Semper Fi Ch. 36 (Captain America: TWS)

 I drive the bike for the base of the mountains and stop it there, looking up at the path I'd cut in the Jeep. I sigh, revving up the bike, and pray that my suspension doesn't give out as I make the climb up the mountain. I take it as fast as I can, hesitating only when tree roots and rocks slow my process. On the flat, I go as fast as possible. Adrenaline spikes through me, my senses are on high alert, and I'm happy, because I'll need a little extra courage and strength to get through the next forty-eight hours. I was going to break from HYDRA now, as I had from SHIELD, only this time, I knew it would be bigger. And worse for all parties involved. I knew that, because hell, I knew I'd have to break Rumlow's heart. I slide to a stop at the hangar door of the base and wait for it to open. It doesn't. Instead, it only opens a hair and someone walks out. It's Brock. I hit the kickstand on my bike and walk over to him, my walk getting faster until I'm running. His arms are open, and I jump in to them, wrapping my legs around his waist, and press my lips to his. He spins me, pinning my back to the hangar door and squeezes me gently.
 "Hey babe." He whispers against my lips, "Welcome back." I force a small smile, the taste of him more bitter than I remember. I feel guilt rip through me, but I channel this into my act, leaning my forehead against Rumlow's.
 "Hey you." I say lightly, biting my lip. He looks past me to my bike.
 "Your old bike? Where did you find it?" He asks.
 "Steve had it." I say honestly. "I had to come back for a bit though, talk about the plan of attack. I told him I would be back in twenty four hours, I just had some things I needed to deal with with the Crew." I smile, kissing him again.
 "Is it bugged?" Rumlow asks. I shake my head.
 "I asked Steve if it was, and he's such a terrible liar that I'd know if he were lying to me." I explain. Rumlow nods and sets me down, hitting the hangar door twice. It opens all the way and he looks to my bike.
 "Well he might not have known, so we'll scan it and if it is, we'll debug it so you can still use it." Rumlow decides. I nod and hop on the bike, driving it in to the base. He follows behind me, immediately grabbing me and carrying me to the elevator. He slams his hand down on the button for the floor with the rooms on it and pushes me against the wall of the elevator.
 "I missed you." I say.
 "We need to talk." He mumbles quietly. I go rigid, but write it off with a slight moan. He'd ground his hips against mine, I can feel how excited he was. "After we catch up a bit."
 "Let's talk first." I reply, "I'm kind of tired, babe. Rode that heavy bike all the way up a mountain." He nods, setting me down when the doors open on our floor and he leads me to our room. The sheets are messy, like he'd thrashed about in them all night. He moves us to the couch, settling me on his lap and placing his hand on my thigh.
 "Diana..." He begins, chewing his lip, "You drugged me the night you left." He whispers, "You deleted the footage of you leaving and then torched your escape vehicle. Why?" His voice is quiet but demanding. I look to him, meeting his eyes.
 "I didn't want you to worry." I lie, "I drugged you so I wouldn't wake you. I deleted the footage because I didn't want Schmidt thinking I was betraying the Crew, and I torched the vehicle so Steve wouldn't catch the bugs we had on it and ask questions." I explain quickly. He nods once, slowly, and tips his head forward.
 "I'm sorry. I had to ask."
 "It's alright. I love you." I reply. But this time saying it, my words are hollow. He'd hurt me more than once, and hell, I'd been stupid to take him back after he cheated. And then to even be here after he green-lighted a mission to kill Steve. I shake off the feeling, straddling him now.
 "Diana..." He looks up at me, moving me aside and placing me so I'm sitting on the couch. He kneels between my knees, his hands on either side of my hips, bracing against the cushions to hold himself up. "I was married briefly... before I joined STRIKE. But the marriage fell apart. I wanted to work and she wanted to settle down. I'm still not ready to settle down, but I don't think you are either." I feel my breath hitch, and I know what's coming. I just hadn't anticipated this. He fumbles with his pocket, finally able to secure the little velvet box in his grasp, before he opens it and presents the ring to me. It is a simple band of silver metal, which I identify as Tungsten Carbide, commonly used in armor piercing rounds. "I never thought... after my first marriage... I'd be the marrying kind of man, and this scares the hell out of me to be completely honest. Would you do me the extreme honor of... of being my wife?" I blink back tears, meeting his hazel eyes and seeing a softness in them that I can't deny. I look at the ring, so simple, full of meaning, and know that he's put a lot of thought in to it. He could have gotten a diamond like most other guys, but he knew that I wasn't a diamond kind of girl. He's holding his breath, biting his lip, and I force myself back into reality.
 "Brock..." I whisper, "I... I'm sorry. I can't." He furrows his brow, taking a deep breath and closes the ring box. "I'm so sorry."
 "Is it Rogers?" Brock demands. He meets my eyes again, the softness gone, replaced with jealousy. "Baby, you're working a job, I get that. I know that you had to get him on your side, and I know you slept with him... but... I love you. And I want you in my life, on my six." Again shock courses through me. He already knew about me and Steve, at least our physical exploit, and he still proposed. He hadn't assaulted me with questions upon my return home and he hadn't been mad. I hold either side of his face gently between my hands.
 "How did you know about that?" I ask curiously, "I wasn't bugged. I was flying dark so Steve wouldn't suspect."
 "I had Rollins in the field." Rumlow admits, "I couldn't get away... I was doing something for HYDRA and so I sent him to make sure you were okay. In case something went wrong." I nod, understanding his worry, and sigh gently. "But... are you sure it isn't Rogers holding you back?"
 "No," I lie, taking a deep breath to steady myself, "It isn't Rogers, I swear to you." I lean forward, brushing my lips against his, "I love you Brock... never forget that. But I'm not ready to get married. I've got... so much left to figure out... loose ends to tie up... before I could even consider..." I look to the ring box that he still has in his hand and kiss him again. "I guess... it does have a little to do with Rogers. I want this mission done... one way or another. But Rogers he... he took me to meet some people that I thought I'd lost."
 "What?" Brock asks, looking for further explaination.
 "My Mom was a Nurse for the Navy... or as it would seem... that was her cover. She was actually a Nurse on a SHIELD vessel, and my Father was a member of SEAL team Six, working closely with SHIELD. When pirates took the vessel, my Mom and Dad got out, but, since it was a SHIELD vessel under the cover of the Navy... the Navy filed the ship as taken by pirates and all crew KIA, including the three SEALS sent in to save it."
 "So your parents are alive." Brock says quietly. I nod.
 "And I need time to process things... everything... before I can move on. We've missed six years, Brock."
 "I understand." He replies, "Could I... could I meet them?"
 His question sends me reeling. He wants to meet my parents. My eyes widen slightly, my mind going a million miles an hour to figure out what I'm going to do. I come up with a plan on the fly, only seconds passing between his question and my answer.
 "Yes."

   I go to the living floor and find Ben sitting on the couch, his bow in hand, shooting at empty beercans that Batroc was throwing for him. I sit beside him, watching for a few moments before leaning close to him.
 "Can we talk in private?" I ask. He turns, setting down his bow, and gestures for us to go to the kitchen. He grabs a beer and hands one to me.
 "What's up?" He asks quietly.
 "If I left the Crew... would you stay here or follow me?" I ask gently. He smirks.
 "I'd follow you, no questions asked." Ben replies, "I've been keeping tabs."He looks at me, "Everyone would follow you if you left... except..." He lowers his eyes, "Except for Rumlow and Marie. They're both too far in now... Rumlow's loyal to HYDRA, and Marie is loyal to Schmidt."
 "Even Rollins?"
 "I was on the Crew before you," Ben explains, "And Rollins asked if you'd be with it. When he heard yes, he was quick to join." I place a hand on his shoulder and smile.
 "Thank you." Is all I say. I turn away and walk over to speak with the Braddocks. I lean close, drawing them close to speak in private. "Boys," I mumble, "I'm leaving the Crew. For good." I tell them. Clay nods, James as well, and Brian looks passive. Silent words pass between the three of them before Clay speaks.
 "Then we're leaving too." He says. I nod.
 "Good. There's a lot I need to tell you, but it'll have to wait." I explain. They nod, and go on speaking quietly. Last I speak to Rollins and Batroc, who are standing in the hall heading towards the elevators. "Men," I whisper, "I'm leaving the Crew."
 "What are you up to?" Rollins asks quietly, looking down at me. Batoroc nods for me to explain.
 "I'm getting out. Of HYDRA. I can't work for them anymore." I say. Rollins closes his eyes, nodding.
 "Are you reforming outside of HYDRA?" Asks Batroc. I nod.
 "New team. I'll be in touch." Is my reply. Rollins and Batroc look to each other, smile, and nod. I glance between them and nod myself, turning away from them. "Tell Rumlow I went back to the city and to give me a few more days." I demand, "I'll be in touch with all of you." I turn away and Rollins follows me for a few steps.
 "Hey," He says, grasping my upper arm. I shake free but turn to look at him, "Did Rumlow pop the question?"
 "He did." I whisper, looking up at him. Rollins looks to my hand, notes the absence of a ring. "There's a lot I'm not telling you... because... well because I don't know how bugged this place is. I want you to go to the security room and make sure everything we said in there gets deleted.
 "Is it Rogers?" Rollins asks. "Making you doubt yourself?"
 "Yes and no." I reply honestly, "Steve and I go back. You know that. But... well I can't see myself following HYDRA anymore." Rollins nods.
 "They screwed you over." He says, "They don't listen to you. And I know Rumlow. He's not dropping the mission, even if you want him to... he's comitted."
 "Exactly. I'll be in touch, like I said. But don't say a word to Rumlow. He's meeting my parents and I'm going to set him up." I don't like it, but we're all taking risks now. "I have to hash out details with Steve. And I should talk to Lester too." I shake my head. "Wish me luck."
 "We're with you Diana." Rollins assures me. "I'll send Lester to the bar in Boston tomorrow night." He decides, "You can speak with him there." I nod again, thanking him, and grasp his shoulder.
 "It's been a genuine honor, Jack."