Thank you to everyone who has read this story, reviewed, liked, added to favourites and alerts. It truly means a lot to me to see how many people are enjoying this story and continue to enjoy it.

This chapter is a lot later than I had originally hoped it to be, but then it's also my longest chapter to date. Just shy of 40,000 words. Not only that a lot of real-life stuff happened towards the back half of last year. Some good, some bad. Changes are still coming but I am still planning to continue this story.

I hope you enjoy this chapter and continue to enjoy the story as it unfolds.

Any mistakes are mine.


XXX


Chapter 14

Tony frowned as he looked at his phone, his fingers typing away furiously as he moved from one report to the next. All the data that Jarvis had collected from their confrontation with Hydra. Something wasn't adding up. There was an energy signature that was off the charts. The report inconclusive. That had never happened before. Jarvis was unable to match it to anything they had come across before.

"Tony."

His leg tapped, frustration growing inside of him, as various data filled the page in front of him.

"Tony!"

He snapped his head up. Locked gazes with the familiar dark blue eyes of Pepper. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at him.

"Yes, dear," he said, flashing his trademark smile at her, the one that always had her rolling her eyes at him, and huffing in her own frustration as she resisted the urge to strangle him. Something he knew she had wanted to do many times over while working for him. That hadn't changed since she had become CEO of his company and his girlfriend.

"You would think I would be used to it by now, how easily you tune out the world when you are trying to solve a challenge."

"I was listening, but Hydra have found a way to shield themselves, and I mean physically shield themselves when they are on the ground, and I need to work out how."

"Have you actually slept since your confrontation? Since you returned to the Tower?"

He snorted.

"I will sleep when I am dead."

"That's what I am worried about, Tony. The dead part."

"I'm fine. Bruce has kept me company for some of it, before the Cap called him away and he made sure I ate, and didn't drink too much coffee, though I have drank three pots since then. Or was it four? What day is it?"

He blinked, his focus shifting once again as he tried to keep up with his thoughts.

Pepper sighed. "It's Monday, Tony. And you need sleep, but first we need to speak to Potter about your idea for the Gala in order to raise funds for her Foundation."

"Right, yes. I remember now. My genius plan."

"Because you're concerned, you put your foot into your mouth by pushing too hard."

He grimaced. He had made a blunder of it when they had been at Sanctuary.

"Right, I remember. But you think it's a brilliant plan, don't you?"

"I think you are doing a good thing, helping raise money for the Foundation. Though I can't say whether it is a brilliant plan, because I do not know how Potter is going to react."

He smiled at her, the one that was only ever for her. The one that was real and genuine and showed just how much he loved her.

"That's why I have convinced you to help me convince Holly that the Gala will be a brilliant idea. Because you are brilliant and always know the right thing to say, and because people love you. Like I love you."

She laughed at him, that soft musical laugh that said he amused her, and not a sardonic laugh usually reserved for his antics. He enjoyed hearing that laugh.

"Sir, Holly has arrived."

"Thank you," Tony replied. He stepped towards Pepper, pocketing his phone, before resting his hand on the small of her back. "After you."

Together, the two of them stepped into the elevator. Travelling to the main command floor.

The moment he stepped off the elevator, he made a beeline to where Holly was, in the small kitchenette, making herself a drink. The smell of baked goods filled his nose, and he could see yet more boxes full of delicious pastries.

"You know I will hire you as a chef in a second, if you fancy a change of scenery."

Potter snapped her attention towards him, her lips twitching into a slight smile, but he couldn't ignore the wariness in her gaze when she looked at him.

"You couldn't afford me."

He huffed as he picked up a cinnamon roll. "I'm a billionaire. Just name your price."

"Tony." Pepper warned.

"Right, sorry, where are my manners?" he said, flashing a smile at both of them. "Pepper, would you like one of Potter's homemade goodies? They are truly delightful. Potter, I would like you to meet Pepper, my better half, the light of my life, the apple in – "

"Tony."

He snapped his mouth shut.

Potter smirked, amusement replacing the wariness. He looked at her. He could see she was tired, and by all accounts she hadn't left the Tower till midnight last night, working with Cap and the gang looking through those files. Now, it was just after seven. Considering how many boxes of homemade goodies she had brought with her, Tony couldn't help but wonder if she had slept at all when she got home. He wasn't betting that she had.

Pepper smiled towards Potter.

"Hello, Holly. You don't mind me calling you Holly, do you?"

"No," Potter said.

He opened his mouth to ask if he could, but Pepper shot him a warning look before she turned her attention back to Potter. Well, that wasn't exactly fair.

"I'm sorry to ambush you like this, but I was wondering if we could have a word." Pepper said with that kind and calming tone she used to put people at ease. "Forgive Tony. He lacks tact and thinks he is funnier than he actually is."

His eyes widened as he looked at Pepper with mock outrage that she would say such a thing.

"Sure."

Pepper led them into a small office, her steps steady and purposeful. She took a seat with her back to the door, giving Potter the choice to have a full view of the door, and understanding that she would want that more than anything. It had always amazed him at how well she could read other people and cater to their needs to make them feel comfortable. Pepper could be ruthless in the boardroom and knew how to command attention and respect from others, but foremost she was kind. She understood he couldn't give up the suit yet; and with it brought responsibilities which had led to Pepper adjusting to the other superheroes that called the Tower their home. Adjusted and accommodated to their quirks and unusual behaviour.

Gods, he loved her, and he didn't deserve her.

"We won't keep you long."

Potter hummed in acknowledgement, tilting her head to the side as she listened intently.

"I know you own the Evans-Black Foundation. I am aware you help individuals out of their situations and the last thing we want is to bring unnecessary attention to the Clinic with a connection to the Avengers. However, in thanks to aid offered on Friday night we would like to help."

Pepper paused for a moment, her eyes twinkling in that way they did when she was enthusiastic about something, when she was fighting for something, she truly believed in.

"Every year, Stark Industries donates money to several charities or hosts events in order to help raise money for a particular chosen charity. We would like to host a Gala in order to raise money for the Evans-Black Foundation. As a way of thanking you, for the use of your resources and offering aid when needed without hesitating, despite the sensitive nature of the Foundations' work."

Tony waited, anticipation running through him, hoping that Potter would accept, because he wasn't entirely sure what he could do if she didn't, to make up for his blunder.

"I appreciate the idea. But I am going to be honest, besides attending a few Galas when I've needed to. Organising them, and the overall day-to-day administration decisions, were never my area of expertise. I hired the right people, with the right ideas, who had a better understanding of what it meant to set up the Foundation." Holly answered. "I can speak to Andy. I'm sure she will appreciate the idea and will have a better handle on being able to organise it with you with the details."

Pepper smiled. "I have crossed paths with Mrs Tonks a few times. She's dedicated to her position."

She pulled out her cell, and typed a quick message, before Potter's phone pinged.

"I've given you my personal number. Speak to Mrs Tonks and have her ring me if she agrees and then we will move forward from there."

Holly nodded, giving a small smile. "I will speak to her, and I am sure she will be in touch."

Pepper stood, turning towards him.

"I'm in meetings till six. Dinner at 7?"

"Your favourite restaurant?"

"Of course. And get some sleep, Tony."

He watched her leave the office, leaving him alone with Potter.

"She's right, you know. You need sleep."

"Hmm. I will be fine," he said. Waving his hand at her dismissively.

"Fair enough." Potter shrugged, flashing him a smirk. "I would hate to be in your shoes tonight though, if you fall asleep at the table."

"I would never."

Potter snorted. "If you say so. Get some sleep Stark, or I will tell Bruce you need something to help you."

"You know I'm the boss of you."

"Actually, considering that Pepper Potts is the CEO of Stark Industries, doesn't that make her my boss? Since you technically stepped down to be Ironman and work on inventing things."

"Well, that's just mean. Ganging up on me like that."

Potter stood, taking a sip of her drink, before scrunching her nose in disgust.

"Cold tea. Not ideal. Now, I'm going to make another one, before I get back to the files. Get some sleep Stark, you need it."

He watched her go. He couldn't really argue with her, or with Pepper. But every time he closed his eyes, his nightmares swallowed him whole, and he couldn't afford to let himself be devoured by them. Not when he had so much to do.

Sighing wearily to himself, he pushed himself to his feet. Leaving the office and working his way towards the elevator. Avoiding Hill and Potter's gaze, he pressed the level to his lab. After a couple more hours he would get some rest.


XXX


Clint stared at the glass of water on the nightstand next to his bed, willing it to appear in his hands. It was reachable, if he stretched, reachable enough that he wouldn't have to bother the Doctor from the examination she was currently giving to Jax. But stretching caused a tightening in his chest and forced a cough past his lips.

He glanced at the closed curtain that separated him and Jax. The Doc hadn't seemed to have noticed his struggle. Something he was grateful for. She wasn't a woman he wanted to argue with. Clint had to give the woman credit where credit was due. She had ensured they would have the care after their surgeries and had taken it in her stride coming with them to the Tower.

A sigh of frustration escaped his lips as he leaned back against the bed.

He closed his eyes and let his thoughts wonder.

He was being ridiculous. He knew he was.

It was just over forty-eight hours since he had the surgery, and while he felt better than he had expected, he knew it would take time for him to gain the movement he needed to be in fighting form again. Even with whatever the Doctor was giving him in the way of drugs.

It would take time, so why exactly was he expecting a miracle and expecting to reach for the glass on his own. Because he was a stubborn moron who had been independent all of his life, and that wasn't about to change now.

Clint pushed himself up again, shuffled closer to the edge of the bed, and stretched his arm out. His chest tightened, muscles pulling and resisting at the sudden movement. Bruised from his injuries, bruised from the surgery. He swallowed it down, shoved it aside and reached. Because goddammit, his body was stronger than this.

"You know you could just ask, and I will pass you the glass, Mr Barton."

He snapped his head round, getting the distinct impression he had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, before falling back onto the bed.

"I thought I could reach, and it's Clint or Barton. Not Mr Barton."

She smiled at him. "Clearly stubbornness is a trait shared amongst those that work here. Jax is complaining just as loudly about being stuck in bed. I'm not surprised in the slightest. Holly works here, and she is just the same."

He raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.

"You know, Potter?"

"I went to the same school as her, yes. Though I was a year older, we were in the same schoolhouse."

"House?"

"Our school had a system in dividing their students each year into one of the four houses that represented the founders of the school," she said. Moving around his bed to the nightstand where she picked up the glass of water and passed it to him.

"Thank you."

"It will take time. You are doing remarkably well in your recovery, but pushing too quickly will push you back the other way, and we don't want that, do we, Barton?"

"No." He grumbled.

The Doctor sighed next to him.

"I know you're worried that you will be out of the game for a while, but I need you to trust me in this. You will heal quicker than you think. Yes, it will take time, but not as much time as you fear it will."

"Okay, Doc," he said, wearily. Taking a sip of his drink to ease his dry throat. The thing he noticed most since about being stuck in medical was the dryness in the air, that and the boredom.

"I will get you something to occupy you. Keep you from pushing yourself too far, for the moment at least."

"Thanks, Doc."

"It's Katie, or Bell," she said. Repeating his own words almost back to him as she stepped away from his bed, and to the main area in medical.

He hoped that while he might not slip back into the fight in the next couple of days, that he would at least be able to return to his room and his own comforts. Reach out to his wife and kids. He smiled to himself. There was nothing better than listening to the sound of Laura and the kids on the phone when he couldn't be there with them.

He finished his drink and placed the glass on the bed tray. That was far easier to reach than the nightstand before settling back on the bed and closed his eyes.

It would take time, time and rest.

He had to believe that, had to trust the Doctor when she said he would heal quicker than he thought.


XXX


Holly stepped out of the firing range. Her usual hour-long session with Bucky cut short, as they needed him to train the second lot of Stark's security men because of Clint being out of action. Phillips was in the changing room, waiting for her.

"Has Hill given you anything to do for the next hour?"

She shook her head. "Not yet, why?"

"Good, because I need a serotonin fix before I return to the lab with Stark, so we are going to enjoy watching Rogers, Romanoff, Thor, Wilson, and Barnes spar alongside the Stark Security team. If we are really lucky, we can enjoy them kicking asses that don't belong to us, and appreciate all the dreamy goodness of people sparring with each other when they look that good."

Holly chuckled. "You are a little twisted. Do you know that?"

"I am damn proud of it. I'm not one to treat people like objects, but occasionally I need to bask in the sexiness that is superheroes, because there is something seriously sexy about watching them spar with each other, getting all hot and bothered and sweaty. Especially when they look as good as Romanoff."

"Do I detect a crush?"

"On the Black Widow, hell yes. But then I just as easily drool over Thor as well. That God is dreamy, and have you seen his arms?"

"We all have our kinks," she said.

Though she didn't put up much of a fuss as Phillips led her to get hot drinks before leading her up to the observing gallery over the gym. Holly could admit her own curiosity was partly to blame, and she could do with a break from staring at files. She had read more times than she cared to count.

Liar, a voice whispered in the back of her mind. You're just as interested in seeing Steve and Bucky spar outside of an actual fight, where lives hang in the balance.

Holly ignored it. She was here for curiosity's sake and nothing more.

They weren't the only ones that had a similar thought, judging by the few people that had found themselves in the observing gallery. A few faces she wasn't familiar with, both men and women.

"I don't think you were the only one who had this idea."

"No. But then, a lot of them are just hoping to catch a chance to speak to the Avengers at any chance," Phillips said, wrinkling her nose. "And the hope for more."

Holly blinked in surprise.

"Seriously?"

Phillips nodded. "I'm not judging if they want to enjoy the show. I'm here for the same pleasure. But I both know nothing else will ever happen and I want nothing to happen. I'm just here to admire how attractive they are and how well they kick ass, and that's that."

She paused, taking a sip of her drink before continuing. "Not a single one of them looks toward those throwing themselves at them. And they all hope they will get to sleep with one of the Avengers. Who knew that superheroes would replace bands in having groupies? Anyway, Thor is in a committed relationship, from what I can tell. I don't think I've ever seen Rogers talk to anyone outside of the team, with anything but politeness and certainly not to get friendly with them, though he seems to talk to you. And there was a rumour that something happened between him and Agent 13 before SHIELD fell, but I don't know how accurate that is. Not to mention the whole awkwardness between him and Barnes."

Holly opened her mouth, but quickly shut it again. Her mind whirling as she processed what Phillips was saying, casually, but voicing observations she had noticed. Holly hadn't realised that Steve talking to her was something others would consider unusual.

"And Barnes, well Barnes keeps to himself mostly, though again, he seems friendly enough with you."

Phillips eyed her for a moment. "You aren't sleeping with them, are you?"

"Fuck, you just come right out with the personal questions, don't you? Do you even have a filter?" Holly deadpanned.

"No."

"I'm not sleeping with them. Not that it's any of your business. My sex life has been non-existent for a while."

"Well, that's just sad. I mean your lack of sex life. I mean, unless it's your choice, and you aren't interested in sex, which is completely fine and I've completely put my foot into it, haven't I?"

"I like and enjoy sex. I have trust issues and other priorities." Holly said, casting a glance at the woman next to her. "How much coffee have you had?"

"Too much, and not enough sleep. Makes me ramble, but I swear Stark is like a machine when he gets going on a project. The man doesn't sleep. Which is why I am here for my serotonin fix, before I get back to it."

"Uh, huh." Holly agreed, taking a sip of her drink, her eyes drawn to the scene below as she leaned against the railing. She ignored the others around her, ignored the gasps and giggles that reminded her so much of how the girls in Hogwarts had simpered over Cedric and Krum, and just watched the scene unfold below.

She knew they were formidable fighters. Holly had fought alongside them briefly, but in the heat of battle things slipped past your notice easily, focused on your task, on your next target everything else became distant and faded, other than a keen awareness of who were allies and who were enemies, so you didn't make the fatal mistake of harming someone on your side.

Seeing it for the first time in a setting that allowed them to show off their skills, and allowed her to appreciate them all the more, was something that mesmerised her.

Nat, she had a deadly grace to her, with movements of a dancer. She played to her strengths, each blow, punch and kick precise with the right force needed. Nothing wasted, ever. She took blows, but she used them to her advantage just as much as she did by avoiding them. Holly's admiration for the other woman only grew as she watched her effortlessly, or at least Nat made it look effortless, tore through Stark's men, arrogant enough to think they could use their size and bulk to their advantage.

They should have known better.

Phillips winced. "Damn, I knew she was good. Hell, I've seen she is good, but there is something different seeing it in actual fight, and just for training, you know. I mean, they are letting loose, but there is so much control, so much restraint."

Holly smiled at the other woman.

"You know, I'm pretty sure that those with enhanced senses can hear you."

"Please, they know they look good."

She shook her head, took a sip of her tea, before fixing her gaze back onto the sparring session down below.

As good as they were, and as quick as they were at showing Stark's Security team, their arrogance would do no good here and to leave it at the door. They spent the time actually helping them improve their form. Improving their skill set and hand-to-hand combat. None of them seemed to tolerate fools easily, but they were patient enough to help the people below who were learning from them. Holly could see, once the first embarrassment wore off at having their asses handed to them so easily, there was a level of respect towards the Avengers.

Respect and trust.

Of course, it all changed when Stark's security people moved to the side, and the Avengers faced off against each other. Allowing them to show their true strength and skills.

Nat and Sam were up first, circling each other before Nat launched herself into attack. Sam held his own, showing his own strength and how skilful he was at hand-to-hand combat. He was good, but his strengths differed from Nat's, and he didn't fight using the same dirty style with a combination of different martial arts. Nat used every trick in the book she had and used her environment around her to her advantage. Holly watched in fascination. Sam was holding his own, making Nat work for her win. Holly didn't think she would be able to win against Nat without using magic.

It was clear Sam worked out regularly and was used to working with those who had the super-soldier serum.

"You know, Wilson has great arms as well. He's usually in the suit with his wings, so you rarely get to appreciate them, but damn, does he look good," Phillips said.

"You're incorrigible."

"Let me have my fun. It's not like I get to see much action down in the labs."

Holly smirked. "You're not how I pictured an engineer to be."

Phillips snorted.

"I have a life outside of the lab. I enjoy designing things that are going to be used, that are useful and help make a difference. But it's not all I am, and it's not like we have known each other for very long."

"No, it isn't."

Phillips squealed. "Ooh, Thor and Rogers are up next. This will be a real treat."

Holly looked down at the floor below. Nat and Sam were talking with each other as they each drank water to the side. Steve and Thor had taken to the centre of the sparring mats. Steve carrying his shield, and Thor with Mjolnir in his hand.

Already she could feel a heaviness in the air as a power both ancient and ferocious congregated in the gym. It made her shiver, and her magic stir with interest. The tightly coiled bond that Holly recognised belonging to Steve hummed and vibrated with power. She had seen both of them in action before, but she had never seen them face each other.

Thor's intent focus never strayed far from Steve. Fixed, observing, assessing. He rolled his shoulders and swung his hammer around, warming his muscles up. Readying himself for the fight. Holly could have sworn she heard an echo of soft sighs coming from those in the observing gallery.

She focused her attention on Steve, his face tight with determination. He was holding his shield, adjusting his grip. Body poised and ready to strike, he glanced up at Thor, the two of them eyeing each other up for a moment, before they lunged at each other.

A loud clang echoed through the gym, ringing in her ears as the hammer hit the shield before they separated and clashed again. Shield whirling through the air, as Thor launched himself upwards, swinging his hammer around before batting away the shield as though it were nothing more than a mere annoyance. It reminded her so much of the twins battering away the Bludgers in Quidditch. Steve caught the shield with ease, flowing into the next move that had them clashing and separating. Clashing and separating.

Lightning cracked, shooting through the air, and leaving a scorched trail in its path. Thor was like the force of nature that he wielded. Quick and merciless, with a strength behind every move that couldn't be mistaken for anything but inhuman. A sharp reminder of just how powerful the Asgardian was, how easily he could bounce back as the shield knocked into him, how gracefully he moved his entire body.

Her magic purred, soaking up the energy that filled the air at the display of power. But if Holly was being truthful, as fascinating as watching Thor was, it was Steve that held her attention.

Steve, who was meeting the Asgardian blow for blow. Steve, whose muscles strained and rippled with strength and power as he withstood every blow his shield took from Thor's hammer and pushed him away. He met Thor's onslaught with his own in equal measure. Holly was hard pressed to say who was winning because neither was losing ground.

Steve twisted in the air, spun and flung his shield in what seemed an impossible move, before catching it as Thor knocked it back to him. He commanded her attention, his presence radiating predator in a way that matched and was even equal to the Thor's own inhuman one.

She tracked his movements, noted the way the muscles in his arms flexed and strained. How powerfully built he was. The way his body moved. Something inside her stirred, a flicker of interest and appreciation and the realisation that it wasn't just Phillips and the others that were appreciating their physique. That she was enjoying watching Steve spar. She became keenly aware of her pulse quickening and the way her body was becoming hyper aware. The bonds shared between them hummed with energy. A heat from the fight and the heat of something else… something that almost tasted like desire flickered through her.

Holly strengthened her mental shields, cooling that stirring spark that was currently awakening her entire body with thoughts that were best not thought about. That way lay danger and heartbreak. The names on their skin tying them together, and their metaphysical bonds, just complicated things even further. Holly wasn't here to form attachments to them. She wasn't here to give herself false hope of what could happen between them if they only allowed it. She wasn't here to get in between Steve and Bucky rebuilding their relationship. Her unexpectedly rediscovered libido was just going to have to suffer.

Holly shivered as the bonds gently caressed her mental shields. Her gaze swept across the room, ignoring for a moment Steve and Thor's spar, until she saw him.

Bucky.

He wasn't watching the fight; he was looking directly at her. Their gazes locked, the intensity in his blue eyes, a heat that carried with it promises of sin and salvation. Her breath caught in the back of her throat and her pulse jumped. Holly wasn't sure she had ever seen him look at her like that. Had her desire somehow leaked through the bonds before she strengthened her mental shields. His lips curved ever so slightly.

Her mouth went dry, and for a flash of a second, she could almost see, almost feel what it would be like, what could happen if they walked down that road. Skin, limbs entangled, ragged breathing, mouths and tongues working as bodies fused amid twisted sheets….

Liquid desire coursed through her, and she felt hot. So, fucking hot.

Holly looked away. Breaking eye contact because she was falling into his gaze and picturing things, she dared not give thought to. Dared not even fantasise about. Shoving it all aside, shoving her desire that had awakened in her as far down as it would go.

It is just the bonds. You aren't here for that. It's just going to complicate everything.

She wasn't afraid of pain. Merlin knows she had her fair share of it, but there were some hurts that she actively avoided. This was one of them. Holly couldn't deny that she had found a family with her friends, with the Weasleys that would always hold a place in her heart. But there was that child's desire, that burning she had felt when she had first seen the names on her skin so long ago, that wanted everything that the soulmarks represented.

A childish dream.

A fool's hope.

Chasing the possibility that the bonds between them could mean anything beyond the strange professional relationship they currently had was only going to cause her heartbreak. And might hurt both Steve and Bucky and their own fragile and frayed bonds. Holly couldn't do that to them. Couldn't do that to herself.

Holly swallowed slowly and pushed her will and strength into her mental shields, not able to focus on the spar below as she focused everything on closing the lid to her desire and ensuring none of it leaked out to Steve and Bucky.

"Well, that's that," Phillips said. "Serotonin levels are high enough for me to get back to work, and not mind listening to whatever crap Stark has playing at full volume."

Holly blinked. She had been so focused on her mental shields she hadn't even noticed that the sparring had finished.

"I guess that means I have to get back to reading through files." Holly pushed herself away from the bar she had been leaning on, stretching the kinks in her shoulders.

"Do you have plans for lunch? Tank is visiting Jax, and Sawyer is busying himself away."

"I hadn't, no. I was thinking of a working lunch, but I can scrap that idea and we can have lunch in the cafeteria."

Phillips flashed her a smile, as they walked down the few steps that led down from the observing gallery.

"Great, I will see you then. It probably won't be until 2.30."

Holly smiled. "Perfect. Late lunches suit me."

"I will see you then."

Phillips reached the lift, giving her a finger wave, before the doors slid shut.

"Holly, may I have a moment of your time." Thor called.

Holly turned as Thor approached her.

"Sure, Thor. I was just heading upstairs to continue going over the files."

She wasn't sure why Steve was against them being moved, but for the moment they stayed on the communal floor in the Avengers' private quarters area, which meant she was working upstairs with them. Piecing the puzzle pieces together.

"Good sparring match?" she asked as they waited for the lift.

"Sparring with Steve is always a challenge. He is a formidable opponent. I do not have to fear that I will cause him serious harm, as I do when sparring with others."

Holly looked at him in surprise. "You don't hold back?"

"No. I do not. I have not yet sparred with Sergeant Barnes, so I wonder if he too has the same strength that Steve does."

Holly didn't answer as she stepped into the lift. It wasn't something she knew, and from the way Thor continued, she doubted he had expected her to answer.

"I have at least worked out my frustration at how easily I was bested in the fight on Friday."

"Thor, we all lose fights. Especially when the other side blindsides us the way they did. Friday night was unexpected in a lot of ways," she answered, choosing her words carefully. "None of us had expected there to be anyone with abilities on the field. I know I hadn't."

She met his gaze, hoping that he could read her meaning in her words and see it in her eyes. The magic users had been an unexpected factor, and it changed everything.

"It is Friday night, I wish to discuss with you." Thor's voice suddenly serious.

It made her stiffen a little, uncertain what to expect.

"I fancy some fresh air. Join me," he said. Stepping off the lift and leading the way through the communal floor of the Avengers personal levels, to the landing pad, where Stark launched himself in his suit.

The breeze was chilly but refreshing. She couldn't say the Tower was stuffy. Jarvis regulated the entire building, ensuring the environment was just right to those who lived and worked there, and the air flow was constant. But being outside was refreshing, almost a boost she didn't know she needed.

Together they walked close to the end, far enough away that they wouldn't be overheard. She couldn't help but ask.

"Are we out here for the air or the privacy?"

"A little of both."

Holly nodded, before subtly casting a privacy charm.

"Another privacy charm?" Thor asked, amusement clear in his voice, though it didn't fill his eyes. They remained serious.

She gave him a slight smile.

"You are going to have to tell me how you can sense my magic?"

"Magic is part of the fabric of the universe. It is an energy that I recognise because my mother used magic around me often."

She nodded. Of course, if he was used to magic being used around him, he would develop a sixth sense to it. Learn to recognise when it was being used near him. Could he sense it all the time? She couldn't say.

"Tell me, Holly. What do you know about Mjolnir?"

Her eyes widened. Out of all the things she had been expecting Thor to say, that hadn't been it.

"I can't say I know much. I know it is a weapon of great power."

"Aye, it is. My father once told me its power has no equal as a weapon to destroy or as a tool to build," Thor said softly. His gaze drifting over the city.

"I wasn't always worthy to wield her. I made mistakes, walked the path of war without thinking of the consequences and the effects of my actions. I have since been trying to make amends for such things, and my brief visit to Earth, when my father cast me out, powerless and alone I realised that my duty was not to consort war, but to defend those who could not defend themselves."

He turned back to face her, the full weight of his gaze pressing down on her.

"Mjolnir can only be wielded by those who are worthy. And to this day, Mjolnir has only chosen two people to wield her, and we are both standing here."

It was like lead had filled her stomach at his words, a heaviness settling on her shoulders. How could a hammer consider her worthy enough to wield?

Slowly she said. "I didn't know that. What exactly does it mean?"

"I do not know, Holly. It gives me things to think about, but also gives me ease, for should the day ever come when I fall in battle, then another can take up my mantle and wield my power."

"Wow," she said, holding up her hands, "You aren't dying soon. This isn't like, now I can wield Mjolnir you die, is it? I'm not inheriting it like today, am I?"

He chuckled softly. "Have no fear Holly, it does not mean that. Mjolnir is still mine to wield. But it brings about the fact that you will need training in using it."

She huffed. "Thor, I have enough magical items to deal with that I can't actually get rid of."

Concern shone in his blue eyes.

"Which brings me to another point, a concern, as I am uncertain of the consequences of you wielding Mjolnir while also mastering the Hallows."

She frowned. "Why?"

"Mjolnir is powerful. It was forged from Uru in Nidavellir by the Dwarves. The forge harnesses the power of a blazing neutron star, with every weapon made there."

He paused, his gaze far away. Holly was more aware in that moment that compared to them Thor was ancient, had seen so much amongst the cosmos, had experienced more than any of them and with it had come a certain wisdom. He may have claimed that he wasn't always worthy and arrogant enough to seek war, but he still would have learned from the things that had shaped him into the person he was right now.

"It is a cosmic weapon, and those who are powerful enough can feel the ripples it makes across the universe, wherever I may wield it, even if they cannot pinpoint my location. Those in power would take note, when another hand wields Mjolnir. Take note of a new song rippling across the universe. And those who know what to listen for will hear it."

Dread slithered through her veins, knowing where he was going and hoping she was wrong. Merlin, she was praying he was wrong.

"Mjolnir's song changed the moment you wielded it, and the Hallows amplified the song into something new, something different. Something unheard of. Their power clings to your skin, to your magic. There would be no escape from it adding to your song. I fear what may find its way to Earth while seeking the cause of this new song."

She licked her lips, her mouth dry.

"I've tried to destroy them. Several times. But they kept coming back."

It was a truth she had never spoken aloud before. A truth she had kept from both Hermione and Ron. Both of them believing that the wand snapped the day of the Final Battle and that she lost the stone in the forest. She never told them they had come back to her.

Holly could remember the last time she had tried to destroy them. She had watched her Invisibility cloak burning alongside the wand and the crushed stone. It had broken her heart, one of the few things she had of her father, but she was afraid that by keeping it, she was anchoring the other two to her. It made no difference. No sooner had the flames died than all three Hallows had been lying on her bed, mocking her.

"How did you come to Master them?"

Holly closed her eyes. Memories stirring of her walk through the forest, having two of the Hallows in her possession and the loyalty of the third. That wand had been hers the moment she had disarmed Draco. Its loyalty had been hers without question, as though it had waited for her, and her alone through the centuries.

She opened her eyes.

"I died while in possession of two of them and had the loyalty of the wand."

It was easier than giving him the full story. A story that would take far longer than they had right now.

"You have simplified that answer."

She sighed. "The story is long, and maybe one day I will tell you all of it. But I walked to my death willingly, while in possession of the Deathly Hallows. And after I died, I had a choice, and I chose to come back."

"Many fear death, many try to run from it. Few walk towards it."

"Death isn't anything to fear," she said, glancing up at him. "Not really."

They fell silent. Soaking up the view and the faint noises of the city below them.

"Many have sought the Hallows over the years, and none have found them. That they were on Earth for all this time brings more questions."

"We have stories surrounding them. The tale of three brothers that crossed paths with death and each gifted with a Hallow. The Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone and the Invisibility Cloak. I thought it was just a story, but clearly, I was wrong. How do you know so much about them, Thor?"

"I don't. Not truly. They, like Mjolnir, are a weapon made of the cosmos. Made of the very fabric of the Universe, for death is a part of the universe no matter how many may wish to deny it. It is said that the one to wield them would have power over life or death." He paused, and she could hear the hesitation in his voice. "But I believe they are something so much more than that."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because when I was a boy, and my father told me their story, it is the only time I have seen him afraid."

Holly opened her mouth and snapped it shut again. She couldn't say it boded well, that the Hallows made an Asgardian afraid, and not just any Asgardian, but Odin, their King.

"What does it mean, Thor?"

"I do not know, Holly. But know this, you have my support. Whatever threat comes seeking the one who wields the Hallows, I will fight beside you. I will not let them take you, or the Hallows."

It was reassurance, something she needed. Because as much as she knew her friends would fight alongside her, she wasn't sure what any of their chances would be against something coming from the cosmos. Coming from worlds they had never heard of. That Thor would willingly stand by her side offered her comfort.

"I still plan to train you in using Mjolnir."

"But won't that cause more harm than good?" she asked, frowning slightly.

"Mjolnir has already sung the song. Me wielding it now won't change that. Nothing can change that. Those who have heard it will come. Far better for you to have knowledge and experience with other tools should the need arise."

"I will think about it. Right now, though, I have magic users to deal with on Earth that are helping Hydra. I can't worry about cosmic powers that will start seeking me out."

"One problem at a time."

"Exactly," she said. Dropping the privacy ward around them, before they stepped back inside the Tower. She bid Thor goodbye while making a beeline to the boxes of files and started pulling them out again. She knew the others would join her soon enough. Most likely cleaning up after their sparring session.


XXX


Holly knew that with Teddy away in his first year at Hogwarts that Andy was keeping herself occupied with Foundation work. Having kept in touch with the woman, both so she could remain a part of Teddy's life as safely as possible, and also reachable for Foundation matters, she had learned Andy's schedule by heart.

This year, it seemed a little fuller than previously, but it meant that Andy was in America for the next few months, checking over various projects the Foundation had set up in the country, before she would return to Europe and eventually Britain in time for the summer weeks.

It was why, the moment she returned to her apartment after she finished work, finishing at a somewhat more reasonable time than the previous night, she apparated straight to the Black Penthouse on the Upper East Side. Andy and Sirius' uncle Alphard Black had kept hidden from his family. Compared to most of the properties that the Black family claimed ownership through the years of their ancestors dotted around Europe and America, the penthouse was beautifully furnished and not in the usual tastes that the Black ancestral homes leaned towards. More modern, less decapitated heads of house-elves lining the walls.

Holly had contemplated using the penthouse while staying in New York, and had initially for her first few days, but anything more permanent would have drawn attention from the old witch that lived below them. It was, however, Andy's choice of residence when she visited America.

The wards keyed to the two of them, only, and much like she had with Kreacher, she had inherited another house-elf that took pride in caring for the apartment. Unlike Kreacher, Betsy was of a more agreeable nature and didn't hurl insults towards those not pure in blood.

"Mistress Potter, Betsy was not expecting you." The house-elf squeaked in greeting the moment she appeared in front of her.

"It is an unexpected visit, Betsy, so please do not think you have failed in your duties. I am only here to speak to Andy, and I didn't give any prior notice."

"Mistress Black is in the library. I shall inform her of your arrival. Can Betsy offer any refreshments?"

Holly smiled at the house-elf. Even now, she refused to call Andy anything but Mistress Black. It irritated the older woman to no end, almost as much as it amused her.

"Could I please have some firewhisky?" she asked. "But please don't put yourself in any trouble on my behalf. I know it is the evening, and we agreed you would at least have time in the evenings to yourself, since you refused to accept payment."

"It's not becoming of a house-elf, and Mistress is too kind to suggest such a thing."

Holly swallowed her grimace, house-elves had always been a course of concern with how they were treated, and yet they seemed so dependent on the families they pledged themselves to. As if they needed the ties to family magic to keep themselves sustained. She didn't enjoy upsetting them, and whenever she mentioned payment, that certainly seemed to be the reaction, but she agreed wholeheartedly with Hermione and the treatment that house-elves endured needed to change.

Betsy disappeared in a blink of an eye, no doubt informing Andy as she said she would. With a shake of her head, Holly walked down the hall, making her way towards the library. The Penthouse was far bigger than it appeared outside, but the building it was in was owned by Wizards who had divided it into three separate apartments. Each of them four bedroomed, with plenty of living space in the form of a dining room, living room, parlour, study, library, small potions lab and kitchen. Among, a few other nooks and crannies that one could always find in one of the Black family's ancestral homes. Since she had inherited the place and visited it more than the other homes, Holly had added improvements. Andy had added her own personal touches. Art work, from wizards and witches she liked, now decorated the walls, and tulips and roses bloomed all year in various locations, preserved by magic. She had added a constellation map to the living room ceiling. Holly had spent nights tracing outlines of the constellations with Teddy last summer before he started Hogwarts. They had only risked a couple of weeks to visit and had remained, safely tucked away behind the Black Wards that surrounded the Penthouse.

Holly entered the small library. It was filled with Alphard's personal collection he had, which she had added to with a few books here and there over the years. Andy was sitting in one of the large, red velvet comfy armchairs next to the fireplace. Holly could hear the music playing in the background, but it wasn't a group she was familiar with, and the scent of honey and lemon filled the air.

"This is a pleasant surprise," Andy said, looking up from her book.

"I'm sorry, I know it's an unexpected visit, and we were being careful not to tie me to here in case anyone found out I was alive."

"Nonsense, Holly. Teddy is safe in Hogwarts right now, and this is your home, just as much as it is mine. Or at least one of them."

Holly grimaced at the reminder. Even after all these years, she still wasn't used to the wealth that she had inherited from both her parents and Sirius, nor the responsibility that came with it all. Though Andy had been a tremendous help in that department as well. The witch may have renounced her family's beliefs when she married her husband, but she was a Black and that kind of upbringing didn't disappear. She knew how a respectable witch acted when they were in high standing. Not that either of them would ever be high-standing with pure blood society. Though they were both fighting to make it better.

She sat down in the chair opposite Andy's and stared towards the crackling fire. Betsy reappeared with a glass and a bottle of firewhisky, which she left on a small table by her chair, before vanishing again just as quickly. Holly poured herself a drink, downed it, before pouring a second. She was aware of the scrutiny of Andy's gaze as the silence stretched between them.

"You look tired."

Holly sighed softly, "I am. Things have gotten a lot more complicated than we first thought when I started this."

"Tell me."

Holly did. It poured out. All of it. Hydra, witches and wizards working with them now confirmed, and not only working with them but fighting alongside them. Sprouting of about the 'Greater Good'. How she was pretty confident that someone was building an army of witches and wizards brainwashed into believing the spiel of Hydra and whatever else was being forced down their throats. She told her about needing to bring the Avengers to Sanctuary for medical aid, about having to reveal some truths about what she was really doing. Which brought her to the reason she had sought Andy out. Tony Stark and his idea of a Gala. Holly couldn't fault the man for trying to do what he saw as a good thing, and it was, but it brought with it risks of associating the Avengers with the Foundation, which presented a whole other set of problems. She finished her story by downing her second drink and pouring herself a third. She noted the concern in Andy's eyes as she did, but the other woman said nothing.

"Let me oversee Stark and his Gala. I can spin it in a way that clarifies that the Foundation isn't associated with the Avengers in the way you fear."

Holly smiled tightly.

"We've helped quite a few Enhanced individuals escape from those who wish to use them for their own personal gain. We have set them up with new identities and given them safe haven. I don't want to betray that trust, especially with the way the muggle governments treat anyone that is a little different. I know the Avengers aren't like that, but…" Holly trailed off, leaving the words unsaid.

"It's not the Avengers you're worried about. Other parties may pay too much attention if they see that they have a connection."

She nodded her head.

"I don't want to lead anyone to those we have helped."

"You take on too many worries. We cannot control what others do or think. But we have put every protection we can think of in order to keep those we help safe. I would like the governments to get past the red tape of Gringotts and the Fidelius Charms we use."

Holly snorted. The Goblins stonewalled anyone who dared look too closely, and they were extra vicious to those they classed as enemies. Offend a Goblin at your own peril. She liked that about them. Tricky they may be at times, but their blunt honesty when it came to dealing with enemies was refreshing.

Holly fished Pepper's card out of her pocket and handed it to Andy.

"Thank you. I have something for you as well, the latest letter from Teddy," she said softly, summoning the letter to her before passing it over.

Holly's chest tightened as she saw the familiar handwriting of her godson on the envelope. Rather than addressed to her, he had addressed it to Raven, a code name he had come up for her and insisted on using, like she had with Sirius all those years ago.

She smiled to herself.

"I will leave you to read the letter in peace. I will call Ms Potts tomorrow, and we can set about arranging this, Gala."

Holly glanced up at Andy and smiled. "Thank you."

Andy nodded before excusing herself, leaving Holly alone in the library. She waited a heartbeat before opening the letter, noting the three parchments full of writing Teddy had sent her, as she settled back into the armchair.


XXX


The muggle device was ringing.

A consistent, particularly high-pitched sound that she hated.

She hated the whole device, hated that she lowered herself in using one, but it was a means to an end. The only way she could communicate with her muggle contacts and business partners. A necessary sacrifice for the Greater Good, and the world she was working towards creating.

Nimueh paused in her step, sliding her thumb across the screen of the device. She dared not go any further to her destination and risk missing the call when the magic blanketed around her.

"I'm glad to see you've seen reason." She greeted, knowing who was calling her, even if the number came up as unknown.

"You were confident that I would ring tonight," Reid said. Irritation clear in her voice.

Nimueh smiled at the phone. She had had dealings with the Hand before, not that they would recognise her. She had worn a different face, had a different name back then. But she knew how they operated, knew what they wanted above all else, and that knowledge gave her more advantage than it did them.

"I know what the Hand seeks. I have what the Hand seeks, and I will trade for it. Why wouldn't you ring?"

The question was rhetorical, and both women knew it.

"Do you have an answer?"

Reid laughed. "If you were so confident that I would ring, surely you know the answer. Or do you only pretend to know everything? Do you even have what we want in the quantity we want it in."

"I know this conversation could go in one of two ways. The end result I get what I want either way, the doubt is whether the Hand can survive the consequences of the second option. It all depends on you."

"I don't appreciate threats."

"I don't threaten. I make promises. And this I do know. Without me, you will never get your dragon bones. Oh, you will try to reach under the one under the city, try to claim it on your own. But one thing I have noticed about New York City, it has an annoyingly high number of individuals who are Enhanced, and most of them try out the hero path at least once." She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. "I promise you this, Alexander Reid. They will rise against you, and you will lose. Not even your Black Sky will save you. Now your answer."

The silence on the phone was deafening. She wasn't worried; she knew self-preservation would overrule their doubts at depending on a stranger as their supply source.

"We agree to your terms. But I must warn you, cross us and we will end you."

She smiled, both at the threat and the agreement.

"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Reid. My men will drop off the product tomorrow. You will receive your next payment when you pay me."

She hung up without waiting for a response. As powerful as the Hand was, she had little concern that they could harm her. It was amusing listening to them, attempting to intimidate her at all. Although many thought she was as young as she looked, she was far older. Even so, she knew more than most people thought she did. Had experienced more, lived through more. She had interacted with the muggle world over the decades, had formed networks and connections and had learned about those unsavoury aspects, all in the name using it to her advantage.

Nimueh had been around for both of Voldemort's failed attempts at ruling the Wizarding World. She hadn't gotten involved. Busied herself with Hydra and her goals while the Wizarding World was distracted. Not that she would have lent aid to the wizard. Voldemort's agenda was far too small-minded for her to think about giving up the cause and joining him. But she had observed, watched the fall of Dumbledore, watched the rise of Potter. Noted what had happened during the Wizarding War, at who the potential threats could be to her plans.

Holly Potter had been on the top of her list, and she had almost come close to ruining their plans upon discovering too much about the children they were taking. But her capture and her death had soon put an end to that. Though Nimueh had always wondered how accurate that information had been, especially when the compound had been destroyed to nothing. Except in the years that followed, Potter hadn't resurfaced. Her friends and family had mourned her loss, which had eased that niggle of doubt a little. And it wasn't likely she would have survived, her throat being slit, no matter how powerful the rumours whispered her to have been. Whitehall had declared her dead, and the Project a success.

In the long run, Nimueh shouldn't have worried about the girl that the Wizarding World had declared their champion. She hadn't presented a challenge, and her time in captivity had provided them with valuable opportunities that helped further the cause.

Shaking her thoughts from past concerns and projects, she switched her phone off, in order to safeguard it where she was going, and pulled the hood up over her robe as she walked down the street unseen by the muggles that passed her by.

Nimueh turned left at the end of the street onto the corner of an alley and descended narrow stairs before stopping in front of a poster. Taking one glance over her shoulder to ensure nobody had followed her, she knocked on the poster.

Eyes appeared, looking her up and down, before snapping shut, and the door appeared swinging open. Music greeted her as she stepped inside, the door shutting behind her and hiding itself once again from the outside world.

Nimueh hoped Gnarlak was in a more accommodating mood than the last time they crossed paths.


XXX


There was something soothing about going through the motions of making pancakes, especially after another sleepless night where every time he closed his eyes, he had flashes of things he would rather forget about.

Yet couldn't.

Maybe that was his punishment. To never forget.

"You okay there, Buck?"

The sound of Steve's voice brought him out of his thoughts. Bucky huffed in acknowledgement, his gaze never wavering from the pancakes. He had perfected it to a fine art for when he flipped his pancakes, making sure that they cooked to perfection.

"Holly is going to see Bruce today."

His shoulders stiffened, and he glanced towards Steve, who was pouring them both a cup of coffee. It was just the two of them this morning. Nat and Sam had gone to chase up one of Nat's leads. Thor was still in his room, Stark in his lab and Bruce was in Medical.

"I know. I plan to check on her when she's done."

"You're scheduled to train Stark's men while Clint is recovering."

"They can manage themselves for ten minutes, Punk."

"They need the extra training, Buck. We might need them sooner than we think."

Bucky gritted his teeth, frustration simpering through his veins as he locked gazes with Steve. "It's ten minutes. Holly hates medical, and while I don't want to crowd her, I still want to make sure she is okay."

"I will check on her. You have training. They need to get used to working with you, just as much as they do all of us as well." Steve shot back, his gaze never wavering for a second. Bucky could recognise the stubborn glint in the man's eyes, knowing he would not back down. Yet Bucky didn't want to back down either. He needed to make sure that Holly was okay with his own eyes. He needed to be on standby in case she needed him, especially with how she had reacted the last time she was in medical.

Could Steve calm her down in the same way? Would he?

A slither of guilt formed in his chest. Bucky knew it was an unfair thought, Steve would always help others. That was who he was. But Bucky wasn't blind either. He could see Steve was conflicted about how he should act around Holly, and even now still wasn't sure how to approach or act around her. Though there had been a slight shift since Sanctuary. Bucky could see that, even if he didn't know why.

Bucky couldn't say he knew Holly any better than Steve did, but there was something forming between them. Something he couldn't quite name, but he liked and wanted to hold on to. Something that had him worried about her going to Medical alone today.

"Buck," Steve said softly. "Let me check up on Holly. Jarvis will let you know if we need you."

Bucky held Steve's gaze for a moment before finally conceding.

"Okay. You check up on Holly."

Steve nodded once, relief filling his eyes gratefully, before he took a sip of his coffee.

"Are the pancakes almost done?"

"Impatient, punk," Bucky muttered before turning his attention back to the pancakes that were cooking before flipping them. It didn't stop the gnaw of worry, but the motions of making pancakes at least gave him something else to focus on.


XXX


Holly stepped through the sliding doors into Medical. Her file was in her hand, though she had folded her jumper over her arm and hugged it to her body. Anticipation buzzed through her. She had been expecting a trip to Medical as soon as she admitted Hydra had experimented on her. Steve may not have pushed for her to share her file or even mentioned it to anyone else, leaving it as only him, Bucky, and Sam being aware of its existence, but Hill had pushed for a second medical. Blood tests and scans, at the very least, to figure out what exactly Hydra had given her and whether it had a long-lasting effect.

Holly could understand their concerns, could even agree with them. She wanted to know what exactly they had given her. Neither Hermione nor herself had any clue what to look for with muggle drugs, serums and whatever was in X, Y, Z and she hadn't dared go to a muggle doctor. Instead, she had opted to ignore it as much as possible and look for any signs of whether it affected her magic.

She hadn't even thought about the physical ramifications, and their lasting effect.

Pushing aside the bundle of nerves that had knotted together, she glanced around. Both Clint and Jax were still in the private room, being closely watched by Katie, though she wasn't currently with them. Bruce was already waiting for her, by one bed, curtain half closed around it to give her privacy, almost as much as Jarvis darkening the windows to both Clint and Jax's room the moment she stepped into the room.

"Thank you, Jarvis," she whispered to the A.I.

"You are most welcome, Holly. Please be assured I have soundproofed the room as well, so anything you discuss with Doctor Banner remains between the two of you. Though Sergeant Barnes has asked me to tell you, he is more than happy to go with you, given your last experience."

Holly blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected that, but then maybe she should have, given how well he seemed to have helped pull her out of her panic attack. It was comforting, and kind of him, but she needed to do this alone. For the moment, at least.

"Thank you for letting me know, Jarvis."

Bruce looked up as she approached him, brown eyes softening as he saw her.

"Holly." He greeted. "Thank you for doing this. I know Medical isn't your favourite place, but I will try to make it quick and painless. At least so we can tick a box for Hill."

"It's fine, Bruce, but I appreciate the offer of you making it quick."

Holly put her jumper on the bed, before she slid onto the bed, shoving aside the trickle of fear that rose to the surface as memories stirred. Holly closed her eyes. Took a deep breath and focused on calming her quickening pulse.

"Holly?"

She snapped her eyes open.

"I'm okay."

He looked at her before nodding and set about drawing her blood. He wasn't wearing the white lab coat today, and she appreciated it more than he knew. Accommodating to help put her at ease when, in this moment, old vulnerabilities opened up again.

"Can I ask you an odd request?"

"Of course."

"Once you have finished with my blood, can you burn it?"

His eyes widened in surprise, as though he hadn't expected that to be her request. Holly knew it wasn't the usual thing someone asked for, but the idea of some of her blood being on hand to be used against her put her on edge. She knew all too well what witches and wizards could do with her blood and this was only the second time she had allowed it willingly to be taken since the ritual that brought Voldemort back to physical form. But she wasn't able to explain that to Bruce, wasn't able to explain the dangers and how it could be used against her. Instead, she just met his gaze with her own, and hoped he could read the plead in her eyes.

He nodded slowly.

"I have no reason to keep your blood after I have finished running tests and have a breakdown of everything. I promise you I will safely destroy it afterwards."

"Thank you."

He checked her blood pressure, along with a few other things she didn't see the need for but didn't comment on. Tension weighed heavily in the air when he glanced at several scars, or at least those that were visible on her arms and shoulders, before asking her to lie down for the scans. Holly was grateful that Jarvis had the capability of scanning her rather than being forced into a small machine that she would most likely break while stuck inside.

Bruce kept to his word by making it quick and painless, not requiring a full work up like she dreaded, and he distracted her enough with discussing that he had been in touch with Doctor Helen Cho, who was more than happy to collaborate with the Avengers with her work and was willing to trial it for a period. Seeing if she could still continue her work and research while offering aid when required.

"Her research is fairly new, but I have spoken to Tony about it, and he is interested enough to help pay towards everything, hoping the device works as well as we hope."

"That's great Bruce."

"Well, we're done here. I will start looking at your blood work and compare it to what we know the Centipede Serum looks like, but I will keep you in the loop at all times. After all, this affects you more than any of us."

"Thanks," she said. Slipping her red shirt back on over her cami-top.

Holly paused. Nibbled on her bottom lip. Her stomach churned, and it felt like her insides were a quivering mess of nerves. All twisted.

Time seemed to have slowed down, and for a moment she could not utter the words she wanted to with Bruce.

It's now or never. How about never?

"Everything okay, Holly?"

"Huh." Holly blinked.

Bruce gave her a small smile, his gaze full of concern as he looked at her.

"You aren't feeling dizzy, are you? I didn't take too much blood."

"No, no. I've had worse than that," she said in a rush. Her words on top of each other were almost unintelligible.

Bruce frowned.

"Sorry," she said, flashing him a sheepish smile. "I'm not very good at this."

"Take your time."

Holly crossed her arms and calmed the flutter in her chest that seemed to have taken over her heart. Her throat was dry, and it was like rubbing against sandpaper trying to force the words out.

"I have my file. The one Hydra kept on me. Everything they did to me."

Holly didn't meet Bruce's gaze, couldn't meet his gaze. She didn't want to look in case she saw pity. Holly didn't want pity.

"Steve said it might help. If I gave it to you, you would have a clear picture of what they did. Everything they injected me with…"

She glanced up at him, daring to meet his gaze. Understanding shone in his eyes.

"I'm not ready for everyone to know what happened to me. I don't want everyone to know what happened."

He nodded.

"I give you my word if you share your file with me, Holly. I won't discuss my findings with anyone but you. Nobody else will read your file. I won't even upload it onto Jarvis' server. Complete confidentiality."

"I know it might seem silly. But…" Holly swallowed the bile that has slowly risen in her throat with every word she said. "Hydra ripped me apart, Bruce. They ripped me apart and put me back together more times than I care to count. They took something from me I will never get back. I can't, not if I want to keep functioning, even think about it, can't discuss it. I just can't acknowledge it."

Bruce smiled sadly at her.

"I think every single one of us here has developed an unhealthy habit just to keep functioning. I can't judge you for not wanting to talk about it. To just allow yourself to keep moving forward. I can understand you not wanting to tackle this Holly, I can even understand you never wanting to speak to me again once I have read your file. But I want you to know that I am here if you do want to talk. And if not me, we can find somebody. Hell, I'm sure Sam has a list of names on standby of people he would recommend for all of us to talk to."

She swallowed slowly, flashed a tight smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"So, if I actively avoid you, you won't take it personally."

"I won't take it personally."

She nodded, chewing on her bottom lip, before she slipped off the bed, and pulled out her file from underneath her jumper on the bed.

Pushing aside the doubt, she handed him the file, grateful when he took it out of her hands so she couldn't change her mind.

Couldn't snatch it away to hide forever before he could take it.

"Thank you," he said. "I will keep it in a locked draw when I am not reading it, and nobody will know about it either."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, Holly. Thank you for trusting me enough to share the file with me. This will allow me to understand any readings I see in your blood work and scans."

Holly nodded. She said goodbye to Bruce before making her way out. She didn't want to linger in the Medical Wing any longer than she had to. Holly wouldn't say she fled, but it was a brisk walk rather than a slow one as she made her exit.

The doors slid open. Holly paused in the doorway, surprised to see Steve leaning against the wall. Waiting for her.


XXX


Steve didn't miss the widening in Holly's eyes as she looked at him. No matter how quickly she tried to mask it. Just as it was hard for him to miss the sound of her racing heart, or how pale she had gone. He gave her a reassuring smile as he pushed himself away from the wall.

Steve had debated at length with himself whether waiting for her outside the Medical Wing would be a good idea. He didn't want to intrude or overcrowd her. Especially when he knew that going to the Medical Wing was the last place she wanted to be, but he wanted to be on hand in case she needed someone.

There had been flickers through the bonds they shared. The impression of her heartbeat quickening the longer she stayed, but nothing that showed she had fallen into a panic attack. Nothing that had made him step across the threshold and offer her aid.

As he saw her, he wondered whether he had made a mistake, in waiting, in not going to offer support to her. Bucky had wanted to wait for her, had practically vibrated in anger when Steve suggested he step back and let go instead.

Steve knew that Bucky and Holly had spent more time together since she had started working with them. He was aware Bucky was at least trying to get to know her. Steve didn't like to admit the mixed feelings he had with how close Bucky seemed to be to Holly. Not when Bucky was keeping his distance from him. It wasn't jealousy. Not exactly. Steve had kept his distance because he didn't know what to think about Holly, and her name on his skin. He couldn't blame anyone else but himself that there was a distance between them. Steve knew he hadn't been fair to Holly. Not when she was actually at the Tower. It was one thing to ignore a name of an unknown person when there was a higher chance, he would never meet her. But now that she was here, he couldn't ignore her, although he had tried to do just that.

The guilt of his behaviour weighed on him.

He needed to do better.

"Are you okay?" he asked, breaking the silence between the two of them.

She gave him a tight smile, though it didn't reach her eyes.

"Medical. Not my favourite place," she said, her voice sounded strained.

"I can't say it's mine, really."

Holly cocked an eyebrow at him.

"I was a sickly child. When it got bad, I spent time in the hospital."

"And yet you volunteered to be part of a secret experimental project?"

"I wanted to do my part with the war front. It was the only chance I was given. It surprised me as well when Abraham picked me."

"He clearly knew what he was doing."

"Not a perfect soldier, but a good man. That's what he said to me. There are days I don't think he got that right, either."

Holly studied him with bright, curious eyes.

"Even good men make mistakes, and they aren't good all the time either. Nobody is." Holly's voice had softened a little before she fell silent. Steve could see her gaze had become unfocused, as though her thoughts had turned inward.

He wanted to ask what she was thinking about, but the words got stuck in the back of his throat. Steve rubbed the back of his neck. Thoughts racing at what exactly he should say, or how to move forward. He needed to say something, to fill the growing silence that was stretching between them. Nerves fluttered in the pit of his stomach, and, for a moment, it took Steve back to the time where he couldn't get his words out straight to talk to a girl.

"Do you want to grab a coffee? Or tea. I know you prefer tea."

Holly blinked in surprise at him, opened her mouth before snapping it shut. Their gazes met briefly before a small smile crept across her lips.

"I would like that."

Steve smiled, breathing in relief as the tightened tension in his chest loosened.

"Why don't we grab our jackets, and then we can stretch our legs outside for a bit. I could do with a little breather."

"Some fresh air could be good. We can use the parking lot's side entrance. Avoid the crowds at the front."

"The curse of us being in the news. It always draws out the fans in full force," he chuckled, surprised that Holly had even taken that into account.

Holly nodded, giving him a slight smile before slipping past him and making her way to the elevator.

Steve sighed, his heartbeat thudded loudly against his chest. He was an idiot. A first-class, fucking idiot.

"Jarvis, can you let Natasha know I am leaving the Tower with Holly and inform Bucky that everything is fine."

"Of course, Captain Rogers," Jarvis answered, pausing for a moment before asking. "Sergeant Barnes is asking if you would like him to join you."

"Let him know we will be fine. Thank you."

Shaking his head, Steve turned on his heel, and walked towards the elevator and down to the parking lot.

He didn't have to wait long until Holly joined him in the parking lot. Neither said a word as they snuck out of the side door and onto the street. Blending perfectly with the crowds going about their business. Steve was more than grateful that nobody made a beeline towards them, that nobody seemed to recognise him.

He scanned the crowds carefully, his shoulders tense as he assessed his environment.

There were no Hydra Agents in sight, nothing that stood out from the ordinary. Just people going about their day, and their lives. Most barely glanced in their direction, though Steve noticed one or two widening eyes as they caught sight of him. He was grateful though that they kept their distance, didn't bring attention to him by stopping and staring, or pointing.

Steve wasn't sure he would ever get used to the way the public reacted to him.

"So where do you fancy going?"

"There is a little coffee shop not too far from here. We can sit in, if you like, or we get them to take out, and walk up to Central Park."

She smiled at him. "Take out and the walk will be nice. Enjoy the break outdoors rather than being cooped up inside. The air will hopefully recharge the batteries."

Steve returned the smile.

"Walk it is."

Holly fell into step next to him, as he led her a couple of blocks over to the little coffee shop, he had found in the first few months after Loki's invasion.

It was on the corner of the street, turning onto an alley, with black painted window frames, but it had the relaxed, hassle free atmosphere that Steve enjoyed. Not to mention some of the best breakfast muffins he had ever tried, or at least before he had tried Holly's.

It had worried him the first time he entered the place about people's reactions to him, but after the first reaction from those that worked there upon seeing him, and signing a few autographs, they treated him like one of the family. Made his order without fuss and respected him enough that they never tipped off the press about where he was.

Book Cafe simple in its design, with an air of elegance to it that made it stand out against the corporate world of coffee shops. He was glad to see that they were still surviving the grind.

Steve held the door open for Holly, who smiled in amusement at him, her green eyes glistening as she stepped inside. It may not be the thing to do these days, or what most guys did, but his mother had always taught him to hold a door open for a dame.

"Captain, it has been a while." The owner greeted with a grin.

Steve smiled at Frank. His black hair was thinning at the top, but it looked as though Frank was trying to deny the fact by hiding it as much as he could.

He was wearing his usual maroon coloured apron, which had the cafe logo in black on the top.

"How many times, Frank. It's Steve," he said, amusement lacing his words.

"I couldn't, possibly. You are the Captain, who helped save our city."

"He's a fan?" Holly asked, giving him an amused side-eye.

"He's not usually this enthusiastic about it." He muttered.

"Can I get you your usual order?"

"Please," Steve nodded, before glancing at Holly.

"Can I have a Peppermint Hot Chocolate please, with extra marshmallows."

"Of course."

"And can we have two muffins for takeout please."

"Of course, why don't you take a seat, and I will bring your order over when it's ready."

He directed them over to a table for two, where they sat down and waited for their order to be completed.

Holly glanced around the place, her lips twitching into a smile as she soaked up the sight of the bookshelves that lined the walls of the café, I can see why you love this place. It has a charm to it, that is so inviting. My friend Hermione would love it here. She is such a bookworm."

"Frank and his wife Carol are good people. Add a personal touch to every customer. But they are a firm believer that any spare minute you have you should enjoy a good book." He paused, glancing at the shelves. "This is where I learned a lot of my new reading material from when I first woke up."

"It's a good philosophy to have, and it gives them a good angle to work with."

"Yeah, though they don't really see it as an angle, just a way of life to them."

"It's more than just a business to them. It's their lifeblood. Their home."

"That is a beautiful way to describe it. The building overall took some damage during the invasion, but their café was still intact. It took a lot of work to ensure the building met the safety regulations the City needed."

"And you helped them."

"I met them in the first month after the invasion and offered my aid when I could."

"That was kind of you. Not everyone would have done that, especially considering what followed after the invasion."

"I tried to keep myself busy as much as I could. I didn't have to think so much then."

"You had something to focus your attention on. The invasion didn't happen that long after they found you and woke you up."

Steve gave a tight smile. "Most people phrase it as waking from the ice."

"Most people speak without thinking about whether their words can hurt others or aren't even aware enough that something they've said has hurt."

Steve wasn't sure what to say to Holly's last comment, but Frank saved him from doing so, as he walked over to them, with two to-go-cups in his hand, and a brown paper bag.

"Here you go. Don't be a stranger Captain, we have missed seeing you on a Wednesday. Though with your companion as beautiful as she is, I can see why you have been absent."

"Work has been busy," Steve said quickly, his cheeks warming. He couldn't miss the twinkle in Frank's eyes or the small smile on Holly's face.

"Say, no more. But remember Captain, looking after yourself is important just as saving the world is."

"I will."

"Besides, I've missed my crossword buddy. Carol just doesn't have the same interest as you do, though I fear you have now replaced me." Frank winked at Holly who laughed softly.

Interest gleamed in Holly's eyes, and his cheeks flushed with heat. He wasn't sure why he had anything to be embarrassed about. That he enjoyed doing crosswords wasn't an enormous secret, or one to be ashamed about.

He paid Frank, nodded his head as he said goodbye before making a heady exit before Frank could tease him any further.


XXX


A wave of relief flooded through the bonds she shared with Steve as they stepped out of Book Cafe onto the street again. Holly could see the red tint to his cheeks and couldn't help but smile in amusement.

"If you're' this easily flustered now, I can only imagine what you must have been like back in the 40s."

"I was a bashful tongue tied mess, who couldn't speak to a beautiful dame without making a fool out of myself. Bucky, he always knew what to say, but me. I was hopeless," Steve said, his gaze flickering towards her before darting away again. "I'm not that much better now. The only difference is that women approach me far more easily and confidently now than they did back then."

"More fool them. If they couldn't see your worth before you became Captain America, then it's their loss. Not yours."

Steve looked at her in surprise, his gaze locking with hers for a moment before he looked away, flustered.

"I'm sorry, if Frank's teasing embarrassed you."

Holly smiled reassuringly and laughed softly. "Hey, he called me beautiful. What woman doesn't want to be called beautiful before noon, and without a drop of alcohol in sight. That right there is the perfect confidence boost to start your day."

"Well, he isn't wrong. You are beautiful."

Holly froze, Steve's words catching her off guard. Her heart thudded loudly against her chest as her pulse quickened. Surely, she had misheard him.

The last time someone had called her beautiful, and it had meant something more than a passing admiration, was Blaise. Holly wasn't blind or completely oblivious to the way she looked. She could see a certain beauty that others would find attractive if they ignored the scars and the flaws, but there had been too few people who had said it and meant it. Truly meant it. Holly could count on one hand and still have fingers left to spare. Steve wasn't lying. She could hear the certainty in his voice and feel it brush against her through the bonds. It made her feel uncertain, nervous even. As though she was fourteen years old all over again and dealing with her first crush. Her stomach fluttered.

"Thank you," she said, the words dripping with uncertainty.

A slow smile crept across Steve's lips, and there was a burning intensity in his gaze that Holly couldn't quite put into words but had her breath catching in her throat. It was a gaze that breathed a spark into foolish thoughts and hopes and wishes if she let it. Holly didn't dare let it. Couldn't let it.

Holly smiled before breaking eye contact, nervously taking a sip of her drink, and relished in the hot liquid slipping down her throat. Steve coughed nervously, as though he had surprised himself with his statement.

"Have you been to Central Park before?"

"I can't say that I have, no. I've not really done much sight-seeing, since I've been in the city, and the last time I visited was for work reasons also, so I didn't get the chance then either."

"Setting up the Foundation here?"

"Pretty much yeah."

"Well, I know a spot that is a little out of the way. I used to go there when I was a kid and do some drawing. It was a bit of a walk, but Bucky would keep me company. It had the most amazing lighting."

"Lead the way."

She fell in step next to Steve as he led her towards Central Park. Listening as he pointed a few things out he thought she would be interested in. It was nice, listening to him talk about what he knew about the city, while they sipped their drinks.

"The name's changed since I was last here, but the view is still beautiful." Steve said quietly, nostalgia lacing his words.

Holly looked across the body of water. The winter sunlight glistened in patches as it peeked through the clouds above. She could see a castle sitting atop a rock. It seemed so out of place in the city and held a charm to it that pulled at her heartstrings. While it looked nothing like Hogwarts, it took Holly back to the night she first saw Hogwarts. Perched on top of a rock across a body of water.

Longing stabbed at her heart, and her chest tightened painfully. Merlin, she missed Hogwarts. Missed home. Maybe one day soon, she could see the castle again.

"It is beautiful." Holly agreed.

She could feel Steve's gaze press against her skin.

"There is a bench over there. Why don't we take a seat?"

They sat down on the bench, and Steve unfolded the brown paper bag they had given him at Book Café Coffee and walnut muffin."

"Thanks."

He offered her the bag, and Holly picked out a muffin. She took a bite and moaned softly.

"Holy crap, that is a good muffin."

Steve chuckled. "I enjoy Frank and Carol's coffee and walnut muffins. There's just something a little magical about them."

"Magical, they are heaven on the tongue."

Holly had had her fair share of food made that little magical with magical ingredients, but the coffee and walnut muffin was right alongside them as being truly delicious.

They ate in silence, watching the world pass by as tourists and locals walked through the park. It would be easy to forget everything while they sat there. Easy to forget everything they had hanging over them with Hydra and the weapons and the state of everything.

"You can almost forget that you're in a city, sitting here," Holly said, taking a sip of her drink.

"It's peaceful this time of year." Steve agreed.

"There is a lake on the school grounds I went to. I used to love sitting by an oak tree that was on the water's edge and just be. Watching the water was soothing. Comforting even. And not a soul bothered me." She paused, took a sip of her drink, before continuing.

"It took me a while to adjust to being in a boarding school. I was so used to being on my own, keeping to myself and bringing as little attention to myself as possible and then, in the next breath, I was in a boarding school. Surrounded by people all the time, sharing a dorm with three other girls. It got a little overwhelming."

"So, you stole back moments for yourself."

Holly nodded.

"I can understand that. Waking up to find 70 years had passed took some adjustment. The world had changed a lot, the city had changed, and I was trying to wrap my head around that, and the realisation that the people I had once known were dead or 70 years older than when I had known them." Steve took a breath. "For those first few weeks, I spent my days at a local gym in Brooklyn and went through punchbag after punchbag. Then the Invasion happened."

"And it's been non-stop since."

"That's a nice way of putting it."

"I don't know about you, Steve, but I would say you deserve a holiday. A nice long holiday."

He smiled at her.

"With the way things are going, that will not happen soon."

"Nobody can fix the world's problems alone, and as much as there is so much beauty in this world, there are a lot of problems. Not to mention we can no longer deny we are the only ones out there anymore. And Merlin knows what problems the rest of the universe brings with it."

"I dread to think," he sighed. "I just think that I had to have survived the ice for a reason."

Holly glanced at him. She could see the tension in his shoulders, and the strain around his eyes. His jaw twitched as he gazed across the pond. Feeling oddly brave, Holly reached out for Steve's hand, taking it in her own.

Steve turned to look at her. Blue eyes narrowed thoughtfully, though Holly couldn't mistake the living blue fire that gleamed in them. A determination. An iron will. Stubbornness. Nobody could argue there wasn't an intensity about Steve. An intensity she could understand and recognise. Holly knew what it was like to be the leader, to the one that people looked up to and expected to have all the answers. Hermione may have been the smartest out of them all and always determined to find the answers. Ron might have had the tactical mind, but it was Holly that people had looked to, for hope. For salvation. For a chance, for leadership. Bearing the weight of other people could be suffocating.

"You know you aren't alone right, not anymore. You don't have to face it all alone, you don't have to bear the weight of it all."

His gaze pierced through her, and she could feel the heat radiating through the bonds vibrating next to her heart. Holly didn't blink, met his gaze with her own as she let the world around her drown away and reached through the bonds. It was as though in that moment, as their gazes locked, the doors to the bonds slipped open just a crack at first, that slowly grew. True understanding flared to life between them. The burdens mirrored within each other, understanding and acceptance, even if Steve didn't fully understand how or why she knew the burden of carrying it all.

It was there and shared. Neither of them were alone in carrying that weight.

His voice was so quiet that it was almost inaudible and yet Holly could hear the heaviness of Steve's emotions in his words.

"I don't feel alone anymore."


XXX


Saturday night, Holly apparated to the Black Penthouse on the Upper East Side. It amused her that in a week she had visited the property more than she had done since she had lived in New York. She wasn't here to see Andy, though she let Betsy scurry off to inform the older witch that she was passing through.

Ignoring the main rooms in the Penthouse, Holly headed straight to the room that was at the end of the hall, near the study. The sigil that sealed the grey door shut shimmered as she approached. Shut to anyone who didn't have the right combination to the lock. That her blood was that combination meant she was the only one who had access. Holly hadn't wanted Teddy to wander into the room and find its contents with curious fingers.

With a gentle tap of her wand on her index finger on her left hand, the tip of her finger split open, and three drops of blood floated to the sigil. It glowed a deep blue before the lock on the door clicked, and she could push the door open.

Alphard may not have agreed with everything his family believed in, but he had kept the family tradition of being fascinated with magical artefacts. Dark, grey, light. It didn't matter. If he could get his hands on it, or a way to make something, then he would.

The room was roughly the size of her old dormitory, and lined with shelving from floor to ceiling, along with several other shelves in the middle that created aisles. Each one was jam-packed with various magical artefacts, ranging from weapons, to glass orbs, to jewellery. Magic hung thick in the air and had her own tense in anticipation. Some of those items weren't friendly or legal.

Needs must.

"Twice in one week, things must be bad," Andy said, coming up from behind. "And you're opening Uncle Alphard's Treasure Trove. Do I need to be concerned?"

"I'm going to Underlane," Holly said, her gaze shifted to Andy.

"May I suggest the Arawn blades, then?"

Holly cocked an eyebrow in surprise.

"Really, blades that with one cut initiate an utter state of terror in the one injured by them."

"Exactly. I know you Holly. While I am aware the last few years have forced you to become far harder and harsher than you were before when facing opponents, taking a life is always a last resort for you. Cut them with the blades, even the smallest of cuts, and the magic will paralyse them with terror."

Not any more it's not. You kill far more easily now. Holly ignored the whisper in the back of her mind taunting her, and instead turned her attention to Andy.

"Terror can make people stupid."

"Most people are incapable of pushing past that level of intensity of terror."

"Has anybody ever told you, you're ruthless?"

"I may have married Ted, but I am still a daughter of the House of Black. I lived, breathed and ate terror for years." Her lips turned up into a smile.

Holly bit at her bottom lip. "I will take the blades."

"The Ogmios Whip would also be another good choice to take as a backup. One can never be too careful."

Holly smirked and stepped inside of the room. While someone had named both items after Celtic gods, they weren't weapons forged by them. At least Holly didn't think they were the originals. Just another way of twisting magic to suit the purpose and styling it after weapons that had once existed and were now lost.

Arawn blades were a twin set. The blades were around twenty inches long, black and slightly curved, with intricate hilts that were decorated in silver. They looked deadly, and Holly couldn't help but think they were beautiful as well. They came with sheathes that she could attach to her Wizarding Utility Belt and rest them on each hip. Easy to reach, easy to draw and without risking the chance of cutting herself as well. Her coat hiding them from sight.

The Ogmios Whip, cleverly disguised as a flaming bracelet, would decorate her wrist. It had the power to bind a person to the wielder for a short time and mirror their actions. Useful in a fight against multiple enemies, and its sting left a burning mark. Holly picked it up. Guilt slithered through her veins. It didn't take someone's will away from them like the Imperius Curse did, but it was close enough for her to hesitate a moment.

She may have become harder, as Andy said, but there were still some lines she wouldn't cross.

Holly thought of Bucky and what Hydra did to him. She chewed on the inside of her cheek. Warring with herself.

It wouldn't take their will away, or their sense of self. It binds them to you, so their actions are your actions for a short time.

Her chest tightened. Holly shoved the guilt to one side. Having one less person trying to kill her in a life or death situation would mean the difference between living or dying. And the moment the connection broke, they would be back to trying to kill her again.

It's not the same.

She didn't want to control anyone. Never wanted to control anyone. It was about survival. And where she was heading tonight, she would need every tool in her arsenal.

"You're hesitating," Andy said.

"Debating. I know someone who had his will stripped from him for decades and used as a tool for others who wanted power. I feel guilty about the idea of using this."

"There are lots of ways to look at the term binding. Binding holds pages of a book together or it is the action of fastening or holding together. You aren't taking their will away when you use this weapon. You are linking them to you. Binding them to you, not to subjugate, never to subjugate as the Imperius would, or even as the person you know suffered," Andy said. Her tone serious. "Yes, there is persuasion, but it is more than that. They will feel what you feel, they will do what you do. You kick, they kick, you punch, they punch. You bind them to you, to mirror you. Turning the enemy into a brief ally."

Holly nodded, slipping the bracelet onto her wrist, before turning on her heel and leaving the room behind. The door closed behind her and the sigil glowed, sealing it shut.

"You will take care, won't you?"

"I promise I won't start anything."

Andy gave a tight smile. "No, you will just finish it."

With Andy's parting words, Holly left the Penthouse, making her way towards the designated meeting point Graves had arranged with her. It wouldn't take her long to reach Central Park, and then she needed to find the Alice and Wonderland Statue.

Thoughts of Central Park stirred up thoughts of Steve and their trip to the park on Wednesday. There had been a change in their dynamic since then. An understanding, an acceptance even between them. Unspoken words that had the two of them falling into sync with each other naturally. Holly wasn't sure she could properly put into words. It just was.

She felt more relaxed around him, and he, her. At least Holly could no longer see the visible tension with him whenever she was close. Holly wasn't sure what to think about the changes, nor did she really want to pick it apart and look for how it would quickly turn against her. Instead, she was locking up her feelings about the whole thing in a box and burying it deep inside. Better to just take it one day at a time, not to overthink and not to allow herself to hope or dream about things that she knew couldn't be.

She had other things to focus on tonight.

With only a week since the fight with Hydra, and her revelation about the missing children, she had been working tirelessly alongside the team, and looking through her files. It was nice to just get some fresh air and a moment to herself, even if it was because of her walking to a meeting point before entering Underlane.

Holly had ventured into a lot of places that she considered the dark underbelly in the Wizarding World. She had heard whispers of Underlane as her time as an Auror even back home, though she had no reason to visit there, her knowledge relied on rumours and what Graves had shared when setting up the visit.

It put her at a disadvantage, not something Holly liked.

Holly had prepared accordingly based on her experiences elsewhere. Dressed as though she belonged deep in the underbelly of the Wizarding World, she used the Charm that would make her less noticeable to the muggles. Dragon hide boots, dragon hide trousers, with a lace, black corset top that was high enough to hide her soul marks and the brand from Riddle. She completed the look with a deep velvet red and black coat that fastened with a silver buckle and came down in a V-shape at the front. The Arawn blades hidden under the coat. She had ensured she had stocked her utility belt before leaving with everything she needed. Her holly wand was secure in her wrist holster, and the Elder Wand was at her back. She could feel its magic hum the moment she thought about it.

Holly had a couple of other blades tucked in her boots for good measure and had left everything from the muggle world behind at her apartment. The last thing she wanted was to end up leaving something behind that others could use and trace her back to the Avengers Tower. It didn't take her long as she thought it would to reach Central Park and find the Alice and Wonderland Statue. Graves was already waiting for her.

He nodded his head to her in greeting as she approached. Holly scanned the area, looking for any signs that there was something magical in the vicinity. She couldn't find any.

"Is the entrance to Underlane in Central Park?"

Graves gave her an amused look and shook his head.

"No. We will apparate to the entrance that I know of. Central Park has an apparition zone tucked away near here, which can allow witches and wizards to move a little more freely around the city without risk. Especially in those places you can't apparate to directly."

The Wizarding Community in Britain was older than the one found in New York and ensured the muggle city could grow around the pockets of the Wizarding World, rather than being forced to adapt.

"How many pockets of the Wizarding World are hidden in New York?"

Graves blinked at the question.

"We have the MACUSA building, Magical Broadway, an add on to the public library. The department store, and the small alley in Harlem, a small part of Central Park, which is where we are heading too now. There are a couple more places dotted around, but nothing on a large scale."

"Still more than most expect."

"MACUSA is very strict regarding how we integrate with the No-Maj world. I know Britain is a little more lenient."

"To a degree, but not by much."

"MACUSA doesn't support relationships with No-Maj at all, and it is every witch and wizard's responsibility to obliviate a No-Maj that may come into contact with magic." He continued as he led her towards a tree behind the statue.

Holly stayed silent. It shouldn't have surprised her at the strictness of MACUSA, but it did.

A quick scan of the area showed there were no muggles around. Graves held up his wand to the tree, which glowed in response before an outline of a door appeared. Graves gestured for her to step through first, before following behind her.

Holly expected darkness. It surprised her to see more trees surrounding them.

"The section of the park no No-Maj has ever seen is just up ahead," Graves informed her.

"How big is it, exactly?"

"Hmm, oh, big enough to put on performances during the summer months, or Yule dances held by MACUSA. It has a café which is open all year, and an ice-cream stand. But mostly it's outdoor space, which also allows us to keep the herd of winged-horses safe from the No-Maj world."

Holly smiled, eyes widening as the surrounding sky lit up with pixie lights as they flew around, as she stepped out from the tree line. Her gaze swept across the area in front of her. The cafe still open, despite the late hour, and had witches and wizards seated at tables. She could see a few sitting on the grass with picnic baskets and others dancing to music in the court area near the café and over on the far left were the winged-horses. It was hard to imagine them being safely tucked away in Central Park, hidden from the muggle world.

"I think when all is said and done, I'm going to have to visit here for pleasure."

"Come on, we can apparate from here with no one paying any attention to us," Graves said.

Holly nodded. Not knowing where their destination was, she took hold of his hand, letting him apparate them safely to their destination. With a soft pop, they disappeared.


XXX


Magic lay thick and heavy in the air. It pressed down against her skin the moment she side-apparated next to Graves. Her own magic rose to meet it. To push back at the invasive feel. Her heart pounded loudly against her chest, as the Elder wand vibrated through her body. She could hear its song clearer now. As though Thor's prediction had come true and wielding Mjolnir had amplified the Hallows. This was the first time she tested them. To be aware of them more than she would inside the Tower.

Though their presence never really went away. It was always there, at the back of her mind.

It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness that surrounded her, even with the dim glowing lights of witchlight that seemed to emanate from the wall directly opposite her.

She scanned the area, stretching her senses, searching for any sign of life. Graffiti-covered walls from what she could see. Piles of rubbish and rubble. It looked like they were underground, more specific at an underground platform.

"Graves, where are we?"

"18th Street Station. Used to be an Underground Station on the IRT Lexington Avenue Line, but it closed in 1949. Now all that remains is the two side platforms and four tracks."

"And we are here because?"

"Because that wall is the entrance to Underlane."

"Underlane is underground?"

"Where else are you going to hide things, you want to keep hidden and give you a big enough place to do so."

Holly glanced at the wall he had indicated to. The graffiti was different. At first glance, it blended in perfectly with what had surrounded it. But on second glance and knowing that she had missed something, she paid closer attention. Magic flowed in them, and the graffiti wiggled and moved as they glowed. Looking more alive than artwork.

It was impressive, hiding in plain sight. Nobody would really come down here, except the homeless seeking shelter from the harshness of the city, and they wouldn't exactly talk to outsiders if they saw anything out of the ordinary.

"Now what?" She asked.

"Now we walk through the wall and hope the wards don't reject us."

Holly frowned.

"Why would they reject us?"

"That is hard to say, and I think it depends on the mood of the ward master."

Holly stayed silent, willing to follow Graves' lead for the time being.

"You been here before?"

"Once."

Holly could hear the unspoken I don't want to talk about it, in Graves voice. She didn't press. Instead, she wrapped her mental shields tightly around her, and steeled herself to face whatever came next. Her face smooth of emotions and mask firmly in place.

"Well, ready when you are."

Graves snorted before stepping towards the wall. Holly followed, hoping that this wouldn't turn into a disaster. With a raised hand, she touched the wall. Her skin tingled and burned as the magic of the wards registered her own magic. Not enough to figure out who she was, but enough to determine she had magic and wasn't a No-Maj. From the taste it left in her mouth, Holly knew that these wards would have killed her had she not had magic running through her veins. Whoever the ward master was, he was serious with the security of Underlane. Holly wasn't sure that boded well for them or not.

Holly stilled her thoughts as she paid attention to the pattern of the wards, seeing threads of multiple colours woven together. Some were thicker than others, showing they were a lot older, and at the foundation of the ward. The thinner ones were newer and the ones that were barely thicker than her little fingers were brand new and easily broken.

Holly stepped through the wall and into the ward. Wrapping her magic around her as tightly as she could, using it to mask herself within the ward so they wouldn't be able to read her fully. Not enough to hide her and draw suspicion. But enough to make her appear harmless.

Reality shifted around her until the colours slurred together, but Holly had gotten a good enough read on the ward to find a weak point if she needed to make a quick exit.

The burn of the magic was quickly replaced by cool air, deep and dark, as though they were deep under the city, and they were.

With the rumours of Underlane, she had formed an idea of what it would be like. The reality was vastly different.

Holly blinked, soaking up the sight that spread out before her. Hidden beneath the city, safe from the muggles, and considered highly illegal from the rumours, was a long rock-cut corridor lined with shops, cafes, restaurants and so much more. As far as she could see, the corridor splintered off in different directions, twisting into a maze of streets, each one home to more shops, more magical places.

"Graves, this was not what I was expecting when you said Underlane. It's like a city, under a city."

"Hmm, that is a good analogy, and you aren't far off. It probably stretches several blocks in each direction. And it's where most of our criminals come to do business, hide, plot, steal or sell."

"How are we meant to find what we are looking for here?"

"Quickly and quietly. Without drawing too much attention to ourselves."

Holly didn't think that was going to happen for a second, but she was willing to give it a go.

Avoiding eye contact with people but allowing enough of a presence to herself that her aura would say she didn't want to be bothered, and not worth the energy to be bothered, she followed Graves into the Underlane streets. Her senses stretched as subtly as she could allow, searching for danger, while her gaze swept across one shop after the other. Some goods they were selling had the hair on the back of her neck standing to attention and an itch to blast them into a million pieces.

A new-born baby's cry. A child's finger. The skin of a man betrayed by a loved one. Specific ingredients for dark magic, and dark potions. Holly swallowed the bile that had slid up her throat. As beautiful as magic could be, she was more than aware of the dark ugly edges magic had to it, and what other witches and wizards could do to one another. Fuck knows, she had spent most of her life fighting against this kind of magic.

Graves seemed to have a general direction he was taking them in, his stride purposeful, and his gaze hardened, as he did his best not to note everything that was available to buy. Though as much as there was the dark, twisted taint of Dark Magic, there was a slither of light as well. A softer side to Underlane if you looked hard enough to see. It wasn't just criminals that called Underlane their home. There were others, others that couldn't afford to do business anywhere else, or others that weren't accepted by the rest of the Wizarding World. Those that shared creature blood, werewolves, hags, vampires.

Doing the best, they could to survive and live.

Gazes scrutinised them as they passed. Marking their passage and the direction they were heading into. More than once, Holly saw witches and wizards scurry off ahead, and she knew in her mind they were warning ahead. She was painfully aware of two wizards following behind them and itched to reach for her wand. It was a struggle to hold back. Holly had never enjoyed having unknown variables at her back, and as her senses stretched, she weighed up her options.

Dangerous. Kill now. The voice whispered, as though it was the only choice, she had available to her. As much as she wanted to, Holly couldn't deny that a part of her had become far more blood thirsty since Hydra. More willing to kill. Almost as though death was the only outcome that satisfied it so why delay the inevitable. Holly couldn't say for certain whether Hydra had truly broken something deep inside her or whether it was that Hydra was the final nail in her coffin since she had mastered the Deathly Hallows and she was only now realising how much they had changed her.

Not yet, she replied, which seemed to settle that dark part of her. The power purred, and the shadows sharpened their claws, ready and waiting.

Holly forced herself to relax, focused on her breathing and her own magic. Magic that was comforting and familiar and warm. Far more welcoming than the darkness.

"We're here."

Holly glanced at Graves before turning her attention to the building he had stopped in front of.

It was an inn called The Erlking and had a painted sign above the door of an Erlking eating a child. Holly wrinkled her nose, it didn't surprise her they would name a pub in Underlane after a creature that ate children.

"It's here that we will find our information about a new wand maker in the city."

"How much is it going to cost?" Holly asked, as they stepped through the door.

The interior was dark, with several hidden booths full of people with their heads close together and talking in hushed whispers. There was a noise in the pub, not the usual chatter one expected despite how busy it was, but a low buzz that told her more than one privacy charm had been cast.

Only the barman looked up their way, though Holly couldn't shake the weight of eyes watching and waiting. Holly leaned against the bar as Graves stopped. Turning her attention to scan the bar. Ensuring her gaze didn't linger on anyone for too long before moving on. Watching for trouble, not starting it by staring too long.

Graves cast the privacy charm the moment the barman approached them. Holly half turned, keeping one eye on the rest of the bar, while she paid attention to the barman. He was bald and had thick tattooed lines running up from his neck and across his head. Narrowed brown eyes weighed them both up before he spoke.

"I didn't think I would see you again, Graves." A voice growled. His accent was thick and not one Holly could place.

Graves ignored the comment. "I'm looking for information, Jarek."

"You know we don't snitch here."

"I'm not looking for anyone in Underlane. I'm looking for a wand maker."

"You aren't the only one," he said, a hint of mockery in his voice, though Holly noted it didn't reach his eyes. Concern hid in the depths of his eyes.

There was an underline note of danger in the way Jarek held himself. That he knew Graves raised questions, but it also brought with it a warning. He could easily turn the tables on them and announce that Graves was an Auror to the whole bar. If he did that, Holly wasn't sure how it would play out.

"A new player in the city?"

"Not just the city, Graves. It is far bigger than just New York. Whispers of the old ways, of the old times, of better days. Of war."

Holly tensed as she fixed her attention on Jarek. He glanced at her, and gave a mocking tilt of his head, before turning back to Graves.

"A name and location, Jarek. That is all I'm asking for. You owe me that much."

Holly filed away the information that there was a connection between the two of them.

"You're looking for Gregorovitch's grandson. Aleko. But you won't find him here. The last anyone seen of him was years ago. But there have been more than a few witches and wizards in the last few months seen with his work."

"Thank you, Jarek."

"Don't thank me," Jarek spat. "You're as good as dead. Were the moment you stepped foot in here. She has eyes everywhere, and you're in over your head."

"Who?" Holly asked, her voice sharp and cutting.

His smile was sardonic as he turned his attention to her, and his voice cut like a whip.

"The Crone of course."

Holly stilled, her eyes narrowing. That was a name she had heard while she had been off grid. Whispered in hushed tones, but never any concrete evidence. Before she had time to digest Jarek's confirmation, Holly snapped her attention to the door as it opened. The power inside her purred, and she could taste death on her tongue.

"Looks like trouble has found us," she deadpanned, pushing away from the bar and readying herself for a fight.

Graves moved to stand next to her as four wizards walked into the pub. Each of them dripping with violence, wands already in hands at the ready. They had come looking for trouble and were vibrating with a rage she had never seen before. Almost as though they were out of their minds. Holly had seen witches and wizards pumped on whatever drug choice they chose, ranging from Pixie Bite to Dragon's breath, each one that little more volatile and a little more deadly.

They didn't have the tell-tale signs she had learned to recognise with the more common drugs of the wizarding world. Dragon's breath turned people's eyes blood red while they were high. Pixie Dust tinted the fingers green.

"Do they look like they are on something?" She asked Graves.

"I would say that is a safe bet."

Holly knew there was no reasoning with somebody who was high. They were like a loaded weapon, pointed in the direction they would fire off in. She couldn't help but think it was a deliberate move on someone's part. As though they would have targeted anyone who asked questions and not just them. Especially as nobody should have known that they would be here tonight asking questions.

"I have a feeling that this is just targeted at anybody who asks the wrong question."

"Jarek said we weren't the only ones to ask about the wandmaker."

And that alone raised more questions than it did answers. Holly reached for the blade at her left hip, leaving her wand arm free.

"We aren't looking for trouble," Graves said firmly. "We were just leaving."

"The Crone doesn't like questions."

"We aren't asking the Crone questions."

"The Crone doesn't like questions." They repeated.

"Talking will not help here."

Graves sighed. "It was worth a try."

Provided nobody else joined in the fight, they could handle the four of them together. If others joined in, well, it made things tricky, but possible. Her gaze never left the four wizards standing between them and the door. Waiting for them to make the first move. Her patience paid off.

She saw them move a fraction of a second before they did, as though she had read it in their minds.

Holly reacted.

She launched forward into a roll and slashed out at the nearest wizard with the Arawn blade as a spell flew above her head.

A scream pierced the air, and the scent of blood filled her nose. The cut on his leg was deep, his clothing no match for a cursed blade. The wizard she had cut dropped his wand, his hands gripped at his head as he dropped to his knees. His scream echoing through the bar filled with terror as the blades magic overcame his senses far quicker than Holly had realised it would.

Blood roared in her ears, and her heart pounded loudly as she kicked herself off the floor and into the middle of the remaining wizards.

Time seemed to still as though nobody was certain what had happened before it sped up and they were all moving.

Her hand gripped tightly around the Elder wand as she snapped a shield up to block the curse hurling towards her. She spun, slashing out with the blade again, though the wizard she aimed for moved out of her reach.

Graves fired a spell, catching the wizard off guard and off his feet.

Holly moved quickly, firing off three curses in quick succession of one another. The bone breaking curse, followed by the blasting curse, followed by a second bone breaking curse.

Chaos descended into the bar, as curses flew. Narrowly missing them and hitting others. Holly would be hard to say any of them were innocent bystanders, but they had been minding their own business before curses hit them. It didn't take long for others to join the fight, as though all they had been waiting for was the opportunity.

Holly shielded, keeping her back to Graves as best as she could. Ensuring no curses flew past her and hit him. It was strange working with a team in a magical fight. It had been a while since she had last had a partner of any kind. She didn't quite know Graves' style of fighting and neither did he know hers, which put them at a disadvantage. But they held their own, working together as best they could.

"We need to get out of here before anyone else jumps in."

"Could always blast us another entrance," Holly said with a grimace. "Not sure how well your friend would like it, though."

"We aren't friends. And do it."

"Alright. Get ready for my mark."

Holly scanned for an opening, stopping at a now empty booth to the east of the building. She just hoped that it wouldn't draw more attention to them than they already had.

Focusing her magic and will, she cast the Reductor Curse at the wall. The blue light of the spell hurled forward, hitting its target, which blasted into splintered wood, flying in every direction. Both shielded to avoid the debris from the wall.

"Now."

They moved, jumping over the wizards who had fallen to the ground in the wall's explosion.

The moment they stepped outside the inn, Holly turned and cast the Temporal Curse. Trapping those that remained inside in a bubble of time that repeated on a loop. It would take them a while to counter the curse and give them the head start, they needed to make their escape.

"I didn't know you could do a Temporal Curse?"

"Few can. Time magic is a tricky thing and not something to be done lightly, but it will be enough for us to make a run for it."

They wasted no more time running back the way they came. They weren't the only ones running. The fight in the inn caused enough confusion that others scattered away as fast as they could. Allowing them to blend in with the crowds.

It didn't take them long to reach the entrance they had used to gain access to Underlane. And were soon passing through them and out the other side into the darkness of the old station.

Choosing not to linger longer than they had to, they both apparated back to the wizarding section of Central Park in a blink of an eye.

The night's fresh air a welcoming refreshing smell from the dampness that the disused station had brought with it.

"That didn't exactly go as planned," Graves admitted.

"No, but we have a name. Two, if you count the Crone as a name."

"It came across more as a title. Have you heard of it before?"

Holly paused, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. "Unfortunately, I have. None of it good, and until now, none of it led anywhere but whispers in the dark."

She didn't elaborate further, her thoughts whirling.

"Gregorovitch has gone to ground. I know Voldemort killed Mykew. I didn't realise he had a son and grandson, though."

"Grandson isn't much younger than you. He went to Ilvemorny, though, after they expelled him from Durmstrang."

"Why was he expelled from Durmstrang?"

Graves threw her a grim look.

"He had an obsession with Grindelwald."

Her brow knitted together as her mind raced.

"It seems it comes back to Grindelwald again. Wizards taken by Hydra quoting the 'The Greater Good', and now the wandmaker. What the fuck is going on?" She said coldly.

"Grindelwald is definitely dead, right?"

Holly nodded. "Voldemort killed him."

Graved frowned at her. Inwardly, Holly winced. That information hadn't been revealed to the public. She shouldn't have known that Voldemort had killed Grindelwald.

"It's a long story." She added.

"I can start putting feelers out now. We have a name, but from what Jarek said, whoever is leading the wizard's side of things with Hydra, they have Gregorovitch."

"He still might turn up, has to come up for air eventually, right? Let's just hope that whatever went down tonight at Underlane hasn't tipped them off."

"How sure are you that it wasn't for us directly?"

"I'm fairly confident. They had people waiting to attack anyone who asked the wrong questions. It happened too quickly for it to be anything else. No way they would have known we were going there to ask that question." Holly paused, tilted her head to the side thoughtfully, "and they were on something. That wasn't random. I think that was deliberate."

"Their curses seemed to pack more punch than usual."

"Have you seen anything like that?"

"There is a drug I've been investigating, called Third Eye. It's on the No-Maj streets, supposed to give them magical powers, or able to see through our wards at least."

"Opening up the third eye," Holly mused quietly.

"Who knows what it does to a witch or wizard who takes it," he sighed. "And I can't exactly ask around Underlane. It's safe to say that bridge has been burned."

Holly glanced at Graves. "You know Jarek, don't you?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

Holly didn't respond. She could respect that enough to not push. At least until she had a reason to do so.

"I think now is as good a time as any to call it a night," Holly said, glancing towards the night sky. "I will keep you updated if I come across anything."

Graves nodded. "and I the same. No doubt I will see you around the Tower when we are next called in."

"Take care, Graves. I will be in touch."

Holly waited for him to disapparate before she did the same. Heading first to a secluded alleyway she had picked out for that purpose and then home to her apartment.


XXX


"When was the last time you slept?" Natasha said, keeping her voice low.

Steve glanced up at her. She was standing next to him, moving quietly enough he hadn't heard her approach.

"Why is it you are always asking me when I sleep?"

She cocked an eyebrow at him as she sat down next to him at the dining room table, her gaze sweeping across the files that lay across it, before turning her attention back to him. Fixing him with a look Steve knew well.

"Maybe because you never sleep," she admitted with a shrug, reaching for a bag of sweets that Sam had left earlier. She popped one in her mouth and chewed slowly, her eyes never leaving him.

Steve sighed. Out of the two of them, Nat had the patience to outlast him in a battle of wills, while he was stubborn, she was sneaky, and his glare didn't intimidate her.

"I'm concerned we've not heard anything yet. It's been a month since our face off with Hydra and we haven't heard a peep from them. Nor about the Chitauri weapons. I don't like the quiet."

"Hydra stayed hidden within SHIELD for 70 years, Steve. They work the long game. That won't have changed just because we pushed back in D.C." She paused and bit down on another sweet in her mouth, biting the head off the jelly sweet, and looked at him. Her brow creased thoughtfully.

"Overthinking it will not solve the problem. My leads are coming up empty. Hydra has gone to ground, and whoever they allied with is with them."

"We have to be missing something." Steve countered. "West and Gibbs still not giving up anything?"

"Silent as a mouse, and Hill had to hand them over in the end. They're currently locked up in a deep, dark hole toying with General Talbot's people," she answered, before swiping his mug of coffee and taking a sip. "This is cold."

"I lost track of time."

Nat rose, slowly. "I will put on a fresh pot. If you won't sleep, at least have some hot coffee."

Steve huffed in response as he rubbed his forehead. Taking a moment to stretch the muscles in his shoulders. He had lost track of how long he had been sitting there. The others had taken a time out, needing a break, and from the way Holly had slumped over the table, he had ordered her to get some rest in the room she had used previously. Only he had remained, tired and unable to rest. Feeling utterly useless at that moment.

The elevator doors slid up and Hill stepped off. "Steve, we have a situation."

Steve glanced towards Hill as she approached him. Nat was already moving to his side as he took the tablet from Hill.

"What am I looking at?"

"Both NYPD and the Mayor are requesting our assistance. There is currently a bank robbery in progress, and they have Chitauri weapons. NYPD has them cornered in the bank."

His brow creased as he zoomed in on the pictures, seeing the weapons in question as clear as day.

"NYPD won't hold up for long against the Chitauri weapons." He passed her the tablet back as he stood and started moving towards the elevator. "How many hostiles? Who do we have on standby?"

"Aside from yourself and Romanoff, we have Wilson, Barnes, and Alpha team ready to go. Stark is in his lab with a do not disturb protocol in place. I have had Jarvis inform him, just in case. It's probably best if we don't bring out either Thor or Banner. And there are six hostiles."

He nodded in agreement.

"Have the Alpha team gear up. They can help on the streets," Steve ordered, glancing towards Nat. "The four of us?"

She shrugged. "Should be doable. If they don't know what they are doing."

"We want to minimise the amount of civilian endangerment as much as possible. The last thing we want is the situation to turn into a war zone on the streets of Manhattan. There would be too many casualties."

Hill nodded. "I will be your eyes and ears from here, with Jarvis' help."

"Jarvis, notify Sam and Bucky to gear up and meet me in the parking lot. And Alpha Team."

"Of course, Captain Rogers."

Nat stepped into the elevator with him.

"You had to ask for trouble." She smirked at him.

He shook his head and gave a small smile. "My mother always said those who go looking for trouble usually find it."

"Your mother was a smart woman. Holly is on Alpha Team, just to give you a heads up."

Steve stiffened. His jaw clenched shut tightly.

"Let's hope we won't need them."


XXX


Holly's feet touched the ground behind Tank. Her senses assaulted by blue flashing lights all around her, the sound of a chopper in the air, and police radios crackling every way she turned. Along with police officers scurrying around, guns pointed and facing off towards the bank, positioning themselves behind open car doors.

She was more than used to being called to action in the middle of the night and needing to be ready and alert at a moment's notice, but this was the first time she had been in an entirely muggle situation, readying to offer support to the Avengers while most of New York watched.

She had a couple of smoke screen potions she could use and get away with as Stark's technology, but Holly had limited options aside from that available to her.

Tank led them to the front, where the S.W.A.T commander, Steve, and a police detective were talking.

"I appreciate the support, gentlemen, but my team can handle it."

"I'm not saying they can't, Commander Harris, but I am saying they have Chitauri weapons, and we all know what kind of damage they can inflict. I have a team of people that can work alongside yours while we take out the weapons. Once we have done that, your people can make the arrest," Steve countered.

Holly could see Commander Harris thinking about it. Weighing up his options, before finally relenting that they were outgunned when facing off against alien technology.

"Alright, what's the plan, Captain?"

Holly listened to Steve relay the plan with the Commander's input when he noticed something wouldn't work based on the layout of the bank in front of them.

Alpha team would stay outside, offering support should the need arise, along with the S.W.A.T team, but their job was mostly to keep civilians safe should the robbers use the weapons and cause as much chaos as they could in order to make their escape. Steve, Bucky, Natasha and Sam would counter the Chitauri weapons so that Commander Harris' team could make the arrest.

It was a straightforward plan, but Holly expected the worst, purely because she was use to things going wrong with plans.

Paired up with Tank and two of the S.W.A.T team, they slowly inched forward into position, covering the alley that had a fire exit leading from the bank. The S.W.A.T guys took position on the fire escape on the building opposite, guns pointed at the door, while she and Tank took position on either side of the door.

"I really hate these weapons being on the street," Tank murmured through the Comms.

"You aren't the only one." She hummed in agreement.

Her heart thudded loudly in her ears with each passing second. For weeks they had been waiting for something to happen with the weapons Hydra had supplied the streets of New York, and now that it was finally here, Holly itched to get it over with so they could work out where the weapons came from.

Hydra may have been the major supplier, but they wouldn't have had contact with every buyer. There had to be someone out there that was then supplying them to other, less known players on the streets.

She bounced on the balls of her feet, her gaze fixed on the door.

"Easy Potter." Tank whispered reassuringly in her ear.

She nodded in acknowledgement at him. This wasn't her first time facing off with someone and acting like she didn't have a clue what she was doing was going to get her and others killed.

"Alpha team, check in." Steve's voice chirped through the Comms.

"Alpha 1 in position," Tank responded.

"Alpha 2 in position," Holly answered.

One by one their team answered, and Holly found it comforting listening to each steady voice.

"Here we go," Steve said.

She tensed, stilled her body and calmed her breathing. Waiting for the other end of Comms for the go ahead wasn't a pleasant experience, just as it wasn't pleasant listening to the sounds of Chitauri weapons firing off. The seconds ticked by with an agonising slowness that had Holly itching to move, to see what the hell was going on.

"Potter, someone is coming up behind you."

Holly spun on her heels, I.C.E.R raised. With narrowed eyes, she focused towards the opposite end of the alley. An alley that should have been a dead end, and yet Tank was right. There was someone else there. Walking slowly towards them, though it was less walking and more swaying, as they weren't walking in a straight line.

"Captain, please confirm all hostiles are in the bank? I repeat, please confirm all hostiles are in the bank?" Tank barked through the Comms.

Holly stepped forward and called out. Her voice was steady and firm.

"Sir, I need you to stay where you are. And slowly put your hands behind your head."

He ignored her, took another few steps forward, stumbling into the wall. Holly focused on the man. He was tall, wearing thick black boots. A long coat that came to his ankles. Except it wasn't a coat, it was a robe. Her eyes narrowed, searching, until she spotted the wand in his hand as he waved it around. What the fuck?

"Potter, does he have a weapon in his hand?" Tank asked as he stepped next to her.

"Positive," Holly answered. She couldn't deny the wand was a weapon. It was, even if she couldn't tell Tank what kind of weapon it was.

"Captain, please confirm all hostiles are in the bank."

"Confirmed, Tank. All hostiles are in the bank, and the weapons contained."

"Sir, we have an armed, unknown approaching on the south side of the alley. Failure to stop when asked. Please advise."

"I.C.E.R's only. Wilson and Barnes are on route."

The wizard stepped closer. Holly could see the same expression on his face that the wizards in Underlane had worn. Though the rage was absent.

"Sir, I need you to slowly put your weapon on the ground."

He focused his attention on them, a smile crept across his lips.

"Don't you see? Can't you see?"

"What the fuck is this guy on?" Tank snapped.

"I'm not sure," Holly said, her gaze never leaving the wizard in question. The last thing they needed was a wizard out of his mind, waving his wand around.

"It's coming. It's coming."

Holly stepped forward slowly.

"Potter," Tank growled at her. "What the fuck do you think you are doing?"

"Hopefully talking him down," she answered. She didn't lower her I.C.E.R, but she took a step closer towards the wizard. Firmly putting herself between him, and the others at her back and any possible stray spell or curse he would hurl their way. The last thing Holly wanted was for this to escalate any further. Bad enough that a wizard had taken something to lose all sense of self.

"What exactly is coming?" Holly asked, calmly. If she could keep him engaged, then it was possible that he would cast no magic.

The wizard turned his gaze on her. Eyes wide and hopeful.

"Those that came before us. Like the stars in the sky before the end. Burning, blazing. They come to defend us. He comes to defend us. Don't you see?"

Holly didn't see. She didn't think it would be a good idea to tell him that. She didn't understand what he was talking about but something deep within her prickled. As though his words were as sharp as knives grazing across her skin. Paying attention, even if she didn't fully understand why.

Holly knew enough about the Wizarding World, and magic and prophecy. Had not only heard one spoken and felt the ancient magic press against her skin as they said it. She had one tied to her fate for most of her life. She didn't want to say the wizard was making a prophecy, but he was seeing something she wasn't able to. Seeing beyond what most could see.

It was possible that she was projecting. Possible that her past was tarnishing it more than the ramblings of a wizard high. Yet Holly couldn't ignore that gut wrenching pull that said not to ignore.

To stand and listen and see.

Was this what Third Eye was supposed to do? To pull back the veil completely, whether or not they had magic. And if they had magic, then it was far more potent than if they didn't?

Too many questions and no answers.

Slowly, Holly stretched her hand out, keeping her movement steady and as non-threatening as she could. The last thing she wanted to do was spook the guy into action.

"Why don't you take my hand and tell me all about them?" She gave a fake smile.

He looked down at her offered hand, before glancing back up towards the night sky. Head tilted and a small smile creeping across his lips, before his attention snapped back down to her. Smile widening, showing all teeth, and magic seemed to burn ablaze in his eyes.

"I see you. I see your truth."

Holly held her ground. Gazes locked, refusing to give an inch.

"And what exactly do you see?" she asked, her voice void of emotion.

Her pulse was steady as she slipped into the void and emptied herself of her swirling emotions. Ensuring nothing leaked through the bonds. Mask firmly in place, Holly eased her body, readying to spring into action. Mentally she ignored the closed box deep inside the void. The tingle of magic and purring darkness as it lay there tempting her to open it and let it all out. She refused, no matter how much the darkness mocked her. Claws scraped across her mind in warning, and her magic stirred. Cold and deadly. Hot and devouring. A contrast that threatened to eat her alive and everything else if she dared to let it.

Jaw clenched tightly, she waited. Waited for an answer. Waited for the wizard to do something.

The wizard smiled.

"What they seek. What you seek. What he seeks. The end to it all."

Holly resisted asking what he meant by that. Tilted her head to the side as she weighed up her options. He would not come easily. It was possible she could get him without him firing a single spell at them. Then again, it was possible she wouldn't reach him in time. Holly couldn't allow him to hurt anyone. Wouldn't allow that.

"He who courts death is coming. And death shall not turn from him." He chuckled. A shiver ran down her spine. "You won't be able to stop him. You will need them. Need them all. And the sky will rain fire and blood, and the earth shall shatter and break. And on a pale horse, death shall ride."

Her blood ran cold. The Hallows vibrated through her, pulsing with every beat of her heart. There was a dry heat in the air that hit the back of her throat and made her cough. She could feel the build-up of magic. Growing, stretching. Rising.

Light flared brightly. Instinctively, she shielded her eyes from the flash. The wizard's robe flared, fire sparking to life. Hotter and faster than normal.

"What the fuck?" Tank hissed.

The wizard screamed.

Holly could taste the magic on her tongue, wild and free. Without thinking, she lunged forward, tackling the wizard to the ground. To dampen out the flames before they could engulf the wizard any further.

"Potter!"

"Holly!"

Blood roared in her ears.

Heart pounded loudly. The icy mask of indifference she wore shattered as she tried to smother the flames. Allowing her magic to swirl around her and swallow the magic fuelling the fire.

Pain seared through her, hands blistered and cracked.

The cool feel of metal fingers wrapped around her shoulder and pulled her back hard until her body slammed into his. Bucky's arm wrapped around her waist protectively as he led her away. His metal arm shielding her from the flames. Holly let him lead her away from the burning inferno that was the wizard. Away from the licking flames of magic fire that Holly knew would burn for hours and eat everything in sight.

Fiendfyre.

Cursed fire.

Some believed it was the essence of hellfire. Holly didn't believe it, but she had seen first-hand the destructive, all-consuming nature of the fire that few could control. And yet, as the wizard screamed, the fires never grew, never so much as rose to life to devour them all. They focused solely on the wizard. Something Holly hadn't thought possible before. The smell of burning flesh filled her nose and bile crawled up her throat.

"Don't look, and don't breathe through your nose."

Bucky's voice pushed through the noise. Pushed through the whirling emotions and soothed her core. His hand still wrapped around her, holding her to him.

Firefighters rushed down the alley, extinguishers in hands, to douse the flames.

Despite Bucky's instructions not to look, Holly couldn't look away. Her gaze assessing everything, looking for an answer to explain how the wizard's magic had essentially self-combust. There was no other way to describe it. Was that the risk with Third Eye? It gave you the push to see things that shouldn't be seen. Gave you a boost of power, but the price, the price was you would be consumed by your own magic?

Had she not seen it with her own eyes, Holly wouldn't have thought it possible, but she couldn't think of another explanation. Thoughts turned, but nothing new appeared.

"You okay?" Bucky asked.

"I think so," she said, her voice shaking a little.

"Come on, let's get your hands checked out." His voice was firm but laced with concern.

His gaze hardened as he glanced at her before he looked away. Refusing to meet her eyes.

"What possessed you to tackle a burning man?"

"Stop. Drop. Roll," Holly lied. Really, she had hoped her magic would have been able to smother the magic of the fire out, but that hadn't happened.

He snorted as he led her back to the van that had brought them to the scene. Bucky grabbed the first aid kit that they kept there. It was more advanced than what most standard kits would have. One of her first jobs ensured every vehicle had a sufficient first-aid kit on board. Everything they would need in the field.

"I can do it," she muttered. "They need you to sort this mess out."

"You're' lucky you aren't screaming from the pain. I'm no expert, but your hands look like they have third-degree burns. Besides, Steve and Natasha have it handled, and Sam is with the others."

"Katie will help," she answered.

Bucky didn't respond. A muscle in his jaw twitched as his lips pressed tightly together. He busied himself with the kit, pulling out a specially designed injection that looked a little like an EpiPen but far slimmer.

"I'm going to have to undo your suit, so I can give you the shot in your arm," he drawled, a hitch in his breath.

Holly looked at him. Blue eyes were watching her closely, concern clear as day, and his gaze softened.

"Okay."

Carefully, he unzipped the top of her tactical gear and eased it past her shoulders. Fingers brushing against her skin.

Holly locked gazes with him.

"This might hurt." He murmured.

Holly nodded, focused on her breathing, and waited as Bucky gave her the shot. He was quick about it, and she barely felt more than a scratch as the needle pierced her skin.

"It will work quickly," he said softly, "So you might feel lightheaded and dizzy."

He pulled out the clear film bags they had to transport anyone with burns. The trick to keep it as clean and risk free from infection, while putting nothing on the burns directly. Holly hummed in agreement as she leaned back against the frame of the van.

"Let me get you seated properly and belted in. We shouldn't be too long here before we get you back to the tower."

"I'm sorry," Holly whispered, already feeling the pull of the drugs working through her system. It surprised her that the muggle drug would still affect her. "If I scared you."

"I was scared for you, Hols."

"I don't think he meant anyone harm. I think he was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Her eyes were heavy, and it was a struggle to keep them open. She didn't like it. Didn't like how vulnerable it made her with so many strangers around.

"Stop fighting it, Hols."

"Can't. Too many unknowns. Leaves me vulnerable," she slurred. "Can you stay?"

Her eyes closed. She felt the barest of touches as Bucky pushed a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

"I won't go anywhere."


XXX


Edward studied the remains of the wizard. An observing eye would accuse him of being heartless, emotionless even, but Edward had never been one to show such things easily.

Not that there was anyone here to see him.

Hidden behind his spells that kept him hidden from the No-Maj police, he was free to move through the crime scene.

Magic lingered in the air, smelling like scorched earth and burnt toast. A combination that didn't mix well.

That another Unexplained Activity had been recorded only a month apart from the last was a concern. The catches of conversation reassured that while the Avengers, at least some of them, had been on the scene, they had only been here to deal with the alien weapons.

Not to engage with the wizard.

That had been pure chance.

Unfortunate as the outcome was.

Besides the flare up of magic which had resulted in the wizard's death, he could detect no other magic in the immediate area. At least not beyond the softest faint of something he couldn't quite name. It left him with questions, questions he couldn't answer.

Edward didn't like that. Not when clearly there was a threat moving in his city, unseen, and so far, his people were playing catch up.

It was clear, even to him, that the No-Maj superheroes were involved, perhaps even at the heart of it, which begged the question why?

He sighed, flicked his wand to summon the dead wizard so they could identify him. And it ensured the No-Maj police wouldn't find it. Pocketing the wand, he turned away from the scene. Carefully manoeuvring his way through those that remained.

The Avengers had thankfully left, taking with them the alien technology. Leaving only the No-Maj police behind to comb through the crime scene.

He would need to send a team to claim the body before they put him through their system.

Edward hoped that this would be a one-off incident. Tragic as it was, he couldn't see any reason for it being anything more than bad timing and a tragic event. Despite that clearly being the case, Edward couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more going on.

And it was only just getting started.

Edward suppressed the shudder as dread twisted inside him. Merlin, he hoped his gut feeling was wrong. That there wouldn't be more of this.

Casting one last look behind him, doing a last sweep in case he missed anything, before Edward focused his attention on his destination. Needing to get back to headquarters in order to track down the identity of the deceased and notify the family.


XXX


Bucky dreamed.

Fragmented memories. His mother and father. His sisters. Steve. Sitting around the dining room table, smiles on their faces and laughter shining in their eyes. His chest swelled with happiness and there was cake and candles and his parents beaming at him. A box lay in front of him, which he opened almost hesitantly. Inside was a wristwatch, black leather strapped with a rectangular face. A rite of passage now that he was twenty-one. His father's voice was clear as day, pride clear in his tone. Bucky stared at the watch. Its hands stuck at 3 pm. He frowned. That wasn't right. It had been ticking a moment before. He glanced up from the watch to find empty chairs and the strange feeling that he was alone. Except he wasn't. There were cries and shouts, and guns firing, and something pulled him back off his chair and he was falling, arms reaching out, a cry escaping his lips… and Steve's face looking down at him…

His eyes snapped open, sweat clinging to his skin as his heart raced. His legs tangled in sheets. The hard surface of the floor was the only comfort that reminded him of where he was. Grounding him when thoughts threatened to overwhelm him.

They were returning to him. The longer he was awake, the longer between being frozen and the mind wipes. They trickled in when his subconscious least expected it. The happy memories. Before the serum, before the war where everything changed and his world shattered into a thousand different pieces, they came in dribs and drabs. Quickly swallowed whole by the twisting images of war, of being held prisoner, of his fall, of Hydra, and of the faces he killed.

Every time he fell asleep, a new face became crystal clear, joining the others he remembered. Haunting him. It's why he slept little, why he pushed himself until he was ready to drop. Bucky feared sleep and what awaited him every time he closed his eyes.

Slowly he rose to his feet, throwing his bed covers back onto the bed. He had yet to sleep on the thing since his arrival. It was too soft, too normal. The last time he had slept in a bed had been before he had shipped off to the frontlines so long ago.

Bucky stepped out of his bedroom and into the private sitting area and kitchenette that was attached to his bedroom. The living room was too spacious for him.

He walked across the open space to the kitchenette and grabbed a glass from the sink and turned to the fridge to fill it with cold water. Stark had designed the place to be big enough that they each had their own space. Their own haven that they could carve out for themselves and escape from each other and do their own things. He shared a floor with Steve, but there was plenty of space between them and a third apartment lay empty on their floor. Steve had offered it to Sam, but the man had declined, preferring to take a room on the same floor as Barton and Natasha.

Bucky had spent the first few months after his arrival at the Tower in his quarters. Refusing to interact with anyone until eventually something inside of him had sought contact, and he had broken his self-imposed isolation. There were still days now, where he preferred his own space, preferred his own company away from the others, when the quiet was what he looked for above all else. It was why his small fridge was always fully stocked.

Bucky sipped his drink, frowning as his thoughts whirled. He hadn't dreamed of his family before. Hadn't pictured their faces so clearly before tonight. Which led him to the question, what exactly had brought those memories out of the dark and into the light? Why his twenty-first birthday?

Letting out a frustrated huff, Bucky put the glass on the counter and left his apartment. The walls bared down on him made him feel trapped in the oddest of ways. He couldn't stomach spending another minute longer inside. He wasn't sure why he made his way down towards the communal area other than he enjoyed looking over the city at night.

The place was quiet, cast in shadows. Jarvis knew his routine enough by now that he didn't bother turning on the lights of the communal floor. There was a dim warm light that ran along the length of the kitchen cupboards, but mostly the city lights below gave him all the light he needed.

Bucky paused in his step, the softest sound of breathing catching his attention. Had he been anyone else bar Steve, he doubted he would have noticed them. His enhanced senses and years of training though ensured he picked up on the smallest of sounds. He scanned the communal area, his gaze finally resting on Holly's sleeping form on the sofa.

Discarded files surrounded her. Bucky knew she had most likely tried to squeeze some extra reading through the files before unexpectedly falling asleep.

He let his gaze roam over her. Noting her dishevelled clothes, an open file lying across her. A mess of dark waves spread out around her head, making it look as though she was wearing a dark crown. Bucky couldn't say she looked peaceful. She looked uncomfortable with one bandaged hand raised above her head and a leg half on, half off the sofa. She was lying at an odd angle, as though sleep had caught up with her when she least expected it to.

They had spent the last six weeks going over the files together in those spare moments they had between one emergency and the next. He snorted softly. Emergencies that had been happening with an alarming frequency over the last ten days. As though those first few weeks after Hydra they had been waiting for the other shoe to drop and now that it had, they had been caught by surprise at the sheer magnitude of how much turmoil was spreading through the city.

Hydra had sold the weapons to anyone that could buy. And they were playing catch up. Jumping from one fire to the next. All of the team were run ragged to gather the Chitauri weapons off the streets and deal with the odd flux of Enhanced popping up all over the city, causing a level of destruction that had everyone on edge waiting for the next call to action. The man who had exploded into a ball of fire had only been the start of that oddity that was quickly spreading.

At the reminder of the night of the bank robbery, Bucky's gaze fell to Holly's hands. Wrapped in a special type of bandage from what the Doc had said, that would help speed up the healing. Holly had come dangerously close to catching fire herself. Of burning alive. And watching that had been a knife twisting in his gut.

Not that the injury had slowed her down. Holly kept up with them all. Split her time between helping the Doc and helping with the fights that were breaking out all over the city with Chitauri weapons. Not to mention the Enhanced. And when she wasn't helping with damage control, she was going over the files.

It amused him that Holly preferred to read the hard copies as she discussed with Jarvis about any patterns she had missed. He had helped her when he could, as did the others. Even though she had returned to her apartment rather than staying at the Tower, there had been more than a few mornings he had found her asleep on the sofa, before she woke and started work all over again. Keeping spare clothes in her locker and using the showers in the gym.

Bucky couldn't throw stones at her lack of sleeping. He was hardly getting any himself, but as the weeks had passed on, he was becoming concerned at how hard she was pushing herself.

He walked around the sofa, picking up a throw off the back of the chair. As quietly and as carefully as he could, he picked up the file lying across her to put it on the table.

Her eyes snapped open, and she moved before his mind caught up to the action.

He winced as she tackled him to the ground. Instincts took over, the Asset ever present and never resting pushed to the surface quicker than he could stop it. He used her momentum to turn them as they fell back, putting her underneath him. Bucky pinned one of her legs between his, and his metal hand wrapped around both of her arms, holding them above her head. Careful not to touch the bandaged hands. Green eyes widened. Bucky could see the exact moment her consciousness caught up to her ingrained instincts at the realisation of who he was.

That he wasn't someone attacking her.

Bucky locked gazes with hers, painfully aware of how her body fitted underneath him. How pressed together they were. Of exactly where his knee was between her legs. Not quite high enough to be invasive, without her consent, but close enough that he could feel the heat from her thighs on his legs. There was a slight flush in her skin and her heart thudded loudly. She swallowed slowly, and he couldn't help but track the movement before meeting her gaze once again. There was an intense spark glistening in her gaze. Her scent filled his nose, and in that moment, Bucky was cursing his enhanced senses because she smelled fucking divine. He stifled a groan that wanted to escape his throat. Bit back the unexpected desire to lean closer and press his nose to the side of her neck. He pushed the thoughts aside, thoughts he hadn't thought himself possible of thinking. Thoughts he hadn't thought about since he had fallen from the train so long ago. And even then, it had been a few years since he had been with a woman. The sneaked moments he had with Steve as they fought side by side had been rare in the middle of the War. Except he wasn't blind. He could see how attractive Holly was. Hell, he was attracted to her.

"I…I am sorry, Bucky. Didn't realise it was you. I just…" she trailed off.

"It's okay," he said, softly. Easing his grip on her hands before pushing himself off her. He held out his hand, which she took, and he helped her to her feet. Carefully ensuring he didn't pull too hard.

"You don't have to apologise. I would rather get knocked to my feet than think you hesitated because you were uncertain whether or not the person was friendly."

The bonds between them churned like a whirlpool, a mix of things trickling through too quickly to distinguish before something new replaced it. A clear sign he had disturbed her sleep, as she was usually better at shielding herself from them.

"Yeah." she said sheepishly. "I was kept on my toes a lot growing up. Never knew when my cousin and his gang would jump out at me, or…" she trailed off. Her mouth snapping shut as though she realised, she was talking about things she would rather not talk about.

The casual way she said it tugged at him. As though she had accepted long ago that other people would always try to hurt her. As if pain was something she should become accustomed to and had. She reminded him of Steve in that way. Steve, who had been beaten up more times than he cared to count. Steve, who had been at death's door each winter and laughed it off, while trying to breathe at the same time. He hated it. Hated that he hadn't been able to protect Steve as much as he could and hated that he hadn't been able to protect Holly. That she had to grow up alone.

"Couldn't sleep?" she asked softly, picking up the files that had fallen to the floor.

"Something like that." He knelt next to her, helping scoop up the files and put them on the table. "Are you still going over the files?"

"I was." She shrugged. "But then I fell asleep, which I am guessing it's later than I think it is."

"About 3.30."

She sighed.

"I guess I am staying the night again. Though I don't think I will get much more sleep than I have already."

"Why don't I make us a hot drink? We can go through them if you like?"

Holly tilted her head to the side as she looked at him. Her gaze was curious. She said nothing other than muttering thanks.

Bucky stood, moving to the kitchen as Holly rose and sat back down on the sofa. Files in her hands.

"You know, it doesn't matter how many times I have looked at them. Reading them line by line, I still expect to find something new. To see something, I have missed."

"I can understand that." Bucky pulled two mugs out of the cupboard before searching for the hot chocolate to put in the machine, while the coffee in the pot boiled.

"A fresh set of eyes never hurts, but then neither does taking a break. And with the files in the system, Jarvis is running his own diagnostics. Looking for patterns we might have missed. Not to mention looking for further information that could help."

The machine beeped at him. He placed Holly's mug underneath and pressed the button, allowing the hot chocolate to fill the mug while he poured the coffee into his own.

Holly gave a small smile. "I know. And I appreciate that a lot, but I guess I am just old school. I like to have the files in my hands."

Bucky flashed her a grin. "You don't have to tell me that. As much as the modern world has its wonders, which are great and all. Sometimes you just can't beat doing it the old way. Though I am pretty sure Stark would call me old-fashioned."

"You can't hack paper."

"No, but you can lose it."

Holly chuckled.

Bucky walked back towards the sofa, passing her drink to her, before sitting down and picking up a file.

"Thank you." She took a sip of her drink before turning her attention back to him. Green eyes narrowed as she searched his face. "Do you want to talk about you not sleeping?"

"I will if you will," he said. Giving her a pointed look.

Her lip twitched.

"Well played, sir."

They both fell silent. Bucky took a slow sip of his drink. Breathing deeply. He found it comforting, not being awake alone in the early hours of the morning.

"I don't think I have had a decent night's sleep in years." She admitted, breaking the silence between them.

Bucky's gaze flickered towards her, but Holly wasn't looking at him. She was staring dead ahead, across the Communal area. She hugged her drink close to her chest in both hands and had tucked one foot underneath her.

"One of the curses, right? With everything that's happened. We may have escaped, but our minds still need to be convinced that's true. That this is real."

"That we really are free." He said. His mouth hardened as thoughts swirled together.

"Yeah." She hummed in agreement.

Bucky took a sip of his coffee.

"Everything blurs together. The longer it's getting between being frozen and mind wipes, the more that is resurfacing. I can remember my family. I can see their faces, and they're' smiling at me. But I can't remember their names," he whispered. Surprised that the words had come out at all. He felt comfortable with Holly, relaxed. She didn't judge him. She didn't look at him like he was a monster, or like he was the love of her life, but broken. Bucky wasn't sure he would ever be the man he once had been, didn't know if he could be, or even if he wanted to be. Too much had happened between then and now, and he couldn't remember all of it, but what he could remember was fucking awful. He knew Steve didn't mean to give him the looks. Wasn't trying to push too much, but there were days where he wasn't ready to face anything of his past. Wasn't ready to face the fact he wasn't the same and at how much he had lost.

Holly was different. She was new, and when she looked at him, he almost felt normal. Human even. Seen as he was now. He wasn't sure if either option was a good option, but it was something he liked. It was nice not to be seen as the Winter Soldier, to not to be seen as the childhood friend, and love. But as Bucky.

Just Bucky.

"You have a lot of thoughts going on in there, don't you?"

"I guess I do."

"It takes time, Bucky. The mind is both a wonderful and scary thing. It does what it needs to do to protect us. So, it makes us forget things, forget until we are ready to face everything."

"Can you remember everything that Hydra did to you?"

Her gaze snapped to him. Her body had stilled, and she gripped her mug tightly. He shouldn't have asked, but they hadn't had the chance to talk about the fact that Hydra had held them both captive.

"No," she said firmly.

He watched her tongue dart out nervously, wetting her bottom lip.

"There are gaps." She continued, "Dark patches where everything is fuzzy. I remember little of those last few days at all. I don't even remember destroying the base, only that I did."

"I'm sorry. Sorry you had to go through that."

She grimaced.

"Bucky, you are the last person who needs to apologise for what happened to me. You had nothing to do with my capture, or my team dying. You were being held prisoner yourself."

"I know. But it still shouldn't have happened."

"A lot of things happen in this world that shouldn't have. But some things are completely out of our control. Some would argue that there are some things even fated to happen."

"Do you believe that?"

"In fate?" she asked in surprise.

"Yeah."

"I think Fate believes in me, and she is a fickle bitch when she wants to be. But all things considered, we have names engraved onto our skin. Our soulmates, our fated bonds. I would say we would have no choice but to believe to a degree."

Bucky wasn't sure how to respond. She was right. In a twisted way, something had determined to bind him with Steve and Holly together. Tying them up in a way that they would always have a connection, even if nothing ever came from it. He couldn't say how he would have treated her had she come to work in the Tower and her name had not encircled his heart. He would have seen her as any other recruit, someone who worked alongside him. Easy to talk to certainly, she had a way to her that made people want to trust her, to just open up and talk but he wasn't sure whether he would have tried to do so.

That's not true. She treats you like a person. She sees you and not what Hydra made you. You would have seen her more than just someone you worked with. It just might have taken you longer to take the chance.

He drank his coffee, letting the silence fall between the two of them, as they each held a file in their hands. The silences were never awkward with her; they were comfortable enough that they could just sit and be. He never felt he had to talk unless he wanted to, and Holly never put pressure on him to do so.

Tonight, though, he talked about inconsequential things. Films they had recommended him to watch. Books he needed to read, new plays on Broadway amongst other things he needed in this new age he found himself in. They talked and talked; the hours passing them by.

"I can't say I've seen them."

He blinked in surprise.

"But it's a series of movies about a British spy. Surely you must have seen some of them?"

Holly shook her head.

"Nope." She emphasised the word with a pop. "I mean I know about 'Bond. James Bond' and 'Shaken not stirred'. The quotes get used often enough, and I know icon actors have played him over the years, but I haven't watched the films, or read any of the books. My aunt and uncle didn't allow me to watch TV growing up, and then by the time I was living on my own, I just didn't bother with one."

"Okay. But what about Star Wars? Or the Indiana Jones films, or even the classic horrors?"

"No, none of them."

"Okay, we rectify that. We're having a movie marathon of all the films you haven't seen."

She smiled at him, eyes lit up with amusement.

"That will be a lot of films, Bucky."

He smiled. "We will start with Star Wars first."

"How many films are there?"

"Well, there are three original Star Wars films, and then 3 newer ones. But we will start with the originals. And then we will go from there."

"It is going to take more than a night."

"It most likely will. Especially with how hectic everything is getting at the moment."

The mood became sombre. Mentally, Bucky cursed himself for his words. As if they needed the reminder.

"We will catch a break soon," Holly said, weakly. Though Bucky could hear the hesitation in her voice. She didn't quite believe her own statement.

The uneasy peace that was always threatening to explode between the big players in the criminal underworld was boiling over as they scrambled to keep up with the sudden fluctuation of new weapons that their rivals had.

Everyone was worried that this was just the start and that soon it would erupt into an all-out street war that would drown the city in blood.

Blood and destruction, spreading across the city as chaos gripped it tightly. It gave Hydra the perfect escape plan, as they could not spend the time, they otherwise would have to track them down. It wouldn't surprise Bucky if that had been Hydra's plan all along.

Footsteps on the stairs that led from the private apartments drew his eye. Steve was making his way down, though Bucky noticed that he wasn't wearing his usual running gear. Instead, he was dressed in a shirt and tie.

Right, the Mayor's meeting was this morning.

"Happy Birthday Buck."

His breath caught in his chest sharply at Steve's greeting. The memories that had surfaced, razor sharp and cutting, making all the more sense.

March 10th. Today's date. His birthday.

He had forgotten his own birthday.

"It's your birthday today?" Holly queried lightly, the bonds between them trickling with warmth as though she had registered his sharp surprise and offering what comfort she could.

"I didn't remember." He said weakly.

Bucky pushed himself to his feet, his gaze darting between Steve and Holly, and back again. He hadn't remembered.

"I…"

His heart thudded loudly against his chest, and his pulse quickened beneath his skin.

Did he deserve to celebrate his birthday? When he had taken so many lives, that would never get a chance of another birthday. Did he deserve to even have one?

"Stark's team will expect me. I need to get ready."

It was a weak excuse. He knew that, but he couldn't think of what else to say that would allow him to make a hasty retreat.

He caught the widening of Steve's gaze, and the concern in Holly's, before he darted past them both. Fleeing as quickly as he could without breaking out into a run.


XXX


Holly watched Bucky retreating from the communal floor. She didn't need to look at Steve to see the guilt. She could feel it through the bonds, thick and slimy, crawling its way across. Holly glanced towards the man in question. Pain and regret filled his eyes.

Holly opened the door to their bond slightly, sending a soothing wave of her magic through to him. Steve didn't need to bear the guilt of Bucky not remembering his birthday. Neither did Bucky.

"It's Bucky's birthday today." She breathed. It was a statement rather than a question.

Steve glanced down at her. His blue eyes sad.

"Yeah." He replied, his gaze quickly darting back in the direction Bucky had retreated in. "Maybe wishing him a happy birthday wasn't the right thing to do."

Holly could hear the defeat in his voice, the regret that he had even opened his mouth.

"It's not either of your faults that he hasn't remembered his own birthday, Steve. It's been a long time since he's had the chance to even think about celebrating important dates or having them mentioned around him."

"I don't want to leave him. Not today, but I can't get out of this meeting. With everything going down in the city at the moment, all the higher-ups want regular status reports."

"I will stay with him."

Steve looked at her in surprise. He wasn't the only one surprised. Her words had caught even her off guard, and yet Holly couldn't let Bucky spend the day on his own.

"I will let Hill know you will be busy for the day," Steve said. "Thank you." A thin smile edged his lips.

Holly nodded, meeting his gaze with her own. Things had been different between the two of them since their lunch in Central Park. They didn't fall into awkward silences with each other anymore.

"Are you okay?"

She could see that he wasn't, but Steve was like her in that aspect. Would only admit something if he had to, and even then, it wasn't the first answer.

Steve gave her a small smile. It didn't reach his eyes, didn't take away the tiredness on his face or the crease in his brow.

"I'm fine."

She snorted. "I think we both know that's a lie."

He opened his mouth before snapping it shut.

"It's been a rough couple of weeks." He sighed.

"And you aren't sleeping?"

He looked at her in surprise, a sheepish glint crossing his face as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"How did you know?"

"I know Bucky's not the only one to catch me sleeping here in the early hours. And I know you are spending quite a few mornings in the gym by yourself. Not to mention, Steve, you look like you're going to drop any second."

He gave a soft chuckle.

"Must be bad if I look it."

"The serum allows you to hide it for longer, but eventually, it will catch up."

Steve shook his head and breathed a tired sigh.

"I will get some rest when I can. I should go. Nat and Hill will be waiting for me."

He turned on his heel to make a move towards the lift.

"Steve," Holly called. Steve stopped and looked over his shoulder at her.

"My complete lack of movie knowledge appalled Bucky. Even to him who is playing catch up. He's decided that we are having movie marathons to make up for it. Why don't I get some cake, and we can watch a film tonight for Bucky's birthday? Maybe it will do the both of you good to switch off from everything else." Holly licked her lips nervously. Waiting for Steve's answer. She thought it would do them both good to switch off from everything and hell, even sit down together and not stress about anything other than eating cake and watching a film. With Jarvis' help, she was sure she could make it so that no one would disturb them unless the world was ending. And it was possible that even the film would do her good to switch off to everything as well.

She waited breathlessly for his reply. He held her gaze, neither of them saying anything. Her chest tightened, and she was aware of the swirl of emotions in his eye, aware of the vibrating energy through the bonds they shared, the softest of brushes, the warm engulfing feel of gratitude seeping through. There was a prickle of heat, and the sharpness of the unquestionable love that he had for Bucky that blazed. Holly wasn't sure he had meant to share that with her, to open himself that much and give her glimpses of everything going on inside. Nor did she think he meant to share that other burst of emotion that was all for her.

Holly swallowed slowly, her mouth dry, and she could feel the beat of her heart stuck in her throat.

Steve gave a small smile.

"That would be nice. I will make sure I'm back in time."

Holly smiled. "Great. See you later."

He muttered goodbye softly before taking his leave and heading to the lift. Holly watched him. She could see the tension between Steve and Bucky, the uncertainty of how they should act around each other. They were out of sync, out of practice, just being around each other. Of doing normal things and not focusing on everything in between.

It was a mess. A huge, knotted mess. And that was before she even added herself to the equation. Holly sighed. The bonds between them were strengthening. She could feel it. With both Bucky and Steve. Holly wasn't sure what to do about it, either. In that aspect, she was a self-admitted coward. If she had her way, she would ignore it, not wanting to take the chance or risk that she was going to get hurt if she started opening up more with them.

Holly shook her head, nibbled on her bottom lip, and turned her attention inward to the bond she shared with Bucky. She could feel his pain, his guilt, anger, and fear. Calling on what strength she had, she sent a gentle nudge through the bonds, an offer, a reminder that he wasn't on his own. That he didn't have to suffer alone in his own thoughts.

It tugged at her heartstrings seeing the genuine surprise on Bucky's face when Steve had wished him a happy birthday. A surprise which had quickly turned to darkened eyes and guilt twisting across his face, before he excused himself. Leaving the two of them to stare after him.

Bucky hadn't remembered that today was his birthday, he had no recollection of the significance of the date, and the brush of confusion with heavy guilt and something else through the bonds left her with a distasteful feeling in her chest.

How many birthdays had she spent on her own? How many had been ignored? Holly had at least remembered them, even if she had never celebrated them until Hogwarts.

She couldn't, in good conscience, let Bucky spend the day alone, trapped in his thoughts and guilt.

But what to do?

She tapped a finger on her leg, her mind racing, before grabbing her Stark Pad and searching the Internet, an idea slowly forming. Nothing too extravagant, a nice relaxing day, but outside the walls of the Tower.

Carving out a moment of normality for someone who hadn't had a chance of anything normal in more decades than she had been alive. A man who may have gained his freedom from Hydra, but still needed to learn what that meant for him.

Something that didn't involve fights, or Hydra, or anything that would involve a battle.

Just a normal day.

Come to think about it, when was the last time she'd had a normal day? When she hadn't been on tender hooks waiting for the next thing to happen and needed her attention, or when she wasn't searching tirelessly for signs of Hydra's next move.

Holly smiled as she booked her chosen activity and made the payment in advance. She just hoped that it wouldn't all go drastically wrong.

Satisfied she had booked everything she needed to. Holly stood and stretched. She desperately wanted a shower and a fresh set of clothes, but knowing she was due in the gym for her training session, she tidied up the files and placed them back into their boxes before leaving the communal floor. Holly knew that out of all the people working here outside the Avengers themselves she spent the most time on the floor with them, and she was more than aware of the questions in the gazes from the other employees that followed her as she made her way to the locker room. She couldn't stop them speculating, couldn't stop the whispers that followed her, but she was more than used to having people whisper about her. People had their opinions, but it didn't mean she was going to play ball and meet them or meet their expectations.

"Have you slept here again?" Phillips asked, as she stepped into the locker room.

"If you count falling asleep while reading files as sleeping here." She shrugged, though a brief glimpse into her locker she couldn't help but notice it was becoming full of clothes, like a mini wardrobe. Maybe she really was spending more time here than she was back at her apartment.

Okay, so maybe it was getting ridiculous by this point, though Holly couldn't say she was really sleeping. Catching a few hours here and there, before sneaking more Pepper-Up Potions and carrying on. Both the potions and her magic help sustain her with as little sleep as possible. Or at least they would for a little longer, before eventually she would have to crash. But the last few weeks had been hard going for all of them.

"If you keep this up for much longer, you're going to crash big time," Phillips tutted. Disapproval twisting her face. Holly liked the woman. Recognised a kindred spirit to a small degree, though Phillips had far more Hermione in her than she did Holly. The woman was a genius in her field of speciality.

"I will sleep. This weekend. Promise."

Phillips cocked an eyebrow at her as though she didn't believe her for a second but didn't respond. Instead, she closed her locker and moved towards the gym entrance.

"Best shake your ass into gear and get changed. Tank is helping with the training today and he won't go easy on us if we're late."

"Anybody would think he doesn't like us."

"I think it's Tank's way of saying he loves us. He's a hardass."

Holly shook her head but changed quickly into her workout gear before heading straight into the gym for training.


XXX


Holly grabbed a fresh set of clothes, underwear and her toiletry bag as soon as she was free from the training session and headed to the shower. Letting the hot water burn away the weariness in her body. Her hands had healed leaving behind a new scar across one of her palms and wrist. She still needed to wear the bandages to hide that fact. She didn't take as long as she usually liked, just long enough to scrub herself clean and wash her hair before jumping out. Holly cleaned her teeth, braided her wet hair before pinning it into a bun. Keeping it off the back of her neck and out of her way before slipping on a pair of black jeans, white top and grabbed her red dragon hide jacket. Casual and comfortable.

Holly sent a quick message to Bucky on her phone, before pocketing it in her jacket pocket.

"I will be out for most of the day, but reachable by phone. Have a couple of things that need to be checked out," she said, turning to Phillips. "So, I won't be here for lunch."

"Sure. I will let Tank and Jax know."

Since they had released Jax from the medical wing, he had been on light duties, helping in the command room. Not something he appreciated all that much, considering he was a soldier at heart. He hated watching others walk into the line of fire while they left him behind. To cheer him up, the four of them had been having lunch together whenever they weren't neck deep in a project or an emergency.

Holly nodded, snapped her locker door shut behind her, before exiting the locker room and making her way towards the observing gallery to wait for Bucky, out of the way of everyone else. Bucky had replied, saying he would be twenty minutes.

She busied herself with her phone while she waited, though Bucky ended up being quicker than he had initially said.

"Holly?" His tone was questioning.

Holly gave a reassuring smile, or at least she hoped it was reassuring.

"Do you fancy getting out of the Tower for a bit? I've already cleared it, but if you don't, then it's fine."

He cocked an eyebrow at her, giving her a puzzled look.

"I could do with some air. Stretch my legs a bit."

"You've just spent the last hour kicking our asses across the training room."

He flashed her a smile.

"Not the same. And your message makes sense now, regarding my clothes."

Holly shrugged. "Something that helps us blend into the crowds. I don't plan on drawing any unnecessary attention our way, but it never hurts to be careful."

"No, it doesn't," he muttered.

Holly, fully intended on casting a charm on them as soon as they left the Tower, making sure that they slipped by as unnoticed as possible. The last thing she wanted was other people making Bucky uncomfortable, down to the fact that they only knew what they reported on the news and not the full story. Not to mention ensuring that any eyes that Hydra may have on the Tower wouldn't be able to follow them.

Bucky slipped on a baseball cap and zipped up his black leather jacket and made sure he wore a glove covering his metal hand. He turned towards the vehicle they used regularly, but she merely shook her head.

"I figured we could walk and use the subway."

"Where exactly are we going?" He asked, as they exited out of the underground car lot.

"Honestly, Brooklyn."

Holly watched him closely, saw the surprise cross his face and the slight tensing in his shoulders.

"Why?"

"Surprise."

They walked the short distance to Grand Central to get a sub that would take them to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall. They changed subways there, or at least as far as she could tell they did, walking over to Chambers Street where they would get their second sub that would take them to Marcy Avenue. Holly had little experience with the New York Subway, having avoided using it as much as possible since she had arrived in the city, but together the two of them could manoeuvre their way through the sea of people.

Nobody glanced their way, and the longer they seemed to go unnoticed, the more Bucky relaxed. The coiled tension easing from his shoulders. The bond from Bucky calmed, no longer the churning energy that had pressed against her mental shields.

"So, where are we going?" Bucky asked as they exited the station on Macey Avenue.

Holly smiled.

"I figured I have seen little of the city since I've arrived. Not had a chance to be a tourist, so we are going to play tourist for the day."

"Play tourist?"

Holly nodded.

"You know, where you pretend, you're a tourist and do tourist things, even though you have lived in the city before or something like that. So, I've booked us on a Walking Food Tour. Then we can explore a little on our own, before you take me to see Brooklyn Bridge."

She glanced at him nervously, not sure how he would take her having planned things out. His eyes were alight with surprise. Holly continued in a rush, assuring him he had a choice in the matter, and that she hadn't kidnapped him so they could do whatever she wanted.

"We don't have to, though I mean. If you don't want to."

The silence stretched between them. Holly cursed herself for thinking this was even close to a good idea, before his lips twitched and a small smile crept across his face.

"I would like that. I can't say I will remember much, though."

She shook her head. "It's not about remembering. It's about taking a pause, a moment and enjoying the here and now and not stressing about anything else. Baby steps towards making new memories." She paused, "I mean, I know I've chosen Williamsburg for the tour and it's in Brooklyn, but the reviews said it was great."

Her gaze darted up, locking with his. Blue eyes that held an intensity that made her breath catch in the back of her throat and swallow slowly. It was like at that moment all he could see was her and she was the entire world. Her pulse quickened slightly, and the palms of her hands had gone clammy.

"Breathe, Hols. I like the idea, and like you said. Taking a pause. A moment."

She blinked. "Right, yeah, that. Um, it's not far. The starting point, I mean."

"Okay."

They walked quietly a couple of blocks to the meeting point. Content in their own thoughts. Holly knew Bucky was keenly aware of his surroundings, taking the time to sweep his gaze regularly across the street with a scrutiny that most people wouldn't have. She didn't blame him, not when she herself was doing the same thing, though she was stretching out her magic a little as well, searching and seeking for any sign of something hidden on the streets ahead. Only pulling back when satisfied that there was nothing there and they arrived at the small coffee shop that was the designated meeting point. Her gaze landed on a tall man, wearing a slate grey t-shirt with a clear logo on the sleeves and on the right side of his chest that matched the logo of the tour company. He was older than her, but not by much with dark blond hair and cheeks that were flushed red.

He glanced up at them as they approached, beaming brightly.

"Welcome, welcome. Evans or Roberts?"

Holly nodded, flashing a smile. "Evans. That's us."

"Excellent. My name is Terrance, and I will be your tour guide. We are just waiting for one more couple, so it shouldn't be too long, though we aren't due to set off until 12.30. You are welcome to get a coffee now or wait until our first stop. Which is roughly about ten minutes from here."

Holly glanced towards Bucky. His gaze flickered towards her before giving a slight shake of his head.

"We will wait until the first stop. Don't want to spoil our appetites, after all."

The smile widened a fraction more, and eyes twinkled with excitement.

"That's the spirit." Terrance chuckled before darting off into the coffee shop himself.

"He's…"

"Enthusiastic." Bucky finished with a small smirk.

Holly nodded.

"That was what I was looking for. Though I suppose you have to be the right type of person to enjoy this job and want to do it. Or even volunteer."

Bucky cocked an eyebrow at her as he leaned against the wall. "He thinks we are a couple."

"People see what they want to see," Holly said, before nodding her head in the direction of the door. "And from the looks of things, it would be a safe assumption."

Bucky's gaze followed her direction. One by one, they exited the coffee shop. Coffees in hands, chatting amongst themselves. There was a couple wearing matching t-shirts declaring to the world they were on their honeymoon, though Holly wasn't sure the t-shirt was necessary considering the display of affection they were giving each other. A second couple, two women trying to juggle their coffees and cameras and zip up their backpacks. Followed by two middle-aged men, talking about the latest football, while their wives exited together. If Holly was going to hazard a guess, she would have said the four of them were on holiday together.

Bucky stepped away from the wall, moving to stand next to her. They weren't quite touching, but they were close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from him. He leaned down to her, his breath tickling her neck as he whispered.

"I guess that means we act the part, then."

Holly blinked in surprise, her head swivelling to look at him. Surely, he was just joking with her, just pulling on her leg and not actually teasing. Except he took her hand in hers and he winked at her as a small smirk played across his lips.

"Huh?" she said.

Bucky just smiled, his attention moving to Terrance as he stepped back out of the coffee shop.

"Just a few more minutes and hopefully the Roberts will be - –h, here they are."

Two guys in their early twenties approached the party, nodding with bright grins as they acknowledged they were indeed the Roberts party.

The tallest of the two, with a reddish beard and wearing sunglasses, proudly wore a t-shirt that had the iconic Captain America's shield on it. Holly hadn't realised that the Avengers had their own merchandise, but then a majority of the world considered them heroes, so she supposed she should have expected it.

Bucky tensed next to her.

She squeezed his hand gently and watched him relax before giving a soft snort of amusement.

"Steve would blush bright red if he was here now." He whispered to her.

Holly gave a small smile, before turning her attention to Terrance, who had stepped in the middle of the tour party.

"Great, we can get started," Terrance chirped, before producing a long thin metal stick that had a blue fluffy pompom on the top. He held it up in the air and started explaining what they could expect on the tour and the food they would try along the way. From Holly's understanding, it would be a variety of foods at places that were considered truly special within the neighbourhood. She wasn't sure how they categorised which places would become part of the tour, but it was always interesting to see others' recommendations for food.

Holly didn't have Ron's or her cousin's appetite and could easily forget to eat when she was busy. But she enjoyed exploring the different flavours, the herbs and spices and creating dishes she enjoyed and what worked best together.

She would never be a chef. She hated the thought of cooking for others daily, but for herself, she enjoyed it enough to experiment.

Once Terrance had finished explaining, he led them away from the coffee shop.

Holly and Bucky hung towards the back of the group. Close enough for them to hear Terrance entice them with the history of the streets they were walking and little snippets of information as he pointed to the unique architecture of certain buildings.

Holly found it fascinating. She'd never been on a guided tour. The information Terrance was giving them was both enlightening and interesting.

The first place they came to a stop in order to taste the food was, according to Terrance, considered the oldest sandwich shop in the neighbourhood and had the best homemade bread baked on site that they used for their sandwiches.

For the tour participants, they had a cornered off section for them to sit without having to wait in line.

A server brought several large trays over to them, with a mix of different sandwiches on fresh breads and with different fillings.

Bucky chose two sandwiches, a beef, with red onions, cheese and mustard dressing, along with a pulled pork in a spicy tomato sauce. One was on thick white bread while the other sandwich was on brown seeded bread.

The servings were just the right size for them to sample the different fillings without being too much. Holly had chosen the beef as well and then sampled a curried chicken sandwich.

Flavour exploded in her mouth at the first bite of the curried chicken. It wasn't too spicy for her. While she liked a certain heat with her curries and chillies, she couldn't handle things if they were too hot.

"How's the pork sandwich?" She asked, as she took a sip of her Coca-Cola.

The others in the group were chatting amongst themselves, some even taking photos of their food, while Terrance engaged in conversation with the owner of the Sandwich shop.

"Why don't you have a bite and see for yourself?" Bucky answered as he offered her his sandwich. There was a hint of a challenge lacing his words.

Holly's gaze narrowed as she looked between him and the pork sandwich. Was the spicy tomato sauce just a little too spicy? Amusement glistened in Bucky's eyes. It was the only clue she had that his offer was more. His face was a mask of indifference.

"Okay," she smiled confidently.

He held out the sandwich to her, cupping his gloved hand below so not to spill anything.

Holly leaned forward to take a bite. The heat of spices hit the back of her throat the moment she did. She pushed the urge to cough down and chewed before swallowing slowly. Eyes watering as her mouth burned and her lips tingled.

Son of a bitch.

Holly reached for her drink. Bucky chuckled and winked at her.

"That was cruel," she croaked.

"I will cross off spicy food, not being a favourite of yours."

"I like a medium heat to things," she answered hoarsely. "I'm glad I didn't pick that one. It would have been embarrassing.

"I think I remember my mom used to make me this sandwich when I was a kid. It was a treat now and then. Always with the leftover meat we had from Sunday. She used to add something to it that just made it mouth-watering. I can't remember what it was, though, but it had a kick to it."

"Ron, he was the first friend I made in school. We met on the way, and he offered me one of his corned beef sandwiches his mum had made him. She had got mixed up with his brother Percy, as Ron didn't actually like corned beef. That was the first homemade sandwich I'd had. Mrs Weasley made it her life mission then after to feed me."

Bucky smiled.

"You bonded over a sandwich."

"It was a good sandwich." Holly declared. "Just like these are. The love that goes into making something from scratch makes it that little special. Plus, the bread, the bread is divine."

They finished their sandwiches off, before bidding the owner fair well, and followed Terrance out towards their next destination.

The walk was refreshing and easy going, and every so often Bucky would add his own little snippet of information about certain things that they saw. Holly wasn't sure he realised he was doing it, but it was as though walking through a familiar area and seeing buildings that had been there back in the 40s stirred those memories for him. Holly listened closely, asking questions occasionally but ensuring she didn't pressure him any further to remember more than he was ready to do so on his own.

The tour took them to a pizza place, then a burger joint, an ice-cream parlour. A restaurant that was owned by a famous chef, though Holly had never heard of him before, and they were treated with gourmet bites of various foods that he made. The dishes were full of flavour and mouth-watering.

It surprised Holly at how quickly the hours passed, when Terrance brought them to their final destination and where the tour ended. A cake shop. Greeted with mini size cakes with several flavours for them each to try. Ranging from Victoria sponge, red velvet, chocolate, Italian cream, lemon drizzle, orange cake and coconut lime.

Holly could admit that she had always had a sweet tooth and enjoyed all the cakes, but by far her favourite was the coconut lime.

"Which one do you like the best?" She asked, turning her attention to Bucky.

He was taking a bite out of the chocolate cake.

"All of them." He mumbled.

She laughed.

"If you had to choose?"

"Why choose?"

Holly gave him a playful nudge with her shoulder and shook her head in amusement. She would order a choice of mini cakes and have them sent to the Tower. She had noticed the sign in the window that said they delivered.

"Hey, look at me," he said.

Holly turned to look at him, her gaze meeting his.

He lifted a hand up and gently brushed her lip. Her breath caught in her throat as her pulse quickened. Energy sparked through her, and the bonds between them hummed. There was an intensity in his gaze, a heat that burned along her skin, making everything else slip away. Holly shivered, her body reacting to the barest of touches. Her lip tingled at his touch.

"You got a bit of chocolate there," he said, in a deep voice that seemed to vibrate along her nerves.

For the first time in a long time, Holly craved more. Craved more than the faintest of touches. She shoved the thought aside, and smiled at him, surprised at how steady her voice was, when her insides were a quivering mess as desire surged through her.

"Thank you."

Bucky smiled, pulling back his hand. Holly glanced away first, heat rising through her.

"I think I'm going to go an order some more cake to take away with us," she said in a rush. Stepping towards the counter. Putting a safe distance between them. At least until she got control over her hormones again.

It didn't take her long to order a few boxes of a selection of different cakes, making sure she had a few of everything. It was 3.30 now, and the server promised they would deliver them to the Tower by 5.30.

Holly stepped outside the cake shop, welcoming the cool rush of air. Spring was almost here, but that didn't stop winter from attempting to linger for as long as possible. Bucky was waiting to the side of the shop. Impossibly still as his gaze did a sweep of the area, looking for signs of danger. His eyes lightened when they rested on her as she approached.

"All done?"

She nodded. "They're delivering. I've asked Philips to sign for them and guard them with her life. Until I get back."

Bucky nodded once.

"You said you wanted to see Brooklyn Bridge?"

"If you're okay to show me and don't want to head back yet?"

He shook his head. "No, I don't want to head back yet. This is nice."

Holly smiled, happy to see that Bucky was enjoying himself. "Lead the way."

It took them over an hour to walk to Brooklyn Bridge. They had stopped every so often as certain things caught their eyes and they explored further.

Bucky stopped at one bench on the bridge around the midpoint, leaned against the metal railing that lined the walkway, giving her a chance to admire the city skyline. There was a strong breeze that Holly hadn't noticed walking through the city streets on the tour. But above the water, with no shelter in sight, she could feel it whirl around her. Pulling strands of her hair loose from its plaited bun.

She soaked up the view, a strange calmness settled over her as she just took a pause. It was something so ordinary to do, and yet the view of Manhattan was breath taking.

It was also the reminder she needed. For weeks, she had lost herself in the files. Then dealing with the aftermath of Hydra selling the weapons and witches and wizards exposing their magic with either self-combusting or acts of rage that left destruction in their wake. Here, though, watching the city carry on, life carry, unaware of everything around them that could so easily destroy their existence was grounding.

People. Who had no way of fighting against what was out there? Who couldn't fight for themselves?

It was the reason she had started the Foundation. To give those who didn't have anyone, someone to fight in their corner.

Holly had realised years ago she would never not be a fighter. As the centaurs had told her when she was eleven, she would forever live under the shadow of Mars.

"It's a view that will never get old," Bucky said. He spoke the words in a low, pained voice.

"No, I don't think it's a view that will ever get old. It's a pleasant reminder, though."

He raised an eyebrow questioningly at her.

"We can get so caught up in what is going on, what fight we are trying to stop, what fire needs to be put out next, what bad guy needs to be taken down. But just stopping for a minute, pressing pause. You're reminded of the why."

Bucky glanced up. The bridge wasn't as busy as it would be in the warmer months when tourists flocked to the city in their thousands, but there were still people walking past them. Still that energy, that buzz of life.

"Why we do what we do?" he nodded thoughtfully.

"Yeah. If you look closely enough, listen hard enough. You find the why. You find a reason."

They both fell silent, letting the world pass them by for a moment. Holly heard Bucky take a deep breath. She would almost call it cleansing. She watched his shoulders and torso loosen slightly as the tension ebbed from him. His lips turned upwards into a small smile that slowly grew, and Holly couldn't help but smile when he turned to look at her.

A glimmer of light came into his eyes.

The bonds between them thrummed, vibrated along her spine and to her core. A wave of peace emanated from Bucky.

He gave her a small nod. Neither of them needing to say the words, but both reminded of why they do what they do.

He pushed away from the railing. Holly cast one last look across the water, before turning, continuing their walk across the bridge and back to the Tower.


XXX


The lift took them up to the communal floor. Both stepped off when the doors slid open. Holly clutched the boxes of cakes she had picked up from Philips before they'd made their way up. They'd crossed paths with Steve on the command floor, who had nodded her way, a glance passing between them to say he would join them shortly.

Holly turned towards the communal area where they usually congregated whenever she was up there, but Bucky placed his hand on her elbow and tipped his head to the stairs that led to the private apartments.

"This way."

Holly had never been past the communal floor before, but she followed Bucky's lead as he guided her up the stairs. Turning the corner that was usually hidden out of sight from anyone in the communal area. It surprised Holly to see another set of stairs that led up even further.

"How many floors do you guys have with the private apartments?"

"There are four above here. Steve and I have the third floor," Bucky said.

Her eyes flew open in surprise as she looked at him. "You have the entire third floor?"

Bucky chuckled.

"Well, no. Each floor has three apartments on it. I have one apartment and Steve has the other. The third for the time being, we've sort of converted into rooms we share. Turned one into a small gym as I didn't enjoy going to the main one those first few months."

Holly heard the unspoken words Bucky didn't voice about the gym. She knew he had spent those first few months in his room. Unwilling to venture out further. Unwilling to join the others.

"Let me take them off you," Bucky said, holding his hands out for the boxes of cakes she was carrying.

Holly flashed a smile as she passed them to him.

"You just want first dibs from the cakes."

"Damn, you've sussed out my plan."

She laughed as she followed him up the stairs and to the third floor. Bucky led her to the nearest door once they reached the third floor. Keyed in a code and the door slid open. Holly wasn't sure what she was expecting on the other side, but what she found wasn't it. A spacious open plan living room and kitchenette. Decorated in neutral grey with a touch of white and black. There was a large wide screen TV hinged on the far wall and next to it was a second door that she presumed led to the bedroom.

A large grey corner couch positioned in the centre with a coffee table on the other side. A few books lay scattered on the floor on one side of the couch, but aside from that, the place didn't look lived in. Absent of personal touches.

Not that she could speak. Her apartment was no better.

Despite the lack of personal touches, Holly could feel Bucky's presence in the apartment. An imprint of emotions lingering in the air.

She walked in quietly, uncertain of what to do. Bucky moved to the kitchenette, placing the boxes of cakes on the counter.

"Can I get you a drink?"

"What do you have?"

"Beer. Coffee or water. I can get hot chocolate from the kitchen or tea if you want them instead."

"Beer, please," she answered.

"You can sit down if you want too. Don't have to wait for me." Bucky told her with a soft grin as he opened the fridge door.

Colour stained her cheeks, and she smiled at him, before taking that first step towards the couch. She didn't know why, but nerves fluttered underneath her skin. They had spent most of the day together. But being here, in his personal space, now seemed to heighten everything. Made it more personal. As though they were taking a step further into the unknown.

She breathed a quiet sigh of relief, locked down the thoughts that were stirring, and threw away the key. She glanced up at Bucky as he approached, handing her a bottle of beer.

"Thank you," she said. Taking a sip of the cold drink to distract herself from the flutter of her stomach.

He sat down next to her, taking a sip of his own drink. Holly ran her thumb over the glass bottle, tracing over the condensation.

"The first film we are watching is Star Wars A New Hope. Though from my understanding the original trilogy is set after the new trilogy. I haven't yet watched the new trilogy though, so I'm not sure how that works." Bucky suggested, glancing at her. "Unless there is something you would prefer to start with."

Holly smiled, eyes glistening. "I think Star Wars sounds like an excellent film to start with."

Bucky smiled.

"Great. Why don't you make yourself comfortable while I set it up?"

There was a hint of excitement in his voice. Something she hadn't heard before and reminded her of Hermione whenever she could discuss something she loved or found fascinating.

"Is it a favourite of yours? The films."

Blue eyes twinkled as he looked at her. "I think they are pretty cool, yeah. I enjoyed them enough to watch a few times."

"Well, I look forward to watching them then."

"Do you want a blanket or anything?"

Until Bucky had asked, Holly hadn't noticed the room was a little cold, and that she was feeling the chill.

"Please. If it's no trouble."

"It's no trouble," he said enthusiastically, before disappearing through the door next to the TV.

Holly caught a peek of a bed through the open door, which confirmed her suspicion that it led to the bedroom. Moments later, he came back with a blanket in his hands.

Holly took it off him, before toeing off her boots, and laid the blanket across her, catching the faint scent of Bucky from the blanket. It wrapped around her, and her heart pounded beneath her rib cage.

There was a soft knock on the door before Steve stepped through. Bucky glanced up. His gaze tracking Steve's movement as he got himself a beer from the fridge and grabbed one of the boxes of cakes to bring over to the table. The silence stretched between them, neither of them saying a word.

Holly shuffled in her seat, uncertain whether to break the ice between them. Was it possible she had miscalculated in thinking that this would be a good idea?

"Took your time." Bucky snickered as he sat down next to her.

Steve flashed them a sheepish look and rubbed at the back of his neck.

"Sorry, Hill wanted to discuss something further from the meeting today."

"No shop talk. Not tonight. Tonight, we watch a film or two and eat cake," Holly said, a corner of her mouth quirking with amusement.

Bucky turned to her, darting a look towards Steve over her head. A grin slowly grew across his lips and something wicked glistened in his eyes.

"You heard the lady, no shop talk."

Steve chuckled and sat down on the other side of her. "No shop talk."

Bucky pressed play on the control, and the screen blared to life as the film started. Steve opened the box of cakes and held them out to her. Holly let Bucky pick first, and he chose a chocolate cake, before she chose a coconut lime for herself. Steve opted for the orange cake.

The three of them fell silent as they turned their attention to the TV. The warmth that radiated off both of them settled under her skin and soothed the tension in her body. Holly relaxed, letting everything slip away except for the here and now. The bonds thrummed steadily, falling in sync with each other.

The two men commented every so often during the film. Teasing each other, and her lightly. It surprised Holly at how much she enjoyed the film, and how there was a certain likeness between the Force and magic. During the second film, Holly tucked her feet under her and leaned more against Bucky's shoulder, her eyes growing heavy. The softest sound of Bucky and Steve's snoring pulling her to sleep as contentment seeped through her.


XXX


Hermione watched the clock outside Kingsley's office with bated breath. Absently, she smoothed down her robes again, picking at an invisible loose thread while she mentally rehearsed her speech. Hermione knew it would be Kingsley that would speak in front of the Supreme Mugwump and the small council of witches and wizards, but she wanted to be prepared in case she was called upon.

Ron said she was overthinking it, and Hermione couldn't argue that she wasn't, but she needed to make sure everything went smoothly. Holly was counting on her to bring the ICW up to speed on the events that were, and had been, occurring under their noses for years. As well as ensuring they secured the authorisation that the Avengers could be told about the Wizarding World.

The door to Kingsley's office opened, and Hermione rose to her feet and stepped across the threshold, shutting the door behind her.

"Are you ready?" Kingsley asked, standing behind his desk, dressed in deep purple robes that had the official Minister's symbol embroidered in gold thread.

She offered a nervous smile before inhaling deeply.

"I'm ready." Her voice sounded far firmer than she thought possible as nerves fluttered through her.

Kingsley glanced at his watch before stepping around his desk and moving towards the fireplace in his office. It was the one fireplace in the whole Ministry that could connect to the ICW Headquarters. The ICW had multiple offices dotted around the globe and agents that worked there on their behalf, but they shrouded the main headquarters in secrecy. Kingsley was privy to that information as the Minister of Magic. Hermione presumed that other wizarding leaders were also aware.

"Our window to use the floo has just opened. We have five minutes." Kingsley's voice broke through her thoughts.

Hermione stepped forward, taking the offered pot of floo powder off him before she scooped some up in her hands.

"You want to say clearly, International Confederation of Wizards Headquarters."

She gave a sharp nod before stepping into the flames, throwing the green powder down as she did. As clearly as she could, she said her destination. The familiar sucked down sensation washed over her as the flames engulfed her. She spun far faster than she could keep up and before she knew it; she was stepping out the other side.

Hermione stepped out of the fireplace, moving out of the way to allow Kingsley to follow her through. She smoothed down her robes once again, and wiped the traces of soot from her shoulders, before turning her attention to where she was.

Tall columns rose above her. Pristine white, with gold flaked through that glistened as the sunlight caught them through the windows, creating a beautiful coloured pattern from the stained glass. Banners hung down from every other, white and gold, with the emblem of a tree in the centre.

Rowan Tree. The Tree of Life. Wisdom and protection, Hermione mused. Said to be the symbol of magic, and the symbol of the ICW.

Where the Ministry of Magic was dark colours and black marble, ICW Headquarters was the opposite.

Airy and vast. Witchlights glowed overhead, giving off an ethereal atmosphere.

"Hermione," Kingsley said softly, as he stepped up behind her.

"I wasn't expecting this." She breathed, a note of awe lacing her words. Hermione had thought she had grown used to all the wonders that the Wizarding World offered, but here she was acting like the awestruck eleven-year-old the first time she had seen Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts. Her cheeks flushed.

You're a grown woman. Act like it.

"It catches you by surprise. I remember my first time coming here. It took my breath away."

Hermione smiled, her embarrassment easing a little.

"Ah, our escort has arrived," Kingsley said, his smile dropping slightly as his gaze focused on the approaching party.

Hermione followed his gaze. Her heart gave a twist in her chest and her pulse quickened. It took everything in her to keep her features schooled as the wizard approached her.

Of all the people in the wizarding world, she had not expected him to be here, and yet a faint memory tugged at her.

Malfoy had said they had promoted him.

Blaise stopped in front of him, his expression blank except for anger that flashed in his eyes. Dressed in black robes with a silver trim, he looked every inch the sophisticated Head of House that he was, and not the 'drinking and fucking his way across Europe' that Malfoy had described.

Blaise may have been the representative to the ICW from Britain, but it had never occurred to her that his promotion would mean he would be privy to their meeting.

Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat and straightened her shoulders. Prepared for the outcome that her revelation would bring today. She knew he would have found out, eventually. She had just hoped it would have been later.

"Minister," Blaise greeted. His voice was firm as a rock and anything but warm and friendly. Dark eyes settled directly on hers. Hermione refused to flinch. She had stood toe to toe with Death Eaters and hadn't flinched. The difference here was guilt gnawed at her bones as she did, and her stomach churned. She had seen first-hand just how much pain Blaise had been in over Holly's loss. Hermione knew what this revelation would do to him.

"Weasley."

Formal. Indifferent.

Hermione couldn't lie, it hurt a little. Especially with how much they had been a part of each other's lives for those three years.

"Zabini." She nodded sharply.

"If you would like to follow me."

He turned on his heels without another word. Expecting them to follow. Hermione shared a glance with Kingsley, who nodded, regret shining in his eyes for a moment before vanishing behind the mask he wore as Minister. They fell into step behind Blaise, letting him lead the way. Hermione didn't like to admit that every step felt as though she was being led to her execution.

"Is this going to be a problem?" Kingsley whispered.

She shook her head. "No. He would know soon enough. Better for him to be amongst the first. I will deal with the fallout."

Kingsley nodded once before his attention fixed ahead. They had waited almost six weeks for this meeting, they couldn't afford to turn back now.

Blaise led them to an arched wooden door, which opened as he approached and led them inside to a small chamber. Inside, the light was dimmer compared to the main entrance. She scanned the room, grateful that aside from Kingsley and herself, there were seven others in the room, sitting around an arched table. The Supreme Mugwump and her councillors.

Blaise nodded his head towards the woman sitting dead centre, before taking the empty seat on the right. Three members of the inner council sat on either side of the woman. Hermione glanced towards the Supreme Mugwump. The woman was younger than she expected, but Hermione couldn't determine her age. Dressed in a deep red robe, with a gold lace woven in a beautiful pattern. A red shawl hung from either side of her shoulders and had the emblem of the tree in gold on either side. There was a firmness in her dark brown eyes, and her lips pressed together tightly. She studied them closely.

"Minister Kingsley, you requested this meeting. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Madam Supreme." Kingsley greeted. "Thank you for agreeing to meet. I wish it was under better circumstances, but unfortunately, that is not the case."

"Kingsley, I know you well enough to know that you are stalling. Spit it out. With what is happening in New York right now, I have little patience, or time to waste."

There was an impatient note in her voice, despite the lack of formality in her statement.

"The muggle organisation, Hydra is working with an unknown number of witches and wizards. Together, they have been kidnapping muggleborns and even half-blood children before their eleventh birthday for a number of years," Kingsley said, cutting straight to the point.

Tension filled the chamber, and Hermione was painfully aware of everyone looking at them. Kingsley continued.

"Not only have they been taking the muggleborns, my sources have confirmed that they have been raising them into an army. Witches and wizard alongside Hydra have attacked the Avengers. I can't say what their goals are, but my understanding of Hydra's goal is world domination."

"How certain are you of this?" Madam Supreme asked, her voice cut like a whip through the air and carried with it the faintest taste of magic. Her eyes burned with anger.

"There is no doubt. I have copies of the files of all the children that we are aware of that are missing. I have a detailed report of the attack against the Avengers. There is no question about it. Witches and wizards are working with Hydra. Willingly."

The councillors erupted. The noise was deafening the room as they all tried to talk over the other. Hermione noticed only Blaise and Madam Supreme stayed silent, deep in thought.

"Silence," Madam Supreme ordered, her gaze never leaving Kingsley.

At once, everyone stopped talking.

"How trustworthy is your source?"

"Without question."

Hermione's heart thudded loudly against her chest, waiting for the next question but also dreading the next question.

"And who is your source?"

Hermione swallowed slowly, her nerves twisting and turning. This was it. There was no going back now.

"Holly Potter," Kingsley answered. His voice was calm and unwavering. "Holly Potter is alive."


XXX


It has been a while and moving forward I'm not going to estimate a date for when I next update. A lot is going on. I decided about mid last year that I wanted a completely new career change and allow myself to explore a creative outlet and break away from the corporate world. I'm currently enrolled on a course that will help me move forward with that, as well as still working, because well bills to pay.

I was also referred to yet another specialist as something else has flagged up with my health and have had various of tests and still I'm awaiting to find the root of a problem that has stumped a few Drs.

On top of this new thing, I had my first Consultation with my Drs in relation to my neurological condition since Covid started. It wasn't great news. My condition that while I had bad days/weeks/and months, was mostly stable with the medication I was on. It's now done a complete 180 and I'm back to where I was when I was first diagnosed 4 years ago. It means medication isn't working. Moving forward with this news opens the possibility of regular lumbar punctures before finally brain surgery. So, there is some uncertainty in the coming months. I'm still plodding along, still writing, just at a much slower pace and there are weeks where I don't look at a computer screen outside of work.

I hope you are all in good spirits and doing everything you can to keep yourself as happy and as safe as possible.