May 21st, 2014- New York, USA

The journey home had been less than relaxing, with shouting children on the plane, to arguments from couples, and all Beth wanted was to crash in her bed as soon as she was back. Fate, as always, was no so favourable. She sighed as she entered the top floor of the Avenger's tower to the sound of raised voices. From the couch, Bruce waved at her, flashing an apologetic smile as he glanced back at the doors leading to Tony's lab. It was no surprise when Steve marched out a moment later, Tony's voice calling out after him.

"It's going to get you killed, Rogers, mark my words!"

Steve halted as his eyes landed on Beth and she gave him the smallest wave, grateful when he greeted her with a large smile and a hug, though she could tell his irritation towards Tony was still very much there.

"What was that about?" she asked, nodding towards the door that had slid shut behind him.

"Just Tony deciding for me that it isn't worth finding Bucky."

Annoyance still on his face, he stepped out onto one of the many balconies wrapped round the building, looking down at the city pulsating below him. Beth joined him, hair whipping around as the wind caught it. It wasn't quite cold enough to chill, but enough that she hugged her jacket a little tighter.

"He thinks Bucky is some mindless assassin and will kill us if we try to find him."

She snorted, rolling her eyes. Typical Tony. He'd changed in so many ways, yet stayed exactly the same in so many others.

"Yeah, well he hasn't killed me yet, so I guess we're safe."

She felt Steve stiffen next to her and froze, realising belatedly her error.

"You've seen him?" he asked, his voice hurt that she hadn't said anything.

Knowing it wasn't worth lying about, she nodded. She knew whatever she said was going to end badly, but she decided it was better to say now than have him find out later.

"I've seen him twice. The first time it was at the Captain America exhibit a few days after being discharged from the hospital. The second was three days ago, when he found me."

"You saw him, and didn't say anything."

She could hear the anger in his voice and flinched. He'd only used that tone with her a handful of times, and it never got easier to deal with.

"Yes. I guessed he may go to the exhibit and was lucky to find him there. We didn't talk much. I just told him we were there for him and he asked me not to tell anyone where he'd been. You know better than anyone that I'd do anything to protect him."

"But you lied to me Beth."

She leaned against the rail, hand clasping it until a twinge of pain jumped through her palm.

"I did it for Bucky. I didn't want to hide it, nor did I enjoy it. Besides, I technically didn't lie."

Steve's eyes narrowed and she almost regretted her words before remembering that she was strong enough to deal with his temper these days.

"Withholding something like that isn't lying, I agree. It's a betrayal of my trust. How could you do that to me?"

She could feel the metal beginning to strain under her grasp and released it, the blood flowing back into her hand a distraction. She was trying so hard to keep her cool, but Steve, Tony and Bucky had always been the only three people able to make her lose her cool so easily.

"He wasn't ready, Steve. He barely even recognised himself at the display. He said he needed space and wasn't ready to come back with us."

"Yet he was ready to track you down for a visit? Really sounds like he was needing space."

She frowned at the accusatory tone, understanding his perspective but not accepting his reaction. She looked up at him, sending him a look she hoped he would read as 'I'm not someone you can talk to like that'. He wanted a fight? She was more than happy to accept.

"He came to find me because he remembered raping me."

She pushed past Steve, her shoulder knocking him out of the way as his jaw dropped. She knew she was better staying to talk, but her anger was too great. She ignored both Tony and Bruce as they each tried to catch her attention, stopping only to take one of her guns from her bag and slide it into her waistband before leaving.

She was still seething even as she gazed across the lake at Central Park. Steve of all people should have understood why she'd kept information from him. He knew about protecting people you loved, et she also felt guilty for not telling him sooner. Whatever she did, she was going to hurt one of the men she loved, and she stood by her decision to side with Bucky, even as her heart clenched for hurting her own brother. As she made her way back to the tower, her phone vibrated, a text from Steve flashing up at her.

"I'm sorry. Come back so we can talk? I have waffles and promise I won't yell anymore."

A split second was all it took for her guard to drop. A blow from behind caught her off guard, her phone landing in the street before she had a chance to catch it. She was a little more preoccupied with the sharp stab in her side than her phone at that moment, especially when her head began to swim. An arm curled round her waist as she staggered, her weight slumping against a black jacket sporting a familiar logo that had her groaning.

"What does…HYDRA want…with…me?"

A van pulled up beside them and she was bundled in before she had chance to react. Even if she wanted to, her body was shutting down too fast for her to respond. The last thing she heard before passing out completely was a voice she didn't recognise speaking as he climbed in next to her.

"Got her, let's get her to Strucker."