Chapter 8
I haven't updated this story since 2019? Crazy. Welcome back ya'll.
No characters are mine besides mine (obv)
Lets completely ignore any movies that have come out since my hiatus. The movie ending of Steve is so disappointing. Anyway…
"New York?" I asked puzzled. Steve had just broken the news to me that our Italian getaway was getting cut short.
"It's the safest place for you right now. I can't risk you going back to D.C. alone and you're not staying here with these goons." he motioned to the door with his head, one of said "goons" undoubtedly sitting right outside.
"And this Schmidt. He's the one who sent you into the drink?" I asked. I had never seen Steve this nervous. This clearly wasn't something he was going to take no for an answer on. Steve nodded a yes and I sighed.
"I'm assuming I don't have a job anymore." I giggled trying to lighten the mood.
"You don't have to worry. Once we're at Avengers Tower you'll have everything you need. I already sent someone for your stuff. Tony doesn't exactly let us go hungry when we're there." Steve smiled. He was thoughtful.
I packed what little I had left just in time for the quinjet to make its arrival to take us to New York. The engines purred and pushed air in all directions as I walked up the door path. How has this become my life? The whirlwind of drama. I felt like a secret agent. I followed Steve's lead and as the doors shut behind us we were greeted by a large man in a long black trench coat.
"Director Fury, how are you?" Steve said, shaking the man's hand. I recognized the name. Steve had told me all about the man who helped bring the Avengers together. Who became a ghost after what happened in D.C. when SHIELD was disbanded. This is man gave me a cold stare as he answered Steve.
"Rogers, great to see you again." he said, shaking his hand. "And this is…" he trailed off.
"Victoria" I said, giving him a handshake as well. His hands were calloused and cold. But I could tell there was an aspect of love in the grasp. He was a good person.
"Are you sure bringing a civilian into this is the right play?" Fury asked, eyes fixed on me.
"She goes where I go. Besides, Brandt already knows about her. She's safest with me." Steve responded.
"So you're the girl they tried to break." Fury shot you a small smile.
"It wasn't exactly a picnic but I'm here." I smiled.
"How long until we make it to New York?" Steve asked.
"We should be there in about an hour. I wanted to brief you on the situation before we meet with the rest of the team." Fury said, grabbing a pile of files from the seat of the jet.
"I'll leave you two to it." I looked at Steve shooting him a smile of understanding, then to the other agent in the quin. "You. What's better New York City pizza or chicago style" you asked walking with him to the back of the jet.
"Don't get me started" he quipped, looking grateful for the distraction as we flew to New York.
It wasn't long until we were in New York. The sparkling shine of the Avengers Tower coming into view. The huge glass building looked like a beacon of hope for anyone who laid eyes upon it. We landed gently and the back door dropped open.
"I'll see both of you in the meeting room in 30 minutes." Fury said loudly as the whirl of the engines died down.
"I'm sorry? Both of us?" I asked. Giving Steve a puzzled look for the second time that day. His jaw clenched and he grabbed my hand leading me into the building and straight to a bank of elevators. We stood there in silence. The tone of Queens killer queen played in elevator music form. You had heard about Tony Stark before but 30 seconds in one of his elevators and you knew all the stories were true.
The light for the elevator stopped on the 87th floor and the doors opened in a dramatic whoosh. Steve stomped off the lift and into the foyer of what looked like a large apartment.
"This is my floor" he piped angrily, marching into the very large living room/kitchen of the apartment.
"Steve, what is going on?" I was concerned.
He dropped onto the softest looking couch in the world in a huff.
"Fury has it in his head that you are gonna be an asset to us. I couldn't disagree more." he said.
"An asset? Like… an agent?"
"Precisely. I wanted to bring you here to protect you, not throw you into the mix and hope for the best. There's no way I'm letting him put you at risk." he said.
"Well no hold on a second Steve" I said. "If I can help you guys I will. I mean I'm not exactly Black Widow but I can certainly help in some way right?"
"You're not ready for that. This isn't a game of hide and seek, this is real life and death stuff." he said.
"Well… what does he want me to do…"
"I'm sorry you want me to do what?" I couldn't stop the laugh that left my mouth as I asked the question. The entire team of the Avengers looked at me as I cackled.
"It's simple recon. You go in with Rogers and the team handles the rest." Fury said.
"She's not doing that" Steve chimed in. They wanted you to attend a gala at the end of the month. You and Steve would go in together, you would make your presence known, HYDRA would kidnap you and the rest would be up to the Avengers.
"HYDRA has 35 of our own captured and imprisoned. We need her to bring us to them. They'll see the two of you together again and immediately zero in on her as an easy target" Fury said.
"Oh gee thanks" I quipped.
"You won't be unprepared. Natasha has kindly offered to assist with teaching you some self defense." Fury said, gesturing to the stunning redhead.
I looked to Natasha who gave me a wink and a smile. Part of me thought this could be an exciting adventure. The other part of me could see the anxiety in Steve's eyes. I didn't want to put him in a position where he couldn't trust his team.
"Couldn't we just use the face rendering software on Nat?" Bruce asked. "I mean I don't see why we have to send in someone who doesn't have a clue of what kind of animal this is. No offense." Dr Banner looked at me.
"None taken," I said, throwing up my hands.
"We need Nat in the background watching Brandt. He will surely be covered in security." Clint said. I looked at Steve to catch his eyes with mine. He was pleading at me to say no.
"I need to talk to Steve. This isn't my decision to make." I said.
After the meeting everyone went to their respective places. Steve and I stayed planted at the table across from each other. It was quiet. I didn't want to be the first one to speak.
"I guess bringing you here WAS a bad idea." he said running his hands down his face over his beard.
"You couldn't have known Fury was gonna try to pull a fast one." I said getting up and walking behind his chair. It was a bold move but I rubbed both his shoulders as he sat in front of me. I could feel him relax into my touch, grateful for the gentle contact.
"I can't put you in harm's way like that. I mean we're talking about LETTING them take you. You can't even be considering this can you?" he said, spinning his chair to look up at me.
"I mean…" I was hesitant. "There are 35 people who need us, Steve. 35 people who have families. Isn't it our duty to help them?" I asked.
"It's the Avengers. Not yours." he lightly snapped. I could tell it was in more desperation than it was anger.
I took his face between my hands, he took it as an invite to put his on my waist. His thumbs drawing little circles.
"Maybe it would be good for me? Maybe having a little self defense training would make you feel better in general. Besides, you'll be right next to me the entire time. Earth's mightiest heroes will be on my tail in no time. I want to help." I pleaded. I wanted the evil man stopped for good so the man I was falling desperately in love with would finally stop looking over his shoulders all the time.
I could tell he had a million scenarios playing in his head. But, the overwhelming sense of duty he understood. I mean it was his whole MO.
"Just make sure you listen to everything Natasha tells you." He said huffing and plopping his head against my stomach in frustration. I let out a giggle.
"I think if I don't she'll kick my ass" I laughed.