Author's Note:
No triggers for this chapter. So a part of this fic is actually going to be making the Howling Comandos actual characters. Expect to see various chapters focusing on each of the individual members. Still going to be plenty of Steve and Astrid. Although expect a little rockiness for a little while. Both of them have got a lot to sort through. As always please review and let me know what you think.
Astrid sighed sitting down. Leaning against a tree. They had been walking for two straight days now. At this point, it would probably take them two weeks to make it back. There were stopping for the night and they needed it. Astrid herself taking a half-hour break before heading back out to treat people. The only person who didn't seem to be affected was Steve. Serum really did wonders. His unfailing energy also helped with morale. At least the mood was still cheery.
"You look like you need to sleep for a week," Morita chirped in sitting down next to her.
Astrid let out a chuckle. "I honestly have been through worse. This isn't my first march through the woods." Though a lot fewer people have died on this particular march. And it was definitely warmer.
"That does not surprise me."
She rolled her eyes fondly at him. "Please tell me you and Jones have at least got communication working. Would be a hell of a lot easier if they could meet us halfway. Really don't want to walk the entire way."
He clicked his tongue. "Sorry but no. We are on our own for this one." Astrid rubbed her eyes. They had the supplies to make it. The Hydra cache had more than enough. She just wondered if they had the energy. Maybe they could borrow some from Steve. Looking like he had just woken up from a fresh nap. And not walked two days after taking out a Hydra facility and doing God knows what before. He was checking on each soldier. Just as he did the previous night. Astrid had to admit. It did win him points for still being Steve.
"He really never gets tired, does he?" Morita asked.
She huffed. Keeping an eye on Steve. He was a far cry from the man who could barely jog without losing his breath. "Wasn't always the case."
"Have you two actually talked since we broke out?" She shot him a glare. "Shutting up now."
"Wise choice." She caught Steve looking in their direction. She gave him a nod. They were doing okay. She was doing okay. Nothing bad had happened to her since their escape. He gave her a nod in return and he continued making rounds.
"Seriously though you should talk to him," Morita continued. Astrid closed her eyes. Pressing her head to the back of the tree. Not wanting to have this conversation. "He is so in love with you it's not even funny."
That gave Astrid a jump to her system. Opening her eyes and turning to look at him. "Why do you say that?"
"Oh, you know. The way he looks at you. Talks about you. Asking everyone if you are doing okay. He's like me with my girl."
She gave him a small smile. "Got someone waiting for you back home?"
He fished around in his jacket and pulled out a picture. Passing it carefully to Astrid. She took it gently from his hands. The photo was a very pretty Japanese woman. Exquisite features. But it was her smile that shone the brightest.
"She's gorgeous." Astrid handed Morita back the picture. He tucked it back in his jacket pocket.
"Thinking about proposing to her when I get back." He chuckled. "Care to give any suggestions? Could use a woman's perspective."
"I assume that you want to make the moment special?"
"I want it to be the best damn moment of her life so far."
Astrid let her body relax. Drifting back in her memories. "Then let it make it easy for you. It's not the ring that important. It's the moment you ask." Morita looked at her confused. "Steve proposed to me on the Brooklyn Bridge after one of the most amazing dinners that I ever had." She closed her eyes. Picturing it in her mind. "What made that moment special is that he took the time to learn about me. What I liked. He put in energy and hard work. Making sure that every moment was perfect. And when the moment came for him to ask, he made sure that we were surrounded by our close friends." She opened her eyes. A small smile on her lips. "If you want to make damn sure that your girl says yes then show her that you value what she's interested in. You don't have to be interested in it yourself. All you have to show is that you care. Because if you care currently then you'll probably care for the rest of your life. You get what I'm saying?"
He nodded along. "I think I do."
Just as she was starting to relax, she heard someone call out for her. She let out another sigh. Astrid had been doing a lot of that lately. "Back to the grindstone." She stood up and brushed the dust off herself.
"Just take it easy Lady Liberty. Can't have our doc passing out from exhaustion."
She looked at him sharply. "What did you call me?"
"Lady Liberty."
"Yeah, that's what I thought you said." Astrid shook his head. "Why?"
"Because you helped liberate us from prison. Also, you're married to Captain America and also from New York."
"I'm German. From a tiny town, most people can't pronounce correctly."
"But you live in New York." Technically she couldn't argue that. He shrugged her shoulders. "What could be a more fitting name?"
She rolled her eyes. "Remind me to strangle the person who came up with that name."
"You're going to have to talk to Cap about that one." Of course, he's the one who bloody came up with it. "It's pretty much something that has caught on with everyone." Of course, it has. But that was something she would worry about later. Stupid nicknames weren't high on her agenda of problems to deal with.
Most of the serious injuries had been treated already. Now moving onto some of the more minor injuries. Also checking on bandages. Seemed like the work never ended. Though the falling light made the work a whole lot harder. They didn't want to draw attention so they kept fires low. She heard the patrols going out as well. Checking to make sure that no one was around. If enemy troops did stumble across them Astrid wasn't sure they would be able to fight back effectively. Considering how exhausted they all were.
Slumping against the same tree she did earlier she closed her eyes. Maybe she could actually get an hour or two of sleep before she had to head back out again. Just as she was about to fall asleep, she felt someone sit next to her. Jolting her awake.
Opening her eyes, she saw Steve had sat down next to her. She blinked several times. Trying to wipe the weariness from her eyes.
"Finally sitting down, I see," she stated stifling a yawn. "Anyone needing me?"
Steve chuckled. "You've pretty much-taken care of everyone." He looked over her. "You need to get some sleep."
"Was trying to." She closed her eyes again. Resting against the tree.
"Mind if I stay here?" The previous nights both of them were slammed. Basically, working through the night. Not seeing much of each other. This was the first night where that wasn't the case.
Astrid shrugged her shoulders. Secretly delighted that Steve asked her. "I don't mind." Honestly, it brought some measure of comfort. She was the only woman and having Steve close helped keep her mind at ease. Actually, feeling herself relax. Steve always managed to do that. Even now. Her body instinctively knew that she could relax around him. If he was a different person that wouldn't be the case.
Despite this though she didn't lean into him like she usually did. Wanting to see what he would do. Turn out it was nothing. He didn't even move closer to her. Seemingly content to stay by her side.
She opened up one eye. "Also, Lady Liberty?"
"It's fitting," he replied. "You are constantly fighting for liberty. Helping all those that you can." She could hear him sigh. "You have been Lady Liberty long before I became Captain America."
She closed her eyes again. "Still the nicknames? Seriously? We do have actual legitimate names." She could hear Steve chuckle next to her.
"Get some sleep, my love." Astrid tried to. She honestly did but something kept her from falling asleep completely. Teetering on the edge. Like her senses were too heightened to actually sleep.
"She finally getting some rest?" Morita asked. Astrid could hear his voice. Seemed like she was awake enough to overhear the conversation. "I swear I haven't seen her stop since we escaped. She must run out of energy at some point."
She heard Steve huff. "She's not there yet. But knowing Astrid she probably won't rest until we make it back safely."
"Another thing you two have in common." She could hear Morita shuffle around.
"She's probably also not sleeping because there are too many men around."
"Now how can you tell that? I mean it makes sense. If I was in her shoes, I would probably feel the same way." Good to know. Morita's girl was one lucky lady.
She could almost hear Steve smile. "She was like this when she first started sleeping with me. And I do mean actually sleep."
"Sure, you do." Steve must have glared at him or something because the next thing he said was. "Shutting up now."
"It took her weeks to actually fall asleep and relax." Steve sighed. "Her body is programmed to stay in this semi-state of rest. Kept her alive for years."
"Not great when you are on the brink of exhaustion. Can't you help her out or something?"
She heard Steve tsk. "She's not entirely happy with me at the moment." Morita must have had some sort of facial expression because Steve stated, "It's a long story. Can you go find Bucky?"
Morita chuckled. "He needs sleep probably as much as she does."
"Just go get him."
"As you wish Cap." She could hear Morita move away. It didn't take long for another set of steps to approach. Even with her eyes closed, she could sense who was approaching. Already starting to feel sleep try and claim her.
"Hey Buck," Steve muttered quietly. "Can you…"
"Say no more." Bucky sounded absolutely exhausted. But he settled down next to Astrid on her other side. Astrid naturally gravitated towards him. Her head laying on top of his shoulder. She could feel him rest his head against hers. Shoulders brushing each other. His hand snaking around to grip her waist. Pulling her closer. "I'm surprised you even found her in that maze."
Steve let out a sigh. "It was actually kinda easy. All I did was follow the guards. Most of them were around her room."
"How did you figure that?"
"I figured Red Skull would want to make sure that his most prized possession was heavily guarded. Turned out I was right."
Bucky gave a tired chuckle. "That's kinda sweet. In a horrible way but sweet." He let out a yawn.
"Get some sleep." He didn't need to be told twice. It didn't take long for either of them to fall into a dreamless sleep.
It was the early morning sun rays that woke Astrid up. She blinked wearily. Wishing that the sun would explode so that she could rest some more. That was when she realized that it was morning. She cursed herself. So much for her hour power nap. When she tried to get up though something blocked her. Now more conscious she realized the situation she was in.
Astrid was lying down. Head resting on the ground. While Steve was basically curled up around the tree. His back pressed against her chest. Just as they usually slept. Probably just muscle memory. Or maybe her self conscious trying to tell her something. She would decide later. Meanwhile, Bucky was somehow splayed overtop of both of them. Shamira was right. Astrid could totally see how Bucky would be a bed hogger.
She groaned as she sat up. Untangling her limbs from the others. That startled them awake as well and soon all three of them were standing. Looking more well-rested than they had been in days. Probably even longer than that. Not one of them said anything. Not needing to as they headed back out to their duties. Astrid treating the aches and pains that occurred in the morning.
"Rest well?" Morita asked. She had started with his division.
"Very. Considering I overslept," she replied changing bandages on one of the men.
"Not if you needed it," the man stated. Astrid gave him a glare.
"He's right you know," Morita added in as Astrid stood up and went to the next patient. "Even you need sleep."
"I know he is but that doesn't mean that I have to be happy about it." Broken wrist. Nothing too troublesome.
"You do realize that you're not fighting this war, alone right?" Needs a splint. Easily done. "You don't have to fight alone."
Astrid bowed her head. She knew this. She genuinely did. But instinct, training, and a lot of years of experience said otherwise. "It's hard you know." She started wrapping the wrist up. "After spending years fighting alone. You just get used to the fact it's you and only you." Well and Shamira but she was more an extension of Astrid than anything else. Not having Shamira was like having a limb missing. Even now she suspected her to be just around the corner. Ready and waiting. Though even Shamira wasn't around for everything. A fact that Astrid was happy about. There were some things that others did not need to know about. Some things that she had to handle alone. Steve… Steve started to change all that. But just as she was getting used to the fact that she wasn't alone anymore all this happened. And now Steve was someone else entirely. Someone she wasn't sure she could depend on.
"Look I don't know your story," Morita continued as she finished up that one patient and started moving to the next. "And frankly I'm not sure I want to. Torturers tend not to have the happiest of pasts." That was the understatement of the century. It was basically a requirement of the job. An abusive past meant you knew what would hurt the most. "And you all probably tend to be loners anyway but everyone here is ready to support you."
Astrid scoffed. Stopping in her tracks and turning towards him. "Seriously now? Whatever for?"
"Oh, how about the simple fact that you stood up to Schmidt of all people. The man who just also happens to be your father." Astrid winched. Wanting to forget that little fact. "Fought to keep us alive."
"I was only doing the right thing, Morita." She sighed running a hand through her hair. "It was Steve who rescued us in the end. Something that I couldn't manage to do."
"If it wasn't for you there might not have been anyone for Cap to rescue." He gave her a squeeze on her shoulder before trotting off. Making sure that his section was set up and ready to go. Astrid watched him as he disappeared into the crowd. Morita was a good guy but he still had a lot to realize. After all none of them would be in this situation if she had actually done what needed to be done. No. Hydra was on her head. And it was up to her to fix it. No matter the cost.