Where is Ward
Author's Note: This story came out of a post I recently made on Tumblr regarding Ward's family.
Summary: Grant Ward isn't the only one who seeks redemption for his actions. The question is why does Rose feel so guilty? Two Part Story.
Chapter 1 - The Impossible
The woman watched the security footage in absolute horror. If she hadn't already been informed otherwise Rose could have sworn it was footage of a HYDRA agent shooting an unarmed SHIELD agent. Only it wasn't, a SHIELD agent had just shot an unarmed man who was actually trying to help her escape. Sure Rose had only just learned the pair's history but she had also just watched the entire security feed of their most recent meeting. Taking the woman to a HYDRA base was no doubt ill-advised but the man had done nothing but help since arriving, certainly nothing that warranted getting shot.
Rose let out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding when another woman came along and eventually helped the man to his feet. They walked out of view of the camera and the image froze. Rose continued to stare at the screen, hoping pure force of will would change the events she had just seen, that pure force of will would change the last fifteen years of her life, of her brother's life.
"Miss Ward?"
A voice spoke next to Rose, snapping her from her thoughts. Rose eyed the one eyed man carefully before she corrected him, "Sousa."
The man hid his confusion well, "I'm sorry?"
Rose sighed before turning to face the man completely, "My last name is Sousa. I changed it to my mother's maiden name a couple of months ago." She almost smiled, "Your file on me no doubt hasn't been updated since your organization officially fell."
"Indeed," Nick Fury agreed.
Again Rose sighed, "Why am I here, Mr Fury?" She crossed her arms, "Many have tried, and failed, to convince me Grant is a bad guy. I highly doubt you will succeed, especially by showing me my unarmed brother getting shot."
Fury shook his head, "You misunderstand me. I'm not trying to convince you of anything, I just want your help to find him. There have been no sightings since this was taken two days ago."
"You sent my brother to be executed," Rose snapped, "You sent him to Christian." She shook her head, "I won't help you kill the only brother who ever gave a damn about me."
The former SHIELD director held his hands up in surrender, "Again you misunderstand me. For starters it was Phil Coulson that passed your brother off to the senator. I would have never let such a valuable asset slip through my fingers, especially for something as simple as publicity." Before Rose could interrupt again Fury continued, "Your brother spilled HYDRA's secrets for Coulson, given the chance to return to HYDRA he secretly helped SHIELD instead. Grant Ward was loyal to a man, not a cause. Now he is free of that man I firmly believe that given the choice your brother would choose to take down HYDRA rather than join it."
Rose continued to eye Fury doubtfully, "You want to use Grant, just like Christian did, just like our parents and just like HYDRA."
"I want to give your brother something he's never had," Fury replied, "A choice. If he doesn't want my help he's free to go."
Rose glared, "And if he doesn't accept your help Coulson's SHIELD will never stop hunting him."
"Coulson has bigger things to worry about," Fury shrugged, "Not to mention they no doubt think him dead after that little incident."
Again Rose crossed her arms, "I don't trust you."
"Good," Fury nodded, "Trusting someone you just met is a sure fire way to get yourself killed. You trust Steve Rogers?"
"He set up this meeting," Rose replied, "If I didn't trust him I wouldn't be here." She smiled, "But Steve doesn't trust you and told me not trust you."
"Rogers speaks from experience," Fury replied simply.
Rose's gaze softened and she uncrossed her arms, "I still don't get what you want from me, what makes you think I can find Grant when no one else can."
"Because," Fury replied, "Deep down Agent Ward wants a chance at redemption and you are one of the few people he might let find him."
"You've already admitted Steve had a good reason not to trust you," Rose replied, "Why should I help you?"
"Because I am your brother's best chance at redemption," Fury smiled, "And because you believe that by redeeming your brother you will also redeem yourself."
"I don't need redemption," Rose snapped.
"No. You don't," Fury agreed, "You were a little girl trying to help her big brother. Your file, which has been updated I might add, has changed drastically over the last few months. Ever since you learned the truth. You feel guilty. It's why Rogers brought you to my attention and it's why you'll help me find your brother."
Despite herself Rose actually smiled, "I grew up around master manipulators, the kind of people who if they tried hard enough could convince you the sky was green. You put them to shame, Mr Fury. I'm surprised you didn't use my grandmother though. Convince me to relieve her of her guilt, not my own."
Fury smiled by shook his head, "Using her would have only angered you, not just you but others whose help I also need."
Rose actually smiled again, "You're a manipulative bastard. You know that right?"
Fury smiled but nodded, "I do."
"Good," Rose nodded, "There is hope for you yet." She paused before continuing, "So how exactly do you expect me to find my brother? I haven't seen him since I was thirteen."
"If there is one thing you Wards can do better than most, it's the impossible."
Part two will be posted sometime soon.
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