Hey all!

I was waiting for my Beta, but she was busy and you guys were bugging, so here you go. You guys just love to bug me, don't you?!

Granted, i might have gotten this out sooner if it wasn't for all of the stories popping up in my head. I have so many ideas that keep playing in my heads. If I don't get them out, they distract me! Which is why i probably have so many unfinished, non published stories on my computer. Writing just gets them out. Haha

Anyhow, here you go. Let me know what you think.

I love reviews. They are the food to my soul.

Chapter 35:

Shovel and the Tool

The brief didn't last long…well for Toni anyhow, who snuck out of the room during the fighting. It was easy for the recently returned genius to do so. Granted, it was all because of Steve, who was angry…well beyond angry. She had never seen the Soldier act like this, and she had to say that it was a scary thing to watch. The Avengers had all been sitting originally, when Fury and Hill started to debrief Toni, and Steve had remained close to the genius, until the subject of Loki was brought up. Once Toni told them about Loki's deal to send her back, Steve was anything but calm, and no matter what anyone said, he refused to calm down.

For a while, Toni had just stared at the Captain, studying his anger. She had watched him as he had towered over everyone. She did try to wave his worry off by say: "That prankster got nothing on me," but Steve wouldn't hear of it, even if Loki wasn't the person they should worry about. It was her Stalker that worried her, though she supposed she could relax. He was in the past, while she was in the future, and there was no way he could get her now…granted he was working with Loki... Okay…maybe, she should still be worried.

It was during this yelling match with every eye on Steve that Toni disappeared. She could lie and say that she couldn't handle the yelling, but that wasn't the case. Growing up a Stark, she had gotten use to yelling echoing the halls of wherever she was; the real reason was that there were so many things Toni didn't want to tell Fury. There were things that she wanted to keep to herself, things that she would rather forget. One, the knowledge that her Father knew of his death, because she couldn't deal with that. It just hurt. How did Howard dealt with hit, when it brought her to tears? Then there was…Barnes, and how she let him die.

At first, Toni thought she was caught by Hill, as she stepped out, but the agent said nothing. She thought the Almighty Director would stop her, but he did not. Then she thought the deadly red head would've caught her or said something, but the assassin did not. Seriously, she was surprised to all hell that no one notice the un-sneaky engineer leave, but Toni counted it as a blessing.

There were too many people in her tower, and she didn't know how to deal with everyone at once, especially now. She should've listened to Steve, but she thought she could handle it. She thought she could handle her emotions, but she was wrong, and it annoyed her. It annoyed her how weak she was. Really, she couldn't handle her own emotions? What kind of person was that? She was Iron Man for crying loud.

So that was how she ended up in her lab, which hadn't been repaired or touched since the incident. There was still a perfectly shaped hole in the center of the room, which was what Toni's attention was glued on. The device did have a ten foot range, which was the size of the hold, but something didn't make sense. If she thought back to her painful arrival in the past, the ten foot range was a perfect sphere, taking everything above and below. The hole in front of her was evident to that.

Getting down on her stomach, Toni leaned over the edge of the hold, studying the cut edges. It was a straight, clean cut with no jigged edges. "What the hell?" she thought, running the finger over it. If this happened when she went to the past, shouldn't the same thing happen when she came back? Though she didn't recall much from her return, she didn't remember much debris…granted she wasn't sure if she could trust that. Was the S.T.R.I.K.E. team real?

Toni pulled back her finger and looked at it. Staring at the fine cut on her finger, she eyed the blood droplets forming. "I don't understand," she uttered. How could the device survived the first transport, but not the return? It wasn't that she didn't trust the aged Commandos, but it didn't make sense. The return trip should look like the departure, should it not? And the device should've been survived, shouldn't it? And if it did, where was it?

Shaking her head, the genius got to her feet and stepped to her desk. She ran her fingers over the touchscreen contract panel. "JARVIS," she called. "Get the suit ready."

"Yes, Miss."

She was going to fly the suit back and check out the camp for herself. She needed to see that her device was destroyed for herself before she would let herself rest. "Thanks, JARVIS." She slowly pushed herself up with a deep sigh.

"You know I think Rogers will freak if you disappear again, though I might want to see that."

Toni felt her eye twitch. "JARVIS," she whined. "You're not supposed to let people sneak up on me. You're slipping!"

If it was possible for JARVIS to laugh, Toni had no doubt that the AI would be laughing. "If seems like I am, Miss. A tune up might be needed."

Clint laughed, stepping deeper into the room. "Don't be too hard on JARVIS. I'm amazing," the Archer said with a huge smile. "I can sneak past anyone."

"Careful, Bird Brain. That's my trademark," Toni said, giving him a look before looking back to her bleeding finger.

He gave her a smile as he stepped around the hole toward her. "Are you okay, Stark?" he asked, glancing over her. "I don't think I ever saw you bolted so fast."

"I didn't bolt. I just tired of Eye Patch." Toni didn't bolted and she would deny until she was blue in the face. "Besides, I have something on my mind," she replied, giving him a look.

Clint was still in his Agent Barton mood, dressed in his Hawkeye gear minus the bow. He was covered head to toe in dirt and sweat. He looked totally exhausted, but he still sported a smile. "Which is?" he asked.

"Geez, Barton. I expect this from Rogers or Romanoff, not you," she wailed. "I thought you would be happy to see me!" She pretended to be hurt, playfully pouting. "Granted, I expected you to throw a party. I'm pretty sad you didn't."

The Archer let out a chuckle. "Oh, I tried, but Rogers wouldn't let me! He's a joy sucker. So gloomy."

"So are they still fighting upstairs?" she asked, changing the subject. Her tone changed slightly.

"Yes, they are." Came a respond from the door, startling the two. Both Clint and Toni quickly turned to the doorway to see had joined them. "Steve's not backing down, so I came to check on you," answered Bruce, who looked just as tired as they did.

There was no denying how important Bruce was to Toni, becoming one of her closest friends. "See, they would never notice I'm gone!" Toni said, stepping to her armor. Scratches still lined the suit, but other than that, the suit was in good shape; however, she still was going to tease Rhodey to no end, even if she regretted kicking him out of the suit.

Bruce gave her a look. "Steve will and he'll freak."

Clint chuckled, lightly. "That's what I said."

Okay, Toni knew they were right, but it was bugging her. There was no way that her device was destroyed on impact, granted she couldn't be 100%. She was using a different power source the last time, and there was no telling what that cube could do, but still. Something was off! She could feel it in her bones. "He'll be fine!" She replied, waving them off.

Stepping deeper into the lap, Bruce stopped at the hole. He gave it a meaningful look before he looked at Toni. "You know I found Steve at this spot once. You should've seen him. Granted I haven't know Steve long, I have never seen him so lost. Toni, he was lost without you."

That wasn't what Toni wanted to hear, and it only scared her more. What if this didn't work out? What if she screwed this up? …Wait, who the hell was she kidding? She would mess it up. It was her after all. "Am I getting the shovel talk?" she asked. As she was a screw up and didn't do commitment, she never got the talk before. No one was stupid enough before Rogers to try a relationship to her. Serious, was Rogers stupid? "If so, you better make it good!"

"No, it isn't," Bruce replied with smile. "I'm going to give Steve the shovel talk, Toni."

Wait, what? That took her by surprise, even if Bruce and she were close. "I would like to see that."

"I think Hulk would like to give him one too," the fellow Scientist said. "The Other Guy is very fond of you."

Even now, that still surprised her. Who would've thought the Hulk would like anyone, especially her? "Well, look at me," she said, gesturing to her body in her oversize sweatshirt.

Clint laughed. "I would love to give Rogers the shovel talk," he said with an evil laugh. "However, you'll have to worry about Nat giving you the shovel talk, and for some reason, I think her talk will be scarier than the Hulk's."

Toni gave him a look, masking her growing worry. Maybe, letting this thing grow with Steve was a bad thing, because when this did ended- and it will-, it could or would divide the team, and she couldn't let that happen. Couldn't. "I have no doubt in that," she said. "And she'll hide my body where no one will find it."

"Yup," Hawkeye chuckled. "I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

"Oh, tell me how you really feel about me!" Toni playfully whined, as her worry started to eat her on the inside.

Clint let out a loud laugh and smiled. "Oh, shut you. You know we all love you."

Toni couldn't help but find this whole situation funny, because who would've thought that was possible. "And how would you not?" she replied. "I am awesome."

"Oh, how I missed you," Barton replied.

Bruce laughed. "We all did."

Toni smiled as she stepped to the Iron Man Suit. "So where is my welcome home party?" she asked, staring at the bright red armor. Her eyes followed the sharp lines, as her mind started to flip on her. Was she kidding herself? "So where is my party?" What was wrong with her? Why was she thinking this way? Why did she keep doing this to herself? Why was she so self-destructive? Did she do this to herself on purpose? Did she deserve this? Did she deserve anything?

"Toni," Bruce said. His tone was soft, as he noticed the change in her shoulders. "W-"

"You thinking too much."

Toni froze hearing a new voice enter the room. "Steve," she said, soft, as she turned toward the door. Her heart raced as she noticed Steve, her Soldier, leaning against the horribly painted glass doors. She got lost in his eyes as he looked at her with such fondness that it shocked her.

"Stop thinking so much," Steve said, his eyes never leaving her. "You're overthinking. I can practically hear it."

"I am not," she said, softly.

Clint chuckled as he turned to the door. "I better leave you two idiots alone before I see something I don't want to see." When he stepped into the doorway, he paused and stared at the Super Soldier. "Don't you hurt her, Rogers," he threatened, his voice turning serious. "You'll find some arrows in some painful places, if you do. Painful places if you know what I mean. You hear me? Painful places. Don't hurt her."

Toni's eyes widen as she turned to them, shocked. Yea, he said he would do it, but she never expected him to do it…right then…to Steve's face…while she watched, and the expression on Steve's face made it all worse. He didn't look scare, not even in the slightest. There was a big smile on his face.

"I hear you, Barton," Steve replied. "I'll put that arrow in myself before I hurt her. I'll never hurt her. Never."

Clint nodded as he stepped out the door. "I'll hold you to that, Cap." With that, the Archer disappeared up the steps.

Bruce stepped toward Steve, giving him a look. "Same here," he said, putting a hand on Steve's shoulder. "Don't hurt her, Steve. People might fear Natasha, when she's angry- which is always, but when the Hulk is angry, you better run. Granted, you can't hide from the Other Guy for long, because he will find you. And he will smash you. And once the Hulk is done with you, you have to deal with me," he said with smirk. He slowly removed his hand from Steve's shoulder, as he turned to the door. "The things I can do to you. Some might say they're worst then anything the Hulk can do."

Again, Toni just stared as Bruce stepped out of the lab and disappeared up the stairs. And again, Steve had that goofy expression on his face as he pushed off the door. "Steve."

"Toni," he replied, as he stepped to her.

She looked him in the eyes. "You know this won't be easy," she said, thinking she could talk him out of this.

"You don't give yourself much credit." His expression fell slightly, but he still looked at her fondly. "I don't want easy, and yes, I know this won't be easy, but if it was easy, it wouldn't be worth having. I want you, because you'll challenge me. I know we'll fight, but everyone fights. It's normal, and I look forward for that, in fact," he said with a huge smile

"We aren't normal."

"And I love that too," he said with a wide grin.

"And what about the team?" she asked, thinking what this relationship could do when it ended.

Steve closed the distance between them. Paying no attention to her question, he stated, "Not changing my mind, Stark. I'm not going anywhere, and there's nothing you can say that will change my mind."

Toni eyed his movements as he brought his hands up and softly cupped her face. "Nothing?" she asked with a smirk.

"Nothing," he said, looking into her eyes. "Absolutely nothing."

Letting out sigh, Toni replied, "You're crazy."

"Only for you," he replied, pressing his lips against her. It was simple at first, a quick kiss to her lips, but he didn't let her to step away, as he tilted his head down, resting his forehead against hers. His thumb spiraled around, caressing her jaw. "I won't hurt you. I promise."

"But I might hurt you." It was raw as it came out. Toni wasn't afraid of him hurting her. She was afraid of hurting him.

"You won't."

"You're sappy."

"Only with you," he said, smiling. "We're going to do this together."

"Big Sap." She let out a chuckle, as she reached up and placed her hands his wrists. "Fine, but it doesn't mean I'm letting you call the shots. I wear the pants in this relationships."

Steve gave her a look as he laughed loudly. "Oh, really?"

"Really," she said, her hands dropping to his chest. She was amazed at how easily he could change her mood with that stupid grin of his. It was magic or something.

His hands dropped to her waist, holding her close. "Well, I am a Captain."

"Pulling rank on me, Sir?" she asked, playing along.

Steve leaned his head forward. "Well, I do outrank you, Corporal Sark."

Letting out a loud laugh, she threw her head back. "Oh, how I'll enjoy disobeying your orders, Captain, and if you call me Sark again, I will punch your lights out."

"Disobeying orders and assaulting a superior Officer, Sark?" he said, refusing to let go. "That would land you in the brig."

Toni felt her eye twitch. "And are you going to send me there, Rogers?" she asked, still playing the game. A game she would win. "And leave yourself alone? Maybe, I'll have some fun in the brig, while you're all alone."

Steve smiled. "Well, we wouldn't want that," he said.

"What do you suggest?" she asked.

"That you kiss me."

"Why, Captain, that would be inappropriate!" she protested, loudly. "What would people say?" Everything that Toni had thought before had flown out the window as she stared in Steve's eyes. She could get lost his eyes for years, seeing how happy he was. Sure, she had seen Steve happy before both in the past and present, but this was a different level of happiness.

"Does it matter?" He inquired, as his smile turned into a smirk. "Captain America gets what he wants, and he wants you. He wants to be there through it all. Good and the bad."

She let out a loud laugh, because he was going to be death of her in some way, shape or form. When this ended, she was going to be crushed, but at the moment, she didn't care. She just wanted to remain in his arms for as long as she could. "Oh, he does? W-"

Toni was unable to finish as Steve cut her off with a kiss. This kiss was deeper than the last, and it stole her breath, which shouldn't be allowed. He shouldn't be allowed to do with to her, leave her speechless. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair at all.

When he pulled away, he smiled, "If it makes you feel better, you do the same to me."

"D-Did I say that aloud?"

"No, but I know that look," he said, knowingly. "And I feel the same." Toni didn't have a chance to respond as Steve captured her lips again with a deep kiss. Dropping to her waist, his hands settle just above her hips, disappearing under her sweater. He had a tight hold on her as he sucked on her bottom lip.

When did Steve become so good at kissing? Seriously, how? Who the hell was he kissing? He had to be practicing, because there was no way her Shrimp was this good. Before the serum, he was a small, awkward man, who couldn't get a girl, a Dame, to talk to him, and after the serum, he was at war, so when did he have a chance to make out with anyone? Well…. There were the show girls when he was a chorus boy. Was Steve a bad chorus boy? How bad-

"Miss," JARVIS called, interrupting the two.

Annoyed and frustrated, Toni pulled from Steve, but she kept a good grip on him. "What?" she asked, her lips swore. Again, where did Roger learn how to kiss? She needed to thank that woman, unless it was Peggy. If so, it would be weird. Really weird.

"Miss Potts is on the line and wishes to speak with you," the AI replied.

Not moving from Steve, Toni let out a sigh. "Just tell her I'm not here!" she said, wanting to get back to kissing her Captain.

"I am sorry, Miss, but Miss Potts demands to speak with you. She will not take no as an answer," JARVIS replied.

What else did her CEO have to say? Toni thought they had made their peace and had come to an understanding, so why was Pepper calling now? Did she change her mind? Was she quitting? Ending everything? Was she giving up completely? Toni just thought she just needed space, but did she want more than just space? "Fine, put her through, but it better be important. She's interrupting my special time with Stevie, and I need my special time!"

Steve laughed as Potts was patched through. "Toni," he said softly with fondness.

"Toni," the CEO yelled, sounding annoyed.

"Hey, Pep," Toni greeted as cheery as ever. Was this the end of them? "How can I help you? Make it quick. You're interrupt my special time with Rogers."

Pepper didn't respond right away, taking a few long seconds to say anything. "…Please tell me your dress. Please tell me I didn't call you during sex! Not again. Who answers the phone during Sex?"

"Again?" Steve uttered, softly, as he eyed her.

Toni laughed as Steve turned bright red. "Unfortunately, Stevie and I are fully dressed," she replied, tugging at Steve's cotton blue shirt. "But we can fix that."

"Toni," Steve uttered, trying to control his blush. There was a soft warning on his voice.

"Toni!" Pepper scorned.

The Genius let out a chuckle as she stepped out of Steve's arms. She eyed his cherry red face, and she couldn't help but smile. He was so adorable, and she loved it. "Geez, can't have any fun. What can I help you with, Pep?" Even if Toni couldn't see the CEO, she knew she was rolling her eyes.

"A warning!" Pepper replied, loudly.

"Warning about what?" Toni asked, still eyeing Steve.

Pepper let out a harsh sigh. "A warning about you and Captain Rogers. The Media is having a field day with this."

A light bulb went off in her head, not realizing how big that photo had gotten. Sure, Fury was one thing, but Pepper was another. How big did this photo get? She thought Fury was being Fury, when he said all gossip sites. "JARVIS," Toni called. "Run a search on Captain Rogers and me. I want to see how many hits we're getting."

The blush had finally died down on Steve's face. "Hits?" he asked, eyeing Toni.

It took only a few seconds for JARVIS to answer. "You and Captain Rogers are trending. One million hits and counting."

Pepper let another harsh sigh. "You're giving me a headache and you just got back, Toni. You should read the articles. Some suggest that you and Steve eloped during your disappearance. Eloped!"

Toni laughed loudly. "Don't these people have anything else to worry about?!" she whined, pouty.

"I'm already fielded calls from the Board, Toni," Pepper said, aggravated.

The board? Did they have nothing better to do than to worry about her love life? Toni let out a smile—She had a love life. A legit love life. "Tell them to mind their own damn business," she said.

"Then there're the calls from the reporters," Pepper added. "They're like sharks who smell blood in the water. A warning would've been nice!"

Toni knew she was angry, and she had a point, but Toni wasn't ready to reveal what they had yet. She wasn't ready to open this up to the world. She wanted to keep it between her and Steve, but it was impossible now. Now, everyone would be waiting for her to screw up as it would be her to do so. "Sorry, Pepper. Yes, I should've told you."

"Yes, you should have, but I'll deal with it," Pepper replied. "But you owe me."

"Like a weekend getaway?" Toni said smiling. She knew how to get on CEO's good side, well some times. Right now, Pepper was stressed and needed time off, which was why Toni wanted to give her a vacation. When Pepper didn't respond, she added. "A week?" Still, no answer. "…A month?"

"Yes, I like that idea," Pepper replied. "And you have to deal with SI while I'm gone. You get to be CEO for that month."

Toni couldn't help but groan, as she could imagine how painful that was going to be. "Fine."

Pepper laughed. "And, Steve," she called, still laughing.

Steve looked up at the sound of his name. "Yes?" he asked, unsure of himself.

"I'm sure that Bruce had given you a talking to and James will be giving you one soon, but if you hurt her, I'll dump you where no one can find you. I'll leave you alive but alone with nothing. Nothing. I'll leave to suffer in some desert with no chances of getting back. You got that, Captain?" she asked, calmly. Her voice was calm, which made her threat all the more deadly.

However, there was a smile on his face. "No worries, Miss. Potts. I will not. I promise."

Toni was in shock, never expecting for Steve to get so many shovel talks. She was expecting to get them instead, granted she hadn't seen Romanoff yet. There was no telling what that woman would say to her, or do to her.

"Good," Pepper replied. "Now, I have to put a stop to this hail storm. Toni, don't do anything else, until this thing calms down. You got it?"

"I got it."

"Behave, Toni, and take care of her, Steve, since I can't. I'm counting on you."

"Hey!" Toni protested. She could feel her heart ping as she heard the words: since I can't.

Steve laughed again. "I won't let anything happen to her." With that, the call disconnected, leaving Steve and Toni alone. "I mean it, Toni. I won't let anything happen to you."

"Still wearing the pants in this relationship," Toni replied, smiling. She turned to the monitors and started to flip through the articles that JARVIS had pulled up.

Not allowing a good look at the articles, Steve crossed to her, pulling her away from the monitors. "We both can wear the pants," he said into her hair line. "Now, let's get going."

Toni glanced up at him. "Going where?" she asked, eyeing him.

"Camp Lehigh. You said you wanted to check something out, so let check it out. Together, Toni."

She glanced back at the monitor, catching sight of the image of her in Steve's arms. She looked crappy in her tan cargo pants, but she was glowing in Steve's arms. She knew it was visible to anyone looking, and the media would be talking about it for a while. Who wouldn't be talking about Captain America and Iron Man locking lips? Who wouldn't be interested? She knew people would have lots to say, good and bad. Most bad when referring to her. "Let's go." She knew she would be scanning the articles later, reading it all obsessing over the bad.

*O*O*

He didn't have a name, and if he did, he didn't know it, but his name wasn't important. He wasn't important. No one cared if he was injured or killed, unless it affected the mission. He was a nobody to the world and only important if he finished his missions, his assignments. If he failed, he was punished and punished severely. If he spoke without permission, he was punished. If he didn't obey, he was punished. If he wasn't quick enough, he was punished. He was just a tool, an asset to his handlers, and he accepted this.

Because of that, he did his tasks assigned to him without question. He didn't care who he killed or hurt. He didn't care if he was hurt. It was all about the mission, all about completing his goal. It was about pleasing his handlers. His pleasure or happiness weren't a factor or important, and it was killed the second he showed any interest besides killing. They were taken before they could grow, leaving him feeling empty. Empty all the time.

It was that emptiness that filled him every moment of every day, but after one of his kills, that changed. For once, he thought something as one of his targets was familiar to the Asset. It felt like he knew this man, but that didn't stop the Asset from killing him. There wasn't even blink of hesitation in his man. He didn't allow this familiarity to stop him, even if it made him wonder who this man was. Did he know this man? If so, how?

In all regards to all of his assassinations, this familiar man was an easy kill, unlike the others. The others at least had put up a fight, screaming and struggling, but this man seemed to have accepted his death as if he knew it was coming. He just let it happen, just let the Asset kill him, as the Asset watched the light disappear from the man's eyes. He didn't say a word.

After the man's dead, the Asset turned to leave, but as he stepped away, something caught his eyes. There was something sticking out of the dead man's coat, and the Asset couldn't help his growing, forbidden curiosity. He knew he would be punished for it, as curiosity wasn't allowed. It was forbidden, punishable, as it created questions, and questions were wrong. He was broking the rules by taking the items from the man's coat. However, he couldn't help it.

Out of the three items, there was only one that he cared about. Only one grabbed his attention and flipped some switch in his head. Allowing the other items to fall to the ground, he stared at the remaining image. He recognized the younger vision of the man he had killed in the photo, but it was the woman next to him that caught his attentiin. He froze when he noticed her. There was an undeniable pull to her, and the urge to hunt her down was great, overwhelming. He had no idea of who she was or even if she was still alive, but there was something at the back of his head, telling him that he had to find her, even if it went against everything that his handler taught him.

However, his conditioning was far too great for him just to take off and find this woman, whoever she was. He had to return to his handler to report the kill, but he saw nothing wrong with taking the photo. It didn't go against the mission's objectives, so he pocketed the picture before returning to the base. For a while, she was the only thing he could think of, as he pondered who she was and how to find her. And, she was the only thing on his mind for years.

Years after killing the familiar man and stealing his photo, the Asset wasn't sure of anything besides the countless bodies that he had dropped. Time meant nothing as it flew by, and all of those deaths meant nothing. Even after the chair, he remembered and only cared about that picture. Nothing mattered, besides that picture, even if he had no idea of why. That picture of the unknown woman meant everything to him, even if he knew nothing about her. That picture was the most important thing he owned, even if he could no longer remember where he got it from.

It had started to be an obsession to him, always keeping the photo close and safe. He took it everywhere with him, even if he still had no idea of who the woman was. Even after the chair and pain, he refused to let go of it. Refused to let her go. He wasn't sure what that it was, but he had to hide it, to keep it safe, which would keep her safe, and it was what he did for years.

The Asset couldn't recall how many years later it was before his handler finally found the picture, but he remembered the pain. The punishment was severe. He could assume it was due to the fight that he put up when the handler took the photo. He may have killed a few of his handler's guards, but he couldn't recall. He was focused on her, and after the countless mind wipes, there should've been no reason why he remembered her, but he did. He didn't know her name, but that didn't matter, he fought. He fought everyone.

After they restrained him and a few additional, long, painful treatments, he returned to the field, killing even more targets, and for a while, he had forgotten about her. She didn't plague his mind for god knows how long, but while returning to the base after a kill, he froze, eyeing a news article. It was about that unknown woman. For a few long minutes, he stared at the image of her as all his desires came flooding back, and it took all that he had not to hunt her down. It would be easy now, because he had a name. He knew who she was. She was Toni Stark, and she was his.

However, before he could reach her, his handler had collected him, and it took all that he had not to kill him. He was Hydra's Asset, but he wanted nothing but her, even if he didn't know why. He had no idea why this woman meant so much to him, and after another painful treatment, he completely forgot her again. She was nothing but a name to him. A name that his handler did not like.

Yes, the Asset forgot about her, but it didn't last. When he finally saw her in face to face, it came flooding back, and it was a struggle to obey his conditioning, his training. It was a struggle not to steal her away and disappear. They didn't speak, but his eyes were glued on her as his comrade held her, trying to awaken her. He couldn't look away, as he struggled to figure out why she was a trigger for him. Why did he want to kill his comrade for merely touching her? Why was he feeling anything at all? He was an asset. A tool. He wasn't supposed to feel. He wasn't supposed to care.

And he learned this a hard way when he was punished at the base for hours; however, he wasn't forced into the chair…yet. His memories weren't stolen from him…yet, but he was still numbed. His mind was still spinning, and it took all he had to remain standing.

"Who is she to you?" the Same Comrade from before asked. "I have never seen you act like that."

Even though it was a direct question, the Asset knew better than to answer. The Asset didn't speak. He didn't disobey, even if it seemed like he was doing. He did nothing but what he was told. Besides, the Asset didn't know what this woman meant to him or why he wanted her. He didn't even know who she was besides her name.

"Rumlow," his handler called. There was a warning in his voice.

"I'm curious," Rumlow said with a shrug. "I can't blame him. Even if Stark is a threat to Hydra, there's no denying she's hot." There was stupid grin on his face.

"She's a trigger," the handler replied with an annoyance and disgust. He was eyeing the Rumlow, over his last statement. "We have to ease his mind, whenever he catches sight of her. For some reason, she means something to him." He looked over the Assassin, studying his expression. "When Stark time traveled, she got into his head like all Starks do and missed with it."

"So why hasn't Hydra killed her yet?" Rumlow asked, giving him a look. "And what about the Captain? Is it the same?"

The Asset didn't move. He didn't respond or agreed. He wasn't doing anything. There was nothing he could do, besides listen. That was the only thing he was allowed to do, even if he wanted to do something. She was his, and this man was threating her. He did not like it, but he could do nothing. He was nothing.

"The Captain does have a certain pull with the Asset, but it isn't as strong as Stark's. And she's still alive because we need her alife." The Handler gave Rumlow a look as he turned to the television in the room. The Television was rarely off as the handler was always scanning the news. He was always looking for any hints of the Asset's work, not that he ever found anything. The Asset was taught not to be noticed, not to draw attention, and that was what he did. "Did you get the device?" he asked.

"Yes, we did, Sir."

"Good," the Handler replied. "I think it's time to get the Asset back in ice."

The Asset knew what his handler meant, but he didn't move. He didn't respond, just stared. His eyes were on the television and the images that flicked by. Rumlow nodded and replied, but the Asset wasn't paying attention anymore. His eyes were glued to the image on the screen as he noticed her on it, but she wasn't alone. She was in the arms of a man, who looked vaguely familiar. He couldn't place him, but he was familiar. He felt like he should know him, but something in his brain wouldn't connect.

"Sir, you might want to shut that off," Rumlow replied, staring at the TV.

The handler glanced toward the image and cursed. "It's time for the chair," he replied, annoyed.

The Asset's hands balled at his side, ready to fight, as the familiar man took the woman into his arms and kissed her. He was to about snap and hunt this man down, as she was his. She was the only thing that he considered his, his only source of happiness, and he wasn't willing to share. She was the only thing he wanted. The Only thing. There was nothing else. Yes, he was nothing and deserved nothing, but couldn't he have one thing? Why couldn't he have her? Just her? He wanted only her.

She was the only thing he needed, wanted. If he had her, he would behave. He would listen. Would do whatever his handlers told him to do. If he had her, everything would be alright. He would be alright. So why couldn't he? Why did that man have to touch her? Why did that man have to have her? He wasn't sure, but soon, he wouldn't be able to recall anything. Soon, he would forgot that woman all over again. Soon, he wouldn't have to worry about that man taking her from him as he wouldn't remember anything.

Soon, he was just asset again.

The End for now... Soon we will be getting into the IRON MAN 3/Winter Soldier story lines. Those will be fun, don't you think!

Anyhow, don't forget to tell me what you think.

And the ASSET...

And I must say, I miss Bucky. He has sooo grown on me. And geez, Steve and Toni are sappy.

Until next time. :)