Not So Innocent (Captain America FF book 1)

Chapter 30:

Wow. This is it guys. The final chapter. *teary eyes* I love you all. And I'm super happy because I reached over 2,000 reads. I hope you enjoy this last chapter and get ready for tears.

Tony Stark

"Tony! Tony!" I sat straight up in bed and saw Pepper flinging the doors open, running in with messed up hair and a broken high heel. I yanked the covers off me and got out of bed "What happened? You look awful."

Pepper smacks my chest "Just listen. Jade, she's gone." I nod, wondering how she had met her "Yes, she has the rights to stay and go as she pleases." Pepper shakes her head "Not like that. Like never coming back kinda gone. She managed to lock down the elevator and have me walk up 70 flights of stairs to see you."

I wave it off "She goes on missions all the time Pep. This one is no different." Pepper wasn't giving up though. "Uh, what did she call it? Clean-something- protocol. Ugh. What was it?"

J.A.R.V.I.S somehow activated. "Sir. There was a request for you to check on Captain Rogers." Pepper smacks her forehead "Oh right! Steve!" She ran out of the room and I followed her as she barged into his room. We found him in bed with a small trickle of blood oozing from his forehead.

"Oh my God! Should we get Bruce?" I take a glass of water from the bedside table and slash it on his face. He sits straight upright. "Nah. He's fine." But apparently I spoke to soon. "Where is she? Where's Jade?"

J.A.R.V.I.S speaks once again. "Activating Clean Ledger protocol." A video of Jade appeared on the holo-screen. It seemed like it was from earlier today. She was in the park across the street from the tower.

Steve Rogers

I got off the bed and watched as the video started. "Hey." Jade started with sadness in her voice. "You're all probably wondering why you're watching this video or why I made it. Well, if things went according to plan, I'm dead." I nearly fell over as I felt a heart wrenching pain in my heart.

Jade continued "Sorry to be so blunt. But I came in contact with someone and they threatened to launch an attack on Manhattan that would take out millions of I didn't surrender."

I sit on the edge of my bed in pure shock. Pepper put a reassuring hand on my shoulder as I continued to watch. "And I'm sorry I didn't have time to make things right. I needed help. J.A.R.V.I.S put the tower on silent lock down after I left. Cutting off elevator access and all routes of escape. He is playing this feed in every room. You all were the closest thing I've had to a family in a long time. You accepted me as me. And I couldn't have asked for more."

I watched her ask a tear leaked out of her eye. I just wanted to reach foreword, wipe it away and tell her everything is alright. But I couldn't. "So I got each of you something special as a... well a memento of our good times together. I put them underneath each of your beds."

I didn't move. I just watched her as hot tears trailed down my face. "For Bucky, I got a hoodie. It has a special alloy in the fabric blocks the waves from your arm so you can go to museums and stuff without setting off the metal detectors like you did in DC."

She took a sharp intake of air "For Sam, I am giving you my favorite knife. You always tried to take it from me when we'd joke around back at Steves apartment. Just don't slice a finger off. Thor, for you I got you a Poptart of the month membership. Knock yourself out big guy."

She wiped away another tear "For Clint, you get a new bow. I hand crafted myself a few years back. I've never used it, so I hope it's more use to you than it was to me." Jade laughed sadly as she continued "For Natasha I got a bracelet. It has hidden mics, cameras, poison darts, knock out serum, the whole deal and it's all undetectable. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did."

I try to not let my vision blur over as o watch in agony. "For Bruce, I leave all my old files from when I worked in the science devision at S.H.I.E.L.D. These are the only remaining records of my work. Go crazy. And Tony. You were a hard one. What can you give to a man who has everything? Well to you I give you a quilt made out of my old band tee shirts. Don't ask how. I know a guy."

Tony looked almost as bad as I did. Jade was like the sister he never had. I guess felt the same way "You were like a brother to me Tony. Thats why I want you to look out for Spencer for me. He needs someone to guide him. Tell him I'm sorry."

Jade paused for a long moment "Steve, your present was the hardest to put together. It's so you'll remember the good times and not the bad. I don't do goodbyes so, yeah." with that the video ended and the room went dark. I slouched to the floor and sat on my knees, sobbing.

Tony stumbled over his words "J.A.R.V.I.S, check uh the uh the life signal. Avenger life signal." J.A.R.V.I.S's words only broke me even more "There is no life signal. Signal destroyed. Life form deceased." Tony stumbled out with a crying Pepper behind him.

I just sobbed. I couldn't save her. I failed. Jades gone. She's gone because of me. I saw red, white and blue wrapping paper peeking out from under my mattress. I pull it out and stare at it. A envelope was under the ribbon.

Slowly and tenderly I picked up the envelope. I opened it with care, so it wouldn't rip. Jades perfect handwriting was spread across the page.

'Hey Rogers,

You probably know I'm dead by now. And I'm sorry I left like I did. But it had to be done. I just hope you know you've made the past eight months the best months of my life. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. I know I wasn't always nice to you, or anyone but I guess that's how I express my feelings. But I'm sorry. So, I put this together. I hope you like it Steve.'

I set the letter down with shaking hands as I pull the package closer. I opened it and saw a picture frame and a flash drive, along with a post it note. The note read 'These are pictures of us. Apparently Bucky and Sam liked having photos so they could tease us about. But I hope you like it. The flash drive also contains a few videos and documents. I just hope you aren't mad at me. Please don't beat yourself up about it. You couldn't have stopped me. This was my choice. And I just want to thank you for the most amazing times of my life..'

I look at the photo in the frame and nearly break down. It was of me and Jade on her couch in DC. She was asleep in my lap as I played with her hair. It looked natural, yet my heart burned in pain.

I bury my face in my hands "I lost you Jade. I'm sorry."

And bam. Book one ending. The next book is called Guardian. Please read for more adventure.