I only own Mel and other OCs.

Steve's POV

The second I saw Nat talking with Clint and Maria, I ran over to them.

"Nat, did you get it?" I asked.

"Right here," Nat tossed me a USB drive, "Everything that this base had on HYDRA's Plans."

I caught the drive effortlessly as I noticed small child tucked in at Natasha's side. A Girl who couldn't be more than nine years old. She was looking up at me with wide, frightened eyes and trying to make herself as small as possible.

"Nat?" I asked.

"She was alone down there Cap." Natasha explained, "They treated her as some kind of Lab rat."

My stomach twisted into a knot. I had hoped Strucker's experiments had been limited to the Maximoff Twins.(or should that be Lehnsherr Twins? I'd heard a rumor that they'd changed their name) That there weren't countless other children just like them. It'd been a naive, almost foolish hope. But I'd hoped it just the same.

I dropped to my knees and took off my helmet, "Don't be afraid, We aren't gonna hurt you." I said, in as calm of a voice as possible, "What's your name?"

She stayed silent and cast her eyes downward.

"She's doesn't have one." Natasha explained, "But I've been calling her Mel."

"Mel, I like that name." I gave her a smile, "I'm Steve."

Mel Blinked owlishly at me. her eyes continuously darting to the white star on my chest. I wasn't overly surprised that she couldn't see past the uniform, and I momentarily wondered what horrible things HYDRA had told her about me.

Maira huffed, breaking the silence. "What the F*** are we supposed to do with a F***ing kid who doesn't even have a name?"

I stood up, "We protect her. Like we'd do for any of HYDRA's targets. She's no less because she doesn't know if she has a name." I said, "Clint, get the medics over here. We should get her checked out at a hospital."

"On it Cap." Clint nodded.

"I have to make a call." Maria sighed and walked off.

I Volunteered to ride in the Ambulance with her, didn't want HYDRA using the transit as an opportunity to take her back.

During our trip to the Hospital, Mel whimpered when the Paramedic attempted to put in an I.V.

"It's okay, they wanna help you." I assured, gently resting my hand on her shoulder.

She hesitated but then leaned into my hand and turned her head up to look at me. I could see the fear in her eyes.

"But every time I get a needle, it hurts, and it makes me sick." She said, voice trembling.

"Well, these are different, these are anti-sick needles," I reassured, taking her small hand in mine.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, i`m sure. These won't make you sick. in fact, they'll help make you better."

"Promise?"

"I Promise. and Captain America doesn't break a promise."

"o-okay."

The Paramedic got the I.V in without a struggle, they gave Mel some fluids because she was severely dehydrated.

The small girl yawned, and her eyelids drooped. She looked exhausted, but i could tell that she was fighting to stay awake.

"It's ok..." I soothed, "Close your eyes if you're tired."

"Can't..." Mel whimpered.

"why not?"

"Not allowed..."

"Yeah, you are." I said, "It's ok. You can get some sleep. I'll be right here."

Mel's eyes drifted closed and she soon fell asleep. I kept watch over her. Wondering how many more children just like her were out there, hurt, sick, scared. trapped in HYDRA's cold unforgiving clutches.

We arrived at the hospital, and Mel stirred as the stretcher she was on was pulled from the back of the Ambulance.

"It's ok Mel. We're just at the hospital." I informed,

"No HYDRA?" she asked.

I shook my head, "No. They aren't here. You're safe."

We were herded into a small private room, away from the rest of the busy Emergency department. It was as I was sitting there at Mel's side. that my phone rang. I didn't recognise the number, but answered it anyway. "Hello?"

"Rogers, what's all this about a kid?" Director Fury's voice came from the other end of the line.

I glanced to my right, where Mel was dozing. Then began to explain the story as far as i knew it.

"those Mother-F***ers..." Fury grumbled, "Where's the girl now?"

"I'm with her as we speak," I said, "She's asleep right now. We're at Montefiore Medical center."

"Good, Good." Fury took a breath, as if considering what to do. "Listen Rogers, under no circumstances is that girl to be left alone. Shift change with the others if you have to. but do not leave her unprotected." he instructed.

"Yes sir, understood sir." I replied. I hadn't been planning on leaving Mel alone anyway. but having Fury's orders would help when it came to attitudes like Maria's.

I didn't leave Mel's side, not even when she was safely in the kid's ward with a room to herself.

I couldn't help but smile at the way the girl kept looking out the window at the view.

"Pretty good view, huh?" I said.

"I... I've never seen anything like it." Mel replied without tearing her gaze away from the window.

"I know, I felt the same when I..." I trailed off. my mind wandering back to when I'd first woken up in the 21st century and the bold, modern world that seemed so foreign at the time.

Mel glanced at me quizzically. Did she know my story? was it something HYDRA would teach?

Thankfully, I was saved from wondering further by the squeaks of sneakers against hospital flooring. and a familiar, "Excuse me, pardon me." Peter had evidently arrived.

"Hey Pete," I smiled when the teenager entered the room, Then I noticed that Mel was attempting to hide under the blankets, "Don`t be afraid Mel, it's just Peter."

Mel peeped out from under the covers, "Hi."

"Steve, go get patched up, I can watch her," Peter said, "do you know what somebody will say if he finds out you didn't get yourself looked at?"

"You sure you can protect her Petey?" I asked, I was hesitant to go. despite being a hero in his own right. Peter wasn't an Avenger yet.

"Positive, Nothing'll get past my Spidey sense, Melanie will be just fine."

"What?" I asked, double checking what I heard.

"Her name, it's Melanie. We've met before."

Dun Dun Dun. Peter knows Mel, What a Twist!

Thoughts?