Hey guys, here's chapter 15! WARNING: there is a lot of cursing in this chapter. You've been warned. By the way, Ellie looks like Crystal Reed.
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I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with
-Because of You by Kelly Clarkson
At one point, Steve had rendezvoused with Ellie again, while Natasha and Clint had decided to team up too. The idea was that they'd cover more ground in less time, making their mission a whole lot easier for everyone. Both teams still only used their stealth tactics, which proved to be efficient. Whichever team got to the target first was to immediately report it so that they could all just fall back together. Thankfully, at one point, Natasha and Clint took the initiative to break into the security room.
From there, they followed Justin via the security cameras and directed Ellie and Steve, who were closer anyway. Finally, they crossed paths with him and from the get-go they butted. They cornered him. He had nowhere to go. Even if he tried, Ellie would've just teleported and recaptured him.
"Justin Hammer," Steve said, glaring at the blond.
Hammer grinned. "Captain America. It truly is a pleasure to finally meet you," he sarcastically spit, then turned to Ellie. "The newbie, huh? Welcome aboard."
"We'll take that briefcase, Hammer," she scoffed. "Kindest regards from Tony Stark."
Justin chuckled, yet tightened his grip on the briefcase. "You know, you should really learn to knock before entering," he mockingly shot back. "And I think that I'll hold onto this for a little longer."
"We'll give you a second to say your goodbyes," Steve told him, taking a step closer. "Hand it over."
Justin pursed his lips and scrunched up his face as if he was hesitating. "See, there's a minor problem there because I don't really want to. But don't worry; I'll have Hammer Industries send Stark a letter, expressing our deepest condolences for your termination. What was it again? Captain Rogers and, I'm sorry sweetheart, I didn't catch your name?..."
"I didn't give it," she shrugged. Hammer nodded once, then, when they least expected it; a small white ball randomly landed in front of them, distracting them for Hammer to make a run for it. They studied the ball for a second before hearing the faint beeping sound coming from it.
"Oh fuck!" Ellie grunted and spun around, recognizing it as a grenade.
Instinctively, Steve looped a hand around her waist and sprinted toward the closest cover, which was behind a nearby desk. Before she even had a chance to react, the grenade went off, but luckily, they were already safe. Their backs were pressed against the steel desk. She could only feel the heat of the explosion against her skin as Steve's arm wrapped around her and pulled her body as close to his own as possible. His other arm held up his shield above their heads.
When it died down, she opened her eyes and looked up at him with eyes of utter gratitude. He had just saved her life. He slowly released her from his grip, but never took his eyes away from hers.
"You okay?" he whispered to her. She nodded. Finally, he blinked away and moved further away. She stood up, taking her time. She didn't want to fall over or anything. Steve got up too and studied their surroundings.
"THERE!" Ellie suddenly shouted and darted out the room, following Hammer. Steve followed her, trying to stop her. Who knew where he came from? He could've had an entire army waiting for her.
At first, she was out of his sights, but he managed to relocate her quickly. "Ellie, FALL BACK!" he called out. She was standing in front a bigger-built man with Justin standing afar, ready to watch the show. "ELLIE!" Steve shouted at her, but it was too late.
The guy ran towards her, attempting to knock her down with a powerful kick. As she dodged it, rolled to the side and swung her leg around, kicking him down.
"Is that all you got, you prick?" she taunted him, waiting for him to get back on his feet. "Damn, you're fucking pathetic."
The man clenched his teeth in fury and charged at her. He managed to tackle her down to the ground, which was when Steve joined it. He pulled him off her and kneed his crotch, buying himself enough time to help Ellie up. As soon as she was on her feet, she spun around with her leg up, finishing off with a kick. That wasn't enough, though.
The enemy threw a series of perfect punches and kicks at her, but Steve blocked them all off with his trusty shield. When the guy threw his last punch at them, Steve stepped to the side and Ellie rolled forward, right underneath his legs to get behind him. She jumped onto his back, trying to choke him, but he was able to grab a fistful of her hair. She released her grip around his body in pain and he threw her onto the ground.
"Nigel, finish them off before the place blows up," Justin yawned, crossing his arms and tapping his foot.
A few seconds later, Natasha's panicked voice filled the ears of Steve and Ellie. "Guys, we need to get the hell out of here now! Hammer set of the self-destruction. The place is going to blow in five minutes!" she hastily spoke.
Ellie and Steve exchanged looks, but got cut short when something hit Steve. He crouched over in agony, grasping his lower abdomen and clenching his teeth in pain. He help up his hand, inspecting it, and his fingers were covered in his crimson blood. Just as she looked at the man, she spotted the incoming blade and it stopped in mid-air, right in front of her. Both Hammer and his goon stopped in shock, watching her hold the weapon up without laying a finger on it.
The next thing she knew, the blade went flying back, hitting the original thrower hard. Justin ran to the garage. She rushed over to Steve, sliding down on her knees frantically to inspect the wound. He had been stabbed.
He shook his head. "I'm alright. Let's go. You heard Nat."
"Don't –don't pull it out," Ellie advised Steve, ignoring him. "Wait here, alright, Steve? I'm going to get this motherfucker."
He shook his head and painfully stood up, picking up his shield with one hand and putting it on his back. "Don't. We have to go," he argued in grunts. "Now."
"Wait here," she insisted, refusing to listen to him. She pressed her Bluetooth further into her ear. "Nat, Barton, Steve's hit. We're at the garage. Come and get him. I'll get the shit. If I don't make it in two minutes, leave without me."
"Ellie, fall back!" Steve barked, but she shook him off and disappeared.
…
"What the hell is your deal?!" Ellie irritably hissed as she followed Steve inside. Everybody instantly congregated around to see what was going on. Natasha and Clint raced out of the way, trying to avoid being called out or involved.
Steve furiously threw his shield on the ground and spun around, pointing his finger at her and still holding his wound, which had stopped bleeding, thanks to Natasha's handy work. "You just completely ignored my orders!" he yelled irritably, venting his fury out on her.
"Oh well I'm very sorry, chief!" she yelled back sarcastically, throwing her arms up. "In case you forgot, that shitface nearly killed us both! I did us a favor! You don't appreciate it? Well too fucking bad!"
At that point, Tony, Thor and Pepper had all rushed to the scene. Even Bruce had come to see. A fight between Steve and Ellie was what they all least expected; they always seemed to get along perfectly fine.
Steve shook his head, not caring that everybody was watching. "The Avengers is a team, Ellie. That means we work together. You can't just run off and do your own thing!"
"Oh my God! You're so hypocritical!" she snarled, "First, you rage on me for not following your stupid orders, now you say we're a team! Make up your fucking mind, because if we're meant to be a team, we're supposed to work together! That's what being a team means. Do you want a fucking dictionary?!"
He took a step closer to her and his frown deepened as he lost more patience. "You could've gotten hurt or even killed," he lowered his voice, trying to remain calm, but eventually, he lost it with her. "Your recklessness could've killed us all and jeopardized the entire mission!"
She narrowed her eyes at him, glaring at him with a fuming frenzy. "BUT IT DIDN'T!" she shouted, "God, you think I can't handle myself? You think I don't know the consequences?!" At that moment, she took a step forward, violently pushing him back with all her strength. He only staggered back. "WELL FUCK YOU, CAPTAIN FUCKING AMERICA!"
"Um, Ellie…," Bruce's voice softly called out.
She ignored him put her focus back on Steve. "YOU MIGHT BE A SOLDIER FROM THE DARK FUCKING AGES, BUT GUESS WHAT?! I'M NOT! I AGREED TO JOIN THIS TEAM TO SAVE PEOPLE, NOT TO BE TREATED LIKE A FUCKING KID WHO, APPARENTLY, IS SOMEHOW INCAPABLE OF MAKING RATIONAL FUCKING DECISIONS!"
"You better watch your mouth!" he warned her, jawbone clenched.
Ellie's chin dropped and she let out a humorless laugh. "Excuse me?!" she gasped and laughed somberly again. "You're FUCKING going on about my FUCKING language?! I'm a grown woman –I'll say and do as I fucking please!"
Steve's scowl tightened. "A grown woman who still has nightmares," he snapped sarcastically, "how grown-up."
Everybody went still with complete shock. Pepper covered her mouth as her eyes widened. The atmosphere went from utterly awkward to horrifying in a second. Ellie's face dropped. Something inside her sunk. She could feel her face heat up, as well as the dreaded lump start making its way up her throat. Her lips parted as she looked down, embarrassed and ashamed. Steve's face softened as he started to realize what he just said.
"Wow," she breathed and took a step back.
In contrast, Steve took a step forward. "Ellie, I'm –"
"Y'know what? Go fuck yourself," her voice murmured as she started walking away from him, towards the stairs. When she passed him, she butted him with her shoulder as hard as she could. "Asshole."
"Ellie," he called out behind her as her followed.
She shook her head, not stopping for him or looking back. "Just keep the fuck away from me," she spat through her teeth as she picked up the pace of her walking. Steve stopped following her halfway up the stairs and watched her go. He knew she was crying. He could hear it in her voice. They all could.
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Oh damn, there goes Stellie. What did you think? Was Ellie too aggressive? Was Steve being unreasonable?