CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

( ACROPHOBIA )

STEP ONE: ESCAPE.

The stars twinkled brightly as the crickets and cicadas chirped during the night. Even with as dark as it was it was still uncomfortably hot. This place wasn't an academy it was a hell hole, or at least that's what it had become during her stay here. Her breathing was sporadic as her heart thumped violently in her chest. She had never done something wrong in her life, she was never the type to go against the rules (unless they impeded her relationship).

This made her stomach flip and she knew her father was rolling over in his grave. They had a strict curfew of twenty-one hundred, no one was to be coming in or out of the dorms during that time. The only reason she could leave her dorm was to use the restroom and even then it'd be classified as harassment with the amount of questions they'd ask her. By they she meant the upperclassmen who were posted at either end of the hallway, dictating who would come in and out of the dorm and securing the cadets that slept within them each night.

It was a miracle that Lena was able to draw their attention away by causing the restrooms to become clogged, sending water seeping out into the hallway. How she clogged them was an answer she really didn't want to know, but she could only assume it was a sheer amount of toilet paper stuck in each latrine.

Now they were crouched outside of the dorm, in a bush, hoping to not get caught by the nightly patrol. According to the academy it was an honor to stay up all night and walk around the perimeter of the base but she couldn't see how it was that great. She could only imagine how sleep deprived she'd be if she was on a patrol and then had to go to her classes the next day. She shuffles awkwardly in the bush, causing Linnea to give her a sharp hush before looking out across the grounds once again, on alert.

"Should we go over the plan, one more time?" she questions, her voice somewhat jittery as the anxiety of sneaking out implants itself in her chest. Linnea resists the urge to roll her eyes as she focuses her attention back on Quinn. "So, we have to get into the firearm's vault," she instructs, pointing off in the distance to where the armory was. "That's where they keep all the weapons which could help us out in case we run into any trouble,"

Quinn's stomach plummets as she thinks about stealing from the academy, especially stealing weapons. It was a one-way ticket to getting expelled. But she was already on that route, what else did she have to lose? Except her dignity. "We have to be careful because it's patrolled every fifteen minutes,"

"That's a lot of frequent check-ins for weapons that aren't being utilized," she snorts in reply.

"Once we get in, we have to get out as soon as possible because I do not want to be caught stealing guns from the FBI,"

"Good point," she acknowledges, earning a soft chuckle from Lena.

"We scale the perimeter fence so we don't have to go by the guard station out front, and then we run into town and hijack a car," she continues, pointing at the high fence in the distance. She was more or less surprised it didn't have barbed wire at the top, however, this was Quantico, not a lot of people would dare to break into the facility or break out, it must be like breaking thirty federal laws.

"And you know how to hotwire a car?" Quinn asks, perking a brow up in question. Linnea absentmindedly shakes her head while sighing. "I had strict parents," she grumbles out in response. Apparently, hotwiring cars was something that was common to know out of the people she was associated with. According to the S.H.I.E.L.D. reports she had read on Steve's journey as a fugitive, he hotwired a truck to get her home and make his way to New Jersey. She shakes her head clear from thoughts of Steve. If he knew what she was doing he would be against it.

She looks between the two cadets who were awaiting for her approval on whether or not to continue with the plan. She had never really been in the leader position and now she was thrust into it. She could even wrap her mind around it, everything was happening so fast. "After that it should be easy. We drive to the Avengers tower. We just can't be pulled over," she merely shrugs, trying to convince them that this was no big deal. However, she failed to convince herself. Her conscious began to feel guilty.

She was putting them in a bad position to the academy. She couldn't bear herself if they got caught and we're expelled for her dumb mistakes. She bites down on her lip, before speaking up, "We'll probably get expelled. Are you guys sure you're up to this?" The pair look anxiously between each other, as if they were starting to regret coming along with this mission. She wouldn't blame them, if she were in their position she'd have second thoughts as well. "It's our job to make sure everyone is safe," Linnea addresses, looking questioningly towards Lena and then meeting Quinn's quizzical gaze. "If someone is in danger we have to help them,"

Lena nods her head in agreement as well, amazing Quinn. She couldn't believe there were people in the world as selfless as them. They would both make good matches for Steve, perhaps they could go on a double date once this was all over. However, Lena grabs on to her hand, squeezing it lightly. "Will you be okay? I know you said you needed the money -"

"Blair's life is more important than any amount of money in the world," she hastily responds. "Even if I need it,"

Lena responds with a tight lipped smile, as if she were forced to. It wasn't reassuring but it comforted her to a point, like what she was doing made sense. "You're a good friend," she says under her breath, making sure to remain quiet as Linnea hushes them both. The sound of thumping footsteps startled all three of them. Quinn held her breath as her heart beat erratically in her chest, she could hear the rhythmic drumming pounding in her ears and wondered if the patrol could also hear it.

What was she going to say if they did get caught? My bad? It would look horrible for her and for the two cadets if they were found hiding out in a bush outside of the academy past curfew. She could already hear the rumor conspiring, the accusations of her actually being a member of Hydra despite her adamant protests. They'd be locked in holding and she'd have to call Steve to bail her out so he'd have to fly down to convince them otherwise. Then she'd have to have the awkward conversation of what she was doing and how she thought it was bull to not go after Blair. It would surely cause a rift between them at least. Possibly worse.

By the time she was done jumping to the worst conclusion and overthinking the patrol had passed by without tossing the bush a curious glance. Sweat beaded down the back of her neck and she let out a shaky sigh of relief. However, her relief didn't last long as Linnea pulled them out of the bush. They stuck close to the sides of the academy, concealing themselves in the darkness of it's shadows. Every step she took made her feel guiltier than before. She was going against everything she had been taught. If only her father could see her now.

Linnea halted in her tracks abruptly almost causing her to bump into her. Linnea hisses for her to stop and act quiet as she looks out towards the weapons vault. No wonder the area looked familiar. As she peeked her head out, she couldn't see anyone stationed in front of it. It was wide open. However she couldn't believe it would be this easy. Her eyes scoured the landscape trying to see if there were any hidden guards, or cameras but to her surprise she couldn't see anyone.

"Find any trouble yet?" she whispers towards Linnea who was doing the same as her. Linnea gives her a curt shake of her head, looking just as confused as she was no doubt. She looked between the two cadets who looked to her for guidance. After a moment she shrugs and slinks out towards the vault, the other two following. There were no sounds of protest coming from behind her, nor were there any signs of activity coming from the facility as she approached the large metal door.

She grabs the door handle and attempts to open in, however, when tries to jerk it open it stays put, giving out a slight clanging of protest. Locked. She clicks her tongue as she glares down at the handle and then to the lock next to it, her fingers absentmindedly skimmed over the numbers for the locks code. She hadn't exactly planned for this.

In less than a second she was being shoved aside by Lena, causing her to absentmindedly squeak in protest at the foreign touch. She turns to glare at her but stops as she watches her fingers move at a quick pace. With the rapid session of a few quick beeps the lock unhinges with a sudden hiss. She can't help but narrow her eyes at Lena before looking between her and the lock. Lena gives off an apologetic look. "All locks have some sort of skeleton key, er, skeleton code in this case," she tries to excuse herself.

Quinn was starting to wonder if she had associated herself with two cat burglar's instead of two cadets, one can hotwire a car and one is a master pick lock and she wasn't packing anything. No special skills, no knowledge of sneaking out and breaking the rules. Nothing. "Smart," is all she can say as she steadies herself over the door handle once again. She hesitates for a moment before looking at them once again.

"There's no doubt there's cameras in here. Are you sure you're still with me?" she asks, her voice growing more stern more authoritative. The two cadets once again nod their heads in unison, however, she can see that Linnea is a little more hesitant than Lena. She figured that she was probably still along for the ride to make sure Lena didn't get into any trouble but it worked out in her advantage. Linnea was the smartest out of the group of them.

Quinn's lips purse into a thin line before she gives off one nod to them each. It did make her heart swell that there were at least some people at the academy who liked her enough to help her through this, even if it meant expulsion.

Her hand goes slack on the door knob as she takes in a deep breath to steady her nerves. "Thank you. I don't know why you're doing this -"

"Just open the door," Lena hisses, interrupting her speech.

"Yeah, okay," she quickly obeys, a small blush of embarrassment coming to her cheeks. She didn't have the same power as Steve to rally everyone together with a hearty speech that would motivate people to do almost anything. She dismisses her failed speech as she turns the handle of the door, letting them inside. The room is dark and cool, filled to the brim with cases of weapons and ammunition. It would be tragic if someone against the academy wound up in here to use these weapons for evil.

Not that them stealing them wasn't bad, but it wasn't like they were going to use them against the academy, she didn't have a death wish. She just needed protection on her way to get Blair. She still couldn't wrap her head around Steve's actions during the Skype call. Even if the screen was blurry she could still see that his expression was nervous, as if he hadn't thought about going through the same notions as her to get her back, the only difference was that she was actually acting on it while Steve stood by as an obedient soldier. Hopefully, he wouldn't be too upset with by doing this.

"Well, well, well," a voice rings out from behind the trio, who were carelessly loading up handguns with ammo, and still grabbing some ammo for the road. The voice was irritatingly familiar, so much so that Quinn didn't even stop herself from rolling her eyes. Of course, he was the one out patrolling for the weaponry, it was just her luck. As she turned she wasn't surprised to find the eyes of Rome scanning her as if he were a predator and she was his prey. No wonder they couldn't spot him near by, he was glad all in black, radio attached to his shoulder, his hand gripping on to his rifle tightly (she couldn't understand why they would give him of all people a weapon).

"There's a zombie in the hen house," his smirk was more cocky than ever. "And it looks like you've infected others," he points over to Linnea and Lena with his rifle, causing them to shuffle uncomfortably, Linnea standing in front of Lena in an attempt to protect her. Even as much as she hated him and was unamused by his presence she couldn't help but feel a bit frightened. She placed her hands out in surrender. "Rome please -"

"No, there's no way you're not getting expelled now," he speaks over her elated that she had been caught red-handed. Quinn purses her lips once again, her mind running through the ways she could get herself out of this, if there was a way. She couldn't think of it. She only knew him to like her suffering, he was a masochist. He took enjoyment out of watching her brows furrow as she thinks of a way to beg for him to stay quiet.

"Think of it, think of how this will look when I call this in. An ex Hydra cronie with two cadets in the artillery vault. You'd be lucky if they just expell you," he was basically shaking from excitement, like a giddy school boy who just found out there was a snow day. This was truly the first time she had ever seen enjoyment in his blue eyes. He took his time reaching over to the radio on his shoulder. Her mind ran blank. She had to think of something and quick in order to get past this obstacle.

"Rome wait! I'll leave!" Quinn blurts out, alarming everyone in the vault. Linnea's brows furrow as she glares at her friend. "What?" she hisses out, only to be ignored by Quinn. This wasn't part of the plan. "I'll leave," Quinn repeats in a more calm manner, hands still by her sides in surrender, her eyes never leaving Rome's. He curiously looks her up and down, trying to get whatever game she was playing at.

"A good friend of mine is missing, she could be in serious trouble. Probably trouble with Hydra," she attempts to explain, taking a soft and slow step closer to him. "If you let us go without saying a word, I will drop out and I will go back to being an Apple store employee," she attempts to bargain with him. She winces as the words leave her mouth but she can't take any chances of getting caught. Besides she had learned enough from Professor Caulfield to know how to negotiate with an unreasonable person.

"You said it yourself I have no place being here. What if you're right?" she simply suggests while shrugging. Every word was throwing him off her trail, confusing him even more. "What are you saying?" he questions, his voice becoming colder with each step she took towards him.

"If you let us go to help my friend. I will leave -"

"You'd leave regardless if I let you go or not," he states in cold and curt tone.

"Yeah but wouldn't it be better to just let us go? I mean, do you really want to get Lena in trouble?" she points to Lena behind her, who automatically grew somewhat small in size and shy. All a ploy to get Rome to lower his defenses which it works in a way.

His eyes narrow between her and Lena, trying to catch a lie. "What?" he questions, his voice still harsh but she could tell he was starting to falter. Quinn snorts, becoming more personable. "I mean it's obvious you like her. Blatantly obvious," she snides, giving out a snearing smirk. "If you turn us in you'll be getting her expelled as well, and you don't want that. It'll ruin your chances with her," she states matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, if you let us go on our way I will totally go on a date with you," Lena speaks up. Her tone is filled with sarcasm but to Rome it seems like an actual promise. She could tell by the soft look in his eyes. They were the softest she'd ever seen them. He huffs out a grief stricken sigh, as if it pained him to be nice to her. "How do I know you'll keep your word?" he asks, his soft gaze turning harsh as soon as his attention turned towards her. Quinn taps her lips with her fingers as if she was lost I thought before a sly smirk appears on her face. "Come with us," she offers.

"What?" Linnea hisses out once again through her teeth. She must've thought she was going insane. Rome lets out a guffaw as he looks at her with the same look Linnea had given her. "Come with you? And risk getting expelled myself? Not a chance," he dismisses with a snort. She rolls her eyes.

She didn't like the suggestion as well but she couldn't trust him, especially after the black eye he had given her. This was the only way to ensure her safety besides knocking him out and hiding him somewhere which wouldn't work well in her favor since he'd probably wake up and tell officials where she was. She takes in a deep breath, trying to channel what Steve would do in this situation. What would a leader do?

"Come with us and save an innocent woman's life," her voice is a little shaky at first but once she meets his confused yet stern gaze she return it with a more affirmed look, her voice becoming more confident. "Be the person you need to be. Be the hero you want to be."

She can't help but shift uneasily as he stares her down, once again feeling sheepish. Maybe she wasn't cut out for being a leader after all but she figured it would be something Steve would say. He was her only good role model for situations like this,she had never really seen anyone else handle it explain their hostile encounters and it's not like she had that much experience.

All she can do is give him a pleading expression with her eyes and just hope that he'd do the right thing. After a moment he huffs out an exasperated scoff, letting his guard down which only ignited a small fire of accomplishment in her chest. She had finally broken him. "I'm only doing this just to ensure that you'll keep your word and to get that date," he growls, putting his rifle down by his side.

She slowly bring her hands down by her side in a gesture of calmness, that she didn't care what his reasoning was. She couldn't believe he was actually listening to her. Perhaps stroking his ego with him being the hero helped. "I also can probably get us out a lot faster than what you guys devised," he says with an eye roll.

She ignores his blatant unenthusiasm, sticking her hand out in front of herself for him to take. "Deal?" Her brow perks up in question and her voice sounds on edge, despite knowing he wasn't going to back down. He glares at her hand for a moment. She swears she can see regret fleeting in his eyes for a quick moment before he pushes it aside, firmly grasping on to her hand. "Deal," he agrees, voice completely drained and void of emotion.

She can tell he's just as conflicted as she was, although he had a larger option to say no to the mission while she couldn't in good conscience just let Blair wander off the grid. However, she was thankful that he was being cooperative. It was almost as if she had struck a nerve in him that made him do a one-eighty. His brows furrow in frustration as she continues to gaze at him.

"Get what you need and let's be on our way before the next patrol comes along," he commands, throwing his gaze over his shoulder to direct his guard to the outside of the vault. She merely nods at Linnea and Lena, who follow her motion to grab a handgun and a couple of boxes of ammunition. It made her stomach flip as she clutched on to the handgun. She couldn't even imagine using it to actually hurt someone. Hopefully, they didn't have to use any sort of force to find Blair, whether it be trying to escape the academy, attempting to hijack a quinjet, or just trying to find Blair in general.

She could already hear the lecture Steve would inflict on her if it ever came down to it. If it came down to it who was more important, Steve or Blair? Steve had been there with her from the start of everything, he had helped her the most with recovering from Hydra. She had feelings for him, she couldn't envision herself with anyone else except for him.

But Blair was also her friend. She taught her everything that made her lethal when it came to training at the academy. Her work with her made her have her name up on the board. Without Blair she wouldn't be as far as she was now. She shakes her head to clear the thoughts of going against either of them. By the end of the night one of them would be betrayed. She just hoped they wouldn't take it too personally.

Once Lena and Linnea had finished gathering what they required, her eyes darted to Rome who had been patiently waiting for them. "Lead the way, hotshot," she demands, placing her gun in her holster.

Rome's lips purse into a thin line across his face, he nods once before turning around to lead. She kept close behind him. If anyone knew this place it was him, and if anyone had enough respect from their peers it'd be him as well. She obviously wasn't as popular as him nor was she the favorite for certain reasons.

"This place looks creepier at night," she hisses out underneath her breath after a few brief moments of silence. He had forced them out on to the obstacle course that they had ran millions of times within the past week or so. The wooden structures gave off an eery appearance with their long shadows casting over the mud, the ropes that hung around the course blew with the faint cool breeze, each creak sending a chill down her spine.

"You know what the creepiest part is?" Rome hisses back at her, turning slightly to actually catch her gaze.

"What?"

"Your name up on the board,"

Linnea stifled a giggle but her sudden snort was enough to give Rome the pleasure of making her feel unwelcomed. "You know, I suddenly regret letting you come," she says with an eye roll.

"I mean, you could still bench me. But I'm not going to go quietly," he shrugs. "Have fun trying to escape with thirty agents on your tail,"

His voice is instantly cut off by the sound of Linnea hushing them. If anything they were going to be the reason why they get caught. They were too proud to let their feud go, even if it meant helping each other out in the long run. Although, it primarily was Rome who seemed to antagonize Quinn.

He could go off and tattle, but he'd also have to face the consequences that he helped arm them and conspire with them even if it were for a short period of time. If he were smart he'd see the plan through and hope that there was a chance they'd be willing to bring him back to the academy. It seemed like the only smart option.

He opens his mouth to say something - anything - smart towards Quinn but is immediately caught off guard by the sounds of distant voices. He's not the only one to whip his head around to see where it's coming from, each individuals heart got stuck in their throat as they looked behind to see a couple of shadows growing large, alerting them of the presence of a new patrol.

Quinn can't help but glare at Rome, who claimed to know each patrols route and was able to get them out unnoticed. His mouth was agape, his eyes wide. He only gave her a quick glance before he hissed out the word, "Scatter!"

It was just loud enough for the rest to hear as he darted off towards an obstacle for cover. Quinn followed in suit behind him. Although she didn't like him, she knew that he'd do anything to not get caught which would help her in the long run. Her heart beat rapidly within her chest as she slid behind the wooden wall with Rome, making sure to stay as silent as her breathing would let her.

She felt a firm, yet secure squeeze around her elbow. It was from Rome who threw her a concerned look, which also held a bit of a threatening glare behind it. "Don't move," he whispers out as the voices grow louder, along with the bright strips of light coming from two flashlights.

She could barely see Linnea and Lena cowering behind a couple of tires on the opposite end of the obstacle course. As the footsteps drew closer and closer her fight or flight instincts started to kick in. She knew she couldn't fight the guards, even if she had weapons, she couldn't bring herself to hurt them for doing their job. But could she outrun them?

Her eyes scanned the fence that laid in the distance. It was at least twelve feet high, there was no way she could run away and climb that without one of the guards catching up to her. The light of the flashlight was just now a few feet away, the stomping of the guards feet growing incredibly loud with the soft terrain. Her blood ran cold. They were going to get caught.

She squeezed her eyes shut and hoped for the best, maybe they wouldn't see them. Rome threw an arm across her chest to steady her, his eyes once again giving her a concerned look as he placed one finger over his lips to hush her. She felt pinned under his arm, it was as if he had thrown it across her to hold her down just in case she tried to run. If one went down, they all went down.

Once again, she looked at Rome's calm nature. His features were relaxed yet his muscles were poised in case he had to flee. He knew he could either talk his way out of trouble or fight his way out. The level of self assurance he had was something she wished for. Then a single thought popped into her head. If Rome could do it, she could do it.

She took a deep breath to steady her nerves and held it for as long as she could. Not only did Blair depend on her not getting caught but the three people she drug along with her did too. She couldn't in good conscience let anything bad happen to them for her actions. The guards footsteps were right behind the obstacle, Rome pinned her down even more, stepping somewhat forward as if he was going to throw her behind him and distract the guard if they got caught.

She took one small step closer to him, which he maneuvered around to step in front of her. That was the plan. Why was he helping her if they were bound to get caught? The thought made her furrow her brow for a millisecond until she heard a shrill shout from the other side of the obstacle course that made her blood run cold once again.

She pressed herself flush against the wall, squeezing her eyes shut. "Rebey!" A distant voice called out. She wondered if the guard had found Lena and Linnea.

"What?" A voice from behind them called back - this belonged to the guard standing a couple feet away. She jumped in surprise at the nearness of his voice.

"Let's head out,"

There was a pause and she could only imagine her guard giving his partner a confused and disgruntled look. "Why?" he questioned.

"This place gives me the creeps at night,"

"And?" Her brows perked up at how stubborn the guard was being. She needed him to leave and there was a scapegoat letting him go.

"No one is trying to break in. Come on, man. It'll be our little secret," the other guard pleaded. The guard behind them let out a frustrated yet defeated sigh. "If you say so,"

As the sound of the guards retreating footsteps filled the air she leaned her head back against the wall, letting out a small huff of relief. That was too close. Her hands were still shaking from all the adrenaline that had built up from the encounter. Rome began to sneak out from behind the wall, as the voices of the guards faded.

Across the way she could see Lena and Linnea starting to stand up from their crouched positions from behind the tires. Rome threw them a quick hand towards him, telling them to hustle over as she approached him from behind.

She couldn't help but look at him, brows somewhat furrowed. He was ready to save her and sacrifice himself. Even after everything they had been through. He also could've stepped out from behind the wall and ratted everyone out yet he didn't. Perhaps there was some good in him after all. He gave her a confused look as to why she was staring at her. She shakes her head to clear her thoughts.

She hadn't even noticed that Linnea and Lena had joined the small group. "Thank you," she whispers out. Rome purses his lips into a thin line before shrugging the small feeling of appreciation off, returning to his normal brooding self. "Don't thank me yet, come on," he instructs them to follow him as he jogs off, putting as much distance between him and the guards as possible.

Linnea gave Quinn a quick displeased look as to why she was thanking Rome when he hadn't done anything. But he had done something. He had proven to her that he was more than just some bully. He had a heart.

They approached the tall fence, Lena letting out a low whistle as she looked at it. "That's going to be a bitch to climb," she states, pointing up to the top of the fence. Rome merely shrugs his shoulders. "It's the only way out -"

"I thought you said you had a secure way out!" Quinn hisses, cutting him off. He glares at her. "This place doesn't have guards surrounding it, now does it?" he argues. Quinn attempts to argue back but Linnea steps between the two, breaking it up before it turned into a screaming match. "Okay, who's going up there?" she questions, looking up at the fence.

No one was eager to volunteer, Lena looked away, Quinn crossed her arms across her chest, and Rome placed his attention behind them as if he were keeping a look out for the guards. Linnea let out a frustrated sigh. "Smallest first," she begrudgingly demanded. "What!" Lena shot up in anger, her pupils becoming small as she looked up at the top of the fence.

Lena was an average sized woman, no taller than five-four, but in this group she happened to be the smallest out of them. "It's the only fair way I could think of," Linnea tried to plea with her. "Besides, you'll be up and over in no time. I know you," she encourages with a light squeeze of her hand against hers.

Quinn couldn't help but look aways at the small form of endearment, just the mere thought of a caring touch from someone who was loved made her think of Steve and how much she has missed him. In a way it made her jealous that she couldn't have that at the moment.

Rome swooped down to bow on one knee, holding his laced fingers together in front of him. "It's okay, princess, I've got you," he winked.

Quinn rolled her eyes. Oh no, she thought. The man is an oblivious idiot. Linnea shot him a dirty look before giving Lena a bittersweet smile. "Everything will be okay,"

Lena huffed out a nervous sigh before planting both hands on Rome's shoulders and her right foot in his interlocked hands. He hoisted her up towards the middle of the fence where she took over for climbing. "Just don't look down!" Rome encouraged her as she clung tightly onto the fence. "Is she afraid of heights?" Quinn questions as they all step back to look at Lena squiggle up the fence.

"Yeah," Linnea answers. She merely nods her head in response as she tries to not take her eyes off of Lena. She wanted to catch her in case she fell off. There was a moment of silence where all they could hear was the rattling of the fence and Lena struggled breaths as she attempted to overcome her fear. "She's got a nice butt though," Rome admires breaking the silence.

"Yeah..." Linnea and Quinn agree in unison as the watch Lena straddle the top of fence and then continue down the backside. She hopped off the fence five feet from the ground, staggering backwards a bit from the landing. Linnea approached the fence with a smile. "Good job," she patronized, linking her fingers through the fence.

Afterwards she turned to look at Quinn, who noticed that she and Rome were looking at her at the same time expectantly. She manages to swallow her arrogant pride as she realized that she was the second smallest in the group. "All right, don't get your panties in a bunch," she hisses out as she approaches the fence.

Her fingers locking around the metal of each hole, giving her a shiver that ran down her spine at the sensation. "No tearful goodbyes?" she teases as she begins climbing the fence. "Just don't look down," Rome's annoying voice once again says as if he were taunting her.

She rolls her eyes, before swinging her head back down to look at him. As she does so she begins to feel dizzy at the height she's at. "Oh, god," she whimpers out as she clings on to the fence tightly. Her head rests against the cool metal of the fence as she tries to steady her firing nerves. "Have you ever discovered you had a phobia in the midst of doing something with that phobia?" she questions, trying to lighten her spirits with a truthful joke. "What? You've never been on a plane before?" Linnea replies, placing her hands on her hips. "I told you not to do that!" Rome scolds.

"Well, in case you haven't noticed. I tend not to listen to you!" Quinn retorts. After a jittering moment she finds her courage to finally continue climbing the fence with shaking and sweating hands, squeezing her eyes shut as she scales over the top and tumbling downwards as she misses a loop in the fence.

The air is knocked out of her lungs as she hits with ground with a solid thump. She can hear muffled voices that only become louder the more her senses become attuned to what happened. "Are you okay?" Lena questions as she stumbles beside her. Quinn hoists herself up on her elbows, her body beginning to ache. "Yeah, my body broke my fall," she tries to joke in a pained voice.

In a moments notice she feels two arms wrapping around her shoulders and hoisting her up to stand. She didn't even realize that Linnea had climbed the fence in the amount of time it took her to regain her senses. "Thank you," she whimpers out as she is able to stand on her own.

She hears Rome land on the ground with a solid thump, signifying that their whole group had made it. He gives her a look of disbelief as if she were beneath him in someway. Of course she scale a wall with no problem but when it came to scaling a fence she was petrified. Perhaps it was just in the moment. Either way, Rome took this to belittle her. It's as if any redeeming quality he had was tossed out the window with the judgmental glare he was giving her.

She takes a pained breath as she looks at them for a moment. "Glad to see we made it out alive," she manages to give them a small smile. In what seemed to be a small moment of rejoice and relief, it was interrupted by the newcomer of their group. Rome's small cough catches her attention, her happiness faltering as she rested her eyes upon his displeased and irritated stature.

"So how exactly are we getting to New York?"

A/N: Sorry for the delayed chapter it's been really chaotic to keep up with them! This was originally going to be sooo much longer but I thought it'd be best to split it into two chapters since the past couple of chapters have been longer. I also need more time trying to write it since it's basically going to be a road trip chapter and I didn't want a lot of character development to happen in one whole chapter - so that's why it's in two. I'm going to try to have the next chapter up by Friday or Saturday depending on how busy I am this week with work. I've also been favoring watching Community than writing and I just figured out that Abed from Community is in winter soldier as one of the S.H.I.E.L.D. techs in the communication room where they bug the system and there's a loud feedback and Abed is the one to go "check it out" and find Steve, Sam, and Maria. I dunno I just thought it was cool since Winter Soldier is the first Russo Brother Marvel movie and they also directed a portion of Community's episodes. Anyways, stayed tuned for the next chapter which will be: Step Two: Steal (there'll be a lot of character development in the next chapter).

P.S.S. I actually have been making a little guide on characters that'll bee seen throughout this fic and others since Hey America will be part of my THEOGONY series. Please take it as an apology gift for not being as active as I should be. So if you wanted background info on Quinn or to get to know more characters that'll be a main part of the THEOGONY series (like Blair and January - from Full Stop) then pop on over to wattpad (because I can't do it on here) to check it out!