Bucky snarled his last words, suddenly everyone's attention was on you. You looked around and saw glaring eyes, everyone except for Tony. His eyes showed confusion and betrayal. So much for that bonding moment. And it was all thanks to the Winter Soldier, the man you thought was left for dead, here and well alive.

You looked back to Bucky, his posture in the attack mode you knew too well. You didn't want to make the situation worse, "I can explain-" Before you could say another word Bucky was on you, forcing you into a nearby wall. His metal hand reached your throat, keeping you in place. His fingers squeezed around your neck, not enough where you couldn't breathe but enough where there will definitely be a bruise tomorrow. If you lived to see tomorrow.

Fear began to consume you as his hand slowly closed around your throat, your airway little by little closing. Out of the corner of your eyes you could see everyone jump from their spots in defense and surrounded you and Bucky.

Before anyone could act any further Tony grabbed Bucky's shoulder harshly. "That's enough!" Tony yelled. His hand suddenly squeezed tighter from Tony's touch, making you grunt from the pain. "Let her explain herself. We don't know the full story."

"You don't, but I do," Bucky interrupted with his face still snarled, "she's an agent of Hydra. One of the top children spies. You can't trust her."

Tony turned to you, his eyes began to fill with sorrow, "Tell me he's lying." He said softly to you.

Your heart sank as he spoke those words. You hesitated, trying to hold back tears. You couldn't cry, you can't cry, "It's true."

You could see where Tony's heart broke the moment your words slipped your mouth. He rubbed his beard and walked away, then placed his hands on his hips as he thought. It broke your own heart seeing him feel betrayed. The two of you didn't see eye to eye at first, however throughout yesterday you thought that even if the results were negative that you could remain friendly towards each other. But now you had doubts about everything.

Without turning, Tony said, "Was everything a lie?"

"N-No," you choked out through Bucky's grip, "I didn't tell you everything, but what I said yesterday was mostly true."

"Mostly?" Tony snapped turning towards you.

"I wasn't lying that Aubrey Y/L/N is my mother, but I wasn't put in foster care." You grabbed Bucky's cold, metal hand with yours as you tried to weaken the grip, which was practically pointless, "If you would just let go I'll explain everything. Please. I never wanted to be in Hydra."

Your eyes were pleading, which might've gotten to Tony as he said, "Bucky, put her down."

Bucky's head turned abruptly towards Tony, "There's no way you can trust her-"

"I don't." His words hit you like a knife. And to think you two were starting to warm up to each other. "But I want to hear her side."

Bucky released his grip on your throat. You gasped for air and coughed trying to catch your breath. Shakily, you stood up and held yourself again the wall for support until you could stand on your own. At this point everyone was interested to hear your story, but they were still prepared to attack if necessary. "I was with Hydra most of my life," you began, "up until a few years ago when the aliens attacked. The building I was held in at one point was completely demolished. There were no survivors, except me. I managed to dig my way out, get new clothes, pick a name for myself, and go from there. The things they did to me… make me do… I wanted to kill them all. Make them pay for what they did to me and the other kids."

"There were other kids?" Bruce inquired, you nodded.

"Hold up, how long were you with them?" Sam asked.

You shook your head, "Ever since I was born." Tony's eyes looked at you, realizing why your mother left him all those years ago.

"What exactly happened while you were there?" Steve asked.

"That's… a longer story."

Your first memories were you holding a gun. They weren't loaded of course, but it was just to make you get use to the weight and feel of carrying one.

As you grew older, the guns grew larger and you were given different weapons. Your favorite was a butterfly knife, watching the adults train with it with grace and ease was mesmerizing. Unfortunately you weren't allowed to use one until your hands grew large enough to hold it in one. When that time came you practised everyday, but at a price. You'd cut your fingers every so often, and everytime you did you were punished. They wouldn't let you quit either. He wouldn't let you quit.

One morning during training, you met a boy, a little bit older than you, but he was about your size. You learned his name was Marcus and he was transferred from another facility. The two of you quickly became friends and did almost everything together. You both trained together, had meals together, and eventually shared a room after your roommate was relocated. You couldn't explain it at the time, but the way he made you feel was unlike anyone else. He made you smile, laugh, comforted you when you cried in secret, and made sure you ate on days when you were sick. He was also respected by the other children with his generosities. You could say he was your first crush, but you weren't allowed to have crushes. Not because they told you, but because you knew people you cared about didn't last long.

When you were about thirteen years old, you stumbled upon Marcus talking to some other boys. They were younger than you two were, and didn't have the look as everyone else did who have lived here for years. Their eyes were full of life and hope, haven't yet been tainted by the wrath of Hydra. However you couldn't complain, you weren't allowed to complain, but Hydra was home.

"Hey Marcus," he jumped and quickly turned to you, "what're you guys talking about?"

"Nothing." He blurted. You could tell when he was lying, but he wasn't a great liar to begin with. "I was just telling them a story."

You raised an eyebrow, "A story? Didn't know you could tell stories. You know what the Officer would say about make believe."

"Not those type of stories," he said, shooing the other kids away, "my mission stories. I just had my first mission a few days ago."

Your eyes widened, "Why didn't you tell me? Are they already letting us go on missions?"

"No, not everyone. They needed me for a special mission. I'll tell you about it later, but I need to tell you something else. Meet me in the bathrooms after dinner." With that he turned and walked the other way. You've never seen him act so strangely before, and special missions? They don't allow the children to go on any missions until they were at least sixteen. Something was going on, but you guessed you were going to find out after dinner.

You sat on the metal bench, food that you've grown accustomed to on the tray in front of you. A plate full of chicken, broccoli, beans, and a glass of water and milk was a regular meal for everyone to keep the protein high for training. You couldn't take a bite of a single thing, your mind was only on Marcus and what he wanted to talk about. You scanned around the cafeteria in hope that Marcus would join you, but all you could see was a room full of children in the same grey uniform. You waited for the entire dinner period, but he never showed. The speaker came on to tell everyone dinner was over and to go to your next station. You quickly scarfed down the rest of your meal, knowing if you were caught with food on your plate you would be punished. As everyone cleared the room, you made your way to the bathrooms. Usually you would be on your way to your self defense station training, but you didn't want to wait any longer with what Marcus wanted to say.

You entered the sleek bathroom, rows of toilet stalls and sinks lined the walls until the end of the room were the showers. You walked slowly down the aisle until you looked at yourself in the mirror. You never looked at yourself, you would only glance once in a while. You studied your features, your eyes sunken from the training and how tired you were, the small scars from the weapons you practised with, but you could tell you were growing up. So much has changed within you the last few years, but you're always too busy to notice.

"Over here." You jumped as you heard a whisper, only to see if was Marcus hiding in the showers.

"Marcus, what's going on? You've been acting weirder than usual."

"You're my best friend, right? So I can tell you anything?" He said in a hurry, almost like he needed to be somewhere else.

"Of course, and you're my best friend. Which means you need to tell me what's up."

"I'm leaving, tonight." Your heart stopped. This had to be a joke, right? Nobody just leaves Hydra without punishment to be paid.

"W-What are you talking about? You can't leave! The Officer will have your neck if you did." Your eyes began to tear up, and since it was just the two of you they flowed with ease.

"I don't have much time. I've been smuggling children out for a few weeks now. The boys I was talking to today are leaving tonight and they're waiting for me."

You were confused, angry, devastated, your stomach began to twist on itself, making you want to throw up. Marcus saw your frustration and held your shoulders, pulling you into a hug. You allowed him to hug you, but you didn't hug him back for a while. When you finally did you began to bawl, "How could you betray us like that? Betray me?"

"That's why I wanted to ask you if you wanted to leave with me." You looked up at him and pushed him away. "We could leave all of this behind. No more training, no more rules, no more orders. We can finally be free."

"How have you been smuggling the others out?" You asked through tears.

"There's a blind spot from the security cameras outside. I've managed to get the fence loose without anyone noticing. A couple miles out there's an abandoned shed. There are others waiting for me there right now, and tomorrow when I leave we're all leaving together, to tell the world the cruelties of Hydra."

You were speechless. Those missions he's been going on was him smuggling children out. Now he was going to smuggle one last group before he left for good. Your head was spinning, you couldn't think of anything.

"I need an answer now." He held your hands, looking you in the eyes.

"I…" you whispered, "I can't, I can't leave Hydra. I don't want to get punished."

"They won't punish you anymore if we leave, together."

Your eyes dropped to the floor, you stepped away from him, "I'm sorry. I am bounded to Hydra."

Marcus sighed, his posture dropped as he ran his hand through his hair, "I guess this is goodbye then." Before you knew it he leaned in and kissed you. His lips lingered for a moment before he pulled away, then he left you alone in the bathroom. You sat on your knees as you began to sob. You didn't know whether the decision you made would be your mistake ever.

You exited the bathroom nearly an hour later, running into a familiar face. His stance was tall and intimidating, you couldn't miss him anywhere, "Officer Kilcher ," You clicked your heels together, "hail Hydra." Officer Kilcher ran the entire facility, overseeing each and every child who lived here.

"At ease." He responded, another man accompanied him. His intense stare made you shiver, as well as his metal left arm. "Why are you not at training?"

"I had cramps, Officer." You couldn't think of anything else, you haven't even had your period yet but the other girls who did said they had intense pain in the abdomen which got them out of training for the day. "I wasn't feeling well."

Officer Kilcher was silent for a moment, "Go to the infirmary. Then I want you back in training extra early tomorrow." The other man's eyes were on you, still intense.

"Yes, sir." You walked in the opposite direction of them, until Kilcher called you.

"The infirmary is the other way, dear." You turned and looked at him, you swore red was filling your entire face. You nodded and briskly walked in that direction. The moment you turned the corner out of sight you began to run to your room. As you suspected, Marcus wasn't there, and neither were the little of belongings he had. You curled up on your bed, tears streaming down once again as you cried yourself to sleep.

You awoke to the speakers blaring, ordering all children to the courtyard immediately. You sat up on your bed, from the window you could tell it was very early, the sun not out but the light of morning was visible. You rose from the bed and followed the rest of the children outside to a large field of concrete. You all stood in your designated sections in neat rows, you being third from the front somewhere in the middle. There were rare occasions where everyone was outside, making you wonder what was going on.

Officer Kilcher stepped in front of everyone, the same metal armed man from last night next to him, making everyone fall dead silent. Everyone clicked their heels in position, "Hail Hydra!"

"It has come to my attention that we have been missing a few of our comrades the last few days," Kilcher began, "and I'm sure some of you have noticed it as well." You could feel his eyes on you, but you stared straight ahead as you listened. "You all know that breaking rules result in punishment, but there is one unspoken rule everyone should already know that is an exception." He lifted his hand and curled his fingers, commanding other men to bring out people with bags over their heads and their hands tied behind their back. The men brought them to their knees, removing their bags. Your breathing stopped when you saw it was Marcus and the boys he was suppose to help escape last night. The boys were crying, their faces bruised, but Marcus looked the worst. His eyes were completely swollen, dried blood stained his nose, and bruises were all over his neck and face. Your stomach twisted in knots at the sight of him. "These children," Kilcher continued, pointing at them, "thought they could leave us. Their only home. And now they must set an example for the rest of you."

Kilcher nodded his head to the metal armed man, and he immediately left his side, coming right at you. He grabbed your arm with his regular hand and dragged you to the front, right in front of Officer Kilcher.

Kilcher reached in his back pocket and held out a silver pistol, grabbing your hand to meet with the gun. You could feel your hand shaking as the metal touched your skin. Kilcher grabbed the back of your neck and dragged you to face Marcus, his eyes looking down. "The exception to trying to leave doesn't result in punishment," he announced, "it will result in an execution." Your breath hitched, everything began to look dizzy, but you forced yourself to stand. Kilcher turned to you and placed his arms on your shoulder, one of his hands gliding your arm to hold the gun to Marcus' head. "You know the rules, dear. You must be the one. He was your room companion, you should have known what he was doing."

"I-I didn't know anything about it." You whispered, holding back tears.

"Either way, you must be the one to do it. If you don't, I will kill both of you personally." Kilcher tightened his grip on you as you pointed the gun at Marcus. His eyes finally looked up to meet with yours, you could read from his glossy eyes that he was trying to say everything was okay. You squeezed your eyes shut, but Kilcher shook you, "No. You must watch this."

You let out a shaky breath, looking into Marcus' eyes one last time before you pulled the trigger. A moment after the gun fired you heard more shots, one for each of the boys. You couldn't hold back your tears any longer, you collapsed to the ground next to Marcus' body as you wept.

Kilcher left your side and faced the other children, their faces still. "Let it be known if anymore of you try to escape, this will be your fate. Hail Hydra."

"Hail Hydra!" The other children yelled, then they all left in formation inside.

Kilcher stepped towards you, holding your chin to force you to look at him "What have I told you about crying?" He asked sternly.

"Anyone who would cry…" you choked out, "would be severely punished."

Kilcher snapped his fingers and two guards came to your side and forced you on your feet, "Take her to solitary confinement. That shall be her new room. Take her to the barber as well, let them know to give her the 'treatment'." He looked at you once more and smiled, "This shall be your new job now. We know about the others he has smuggled and we intend to find each and everyone of them. It will be your job to execute each one."

Your knees began to wobble, but the guards kept you up. They escorted you away, first to the barber, where he shaved your head all the way to the skin. Next was solitary confinement, where it was a small six by six room with a single bed and poor excuse of a toilet.

Ten. That was the number of children you had to execute, including Marcus, that Hydra could find. At thirteen you were already a killer. Everytime you shot someone you cried, and every time you cried you were tortured and forced to train for several hours extra. Your meals were cut in half, and then cut in half again. You awaited for the day that they were done with you and put a bullet through your head.

There was a night where you were so malnourished you fainted and sent to the infirmary. One of the nurses had your entire medical history in a folder. There was an emergency and she quickly left to help, leaving the folder on the counter. Curious, you weakly stood as you grabbed the file. You flipped through a few pages until you found something that caught your eye. You read one of the pages that read: MOTHER - Aubrey Taylor Y/L/N, FATHER - UNKNOWN. You scanned the rest of the paper, trying to find answers to who your parents were. All you could find about your mother was she was a Hydra agent, and a good one as her ranking and status were high. There was nothing about your father, until you flipped the page and found something on the back. POSSIBLE FATHER: Anthony Edward Stark. Knowing that you had parents that were possibly out there, it was your only mission in life to find them. You needed to know that they existed, that they weren't just some words on a page.

Several years went by, the same routine would happen anytime someone tried to escape. You grew numb to this, your tears eventually dried where you could no longer cry. You felt nothing, because you knew you were nothing but an executioner for Hydra.

You were able to gain the trust of Officer Kilcher to become his right hand woman, the metal armed man left weeks after your first kill. There were occasions where you would travel with Kilcher to other Hydra bases. One year, the two of you went to New York for a conference. The meeting was held in a building deep in the city on the first floor. You waited in the lobby by the entrance, this was the first time you had seen so many people who weren't involved in Hydra. You secretly envied them, wishing you could be among them.

Apparently something heard your wish, as you felt the ground start rumble, everyone screamed and ran in the streets. You peered out the window and couldn't believe your eyes. Creatures were falling from the sky, shooting buildings with the hovercrafts they were flying in. The building quaked as one of the creatures shot the structure, the ceiling began to fall in crumbles.

You were only out for a moment, you tried to reorient yourself as to what was happening. The aliens coming down, the building falling, you now noticed you were trapped. Your eyes shifted around, you could see light and you could feel your hand feel the air. You must've been close to the outside. With your free hand you began to dig, carefully moving each chunk of rubble as to not let any more collapse on you. It felt like hours until you were finally able to shift yourself out.

You looked back to see the damage. The entire building was completely collapsed. The room Officer Kilcher was in was in the center, there would be no way he survived. There would be no way he survived.

You were free. For the first time in years, you felt happiness.

"I ran as fast and far away as I could get away from the building." You said, "After everything was done the news said there were no survivors in the building. That's when I learned about you guys and how you saved the world that day."

Everyone was silent by the end of the story. They were all thinking how they could make a little girl do horrible things, but they knew Hydra didn't feel remorse, only power. You looked at everyone, all with the same, solemn expression. Everyone except Bucky, who kept the same stoic face you remember from all those years ago.

"How do you know Hydra isn't still looking for you?" Bucky asked.

"About a year or two after I escaped, I was in the mall. There were two Hydra agents that I worked with almost every single damn day." You looked down remembering them, "I recognized them immediately, they even looked me directly in the eye. They were just feet away, and you know what they did? Nothing. Walked right by me without a word. Do you think Hydra agents would do just let me go after everything I've done?"

Bucky was silent, his face confused but fell stoic once again. You crossed your arms, holding them tight against your chest. The silence was killing you, but you didn't dare say anything until one of them spoke first.

"So what's the plan now?" Rhodey asked.

"Plan? There is no plan." Tony retorted, still a bit betrayed.

"Miss Y/N, could you give us a moment while we discussed this?" Steve said kindly, you could tell he felt sympathy for you. That's not what you wanted, but you appreciated that he was calm about this.

You nodded and stepped outside, you sat down on the ground back against the wall as you tried to listen in. You only heard murmurs, no yelling, no arguments, then there was silence, followed by more murmurs.

Nearly half an hour passed until Tony stepped out and joined you on the ground. You didn't look up at him but he was looking right at you. "Can you fight?"

You furrowed your eyebrows and looked at him, "What?"

"I said, can you fight?" He repeated.

"Yes. Hydra trained me to fight in all sorts of ways."

Tony nodded, "If you can prove you're worthy to the team, we'll let you stay."

Your eyes lit up but you grew confused, "You're letting me stay? After all of that?"

"We don't want you roaming out there before the test results come in," he said, "so you're staying here, with us, until then. After that we'll go from there."

Suddenly, you hugged Tony as tight as you could. He was surprised from the gesture he nearly fell over, but patted your shoulder as he regained his balance. "Thank you. I thought you were gonna kick me out or kill me."

"I won't. But Bucky is still a bit skeptical, you better convince him before he changes his mind."

The two of you stood up and reentered the room. Everyone seemed to be at ease with you this time, except for Bucky, who was leaning against the kitchen counter. This was going to be a fun few weeks.