Disclaimer: I don't own any characters familiar to Marvel. Also, I did look up specific information about Zabo's formula and the Patriot Serum that was used on Mace so I could give more information about both. Most of the explanations of those aren't mine.
Author's Note: There is mention of rape in this chapter, not the act itself, but it is spoken of. Please let me state that what I wrote in this chapter was written for creative purposes only. I was attempting to write a character's assumption about the mind of Grant Ward (which could totally be off base). What was written does NOT reflect my personal feelings about rape or sexual assault.
A & M Chapter 11
"How's our guest?"
"Just as helpful as we assumed he'd be," May responded wryly. "I wasn't able to get anything so far, but I'll try again."
He nodded in acknowledgement. "The Avengers have agreed to help us retrieve Daisy," he said, not mentioning their interest in Hydra or the reason for it. He'd pull May off to the side and let her know, but as far as he was concerned, no one else needed to know the particulars. "Before we get started, I assume no introductions need to be made on this side," Coulson said, gesturing to the Avengers. "Let me introduce my agents." He went on to introduce all of the agents in the room to the Avengers. "Also joining us is Lady Sif of Asgard and Lincoln Campbell, a friend of Daisy's." He waited for both groups to acknowledge one another before getting down to business. "So, Fitz, what was in the syringe?"
"It was uh-uh a variation of the dendrotoxin."
Coulson pursed his lips. "A couple years ago, Agents Fitz and Simmons created a custom tranquilizer weapon meant to incapacitate someone without the messy side effect of killing them or permanently harming them," he explained for the Avengers.
"And given the time I spent undercover in Hydra we know that they continued to use some of the same technology that SHIELD did," Jemma tacked on. "Though I've never seen that variation before."
"And we're sure that it didn't hurt her?" Lincoln asked, frowning.
Coulson considered the question. "Despite all of his faults, Ward fancies himself in love with her. I don't think he'd do anything that would intentionally cause her harm."
"He does remember that she shot him four times though, doesn't he?" Hunter inquired.
May pursed her lips. "How much would you forgive for the one you love?" She asked in response. It was no secret how volatile Hunter and Bobbie's relationship could be for the SHIELD agents.
"Jemma, what about the blood from the man that Steve fought off?" Coulson asked, before his scientist handed him a manilla folder. He looked over the results and nodded his head before closing it and settling it down before him. "Daisy's father invented a serum that composed of anabolic-androgenic steroids, a liver enzyme blocker, various metabolic enhancers, methamphetamines, what appears to be gorilla testosterone, and a drop of peppermint. However, the formula requires at least one milligram of adrenaline to achieve its full effect," he said, thinking back on Jemma's explanation when she tested the original formula.
"Gorilla testosterone?" Clint repeated. "Why would he do something like that?"
"Because his wife was Inhuman and he thought that was what she wanted," Coulson answered. "It's a long story," he waved away.
Jemma nodded. "In its completed state, the formula grants the user vastly increased strength, allowing him to shatter tempered glass with his bare hands, toss heavy equipment, we witnessed him tear the hood off a S.H.I.E.L.D. SUV. He can even crush bones. While under the formula, he became more durable and remained standing after multiple I.C.E.R. rounds, though he claimed to have lost feeling in his legs. The formula has a number of physiological side effects, including heightened aggression, bulging veins and hands as a result of increased blood flow, and lengthening of the fingernails."
"And his wife wanted that?" Tony asked. "I'm all for trying new things in the bedroom, but what kind of kinky playtime is that?"
"After being kidnapped, tortured and dissected by Hydra, she changed. She no longer held an affinity for any humans, Hydra or not, and he changed because it was the only way he felt he could hold onto her," Coulson supplied. "Since discovering the formula, General Talbot has put together a group of scientists and they've worked on tweaking it, removing the er…more volatile elements of it. The original intention was to recreate the super soldier serum that Steve was given, however, on a much smaller scale. The side effects fade after a certain amount of time so regular doses need to be taken in order to maintain the increased side effects. He found a volunteer and the serum was supposed to be specifically modified for his DNA."
"This volunteer, is he Hydra then?"
Coulson shook his head in negative. "I highly doubt it. However, that's not to say that there isn't a Hydra agent among the scientists."
"Or someone in a high position of the government," Bobbie tacked on.
"That would explain how Ward got his hands on it."
"And why they were able to gang up on Steve and overcome him," Natasha tacked on. "They weren't expecting him, so why juice up so much?"
Mack shook his head in negative. "I think it's fair to say that Daisy was the only intended survivor. Chances are, if it had been anyone else that person would be dead right now."
"He's been planning this for a while then," May nodded.
Lincoln looked from May and settled his gaze on Coulson. He cleared his throat. "Do we have to worry about…is there a possibility that…would her rape her?" Lincoln finally managed to get out, asking the question that had been on all of their minds. He watched the older agents exchange significant gazes.
"The truth is," Coulson began stiffly, "we uh, we don't know. I wish I could say differently, but the line blurred for him a long time ago."
From his position across the table, Steve bowed his head and closed his eyes. Upon waking up seventy years into the future and learning his friends were dead and the woman he'd loved was an old woman, he'd stopped believing in any sort of God for allowing him to experience such a thing. But he'd gladly recant everything if it meant that Daisy would be spared from such a fate.
Bobbie looked from Coulson before settling a compassionate gaze on Steve. No words needed to be said, he blamed himself in one way or another. "He won't rape her."
Lincoln frowned at the woman. "How do you know?"
"If he loves her as much as he claims he won't take that choice from her." Of that much, she was certain. "However, it's still a time sensitive case. He'll manipulate the situation in anyway he can so that in the end she'll agree to whatever he wants and he'll take delight in lording it over her and everyone else."
"That's still a form of rape, or sexual assault, at the very least," Jemma argued.
She shook her head in negative. "He won't see it like that. So long as she gives him the okay, by whatever means, it isn't rape…at least, not to him." When it looked like the other woman was ready to argue again, Bobbie held her hands up in surrender. "I'm not saying it's right, I'm just trying to express his thought process," she reminded the group.
"What about the papers we retrieved in Puerto Rico and from Whitehall?" Mack asked. "There's nothing in there that could give us an idea of where he took her?"
"I doubt it," May denied. "If Ward knew any information that was on those documents, he'd avoid any of those locations at all cost knowing we had access to them."
"He's got to be relatively close," Natasha said then, thinking about the situation that Steve had dealt with.
Steve nodded. "He intended for bodies to be left behind, both civilian and whomever Daisy was with. How long does the dendrotoxin remain active?" He inquired, looking to Agent Fitz.
"It uh, I guess it would depend on the dosage amount," Fitz allowed. "When subjects have been shot in the past, they've remained incapacitated long enough to be secured."
"And he knows of her abilities?" Sif asked, picking up Steve's line of thought.
"I doubt he knows how they've evolved, but yes," Jemma replied.
"Other than being unconscious, is there any way to suppress her abilities?" Tony inquired then.
"Not that we know of," Coulson admitted as he stood up and made his way towards the computer in the room.
"We should also consider Jaying's ability," Lincoln spoke up. "Nothing was confirmed, but it was considered that Daisy has her mother's healing ability. Obviously to a severely lesser degree, but still a possibility. And if that's the case, the toxin wouldn't have lasted as long on her."
"What about when Quinn shot her?" Mack inquired.
Jemma shook her head in negative. "That was pre GH-325. No, if we're working focusing on the Kree DNA then it would have to be post Puerto Rico."
He pulled up a location map of the area. "Under the assumption that he wouldn't want to chance moving her when she's conscious and able to access her powers, I say we work with…a window of an hour and a half," he said, circling an area of the map that fit the time window.
"That's still a large grid," Mack pointed out.
Coulson nodded. "But I'm sure that once our guest becomes more helpful it will narrow our search." A knock sounded at the door. "Come in."
"Uh, sir, Grant Ward is on the line," Agent Davis said, peaking his head into he room.
Coulson pursed his lips. "Mack?" He asked.
"Got it," the agent responded, turning on the large screen so that Coulson could connect the call to it so everyone in the room had a view of the video call.
As soon as the video was connected, the attention of the assembled group immediately fell on a bloody scene behind Grant Ward. Chains dangled from the air, but it was the puddle of blood that was gathered on the floor off to the side behind the unhinged man that alarmed everyone.
Jemma stared at the mess, taking notice of the shirt haphazardly tossed on top of it, also drenched in blood. She gasped, Skye's…Daisy's shirt! She'd know it anywhere after helping her friend select a top to meet Steve. "You…her shirt," she mumbled.
On the screen, Ward rolled his eyes. "Relax, Simmons, she's fine. I would never hurt her," he said, as if speaking to a child. "No, no, this is what happens when someone touches something that doesn't belong to him." He zoomed out and showed the dead body of a male, obviously the man responsible for all of the blood. "Good help is so hard to come by these days. See, Coulson. I take care of what's mine."
"You're insane, Ward," Jemma replied.
"You know, because you were just recently rescued from another planet, I'm going to let that slide," he responded. "I see the whole gang is assembled, oh…and you called in the big guns," he said referring to the Avengers. "Gotta tell you, I've been extremely disappointed. When you and May met that rogue agent and he said that death followed Skye wherever she went, I really thought she'd end up on the right side of things. I was even further encouraged after Raina introduced me to Cal. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his daughter…but then he turned a leaf. Losing Zabo was a disappointment. I think for a while there, he was all for our relationship."
"He may have been unpredictable as Zabo, but I doubt he'd cheer for his daughter to end up with psycho like you," Coulson replied. "After all, considering what Hydra did to his wife, how could he?"
Ward pursed his lips and considered the words. "True. But like Cal, I was stayed with Hydra after Garrett died because I had no where else left to turn."
"And who's fault is that, Ward?" May asked.
"And now I'm leading. And as soon as I square things up with Skye, I'll be unstoppable."
Coulson hesitated. Square things how?
"Captain," Ward said, focusing on Captain America.
Steve straightened in his seat.
"I'd apologize for earlier, but you really were in my way. If it makes you feel any better, it wasn't personal. In fact, I was expecting the boyfriend," Ward finished, his eyes settling on Lincoln.
Steve crossed his arms as the man addressed him. However, when he'd said 'boyfriend,' Steve's attention followed Ward's gaze and he looked to Lincoln, the man Coulson introduced as Daisy's friend.
Lincoln pursed his lips and crossed his arms, not deigning the label with a response. He remembered his last interaction with Ward. However, when he felt the attention of various members of the Avengers look to him, he quickly looked down.
"I have no problem with you," Ward said, turning his attention once again on Steve.
"Maybe so, but you shouldn't have had your men attack me. Because now, I have a problem with you," Steve replied flatly. And if he had a problem then his team had a problem. "And even if you didn't make a move against me, do you really think we'll just walk away and let you keep Daisy?"
"I really don't think you have another option," Ward replied as he began walking through the building. "Coulson, I just wanted to let you know, that I will take care of her." He stopped and turned into a room. "Also, while you and yours are still trying to track me down, I just had to let you know how late you are to the party." He turned the phone on Daisy, whom was chained to a school desk, her eyes propped open as he she stared at a screen.
"You son of a bitch!" Coulson said, jumping out of his seat. He balled up his prosthetic hand and punched the table under him, leaving a sizeable dent and ignoring those that jumped in surprise from his actions.
"Why, yes, she was," Ward replied.
"I'm going to find you, Ward and then I'm going to kill you," he vowed, simmering with anger.
"She'll never allow it, but you're welcome to try," Ward replied, smirked. "Bye, Coulson," he taunted before disconnecting the call.
Coulson picked up the phone, staring at the device for a long moment before standing up and throwing the device on the ground, watching it shatter. "Mother Fucker! That son of bitch!" He turned his back on the rest of the room.
No one had been prepared for that reaction. The Avengers, never having seen that side of Coulson fell into shocked silence.
May approached him cautiously. "You need to reign this in now," she whispered harshly. "You're no good to anyone like this, Phil." She turned around. "Search through everything we managed to get from Whitehall," she ordered. "Anything on behavioral modification that we may have missed."
Steve looked to Natasha. Behavioral modification? Like…what had been done to Bucky that enabled Hydta to use him as the Winter Soldier?
Hunter nodded. "On it," he said as he, Bobbi and Mack walked out of the conference room.
When May followed behind them, Jemma spoke up. "Where are you going?"
"To get some answers," May replied without turning around.
Natasha looked from Coulson to May and stood up. "Would you like some company?" She offered.
May hesitated. She turned to look at the redhead for a beat before nodding.
As Natasha moved to follow May, Clint stood up as well.
"Legolas?" Tony asked.
"I'm gonna go watch the show," the archer replied, interested to see May and Nat in action as they question Ward's lackey.
Tony remained in his seat. "So, you turned into the Hulk when, Agent?" He asked, referring to the dent that Coulson left in the table.
Steve turned to look at Tony and shook his head in negative.
"Lady Sif," Lincoln said turning towards the brunette. "Are you up for training?" He asked.
She nodded. "Perhaps we should," she agreed, standing up. "Thor?"
The blonde shook his head in negative. "I will join you at a later time," he replied before looking at Jemma. "What is this behavioral modification?" He inquired as Lady Sif and Lincoln left the room.
Jemma nibbled on her bottom lip. "Hydra managed to find a way of brainwashing those that they find useful but are not…sympathetic to their cause. It's called the Faustus method, named after the scientist that invented the conditioning. When Hydra came out and attempted to take over, they either killed SHIELD agents or attempted to recondition them."
"Is that the only kind of conditioning they do?" Steve inquired, listening in on the conversation.
"It also involves hypnosis and mental reprogramming. The hypnosis uses very specific words. It isn't unusual for a subject to break from the control and when that happens, all Hydra has to do is say those words and the subject slips back under the collusion."
Steve nodded in understanding. "So, you've seen this then?"
Jemma nodded in acknowledgment. "A few times."
"Is there any chance of reversing it?"
"Not that we've seen, which is why finding Daisy as soon as possible is important," Jemma replied.
After the rest of the group dispersed, Steve exited the conference room. Unfortunately, they were stuck waiting, hoping that May and Natasha could extract any information from Ward's associate. He'd gone to the interrogation area, taking up position next to Clint as they watched the two women attempt to work their magic. However, upon joining the archer, he watched as the older agent left the interrogation room, hitting the door on her way out. She brushed past him without a sparing a glance and a moment later another door slammed closed, signaling her exit.
"Not going well?" Steve asked, his mouth turned down into a frown.
Clint could only shake his head in negative. "Not yet," he allowed. Though he was sure it wouldn't be long before the man began cooperating. "You okay, Steve?"
The question pulled at his attention and he could only sigh. "All I keep thinking was that I shouldn't have let her walk away," he confessed. "I keep thinking about the things I said to her. I let my emotions get in the way. I…I can't help but wonder if I managed to control my temper and she was with me, would they have been able to take her?" He shook his head. "And then I get frustrated for even letting my mind go there, because it doesn't matter. She's gone and there's no going back to change that."
Clint pursed his lips has he listened to his friend. "You're right, it doesn't matter. But…given what we learned, I think that if you had been together when they made their move that more civilians probably would have been killed." All Hydra cared about was the end game, no matter how they got there. If Daisy had resisted going with them, they would have used any and all innocent people they could to persuade her. "Why were you so angry?"
"All of the resentment I'd been feeling just bubbled forth and when she was talking, I was…less then receptive. When she told me that she was responsible for the alien contagion, I just…I didn't hold back. It was after that, that she stood up, asked me to lose her number and walked away."
The archer's eyes widened. SHIELD was responsible for that? How? What had Coulson and his team been getting up to? "SHIELD is responsible for the contagion?" Clint repeated.
Steve shook his head in negative. "Not SHIELD, her," he corrected. "She was very insistent on that. And I just…berated her for that, ignoring the fact that she was already blaming herself. She called me an asshole, and she was right. I was acting like one."
"Did you ever occur to you that Daisy didn't tell you the entire story?" A voice piped up from a few feet behind them.
Steve turned around to find Agent May standing before them and he hesitated. He'd thought she left the area.
"Well?" She prompted when he didn't open his mouth to answer her.
Steve shook his head in negative.
"Then maybe you should have asked before jumping to conclusions," May said. She considered telling him the story, but in the end, decided not to. She needed to get back in the interrogation room.
"You're right," Steve replied.
She nodded at him. "As for everything else, this isn't your fault." If anyone was to blame, it was them, for not putting a bullet in his head sooner. "We thought he was over his obsession with her, but…" She trailed off, thinking about his relationship with Kara Palamas. "Ward would have found a way to take her eventually, and it was better that you were there instead of anyone else, because Mack was right before. Anyone else wouldn't have walked out of the diner alive." She turned around and returned to Natasha, leaving Steve and Clint to their thoughts.
"Have they managed to find out anything?" Coulson asked, walking up behind the pair of Avengers.
"Not yet," Clint grunted. "But it's only a matter of time."
"Time we don't have," Coulson said, stepping past them to join May and Natasha in the room. The pair appeared at ease, compared to the rough shape the man appeared to be in. He couldn't help but wonder if May had a major hand in his current status or if it was the pair of them. "Ladies, I hope you don't mind, but I thought I'd help out."
"Oh, is this the part where you play good cop/bad cop?" The man taunted. "You come in here promising sunshine and rainbows compared to the two of them?"
Coulson smiled in response before shaking his head. "They were the good cops," he replied before he grabbed the man by his hair and smacked his head into the metal table before yanking him out of his seat and pushing him against the wall, his robotic hand on the man's throat, blocking air. The man attempted to push his hand away, but it didn't budge. "It's a robotic hand, so fat chance moving it," he told the man, watching the struggle leave him. "That sensation you're experiencing right now is because I'm blocking any air from getting to your body. Blink once if you understand." He watched the man respond. "Now, I have to find out where Ward took my agent and you're the only one that can help me. So, the way I see it you have two choices." He made sure to add a little extra strength to his hold. "You can help us and live a little longer while you're at it, or I can let you die right here and now." He minutely loosened his grip on the man's neck to give him the smallest about air so he didn't pass out on him. "Since I've put it into perspective for you, what's it going to be? Help?" He asked, watching the man blink. "Good choice," he said removing his hold on the man, watching as he fell to the ground, gasping for air.
Natasha looked from May towards Coulson. "What happened to your…human hand?" She asked, unable to contain the question.
"I touched a terrigen crystal. It's what generates an Inhuman's transition. They're harmless to anyone with the Inhuman gene, but deadly for humans that come into contact with them," he replied. "Now…getting down to business," he said, turning back to the Hydra associate.