Going out for some fresh air seemed like another good idea this morning. I needed to move around, to do something. It was too quiet. I was always training or getting ready for a mission and now I'm just sitting back and waiting for…I don't know.
I was greeted with a chilly gust of wind upon exiting the tower, but I welcomed it as I started making my way down the sidewalk. It felt like I was returning to an old neighborhood after moving away, which I suppose in a way I was. My feet continued along the path until I was in front of a coffee shop. The smell of roasted coffee beans and baked goods permeated the air as a customer exited, enticing me to take a step forward.
"Excuse me!" The sound of rushing footsteps put me on edge, my muscles tensing in anticipation as I whirled around to face the first incoming person.
A woman with a pad of paper and a pen at the ready was the first to be there, followed closely by her partner who shoved a recorder forward in my direction. Three others flocked to the scene, each with their own recording devices and attempts at my attention.
"I'm with the local news, if you wouldn't mind I have a few questions for you." Without pause, the woman produced a picture and extended it towards me. It was a poorly lit printed picture taken from a distance at the jazz club the previous night of Bruce and I at dinner. "Is this you in the picture?"
"Can you tell us your name? We'd all like to know the newest friend of the Avengers." A man chimed in from my right. He was holding another picture out for me to see, this time of Steve and I jogging in the park.
"Where did you get your abilities? You can keep up with Captain America. Anything else?" Another reporter chimed in, trying to get their question in first.
"Are you with Stark Industries or were you a S.H.I.E.L.D agent?" Another picture of me from the previous day with Pepper and Natasha.
I wasn't prepared for this. Of course tabloids and news sources would be curious, but I hadn't thought on it until now. "You know what? I can't really think without a little caffeine. Maybe we can do this another time." I forced a smile as a picture was snapped and quickly entered the coffee shop, sighing in relief when they didn't follow me inside.
"Rachel!" The cashier exclaimed, "You're back in town! I'm so glad to see you."
It took a moment for me to recognize her, but when I did I could practically feel the light bulb pop up. I knew her. I used to come here often. "Kate, it's been a while. How are your studies going?"
The chipper brunette grinned, "Only one more year left. How've you been?"
"Oh, you know…busy…settling back in." It was a loaded question to which I could only just barely answer.
"Still the usual?" She smiled.
I nodded slowly, trying to recall exactly what that was. "Uh…yeah, the usual."
The first sip brought back memories, literally. Bruce did mention when I arrived that taste formed powerful emotional connections sometimes, but every time a wave of snippets flashed through my mind it caught me off guard. I remembered coming here almost daily, Kate was always so upbeat and I was silently grateful for it. Sometimes this shop would be just the boost I needed to get to work.
I could feel the corners of my mouth turn upward as I sighed and took another sip. I didn't even know I'd missed this, but I did. It felt like my little bubble was popped the moment I stepped outside, the reporters still loitering just outside of the establishment.
"I'm sorry, not right now." Was all I offered, effortlessly maneuvering around them and making a hasty retreat. After a few blocks I slowed down, deciding to enjoy my drink as I familiarized myself with the area once more.
A man fell into step beside me, but I kept my gaze straight ahead and hoped he got the hint. I wasn't going to talk to any reporter today. Today was not the day for this.
"A former S.H.I.E.L.D agent…" He mused just loud enough for it to seem as if we were having a casual conversation. "Pretty ironic, don't you think, Dawn?" I almost stopped dead in my tracks, but he looped his arm with mine and continued, "If I were you, I'd find an area not so heavily populated. We are just getting started." He smirked, continuing the cheerful façade.
"Where are they?" I snarled, beginning to twist his arm before he countered and put some distance between us. Only someone in Hydra would have called me that.
The people walking around us slowed at the commotion, awkwardly shuffling along. I stared, trying to commit his face to memory as he chuckled to himself. Brown hair, brown eyes, average height, no visible marks…he wasn't supposed to stand out in the slightest. "Everywhere." He spoke up.
I could have been surrounded for all I knew. This wasn't the time to pick a fight. I didn't know who was around or what Dr. Sterns may have done to them. It was fight or flight and retreat was my smartest option right now.
"Tell Dr. Banner the offer still stands." He called, watching as I quickly retraced my steps to the tower. I was running once I rounded the corner, just waiting for a Hydra agent to pounce.
I made it back in one piece, shaking as the adrenaline kept flowing. "Rachel." A hand came to rest on my shoulder and I jumped, ready to defend myself. I was face to face with Clint who was watching my expression intently, "I saw you running. What happened?" He must have been on the roof where he liked to look out over the city.
"Any dizziness, nausea, anything like that?" Eric stood in front of me, tilting my head up as he looked into my eyes with a small flashlight.
There was a strong metallic taste stuck in my mouth from my bloody lip. It was all I could do to shake my head as I tried to steady myself. Every piece of me wanted to bolt for the nearest exit, but I'd just learned the price for escape attempts.
"Keep pressure on that." He nodded towards my unsteady hand that was pressed to a piece of gauze on my thigh, just above the knee. "I'll stitch it up in a minute."
I wasn't tough enough. I wasn't able to follow orders. I took pity on the few that crossed our paths at the wrong time. I was unacceptable. The punishment left me bruised from head to toe and terrified. I'd tried to get away and they put a bullet in my leg.
"I don't think I can do this anymore…It's a sick joke. I'm not allowed to show fear or something like this will happen?"
Another nod, "You shouldn't fear anything except failure. Things like this will stop once you learn to comply."
"What if I can't?"
"You will learn."
I paused, watching him gather supplies, "…I almost made it."
"Be glad you didn't." He turned, stone faced with an icy stare, "You'd be dead if you did."
A new set of chills ran down my spine at the memory. I thought he was just trying to scare me, but it was coming true. Once you were with Hydra, you didn't leave alive. I had a target on the back of my head and it was only a matter of time.
"They're here…everywhere." I managed, "I'm dead." I elaborated when he furrowed his brows.
"Hydra…" The archer confirmed. "Tell me about who you talked to and I'll try to find them before they get too far."
I shook my head. "Average, no markings or piercings. A sketch wouldn't even do it justice. I'd have to go with you to point him out."
"No, you're still healing and no offence, but you're shaking like a leaf."
I laughed, halfway hysteric, "Yeah, that's exactly what they want."
"Look, just take a seat and we'll figure this out, okay?"
A yawn and shuffling feet announced Tony's arrival, "Morning. I'm gonna make a smoothie, you guys want some?" He paused to rub his eyes, looking up expectantly before taking in the picture before him, "What did I miss?"
Everyone was gathered in the open space of the living room processing the news. I looked to each of them as they sat, deep in thought. Finally, I looked to Bruce who was frowning deeply as he stood rigidly in place. Dr. Sterns wasn't going to leave him alone and he knew it. I'd somehow managed to make it worse by staying. I was bad for this group. I didn't fit in with Hydra and I didn't fit in here.
"So, ideas?" Steve started.
"It's a trap either way." Clint stepped up. "They've threatened the general population if she stays here and we know for sure they'll follow anywhere else."
Natasha nodded, sharing the same sentiment. "They need you so they'll try to get to you in any way they can." She looked to Bruce and then to me, "And they'll either use you to get to him or they'll try to get rid of you."
The conversation wasn't making the sinking feeling any better. This had been the plan all along, just with adjustments along the way. I shouldn't be surprised, they always had a plan.
"Then we get them before they can get to any of us." Tony suggested.
"Yeah…find them first and get rid of whatever they're working on. They're working with radioactive materials, right?" Steve continued the thought.
"Exactly. We keep monitoring possible sources for suspicious sales or break-ins and try to gather leads." The billionaire finished.
"We've still got a few connections. We'll ask around and see what's going on." Clint gestured between himself and Natasha.
"I'll be in the lab." Bruce turned away, leaving the room with little resistance
The others stared after him, unsure of what to make of the response until Tony explained, "He's been working on reversing possible projects Dr. Sterns could have been testing."
"I'm going to see how it's going." I excused myself. He'd stopped near the end of the hallway, far enough to block out the discussion that was continuing behind us. "Bruce…"
He looked at me and the expression on his face made me rethink the words I didn't even have to begin with. We were both lost in this, but I was going to make it okay somehow. I was done running. I needed to change and I was going to. It was that simple. No one was going to get hurt because of me.
I stepped closer and he didn't move away as I wrapped my arms around him. He did the same, letting out a long breath. "I can't lose anyone." Quietly, he admitted his fears, "I can't lose you again…It's like you've come back from the dead and…"
"It'll be okay, Bruce." I hugged him a bit tighter, trying to silence the worry and ease the uncertainty. I was trying to convince us both of my statement.
AN: Just a bit of tension to move the story along. I've got a general idea of where I'm going with this so please stick with me. Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoy.