Masks

Bruce scrutinized the blueprints of the old warehouse, noting entrances and hiding places. JARVIS, at Tony's direction, had reactivated the building's security system and cameras, though they left the doors unlocked and all machinery dark.

"Think they'll fly in?" asked Tony, looking over his shoulder.

"Maybe, but..." he reconsidered. "No. Not if they're expecting to confront Iron Man. And they'll be ready for a fight. You've got something of a reputation for not leaving live enemies behind, the few times people have come at you personally. I wish we could count on them being as stupid as they are greedy, but what we've seen so far argues against that."

"Babe--" Tony's voice held a nervous edge.

"Don't even say it, Tony." Bruce looked up. "I'm not staying behind." He didn't bother keeping his voice down. Clark and Diana were conversing with Pepper in the room adjacent to theirs, and he was sure that they could hear every word, though he appreciated Clark's discretion on the matter of what his other senses might have shown him.

"You agreed to stay off-duty when you had Catrin--"

"I agreed to not go on missions when I was visibly pregnant, to take extra precautions close to the due date. Yes. Love, I'm less than two weeks pregnant, if that--the baby would hardly be more than a handful of cells. He or she, or they, is perfectly fine where they are."

Tony reached out and caressed Bruce's abdomen. "I know, I know. It just--I've already failed our daughter once and now--"

"Whoa." Bruce caught Tony's hand, and straightened up. "Tony, you didn't. " He slid a hand around to the back of Tony's neck, leaned in for a kiss. "This isn't on you. "

Tony clung to him. "I'm supposed to be protecting you, and our children--" He broke off with a little sob.

"Then don't give HYDRA the victory before they've even fought for it. This isn't over. We're going to bring Catrin home, and our baby will be just fine. " A cruel smile curved Bruce's lips. "And I'm going to
carve out Rumlow's heart and show it to him once this is over," he whispered.

Tony began to smile. "Sounds appropriate," the Alpha agreed.

* * *

The cell was bitterly cold, and silent. She didn't mind the chill so much, but silent was a problem. Noise to help cover her moving around would have been a little more useful.

She flickered a brief glance up at the red light of a surveillance camera above the door. So far, she'd only noticed the one. The room was mostly bare.

Food and water had been brought once. She'd drunk only a couple mouthfuls of water. It had had a strange, sour taste to it that warned her against emptying the glass.

A rap at the door was the only warning she got before it swung open. Rumlow stood there, watching her. "Well. Seems your dad has a heart after all. You'll be going home soon, princess."

Catrin didn't ask any questions; did her best to imitate Bruce's poker face. After a moment of staring at the floor, she looked up. Let a bit of fear leak into her voice. "Umm. Could--is there any way I could have some rubbing alcohol, and bandages?" she asked. She rolled up her pant leg, showing a gouge to her leg. It wasn't new enough to be actively bleeding, but the skin around the cut was reddened.

"How'd that happen?" He scowled, moving closer to get a better look. "I thought List checked you over."

"For some things he did. I didn't--want to suggest anything to him that'd involve me taking clothes off. "

He laughed harshly. "Can't blame you there. He does have some nasty kinks where young girls are concerned. Right--no, can't bring you in anything. If it's that bad, we'll have to walk you back to the first aid station." He gave her raised eyebrows.

"...Okay. " Yes! She bit her lip, and stood up, not putting her full weight on the leg. Made a face as if it hurt to stand.

He waved her out of the cell ahead of him; stood close enough to put a hand on her back.

She whirled, kicking him viciously between the legs. He doubled over, his face turning sickly green. She grabbed the Taser he held out of his hand, before shoving him back into the cell and slamming the door.
She jerked the bit of shrapel out of her sleeve, and drove it into the lock, snapping it off.

The corridor was empty. She broke into a run, heading away from the labs she'd been taken into earlier.

* * *

Diana, Pepper and Clark halted their own conversation as Tony and Bruce joined them.

"We had an idea," Clark said. "Actually, more than one. They need to see Tony Stark...but what they see doesn't necessarily have to be who they get."

Bruce snickered. "I'd thought of that. You up for being 'me' a second time? And--I'd thought Diana could be Tony, so to speak. "

"Divide and conquer?" the Amazon realized. "Not a bad idea at all. "

"Where will you be while they're 'being you'?" Pepper asked.

" Our super friends will be the bright and shiny target. We're going to be the knives in a few people's backs. Sneak in, get Catrin out of their grasp, and then--" Tony mimed slicing across his throat.

"All right," Pepper replied, surprising Tony a little. He'd expected her to argue for less violent or bloody options. Seeing his face, she shook her head. "I manage as your CEO because I've learned when not to hold back, Tony. These people have hurt you, and they'll do worse if they get the chance. It's not a situation for half measures. Do you want me and Happy with you, too?"

"I think we need someone to stay here. Me, Bruce, with Thor for backup, and Clark and Diana--But someone should be at the Tower in case anything goes wrong unexpectedly. We also still have Rogers and his Merry Men out there someplace."

"So we'll be here as a rearguard, and in case anyone needs rescue. Right. "

They made a few last preparations, and the five of them left the Tower. They meant to be at the old compound before HYDRA arrived, if at all possible.

* * *

Catrin peered around a corner, hearing voices. They sounded angry...

Four men in combat gear were yelling at a fifth. They had guns upraised. The man was strapped down to what looked like an electric chair, but doing his best to get loose. He was cursing at them in a mixture of English and Russian. Another prisoner? Or dissension in the ranks?

None of them noticed her as she took in the situation quickly. She inhaled sharply as scents flooded her nose. Ozone. Blood. And--

The man in the chair. He smelled...different. Omega, she realized. And ...his scent wasn't mixed with an Alpha's, the way her fathers' were combined. So--unmated? Odd, he looked to be in his late twenties, but--never mind that now, girl, get out of here! Getting caught won't help him--

"Wipe his f***ing memory and get it over with! Useless bunch of nerds--"

Wait, what? They were going to--She felt cold, seeing the fear and pleading in his eyes.

"NO! NO!"

Light flashed off metal as he yanked at the restraints, one of his arms covered in steel--

She blew out a breath, cursing herself for an idiot, then snatched a knife off a nearby table--and hit the wall switch to turn the lights off.