My eyes fluttered open and I looked around me, I looked to me in a hospital

"You're awake thank God" I heard Steve say beside me "Went to sleep on the quinjet home and we couldn't wake you. You've been out for 12 hours" he confirmed as I sat up "I brought you food" he added as he passed me a bag, "Figured you wouldn't want some crappy hospital food but they wouldn't let me take you home until you woke up so I had to improvise" he said as I opened the bag and saw a sandwich wrapped in cling film. I took it out and smiled at him

"Any excuse to take me home Rogers" I smirked as he rolled his eyes "So I can leave straight away?" I asked as he shook his head

"Doctors want to keep you in for another day but I know you... You'll leave anyway" he confirmed as I smiled at him "Come on then. I'll update you on the way home" I pulled the covers off me to see I was just in a hospital gown and some underwear. I quickly realised and pulled the covers over me as Steve laughed "What?" he chuckled "Nothing I haven't seen before. Did you forget how I learnt to knock?" he chuckled as he handed me some clothes. "Here. I mean they're mine but I'm sure the string on the joggers will adjust to fit you"

"Why would I need to do that when I'm just as big as you?" I joked as I took the clothes and Steve looked at me "Steve. I know you joked saying you've seen it before but I'd still like some privacy" I laughed as he jumped up from his seat next to my bed

"Right. Oh- Yeah. Sorry" he stumbled over his words as he loved out of the room. I slid out of the bed and pulled on the joggers, pausing and running my hand over the bandage on my calf, I pulled the string and fastened it so my pants didn't fall down. Grabbing the hem of the hospital gown I pulled it over my head and slipped into Steves top, I joke about being bigger than Captain America but truth my top I must look homeless right now, his clothes practically swallow me whole, My body relaxed as I told Steve he could come back in and he stopped in the doorway to look at me. I began to pull on a jacket he'd also given me.

"Why don't you take a picture Cap. It'll last longer" I joked as he shook his head "How do I look?"

"You look as beautiful as ever" he smiled as I rolled my eyes "You think you can manage a ride of the bike? We can order a Taxi if you'd like" he added as I shook my head and opened my food

"And miss the opportunity to be a passenger to Captain America?" I chuckled as I grabbed my boots "No Sir" I went to put them on, this was definitely not a look. Combat boots, joggers and a top that was about 8 sizes too big. Steve guided me out the door "So what's the update?" I asked as we made our way to a lift, I took a bite of my sandwich as Steve began explaining

"Spoke to Fury. He confirmed Nat had a different mission to us, I've not seen her at all since leaving the quinjet. I know she visited you whilst I was running some errands though. Doctors told me" he informed as we stepped in the lift "Fury has this project- Project Insight, shield will have some carriers up in the air. Three to be precise and they're equipped to neutralize threats before they happe-"

"Wait so they're threatening to kill people?" I asked as Steve shrugged

"Calling it protection, taking out people who could cause damage" he pressed the ground floor button and we started descending

"That's not right Steve. I would've been one of those people at one point and I-"

"I know Ellie. I don't agree with it either. I don't know what we can do though... I tried to talk Fury out of it but it was like he wasn't listening" Soon enough we were at the ground floor and we walked out of the building, not even bothering to check out. "You sure you're OK to ride?" he asked as I nodded

"Captain you underestimate me... Just don't drive recklessly. I'm still a little fragile" I joked as we approached his bike. He quickly started it up and I hopped on, wrapping my arms around his torso as we set off. The cool air of the night was quite nice on my skin and it lightly blew up my joggers, allowing my burn to get some air. I was in a bliss and before I knew it we were at Steves apartment complex "Not to be rude but do you expect me to walk from here?" I chuckled as we got off the bike and Steve threw the keys in his pocket

"You may not except the watchful eye of a Doctor for the night but you best believe I won't allow you to be alone at the moment. You're staying here"

"Like I said, any excuse to take me home Rogers" I chuckled as we entered the building and started ascending the stairs. As we approached the second floor there was a lady on the phone with a basket of laundry in her arms

"So sweet. That's so nice" she said "Hi" she smiled at Steve "I got to go, though" she told whoever she was on the phone with "Okay. Bye! My Aunt, she's kind of an insomniac" she chuckled as he put her phone on the laundry pile she held in her arms.

"Hey if you want..." Steve began to say "If you want, you're welcome to use my machine. Might be cheaper than the one in the basement" he offered as she smiled at him before looking at me

"Thank you, but I already have a load in downstairs and I uh- you don't really want my scrubs in your machine. I just finished a rotation in the infectious disease ward so..."

"Ahh, well I'll keep my distance" Steve chuckled as she forced a smile

"Hopefully not too far" There it was again, that twang in my chest. "Oh. I think you left your stereo on" she confirmed before walking away. I smiled at Steve and raised my eyebrows

"Nats nurse across the hall I take it. She seems ni-"

"Ellie. I only have a record player. I don't own a stereo" he said as my face dropped. That means that there is someone in his apartment, playing the music "You take the door, I'll get the window" he told me as I nodded and he jumped onto the outside fire escape through the widow in the hall. I slowly began to open the door and check the place over. Steve jumped through the window and I saw him grab his shield from the side. I pointed towards the living room where the noise was coming from and we both advanced forward before seeing what looked to be a beat up Fury sat in his armchair. "I don't remember giving you a key" Steve said as we both came out and looked at Fury who grunted as he sat up straighter in the chair

"You really think I'd need one?" he asked "My wife kicked me out" he explained

"I didn't know you were married" I raised an eyebrow at him

"A lot of things you don't know about me" Fury chuckled

"We know Nick, that's the problem" Steve pushed as he turned on the lamp next to Fury. Fury's eyes went wide as he turned the light off and showed his phone which read 'EARS EVERYWHERE' Steve and I looked at each other with worry before looking around.

"I'm sorry to have to do this, but I had no place else to crash" He turned his phone once more 'SHIELD COMPROMISED' well shit-

"Who else knows about your wife?" I asked him, hoping he could tell us who the bad guys were, Fury groaned as he stood up and walked towards us, he turned his phone once more 'US'

"Just... My friends" he smiled as I watched him, whoever got to him really shook him up

"Is that what we are?" Steve questioned as he pulled me away from Fury and behind him slightly

"That's up to you" Fury challenged. GET DOWN.

"Get down!" I shouted as they both looked at me in confusion, not even a moment later bullets flew through the wall and into Nick "NICK!" I screamed as Steve quickly pulled him away from the line of fire, Nick grabbed both of our arms and handed Steve the drive that Nat had backed up from the ship

"Don't... Trust... Anyone" he said between coughing fits, there was banging on the door and soon enough it was busted down before... The nurse came in?

"Captain Rogers, Eleamentor?" she said as she had a gun raised, looking around the apartment "Captain, I'm Agent 13 of S.H.I.E.L.D Special Service" she panted as she came up to us, gun still raised. Alright well lower the weapon then.

"Kate?" Steve questioned

"I'm assigned to protect you" she gasped as she checked the rooms to ensure they were clear

"On whose order?" I asked as she turned around to see Fury on the floor and gasped

"His" she threw herself and Fury and checked for a pulse before pulling out a walkie "Foxtrot is down, he's unresponsive. I need EMTs" she informed whoever was on the other end as Steve looked at me

"Do we have a 20 on the shooter?" a voice came through the radio as I looked through the window and saw a figure running away

"In pursuit" I shouted as I grabbed Steve's lamp "I'll buy you a new one" I said as I threw it and smashed the window before jumping out and letting the wind thrust me up to the other building. I heard Steve jump after me and land in the floor below as I took off running after the mysterious person. With my arms helping me gain momentum to run I wasn't able to move them and gust any wind at this guy, looks like it was an on foot chase, he leapt from this building over to the next one and I didn't hesitate to follow. As I landed I quickly rolled over to break my fall and pulled my arms into me, allowing a gust of wind to blow the guy back. Just then Steve jumped out of the window from the building, landing and throwing his shield. We got him! Wait- What? The guy was now... holding the shield. Did you just catch it? My arms dropped as I was distracted and before I knew it, the shield was thrown back at Steve, who caught it and the masked man jumped off the building. Steve and I ran to the edge but didn't see a way down "What was that?" I asked as Steve looked at me

"I have no idea, but he's dangerous" Steve responded "Why did he want to come after Fury?" the sound of sirens filled the street

"Come on Steve, let's get back to him" I said as we began to run towards the building we'd both come from "I've got you" I told him as I raised my arms and the wind flung us up to the next building. We continued running and it wasn't long before we were back in Steve's apartment

"Captain... Eleanor, the ambulance have taken Director Fury" the nurse, or Agent 13 said as Steve looked at me and I nodded, knowing full well he was asking me if I wanted to come. I'd just gotten out of hospital but that didn't matter. Fury could die. It wasn't long before we reached his motorbike in the alley

"Do you want to stop at yours and grab some clothes?" he asked as he started the bike up

"No time for that Cap, let's just go" I said as he got on the bike, I hopped on behind him, wrapped my arms around him and within seconds we were on our way to the hospital. Fury couldn't die, that son of a bitch owed me an explanation. Stay with us, Nick. It didn't take long even with Steves driving to get to the hospital and we barged in through the doors to be greeted with Agent Hill. I saw tears in her eyes and did something I never thought I'd do, I pulled her in for a hug. This woman, practically a stranger and I was hugging her.

"He's this way" she muttered as she led us through the halls of the hospital and into a room where we could see the operating surgery. Fury was laid on a table with multiple Doctors and Nurses surrounding him "I-I need to make a phone call" Hill sobbed as she walked to the other side of the room. My breathing increased rapidly as I watched the Doctors work on him and Steve came up and wrapped his arm around me. Just then Nat burst through the door and looked into the theatre

"Is he going to make it?" she asked as she looked at us

"I don't know" Steve admitted as he gripped my shoulder tighter

"Tell me about the shooter" she demanded

"He's fast... And strong" I told her, her eyes never leaving Fury's body "Had a metal arm" Hill joined us at the window as we all looked over Fury. From inside the theatre I imagined we looked like puppies in a pet shop window, all begging to be taken to a new home

"Ballistics?" Nat questioned

"Three slugs, no rifling... Completely untraceable" Hill confirmed as I blinked away tears that were filling my eyes up

"Soviet-made" Nat almost told us as I looked at her "You know him?" she asked as I nodded. I went to respond as the beeping in Furys room increased. Doctors hustled around him and one grabbed a defibrillator before charging and placing it on his chest. My vision went blurry as I watched them repeatedly try to jump start his heart into working again. I heard Nat whispering to herself as a Doctor checked for a pulse, he closed his eyes and shook his head. He's gone.

"Come on" Steve told me as e walked me out of the room "It's gonna be OK" he told me as he pulled me into a hug. I refuse to cry over Nicholas Fury. I pulled away and he sent me a small smile

"I'm OK, Steve. I promise" I assured him "Are you?"

"I'll be OK" he confirmed, he pulled out the hard drive and we looked at it "We need to find out what's on this" I nodded and he quickly put it back away as Agent Hill came out to see us. She bursted into tears and I hugged her once more, running my fingers through her hair and shushing her. She sobbed some more before pulling away

"Hey, it'll all be OK" I tried to convince her as she sniffled and nodded

"I'm going to go to the ladies room" she told me as she walked off towards the toilets, probably to clean herself up. I turned back to Steve who was watching me intently

"You're very comforting" he said as I tilted my head in confusion "I've never seen this side of you" I smiled at him as I sat down on a bench outside the room, we needed Fury now more than ever. I wanted answers about my Dad. I wanted answers about what he showed us in Steve's apartment. Now we were going to have to find them on our own. Nat came out with tear in her eyes and I looked up to meet her gaze as she smiled lightly at me

"Come here" I whispered as she sat down beside me and I cuddled her, she was close with Nick. This was bound to hit her hard. She rested her head in my lap as I tickled her back. Rumlow and Jasper Sitwell came out of the viewing room

"You guys OK?" Rumlow asked as he looked between us all, his eyes lingering on me

"We'll be OK" Steve stepped forward as a Doctor approached us all

"We're going to get him cleaned up, then you can visit him if you'd like" he said as Steve dismissed him with a nod. I heard Nat sob in my lap and I continued to lull her. Steve sat on the other side of me as he placed an arm around me once more and pulled me into him

"Don't think because I'm upset I won't make jokes about you two getting close" Nat sobbed as I chuckled, there she is. She sat up and looked at me "I'm so sorry about your leg El. I shouldn't hav-" I interrupted her, she will not take the blame for this. Not to shit on his grave, but it was Fury's fault for not informing us we had different missions

"Hey, it's fine. I needed a cool battle scar anyway" I joked as she smiled and wiped her eyes "Back to what you said in there... You can't think" I began to say as she nodded. i thought the Winter Soldier was a ghost story? Something we were told at training to freak us out a little? Surely he wasn't real. I leant back on Steve who rubbed my arm and I closed my eyes, today had been a mess and I'd been asleep for half of it.

"Rumlow, heading our way" he muttered as my eyes shot open to see Rumlow standing in front of us "How can we help?" Steve asked as I didn't move

"I just wanted you to know I'm here for you if you need me Eleanor" he confirmed as I smiled

"Thanks Rumlow, but I have my family here for consolidation if I need it" I told him as he looked between Steve and I "I hope you're handling it well"

"Look I know now isn't the best time to ask but I was wondering if you wanted to go on a da-"

"He's ready for you to see him now" A Doctor called over to us. Mr Doctor Sir I could kiss you. Nat jumped up and pulled me to follow the Doctor, Steve following shortly behind

"Saved by the Doc" Nat winked as I chuckled "Though I don't think Steve would've allowed you to go on a date with him. You two have gotten pretty close" she smiled as we entered a room "I think that...." she stopped speaking as her eyes fell on Fury's body. He was laid on a slab with a sheet covering his body. Nat dropped my arm and walked up to him whilst I kept my distance. I was joined by Steve and we all remained silent. It wasn't long before Hill joined us in the room.

"I need to take him" she muttered as I looked over at her tear-stained face and then back to Nat who hadn't budged. Steve went to approach her and I stopped him before stepping forward myself and taking her hand.

"Nat" I said softly, he let go on my hand and caressed Nicks cheek before turning and leaving the room, barging my shoulder on the way out. I turned and looked at Steve, pain in my eyes. I hated seeing my best friend in pain. Steve followed Nat out and I have Hill a hug before joining them.

"Cap, Eleanor, they want you back at S.H.I.E.LD" Rumlow said as I entered the hallway.

"Yeah, give us a second" Steve told Rumlow

"They want you now" he pushed as he looked between Steve and I

"OK" I said to Rumlow, flashing him a smile as he turned and began to walk away

"You're a terrible liar" Nat said to Steve as she looked at me "and I never thought you'd lie to me" she added as she walked away. My head dropped to the floor as Steve pulled me into a hug

"S.T.R.I.K.E team, escort Captain Rogers and Miss Rice back to S.H.I.E.L.D immediately for questioning" I heard over the S.T.R.I.K.E teams radios, I looked up at Steve

"Give me the drive" I whispered as he grabbed it from his pocket and handed it to me discreetly, I quickly slipped it in my bra and Steve gave me a look "They can't pat me down there" I told him as we walked towards Rumlow

"Let's go" he said as we both nodded and began walking with him "S.T.R.I.K.E, move it out" he ordered

A/N - Oooooh we're entering the Winter Soldier stage!! Also I'm working on a Bucky fanfic too. Interested to know if anyone is interested?