AN: I know, I know, I'm the worst. I can't apologize more than I already had. But you guys know that I'm just the absolute worst.

Chapter 5

I smoothed the nonexistent wrinkles from my long sleeve shirt as I walked into the D.C. VA. After talking with Steve we both agreed that this would be the most likely place for someone to scout for veterans. Steve also mentioned that having him come along probably would not be that helpful when trying to get information out of him. I disagreed but that was probably because I was not ready to try and do this by myself.

"Hi," the nice girl at the desk said greeting me.

I returned the smile and walked over to her. "Hi," I responded not sure how I was going to ask my next question. "I'm doing some research and I was wondering if you guys kept a log of visitors?"

Her smile wavered a bit.

"I don't mean of the veterans," I hastily added. "More like any third party groups that work with you guys?"

"Hey," a male voice called down the hall. The secretary grateful for someone else perked up.

"Hey Sam," she said. "This woman has a question for you."

I scrunched my nose. "This woman's name is Scarlett, but yes, if you can answer them, I have a question for you."

"Well, Scarlett I can certainly try," the man the secretary called Sam said as he extended his arm.

I turned to fully see him when I stopped.

"Twice in one day?" Sam asked with a slight smile "how's the running going?"

"Ask me that tomorrow" I teased "shall we?"

He motioned me to follow him and we walked into an empty room. I couldn't deny the spark of hope I was feeling that I at least had someone who wasn't a complete stranger to talk to, that had to be a sign right? "So what can I do for you?" Sam asked.

I sighed. "This is going to sound crazy but I'm wondering if you have been approached by anyone looking for vets," I tried to explain.

"Looking for vets at the VA?" he questioned back with humor in his tone.

"I know, I know but specifically disabled vets?" I asked.

"A few," he responded slowly, "can I ask you why you are?"

"I'm investigating a-" I pause, lick my bottom lip, "company, that is trying to sell a drug that restores limbs, but it's causing deadly repercussions because it's not been FDA approved."

Sam looked at me, judging from the looks of it, to see how true my statement is. I could understand that, someone comes along selling a mystical drug to help people and then someone else says no, it's bad. "I know this sucks, but people are dying."

"I know who you are talking about," Sam sighed. "Been hanging around the building, wouldn't let him in here to talk to people, something sketchy about him."

"Anything you can tell me?" I asked hopeful that this was the breakthrough that I needed.

"I've got his card," Sam said while he dug through his desk. "Here it is," he exclaimed as he walked back over to me and handed me the card.

"Thank you," I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Just doing what I can," he said.

I reached into my purse and pulled out one of the few personal cards I kept in my bag. "I owe you one," I promised.

"I'll hold you to it" he promised back. "See you running sometime."

"Maybe" I said.

I walked back into the lobby gave a nod to the woman behind the desk while I slipped my phone from my purse, the number that I was suppose to call dialed when an arm came around my shoulder.

"Scarlett" I head a voice "we need to talk."

I glanced at the hand that was firmly gripping my shoulder, then I slowly turned my head to find the owner of the hand. It was Killian.

Glancing down I say the name printed on the business card before grasping the hand and removing it from my shoulder. "Killian" I said sternly, "What could you possibly need to say to me that requires a hand on me?"

"Oh Scarlett" Killian cooed, "I think you already know"

I sighed as I put my hand in my purse. "Ya, I know" I admit. "I've been through this once or twice."

"Good" he said while I dropped the phone and the card in my purse. "Then I can skip the whole speech and you can just come with me"

I nodded my head as I felt my hands wrap around the handle of what I was looking for.

"So hostage?" I asked as I noticed a car pull up to the side for us to get into.

"No, no, " Killian said "a trophy"

I pulled my Taser out of my purse and stepped out of his grasp before aiming for him and striking him. I am going to have to Clint about how thankful I am that he gave me this Taser and secondly I'm going to need him to give me some more lessons on aiming because what I aimed for was Killian's chest what I actually got what his balls.

"Ahhh" he screamed as I dropped the Taser from his crotch and took off running.

I glanced around searching for an escape before the bad guys caught up to me.

"Fuck this" I growled as I pushed a couple out of the way and jumped into the taxi that they were taking. "Sorry" I yelled as I shut the door. "Drive" I yelled at the driver.

The taxi took off and I glanced back to see Killian making his way to the car. "Fuck" I swore as I dug my phone out of my purse. This was not happening again, another bad guy was not capturing me. I had grown up, I could save myself.

"Stark what are you" Nick Fury's voice came from the other end.

"Save it," I snapped interrupting them. "Please tell me there is a safe place in DC that I can get to."

Fury seemed to understand that I was not in a joking mood. I heard a few swipes of the keyboard and then his voice "we have an agent who will meet you in three blocks, have your taxi loop around the building on the left."

I looked up and notice what building Fury was talking about "Loop around that building." I told the driver.

"I can assume that the trouble you are in currently is because of what your father is doing?" he asked.

The driver took the left as we started our circle; I glanced back and noticed that the car was still following us.

"Isn't it always?" I asked, "I'm being followed"

"I know" he said, "the agent's name is Rumlow and he is ready to handle the situation."

I rattled off the location to the driver, "thank you" I said to Fury, glad that despite our differences that he was still willing to help out. "Oh this wasn't for nothing" he said, "I've got something that I need you to look at"

I sighed, "when this is over I will" I promised and hung up. I glanced behind my shoulder and saw that the car was still a few cars away from us, we had about a block and a half to go plus the traffic so I dialed the number my dad told me to call.

"Hello?" a child's voice answered.

"Oh hello" I said, "I'm sorry, I must have the wrong number"

"Are you calling for Mr. Stark?" he asked.

"Uh ya" I said as the taxi pulled to the side, "tell him its Aldrich Killian and then tell him to be careful, Killian's on to us and that he needs to call me" I said quickly before I hung up. I threw a bill at driver before I slipped out and shut the door.

"You seem furious" a man slid up to me right as the door closed.

"You could say that" I countered, "Rumlow?"

The agent nodded his head and we walked into the building, I glanced over my shoulder but I couldn't see the car. "Is this a bank?" I asked.

"Sure is, the owner is a friend of SHIELD," he explained.

My phone started to ring, I glanced down, "I need to take this," I offered. Rumlow showed me to an office and I answered the phone.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Are you ok?" I heard my father's worried voice almost yell. "

Ya" I answered running my hand through my hair. "Dad it's Killian," I informed him. "He showed up here right after I found out"

"Are you ok?" he asked again.

"I'm fine, managed to slip him, I'm with a SHIELD agent," I said.

"Good, good." He said, "Scarlett, he has Pepper"

I froze as I felt the floor beneath me drop. "Wh-what?" I asked.

"I guess that he wanted both of you and went after you after Pepper" he informed.

"I… I. What do I do?" I whispered.

"Stay safe," he said, "please"

"Nothing?" I choked out, "you want me to do nothing?"

"I need to know that you are ok while I go stomp this guy into a pebble for messing with my family" my dad growled.

"Ok" I whispered, "ok, but I need constant check ups and please at least take uncle Rhodey with you"

"Already here Scar" I heard uncle Rhodey's voice from the phone.

"Keep him safe," I pleaded "please"

"Always" he promised.

I took a deep breath, "ok, I'm going to head back to my apartment, stay on lock down, dad get mom back, kick some ass then call me so I can yell at you for having a kid be your guy" I stated.

"Sounds like a plan" he stated, "I love you Scar"

"Love you too" I responded and the click of the phone told me that he had hung up. My hands started to shake and sat on the corner of the desk, my breath hiccupped as it caught in my throat.

Shakily I pulled Steve's contact up and dialed his number. "How did it go?" he asked without greeting.

"Um" I began, "I got what I needed"

"What happened?" he asked picking up on my tone.

"I can't explain on the phone" I explained "can you come pick me up please?" I asked.

"Where are you?" Steve asked.

I glanced up searched for the address on an envelope on the desk. "It's a bank" I said, "I'm here with a SHIELD agent."

"I'm on my way, stay safe," he promised as he hung up.

I sat the phone on the desk and placed my head in my trembling hands.

"It's my fault," I whispered.

"Oh please" Loki said. I closed my eyes; I couldn't handle this, not now. "You think that since you weren't captured that not being able to find yourmother is your fault? He taunted.

"When you put it that way," I mumbled as I stood up and put my purse over my shoulder ignoring the god on my way out.

The door opened and I jumped, not knowing that anyone was outside. "Agent Rumlow" I said.

"Did you get everything taken care of?" he asked.

I nodded, making sure that I had my phone, "ya, I've got someone coming to pick me up," I said.

"Are you sure they are going to keep you safe?" he asked skeptically, "That car that was following you it looked like they knew what they were doing."

I gave a small laugh, "ya, actually, I know I'm safe with him."

Rumlow nodded and opened the door to let me pass. "Thank you" I said before I fully passed them, "for taking time out of your day to help."

Rumlow shrugged his shoulder "doing my job" he said.

"Well anyway" I said handing him one of my business cards "if you need anything I owe you"

Rumlow took the card and we walked out into the main floor of the bank. I stood on my tiptoes trying to see if I could see the blonde of Steve over everyone.

"Scarlett" I heard him call out.

I turned and couldn't help myself as I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down as I hugged him.

"Hey" he said as his big arms wrapped around my middle. "Hey"

I closed my eyes as I took in the feeling of being safe that I felt being with Steve, I calmed myself down. "Lets go home," I said taking a step away from Steve.

Steve took his hands from my middle and slid his hand into mine and he led us out of the bank. "What happened?" Steve asked.

"I found out the person who my dad is looking for, pitched Stark industries the idea for whatever the hell is going on," I said

"Seriously?" he asked as I heard the click of my car.

"You brought my mini cooper?" I asked.

"You sounded tense, I figured that it would be easier to take the car and not the motorcycle" he replied.

I smiled at him, "thank you" I whispered as I slipped into the passenger seat. I felt a laugh bubble out of me at seeing him slip into my tiny car. "Well I'm glad I gave you a set of spare keys," I said as we took off back to my apartment.

"well it helps when it rains" he replied.

We settled into silence as I stared out of the window as I collected my thoughts to try and explain what the hell just happened. It was a short drive to the apartment.

We got out and I stopped short as Steve grabbed my hand. "Do you want me to come up?" he asked.

I entwined my fingers with his, "please" I asked.

Steve nodded to my doorman as we headed into the elevator. "What happened" Steve asked.

"He was outside the VA," I whispered. "Waiting for me"

I jumped as Steve hit the emergency stop in the elevator. "What?" he yelled

My eyes widen at his outburst, "are you ok?" he asked.

I nodded my head, "ya, yes" I said "I uh, Tasered him in the crotch"

Steve froze, "you what?" he asked.

"Tasered him" I said slowly, "and then ran away"

I swore I saw admiration in Steve's eyes at him processing what I had said.

"I should have let him take me though," I said.

"What?" Steve asked,"Scarlett how could you say that?"

"Because he has my mom," I whispered. "And if I would have gone, then my dad could have found us"

"Scarlett, you are one of the smartest woman I know, but that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard." Steve scolded. "How could you think that?"

"Because now, my dad has to go find my mom with nothing." I explained.

"There is no guarantee that you would be taken to where Pepper was" Steve said, "and even still, you could have been hurt, killed"

I slid down on the floor, my eyes closed as I rested my head on the wall, "I know" I whispered. I heard movement and felt a slight pressure on my side as Steve slid down next to me.

"Talk to me" he whispered as he grabbed my hand and squeezed.

"I was so scared" I repeated in the same volume Steve spoke in. "when I saw him, all I could think about was what I was going to have to go through, what he was going to do to me. And I felt this desperation to do anything to avoid that pain again."

"You did that" Steve said, "Scarlett you saved yourself."

I opened my eyes to look at Steve, "but he has my mom, and all I can think about is how scared I was to be taken again. Every time I was taken or threatened because of whom I important to, the fear was almost worse then the pain. All I think about is how much I want my parents there." I swallowed while I felt a few tears escape the corner of my eyes.

"And now Pepper is going through the same thing" Steve said.

I nodded, " and I could have been there, to get her through this. I know its stupid but all I can think of is how scared I am and how scared my mom is and useless I feel because I can't do anything." I finished with a sniff.

"You haven't done nothing" Steve reassured me, "you found the person who is behind all of this."

"I feel so helpless" I confessed, "my family is in danger and I just have to sit and watch." I looked back up at Steve, ready to see the realization in his eyes that I was not worth his time.

Steve reached forward and I felt his hand cup my cheek. I categorized how soft his hand felt on my face. I didn't know what was happening until I felt his lips meet mine. My chest swelled and I had just started to kiss him back when he pulled away. My eyes fluttered opened and I looked at Steve in surprise.

The two of us stared at each other not saying anything. I couldn't figure out what was going through Steve's head so I just leaned forward.

"I'm sorry" Steve said.

I paused, my heart frozen in my throat. "What?" I croaked.

"This wasn't the time," he said.

I exhaled, "maybe not" I said, and then I sent a prayer to whoever was listening as I placed a quick kiss on his lips.

I pulled back and stared at Steve, I met his blue eyes and smiled at him. He returned my smile and I felt myself get pulled back to this moment. From the moment that I saw Killian I had been in my head, worrying and being scared and so desperate to drown my feelings again but, here, in this moment stuck in an elevator with someone who genuinely cares for me grounded me and for the first time in a long time I didn't feel the need to drink.

We stood up and Steve started the elevator again. Nothing was said as we made our way into my apartment but I was overjoyed that he hadn't let go of my hand.

I threw my keys and bag on the kitchen table, I opened my mouth to talk to Steve about what the hell that was going on between us but our phones started going off.

I dug my phone out of my purse, and let go of Steve's hand. "Oh god" I said reading the news story update that was scrolling on my phone. I turned and rushed to find my remote. "This can't be happening," I mumbled to myself as I clicked the TV on.

The two of us watched the news stream of air force one being torn apart by the Iron Patriot.

"Iron patriot?" Steve asked.

"It's my godfather," I said as I tried; finding his number on my phone, "this doesn't make sense."

"Hello?" I heard a voice call.

"Kid" I said, "Do you know how to get ahold of my dad?"

"Uh" the kid on the other end started to stutter "I'm not suppose to "

"Kid" I growled "now"

After terrifying the child to get a way to contact with my dad, I turned to Steve while the phone was ringing; he had his back to me looking between his phone and the TV.

"Dad" I said "Rhodey"

"It isn't him" he replied, "It's one of Killian's minions."

"Is he ok?" I asked panicked

"He's fine" he informed, "Can you track the suit?"

"Rhodey's suit" I asked turning to find my laptop, "is the logon still the same?"

"It is" Rhodey's voice came from the line, "can you find it?"

I pulled out my laptop and started to type, "is everyone ok?" I asked while I glanced over at Steve who had moved from in front of the TV and was now in front of the window on the phone.

"Nothing permanent" Rhodey replied.

"Uhhh, the suit is in Florida?" I asked as the coordinates popped up on the screen.

"I hate Florida," my dad grumbled.

I chuckled, "ok, I'm going to send you the exact coordinates to your suit, it looks like a barge or something. Have you heard anything about mom?" I begged.

"I'm going to get her back" my dad promised,

"stay safe" "I promise," I whispered closing my eyes trying to fight the feeling of helplessness that was coming back. "Steve's here, keeping an eye on me" My dad growled and uncle Rhodey chuckled. "I love you guys," I said, "please be careful and keep me in touch" They made their promises and hung up. I finished sending everything that I needed to my dad before turning to see what Steve was doing.

"Uh huh" Steve said, "I'll be there Monday"

Steve turned around and slipped his phone in his pocket. "Is everything ok?" I asked.

Steve nodded and he clinched his jaw. "I uh called Fury, accepted his job offer at SHIELD" he said.

"Are you happy about that?" I asked, noting the look on his face.

"I'm not, not happy about it" he admitted, "after working with him with New York I don't know how this is going to go. But after watching that," he motioned to the TV "and not being able to help," Steve trailed off and I nodded, understanding exactly what he was talking about.

"So" I said, running my fingers through my hair, "what do we do from here?"

Steve turned to look at me and I felt a lump in my throat. I didn't know what Steve was going to say, and I found myself desperate for an answer.

"Things are going to be different" Steve said, "with me joining SHIELD"

My heart started to fall and I steeled myself for the disappointment that was about to come. I nodded my head in agreement. "They are," I whispered.

"But" Steve said as he walked closer to me, "I don't want to it to change"

I glanced up at him, questioning his statement. "At all?" I asked.

Steve opened his mouth and then closed it, he squeezed the back of his neck and I took a leap.

"Steve" I whispered as I reached up on my tiptoes, I placed a very light kiss on his lips and fell back down, "I'm interested in where this is going, I understand that this is going to be difficult but I'm willing to go through it."

"Ya" he whispered, his voice hoarse and then he clears his throat "yes I do"

"Really?" I asked excitedly.

A small smile reached Steve's lips, "really" he repeated as he leaned down to kiss me again.

AN: Well there you guys go, a little peace offering to everyone who has waited. I really didn't want Scarlett to get captured again so I took a while to figure out how to still have her involved but not captured again. I hop you like it and I hope you guys leave your review below!