DEMONS.
( chapter ten. )

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Edited 12/23/2015 @2:18 AM
Edited 07/04/2016 @8:02 AM
Edited 11/18/2017 @7:49 PM

  UPON FOLLOWING THE trail Fury had left behind, Andrea found herself in the city's underground storm-drain system. The scent wafting throughout the tunnel was overwhelming, but with no other means of escape, Andy found that disgust and personal hygiene fell short on her long list of concerns.

  The longer she wandered in the dark, the more the walls seemed too suffocatingly close. What if they got to Nick before she could? The thought made Andy's stomach turn. Her footsteps quickened. She felt disoriented by the encounter she'd just escaped and maybe that had more to do with her injuries, but it still bothered her.

  Andrea exhaled a deep breath. Now wasn't the time to wonder at these odd happenings. She continued through the tunnels until slivers of light cut across her path. Andy stopped, looking above her head to where the light filtered in.

  Reaching out to the wall, the Jones girl felt relief wash over her as her hands wrapped around what was undoubtedly the rung of a ladder. She climbed up to a street opening and pushed against the cover, carefully peeking her head out.

  There wasn't much traffic and, upon catching a glimpse of a nearby street sign, Andrea found that she was in the residential area only a few blocks from her apartment. Understanding came to her quickly then; she knew exactly where Fury was headed.

  Andy took to the alleyways, making herself swift and running in spite of every sore muscle or bruised body part. The only thing that mattered to her was making sure that Fury had made it to her apartment— that he was safe.

  As she arrived at the stairs leading up to her building, Andy launched herself up the steps towards the entrance. Her heart was beating fast. There was no time to hesitate, but the distant roar of a motorcycle made her falter. Andrea knew that sound, and every muscle froze in place.

  The engine cut off just a few feet behind her, and every second she stood there felt wasted.

  "Where have you been?" Steve called out, voice indignant. He was annoyed.

  Andy couldn't bring herself to look at him. Every decision she made right now was time-valuable. She weighed her options. She could ignore him and wait to explain later, but what if she walked right into an ambush?

  She had no idea what they were up against. More than anything else, what Andrea needed was Steve on her side, and pissing him off wasn't exactly a great start.

  She turned to face her friend. Steve was already making his way up the steps, but he halted as his gaze met the wound on Andy's forehead. The reaction was immediate.

  "What the hell happened?" Steve demanded. He was at her side in seconds, taking her face into his hands. Andy felt her body jerk away, with pain blooming on her forehead. The gentlest touch wouldn't make her wound any less sensitive.

  "Andrea," Steve started, "where's Fury?"

  He was angry, she could tell that much. "You were supposed to come straight back, what happened?" Andy was overwhelmed by his influx of questions. She didn't have the time or the answers he wanted.

  "I can't explain right now—" As a vehicle with tinted windows passed, Andrea choked on panic. "We have to get inside," she rushed out. Steve tried to protest, but it went ignored as she hurried into the building. He followed closely behind and, though he was silent, Andrea knew it wasn't willingly.

  It was only when they entered the stairwell did she finally speak. "Fury was driving me home when we were attacked," she launched herself up the stairs as she explained.

  "I don't know much about what happened or who it was, but Fury might." She looked over at Steve, "We got separated, and I think he came here."

  The pair soon found themselves at the entrance to the third floor and Andy stopped. What she was about to ask of him was a high demand. But, with all that had happened, they needed him on their side.

  She released a slow breath. "We have to trust him, Steve— he's all we have."

  The Rogers man frowned, but among his irritated features there were still traces of worry. She knew he had every right to be concerned. None of it made any sense, and how could it?

  Steve's expression soured, "I left you in his care and you come back wounded and alone. How's that for trust?" Andy was stunned by the venom in his voice.

  "Then trust me," she said. "You can do that, right?" It was only a second of hesitation, really— nothing more than a brief passage of time. But, something in Steve's eyes scared her then.

  Suddenly, she wasn't sure if she wanted to know the answer to that question.

  Andrea didn't wait for a reply as her gaze lowered to his chest. "I don't know what's happening, and I know it's confusing. But, you're the only person I can trust to have my back." She swallowed hard and her hand reached out for his arm, seeking comfort.

  But, there was something in the long silence that followed that made her chest hurt.

  "I'm sorry," Steve began, "but how can I trust you when I don't even know what's going on with you?" His voice was gentle, as if soft tones would ease the impact of those words. It didn't.

  From where her hand rested on his forearm, Andy found herself pulling away as she looked up at him. She was terrified; scared that she had given it away. Did Steve know that she lied? Had he realized there was more to the story that had led her back to him?

  Steve caught her expression and quickly stepped closer, "I'm not trying to hurt you, Andy. But, when you woke up in that hospital..." Andrea averted her eyes as she recalled the experience.

  "You didn't just look upset, you looked terrified─ and I can't help but wonder." Steve's next words made her stomach feel hollow, "How did you survive?"

  Cold, hard fear seemed to slice through Andrea's chest. The mere recollection of HYDRA was enough to send pain hurtling through her. Though, as afraid as she was, Andy was far more panicked by the possibility of Steve finding out.

  Am I able to admit the truth?

  The question locked her in a discomforting embrace, but she did well in masking the tremor in her fingers. Andrea stilled her body and pursed her lips. She couldn't tell him, not now.

  But, if not now, then when?

  She tried to convince herself that it was because of time— they simply had none to spare.

  However, she knew better than that. It was the possibility of losing Steve that made her resilient in the choice she made. Even if it hurt him, even if prolonging the truth meant losing him again.

  Andy closed her eyes, "I want to tell you. Believe me, I do." No, you don't. She inhaled sharply, forcing herself to look at him. "But, we don't have time for this. Fury is injured and we need to find him before something worse happens." The words slipped out of her mouth so easily, it made her nauseous.

  She could never tell him. 

  Andrea forced herself to ignore the guilt. She pushed past the way her stomach dropped and her skin crawled. It wasn't something she could afford to dwell on. The world had never been in her favour, and that was fair enough.

  Andy turned her back to Steve and continued into the hallway. "When we get inside, be mindful of what you say," she gestured to her ear. It wasn't a stretch to believe their apartments might be bugged.

  As Andrea turned towards her apartment door, her body stilled as she reached down to grab her keys. Dread filled her immediately. As it seemed, fate wasn't in her favour either. The keys were gone.

  Andy knew they had to have fallen in the midst of the fight or some time before. Terror wrapped a hand around her throat as she realized that her apartment number was plastered on the front of her key. If it were found and she was followed, they would know exactly where she was going to be.

  The Jones girl whirled around, composure forgotten in her anxiety-induced state. "My key is gone," she seethed.

  Steve's confusion was blatant. "So? You have a spare at my place. We can just use that—" Andrea opened her mouth to interrupt. He didn't understand the severity of this.

  But, before she could explain, the pair halted as they turned to Steve's door. Music filtered slowly out into the hallway. Andy wasn't sure how she hadn't noticed it before. The melody was unmistakable. Timeless and aged; it was one of Steve's favourites.

  The brunette looked up at her blond companion. "Did you leave your record on?" She asked, the question drawing a confused head-shake from Steve.

  For anyone normal person, the reply would have been cause for concern, but Andy felt her shoulders sink with relief. She knew who would be waiting on the other side of that door. Though, she stopped as Steve reached for her wrist.

  That same worried caution from earlier was there.

  "Don't worry," she said softy. Andy gave him a reassuring smile before sidling past and into the apartment. The door was already unlocked.

  The pair made their way inside, movements masked in calculated silence. Hesitantly, Andrea peered around the corner that led into the living room. The figure of a person sitting down did little to alarm her.

  As soon as she caught sight of Fury─ sat and basking in the low apartment light─ she was relieved of the weight she'd been carrying since he escaped. He was okay.

  Andy stepped out from behind the wall and Nick lifted his head, just in time to brace himself as the Jones girl reached out to clasp him gently in her arms.

  "I was worried you hadn't made it out," he admitted. His hand patted her twice on the back.

  "I had to make sure you were safe," Andrea replied softly before pulling away. There was more she was dying to say, but not in this place. She regained her stature and fell back beside Steve.

  While she was reassured by the Nick's presence, the Rogers man had never taken kindly to Fury and his manner. Even now, the tension never ceased to complicate things.

  "I don't recall giving you a key," Steve spoke up. 

  Andrea rolled her eyes. The situation didn't call for such intensity. But, she simply took to examining the conversation as she leaned back against the wall. Steve looked at her expectantly, and Andy shrugged. If he assumed that she had all the answers, then he was wrong.

  "My wife kicked me out," Fury explained.

  Steve looked skeptical. "I didn't know you were married," he replied dryly. The displeasure was crystal clear. He hated being out of the loop, and she knew he was offended by Fury's safeguarding.

  "There's a lot of things you don't know about me, Cap." Fury's tone seemed light, but there was warning in his intended gaze. If the atmosphere got any worse, Andrea figured she might gag.

  They weren't enemies, but men were such complicated creatures.

  "Yeah, that's the problem," Steve shot back as he went to turn on the light. But, as he did, the Rogers man finally seemed made aware of Nick's injuries. Fury shook his head before he could say anything and Steve turned the lights back off.

  The Director pulled out a phone and began typing. They waited in silence and, once he'd finished, Fury turned the screen to face them. 'Ears everywhere,' the device read.

  Andy smiled, though it was bitter. She suspected enough. It wasn't hard to believe that S.H.I.E.L.D would want to keep an eye on Steve. They hadn't exactly been given a guide on how to take care of a man so far out of his time.

  But, as Andrea thought about it, she realized that the Rogers man was no longer alone in that sentiment— at least, not anymore.

  She was just as misplaced as he was, and she had been all along. Though, the thought brought forth a strange realization. Somehow, Andrea felt as if there were a part of her that belonged in the present, just as much as a part had belonged to the past.

  So many versions of herself had existed before, and she was none of them now.

  "I'm sorry for showing up on such short notice, but I had no place else to go." Fury's voice drew Andrea back from her thoughts. She lifted her eyes, watching as Nick continued on with the tentative game that had taken place.

  Fury typed something else into his phone and Andrea pushed off the wall, moving closer to take a better look. 'S.H.I.E.L.D Compromised,' the screen read this time. Andy felt her blood run cold. Prior to now, she'd been unaware of this information, blind to even the possibility of it.

  How could S.H.I.E.L.D be compromised?

  Andrea struggled to understand what she could have missed. She felt her brow furrow. Her thoughts were reeling. They were the most secure form of government and they had been breached without notice? S.H.I.E.L.D was her home, it had been her safety for years. How could she think of it as anything otherwise?

  But, if Fury's suspicions were roused by the events of today, then Andy knew she had little room to doubt. If the same people that had attacked them earlier were behind compromising the world's most secure organization, then of course they were meticulous.

  They'd been inside the whole time.

  However, with access to forces like MCPD and SWAT, Andy found herself wondering at the extent of this groups power. It was unnerving, to say the least. Those were no fake badges, sirens, or weaponry they'd seen today.

  She exhaled a slow breath. How long had this gone on and why risk revealing themselves now? "Who else knows about your wife?" Steve inquired, his features betraying nothing as Fury helped himself off the couch.

  The Director stepped closer to both Andy and Steve. "Just my friends," he replied and the Jones woman cut her eyes to his. It wasn't that she was surprised by the word, she knew it held a different meaning. He was entrusting this information to them for a reason.

  "Is that what we are?" Steve asked, wary as he held Nick's gaze. Andy looked at him sharply. Now wasn't the time to risk everything based on pride.

  Fury shrugged, "That's up to you."

  Andy inhaled slowly as the music slowed to a stop. Her eyes were on Steve as the weight of the words seemed to sit in the air. It was silent for a steady moment, until the Rogers man nodded once. A brief reprieve.

  The seconds they stood there afterwards went unappreciated; with a silence weighing on them. Fury was safe now, but it came at a cost.

  Yet, it was peaceful. She had Steve, and the one person who had accommodated this new life for her to the best of his abilities— Fury. Andrea wished she could have held onto it longer, for even just a fraction of a second more. She wanted to keep this small comfort forever.

  But, this precious repose was short-lived and the next few seconds were memories Andy wasn't bound to forget. She heard the sound of bullets, unmistakable as they rapidly entered through the wall. Her heart faltered in her chest as she watched, numb with horror and unable to do anything as each round hit Nick in the chest.

  As Fury fell to the ground, time slowed in a haze. Pain, more intense than one any blade could cause, seemed to clutch at the hollow cavity in Andrea's chest as her knees gave way. Ringing filled her ears.

  This had been it; the reason why they were attacked.

  Whoever was behind the compromise of S.H.I.E.L.D knew Fury had become suspicious. It was why they acted in broad daylight; they were afraid of exposure and now they were desperate. It was Fury they wanted all along and they wanted him dead.

  Andrea blinked once and her body moved on its own accord. She didn't have time to think about what she was doing as her breaths came in and out. She got to her feet, as weak as her limbs felt, and quickly helped Steve grab onto Fury's arms. Once they had dragged him from the crossfire, the bullets ceased and Andy collapsed in on herself.

  "No, no, this wasn't supposed to happen," she whispered, eyes burning as she watched Nick gasp for air. Blood was filling his lungs. She reached for his arm and checked his pulse. It was beating, but gradually slowing too. Andy felt a jolt run through her and something simmered just underneath that pain.

  She was losing him and she knew it.

  Andrea was gasping as her body shook, but she still held tightly to Fury. She was crying, she knew that. Andy knew that she was struggling to contain her fear. No lesson could teach her to deal with emotions like this; to compartmentalize and sort through the mess later. It was here and now.

  She was losing him right there.

  "It's going to be okay" she choked out as Fury stared up at her, clutching back at her arm. He struggled to reach her hands and she felt something drop into her stomach. Was it her heart?

  His grip weakened and Andy tried to shove down her agony. It was like trying to swallow knives. Why was she made to suffer?

  As Fury's strength continued to weaken, Andrea felt something inside of her shift. It was a caving in of every ounce of control she ever had. The Jones woman felt her eyes drawn to the window, where she glimpsed a figure and metal that glimmered in the shadows. The barrel of a gun.

  In that moment, Andrea felt such a terrible rage that it made her skin crawl with energy. "Andy," Steve's voice came softly as he reached for his friend. Though, he stopped short as he was struck with a shock of electricity. He pulled back, sucking in a breath through his teeth.

  Andy paid no regards to him. His voice was background noise. Her ears still rang and she was swallowed whole by this resentment. She knew now what it meant to see red.

  Her violence dug so deep, there was no resisting. Andrea wanted nothing more than to see the person responsible for her pain dead at her hands. A small vengeance for what they had stolen.

  The Jones woman rose from the floor, prepared to give chase.But, before she could put use to her power, she stopped as Fury reached out to clutch her wrist. His hold seemed to draw Andy out of her paroxysm of rage.

  She felt her powers simmer to a controllable threshold as she tuned back into the present. Her gaze fell to Fury's face, but she couldn't look him in the eye. Not like this.

  A sudden cold washed over her as she realized what was about to occur; she was going to lose Nick and there was nothing she could do about it. There wasn't a moment she could recall having felt as powerless as she did then.

  Andrea crouched next to the Director, throat tight. Steve went to let go of Fury's arm, but Nick grabbed for his wrist. Carefully, with the last of his strength, he dropped an object into the Roger's mans palm— a hard-drive.

  "Don't trust anyone," were the last words Fury managed out.

  There was a sudden pounding on the door, but Andy ignored it as she clutched tightly to the Director. His grip fell slack around her hand as his eyes closed. She bit down hard on her tongue, fighting against what felt like a thousand screams converging as tears slid down her cheeks. Andrea kept her fingers to Nick's pulse as she focused on his slow heartbeat.

  "Captain Rogers, Agent Jones." Andy felt her back tense.

  Before anyone could react, she released her grip on Fury and whirled around, kicking her leg up and knocking the gun out of a stunned Kate's hand. The Jones girl's eyes were quick to recognize the nurse. She lived on their floor. Her tense muscles relaxed.

  "I'm Agent 13 of S.H.I.E.L.D Special Service, I've been assigned to protect Steve Rogers," she informed them, blinking out of her stupor.

  "On who's orders?" Steve demanded, and Kate, the name both Andrea and Steve had been given, looked down at Fury. At the sight of his state, genuine shock crossed her expression and that was enough to convince Andy that she was no longer a threat.

  "His," Kate breathed out.

  The agent kneeled next Fury's unconscious form. While she checked for a pulse, Kate pulled out a communications device from her pocket. "We need EMT's, Fox Trot is down," she spoke into the radio.

  Her words drew a flinch from Andrea.She lifted her head to look out the window, finding that the figure hadn't left its position. He was watching; relishing in his work. "Do you have a twenty on the shooter?" Came a voice through the radio static.

  Andrea felt her whole body set alight. "Tell them I'm in pursuit," she replied as her anger returned. Her hands were still shaking, but this time with rage.

  Andy rose from her crouch, throwing her body into a sprint towards the window. As she jumped to break through it, her body teleported before she could connect.

  Her destination was already set in mind and, upon opening her eyes, Andrea found herself behind the man responsible for Fury's death. His body tensed; he sensed her presence. In the next moment, the man turned, throwing a punch that was easily dodged.

  Andy ducked, grabbing his arm as he missed and launching him over her shoulder with a simple shift of weight. His body flipped and he landed on his back with a solid thud. In turn, the Jones girl swiftly rose from the ground, something wicked on her lips as she stared down at the assassin.

  She took pleasure in the sight of his furious glare. "Is that the best you've got?" She challenged.

  The man kicked up off the ground. He turned to her then, faking a punch. But, Andrea quickly caught on. The brunette dodged again and felt her expression sour. This fight was too easy. As the real hit came, Andrea ducked before grabbing his forearm and quickly bringing his arm behind his back.

  She shoved him, watching with disdain as he stumbled forwards. "This is who they sent to finish the job?" She demanded, feeling her fingers ignited with power. She was furious.

  "You are nothing," she flicked out her hand and watched as energy─ electric and alive─lashed out at his figure. "I will find every last one of you," she promised, "and I will kill you in all the most painful ways you can imagine."

  Her rage was fuel to her power and she reserved none of it. His body curled in on itself as he endured the current of her abilities, shuddering with every increase in strength. It wasn't just surges of electricity, it was burning energy and a scalding flame that turned lifelines to ash.

  Andrea's curse was life and death in symphony.

  And it was draining her. She forced herself to pull back, face warm and body humming with so much power still left to give. The man collapsed to his knees, but he did not cry or weep. There wasn't so much as a grunt from the agony she had so desperately wanted him to feel.

  She felt her chest burn with frustration. As the man lifted his head, he peered at her through the hair framing his face. Her throat tightened. His eyes were hollow. Pain was nothing to him and it never would be. She knew why; eyes like his belonged to someone born of pain.

  He was made to suffer, to endure.

  Andy couldn't move, frozen in place by his steady gaze. Hadn't she once known that pain? Zhnitsa. Her brain suddenly hurt with the abrupt recollection. She flinched as if the memory were physical. Her muscles responded with ache and she could feel the power receding without warrant.

  She seethed, "Why him? It should've been me!" The power returned with vengeance, sudden and sickening. She was so consumed. Andrea lifted her head, desperate to lash out this grief, but was caught off guard as the man launched at her in a tackle.

  Andy fell back, taking the full brunt of their weight. She choked for air, winded by the fall. But, she had something to prove. Lifting her hip, she launched the man off of her and reached for the knife in her boot. His arm shot out, grabbing her hand and squishing it between something that felt like iron.

  Andrea cried out, but her response came quickly. She laid back, lifting her leg to swing a kick at the man's head. With his arms mixed up, she managed to land the blow and felt his grip release. With her back now turned and him still recovering, Andy launched herself a small distance away.

  Her hand was sore, but not broken. She whipped her head around, just in time to see the knife her opponent pulled out. He lunged forwards, but she was swift. Andrea pulled out the butterfly knife in her boot and flicked it open. Nothing flashy, just to the point.

  There was no time to spare for cheap tricks.

  As he swiped at her abdomen, she pivoted her foot to narrowly dodge. She was on his left side now, facing the arm that had likely sprained her hand. Andrea took the advantage to discover whatever it was that laid beneath the fabric. She had to know what she was up against.

  She knew a simple knife wouldn't cut through the hard material she'd felt earlier, so she tore an opening in two quick swipes. The colour red and a silver glint stared back at her. Andy felt her body still. The red symbol caught her off guard, long enough for Andrea to falter and make a mistake.

  The man had switched the knife between his hands and his right arm swiped for her neck. Andy inhaled a sharp breath, brought out of her stupor by the realization she couldn't dodge. She took one small step back, and that was just enough as she leaned away from the knife.

  She felt the sharp edge tear through her shirt, cutting through fabric to mark her along the collarbone. Andy winced, feeling blood surface quickly, seeping into her clothes. She was irritated with herself. Everything about this figure left her disarmed.

  Stumbling backwards, Andrea held her hand over the fresh wound. Her powers were too drained to begin the healing process. She cursed at her own idiocy. She had failed to do the one thing that would ensure her survival; keep her feelings out of the way.

  The first thing the Director had taught her. 

  In that split second, Andy made a choice and─ in a flurry of movements─ she pulled out the throwing knives from her jacket. With the weapons in hand and a flick of her wrist, the Jones girl threw knife after knife. But, with each dodge that the assassin made, Andrea felt her anger burrow deeper.

  Until she managed to embed one into the man's non-bionic arm.

  She heard him grunt in pain and, with a malicious grin, Andy quickly stepped forwards. She was fast, because she had to be. He was stronger than her and swiftness was her only advantage. She pivoted to give a spinning kick. But, before her foot could connect, the assassin's metal hand reached out to stop it. Its reaction time was incredible.

  Andrea's eyes widened. She cried out as he twisted her ankle, leaving her no other choice but to turn her body and drop. Once she'd hit the ground, the brunette quickly used her free leg and her hands to sharply pull herself forwards.

  The man stumbled after her, his grip releasing just enough for Andy to break free. When she'd successfully managed to scramble to her feet, Andrea turned to face the assassin and found a glare waiting to welcome her. He reached up, taking the knife out of his wound and dropping it to the floor.

  If he was concerned about bleeding out, he didn't show it. 

  Within the next instant, Andy had teleported behind him. She deigned to use brain over braun to get the advantage she needed. She kicked at the space behind the man's knee. But, as he fell, she was caught off guard when he whirled around to swipe her feet out from under her.

  The brunette yelped as she landed on her tailbone. It was clear she was going to need more than brain to win. She winced against the pain. It wasn't brutal, but it was the kind that she knew would stick around for a while.

  Andy groaned as she turned to roll on her side. "That's like a bullet to the ass," she wheezed, stretching out her body in hopes of relieving the discomfort. The man stared back at her blankly. He seemed mildly put off by her comments.

  It wasn't exactly usual for someone to speak so casually during a fight. Too busy begging for their lives, I suppose, Andy thought. But, she had never exactly taken to professionalism in her practice.

  The man was quick to disregard his confusion and before the Jones girl knew what was happening, he dove forwards. As she was tackled to the floor, Andy felt her eyes widen and she quickly braced herself. Though, she still wasn't prepared as her head smacked against the roof.

  But, no injury was going to stop Andrea from trying to gain the upper hand. However, such a feat was harder to accomplish with their skill set being near-equally matched. Andy was losing her focus, she felt separated from these happenings in a way that blurred her thoughts.

  She could remember being angry, but it had faded, and now she was tiring.

  "Hasn't anyone told you, 'never turn your back on your enemy,'" the man seethed as he hovered over her body. Andy merely scoffed, kneeing him in the gut and shoving him off of her.

  Andrea stood then, her movement slow but her eyes calculating as she stared down at the assassin. "Well, technically, I was facing you," she pointed out. There was a sly smirk on her lips.

  She watched as the man rose from the ground, but did nothing to stop him. As he dove towards her, Andy turned and dodged the punch that he threw her way. But, the attacks didn't stop there. She had to react quickly to defend herself as the man continuously fired hit after hit.

  Not once did he miss an opportunity and, with every blow, Andy found her stamina diminishing. Adrenaline was kicking in at this point. If she wanted any chance at finishing this fight, she was going to have to move a step ahead of the target.

  Once she found her opening, Andrea wasted no time. She ducked before quickly springing back up and bringing her fist to the man's lip. She put all her weight into the swing as it connected with the assassin's jaw. He stumbled backwards, stunned by the blow.

  It was only then that Andy took the opportunity to finally complete her crescent kick. She twisted her torso in a full-body twirl. Pivoting on her foot, Andrea lifted her leg and connected her heel with the man's face. With the impact, his hand released the knife.

  Momentum and the hardened edge of Andrea's boot sent the assassin staggering. He stumbled onto one knee, though he was quick to recover and regain footing. Andy pursed her lip as he dove for her. The reaction had been so sudden that she barely dodged his next punch.

  In that moment, as Andrea stumbled back, she lost her balance and fell to the ground.

  Exhaustion was getting the better of her. It had been a while since she'd been in a fight like this. It was a result of her own disregard for consistent training. With a tsk, Andy scolded herself. She'd always been arrogant in her skill.

  Now, it was that said overconfidence that may cost her life.

  However, when no attack came upon the open opportunity, Andrea felt confusion wash over her. From where she sat on the ground, she watched as the man stood motionless before her. He wasn't attacking; merely waiting for the next move. He was waiting on her to engage.

  The action proved the suspicions Andrea had all along; she'd never been the target. It had always been Fury─ and this assassin would pay for what he'd done. Andy felt her skin humming with energy and renewed anger. Her powers consumed her, urging her to let go of control.

  But, the Jones girl had seen the damage that came with this curse and she intended for only one man to feel her wrath tonight.

  Andrea teleported and reappeared just behind the assassin. She jumped, launching both feet at his unsuspecting back. The impact sent the man stumbling towards the edge of the roof. Andrea landed aptly on her back and kicked herself back into a stand.

  However, much to her dismay, she found that her efforts in eliminating the problem hadn't worked. The man turned to face Andrea with rage prominent on his expression. Clearly he hadn't expected her to play foul.

  "Here comes the hard part," she muttered as the man lunged and swung. She barely evaded the attack, but received a blow to the stomach for it instead. She felt herself choke, and oxygen seemed to escape her lungs as she fell to her knees.

  Andrea struggled to rise, forgetting about her control and allowing her anger to get the best of her. She picked up the knife abandoned on the ground, slashing at her opponents stomach before kicking his feet out from under him.

  But, he easily recovered, rolling back and coming to a stand.

  The assassin charged and Andy wasted no time in ducking under his swing. She elbowed his side, forcing herself to calm down as she watched his own anger get the best of him. Control wasn't coming easy for either of them.

  However, he was good. Right now, she had to focus on him as a whole. Though, Andy found that tactic failing as the man's foot hit her squarely in the chest. She was sent flying to the ground. The Jones girl pushed herself off the floor, acting as quickly as she could. But, she was roughly shoved down once more.

  Andrea huffed and tried to drag herself back from the man, but was stopped as he stepped on her ankle. She cried out, pain shooting through her leg. He removed his foot and Andy momentarily relaxed, but he wasn't done with her yet.

  She screamed as he stomped on her ankle once more, brutal and merciless.

  "If you want a bullet so bad, I'll give it to you," he seethed.

  In an instant, the man had pulled out a gun. His aim was steady as it settled on her head. Andy slowly lifted herself onto her elbows. She watched him carefully, ignoring the pounding in her ears and in her chest. His grip was sure and, yet, he didn't fire.

  As the seconds continued to pass, Andrea felt a slow satisfaction spread through her. She smiled, though the sight was more a menacing grimace. He was hesitating. She threw her head back and laughed. His gaze was burning on her now.

  However, she couldn't bring herself to care. Clearly he wasn't going to take that shot─ make that choice. How weak, Andy thought to herself─and so very different from the brutal murder he'd just committed 15 minutes ago.

  Andrea tilted her head to one side. Her eyes met his easily. "You want to shoot me? Go ahead. But, you know what'll haunt you after you're done." She knew she'd hit a nerve as the assassin put more pressure on her ankle.

  The female cursed, her leg lashing out.

  Though, she was quick to freeze upon the sight of the man steadying his aim once more. Everything was silent and the Jones girl felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized that, in a single moment, her life could end─ and she was the only one left to blame.

  She'd been too cocky, too angry, too human.

  What was happening to her? Grief and an intense desire for revenge were overriding every thought— every practiced attack, and meticulous defense that she tried to put up. She was losing composure and, should she lose all control, the end result would be fatal. This wasn't the woman Fury had trained.

This wasn't her at all.

  "So─ letting me go─ was that just for laughs so you could kill me here?" Andrea kept her eyes low as she spoke. At this point, anything might set the man off and now wasn't the time to be reckless in her skill. It was time for caution.

  Andy was treading on a minefield now and her own cunning was a must if she wanted to survive. And she promised herself that she was going to survive─ so that, when the time came, she would be ready to avenge Fury in a way that he deserved.

  She wouldn't let it end here, not like this.

  "No, letting you escape was a mistake," the man bit back at her, crouching as he drew closer. His presence demanded intimidation and fear. But, Andy wouldn't give him that satisfaction. The stubborn girl inside of her wanted to defy him; meet his eyes with a scalding look.

  But, years of training and cruel treatment had taught her better─ had honed her common sense─ so, she kept her gaze averted.

  However, that didn't mean she wasn't watching his every move. Waiting, calculating. The second that he relieved the pressure on her ankle, Andrea didn't hesitate to react. She kicked up and felt her foot connect with the gun before she rolled backwards. Andy landed in a crouch and was quick to move before the man could do it himself.

  She sprung towards him, lithe and lethal. She pounded her fists against his face─ two quick shots where his mask failed to cover. She ducked as he tried to make his own attack. But, he was stunned and staggering. Any blows he aimed bore fruitless.

  Andrea came in low, striking his chest and ribs before stepping back to study her work. The assassin's upper brow had been split and the sight drew a smirk from the Jones girl.

  "When I'm done, you'll bleed more than that," she told him, relaxing out of her stance.

  Her tone was cold, but Andy could hear own frustration; hidden traces she'd failed to hide. She wanted nothing more than to stay and end this right here, right now. But, as much as it burned her to admit it, she knew she wasn't ready. Not yet.

  However, when she was, this man would be six feet deep and Andrea would have learned a new lesson; one that taught her not to be afraid of her skills. But, rather, to use them to her advantage. Not for reasons that were selfish, but rather for the sake of protecting those who failed to do so for themselves.

  Andy would make sure that she held true to the vision Nick Fury had for her.

  The assassin lifted his arm to hold his side, where Andy had struck. His gaze was narrowed in a glare, though he made no attack. This fight was coming to a close and they both knew it. Andy felt her stomach turn. She hated this. She should've been strong enough to finish this here.

  "I'll find you again," she told him, the words a menacing promise.

  Almost begrudgingly, the man straightened his posture and nodded. As accepting as he appeared, however, his eyes told a different story. He seemed equally as frustrated with this turn of events. She was a nuisance that wasn't supposed to happen, but he was incapable of killing her.

  Andrea felt pride in knowing that he found her equally matched against him. Though, she promised herself that wouldn't be the case the next time they met. "I'll be waiting," the man replied, the words low and muffled beneath the mask.

  The Jones girl regarded the man with a wary nod and he did the same. An acknowledgment to both their skills. Within the next instant, Andy was gone.

▹

  Steve erupted almost as soon as Andrea arrived, limping onto the scene. "Where the hell have you been? Do you realize how dangerous this person could be?!" The brunette shot him a withering glare as she sat herself in the back of an ambulance.

  However, as irritated as she was, the Jones girl kept her mouth shut─ for now, at least. She could hardly process her own thoughts, never-mind an argument. Andrea's mind felt numb and incapable of much else. Andy winced as she rubbed at her ankle.

  But, as painful as it was to walk, she didn't bother asking for a medic. By morning, the pain would be gone and her wounds healed. Though, the process didn't exactly come as easily as it sounded. It was gradual and, while faster than a regular human's, it still took time.

  It wasn't the most comfortable of sensations either; with aches, discomfort, and itching skin as her body melded itself back together. Andy frowned. She definitely wasn't looking forward to that. She pressed her fingers against her skin, feeling warmth blooming across the area. She wasn't sure if it came with the swelling or her healing.

  As she pulled her hand back, Andrea lifted her gaze to find Steve waiting for an answer. She felt her body tense, as if expecting some form of attack. Though, if one came, she knew it wouldn't be physical.

  No, her and Steve reserved their strength for their words.

  The Rogers man was frowning, while his eyes held a storm. Had she been in the right state of mind, she might have recognized it as concern too. But, with everything that had happened, all Andy could see was an uncalled for anger that warranted yet another futile argument.

  As it appeared, arguments seemed to be all they had in common at the moment.

  "I don't take orders from you," Andrea seethed.

  In spite of her wound, she rose to a stand to level herself with Steve's gaze. In that moment, everything seemed to come to a tipping point inside of her; an apotheosis of pain and frustration. It was an untamed fire, spreading over her as she felt her heart ache with loss.

  Had she not suffered enough?

  Andy would have given anything to return to the life she'd had only a week prior. Now, it seemed like that was years away─ tempting with memory, but just out of grasp. Andrea wanted to collapse and scream her grief away to the world. But, she held in her pain. She wouldn't let Steve see her cry, not when tears seemed so useless now.

  She would save them for something that mattered.

  Her anger, on the other hand, was an unmanageable beast. "I don't need an argument, not while one of my friends is dying. You may not have liked Fury, but he was the only one there for me. Where the hell were you when I needed you the most?" She demanded.

  Steve's eyes sparked hurt as he opened his mouth to argue.

  But, Andrea wasn't finished─ not while her heart still burned with bitterness for the unfortunate life she'd been given. "Where the hell where you when HYDRA was using me as their lab rat and making me do their dirty work? Where were you when I was undergoing relentless torture? Where were you?!"

  It was like she couldn't stop. Every instance of pain and failure seemed to be pushing her to say things that she would never think to say. Her chest was heaving from exhaustion and shouting, but Andrea couldn't bring herself to care for the prying eyes that might have turned their way.

  She couldn't even care that she'd admitted to Steve what she swore she never could; that HYDRA had been her survival.

  All Andy could feel─ all she could cling to for comfort was her anger. She didn't know if it was an anger directed at herself or at the way the world had treated her. But, for once in her life, Andy wanted someone to hurt and she didn't want it to be her.

  Though, as the Jones girl felt guilt roll into her stomach, she knew that wasn't true.

  Andrea's gaze fell to the ground as Steve whispered a delicate, "What?" His tone could have been one of shock or horror. But, she couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye to see which it was. Her heart pounded as she waited for him to say something─ anything.

  In truth, she might have preferred it if he didn't say anything at all.

  Steve sputtered over his words for a few moments before he finally managed a coherent response. "How can you blame me for something like that?" His tone managed to sound both distressed and aggravated.

  Andy mustered up what was left of her courage to finally look up at Steve. His lips were parted in shock as he looked down at her. If he was disgusted by this part of her past, he didn't show it.

  "I..." Steve hesitated, "I was frozen, but if I'd known, I would've burned the ocean dry to get to you," he said and, though the words were softly spoken, they seemed to hold an overwhelming amount of weight in his delicate breath.

  Andrea couldn't help but give a bitter laugh. "So, what I'm hearing is you weren't there." Her heart hurt, "I needed you and you weren't there."

  She pushed closer, "The only reason I was captured was because I knew you and Buck couldn't be dead. The only reason I'm going through this now is because I was stupid enough to go looking for you fools." The tone of her voice seemed to bite with coldness.

  "I don't need an argument─ and I sure as hell don't need a lecture, especially not from you. The one time I needed you, you let me down." The words felt sour on her tongue and Andy knew that the tears welling in her eyes made the words less believable.

  But, she was tired. God, she was so tired. This life seemed unfair─ so many things had been given to her and, yet, they'd been robbed away all in the same breath. This world didn't care for her and it never had. She would have been wise to treat people the same way.

  "I can take care of myself. I don't need you, and I don't think I ever did." Andrea bit down hard on her tongue to keep herself from choking on sobs.

  Andy turned away from Steve. But, as she walked, she knew there was no erasing the expression of hurt written across his features or the way her heart felt like it might implode. No apology was going to free her of this guilt. 

  And in truth, she didn't want to be freed of it.

▹