Author's Notes:
No triggers for this chapter. Just some heavy combat and a medical situation. Falsworth does not have a good time in this chapter. As always please review and let me know what you thinik.
Astrid ducked and weaved. Taking cover behind a pile of rubble. So far, they have only managed to blow up half the base and not the entire thing. Currently, they were in a large manufacturing room that went up several levels. Layers of platforms and walkways up above. Men on each level shooting down at them. Astrid doing her best to shield them all from the lasers. Astrid winched. If they got hit with one of those they wouldn't stand a chance.
Falsworth was next to her. Breathing hard. Loading up his gun once again. He must be running out of ammo at this point. What started as a simple base assault quickly went to hell. She wasn't even fully sure where Morita and Jones were. Bucky somehow made his way up into the rafters. Trying to take out as many Hydra agents as possible. Shamira and Dernier on the other side of the room. Crouching behind their own collapsed wall. Steve and Dugan in the center of it all. Taking out any who came close to them. Unfortunately, they were still pinned down. If they didn't get out of this trap they would be done for. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. And they were the fish.
It was obvious from the start that Red Skull wasn't here. Probably leaked the information to bait them into coming. Setting up this trap. Astrid gritted her teeth. They would have to be way more careful in the future. Since right now Astrid didn't see them getting out of this without serious injuries.
At least until Morita and Jones appeared out of nowhere on the upper platforms. Taking them by surprise. Soon men's screams joined the sounds of gunfire. Look like they found a way up. Giving the rest of them a chance to get out of here.
"There is a doorway on the left-hand side," Steve stated over the comms. Useful device. Astrid's idea with Starks help. Handy when everyone's thoughts were a jumbled mess during conflict. Much easier than having to sort through them. She also took a brief second to peek up above the cover. Spotting the doorway that Steve was talking about. "Dugan and I will make a break for it. The rest of you cover. I want Dernier and Shamira to follow." Made sense. Falsworth and her only had to leap over the cover and they would be there.
What resulted was controlled madness. Astrid shielding what shots she could. Manipulating minds and jamming guns when she got the chance. Breathing a sigh of relief each time one of their people made it through.
"Think it's our turn," Falsworth stated looking over at her. She nodded. Standing up and ready to leap over the debris. She went first. Landing right in front of someone trying to reach him. He didn't stand a chance.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Falsworth leap over as well. There was no way she was going to go through without him. Until she felt her stomach drop. One of the Hydra bastards getting in a lucky shot. Hitting the debris just as Falsworth was going over. She watched with growing horror as the debris exploded around him. His cry of pain clear as day.
Astrid let out a single breath and moved. Grabbing at Falsworth. Hooking her arm around his waist. Draping his arm across her shoulders. Grateful that he could still walk. Using her spare hand to take out all those who stood in her way.
'Falsworth been hit,' she announced as she crossed the threshold of the door. Shutting it closed and locking it with her mind. Briefing noting that they were in a short hallway. At the end was a set of stairs leading up.
"Damn bastards got my shoulder," Falsworth groaned, gritting his teeth. That was certainly the case. His shoulder was completely burned up. Red, swollen, blistered. She started pulling the edges of his jacket off. Trying to get a better look. Causing him to winch out in pain.
"What's the status, Astrid?" Steve asked over the comms. His voice crackling slightly.
She shook her head. 'We got damn lucky. First-degree burns though there is also some debris lodged in here.' Already she was going through her kit. Pulling out everything she needed. Burn cream, tweezers, antibiotics. 'Nothing I can't handle but I wouldn't want any surprises coming down.'
"You got it Doc," Morita replied. She thought she heard the sounds of gunfire increase but that wasn't her concern right now. Falsworth cursing up a storm as she tried to get access to the wound.
"Can't you do anything for the pain Doc?" he asked wincing.
She kneeled down and looked him directly in the eye taking off the mask for a moment. "I can give you something but you are going to be loopy for a while, or I can numb the pain with my mind."
He gave her a glare. "Bloody Hell Liberty I don't care what you do. Just numb the pain." Astrid nodded and went into his mind. Turning off the pain center in his brain. He breathed a sigh of relief.
"That feels amazing," he stated as Astrid got to work. Slipping her mask back on. In this low light, she needed it. Able to look at the wound clearly. Nothing serious but it could easily be infected. Starting to pick out the debris. "Why isn't that the default option?"
'I don't mess with people's minds without their permission.'
He bobbed his head back and forth. "Feel free to mess with my mind anytime you want Doc." She hummed in response. Keeping that in mind. Continuing to clean the wound. "You seemed pretty calm."
Astrid snorted. 'All part of our training. I once stitched back together a man's lungs in the middle of a battlefield.'
"Did he survive?"
'For all five minutes, he needed to.' Their conversation interrupted by the sounds of heavy footsteps coming down the stairs. A Hydra agent rounding the corner. Astrid just sparing him a glance before Falsworth raised his arm and shot him in the head.
"And that's my last bullet." He dropped his arm back down.
'I thought I asked for no more surprises,' Astrid sent out.
"Sorry," Dernier responded. "One of them got away from us."
"Let's make sure it doesn't happen again," Steve replied. Steve was actually starting to pick up some French. She often caught him having conversations with Dernier. Astrid wondered how long it would take before he was completely fluent. "Astrid, what's your progress?"
'Should be done here in a few minutes.' She had managed to clean out all the debris and was now injecting the antibiotic. Filling a syringe with a clear liquid. 'We'll meet you at the rendezvous point.'
'Be safe you two. That's an order.'
"Understood Cap," Falsworth added on. "Nothing will happen to Lady Liberty on my watch." She slapped him in the good shoulder. "You know I still can't feel anything right?"
She rolled her eyes. Taking a hold of his good shoulder. Having finished laying on the bandages. 'You know the feeling when your foot falls asleep and it slowly wakes up?'
'…Yeah?'
'Well, when you gain feeling back it's going to feel like that. Except times it by a thousand.' She let out a sigh. 'Even with the numbing agent I injected in you It's going to hurt like a bitch.'
'Lovely.' Falsworth placed his hand on top of hers. "I'm ready when you are."
Astrid released her hold on his brain. Letting the pain slowly seep in. She could obviously tell that it was affecting Falsworth. Fighting against crying out in pain. Gritting his teeth. She helped him up. Him using her body as support until he could stand on his own.
"Lead the way Doc." Astrid gestured towards the stairs. Glad that she knew the layout of this complex as well. It was going to be a problem when they got to the ones, she was less familiar with. Heading up a single flight of stairs. Taking the first doorway they came across. Finding themselves on a walkway. Astrid steering them away from the battle. Already the sounds of gunfire fading.
'Not far now,' Astrid stated. 'We just have to make it past this walkway and down a flight of stairs. After that we-' Four guards emerged from the door across from them. Carrying heavy weaponry. They all stood there a moment and stared at each other.
"You forget to mention them," Falsworth mentioned.
Astrid growled as the bullets started coming at them. Raising her arm up. Blocking the bullets with her mental barrier. Shimmering purple energy forming a shield between them and her. Bullets crashing into it. Falling uselessly at her feet. She marched forward. Not caring. Blade in her other hand. Dropping the shield as soon as she got in range. Ducking and slipping the blades between the man's ribs. Picking up her second blade in her free hand. Stabbing him in the chest. It took mere seconds. Quickly moving on. Elbowing the next guy in the face before eviscerating him. Astrid swore she saw teeth flying.
Unfortunately, it seemed like the four men had friends. More guys coming out of the door. Luckily, they were fighting down a narrow corridor. It was like they were lining up to be killed. Astrid cutting through them as if they weren't even there. They seemed to start to realize this as well. Starting to keep their distance. Really not good. Astrid just managing to raised her shield before the bullets came flying at her once again. Even as she was grappling with one of them. Having switched sides so that he was between her and Falsworth. Not a good position. Trying to block the bullets while also trying to not get stabbed. Hydra soldiers were apparently also equipped with knives now. Nasty serrated things. She winched. Worried about one getting a lucky shot in.
Though her fears were unfounded. Being saved by a flying metal shield. Slamming into three of the men behind her. Knocking them off the edge. Hearing a sickening crunch as they landed on the floor below. The disc bouncing off the railing. A loud clanging echoing before coming straight towards her. Astrid doing the only thing her brain could think of. Jumping up in the air. Slipping her own arm through the shield's leather straps. Loose against her arm but it was enough. Somersaulting in the air and slamming down the shield against the man's neck. Breaking it instantly. The impact ratting her bones. Landing on her feet. Shield hanging off her arm. Gripping the railing so that she didn't collapse from the recoil. How did Steve do it? Astrid was feeling winded just from that.
She looked up and saw him on a balcony above. Steve looking down at them. Vaulting himself over the railing. Landing right in front of her. As if he walked over and not just jumped from a ridiculous height. The rest of the Howling Commandos coming out from the door her and Falsworth walked through.
'I believe this belongs to you,' Astrid stated handing the shield back to Steve. He took it with a smile. Placing it on his back.
'You seem to make good use of it.'
'Please, I still am feeling it. My body feels like Jello.' He ran and hand up and down her arm. Astrid leaning into his touch. Letting go of the railing. 'Set the explosives?'
'Dernier got it all rigged up.'
'Then let's get out of here.' They all fought their way out of the base. Astrid keeping a close eye on Falsworth. Though she didn't really need to. They were all keeping a close eye on him. Stumbling out of the base into a darkened snow-filled world. Even the stars were dim. Hidden by cloud cover. The only light around being the base after Dernier set off the charges.
Astrid took off her mask. Looking at the burning wreckage. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of this site."
"Neither will I," Steve replied. She turned to look at him only to find that he was looking straight at her. She felt herself relax. Wrapping her arms around her neck and kissing him briefly. Before turning to look for Falsworth. Who was sitting at the base of the tree. Morita and Dugan hovering over him.
Steve followed her as she went over to Falsworth. Checking the wound on his neck. Some spotting but nothing that couldn't be taken care of.
"We should make camp somewhere," Astrid stated turning her attention to Steve briefly. "I need to make sure this is looked after."
Steve nodded. Rounding everyone up. Dugan helping Falsworth up. Astrid went around checking everyone else. But other than a few bruises Falsworth was the only one seriously injured. Steve went over to check on Falsworth as well.
"How are you doing?" Steve asked.
Falsworth let out a short laugh. "Perfectly fit Cap." He winched slightly as Dugan adjusted him. "Though wouldn't mind settling down for camp. And for Doc to do something about the pain."
"Wish I could," Astrid added. "But your body can only take so much painkillers. And I can't numb you again. You might tear the injury further." Falsworth let out a resigned grunt. Knowing that he couldn't argue.
They didn't stick around much longer. Leaving long before all the wreckage burned down. Going as far as Falsworth could handle. Astrid working on his shoulder as soon as he sat down. The others working on the fire. Setting up the rations. Dernier taking care of it. Outside of Falsworth, he was the best at it.
Using the mask, she examined the wound once again. Making sure that it was completely taken care of. Falsworth would have to restrict his movement of that arm for about a week but nothing was permanently damaged. Slathering on more burn cream. Falsworth let out a sigh of relief. Pain seeping away.
"You're a miracle worker Doc," he stated as Astrid rebandaged him.
She smiled. "I'll probably have to change the bandages twice a day. But you'll be fine in a week." Jones walked over and handed him a can of…something. Giving one to Astrid as well.
"I think I'd rather just sleep," Falsworth muttered.
Dugan chuckled walking over. Handing Falsworth a bottle. "Booze helps." Falsworth took the bottle immediately. Taking a sip. Dugan squeezed Astrid's shoulder. Gesturing his head towards the fire. "Get some rest Doc. You deserve it. I'll look over our man here." Astrid shook off his hand. Shaking her head with a laugh. Heading towards the fire. Where everyone else was. Including Shamira and Bucky. Shamira sitting in Bucky's lap. Eating her own can of something. Astrid shooting her a smile. Noticing her grinding into Bucky's lap. They would be disappearing into the woods soon. Eventually making her way to Steve. Who was talking with Jones. Jones slapping him in the shoulder as Astrid walked by. Taking her seat in between Steve's legs.
She felt her arms wrap around her. Hands resting on her stomach.
"How's Falsworth doing?" Morita asked spooning the canned glop in his mouth.
"His shoulder is going to give him problems for a week or so but he'll be good after that." Astrid shoved her own food in her mouth. Starving. It wasn't bad. Tasted like chicken.
Dernier snorted. "Really? You couldn't do better?"
Astrid gave him a playful glare. Switching over to French. "You try doing better in a war zone. Back home, two days. Tops."
"Really now?" Dernier shook his head. "I think I'll leave the medical stuff to you Doc.
Steve hummed. Turning her gaze towards Dernier. "Good choice. You don't want to see what Astrid does to those who doubt her."
Dernier blinked a couple of times. Big smile on his face. "Keep it up and you'll be speaking like a native." He turned towards Jones. "You may have a competitor."
Jones arched an eyebrow. "He's Captain America. If he didn't pick up the language quickly, I would be questioning his abilities. And what the hell Doc here was doing being married to him."
"Hey!" Bucky interrupted. "If we're making fun of Steve can we do it in English so I can join in?"
They all turned to look at him. Chuckling.
"What are you two still doing here?" Jones asked. "Shouldn't you be having fun in the woods?"
"That's a fair point," Shamira replied standing up. Helping Bucky to stand as well. "We'll see you all in the morning." They waved the two of them off. Knowing not to disturb them until the sun rose. Unless there was an emergency.
"Shouldn't you be going as well?" Dernier asked giving Astrid and Steve a pointed look.
Steve gulped faintly blushing. Astrid smiled at his response. His hand tightening on her hip.
"What do you say Steve?" she asked. Turning around to look at him. "Shall we follow Bucky's and Shamira's example?" She stood up. Holding out her hand for Steve to grasp. Taking ahold of it gently.
"You sure?" Steve asked. Knowing the full weight of the question. This would be the first time since the incident. Her smile was all the answer he needed.
Jones and Dernier rolled their eyes. "Come on! Just sweep your lady off her feet," Jones said. Dernier shot them a wink. "I mean honestly. How did you even convince her to marry you in the first place?"
Astrid shrugged her smile growing larger. "Care to show me a good time?"
"Always." Steve took her deep into the woods. Where they would not be disturbed. Kissing her gently amidst the falling snow. Tracing the places where the bruises had long since healed. She closed her eyes under his gentle caresses. Feeling a deep sense of peace. Even as the cold bit at her skin as he started undoing her top. Feeling herself shivering. She felt Steve come to a halt. Opening her eyes and looking at him.
"You're cold," he stated placing his hands against her skin. Astrid letting out a sigh against the warmth of his hands.
"You're not," she reminded him. Sneaking her hands underneath his top. Took a little bit of doing but soon was feeling his muscles underneath her hands. "You'll keep me warm." She crushed herself against him. Unable to get enough of him. Reminding herself what it was like to crave someone. Feeling it deep in her bones. She wanted Steve.
But he was right. It was cold. And as much as Astrid wanted to envelop herself in him the cold kept drawing her back out. She growled. Clutching at his skin.
"It's alright love." He chuckled at her. "We'll wait."
Astrid shook her head. Looking back up at him. "How did I get so lucky to have you?"
"I ask myself that all the time." He kissed her and Astrid melted. This… this would be enough for now.