[WS!AU] the century weapon

[from_the_outside]

As promised, she updates Bucky throughout the evening, letting him know that no one's come for her... yet. Several hours after they left, she hears Steve return. She doesn't try to contact him; it would be strange for Kate to do so. Instead, she texts Bucky that he's back and that everything is quiet, then goes to bed and sleeps the sleep of an agent who has just spent the last week trying to put down a rising cartel.

Fury's not expecting her until mid-morning. She texts Bucky when she leaves for work, and is relieved to get a response. Seems Steve's contact is trustworthy after all.

She also sends a text to Nat, telling her she's cashing in on that offer of drinks, then dresses in a crisp blue button-down and neat pencil skirt and heads to the Triskelion to face her fate.

Comments

[from_the_outside]

"Oh, come on," she teases, as the waitress comes up. "A girl's got to have some secrets."

The waitress beams at them. "How is everything today?"

"Very good," Sharon tells her. "Thanks so much. Can we go ahead and get the check? We're going to be late back to work as it is."

[marvel_npc]

She bestows a warm smile on the waitress in thanks as she retreats again, and nods to Sharon.

"Be that way," she teases. "I'll just have to see what I can figure out."

About everything. There's a lot.

[from_the_outside]

"Come by my place tonight?" Sharon invites. She's managed to finish one of her eggs; the other she leaves on the plate. "We'll have those martinis and do the rest of our catching up."

[marvel_npc]

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." It's true for so many, many reasons.

[from_the_outside]

"Great."

She glances at the time on her phone, then at Nat's sandwich. "Maybe we should get that boxed up for you."

[marvel_npc]

She crunches a potato chip and wrinkles her nose at Sharon. "Hey, three bites is better than nothing, right? Besides, the lemonade's got enough sugar to keep me running for hours."

[from_the_outside]

"Not good enough, Rome," she says, fond. "I need you at your best. And that means fed."

[marvel_npc]

This time she rolls her eyes. "You're so picky sometimes. I'll make Steve buy me a slice of quiche with the coffee, how's that?"

[from_the_outside]

"He will definitely make you eat," she says, amused. "But, hey, if you'd rather deal with a disappointed Captain America over me, be my guest. Just saying: they weaponized his guilt trips pretty effectively back in the war."

[marvel_npc]

"You have a point," she admits, and catches the eye of a passing busboy. "Can I get a box for this?"

As he hurries off, she arches an eyebrow at Sharon. "Better?"

[from_the_outside]

Sharon shines a brilliant smile on her. "Much."

Thank God for Rome. How the hell she'd get through this without her, she's got no idea. "And I promise to provide snacks tonight. You can bring the alcohol."

[marvel_npc]

"Deal. I'll even spring for the good vodka." She takes the box from the starry-eyed busboy with a smile of thanks and adds the sandwich, which she probably won't even throw away as soon as she's clear. Probably.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon pays their bill with cash, then gets up once Nat's sandwich is boxed up. "Ready to get back?"

[marvel_npc]

"I suppose we better." She slips from her chair to her feet, box held loosely in one hand. "Just between us girls, I think it's going to be a busy afternoon."

[from_the_outside]

"I think you're right."

She walks back with Nat to the gate that leads away from the patio. "Anyone else we should bring in to help out, you think?"

[marvel_npc]

"Let me think it over," she murmurs, considering. Tony's not taking any calls right now, not after what had happened to Pepper. The other woman's better now, but the experience had left its mark on both of them. From what she's heard, things are tense, and Tony's trying to deal with it.

Clint, though... now there's a possibility, if he's back from that little 'family vacation' of his. He's even more protective of Laura's past than she is, and Nat refuses to interfere.

She hopes he is. They might need him.

"See what I can find out, first. You, too."

[from_the_outside]

"I will."

As they get to the car, she pauses Nat for a moment with a hand on her arm. "One other thing," she says, low. "Don't trust STRIKE. They're HYDRA, all of them."

[marvel_npc]

Nat stares at her with horror in her eyes, although she keeps her expression relaxed. "All of them?"

[from_the_outside]

"Definitely Rumlow," she mutters. "Steve knows already. Just...be safe, Nat."

[marvel_npc]

"Great. He can't lie to save his life." All of their lives, maybe. Getting to Steve just became near-top priority. Still, Nat manages another smile.

"Do my best," she promises. "Am I giving you a ride back, or are you headed somewhere else from here?"

[from_the_outside]

"If you could drop me off on your way, that'd be great."

She won't send the coordinates to Fury until she's sure the site's secure, and with just enough time for him to get there.

[marvel_npc]

"No problem at all. Hop in." She's already calculating the fastest routes between locations.

[from_the_outside]

"Thanks."

She slips into the passenger seat and buckles in, then leans her head back against the headrest. Is the car bugged? She has no idea, but they have to assume that all SHIELD equipment and equipment within reach could have been tampered with.

So she only directs Nat to drop her within a walking distance from the dam, then watches the city roll by around them out the window.

[marvel_npc]

The engine purrs as she pulls up to the curb at the location Sharon had given her. Nat looks at the forest and hiking trails and sidewalk a little dubiously.

"This it?" She doesn't ask if the other woman is sure, not aloud, but it's clear in her glance.

[from_the_outside]

"This is my stop."

She glances at her watch: fifteen minutes to get to the dam before her meeting time with Bucky. "Thanks, Rome. See you tonight."