Enchanted

Chapter Eight

Trinity winced as Natasha cleaned off the wound on her right side, ignoring the glares she was receiving from everyone but mostly from both Stone and Steve, who were standing nearby. Steve, the ever gentleman, with his back turned to her, but no doubt with a glare on his face. Not one to care about modesty in front of her family and friends Trinity had shed off her shirt to let Natasha tend to her wound that Steve noticed. It wasn't her fault, really, she didn't know that she even got hit! They should know that by now with the adrenalin you don't notice anything but that what is in front of you or behind you. Truthfully none of them even noticed the cuts they had received from debris or the Decepticons, or the bruises that had started to form on all of them. Well, except Steve, that is, and Dr. Banner and Thor.

In other words, they were all scuffed up, not just her, and they shouldn't worry so much about her! It was, as she had told Steve when he saved her: It was her job! But, of course, being the overprotective bunch that they were Trinity had no choice but to accept the scowls, lectures, and dissatisfaction. As Phil, Sam, and Will continued on talking at once, Trinity turned her head to look down at the wound, wondering when she had received it during the fight and what it was that gave her those marks. Because it wasn't just one long open wound, no, it was actually three wounds, though they were of different sizes and lengths.

It was possible that it was from a Decepticon, but a small one that wasn't seen due to the eight larger ones keeping all their attention. If that was the case, then what the hell happened to it? Surely it wouldn't just leave her those three scars without getting a chance to kill her? Because that was why the Decepticons had attacked them, surely everyone noticed, not just Trinity? They were more focused on killing her than the others, maybe even kidnapping her because of the power of the shard that Megatron's minion had inserted in her?

Trinity sighs as Natasha finally taped the large white gauzes, ready to change out of her–again–ruined clothes. Natasha looked up at the younger woman and smiled softly, knowingly, but mostly with mutual respect for her. Trinity laughs quietly, shaking her head. She was grateful that the assassin understood her situation, even if it was different cases. For Trinity, it was because her family and friends loved her. For Natasha, it was more because she was a woman in a man's world. Either way both women had respect for each other for going into battle alongside men and actually keeping up with them.

"Are you even listening?" the three men demanded in unison, glaring at her.

"No," Trinity answered truthfully, sighing as she slid off the crate she was sitting on.

After waiting nearly a half hour for a team of NEST to get to their location and fly the dead Decepticons to destroy them indefinitely–Dino and Acree going with them to make sure that the Decepticons were, indeed dead, and completely destroyed–did the group fly to SHIELD's headquarters to patch up. Trinity, Will, Stone, and Sam were to speak with General Morshower and give him a report of what happened. Of course that was also when Steve noticed that his side was warm and liquid flowing down his own side as he sat close to Trinity–though she had to wonder how neither of them noticed it when the fight was over and hugging each other. That was also when all hell broke loose among the men, demanding and lecturing her about her carelessness.

Popping her neck, Trinity walked past Steve's left side to get to Carly, who held her folded uniform to change into. Carly grinned at Steve, who had gone completely red and quickly turned the other way when he noticed that Trinity was still half naked from the waist up. This time all the men turned their back as Trinity started to take off her ruined booties, then her leggings. Carly, thinking ahead as she knew the woman didn't much care what she did after an exhausting battle, opened a large blanket and held it up around the younger woman, Jane holding up another blanket as well.

Director Fury choose that moment to walk towards them, making the men not able to lecture the woman any further. "General Morshower is on screen and waiting for you, Agent Hart."

Trinity sighs, nodding as Carly and Jane dropped the blankets as she was fully clothed. "Thank you Director."

She walked towards the men and took hold of the boots from Will, sitting back down on the crate to put them on. Steve noticed the difference in Trinity with her NEST uniform on, even when it wasn't on properly. It was the same style as Will, Stone, and the other agents when they went to retrieve their friend from SHEILD's warehouse. She had left her black jacket opened, showing the tight tank top she had underneath, along with bruises forming on her tanned skin. Steve noticed that there were also old scars that marred across her chest and shoulders, and cannot imagine what it was that she had went through to get all those.

Once she tied on the black boots, Trinity stood and went to stretch but quickly stopped herself as she remembered her wounds. She was grateful that she didn't need any stitches, if that were to happen she would have preferred she was to be knocked out as she hated needles. She started walking towards the stairs of the platform, zipping up her jacket only half way and leaving the Mandarin collar undone, the others following behind. Steve noticed that on the left arm sleeve was a 'Special Forces NEST' rocker while beneath that was NEST's logo of the winged skull with green eyes. On the right arm was a gray and black USA Flag, while underneath with the same coloring was Black Ops patch with a sword in the middle while the words 'If I tell you/I have to kill you' above and below the sword.

At the top of the platform, Trinity nodded her thanks to a couple of the SHIELD agents as they left to give the NEST agents privacy, before coming to attention, her hands folded behind her back. Will and Stone stood the same as Sam merely stood with his arms at his side, though his feet were planted apart, his back straight. The Avengers, Carly, and Jane stood behind them, watching on curiously, wondering what was to happen after this event. Morshower, looking down at a couple of maps, looked up at them and asked the other agents around him to leave the room. Once they did the general sighed, folding his arms as the stared at his agents who were deemed to be off duty.

"At ease," he tells them tiredly, the two older men and Trinity cringing at what was to come as they knew their commanding officer better than any other agent. Mainly because the three of them have been at the receiving end of all types of lectures from the man before them on the screen than any other agents. "Can one you please tell me what the hell happened?"

Trinity rolled her eyes as she could feel the three men behind her looking to one another, wondering who was going to explain. She dropped her arms to her side, but continued to stay at attention, though her hands started to sign at her side. "We were on our way to Washington to see how Ratchet was doing with Ironhide when Acree sensed Decepticons nearby."

Morshower frowned, rubbing a hand over his balding and cut short hair. "Did they say what it was that they wanted at least?"

Trinity shook her head, as Will answered. "No sir. They didn't say much, really all they did was start attacking us and the Autobots."

The young woman bit her lower lip, looking away from the general. She wondered if she should tell him and the others her theory or just keep it to herself until another random attack happens and sees the same patterns. It's been quiet, really, the last couple of years, with the Autobots only having to go into battle with the Decepticons. During those times, however, Trinity was at the base in Washington, training new recruits rather being out on the field. Times after long, painful hours of training, Trinity remembered MSG Robert Epps telling Will that retirement was boring and missed all the action being out in the field provided. And she couldn't agree any more.

"What is it Agent Hart?"

Trinity snapped her misty gray eyes back to the screen and flushed at the look she was getting from the general. She worried her lip, wondering if she should say her concerns out loud and worry her friends and family even more or just wait. In the end, however, Trinity moves towards the controllers and asked the man sitting down for a headset and privacy. Morshower frowned with concern as he, too, took a headset to speak with her, looking towards his other agents who were just as confused and concerned as he was before looking back at the now seated woman.

"Sir, I…" she started, hesitated, before sighing. "I think the Decepticons were after me."

Morshower frown's deepened with concern, knowing that the young woman was very observant of everything and everyone around her. Hell, most of the missions since the Autobots had come to Earth went without a hitch or solved quickly because of her observing every damn detail. Sometimes it was annoying, but everyone knew that that was a reason that had Trinity advance quickly up the ranks in NEST–aside from being close to Optimus and the other Autobots–and kept many agents from her and other teams alive.

"Why do you say that, Trinity?"

Trinity frowned, biting her lower lip before answering. "It was where they were firing, General." he frowned, tilting his head as he didn't understand her meaning. "They were mostly firing their weapons at me. No matter where I was or who was fighting with them, the Decepticons were all trying to get to me."

"Did anyone else see this?" Morshower asked, fear etched in his face and voice.

Trinity shook her head, "I don't know, sir. It's only a theory since I haven't been out in the field for over a year. I've been on training duty since the Decepticons have been quiet for the last couple of years."

Morshower sighs, nodding as he leaned on the table before him. "Trinity, if this is true…" he started, shaking his head as he looked towards her.

"I know sir," she whispered, the similar fear eating at her gut. "But like I said, it's only a theory and I could be wrong."

"But your gut tells you that you're right." he tells her knowingly, Trinity casting her eyes down at the controls. "I'll have Epps' team start digging around and let Optimus know. For now keep a low profile, and no more riding Acree since everyone–including the Decepticons–know that she's your favorite to ride."

Trinity sighs, nodding. "Yes sir."

Nodding as well, Morshower takes off his headset, Trinity doing the same. She nods her thanks to the SHIELD agent who took his place once again, pressing a few buttons to make sure that the loud speakers were back on. Trinity didn't make any eye contact with the men and turned back to the screen at attention, her hands behind her back once again.

"Since this attack had the most Decepticons ever since Chicago and the All Spark, I want you all to return to Washington. Epps is already out in the field and I'm going to have him dig around as to why they attacked. Lennox I want you to get your team ready and meet him."

Will gives him a curt nod. "Yes sir."

"Good, I'll see if there's any available cargo planes at J.F.K. for you all to take."

"Actually," everyone turned as Fury spoke up, walking forward. "If you like General, I can have my team drop them off. Since they were in the fight with the Decepticons as well, I want them there to hear of any news to make sure that they won't be attacked again."

Morshower saw the meaning behind his words, and felt all too grateful for the other man to lend them a hand. Especially with the Hulk and a god on their side. "Thank you Director Fury. Hopefully finding out any news won't take too long, but I can't make any promises."

Fury dipped his head in Morshower's direction. "I Understand."

"All right, see you all in a few hours." he nods to the side and the feed is cut off.

Fury grins to the NEST agents turning to them. "It'll be about twenty minutes until a larger Quinjet is fueled and ready to go."

"Thank you Director." Will said, shaking his hand.

Fury grins and nods before walking away. "And I'm sure that once Tony's available he'll join you all in Washington too."

The others might not have known the true meaning behind Fury's words but Trinity did. Just like the real reason he was sending his team to Washington. No doubt that she, Fury, and Morshower were going to have a talk once Epps and Will's team come back from poking around the hornet's nest. As though reading her thoughts Fury turned to Trinity and gave her the slightest nod, his one eye intense as he stared her down. The young woman sighed to herself, giving him a sharp nod, wishing–not for the last time–that her life had gone completely different than what it was now.

Once he left the woman exhaled the breath she didn't know she was holding, nearly falling against the rail of the platform if it wasn't for her cousin standing near and instead leaned against him. He wrapped an arm around her, seeing and feeling her exhaustion. She may have been younger than Sam by a few months and he acted as immature as the kid he was but whenever it came to her he was as serious as any parent who loved their child. Plus he could read her like a damn book when no one else can.

Now they have twenty minutes to spare there was no doubt in her mind that everyone wanted answers, but Sam wouldn't let them as it was obvious when he steered her away from everyone and down the stairs. Once he sat Trinity down on the floor he held out his hand, Trinity taking out her hearing aids and handing them over. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, quietly inhaling and exhaling, letting her mind to calm and relax. She felt the vibrations from Bumblebee and Sideswipe, but paid them no mind. So many questions and no answers for any of them, unless a Decepticon was captured or capture her for whatever reason.

Maybe that could be their last resort if all their other plans fail, Trinity putting herself up for bait and getting captured. All of a sudden she felt both her mind and body calm and couldn't help but smile. However when she opened her eyes she thought she would stare into Stone's eyes but was surprised to see Steve's blue eyes. Her smile softening a tad more before she placed her head on his shoulder and immediately fell asleep.

Steve marveled at the woman next to him. One minute she was the solider she was trained since sixteen, the next she was a scared woman with the weight of the world on her shoulders. He wondered if he was attracted to her due to her military–even if it was something little–background that had her type of personality come out or if her personality would be completely shy and quiet if she never met the Autobots, would he like her then? Steve mentally shook his head and looked up at the others instead. They all wanted answers from whatever secret conversation the two directors and Trinity had, but Sam had other plans–and obviously he knew his cousin better than anyone and what was best for her.

"Before we start questioning Rini, how about we wait until she, and Morshower tells us what the hell is going on?" Sam told the group, glaring towards Will and Stone.

Phil, who's been quiet this entire time, stepped forward, quieting both Will and Stone from responding. He looked towards his niece, who was now completely asleep, then looked over to Steve. Too many things has happened since Trinity returned to civilization, and Phil just wanted his niece to finally just have a life of her own, not just thrust into someone else's. He knew that Trinity, however, loved how her life had become with the adrenaline of always running for her life, fighting. Even her love for the Autobots, who also have become like family to her.

The SHIELD agent sighed, closing his eyes with exhaustion. He may not have the same stamina as the younger adults, but he fought alongside them, yelling out orders to the Avengers just as Trinity had done so. Now he needed to be the agent to give orders once again as their time to go to Washington was now upon them. Plus, the faster they got to their destination the faster they would get the answers of what was going on.

"Hawk, Widow, check the status of the Quinjet. Dr. Banner, you don't have to come if you don't want to." Phil started ordering the team, Natasha and Clint already gone.

Bruce grinned, shaking his head. "I think I like to stick around to look over the advance technology these Autobots have. Besides, the other guy has a bit of revenge to do with the bad guys."

Phil smiled gratefully, nodding. "Thor, you can take Miss Foster and meet us–"

"Sorry, but there's no way in hell that I'm missing the opportunity to look over the technology and working with Dr. Banner." Jane stated, shaking her head.

Knowing it was useless arguing with her, Phil turned over to Steve. "Cap," he trailed off, not knowing how to say the words.

"With my life, Phil. You can count on me." Steve tells him seriously.

Phil exhales softly, nodding. "Then let's go to Washington."

A/N: Don't know where this inspiration had come from, but I do hope you guys like it. Please review and let me know what you think!