A/N: Hey guys, quick update here. I am now officially off college for the foreseeable future and I imagine it may be the same with you guys with school/work/university etcetera. Hopefully, updates should get quicker, but don't count on it. This chapter isn't too long but its fairly action-packed.

Side note: I have made a pinterest board for this story. If anyone wants to check it out, my username is scrapingskiess and I also have a few other boards for celebrities/original stories/my other fanfiction. So please check it out!


Chapter Thirteen: The Winter Soldier

April 2nd, 2014

2:30pm

12 Hours after the death of Director Fury

"I'll admit," Ida remarked with a raised eyebrow, "he does like to do things with a dramatic flare."

Circe meowed in agreement, even though she was a cat and wasn't even watching the footage Ida was. It was replaying the events from SHIELD headquarters from earlier that day, from inside Pierce's office, to the fight in the elevator to Steve's dramatic getaway on the bridge. It was all very impressive, Steve taking on so many men in such a small space was nothing to be scoffed at, and reminded Ida of the battles they had fought together in Krasnoyarsk.

She took another sip of her whiskey and glanced up at Martin, her driver/assistance/general handyman.

"And SHIELD has no idea where he went?"

He shook his head, "no idea at all, ma'am."

Ida was aware of some intel connected to Romanoff and Rogers being spotted in a nearby mall. What they were doing there was unknown to Ida, but it seemed SHIELD had seemed to think they were there as they had sent the Strike team to arrest them. But, either they hadn't actually been there (though Ida's sources strongly suggested that they had been) or SHIELD's Strike team was somehow stupider than they looked, because the two hadn't been caught.

For some reason, it was comforting to Ida that Natasha was with Steve, at least he wasn't alone in this. At the same time, her heart panged. That had been her in Krasnoyarsk all that time ago. They had worked together then. Now, Ida knew a horrible secret about SHIELD that Steve was on the cusp of finding out. She supposed it had been fun while it lasted.

"Thank Agent McKenna for this footage," said Ida, closing the laptop with a sigh and walking over to her kitchen counter.

"If you wish to attempt to track down Rogers," said Martin, "I could cancel the rest of your appointments and call in some of your more… Skilled sources."

Ida knew a lot of people. She knew the right person to use to track down Steve, people who were skilled enough, deadly enough and clever enough. They were always paid well, but Ida only used them on occasional circumstances.

She considered Martin's offer and shook her head, "no. It's best to let Rogers vanish for a while. What are the rest of my appointments today?"

Martin listed off a couple of people who had arranged to visit her office today, as well as an evening meal she had planned with the Secretary of State. Ida listened to him with her head tilted to the side, and then nodded when he was done.

"I'll need you to drive me to the restaurant tonight," she said, "if that's quite alright. In the meantime, can you get me into contact with Maria Hill?"

He nodded and she smiled.

"Thank you, Martin."

She was alone again in her too-large apartment. With a sigh, she got out a glass and a bottle of whiskey, pouring some.

Circe gave her a rather grumpy sniff.

"What?" Ida raised an eyebrow, "I never conduct business sober. Especially not if I'm meeting with the Secretary of State. I only slept with him once but he seems to think we're in love," she tutted and sipped her drink. "I wonder what his wife would think of that?"

Circe simply thumped her tail and jumped off the seat she had been sitting on, walking over to another room, back to Ida.

"Whatever," she muttered, "you're just a cat anyway. I don't care about your opinion."

One of the key things about meeting, at least for Ida, was to look good.

This was hardly difficult, Ida knew she was an attractive woman. Therefore, using copious amounts of make up was hardly necessary. However, when one's identity was built around a facade of glamour and wealth, it was important to always put in effort. So, before her next meeting she sat in front of her mirror, glass of whiskey next to her as she made up her face. Especially with men, she found it easier to draw out any information from them if she was looking her best.

She wore a pair of black trousers, high waisted and kept up with a belt with a golden buckle, as well as a dress shirt that was baggy, but left most of the buttons undone, so it came off her shoulder. Not inappropriate, but definitely attractive. When she looked in the mirror, she didn't really connect with her outfit. She thought she looked paler than normal, but she could just be imagining it. Maybe she just needed to tan again.

She brushed her hair back out of her eyes and began putting in a pair of earrings when one of her phones began ringing.

"Hello?" She said, tucking the phone between her ear and shoulder and using her hands to continue getting ready.

"Miss Delgrave."

She wanted to scream.

Instead, she smiled and went, "Pierce. So glad you're staying in contact more often. How can I help?"

"I'm sure you already know."

"I appreciate that you think so highly of me," she sighed, as she switched the phone to the other shoulder to finish putting her earrings in. "But Steve Rogers hasn't even been missing for twenty-four hours now, and he's constantly been on the move. I don't know where he is."

"He hasn't contacted you?"

Ida wanted to laugh, "Rogers isn't an idiot. Why would he contact the Woman of Whispers?"

"Often emotions override logic."

Ida stilled, "what's that supposed to mean?"

"Being on the run can be a lonely experience," Pierce sneered. "I'm sure even Captain America needs a bedmate."

Her blood ran cold, but she fought down the urge to snap. Pierce had hit a hard spot for her, and he had hit it hard. But allowing her emotion to show would mean he would have complete control over the conversation, and that would mean he would win.

Instead, she straightened herself up. "I'm sure he already has someone to sleep with."

"You know that Romanoff is with him?"

Ida did not mean to insinuate that Steve was with Natasha, because for some reason the thought of it made her feel ill. But, if it could get her out of this conversation with Pierce, then that was enough.

"I'm aware he was at a mall," she said, "but I'm fairly certain I got that intelligence for you. I've got better things to do than chase after one man. And I'm sure Hydra does too."

"Steve Rogers is much more than one man."

Ida knew it to be true.

"If you say so," she said, "now, as much as I enjoy our chats, I'm afraid I have business with the Secretary of State tonight. Good luck finding the blondie, I'm sure the American people will love the idea of SHIELD assassinating Captain America."

"What would you know about the American people, you Russian prostitute?"

"More than you, Nazi Pig."

And then she hung up the phone and let out a shaky breath, sitting back on her desk chair with her head in her hands. She knew better than to make enemies with Pierce. The two had never liked each other, her charm failed on him, but he was powerful and rich and so it was necessary to stay polite and friendly. More importantly, she shouldn't show weakness in front of him. He would pounce on that like a predator.

"Even more reason to make sure I'm not tracking Rogers," she looked up and said to Circe who was curled up on the bed behind her.

If she wasn't mistaken, the cat almost looked worried. Glancing back in the mirror, Ida realised she looked paler than before. She quickly put on more blusher and made her way out the apartment, hoping her meeting with the Secretary of State went better than her phone call.


It went well.

Granted, Ida had always preferred the glitz and glam of a fancy restaurant. Golden chandeliers and plates so shiny one could see their reflection in them always improved her mood. Well, that and a tall glass of champagne. Luckily, the Secretary of State was too caught up in her to notice how many bottles she was ordering. But, she was smart enough to remain tipsy, not drunk. Men liked her a bit tipsy anyway.

The Secretary fed her bits of information throughout the night as she asked questions. She told him what he wanted, about a squad of escaped war criminals hiding out in the Al-Hajar Mountains. They were wrongly convicted, but they knew precious information about the UAE government that they wanted kept quiet. And the US wanted to stay friends with the UAE. Truthfully, Ida didn't care for the conflict, she only cared about the drink in front of her. It seemed the man in front of her didn't care about it either. He was just doing a job, and then going home to his family and wife who he had cheated on. That was Ida's fault.

Russian prostitute.

Pierce's words rang true. Sometimes it bothered Ida that, despite how much she had tried to escape her past in the Red Room, she had turned out exactly how they wanted anyway. For a long time, she convinced herself that it was fine as she had done it on her own terms, but now she wasn't so sure.

She should've never left. How many people did she leave behind? Natasha Romanoff, who came out of it far more damaged than she. Yelena Belova. Poor Yelena, much younger, and despite all of her connections, Ida still had never found out what happened to her. She hoped she had vanished on purpose, and it wasn't the Red Room that had made her vanish.

And what had she left them behind for?

She could never return to Russia. She had done so with Steve, and Ryok had come after her there. One day Ryok would catch up with her, her past would. Everything she had done after leaving the Red Room had been for Emilia, and then Emilia had died. Every action after that had been selfish, for herself.

But it wasn't for herself. She had come to America with a dream to become unstoppable, the Russian Marilyn Monroe, the Woman of Whispers who knew everything about everyone. To leave what had happened with Ryok, his father, Emilia and in Moscow behind. Sometimes, though, she felt she had sold herself. Whoever she was now anyway.

She clinked drinks with the Secretary of State.

"It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Mister Secretary," she said.

"Think of it as more casual than that, please, Miss Delgrave."

She smiled and nodded, her teeth dazzlingly white. She knew very soon that there were others vying for his shaky job as President Ellis' Secretary of State, and that a scandal was due to befall the man soon. Something about Syria, something that would get him fired and replaced by the man Ellis favoured more, General Thaddeus Ross. The thought of it made Ida smirk, Thunderbolt Ross was much less of a sleazy politician, but he was a man that Ida also had an easy in with after she helped him out a few years ago. She was looking forward to seeing this guy gone.

When she left the restaurant, she allowed the Secretary to kiss her hand, and stepped into her black car.

"I hope that's the last time I have to see him," she said absently.

"I believe several pieces of incriminating evidence are due to be released next week," replied Martin.

"Next week?" She raised an eyebrow, she hadn't thought it to be so soon. Then she shrugged, must've gotten her dates mixed up. "Good, it'll be good to see his back gone. Ross is less of a politician, he'll take his job more seriously."

"Ross can be a little harsh. Especially on those with powers."

"True," she nodded, considering it. "Though, I imagine that stems from his hatred of Banner." She glanced at him, "do you vote Martin?"

"Of course."

"Good man. Who for?"

"Whoever seems the most reliable. Democrat usually, though I did vote for Nixon when I first turned eighteen in '69. You, ma'am?"

"Can't vote," she shrugged, "I'm a citizen but also not a citizen. If I could, I'd probably vote for whoever makes me pay the most taxes. Like the good Russian communist I am."

Martin dropped her off, and she told him to take the rest of the night off. She only planned on staying up late to sort out all the information she had gained tonight while drinking a lot of whiskey, which she had no doubt would eventually knock her out until dawn, when it was back to work once again.

As she took the elevator up to her apartment, she checked her watch. Half eleven. She should probably feed Circe too, considering the cat got a bit loud if Ida didn't feed her before bed. Which was annoying as the cat liked to sleep on the pillow right next to her head (unless she had guests over, when the cat could be surprisingly aware of her privacy) and would get her claws tangled in her hair if she was hungry.

When she got to her apartment, and left her keys on the side, she suddenly sensed something and froze. The light switch was in the living room, which was in the same room considering her place was open plan, but it was still a few steps away. The only light spilled in from the city outside, but that was hardly enough to brighten up her apartment, which was nothing but dark shadows.

Someone was here. A shadow. She could sense them, but she couldn't tell where they were. And that made her panic.

Whoever was here was trained.

She took off her coat slowly and walked forward, opening the small purse she carried with her. Always armed, she kept a very small pistol in there, perfect for emergency situations. She also had her boots, a click of her heels would reveal a pair of blades from the toes. But it was important to never put all of her cards down at once.

Just as she went to pull the gun out, she sensed the shadow move.

She fired but the shadow moved too quickly and there was suddenly a cold hand around her neck, shoving her up against a window. The pistol went sliding across the floor, out of reach..

She fought back but the grip was inhumanely strong. In her panicked state and blurring vision, she could not make out her attacker through the mane of long brown hair that covered his face. But there was another indicator to who he was.

Metal arm. Red star.

She clicked her boots together and stabbed him in the knee. He reacted by throwing her to the floor, where she hit her head hard, but scrambled back to her feet and grabbed a wine bottle sitting on her kitchen counter.

She smashed around his head. He didn't react, and instead grabbed her by the hair and tugged, and used that as a distraction to grab her neck again. This time he lifted her off the ground and kept her far away enough that she couldn't kick him with her boot blades.

She was losing air fast, her vision dancing with black spots as the cold, false fingers tightened around her small neck. Then, in the corner of her eye she spotted her real attacker.

"Pierce," her voice was hoarse, "Хватит прятаться, трус." (Stop hiding, coward).

Her words were too broken for him to translate properly, but he stepped out the shadows and turned on a light, nodding to her attacker.

He dropped her and she stumbled back away from him, gasping for air, her breath coming out in wheezes as she tried to regain any semblance of self-control.

"Where is Steve Rogers?" Demanded Pierce, "he's cost me Zola now, I want him found."

"I don't know, you moron," she hissed. "I haven't looked."

"You think we're not keeping an eye on you, Delgrave?" Pierce took a dangerous step forward, aware that one signal and the Winter Soldier would break her pretty neck. "We know something's going on, we know it's genuine. We know about your dates and your moments. I know you care about him."

"Fine," she looked at him, teeth gritted. "You've caught me, I do care. And, to prove I care, I haven't gone looking for him! I'm the Woman of Whispers for God's sake, he and I both know that if I knew anything about his location, people like you would want me to sell him out. So call off your attack dog, for God's sake."

Pierce nodded to the Winter Soldier, who took a few steps back. Good, he believed her.

He was staring at her, but there was nothing about the man's cold eyes that said human. He wore a mask, his iconic goggles absent this time. His hair was long, matted, rarely washed and not maintained. His body was built in a way that screamed danger, in all black, padded armour, matched with an assault rifle on his back and knives in his belt. Of course, his most recognisable feature glinted in the small amount of light that came through the window. A silver, metal arm, built for throttling and killing. With one move, it would kill her

Ida swallowed. She had never seen him before, only in photos and a quick glimpse on the roof the other night. But he was fierce, deadly, Hydra's poison. Connected with so many assassinations in the past fifty years. Ida didn't know how it could be possible.

Swallowing, she straightened herself up and tore her eyes away from him. He was looking at her with an expression that only indicated one thing. She was a target, nothing more and nothing less.

"Captain America and a Russian?" Pierce shook his head, "who would've thought it?"

"Look around Pierce," she gestured to the wealth of her apartment, "do I look like a communist to you?"

"You're a threat to me, Delgrave," he said simply. "And don't you forget it. You might not know where Rogers is but I know where your heart lies. This only ends badly for you, I'm afraid. Rogers knows about Hydra now, and I bet he knows about your lies. I'm sure he already hates you."

Ida swallowed again. Doing her best not to let her emotions show but everyone of his words rang true.

"I don't even understand what there is to you other than information," snarled Pierce. "You lie, you cheat, you ruin other people's lives, you sleep around. You're just a rich whore."

"A rich whore that got you Nicholas J Fury," Ida took a step and ignored the way the Winter Soldier's eyes followed her as she moved forward. "A rich whore who has given you all the information you have ever asked for. You would be nowhere without a woman like me, Pierce, nowhere. Hydra would already be dead and buried, the American Government would've been turned to ash, every government, every spy agency and terrorist and charity would be nowhere without me and don't you forget it."

"You pride yourself in destruction? Why? Because you've done the right thing once or twice?"

"I don't care about the right thing," she said, "I care about profit and money. Call me a whore or a slut or a prostitute but I know you can't kill me. Because then who would sell you all your precious information?"

"There are other informants. There are other brokers."

She was in his face now, "and none of them are as good as me."

He didn't deny it.

She glanced over her shoulder, the Winter Soldier was right behind her. She walked away from both of them and behind the counter, calm and collected. She still had it in her, she still had control.

"You say I don't want you as an enemy, Pierce," she said, "but you don't want me as your enemy either. These are difficult times. Do you want a drink?"

She began pouring herself whiskey.

"No," he said.

"And him?"

"He doesn't want one either."

The Winter Soldier did not react.

Ida stared at him over her glass, feeling reckless.

"What if I shot and killed you right now, Pierce?" She asked, "you're his handler, and then suddenly you're not because you're dead. Then what? Would he attack me out of a sense of loyalty, or duty? Or does he just simply do as he's told? I used to train with people like him, and they were brainwashed into loyalty to the great union. Is he? Does he feel loyalty to Hydra? Or is he loyal to whoever pays him?"

"He does not get paid."

"Then what do you do to get him to behave so well?" Truthfully, Ida already knew a little. "He's difficult to control, yes? Several incidents have occured, haven't they? Injured soldiers, dead handlers. A tragedy, really. Does he feel no loyalty, or do you have to say the words?"

Pierce tensed. Ida smirked. The Winter Soldier did not react. How did she know about the words? Friends and deep pockets. She didn't know what the words were. Aside from a few of course, but she wouldn't dare.

Would she?

Pierce was worried now, Ida was clearly threatening him. She had a rifle under her kitchen counter, she felt the shape of it, she could kill him now. Even if the Winter Soldier killed her, would it matter?

Who was left to care? Steve and Natasha probably hated her. No one else actually knew her.

"Who are you loyal to?" Asked Pierce.

"Myself," she said, "I always have been."

"So will you kill me?"

"No," she sipped her drink, "not yet, I don't think. But we are enemies now, Alexander Pierce."

"Why should I let you live?"

"Why should I let you?"

He paused, calculating the odds. The truth was, Ida would not be able to stop the Winter Soldier. She was certain she could hold her own, probably for a long time, but she would never stop him. Stronger men had stood up to him and died, he had shot a bullet through Natasha's stomach once. Maybe she would not die instantly, but she would die.

Pierce didn't seem to like the odds anyway.

"I'll be taking my leave," he said, "pleasure doing business, Miss Delgrave."

She watched him head for the door, eyes narrowed before feeling as if a presence had gone.

When she glanced back, the Winter Soldier was nowhere to be found. Had he left? He hadn't taken the door like Pierce had.

A ghost story, she thought and downed the rest of her whiskey.

She entered her bedroom where Circe was curled up on the bed. Her meow was anxious, Ida was just relieved she had stayed out of the crossfire. She kicked off her boots and crawled into bed still fully clothed, make-up on, exhausted and feeling pathetic. For a few hours, she curled up into a ball and just cried, comforted only by the cat lying next to her.

Then, when she regained her senses at about three in the morning, she made a call.

"Martin? Sorry to wake you."

"It's okay, ma'am," he did not sound tired, "how can I help you?"

"Did you make contact with Maria Hill?"


A/N: Sorry this chapter is a little short, but we will be seeing the return of Steve and Natasha in the next chapter! The next one will really stick to the events of the movie with a few changes here and there but the main focus is obviously on how Steve is currently feeling about Ida.

Yikes.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Reviews are super appreciated! What do you all think of the Winter Soldier's appearance, hmmmm…