DARKNESS.
011. | ❛ suit up. ❜

THEY ALL CRAMMED INSIDE AN OUTDATED BLUE BUGGY ON THEIR WAY TO MEET WITH SHARON. ALTHOUGH IT WAS QUITE A SMALL SPACE, THEY HAD TO DEAL WITH IT. THE BUGGY WAS LOW PROFILE AND IT WAS EASY TO ACCESS. The car pulled up underneath a concrete underpass,
the car rumbling slowly as it came to a stop. Caroline connected her hands with Steve's on top of the center console, running her thumb over the the side of his hand while they waited.

From the rear view mirror, she could see Kiara and Bucky comfortable beside each other with Sam upset that Caroline called shotgun first. Her eyes flashed forward as another car pulled into the underpass ahead of them. Steve's eyes quickly connect with Caroline's before they pushed at the door, stepping out of the car in one fluid motion.

"Not sure you understand the concept of a getaway car." Sharon remarked mockingly, making you smile slightly, before they slammed their doors and walking towards her,

"Well, Peggy taught me how to hide in plain sight. And it's low profile." Caroline replied giving Sharon a hug when she was in her proximity. Steve gave a handshake to her and a smile to her, as the two stood before the trunk of the car.

"Good, because this stuff tends to draw a crowd." Sharon opened her trunk, revealing Steve's shield and Falcons wings, and Caroline heard Sam excitement through her enhanced hearing.

"We owe you again." Steve admits grateful for their ally.

"Anything for you two. But be warned that I'm keeping a list." Sharon jokes before the three look over to the car. "You know, he kinda tried to kill me."

"Sorry. We'll put it on the list, too. They're going to come looking for you." Steve warns her to which she nods knowing perfectly the consequences of helping them.

"I know." She acknowledges before giving the pair a small smile.

Caroline throws herself once more at Sharon, this time holding on even longer and whispering in her ear, "Thank you, Sharon. Stay safe, and watch your back."

Sharon pats Caroline's back and firmly nods before pulling away, and back into her car. Steve grabs their gear, and walks back to the car. She appreciated what Sharon was doing, and everyone who teamed up on their side. But she had a bad feeling about the battle they were going into, not knowing if she would come out in one piece this time.

───◯───

The small blue buggy turns quickly around the corners as Steve drives hurriedly down the ramps of the empty garage. Finally, the car turns tightly into an empty spot, a white van a few spaces over from theirs. Steve parks the car, stepping out hurriedly, the rest of them following quickly behind him.

Caroline remains still watching the van, her shoulders rolling back into a defensive and protective posture next to Steve. Then suddenly she sees Wanda's head poke out from the passenger seat of the van moments before Clint appears around the back. Her shoulders immediately relax as she registers her friends.

"Cap," Clint says, a small smile pulling at his lips as Wanda climbs out of the car.

"You know I wouldn't have called if I had any other choice." Steve responds, his posture falling back into his normal Captain's stance as he shakes Clint's hand.

"Hey, man, you're doing me a favor." Clint responds as Caroline rush towards him, happily throwing herself into the arms of her best friend. He had been the one to save her from Wanda's vision back in Wakanda. Clint and Natasha were the first friends she made; considering that she brought both of them in. His hands wrapped around her tightly, pulling her closely to his chest as he lifted her slightly off the ground. For a moment Caroline wanted to cry, realizing how long it had been and how much she had missed him.

"Besides, I owe a debt." Clint says softly, still looking at Cap as they hugged. Finally dislodged from him, beaming ear to ear as she turned to Wanda, moving forward to wrap her in a tight hug.

"Thanks for having my back," She whispered softly in her ear, smiling as the two rocked back and forth slightly in a tight embrace. She pulls away slightly, smiling as she looked Care up and down, noting the new marks and bruises she had received since last they'd seen each other.

"It was time to get off my ass." She says.

"How about our other recruit?" He inquires, his gaze shifting to the van.

"He's rarin' to go!" Clint laughs amusedly as he roughly pulls back the sliding door of the van. "Had to put a little coffee in him but he should be good."

The sleeping man in the back seat jerks forward, startling awake. Sam's recruit steps from the van as Caroline and Steve exchange skeptical looks with Sam, who just nods confidently, his arms crossing defensively across his chest.

"What time zone is this?" The man says as he blinks ferociously at the bright light of the sun.

"Come on Scott. Come on." Clint says pushing Scott forward towards Steve, Caroline give Wanda's hand a small squeeze as she released her, and went to Steve's side.

Scott walks dazedly towards Steve, and looking to his side as Caroline approaches him from the right, before settling next to Steve.

Scott shakes Steve's hand with an amazed look, "Captain America."

"Mr. Lang." Steve formally addressed.

"It's an honour. I'm shaking your hand too long. Wow! This is awesome! Captain America." He looks back and forth between Caroline and Wanda. "I know you guys, too. You're great!"

He turns back and feels Steve's shoulders, "Jeez. Ah, look, I wanna say, I know you know a lot of super people, so... thanks for thinking of me."

"Hey man!" Scott exclaims loudly, looking over at Sam.

"What's up tic tac," Sam responds threateningly, his arms still crossed defensively.

"Look... what happened last time..." Scott starts to explain, but Sam quickly breaks, smiling slightly as he interrupts Scott.

"It was a great audition, but it'll never happen again." He laughs, the small sound of a threat still present in his voice.

"They tell you what we're up against?" Steve asks, drawing Scott's attention back to him but not before he glances momentarily at Caroline, Sam, Kiara, and Bucky.

"Something about some psycho-assassins?" Scott responds, raising an eyebrow at Steve to display his own skepticism.

"We're outside the law on this one. So if you come with us you're a wanted man," Steve speaks clearly, making sure Scott knows exactly what he's signing up for.

"What else is new?"

"We should get moving." Bucky's voice started slightly as he brought focus back to the current situation.

"We got a chopper lined up." Clint responds, immediately clicking into work mode. Steve smiles slightly, appreciating the reliability of his friends. Suddenly, a siren sounds as a German voice echoes over an intercom throughout the parking complex.

Everyone tenses and looks around, Bucky listen's carefully to the announcement before explaining a translation, "They're evacuating the airport."

"Stark," Caroline growled slightly.

"Stark?" Scott questions, looking confused.

Steve nods as if making a decision before announcing to the team at large. "Suit up."