Author's Note:

Trigger warnings: This is one of the chapters that earns its rating. A lot of hurt/comfort in this one and in the next couple of chapters. The basic gist is that Astrid meets her abusive ex and it goes as well as expected. Warning for physical and emotional abuse, childhood trauma and attempted rape. There will be a chapter overview at the end if you want to skip this one.

As always please review and let me know what you think.

This was stupid. Astrid knew that this was stupid but she also didn't have a choice. Only a few miles beyond the Polish border they got word that a friendly unit had been captured nearby by a notorious SS Commander in the region. A man so brutal most were afraid to even engage in combat with them. The man who informed them barely escaping with his life. Trying desperately to find anyone who could help mount a rescue.

He wasn't in good shape. Lots of scrapes and bruises. Though he was better after Astrid patched him up. Spilling all the details of his capture and escape. It wasn't good. He was the only one to actually make it out alive.

Unfortunately, they also had a very small window of opportunity. It wouldn't be long before the Nazis moved on. Wreaking havoc all across the country Leaving who knows how many dead in their wake. Which is why Astrid couldn't sit by and do nothing.

"Steve someone needs to go," Astrid argued. Placing a hand to her chest. "We are weeks away from our target and it's not like I don't know how to infiltrate a camp." All they needed was to figure out what their plans were. A simple mission if anything.

Steve ground his teeth together. Crossing his arms. Shamira let out a sigh. Shaking her head. Even now he didn't realize. Astrid would always win these kinds of arguments.

"I just don't like the fact that you are going ahead alone," Steve stated.

"What choice do we have? A small team is best. And I'm the only one besides Shamira that knows the area. And I'll be dammed if I let Shamira walk into a Nazi camp alone." The worst thing they would do to Astrid was nothing compared to what they would do to Shamira. "If we don't do this… if I don't do this people will die."

Steve softened up dropping his arms. Walking up to Astrid and wrapping her up in a hug. "I just don't want anything to happen."

She relaxed in his arms. Looking up and bringing him in for a kiss. The rest of them looking away. Giving the couple a moment of privacy.

"Everything will be fine my love," Astrid replied. "We'll see each other before we know it. It will only be a few days." She turned to the rest of them. "You all stay safe."

"We should be saying that to you," Shamira said waving her off.

Astrid gave one last wave. Trudging through the woods towards the coordinates the man gave her. Absolutely refusing to come with her. Whoever this commander was had him scared.

It took Astrid the better part of a day to make it to the encampment. Scoping out the area. Noting how many SS soldiers were strewn about. Nothing too terrible. The only thing out of place was the number of women captured. Watching as one was dragged out of one tent and into a much larger one. A petite blond woman with a slender frame. She seemed resigned to her fate as she went into the large tent. Probably the commanders. Astrid felt her whole body tense. She had a fair idea of what was going on. Almost made her want to step in until she saw the woman being dragged out a moment later. Clearly worse for the wear but not obviously beaten. Still, Astrid didn't ease up. Already realizing there needed to be a change in plans. Slowly sneaking in. Using the cover of darkness once night had fallen.

Waiting for the patrols to make their way past she snuck into the women's tent. Making sure she took off the mask before entering. Whoever they were expecting it certainly wasn't her. They all shrank away before realizing that she wasn't an SS officer. Quickly surveying the girls. Some of them clearly worse for wear. Bruises and bumps. A couple of black eyes. A brunette with amber eyes came up to her. Seemed like she was the leader of the group.

"You need to leave," she whispered. Eyes darting around as if expecting someone to jump out. "Before they grab you too."

"I'm here to rescue you all," Astrid replied. Astrid wasn't exactly sure how. There were a lot more people than she thought there would be. A lot more. But she would figure it out. She's been in worse circumstances. And these women looked like they were ready to be broken out. But the brunette shook her head. "I need to know everything. Guard rotations, schedule, anything you got."

"No. You need to save yourself. Before you are taken to that beast." She saw all the girls collectively shudder. Shrinking into themselves. It was really bad then. Only confirming Astrid's suspicions.

"Look I can handle it." As the brunette was about to retort "Trust me I can. It's nothing I haven't been through before." This called for a new strategy. She wasn't going to let these girls get hurt anymore. The plan, therefore, was simple. Take out the commander. Use that as a distraction to get them out of here.

It was the execution that was the problem. As she was about to continue arguing with the girl it became useless as one of the SS stepped in. Even in the dark, his black uniform was clear. All the other girls tried to hide. Except for Astrid. Staring at him with fire blazing in her eyes. Ready to twist his mind to pick her.

Turned out she didn't even need to do that as she soon found her hands bound behind her back with rope. Nothing she couldn't get herself out of in a few minutes. Her feet bound as well. Again, nothing out of the ordinary. Let them think they had control. Gave her the advantage. The brunette shook her head sadly at her. She could feel the fear.

It was only when she got into the commandeers tent and saw who it was that she understood why. Those icy blue eyes boring into her. She remembered those eyes. She remembered those eyes well.

And for the first time in a long time, Astrid felt true terror.

"Never expected you to be alive," he stated. Walking up to her and running a finger down her cheek. The man was tall and broad. Feeling like he took up the entire tent space. Light brown hair highlighting perfect skin. He was a man who knew he was in control the moment he walked into a room.

It took everything in her power to not rip out of her restraints and kill him. But she needed to know what he was doing here. And unfortunately, he wouldn't be able to tell her that if he was dead. "Surprised they actually gave you a command. Considering how incompetent you are."

His expression darkened. Gripping her chin tightly. "Seems like you have grown a tongue since I last had you. Nothing I can't fix." Astrid knew what was going to happen next. Preparing herself as he slapped her hard across the face. Still, she shook it off and stared. There was no way that she was going to give her monster of an ex-fiancé the satisfaction.

"Do you even know what you did?" he growled. Pulling her head up by her hair. "How hard I had to fight to get this post? After you almost destroyed my reputation." He spat on her face. "Now get on your knees."

"Make me," she snarled already starting to work out of the restraints. Not that she needed to. Her mind alone was enough to destroy him. Ready to reduce his mind to that of an infant. Screw figuring out his plans. The man needed to die.

"Get on your knees or I'll order my men to massacre all the prisoners outside." She stopped what she was doing. Focusing on him. "All it will take is too much silence. If they don't hear me. Well…" Astrid got the point. If one of the girls knocked him out then or got the upper hand then the guards would punish everyone outside. But she had one advantage over all of them.

"I said make me." One thing she did know about him was that he loved defiance. More importantly, he loved breaking defiance. He gave her a smirk as he kicked her in the knee. She winced but didn't go down. It wasn't until he put a gun to her head that she finally followed through. She could only push him so far. Still keeping her head high.

Astrid knew what was going to happen. She was going to get beaten and raped. And like before there was not a damn thing, she could do about it. She was that twelve-year-old girl again. Except for this time, she had a purpose. Keep him distracted long enough so that he wouldn't touch the others. Because unlike them she could take it. For as long as it would take. Until she could figure out a way out. For all of them.

She felt his fist contact her jaw sending her spiraling onto the ground. Spitting out the blood pouring out of her mouth. Just as she sat back up. He hit her again. Already she could feel the bruises start to form. Once again, she sat back up and glared at him. "That's all you got?" she hissed. "You still punch like a toddler."

He only laughed and shook his head before wrapping a hand around her neck. Barely allowing her to breathe. His other hand moving to her breasts giving them a hard squeeze. She winched. Feeling her skin crawl as he felt her up. That was for Steve and Steve alone. It took everything in her power not to mind blast the man but then his goons would know something was up. And it would become a massacre.

"Feel good to have a man touch you?" He let go of her and took a step back. Astrid taking a deep breath. Trying to catch up on her missing air. She knew his temperament. It might be a while before he allowed her to breathe again. "I'm going to have you begging for me by the time we are through."

"Yes, begging for it to be over. You couldn't pleasure a woman if you had a gun pointed to the back of your head." She knew she was playing with fire but she also knew that when she got him riled up he took his sweet time. Giving her more time to think of a plan. Though her thoughts drifted to Steve. How hurt and angry he would be. But he would understand. He had to. For her sake.

He kicked her to the ground and her head hit the floor with a crack. Pain rocketing through her body. Feeling his rough hands turn her over so that she was on her stomach. Soon followed by more kicks to her side. Her back. Everywhere. Not even uttering so much as a grunt. Pushing it to the back of her mind. After everything she had been through…this…this wasn't anything. Time losing all meaning. Closing her eyes as she heard the zipper come undone.

Astrid stilled her body as she felt a heavyweight on her back. She wasn't going to give him an inch. No sound would leave her lips. Her body completely unresponsive. Just as she had done so many times before.

"Once I'm done I think I'll let all my men have a turn," he snarled placing a knife at her throat. Feeling the blade bit into her skin. "Have everyone watch." It wouldn't be the first time "That way they can really see what kind of whore you really are."

A hand snaking around to grab her breast. The other undoing her pants. Slowly starting to pull them down. Ready for the inevitable.

It didn't come.

Relief filled her body at the sounds of gunfire and shouting. The tent door being ripped open and the weight being lifted off her back. What chilled Astrid the most was the snarl. It was almost inhuman. Followed quickly by sounds of bones cracking. And gentle hands helping her sit up.

"I'm going to rip your throat out," she heard Steve growl. She opened her eyes and saw him. Sitting next to her. Holding her up and glaring at her attacker. She turned to see the man on the ground. Shamira on top. Pummeling him with his fists. Blood flying in the air with each hit.

"Let me take care of him," Shamira snapped not to be distracted from her task. "You look after Astrid."

Steve turned to face her and she saw his eyes soften. Still filled with rage but also gentle. He cut off the restraints around her hands and feet. His expression darkening as she saw the bruises. Gently kissing her wrists.

"Did he hurt you?"

"A few bumps and bruises," Astrid shrugged. "Nothing that won't heal itself in a few weeks or so." Especially after she took some of the drugs that sped up healing in her bag. "Honestly, I was expecting worse. He could have brought out the fire." Astrid swore that Shamira started beating him harder. Now cursing him in German. "How did you get here so fast?"

"Once Sargent Hopkins actually told us who the Commander was, we turned around and headed straight here." Shamira must have recognized the name. She finally let herself relax and slump into Steve. Everything would be alright now. Shamira and Steve were here.

"Get me out of here," she whispered. Steve carefully picked her up. Hooking an arm underneath her legs. The other supporting her back. As they exited the tent the rest of the team was standing close by. His soldiers either killed or captured. Astrid feeling a small sense of respite at the corpses lying around. The women and the other soldiers free. Holding their captors hostage. Steve gestured towards the other Commandos and jerked his head towards the tent. They nodded and proceeded to join Shamira. Bucky leading the charge. Stopping for a moment in front of the two of them.

Astrid could see the anger in his eyes as he looked over her. Bucky letting out a shuddering breath. Just shaking his head. "Astrid I-"

"You don't need to say anything." She reached out and gripped his shoulder. "I already know." He reached over and squeezed her hand briefly. Before Astrid retracted it. Bucky then turning his attention to Steve. Having a conversation with their eyes alone. Bucky giving him a short nod and heading into the tent as well. Astrid may have not heard the conversation, but she knew what Bucky said.

Don't worry. We'll take care of him. You take care of her.

Steve took Astrid into the woods a small distance away. Far enough that the others wouldn't hear them. Apparently, this was where they set up base camp while she was captured.

He laid her down gently in one of the tents they set up. For a brief moment, neither of them said anything. Before he enveloped her in a bone-crushing hug. Astrid hugged him back and the two sat there soaking up each other's presence before Astrid established the psychic connection.

She felt all that Steve was feeling. Relief, anger, joy, worry.

'Relax Steve,' she stated taking him in. 'He didn't get too far.'

'He touched you.' Even his thoughts were filled with anger. He leaned back a little and cradled her jaw. A spike of pain went through her body. Definitely bruised then. She could also feel her lip split open. Steve hesitating for a moment before kissing her softly.

'I only meant that he hadn't raped me yet.' Steve went completely still against her. 'You...you arrived just in time to stop it.'

His grip on her tightened and she felt the rage coursing through his veins. She wrapped an arm around his neck and rested her forehead against his. 'Relax. Shamira is taking care of him. Along with the others. He'll probably be nothing but a pile of dead meat by the time we get back. I say-'

'Stop.' She felt the pain in that word. 'Please. You don't have to be strong.'

Oh, how she wished she could. 'Steve, I'm an expert on torture. If I wasn't strong then I wouldn't be good at my-'

"I know. I know.' They have had this conversation many times. 'But I'm not someone you need to protect right now.' Astrid felt her heartbreak at the tears starting to form in his eyes. 'I'm your husband. I'm whatever you need me to be right now.'

Astrid stopped what she was thinking. The truth of the matter was that she ran out of tears a long time ago. All she needed was him. To tell her that everything was okay. That she was okay. That he still loved her.

'Oh Steve,' She buried her face in his chest. 'Just tell me that everything okay. That you...'

She could feel his body start to shake. Burying his face in her hair. 'It's okay sweetheart. It's okay. Your safe now. I'll take care of you. I love you.' She lost track of time in his arms. Taking in his every touch. His scent. His every word of comfort. The I love yous whispered in her ears and in her mind. Astrid soaking it in. Running her hands up and down his body. She would stay like this all day if she could. Just let the world fade around them.

"We should head back," she spoke out loud. Prying herself slightly away from him.

Steve nodded. Kissing her deeply. Being careful of her lip and the bruises on her face. "The others will want to make sure that you are okay."

They headed back to the enemy encampment. Astrid walking on her own two feet. Her body protesting the movement. But she ignored the physical pain. She needed to do this. She had to do this.

Everything was pretty much in the same condition as it was when they left. Shamira standing outside the tent with the others. Blood dripping from her fists. Running up to Astrid as soon as she saw her pulling her into a hug. Careful of the injuries she could see. Astrid returning the gesture. Trying to hide how much pain she was in. Steve talking to the others.

"That man is a bastard," Shamira muttered sounding like she had been crying.

Astrid let out a laugh. "Trust me I know."

"Yeah, well unfortunately we know as well." She pulled away and looked at Astrid straight on. Keeping a hand on each of her shoulders. "He wouldn't shut the hell up no matter what we did. Or at least until Bucky broke his jaw."

Astrid froze. Taking a couple of moments to compose herself. "…He told you everything didn't he."

All Shamira had to do was nod. She let go of Shamira and looked over at Steve. Even with his back turned she could tell he was getting more and more horrified as Bucky told him what he said. Astrid let out a sigh. Hoping to spare them. Looks like that wish wasn't going to get granted. "We were going to save the finishing blow for Steve."

"No need," Astrid stated heading towards the tent. "I'm going to destroy him without even laying a finger on him." She had to. For all their sakes. Shamira quickly following her. That caught Steve and Bucky's attention as well. Following her in as well.

Once she caught a look at the man who tormented her, she let herself have a small smile. The man was clearly broken. It would take months of rehabilitation and even then, he would always walk with a limp. Nose always crooked. One eye completely swollen shut. Jaw broken. Arms tied behind his back.

When he saw her, he glared. Not being able to speak. Steve was about to surge forward but Shamira stopped him. Holding a hand against his chest while Astrid walked up to him. Kneeling in front of him with a self-satisfied smile. Technically she was skirting the lines a little bit. Okay, more than a little bit. But as long as she didn't put a hand on him, she figured there was nothing wrong with talking.

"You see that man," she asked in German pointing to Steve. "The tall blond man there. That beautiful piece of human perfection. He's my husband. The man I actually get on my knees for." Steve choked while Bucky gave him a playful nudge. She could see her plaything getting more frazzled. Good. "As a matter of fact, I discovered something. I love sex. Literally. Back home I made love with him almost every single day. And you wouldn't believe the positions. Would have broken most men. Yourself included."

"That true?" Bucky asked turning to Steve who was an interesting shade of red. "Damn. Who knew you were having that much fun?"

"So, as you see," she continued talking to her captor. "Absolutely nothing you did to me had an effect." Her macabre smile grew wider. She was going in for the kill. "Whatever pain you inflicted on me didn't even make a dent. I'm literally ravished by a man who only enforces how pathetic and weak you are. And he loves to give." She licked her lips to prove her point. "I might have sex with him tonight. Maybe in front of you. Show you exactly what the two of us get up to." He was getting really riled up now. Ready to snap. Astrid could only laugh. "You didn't break me. You didn't even damage me. For the most wonderful, loyal compassionate man in the entire universe wanted to marry me even after he knew about you. And all that you've done." She stood up and looked down at him. Letting him her what had been building up for years.. "For all the pain you caused it didn't really do anything. You are nothing. Left no mark. And now I'm standing here and you're the one covered in blood. How everything changes."

She turned away from him and went over to Steve. Kissing him deeply. He reciprocated quickly. Shamira and Bucky rolling their eyes at them. As they always did. All part of the show. Once Astrid broke it off, she turned to face her tormentor. Now even less than nothing. He was wrong. Another person would want her. Needed her. Loved her. After so many years. She had finally won.

The four of them left the tent. Meeting the commander of the group that they rescued.

"Do what you want to him," Astrid gestured to the tent. "He doesn't mean anything to us."

The commander nodded and the Howling Commandos returned to basecamp. Another successful rescue mission. And while they weren't any closer to taking down Hydra Astrid felt something in her chest lift. She looked at each of the companions she was surrounded by. The boys. Bucky, Steve, and Shamira. They knew everything and still treated her the same. And at that moment Astrid knew. Whatever may happen she could always count on them

Due to time constraints, Astrid has to invade a Nazi encampment by herself. Rumors of an infamous Nazi commander plaguing the land. The commander turns out to be Astrid's abusive ex. He beats and attempts to rape her. Only to be saved by Steve and Shamira. After being consoled by Steve she confronts her abuser. Finally now able to say what's always wanted to say and move on to a better future.