HOLA!

I think I am getting better. Just over two weeks this time!

Same disclaimer.

I hope you enjoy this. I started writing a new book and it inspired me. :)

And a warning: I have an Comma problem.

Chapter 20:

The Fear of the Unknown

Toni didn't know what they meant by a Share Crop, but it had to be an insult, if she was to judge by the looks. There were so many looks that it drove her up the wall. Why didn't Peggy get all of these looks? Why was it just her? Peggy was a woman too, though she didn't act like her which was what the asshole had told her. Guys thought she was promiscuous, a tease, and that angered her, even if it wasn't entirely false. She had slept with a fair number of guys, but she wasn't a slut. She was just a woman, who was proud of her sexuality. She was proud of who she was, even if some thought she was promiscuous. What did it matter who she slept with? Why did it matter to anyone? She wasn't hurting anyone. It was her own damn body. She really hated this time, because a woman couldn't do anything without being called a slut. If a woman wasn't married by now, she must be a lesbian or a failure as a woman.

She took a deep breath as she made her way to her tent. She had a few things to pack before they were off for another location. This time they were heading to a base, near some large city. Toni couldn't say which city as Phillips didn't tell her, just telling her to pack. It was annoying how he ordered her around, but she supposed that he was doing his job. He was the Colonel and all.

Halfway to her tent, she noticed something along the tent. At first, she thought it was her stalker and almost flipped out, but after a few seconds, she realized that it was a fight between two idiots. They had to be idiots as only idiots would fight a comrade. Like an ugly car accident, she was unable to look away, and as she watched, she recognized one of the idiots: Bucky. Why in the hell is he in a fight? She thought. He wasn't someone who got into fights. Surprisingly, it was Rogers, who she was still mad at, that got into fights.

Not wasting another second, she made her toward the idiots, wondering why Barnes was fighting, but it only took her a few seconds to realize why. He was beating up the Asshole who kept calling her 'Fire Rocket.' She still did not know his name, but she didn't need to know his name to want to punch him in the face or somewhere lower. However, that didn't mean she or anyone else should.

Toni rushed over as she saw Barnes threw him to the ground. She couldn't allow Barnes to beat the shit out of him as it would end with him in the brig. "Bucky, stop," she yelled as she ran toward him. When he didn't respond, she yelled once more, "Stop!" She grabbed his arm and tried to pull him back. She didn't know what it was, but nothing she did disturbed him. Sure, he was stronger than her, but she at least should've been able to do something. "Barnes!"

At the sound of his last name, Barnes suddenly stopped and dropped the Private, who land with a thump. "Toni," he uttered. He looked surprised.

"What the hell are you doing?" Toni snapped as she kneed down to the Private, who was trying to push himself up. "Are you okay?" she asked as she tried to help him. Covered in blood and dirt, he looked like he had gone through the ringer. Though she couldn't stand the man, she didn't want him dead. That was reserved for a very special person.

The Private glanced up at her with a smile. As he tried to get to his feet, he placed a hand on her knee and squeezed. "I didn't know you cared, Doll Face," he stated as he winked at her.

"Get your grumpy ass hand off her," Barnes ordered as he reached down to him; however, Toni batted his hand away. He was clearly shook. "Toni." He was giving her a pleading look.

She sent Barnes a warning glare before turning back to the Private. "You're funny," she stated with a hard smile. She shoved his hand off her and stood slowly. After a brief hesitation, she helped him up.

He leaned on Toni slightly to her annoyance and put his arm around her. "And I didn't even have to pay you?"

Upon hearing him, Barnes went for the Private again, but Toni wouldn't let him. She pushed the Private, who was very unstable on his feet, back and stepped toward Barnes, putting her arms up to block him. "Barnes, stop. I don't need you to defend my honor," she snapped. "Now calm down."

The Private hobbled behind her; his left eye was slowly turning black. "She doesn't need you," he teased.

This man was getting on her nerve and she was this close to letting Barnes beat the shit out of this man, but she doubted Rogers would be happy about that. Why did she have to be the reasonable one? Did no one understand why that was a very bad idea? She didn't know what reasonable was. "Look, that's one thing we can agree with," she smiled evilly. "I can handle this dog on my own. Not his fault that he's a teeny weeny goon and can't get a hot dame. And let me tell you, I'm too hot for this dog."

The Private's smiled dropped and it was replaced with a glare. "Why you?"

"Well, if the shoes fits," Toni shrugged as she eyed him. The Private looked like he was going to collapse from his injuries. "But are you okay? Do you need me to take you to the medical tent," she asked, switching her tones.

"I don't need your help, Rug Muncher," he stated as he whipped the blood from his mouth. His semi-joking mood had turned completely sour and he was shooting daggers with his eyes.

"Apologize, now!" Barnes ordered. His fists were balled.

Though the Term that the Private used wasn't familiar, it didn't take her much to realize what the Private meant by it. He was an ass, who needed to be slapped a few times, but she could deal with the insults even if they made her sick to her stomach.

"What?" The Private stated. "She's either one of those or promiscuous slut."

"Don't you call her that," Barnes yelled.

Toni took a deep breath as these idiots were frustrating her to no end. "Go Private before I beat you, and I hit harder than he does. Trust me." She glanced to Barnes, giving him a look.

"Then you'll both end up in the brig," he smiled. "Unless you-"

Toni's eye twitched. "Do you really want to threaten the friends of Captain America?" She hated to name drop Rogers, but the facial expression was more than enough to ease that guilty feeling. Plus, the Private left without another word, though he was huffing and puffing as he walked away. She waited until they were alone before she turned to Barnes. "What the hell? Why did you attack him? You could end up in the brig. Do you want to end up there?"

Barnes took a step toward her. "I told him that if he ever touched you again, I would beat the shit out of him. He touched you, so I touched him." He didn't look sorry at all.

"Who told you?" Toni demanded. It was probably Peggy, who couldn't keep her mouth shut. She was seriously going to change her nickname to Loud Mouth.

"Doesn't matter. He needed to be taught a lesson," he answered, proud of himself. "No one should talk to a lady like that. And imagine what Steve would have done if he heard."

Toni let out a tiny chuckle, because it would have been hilarious, well not to the Private who would have shit his pants. "You don't need to protect my honor, Barnes."

"I got the last name again." He frowned.

"You don't get to play that card when you almost killed someone for no reason," Toni snapped. "What were you thinking?" She knew he wasn't. Or maybe he did, but why did he think he needed to protect her?

"He was out of line and if I didn't stop him, he wouldn't have stopped. I can't a-"

"Enough," she stated. "I can take care of myself. In case you didn't hear, I punched him in the face for touching me already." She took a deep breath. "Besides, I have no honor to protect. That ship sailed a while ago. Many men ago." She wasn't sure if that was something people admitted in this time, but judging from his face, it wasn't. Maybe, she shouldn't have told him and she was regretting it as she eyed his bright red face.

"W..W-what?" he shuttered, which was so not Barnes like. It made her laugh, even if she was mad at him.

*O*O*

Toni almost squealed at the sight of the core that her father had placed in front of her. Once she configured her device with the core, she should be able to go home. She couldn't wait. In the future, she could sleep with whoever she wanted, and no one would judge her… Okay, a few people still would like Future Rogers, who's greatest joy seemed to be judging and lecturing her. He seriously needed to get another hobby.

"I didn't know you could get that loud," Howard stated as he rubbed his ears. "I think I'm deaf. I think the whole lab is death." They were in a decent size lab, which fit 6 lab tables and 4 large lab equipment, and like the lab before, Stark had 10 or so people with him. All of them were male.

She smiled an evil laugh. "I can go louder!" she squeaked. Though he was the most annoying person on the planet, she had to give it to him: he wasn't all that bad, but she still hated him and he was still an idiot.

"Please don't," he chuckled. "Though I need to warn you, I wouldn't consider those cores stable at all. I suggest putting on protection gear." He set a few items of protective clothing onto the table in front of her.

She only sparingly glanced at them. "Trust me, I got," she stated as she removed the outer coating of the device. There was a small empty section in the center of the device, where the power source was supposed to go. Her best bet was to rework the hydra power core, using the ports already connected to the core's containment unit, instead of just using the core and trying to connect it directly.

Howard was still eyeing her. "So if you get knocked on your ass, I can make fun of you?" he teased.

Toni glanced up at her father and smiled. "Nope."

"That isn't fair."

She just laughed, because his pouty face was hilarious.

"Well if you need help, let me know. I can be useful, though I have no idea of what that device really does besides hating me. Must take after you." He was eyeing her.

She glared. "You're just jealous. Besides I don't need help falling on my ass." She paused. "I do that enough on my own."

"So you admit that you're not perfect." He let out a chuckle.

Toni had no issue in admitting her failures as she used them as learning tools, but she refused to admit it. "Never said I was, but I know I'm right up there!" He was starting to get on her last nerve with this small talk. Why couldn't he just leave her alone? She thought she was being mean enough. It usually worked with Future and Past Rogers.

He rounded the lab table with his eyes on the device. "Why don't you tell me what this thing does besides sucking out power?"

"You really want to know, don't you?"

He leaned down on the table, right next to Toni. "I'm wondering why Phillips wants you to complete it and why you're willing to do it. Is that why he let you out of that cell?" Howard wasn't stupid and given enough time, he could figure it out, even if he didn't believe it at first.

Toni glanced at him sideways, studying him. He was up to something as he knew better than to get this close to her. She narrowed her eyes at her filthy father, who was covered from head to toe in some kind of Hydraulic fluid. He also looked like he hadn't been sleeping, which worried her slightly. Just Slightly. It wasn't because she cared; she just didn't want him to work himself to death. He needed to be alive to meet her mother. "When the last time you slept or took a shower?" she asked. "You smell."

She tried not to laugh when he smell checked himself. "I don't smell too bad." He leaned closer. "Now what does it do?"

The future Genius hoped to be gone by the time he figured it out, because she didn't want to be here when he learned that she was his daughter. "Well, it's a time travel device! For you see, I'm from the future and I'm stuck in the past until I fix it. How could you not figure it out? There was so many clues," she stated with a smile. However, at the moment there was no way he could believe her, and he may even discredit later on his own if she said it first.

"Okay, so don't tell me!" Howard stated as he pushed himself off the table. His pouty face was funny and she could laugh at it all day. "I have things to do." With that, he left her alone to her pleasure.

*O*O*

When Toni left the lab, she couldn't feel the fingers on either hands. That Hydra core seemed to have the power she needed, but it kept sending a nonstop flow throughout the device. She hadn't figured out how to limit the power of the core so it would only spit out power when she wanted. It also kept dimming the lights, which annoyed everyone in the lab including her father who eventually kicked her out. She couldn't believe it at first, but he told her that she had played with it enough. She figured it had to do with her numb fingers as he had seen it shock her a few times.

She glanced back at the huge metal lab door before she walked away. She didn't make it far, running into Jones and Dugan, who smiled at the sight of her. "So what are you two up to?" She asked, eyeing them. "And should I be scared?"

Gabe's smile grew larger. "We were looking for you," he stated. "You're a tricky one to find."

Something was up. "Why?" she asked, slowly.

"To make up for beating you in poker, I thought we would all go out for drinks, well unless you're too classy for that," he said.

"You didn't beat me. I forfeited. There's a difference," she countered. "We can go another round if you like." She gave him a big smile. "Want to go?" She waved her numb fist at him as she hopped around like a boxer. Jones laughed. "It doesn't have to be a poker game. It can be anything else. A drinking contest? I can outdrink any one!" Toni had no idea of where this energy was coming from.

"Most ladies wouldn't admit that," Dugan stated with a loud chuckle.

"I don't know if I would consider myself a 'lady.' Being a lady is too boring," she stated, waving it off. "I rather have fun."

Jones laughed. "Then let's go. Then you can help me get some attractive dames."

"And what about me?" Dugan asked.

Toni smiled. "I can be a wing man to the both of you!" she cheered as she marched pass them. "Let's head out." Though she needed this break from everything (this included Rogers and Barnes), she wanted to get some whiskey into her system. She hadn't had any good to drink since traveling to this time.

*O*O*

The whiskey, not as good as she was used to, burned her throat on the way down, and it felt good. It numbed her system just like she wanted; it numbed her to the world. She hadn't had a drink in a while, and god, did she miss it! In the future, she could barely go a day without a drink, which was a serious issue; however, it wasn't an issue that she wanted to think or talk about. It… wasn't like she got drunk all of the time; she just enjoyed how it made her feel. She felt free with each passing second as her worries just seemed to disappear. Even her nightmares disappeared if only for a few hours.

"I hope you can hold your liquor," Gabe stated as he took a slip of his drink.

She smiled, slightly dizzy. She wasn't lying when she said she could handle her drinks. After finishing the glass, she spoke, "Don't want to challenge me now?" She winked at him. Toni was told that she was an unbearable flirt when she was drunk, though she knew that wasn't true. She was always a flirt and it was never unbearable.

Gabe let out a laugh. "We have to be careful. We have a mission tomorrow, which means we can't drink too much."

Though she would never admit it, there had been a couple times that she had been hungover or even dunk when she flew the Iron Man Suit. It wasn't because she meant too; it just happened, and it wasn't like anything was going to happen. She had JARVIS if something were. Future Rogers had been suspicious of her a few times, but he didn't accuse her of it. If he had, they would've been a fight, which was what he might've been trying to avoid. "No worries," she said as she waved it off. "What about that girl for you?" she asked, pointing toward a few woman on the other side of the bar. "They can't say no to a man in uniform."

"To Gabe, they can," Dugan teased as he took a slip of his drink.

"Ha Ha," Jones replied. "They would prefer me over you."

"I think you're all wrong," Falsworth said as he interrupted the three. He had a drink in his hand and a smile on is face. "Don't you agree, Toni?"

"Well, I do like your accent better," Toni teased. "So much better than theirs." She leaned toward him with another glass of whiskey in her hand. "I'm a sucker for accents."

"Oh, really," Falsworth stated with a huge smile.

"Don't get any ideas," Jones said to Falsworth with a laugh. "Barnes will hurt you."

Toni's eye twitched. She did not belong to Barnes. "Well to any girls," she clarified as she took another slip. "Maybe, you can teach these two!"

"I think my French can do the trick," Jones stated as he got to his feet. "It's irresistible."

"Okay, let's see." Toni challenged as she raised her glass. "This should be fun."

*O*O*

You're overreacting, she told herself as she stood outside of the bar in the cold. Temperatures had dropped by at least 20 degrees and Toni could see her breath, but she had no interesting of going back inside. Not even the call of the Alcohol could get her back inside, and it wasn't because of the Howling Commandos or the catcalling pigs. It was because of the guy who asked her to dance. Ignoring her gut which could've been the alcohol talking, she agreed. The man was a good dancer who kept his hands where they belonged, but there was something wrong. She could feel it.

When he asked her to dance, she wasn't paying attention to him or his face as she was too distracted by Barnes who was talking to some dame. She had no idea of why Barnes was flirting when some chick in front of her. All it did was make her mad, which was probably why she said yes to the dance, but she refused to say that she was jealous of some ugly woman. She had to like someone first before she could be jealous and she didn't like him like him. However, when the man spun her around and started to speak, she froze. Though she couldn't be a hundred percent, he was the man who pinned her against the wall in the alley. As fast and sneaky as she could, she bolted from the man and left the bar.

It's the whiskey, she told herself as she took a few deeps breath. The alcohol was messing with her thought process, making her overreact. This was all in her head; she was imagining this all, which was what she did. She couldn't let herself be happy, not that she could really consider herself happy being stuck in the past, but she was in a better place than she usually was.

Relax, she told herself. Toni was bent over as she tried to ride out her fear. The cold, which wasn't too bitter thanks to the many drinks, wasn't bothering her, and it was only an afterthought to her overwhelming fear. If only, she had her suit; no one could be able to touch her. They would be running from her. She didn't have to worry about a fucking stalker, who haunted her every second just like Barnes' future death. She took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself.

"What got you scared?"

She jumped at the voice. "What the hell?!" she yelled as she turned to Dugan, who was standing over her.

"Is there something going on? I'd seen you jump before," he said as he covered her with his huge uniform jacket. "You shouldn't be out in the cold. You're freezing. We need you healthy for tomorrow." He watched her like she was something fragile, about to break.

His coat was heavy and it weighted her down, but she was thankful for it. She didn't realized that she was shivering so badly. "Who says I'm?" she asked softly as she held his coat close. It warm.

"I saw how you bolted." He eyed her as she didn't answer. "Why don't we go back in? I'll order you another drink."

The very thought of going back into the bar scared her; she couldn't face that man, though she wasn't sure why she was so scared. He couldn't hurt her when she was surrendered by people, and there was no way that Barnes, even if he was distracted by some girl, would let anything happen to her. "I'm going to head back," she announced.

Dugan glanced at the door before he looked back. "Let me get your coat and I'll walk you back."

"You don't have to," she objected. "You were having fun." She didn't want to take him away when he was having fun, enjoying himself. She also didn't need an escort even if it made her feel better.

"I can't let a pretty dame walk back by herself. I wouldn't be a gentleman if I did," he said.

"Well, I'm not the type of girl who need a gentleman," she answered, mad at herself. She didn't want to be the type of girl who needed to be rescued. She wanted to be the knight in her own story.

Dugan laughed as he turned to the door. "I'll be back." Toni didn't fight him.

*O*O*

Toni did have a slight hangover but it wasn't anything that she hadn't deal with before. Seeing that man yesterday had scared her sober, but it gave her nightmares that kept her up for hours even with the alcohol. She knew she couldn't keep doing this as it would go crazy. It could also hurt the mission… Maybe, she shouldn't go, but she promised Salty that she would. He had done a lot for her, so she would do the same for him, even if it risked the future. I wonder how much of the future I have already messed up, she thought as she took a deep breath.

Shaking her head, she left the quarters that she was sharing with Peggy on the base. It was nice for a change; however, they wouldn't be staying at this base for long. They were just staying long enough to complete the next mission and after that, Toni had no idea. She might be staying behind at the base with Howard studying whatever they were having her bring back or she could be going with the Salty and the others.

Toni took a deep breath as she went to meet up with Rogers and the gang. She was all geared out in army gear with her military belt heavy with two canteen, binoculars, and a small first aid kit. In a small bag that she had draped across her body, she had a compass, a Swiss army knife, and a pocket watch. On her back was a small bag, which held a few items that Howard had given her. Unlike regular soldiers, she did not have a rifle, not that she would know how to handle it. Instead, she had a hunting knife hidden in her boots and two hand guns in two leg holsters.

What she really wished she had was a bullet proof vest, but they didn't have those in this time. Why didn't they have them in this time? What would happen if she was shot at? Depending on where she was hit, she would be dead… Was this really a good idea? She wasn't really trained to go into combat, though Barnes had given her some tips. Salty had even taken her aside and gave her a quick run through, though Toni wasn't sure that was enough considering what happened the last time. She had combat experience, but that was with the Iron Man suit and not hand to hand combat.

However, Toni knew if she thought like that, it wouldn't end well.

*O*O*

They were dropped off two mile from the hydra base as any closer, they would have been spotted. Normally, they would have dropped straight on the base, but they had to be sneaky about this one. They needed to get to the computers before they were destroyed. If Hydra were to spot them, they wouldn't get the chance, and they couldn't have that.

When they were within a quarter of a mile of the base, the group separated into three groups. Dugan, Jones, Dernier, and an unnamed soldier were in the first group. Rogers, Folsworth, Morita and a second additional soldier made up the second team. In the third group was just Toni and Barnes, who were going to stay back until they received the all clear signal. It would be easier for them to sneak pass the guards, if they were distracted by Rogers and the rest of gang.

Toni was lying down in a patch of dead snow covered grass, using her binoculars as she watched the two groups move toward the small well-guarded base. Her small form was almost invisible, while Barnes, also using binoculars, was kneeing next to her. He was only a few inches from her. "It seems like they're almost in place," she said as she stared at Rogers, who looked like an ant form this distance. He looks cute as an ant, she thought with a smile.

"Are you ready to go, Sark?" he asked. He scanned the area around the base, looking for anything surprising.

Her eye twitched. He of all people was not allowed to call her Sark. "I ready when you are, Barnes." She stated, stressing his last name. He had been like this since she admitted that she wasn't innocent. Sure in this time, women wouldn't admit that, but she thought he would get over it. Maybe, that was why he was chasing her. He wanted to steal her innocence. Figures, she thought, annoyed. Was all men like that? Granted, she was sex craze at times, so maybe, she couldn't talk.

He put down his binoculars and turned to her. "Are we going to play that game?" he asked as he returned the binoculars to their pouch.

"You started it," she argued as she put away her binoculars. She slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position and eyed Barnes, who looked ready for a battle with his rifle on his back.

"How so?" He asked as he got to his feet. He offered a hand to Toni, but she didn't take it.

"You're the one who started to act strangely," she stated, getting to her feet. She dusted the snow off her chest and her knees. "But we shouldn't talk about this now. Lead the way," she said as she waved him to go.

Barnes took a deep breath as he walked pass her. Toni eyed his back as they made their way slowly toward the base. They were crunched low as Barnes kept his gun pointed forward. He continuously scanned the area looking for any signs of movement or an enemy scout team.

*O*O*

Toni was shivering in the cold wind as Barnes and she were hunched down in dead shrubs right outside of the base. She had her gun drawn as she waited for Barnes' signal. He was looking for the right opening, and it wouldn't be long as most of the Hydra Soldiers were trying to stop Rogers, which was almost impossible with his super strength. However, Toni was worried about him, but she knew it wasn't needed. With his skills, he could take care of himself.

"Are you ready?" Barnes asked, whispering.

She took a deep breath and smiled through the pain of chapped frozen lips. "As I'll ever be," she said. She wasn't sure why she was so nervousness, but something didn't feel right. It's just the nerves, she thought. It was probably because of what happened the last time; the torture was still fresh in her mind. She didn't know if she could handle that again. The very idea of it freaked her out. Relax, she told herself. You know Steve wouldn't let you get hurt. She knew if she was captured again, Rogers would come for her and that was relaxing thought.

"I won't let anything happen to you, Toni," Barnes reinsured her, snapping her out of her thoughts. He was looking back to her with a smile.

She stared at him wondering why she thought of Rogers before Barnes. "I know," she said as she followed him out of the bushes. "Plus, I'll be harder to catch this time." She forced a smile.

"I bet," he stated as they stepped slowly. It would be over if they were spotted.

*O*O*

Toni had put her gun back into the holster as she hacked her way into the base, surprisingly this base was very high tech. It wasn't something that she expected in this time, though they did have Tesserac. She took a deep breath as the lock clicked, signaling she was in. "We're in," she said, turning back to Barnes who was served the look out. He nodded as he waved her back from the door. She backed away and allowed him pass.

He pushed the door open and slowly walked inside with his rifle up, looking for any sign of movement. "Clear," he replied as he stepped aside.

Toni entered and closed the door behind her. She was stuck by the heat, which felt almost unbearable compared to the cold; however, after she got over the shock, it felt nice. She just stood there for a few seconds as she allowed the heat to bath her. It was refreshing after that two mile hike in the snow; however, her lips still stung. I wish I had chapped stick right about now.

After she made sure that the door was secure behind her, she pulled out a small handheld device that Howard had given her. The device had an awkward shape to it, and it barely fit in her small hands, but it was a very useful device. When turned on, the device could map out a building using a special sensor which acted like sonar. "I got it," she stated. The base's layout appeared on the screen. "We just need to go down this hall, turn right, then left and after a few feet, turn left again." She left out a light chuckle. "Once we make it through that, there's just one more door that we have to get pass then we're golden."

"Then let's get going."

Toni followed behind Barnes directing him. "Shouldn't be much farther," she told him in hush tones. She was hearing fast moving foots steps, which seemed to be getting closer. They must be running toward the fighting, she thought as she heard something explode in the distance.

"You wouldn't mind me asking what's up," Barnes asked as he stopped at a turn. He glanced back at her before gradually looking round a corner. Seeing no one coming, he waved her on.

She glared at his back. It wasn't the time to bring this up, but she knew he wouldn't drop it. "There's nothing to tell. You're the one who been acting weird since I told you the truth."

"I have not." He glanced back at her as she didn't respond. "And dancing with that guy was what?" he asked, annoyed.

That was a total complete nightmare, but she wouldn't tell him that. If she told him that, she would have to admit that she thought her stalker was back. And if her stalker wasn't, then she was crazy, and she couldn't crazy. "He was just a random guy," she said.

"You don't seem like the girl to dance with random guys," he countered.

Toni stared at his tensed shoulders and almost laughed. He didn't think she was crazy; he was jealous, which was funny. However, him liking her wasn't a good thing. "Not like you? The guy, who's always picked up random woman?"

"Jealous?" he teased as he turned another corner. He didn't look back and kept forward.

"To be jealous, there must be something to be jealous of," she stated.

"I'm not the one who bolted out of the bar in a fit of jealousy," he counted as he rounded yet another corner. Before anyone could speak another word, Barnes shoved her against the wall and held her there for a few seconds. "Ssh," he ordered as the footsteps got louder.

"It was not in a fit of jealousy," she argued. She would not let him believe that.

"Ssh," he hushed, but he was smirking.

She glared at him as she listened to the fast moving footsteps. Judging by the sound, it was one person, who was either very heavy or heavily armed.

"Stay here," he ordered and he didn't step away until she nodded.

Toni watched Bucky as he rounded the corner. She didn't know what happened next, but she heard a struggle with a few colorful words and then something falling to the ground. Panic, she dashed around the corner with her gun in her hand, ready to use it, but instead, she was shocked to find Barnes standing over a body with a knife in his hand. Blood dripped from the blade. "Bucky," she uttered, shocked to see him like that.

He looked back at her as he wiped the bloody knife on the dead hydra soldier's clothing. Blood soaked the ground and he was careful not to step in it. "I thought I told you to stay," he said, putting the knife away.

"It might have worked if I was a dog." He glared, but she waved him off as she tried to get the picture of a dripping knife out of her mind. "Like I listen. Just ask Salty. I don't like orders," she said as she put her gun away and looked at the building map on the device. As she was looking, she added, "And you took down that man with a tiny knife?"

"I'm handy with a knife," He said. "Let's hurry. We have to get to the Data Center before they find that body, and it won't be long."

Toni nodded.

*O*O*

Toni and Barnes found the door to the Data Center in a few minutes, which was around the same time that the body was found. The alert was sounded the second the door was closed and locked behind them, but they both knew that wouldn't hold not with those hydra weapons.

The room was rather large with computer towers lining the two side walls, while several monitors lined a third wall. Halfway down the third wall was the control board for the huge computer, which all of the main controls were located. Besides a few filling cabinets on the fourth back wall and a metal table, there was no chairs or other furniture in the room.

"Whatever you have to do," Barnes started as he pushed a metal table in front of the door. "Do it now."

"You don't need to tell me twice," she said as she walked to the control panel. They were so many odd buttons on the panel that Toni didn't know what each of them did; it looked the Enterprise from the Original Season. Sure, she would figure it all out in time as she was awesome, but they didn't have time to figure it out if she were to judge by the monitors. A hand full of guards were on their way to the room, and each were heavy armed. "Just keep an eye on the monitors."

He glanced back at the door before he made his way over to the monitors. "You only got a seven or minutes at the best."

Toni got down on her knees and opened the pack on her back. "If Stark's correct, it shouldn't take me too long," she replied as she pulled out some tools. With a screwdriver in her hand, she crawled under the control board and removed one of the hard panel coverings. She needed to get to the wires if she wanted to hack into the system. Unlike future technology, there was no USB ports that she could plug into. A minute later, she was able to find the two wires that she needed. After to exposing the wires, she took out the same device from before and popped open the top. She took out two wires and split them so she could connect the wires to the control panel. After assuring the connection, she watched the device lit up, but it beeped a few times as the device struggled to make it through the fire walls.

Toni cracked her hands as this was nothing. She could hack anything. With a smile, she started typing away, and not even a minute later, she was in. Everything in the hydra's system started to flow into the device. She slide out and pushed herself up. "Anything?" she asked as she stepped to him. "It'll take a few minutes for it to copy."

Barnes didn't say anything before he turned to her. "We might be screwed," he muttered.

Toni turned to the monitors and gasped. Rogers' group, who were being pushed back, were handling themselves at least, while the second group was not. They appeared to need some help. It shocked Toni that a small base had so many soldiers, but she knew that she shouldn't have been. This base was important. It held some important secrets, which they had been trying to steal.

"It'll be harder for us to get out."

She stared at him, seeing how much he hated being here with her while his teammates were fighting. "Then go to them. Maybe, you can sneak up on the soldiers and surprise them. That might give our gang the upper hand. It shouldn't be too hard as the path is clear," she said as she pointed to the monitors. No one had come to data center yet, and the group that was heading toward them had changed direction. There was a small opening that could close at any second.

"That isn't the mission. The mission is to bring back that data; nothing else matters. I can't leave you," Barnes said. His voice was cold, unfeeling. "I need to get you and that device back to base."

Toni couldn't let this happen. This shouldn't be happening. She couldn't let someone die because of her. Shaking her head, she went back to the device to check on the process. It was about halfway done or so. "Go, Bucky," she demanded as she turned back to him. "If the teams are pushed back, we won't be able to get out of here, but if you help and you guys are able to keep them busy, I can sneak out on my own. Trust me."

"Toni."

"If I can sneak into Stark Industries, I think I can sneak out of this base," Toni said with a smile. "And I have my trusty guns." She padded her guns.

"Toni. I'm not leaving you."

"Don't make me last name you!" She yelled, pointing.

"Last name me?" he asked chucking.

Toni glared. "Listen, Bucky. I almost got it. You don't need to baby sit me. I'm pretty tough," she said while flexing. "And if you don't, I'll hurt you." She couldn't let anyone get hurt while they were protecting her.

He stared at her, thinking. "Fine," he stated, crossing to her. "But I want to do something first."

"Like what?" She asked, glancing back at the monitors.

Barnes grabbed her and pulled her to him, holding her close. "As we may not see each other, I want to-"

Toni wiggled as he held her tight against him. "Don't think like that. Why are you acting like this? We-" Before she could finished, Barnes smashed his lips against her and kissed her with everything that he had. At first, Toni didn't know what to make of it, and after she got over the shock of it, she was confused as to what to do. Did she kiss him back? Did she push him off? Why in the hell was she putting so much thought into a stupid kiss? She had never in her life put so much thought into a single kiss. It's because you care, she thought. She cared for him more than she wanted to admit. She cared for a lot of people that she didn't want to care about. Rogers, Barnes, Phillips, Peggy, the howling Commandos… All of them. Screw it. She leaned into him and kissed him hard.

Barnes pulled away a second later. "I don't care about your past. I don't care you have been with or who you haven't. I don't care about anything. I just want you."

"Bucky." She touched her chapped, cracked lips in shock. She could feel a drop of blood on her lip.

He glanced up at the monitors before he pushed the hair out of her face. "I'll be back. Can't leave you after that kiss," he stated, smiling. "I have to go," he said as he kissed her again.

"Go or else." She ordered, unsure of what to make of that kiss. Did she really want it? She wasn't sure, though she did know that it would only make matters worse for everyone, especially for her. She couldn't fall for a guy, for a dead man. That says wonders about me. Can only fall for guys I can't have.

*O*O*

Toni reached down for the device and checked the downloading process. She had lied to Barnes (and even herself) before and said it was downloading faster than it was. It was taking longer than she expected which was a testament to the strength of the system. "Bitch," she cursed when she laid the device back and glanced at the monitors. There were a heavy armed team of Hydra soldiers heading right toward her, and she knew she would not be able to hold them off. This could be the end for her, but she refused to let that ruin the mission.

A second later, she hid the hacking device in the power board's many wires and closed the panel. Making sure that Barnes or Rogers knew what to look, she scratched in a small symbol into the paint. She reached into the bag and pulled out another item, a small Stark Industries radio. She grabbed a flathead and forced the radio open, exposing the wires. Not caring if it ever worked again, she pulled out random wires and stepped to a random panel on the mother board. She pried it open and again picked some random wires, hoping that it wouldn't hurt the real device. Just as she connected the wires, the door to the computer room opened revealing three Hydra Soldiers, but one stood out. It was a woman, who was surprisingly the leader. Toni wasn't expecting that, but she didn't have time to worry about that.

"Destroy that thing," the Female Hydra Commander ordered, pointing to the device behind Toni. One of the nameless soldiers moved toward the fake hacking device.

Toni stepped to forward to block the soldier to buy time as buying time was the most important thing, even if it meant her death. He had his Hydra weapon pointed at her head, though no matter where he aimed she would be dead and there wouldn't be a body left for Rogers or… Barnes to find. Why were her last thoughts of them?

"Don't kill her!" the Commander yelled as Toni closed her eyes. "Just destroy that device before the Allies get what they need."

Both the Soldier and Toni were surprised, but that didn't stop him as the soldier shoved her out of the way. She landed on her ass had, but that wasn't going to stop her. Getting back on her feet, she went to tackle him but she was grabbed from behind. "Not so fast," she yelled as she threw her head back, nailing the other soldier in the face. Ignoring her daze, she picked up her right leg, and as hard as she could, she kicked him in the shin. He dropped her, and before he could get his baring, she spun and kicked him in gut, sending him to the ground.

Toni didn't have time to even think as the Commander hit her hard in the head, sending her to the ground. Stunned but not out, Toni reached for her gun and fired at the woman, but she was too fast. She struck Toni's arm, ruining her aim. Instead of hitting the Commander, the bullet hit the down Hydra Soldier, killing him. Toni tried to aim again, but the woman picked Toni up by the neck and slammed her down into the computer towers, which surprisingly didn't break under her weight.

The Genius tried to break the Commander's grip on her neck, but she couldn't pry the hands even an inch. With failing vision, Toni glimpsed up at up the woman as her grip tightened around Toni's neck. Toni never expected this woman to be this strong; she didn't even look like she could pick up 30 pounds let alone pick her up like a sack of potatoes. If this woman wasn't choking her to death, Toni might have called her pretty or be amazed by her, but she couldn't think with the lack of oxygen.

Then a light bulb went off in her head as she felt something in her boot. The knife, she thought as she reached down to her boot. She bent her knee, trying to get her boot closer. She wiggled her fingers trying to work the knife closer. Toni did a side glance to the remaining hydra soldier who had completely smashed the device. He turned to the Female Commander waiting for a command. "Bitch," she curse, as her vision started blacken.

"I was surprised to see you here. I never thought these stupid Americans would send you in," she said, her accent was heavy. "Not you; however, he'll be pleased."

"Who's he," she asked, as she felt the top of the blade. She would be out in a matter of seconds; she had to hurry.

"The Red Skull. He was told you were be here by a strange third party and I was sent to collect you."

Who was that third Party? Why would the third party tell Hydra? That freaked her but she used that fear to motivate her and she was able to pull the blade from her boot. Without a second thought, she brought the blade down on the Commander's arm, slicing into her flesh. The woman cursed loudly as the knife stuck into the arm. She dropped Toni, who landed hard on the ground.

Toni didn't have time to think or catch her breath; she had to strike now. She reached for the other gun and drew it before the Commander could pull the blade out. She took aim at the woman, but the other Hydra Soldier came flying at her. Turning to him, she fired and hitting him in the shoulder. He stumbled back, but it didn't stop him, and he continued his attack. Toni fired again, and this time he went down, but before she could do anything else, the Commander was up and on her again.

She punched Toni hard in the face. "Maybe, I can tell Schmidt that there was an accident. I don't know what makes you so special," she spit.

Toni couldn't feel her face, and her head was spinning. "Maybe, I can just kick your ass, Bitch," she replied, trying to reach for something else, anything else.

"Such a mouth on you," she uttered annoyed. "I wonder why no one killed you sooner."

"People love my mouth," Toni smiled, weakly, as she remembered the Swiss Army knife in her pocket.

The Commander looked away from Toni to the monitors and glared, not liking something. Her look could frighten young children, though it also scared her. She looked like she could skin someone alive. With a sickening scowl, she looked back to Toni, which told her that someone was coming and it wasn't Hydra. That lit Toni up and kept her fighting, but it didn't last for long. Before anyone could arrive, the fuming, irritated Commander picked her up and threw over her shoulder to carry her out. Fear rose up inside of her, knowing she was going to be tortured again, but at least, she was able to download everything into that device or so she hoped.

Her only hope was that Barnes and Rogers would find it. Just as the Commander marched toward the door, the Swiss army Knife dropped from the bag. Her eyes widened as she saw it dropped. She couldn't let it hit the floor or she would be screwed. She reached for it, panicking, as she felt it slip from her fingers. Just as she thought she lost it, she was able to get a hold of it. She pulled out a random tool and stabbed the woman in the face.

A second later, the Commander cursed and threw her cross the room. "You bitch. You're too much trouble."

Toni, who didn't have time to brace herself, landed hard, and she couldn't recall anything besides the extreme pain. Her head smack hard against the metal computer panel and whipped forward. After the pain ended, it was just pure never ending blackness.

Author note:

The End for now! I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. Sorry No Rogers this time, but he shall be back in the next.

To answer some questions: This is will be a TonixSteve story eventually. Key Word: Eventually. It's just going to take some time for that to happen as Toni isn't going to fall for Steve easy. In the mean time, there is going to be some TonixBucky. At first, I wasn't planning on adding Bucky into the mix, but I find myself liking the triangle.

And any questions of who you think this third party is? Enter evil smile.

Until the next time