amazing!" Sharon rolled her eyes and scowled. He laughed. "Don't worry, sweet cheeks. You're gorgeous. But, Darcy has…"
Bucky bit out, "Enough! Steve's gonna read this conversation, asshole, and he's already in a fuckin' bad mood, if he had to WATCH Darcy gettin' hurt. So, shut it, or I'll have to backhand you or something." He smiled grimly to soften the threat as he flexed his metal arm and allowed the movable plates to shift and settle.
Tony cackled. "Oops! Oh, yeah… that. Sorry, Cap! Actually, Barnes… I'd LIKE to try out your prosthetic's strength against my suit sometime. I've been dying to get to work on your arm. JARVIS scanned it… to give me something to do virtual work on, but I want to put improvements in play for real."
Bucky nodded tentatively. They reached the roof, and Tony smirked at Sharon. "Afternoon delight another time, Agent. Sorry!"
She shook her head at Tony, and kissed Bucky hard. "Be good."
Bucky smirked. "No chance! But, I'll try to do good." His smile tightened and faded, and his expression became serious. Bucky and Tony stepped out onto the roof. After Sharon was gone, Bucky stopped Tony, serious. "You do have that thing that'll put me out, in case they have a way to turn me, right? It worked well enough in testing." Tony nodded, impressed with Bucky's mettle, and told him others would have them as well, as they both ran towards the Quinjet. A dozen suit drones hovered alongside the jet, ready to go with the Avengers.
Darcy, sans suit, was standing on the roof holding Bruce's cell phone and pacing in circles, still coming down from adrenaline and terror. Tony took the phone and thanked her, all business once he had the phone in his hands. She nodded her head shakily. She gasped, talking quickly. "I'm gonna grab a shower and get totally wasted. Where's your best tequila hiding?" She noticed Bucky, and asked worriedly, "where are you going?" She looked from him to Tony with evident concern, biting her lip to prevent herself from asking if Steve knew what was happening..
Bucky glanced at Tony. Tony looked unconcerned. "Cap and Widow will be late to the party. I'm taking everyone else, and adding Barnes into the mix. Don't worry! I've promised to send him back in time if he misbehaves." He pressed a combination of numbers on Bruce's screen.
Darcy frowned, leaned up and kissed Bucky on the cheek, and urged him."Be careful... please. We don't want anything bad to happen to you…"
He gave her a quick, reassuring hug and quirked a grin at her, then walked to the jet to gear up. She looked at Tony anxiously, and he put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Sam ran past, yelling, "where's the fire?"
Tony looked grim. "Virginia… I'd bet my life it's in Virginia."
Thor strode out onto the rooftop and stopped next to Tony. He leaned over and kissed Darcy on the forehead. "I'm glad you are unharmed, Lady Darcy! Dr. Banner's inner beast can be fearsome." She nodded emphatically, eyes wide. He smiled encouragingly and teased her."Now, you can add facing him to your list of life accomplishments."
Tony looked at Bruce's phone again, and retrieved a digital recording of the call Bruce had received. They heard Bruce call her name, Betty say his name and apologize, and another voice inform Bruce that Betty was a guest of Hydra, at the base of those who first worked to stop the Hulk's violence… then the howling.
Darcy shivered as she relived Bruce's transformation, and as she realized what had upset Bruce so badly. Darcy blinked back tears and groaned. "Guest of Hydra… Oh, God!" She shuddered with revulsion.
Tony glanced at Darcy and frowned, then finished pulling up coordinates for the call's origin, a military compound near Culver University, and showed them to Thor. Thor stepped back and swung his hammer, saying, "show me an image of Dr. Banner's beloved, please." Tony switched to pictures and found one of Betty in Bruce's phone. Thor nodded, and blasted away at his top speed, far faster than that he used when carrying someone.
Hawkeye was inside the jet, bitching and moaning while prepping for takeoff. "Man! I was sleeping. What the hell? Hydra sucks!" He revved up the engines. The wind began to pick up, too.
Tony yelled to Darcy. "Cap's managed to keep it down to damage only, just so you know. The slimy bastard's got a lot of good info for us… and he's learning how bad interrogation can suck." She nodded grimly, and was surprised when Tony suddenly pulled her against him for a hard hug, and kissed her cheek. "Take it easy, Lewis! JARVIS will help you with the tequila. We need to go teach a painful lesson or two." As he ran to the jet, he was yelling at JARVIS. "Plot our course to the call coordinates, JARVIS. Let's do miracles for Brucie, cuz God knows he deserves better than this!"
Darcy ran away from the jet, back inside the building, as they took off. JARVIS told her that Jane was asking about her, worrying, and waiting in the Lounge. When Darcy entered the Avengers' Lounge she found Jane wheeling around, grumbling. Darcy huffed, still shaky, "I'm okay, Jane! I need a shower. I broke out in a nasty sweat and almost peed my pants when I had to jump out the window. Be right back! There's some really good tequila in here somewhere, and I'm gonna drown my sorrows in it!"
Darcy went to her apartment, showered quickly, and changed into a crew-neck stretchy black dress with a pattern of white stars all over. For the hell of it, she threw on comfortable Converse high tops with it. She figured if she had to suit up again, the dress would just bunch up around her waist. She shrugged, not giving much of a damn. She didn't understand how the Avengers stayed so wound up for long periods. She was tired, and she hoped to never experience a situation that required her body to deal with long-term adrenaline management. For the hell of it, she sent a text to Jai about the 'Boobies' suit, and its place in her new reality. She laughed to herself when she realized how Tony would bust her chops for calling it that name when she went out the window of Bruce's lab. He'd probably print the name 'Boobies' across the chest! As she closed the door to her apartment, she sighed. It was practically just a big closet to her these days. She ran her hands through her still-wet hair, fluffing some wave into it.
The elevator doors opened, and Darcy found herself face to face with Steve and Natasha, heatedly arguing. She took an involuntary step back. They stopped when they saw her. She braced herself and stepped inside with them quickly, not wanting to delay their departure. She wasn't sure where to stand. Steve looked angry and forbidding… guilty, too. She thought he frowned as he took in her wet hair, and wondered what about it caused the tic in his jaw. It would feel too weird to stand with her back to him like a stranger or something, so, she shifted next to him silently. He broke the silence, biting out, "JARVIS, please take us all to the roof, and then take Darcy wherever she wishes." He glanced down at her, and she half-grinned at him nervously. She let her hand rest next to his, and heard him sigh heavily as he took her hand and squeezed it as gently as he could. He closed his eyes tightly, struggling again to center himself.
When they reached the roof, Natasha walked out quickly, calling over her shoulder, "two minutes to wheels up, Rogers." She looked from him to Darcy and back. "Your anger is bleeding off, badly. Fix it… so you're not distracted and kicking yourself through the whole mission!"
Steve breathed out loudly, and nodded agreement as Natasha left them. He turned to Darcy. "I'm sorry. I'm not angry at you in any way." She could see that he was still incredibly pissed off, so was glad it wasn't directed at her.
Darcy sighed tensely, "Okay… Thanks. Off to the races again, eh?"
He nodded and swallowed hard. "Something like that..." She stepped off the elevator, and he followed. Winds whipped around them.
She looked at him sympathetically, "I know you're having a gross day! I wish I could make it all better."
His expression twisted, anger giving away to anguish. He pulled her against him, apologizing, "I'm sorry! And, I'm sorry if I mess up your pretty dress! I just…need…" She seemed tinier wearing flat shoes rather than heels. He leaned down and kissed her desperately, hands clenching her to him carefully. He struggled to control his strength. He deepened their kisses even more, on edge, frantic. He murmured between kisses. "I can't lose you, Darcy. Need you. Need to keep you safe. Need…" He kissed her again, hard. Then, he pulled her head against his shoulder so she was pressed against him and wrapped in the safety of his arms. He breathed in and out shakily.
She clung to him with all her might, panting when he finally pulled back. "I need you, too! I love you, Steve, and I miss you when you're away… so much it hurts!" She had to stop talking to catch her breath, "I'll be here when you get back, and we can talk, or not talk about whatever… so long as we're together. I hate to have to sleep without you…. I was just thinking that my apartment is little better than a glorified clothes closet for me now..."
He kissed her hard and long again, brokenly, as he rasped. "I need to be with you, to keep you safe… and I love you, too, Darcy! I can't wait until I'm rested up, so I can hold you close, and we can make love again and again, until you're sick of me!"
Darcy caressed his cheek and laughed to diffuse some of his intensity. "That could take a really long time… like forever." She swallowed hard, and peered up at him cautiously, eyes wide.
He kissed her again, softly and seriously, "I'm up for that, Sweetheart." He trembled, full of feeling. His jaw clenched as he wished he weren't about to leave for battle, that they could have time to talk more.
She smiled shakily. "Me, too!" He leaned his forehead against hers and sighed. She heard the Quinjet engine whining at ready. "Now, go, do good, get Bruce's girl back for him… and, try not to crowd Bucky too much." She made a ruefully teasing face.
Steve grinned wanly, kissed her one last time, saluted, and ran to the waiting jet. She waved, and backed in through the door, and went down to the Lounge. When she entered the room, she yelled, "JARVIS! Where is the really, really, really good tequila?! Because…. Oh. My. God!" She held her head in her hands and screamed a scream of panicked embarrassment.
Jane looked up at Darcy, surprised by the outburst. "You sure you're okay?"
Darcy shook her head as she followed JARVIS's directions. She poured a drink for herself and made one for Jane, grabbing a lime and slicing it to go with, and grabbed a container of salt. She answered Jane in a matter of fact tone."Well… today, I jumped out of the window of Bruce's lab to my near death, and then just a minute ago I practically PROPOSED to Steve while he was in between Hydra base fights, and fresh off crushing bones while interrogating the science freak who messed with me in London… So, I'm going with a big, fat, resounding 'NOPE!' How are you?" She took a shot, hands shaking like crazy as she slammed her glass on the counter.
Jane shook her head. "Not happy. Nothin' that wild, but it's never good when Thor runs out to pound bad guys... Gimme a drink!" Jane grimaced as she downed her first. "I guess I can't have many… I'm still taking painkillers."
Darcy shook her head, happy to feel the first shot tingle through her. "I'm dating a guy who can't get drunk. Can you believe it?"
Jane smiled. "It takes a ton to have much effect on Thor. So, yes..."
Darcy rolled her shoulders, pushing tension away. "Maybe this could kill your pain for a bit? It tastes pretty amazing." She took another shot of the tequila, and poured more.
Jane raised a brow. "Wait! Did you just say you proposed?" Darcy waved her off; flailing, blushing, and shaking her head to indicate that she really wasn't ready to discuss it.
Jane shrugged and looked thoughtful. "Why'd you jump out the window? You like Bruce. You at least like him better than I do..." Darcy explained. Jane's jaw hung open, "I almost convinced myself that couldn't happen!" She rubbed her arm and groused. "By the way, I got that stupid tracker thing. I hate it. Itchy!"
Darcy drank more tequila. "I bet Bruce would give anything to have one on Betty Ross right now. Hydra has her!" She shuddered.
Jane drank more. "With all the Gamma Radiation research she's been part of, she could probably be tracked by that." She looked mournful. "I knew Betty at Culver. She's a really nice person, one of the only women I've ever met who… no offense… really gets science…" She looked thoughtful, sad at the thought of Betty being taken by Hydra.
Darcy made a face, and then put on some dance music to help lighten the mood. She was trying to push thoughts of her Hydra experience out of her mind. Steve's intense reaction had unsettled her in other ways, too. Her emotions were all over the map.
Jane began to pontificate."Do you think Bruce radiates Gamma radiation? I know he treats any sample of his blood like a ticking bomb."
Darcy shrugged, and had another shot of tequila, dancing a little while taking a break to suck on a slice of lime. "Eh. Test him. I don't care if he does. I like him."
Jane whined. "I don't want to jump out a window!" She glared at her wheelchair.
Darcy laughed, slightly manic. "I didn't want to, either! It was freaky, like low-level sky diving, with screaming, lots and lots of screaming. I'm gonna have more bruises from my suit of armor attacking me, too. JARVIS! Make a note for Tony that I need more flex in the abdominal area of the suit, since it's that freakin' time of the month, and it was too tight there. I have a flying suit of armor, Jane!" She twirled in place, the tequila going to her head, and make its presence known in her stomach, too. She might hate it later, but at this moment she LOVED tequila.
Jane sipped her drink and murmured. "Flying armor! It's all the fashion at Stark Tower."
Darcy corrected, "Avengers Tower!" She shifted, her tone like an announcer, "Our summer fashion line includes the most expensive in titanium. It clamps on hard, and flies the lucky wearer to safety!"
Jane shook her head. "Well, thank God it caught you! Ugh! I don't even want to think… " She shook her head and let out a sigh of relief, then switched topics. "I can't even begin to imagine how much ONE of those costs! Remember when we used duct tape on our equipment, and lived in a trailer?" Darcy snorted laughter, and started dancing again. Jane wheeled back and forth to join her, and started giggling.
Pepper walked in and stopped, looking at them. She smiled at their infectious laughter. "Am I missing a party?"
Darcy had another shot of tequila. "Well, we're toasting our enhanced security. I jumped out of the building and got 'suited' to safety."
Pepper shook her head and shivered a bit. "My first time in a suit was to protect me during the Malibu house attack. The minute I dragged Tony's crazy ex to safety, it flew off of me and went back for him. It was creepy." She shuddered again and muttered to herself, "falling… ugh."
Jane blurted, "Crazy! Tony has too many exes for you to have to drag them all to safety." She laughed drunkenly and slapped a hand over her mouth. Pepper frowned slightly, then nodded and shrugged.
Darcy sipped more tequila, slowing down a bit. "Jane's a lightweight. Don't listen to her. I mean, she's not wrong, but…"
Pepper laughed at both of them. "It's no secret that Tony has many exes. I escorted more than one away from his bedroom 'the morning after'." She sighed. "Thank God those days are past! I wanted to claw eyes out of more than one." Darcy looked sad and handed Pepper a glass of tequila. Pepper held it up and offered, "Salute!"
Jane yelled, "Skal!" She drank a shot, threw her glass to the ground, and cried, "Another!"
Darcy called out, "Slainte!" and got Jane a new glass, stepping carefully around the broken one. A little robot vacuum shot over and cleaned up the mess. Darcy giggled as she leaned down to pet the vacuum, crooning. "Good minion!" She straightened up, obviously dizzy. "You should be painted yellow, little minion..."
Pepper laughed softly. Then her expression turned somber. "Now! Let's drink to Betty Ross' safety." They all held up their glasses and toasted. Jane tilted her glass back and closed her eyes. Pepper looked around seriously, her eyes lingering on the security drone that stood by the elevator. Controlled Extremis-strength flowed through her, at the ready.
OOOOO
Steve stared at the video feed from Virginia, while Natasha flew the plane. His heart was in his throat as he watched Bucky deplane with the others. He hoped and prayed it wasn't a mistake to put Bucky in the field against Hydra so soon. He wouldn't have done so, preferring to leave Bucky at the Tower to keep him safe from Hydra. Natasha argued that he was being ruled by emotion rather than fact, but it meant too much to him. There had been so many good signs from Bucky- the sketches, his friendship with Darcy, his sexual relationship with Sharon (though Steve could do without all of their detailed sex talk, KNOWING Steve had to review it… Trolls!), his interest in other people, the way Bucky reacted to being thanked for helping people after the train derailment, and the way he was opening up to more of the Avengers. But, fresh off watching videos of the treatment Bucky had suffered from Hydra over the past seventy years, Steve was in no mood to push Bucky out against Hydra so soon.
And it was, as Darcy had described, a gross day. The videos he'd seen on that cursed laptop! They were enough to push him towards insanity. Images of his best friend's agony, and his beloved girl's fear flitted through his mind, tormenting him.
And, he'd never been the heavy in an interrogation before today. Steve didn't regret any of the wounds he'd inflicted, given all of the terrible things that man had done to Bucky and Darcy, and all of his horrible deeds and work for Hydra. Steve knew how much power he'd held back, how much more thoroughly he could have broken the man's body. But, he felt dirty, regardless of the wealth of information they'd gathered from the bastard, especially since the basest part of him wanted to go back and rip the man apart slowly and painfully, one piece at a time. Interrogation wasn't something he wanted to do more than necessary. He prayed fervently that he wouldn't find it necessary again.
He checked a video feed of the Tower, while he still could. Once Steve and Natasha were clear, Tony enacted lock-down features that would occur every time the Avengers were all absent from the building, or as the Avengers deemed necessary. The new, golden force field shone around the building, causing passersby to stop and gawk, and the media to take continuous pictures and video. Passersby kept touching it (despite clear warning signs not to), and gasping from the unearthly shock. Stark Media, and Legal and Liability, were working on plans and procedures to handle that general interest. All parties involved were aware that other, less harmless, interest would also arise as Avengers Tower's new defenses went online and were observed.
Being confined to the Tower would be an enormous inconvenience to employees who did not live in the building, but Tony was a generous employer and landlord, and made it worth their while. Pepper was working on lock-down procedures, including dormitory-style areas for retail-area employees. Given the average cost of housing in New York City, there were already people who wanted to expand the temporary housing option to something ongoing. Pepper had assigned staff to work through plans and recommendations for review.
Drones patrolled the skies around the Tower and were present on each floor. Pepper was with Jane and Darcy, and she had super strength now. Darcy's protective suit was on standby, too. Steve tried NOT to think about all that had gone through his mind when he heard Tony yelling Darcy's name from the observation room, telling her to stop screaming, during the interrogation. If the suit had been a few seconds slower… or, if she hadn't gotten away from Hulk… He shuddered at the thought of losing her, and longed to hold her close again. He needed more time with her to feel assured that she was okay, both from what Hydra had done to her and her near-death experience during Bruce's uncontrolled change into Hulk.
He forced home out of his mind, and turned to the details of the phone call from Betty Ross. The fact that it was from an Army base filled him with a sense of unease. He had JARVIS check for the location of General Thaddeus Ross. The answer fit his guess. He got on the comm to the other Avengers. "Guys? General Ross is posted where the call originated. Be on the lookout for Blonsky." He felt like his words were still hanging over his head, like in a speech bubble from a comic book, when he caught first sight of the Abomination on the video feed a few seconds later. He downed a couple of energy bars and some water while contemplating which was worse… the beast on the screen, or a father who would use his own daughter to bait a man who loved her. He couldn't imagine how deep the General's hatred of Bruce Banner must run. It reeked of insanity.
Steve pulled his helmet on, and prepped to join the battle. He stopped short when he saw a dozen or so Vorm ships joining the battle alongside the Hydra Quinjets. He wondered where they were coming from, and who gave them their orders on Earth. Steve realized that the prisoner's wording about the Vorm commander had been vague. He cursed to himself, and wondered what else they missed. He hated to review the interrogation video, but knew he must.
As they got closer, Natasha began combat maneuvers, going head to head with the Vorm and Hydra ships. Steve called out for her to give him a jump window, ASAP. He couldn't do any good floating around in the back of the jet while she fought. He heard her signal, and jumped free of the plane, landing on a Hydra jet and disabling it quickly, and then leaping to the ground.
He heard Tony yell. "Nice one, Cap! Handing the comm to you, now. Call it!"
Steve sent Thor back up top to help deal with air cover and focus on Vorm attackers. He ordered, "Widow, Thor, Iron Man... put the Vorm out of commission before nightfall. Keep half of the drones on that, too. Let the other half help against the Abomination." Hulk was covering a building defensively, and crashing Blonsky away from it again and again, as wild as Steve had ever seen him. Steve assumed Dr. Ross was in that building. He had Sam fly Hawkeye to a better angle for covering Hulk and taking out Hydra soldiers, divided Thor and Natasha's coverage areas and put Sam on human soldiers instead of Blonsky. He heard Iron Patriot call in that he was almost in range.
Steve barked orders. "Rhodes, we need you on the Abomination. Throw everything you have at it, and be ready to shift to extraction duty on my mark." He saw several tanks coming alongside and called, "Tony! Tanks at your eight o'clock. If it matters, they look Stark-made. Un-make them. Then get back to zapping Vorm." He heard Tony cackle darkly as he began to destroy the approaching tanks and muttering epithets against someone named Stane.
Steve swallowed his doubts and fear. "Bucky! You're with me. Let's get past Blonsky and Hulk, into that building, and find Dr. Ross." He saw Bucky fighting past Hydra soldiers to Hulk's right, so Steve went left and attacked the group there, shield flying. After about five minutes, he was at the door, Bucky right behind him. Steve ordered his friend."On my six! Keep our exit clear." He ran into the maze-like halls at full speed, clearing their path of Hydra soldiers with his shield, guns, and hand-to-hand. He heard Bucky firing behind him and assumed that Hydra had another way in to pincer them. He kept fighting forward.
Bucky protested. "We're rats in their maze, Steve!"
Steve turned so that his shield was ahead of him and ran straight through the next wall. "Then, I'll change the rules of the game!" His spatial perception of the building made him certain they were nearing its center, the space where he'd think they would secure their prisoner.
When they reached the center of the building, Steve stopped in his tracks. A dark-haired woman was shackled in a chair inside a room that was a duplicate of the emergency containment unit that Fury had installed in his helicarrier, before the Avengers first assembled. She seemed semi-conscious. Oddly, her shackles were as heavy as those Hydra had used on Steve when he, Natasha, and Sam were captured in DC after he first realized Bucky was alive. A man stood next to her with a syringe to her arm. The man was shaking with fear, but kept the syringe in place threateningly, almost as if he thought his life might depend upon it.
Steve saw the red light on the man's forehead indicating that Bucky had him in his sight, and threw the shield straight at the heavy glass wall in front of them, shattering it to allow Bucky's bullets true passage. The man fell to the ground dead and Steve walked forward, into the shattered 'cage'. He looked around as he took keys from the dead guard and released the shackles, a simple task given his familiarity with them. He pulled an IV out of Dr. Ross' arm. Bucky stood in the cage opening, looking all around them. The woman moaned, immediately starting to gain consciousness once the IV was out.
Steve asked, "Dr. Ross, do you know where your father is?" She shook her head blearily. Steve heard a noise somewhere nearby. He shielded Dr. Ross as Bucky swung his gun in that direction and fired. Dr. Ross screamed and ducked, grabbing the syringe that had been against her arm. She capped it and put it in her pocket. They heard cursing. Steve looked at Bucky for explanation.
Bucky's expression was almost disbelieving. "…An old general? Her dad, I guess… I only shot his gun hand, since I'm not sure if you want him dead or not... He's dealing with it. It'll give us a couple of minutes."
Steve nodded and helped Dr. Ross to her feet. "Have you been harmed, ma'am?"
She took a shaky breath, plaintive. "Is Bruce here?" As she spoke, Steve saw the resemblance between her and Darcy, except that Dr. Ross looked so much sadder. Dr. Ross was also a few years older, taller than, and not quite as curvaceous as Darcy; but she was lovely, blue-eyed, and had the luscious lips of which Bruce had spoken. Her long, dark hair was pulled back in a pony tail. She shook her head as though to clear it.
Steve nodded. "He's… the 'other guy' right now, keeping himself between Blonsky and this building, so, we need to get you out of here."
She trembled. "Can I please see him, even… just for a few minutes? I know he doesn't feel the way I do. He doesn't want to be near me anymore, but, I need…"
Steve frowned. "I don't presume to understand your history with Dr. Banner, ma'am. But, I can assure you that he cares for you."
Bucky called out. "There are men on approach- a lot of 'em!" He frowned at Betty. "And Bruce loves you like crazy. He worries about your safety, though. He was telling me that just the other day…" Betty blinked back tears, and looked from one of them to the other, confused. She obviously wasn't sure who Bucky was, but recognized Captain America.
They heard an explosion. Steve directed Bucky. "Bring her, and cover me. Time to go." Bucky pulled Betty against him, holding her up with one arm, and keeping the other hand free for shooting. Steve ran at one of the walls again, and opened a hole with the shield. He easily dispatched the four men he found in that room and continued through the next wall. One of the men there fell immediately to Bucky's gun, while Steve knocked out the other. The next wall opened into a hallway. There, Steve shifted back and pulled Dr. Ross against him, under the shield, while Bucky took point and shot their way down the hall, guns in both hands.
Steve shifted, and took a bullet in the shoulder to keep it from hitting Betty. She cried out and began to shudder, he presumed with fear. He shifted her behind him, and threw the shield into the group of six that was approaching. He took one down, caught the shield again, pulled Dr. Ross down below the line of fire, and held the shield over her, while Bucky tossed a grenade into a group of three. Bucky moved away, ready to engage other hostiles at a safe distance from Dr. Ross.
As Steve turned his head to check on her, Dr. Ross' eyes were glowing a vivid red, like Bruce's eyes glowed green sometimes. Steve froze at the sight, horrified for her, and for Bruce. He vaguely wondered if it were possible for Hulk to transform any further than he already did, because surely THIS was one of his worst nightmares.
Steve held Betty's gaze, tamped down his emotions, and swallowed hard. "You okay?" His brow furrowed as he wondered if she transformed much like Bruce, and what that would look like.
Betty nodded firmly, and breathed in and out deeply again and again. She blinked several times, and nodded more quickly. Her eyes once again shone blue, without any trace of the red he'd just seen. Bucky glanced at the two of them, puzzled.
Steve let out a loud breath, and continued moving them out, thoughts racing. He saw daylight, and called for Rhodes to meet them at the southwest corner of the building to extract Dr. Ross from the scene. They needed her away from the battle. He kept an eye on her, evaluating her condition and her control. He was impressed with what he saw… and trusted Bruce's judgment about her, and her interest in Bruce, enough to continue to count her as a friendly. He also guessed that were she friendly to Hydra, she would have tried to help the Hydra soldiers attacking them by now.
He spoke quietly, voice tense. "JARVIS? Private communiqué from me to Pepper. I think that Dr. Ross may face some of the same anger-management challenges that Dr. Banner does. Please notify Pepper only, for now, so that she can work with you to keep an eye on things when Dr. Ross arrives at the Tower. I'll speak with Tony as soon as I can, unless Dr. Ross talks with him first. Please keep this between you, me, and Pepper until I order differently, or Dr. Ross says differently." JARVIS complied. Betty looked at him appreciatively, and almost managed a smile. Pepper acknowledged Steve's message, and let him know that she was pulling extra drones into position around the lounge… for support, in case of a transformation emergency.
Bucky, who could hear every bit as well as Steve, was gaping at Steve and Betty. A shot from behind them hit him in the back. Steve watched as Bucky turned, rage in his face. He ran back, and was grazed by another shot as he grabbed General Ross' gun and ripped it from the older man's left hand, breaking Ross' wrist in the process. Steve saw Bucky slow the swing of his arm so that his blow to the General's head would incapacitate, rather than killing. Steve nodded his approval, and Bucky acknowledged him grimly. Bucky dragged Ross along the floor behind him, cursing, "Damn! Lady… your dad is really messed up!" Steve stared at Betty tensely, gauging her reaction. Bucky kept his eyes turned towards the General.
Dr. Ross nodded, swallowing hard. She whispered, "I don't refer to the General as my father, if I can help it… Your assessment is spot on." She smiled tentatively at Steve, and nodded reassuringly to him. He held her gaze. Her eyes looked normal. He glanced at her wrist, noting the watch with pulse meter she wore, and the way that her pulse dropped as she continued to breathe deeply.
Steve spoke into his comm. "Rhodes? Can you take two? We have a civilian to go to Pepper in the Lounge, and an unconscious General who I think needs containment at Avengers Tower, judging from his behavior here today and his apparent alliance with Hydra."
Tony growled disgustedly. "I'm sure he'll really enjoy my hospitality. Evil bastard!"
Steve nodded. "Yeah… He must have sold out to Hydra, and lent them Blonsky so he could try to get Hulk, maybe make a collection of... They had Dr. Ross in a… Hulk cage… like the one from Fury's helicarrier. We broke it." He heard Thor utter a noise of rage as he remembered the previous Hulk cage. Iron Patriot landed. Betty's mouth tightened as she realized he was going to fly her and the General away. She breathed deeply, slowly.
Steve turned to Betty and assured her. "You'll be safe with Colonel Rhodes. Please do your best to remain calm and controlled. There will be other civilians present when you arrive at Avengers Tower, though Miss Pepper Potts can handle extreme circumstances, should they arise." Bucky looked Betty over assessingly, still processing Steve's message to Pepper.
Rhodey frowned, wondering what Steve wasn't sharing, and thinking Steve looked concerned. It put him on edge, and heightened his watchfulness. He removed the General and Dr. Ross from the situation, and quickly headed north towards New York.
Steve watched them shoot into the air and sighed, dreading Bruce's reaction. He turned to Bucky and sighed. "I'll explain later." Bucky shrugged and rolled his eyes to indicate that he already knew. Steve was grateful for Bucky's trust in his judgment… and hoped that trust was merited.
He turned and assessed the overall battle situation. "Thor? Tony? The Rosses are headed for the Tower with Rhodes. How are you doing against the Vorm? Sit rep."
Tony responded. "Seven down. Five to go. Eighty-two minutes 'til sunset." Steve muttered a curse. He shifted two more drones to fight the Vorm.
A group of fifteen Hydra soldiers came around the corner. Steve straightened to full height, and moved towards them menacingly. Bucky had guns in both hands, and stood just to his right. Four of the men turned and ran at the sight of them. Bucky grinned, and opened fire on the rest while Steve let the shield fly, caught it and turned around to take out a few behind them. He looked at his friend with grim pleasure. "How you doin' there, Buck?"
Bucky nodded and grinned slightly. "Darcy was right. Avengers ain't the Boy Scouts."
Steve huffed a laugh, a gleam in his eyes at the thought of her. "She's right a lot."
Bucky chided. "You ought to marry that girl of yours, Punk!"
Steve's irritation showed in both his face and voice. "What is it with my friends and pokin' into my love life?"
Bucky shrugged. "You already got a ring?"
Steve let the shield fly again, and nodded. He caught his shield and ordered, "Shut up! Let's go after that monster." Bucky smiled in response and nodded.
to be continued...