Saving Steve (Steve Rogers x Reader)

Chapter 62 - Escapes and EMPs

Chilled gusts of wind from the open ramp tumble through the space, kissing your cheeks and stealing the warmth left behind by Steve's hands only moments prior. 

It's been eleven seconds since he jumped.

You begin to pace the small jet, a memory flashing through your head. Your mother's voice.

"The tallest oak trees grow strongest in contrary winds."

It's been twenty-eight seconds since he jumped.

Raising your fingers to your ear, you tap on the little comm link, praying it comes alive. But you hear nothing. Only the howling of the breeze as it slides through the metal of the jet, sounding more like a scream. 

It's been forty-one seconds since he jumped.

Nervously biting your lip, you walk over to the control panel of the jet, and your eyes land upon that yellow button. The one that looks like a space bar. You swallow the lump in your throat before glancing back out the open ramp. 

It's been seventy-three seconds since he jumped.

A sudden static in your ear startles you, but the crackling turns into a faint voice. You inhale sharply and bring your hand up to your ear, covering it fully to try and make out the words.

"...you there pchelka?"

"Nat!" you gasp at the sound of Nat's quiet whisper in your ear. "Are you okay? Can you hear me?"

"I can hear you," she answers quietly, barely more than a hum. "They've got signal jammers down here. Took us a minute to figure out how to disable them."

"Where's Steve?" you ask, heart thrumming in your throat. 

"He's right here. We're calibrating his ear comm. Give us a second."

Things fall quiet and you find your knees weakening. Sitting in one of the jump chairs, you drum your fingers anxiously on the conference table that runs between the six seats. 

Until that static crackles in your ear once more.

"Sweetheart? Can you hear me?"

You bolt upright, sitting stick-straight in your chair, fists clenched. "Steve? Baby are you okay?"

A quiet laugh on the other end tells you he's fine, and you let out a breath you didn't quite realize you had been holding.

"I'm fine. But listen," Steve says. His voice, like Nat's, barely perceptible. "We need to keep this link clear as much as possible, okay? Nat and I need to be able to hear each other. So try to stay quiet unless there's an emergency."

Your chest constricts as you realize that you're taking the seat of the observer. Only able to watch - not to help.

"Okay," you choke out.  "Just...be careful. Look out for each other."

Nat's quiet voice laughs breathily. You can just imagine her shaking her head. "Don't worry pchelka. I won't let the old man bust a hip down here."

"Very funny," Steve quips.

The line falls silent for a moment, but you can hear some general rustling about - as if the two Avengers are putting bags over their head.

"You ready?" comes Natasha's voice, slightly muffled.

"It's probably too late to go to the bathroom, right?" Steve grumbles.

The line falls silent once more, and you bring your hand to your mouth - covering it tightly to serve as a reminder not to speak. Although you're dying to keep them talking. To hear their voices. To know they're okay.