Must Get Out (MB/Cap)

[Steve Rogers]

Location: Brooklyn
Date: 11/21/2012
Time: Late Afternoon, Evening, just after dark

Captain Rogers had been called in to one of the SHIELD Bases in New York at the request of an Agent 19. Steve didn't know many of the agents, besides Natasha and Clint, Agent Hill and Coulson as well.

So, maybe this was a good thing.

Steve stepped into the lobby and looked at the guard, a dark haired woman that he'd seen before. He didn't know her name yet, but Steve figured he might one day, she looked more like a field agent stuck covering a front desk than a guard.

"Um, hello. I'm here to see Agent 19? It's Captain Rogers."

"I know who you are. Hang on, I'll buzz her."

[Barbara "Bobbi" Morse-Barton]

Bobbi had been briefed on her mission. Fury might want the Avengers to be a team, but he still wanted Captain Rogers to remain tied to SHIELD. Maybe it was because of the out of timeness, or maybe he just saw him as a resource too valuable to leave untethered. Like a prize horse. No matter how much you might spoil the horse, you made sure to keep it hobbled or else someone else could jump up and ride off with that prize. Or worse, the horse itself might.

And humans could get into a whole lot more trouble than horses could.

Admittedly, if that was the case, Bobbi wasn't sure whether or not she should start worrying about herself. After all, she'd been injected with something similar to Cap. Shouldn't that make her more his ally than the government's?

It was easier not to make enemies in a place she enjoyed working for, though. Besides, she could always make double use of her time.

So when a familiar voice announced her guest's arrival, Bobbi easily dropped any questions from her conscience and quickly decided to meet him in person.

She took the stairs at a light jog, just enough to get the blood flowing. By the time she made it to the front desk, Bobbi looked immaculate once more.

"Captain," she greeted warmly. "I'm glad you accepted my request to visit."

[Steve Rogers]

Steve nodded respectfully to the pretty blonde woman when she greeted him. It only took him a second to realize who he was speaking to. "Agent 19?" He asked rhetorically, "I didn't want to pass and possibly cause a problem. I didn't have any duty at the towers, so it wasn't really a bother. Steve was the only one off, unlike most of his days off when Natasha was off as well, so he didn't mind taking a meeting or possible mission.

He fumbled to offer the woman his hand to shake, "It's a pleasure to meet you Agent, I'm Ste- Captain Rogers." He almost said his first name, terribly informal of him. He shook it off and said, "Steve. Steve is fine. Or Cap. I'm not great with the titles."

Cap paused a moment before asking, "So, you wanted to see me then? What can I do for you Ma'am?" He spoke to her like a superior officer. In all likelihood, she probably was.

[Barbara "Bobbi" Morse-Barton]

A smile lit her face at his guess, as well as his adorable stumbling over his own introduction. It wasn't really necessary, she'd seen him enough before, but the gesture was sweet.

"Well thank you, Steve. You can call me Bobbi."

Motioning gently with one hand, she led him towards the elevators. While she doubted the man would be opposed to exercise, it seemed more polite to show this sort of courtesy. He'd gone out of his way enough to visit... well, not a complete stranger... but close enough to it.

She had met a few of the Avengers by this point, but only as 'Mockingbird'. She rather liked that outfit, especially the kevlar. Hawky was keeping her at a distance right now, and that followed into his work with the Avengers.

Hawky would just have to understand that there had to be exceptions.

"A few reasons. Some professional, others personal."

Calling the elevator, she glanced sideways to gauge his expression before admitting, "There's a matter I would like your particular expertise on, if you are willing to help."

Bobbi averted her eyes once more as the elevator opened. Quickly stepping inside, she punched her floor number and waited for Steve to join her inside.

"It's just... there's not really anyone else to ask."

[Steve Rogers]

Steve followed along, nodding when she asked him to call her Bobbi rather than by any of her titles. He could sympathize with her plight, and would do as she asked. Going by Captain Rogers just felt so, rigid. It didn't always work for him.

"Bobbi it is then."

She told him that she needed his help on a few different levels, and Steve wasn't really one to turn someone in need down, so he gave a quick nod before answering, "I'm glad to help, however I can Bobbi." Cap would do his best, whatever she needed from him. When she made note that there was something he was an expert at, Steve raised an eyebrow, what was there that he was particularly knowledgable about? Nothing really came to mind, so he asked her to clarify.

Apparently he was the only one who could relate as well, so that was something too. Steve honestly couldn't figure out what it was.

"I don't suppose you want to know how to throw a shield really well, do you?"

[Barbara "Bobbi" Morse-Barton]

No questions asked, he had just agreed.

Steve Rogers really was a wonderfully sweet man. But, Bobbi felt, he was also a little naive. Probably couldn't be helped. He was just so.... 'good'.

Good in the way she wasn't, and she rather admired that, really.

Knowing this about his character now, some of her tension ebbed away. Step one was complete.

"Not that sort of expertise," Bobbi corrected, mirth in her eyes despite the gravity of her own situation.

It was hard to just dump straight in, but that was what Barbara was going to have to do. Taking a deep breath, she addressed him without making eye contact again, afraid that if she did meet his eyes she might become unnerved and stop midway.

"I first joined SHIELD by assisting in research to revive the Super Soldier serum. Because of that, I know that you're the only successful attempt that didn't result in... well, very negative side effects.

"That's not to say I want data from you like a lab rat," she hastened to add, "Just, providing background information. I mean, I feel enough like one myself; I'd hate to do that to you."

Very flustered, Agent 19. Very unprofessional, she scolded herself mentally.

"But... how did you adjust?"

[Steve Rogers]

When she mentioned the Super Soldier Serum, Steve raied an eyebrow. He'd heard about Doctor Banner's work, and had seen the results of the Gamma radiation. The Hulk could be terrifying, but also a great ally as well, but he assumed that it wasn't Banner they were talking about, or Bobbi would have gone and found him instead of asking Steve. Then, Cap remembered that someone else had been given the serum, or as close to the serum as they had come so far.

Cap had seen the monster that it had turned into. It, wasn't a fair name, it was a he. He was Emil Blonsky, and before he'd received Gamma treatments, he'd been the closest thing to a Super Soldier besides Captain America himself. Now, Blonsky was just, an Abomination.

Agent 19, Bobbi, had to be the next evolution of the current serum. Suddenly, Steve was able to empathize with her even more than before.

When she asked for information, Steve smiled and nodded, it sounded to him like she was really looking for advise.

"Do you feel like you're small, inside a giant body? I do, every day." He didn't think Bobbi probably grew like he had grown when he'd undergone the treatment and become the first Super Solider, but he imagined the results had to be at least somewhat similar.

"I didn't adjust very well at first," Steve started, "I was performing stage shows to increase the purchases of war bonds, I felt like a dancing monkey. The only other option for me besides that was sitting in a lab being tested on." Steve shrugged, "I sort of, made my own destiny after that." He was sure Bobbi had at least heard of some of the things he'd done during the war. Cap shrugged, "It's a struggle though. Not knowing how strong you really are, not wanting to go to your limit, because you're afraid you might hurt someone."

He gave his advice, "You've just got to keep on going, having your body transformed, it's like, getting new shoes. You have to break it in somehow, become comfortable with yourself."

[Barbara "Bobbi" Morse-Barton]

"I feel more like the walking dead, sometimes," she confessed.

Bobbi hadn't had as visible increase in muscle mass as SHIELD's notes said Steve had undergone. But then, she had been hovering near death before she was injected.

It was a miracle that she was alive at all, even more so that she hadn't turned into a grotesque monster. She was properly grateful for that, but that did not make it any easier in the end.

"But you're right. My body doesn't feel like it... fits... properly anymore. Like I'm cocooned or inside a cobra or something."

For a scientist, Bobbi really didn't go for using technical terms to describe her discomfort. That was just another reason she was taking advantage of being able to talk to Steve instead of a SHIELD scientist.

"I'm not really sure how to 'break it in' either. The last time I tried even tapping this new, erm, potential of mine, I shattered my favorite battle staves."

Bobbi was still sulking over that loss. They'd been perfectly in tune to her and would take some time to replace.

[Steve Rogers]

Steve nodded his head, having listened to Bobbi's plight, he could understand where she was coming from alright, it wasn't unlike what he'd gone through. Even still, she was struggling, and Steve wasn't just going to sit back while she needed his help.

"How do you feel about a work out Bobbi? Just, follow my lead, and I'll show you some exercises that have helped me get used to my body back when I was at war." Steve took off the bag on his back and unzipped it, "In uniform, since you'll probably be exerting the most energy that way." Cap wasn't aware that he was speaking to Mockingbird, a heroine he'd actually seen and heard of in the past, he assumed that he was suggesting she wear her SHIELD uniform, not unlike the one he'd seen Deputy Director Hill wearing during the Loki Crisis.

"I'll show you all the tricks to get around the city fast. Brooklyn at least, we can save Manhattan for another day."

If she'd agree, Steve looked out the door before taking his shield out, "You don't mind if I find a bathroom or a locker room something to change in, do you?"

[Barbara "Bobbi" Morse-Barton]

Not knowing her own strength, working out with one of the only people around who she could rely on being as strong as or stronger than her sounded very appealing. Sensible too, come to think of it. Even the idea of putting on her uniform. The kevlar and beta cloth combination was fairly light in comparison to some of the Avengers' outfits (Tony Stark's sprang to mind), but it would still make a difference.

Still, she hesitated. Could she justify making the victims of the suspected human trafficking cell wait any longer?

But then, could she justify NOT making that call? Right now, she was all out of sorts. Cap might want to help, but the only veritable back up she could offer was in fire power.

And guns could hit innocents so much more easily and more devastatingly.

Well, maybe they could combine the two?

Assuaging her guilt with that thought, Bobbi led him out of the elevator and gestured towards the closest bathroom.

"I'll meet you out front then, Captain."

Winking, she headed towards her office with a smile growing in confidence.

So far, this was not going too badly at all.

[Steve Rogers]

Cap followed Bobbi to the bathroom where he was able to change in peace. Prepared now, Steve went out front to meet the blonde agent.

He found her waiting and grinned, "Alright then. Anything you'd like to do on our way there? Something got you particularly thrown off?" Steve was there to help her after all, he wanted to make sure he wasn't blowing past anything important while they ran. He was sure that there had to be some things in specific that Bobbi was struggling with.

Captain America was there to help, no matter who needed him, he wanted to make sure that he stood as a symbol of the betterment of people. Help those who need it was a virtue that Cap saw a lot less of from back when he was in the 1940s.

It was time for a comeback.

[Barbara "Bobbi" Morse-Barton]

It took longer than it used to, putting on her Mockingbird uniform. It had been a while since she had even attempted it. Before, it was too easy for her to shred clothing, and then... well, she didn't think that Hawky wanted to see the reminder.

An Avenger was a hero. And in his eyes, she wasn't.

Not anymore. Not yet. She'd have to earn that back, even though Bobbi didn't think she had been in the wrong.

Grimacing a little, she worked out some kinks in her muscles as she waited for Steve to join her. She didn't have too long of a wait, but Bobbi was still able to meet him with a smile.

"There is a cell I'd like to knock out later, but that should probably wait until we've warmed up."

Especially for her, but hey, maybe he needed to stretch his muscles too.

"Take it away, sensei," she quipped, before putting on her Mockingbird mask. "I hope you'll find me an apt pupil."

[Steve Rogers]

As Steve joined her, he was a bit surprised to learn that he was speaking with Mockingbird all along. They'd actually met before, how odd. He didn't want to appear dense to Bobbi, so Cap kept his surprise quiet and didn't comment. She was already moving on anyway.

A cell?

Oh, a group of people, probably up to no good. Steve was used to troops and platoons, all these new definitions weren't quite second nature in understanding yet.

"Sounds like a plan. Happy to help."

With a nod, Cap acknowledged her letting him take charge, "Follow along. This is just a workout, so combat skills won't be necessary." Steve made a running start, dashing into the alley and using the closed in walls to jump up to the rooftop, "I learned about this free running thing from Agent Romanoff, it would've been a big help when I was busting Hydra factories in Poland."

[Barbara "Bobbi" Morse-Barton]

Bobbi had seen the flicker of recognition in his eyes, and that was enough acknowledgement for her. Since he spoke no censure, and neither did he appear to hold any disapproval towards her, Bobbi could only assume Clint had kept her 'transgression' private.

She was glad of it, really. Having him and the shrink at SHIELD know was borderline 'too much' right now. At some point, Bobbi was going to have to really deal with everything, but that took time. And she really didn't have time to devote only to herself right now.

Following after him at a quick pace, she misjudged her initial attempt. Slamming into rigid walls was not at all her idea of fun, but Mockingbird wasn't the sort to just give up. It wasn't that she had lacked the strength, but control was rather important.

So she tried again, eventually making it up towards the Captain.

Glancing his way, she nodded her understanding. It seemed a little rude to press for more information (although she was a bit curious, that was sort of his 'old' life, wasn't it? maybe it was more private?), so Bobbi simply smiled, "It's a very neat trick. Next, you're going to tell me you've taken up parkour."

[Steve Rogers]

The Captain slowly nodded, "That's exactly what it is Mockingbird. You use all the muscles in your body, and get a good idea of how to actually use your strengths to the fullest. When you do this every day, you'll be able to gain a new mastery over your body, this is what I've learned."

"Of course," he continued, "Since you and I are at a similar strength, you and I could spar a few times a month." With her, he wouldn't have to hold back an awful lot in the strength department like he did against some of the Avengers.

He looked over to the next roof, bent his knees a bit and then jumped with his full strength, working his way over in one leap, "Next you've got to be able to control how hard you leap, give it a shot Mockingbird." He would continue to instruct her for as long as they could run.

Steve was sure she'd catch on. It wasn't exactly parkour, but certainly it was an equivalent for people with their particular abilities.