When Steve stopped running, he found himself once more in the middle of the night, with nowhere to go. His shield in hand gave away his identity as surely as wearing the rest of his uniform would have. It was dark enough for now, but he would be in trouble come morning.

He hoped Natasha and Sam had gotten away safely. Where would they have gone? Sam probably knew loads of people, friendly as he was, but he must be realizing now how that would put them in danger too. Judt like Steve had put him in danger...

After thinking long and hard, sat on a bench in a small park, Steve remembered there was one place in Washington he could hide. It wouldn't be anywhere near comfortable, but only a handful of trustworthy people knew about its existence. It might not be there anymore, but if it was, it would be locked, possibly booby trapped. However, given his current situation, it was worth a shot, and if he hurried, he could even be there before sunrise. So he ran again.

Fury's secret lair, also known as the shipping container, was still where their team had at met before sabotaging the Helicarriers. It appeared empty. Steve had knocked on it and received no reply, which made sense since it was locked. He guessed Fury had secured better accommodations for himself while he was on the run. After debating with himself for a few seconds, Steve rose his shield and smashed the lock off. The sound reverberated against every other container, losing itself in the maze of metal. Steve hoped it would be enough to prevent whatever security was present on the docks to pinpoint its origin. Yet, Steve waited, listening for more, especially from inside the container. After a minute passed with no ticking, ominous beeping, countdown, or any other indication he might be blown into next week, he deemed the place safe.

Steve slid the door open, wincing at the sound of metal grinding on metal, then slipped inside. He found one of those glow sticks laying on the first shelve on the right, as if left there for this very purpose. He cracked one with care and shook it. The dim, greenish glow illuminated the inside of the container enough that Steve could now close the door behind him. Propping his shield against the metal wall, Steve finally let his guard down and sat in the lone office chair to relax. Just for a few minutes, to collect himself.

"Alright," he said to himself. "Let's see what the old codger left behind."

Weapons. Loads and loads of weapons. Guns, rifles, grenades and a surprisingly good stock of knives. If Hydra came knocking at his container door, they would have a hard time dislodging him. Then, there were lots of files he had no interest in right now, but which would keep him entertained if he was stuck there for any length of time. Some disguises and other gadgets filled the first two lockers he opened. In the next, he found what he was looking for: phones. A whole stack of black, generic, cheap looking phones. He was pretty sure these were what Natasha called burner phones, but he was also aware it didn't mean they were untraceable. He was getting good at this future spy stuff if he said so himself.

Grabbing one from the stack, Steve jogged all the way out to the city in search of a crowd before dialling Tony's number.

"Yep?"

"Is Hermione with you? How's Bucky?" he blurted out, those questions having plagued his mind since he left the tower.

"Aww, I missed you too, Caps," Tony replied, oozing sarcasm.

"Sorry. Everything alright with you?" Steve asked. "Still holding down the fort?"

"Of course. It's going to take more than paperwork to set foot in my tower. And yeah, your girlfriend is here. She's taken over caring for your creepy old pal, even if he's still giving her the cold shoulder."

Maybe some good will come out of his absence. If he wasn't there to be an intermediary, Bucky would have to accept meals from Hermione, at the very least. It was a start.

"And Natasha?" Steve asked.

"Isn't she supposed to be with you?"

"They found where we were hiding out, so we split up. I was hoping she contacted you."

Tony sighed, muttered something intelligible, probably to Jarvis, before refocusing his attention on him.

"Listen, it's not like Red and I are on friendly terms, but I'm sure she ferreted her way into some poor bastard's home. Fury let us know to all stay put, her included I'm sure. I think he's on to something, even if he doesn't want to share with the class. You got someplace to stay?"

"Yeah, I'll make do. I'll call back tomorrow."

Steve felt better with the news Fury was planning something, yet he still worried for Natasha and Sam. He consoled himself thinking they would be safer without him nearby. Not only because he had screwed up with "the bug" in his pocket, but also because he had a bigger Hydra target on his back than either of them did. Taking the phone apart, Steve threw it in two different trash cans, then retraced his steps back to Fury's container.

The makeshift bunker was not comfortable, and the chair he had dozed off on broke under his weight in the middle of the night. No need to say, Steve was not in a good mood, and it worsened at the thought he could have been sleeping with Hermione in his arms. Bucky too, if he was real lucky. Steve hated wasting time here, apart from them for no good reason.

But no. He was stuck in this metal tin can because their boss had a hunch and wanted them to stay put?

"Stay put," Steve grumbled to himself as he tried to make himself comfortable against the cold, metal wall. "Easy for him to say. Must be sleeping in a nice comfy bed somewhere warm…"

The shrill ring of a phone startled him out of his grumbling. Steve scrambled for the locker with the pile of phones, throwing one after another over his shoulder as he searched for the ringing one.

"Yes?" he snapped once he found the right one.

He would usually introduce himself upon taking a call, but circumstances being what they were, he wasn't going to make it easy for Hydra to find him. Judging by the silence on the other end of the line, he might not be who they were expecting.

"Rogers?"

Steve knew that voice well enough by now.

"Fury," he sighed. "I imagine you've got a plan?"

"Stay put," he said and Steve was about to protest until Fury added: "We're all meeting you there first thing in the morning. And… You owe me a lock, by the way."

Steve had no idea how Fury knew, and whether he was joking or not, but the call ended before he could reply anyway. Steve would do the sensible thing and ignore him. Fury had given him good news after all: first, they were planning an attack against Hydra, and second, he would be seeing Hermione soon.

Tony was the first to arrive in his armor, the first rays of sunrise glinting off his helm. Steve was worried he was on his own, but the other man quickly put his fears to rest.

"Your girlfriend said she'd pop in as soon as she fed your pet soldier. You know… I don't want to stick my nose in your business, but those two looked awfully chummy this morning."

"Really?" Steve asked, perking up at the bit of good news.

Had she finally gotten through to Bucky? Did he remember her?

"Well, no, not at first." Tony admitted. "I kept an eye on him while you were away. You know, just in case, since everyone seems to forget he was with HYDRA not so long ago, but he wouldn't talk or even look at her. I don't know what she told him though… I was just watching, not eavesdropping… Anyway, they started making googly eyes at each other. Like staring into your soul kinda thing."

Steve frowned. That sounded like Hermione was using her mind reading spell on Bucky, but how had she convinced him to accept? It had made him sick the last time.

"Is he okay? Bucky? Hasn't been sick, has he?"

Tony stared at him as if he was slow. And his eyes were uncomfortably familiar with the pity that lingered there. No one had looked at him like that since before the serum.

"I just told you your girl is flirting with your pal, and you're worried for his health?"

Yeah, Tony was a good friend, looking ut for him. Not that he needed it. Thankfully, he was saved making up an explanation - lying - when Clint jumped down the container next to them. Steve hoped the archer had not heard Tony's gossip or it would spread like wildfire. It was strange seeing Clint without Natasha, but she arrived soon after, walking around the corner with Sam in tow. Steve was so relieved to see them in one piece he hugged them both tight.

"Yeah, missed you too, big guy," Sam chuckled. "Hope you checked your pockets this time."

Steve apologized profusely for his home, promising to pay back for the damage, but Tony butted in, swindled his address from Sam and said he would take care of everything. Steve was arguing with Tony about it when Hermione suddenly appeared in their midst with a loud pop. She wobbled on her feet, tried to steady herself on the nearest container, but face planted instead, while everyone stood mystified at such a strange arrival. Steve rushed to her side, more worried than surprised.

"Ugh," she groaned, accepting his hand. "Thought that would go over better without my wand." She patted herself. "Still got all my limbs though. I guess that's good enough."

"You should have come with Tony," Steve chided even if he knew she had a good reason to linger behind.

"Flying?" she asked incredulously.

Steve chuckled.

"Point taken."

She would have been sick, knowing her, if Tony had flown her to the meeting point. Steve was glad she had made it to the meeting though. He felt better having her by his side, and he would have shown her how much he had missed her if it had not been for Sam standing next time them, looking like a puppy begging for a walk. Steve sighed. He supposed he owed him that much.

"Sam, this is Hermione. Hermione, Sam. He took me and Nat in after the ambush."

"And then he destroyed his house," Natasha added unhelpfully.

"What?" Hermione squawked.

"Only the front door," Steve argued. "The rest was not technically me."

Sam snorted and clapped him on the shoulder.

"No hard feelings, Cap." Then he offered his hand to his girl, who shook it with some hesitation. "Besides, it was worth it to meet you, Lady Liberty."

Hermione glanced at him for some explanation, but Steve shrugged. She should be used to fans fawning over her by now.

"That's… nice," Hermione finally answered.

"Yeah, my mom looked up to you, said you were an inspiration to all women. My sister followed in her footsteps. She's going to be livid when I tell her I shook your hand."

Steve laughed. That's what it was all about? One-upping his sibling? Well, that he could tolerate.

"At least the women in your family have good taste," Hermione said with her first sincere smile.

"As touching as this is," Fury interrupted, popping out of nowhere as was his habit. Hill, his ever present shadow, following him. "We have work to do. In."

He pointed at the container and they all filed in, although it was getting a bit cramped. Steve used it as a welcome opportunity to pull Hermione closer against him.

"How's Bucky?" he whispered in her ear while Fury took his sweet time joining them.

"Good. He was worried about you when you didn't return. Dr Banner is looking after him now."

Steve wanted to ask her if she had made any progress reconnecting with him, but Fury took notice of the state his chair was in and he glowered at him. Steve had mastered the innocent look ever since Bucky got him into all kinds of mischief as kids running amock Brooklyn. For all he knew, Steve had found the chair like that. Fury couldn't prove a thing. He pinched the bridge of his nose, as if fending off a headache, then gestured Hill towards the only clear table where she laid out the plan of… a house?

"Pierce," Fury said, as if that explained anything.

"The Secretary of Defense?" Tony asked, sounding surprised.

Natasha cursed in Russian. Steve could tell she was swearing by the way she spat the words. Clint whistled at the enormity of the revelation.

"What? Did Hydra take him hostage?" Sam asked, voicing his own confusion.

"That would have been preferable," Hill replied when no answer from Fury was forthcoming.

They looked between Fury and Hill.

"As far as I've been able to ascertain, he is Hydra. Modern day Red Skull, if you will."

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked.

"I'm no mind-reader, Granger, but I know when I've been betrayed. I have enough proof to confront him, which is why I called all of you here. You," he said with his index pointed at Hermione. "Will confirm it."

"What are we? Wallpaper?" Tony asked.

"In a manner of speaking. It doesn't look like Pierce has any added security around him, but I doubt that's the case if he really is spearheading HYDRA."

Fury then explained in great detail his plan to confront Pierce. It was simple, he'd give him that, and at this point, Steve didn't even care. He just wanted to punch the prick like he had fake Hitler thousands of time, only this time, he would make sure it hurt. If he hated HYDRA before, it was nothing compared to how he felt after learning what they had done to Bucky...

That night, moving with swift efficiency, they took out the few SHIELD agents on patrol outside Pierce's residence. Hermione confirmed they were HYDRA agents, and how often they reported to both SHIELD and HYDRA. Natasha, Clint and Sam took their coms to check in in their stead, making sure the rest of them would have ample time to finish the mission before anyone was the wiser.

Tony was on standby far above, which left four of them crouching in the garden's bushes until Pierce bid his cleaning lady good night. Fury gestured for him, and Hill to go around the back while he boldly walked up the front door with Hermione in tow. Steve only had time to hear Pierce's surprised voice welcoming him in before the door closed behind them.

"I don't like it," Steve muttered.

"You think I do?" Hill snapped. "For all we know, this is a trap. Pierce is as cunning as they come."

Steve's jaw clenched. Hill was not the mothering type and always expected the worse, which explained why she was Fury's right hand woman. It might explain how she saw the blow coming too. She deftly avoided it by rolling forward. Steve's arm shot up, parring the next punch, and he retaliated with a kick.

"Rumlow," Steve sneered, looking down at the man who was already pulling himself up when it should have been enough to break his ribs. "Should have guessed. Where's you friend?"

Steve knew he had to be in the hospital still, if he had survived the fall that is. Rumlow growled and shot him twice in one smooth motion of the arm while running at him. Having expected that kind of treachery, Steve moved his shield a fraction to ricochet the bullets his way, missed, then was bowled over.

Rumlow's hate filled eyes bore into him before Steve managed to throw him off. He had always suspected the man loathed him. He had thought it was petty jealousy at first, but Rumlow being HYDRA made so much more sense. It was almost a relief in a way, and Steve could reciprocate. In fact, he would enjoy beating the living shit out of him if he wasn't in a hurry to be by Hermione's side. By the sound of it, Hill was shooting her way through the house. If so, their intel on his security detail was way off.

To get rid of his opponent, Steve did what he did best and threw his shield with as much force as he could at Rumlow and damn the consequences. His weapon wedged deep inside the wall and it was a bitch to pull out, but made easier by Rumlow's blood coating most of it. Steve kicked the severed arm out of the way. Rumlow might bleed out, and Steve should feel bad, he knew he should, but as he spared the shocked Rumlow a glance, he could only muster contempt. He was everything Steve despised: hateful, treacherous, violent and prejudiced. He turned his back on him. Let him bleed out.

Gunshots were calling to him and he left without regret.

Hill had been busy. She had no qualms about killing HYDRA agents judging by the neat headshots littering the corridor and rooms leading to the front of the house. Bucky would be impressed.

"What took you so long?" Hill hissed when he found her pinned around a corner.

Steve congratulated Pierce for the overabundance of windows in his mansion. Using the reflection, he rebounded his shield on the wall facing them, satisfied by the shriek and thump that followed.

"Do you actually calculate the angles before you throw?" Hill muttered, even more annoyed at him now.

Steve quirked a smile at her. People always asked him that very question when they saw him pull that kind of stunt, but he found it much funnier to make them doubt.

"I think that was the last of them," he said instead.

She gestured at him to go first, then followed when he did not, in fact, get shot. They hurried the rest of the way with caution though, in case another agent was lying in wait. Fury and Pierce's voices became clearer with every step.

"...a bit over the top, Nick. If you'd asked nicely, we could have had a talk, just the two of us, instead of invading in my home with your schoolyard bullies"

"So you can stab me in the back? Again?" Fury scoffed. "You still have the nerve to play the innocent card with all the proof I have against you."

Pierce had the audacity to chuckle.

"Proof… it could have been fabricated, I could show you as much proof to the contrary, or make it all disappear. Summon hundreds of witnesses in my defense, or not even need to defend myself… Honestly, what did you hope to achieve tonight, Nick? You and your band of do-gooders. In fact, why don't you tell them all to join us?"

Fury scowled. This was obviously not what Fury had been expecting. To be honest, Pierce looked unhinged, much like Schmidt had been. Maybe all that power went to their heads. Another reason Steve aspired to a simple life, as much as Captain America could anyway.

However, Fury did not need to call the rest of the Avengers to assemble. Tony must have been eavesdropping and flew in through one of the large bay windows which must have been hit by stray bullets, while the others trickled in through the front door, no doubt headed this way since Hill had gunned her way through the house.

"Marvelous," Pierce exclaimed, clapping his hands once. "We're missing a couple, I see, but nevermind..."

Clint had an arrow thrumming at the end of his bow. Hermione looked like she wanted to levitate the guy to high heavens to drop him back in hell all the harder. Everyone was tense, expecting the worse, which was strange considering it was all of them against one of him. There certainly was nothing "marvelous" about his current situation.

"We all want the same thing," Pierce said out of the blue. "Order."

"Then I guess we disagree on the means," Steve cut in, remembering well how Schmidt had intended to bring order himself with his bombs. Pierce had been on his way to do the same with his Helicarriers.

"You have to look at the bigger picture," Pierce lectured. "Give Humans too many rights and what do you get? Chaos. Mass extinction. A world on the brink of destruction through sheer stupidity, selfishness and greed."

"Is he describing himself?" Tony asked, pointing a thumb at the man.

Pierce's attention narrowed on the ironman.

"Merchant of Death. You, more than anyone, has contributed to this state of being. You and your father both." Pierce paused, lips quirked up. "He got what he deserved."

"A car accident?" Tony snarked, but dread began to pool in Steve's stomach.

Pierce's smile turned vicious.

"Why don't you ask your current guest?" Pierce turned towards Steve, and he knew he was not going to like what he next said, but he let him speak. Call it morbid fascination. "Your friend, I believe. Our asset, killing his old friend and his wife without a second thought. Humans are so weak."

Steve's eyes widened in understanding before snapping to Tony's still form. His shiny helmet gave nothing away, but the very fact Tony was not verbally sparring with the man meant he was seriously thinking about what he had said. It could be true, but it could also be a ruse. Hill had said he was cunning.

"Tony," Steve called soflty reaching for him.

But, without a word, Tony flew out the way he had come, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

"Fuck," Hermione cursed and disappeared with a loud bang that blew out the rest of the windows, long curls of her hair falling to the floor as if in slow motion.

It was only hair, thank God. Steve knew it could have been a lot worse, like a limb. He wished she didn't use magic so unsafe without her wand, but had there been a choice? Lie or not, Pierce had deliberatedly hurt Tony. Hermione and Bucky too if it got too far... Steve advanced on Pierce, his hand curling around his throat lest he spew more lies to divide them.

"Captain," Fury snapped.

Steve hesitated. He looked at Pierce, his feet dangling above the floor, his face turning puce frm lack of air, and yet, it looked like he was laughing at him. Steve let him drop in disgust.

"Do you really need him alive?" he asked Fury.

Fury nodded. He better not be lying.

"Then I have better things to be doing. But if I cross paths with him again, I won't walk away."

He had to go to the tower. He was a turtle compared to Hermione and Tony, even running at full speed as he was. By the time he got there, everything would be over, one way or another, but what else could he do?

"On your left," Sam called out, before landing in front of him. "Want me to drop you off?"