CHAPTER 21

FEBRUARY 21, 2014

The Asset pointed a 45 semi-automatic gun at Allie. The dark look in his eyes caused her to hesitate. Her heartbeat thudded in her ears as she took in a long deep breath. As she grabbed the barrel of the gun, she moved her body away from the barrel. She took her free hand to grab the Asset's wrist that held the gun, but he quickly grabbed her free hand with his metal arm and twisted it. Allie squealed from the sharp pain and felt her arm was about to snap. The Asset let go of her wrist instantly and put the gun to her temple. Click.

"Dammit," she muttered to herself as she rubbed her sore wrist. She'd done this a million times, it seemed. She knew exactly what do to and how to disarm him, but he was faster than her. She was drenched sweat, breathing heavily. Hairs that fell loose from her braid stuck to her moist face. "Again," she said shortly.

The Asset rolled his shoulders back and stared down at her. "No."

"No?" She raised her eyebrow at him.

He slowly nodded his head. "You need to rest. Or you will go into cardiac arrest," he warned.

Allie stomped her foot in aggravation. "No way am I stopping now! You've killed me every time. I have to get this shit right."

He slowly advanced toward her, "We'll continue tomorrow morning."

She flared her nostrils and straightened her back. "No, we will continue right now," she said firmly as she re-positioned herself. "Again."

The Asset sighed and turned to walk away. His orders were to train the girl to her own limitations. Her face was beet red and she could hardly stand. He felt she was finished for the rest of the evening, but her stubbornness had gotten the best of her. He had no choice but to walk away.

Frustrated, Allie ordered the Soldier to come back and continue her training. When the Asset didn't comply, she bolted at him in a fit of rage. She balled her hand into a fist and swung at the Asset. He dodged her attempted punch and spun himself around to face her. As she pulled her arm back to punch him again, her Soldier swiftly grabbed her roughly by the wrist and pressed his metal hand on her chest. He pushed her up against the wall with such force, it knocked the wind out of her. When she caught her breath, she tried to escape. When she realized that he wasn't going to release her, the anger she expressed quickly dissolved. Tears began to well up in her eyes as she looked up at him.

"You don't understand," her voiced trembled. "If I can't defend myself against you, I will never be free of my father."

The Soldier looked at her with curiosity. A moment ago, she attacked him. Then, she started crying. These emotions were something he wasn't used to. He watched a tear drip from one of her eyes and slowly stream down her cheek. He lifted his normal hand up to her cheek and wiped the tear with the back of the index finger. His metal hand dropped down to his side, and he looked deep into her eyes.

She looked back at him, almost hypnotized. She felt as though time had stopped for just a few seconds. He didn't realize how close he was to her until she quickly inched herself closer and pressed her lips against his.

Shocked by her actions, the Asset pushed her back against the wall. Allie was hurt by his rejection, but the expression he wore on his face broke her heart. He was torn. Instantly, she felt guilty.

"Did I miss out on the fun?" Rumlow asked, interrupting the tension between Allie and the Asset.

As the two turned their heads toward Rumlow, the Asset released her. Out of embarrassment and guilt, Allie quickly stumbled her way up the stairs and into her bedroom.

FEBRUARY 22, 2014 3:02 AM

His dark blue eyes glared down at her. She was down on her knees with her hands up in the air. He pointed the gun at her, ready to pull the trigger. Her father stood behind him and glowered at her.

"I expected more of you. You could've been great, but the path you've chosen has gotten you here. Any last words?" Pierce sneered at her.

She looked up at the Asset with tears in her eyes, "I love you."

"Heil H.Y.D.R.A," the Asset grumbled at her.

BANG.

Allie jolted from her sleep. She was hyperventilating until she realized she was physically unharmed and safe in her own bed. The door to her room burst open. The Asset stood in her doorway holding a firearm. When everything checked out, he set down the gun next to her dresser. She stared at him as he advanced toward her. It was too dark in her room to see his eyes, but she felt them on her.

"I heard you scream," he said as he towered over her bed.

She looked down as she felt her cheeks heat up. "I - uh - had a bad dream."

He said nothing and turned around to exit her room, but stopped when he heard her call out for him. He turned his head toward her. He couldn't see the expression on her face, but the sound of her voice made him think there was something wrong.

"Would you stay with me?" She asked in a hushed voice. "Just until I fall asleep."

He stared at her for a while before he sat himself down on the floor.

AN: I just want to thank all of you for reading/following/reviewing. You guys are the best! I hope this chapter didn't disappoint you too much.