Please note: I'm adding an extra Trigger Warning for this chapter as it contains violence of one character threatening another with a gun.
"Cap says to do a perimeter around Midtown. Tony is tracing the number of a potential contact. He'll tell us if he gets more details, but for now we just need to follow our instincts and keep a sharp eye out."
Ana pulled her helmet on a jumped on a motorcycle. Natasha did the same. Ana adjusted her comm before pulling out of the garage at a speed that was definitely not legal.
"Cap, I'm leaving the tower now. Over."
"We're setting up a perimeter from park to 8th, you take 5th." Steve's voice crackled back.
"And by the way, you don't need to say 'over' every time you're done speaking." Tony added.
"Sorry. Old habit." Ana said. She sped over to 5th avenue dodging and weaving through traffic and was there in a matter of minutes. Cold harsh wind nipped at her cheeks as she sped through the streets.
"Any sign of them?" She asked into the comm.
'No.' came the unanimous reply.
"Uh… maybe that's cause they're not going to Midtown." Tony said sheepishly, "I've finally cracked into the breaker phone they took. They're meeting contacts at the Staten Island Ferry, they should be somewhere along FDR drive."
"Seriously?!" Clint exclaimed, "We'll never catch them now!"
"We have to try." Steve said.
Ana skidded to a stop in the center of Times Square and turned around. She blazed through the streets with a fury unmatched. She may have left the rest of the team in the dust but she didn't care. This mission was personal.
"Tony, where are they?" She barked into her comm.
"Looks like they're on Water Street, headed for Battery Park."
"I'm on my way." Ana said.
"Copy." Natasha and Clint replied in unison.
Ana took every single back alley and shortcut she knew, running through several traffic lights on her way to Battery Park. When she arrived there, she ditched her bike and went on foot, knowing exactly where Anderson and and Schwarz were probably going. Battery Park was a popular Hydra meeting spot. He often left money hidden there or Friedrich often met her there to pick up. She knew that Hydra was predictable. To anyone who knew their patterns, there were no surprises. Ana, luckily, was one such person, and sure enough her targets were waiting exactly where she thought they'd be.
"I found them." Ana whispered into her comm.
"Coordinates?" Natasha crackled back.
"Battery Park. Waterfront."
"On our way. We'll be there in two."
Ana kept a close eye on the pair, trying to blend in with the crowd. But in a second Friedrich and Anderson had recognised her, and started to walk away. She commanded them to stop, an order they ignored entirely. They actually did the opposite, and began to walk another several yards away. She ordered them to stop again. Luckily Natasha and Clint were waiting on the sides in case they tried to run. Something else Ana fully expected. She was right, after calling out to them once more, they took off. Anderson was easily tackled by Clint, but Friedrich was weaving through the crowd. Natasha and Ana both followed quickly, but he soon was out of sight.
Natasha updated the team quickly, "We've detained Anderson. Ana and I are in pursuit of Schwarz."
"If you see him, wait for backup." Steve instructed.
Ana didn't respond. She had no need for backup. These were her demons and she would face them on her own. She raced through the park, dodging tourists and cyclists. She jumped over fences and blocked off zones. Several angry tourists shouted at her but she kept running. Finally she stopped to scan the crowd for Friedrich.
Her heart was pounding out of her chest, her ears rang and her hands trembled. Her blood ran cold when she saw him.
He was standing at the overlook to the water, where you could look out and see the ever iconic Statue of Liberty. Ana could see now why the commander liked this place as a trade zone. Even though there were less public places all over the city where paying a mercenary's salary or exchanging stolen information would be easier, there was an irony to it; a new world order infiltrating its way into the free world right under Lady Liberty's watch.
Ana caught her breath, steadied herself and whispered into her comm.
"I have eyes on the target."
"Keep him in visual and wait for backup." Steve instructed again, "We're on our way."
"No. I've got this." Ana said, "We can't let him go."
"Ana, stay back."
"Cap, really, he's on the move I have to get him now." She said, moving toward her target.
"Ana! Don't!"
She didn't listen. Instead she charged for Friedrich.
He noticed her when she was about twenty yards away, but he didn't run. In fact he stood there looking amused, as if he was waiting on her.
Ana had sometimes let herself dream of this day, when she would make Friedrich regret every lie he told her and everything he made her do. But now the day was here, and the moment arrived, all she wanted to do was tear him apart. She stormed at him with fiery rage, until she was standing toe to toe with him.
"Hello, Fraulein." He grinned, tipping his hat.
"Cut the crap." Ana spat, "We're not friends. Cap's going to come and drag you back to your cell where you belong."
"Oh… Feisty today, are we?" he snickered.
"More like pissed off." Ana growled.
"You aren't so intimidating without your friends." Friedrich laughed.
"I have the only friend I need right here." Ana said, reaching for her pistol. Friedrich raised his brow and his lip curled into a smirk. He almost seemed amused by Ana's threat.
Ana pulled her gun from her holster but kept it pointed at the ground.
"Get on the ground." She instructed. She tried to stay stern but she could hear her own voice cracking, "Just make this easier for both of us and turn yourself in."
Friendrich just continued to grin, "But I haven't done anything wrong, have I?"
"Get on the ground." Ana ordered, lifting her gun this time.
Friedrich gawked, "After all I've done for you. After taking you in and giving you a life of opportunity…."
"I said get on the ground!" Ana roared.
Ana stepped closer with her gun and was about to shout again when she heard a voice behind her.
"Collette, stand down." Steve said.
"I can't do that, Cap." Ana replied, still maintaining eye contact with Friedrich.
"Stand down, Collette. That's an order." He growled back, sounding closer this time.
Ana's hands started to shake. "No." She whispered, voice cracking and tears brimming. This man, who had tortured and haunted her mind for all these years was in front of her. She finally had the upper hand and he was telling her to stand down?!
"I mean it." Steve said.
Ana grit her teeth, staring down the barrel of her gun at Friedrich.
"Put the gun away, Ana."
She was shaking with anger. "Fine." she grit out, putting her gun back in its holster.
"Go back to the tower. We can handle this now." Steve said.
"What?!"
"We've got this, Collette. You can go."
Ana grit her teeth, and turned around to go back to her bike. Then at the very last second she turned on her heel and charged at Friedrich.
She threw a punch straight to his sternum, knocking him straight to the ground. He managed to get up and bolt into the crowd and disappear. Tony went flying past. Ana went to chase after him, still reeling from the rage and adrenaline as Clint dragged her away.
She didn't see the rest of what happened as she was trying to get away from Clint to chase after him, but Tony returned with news that Friedrich had met a getaway car at the street corner.
Steve walked past Ana on his way back to his bike, giving her a stern disappointed look.
"Debrief back at the base." He barked.
Ana seriously considered ditching, but Steve looked pissed enough already and she wasn't about to push it any more.
When she entered the conference room, Steve looked solemn, as did some of the others. Ana really wasn't sure what she'd done to make him this angry. She took her seat, slumping down to make herself small. Steve began the meeting by congratulating everyone in their quick response in the mission. He went over the search plan for locating the escaped prisoners, then he dismissed. As people left Ana heard him ask Tony and Bucky to meet him in the computer lab immediately.
Ana was rushing out, she had almost thought she was off the hook. She was just reaching for the door until Steve asked her to stay back. She turned around and trudged back to her seat, folding herself small into her chair.
"Ana, we need to talk about the mission today." Steve said, giving her the famous 'Eyebrows of Disappointment'.
"I know." she mumbled fidgeting with her sleeve.
"You were insubordinate and reckless today. Do you realize the damage you could have done to the team?"
"I realize you wanted me to stand down, but they were under arrest. I did nothing wrong, and I knew my limits and kept within them." Ana defended.
"It's not physical danger I'm talking about. Every news station in the country has you featured right now after your outburst. You're in the public eye now, Ana, you have to be more careful. The Avengers have an image to protect."
"I'm only in public eye because you pushed me into it!" Ana snapped, "You know I didn't want this!"
Steve sighed, crossing his arms and leaning against the table, "I realize this wasn't exactly the position you signed up for, but that is no excuse for ignoring direct orders. I'm sorry, Ana, but I have to suspend you from the field duty for the time being."
"What?" Ana gasped, "Since when is that up to you?" she growled, crossing her arms. Steve may have been the leader, but now he was playing tyrant.
"It's my only option for right now." Steve defended. He was so calm and collected, and that infuriated Ana.
"This isn't fair! Anderson and Friedrich were only in our custody because I led you to them! You can't keep me from this mission."
"Yes, I can. I can't take an agent who can't follow instructions onto the field with me. It could put the whole team in danger. I need agents I can actually trust!"
Ana gasped, her eyes full of disbelief and hurt. Steve was too angry to notice in the moment and only realized after Ana had stormed from the room that he'd probably taken it too far.
Ana grit her teeth and fled from the meeting room to the elevator. How could Steve say that?! How could he be angry at her for doing her job? How could he hold it against her after all she'd been through?
Ana watched as the elevator slid shut. Her heart was pounding and she felt sick to her stomach, but there were no tears, just raw, hot anger. She wanted to cut so badly it was almost physically painful. She tried to stop herself, thinking of making Bucky proud and taking deep breaths but the emotions continued to bubble up inside her, until they were demanding a release. In an futile attempt at releasing her anger, she curled her hand into a tight fist and threw it full force at the elevator door. Regret and pain overwhelmed her instantly, as did a warm tingling sensation that was beginning to spread from her fingertips to her hand. She cursed under her breath to herself. There was also a dark purple hue starting to cover her knuckles. The elevator doors opened, but she wasn't on her floor, instead Nat got on the elevator, likely returning home after turning in some paperwork. Ana gave her a forced smile, and did her best to keep her hand out of view. She failed miserably.
"What the hell is that?" Natasha asked.
"Nothing." Ana lied, cradling her hand close to her chest, "Just needs some ice."
Natasha quirked an eyebrow at her, "Let's see it then."
Natasha gingerly took Ana's hand and experimentally bent her fingers. Ana winced in pain.
"Looks like a boxer's fracture. You need to get an X-ray." Natasha announced.
"No!" Ana said, "I'm sure it's fine. I just bruised it, that's all."
"That's broken and you know it." Nat retorted.
Ana sighed, looking at her hand again. It was beginning to swell, a sure sign it was probably fractured.
"Let me guess… You punched a wall?" Natasha asked as she pushed the button for the medical floor.
"Don't tell Bucky." Ana pleaded, biting her lip.
Of course, as luck would have it, Bucky did find out.
He was in the computer lab on base with Tony, who was typing furiously and reading numbers and symbols from three different screens at once, when Steve entered.
"Where's Ana?" Bucky asked, thinking she would be on the mission with them, obviously.
"She's not on this mission." Steve said curtly.
Bucky stared in confusion and Tony abruptly stopped his typing. They both stared him down waiting for an explanation.
Steve sighed heavily, "Due to Ana's outburst today in the park, I thought it best she take a break from this assignment."
"What do you mean?"
"Let's focus on our mission." Steve said, trying to brush off the topic.
"What the hell did you say to her, Steve?" Bucky snapped.
"Buck, please don't be angry with me." Steve said, holding his hands up defensively, "I'm only looking out for this team."
"By keeping her off the mission? How does that help anyone?! She'd our best asset right now!"
"Please calm down." Steve said, "I know I probably shouldn't have been so hard on hard on her."
"You know, I have to agree with Bucky on this one." Tony said, "Ana has more intel on Friedrich than all of us put together."
"You know I wouldn't do this if I had any other choice. I'm in a compromised position here." Steve defended.
Bucky clenched his jaw and tightened his fist, "Bullshit." he growled.
Tony took a step back from him, looking scared. After all, Bucky and Steve never argued or fought with each other.
"Honest, Buck, I'm trying to protect her as much as you are! We have an image to protect as well." Steve countered.
"You were the one who pushed her into the public eye." Bucky said, jabbing an accusatory finger at Steve's chest.
"You're still not listening to me!" he argued, pushing his friend back.
"Whoa! Hold on… " Tony interjected before a fist fight broke out, "I get that the Avengers' image is important but is it really worth losing your best agent?"
"It's for her own good." Steve said, looking at the floor.
"How?" Bucky asked, crossing his arms. He tapped his foot, waiting impatiently for an explanation.
"Ross is out to get her." Steve said in a low voice, "After the press conference I thought things would turn around but he came to me after and… he knows things about her. I don't know how, but he does."
"What things?" Tony asked.
"I'm not sure exactly how much, but he knows about Hydra, about the Marines, even about her self-harming."
Tony fell into a chair and hung his head in his hands, "That's just great." he muttered.
Bucky clenched his jaw, looking squarely at the doorway and shaking his head he mumbled, "That bastard."
"I've been trying to think of a solution to this." Steve said, wringing his hands.
"And not once, in all your thinking, did it cross your mind to talk to Ana about this? Or any of us, for that matter?" Tony said.
"She has a lot going on already. I was trying to keep her from getting too stressed."
"Well done." Bucky scoffed sarcastically.
Tony sighed in exasperation, "Do we have a plan to actually fix the Ross situation?"
"Not exactly." Steve said, "I thought if we could just keep Ana's public image up Ross would back off, but after today's events, he'll have leverage to use against her if he wants."
"And we have a more pressing problem to deal with right now: Friedrich Schwarz on the run." Tony said.
Bucky nodded in agreement, "What do we do then, boss?" he asked Steve. There was a serious bite to his tone when he said the word boss.
"I don't know." Steve said shamefully.
"You two have to go get Schwarz." Tony said, "You owe that to Ana. They can't go free after the hell she's been through to get them caught."
Steve nodded in agreement, "We'll need to leave as soon as we have coordinates to start with. But anything Nat could get out of Anderson would be helpful."
Tony nodded and pulled out his phone to message her.
"But what will we do about Ross?" Bucky tried to protest, Who's gonna take care of-"
"I'll look out for Ana. And I'll keep tabs on Ross in case he tries anything." Tony assured.
Bucky didn't feel too sure about that. He just didn't trust Tony, and now he didn't trust Steve either. He didn't want to leave without at least warning Ana about Ross. Steve and Tony both insisted the sooner they deal with the Friedrich fiasco, the sooner they could turn attention on Ross. Finally, they both convinced Bucky to reluctantly agree not to tell Ana about Ross.
"Alright then, let's get going so we can get back. Where's nat?" he asked.
"I just got a message from her." Tony said, his eyes went wide as he read it, "She says she's in the med bay with Ana."
Steve looked to his friend, and they both hoped it wasn't what they thought, "Okay, let's try not to-"
Before Steve could say 'panic', Bucky had already ran out of the room.
He rushed into the med bay frantic with worry. Mind racing, heart pounding, and palms sweaty he bolted through the door.
Ana was sitting on the exam table looking bored. Her hand, swollen and badly bruised, was resting on a pile of pillows and ice packs.
Relief flooded over Bucky seeing Ana was okay, but he was quickly turning from panic mode to protective boyfriend mode.
Natasha stood in the corner, arms crossed and watching over her protectively, as though she would leave if given the chance. (She probably would have.)
"What happened?" he asked.
"I hurt my hand." Ana said, gesturing to her limp appendage.
"Yeah, I see that but I want to know how it happened." Bucky said, glancing between Ana and Nat, "You were at the debrief only half an hour ago and didn't say anything."
"I-I hit the ground pretty hard when Friedrich hit me." Ana mumbled, looking down, "I didn't really feel the pain at first. It must have been the endorphins or something… I thought it was just bruised so I didn't say anything."
Bucky looked at Nat quickly, wanting some kind of verification of Ana's story. Ana also looked at her and silently begged her not to tell the truth. So she simply nodded in agreement of Ana's statement.
A tense silence followed, until Bruce appeared from another room, he tapped on some screens and an image of what Bucky assumed was an X-ray of Ana's hand appeared, "Looks like Nat was right," he announced, "You have a fractured metacarpal." He examined the X-ray carefully before continuing.
"You'll need a splint," He stated, "and you'll need to be careful with that hand for a while."
"How long?" she asked.
"If you get enough rest and don't strain it, I'd say three weeks."
"So I'm going to be wearing a splint in my brother's wedding photos?"
Bruce nodded, "I'm afraid so."
Ana groaned, she knew her mother was going to kill her for this.
"And you'll need to stay off the field for at least a month." Natasha added.
"Not like that matters anyway." Ana muttered under her breath.
Bucky gave her a sympathetic look, "I'm sorry." he said, "Steve isn't being very fair."
"Don't apologize, Bucky. It's his fault not yours. And besides, I need to be here for my brother's wedding. I can't be going on a wild goose chase after some Hydra bastard." Ana said, trying to sound nonchalant about it. Bucky squeezed her hand that wasn't injured.
"Actually, Tony thinks he's already got his location. We're leaving tonight: me, Steve, and Nat."
"Tonight?" Ana said, trying to hide her disappointment.
Bucky nodded, "The sooner we leave the sooner we get him back into custody."
Ana solemnly agreed, and a tense silence followed. Neither of them liked this situation; it was obvious.
"I have to go get some supplies. I'll be back in a few minutes to put your splint on." Bruce said to Ana, breaking the awkward silence.
Natasha followed him out, making a joke about how it was Bucky's turn to babysit, but really, she just thought they needed the privacy.
Bucky looked down at Ana's hand.
"What really happened?" he asked.
Ana looked down and kicked her feet. She didn't want to lie to him, but she was embarrassed by the truth. "I don't really want to talk about it." she said sternly.
Bucky pushed a stray lock of hair away from her eyes, "You sure you're gonna be okay if I go?"
"Yes." Ana insisted, "You have to go."
"I can always say no." Bucky sighed, "I wanna be sure you're gonna be taken care of, baby."
"I'm okay." Ana mumbled, still looking at the floor. It was nice of him to care so much, but she knew he would be needed on this mission, and she also felt like she didn't deserve anyone being nice to her in that moment. It would be selfish to ask him to stay.
Bucky leaned on the exam table with his hands on either side of Ana, blocking her in.
"If you can look me in the eyes and tell me you'll be alright, I'll go." he said.
Ana swallowed thickly, looking up into his deep, blue eyes. She wanted to tell him to stay, but she knew they both had jobs to do and even though they were tough sometimes, they still needed to be done. She took a deep breath, looking right at him and said,
"Go… I'll be fine."
"I love you." he said, kissing her forehead gently.
"Iknow." Ana replied with a chuckle, kissing his nose in return.
Bucky gave her one last kiss goodbye, "I'll be back in time for the wedding." he promised.
I'm back! Once again I am so sorry for taking so long to update. I have no good excuse except that my life has been really busy this summer as I am in the process of switching universities and working lots of extra shifts at my job(and also still grieving after Infinity War). But on top of all that, this chapter was extremely difficult for me to write as it is a bit more intense and has more action in it. I'm not sure it's my best work but anyway, here it is! Thank you all for reading this chapter! What do you think? Will Bucky make it back for the wedding?
Note: I am not a medical professional and have (luckily) never broken a bone in my life, so if any of the statements or references I made are inaccurate, I apologize. I was relying solely on WebMD and Google for my information.