A Hero's Multiverse 36 Chapter 35: Wanted

''What is going on Rumlow?...'' Asks Ethen before smiling. ''... Are you missing a missile?''

Having noticed the s.h.i.+ELD markings on the missile Ethen doesn't even wait for Rumlow to answer his question, as he instantly starts nocking out all strike team members. Only seconds later the woman and Pikapool arrive catching up to him.

''What the h.e.l.l is going on?'' Asks Natasha noticing the missile. Showing a knowing smile, Pikapool keeps his mouth shut, as he is currently enjoying the feeling of Carol's breast pressing against his back.

Deciding to split up, Ethen and Natasha go to the mall disguised as a civilian couple to hack into the s.h.i.+eld and figure out what is going on, while Carol and Tonya start searching for Fury and Maria Hill.

Seeing Ethens uncomfortable look, Natasha tells him. '' The first rule of going on the run is, don't run, walk.''

''If I run in these shoes, they're gonna fall off,'' Ethen whispers into her ear, as they go into a Mac store to use one of their computers.

Hesitating Natasha reminds Ethen. ''The s.h.i.+eld servers have a Level Six homing program, so as soon as we log in, s.h.i.+ELD will know exactly where we are.''

Smiling Ethen asks her.''Is that a problem for you? How much time do we have?''

''Uh... Not everybody is as bulletproof as you are and it should be about nine minutes from...'' Natasha states, pressing the Enter b.u.t.ton on the MacBook Pro she is currently using. ''... Now...'' Using his x-ray vision, Ethen sees several s.h.i.+ELD vehicles park in the mall parking lot.

''Fury was right about that s.h.i.+p, somebody inside of s.h.i.+ELD is trying to hide something...'' Ethen hears Natasha explain, as she furiously typed away on the keyboard. ''... Now all servers are protected by some sort of AI, it keeps rewriting itself to counter my commands.''

Keeping an eye on the Strike team closing in on them, Ethen asks her. ''Can you override it?''

''The person who developed this is slightly smarter than me...'' Natasha tells him. ''... Only slightly... I'm gonna try running a tracer. This is a program that s.h.i.+ELD developed to track hostile malware, so if we can't hack into s.h.i.+eld directly, maybe we can read the latest commands and where they came from.''

''Can I help you guys with anything?'' Asks a good looking female Apple Employee, that ogled Ethen ever since he and Natasha came in.

Instantly Natasha gets territorial stating. ''Oh, no. My fiancé was just helping me with some honeymoon destinations.''

Surprised by the redhead's jealousy streak, Ethen tells the Employee. ''We're getting married in three weeks and still discussing where to go.

Looking disappointed, the Apple Employee produces a stiff smile. ''Congratulations. Where do you guys thinking about going?''

Quick thinking, Ethen tells the employee. ''We are currently altering between St. Petersburg and New Orleans.''

''Oh...'' The employee states swooning while looking into Ethens' eyes for a moment. ''... Do you want to...''

''No, but thank you, we don't need any help.'' Tells Natasha the still swooning woman.

''Nah, okay... Uh... if you guys need anything, I am Aria...'' Sticking a note to Ethen the employee states. ''... Just call me if you need anything.''

''Thank you...'' Tells Ethen the woman, as he sees Rumlow and his team entering the mall looking for the two of them. Turning to Natasha Ethen tells her. ''... You said nine minutes, come on.''

Having found the information she is searching for, Natasha finds the still open arrest warrant for Cap and Agent 13. ''Shh, relax. Got it.''

''I used to. Let's go...'' Ethen tells her, as he turns off the laptop and they walk out of the store. Using his superhearing, Ethen listens in on the Strike teams radios, while whispering into Natasha's right ear. ''... Standard tac-team. Two behind, to across, two coming straight at us. If they make us, I'll take all of them down you hit the south escalator to the metro.'' As two agents are coming straight towards them, Natasha tells him. ''Shut up and put your arm around me, laugh at something I said.''

Liking the idea of his hand on her, Ethen quickly puts his arm around Natasha and laughs, while using his x-ray vision to look back inside the Mac store where one of the agents looks around.

Still using his superhearing to listen in on the radios, Ethen hears Jack Rollins says. ''Negative at the source.''

(Brock Rumlow) ''Give me a floor rundown.''

(Agent 2) ''Negative on three.''

(Agent 3) ''Negative on two.''

(Brock Rumlow) ''Snake the upper levels, work down to me.''

Moving up the escalator Natasha spots Rumlow on the escalator next to them going down, she turns to Ethen. ''Kiss me. Public displays of affection...''

Before she can finish her sentence, Ethen quickly pulls her up to him and pa.s.sionately kisses her making Rumlow look away as he goes past them on the escalator.

Seeing Natasha l.u.s.tfull dilated eyes, Ethen asks her smirking. ''Do I really need a reason to kiss you?''

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While Ethen and Natasha have their run-in with Rumlow, Sharon and Steve seek shelter at Sam Wilsons house. Having the bathroom door open while cleaning up, Steve is being ogled by Sharon as he is cleaning up. Noticing his companions dazed and thoughtful face, he asks. ''You okay?''

Snapping out of her daze, Sharon says defensively. ''Yeah!''

Knowing that something is going on, but unable to pinpoint the problem, Steve asks. ''What's going on?''

''When I first joined s.h.i.+ELD, I thought I was doing the right thing...'' Tells Sharon before hesitating. ''... But I guess the s.h.i.+ELD of today is HYDRA. I thought I knew whose lies I was telling, but...I guess I can't tell the difference anymore.''

Getting closer to her, his naked chest on full display, Steve states seriously. ''There's a chance you might be in the wrong business.''

Earning himself a faint smile from her, they sink into each other's eyes, inching closer to each other. Just before their lips meet, they hear Sam. ''I made breakfast. If you guys...'' Walking in on the two, he instantaneity turns around and walks back into the kitchen, stating. ''... have other more important stuff do... I am cool with that... Condoms are in the nightstand!''

A short time later they all are sitting around in Sam's kitchen table.

Contrary to Steve Sharon is not the least bit embarra.s.sed, so she starts the conversation by addressing the elephant in the room. ''So, the question is: who in s.h.i.+ELD could launch a domestic missile strike?''

Thinking about it for a moment, Steve concludes. ''Pierce.''

''Who happens to be sitting on top of the most secure building in the world.'' Comments Sharon.

''But he's not working alone, Zola's algorithm was on the Lemurian Star.'' Reminds her Steve.

''So was the strike team. Wait a moment...'' Having a sudden Epiphany, Sharon asks Steve. ''... Could it be that Pierce is aiming at the helicarriers?!''

Nodding in agreement after seeing the logic in that, Steve asks. '' So, the real question is: how do the two most wanted people in Was.h.i.+ngton Stop three helicarriers?''

''The answer is: you don't.'' States Sam, while drops a file in front of Steve and Sharon.

Irritated Steve asks. ''What's this?''

Showing a big smile, Sam tells him. '' Let's call it a resume.''

As Sharon picks up a photo of Sam with his parrescue team, she asks. ''Is this Bakhmala? The Khalid Khandil mission, that was you?...'' Turning to Steve she asks him. ''... You didn't say he was a parrescue?''

Ignoring Sharon's question, Steve looks at the photo of Sam with his colleague. ''Is this Riley?''

''Yeah.'' States Sam, still sad about what happened.

''I heard they couldn't bring in the choppers because of the RPGs...'' Explains Sharon to Steve before asking Sam. ''What did you use, a stealth chute?''

Handings Steve a file, Sam explains, while Steve opens it and reads it. '' No. These.''

Checking the file, Steve asks. ''I thought you said you were a pilot.''

Smirking Sam tells him. ''I never said pilot.''

Shaking his head, Steve tells his friend. ''I can't ask you to do this, Sam. You got out for a good reason.''

Shaking his own head, while laughing, Sam explains. ''Dude, Captain America needs my help. There's no better reason to get back in.''

That said, Steve throws down the file on the table, containing cla.s.sified information about a military project called Falcon.