Code Name: Untraceable

Chapter Seventeen: Wrong Way to Knock

The Thunderbolts moved carefully up the incline-well, most of them.

Yelena was whispering to Bob about how he should "fly cooler," John was complaining about rocks, Ava was ignoring everyone, and Alexei was recounting a war story no one asked for.

Bucky, as usual, stayed alert. But even he didn't hear her.

None of them did.

Until-

"You all talk like you're trying to invite an ambush."

Six heads whipped around.

Frankie was behind them.
Arms crossed. Hair tied back. Gun at her hip.

Unbothered. Untouched.

Alive.

"Jesus," John jumped. "You can't just appear like that!"

"I can," she said flatly. "And I did."

Yelena blinked. "How long have you-?"

"Long enough," Frankie cut in. Then she looked around, gaze sharp. "Next time you're walking into unknown territory, maybe don't shout like it's a football match. I could've picked you off one by one."

Ava raised an eyebrow. "Would you have?"

Frankie smirked. "Depends how annoying you were being."

Bob stepped forward, a little hesitant. "We... we weren't trying to scare you. We just didn't know where else to look."

Frankie held his gaze for a second.

Something flickered behind her eyes.

She didn't say thank you.

But she did lower her arms.

"You found me. That's not easy."

She turned and started walking toward the hidden entrance.

"Now shut up and come inside before one of you actually does get shot."

They followed.

And no one said another word.