Author's Note:
Astrid and Steve can not really catch a break, can they? No triggers for this chapter but expect a mixture of angst and fluff for the next several chapters as Astrid and Steve figure themselves out. As always please review and let me know what you think.
Astrid was ready to break out. She was actually ready on day two but there was no way she could break them all out without help. Red Skull had basically kept her under constant watch when she wasn't in her room. The only time she was free was when she was 'operating' and even then, there were guards posted everywhere. Even if she made it to the prison. By the time she unlocked the first couple of cells, the guards would be on her in an instant. All she could do was keep everyone alive. Which was getting harder and harder each day. Red Skull would figure out soon that she was faking the torture. Then they would all be in real trouble. He was already pushing to hurry up on what he called Project Valkyrie. She still didn't have any idea what that was about and she didn't want to exactly leave until she did. But he was being tight-lipped. As if keeping it secret would help protect her.
All that she did know was that he had actually found the magic cube that he wouldn't stop talking about. Project Valkyrie must have something to do with the cube but what exactly she had no clue. There were so many unanswered questions. First and foremost, she had to figure a way to get everyone out of here before they started dying. Currently patrolling the manufacturing floor with her father. Waiting for him to give something away.
'No offense Astrid but your father is a God-awful monster," Bucky stated. One of the first things they established was this line of communication every time she was near the work floor or the prison. 'I don't blame you for telling us he's dead.' She took some comfort in that. Bucky was a good man. Trying to reassure her several times for basically lying to them. It didn't help. If Astrid warned them or did something. Maybe they wouldn't be in this mess.
'To me he is dead,' Astrid replied looking at the man with loathing. 'He's been dead for years.'
Any luck trying to convince him?'
'Still trying. I think I got one more trick.'
Astrid scoffed. Continuing to look around with gritted teeth. Spotting any with injuries that she could 'torture'.
Red Skull turned towards her. Taking his hands into hers. "I know you don't approve." That was putting it mildly. "But this is being done for a better world."
She yanked her hands away from him. "Nothing justifies this. Nothing." She looked around. Anger blazing in her eyes. "What would mom say if she was here now?"
Red Skull cocked his head to the side. Pondering the idea. "Your mother would probably criticize the décor. She always had a better eye for style and color." Well, that was true. Mom often bordered on the ostentatious side. "She would also have more corpses hanging from the ceiling to set an example."
Astrid's mouth dropped open. Trying to process. "What? Are…you? Mom would never-"
He placed a hand on her face. Giving her a sad smile. "My biggest regret was that your mother was taken too early from us. Before you really understood who she was."
"I think you and I remember mom very differently." Mom. Astrid tried not to think about her too much. But she was fierce. Standing up to those who stood in her way. Pushing Astrid to do the same. At the same time, filled with so much love. Remembering the stories and songs she used to tell in front of the fire. The way she trained Astrid in her powers with a gentleness. Taking in Shamira and her entire family as if they were her own. Even now Astrid could remember the love her mom gave her. To hear her father, speak of her that way.
He smiled. Slightly shaking his head. "You look so much like her." It was true. Sometimes Astrid caught herself in the mirror. Thinking it was Mom.
"Don't…Don't speak of her," Astrid growled. "I wish your places were reversed. That she was alive and you were dead."
He let out a sigh. "I know. Sometimes I feel that way too." Astrid winched. Feeling the emotions coming off her father. Because despite everything he still loved Mom with the same passion he always had. And Astrid as well. "But you'll see. It's all for a greater purpose." He looked over to the Hydra goons. "Take her back to the room so she has a chance to calm down."
They grabbed Astrid by the arms and started dragging her away. Used to this treatment. Many of the prisoners looking over at her and wincing. This wasn't the first time this has happened and it wouldn't be the last. Catching one last thought from Bucky. Stay safe.
She was gently pushed into the room. Hearing it lock behind her. Letting out a sigh. Now only to sit around and work on the plan. Who knows how long she would be locked in here.
Pacing around her room she thought she heard something being slammed into a wall before her door swinging open. In came a rather imposing looking guy. At least six foot he looked like the peak of human perfection. Wearing a leather jacket and a blue helmet he stood in the doorway looking at her. A shield decorated with the U.S flag in hand. His face covered in shadow.
"Can I help you?" she asked him in English. Readying one of her blades. She was lucky Red Skull hadn't disarmed her. It had taken a lot of persuasion on her part.
"Astrid," he said stepping into the light. That voice. That voice she would recognize anywhere. A voice she thought she might potentially never hear again.
"Steve?" she dropped her blade on the floor as he walked towards her. It landed with a clink. He stopped right in front of her. She actually had to look up to meet him in his beautiful blue eyes. "What happened to you?"
"Let me show," he replied taking her hand gently and placing it on his cheek. Not that it was needed. She could read minds well enough without physical contact. But there was something intimate about touching him. Immediately she sprung into the past couple of months in his life. Recruitment, bootcamp. Her heart gave a stutter each time she saw Erskine. Hoping beyond hope that what she imagined wasn't the case. Her heart immediately sunk when she watched Steve receive the serum. She broke off contact immediately and took a few steps back breathing hard.
"What have you done?" she hissed. "Do you even know what that stuff does to you?"
"I know everything love." He took her hand. For the first time in their entire relationship she flinched and he immediately backed off. "Shamira told us everything. The training, the assassination attempt, prison… your father."
"Everything?" She looked at Steve and let out a hollow laugh. "I told her that promise was going to be broken. Didn't realize she would be the one to do it." She looked at Steve again examining him carefully. He seemed like Steve if only taller and well…more. Maybe… maybe it did actually work. Maybe it did turn him into a perfect soldier. Only what did that do to Steve?
"What are you doing here?" she asked him.
"I'm here to rescue all of you," he answered simply.
Astrid raised an eyebrow. "Phillips allowed that?"
"I figured it was easier asking forgiveness than permission." That actually sounded like Steve. Maybe he was still him. She would have to spend time with him to figure it out.
"Meaning we're on our own then. Okay." She ran her hands down her face. "I've been in worse situations. Let's do this. If you could give me a moment. Close the door as much as you can but leave it open a crack. It automatically locks." Steve did so and Astrid started getting undressed.
Steve's eyes went wide and he started to blush. Shifting from side to side. Astrid gave a small smile. Acting like he always did. Like he could not believe that she actually wanted to sleep with him. Even though they were married. It was always like he was expecting for it to be some kind of joke. Once she was down to her undergarments she grabbed her old uniform out of the drawer. Red Skull had kept it as a memento to her. Still fit perfectly as she slipped it on. Hooking the mask around her belt. She wouldn't be needing it here. Picking up her blade off the floor she looked at Steve who was still staring at her. Mouth hanging open.
"You're beautiful," he stated. "I mean you've always been beautiful. It's just… it's like you've gotten even more so. Not that you weren't before-" Good old Steve. Still has no idea how to talk to women.
"I'm going to stop you right there." She looked at him with a small smile. "The serum cured your color blindness didn't it?"
Steve nodded. "I didn't even know the sky was that blue." His expression softened. "Or that your eyes were that bright of a green."
It was time to start testing the waters. "Remind me when we get out of here to take you to the National Gallery in London. Most of the paintings have been hidden but they still occasionally have some galleries."
His eyes lit up at the sound of that. "I would love to. I haven't even had the chance to go to a gallery since I started selling war bonds."
Astrid shook her head. "You still have to tell me how you got involved with that." Steve opened his mouth. "Never mind tell me later. Right now, let's rescue our guys."
Steve gestured towards the door. "You lead."
She nodded. Walking out the door. They moved quickly through the corridors. Bypassing all the guards. Another good thing about mind-reading powers. Let's you detect people really easily. Made Astrid wonder how Steve found her in the first place. Unfortunately, they still had to go through the main weapon manufacturing area.
Picking up on a guard right outside the door she signaled to Steve to be ready. Tapping on the door she ducked out of the way so that Steve could slam the door on the guard's head before punching him in the face. He groaned and collapsed on the ground. He quickly dragged him through the doorway. Hiding him from view before the two of them continued on.
It was a hassle maneuvering around all the guards. They couldn't afford to start a fight. Not yet anyway. Coming across some of the glowing pieces that were being worked on. Both of them took a second to examine them while Astrid grabbed one of the smaller parts. They needed to get this to Stark so he could look it over.
Leading him over to where the prisoners were kept she pointed downwards. Steve nodded and took out the guards above. Astrid had to admit. Steve was amazing. Considering his habit of running into danger the serum was probably beneficial in the long run.
"Hey guys," Astrid stated as Steve looked for the keys.
"Doc," Dugan replied. "Finally breaking us out?"
"With some help." Steve popped up next to her. Looking down at the prisoners.
"Whose he supposed to be?" Jones asked.
"I'm…" Steve started to say. "Captain America." Astrid gave him a look like he had gone insane. He was calling himself what now?
"I beg your pardon?" Falsworth replied. A British offer Astrid bonded with. Kept in the same cage with Bucky and Dugan.
"The dofus is my husband," Astrid answered cocking her head towards him.
"…Really?"
"Seriously."
The two of them headed down and started unlocking cells. Men poured into the hallway waiting till Steve freed them all. However, despite unlocking everything Bucky was nowhere to be found.
"Falsworth!" Astrid called out "Where's Bucky?!"
"Not sure. He could be in the isolation ward in the factory," he answered. "But no one ever come back from it." That was Astrid's biggest failing. Every once in awhile Red Skull would pick a prisoner at random and put him in isolation. Not even letting her know what was being done. Unfortunately, he just happened to pick Bucky. She let out a string of curses.
"All right," Steve stated. "The tree line is northwest. 80 yards past the gate. Get out fast and give 'em hell. I'll meet you guys in the clearing with anybody else I find."
'If you think I'm going to let you go alone,' Astrid spoke telepathically to Steve. They had established this relationship a long time ago. Some days they had entire conversations in their heads without saying a word to each other physically.
'I need to find Bucky and these men respect you. You need to lead these men to safety.'
Astrid grumbled but he was right. She couldn't argue with him. He would let her go if the situations were reversed and it was Shamira being held.
"Wait," Jones said stopping him. "You know what you're doing?"
Steve turned to look at him. "Yeah. I've knocked out Adolf Hitler over 200 times."
'When you get Bucky we are going to have a long conversation,' Astrid sent over to Steve in her mind. She sent him a mental map of the facility. 'Find him.'
'Stay safe.' She watched him as he ran out the door. Shield strapped to his back.
"Okay you heard the man," Astrid shouted. "Let's get out there and give them hell!" The men cheered as she led the charge. Pouring out of the cells. Overwhelming the few guards left. Grabbing what weapons they could. Using her knowledge of the facility Astrid led them outside. Where a whole new chaotic battle erupted.
Astrid slashed open one of the guards before launching herself at another. Falling into her usual rhythm. Taking out Hydra agents right and left.
Bullets and lasers were flying in every direction. Men falling by the wayside. But they had numbers on their side. That and her ability to plant suggestions in people's minds made it was easier. Letting those with weaker minds fall unconscious when she had a moment in the heat of battle. Shielding herself from the shots that came too close. Jamming guns when convenient. Detonating grenades still attached to their belts. It was going well. Fires breaking out all over the place.
Astrid could see they were gaining the advantage. It also helped that Dugan, Jones, and Falsworth got ahold of a tank and were blasting Hydra to kingdom come. Grenades were flying all around. Astrid having to shield several of her fellow escapees. The tank is what ended up blowing open the gate and they all started rushing out. Making their way to the tree line which Steve pointed out. Just in time to see the compound explode behind them.
Astrid cursed. Feeling the heat even from this far away. Red Skull must have set off the self-destruct. She set off. Making sure all the stragglers made it to the tree line and that the injured also made it to safety before starting to take care of them. It kept her mind off the fact that Bucky and Steve were still in there. Worry flooding her mind. She still had to figure Steve out. If he was still him.
Relief filled her bones as she watched the two of them emerge. Making their way towards them. Bucky looked pretty severely injured. Astrid took off like a shot. Running up to them she pulled Bucky into a hug. He embraced her as well. It also gave her a chance to check him out. Looked worse than it was. Meanwhile, Steve messed with something in his pocket before swearing.
"Good to see you too Doc," Bucky mumbled into her shoulder. "Mind taking a look at me?"
Astrid chuckled. "You have to get in line I'm afraid. Got plenty more who need me first."
"Looks like we'll have to walk back," Steve stated. The two of them stopped their embrace and looked up at Steve. "Transponder is busted." He held up a gadget that had a hole blown through it.
"Red Skull kept a cache of supplies not far from here," Astrid replied. "In that direction." She pointed North. "Shouldn't be too hard to find. I suggest taking a couple of the able guys and grabbing what you can."
"You're not coming?" Steve asked. She could sense the disappointment.
She shook her head. "Right now, I need to stabilize the wounded." Looking at the men surrounding them. "We should also probably divide our group into sectors and put a man in charge. I suggest Morita, Falsworth, Jones, Dernier, Dugan, and Bucky if you're up to it." Bucky gave a nod. He was not in the best shape but he was more than ready to do what needed to be done. Astrid turned her attention back to Steve. Still not used to the fact that she had to look up at him now. "I assume you know the way back at least."
He nodded. A small smile on his face. "You seem pretty good with giving orders."
She scoffed. "You're not the only captain here." Steve's smile widened and started following her instructions. It wasn't long before they had everything rounded up and were moving. Trying to get out of the area. The explosions would have certainly drawn attention.
They made it for a few miles before stopping. The men too tired to continue on. Astrid however was still busy jumping from one guy to the next. She had a feeling that rest would be a rarity in the near future. She had moved the most critical patients onto the tank and did the best she could with those that could walk.
She was bandaging a guy up when Steve trotted up to her. The guys looked up to him in wonder but Astrid kept her head down. Hoping that Steve would not develop a hero complex.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Steve asked.
Astrid nodded and stoop up once she finished bandaging the guy up. "What is it?" she asked.
Steve tapped the side of his head indicating he wanted a psychic conversation. She agreed and connected their minds together.
'I'm going to need you to be on guard until we get back,' he stated starting to walk. Astrid walking by his side. "Last thing we need is to get ambushed."
'I'm already on it,' she replied. She looked closely at him. He did not appear to have a scratch on him. 'I'll let you know if anything pops out but I assume that's not what you wanted to talk about.'
'I ran into Sc- Red Skull on the way out.' Astrid tensed. She didn't want those two to run into each other. 'He mentioned you.'
'I'm not surprised.' She pinched the bridge of her nose. 'What did he say?'
'Only that you are one of the superior humans… I think you know.'
'I do.' She let out a sigh. 'Does he know that we're married?'
'I didn't bring it up unless you did.'
'He knows I'm married. Whether or not he figures it out is not my concern right now.' She had bigger things to worry about at the moment. Like getting all these men back home alive.
'Well… if it helps there could be worse fathers-in-law out there.'
She let out a laugh that caught the attention of some of the other men. Still had Steve's sense of humor. 'I'm not sure who,' she responded.
'I also wanted to apologize.' She looked sharply at him. 'I'm sorry about the serum. If I had known…'
'Would you still have done it?' She stopped in her tracks. She needed to know.
'Only if you were okay with it.'
She rolled her eyes at him. 'Since when have you done things that I'm okay with? You probably would have done it regardless.' She poked him in the chest. 'Besides it's not like you could easily contact me. Our mailbox will probably be full once we get home.'
It was his turn to laugh. "Considering I haven't been home recently that won't be surprising."'
'Right because you have been too busy punching Hitler.' The two of them continued walking. This time on the outskirts of the group.
'Want to see what I've actually been doing?' Astrid nodded and was let into his memories. It didn't take long for her to start laughing. Breaking out of the memories. She wasn't sure how much she could take.
'You sold war bonds as a dancing character.' She was still laughing. 'I can't wait to show this to Shamira and Bucky.' She glanced at Steve who was blushing. 'Any of the pretty girls catch your fancy?'
'No. Not one came close to matching up to you.' It was Astrid's turn to blush and what she saw of his memories that was indeed the case. Though she did have to thank the girls for something. They seemed to have taught Steve a thing or two about sex. When groups of women get together all sorts of topics were discussed. Not that it was bad before. Especially with the psychic connection that allowed them to feel what the other was feeling. But now… Now she was thinking about having sex with Steve in his current condition. It would probably last much longer.
She was unable to help herself. Glancing done. Wondering how much bigger he was. Luckily, she cut off contact before she went down this train of thought but apparently, she wasn't subtle enough as Steve caught her glance. He licked his lips and she almost felt her knees buckle. Stupid Steve knowing her weaknesses. She was still on edge though. Waiting for the shoe to drop. So far it seemed like he hadn't changed. But she had to be damn sure.
She backed away when he tried to reach out for her hand. Probably intending to pull her in for a kiss.
'If that's all I got others I need to attend to. The hurt in his eyes almost made Astrid want to stay. Wrap him up in a kiss and never stop. But this man might not be her Steve and until he proved otherwise, she was going to keep a careful eye on him. And stay at arm's length.