Author's Note:
No triggers for this chapter. Just some closure for our dear Astrid. As always please review and let me know what you think.
The moment the storm abetted they were up. All of them busting to get their stuff together. They knew that they didn't have a moment to waste. Astrid looking around letting out a sigh. With the snow now being twice as thick, it was going to be hard going.
Just as they were packed up and ready to head out Zygmunt came up to them. Astrid trotting up to meet him. Struggling a little bit through the snow. He was walking as if it wasn't even there.
"You really are doing this?" he asked still sounding surprised. Glancing at Astrid and all the others.
She shrugged her shoulders. "It's kind of what we do."
He nodded. Placing a hand on her shoulder. "I can see why you've joined up with them." He pulled her back into a hug. "Stay safe. I know how much trouble you can get yourself into. Despite how much Shamira might try to prevent that."
Astrid smiled. Patting his back. "You do the same." She pulled back. "We still have a long way to go before this war is won."
He smiled. "Though I'm not sure what I'm worried about. You seem to have a very protective husband."
"What do you-?" Steve showed up next to her. Slipping his hand into hers. Astrid naturally gravitating towards him.
"Ready to go?" Steve asked looking between her and Zygmunt. Zygmunt just shot her a look before finally turning his gaze to Steve.
"You may not be who I expected but I can see why she married you," Zygmunt stated throwing Steve off slightly. "You two are good for each other." He placed a hand on Steve's shoulder. "I can't thank you enough."
"It's what we do." Zygmunt smirked at his response. Giving Astrid one last look before saluting the two of them. Heading back to camp. Having everyone to look after.
Steve blinking a couple of times. While Astrid just shook her head. Used to Zygmunt's antics. Turning Steve and heading into the forest. Following Zygmunt's directions.
With the excess snow, it made travel difficult. Even for Steve. Once again camping in the woods in the middle of the night. On guard. Knowing that the Nazis were close. All of them scanning the tree line. Expecting them to jump out at any moment.
It was also brutally cold. Leftovers of the storm. Temperature dropping through the night. Wind picking up as well. Whirling the snow into a frenzy. Impossible to keep a fire going. Not even dying embers survived. All of them huddling together. Trying to keep as warm as possible under the makeshift shelter. Not even able to put up the tents. Astrid pressed into Steve as close as she could be. He felt like a furnace compared to everything else. Shamira on her other side. All of them huddled in one giant circle. Not even saying a word. The only focus was trying to keep warm.
Sleep was fitful at best. Snow relentless throughout the night. Only starting to dissipate with the daybreak. Astrid hoped that was the last of it for a long time. Dusting herself off as best as possible.
"That was the coldest I've been in my life," Jones said rubbing his hands over his arms. "I was certain we were going to freeze." There others nodding their heads in agreement.
"There was one winter where the river that wove its way through town completely froze over," Morita started to say. "First time in 55 years. And last night was still colder than that."
"That's what whiskey is for my friend," Dugan replied slapping him on the shoulder. "Keeps you warm." He turned to face Astrid. "And I don't want no response from you." She held up her hands in mock surrender.
Dernier cocked his heads towards them, shooting a smile towards Astrid. "You really going to let the Americans talk about the cold weather?" he teased. Used to how brutal European winters could be.
Shamira only shook her head and laughed. "Dernier is right. You thought that was cold? Astrid and I once spent four days stuck in a blizzard. A bit north of here actually. Astrid had to douse us all with drugs in order for us to keep our fingers."
Falsworth chuckled. "You vouch for that Doc?"
"That was brutal," she replied. Half tempted to take some of those drugs now. If only to fight off the chill in her bones.
"Coldest you ever been?"
Astrid's response died on her lips. Because the answer was no. There was only one other time when she was colder. When she was sure that she would never be warm again. Luckily Shamira noticed her lack of response right away. Veering to a different topic. Letting Astrid sidestep the conversation. Heading towards Bucky and Steve. Discussing strategy. Fitting by Steve's side without any interruption to the conversation. Sticking close to him to keep warm.
"You sure this is wise Steve?" Bucky questioned. "We're not even sure of the layout of the camp."
Steve let out a sigh. "We don't exactly have a choice. Dernier will create a distraction. Allowing Dugan, Falsworth and I to charge in. Morita and Jones follow in. Cleaning up. While you find the highest point, you can. That should give Astrid and Shamira enough to be able to sneak in and find the medicine." It was a brilliant plan. Considering how many unknowns there were.
And it went off without the hitch. Astrid listening to the gunfire outside as she rummaged through the medical supply tent. Dead Nazis at her feet curtsey of Shamira. Now guarding the tent flap. Making sure that no one else was coming in.
'You may want to hurry up.' Shamira stated cocking her gun and firing a few shots. The screams of men following shortly.
'Our boys in trouble?' Astrid asked going through the supply crates. Ripping through them with her abilities.
Shamira snorted. 'Not at all. But I sort of want to get out of here before nightfall. I remembered the last time we stayed the night after we raided a Nazi camp. We weren't able to get the smell to go away for weeks.' Desperate times that was for sure.
'It can wait then. There are a couple more crates to go through.' The truth of the matter was that Astrid was getting desperate. They had already gone through the medical tent and other than some vials of painkillers there wasn't much. Astrid now tearing apart the supplies. If it wasn't here, she wasn't sure what she was going to do. Possibly radio in Phillips. See if he could send in the supplies they needed. Though that could take weeks. And by that point, most of everyone would be dead.
Just as Astrid tore open the last crate, she breathed a sigh of relief. There were vials and vials of the cure. Liquid swirling around in glass vials. She put the lid back on. 'It's here!' She announced to everyone. 'We got it.' Immediately Morita and Jones swooped in and picked up the crate. Astrid and Shamira backing them up. Leaving the tent and taking out the men following them. Allowing for Morita and Jones to make it straight to the tree line.
'We're good to go, Steve,' Astrid threw in stabbing a man straight in the shoulder before breaking his arm. Her body protesting the action, but she ignored it. Just as she always had. She would treat herself once they got out of here. Others needed her right now. 'They are clear!'
'Fall back everyone!' Steve ordered. Astrid relaying the message. Best way of communicating when she was around. Since there weren't many opponents if any left it was easy to make their escape. Making it a couple of miles out of the camp before coming to a stop. Morita and Jones both wheezing. Putting the box down in the snow. Astrid wincing at each jostle. What was in that box was more precious than gold.
"Okay who's going to take the box," Morita huffed hands on his knees. "Because I'm not carrying that thing back.
"Agreed," Jones added in placing a hand in his chest.
Steve just smirked and picked up the box with both hands. Like he was picking up a feather.
"Show off," Bucky commented. Well, it was certainly that. Though Astrid was wondering what else they could be doing with those arms of his.
She felt Shamira slap her shoulder. 'Stop being distracted by your husband. You can think about having fun when we get out of this snowy nightmare.'
Astrid couldn't agree more. 'I think I'm going to have Steve request Tunisia next. We could the warmth.'
There thoughts interrupted when Steve called out his orders. "Let's move out. See how far we can get before nightfall."
Turned out pretty far. They almost made it back to their original campsite. Steve settling the box gently in the snow. Astrid took a douse of her medication. Another couple of droplets on her tongue. She could almost feel it working. Though her focus was elsewhere. Heading straight for the box. Opening it up and carefully going through each vial. Making sure that none were cracked or broken. She smiled. There was enough to cure everyone three times over.
"Everything you need," Steve asked walking up behind her.
"And then some," she replied standing up and turning around. Letting her hands wander up and down his arms. Thinking of several ways the two of them could keep warm.
Steve caught the way she was looking up at him. His eyes darkening. Pulling her close to his body. "Care to share what you're thinking?" he asked.
Astrid smirked. "I think you already know." She kissed him. Nice and slow. 'But it will probably have to wait until I'm completely healed.' She heard him growl. Sending a spike of heat down below. Unable to help herself she riled him up further. 'I'm going to satisfy you in so many ways. Ways that the bastard could only dream about.' She needed it. Astrid already knew that Steve would never hurt her. Treated her like a queen. But she needed to know if she could do the same for him. Plus, it was the last twist of the knife. Knowing that she was giving freely what that man had beat her so many times for. She gave him one last squeeze on his arms. "But in the meantime, we should get camp set up. Last thing we need is to be ambushed."
"Too late for that," Shamira called out. The mood immediately broken as they all turned to the newcomers. Several men approaching them. Though they breathed a collective sigh of relief when they saw Zygmunt.
"Figure you could use the help," he stated. "I gathered some of the more able-bodied." He glanced at the box. "But I guess you didn't need it." Krysia was there as well. Making it straight for the box. Astrid kneeling down next to her. While the others chatted with the men. Giving them a heads up of what was ahead.
"Zygmunt is lying you know," Krysia stated in Polish handling one of the vials. "One of the kids passed away while you were gone." Astrid let out a hiss. Zygmunt and Tomasz both had a soft spot for kids. Especially after their own were murdered by Nazis. "But you suspect that would happen, didn't you?"
"I had a feeling." The truth was Astrid was sure more of them wouldn't make it. Their condition was poor, to put it mildly. "Though I'm still sorry to hear it."
Krysia nodded. Holding up one of the vials to the light. "How much?"
"To be completely sure? An entire vial. But they probably only need about half if you want to ration." Krysia hummed. Placing it back and putting it in the box.
"I don't hate you two, you know," she stated startling Astrid. "Though I know I act like it."
"We wouldn't blame you if you did."
She smiled slightly shaking her head. "I know." Astrid gave her a moment. Ignoring the tears forming in Krysia's eyes. "But you two were like daughters to us. All of you were family." Astrid bowed her head. Closing her eyes briefly. "I just couldn't handle it. But I can't imagine what it was like for you." Her eyes were haunting. It was clear that she was somewhere far away. She took Astrid's hands into hers. "I know your gift, Astrid. Can you show me what happened?"
Astrid slowly shook her head. Tightening her grip on Krysia's hand. "I already have enough nightmares from that moment." Her shoulders slumped. Staring at the ground. "I can't give them to you too." Her voice was thick and heavy. "But I promise you... I promise you not a day goes by that I don't replay it in my mind. Wondering if something couldn't be done." But there wasn't. Astrid wasn't sure how many times she had replayed that moment. It was always going to result in the same. "I'm tired of burying loved ones Krysia." She felt her hand glide across her back.
"Let me give you one last piece of advice. Before we never see each other again." Astrid looked up at her. Seeing the strong and resolute woman she always looked up to. "You are a survivor Astrid. You've always have been. The downside of that is that you are going to be the one doing the burying." The voices in the back faded. Wind dying down. All that was here was her and Krysia. In the snowy wasteland. "Enjoy the time you have with them. Both good times and bad. Because I can guarantee you. Even the bad times you are going to look back upon as fond memories."
Astrid glanced back at them all. Laughing at something Zygmunt was saying. Feeling her heart swell. She would make sure that they would all get home alive. She had to.
Krysia stood up. Brushing the snow off herself. Astrid following suit. "Remember what I said," Krysia whispered quietly. "And for what it's worth you've found yourself a good man. Tomasz would agree. After he got over his clothing choices." Astrid burst out laughing. Steve And Tomasz in the same room together would either be amazing or a complete disaster.
Krysia giving her a half hug before stepping back. Tugging at the string around her neck. Taking it off and handing it to Astrid. "He would also want you to have this." On the string was a gold key. Astrid holding it in her hands. Not believing what she was holding.
"Is this what I think it is?"
Krysia nodded. "Should be in London," Astrid smirked. Vaguely recalling seeing it last time she was back at the old headquarters. Placing it around her neck. Joining Steve's locket.
Knowing that nothing more needed to be said Krysia started barking out orders. Ordering the men to pick up the crate. They did so quickly. Following her into the woods. It would take them the entire night to make it back. Astrid did not envy them.
She walked up to Zygmunt who finished giving Shamira a hug. Before turning to face her. One last final embrace. Astrid took a moment to savor it. Because Krysia was right. They would probably never see each other again. At least not until the war was well and truly over.
The two of them didn't speak a word. Letting her go and following his men into the woods. She was confident they would find their way back. They probably knew these woods like Steve knew the streets of New York.
With that, the Howling Commandos broke apart once again. Setting up camp. Only Shamira and Astrid stuck together. Watching the woods where they disappeared.
"What did she say to you?" Shamira asked in German.
Astrid let out a sigh. Letting her shoulders drop. "Exactly what I needed to hear."