Chapter 37 - HYDRA
Steph's POV
Running up flights of stairs with two super soldiers and one super spy (who was kind of your work-idol and you didn't know if she was modified or just way better than you) was damn humbling. Still I knew my athleticism had increased over the past few weeks since I'd been working so hard at it, and I wasn't embarrassing myself too badly.
"Yep, this is why we do cardio," Natasha grunted from the landing just above me.
"Did I say that out loud?" I panted out.
"Nope, but you're thinking it pretty loudly," Steve said. "Come on, we're almost there."
"Remind me again why we're going in this way first instead of just all of us going through the ground floor doors or the roof doors with the rest of the team," I said as we reached our destination on the roof of the apartment building across from the HYDRA base building.
"We can go in through doors if we need to," Steve explained. "But they're choke points, easy to be shot at from, and this way has a better element of surprise."
"I still think it's payback for when I made you ride the Cyclone at Coney Island and you threw up," Bucky grumbled.
When I couldn't hold back the small laugh and smile, Bucky scowled at me and I shook my head, laughing harder and saying, "sorry, Bucky. That doesn't work at me anymore, even with the uniform. You don't scare me."
"I'm still Steve's best friend," Bucky said.
"Yeah, but you told me you like me and approve of me, so I'm not afraid of you making him dump me anymore."
"Right, plus we're getting married," Steve said in an absent, offhand manner that made me think he hadn't really been listening to the conversation or thought about the words before they left his mouth. That was a rare moment for him, but since he was masterminding a mission, I guessed I could understand the distraction.
If real life was like a movie though, that would have been when you heard the record scratch sound and everything went dead quiet. Not just in our immediate space with Bucky and Natasha, but over the comms as well because Steve was on the general communications channel with the Avengers, Ranger's team, and everyone at base.
I was staring him in disbelief when he obviously realized what he'd said and startled before looking at Bucky and Natasha then sheepishly turning his gaze to me. "I'm sorry, I'm excited," he said while flashing me what could only be called sad puppy dog eyes.
I puckered up and made him give me a kiss before patting him on the chest and telling him it was okay. I watched quietly as they set up the zipline, but when Steve picked up his shield, pulled it in front of him and reached up for the first trolley I put my hand on his shoulder to stop him. "I still think you should let me go first. I can probably blast the window out before I get there, which offers the best chance of the lead person not getting cut with glass!"
"Guess what word in that statement I don't like, Sweetheart," he said sweetly.
With I sigh, I guessed, "probably."
"Got it in one," he yelled while jumping off the roof.
"So much for code names only on the comms!" I called after him, smiling when I heard his chuckle in my earpiece.
Natasha went next, and then Bucky turned to me, "ready? Cap and Widow are already in there, and I'll be right behind you."
"There's no brake, so I just let go on the other side, right?"
"You've never done this before," Bucky commented. "Should have told us that."
"Too late now," I retorted before grabbing the handles and pushing off before he could say anything else.
From the grumbling and noise I heard behind me, I figured Bucky was right behind me but there wasn't time to comment on it before I was reaching the end. Much to my own surprise, I quite gracefully flew off and landed with a clean roll into a fighting stance.
"Looks like all that practice falling that you complained about paid off," Natasha hollered at me, smirk evident in her voice as she fought.
"Yeah, it's almost like you know what you're doing," I teased back as I engaged the first few HYDRA fighters that came at me.
The teams we had broken into each had at least one "weapon of mass destruction" as Clint referred to us, and I was ours.
So when I saw a ring of henchmen protecting someone I could just barely make out over the tops of their heads holding what looked like a very big, very dangerous weapon, I yelled out, "DOWN!"
Amazingly, my team dropped and no one else did, so when I lashed out with a waist level concussive blast, it took out the lot of HYDRA agents. My team stayed down for a couple seconds to be sure, and in that time I ran over to the large weapon I'd been concerned with. Unfortunately, my concern didn't go away in that moment.
"Get out of here," I yelled. "This thing's heating up!"
"Joule, you get out too," Steve started toward me only to have Bucky latch onto his arm and start manhandling him toward the doorway.
"It's fine, Cap, as long as I don't have to worry about the rest of you, but I can't let this thing blow. It could bring the building down on all of us!"
"Figures she doesn't listen to orders in the field either," Steve muttered as Bucky successfully pulled him the rest of the way out of the room we'd crashed into.
"She fits right in with your dumb, noble ass," Bucky told him.
"He's got you there, Cap," I heard Natasha say calmly as I pushed the rest of the team out of my mind, allowing the sounds of continued fighting and commands to focus on the object in front of me.
I had just finished putting a shield up around it when it blew. I focused carefully and waited just a few seconds to make sure it was done before dropping the shield. "Well, that was anticlimactic," I muttered. "I've seen much better explosions."
"Well, maybe you can get your ass out here and help then, Joule," Steve replied, and I could hear the strain of concern in his voice. I was reasonably sure he just wanted to see me and was not actually upset with me so I didn't sass back at him. Instead, I hustled my way outside, pausing in the door for just a second to watch Steve fight. Unlike when he sparred, Steve was clearly going full tilt and holding nothing back. Something about it was sexy as hell, and I wiped my chin to make sure I wasn't drooling before someone came at me from the side and I found myself locked in combat again.
The next man I started fighting was familiar.
"How's it going, Big Dog," I practically growled out. "You haven't had any luck in killing me yet, and let me assure you, it's only gotten more difficult to pull off since you last tried."
He didn't say anything, just took off running down the stairs, and I followed him down two flights before bursting into another floor of the building. Inside I found a bunch of black armor-covered men and glowing green goggles over their eyes. The effect was spooky- they all looked virtually the same and I wasn't even sure if one of them was Big Dog himself.
"You guys didn't tell me HYDRA had an evil knight zombie army," I said nervously into comms.
"Status, Joule?" Steve said urgently.
"Two floors down and pretty seriously fucked," I responded. Then to myself I murmured, "first major mission and you follow the bad guy into an obvious trap. Well played, Joule."
And then they were on me. As with other large swarms, I could knock them back with concussive blasts, but they just weren't staying down. Modifying on the fly, I started latching onto them one at a time to fight while continuously knocking the others back.
"Not to be the needy teammate here," I panted out. "But I think these guys might have shopped in the Captain America/Winter Soldier strength aisle on Black Friday or something."
"They've got super strength?" Clint asked.
"Close," I grunted out. "I'm doing okay, but I'm not going to be able to keep this up indefinitely."
I dispatched the one that I had been fighting, and when the next walked up, his hands burst into flames as he swung the first punch at me. "Uh oh, looks like this one is a fan of fish oil just like Ranger."
"You've got an Inhuman?" Steve asked urgently.
"Or something like one," I agreed. "Thankfully it's fire, and I'm really good with fire."'
The man paused hearing that, but it was too late. Acting on pure instinct I grabbed onto his hands then drew all the heat I could out of his body. When I finished, he dropped to the floor, but I was being attacked again before I could determine if he was dead or unconscious.
Moments later, Vision phased through the floor carrying Wanda. He set her down on the ground next to me, and we stood in a triangle with our backs to each other and started blasting away. It was a much easier group to subdue when I was only dealing with them a third of them at a time. Though when the blue blur of Pietro showed up, it did take a little more finesse to make sure I didn't hit him with any energy blasts.
"Almost to you, Joule," Thor said.
"Hold off and help the others," I instructed. "Pietro, Wanda, Vision, and I are having a little enhanced party in here. We've got it under control."
When we finally had everyone down, we walked around securing them just in case. As I passed each person, I ripped off his mask to see who it was and if I knew him. I was feeling sick even before I found Big Dog and Carl, though the definitive proof that each had betrayed me so effortlessly for so long.
I was standing on the edge of the room, my back to the windows, when they shattered behind me. Steve was just entering the room and I could see his eyes go bug eyed as he started to run even as something grabbed me around the waist and pulled.
"Rumlow's got Joule!" Steve called out.
"I don't have a shot," came Ram's voice. "They're moving too fast-"
I honestly didn't know what made me do it other than an undying hatred of the man I hadn't officially met yet on both Steve's and Bucky's behalf, but I acted. My hands had been clamped onto the arm around my waist, trying to pull it loose, but as soon as I realized it was Rumlow who had me captive, I stopped struggling and reached my hands up instead. I clamped them on either side of his head and ran my energy through them. Hard.
I was vaguely aware of something wet and sticky splattering all over me as I started falling. I held in a scream, but sighed with relief when I managed to stop my descent on my own. A moment later, I started plummeting again, and that time I did let out a small shriek before catching myself once more. Before I could start freefalling another time, Thor flew up and grabbed onto me. "What do you say we practice that another time when you aren't so high off the ground the fall would kill you? Not that I think you can't do it yourself, I just think perhaps this is safer."
"I'd very much prefer this way," I agreed with a relieved smile. "Thanks for the ride."
When he set me down again, it was inside the window I'd been pulled out of, and Steve was standing there waiting with his arms crossed on his chest.
"You done screwing around trying to fly?" he asked, sting taken off by the way his eyes were desperately running over me to make sure that I was unharmed.
"Sure," I said. "Need me to take out another small army while you dilly dally?"
"Dilly dally? How old are you? 97?" Steve asked, even as he gestured for me to follow him and took off running once more to the next round of fighting.
When we made it next to Bucky, he looked over at me, eyes widening at what I could only assume was blood covering me. With a casual shrug I said, "I don't think Rumlow will be a problem anymore."
"Sweetheart," Steve paused to take two HYDRA agents out by throwing an unconscious third at them hard. "In order for Rumlow to be a problem again, he'd have to reform from the pancake he no doubt is on the ground out there. And then he'd have to regrow the head you blew off of him."
"Yeah, well," I said. "It wasn't anything personal."
Steve snorted out a laugh and responded, "something tells me that isn't true."
Glancing over at Bucky, I was startled by the odd object in his hand, so I asked, "Bucky, what are you using as a weapon right now?"
"Found another reprogramming chair," he explained. "Thought I'd see how many of their goons I could use it to kill."
"Piece of a chair. Right," I muttered. "Something tells me you know at least ten ways to kill someone with a rock then."
"Dozens," he laughed out.
I heard a call go out over the comms for help from Natasha, and with a quick glance at Bucky and Steve, receiving a nod of acknowledgment from each, I took off to her location.
When I arrived, I saw her locked in battle with Grant Ward, but having to deal with five other guys who were trying to help and get the jump on her.
"Think you can take care of these other guys?" she asked me. "Ward's mine unless and until Skye shows up."
I didn't even bother responding, just used my powers to throw the closest to Natasha away and into one of the others, a move I'd thank Steve for demonstrating later, even if he used brute force to do it himself. Once I finished my men, I turned my attention back to Natasha who had beaten Ward to within less than an inch of his life. Then she'd trussed him up, and at the moment was sitting on him, taking non-lethal swipes at him with a knife for fun.
"Jesus, what'd he do to you?" I asked her, torn between being horrified and amused.
"He called me eye candy," she retorted, watching his face carefully and smirking when he paled at that. "Don't know why he didn't think that'd get back to me."
"Ah, well then," I mused. "He's a moron as well as evil. I'll leave him in your capable hands and check on the others. Then I'll see if they need any help with crowd control outside."
The wave Natasha gave me could only be considered cheerful, and I queried FRIDAY on everyone else's status as I exited into the stairwell once more. With pretty much everyone at a stable place and the base secure, I moved onto my secondary assignment of the night- press distraction. Though I hadn't been enthusiastic about the prospect, the team had voted that I would be first in line as the press was absolutely enthralled with me at the moment.
When I stepped outside, I looked around and nodded at the various Merry Men I could see providing perimeter security and made my way over to the group of reporters.
"Joule!" they were all shouting as I approached.
Finally reaching them, I stood there silently, figuring I could kill two birds with one stone. In this case, I was wasting time, and also getting them to shut up once they realized I wouldn't say anything until they stopped shouting at me. It was definitely win-win.
"Hello," I started with the short statement Darcy had written and FRIDAY was displaying on my goggles for me. "First of all, I want to thank you for your cooperation in staying outside of the safety perimeter. As you can see, the Avengers have completed a mission here tonight. The City of Trenton has been my home almost my entire life, and it will always hold a special place in my heart for that reason. I do not believe there are many citizens of this city, however, who would deny that it has long been the home of more than its fair share of crime and corruption.
"A number of weeks ago, it was brought to the Avengers attention that at least part of this was caused by HYDRA's presence in Trenton. It was during the early part of their investigation into the matter that I became acquainted with the team and offered to lend them my assistance. Through the course of our investigation, we discovered that HYDRA had infiltrated not just the Trenton Police Department, but various other government and official offices. Tonight we have raided their base of operations-"
I trailed off getting hit with a sudden overwhelming warning of danger intuition and was able to shift out of the way enough to keep the sniper from hitting me anywhere too vital. Thinking of Steve, I managed to hold in the curse and simply grunt in pain as I took the slug in the shoulder. I followed it up with a sigh and paused for a moment, waiting for confirmation from the team that the sniper was down.
"Shit Joule," Ram cursed through the radio. "Are you okay? I got him, but he got his shot off first."
"I could use some help from medical, but I'll be fine," I confirmed. Then I simply turned back to the reporters who had scattered and reassured them that we were all clear before continuing my statement while applying pressure on the wound.
"As I was saying, tonight we raided HYDRA's base of operations in Trenton. A number of their operatives were captured, and we will use information gathered here, as well as from questioning those agents, to make sure that we quickly and efficiently smoke all of HYDRA out of Trenton. Do you have any questions at this time?"
I was beginning to feel a little woozy, but remained steadfast as I looked around at the reporters. Feeling Steve come up behind me, I sighed in relief when he took up a position that allowed me to lean into him a little and have him take my weight without being obvious to the cameras around us. His hands came up and took over applying pressure, so I pointed to one of the reporters who had a hand raised.
"One of our news helicopters caught some very dramatic footage of you midair outside of the building. Do you care to comment on your apparent ability to fly?"
"Well," I said slowly. "As I've had it explained to me, I don't fly in the traditional sense. I more convert my kinetic energy into gravitational potential energy, as I'm sure you can understand. Also, as I think your video will verify, I'm not great at it yet, but I'm working on it. It's handy either way."
There were nervous chuckles in the group at that, and I was pleased to see that the casual dropping of the science-y words that Stark had tossed at me before seemed to stop any further questions for the moment, as the reporters didn't appear to want to admit to not knowing what that meant.
"Next question," I instructed, pointing at one of the local reporters I recognized as the man who had given me my previously hated nickname, Bombshell Bounty Hunter.
"What do you say to critics who say that you've fabricated this whole thing and this is merely an attempt at revenge on Joseph Morelli, decorated cop."
I took a deep breath, and when I felt Steve stiffen behind me, rushed to respond before him. "As I'm sure you are aware, Joseph Morelli is no longer a decorated cop at the Trenton Police Department. He was suspended a time ago, and subsequent investigation revealed his involvement with the mob. In addition, he recently, and very publicly, assaulted me then admitted to having shot me."
"At this time Mr. Morelli is back at the Avengers facility awaiting transfer to the FBI who will be placing him under arrest for his crimes," Steve cut in. "The evidence that brought on this official Avengers operation will be made public in the coming months as those we have arrested, and those we have yet to arrest, begin being brought to justice in the courts."
Nodding my head in agreement, I pointed at the next reporter, a woman who asked, "would you like to comment on your relationship-"
"Ma'am," Steve cut her off quickly and forcefully. "We are taking the time to answer your questions in the middle of an active crime scene and investigation out of courtesy and respect for the public's right to know. Let's keep the questions to the scope of what you see happening around you."
I answered a few more questions with Steve offering only occasional comments before he leaned down and whispered in my ear. "Coulson's going to take over. I'm not happy with the amount of blood you're losing and I think I see someone in the crowd who can help us. You can introduce him by his title."
I gave a slight nod of my head, as I finished the comment I was currently making. When Phil stepped up next to me, I said, "that's all from the Avengers for tonight, thank you for your time. At this time, I'd like to introduce you to Phil Coulson, the director of New SHIELD."
Phil smiled and shook my hand, nodding at Steve who was still trying to apply pressure. Of course, the mention of a New SHIELD who had up until that moment been unknown to the world provided ample distraction for the media and Steve and I slipped away. Just before we made it out of earshot, I heard Coulson start by saying, "No, the Avengers are no longer a part of SHIELD, however, as there is a lot of overlap, we have a healthy working relationship with ample opportunity for consulting between our teams."
I looked behind me at Steve who was clearly still trying to provide cover and said, "I thought they didn't want to go public yet."
"They didn't," Steve agreed. "But when Phil realized you'd been shot and needed an out that would allow you to save face, he volunteered. Personally, I wasn't too happy with SHIELD operating so much in the shadows if they were going to revive it, so I didn't argue against it. Besides, he likes feeling like he helped us."
I heard Steve call out to Woody to let someone through the crowd, and by the time we reached the jet, Daniel was standing there waiting.
"You're going to try to do it yourself," he instructed me. "I'm only here just in case."
I heard Steve and Wanda discussing how Wanda had informed Daniel to come by, but I blocked out the mild argument and instead focused within on my wound. Of course, as soon as I focused on it, the wound really hurt, so I paused, grabbed the trashcan Wanda floated over to me and vomited into it before I resumed my meditation.
In response, Daniel only said, "stop the blood flow first, please. It nicked an artery; you're lucky you had a super soldier applying pressure and your own increased rate of healing to vital wounds."
I stuck my tongue out at him but did as he instructed, barely registering his praise when I completed that crucial first step in a reasonable amount of time. At some point, I heard more voices, and eventually Bucky interrupted me long enough to fasten me into a seat belt with Daniel across from me. We took off, and I didn't even realize how much time had passed before I opened my eyes once more. Daniel was meditating on his own, floating above the ground in a cross-legged pose, so I cleared my throat to get his attention. After he walked over to me, I could feel Daniel's energy flow within me for a few moments before he stepped back and nodded happily.
"There is much I can still teach you, and you need to get faster and better at healing yourself while doing other things like fighting. However, you have learned quickly already," he praised.
I looked around for Steve, so I could brag about my progress, and was surprised to notice the three spies all sitting around me.
"Wait, if CliTasCky is back here with me, who is flying the plane?"
I heard a giggle that could only be Darcy, and smiled at her nodding happily as she asked, "did you give them a celebrity 'ship name?"
"Yeah, that's how I refer to the spy collective in my mind."
I turned back to the three in question and they just shrugged before saying, "Steve's flying."
"Oh," I paused to think about that. "Did anyone check to see if he knows where he's going because we should be home by now right?"
"We're not going home!" Steve called back to me. "And I heard that!"
I leaned into Bucky and whispered, "where are we going? Don't we have more work to do?"
Bucky just shrugged at me, so I sighed and unbuckled, moving toward the cockpit.