October ran up the stairs taking them two at a time. When she reached the top she turned down the dark narrow hallway. Her foot falls were light as she ran through the hallway leading into the kitchen. She didn't stop as she slid across the island counter and pulled open one of the many counter drawers. The first drawer revealed nothing of use; the second drawer, however, held one of the items she was searching for. A smile graced October's bruised and dirty face as she pulled the glock-22 from the drawer.
'Charles, are you still there?'
'Yes, I'm here.'
'How much longer do I have?'
October waited with bated breath, her heart racing. Her eyes danced around the kitchen for any sign of movement.
'You have three minutes, October. Not counting when Tanner finds out you've escaped.'
'So that gives me roughly two minutes and ten seconds. Thank you for everything Charles. I owe you one.'
'You are welcome. If you need anything, you know how to reach me.'
October felt Xavier's presence slip from her mind. The sound of shouting from outside kicked her into motion. She slipped the gun into the waistband of her pants and ran upstairs just as the front door flew off its hinges. A hail of gun fire rained down on her. A stray bullet embedded itself in to her right thigh, eliciting a shout of pain from her. October pulled herself up the rest of the carpeted stairs and took off down a hallway, leaving a trail of blood behind her.
1 minute and 40 seconds
The faint sound of a jet approaching the house could be heard in the distance. October picked up the pace and limped to the last door at the end of the hall. She tried to door knob, but it was locked. She rammed her shoulder into the certain of the door three times before it flew open. The door banged against the wall, leaving a dent from the door handle. A large polished mahogany desk sat in the center of the room, a black chair situated behind it, and surrounded by floor to ceiling bookshelves. Two filing cabinets were positioned to the right of the desk. Her eyes locked onto the desk and flickered over to the filing cabinets. She limped to the desk and began searching.
Her hands flew through the drawers and papers inside when she found the item. Footsteps in the hallway had her moving faster. She slipped the small item into the bra of her shirt and resumed rummaging through the papers.
55 seconds
"Freeze." Tanner said from the doorway.
October whipped her head up from the desk. She looked at her father, but her eyes ventured to the black barrel of the gun in his hand.
"You don't have to do this, father." She said cautiously.
"Oh but it seems I do."
30 seconds
The two stared each other down, neither one saying a word. October moved her eyes from the gun up to Tanner's eyes. She stared into his eyes, trying to read his mind. A flicker of pain flashed in Tanner's eyes. It was only a split second, but it was all she needed.
"I have a proposition for you, my dear. If you give me the location of the journal I won't shoot you. And we can go back to being a family. What do you say, Tobie?" Tanner said, his voice sickly sweet.
"Go to hell." She said.
"Why you insolent, little…" Tanner hissed, his finger tightening around the guns trigger.
5 seconds
October could hear the jets engine over the house; running footsteps and Steve's voice calling out her name. The footsteps reached the top of the stairs and were heading for the door. She stared at Tanner, and right as Steve reached the door October pulled the gun from her back and fired. Tanner didn't have time to pull the trigger as the bullet pierced his heart. The smoking gun in October's hand was lowered to her side before tumbling to the floor. She watched as Tanner hit the floor with a thud, a pool of blood forming around him.
0 Seconds
Steve stood in the doorway, blocking everyone from the room. His blue eyes caught sight of the trail of blood leading over to October. He looked up and met her dulled light brown ones. October remained behind the desk as Steve knelt down and checked Tanner's pulse. Tanner's hand clasped around Steve's wrist, gasping for air.
"The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our separate ways, I to die, and you to live. Which of these two is better only God knows." He quoted, taking his last breath.
Steve stood up and walked over to October, following the trail of blood as he went. When he was close enough he noticed how pale her skin looked. His eyes grazed over her body in search of injuries. The dirt and sweat on her face hid the bruising on her right cheek. He lifted his hand to her face and gently ran his fingers over her cheek. October lifted a shaky hand and intertwined it his. She looked down at her leg and winced at the pain. Steve followed her gaze, his eyes widening.
"How's Pepper?" she asked quietly.
"She's fine. She's with Tony. I need you to keep your eyes open. October, can you hear?" Steve asked worry laced in his words.
"I will, never kill anyone ever again. I, I don't have to anymore." October muttered before going limp in Steve's arms.
Steve effortlessly hoisted October into his arms. Her head resting against his shoulder, while her left arm dangled over the side. Steve ran out of the house and into the awaiting Quinjet. Once inside he laid October down on the bench as Bruce came over. Dr. Banner grabbed one of the first aid kits and pulled out the necessary items. He pulled the gloves on and grabbed a pair of scissors before stopping.
"I need to cut her pants away from the wound. There's a blanket in that storage cabinet." He ushered to the side.
Steve nodded and grabbed the blanket, returning right as Banner grabbed a few alcohol pads and the tweezers. Steve watched as Banner cleaned the wound and began working on removing the bullet.
"We need to get her back to the helicarrier. She needs blood." Banner said stitching up the wound.
Banner and Stark moved away from October, allowing Steve to sit on the floor beside the bench. Steve grabbed October's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Hang in there, October. I can't lose you too." Steve whispered, a lone tear rolling down his cheek.
~L~
When the Quinjet landed on the helicarrier deck, Steve rushed out, October in his arms and ran to the infirmary. The doctor was startled when Steve burst through the door. He ushered him over to a bed and had Steve set October down. The doctor called out to the nurses having them gather the blood while getting an IV ready. Steve watched as the doctor slid the needle into October's pale arm and tapes it down. A nurse rushed over and handed the blood pack to the doctor. He attached the IV to the bag and hung it on the IV stand. The doctor ushered Steve out of the infirmary while they attended to October.
Steve begrudgingly took a seat in one of the chairs outside. He cradled his head in his hands as memories of his past flashed through his mind. When the image of Peggy disappeared it was soon replaced with one of October. The pang in his chest hurt. Steve didn't know what he would do if he lost October too. For once being in this new time period wasn't so bad thanks to her. She helped him gain a better understanding of this new world, including how they won World War two. She even showed him how to use a computer, cell phone, DVR and an iPod. He was thankfully that she took the time to sit down and listen to him and his stories, how lost he felt.
"Captain?" a deep voice said.
Steve looked up at the doctor. "Yes?"
"Someone wishes to see you."
Steve blinked. How long had he been sitting there? There was no way October could already be awake. He stood up and entered the infirmary and found October sitting up in bed. She gave him a smile and slight wave. Steve strode to her side and grabbed a nearby chair.
"Hey there, red, white and blue." She smiled.
Steve looked down and remembered he was still in his suit. He rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish looked on his face. October gave a light chuckle and grabbed Steve's hand.
"How are you feeling?" Steve asked.
"Better now, thanks to you."
"Dr. Banner was the one who removed the bullet. I only carried you in here." He replied, a light blush on his cheeks.
October smiled and removed her hand from Steve's before placing it on his cheek. He placed his hand over hers and looked up. Her light brown eyes, held the same warm glow in them when they first met, instead of the dulled look.
"Yes, but if you hadn't of arrived when you did I would have bled out. So, thank you." She genuinely replied.
Steve gave her a warm smile in return and pressed his cheek into her hand.
"Oh yeah, I forgot." October said.
She reached into her shirt and pulled out the small journal and set it on the bed. Steve grabbed it and opened it, flipping through the pages. His brow furrowed in confusion at the strange writing inside. He looked back at October who shrugged.
"My great grandfather found it one day while he was working. He ran a library in New Mexico in the late eighteen hundreds. My mother inherited it and kept under lock and key ever since. I don't know what it says, I was hoping Thor would know." She explained her eyes drooping.
"Get some sleep. I'll ask Stark about it." Steve said holding onto the book.
"Thank you, Steve." October mumbled as her eyes closed.
Steve stood up from the chair and made to exit when he stopped. He turned around and walked back to October's bedside. He contemplated on whether he should do it or not, and the do it side won. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to October's forehead before leaving the room.
~L~
The Avengers, minus Thor stood in the same spot where Thor and Loki returned to Asgard. It seemed this would be their meeting place. October was released from the S.H.I.E.L.D infirmary a week later, but still had a slight limp in her step. She stood beside Steve and across from Tony, Bruce to her right. She grabbed the black bracelet from her pocket it and tossed it over to Tony.
"I won't need that anymore, Tony. Thank you."
"I was wondering when you'd return this. I have something better for you." He smirked.
October raised an eyebrow in question as she looked over at Steve. He shrugged in reply before pointing at Tony. October turned back and barely caught the black item that was thrown at her. She looked at the item in her hand and shook her head with a smile. She slipped the black faux leather triple wrap bracelet on her wrist and looked over at Tony. He tossed a few more items at her in which she nearly fumbled the last time.
"Geez Tony, give me a chance to catch the first item."
"If you break that phone, I will make you pay for it. Remember that." Tony said with a smirk.
October rolled her eyes and pocketed the phone and headset. She turned to Natasha and Clint and nodded to which they nodded back. She then looked at Bruce and held out her hand.
"Thank you for saving my life. I don't know how to repay you."
"Just try not to get shot again." He replied with a small smile.
The group dispersed again heading their own separate ways. October watched as Tony and Bruce climbed into Tony's Roadster and sped away, Clint and Natasha following them. Her eyes traveled over to Steve who was walking toward his motorcycle, his back facing her. She sighed and walked over to the railing, looking out at the sparkling ocean.
"Are you alright?" Steve asked startling her.
"I thought you had left."
"I would have, but you were still over here." He replied.
October pulled her eyes away from the ocean and looked up at Steve, a smile on both of their faces. She turned her back to the ocean and started walking toward the motorcycle; Steve falling in step beside her.
"So, what do you think about taking a road trip?" Steve asked.
"Where would we be going?"
"Anywhere, everywhere. I'd like to see the rest of the states. I've never been out of New York. We could even stop in New Mexico to find out more about this journal."
October stood in front of Steve as he leaned against the motorcycle, waiting for her answer. She had thought about visiting New Mexico to see if the library was still there, but she didn't want to go alone. She glanced over at Steve whose smile dropped when she had yet to give him an answer.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get going!" she smiled.
Steve's face lit up at her answer. He swung his leg over the motorcycle and started it up. He helped October get seated behind him before taking off.
The sun was just beginning to set when they hit the New York, Pennsylvania line. They had stopped at each of their places and packed one bag with their clothes and whatever money they would need. October wrapped her arms around Steve's middle and rested her chin on his shoulder as the wind whipped through their hair. They shared a smile and disappeared over the horizon, unaware of what, if any trouble awaits them on their travel.
~L~
AHHH! I am so sorry for not updating since, well August. I am glad to say this story has come to an end. I might make a sequel, but I'm not sure yet. College has gotten pretty crazy here for me, taking two sciences, what was I thinking? Oh well at least my composition class is all about Fairy tales. Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed! Let me know if you would like to see a sequel!
By the way, here is October's outfit at the end of the story. :D
www. polyvore live_to_rise_chapter_13/set?id=60042691
And I might have another Captain fic coming up soon. I have the DVD now and have most of the quotes I need to write the story. So be on the lookout for it! All new character and everything!