ONLY YOU » STEVE ROGERS [EDITING]

37 /| meaningless innocence

thirty-seven

*•.*

"THIS DOES NOT HAVE to be hard," a quiet voice promised. Secretary Ross didn't seem to believe the words himself, but he did seem to be trying impossibly hard to look like he did. "We could make all of this go away if you cooperate."

"Damn it, Ross," she rasped, "can't a girl get off of her deathbed before you start interrogating her?"

Geneva Blake was tired still and in pain for a myriad of reasons. Her throat burned constantly, and her wounds ached. She was also alone and handcuffed to a hospital bed like a criminal. She'd spent nine weeks in a coma and had been conscious for nearly two now. She was lucky to be alive and breathing, and she was even luckier to be awake.

"You're no longer on the verge of dying," the man said, forgoing his attempts at gentleness. His lip curled agitatedly under is thick mustache. "Help us find Captain Rogers, or you will end up in a prison with the rest of his accomplices."

Had laughing not been a catalyst for more pain she would've done it right in his face. She settled for a scoff. "I want a lawyer."

"We're way past that Ms. Blake," he commented. "You're wanted in 117 countries. Your circumstances are different. You're lucky that other governments aren't calling for your head."

"Lucky is not quite the word I would use." She regarded him with a frown, and took another sip of her water, the liquid soothing the soreness of her throat. She spoke again, her voice not as strong as she would like it to be, but it was all she had to give. "Why the hell would I put my faith in a government that does not give a damn about me? A government that won't even allow me my rights. A government that would kill Steve Rogers like some common criminal and expect me to help them do it. Have some sense of reality."

His expression tightened. "Enlighten me of this... reality then."

"No," she said simply. She would save her breath. They'd been numbered for far too long. "I'm done, Ross. If you want to send me to prison, do it. I won't talk about Steve Rogers to you or anyone else. If you do find him, though, by all means, send him my well wishes."

The man's face was turning a deep shade of red. "You won't get another chance like this, and I can't promise you that once you're discharged you won't be thrown into prison for the rest of your life, nor can I promise that you won't be questioned by other countries about your teammates' locations."

"Since you are so concerned with justice, tell me," she began, lifting her chin, "Do you believe that this is just? Do you believe that I deserve life in prison? Do you believe that I deserve to be thrown out to the wolves?"

"I know that you can help us find one of the most wanted men in the world and you refuse to do so." His failure to answer the question didn't go unnoticed. Ross stood, adjusting his suit jacket, and regarding her with what she assumed was supposed to be nonchalance. "However, we don't need you. We'll find him in the end, with or without your help."

Geneva just gazed up at him. "I'm glad for you, but know that if you hurt him, I will—"

"You will what?" Ross asked with a roll of his eyes. "You are in no position to be making threats."

She ignored this because she was expected to make a near full recovery, and her current position was anything but permanent. "I will kill you and anyone else involved."

His lips pulled back over his teeth. "I could have you arrested for that alone." She could hear the anger in his voice now. "You think that you are untouchable, but no one is. Not you. Not even Steve Rogers."