Nick stilled for a second when he felt a presence behind him but he didn't stop checking his things.

"Didn't expect to see you, Captain," he said

"There was something I needed to ask you."

Nick exhaled, turned, and faced him, gesturing him to go ahead.

"Bucky. do you know how I can break his brainwashing?"

Nick hummed, "I'm afraid I can't be of help to you here."

"There must be something you know."

Nick took a deep breath, "Even in my time as a SHIELD employee, I didn't deal with brainwashed assassins. I'm not the person who can answer this question for you."

He then reached and slung his travel bag across his shoulder.

"Though, may I suggest asking Romanoff about it."

"Nat?"

"KGB used to implement similar brainwashing methods on young recruits to make them loyal to their cause. She might be of help."

He walked across the room and exited, closing the door after him. He took another deep breath and looked at Steve.

"I'm aware that I'm pushing my luck here, but may I ask for a promise from you?"

Steve folded his arms, "Depends."

"Take care of this team. I know it's not easy with handling everything from Tony's weird habits to Romanoff's attitude but those people look up to you. They trust you to lead them." he took another deep breath, "I have some of my only family in this team. They are no damsels in distress but they have their demons that they don't know how to chase away. All I ask is that you look after them."

Steve took a deep breath and nodded, "I promise that I'll look after this team like a family."

Fury gave a curt nod, "That's all I ask. Thank you, Captain."

Steve nodded back. Fury gave him a clap on the shoulder as he walked out.

"Have a safe journey," Steve called out and Fury gave another curt nod as he entered the elevator.

No one else came to see him off and he wasn't mad about it. He damaged their trust and respect in him. Just because he got off easy doesn't mean he gets to be respected again.

The elevator stopped at the ground floor and he walked out.

"Mr. Fury, Ms. has left a parcel for you at the reception desk. Do collect it."

"Thank you, JARVIS."

He found the parcel pretty easily as it laid innocently on the desk with 'For Eyepatch' written on top with an eyepatch drawing. He picked it and put it in his bag before he left the building.


After Fury left, Steve went to find Nat. Since it was her cooking day, he found her in the kitchen preparing for their lunch. Considering their appetite, they had to start their cooking for the meal about two hours earlier so everything could be done by the time.

He sat on the island stood and looked at her.

"What's up?" she asked, tasting the gravy

"Fury just left."

"Hmm." she turned and extended the spatula towards him. He swiped his finger and then tasted it, "needs a little more salt."

"Thought so," she muttered

"I asked him if knew anything about brainwashing."

"Did he?"

"Refused, flat out. But he told me to ask you,"

"Me?"

"He said KGB used to brainwash its recruits."

"Yeah, they used to. I'm pretty sure they still do."

"How did you break their brainwashing?"

She hummed, "the last time they brainwashed me, it was 1942. I spent more than...65 years without their influence. It just broke all by itself over time."

"I don't have 65 years, Nat."

She exhaled, turned to a simmer, and then faced him, "I called every single contact I ever had. I called my contact's contacts. I found nothing, Steve. I really don't know how I can help you with this."

He took a deep breath, "Do you think there could a magical solution to this?"

Nat swallowed, "Actually, there is a magical way. But I'm not sure it would help in Barnes' situation."

"What is it?"

Nat took a deep breath, a pregnant pause before she continued. "Despite being free of brainwashing for more than 65 years, I kept having these flashbacks. I couldn't tell which memory was real and which one was fake. And then Rose told us how mind magic was one of her specialties. She helped me get rid of all those remaining effects of brainwashing."

"Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?"

"Because I don't think she can help Barnes. Steve, even before I asked for her help, I had broken the majority of the brainwashing all by myself. she was there to just wrap things up. Unlike Barnes, who has been cryogenically frozen and brainwashed with a much larger frequency. It is going to be very messy in his head and Rose is not at her peak. And this thing drains her."

He exhaled.

"You can talk to her. Maybe she'd have another solution handy. She's our magical expert, after all."

Steve nodded with a hum as he looked up, "JARVIS, where is Rose, right now?"

"Ms. is currently in her office room, Captain."

Steve looked at Nat, "She has an office room?"

Nat just chuckled.

"Which one is it?"

"Uh..the one next to her bedroom."

Steve took a breath, got off, and headed for her floor. As he entered, he easily found the room next to her bedroom which was half-open.

As he neared the door, he heard some voices within.

"...of course. I'll definitely coordinate along with Ms. Potts."

He slowly opened the door and found a pair of brown and green eyes directed at him. Rose didn't move but Brittany sure did. She quickly walked across the room and approached him outside.

"Hi." she smiled

"Hi." he smiled back, "Is she busy? Seems like it. Should I come later?"

"Oh no, the Board meeting is almost over. They are just over the final procedures. She'll be done in a few minutes."

"Oh...I'm Steve, by the way."

She chuckled, "Brittany. Mam's PA."

"I've heard of you."

"Good things I hope."

"She speaks quite highly of you."

Brittany just smiled and then looked back in, "You can wait inside. It's okay. They are pretty much done."

"It's fine. I don't wanna intrude in her business stuff. I'll wait out here."

"Alright." she softly chuckled and re-entered the room. Steve, meanwhile, sat on her couch and picked up the novel he saw on the table. About 10 minutes later, he heard footsteps.

"And these are to be given to Adam and the blue one to Steven."

"Hmm-mm."

"Also please ask Charlotte to send me the report on your way out."

"Got it. Anything else, mam?"

"That'd be all, Ms. Hughes."

"Okay. I've made the folders on the computer and there are some post-it notes that would help. And another set of instructions in the drawer should you need any, though I don't think you would. "

"Got it, Brit. Anything else?"

Brittany smiled, "Thank you."

"Thank you for handling the mess in my absence. You enjoy I'll handle things here."

Brittany nodded with a smile, turned, and left while sparing a quick smile to Steve.

"Something I should know?" she asked Steve as soon as the elevator went down.

"what?" Steve asked

Rose chuckled, amused, "You and Brittany seem good with each other."

"Are you trying to hook me up with you PA?"

Rose laughed, "Wouldn't dream of it. She just got proposed to this morning by her boyfriend. If you did like her, I'm afraid she's taken now."

"She seems sweet. I'm glad she's engaged."

Rose smiled and gestured for him to come with her to the office room.

"Didn't Pepper say that you aren't allowed in the office?"

"I'm not allowed down there. Which doesn't mean the office doesn't get to come to me. Now that I'm walking and kickin', the Board wants me back. Pepper insisted but those old coots barely listen. It's work from home for the next two weeks."

She sat down on her desk and looked at her laptop, resuming to work on it.

"Sounds like two rough weeks." he took a seat opposite to her.

"That doesn't even cover it. Brit asked for a two-week off to go back home. Engagement and stuff. She has plans with her family and In-Laws. I love my PA and she deserves these two weeks, especially now that the question is popped. Now I'm a PA short and handling everything all by myself in this condition going to be a tough one."

"Any way I could help?"

"You got enough on your plate right now. I'll think of something." she muttered, "So, Fury left, huh?"

"Hmm-mm. Where were you?"

"Seeing Brittany tear up when the question was popped." she smiled, "I was down at the office lobby. Didn't wanna miss it." she exhaled, "What were you doing with Fury anyway. You aren't that fond of him."

"Just wanted to ask if he knew anything about brainwashing and how to break it."

"Did he?"

"No. But he directed me to Nat. KGB brainwashing and all. Nat told me you helped her break the brainwashing."

Rose stopped what she was doing and looked at Steve, "I do hope you are not asking what I think you are asking."

Steve didn't reply, just pressed his lips together.

"Steve, you want me to get inside his head and sort out his memories and break the brainwashing?"

"I know I'm asking quite a lot."

"a lot?" she exhaled loudly, "Steve, I promised you honesty, and here it goes. You have no idea how wrong it is on so many levels. First, I don't have his consent. He's a brick wall, you told me that. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to enter a man's mind without his exclusive consent. I had Nat's consent when I did it with her.

Second, I have to go through every memory he had had so far. What is to say that he does remember everything he did under the influence? I'd be watching my family's murder through his eyes and trust me that doesn't make it better in any way.

Third, he's still under the influence. And he recognizes me. He looked at me weirdly yesterday when I came to collect you. Okay, he may not remember me entirely but he has an idea of who I am. What guarantee is there that he won't try to kill me, again?

Fourth, Steve, I'm not at my healthiest. Hannah is still discouraging me from using magic until I'm completely healed. I'm not even using magic to get ready in the mornings. Mostly I struggle. Once or twice, Nat helped me. I can't use loads of magic to enter his head and sort it out."

she took a deep breath, "Not to mention, I'm not sure if his mind can be salvaged."

"What do you mean?"

She pinched the bridge of her nose, removed her glasses, and looked at him, "70 years worth of constant brainwashing. That's...roughly 7 times Nat's. And being cryogenically frozen for long durations of time. It's going to be a mess in there that'd be so hard to clean."

Steve took a deep breath, "Is there anything you suggest? Since you know quite a lot of this."

Rose took a deep breath and reached for his hand, intertwining her own with it, "Talk to him. Rather than trying to convince him of who he is, tell him...accounts of your childhood. Favorite movies, songs, places you liked to visit. Things you did together. Or any particular memory of Barnes' that he held quite close to him. Talk to him again and again. He has to be the one to make the first crack on the surface. From there it'll be comparatively easy. Once he gets his bearings as Bucky Barnes rather than Winter Soldier...I can refer you both to a...mind healer. He's good at what he does."

Steve nodded, "Thank you."

Rose squeezed his hand and smiled, "Anytime."

"Ms., Captain, Agent Romanoff has prepared the lunch."

"Thanks, J. We'll be there." She got up, closed her laptop, and together the two made their way out.

In the kitchen, they only found Clint.

"Where are the others?" Steve asked

"Taking their sweet-ass time," Clint muttered, "What were you two doing together?"

"Just talking."

Clint looked at Rose and raised a brow, she shrugged in return.

"Anyone else feeling the boredom of epic proportions?" Clint asked

"If you are bored, lend me a hand with the salad." Nat placed a couple of tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers along with a knife and a plate in front of Clint. Clint pouted but got to work.

Rose pulled out her phone and started scrolling through, occasionally stealing a piece or two of tomato or cucumber until Clint swatted her hand when she realized something and looked at Nat.

"Hey, Nat, you are free right?"

"Depends on what you want me to do."

"Brittany is on a two-week off. Can you fill in for her?"

"Your PA took off now?" Clint asked

"She got engaged this morning and has a ton of things to plan with her family. My problems are not her problems." she looked at Nat, "Willing?"

"Do you think it is a good idea to have Black Widow as your PA?"

"I was thinking Natalie Rushman if she suits you better."

Nat turned and looked at her, "You can do that?"

"who's Natalie Rushman?" Steve asked

"Natalie Rushman was my cover when I worked as Pepper's PA."

"Basically she was here to spy on me and dad." she looked at Nat, "I've got the entire SHIELD database. won't be too hard to get that back."

"I don't know, Rose."

"in that case, I volunteer in Nat's stead"

Everyone looked at Clint, holding questioning looks.

"What? you don't think I'll be a good PA?"

"I don't think you'll look good in a pencil skirt and heels."

"Oh please! I'd look ravishing in a pencil skirt and heels."

"As a guy and your friend, Clint, I have to disagree."

"Are you both seriously being sexist about a secretary job?"

"I'm not being sexist. I'm sure you'd make a great PA. Geez, I was kidding. I asked Nat because she has previously worked for the company, even if it was an undercover mission. she knows her way around the company. that's why. You'd have to work your way from ground zero. Also, there's a reason I have women PAs."

"What reason?"

Rose sighed, "I have a reputation, Clint. Do you want rumors that you slept your way to become my PA? Because that's what happened when I hired Dad's publicist. Thankfully he's a chill dude and doesn't care about the rumors."

"That makes sense."

Rose rolled her eyes. "Nat, take your time. Brit leaves in two days so if you are not comfortable with this, Clint can always fill in. You just gotta ignore the rumors, in that case."

"Sounds good. Nat, please say no."

Nat chuckled, "I'll think about it."

Rose looked at Clint, "And if you were to become my temporary PA, do not even think of wearing a pencil skirt and heels. I don't want you traumatizing my employees."

"Got it, boss."

"This might not have been your best decision."

Rose sighed and looked back at Steve, "Tell me about it."


Tony wasn't exactly sure about it. He didn't wanna do it. But Rose had insisted. Asked him to get his act straight because they needed to be a united front. Pepper had backed her up.

"Dad, I don't want you guys to have a bromance. Just a decent friendship where you don't resent him, that's it. Or frown when he walks in or give him passive-aggressive remarks. That's it."

Tony sighed and reluctantly agreed. She did have a point though; about the united front thing anyway.

So after lunch, he made his way to Steve's place, hoping his best to sort their issue.

He knocked on the door and Steve opened it.

"You got a minute to talk?"

Steve looked at him for a second before nodded, "Sure, come on in."

Tony walked in and looked around the minimally styled room. he saw a couple of SHIELD files and picked them to see them.

"Rose gave them to me to go through."

"I'm glad she's taking someone's help."

Tony looked up and tossed the file back and folded his arms.

"Is it about the Avengers Inc.?"

"Actually, it's about everything that happened with SHIELD and Barnes."

"What about it?"

Tony took a breath, "You know what? I'm here mostly here because Rose wanted me to."

"Uh-huh."

Tony didn't say anything for a few minutes.

"Rose is a powerful independent woman. But she's still my daughter. My baby girl. Do you have an idea what I went through when she called me, just shy of crying telling me that she had a fight with you, that Barnes and HYDRA orphaned me and then tried to kill my daughter, my only family member at the time, the person who means the world to me?"

Steve looked down at the carpet and didn't say anything.

"You are a smart man, Steve, but if there's one thing I don't expect you to understand is what a parent feels when their only child is going through shit and they could do nothing to help."

Steve slightly gulped.

"I wanted to fly there at that instant and destroy the entire thing. Rose begged me not to. she begged me not to come there and hunt down every single HYDRA agent, including Winter Soldier. "

He took a deep breath, "I know that man is your friend, or was, I don't know. Do you think I was wrong to try and protect my daughter when you were doing pretty much the same for your friend?"

Steve took a deep breath. He wasn't sure what he could say. Saying 'Yes' would make him kind of a hypocrite. Saying 'No' would put them at the same level and he'd agree that Tony did what he thought was right. He wasn't sure he entirely understood that.

Steve just exhaled and didn't reply. He wasn't even sure if he could understand Tony's situation anywhere.

"I did everything for my kid. And I do understand where you are standing. All I ask is for you to understand where I'm standing as well."

"Of course."

"You are a good friend, Steve."

Steve nodded, "So you don't mind me trying to save Bucky?"

Tony scoffed, "I know what he means to you. As long as he doesn't hurt me or Rose, I got no problem with what you do with him."

"I can work with that."

Tony nodded and turned to leave.

"Does that mean you won't punch me again, right?"

Tony turned to look back at him, "Don't tell me that got you." he chuckled

Steve rubbed his now almost faded bruise, "No, it didn't. But I don't prefer getting my facial bones broken. It hurts while it heals."

Tony snorted, "I'm not gonna make a promise I'm not sure I'd be able to keep. But I'll try."

Steve scoffed. Tony chuckled as he walked away, closing the door after him.

Steve sighed and looked down at the files. Tony sucked more than Rose when it came to talking about feelings, they all knew that. He always had trouble with that, Pepper had told him. Also knowing Tony, this was the closest he could ever get to a semi-apology and a green signal to continue his work.

He exhaled, picked the file, and resumed his work.


Rose tilted her head on her fist as she went through all the data she had to rifle through. She'd then cross-reference chunks of data with Zola's archives to see if there were any overlays. Scarily enough, almost 50% of the time there was an overlay.

Pierce had really done SHIELD dirty.

And since quite a lot of SHIELD files were redacted,(thank-fucking-you, HYDRA), and JARVIS and NYX couldn't always come up with the appropriate combinations and permutations, she had to manually look through them to see what the files revealed.

A beep on her computer grabbed her attention and opened the little pop-up, which only made her groan.

The Board and COB had asked for an estimation of losses they'd be suffering this and the next quarter. The numbers were not pretty. Board had the same opinion as well. So as the highest person in the firm it was her job to come up with a solution for that.

What made it worse was that major investors of the company were beginning to lose their confidence as they thought that she was putting her Avenger duties over her CEO duties.

That was the reason for her today's meeting so she could come up to date with everything that happened in her days of absence and discuss a decent solution. It was mostly her making promises and giving out her word like free candy.

She might have to take a break from being an Avenger for a while.

She exhaled, running a hand through her hair. She then picked her phone and dialed Pepper.

"Saw the mail?"

"Just did." she tiredly said, rubbing her eyes, "You got any ideas?"

"I was about to call you for the same."

"I'm at my rope's end right now. From where am I supposed to find a new buyer right now? Or get a new product?"

Pepper was quiet for a few seconds before she answered, "What about the serum?"

Rose opened her inbox. "Haven't heard from FDA for a while."

"Rose, wait. you had a contract with SHIELD regarding the serum."

"Co-ownership, yeah."

"But SHIELD is no more there. So the contract is null and void."

Rose perked up as her mental gears began to work. "...which makes me and Bruce the full-time owners."

"Let's say FDA gives it approval..."

"then we can launch it! That'd also get the Board off my back for some time."

"They aren't gonna stop hounding you until a new buyer is secured."

"I know but this should shut them up for nearly a couple of months. And if everything goes right, there will be a new buyer in a couple of months. Pepper, you are a genius! I fucking love you!"

"Language!" Pepper laughed, "You got any more inventions in your lab?"

"Unless you want me to launch a light-saber as a product."

"Inventions that aren't weapons."

"Light-saber ain't a weapon."

"Rose,"

"Okay, okay. I'll go through my stuff. See if there's anything I can find that can be modified or updated or any other shit."

"Get Tony to work with you."

"Yes, mam."

"Good. Love you."

"Love you too."

She quickly typed an email to FDA, hoping for a response ASAP. then she rushed to find Tony.

He was in his lab with Rhodey and Bruce.

"Hey, baby girl." Rhodey swung an arm around her and kissed the side of her head.

"Hey." she smiled, leaning into his embrace.

"What are you doing out of your den?" Tony asked

"I've got good news and bad news. So...which one do you guys wanna hear?"

The three men shared a look.

"Bad news." the three said

"Well," she took a deep breath, "I've landed in a bit of hot water with Board and Investors who think I'm prioritizing Avengers over SI."

Tony frowned so she quickly continued, "Irrespective of whether it is true or not, or whatever, I was thinking of taking a small hiatus from Avengers and everything related so I could focus more on SI."

"Do you want me to ta-"

"No! No, no, no, no. I go-got it. I'll handle them. but yeah..."

"what's the good news?" Bruce asked

She took a deep breath, "With SHIELD gone, the serum is now ours. I have mailed FDA to track their progress with testing and stuff. So, if you allow, I'd like to launch the serum. It has the potential of getting off the hook for some time."

"some time?" Rhodey asked

"Well, according to Pepper, I've gotta secure a new buyer or a solid contract to make up for the losses. I don't suppose the military is interested in any of that, is it?"

Rhodey took a breath, "Sorry, darlin'. Unless you wanna resume the weapons thing."

Tony frowned at Rhodey while Rose chuckled, "You, I, and everyone know that is not gonna happen. We closed it for a reason. I'll stick to it." she took a deep breath at looked at Bruce, "So?"

"Are you really asking for my permission?"

"It's registered under both our names. You own this formula as much as I do. I do need your permission, Brucie."

Bruce took a deep breath, "Well if it helps everyone around, I don't see why not. Go ahead."

Rose smiled, "Thanks. As soon as I'll hear from FDA, I'll let you know."

"Sure you can have FDA approve it so soon? How long has it been since you gave it to them? A month?" Rhodey asked

"About two, yeah. I'll try some contacts. See if we can get it done on a priority basis. Hopefully, it'll work."

"How do you want me involved?" Tony asked

She took a breath, "Well, would you happen to have stuff that we can launch as new products without much trouble?"

Tony chuckled, "come on, I'm glad you asked."

"Pepper said no lethal stuff."


This is more of a filler chapter rather than a serious one. I just wanted to address certain things, that I hope I did in the right way.

Anyway, this is also a reminder that due to the lack of questions I mentioned in the previous chapter, the chapter idea scrapped. I don't what I was thinking when I came up with it. I got some good responses for the TLE series but none here.

Still, thank you guys for sticking with this for 2 years and I hope to finish this before its third anniversary comes.

You know the drill.

Ciao.