Same Disclaimer as before. I do not own Marvel.
I want to give a special thanks to wintersupersoldiers who has proofed this for me. :)
I hope you like the Chapter, and you can let me know through Reviews, which are like candy for me.
And I am sorry that it took so long. I don't know why it is, but this chapter took longer to write than normal.
Chapter 24:
Only a matter of Time
The first thing Toni became aware of was the splitting headache. The second thing she became aware of the extreme pain in her neck. It was almost too painful to open her eyes, but she didn't keep them shut in fear of being attacked. She had no idea of where she was, and the last thing she remembered was that the bitch commander and her bastard stalker knocking her out, but wherever they took her, it wouldn't be good. It was anything like the last time, it would only mean torture, which would end in death.
In growing fear, she shakily tried to move her arms, but they were tied securely behind her and there was no wiggle in the chains. The only thing Toni could do was lift her head to look around the room, but she couldn't make anything out but fuzzy shapes. It was, however, painfully quiet in the room and the only thing she could hear was the pounding of her own heart in her ear.
It took her eyes a few painfully long seconds to adjust to the excruciatingly bright light, which seemed to get brighter as the time went by. The genius wished someone would turn the lights down, but she knew that wouldn't happen. The people who had her would do whatever it took to wear her down and take what they wanted. Toni wished she knew what they wanted, because this getting kidnap was getting old fast, especially when she had no idea of why they were kidnapping her.
After a few long minutes, Toni's vision had cleared and she was able to make out the room, which had a few church like features like a high circler ceiling; however, the metal arms coming out of the cold, steel ceiling destroyed the illusion. The large glass windows did give it that illusion as well, but the cold, hard lines of the windows were not inviting. There was also a cold draft in the room, which flowed from the windows that out looked the snowy Alps.
She had to give it to Skully on the view alone, because it was a truly breathtaking sight. With the snow covered mountains, it looked like a winter wonderland that Toni would love to explore in her Iron Man Suit and a snowboard. When I get home, I'm totally doing that, she thought to herself.
Feeling the cold draft, Toni shivered as she looked around the room. From her spot in front of the windows, the whole room was open to her, and she knew this was some kind of a lab. She noticed a few blue glowing equipment on lab tables across the room and wires leading everywhere. She wondered briefly if the Tesseract was present in this room as the blue glow was incredibly bright in one of them; however, she doubted that Skully would be that stupid to leave it in here with her, even if she was tied to a chair.
She wiggled in her chains trying to create some sort of lag, but the chains only drug into her side. "Bitch," she cursed, fighting through the discomfort. It was a dull pain, but it was radiating up from her side to her arms. It was also a numbing feeling that was taking over her whole body; however, she wasn't going to give up. She was going to get out of here, and someone was going to get beat.
"That's what I like about you."
That voice snapped Toni out of her thoughts and brought her glance up. To her annoyance, Loki was back, and he was wearing the same baggy thing as before; however, there was a change in his facial expression. He seemed joyous like he just won a major battle and he was ready to gloat. "I'm really getting sick of your ugly face," she said, frustrated
"How can you get sick of my face? And my face is not ugly. It's a face of a god," he joked, as he sat on the top of one of the lab tables. In his hands, he played with a metal, torture tool, which looked like some kind of scoop.
"I don't know if I would consider you a god," she replied, bitterly. She remembered her stalker saying Loki's name before she passed out, but she had no idea why or how he was involved. What was his end game? Did this have to do with the promise he wanted her to make? Why did he want her to make a mystery promise? What could she possible give him that he wanted? The only thing she could think of was Odin's throne, but there was no way for her to give him that, even if she wanted to. What else could he want? What did he want besides ruling the world? Plus, he told her what he wanted wasn't a crime, so how could she help him? Toni had no idea.
"Oh, that hurts," he said, playing hurt.
"P.S., the answer is still no, but you can so let me go," Toni said, eyeing the device in his hand. Then Toni wondered if she should let him know that she knew he was behind this. If she played dumb and not alert him that she knew, she might learn something. She might be able to trick him into giving her something that she could use.
Loki smiled at her. "It's not my fault you got kidnap by Schmidt. You should take my deal."
Her eye twitched, because it was his fault. That stalker was his, though she had no idea of how he was able to do anything in this time as her hand went right through him. However, it seemed like he could touch some things as he was touching that tool. "Why don't you tell me what this deal is first," she said, still struggling in the chair.
"Why would I do that? It's half the fun," he said, jumping off the table. "You agree and then I tell you."
"If your goal is just to annoy me, it's working," Toni replied, watching him. Even with her genius mind, she couldn't figure out his game plan. Yes, she knew he wanted out of his cell and he wanted the throne, but what did any of that had to do with her? Did he think he could use her to get Earth?
He stepped toward her ever so slowly. "That kind of worked up?" he teased with a grin and a wink.
Toni found herself twitching again. Did he always think about sex? He was worse than she was, and that was saying something. "Yea, because I so want to have sex tied to this hard ass chair," she said, coldly.
"Not scared are you?" he asked, stepping every closer.
"Of you? You can't even touch me without phasing right through me," she replied. She may have been scared of Skully, but with her new found information, she knew she was safe for now. Loki wanted her alive for something, though that was a scary though.
"Want to bet?"
"So what stops me from changing my mind about the deal after I help you?" she asked, not wanting to think about him touching her.
Loki finally reached her, standing inches from her, as he stared down at her. "You'll find breaking one of my deals is harder than it seems."
"What are you? A crossroad demon?" There was something in his voice that told her that he wasn't being dramatic. "And you won't tell me what it is?" Toni asked, thinking about it. Maybe, she should.
"I'm not and no."
"And you swear it isn't illegal or breaking any laws of any realm," she asked.
"I swear," he said, looking rather pleased with himself.
She truly thought about it for a moment, because she was truly sick of his time, and Barnes' death was weighting on her. It made her wonder if there was anything else worse in life than that. What could she give him that was worse than that? She had no idea, but there was a part of her mind that was screaming at her, telling her that she would be an idiot to take his deal. And she was going to listen to that part of her.
If he had gone through all of this trouble with the stalker and the time travel (She had no doubt he was behind that somehow), what he wanted had to be something big. It had to be something that she wouldn't give up period if she knew. That had to be a reason. "Not my company," she said. "I won't give you that."
"I do not want Stark Industries."
"Good. Not giving you my suits either," she said, hoping to trick him somehow.
Loki glanced into her eyes. "I do not want your suits," he replied monotone.
"I am not-"
"Nice try, Stark, but I will not play this game with you."
Toni chuckled with a wink. "Can't blame a girl for trying." However, she still had no idea of what he wanted from her, or maybe, that was the point. Maybe, he just wanted to make her crazy… but would the point be in that? Did he get some kind of joy seeing her sweat? "But you can still let me go."
"Where would the fun be in that? I like to see you like this," he said, inching his face closer to her.
"Seeing me tried up? Interesting?" She said, trying to play it cool. She did not like him this closer to her, especially when she couldn't do anything. And if he was behind the stalker, she really had no interest of being this close to him at all.
Loki smiled. "I thought you liked to use rope in your love life?"
Toni laughed, as she looked pass his head, not wanting to meet his glance. "I never knew you paid any attention to my sex life," she said. "Geez, never knew I was important."
"Just take my deal and we can be off."
"Why d-" Just as Toni opened her month to turn him down again, the door to the oddly shape room flew open, silencing her. In came Skully and a few of his soldiers, and Loki disappeared as if he was never there. If she hadn't heard the Stalker say Loki's name, she would have thought she was imaging the fake god the whole time.
Skully waved his soldiers away as he noticed Toni was alert and glaring at him. "You're awake."
Toni struggled with the chains again as he eyed her. "I can't sleep all day long, now can I? I don't need that much beauty sleep," She replied, not taking his eyes off him. Judging by his movement, he was up to something, though he was always up to something.
"Surprise to see yourself here?" he asked, taking a few steps closer to her. He had his chest popped out and his arms folded behind his back to show his superiority.
She eyed him for a few seconds, trying to figure out what he wanted. "Surprise? Not so much, as no one can stay away from me for too long," Toni answered, putting on a brave face. She wasn't stupid and she knew how dangerous this man was. Even if Rogers was due to arrive to destroy this last Hydra base at any second, she knew she wasn't going to get out of this easy. This wasn't going to be a cake run by any means.
"You think highly of yourself," he said, stopping a few feet from her. He was looking at her with such disgust that it made Toni wonder how she was even alive.
"You must think so as well, since I'm live," she replied. She wiggled her fingers trying to keep her hands from going numb. She could barely feel her feet as it was. "Or do you have crush on me?" she said with a wink. "That's so cute, though I would most likely break your heart, well if you have a heart."
"No wonder Madame Hydra does not care for you," Schmidt said, as he crossed to the window.
Toni raised her eyebrow to that, wondering if Madame Hydra was the Female Commander that she loved so much. She had to be, because Toni doubted there were a lot of female soldiers in Hydra. "What kind of name is Madame Hydra? She couldn't think of a better name?" she joked.
"Your arrogance is exhausting," he said, glancing at the window.
"Good," she said, still struggling with her chains. Her fears were growing as she studied his stoic form. He was up to something and it wasn't going to be good.
He turned back to her ever so slowly with a look that could cut right through a brick wall. "Do I need to torture you again? I promise this time would be worse than the last."
Toni glared at him, knowing that she wouldn't be able to last another round of torture. "It's not going to change anything. I will never help you, Skully," she said.
"Skully?" He looked at her harshly and coldly. "You hold Captain America too high," he replied. "He will not be able to save you, Sark."
Though Toni was worried about Rogers as it seemed that Hydra knew about the future attack, it was a relief to be referred to as Sark. It meant that Schmidt did not know who she was, though it all could be a trick. "You know if he haven't been kicking your ass, I might believe you."
"He is not winning. I am simply buying my time," he said, crossing back to Toni and grabbing her face. He held her face tight, bruising her cheeks, as he forced her to look at him. "He can attempt to destroy this base, but he will only meet his end. Maybe, once I kill him in front of you, you will submit to me."
Toni wanted to laugh because she knew the future. She knew the outcome, but she couldn't bring herself to laugh as she noticed the murderous look in his eyes. He meant it. "I like it when you talk dirty," she said, drilling into his eyes. Madame Hydra had been correct that Toni used her words to hide, but she wouldn't admit that to anyone. She could barely admit that to herself.
Something in Schmidt snapped, and he shoved her head back, tiling the chair with her. Only thing keeping the chair up was his bruising grip on her face. "Maybe, once I break you, you will shut your mouth," he sneered.
The chair squealed as it wobbled on its back legs, and Toni thought it would break underneath her. "Me shut my mouth? But it's so pretty," she said, knowing that she should just shut her mouth. Every fiber in her body was telling her to shut up, but she was afraid to be quiet. She didn't know what he would do if she was.
Schmidt squeezed Toni's face harder. "If you weren't useful, I would kill you now."
"B…but your m-mystery third party wouldn't like that," she said, glaring at him. If he held her any tighter, he would break her jaw.
"So you know about that, do you?" he said, letting out of Toni's face. He stepped back from her and crossed to the tool that Loki was playing with earlier.
Toni tightened her jaw as she watched him pick up the tool and play with it. It turned out that it wasn't just a scoop as he squeezed it. She wasn't sure if he was going to use it on her, but she didn't like how easily he flipped in his hands.
He smirked as he turned and stepped back to her. "Quiet now?" he chuckled. "And here I want you to open your mouth."
She glared at the tool, which she could only image had been used on quite a few people. She had no idea what that device was possibly used for, but she knew whatever it was used for that it wasn't going to be pretty. "I never knew you liked my voice," she said, trying to keep up her brave front. "Your crush is getting out of control."
As if her words angered him, he crossed to her quickly grabbed her chin again. He forced her face up as he forced her mouth open. "I like your tongue so much that I want it," he said.
Toni tried to speak, but everything came out in mumbles as Schmidt was holding her mouth still. No matter how much she squirmed in his hand, the Red Skull was just too strong for her, and there was nothing she could do to break free of his grasp. Fear rose up inside of her as the tool inched closer and closer to her tongue. The idea of her tongue being ripped scared her to no end, and it wasn't about the not talking for the rest of her life.
"You don't need your tongue," he said, reaching the tool into Toni's mouth. The only thing she could do was try to move her tongue out of the way.
She was holding back the tears as she reached her breaking point. There wasn't anything else that she could do but sit there, and it was that realization that hit hard. There was some part of her that thought this was her fault, and there was another part of her that thought she deserved this. She let Barnes die without even trying to save him. What kind of person did that? A selfish person. There was no denying that she was a selfish person not caring about anyone else.
"I like you like this. I love the fear in your eyes," he said, as he finally gripped her tongue with the tool. However, before he pull, the door opened loudly behind him and judging by the footsteps, there were quite a few people who had just walked into the room.
"Get away from her!" A voice growled, startling Toni, who knew the voice from anywhere. She could hear him struggle as he tried to fight his way toward her.
Schmidt released Toni's tongue, dropped his arm, and backed slowly from her. "I thought I said I wanted to be left alone," he said coldly as he looked toward Madame Hydra, who had stepped in with quite a few hydra Soldiers.
"I thought you would like to see our guest," she said, stepping aside to reveal Rogers, who arms had been chained.
"Toni," Rogers called, still Struggling. "Toni."
Madame Hydra looked at the Captain before looking back to Schmidt. "He was easily captured. I expected more."
Toni glanced at Rogers, whose glance never let her, and she felt her fear raise up again. Why was he here? How did he get caught? Where was the rest of the Commandos? She felt herself shivered as she couldn't let anyone die because of her. She had done enough damage.
"Arrogance may not be a uniquely American trait, but I must say you do it better than anyone," Schmidt said, drawing Rogers' glance. "Did you think you can save her on your own?"
Rogers struggled harder. "Fight me and I can show you," he said through his teeth.
Madame Hydra laughed as she stepped toward Toni. "Does she really mean that much to you?" she asked, as she picked up her own metal torture device.
"Madame," Schmidt said with a warming tone.
"One less finger won't hurt," she said, stepping to Toni. The tool hanged dangerously from her hand.
Toni glanced up to the Commander, who stood directly in front of her and reached a hand toward her. She couldn't lie this time; this female Commander scared her more than the Red Skull, and Toni visibly flinched when she grabbed a piece of Toni's messy, dark black hair.
"Don't touch her," Rogers snapped, glaring at the woman as she twisted her fingers into Toni's hair. Knowing Toni well, he could recognize the fear in her eyes, and he didn't like it.
Schmidt turned to Captain America. "Why do you care so much for her? I doubt she cares as much for you as you do for her. She's probably using you like the fool that you are." He stepped closer to Rogers.
"Just keep talking. It doesn't matter what you say," Rogers said. He paused as he glanced toward Toni, who had stiffen as Madame Hydra continued to play with her hair. "You hadn't seen anything yet. If you think you won, you have another thing coming."
Toni glanced toward Skully and Rogers, wondering what Rogers was going on about. It sounded like he had a plan, though she had no idea of what kind of plan that could be. Getting captured couldn't be it.
"But there are limits to what even you can do, Captain. Or did Erskine tell you otherwise?" Schmidt said, glaring the Captain. It was quite clear that he wanted to kill the man in front of him and he would enjoy doing it.
Rogers responded with, "He told me you were insane."
"Insanity is a relative word," Madame Hydra said. She stepped away from Toni, pulling her hair harshly as she walked away. "Just kill him already."
Twitching in pain, Toni struggled in her restraints again, as she tried to pull her hair away from the crazy bitch. It wasn't until a few seconds later that the commander let go, and Toni let out the breath she was holding. After a deep breath, she turned to the Captain. She couldn't let this happen to Rogers… No, she couldn't let anything happen to Steve, her shrimp even if he wasn't her shrimp anymore. This was all her fault, and she couldn't let him die for her, but what could she do? She was tied to a chair, but she had her brain which was all she needed.
"Not let," Schmidt said. Steve let out a smile, which the mad man didn't like, and it only served to anger the man more. "Erskine resented my genius and tried to deny me what was rightfully mine. But he gave you everything. So, what made you so special?" Skully snapped.
"Nothin'. I'm just a kid from Brooklyn," Steve replied with a smile.
Schmidt turned from Rogers again and to Toni. "Or maybe, it was because of her."
Steve started to struggle again as Schmidt grabbed Toni's face. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his smile dying as his eyes were glued to the hand on Toni's face.
Mixed in Toni's fear was anger because she was tired of her face being grabbed. She glared to hide both her fear and to show her annoyance. She tried to pull her head back but his grip was too strong, and she was forced to look in his eyes.
Madame Hydra stepped toward Steve and said, "She knew they would pick you for the Super Soldier Project before you were picked."
Toni's heart raced as she wondered how much these people knew. How did they know about that? There was only one person who knew she knew and that was Salty. How did these people know that? Was her Stalker really that good? Or was it Loki? She highly doubted Phillips told them. "Get off," she yelled, still trying to fight Schmidt.
"You have no idea of how special she is," Schmidt said, his eyes drilling into her.
"I-if…I didn't think y-you had a crush...on me before, I do…n-now," she said, struggling to speak. "And he a-already knows… how special I am. Now, let… me go, Skully."
Schmidt squeezed tighter, making her yelp out in pain. "You should watch that mouth."
"I like her mouth," Steve replied, almost growling which drew Schmidt back to him.
"She will never love you," Schmidt replied in his face.
"Why do you care if she does?" the Captain asked. "What does it matter what I feel? Maybe, that's why Erskine thought I was special."
Schmidt responded with a fist to Steve's face, and Toni could only watch in horror as he repeatedly hit Steve. Being restraint and held back, Steve would do nothing to defend himself, and it sicken Toni as she had never seen him beaten like that. Steve was almost God like to her both in his strength and soul, and even with her never ending insults, she knew she could never break him. However, seeing Schmidt beat him was breaking her soul, and she wondered how much he could take or how much she could take. He could probably take more than anyone else, but she couldn't stand to see this. And she hated to admit this to herself, she might give into Skully to make him stop.
This beating seemed to last forever, and when Schmidt's hand came back bloody, she couldn't take anymore. "Stop," she yelled, which only caused Schmidt and Madame Hydra to laugh. "Stop! Just stop." She thrashed in her chair, bruising herself with each shake. She knew she was being stupid as she was tiring herself out and ruin any plan to escape.
"Or maybe, she does care," Schmidt said, not turning away from Rogers. "Imagine what she will do when I kill you."
Steve glanced Toni again and his glance softened. "You won't kill me. I can do this all day."
Schmidt narrowed his eyes as he crossed to a table and picked up a cube-energy pistol and pointed it at Steve. "Oh, of course you can. Of course. But unfortunately I am on a tight schedule."
Toni couldn't watch this, but there was nothing she could do. How could she lose Steve so close after losing Bucky? She wasn't sure how much of this she could take. "Steve," she muttered, fighting back the tears.
"So am I!" he said with a smirk, only sparing her a small glance.
Toni knew that smile from anywhere: Captain America had a plan. He had a real plan. She should have figured that Steve had a plan as he always had a plan. That was why they had so many fights in the future, because her first and only plan had always been attack, which he hated. And she always hated his plans, which always seemed to take too long, but right now, she was in love with his plans.
And a few moments later, she was really in love with his plan. At that exact moment, the windows in the lab shattered as zip lines were fired into the room, and seconds later, Rogers' man filled the room, engaging in a fight almost immediately. It was only a second later that Rogers broke free from the man holding him.
Everything was happening so fast that Toni was having a difficult time keeping up with everything. All she knew was that when Madame Hydra tried to get to her and Steve was there to stop the crazy commander. Toni had always been wowed by his strength, but to see him fight her off and chase her away was something else, and she didn't know what to make of it.
However, she could tell that they were winning. With the increasing ally forces, Schmidt and Madame Hydra were chased out of the room, as they headed toward an escape route. In this madness, Rogers made his way toward Toni, who was still struggling in her chains, and she couldn't hold back her smile. She thought she was going to watch him die.
When Steve reached her, he snapped the chains with ease, and Toni could only watch. Before she knew what happened and before she could act, he pulled her into his arms for a bear hug.
"Toni," he said into her hair line as he held her tight, and he held her for a few seconds before he spoke again. He pushed her back slightly to take a look at her, but he didn't let go. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Did you need any medical attention? Are you okay?" He was just rambling off so many questions that she couldn't possibly answered.
After getting over her shock of him pulling her into his arms, she relaxed into his warm arms. "Steve," she mumbled back, thinking she had sent him to his death. There was no way that she could deal with his death so soon after Bucky, and he wasn't supposed to die.
"You had me worried." He was staring at her intently and fully. "I'm going to beat him for touching you," he snapped. "I would do-"
She couldn't take it anymore, not right now. "Stop." She said forcefully. "Don't you ever die for me! Ever! You hear me? You're more important than I am."
Steve stared silently for a few seconds before he narrowed his eyes at her. "No, you stop, Toni," he said, almost yelling. "There aren't many things I agree with Schmidt about, but there is one. You're a special, and there's no denying that. Don't ever try. I don't want to hear it." His tone wasn't cold, but it wasn't exactly warm. He sounded annoyed.
"Steve…"
He glanced back to his men, before he looked back to her. "We don't have time to get into this, but I refused to let you do this to yourself. I'm not an idiot no matter how often you insult me. I know everything, Toni." He said, stressing the word everything. "You don't need to hide."
Toni narrowed her eyes, because one, he didn't know everything. He just thought he did, and two, he did not know her, even if there was some truth to his words. He had no idea of what she was going through. "You're right," she started, staring at his face. "We don't have time for this. Go get them, Cowboy."
His facial expression morphed as Toni called him Cowboy. "I don't think I look like a Cowboy."
She rolled her eyes, not sure if he was joking or not. She hoped he knew she was joking and that he was joking with her, because if he didn't, she didn't know what to do with him. "You're joking, right?"
Rogers smiled as he squeezed her arm lightly. "If I'm the Cowboy, what does that make you?" he asked as he pushed himself to his feet.
"Don't you say it," she said through her teeth as he headed toward the door.
He pushed open the door before he looked back to her. "Fine. I won't say damsel in distress," he said with a laugh as he pushed through the door before she could say anything.
At first, Toni just stared off as she was in total disbelief, not believing that he had said that to her. Did he really say that to her? Did he really make a joke? Was the world coming to an end? There was no way this was her Captain America. He didn't joke.
*O*O*
With Morita and a few unnamed soldiers trailing behind her, Toni made her way toward the control room to see if she could find anything out. After finding her device and making sure it was still function, some time had passed and she had no idea of how the battle was going. Plus she had no idea what happened to Schmidt. Did he get away? As she hated this not knowing, she was on a mission to find out what was going on. She couldn't let anything happen that wasn't supposed to happen, and that would include making sure that nothing happened to Steve.
After making it to the control room, Toni took a seat at the control panel and started to touch things in a random pattern, trying to make something happen. There were so many random and weird switches that Toni didn't know what to make of them, and she couldn't figure out any logical behind anything. However, there was one thing about Toni that she couldn't deny: at times, she was the luckiest person on the planet and she was lucky then. She was able to hit the right switch and was able to find a video feed.
However, seeing Peggy pull Steve back and give him a kiss wasn't what Toni was looking for, and she would not admit it that she felt relieved when Steve pulled away quickly. Why did Peggy think it was necessary to kiss him? Was she afraid that Steve wasn't coming back? There were some doubt in Toni's mind, but she wasn't going to think about that. She was going to be her cocky self, who believed in the awesome power of herself.
Shaking her head, Toni cleared her mind and turned her attention to the monitors. Though she knew she shouldn't, she was going to do her best to help these soldiers win this battle, as they weren't going to lose because of her. Having a bird eye view of the base with the cameras, she was going give them support that they needed.
On one of the monitors, Toni noticed the Female Commander, or rather 'Madame Hydra,' which Toni still though was a lame nickname, trying to sneak out unnoticed. She watched the Commander for a second, wondering briefly what this woman was up to. Did she realize that the battle was lost and she wanted to escape before they lost? Was she not loyal to Hydra? Toni wouldn't blame her for that one, since Toni wouldn't want to be loyal to that group either, as they would probably shot you when you weren't looking.
She got to her feet and headed to the door, wanting to follow the Commander, but she never got passed the door. Morita was standing in front of the door, blocking her exit. "You make such a great door," Toni teased, when he wouldn't move.
"Where are you going?" he asked, eyeing her.
"There's something odd, and I wanted to check it out," she said, not wanting to explain that she wanted to chase after a crazy, super strong Commander, who could knock her out in one punch.
"Why don't you stay here? The team could use you here," he said, as he glanced out the door.
Toni knew he was correct and she was being stupid; however, she could help but think she was missing her shot by not going after Madame Hydra. She knew that woman knew something, but it was stupid to think she could get anything out of her. "I know," she said, exhaling slowly.
"Then what is it?"
"Something is bugging me," she admitted as she crossed back to the control panel. It would be pointless to fight with him and she knew this.
"Like what?" he asked.
Toni shook her head, not wanting to explain what was going on in her brain. It was a crazy place in there and she had a difficult time understanding it herself. With a deep breath, she responded, "I don't know yet." She didn't know what Loki wanted, and she had to find out what. She didn't know what Madame Hydra was up to and she wanted to know what. However, they had to deal with Schmidt first, who Steve had followed onto the strange aircraft.
*O*O*
Listening to Peggy as she spoke to Steve was heartbreaking, and Toni didn't know how she held back the tears. To hear Steve sound so broken was almost too much for Toni, who didn't understand why this was so hard. Her heart felt like it was about to break and shatter. She knew that Steve wasn't going to die, and he would be back, but it felt like he was dying. It felt like the end.
"There's not going to be a safe landing. But I can try and force it down," Steve said, his voice coming through the radio. It was a little hazy, but they could understand him.
Peggy looked like she was hit by a train. "I'll get Howard on the line, he'll know what to do."
"There's not enough time. This thing's moving too fast and it's heading for New York," He replied.
Peggy practically jumped to her feet as she turned to Toni, who was standing back against the wall. Toni wanted to give Peggy a chance to say good bye as this would be the last time she would see Rogers, while Toni would see him soon. "What about Toni!" She said, as she crossed to Toni and pulling Toni to the radio. "She can help."
Toni reluctantly let Peggy pull her, because she knew she couldn't help. She had to let Steve go down, even if she wondered what would change if he didn't. Maybe, the world would be a better place. Maybe, she should help. Sure, he was useful during the battle of New York and his leadership had saved them, but she didn't think that they couldn't handle it without him. Plus, it wasn't like he was going away. He would still be there, just old, which would be funny and Toni would love to see that as she danced around him. "Yea, I should be able to help," she said, shakily into the microphone. "There is nothing that I can't do. You know me."
"No," Steve protested strongly, stunning Toni and Peggy.
When Steve first called requested to speak with Peggy, Toni tried not to feel jealous, but it was hard, and now it was really difficult. She didn't understand why he was rejecting her help. Was it something that Schmidt had said? Did he not trust her?
"Steve," Peggy muttered.
"…There's not enough time. This thing's moving too fast and it's heading for New York," he said. There was a bit of hesitation in his voice. "I gotta put her in the water."
This was when Toni stepped back and away from Peggy, who was breaking in front of the genius. "Please, don't do this. We have time. We can work it out," the Agent begged.
"Right now I'm in the middle of nowhere. If I wait any longer, a lot of people are gonna die-" Steve started, but Toni was no longer paying attention. If he didn't want to talk to her, then there was no point in her listening to his speech. She was sick of his self-sacrificing way, and she couldn't deal with it anymore. If he wanted to be stupid, then so be it, but why did he have to be like this? Why did he always do this? Was it because he thought he was prefect? Did it all go back to that? Was it something else?
Shaking her head, Toni left the control room to give them some space, and it wasn't like either of them wanted her there. If they were saying goodbye, they would need some time to themselves and she was going to give them that. Not knowing where to go, Toni just stood outside of the control room and stared at Phillips who standing across from her. He was giving her a look. "Hey, Salty," she said weakly.
"I'm surprised to see you here, as I thought you left with that device of yours," he said, looking her over. "No offense, but you look like crap."
Toni let out a small chuck. "I look better than Agent Sassy Pants in there," She said, looking back at the door. "I think she's going through the ringer."
"I think you are."
She looked him over and he looked just as tired as she felt. "I'm fine," she said. "Besides, I think we have other things to do than talk about our feelings." There was some bitterness in her tone that she couldn't hold back. She didn't understand his need to talk about her emotions, which she didn't want to acknowledge.
Salty stepped to the door to check on Peggy, who was now crying into the microphone as she was calling out Steve's name repeatedly. Phillips took a deep breath as he turned back to Toni and let out a slowly sigh. He stood there in silence, thinking, and it wasn't until a few seconds later that he spoke. "I never realize how much I liked Rogers until right now. He was a fine man."
Toni turned him, eyeing him. Maybe, she should tell them where the plane went down. She could tell how much Steve meant to all of them. Maybe, Steve would be happier in this time with his friends and…Peggy. Maybe, that was why she was here in the first place. Maybe, it was fate's way of telling her that she should change the future. Maybe, it would be for the best. "He…was," she said, stumbling over the word was.
"Did you know about this?" There was no judgment in his voice.
"I…knew something was going to happen, not when or how," she admitted. It was the truth. She had no idea of how Rogers turned into a Popsicle.
"And are you okay?"
"Peachy." She replied as she stepped toward the door and glanced at Peggy, who had fallen to her knees. It was a truly sadness sight to see Peggy crying on the floor and Toni had no idea of what to do. She was never good at comforting someone in pain. Should she leave Peggy alone? Should she go to her? What should she say?
"Let's leave her be," Phillips said, grabbing Toni's arm lightly. "There're a few things to wrap up here."
Toni turned to him, suddenly remembering Madame Hydra. "There's this female Commander. She knows something!" She knew it might be foolish to tell him as that woman did know things, but she had to find her. "We must find her."
"A few of my men had run into a female soldier, but they were no match for her, and she escaped, which is quite impressive."
"Fuck," Toni cursed, not taking her eyes off Peggy, who hadn't move from her spot on the ground. It pulled at her heart strings and it also made her feel like shit. She could stop Peggy's pain if she just told her the truth, and it was hard not to. Why purpose would it serve to keep quiet?
"Whatever you are going to do don't," he said, strongly.
"I wasn't going to do anything," she replied, quickly. However, she could tell he was not buying it at all with that look of his. "I'm not." She wasn't sure yet if that was a lie or not.
Phillips took a deep breath as he shook his head. "Come with me. Let's give Agent Carter some space," he said. "We could use that brain of yours to decipher this shit."
Toni gave him a look as she stepped away from the door. "You're just trying to keep me busy." She knew what he was doing and she didn't care for it. She wasn't a child who needed to be watched.
"I am, but that doesn't change the fact that we don't know what half of these things do."
"Fine," she said, annoyed; however, she couldn't keep her mind off Peggy and whether she should tell them were Steve was located. Maybe, he would want her to…Toni didn't know if he would, but her guilt was getting the best of her, and she wondered when she would snap. It would only be a matter of time before she did.
the End for now.
Author Note:
I know Madame Hydra is also known as Viper, but she didn't take that name under after her time in Hydra. I am not sure if I used her properly and if I didn't, I am sorry. I am not all too knowledge on the comic world, but I have done research, though it may not have been enough.
Anyhow, I hope you liked the chapter.
Also, I am playing with the idea of Howard finding out about Toni. What do you guys think?