Chapter 14

Snow crunched under foot as the asset stalked through the snow. His piercing blue eyes searching hungrily for his prey. He knew his targets Stark and Fury had arrived two days prior, booking into a 5-star resort (nothing but the best for a Stark). He had watched them since they arrived, strategically categorizing their daily routine and determine the best time to capture them. He finally determined his mission would have 100% success whilst his targets were out skiing. They would be alone and away from any witnesses, his handlers did not want there to be any witnesses in the capture of Fury and Stark.

"Keep up Tony, you're so slow!

The assets eyes snapped in the direction of the voice and dived for cover behind the trees. A moment later his target Fury zoomed past on a navy snowboard, wearing a thick navy thermal jacket, a navy beanie, and gloves, and googles. She slowed and turned to at a standstill mere inches away from where the asset was currently hiding.

This was his chance to grab his target, but something momentarily made him freeze in his tracks. Fury had lifter her googles, showing off her large emerald, green eyes. Eyes that seemed so familiar to the asset, but he could not explain why.

The target, Fury, smiled warmly and with stifling bemusement as the other target, Stark, came sliding down behind her. His body tense and his mouth in a firm line, he was concentrating very hard at staying up right.

"How is it that you, a girl who has never skied before, better at skiing then me!?" He whined pitifully. His bottom lip sticking out in a pout as his eyes raked over his girlfriend who stood confidently and firmly in front of him.

"I ride a broom you know. Good balance is a necessity." She smiled and pecked him lightly on the cheek before lowering googles again and surfing down the slope.

"Hey Angel face, wait up!"

The asset waited for them to pass before stepping out from behind the trees. He had missed his opportunity. His handlers were not going to be happy. He needed to fix it. He needed to complete his mission. Squaring his shoulders, the asset began running after them, his mind filled with emerald eyes.

Aurora sled down the mountain on her snowboard, laughing joyfully at the sensation of the wind blowing in her face. The slopes were very empty, and the snow was good. She, Tony, Rhodey and Clint had arrived two days ago at the ski resort in the snowy mountains of Switzerland. On the day they arrived Aurora had noticed a few things, Clint's attention had been instantly stolen by a pretty brunette who had arrived with her friends a few seconds after them, Laura, her friends called her. Rhodey had instantly headed over to the fireplace, a book and hot chocolate with marshmallows in hand. Tony was sneezing nonstop, the cold did not agree with him, and Aurora got the sinking feeling they were being watched.

The presence felt both threatening and yet not. She couldn't quite explain it but it made her uncomfortable. It was obvious it had something to do with Hydra, after her near kidnapping she was now under their radar. She had to investigate without alerting Rhodey and Tony, she had already told Clint of her concerns and was keeping an eye out whilst also glancing at Laura whenever she was in his vicinity.

The moment she and Tony began their descent on the mountain Aurora could feel the presence close by, stalking them. This was not good, she thought worriedly, biting down on her lip. She glanced over her shoulder at Tony. She needed to break away from him so she could investigate the presence.

Casting a quick notice-me-not Aurora turned down a narrow snowy pathway and descended deeper into the woods. She could hear Tony in the background calling out for her, she felt bad for ditching but would make it up to him later. Further and further, she went, far away from other skiers, she stopped in a clearing surrounded by snow and trees. She could feel the presence closing in, like a hungry predator ready to pounce on his prey.

Lifting her goggles and stepping of her board, Aurora turned to find a man. He was tall, his hair was long and unkempt, the colour of bark. The lower half of his face was covered with a mask, but his eyes, his eyes were piercing, cold blue.

The man began walking towards her before braking into a charge and pulling out a gun. Bullets ricochet around as Aurora quickly cast a shield spell. Gritting her teeth, Aurora tried to hold her stance as the force of the bullets pushed her back. The gun clicked as it ran out of bullets. Grunting in rage, the man threw his empty gun away and swung his metal arm. The magical shield shattered on impact and Aurora fell to the ground.

The man pounced on top of her and pined her hands above her head.

"Get off!" Aurora cried and tried to buck the man off her, but he was too strong.

The man stared hypnotically down at Aurora and gently cupped her face up to look at him. Emerald, green eyes stared back at him, eyes he remembered from somewhere, someone long ago.

"Rebecca."

Aurora stopped struggling momentarily and gazed in confusion at the man. Who was Rebecca? The man appeared to be lost in thought, his face twisted in pain, his hands clutching his head. Aurora blind as she realized her hands were free. Using all her strength, Aurora shoved the man off, but by doing so it snapped the man back into action and already he was charging for her again.

Remembering all of her Aunt Peggy's self-defense lessons Aurora used the heal of her hand and thrust it upwards, snapping her assailants head back and grinned in triumph at the sound of his nose breaking. Growling in wounded pride, the man ran and jumped behind her, caging her in his arms. Groaning, Aurora gripped his arm around her neck, jumped and flipped him over her shoulder. Knocking the air right out of him.

Aurora grinned, he was twice her size and she was kicking his ass. Aunt Peggy would be so proud.

"Now what was it, Aunt Peggy used to say? 'If all fails just remember to SING. S.I.N.G.'" Aurora said aloud as the man pulled himself up breathlessly.

Again, he came at her from behind, caging her in his arms.

"Solarplex." She swings her elbow into his gut.

"Instep." Stomped her foot on top of his.

"Nose" Rammed her elbow upward and breaking his nose further.

"Groin!" And the finishing touch, punching him in the groin.

The man finally let her go. Clutching his injured groin. Just for good measures she tied him up and wiped her and Tony's current location from his mind before getting back on her snowboard and skiing away back to the resort. Hopefully, he would not come after them again, but for safe measures she would carve detection runes around all their hotel rooms against anyone who wanted to harm them.

Piercing blue eyes watched as the girl fled, his only thought being one word, a name.

Rebecca.

Arriving back at resort, Aurora found a frantic Tony pulling on Rhodey's arm shouting his head off.

"She's missing Rhodey! What if she's hurt somewhere!? We need to find her!"

"Chill Tony!"

"How could you tell me to chill at a time like this!? Don't ypu remember she almost got kidnapped before!? Don't you care about her!?"

"Of course I do!" Rhodey yelled.

"Guys! I am right here."

Tony and Rhodey turned and barreled towards her, both talking at once.

"Are you ok?"

"Where were you?"

"I though you were lost, or worst hurt!"

"Where did you go!?"

"Sorry guys, I found another trail that went through the woods."

Rhodey sighed, "Next time Aurora stay on the agreed path. I don't want to go through a distress Tony again, he was a nightmare to calm down."

"Oi! You were just as worried as I was!"

Aurora giggled as the two glowered at each other. "Ok, ok, guys. Let's head back to our rooms, I'm beat."

That night as they slept none witnessed a mysterious figure enter their suite. It moved in the shadows and crept towards Aurora's bed. Hovering over her it raised a metal hand and brought it down to her neck. Then it was gone. Around her neck laid a silver dog chain.

Furniture smashed as Alexander Pierce raged in his office. Before him stood two cowering Hydra agents, a scientist and the asset.

"How could you have failed in your mission!" he roared. "You had a simple task, 'Bring me the Stark heir and witch girl!' But it seems you couldn't even do that!"

"M-my apologies sir. But it seemed the asset regained some memories when he saw the girl and he even left a item we were previously unaware he had a hold of."

"And what was that?"

"W-we believe dog tags sir. The war ones."

Pierce became deathly quiet. The agents shifted nervously and eyed the door, debating if it was ok to just run for it.

"Are you telling me that the asset had something to his previous life that we were unaware of and gave it to our target who reminds him of someone."

"Yes. Yes sir."

"Why did you not retrieve it?"

"We tried to, but was unable to access the room. An invisible force was blocking us."

BANG!

The agent dropped to the floor as Pierce placed his gun away.

"Useless fool. Disposed of the body and reprogram the asset. It seems he is still defective. We can't have him having his own mind and memories."

"Yes sir!"

Pierce waited for the room to empty before banging his hands on his desk in frustration. To think a mere girl could trip the asset off to the point that all orders became obsolete. It also didn't help matters that she was now in possess of something that could change everything if S.H.I.E.L.D. got a hold of it.

"Aurora Fury, just who are you to MY asset?"