At Last I See the Light.

Annie was such a sweet and thoughtful young woman to think that she’d be in such a situation would shock everyone. It did. Her family was outraged when they found out. Annie had been in an relationship with her boyfriend Austin. On and off for three years she tried escaping but just couldn’t, it wasn’t until one day he had slammed her against an alley outside a bar that she was finally rescued. Annie thought he was going to strangle her but before she passed out she heard a familiar voice and then heard a fist make contact with Austin’s face. She didn’t remember what happened after that..

@ Bucky.Barnes
Steve was walking home from Bucky’s place when he heard some scuffling from an alleyway. He peered in and saw a guy, choking a woman against a wall. His eyes narrowed. He stormed over and punched Austin hard in the face, making him let go of Annie and drop to the ground. He caught Annie before she hit the floor and glared at the other man, ‘what is your problem?’

Annie wasn’t aware of what was going on she was passed out, Steve had made sure to call the cops and have the man arrested. Annie woke up several hours later surrounded by people she recognized. The Avengers? Why were they here? Why was she lying in a hospital room? Well, looked like their compound to be more precise, then she remembered hearing Steve. “W-where am i?” She whispered.

Natasha looked at Annie “you’re safe, Steve saved your from that monster and brought you here.” She watched Annie as she looked fearful, “don’t worry he won’t be getting out of prison any time soon.”

@ Sean and Kaycee

@ Bucky.Barnes
Steve walked into the room and saw Annie awake, surrounded by his team, ‘hello. How are you feeling?’ He asked as he slowly approached her. He didn’t want to startle her or make her even more scared than she already looked. He had some light food and water in his hands, ‘I brought you something to eat and drink. The nurse said it was okay. If you’re feeling hungry or thirsty.’

Annie sat up slowly and looked around confused before bursting into tears, her throat hurt and her body ached. She felt Wanda come over and gently rub her arms comforting her, “it’s going to be okay he can’t hurt you anymore” she whispered. Annie breathed softly wiping the gears away as she looked up most of the team had left to give her space except for Steve. “Thank you..” she whispered.

@ Sean and Kaycee

@ Bucky.Barnes
He brought the food over to her before sitting it down on the tray table, ‘it’s not much but it’s something light. I hope that’s not over stepping any bounds or anything. Just wanted to make sure you were okay and got a decent meal by hospital standards,’ he gave her a gentle warm smile.

Annie shook her head gently as she watched Steve hand her a bowl of soup. She breathed softly as she ate, Natasha watched as the young woman ate it made her blood boil knowing she was a victim of domestic violence. She turned to Steve, “I want to help her, maybe if she agrees we can show her some moves so she won’t be vulnerable..”

@ Sean and Kaycee

@ Bucky.Barnes
‘If she agrees I think that would be a wonderful idea. Just so in the future she can at least protect herself if need be,’ Steve told Natasha before looking back at Annie, ‘I feel bad for her. She didn’t deserve that. I mean nobody who goes through that does.’

Natasha crossed her arms and watched as Annie ate, she looked at Steve “he sexually assaulted her too, I looked into it, apparently people knew about it and did nothing. I’ll be taking care of them myself” she frowned before leaving the room. Annie looked up “wow, I just realized but you’re captain America.. thank you for saving me.. I’m not sure I would have survived that..” she cringed speaking about it

@ Sean and Kaycee

@ Bucky.Barnes
‘I’m sorry you had to go through that Annie. Nobody deserves that but call me Steve,’ he gave her a gentle smile, ‘I actually wanted to ask you something and feel free to say no but Natasha and I want to teach you some self defense so something like that doesn’t happen again if you’re up for it when you feel better. You can say no if you’d like.’

Annie finished her soup and set the bowl aside and looked at Steve, biting down on her lower lip. She wasn’t used to someone being so gentle “y..yeah I think I’d appreciate that. I’ve actually been trying to get out of the relationship but he made it so difficult..” she whispered. Explaining how he’d cut her contacts and her job opportunities. He controlled everything she did, from what she ate to what she wore. She sighed softly, “thank you.. but um I don’t really have anywhere to go.”

@ Sean and Kaycee

@ Bucky.Barnes
‘You can stay here for as long as you need. We want you to feel safe,’ Steve gave Annie a small smile, ‘do you need me to get you anything from the place you lived in with him or do you need me to pick you up anything? I’m pretty sure with Natasha’s help I can get everything you’d need.’

Annie’s eyes widen at the mention of the man and she was quick to grab Steve’s hand. He made her feel safe, maybe because he was a hero but there was something honest and kind about him. She blushed looking at him “no please.. I don’t want anything from there it’s all his anyway..” she bit her lip. Annie let go of his hand, “sorry didn’t mean to grab your hand... you.. just make me feel safe” she whispered.

@ Sean and Kaycee

@ Bucky.Barnes
‘That’s okay Annie. I’m here whenever you need me. I’ll ask Natasha to come shopping with me to get you whatever you need. You won’t ever have to see or speak to that man again, I promise you that.’

Annie nodded her head gently and lied back on the bed closing her eyes, she was exhausted. She fell asleep for what seemed a short while. Natasha has come back, “man she’s knocked out huh, it’s been sixteen hours, think maybe we should wake her? Steve.. you’ve been here all day you should get some rest.”

@ Sean and Kaycee

@ Bucky.Barnes
‘I’ll be okay Nat. She agreed to letting you and I go out and get her whatever she needs and she’ll be staying here for awhile. She also is letting us teach her self defense to protect herself.’

A few days later Annie was trying to get used to living with the Avengers, it was certainly a strange thing. She kept mostly to herself unless Steve was around which he was. He’d always sit with her and talk to her, he was gentle with her. The way he talked to her and he treated her. Something Annie wasn’t used to, she looked at Steve one day while they were on the garden. He was explaining that he had a mission but that he’d be back soon.

“Yeah I’ll be okay.. I guess “ she bit her lip nervously.

@ Sean and Kaycee

@ Bucky.Barnes
‘I won’t be long Annie. Natasha will be here while I’m gone,’ he gave her a gentle smile. He gave her a small gentle hug before turning and walking towards Sam and Bucky. He had grown quite close to Annie. She was an amazing girl, beautiful and smart. Her ex was wrong in what he did to her. She didn’t deserve to be treated like he treated her.

Annie nodded and spent time with Natasha, Steve was wrong though. He was fine for awhile, like two months. But this point Annie had taught some moves and was almost proficient at them. “Wow Steve should be here any minute why don’t you go take a break” Natasha told her after they finished sparring . Annie nodded headed to the shower

@ Sean and Kaycee