Director's Office
Steve's hand that had held the glass was now trembling slightly, dripping blood onto the chair he was occupying.
Simmons rushed over to lend aid to his hand, but he stood up before she could reach him.
"This is some kind of sick joke, right?" Steve began pacing around the room, rapidly feeling like he was a caged animal, needing to break out. He turned to Tony.
"Did you know about this?"
"I knew it was something, but definitely not this. Come on Cap, don't you think I would have told you if I knew? This isn't something I would lie to you about." Tony tried to reason with Steve but he wasn't hearing it.
"Where is that feed coming from?" The lack of emotion in Steve's voice astounded those in the room.
"It's from a containment room in the facility."
"Containment?"
"We weren't sure where she originally came from. We had to make sure there was no risk of infection or disease that could be spread to our agents." Simmons explained. "It's standard protocol for any situation we incur."
"Where. Is. It."
"Downstairs, in the lower levels." Fitz finally spoke up.
Steve made a beeline for the door, opening it and bracing his bloody hand against the wall, leaving a smeared handprint behind. The door slammed against the wall with the force of Steve opening it, Simmons and Coulson chasing after him.
"Captain, wait!" Simmons cried out behind him.
"I have to see for myself. In person. I won't believe it unless I see with my own eyes." Steve finally said to Simmons once she caught up to him. A few other agents joined in on the commotion, not really wanting to go back to their tasks when they realized it was Captain America who was running through their hallways.
"Let us take you. Can't have you running around opening random doors." Coulson said as he put his hand on Steve's shoulder.
Steve nodded, and let Coulson take the lead. Following Coulson down some flights of stairs, Steve trailed behind him like a little boy following his dad. His hand still dripped blood every step he took, leaving behind little droplets like breadcrumbs.
Tony had stayed behind with Fitz, ready to journey into the lab and basically play with the gadgets.
They finally arrived outside a solid door, with a guard posted outside. Coulson waived him off, and Simmons entered a code to allow the three to step into the containment pod located within the room. Steve held his breath as he stepped into the pod, really not sure of what he should expect.
Once inside, Steve got as close to the window as he possible could without pressing his face against it. He finally let out that breath he was holding, and put his hands against the frame of the window, leaving more blood behind.
"Well Cap? Are we right?" Coulson asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Let me in."
"Captain, we can't. We still can't risk a chance of contamination." Simmons explained.
"I don't care. I need to see in person."
"Captain, please try to understand, we are simply looking out for your best interest, and for those in this facility…" Simmons tried to reason with Steve, but he wasn't having it.
"Please! Open that door before I do it myself." Steve's voice had risen to an uncomfortably loud volume. Simmons flinched but Coulson didn't budge.
"Go ahead Simmons. Open it." Coulson kept his voice even.
Simmons moved to the panel on the wall of the containment pod, and opened the doors.
Steve stood in the doorframe of the pod. Breathing heavily, unsure of his next move. Coulson looked at his hero, Captain America, the man who could hold the world on his shoulders, reduced to a shaking mess. Coulson didn't pity him, he felt sorrow for Steve. During their short interactions in New York, Coulson could see how alone Steve felt, no matter how good of a façade Steve put on for those around him, his eyes always betrayed his true feelings.
"Go on Cap, take all the time you need. We'll be right here."
Steve turned back to Coulson, thankful for the reassurance from his regained friend.
His hand was no longer bleeding; the serum was already beginning to start the healing process. He had Dr. Simmons pull the one big shard of glass remaining, so his skin didn't grow over it. Once that was done, Coulson and Simmons stepped out of the pod, leaving Steve in the door.
One deep breath, and Steve closed his eyes as he stepped into the room. He walked over to the bed, slowly, almost as if he was approaching a bomb that was going to explode at any second. Next to the bed, he let out a breath he didn't realize he was even holding. He looked down at the bed, and started crying.
"Holy shit."