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neatly folded in the small leather backpack she strung over her shoulder.

She furrowed her brows in confusion as she took in the city. Of all places, why had Steve sent her here?

She knew she needed to contact him, but couldn't just put her suit on in public. If something serious was going on, she needed to remain incognito. She found the nearest public restroom, and began to change her clothes. The familiar spandex was cool against her skin, and it slapped against her skin when she pulled it on.

"Cap?" She spoke softly into her intercom.

Nothing.

"Steve," She spoke again.

"Alex? Oh thank god,"

"Steve, oh my--where are you? I'm in Bucharest. The address you gave me, it just brought me to a town square."

"We're above it. Move to behind the restaurant at your 3:00, and I'll come get you."

"Affirmative," Her heart soared at the familiar exchange.

She walked briskly behind the building he instructed, and he was already there waiting for her. As soon as she laid eyes on him, she ran toward him.

He pulled her into a tight hug, his hand resting on the back of her head.

"It's so good to see you," She spoke.

"Follow me, we'll talk once we get to where we shacked up,"

"'We'?"

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her through the tunnel he must've come through. A small motel was maybe about 200 yards up from where he met her. Steve led her in a back way, and they walked to the furthest room.

After Steve gave a specific knock, the door opened.

A man, a familiar one, opened the door. The pair walked inside the room, and the door was immediately locked behind them. Alex turned, and a smiling man was standing in front of her.

"I believe I introduced you at the party at the compound?" Steve asked.

"Yes, Sam," Alex smiled. "It's good to see you again,"

"And you as well, Clark. Suit looks great,"

"Are you on the 'com system as well?"

"Yep. I'll be watching Cap's six when he goes in to Bucky's makeshift apartment." Sam replied.

"Wait, what? Who's Bucky?"

"I haven't fully briefed her yet." Steve said to Sam. "Which I will do now. Let's sit, shall we? There's a lot to discuss."

Alex complied, all ears.

It took Steve approximately thirty minutes to just explain who Bucky was. With her occasional commentary and Sam's snarky insults regarding the Winter Soldier, it took a minute. It took another thirty just to explain what had happened up until now, and why Tony wasn't involved with their current mission. In addition to this, she had to explain how her powers had grown when she casually mentioned 'oh, I'm immortal now.'

"So, these....Sokovia Accords," Alex began. "They're to restrict us, not to help us?"

"We've been sent to the principal's office," Steve responded. "But if we complied, we'd be sitting back while old farts make the decision of whether or not we should be allowed to take action."

Alex snickered.

"I'm surprised Tony didn't contact you before I did,"

"I don't know. Frankly, I'm upset. He's got this idea that he can protect me from everything by simply keeping it away from me."

"He's in for a surprise, then."

"I can't wait to see the look on his face," Alex spoke sarcastically. "But, it doesn't matter. What's important is getting your friend before they do, if what you say is true and he's highly wanted."

"Tomorrow morning, Sam will be up on watch. I'll enter Bucky's apartment, and I need you to stop any authorities that try to interfere."

"Can't be too hard, right?"

"Right, since you're immortal now." Steve laughed. "Don't think I'll ever get used to saying that."

"I can. An immortal on our side couldn't hurt," Sam chimed in.

They turned in early, as they had a big task to fulfill in the morning. It felt weird to Alex that Tony wasn't involved, and she temporarily felt that she was betraying him. However, it didn't matter. She wasn't taking a side, she was doing the right thing. That is, that's what she tried to convince herself.

The next morning, Alex woke with ease. She suited up quietly in the bathroom as the men changed in the small motel room. She looked at herself in the mirror, and took a deep breath. Part of her wished she could have Loki with her to pat her back and tell her to be strong.

But, she knew she could tell herself.

The trio departed the motel, and stealthily made their way through the streets of Bucharest. Sam stationed himself at a building adjacent to Bucky's building, where he had a clear view of the room. Steve placed Alex at the stairwell of the building, where she could intercept authorities without being seen by masses.

"Sam will be on lookout. Just don't get shot. Or, would that not kill you?" Steve jabbed.

"I can still die, you dummy."

He laughed. "It was a long year without you, kid."

He walked up the stairs, leaving her at her post. His words rang in her head like an echo.

It was a long year without you, kid.

Her friends--more like her family-- continued living when she was in Asgard. Without her. She knew part of her wanted to stay on Earth--but that didn't matter at the moment. Authorities would be bursting through any second now.

She patiently waited until she heard Steve converse with Bucky. She couldn't hear much of Bucky's voice, only the things Steve replied.

"Heads up, you two. German special forces approaching from the south. Alex, your side seems to be clear still."

"Got it."

"They're entering the building,"

Alex grew anxious as Steve kept conversing with Bucky. Sam spit out more warnings, but Steve didn't relent.

"Five seconds!"

"Steve," Alex warned.

Bangs were heard as the authorities entered the room. Steve and Bucky fought off the authorities, before Bucky grabbed a backpack to depart.

Alex heard the stairwell door open, and braced for impact.

Dozens of policemen were in the stairwell, and she raced up the stairs. She caught her first glimpse of Bucky, wearing a low cap and a jacket. He seemed to be fighting off the authorities as well.

Suddenly, Steve burst in, nodding to her. She began freezing any man she could. She made her way up the stairs to get to Steve, her suit deflecting any bullets that came her way. She was halfway up the stairs when a man--no, Bucky--was falling down the middle of the stairwell. He caught a railing, however, with what seemed to be a bionic hand.

Alex was frozen in fear as he pulled himself onto the stairs next to her. Their eyes met, and she thanked Tony for adding an eyepiece to her suit. He ignored her, however, and walked down a hallway next to the stairs. Bucky then broke into a run, and launched himself onto the roof of the adjacent building.

"I really wish I had wings right about now." She spoke, following Bucky by quite literally yeeting herself onto the building as well.

She was intercepted, however, by an unfamiliar man. He was in a sleek black suit, similar to hers, with cat ears on the head.

"Southwest roof, you guys," She spoke into the intercom system.

"Who the hell is the other guy?" Sam questioned.

"About to find out," Steve spoke. "I'm coming, Alex,"

Bucky began to run away, and Alex exchanged a look with the unknown man. They both sprinted after him, desperately trying to beat the other. Bucky led them down the building and into the street, where Steve then joined the chase.

They raced through a tunnel, and police cars had now joined the party. Steve found himself in a vehicle, driving after Bucky. Sam was in the air, with Alex still on foot.

Bucky kicked a man off his motorcycle, and hoisted himself on it. Alex had grabbed a hold of the car Steve was driving as the chase became more high-speed. The end of the tunnel was approaching, and the mystery man was about to get to Bucky before them. He grabbed Bucky's arm, but lost him as he was smashed against the wall of the tunnel.

Bucky threw an explosive at the end of the tunnel, causing a small explosion that threw them all off. The mystery man clawed Bucky off the motorcycle, trying to get a hold of him. Steve and Alex were now on foot, running toward the scene as well. Just then, Alex heard police sirens become louder.

Dozens of police cars pulled up, and they were trapped. Even the mystery man ceased his fighting. Then, what looked like Tony's suit but in different colors flew down right in front of them. Guns were pointed from every angle, and they were surrounded by Audis.

His familiar voice boomed.

"Stand down, now."

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𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚌𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚕 𝚠𝚊𝚛 𝚌𝚞𝚣 𝙸 𝚍𝚘!!!! 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚊𝚙'𝚜 𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎??

𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚟𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐!!