Warning: Torture and attempts of sexual abuse.

track suggestion to listen to for this chapter: goodbye & apart

»»————- ★ ————-««

( twenty four. three words )

»»————- ★ ————-««

Natasha had to admit she had to give Schmidt some points for being a man of his word.

They did everything, all right.

Once Schmidt left her to his soldiers' care. They didn't hesitate to beat her up. They kicked, punched, and crushed her until she was sure blood was all she could see and taste.

That didn't stop there.

Some even tried to have their way with her. They tied her wrists and chained them to a pole behind her back. Even her feet were locked in place so she couldn't move anywhere. The locks were too strong for her to break. She couldn't reach them so she couldn't try to pick the lock.

One had ripped her clothes until it was torn and shredded to pieces. Her bra was fully exposed and she couldn't do anything about it. The soldier groped her ass as his other hand brushed against her breast. She tried to ignore the pathetic feeling of being weak and struggled in her chains to stop him.

"Get off me."

"You'd rather let us hit you?" He dared ask her, squeezing her ass tighter. "Just give in like all the good little girls out there."

She winced, breathing heavily. All she wanted to do was to slam this bastard's skull onto the wall. "Fuck you." She spatted blood at him.

"No. Fuck you." Even with the mask, she could see the sickening grin curling on this bastard's face. She felt his hands rubbed the flat of her stomach, going higher and higher until it reached her breasts. He started to slip his hands under the cups of her bra. "Might get a chance at you before Captain Fucking-merica does. "

That was it.

All anger and rage surged through her enough to get her system working again. With all the strength she had left, she rammed her forehead against the soldier's head. He stumbled a few steps back and even fell to the floor.

"You're a piece of shit you know that?" She yelled.

The HYDRA looked pissed now. He grabbed a baton from his belt and let her watch as the electric current began sparking out from it.

Natasha's eyes widened and she felt the fear rising on her chest. She tugged on her chains harder, doing nothing as it rattled against the pole behind her.

"You really wanna do it this way?" The HYDRA asked, threateningly.

She swallowed thickly, panic rising in her throat when he came closer. "No! Y-you sick bastard!"

"It's only going to sting a bit."

"No!"

Natasha let out a cry when she felt the excruciating pain of the baton hit her flesh. He jabbed it against her side. It was terrible. It was burning her skin, burning her muscles, everything. It was destroying her inside-out. She gasped out in pain, choking back a sob as she wailed and whimpered, "S-stop!" But it didn't. The soldier dug it deeper into her side. "No! No!" The air was sucked out of her lungs and her voice died on her.

"Which would you prefer, bitch?" He asked, dragging the baton farther to press it onto her back as she jerked. Tears started filling her eyes.

No. Don't cry.

They won't break you, Natasha. They won't.

I'm here, Anne.

She faintly heard the angelic voice of Steve rung in her ears. But it was fading, dying down at the sound of the baton pressing against her skin.

"That's enough."

The voice made the pain stop. Natasha almost choked on her own relief, snapping her eyes open to see Schmidt at the door. The HYDRA backed away from her, stopping at the side with his other soldiers.

He walked into the room until his sharp gaze finally settled on her. He sighed, turning to the soldier holding a baton, "I said you were authorized to take her prisoner but you were not authorized to turn her into your own..." He looked at her torn clothes and bruised body. "Playtoy."

Bullshit.

You just can't admit that you won't break me. You never will.

He wallowed in fear. "I'm sorry, sir. I thought it was-"

"We can't afford to let the Captain see her like... this." He looked at her in disgust. "We do not need a reason for him to get more riled up to the point he is unrestrainable as well."

"Yes, sir."

Natasha was still trying to catch her breath and blink away the tears in her eyes.

Schmidt stood to his full height, looking down at her while he held a pocket watch in his hand. "Twenty minutes, agent. Then I'll find out how valuable your worth is to him."

"I... told you..." she scowled, breathing heavily, "He's not... stupid like you."

"If that's the case then you won't mind dying here right here and right now, won't you?"

No.

She wasn't afraid of dying. She never was. It's just a pathetic idea to waste her life on dying like this. In a place where she wasn't even supposed to be. In a time where she didn't belong. It sucks.

It's a stupid death.

Natasha glared at him, her lip quivered as another tear fell down her face.

Schmidt could only grin in triumph.

----------------------------

"Johann Schmidt belongs in a bughouse. He thinks he's a god, and he's willing to blow up half the world to prove it, starting with the USA." Phillips stated, gesturing at the map pinned in front.

"Schmidt's working with powers beyond our capabilities." Howard chimed in. "He gets across the Atlantic, he will wipe out the entire Easters Seaboard in an hour."

Peggy sighed a breath.

"How much time we got?" Jones asked.

"According to my new best friend, under 24 hours," Phillips answered.

"Where is he now?" Falsworth asked.

"HYDRA's last base is here." The colonel pointed at a photo of what looks like a mountain. "In the Alps, 500 feet below the surface."

"I'm guessing that's probably where they're keeping Agent Klein too," Howard said.

The soldiers glanced at the photo. All observing and tried hard to devise a plan for them to infiltrate the place.

One of the men asked. "So what are we supposed to do? I mean, it's not like we can just knock on the front door."

They looked at one another in worry, no one knew the answer to his question.

"Why not?"

Their attention was slowly set on the captain. He was seated at the far end of the table, currently holding the photo in his hands.

"That's exactly what we're going to do." He stated.

After that, the captain took the liberty of taking control of the mission. He discussed the plans, letting some of the men speak up with some suggestions of their own. It took them about an hour to finish. Steve dismissed them afterward.

Once all the men were out preparing for their last mission in the next seven hours, Steve heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" He asked.

The voice was hesitant to answer. "It's umm... Tony."

Oh right, Future Boy. "Come in."

The door opened to show Tony wearing a suit minus the coat itself. He adjusted his collar, letting out a grimace. "Man, how can you guys stand to wear these? It's hot!" he exclaimed.

Steve fought the urge to roll his eyes. "What do you want?"

"I came to talk to you about the plan." He said, eyes darting around the room to take notice of it.

"I already know what to do. We've discussed it for five times now."

"Sorry, I'm just-I'm nervous."

He finally looked up to meet his gaze, mirroring the same worried expression on his. "We all are."

"I'm just nervous to put her in danger again."

Steve raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you nothing's going on between you?"

Tony laughed like the idea was ridiculous. Well, it is ridiculous. "Yes, Capsicle. I assure you nothing is definitely going on between us. She hates me. Besides, I told you that I already have my own gal, right?"

"It just sounds like you do." He sighed. "This is still a little bit hard for me to take in, you know."

"I know, and I'm sorry. This is all my fault."

"You said she hates you but you two are friends. Care to explain that?" Steve suddenly asked.

Tony shrugged. "We're not really friends friends but we're getting there."

"It must be tough for you to put the blame on yourself." He deduced.

"Yeah," he agreed. "It's not exactly one of the things I'm proud of doing. But before you start lecturing me, save it. I just want us to continue with the plan in saving her and getting her back home."

Steve furrowed his eyebrows. "I wasn't going to say something bad. If anything at all, I'm impressed. You seem to have done a lot to try and get her back. That saying you're not even sure if you and she are friends friends."

"Yeah..." He couldn't tell him that he was half of the reason why he was forced to go back in time to save Natasha. "Like I said, she's kind of my friend. Don't take it the wrong way though, 'cause I assure you that our relationship is purely platonic."

That let out a humorless chuckle for him. "Doesn't matter anyway."

"Why not?" Tony asked, perplexed.

"A long-distance relationship is bearable but I think being on two different times is too much, don't you think? Even for Captain America."

Somehow, that made him shake his head, amused. "You know, Cap, sometimes I'm amazed that you do indeed have a little sense of humor with you."

"Just because I'm Captain America doesn't mean I don't have a good one." He said, slightly insulted.

"Yeah, the reason why Nat fell for you." He mumbled under his breath.

Unfortunately, he somehow forgot that the soldier in the same room with him had enhanced hearing and heard what he said.

"Nat?" he asked, confused.

Tony quickly turned to him, his eyes widened in shock. Shit. He really should be more careful next time. "What?" he asked dumbly.

"You said..."

"I said what?"

Steve knitted his eyebrows, shaking his head. "Who's Nat?"

On that cue, the door to his office swung open and came in Howard Stark. "That is the real name of your girlfriend, Steve."

"What the actual fuck?" Tony exclaimed, shooting daggers at his father. "How long were you out there?"

"Long enough to know you're taking too long to just spill it." Howard crossed his arms, glaring right back at him.

"So that means you can just spill that out as you please? Not giving a damn about everything?"

"It's just a name. I think he deserves to know after everything that's been done."

Tony raised his hands in exasperation. "Oh, for crying out loud!"

"What the hell is going on?" Steve demanded, looking at the both of them. "Every single time you two stay in the same room, I can't follow you. I'm completely lost here!"

Howard gestured for Tony to say it. He sighed in annoyance, rolling his eyes. "Anne Klein's just a cover-up. It's not her real name."

"I kind of saw that coming. What about it?" Steve asked.

"It's Nat." Tony said.

Oh, Lord. What the fuck am I doing? He sure hoped this doesn't mess things up more.

Maybe giving away her nickname shouldn't be too bad right?

Tony sighed, looking at Steve. "Her real name's Nat."

----------------------------

Steve started the engine of his motorbike and sped his way through the forest. His heart was drumming loudly against his chest but the thought of Natasha was enough to keep him going. To make him more determined as ever to shoot those bastards down.

He gripped the handles tightly and bolted at a quicker speed.

Sure enough, not a while later, HYDRA soldiers in their own motorbikes were already behind him and trying to catch up. They blasted, firing another after another until he felt one hit his shield strapped to his back.

He steered towards the depths of the forest. He pushed a button to release a set of cables that attached itself to the trees, blocking the road. A few of the HYDRA soldiers were quick enough to dodge it but two managed to fell into the trap.

It didn't stop there. Soon, his motorbike released a trail of fire to light up the bastards behind him. Another two were down.

Two more left.

Steve sped up, roaring the engines of his bike until he slipped past the two HYDRA. He took out a pin from one of their bikes and chucked it at the ground. Seconds later, they exploded. Finally, he came across the gates. A large tank was guarding the area.

He took out his shield from his back and placed it in front. He dodged the blasts and managed to fire a direct one at the tank and destroying it. He sped up the ramp and felt like he was momentarily flying through the air. Then he landed on the ground, he pressed a few buttons on the bike, grabbed his shield and lifted himself off it.

He hurled straight into a HYDRA, knocking him off with his shield. He flung it towards another incoming soldier and grabbed it as soon as it flew back. He landed a kick on the other's gut and threw him across the floor.

Every incoming soldier, he continued to punch, kick, slam, jab, and destroy every single one of them until he felt his muscles aching and his limbs straining.

But two bigger HYDRA men had him trapped when one of their weapons breathed out flames. Steve tried to look for a way to escape but as soon as the fire died, numerous HYDRA soldiers already crowded around him.

He was outnumbered.

Steve had no choice but to surrender of course. They took away their shield and were actually stupid enough to simply held him in their grip. No cuffs or chains or anything. Though he didn't try to struggle.

He knew exactly where they were taking him.

They entered a large room. It was dark and the only thing he could make out was a bunch of machines and weapons on the table. The only light illuminating the room came from the windows. Steve quickly darted his eyes around and tried to look for the one thing he came here for.

But she wasn't here.

Where was she?

"Arrogance may not be a uniquely American trait, but I must say, you do it better than anyone." The voice he well knew enough to belong to Schmidt rang out in the dead air.

The second he saw him, Steve tried hard not to grimace. He looked just as sickening as the last time he saw him.

"But there are limits to what even you can do, captain. Or did Erskine tell you otherwise?"

There was a ghost of a smirk forming on the captain's lips. "He told me you were insane." He spatted.

"Ah, but I'm not the one who boldly took down a heavily guarded base with nothing but a shield? What kind of madness is that, captain?" A deadly smile appeared on his blood-colored face. "All for some girl, perhaps?"

Steve almost lost it. Almost. Just the thought of her going through god knows what along with these sick bastards was more than enough to free all the rage inside him.

But he kept a straight face. Lax and expressionless. He narrowed his eyes. "Where is she?"

"You care about her, don't you, captain?"

"Where. Is. She?" he repeated. Slowly. Threateningly.

Schmidt looked at him lowly. "We can't make a truce unless we get what we want first. What we want from you."

He knows exactly what it is that he's asking. "Tell me where she is and I'll give you what you want," Steve said.

Now, he looked surprised. Disbelieving. "You would give us what we want." He repeated questioningly, "You would give HYDRA what we need to conquer the world just for the girl?"

Steve swallowed thickly. "Yes."

Schmidt then started laughing lowly, maniacally as possible. "Pathetic." He shook his head, then nodded towards the other soldiers as if it was a signal.

They walked towards the back and began pushing a shelf to the side. Steve had no idea what they were doing at first but as soon as the shelf came away to reveal what was behind it, his face instantly paled.

"No..." he whispered in horror.

He saw her. Exactly what the picture looked like. She was chained to a pole and gagged. Her hands were tied behind her as well as her feet. Purple and blotchy bruises covered every bit of her skin. A large open wound was also at her side. Bright fresh blood was dripping down to the waistband of her pants.

Her eyes were glazed and lidded and lost.

Her beautiful and flawless face was now badly beaten and covered in bruises and blood.

Oh, God.

Please, God. No.

Steve's heart broke, shattered and he couldn't breathe. He couldn't think. He couldn't do anything. His eyes burned with tears and soon he found himself shaking in their hold. This was what it was coming to. All of this.

He had already known. He should have been ready to deal with it, prepared.

But he wasn't.

Stick to the plan, Rogers. You'll get her safe.

Just stick to the plan.

"You would trade your life for this pathetic girl?" Schmidt grabbed her face tightly in his fingers.

"Don't touch her!" Steve struggled in earnest, gritting his teeth in pure rage.

Schmidt didn't listen, only pressed his hand to the open wound on her stomach. Hard. Natasha jerked, choking back a sob.

That freed his anger, rage and put out any sense of logic nor control in him. "I said don't touch her, you bastard! Leave her alone!"

He was slowly falling apart. But he needed to be strong. For her.

One of the soldiers with a baton from before came up to her side. Without any warning, he suddenly struck it into her torso.

She cried out in excruciating pain, one so chilling and terrifying that put out tears in her eyes. Her cry was muffled, short, and ragged. It was raw and desperate.

But they didn't care.

They were vicious enough to not even let her go for a second as she slumped forward and the chains were the only ones holding her up.

"Stop it!" Steve demanded, unable to hold his own tears any longer. "Stop it! You're hurting her!"

Her cries were burning into his ears like hell.

"Stop!"

They finally did.

Natasha gasped and sobbed through the gag as more tears slipped down her bruised cheeks.

"I want your blood, captain," Schmidt stated. "We would use it to combine with our own serum and create just another breed of super soldiers like you. HYDRA would be unstoppable. We will save the world. Or better yet, why don't you just turn to our forces and together we will prevail. Captain America as a soldier of HYDRA!"

He clenched his jaw. "That will never happen." Steve hissed.

Schmidt looked shaken. He strode over towards him until he was right in front. He pulled a gun from his belt and aimed it right at Steve.

Natasha was able to sputter out a muffled cry from where she was. "Mmpmmph!" She was shaking her head and tugging on her bonds as soon as she saw what was happening.

She was crying and begging for Schmidt not to kill him.

Steve's heart broke more than it is already.

"Erskine resented my genius and tried to deny me what was rightfully mine but he gave you everything." He snarled. "And this girl? She would go through everything just to save you."

He struggled to keep a straight face at that, swallowing the lump on his throat.

"So tell me, what made you so special?

Steve laughed dryly. "Nothing." He bit out. "I'm just a kid from Brooklyn."

Schmidt suddenly swung his fist towards him. And another. Then one final blow to his stomach. He knelt down in pain.

He forced himself to look up. "I can do this all day."

"Of course you can, of course." Schmidt mocked, raising his hand to point the gun at him again. "But unfortunately I am on a tight schedule."

Natasha's eyes widened at the sight in front of her. Despite the pain she felt in her whole body, it couldn't be compared to the fear welling up inside her when the gun aimed at Steve started to power up.

She thought it was going to be the end of it. Of both of them.

Fortunately, it wasn't.

A cable outside suddenly attached to the window. Mere figures were out in the open and were coming straight at them. It looked like... the Howling Commandos?

Steve looked back at the shocked expression of Schmidt. "So am I." he growled. He tugged the arm of the other soldier holding him and pushed him forward.

Schmidt did fire only for his shot to disintegrate one of his own instead.

The Howling Commandos barged in through the glass windows. They began to fire at will-shooting all the HYDRA men standing in their way. Steve stood at his feet. Schmidt ran out of the door and headed straight for the hallways.

When the rest of the HYDRA soldiers were down, Steve nodded at his team to follow Schmidt. They quickly caught onto his drift and headed outside.

He wasted no time in stepping up to where Natasha is. She was close to unconscious. "Anne? Hey, it's me. It's Steve." He whispered.

Her eyelids stirred open, finally focusing on him. The moment she did, her eyes started to glisten. Steve smiled shortly, his own eyes watering when the realization dawned on her. That he came here. He came for her.

"I'm going to get you out of here alright? Just hang on." He untied the gag from her mouth, careful not to tug too hard so he wouldn't hurt her.

The second that gag was lost, she swallowed the dryness of her throat. "Steve..." Her voice was raspy and hoarse that she ended up coughing right after.

"Shhh. Breathe, Anne. Just breathe."

He knelt down and snapped the locks on her feet. He then went behind her to pry open the chains on her wrists. It came off with a snap.

He went back to her just in time she collapsed in his arms. Her frame was so small and petite compared to him but she liked it that way. She knew she was safe with him. "Steve..." she choked a sob, curling her fingers tightly on the front of his suit.

Steve felt as if he was slowly falling apart too. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. He stroked her hair and pressed a gentle kiss. "It's okay. I'm here." He whispered.

"You came." She murmured, letting the tears stain his clothes.

"Of course I did... I couldn't... God," He pulled her closer to him, gasping out a sob as well. He squeezed his eyes shut. "This is all my fault. I'm-I'm sorry. I'm sorry I took so long. I'm sorry, Anne."

"Not your fault." She muttered, pulling away to look at him. She wiped the tears away from his cheeks, offering a small smile. "Not your fault."

"What did they do to you? Did they..." He gulped, horror flooding past him.

She shook her head. "No. Tried to but no."

Steve leaned forward and hugged her tight again. "I could never forgive myself if something happened to you. I'm sorry I hadn't gotten sooner. I tried my best-"

"Shhh. I'm okay. You're here. I'm okay, Steve." She breathed out.

"I won't let anything happen to you again. You're safe with me. They'll never hurt you or touch you. I won't let it." He said, his eyes dimming a bit.

The walls and ceilings shook a bit. It was enough to snap them out of their moment.

"We have to go." Steve declared. "Are you okay to walk or do you need me to..."

Natasha knew he definitely wanted to carry her after seeing how bloodied and battered up she was, but he still respected her decision of taking care of herself.

But hey, who was she to pass up a chance to be carried by Captain America?

A faint blush spread onto her cheeks. "Uh... actually-" She was cut off midsentence when he suddenly swept her up into his arms. She glanced up at him and saw there was a small teasing smile on his lips.

They got down the platform and stopped at his shield. "Can you uh..."

She looked down and figured what he was trying to say. "Sure."

Steve crouched down and let her take his shield in her hands as they bolted out the door. He carried her and ran swiftly like she weighed nothing. An explosion came from the end of the hallway and she immediately buried her face in his chest. The anxiety doubling up in her chest. He could feel her shiver and tremble in his hold.

She was frightened. But he wanted to let her know that there was no reason to be. He was going to protect her now. This time.

They hid behind a wall, trying to keep out of sight from the HYDRA approaching them.

[listen to goodbye/apart now]

"Don't be afraid." He whispered.

She was quiet. And he thought for a moment that she wasn't going to say anything back but surprised him when after a few seconds, she did. "I'm not afraid to die."

It was the truth after all. She wasn't afraid of dying. She will never be afraid of dying. It's the thought of endangering Steve because of her.

The thought of him dying.

That's what she was afraid of.

Silent tears continuously fell past her face. "I've been dying a little bit each day since you became a part of my life."

Steve froze. And she felt it. The way his shoulders tensed, the way she heard his breath hitched in his throat.

She'd gone a step way too far and there was no turning back now.

"What are you talking about, Anne?" he asked, quietly. Confused and hopeful.

Natasha held onto him tighter, not caring if he heard her sobbed or cried. She didn't care if he thought she was weak or vulnerable. She wouldn't mind breaking down her walls for him. Not anymore.

"I love you." She whispered.

Steve's heart pounded against his chest. Leaping frantically. The deep pit in his stomach twisted and flailed in glee and hope. "Yo-you love me?" he asked.

She could feel his eyes on her but she didn't want to look at him. She just wanted him to know. She was expecting him to say something else. From the way he gasped in joy, she knew he was about to say something.

But his unspoken words remained unspoken when another explosion stripped them out of their joy-filled moment. She lifted her head to see that fire was already trailing the side of the walls.

She needed to get out of here.

And Steve? He needed to...

Her heart skipped a beat.

Steve needed to get on the plane. With that thought in mind, she quickly leaped out of his arms and tried to gain balance on the floor. Steve seemed shocked why she did what she did. "Anne, what're you-"

"You need to go after Schmidt." She said, putting a hand on her wounded side.

"I know but I need to take you back to Howard and-"

She shook her head. "There's no time, Steve." He looked incredibly torn. What was pure joy and happiness on his face was long forgotten when all she saw now was grief and pain. "You need to go." She said.

"No, I can't-I won't leave you." He said, cupping the sides of her face and pressing his forehead against hers. She could feel the tears running down his cheeks and slipping down the bridge of her nose. "I can't."

"You have to." She took one of his hands and glanced up through her tear-filled eyes. "It's okay, Steve."

He shook his head, gasping out. "But I love you."

This wasn't fair. This wasn't fair.

Fate was making it even more difficult for the both of them to leave one another. It was absolutely not fucking fair.

"Steve..."

"I love you, Nat."

She froze.

Did he just?

Her mouth went limp as she stared at him with shock. Steve didn't say anything else. She only felt something being clasped around her right wrist. When she looked down, she was more than confused and surprised to find her watch.

The watch.

"Wha..." Her heart thumped louder and louder. "Is this..."

"I know. All of it." Steve cut her off, pulling away to look her in the eyes. "And I don't care. I don't care that you won't talk to me. I don't care that you lied. I don't care that you pushed me away. I don't care about any of it. I love you, Nat. I love you."

Natasha stared at him with glassy eyes. The words died in her throat as she could only process one single thought.

He loves her. Not as Anne Klein.

But as her. As Nat.

"And I wish..." He swallowed the thick dry lump in his throat, cupping her right cheek. "I wish we had more time."

She couldn't think straight. Couldn't understand exactly what was supposed to be happening right now.

But she did know one thing.

She loves him as much as he loves her.

Without saying anything else, she leaned over to press her lips against his. She wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him down to her. He was surprised and stiff at first but found himself melting into the kiss. He kissed her back harder, ducking his face down to capture her lips better. His hands went to her waist and pulled her flushed against him.

This kiss wasn't anything like the one they shared in his dream. That one was hot, open, and rushed. It was rough and wild.

This one? It was nothing but a kiss between two people in love. He ached for her as much as she did for him. His lips moved against hers in sync. It was nothing but sweet. Full of tender. Desire. Passion. Love.

Neither one wanted it to end but they knew they had to.

Steve pulled away, breathless. "Meeting you? Was the best thing that had ever happened to me. Remember that... okay?" He smiled through the tears.

One full of sincerity and truth, without any doubt in her voice, she smiled back and blinked away the tears, "I love you."

"I love you too."

Another blast exploded from the hall and Steve knew that it was his cue to go. "I gotta go." He leaned in to kiss her one last time.

They shared one final glance.

She felt his fingers slowly slipped away from her grasp as he picked up his shield and turned around. She waited, waited in excruciating pain as he got farther away from her until he disappeared from her sights.

And that this time, he wasn't coming back.

»»----- ★ -----««