a/n:

Empa2008: Thanks so much for the encouragement and your review! I appreciate it.

Chimichanga1: Thank you so much! And I hope the build up isn't too boring. I just wanted to give more background on Gwen and Paige, so we understand them a bit better. Loki will show up in chapter twelve, so yay! Very exciting!

Triskelion Building

Washington D.C.

March 2013

"Agent Anderson?"

Clara Anderson looked up from her book to see Agent Maria Hill standing over her. "Director Fury has requested your presence. He's in his office with Captain Rogers."

Clara nodded. "Right. Thank you, Maria." She put her bookmark in and took it with her as she found her way to Fury's office on the top floors.

When she walked in, she saw Steve standing in front of Fury's desk while Nick was standing on the other side. "Agent Anderson," he greeted her with a nod. Steve turned and gave her a nod as well. Clara nodded back. "Captain Rogers has just returned from his mission on the Lemurian Star."

The woman nodded in understanding. Steve was rigid and unbending in his ways. He was a rule follower. A good man, but a stubborn one for sure. Very unlike Natasha, who was flexible with the rules. "I have something I want to show you both," he explained and he led them out of his office and back to the elevators. "Insight bay," he told the elevator.

"Access denied," it told them. Obviously neither Steve nor Clara had access to this 'Insight bay.'

"Director override, Fury, Nicholas J." With that, the elevator started to move downwards.

"In my day, elevators played music," Steve commented.

"I know," Nick said. "My grandfather operated one of them back in the day. He worked in a nice building, got good tips. Then, one day, he was mugged, got all his money taken. So, he went out, got a .22, and kept it in a brown paper bag. The next time someone tried to steal from him, he showed them the .22. Never got stolen from again."

"Sounds illegal," said Steve.

Nick chuckled. "Grandad loved people. But he didn't trust 'em very much." Clara opened her mouth to make a comment but the words died in her mouth when she saw what Nick had taken them to see. There were large ships as far as she could see. War ships, given the guns that were attached to the sides. Big ones too. She was guessing that ships like these could do more damage than Loki had done to Manhattan. "Yeah, I know. It's a bit bigger than a .22."

The elevator finally stopped and let them outside. "This is Project Insight," Nick told them, leading them towards the jets so they could get a better look. "Helicarriers synced to a network of targeting satellites. Once you get them in the air, they never need to come down."

"Targeting networks?" Clara echoed. "Who are we targeting?"

"Anyone SHIELD thinks is a threat," Nick said back. "With these in the air, we can eliminate our enemies in a matter of seconds."

"I thought the punishment came after the crime," Steve retorted.

Well, at least we have that in common, Clara thought. Steve didn't like Project Insight any more than she did. It seemed more like genicide than protection to her.

"We can't afford to wait that long," Nick shot back. "Imagine if we had had this back when New York happened. Imagine all the crime we could stop. We could all be free."

Steve shook his head along with Clara. "This isn't freedom, this is fear." With that, he stalked away from the two of them, clearly fed up with Nick.

"Thanks for the back up, Agent Anderson," Nick said sarcastically.

"No offense, Nick, but I'm not a big fan of this idea either," she said. "I mean, this is mass genocide, not protection."

"So you wouldn't use this?" Nick asked. "Not even if it could get the people who took your daughter?"

Clara glared at him and folded her arms. "Don't you dare use that against me," she said in a low voice.

"Agent Romanoff said she told you about the French pirates," Nick said, quickly switching topics. He knew better than to piss her off.

"Yeah," Clara admitted. "She told me you hired them. So it's true?" Nick nodded. "I hope you have a good excuse for putting Natasha, Steve, and the rest of STRIKE team in danger just for it."

Nick inhaled sharply and leaned closer to her. "I did it because you're right," he muttered to her. Clara looked at him in confusion. "I don't like this either. It's dangerous. If this tech falls in the wrong hands, we're doomed. So I had Romanoff gather intelligence from the Star because I have a feeling that there's more information there. Information I wasn't made privy to."

Clara nodded slowly, starting to understand why he was doing what he was. "Wait. Why are you telling me this and not Steve?"

"Because you understand this world far better than he does," he explained. "And because I trust you."

She tilted her head to one side. "What happened to 'The last time I trusted someone, I lost an eye'?"

"Maybe I'm just hoping you won't completely blind me," he said before walking after Steve.

Hydra Base

Unknown Location

March 2013

The Scarlet Killer had no name other than that. At least, no name that she could recall. Ever since she was a baby, she had been called that. It had been used to drive into her mind from a young age that she was going to be an assassin for Hydra.

Death did not bother her. She had been desensitized to it. She could still remember the first time she had seen a man die. The man who had trained her (a Russian Hydra agent named Fedorov) had told her that doing so would be her job when she was old enough.

For the first twelve years of her life, she had learned everything there was to learn: math, complicated sciences, the history of the world and how Hydra fit in, how to read and write. She could speak five different languages (English, Russian, German, French, and Spanish) and was learning a sixth (Mandarin Chinese), she knew how to work all sorts of complicated technologies, she knew how to use an impressive array of weapons, she knew how to fight in hand to hand combat.

At the age of fifteen, she had been sent on her first mission, which she had completed successfully. She had long since forgotten the name and face of the first man she had killed. Why would she remember? Death was a natural part of her life. Since then, she had lost track of how many missions she had completed. Somewhere in the twenties or possibly thirties. What did it matter? Everyone died.

Everyone died. That's what Mike has told her from a young age. Mike was her father. The only one here who she knew really cared about her. The only possible exception would be the Winter Soldier.

When she had turned ten years old, she had had combat training from the Winter Soldier everyday. He was kinder than the rest of Hydra. He didn't lock her up or hit her when she messed up like everyone else did. He had even given her a nickname: Moon. It had come from a mission they had gone on together where she had stared at the moon for so long (she had never seen the moon before then, given that she hadn't been allowed outside before). In return, she had called him Wolf, because of his long hair.

Scarlet couldn't say that she hated her life because she knew nothing else. This was all she had ever known. It was just life.

"Scarlet Killer." She looked up from the history textbook she had been reading. Agent Rumlow was watching her. Scarlet had never liked him. He always treated her like she was a kid or a joke. He didn't take her seriously. "Pierce needs you. Now."

She nodded, remaining silent. She had learned long ago not to speak out of turn. If she did, she would be punished and harshly. Rumlow guided her to where Pierce was waiting for her. Pierce wasn't the only one there. Mike was there, as well as the Winter Soldier.

"Scarlet Killer, we have your next assignment," Pierce said. He pushed a file across his desk that she picked up. She looked at the two pictures inside. One was of a red headed woman wearing a black cat suit and holding two handguns. The other was of a tall, muscular man wearing a ridiculous red, white, and blue outfit. She then looked to their personal information.

Name: Natasha Alianovna Romanoff

Alias: The Black Widow

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 125 lbs

Abilities: Romanoff is highly trained in hand to hand combat as well as in the use of most weapons.

Other Information: Romanoff was raised and trained in the Red Room before being retrieved by SHIELD agent, Clinton Barton. From there, she became an agent of SHIELD and an Avenger. A known threat.

Name: Steven Grant Rogers

Alias: Captain America

Height: 6' 2"

Weight: 200 lbs

Abilities: enhanced speed and strength

Other Information: Rogers' powers come from the same formula used on the Winter Soldier. He carries a vibranium shield as his weapon. Joined SHIELD and the Avengers. A known threat.

"Romanoff and Rogers are threatening to destroy everything that we have built here in Hydra," Pierce explained to her. "Your job is to eliminate both of them at all costs. No prisoners, no survivors, no witnesses. The Winter Soldier will be your partner on this mission. Is that understood?"

Scarlet nodded curtly. The Winter Soldier nodded as well. Scarlet was glad to have him as her partner. He was a much better partner than any of the others she had been placed with. "Good," Pierce said. "Hail Hydra."

Scarlet raised her hand in a salute. "Hail Hydra!" she and the Winter Soldier cried at the same time.

March 2013

Scarlet stuck close to Winter as they waited in the armored vehicle. The tracker that had been placed on Sitwell would alert them when Rogers, Romanoff, and Sitwell all drove by. They had another man with them, but his name had slipped her mind. The Scarlet Killer went over the plan in her head. Winter would take out Sitwell first, and then she could jump in on the action. Hopefully, between the two of them, they could take out Rogers and Romanoff with little effort. Their other companion was not a target unless he got in the way.

Winter sat in the passenger seat. Some nameless Hydra agent was driving. Scarlet stood behind both of them looking through the windshield. The thirteen year old looked carefully into each car until she spotted Rogers and Romanoff. Their companion was driving. Sitwell was in the back seat with Romanoff. Rogers was sitting in the passenger's seat. Scarlet knew now that Rogers was not to be underestimated, just because he wore a ridiculous outfit. He was fast, fast enough to track her and Winter down. He was strong, too. He may not have looked like much in his star spangled outfit, but he was a worthy opponent, she could not deny that much.

"Там (There)," the girl whispered to her partner, pointing out the car to Winter. The soldier's eyes narrowed at the car as he assessed the situation.

Then, he gave a small nod. "Подождите, пока Ситвелл не умрет. Тогда устраните Роджерса и Романова. (Wait till Sitwell is dead. Then eliminate Rogers and Romanoff.)"

"да (Yes)," Scarlet replied, obeying her partner's wishes. Winter jumped out of the car and onto the roof of their vehicle. Scarlet didn't see him re-emerge until he was on top of the target's vehicle. His metal arm reached through the window and grabbed onto Sitwell's suit. Winter proceeded to toss him out of the window and into oncoming traffic. There was no doubt that he was dead.

Scarlet quickly slid into the passenger's seat and leaned out the window. She grabbed her gun and aimed at the tires. She hesitated when she saw Romanoff leap into Rogers' lap and Winter started firing through the roof. They hit the brakes, sending Winter flying off the roof of their car. He spun in midair and landed effortlessly.

"Speed up," Scarlet commanded the driver. She then proceeded to climb out of the window and onto the roof of their vehicle. They increased their speed and rammed into the other car. Winter leapt back onto their car to avoid being hit. He then proceeded to rip out their steering wheel before jumping back into their car. He started to slip but Scarlet quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him back on. He didn't say anything, but Scarlet knew he was grateful even if he didn't say anything. She then grabbed her gun and fired at both of the tires that were in close range, which caused a loud sound like an explosion to echo.

Rogers grabbed Romanoff and his other friend. They kicked out the door of their car and were now skidding down the highway at rapid speeds. Their driver halted the car. He handed a large gun to Winter once he had jumped off the car. Winter fired it at Rogers and Romanoff. Rogers shoved Romanoff out of the way and held up his shield. The rocket hit his shield and sent him over the edge of the bridge into a bus.

"Я позабочусь о Роджерсе (I'll take care of Rogers)," she told Winter. Winter gave her a curt nod. Scarlet took off without hesitation. She leapt right off the edge of the bridge and landed on top of the tipped over bus. She slammed her foot into a window and jumped through it. Pulling out her gun, she fired at Rogers without hesitation. He got up quickly and charged to the other side of the bus and straight through. Scarlet put her gun down and followed after him. She attempted to shoot him, which she quickly learned would be useless. He was too quick with his shield. She put her gun back in her holster and sprinted up to him.

They fought hand to hand for a bit. Scarlet lashed out and grabbed his shield. She gripped it tightly and pulled it and his arm closer to her. Then, she used her flexibility to reach her leg up over his arm and harshly pull it down with all her strength. At this point, it was clear that he was stronger than she was. He kept a good grip on his shield. However, Scarlet used her other leg and kicked his chest, pushing herself away from him. His grip on his shield slipped and she was able to throw it out of his reach. She did a backflip and landed on her feet. Then, she yet again launched at Rogers. She tried to get her legs up around his neck, but he grabbed her by the waist and tossed her at a nearby car.

She groaned a bit. Clearly Rogers was stronger than Winter was, or even her. That move hadn't failed her until now. So, she pulled out her knife and got close again. She dodged his punch and stabbed the blade into his side. Rogers winced from the pain and grabbed Scarlet's wrist. He twisted it around and threw her to the ground. Before Scarlet could get up, he kicked her hard in the ribs. Scarlet acted quickly and rolled out of the way and got to her feet. The Scarlet Killer prepared herself before she jumped at him, going yet again for the neck.

Steve didn't want to hurt her, so he took this chance to try to convince her to leave. "You can walk away from this, kid," he told her. "Hydra can't take care of you. We can."

Scarlet was so caught off guard by this that she froze, stalling her attack. "I don't need to be taken care of," she told him. "I can take care of myself." With that, she yet again tried to charge him. He spun around and kicked her hard in the chest, causing her to go sailing into a nearby minivan.

With frustration, Scarlet yet again disappeared. Rogers was too strong for her to take on. Winter would have to deal with him. Romanoff, however, was not enhanced. Scarlet could take her on. She jogged off to find Winter.

Winter was working on taking out Romanoff when she found him. Scarlet spoke quickly. "罗杰斯太强大了。我不能把他带出去 (Rogers is too strong. I can't take him out)," she said in Chinese. She knew that Romanoff spoke Russian, so she didn't dare speak it. The young assassin knew that Romanoff used to be a spy for the KGB so she assumed that she spoke multiple languages like French and Spanish. She could only hope that Chinese was exotic enough.

Winter nodded. "罗曼诺夫走那条路 (Romanoff went that way)," he replied in Chinese as well, pointing down the street. Scarlet nodded and took off down the street. The young girl hesitated before leaping at her target, straddling her shoulders. Romanoff reacted immediately, backing into a car, causing Scarlet to slam through the windshield. The glass shattered and Scarlet's grip on Romanoff slipped. Romanoff tried to shove her off, but Scarlet was a lot stronger than her. Scarlet quickly recovered her grip and started to choke the Russian woman, using her leg strength.

Natasha grabbed around, trying to find something to fight back with. She couldn't reach her gun or any of her other weapons. She could, however, reach a long shard of glass. She quickly grabbed the glass and stabbed at Scarlet's thigh. Scarlet hissed from the pain. Natasha grabbed her attacker's legs and ripped her off. Scarlet fell backwards into the car and smacked her head on the console. She was quick to sit up and yank the glass out of her leg. A bit of blood stained her outfit, but this did not concern Scarlet. Instead, she kicked out the door, which sailed into the vehicle across the street.

Scarlet climbed out of the car to see Romanoff standing at the ready with her widow bites. She shot one off at the girl, who dodged it with ease. Romanoff was a little surprised, and a little impressed, but she didn't allow that to distract her. The Black Widow charged at The Scarlet Killer. Scarlet charged as well, ready to prove herself. This was her job. She was supposed to take out Rogers and Romanoff. Then she would be as revered and as feared as her partner was, which was what she wanted. To be exactly like Winter.

They clashed in the middle of the street, throwing punches and kicks. Scarlet noticed quickly that Romanoff was a lot more graceful than Rogers. She moved swiftly and with elegance. Obviously the Black Widow had been well trained. However, Scarlet had been well trained as well. By some of the best fighters in the world. That made Romanoff her equal. Scarlet kicked Romanoff's side swiftly, causing Romanoff to be thrown off balance. Scarlet was quick and before she could recover, she kicked at her shoulder, sending Romanoff falling to the ground. Romanoff did a Chinese get up and attacked without hesitation, delivering a punch to Scarlet's stomach. Scarlet instantly grabbed Romanoff's wrist and twisted it hard, flipping the ex-KGB agent onto her back. Romanoff groaned a little, but swiftly swept Scarlet's legs out from underneath her, causing her to fall on her back as well.

Before Scarlet could try to get up, Romanoff seized her goggles, pulling them off of her face. Scarlet ignored that, actually somewhat grateful for it. While they served their purpose, Scarlet mostly saw them as an annoyance. Scarlet felt more free when they were off.

They stood up and for a moment, the two Russians sized each other up. Natasha was struck by the similarities between the two of them. Both of them had been young when they were taken by a terrorist group and forced to kill for them. Both were well trained and fought both swiftly and gracefully. The only difference was Clint was able to save Natasha. This girl didn't have a Clint. Not yet anyway. Natasha knew what she had to do. She had to be this girl's Clint. She had to save her from Hydra.

"Вы можете уйти от этого, малыш (You can walk away from this, kid)," Natasha said to her in Russian. Scarlet was caught off guard for a moment. Why were both Rogers and Romanoff determined to get her to walk away from this? They didn't say stuff like that to Winter. Perhaps they thought that because she was young, she was more likely to switch sides. But it was impossible. Hydra would always find her, no matter where she ran to. There was no escape. That was something Romanoff and Rogers would never- could never- understand.

"Гидра манипулирует тобой. Они заставляют тебя казаться, что ты важен. Как будто это единственное место, где вы можете принадлежать. Но они не правы. Вы можете быть свободны от них. Просто пойдем с нами. Мы можем защитить вас. (Hydra is manipulating you. They make you seem like you're important. Like this is the only place you can belong. But they're wrong. You can be free of them. Just come with us. We can protect you.)"

"Мне не нужна защита (I don't need protection)," Scarlet replied stoically. "И я никогда не пойду с тобой. (And I will never come with you.)" She was about to charge again when she heard something behind her. She turned just in time to see Rogers's shield being tossed at her. She rapidly ducked and rolled out of the way. Scarlet crawled underneath a car and came out on the other side. She turned to see Winter fighting Rogers with his knife. Scarlet jumped on top of the car only to find that Romanoff had disappeared. The girl cursed in Russian. Great. Now what? If Hydra found out that she had lost her... Scarlet wasn't sure what they would do to her. All she knew was that she had failed her mission.

Now what indeed. She had to make her next move. Rogers was the only target in sight, so she would have to try and fight him again. Hopefully she would be more successful this time around. As Scarlet approached the two, she noticed that Rogers had pulled off Winter's mask. And that they had stopped fighting. She too stopped, looking at the two of them curiously as Rogers stared at Winter. "Bucky?" he asked in shock. Scarlet furrowed her brows in confusion. What was Bucky? She looked at Rogers carefully. It became readily apparent to her that he recognized Winter. The recognition in his eyes was as clear as day. So Bucky must've been who he thought Winter was. Or maybe that was who Winter really was. Maybe Winter had a life before a Hydra, unlike her. He never talked about it, because Hydra wiped his mind constantly. But maybe this was who he used to be. This Bucky person that Rogers seemed to think he was.

Before she could think more on it though, Romanoff fired at the vehicle next to them. Both Winter and Scarlet had to dive for cover. They ducked underneath a nearby car to avoid the fire of the explosion. Once they were in the clear they removed themselves from the area. "С тобой все в порядке? (Are you alright?)" Winter asked her.

Scarlet blinked at him, surprised by the question. He never asked her things like this. Yes, he was often more caring than the others in Hydra, but no one ever asked her how she was feeling or if she was ok. Not even Winter. "я в порядке (I'm fine)," she replied shortly and he nodded. Yes, this was a shock. Perhaps he was starting to see her as a friend.

Or maybe that was just wishful thinking.