"What has you so deep in thought?" A pat on his knee as the newcomer took a seat to his right.
Sea blue eyes smiled as his best friend came to spend time with him. "Nothing really. Just thinking over a few things Steve. I have a question. If I was able to recall the codes within seconds, I worry about other things. The ones which might come back to me. What if they are... are not, not so nice?"
Rogers took a huff, knowing his friend had been troubled since going over the videos and blueprints with Liara not too long ago. "We'll handle that when we get there, Bucko. Right now, you are the man I trust most going in. I know you will never let me down."
His eyes tightened with his best friend's comment. They clenched even more so when his shoulder was clasped. "At least one of us has faith in me."
"Buck, I know you are hesitant. But trust me. You are so far from what they made you to be." A shake to his shoulder, giving his life-long friend further reassurance.
"I am just scared. He can come back too easily Steve. All they have to say are the goddamn words. Words Steve, then... I'm him." Fear now taking over his scruffy face.
A shake to his pale face, "I'm just saying, that will never happen. I found you once, here you will stay. I'm with you till the end of the line buddy. That you can rest assure."
"Cap. You have a moment?" Wilson asked from the cockpit. Calling his friend away from Barnes.
Light green eyes had been inspecting Alana ever since she had arrived within the Quinjet, alongside the man with a dark past. She had known this man had stolen the clearly inexperienced woman's interest some time ago. Heavily in fact. It seemed if the man was not with Rogers, then he could be found with the redhead.
She was beginning to wonder if there was more going on, and if the young alien was becoming better at lying, then she remembered. It was Alana. She was innocent and clueless about men just as she was awkward. So what better way to be in the know, and get a few chuckles, than to pick at her mind.
"So, the two of you seem cozy all of a sudden." Phe broke the silence.
Red eyes turned to her counterpart, "I'm sorry?"
"Yep." She leaned her head backward onto the cool steel.
A bothered Alana furrowed her brow, "well if you are going to insult me, then this conversation is over."
A playful grunt, "come on now, you can't even take a joke. Wow. I was just wondering what the two of you were going on about."
"Nothing much." A shake of her red head.
"I hardly believe that in the least. I know for a fact, it was more, so much more than that." A smirk, she knew the young inexperienced woman would deflect. She was so new to this sort of thing.
Alana released a gasp. "You saw? Oh my god. And yet you ask me still?"
A giggle. "Damn little one. You really do have it bad for him. Then might I suggest you bed him, and quick? You did see the way your friend was sizing him up."
A death glare. "First of all, it wasn't him she was staring at. It was his arm."
"Once again, part of him, babe." Phe finally turned to the woman which looked in every way her twin. Knowing with her baiting, she was going to get what she wanted.
Beginning to recall her thoughts. "I was talking to Bruce, he and Liara are…"
"Over. Which is why she is all into your boy." Phe huffed as she rolled her eyes.
Alana scrunched her face at the mere thought. "She's not. And she would never."
Lifted brows, "and you lie to yourself just why again?"
"Cause," feeling every bit offended. "She loves…"
"Her damn self." Making sure to cut her companion off.
"Something you and she clearly have completely in common. Like a slew of other things." The Celestial whined.
A giggle, "like taking other girls' men."
"Look. She is still so insanely into the scientist, for some godawful reason. So, like can we not. Besides, something is going on with Bucky. That is what I am more interested in." Red flamed eyes lowered as her head followed. "Like I said, I was talking to Bruce, his ex-girlfriend came up. Interrupting us, cause… I really don't understand why everyone is into Banner like that, but still, it's clear that she wants him back."
"You can tell all that, but not in the fact you and Bucky need to have done the deed by now? I swear Alana." Clearly ticked by the fact the poor soul was blind as a bat.
A role of flamed eyes. "After that, and after Liara coming by to mess with us, Bucky came to get me."
"Now you are getting to the good stuff. Aww, your man was all jealous with you by the ugly. I'm just saying, if you were to sleep with him, you wouldn't have to deal with that." Phe pursed her lips.
A shake of flamed hair as the petite woman began to fill her counterpart in. Before she could open her mouth and tell her the things the two of them spoke over, there was a call from the cockpit.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we're here. We are going to get ourselves completely comfortable with our surroundings. With Bucky's help, well before we even begin to patch Liara through." The way he had so much authority, only provoked one Celestial.
As Captain America began to fill the others in, the Quinjet finally eased to the ground without any hitch. Landing far enough away to go unsuspected by the enemy.
"We go in as a team. As always. We each know our own strengths, however today is the day we learn to better work together with our new members." Rogers turned to Phoenix and Alana.
His movement provoked a question to be voiced. "I really feel that with you being in charge, I should be paired with you. Which in turn if there were any mishap, who else better prepared in compensating for my error and picking up the slack. And with that being said, Alana could team with Bucket. He'd protect her with his life."
"Excuse me?" Alana nervously asked. "I was with you until the end."
"Actually ma'am, I think this would be an excellent plan. This way everyone else will not have to change their play. Buck, you just as well as I, have more than enough training for the job. What do you say?" Steve crossed his overly toned arms.
The exceedingly silent man, currently lost in his own thoughts took in his friend, followed by the small-framed females seated directly across from him. Finally giving a trouble nod.
Silence overtook the team. As each were getting themselves into the correct mindset. Until a completely Southern hood accent, softly and calmly came into play. "I have linked all the differentiating feeds. Since I'm Big Brothering you, I can only help with certain aspects. I repeat. You guys do understand there are no buttons which I can push to cease mechanisms in saving you. Get me within a radius of at least three hundred feet to the mainframe, then that's different. Steve, syncing everything into Sam's and Tony's systems. There. Signing off."
A beeping echoed from within his gauntlet. Wilson lifted the hinge, accessing the control panel, which controlled his goggles. "Good. Then let's go team. Everyone be on their toes. This will be no walk in the park. Looking at everything just loaded into Redwing, this base is crawling with HYDRA."
"So, what you're saying is, we have to kill?" Alana whispered.
A roll of green eyes, "I mean if you want to live. We should've left you to pet sit."
With every mind clearly in the game, Alana forced herself in like fashion. When his voice reached her ears, "you ready for this?"
The Celestial gave a small start. She knew they had all taken to foot, awaiting the correct time for infiltration. However, just when did Barnes make his way this close to her? And close enough to actually feel his breath tickle her neck?
"I'm always nervous before show time. Is that a crime?" The petite woman tried her best delivering wit.
A raise of his brow. "No, I guess not. I just hope you are better with your performance than your lie."
"Okay, that was really mean. So, I just hope you are not going to get scared and freeze up out there." Red eyes dared a small quick peek to the man at her side, before they began exiting the craft.
"You're still cute." A smirk sat heavy on his jaw. "Especially when you don't know how to give a proper comeback."
A roll of light emerald eyes as a woman pushed through the others. "Could you two get out of the way? There are actually some of us who want to do our jobs. You just can't with the hired help these days. It's really sad you know."
One last guilty look quickly given to the man who towered over her small, petite frame. When he smirked, her raised brow dropped into a deep bothered furrow.
As the team finally made their ways strategically onto the field, Nat and Clint were the ones already taking out men. Stealth and silence, always a present with them. There was a whistle, as the team heard "Dammit" echo throughout their earpieces.
"Nat, what was that?" Steve pressed down on his Bluetooth.
As the small woman, scissor kicked an operative, she answered. "Let's just say, I missed one."
"And the cavalry is coming." An arrow was seen slicing through the distance, catching a foe in the square of his back. "Great job Nat."
A shrug as she stabbed a man, felled by a sweep kick. "Hey, you needed the workout. To be honest, you've gotten rusted in your old age."
"Is that what this is? And if so, I'd rather not." Scott could be seen, trying his best to fend off three men. Far off to the right of the field, behind a boulder. Before he shrank down, taking advantage of the situation.
As everyone began to feel their own, the job was becoming just that much easier. The opposition were being gone through rather quickly. Enough so, one overly proud alien lacked judgment by turning her back on the enemy and giving them a deaf ear.
Unseen to her and the others was a deadly silent foe. Stalking. Waiting and watching for the perfect opportunity to strike from within the thick shadows. This moment was just made more than apparent. A heavy blast pelted upon Phoenix. The force from a purple laser, taking her breath away and knocking her unconscious. As the woman fell, the few HYDRA men still on the battlefield, gathered themselves. Scurrying deep into the base as everyone turned to take notice.
Attention was given to the wounded woman rather quickly after Steve placed her safely down. He returned to the enemy as Alana began trying her best to awaken the woman. She began to mentally hold a conversation with the eyes high above.
Bucky noticing the urgency, motioned to his friend. "Steve, Phe is down. Go to her. We'll make chase."
Rogers took a quick look over his left shoulder. The woman indeed needed his assistance more than the team at this moment. "Alright Buck. Just make sure you keep at a safe distance. I'll catch back up soon."
The friends grasped each other's forearm before the split. Barnes trotted, joining the rest of the crew. While Captain America found himself taking a knee by the fragile petite woman. "Come on Miss Alana. I hardly trust our adversary. Much less with Phe like this."
The light-skinned Celestial breathed at a steady pace, which was reassuring. Bright blue eyes took in the woman by his side. She was slightly flustered.
"She's fine Steve. Just had the breath knocked out of her, that's all. That weapon..." There was a jolt from the white-haired woman on the ground, provoking a halt to conversation.
Light green wore anger as they took in sheer handsome. However, this not being the time for admiration. She pushed off thoughts of him coming to her rescue. And mentally warned the only one who could be affected by her plans. After a small back and forth, she knew the woman finally relinquished control and did as was harshly asked. Though it seemed more of a demand. This she herself could care less in, however when this returned back to Rogers. The fact she gave warning should make her seem still harmless in his eyes. A small smile warmed her face.
"I'll leave her with you. I trust everything will be satisfactory, and you'll catch up with the team. I need you out there with us." Captain America entrusted Phe with Alana. Giving them both a once over before he sprinted away.
"Catch up to everyone else." Without giving the other woman a second look, Phe knew what was going through the other's young mind. "Go Alana. I just need to gather my bearings. I'll be right behind you. You feel my energy and you know I'm better than I sound."
"It's cute how you don't want witness of our conversations. I'd prefer to decline our interactions as well. With that being said. I'm out." Liara mentally struggled through each word.
Seeing how her powers were in full effect, a sadistic smirk graced the Celestial's blood red stained lips. Feeling quite sure of herself, she made way to the others.
Losing her bearings a few times, she had to pester a certain female. After finding a few juicy details, which somehow seemed to work in her favor, like they always seemed to. Until the same Wolf high above them seemed to think herself rather hilarious in provoking a thought and imagery into her mind. Then and there, Phe made mental note to destroy the bitch.
However, her empty threat only played into the other woman's hand. A stupid comment provoked by hatred. It was blurted out, faster than she would have liked. But Liara was asking for a thrashing. In one form or another. Though, the reaction given only made more sense in the fact, the She Wolf indeed was not a jealous creature. Getting even would have to take just that much more craft on her part. Something foul. So she just had to find out what, and give her a whammy. Ooh this would be grand.
Phe decided this was not the way to go about things on the battlefield. She had to do away with more of the men than not. However, burning out their eyes was not a route she wanted to invest in, she needed less reason for Rogers to be upset by her. So just sending out bone crushing particles would work just as nice. Far less messy.
The woman channeled her ability, turning her soundwaves into something darker and even further life damaging. Each wave now heavily saturated with an unseen, unheard force unlike any known on this planet.
As the first round of energy spurts fluidly bounced off walls, ricocheting down to find their intended marks. Painful screams were completely muffled, as the men were overtaken by the harshness of the damaging particles seeping into their entire being. Quickly killing each individual as they drowned in their own blood.
The alien knew she needed to find herself at the frontline, for the ability on sending her waves in the precise directions. Phe made herself push through the enemy. Feeling her powers becoming stronger, her eyes turned a beautiful milky silver as another wave released with a flick of her wrist. This time, with her control being in full effect, she was able to topple more than just the men in the vicinity. She was taking men out a floor below them as well.
The white-haired woman called out. Breaking the silence of the team. "I know you're in here. I saw you run from within the shadows."
"Phe?" The Avenger's leader grabbed for a small caramel colored wrist. His whisper a bit rushed. "What are you doing?"
The woman allowed the object her affection to lightly press her back against a wall, protecting her from any unseen enemy. A shy smile came to her face. There was a slight hesitance to her conversation. "Steve, it's okay. I have cleared the entire area. The reason why none of you have encountered anyone. I saw the person we are looking for, clear as day. Just like you can tell Nat that the pieces of whatever we came here for are like down that hall behind you, two doors down on the right."
A black bodysuit, turned and trotted down the hall. Following her were Stark and Wilson. "She's right Cap. Romanoff is going to patch into everything, save the files. We're going to stay here and watch out for her."
A nod was given as a hand raised to hold down a button on his Bluetooth. "Affirmative. Buck, you and Alana watch Phoenix. I'm going to go in and…"
"I think it's better if all of us go. I mean what is that saying you all have here on Earth? Strength in numbers or something like that?" A petite woman cleared her throat.
"Alana is right, Steve. Besides, you really didn't think I would let you hog all the action to yourself did you?" Sea blue eyes smiled as he clasped his best friend's shoulder. "Now come on. If she says our guy's in there. I somehow believe her."
Rogers and Barnes, guns at the ready made down the narrow hall before them. Heading slowly to the room the Celestial had pointed out as the refuge the foe was currently using. The quartet slowed to a halt as the men signaled to the female counterparts to remain quiet and in place.
The two entered the overly pitch-black room. As soon as they did, they were in combat. Two against one. Phe made way to assist, but was held back by Alana. "No. You go in there and you could get hurt as well."
"It's cute that you actually care enough." There was a loud crash, and plaster fell from the wall at Alana's right. Two pair of eyes watched the paint fall. "On second thought, you might be right. Bruises aren't hot. And neither of us heal as fast as the bitch…"
A roll of red eyes. "Liara."
"Dog, same difference." The women crept into the now silent room. The henchman was in a corner, being held back by a force. Unseen to anyone in the room.
Steve and Bucky were standing at the ready. Arms cocked, fists baring. However, the man only stood in the darkness. Waiting in a stalemate. At sight of the new comers, the man began to once again slowly remove a gun from its holster. Breaking the silence was a voice, everyone peered down to the blinking blue light in the dark.
"Guys, do you mind? I can't see a damn thing." Phe, knowing if this guy tried anything, she would easily be able to subdue him. With every fluid movement she made, he only held his hand on his weapon.
The woman extracted a flare from her suit, which dimly lit the room. She kept her eyes on the enemy. He stood tall, strong and in all black. From his entirely covered head, to his feet. "Just like the bad guys. Always with the mask and black. I swear. Look, don't get any idea into your head. Just cause I'm a woman, I can still take you down myself."
The man behind the mask, gave one deep cocky chuckle.
As soon as he did so, his body flew rapidly backward. Crashing hard against the wall. He was unable to move. Steve and Alana both rushed to Phe.
"But it's him. The same guy!" Phe pleaded to blue eyes which told her to not hurt the man further.
The man now being forcefully choked, by the alien's powers, coughed as he could barely release a laugh.
Phe gave one last deep furrow as she gave into Steve. Barnes made his way to the mercenary as he was nothing more than a pile on the floor. Easily pulling his gloved hands together behind him. Then yanking him to his feet.
Leading the guy to the Quinjet, seem an uneventful task, as he refused to give fight. He was pushed into a seat, while Bucky cuffed him in vibranium. Which the leader graciously offered his gloved wrists for. Phe refused to leave the man's side. Making sure to keep him in check seemed her job alone. She sat facing him. Arms crossed and narrowed eyed.
Communication was once again made with the She Wolf. She let the crew know she would dive into the findings as soon as they all returned. After the craft lifted from the ground, tempers were subsiding. Well, all but one. She was still heated, and she was about to make herself be known.
Phoenix slowly lifted to foot, made her way to the enemy, snatched the ski mask from his head. Revealing his brunette locks. She returned to her seat as the man lowered his head. The petite woman was antsy. Unable to sit still. The prisoner watched her through his mess of hair.
Green eyes squinted. "I see you watching me from behind that mop. I haven't forgotten you hitting me either. That you are going to pay for. Just because they won't let me lay a finger on you now…"
The man lifted his head. Resting it backward on the cold hard steel of the plane. His hair an unbelievable mess, just as well as the hair upon his face. He lifted his heavy brow once in amusement. Taunting the woman.
Alana watched the exchange between the two. "Leave him alone. Cap is watching the two of you. Well you mostly."
"Get the hell out of my head. This isn't the time for games. This guy, this is the guy that punched me, and it rocked me." Phe took a calming breath as she gave Rogers a fake smile.
Listening to the other woman, she was grasping her mind around what she knew she heard in her tone. "So he's strong and…"
Mentally cutting her younger half off. "Fine as hell. I mean, he looks a mess right now, of course because of that thing I pulled off his head, but look at him Alana. Really look at him. A fine specimen of the human species."
"You like Steve." A shake of fire themed hair.
"Wow, and he'd never know until you told him." Phe, making sure to justify her train of thought.
A mental sigh. "You are nasty and I don't want any part of what you are cooking up in your mind."
"Buuut I bet he will. Could you imagine No, of course you can't. Stick in the damn mud." The white-haired woman raised a lip. The man across from her let go of a small chuckle. "Look, see that. He already thinks about me."
"He thought that was meant for him." Red eyes watched as Bucky walked to the cockpit to hold a word with Sam and Steve.
"I will show him what was meant for him alright." A right brow was raised as she looked the what had to be overly fit man over.
The voice was entering her mind was overly chipper. "Eww you thinking about your boy out in the open like that?"
"How in the hell are you here right now?" Liara had completely ruined her thoughts.
"I wasn't euthanized, remember. Sooo like, you and Steve putting on Show and Tell for Lil Bit or what?" Normalcy had returned to her delivery.
How dare the Wolf invade her mind like this! "Get the hell out of my head!"
"Great! Y'all are here anyhow. I just hope to hell ain't no type of stank let loose as that hanger opens." Keeping the back and forth going was always pleasing.
"Nope, that'd be just you bitch." A small breath was let released, as the Quinjet touched ground.
"To Steve, yep. Yes indeed. Remember it's not the size that mat…" Even in metal conversation, Liara was unable to make it through her thought without laughing.
Everyone began to file from the jet. Steve remained behind, to usher their prisoner from the craft. There was no conversing, nor was there any form of resistance. The man was complacent.
Fury and Liara had made their way to the landing bay to met up with the crew. Liara, with her head down, refusing to eye anyone directly, only walked behind the Director. She had found a pair of Bluetooth earbuds to help in her constant battle of noise damage. She was reading a few items she was sent from Natasha from the extra files found on the hard drive of the HYDRA base.
It wasn't until Alana took a gulp that Liara lifted her eyes to see everyone. Her friend was next to the man she was head over heels for. Soaking in everything his hair was doing. "It's only blowing in the wind, that is how it works."
"Good. Where is Rogers now?" Nick questioned.
Sam motioned to over his left shoulder.
"So what do we have soldier?" The Director found his way to the leader of the team.
Rogers stopped to inform Nick Fury on the situation and what little he knew of their prisoner. "We encountered him deep within the compound. Miss Phoenix apprehended him solely."
"I bet she did." Liara mentally commented as she made her way to the men huddled up. Refusing to tear her eyes from the device in her hands. Everything she continued reading, was far too indulgent to not to. Another step, her eyes caught sight of something.
Liara pocketed her phone. Closed her eyes, reopened them to the sight of a pair of old beat down black biker boots. She took a hard breath, cautiously lifting bright yellow eyes slowly over the form before of her.
With every step she took, her gaze raised just a bit more. While there was nothing short of terrified broken breathes on the She Wolf's part. Liara slowly lifted her clammy right hand up close to the man's face. She extended her fingers, a hitched gasp. When their eyes met, there was a warm smirk on his lips. Seconds before she was about to make contact, she jerked her hand away. Only to down a huge lump in her throat. Her hand found his left cheek.
She furrowed her brow as he closed his eyes. She quickly lowered her hand. Before anyone knew it, Liara had clenched her fist. It connected with the man's left jaw. The impact thrusting him to the ground, bloody. It took Rogers, Barnes, Wilson and Fury to hold the woman back.
The man on the ground only let out a hearty laugh as he lifted to his feet. "Never the one to pull a punch, huh Lobita."
The growl vibrating from the woman should have given clue to the severity of the situation. If not, the snarl she gave was even more so. She made another step toward the man. One which was barely halted by the brawn restraining her.
She spat. "I don't know what the fuck you are! But you ain't him! You sorry fucking excuse of a clone!"
"Liara, either you are going to have to calm down or." Fury demanded.
Liara was rabid. "Let me kill this sorry piece of shit clone, then we're cool. Cause he ain't none of what he's claiming to be! This motherfucker might have his memories, but he. Ain't. Him!"
"Nat, take him to the holding cell. NOW!" It was taking everything to hold onto the She Wolf.
As the man walked past Liara with Romanoff, Liara bucked once more. "I got your bitch ass later! Believe that!"
"Miss Liara, this is not the way to handle." Rogers grasped a bloody right hand.
"Fuck you Steve! For that matter, y'all can get the fuck off me." Liara was on the verge of a breakdown.
Fury closed his eye, "let her go."
The other men stared at him in bewilderment. when he only nodded once more.
Bright yellow eyes only stared at the cement below her feet as she was released. Lost in jumbled thoughts, "he looks like him. Just like him. Fifty pounds lighter, but just like him."
Her face contorted. "But he can't be him. I know this. First off, he doesn't have a smell, none. Not one. Second, he…"
Her voice went to barely a whisper. "My… my... he... died."
"Three shots… a knife for good measure… He took his last breath," Liara held her hands before her breast, mentally seeing his blood on her palms, as her voice hitched. "He died in my arms."
"Liara," the woman lifted her head with her name being called. Everyone was gone. All but one. "Are you…"
Glassy eyes stared at her friend. "Dizil."
