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( eleven. fondues and helmets )

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"I still don't think this is a good idea."

"I heard you the first four times."

"I don't care if you're the best super-secret agent in your time but this is going way too fast and way too far."

Natasha shot him a reassuring glance. "I know what I'm doing. It's going to be fine."

Howard could only sigh in response before stepping onto the pilot's seat while she headed to the cargo area with Steve and Peggy.

It took her a while to finally convince Steve to let her come with him. He didn't say that her being a woman was one excuse (because he was a very polite person) but she knew he was thinking that. He settled on the excuse of it being too dangerous for her.

She assured him that she knew what kind of fight is waiting for them at the other side, and thus, had to remind him again that she could take down a dude's ass in less than a minute.

He still didn't warm up to the idea but she wasn't taking no for an answer, and so, he grudgingly agreed.

"The HYDRA camp is in Krausberg, tucked between these two mountain ranges. It's a factory of some kind." Peggy explained, showing them a map.

Peggy isn't too psyched about this plan as well.

Once she overheard her talking to Howard earlier about giving them a ride to the HDYRA base, she also got the benefit of telling them they must have gone completely crazy to do this.

Crazy was just one word to describe Natasha's everyday life.

"We should be able to drop you two right on the doorstep," Howard told them.

"Just get us as close as you can," Steve said, adjusting one of the straps on of the parachute on him. At least he's smart enough to use one this time. "You know you two are gonna be in a lot of trouble when you land."

"And you two won't?" Peggy shot back.

"We can handle this," Natasha assured.

"I'm still worried about you, Anne. Wouldn't you prefer to come back with us to the base?" she asked.

"I second that notion," Howard spoke from the pilot's seat.

No. She wasn't going to let this chance slip away from her fingers.

She needed to make sure that Steve was going to get back. Alive. In one piece.

And still, there was something about the way Peggy looked at her, and the way her voice sounded when she asked her. She might be overthinking things and it was ridiculous to think about, but she detected a fair amount of sharpness at the agent's words.

Sure, maybe it had meant to come off as a concern, but still, there was something more. Like she was trying to hold her back from coming with Steve.

But maybe, it's just her recently messed up mind making up things.

"I said I can handle it." She snapped, tired of repeating the same things over and over again to the same people.

Peggy was obviously taken aback by her tone but simply nodded in response.

Steve looked equally surprised at her cold tone as well.

Great.

"This is your transponder. Activate it when you're ready and the signal will lead us straight to you." She handed it over to Steve.

Natasha knitted her eyebrows. It simply looked like a piece of box to her. "Are you sure this thing works?"

"It's been tested more than Steve, sweetheart," Howard answered.

She felt her face heat up.

Steve seemed shocked at the affectionate term too, glancing at her with a curious look. Her gaze fixed on him as her mouth went limp, barely even getting a word out to defend herself. "I..."

Howard seemed to notice her distress and decided to get on her nerves even more. "You know, Agent Klein, after you get back maybe we could stop by in Lucerne for a late-night fondue."

He was getting back at her.

That little shit.

And the way he said it was enough to get Steve's mind going straight down to the gutter. "So, are you two... do you..." Natasha's eyes widened. "Fondue?"

For fuck's sake.

She buried her face in her hands. Flushing in embarrassment.

Steve was pretty much having the same situation. His cheeks turned faintly pink while both Peggy and Howard gave him a puzzled look. He didn't know who was supposed to be more embarrassed between the two of them.

Their moment was cut short (fortunately) when the plane started to jerk in different directions. Explosions were heard outside and shots were firing at them in all sides.

Steve quickly stood up and walked to the door with his shield in hand. She shot up from her seat as well, strapping a bunch of pistols to her waist. She was so glad that she changed into pair of pants and wore boots.

"Get back here! We're taking you all the way in!" Peggy shouted at him.

Natasha hurried over to where he is when she heard Howard stopped her. "Anne," She glanced back at him, "Come back alright?"

For the first time ever, she smiled at him. Nodding. "We will. I still need to get home, you know."

"And I'm counting on you to show up again to send you back."

She turned her attention back to Steve. Who was still having a debate with Peggy. These two were doing this now? Seriously? "As soon as we're free, turn this thing around and get the hell outta here!" Steve ordered.

"You can't give me orders!" she protested.

Natasha rolled her eyes, adjusting the straps of the parachute on herself to prepare to jump anytime now.

Steve cheekily grinned at her. "The hell I can't! I'm a captain!" He looked over at her, "You ready? Last chance to back off."

No way. "In your dreams, Rogers." She smirked.

He smirked back.

Then he jumped out of the plane with her following right after.

Just like old times.

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Once she landed — surprisingly quite roughly — in the forest, she began to search for any sign of Steve. It was dark and sort of foggy, making it hard to see, but he should've landed not far off where she is.

Eventually, she found him waiting for her at a tree. They ran throughout the forest, hiding and laying low when patrols seemed to guard the place. It wasn't time to come out and fight them yet.

They still have no idea where the factory was. And they still have no plan on what they were going to do. She didn't even know what their rescue plan is, exactly.

Then they found it.

Surrounding the factory was a tall barb-wired fence, with each person guarding every side of it. Flashing lights were also patrolling the area. It was difficult to determine the place since it was already dark.

Steve motioned for her to follow, and before they could go any nearer, she grabbed his arm and asked, "What's the plan?"

"Get inside. Rescue soldiers. Get out."

"I meant the real plan, Captain Obvious." She deadpanned. He sighed, looking back at the factory. "Give me orders and I'll undoubtedly follow it."

"Oh, yeah? You seemed to make that very clear even when I told you not to come with me."

"Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Cap."

He crouched down slightly, ignoring her statement. "Alright, here's what we're going to do. Once I am for those guys in the gate, run as fast as you can and get inside. Don't bother helping me, alright?"

That sounded like a stupid plan.

"But we're just going to attract more attention—"

He cut her off with his Captain America look.

"Fine," she grumbled.

"Once you're inside, wait for me. Keep an eye out for the soldiers."

She looked back at the entrance gates. The guards were now doubling up in number, they probably noticed something was wrong. "And you?" she asked.

"Don't worry about me. Just stick to the plan." When he glanced over at her, his eyes settled on the top of her head. "I thought I told you to wear a helmet?"

"Don't need one."

"You undoubtedly follow my orders, huh?"

And the next thing she knew, he was already moving to place his helmet on her head. She stiffened and could only wait until he finished clasping it under her chin. "There." He patted her head. She winced at the impact. "You look good in that helmet. You should wear it more often."

Despite the flattering compliment, she rolled her eyes at him and moved to unclasp it. "I said I don't need one."

"Take that off and I'm leaving you here."

"As if that's going to be a problem for me. I have the transponder." She waved it in front of him with a smirk.

Steve quickly snatched it from her grasp. Her jaw dropped in shock.

He grinned smugly. "Not anymore."

Damn you, Rogers.

And so she had no choice but to wear that goddamn helmet for the entire time she's kicking butt. 

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