The Algorithm To Infinity

[8] how to live without you

He shook his head in response. "We haven't had any time. Fury sent us off on this mission two days after she got back from Russia." He replied. "Saving the world isn't really a nine to five job, as nice as that would be."

"Yeah, that's for sure." He agreed. "Listen, if you aren't going to touch base with them, I will." He said, reaching up to press on his earpiece. "Are you good, Natasha?"

"You're impatient, Sam," Steve grumbled as they awaited her response.

There was silence. 

Panic slivered its way up his spine, seizing his heart as it began to race. He knew he had to think logically no matter how much he wanted to run through the streets and find her to make sure she and the dog were safe. "Banner?" He asked cautiously into his own earpiece, hoping the doctor would respond and let them know exactly what was going on.

Bruce finally did, speaking solemnly through the communication system. "Something happened to Epic..."

• • •

Natasha and Epic's side of the mission had been going smoothly... until it wasn't. The dictator was quickly apprehended along with his bumbling comrades, and Natasha was tying up loose ends with local authorities as she searched the men's tents. She had been told that there weren't any others, that the situation was secure, and she could holster her gun. She had kept her gun out, just in case, but her guard was down. Epic's wasn't, however. It never was. She alerted Natasha to the rogue terrorist that had gone undetected with low growls, and she whipped around as she raised her gun. The burly man had the element of surprise.

"Эпично, спрячься!" [Epic, hide!] Natasha yelled at her dog as the man tackled her to the ground, wrenching her gun out of her grip. From the corner of her eye, she saw her dog flee and relief rushed through her knowing she would be safe, even if Natasha was fighting a losing battle. She could never win a fight using her strength; she always won with her stealth and wit. Pinned underneath the man, his hands around her throat as he drew a knife from his pocket, she knew she was entirely fucked. Repeatedly bucking her hips and twisting her torso, she tried to free herself from his unyielding grip. Twisting and turning, she tried to reach for her knife tucked into her boot, to fight him off as he squeezed the breath from her lungs that burned for air. Fear and adrenaline surged through her as he tried to plunge the knife into her chest, but she jerked underneath him and by pure luck, he grazed her shoulder.

Her vision darkened around the edges, black spots dancing in her eyes as he squeezed the last drop of life from her. She had imagined death before but never like this. Never so weak, pathetic. Never before she told Steve the truth and told him how much he meant to her.

This was it, however. 

This was how she would go.

Suddenly, the man cried out in pain and released Natasha as he rolled off her. She began to cough violently, gasping for the air her lungs desperately heaved for as she pushed herself up and scrambled for her gun. Her vision cleared, and she saw who had saved her.

Epic.

"Спрячься, эпик ... спрячься!" [Hide, Epic... hide!] She shouted through deep gasps, but her dog didn't heed her commands as she violently tore at the terrorist's arm, splattering blood around the tent. Natasha felt utterly useless as she felt around for her gun, still trying to recover from nearly being choked to death. Just as her hand closed around the gun, and she squinted her eyes to aim, time slowed to a standstill.

The man raised the knife and stabbed Epic in the chest.

The dog yelped, but she still didn't let go of his arm. Natasha cried out as she shot the man in the back and only then did Epic release him and collapse to the ground.