┌────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────────┐

"𝒴𝑜𝓊'𝓇𝑒 𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃 𝒻𝓊𝒸𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒾𝒸𝑒."

└──────────⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────────┘

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As Juniper waits for the elevator to open, as she ignores the new phone ringing off its hinges that Brock gave her on their way back since hers was destroyed in the accident, Steve approaches her.

"I'm sorry about Nick." He says gently, speaking with caution as to not set her off.

She lets out a large, heavy breath that had been weighting her down. "Thank you." She wanted to ask him if he still had the flash drive in his possession—though that would be foolish of him, but it was not the right place. Nor time.

It never is.

The doors open for both to step inside. A chuckle graces her lips, realizing they were in this same predicament yesterday, though that felt like forever ago now.

Steve grips the railing, his body facing the glass as he voice commands the elevator.

"Operations Control."

"Confirmed." The computer chimes.

"Keep all S.T.R.I.K.E. personnel on site." Brock orders his team as he sticks he hand in between the closing doors. He glances at Steve before his eyes land on his wife.

"Yes, sir."

Juniper's spine stiffens as she snaps her attention to him.

"Juniper." His face softens, but not his eyes, as he opens his arm for her. "Baby, I was just calling you."

Her mouth keeps a flat line while she reluctantly steps over to him. He kisses her temple as he jerks her into his body.

"Forensics." He announces.

"Confirmed." The computer repeats.

"You're on thin fucking ice." He whispers lowly into Juniper's ear as his grip on her tightens and he glues her to his side. "Cap." His voice is normal once again as finally acknowledging Steve.

Steve glances up, forcefully breaking from his thoughts. "Rumlow." He turns to face forward, making eye contact with Juniper as she glances over her shoulder.

The doors finally shut.

"Evidence Response found some fibers on the roof they want us to see to." Brock turns to Steve, releasing Juniper's arm to rest his hand on her lower back, loosely gripping her waist. "You want me to get the tac team ready?" He asks eagerly, ready to go.

"No, let's wait and see what it is first." Steve responds with, shifting his gaze down.

"Right." Brock sighs. "What you thinking for dinner tonight, baby, steak?" He leans in closer to June.

She looks in him in disbelief and disgust... How is he having a conversation about dinner right now?

Out of the corner of her eye she notices one of the S.T.R.I.K.E. men's hand resting on his gun, not comfortably, no. On edge, like he's ready to pull it at any moment.

"Mhmm." Juniper hums in response, ignoring the adrenaline rushing to her chest and the numbing ache of her arm.

'You're on thin fucking ice.'

She clears her throat, putting merely a few millimeters of space between her and Brock as she reaches down for her lipstick that she has in her boot. Brock watches her closely as she twists tube in between her fingers, rising back up as she swallows and slowly paints her lips red.

The two S.T.R.I.K.E. men standing closest to the door in front of her shift uncomfortablly, looking in complete opposite directions of each other.

Juniper begins feeling very claustrophobic, and wonders why she didn't just take the stairs.

Could've fled the building much faster...

And where would you go, Juniper? She asks herself.

Home. And quickly grab her emergency on-the-go bag? No. Going home first would be too risky— well, she can't go anywhere now, can she?

The elevator comes to a stop and four more men step on, deep in their conversation.

Juniper pops her lips as she continues applying the scarlet paint. Brock glances at her like she should be done by now before placing his hand on her shoulder and scooting them over to the side to make room.

"Administrations level." One of the newcomers speaks.

"Confirmed." The computer repeats once again. Brock quickly glances over his shoulder as one of the men step beside Steve.

"Excuse me."

And another two pile on.

Oh dear God, how many more are going to try to fit on here? Juniper wants to voice out loud, but rather she takes a deep breath to calm her irritation and nerves instead.

It's just an elevator ride. Why was she feeling so... off about it?

Steve moves his way up to stand directly behind the married couple.

"I'm sorry about what happened with Fury." Brock says over his shoulder to Steve. Juniper scoffs
quietly— he didn't give a shit about that at the hospital. "He was family." He takes Juniper's hand
in his.

He was my family, she wanted to say. But what kind of marriage would that be, right?

"It's messed up, what happened to him." Brock proceeds. "I know it hit hard." He looks to his wife solemnly and in that moment she wants nothing more than to scream. "Right, babe?"

She simple nods, grinding her teeth together silently. Steve furrows his brows, remembering the interaction between the two being far more tense and uptight at the hospital.

It's gotta be an act, he thinks to himself. "Thank you." He responds up all the same.

Juniper almost shakes her head, but doesn't, remembering who was there for the Captain when he was pulled out of the ice. Nick. And herself.

But that's a long road to let her thoughts go down, some other time.

She shakes it off, forcing herself to be aware of her crowded surroundings, and not get lost in thought.

Steve glances over to his left, watching one of the men mumble as he watches a bead of sweat slip down the man's dark skin.

The door opens once again for three more men and Juniper's mouth actually parts this time. They were some of S.T.R.I.K.E.'s top men. Her brows furrow, Steve told Brock to wait.

"Records." One of them says.

"Confirmed."

"Isn't it getting a little crowded in here." She murmurs close to Brock's ear.

"We'll be off soon." He answers quietly, as she notices him slide a needle from his sleeve into his hand. Her jaw tightens.

Steve looks all around as realization washes over him, drowning all his senses...

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𝟶ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʙɪsᴄᴜɪᴛ𝟽 sᴘᴇᴀᴋs!

Hello lovelies!!

The famous elevator scene is hereeee ;)

I split this chapter into two, left y'all on a cliffhanger hehe, bc it was SO long and I didn't want it to be lol, so I found the perfect split!

This scene feels like such strong anxiety and anticipation as the men just keep piling on to the elevator... ughhh I love it.

Hope y'all enjoyeddd!! Don't forget to comment y'all's thoughts, questions, and reactions!! Juniper is FINALLY coming to her senses, and her agent senses are kicking in!! Whooo!!

ANDDD!! Happy 10 year anniversary to CATWS!! One of my fav Marvel movies, def one of the best ones in general, everything is just chefs kiss! I CANNOT believe this movie is 10 years old... wtf.

Anywayssss, see y'all in the next chapter, mwauh! 💋