Guns Blazing
Iris’s POV
The briefing had been short and to the point, nothing less than what Iris had expected from Fury. They were to break into a smugglers’ den of sorts and capturing the guys inside. Iris was confused why a team like the Avengers was going after some lowlifes like them but she decided not to question it. The assignment itself didn’t seem too bad to Iris at the beginning, other than the abundance of drugs that was most likely going to be there, but soon it took a massive step downhill.
A few of the faces that popped up on the screen Iris had recognized but didn’t know them more than henchmen or low-level dealers. The last image was the one that really struck Iris to her core. It was Martinez.
As soon as his ugly mug, well more like a blurry street camera image, appeared in front of her Iris sucked in a sharp breath. Her body froze as she felt Bucky’s eyes turn to her.
Well shit.
The second Iris made it out of the briefing room she sprinted to the bathroom, not even bothering to close the stall door heaved out a mixture of the quick breakfast of pop tarts and stale alcohol from the previous night. The door to the bathroom swung open and Bucky was soon at her side.
“You realize this is the women’s bathroom, right?” Iris hiccupped, trying to hold back tears. Bucky rubbed the small of her back as Iris threw up her guts once more. He held her loose hair out of the way as her stomach churned and spewed.
“Why do you even bother with me? I’m a total wreck.” Iris choked on her words, now letting the tears fall.
“Because I love you, I thought we already talked about this.” Bucky tried to lighten the mood. Iris didn’t feel much better but still felt the corners of her trembling lips curl into a small smile.
Bucky continued to rub her back as Iris curled her legs towards her body. The two of them sat on the cold floor in the tiny stall for a few minutes before Iris could slow her tears.
“You don’t have to go, ya know.” Bucky reassured. Iris looked up at him from her hunched position.
“I do. If I don’t I’m pretty sure Fury will kick me out of the team.”
“You shouldn’t make your decision based on what Fury wants. If he tries to kick you out, well lets just say he wont like what’s comin next.”
Iris rolled her eyes and grinned. Bucky smirked back and began to help Iris to her feet. They walked towards the bathroom sink where Iris rinsed her face and mouth, staring into the mirror for a few seconds before turning back to Bucky.
“I’m going. And that’s that. If I can’t prove myself against some asshat dealers, then why would I deserve this job? Anyway, I’d love to see the look on that shiteaters face when I knock him out cold so he can spend the rest of his life rotting away in who knows where.”
“Just make sure I don’t get to him first, I’ll probably kill him before you get the chance to do any of that.”
---
“You got to be kidding me!” Iris laughed and almost jumped for joy. She had to resist the urge to hug Fury right then and there because she was pretty sure he wouldn’t appreciate it.
“I suppose you like it?” Fury asked with a smirk darting across his usually emotionless face.
“Like it? I love it!” Iris held up the all black jump suit. It was flexible and padded in just the right places. “I need some sort of superhero name now.”
“You get that when you prove yourself.” Iris turned around to see Clint standing there already in full gear, his bow hanging in his fingers.
“Well I hope that is soon.” Iris examined the sleek outfit once more before squealing once more in delight. “Fuck it.”
Iris wrapped her arms around Fury in a tight, friendly hug. He didn’t return the favor but just rolled his eyes and huffed instead.
“You will never do that again.” Fury grumbled although his amusement was apparent on his face.
“Yes boss.” Iris fake saluted before making her way over to where the changing rooms were.
---
Iris had come out of the changing rooms to see an already prepared team of superheroes. Even Bucky was in full tactical gear with only his face and metal arm visible. Black straps spread across his chest, stopping before a pair of black, military style pants.
“We match, Sergeant Barnes.” Iris said playfully as they walked to a group of black vehicles.
“I might say you look much better than I do in uniform.” Bucky chuckled into her ear. Iris felt his warm breath tickle her neck.
“Watch yourself Barnes, or you might not have a uniform on by the end of the night.”
“Stop flirting you two and get in here.” Clint yelled although his playfulness in his voice betrayed the seriousness of his words.
“We’ll just have to wait and see about that, angel.” Bucky whispered as they both stepped into the black van.
As the car moved out of the building the two of them shared a comfortable silence as the rest of the Avengers talked amongst each other.
“Where is Tony anyway?” Steve asked. “Did he really get that wasted that he couldn’t come today?”
Iris felt Bucky tense up besides her. She rested her hand on his thigh, urging him to calm down. Bucky glared down at Iris before loosening up.
“Nah, our little soldier over here fucked him up pretty bad.” Clint replied.
Seriously Clint? Iris rolled her eyes.
“What did you do Buck?” Steve demanded.
“Well I didn’t kill him if that’s what you’re asking.”
“God damn it Bucky, what did we say about not almost killing people?” Clint was a sarcastic ass once again. Natasha nudged him in his ribs as a warning.
“Clint I swear to God if you don’t shut up I’ll sock you right in that smug little jaw of yours.” Iris growled.
“Okay then pretty lady.” Clint raised his hands in mock defeat.
Before any of the team could say anything else the partition opened up and the driver spoke up.
“Five minutes until the drop off point.” He said before closing the little door again.
“Let’s get ready boys.” Natasha began. “And girls.”
Natasha pressed a button on the side of the van and a compartment slid open besides her. Inside were a variety of weapons all of which looked fit for the military.
“When Fury said to go in guns blazing he really meant it.” Iris whistled before pulling out two pistols, tucking one into her belt and holding the other in her hand.
---
The second Bucky and Steve broke down the doors to Iris felt panic rise into her chest.
You can do this Iris; you can do this. Iris stormed into the room, guns pointed at the men sitting around a table playing cards. The second she and the rest of the team had entered the room the many henchmen standing around the table set off a round of bullets from their automatic rifles causing Iris to drop her pistols and jump out of the line of fire.
Shit. Shit. Shit. All Iris wanted to do was curl up into a little ball as she ducked behind a large pile of crates. She heard the crack of bullets slicing through the air and as she peaked her head out from her hiding space she saw an arrow pierce the skull of one of the henchmen. The rest of the team were all caught up in heavy hand-to-hand combat as Clint was sniping them from above.
At least try not to be completely useless. Iris forced herself up and out of her hiding spot as she leaped towards the automatic weapon that had fallen from the henchman’s hands when he died. She picked it up and aimed it at the closest bad guy she could see. He was barreling towards Natasha who was currently fending off two men much larger than she. As Iris pulled the trigger a barrage of bullets pierced his skin, causing him to drop to the floor.
Oh God. Iris didn’t even realize what she had done. You killed him. You killed that man. Iris was in a daze and didn’t even notice the man running towards her. He tackled her to the ground causing the assault rifle to fly out of reach.
Iris panicked but managed to get her bearings before the situation got out of hand. Iris’s vision was blurry from having her head hit so violently on the concrete floor but Iris still managed to get some good leverage beneath the heavy man’s body.
He lifted his hand to strike her but Iris used it as an opportunity to hook her leg around him and spin him beneath her. The man easily pushed Iris off of himself but she was fast to her feet. Unluckily for her the man was too. Iris didn’t recognize him which she was grateful for. The last thing she needed right now was a panic attack set off by some bad memories.
Iris lifted her leg and kicked him square in the chest. The man stumbled backwards but quickly regained his posture. Iris ducked under his poorly timed punches and lifted her leg up once more, aiming a little lower this time. The second her knee collided with his jewels he crumpled to the ground in a groaning mess.
“And stay down.” Iris spat triumphantly. She was so caught up in her small victory that she didn’t notice the man creeping up behind her.
It was far to late by the time he had pressed the cold barrel of a gun against the back of her head and wrapped one arm around her arms and chest.
“Oh how I’ve missed you ángel.” The man whispered with hot, stinking breath into her ear.
Martinez.