CHAPTER SIXTEEN:
GIVE 'EM HELL

THE DUO CREPT THROUGH THE woods, keeping aware of their surroundings as they grew closer and closer to their destination. They stopped behind a few trees, the shinning of search lights grabbing their attention. One-hundred feet away was the HYDRA facility that they had been looking for.

Steve looked at Celeste for a moment, giving her a small nod. Celeste nodded back in response and kept her stance ready to fight if needed. At the sound of vehicles, the two turned their heads before quickly ducking down so that they were hidden. First, a motorcycle flew by, three army trucks following them. When the last truck passed them, the two quickly ran after it before jumping into the back. They looked up and noticed two men sitting there.

     "Fellas," Steve greeted and Celeste only glanced at the men with an angered look dancing within her eyes.

     "Gentlemen." The two lunged at the army soldiers. Celeste grabbed the one that was closest to her, dodging his punches and kneeing him hard in the stomach before slamming his head into her knee hard enough to knock him out. She quickly flipped the man out of the truck whilst Steve did the same. The angel glared at the men before turning towards Steve who had a surprised look covering his face. To say he underestimated the angel would be an understatement.

The two sat there quietly, patiently waiting for the trucks to park and making sure to keep their guards up in case they needed to attack. When the truck finally came to a stop, Steve stood at the opening with his shield in front of him. One of the HYDRA men lifted the back open and Steve quickly slammed his shield into his face, throwing him a couple feet backwards and knocking him out.

Steve quickly and quietly jumped out of the back, and Celeste followed him close behind. They made their way through the HYDRA base, making sure to avoid search lights as well as avoiding as many of the HYDRA men as they could. They jumped onto the wall of the building, keeping their bodies low so as to not get caught as they ran along the clear path as long as they could. When they entered the base, Celeste pulled out her gun, even though she had a feeling she wasn't going to be using it as much as she would her powers. Steve stood in front of one of the doors, looking inside before glancing at blonde. She gave him a small nod and with that, Steve knocked against the door.

One of the men opened it, looking at the two before Steve took it upon himself to slam the door into the man, pushing his head against the frame and knocking him out―︎if not killing him. Steve dragged his body away from sight before the two entered the room that was swarming with agents.

The two continued further into the room, making sure to look around before running so that they wouldn't get caught. Steve pulled out his gun, keeping it raised as they continued to grow deeper and deeper. They stopped when they saw something that had glowing blue cartridges. Steve went over to it, Celeste narrowing her eyes as she looked around to make sure no one came at them. He grabbed one, stuffing it into his pocket before running off again with Celeste following. They finally found what they were looking for, and surprisingly there was only one guard―︎who Steve was quick to knock out, grabbing the prisoners attention. They looked up as Steve grabbed the keys from the knocked out guard.

     "Who are you supposed to be?" A darker skinned man asked.

     "I'm. . . Captain America." He answered

     "I. . . beg your pardon?" Another asked.

     Celeste appeared, looking down at the group of men as she shook her head. "Don't question it."

She hopped up and followed after Steve to the lower level where he unlocked all of the prison cells. Celeste gently smiled at the group of men, glad to find that at least some of them were still alive. She moved to stand beside Steve as they all started walking away from the cells, following behind Steve as the man finally asked the million dollar question.

     "Is there anybody else? I'm looking for Sergent James Barnes."

     "There's an isolation ward in the factory, but no one's ever come back from it." James Falsworth answered him.

      "All right. The tree line is northwest, 80 yards past the gate. Get out fast and give 'em hell. We'll meet you guys in the clearing with anybody else we find." Steve ordered them. Steve started to walk away and Celeste followed him.

     "Wait! You know what you're doin'?"

     Steve turned back towards the man who had asked the question before answering with, "Yeah. I've knocked out Adolf Hitler over two hundred times." Celeste smirked in amusement at this as he continued forward.

The two quickly ran deeper into the building, coming across a few agents. Without sparing a glance, Celeste grabbed onto the wrist of a guard who had went to hit her. She turned her head to look at him with a raised eyebrow before slamming her hand against his chest, sending him flying across the room. Steve looked at the angel who gave him an innocent shrug in response. The duo continued forward, killing agents here and there before they finally found who it was that they were looking for.

They entered a room and Celeste froze in her steps. Bucky laid there on the table, his eyes full of something other than pain. It was like he wasn't fully there. Tears seemed to fill Celeste's eyes as the two ran over to him. Celeste placed a hand gently on Bucky's chest, before moving the other to cup his cheek as she looked down at the man she had grown to love.

     "Sergeant. 32557. . ." Bucky mumbled.

     Celeste closed her eyes before glancing towards Steve and turning back towards Bucky. "Bucky?" The angel whispered. "Bucky, can you hear me? It's Celeste. Steve's here too."

     "Steve?" Bucky muttered his best friends name in disbelief. Celeste's heart broke as she watched Steve start to pull the man from the table, Celeste helping him. "Celeste?"

     "Hey." Celeste offered him a small smile.

     "I thought you were dead." Steve breathed, grabbing Bucky's attention.

     "I thought you were smaller." Bucky mumbled back, confused.

     "Come on." The three walked out of the room, Steve helping Bucky whilst Celeste made sure to keep their path clear.

     "What happened to you?" Bucky questioned.

     "I joined the army." Steve responded, a smile twitching at the corners of his face. When it got to the point Steve was sure Bucky could stand up and walk on his own, he let go of him and Celeste moved to stand beside of the brunette.

     "Did it hurt?" Bucky continued.

     "A little." Steve nodded.

     "Is it permanent?"

     "So far." Steve hummed. The explosions of the factory continued to grow louder and louder the closer that they got towards the exit. And then they stopped. On the other side of the walk way stood the one person they had been trying to avoid. Johann Schmidt.