Shield me
“What is it, Tony?” Steve groggily asked, holding the phone to his ear. His voice was about an octave lower, having just woken up and wooh, if that didn’t do things to me. Not the point though. Tony was calling for a reason. Probably.
“I know it’s early but get your asses out of bed. I got an update.” That got Steve out of the comforts of his warm and cozy bed and I decided that I really wanted to hear this too.
Being hunted in general wasn’t a walk in the park, but being hunted by Hydra was even less of a party. I was really holding out hope that Tony would tell me they turned themselves in and sent me their sincerest of apologies.
No such luck though.
“The trace finally completed and the account it was transferred to is under the name of a certain Johann Schmidt. I ran a background check and it turns out he’s been involved with Hydra before. He’s speculated to be one of their higher ups and rumor is Schmidt and Pierce had different visions for the future of Hydra, causing a fall out or something. Drama-drama.”
“Where’s the money now?” I asked.
“It’s still in an account somewhere in New York. I can hack into it but it’s gonna take some time. You’re gonna have to stay put.” Tony said. He probably already started hacking since the background noise consisted solely of furious typing.
“Are you sure, Tony? You’re probably gonna be in more danger than you are now.” I asked. I do not want to be held accountable for anything that could happen. Probably would happen.
“Yeah, yeah. This isn’t my first rodeo, sweetheart.”
I scoffed. I hated being called sweetheart, especially by Tony. Also, what does that even mean ‘this isn’t my first rodeo’?
I quirked an eyebrow in Steve’s direction, but he just shrugged and told Tony, “Let us know when something changes. And don’t go at it alone. Hydra isn’t playing. They are still convinced Bucky did this and they’re not concerned about the well-being of others.”
“I can see the worry-lines forming on your face, Rogers. Stop it. I’ll be good, I swear.” Tony joked, “And about Pierce still hunting you, we need to do something about that.” Tony said.
He was right. We couldn’t stay here forever and I didn’t want to either.
Not that spending time with Steve wasn’t great. It really was. But the general idea of being hunted by a criminal organization made my skin itch.
Jesus, when did my life become such a mess?
“We’ll come up with something, but I’ve got another call. Call you back later. And thanks, Tony.” Steve said before picking up the other call. A blocked number.
“Good morning, Captain Rogers.” A low, calm voice spoke through the phone.
Steve rolled his eyes which made me snort in return. I hadn’t seen Steve roll his eyes before, and I must say, pretty good look on him. Sassy.
“Hello, Director Fury. As I have told you before, please, it’s Steve. I’m a civilian now.”
I raised my eyebrows and mouthed to Steve what it was about but he just shrugged and asked the man, Fury, what he was calling for. I hope it wasn’t to rope Steve back into the army. We really didn’t need that right now.
“I called because you seem to be in some trouble. How about we set up a meet and talk about what I can do for you? How’s a late breakfast for you?”
Late? It was like 9 A.M. Which does not qualify as late. Not in my book at least.
Steve looked at me, asking for permission, before asking Fury when and where and if it was safe.
“Of course, Captain. I’ll see you there. Bring Barnes.”
The line went dead and Steve just frowned at his phone.
“Okay, how does he know my name?” I asked, because I sure as hell hadn’t met the guy yet and I’m pretty sure Steve hadn’t told him, which makes this straight up creepy.
“They know our location too. He asked us to come to Ricky’s. That’s right down the street.”
I shook my head in disbelief. What the hell was happening?
“Come on, get dressed. We’re going.” Steve said while digging in his suitcase. The very patriotic one.
“Are you sure? Is it actually safe?” I asked.
“Yeah.” Steve responded shortly before pulling off the shirt he slept in to reveal something that looked very close to god-like.
My eyes shortly wandered over the exposed skin.
Honestly, it wasn’t my fault.
It just happened.
I briefly caught Steve’s eyes following mine before snapping my attention back to his face. I cleared my throat. “And you trust him?”
“He hasn’t given me a reason to distrust him in situations like these. Yet.”
As if that made me feel safer.
~
We walked into the restaurant, Steve’s eyes scanning the crowd for Fury and my eyes just scanning the crowd because I had no idea what Fury looked like.
Steve pulled me into a seat, where I stared right into the face of a slightly amused looking but somehow simultaneously angry looking bald man. With an eyepatch. Seriously?
“Good morning, gentlemen. How have you been?” His deep voice rumbled, that hint of amusement seeping through his tone. His voice was definitely the same one as the one on the phone.
Guess this was Fury then.
The name suited him.
“Let’s skip the formalities and talk business. Why have you been keeping tabs on us and what do you want?” Steve asked, crossing his arms. I did not, I repeat not notice the way his shirt seemed to stretch beyond its capabilities.
Steve putting on his serious face and getting straight down to business was new to me. I noted to myself that this too was a good look on him. Made him even more of a Captain, as Fury had called him over the phone.
“Alright, alright.” The man, Fury, waved, “We’ve been keeping tabs because we heard James here,” He shifted his gaze to me, “has gotten himself into some trouble. In which now Mr. Stark and you are involved.” He said, shifting his gaze back to Steve.
“Now, I work for an organization called SHIELD. And our interests in Hydra may just be able to help you out of your troubles with them.”
“SHIELD? Is that a real name or like, short for something?” I asked.
“It’s short for Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.” Fury answered.
“Yeah, you should stick with SHIELD.”
The man smiled a little bit, and the fact that the man felt emotions or at least showed a few, comforted me a little. Not much, though.
“So, Director, how are you planning on getting us out of trouble? What intel do you have on us? On them?” Steve asked, something close to distrust in his voice.
“How we do it is none of your concern. Nor is our intel.”
I raised my eyebrow. Apparently, Director Fury wasn’t one to share. Or trust.
“You know about Hydra and what threat they pose to us. To me. Steve and Tony will only be collateral damage if or when it comes to it. So I’d say that your intel and your ways are, in fact, of concern to us, given it’s our lives hanging in the balance.” I explained.
Steve stared at me for a second, blinked twice and nodded almost imperceptibly before looking back at Fury with a small smirk on his lips.
Fury, who I still wasn’t sure was human or not, was looking unfazed and unimpressed but responded with, “Alright. Then I would like for you two to be escorted back to your apartment, pack your bags and come with us to a safe-house under our protection. Once we’re there I’ll explain a few things.”