She realized her mistake as they came out into a hangar on fire.
As the two men reached her side – another explosion went off directly below them, and they all reeled back.
"What do we do?" she yelled hoarsely at Steve.
He looked around and fixed his gaze on the stairs behind them. "Follow me!" he yelled back, and the three of them ran – Adeline covering Bucky's back as they went. They ran, up and up – Steve leading almost blindly as they tried to escape the burning building.
"Captain America!"
Adeline skidded to a halt as the voice called across to them. Bucky and Steve stopped too, looking at her in confusion.
"How exciting…" They all looked across at the man on the other side of the building. Adeline's heart skipped a beat.
Schmidt.
"I am a great fan of your films!" He said, walking towards the little metal bridge that connected the two sides.
Without thinking, Adeline threw herself forwards.
A hand closed around the hem of her shirt, yanking her backwards. She growled at whoever had grabbed her, and struggled to get free. But Steve's grip was immovable.
Schmidt laughed. "Careful, pet! Don't get ahead of yourself! The Captain is right. You are weak." Adeline felt her legs tremble as she stared her captor and tormentor in the face – fear and rage swirling in her, making her shake.
Steve stepped in between them, walking carefully towards Schmidt. Bucky took her arm, replacing Steve's grip with his own. "So, Dr. Erskine managed it after all." Schmidt's rage was disguised by the barest film of calm. She shuddered. "Not exactly an improvement, but still, impressive."
Without warning, Steve reared back and slammed his fist into Schmidt's face. Adeline twitched as the man stumbled back. "You've got no idea." Steve said lowly. Schmidt straightened, rubbing his jaw.
Adeline's eyes caught on what appeared to be a tear in his flesh.
"Haven't I?" he asked, before returning the punch. Steve raised his shield just in time – but Adeline saw with horror; the imprint the man's fist left behind. She gasped as Schmidt punched Steve again, and he fell. She let out a strangled cry – drawing Schmidt's attention. In his distraction, Steve was able to kick the man backwards, and flip to his feet.
Then the bridge was drawn apart.
The two men stared at each other as they were moved back.
"No matter what lies Erskine told you – you see, I was his greatest success! Even better than the little wolf." He yelled, and then, voice lowering, with a sweet smile, he turned to Adeline. "They have lied to you, my pet. Your mother? She has been dead for a year." Adeline's heart stopped. "Come. Join me."
Adeline let out an incoherent scream, feeling her throat tear again, as she leapt forwards – disregarding the gap. Steve's arms closed like metal bands around her waist, tugging her back over the rails. Schmidt laughed – raising his hands to his neck.
Adeline watched in mute horror as his mask came off - and the Red Skull was revealed to her. Her stomach dropped.
"You are deluded Wolfe! You pretend you are just a soldier – when really you are just afraid to admit that you and I – we have left humanity behind. And unlike you I am not hiding it or fighting it; I embrace it proudly. It has made me stronger." He stared at her, mouth twisting cruelly as he took in her and Steve. "Do not think it will not happen to you, Captain. You are like us now. I embrace it without fear!"
"Then how come you're running?!" Steve asked, as Schmidt disappeared into the elevator.
Adeline sagged as soon as he disappeared from sight.
Another set of explosions went off – and the two men flinched back.
Adeline remained still – staring at where her foe had disappeared.
"Adeline! Come on!"
Steve's voice startled her out of her stupor – and she pushed her emotions aside, and sprinted after them, up the stairs. She halted behind Bucky – looking to Steve, who was eyeing the steel beam with determined eyes. He made to move – but she shook her head, grabbing him by the arm. "No! Let me go first!" Steve looked torn for a second, holding her gaze – sky boring into steel.
Finally, he nodded, and she swung herself over the metal, landing on the balls of her feet.
She took a deep breath – and then, quickly and surely, skipped over the beam, jumping the last metre over the railing on the other side.
There was an ominous creak behind her – and she turned, frowning at the contraption. But Bucky had already edged his way onto the metal. It shook beneath him, one half bowing slightly. His eyes widened, but foolishly, he didn't turn back.
There was another creak, and she looked down over the railing as the connection began to give way.
"Bucky! Run!" she screamed – voice cracking.
He looked up at her, but did as she said, running wildly, and leaping for her as the metal fell.
Adeline's eyes widened. He would fall short. Before she could properly think, her body had already carried her up and over the railing towards him. She lunged for him, catching him as he began to fall – one arm secure around his waist, and the other locked around the railing.
He let out a strangled yelp – drowned by her growl of effort as she managed to toss him over the railing behind her, before turning to pull herself back over.
She panted slightly – hands and fingertips burning with the effort. She looked back over at Steve, who was watching them – eyes wide. Her heart stuttered as she looked around for another way across.
"There's gotta be a rope or something!" Bucky leant across to Steve, voice desperate.
"Just go! Get out of here!" Steve waved his hands furiously, voice louder than the roar of the flames and the roar in Adeline's ears.
"NO! Not without you!" Bucky bellowed furiously, slamming down on the railings.
For a second they were all panting and silent. Steve hung his head.
"Jump."
Steve looked up, right into her eyes – and not for the first time, Adeline felt her heart stutter.
"I won't make it." He said, at the same volume. But she could hear him, just like he could hear her.
She clenched her jaw. "You will make it. You're going to make it, and we're all going to walk out of here – but you have to jump now." He swallowed, and she followed the movement of his throat. "That's an order, soldier!"
He squared his shoulders at her voice – and nodded once. He stooped and bent the metal beam that was sticking out dangerously. Then he backed up, and set his eyes on them.
Behind her back, Adeline crossed her fingers. "Komm schon, Steve. Komm schon, Steve!" Come on.
The man leapt into the air – fire exploding up from underneath him – and she started forwards as heat obscured her vision.
Then – he appeared, soaring towards them – as if he had learnt to fly.
He landed – almost perched on the railing, eyes comically wide, as his arms began to pinwheel around his head.
Steve felt his stomach drop as the sensation of falling gripped him – tilting back off the railing.
Then, a small hand – bandaged, but strong – fisted in the fabric of his shirt, and jerked him sharply forwards.
He felt the swooping sensation again, but for an entirely different reason, as his body-collapsed forwards, pinning Adeline underneath him.
They were both breathing heavily – her hand still twisted in his shirt, his face close to hers – and for a second, he swore he could see the Milky Way in her wide silver eyes.
Her tongue darted out, wetting her dry lips – and he followed the motion, before flushing as the realisation of their position hit him. He dragged his gaze away, and rolled off her, looking up at Bucky, who was standing over them with his mouth wide open.
"How did you get like this again?"