THE JET FLEW BY THE DARK SKIES in obvious hurry. The whole team in frantic hurry as Y/N sat on the floor, weak eyed and slight disorientation.

"I need aid-response team on Level 4, stat." Rumlow directed, Steve stood at the cockpit, doing his best to defuse the situation.

"Is there anyway way you can hurry?" Rogers asked.

"Cap, this is the fastest we can ever go."

Steve sighed, deeply, In hopes of releasing the stress that is overwhelming him now. Nat crouched down at Y/N, eye-to-eye, her worries growing from her core as she did her best to comfort the L/N.

"Look at me. Just hang on tight, we're almost there." She knew damn well that last line was a lie, but that didn't matter. She was pulling out trick after trick to help Y/N, but to no use.

Y/N coughed another load of blood, placing his hand out. "I need... I need something to cough on..." He weakly says to Nat who surprisingly and immediately did what was ordered.

"Hang in there, bud." Steve says, glancing at the sick figure. "We can't lose you.. just yet."

"Very reassuring." Nat sarcastically remarked, handing Y/N a towel since she couldn't find a bucket. "Stay with me.."

Y/N weakly shook his head.

"I'm clocking- [cough]- I'm clocking out." His eyes unconsciously getting closer to contact, you could barely see his pupils. "I don't think I can make it-"

"Don't say that!" Nat cutted off, making sure to not only reassure the L/N, not to the crew, but for her sake too. "That's not an option, just- er! Just open your eyes for a few damn seconds."

The popping veins out of his neck got worse, it was now clearly visible. Even worse was, it took a dark color. His body slightly shutting down from time to time, he couldn't think straight. He gathered enough strength to weakly chuckle, shaking his head.

"I should've... I should've never took it..."

Steve furrowed his brows at the L/N, curious from his statement. "Should've never took what?"

He never received an answer as Y/N let out one last cough before blacking out. The voice of Nat was the last thing he could hear, but he couldn't make out the words. It was all mumbly, his vision was blurry until darkness took over.

Y/N'S EYES FLUTTERED OPEN. The only sound he could make out was rhythmic beep. First instinct was to rub his eyes, that act was scrapped when he felt pressure on the side of his bed. Nat had both her arms stacked, head laying on top.

Y/N smiled.

His sudden movements were enough for Nat to stir awake, a groan escaping as she let out a small yawn, stretching while at it. When her mind was now fully awake, her eyes landed on Y/N, widening it at the process.

She quickly stood up, making her way to the door. "He's awake!" She yelled, you could hear it echo through the distant hall. She made her way back to Y/N, inspecting him. "You died like two times."

Y/N scoffed. "I'm alive now, aren't I?" He weakly states, giving her a reassuring smile. "What did they do?"

"They found a temporary fix- Keyword, Temporary. They just took out a small sample of your blood to che-"

"They what!?" Y/N suddenly exclaimed, slightly panicking. "W-What are they gonna do with it!?"

As he asked, Fury bursted into the room. Doctors trailing behind him, a sharp glare towards the L/N as he clenched his jaw.

Oh shit.

"Explain!" Fury yelled, though earning a confused look from Romanoff. Y/N in the other hand, kept it neutral.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Lie.

A few seconds later, Cap enters the room. He could feel the tension in the air.

"Doctor, please." Fury directed to one of the leads who immediately nodded. The doctor swiping his tablet before the screen was now sharing on the television at the side.

"Your blood was fine--"

"So what seems to be the pro--"

"I am not finished." The doctor cutted off, calmly placing a hand up. "As I was saying, your blood was fine... months ago. When we took another one earlier, the results are... let's just say... fascinating...?"

Y/N sucked his teeth. "What did you find?"

"I compared the blood test of present you to Mr. Rogers over here to find some sort of data tracing. What Fury wants an explanation of was why it was of sorts.... similar?"

All faces turned to Y/N who laid there, a sigh of defeat. "Yes, months ago I was completely healthy. When Fury ordered a blood test, results came in and all with the same conclusion. 'odd' or 'unique' were the same words that would repeat in their mouths." Y/N started opening up an explanation as everyone listened in. "So I visited.... a certain place and found out.... I...."

"Spit it out."

"Relax."

Y/N bit his lip, another sigh. "I found out... I am of inhuman descent. Mother's side." He unconsciously looked over everyone's faces. Either shocked or confused. "But to answer any potential questions, No, I am not inhuman. I just have the unique genes."

"Then why are you sick?"

"Not too long ago, when I found out, a certain person suggested to enhance what was inside of me. Find something or create something that would enhance what is already given to me and give me what I need." He clenched his jaw as he slowly looked at Steve. "I think we all know what we are talking about...."

Romanoff quirked an eyebrow, looking around the room. "What?"

Steve slowly shook his head, disappointed. "The super soldier serum.." He mumbled, now everything was piecing together.

"Then why are these side effect occurring?"

"As you all know, the serum has not been tapped with and resolved since the passing of Dr. Erskine. So in simple terms... I took an Imperfect serum..." A weak smile curving on his lips as he lifts his head up. "The plan was to maybe embrace those genes, possibly unlock something."

"At what cost?" Fury asked, tilting his head.

"Possibly, my life." He weakly chuckled out. "Since it was imperfect, I'm not too sure if it did what was planned. Although it enhance my abilities like Steve's but.... I'm starting to think it wasn't worth it."

Collected sighs were heard.

"So, you risked your own life for the sake of science for it to be slowly killing you?" Fury says, an amused look. "Correct?"

Y/N looked down, reluctantly nodding. "Yes... You are correct..." Everyone was disappointed, even he himself was disappointed at himself. "I know it was a mistake... I am sorry."

"No, We're done here. Call in Stark and Banner..." Fury exhaustingly lets out, exiting the quite awkward and tension filled room.

Y/N laid there, not a blank look, but not an emotional one. Clueless? Maybe. Confused? Could be. See, even he himself doesn't even know what to do. It was a stupid decision on his part, and he knew it.

Doctors left the room.

Even, Cap left the room.

Yet... Nat stayed.

Yes, the last person who he had thought would even be here, was definitely there for him.

Nat sighed, holding up some sort of needle. "You know, the nurses are supposed to be doing this. Not me." She explained. "This is your temporary fix. It will stop whatever-- side effects are occurring. We used this same one to temporarily defuse Tony's poisoning, remember?"

Y/N nodded. "I do." He replied, flashing a small smile at Romanoff who slowly did the work herself. Y/N was too distracted for some reason, admiring something... about her.

"Are you not mad at me?." He suddenly thought outload, earning a confused look from Nat.

"Why would you think that?" She asked, in genuine concern.

Y/N scoffed at her. "A few years ago, you were treating me like an asshole. Small things were already a big bother to you."

Nat clenched her jaw, sighing as she took a seat. "I guess I was a bit harsh on you..." She admitted.

Y/N raised an eyebrow. "A bit?" He repeated in a weak teasing tone. "But, i am really sorry though... for not speaking out soon."

Nat sighed. "If this was a few years ago, i'd be celebrating." Romanoff jokes, earning a weak chuckle out of Y/N.

"But are you though?"

"Am i what?"

"Celebrating?"

Nat slowly shook her head, a small yet assuring smile curving it's way. "No.... No, I'm not." If there was a way for her smile to widen, it did. But she remembered something, pulling out a piece of paper out of her jacket. "I found this in your pocket, care to explain?"

A smile made it's way on Y/N's face. Weak yet, it was definitely a sight to see if one were lucky.

"When i retired, I had chosen different destinations to isolate in. Obviously, New York, but there were more." He opened up, slowly grabbing the paper off of Nat's grasp. "Tokyo, Manila- Wakanda was also an option... but i wanted to stay in a more...lonely place. This piece of paper is a property deed in Westview. It was where i was supposed to stay before choosing to occupy in my hometown, which is the complete opposite of what I wanted... but it was home."

"And... Why do you still have it."

Y/N shrugged. "I could give it away... sell it... maybe even keep it just incase i permanently retire in the future. There's a lot of opportunities." Y/N let out a weak laugh. "Who knows?"

Both chuckled. Both in comfort after staying in a state both would've never thought they would be in. Peace.

It was rare for the two, if not, impossible to have a room where Y/N and Romanoff were not arguing. Not only were they in peace, not only was it quiet, both were actually enjoying it.

Just too afraid to admit it.

It was a strange feeling.

A FEW HOURS PASSED BY and Y/N was left with his own thoughts. Nat had left because she had to take care of some of her own business, making sure that she is notified when Y/N needs something.

But he was snapped out of his thoughts when he could hear the distant chatter through the halls.

'Fury has been compromised.'

When we transition back to the bed, Y/N was already gone, His med-injection also with him.

AFTER STEVE TALKED TO HIS NEIGHBOR, keys rattling as he fumbled with the pieces of metal. Suspicion overgrowing when he was told his 'stereo was on.'

Suspicious indeed.

He listened in on his door, the muffled sounds of old music slowly playing. He chose a different route to enter, sliding his window open as he crawled inside.

Walking past the kitchen, he grabbed his shield off the floor. Each step started to get intense.... tense... tension again arising.

It was weird. Tension was always everywhere. Paranoia was a feeling that was uncharacteristically occurring almost everywhere he went....Paranoid.

When he popped his head out from the wall behind, a confused look forming onto his face. Fury and L/N laid back on the couch, exhausted.

Small cuts and bruises plastered all over.

What worried him was why.... Why was Y/N out of his bed. Was he rapidly thinking about stuff like this since he's getting paranoid? maybe.

Steve relaxes from his tense state, resting on the wall. "I don't remember giving any of you a key." He lets out.

Nick grunts as he sits back up, palms flat on the couch to sit himself up. "You really think I'd need one?" He slowly pulls out his phone. "My wife kicked me and my... nephew out."

Steve furrowed his brows, glancing at Y/N who mouthed at him, "Just play along."

"I didn't know you were married." He spoke from the thoughts running in his head, time to time glancing around the room.

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

Steve sighed. "I know, Nick. That's the problem." Once he flipped the switch of the light open, Y/N shook his head, pressing a button on his suit which turned the light back off. Y/N places a hand up, pointing at Fury who typed on his phone before revealing the message.

EARS EVERYWHERE

"I'm sorry to have to do this, but I had no place to crash." Fury spoke.

Another message revealing.

SHIELD COMPROMISED

Steve glanced back up to Nick. "Who else knows about your wife?" He asked.

Nick grunts, standing up as he rotated his phone with another message.

JUST YOU, ME AND HIM

"Just... my friends..."

"Is that what we are?"

Nick shrugged. "That's up to you."

[BANG]

Fury yells in pain as shots hit on his chest, causing him to fall down as now Y/N and Steve are on high alert. Y/N glanced at the window, barely making what was out there as Steve dragged a groaning Fury.

Y/N crouched down stealthily, following behind as they make their way behind a wall. Fury coughs, heavy panting as he shakily hands Steve a drive.

"Dont... Trust.. Anyone."

The door opening makes both L/N and Rogers instinctively get into stance. "Captain Rogers?" A feminine voice called out, unaware of Y/N's presence. "Captain, I'm Agent 13 of S.H.I.E.L.D, Special Service."

"Kate?" Steve lets out, confusedly.

"I'm assigned to protect you."

"On whose order?"

Carter stops her tracks, looking down as she unconsciously took a deep breath, pointing at Fury's barely lifeless body. "His."

She drops down to check for a pulse. Steve meanwhile quirked an eyebrow at Y/N who was looking around too tensely.

"Foxtrot is down, he's unresponsive. I need EMTs."

'Do we have a 20 on the shooter?' A distant dispatch called out. Surprisingly, Y/N repeatedly nodded.

"Tell him I'm in pursuit."

The Shadow immediately makes his way out, jumping out of a window before crashing into the other side of the building. He scrambled to get back to his feet, immediately dashing in goal to trail the figure he encountered not too long ago.

At top speeds, he looks up to see the shooter, just above him who was getting away. He was able to get at a pace, maybe at times even taking a small lead.

But it was not a race, it was a chase.

Y/N ran up to a wall which immediately crashes down, allowing him to still make his way forward. Taking a sharp turn, he crashes through a window which leads him to run straight into walls, all collapsing from hard impact.

When he had eyes on a window, the figure jumped down. Forcing himself to run faster, he crashes through the window, landing down the concrete floor. He reaches for his dagger, aiming it at his head as it flew.

The wind grazing as it spun in mid air.

The movement came to a stop as The figure grabs the sharp area of the dagger with his left arm, His metal arm. Y/N looked in shock, not noticing prior the metal arm. His thoughts were cut out when the dagger was making his way back, making him duck down in a 'limbo' style.

Once his posture was back to normal, the figure was... gone. No where seen at even the streets. Y/N sighed in exhaustion as more thoughts racked up to his head.

"Why can't I just catch a break..."

--

NATASHA SCRAMBLES as she pushes people out of her way, leading herself to a room. Steve and Y/N looked at the window, watching as Nick was being operated.

Natasha looked confused with not only Y/N's presence, but his bruised up state. "I-I thought--"

"Save it." Y/N interrupted, pointing at the window in gesture. Nat nodded, making her way beside Y/N.

"Is he gonna make it?" She questioned.

"I don't know." Y/N answered, watching intensely. A deep sigh releasing.

"Tell me about the shooter." Nat softly demanded.

Steve glanced at the side before shrugging as he pointed his head towards Y/N. "He took pursuit, not me." He called out, earning a scoff from Y/N.

"Snitch..." Y/N mumbled to himself before clearing his throat. "Fast, Strong..... Metal arm..."

Nat tensed at the last remark, turning to Y/N. "Why are you out?" She questioned the L/N, starting to ramble. "Are you hurt? Did--"

"I'm fine, I'm fine. It's him you have to worry about." He replies, pointing at Nick. "I received message about him, tried helping out..."

"Ballistics?"

"Three slugs, no rifling. Completely untraceable."

"Soviet-made." Nat muttered, earning a nod from Y/N. Her lips started to quiver at the sight of the operators scrambling. "Don't do this to me, Nick."

Y/N gave her a look of sympathy, closing the space from the side as he wrapped an arm around Romanoff, In goal to comfort.

'No Pulse."

'Okay, 200, please.'

'There, two, one. Clear!'

'Get me epinephrine!'

'Pulse?'

'Negative.'

Nat used her off hand to grab Y/N's hand, tightly grasping it which was over her shoulder. Her head leaning towards it as she mumbled words Y/N couldn't make out.

Fingers interlocked.

Tightly.

Y/N looked down in guilt as he noticed their stop. Tears swelling and tempting to fill up on his eyes.

'What's the time?'

'Time of death, 1:03 a.m.'

Everyone other than the two left the room.

Y/N clenched his jaw, unraveling his arm from Nat's grip, repeatedly banging his head with his palm.

In guilt.

Nat quickly shook her head, grasping Y/N's wrists to stop him from doing so. Both looking at each other as they embraced in a tight hug, one hoping the other will get through the pain.

Both sobbing into each other.

"It's okay..." Nat hushed. "..Cross my heart... It'll be okay.." She continued to comfort the man before he spoke.

Before Y/N could even retort, Rumlow came in the room. "Sorry for interrupting, They need you back at S.H.I.E.L.D." Both nodded as they both made their way out, but briefly being stopped. "Just, L/N."

"But--"

"Nat." Y/N cutted in, slowly looking at the redhead. "I got it." He reassured, flashing a small smile as both of them went in for a small hug before going on their separate ways, for now anyway.

Y/N greeted Rumlow who was already accompanied by Steve. "Let's go."

"STRIKE, move it out." Brock directed, receiving immediate action. Y/N patted Steve's shoulder, leaning in to whisper.

"Where's the stick?"

"Vending machine." Steve answered, earning a reluctant nod from Y/N which again, left him alone in his thoughts.

Watching every move, Every corner, Every hall, Every person. He came to a conclusion. Something was not adding up.

Fury's last words echoed in his thoughts, bringing him to a deep yet knowing trance.

Don't

Trust

Anyone.

When they left the premises, Two Black SUVS were parked outside, Y/N's double thinking taking over at the scene. "Why can't we just ride In one vehicle?" He asked.

"Just.Follow.Orders." Were the only demands given to him.

It was not the answer he was looking for but he reluctantly gave in.

Two at front while he sat in between S.T.R.I.K.E members. Once the vehicle made it's way, it was silent, for some reason not the good kind.

Don't

Trust

Anyone.

Was what repeated in his mind, brain full of thoughts as he unconsciously started to double think again. Never in his life has he been this paranoid. He took a good look of what was outside, suspiciously a quiet street.

It was at this moment things started to slow down for him, his senses now dialing in.

(A/N: USE THIS AS INSPIRATION)

His eyes glancing around. His mind racking around with thoughts, he could feel the adrenaline suddenly rushing through his veins. Tension suddenly growing.

Tension.

He took more glances, studying every small detail he could find. It was something he unconsciously learned to do after all that detective work in New York.

Hands on holsters.

He eyed them suspiciously. Yet, they acted normally. Something was definitely not right. It was after those thoughts that he found out more cars were trailing from behind. But he still wanted to learn more.

"I'm sorry about Fury. It's messed up what happened to him." One of them spoke, breaking the silence.

"Hn." Were the only thing Y/N let out. He took a small glance at his side to observe the other.

Sweat dripping.

He came to a conclusion, clenching his jaw, discreetly placing his hands on his own holsters. He took in one last inspection, studying the possible outcomes and routes in mere seconds.

A smirk curved up onto him. "You guys know... I'm a super soldier now, right?" As the words came out of his mouth, both men beside him brought out a baton. Each sparking an electric spark.

The man on his right reached his arm out in attempt, Y/N grabbed his arm and led it to the man on his left, stunning him.

"Ah!"

Once that was done, an elbow came straight to the man on the right's nose, the sound of a crack could be heard. The man on the left regained strength, pulling out a gun instead as he aimed it at Y/N's head. Y/N grabbed the arm at the right time as he moved it to the side, shooting the man beside him instead right on the face.

The blood spattered throughout the vehicle's interior  which made the car swerve hecticly. The Shadow slid back a bit, using momentum to kick the man out of the car. The door breaking down as the man yelped, rolling down the street.

This time, the passenger seat aimed a gun at Y/N to see he was no longer in the middle.

A distraction.

Y/N used the passenger seat as advantage to use the blind spot, knocking the man's head on the widow which immediately shatters. He used this time to elbow the driver, making the car hit the side as it flipped.

It was like everything was in slow motion.

The Shadow punches the sunroof which immediately breaks from strong impact, jumping up in time before his body could flip over. As he was in the air, he brought out his gun, backflipping as he fired multiple shots at the flipping car.

When the bullet hit a specific area, an explosion occurs, causing the other cars to brake as fog and fire was the only visible element.

More SUVs entering the scene, surrounding the ring of caused fire. Men dropping to the floor as they awaited.

When the fog faded away and the fires were more transparent, The Shadow was.... gone.

This angered one of them, making him yell. "FIND HIM!" All immediately complying as they searched around the area.

To no luck.

--

--

A/N: HERROW AGAIN!

-Thoughts on chapter?

-What do you think will happen next chapter?

-Any suggestions? Things I could work on?

-If not, don't forget to vote, possibly share this book around. I'll See ya in a bit!

-Forti