Rose flipped her pen against the table, her entire concentration on what was being said. It was just her eyes that were on that pen, she was flipping.

A hand quickly closed over her hand and the pen clattered on the hardwood table, grabbing everyone's attention.

She would probably regret this later but she was a bit tired and jetlagged to give a shit about this at the moment.

She looked up a the man who was speaking. The Accounts head, yes.

"Please, go on."

And after giving her an uncertain look to which she tilted her head, he continued.

She picked up the pen again.

"Stop doing it," Pepper muttered through her teeth, one hand reaching behind her ear and eventually to her neck.

"Doing what?"

Pepper looked at her, "You have a British accent right now. And stop with the pen." and quickly turned to the front

She looked at Tony who gave her a look and she just shook her head. He reached and took the pen away from her to his side. Brilliant. That was what she needed. Coddling by her parents in front of all the head honchos of the company.

Rose sighed, slightly straightening her posture. Not to mention, she was tired to even control her accents.

The meeting dragged, for her especially, for another 45 minutes and the result was something she had already kind of predicted. Tony wasn't happy that corners were going to be cut in the Expo but it wasn't anything he couldn't deal with. A couple more smaller cuts were made like the budget for the office cafeteria and paid off-days were reduced to half of what originally they offered but Rose was glad that no one was fired and salaries of people weren't cut.

"You okay?"

"Yes."

"you don't look okay."

"It's just jetlag."

"I think there's more."

"no there isn't."

"I think you are ju-"

Rose stopped in front of Tony, who stopped to not collide with her.

"I just had a 14-hour flight with terrible news about HYDRA. I'm just jetlagged. Didn't get much sleep. That's it. There is nothing more."

Tony folded his arms, "Could've fooled me, honey."

Rose exhaled and licked her lips before looking at him, "Dad, I'm 24. I can take care of myself. I don't need constant watching."

"Again, could've fooled me." and he walked around her and entered what used to be her office.

Rose watched him go and closed her eyes, "You've gotta be kidding me." she muttered

"Over-protective father. Super-Duper check"

She glared at Natasha, who seemed to be enjoying this far more than she was supposed to.

"Don't you have work to do?" she asked

Nat dropped her feet from the desk and straightened her blazer. "As much as I love what this job is paying me to do, I'd rather go back to the old life. And there isn't really a lot to do right now."

Rose sighed and ran her hand through her hair.

"You okay?"

She exhaled loudly, "I just wish everyone would stop asking me that."

"Well, you are the team and your family's baby. No wonder everyone fusses over you."

Rose narrowed her eyes at her temporary assistant, "Why do people intentionally forget I have a little sister?"

"Your little sister doesn't get in as much shit as you do and is quite mature."

"You don't know Ginny."

"I know you."

"That doesn't support your argument!"

Nat shrugged.

Rose reached and pinched the bridge of her nose, "Anything on Barnes?"

"Not really, no." she leaned back, "I know the whole sources anonymous thing but I'm really curious on who your source is."

Rose leaned over her desk, "As a seasoned assassin with tons of sources, I think you know better than to ask me that."

"And that's why I'm not asking you who that is. I'm just curious."

She chuckled, "Fair enough. Just don't go Sherlock Holmes on my arse trying to find who's feeding me information."

"Hey from one person who has pretty much worked 6 decades in the intelligence world, I know when not to cross that line."

"Thanks."

"Anytime."

Rose turned, about to go back in, when,

"Hey."

"Yeah?"

Nat beckoned her closer and then opened a drawer and placed something on the table. Rose's breath hitched and she stared at Nat.

Nat smiled at her. "Found a pack of opened cigs when I was looking for the budgeting file. Asked Brittany. Well, she's very loyal to you cause she refused to talk about it until I broke her down and she told me that you've been smoking for a bunch of years that Tony doesn't know about.

And she told me your regular habit and it didn't take me long to figure out that your occasional smoke might be turning into addiction after what just happened. So, I brought some Nicotine patches. I hope they help."

Rose looked down at the box and then back at Nat.

"I won't tell Tony. or Pepper."

"Pepper knows," she muttered, finally speaking

"Well, it makes things easier."

Rose picked the box of patches and looked at Nat. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it." Nat waved her off when her intercom rang. They shared a look and Nat pressed the answer button.

"Hey, is Rose with you?"

"Yeah."

"Send her in, will ya?"

Nat looked at Rose, who just rolled her eyes.

"Just give me a minute, Dad."

And Nat hung up and looked at the CEO, "Why do you suddenly look more tired than before?"

"I don't know. Probably the fact that he's taken over my office. And I'm PAing him. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just...I get that Dad's still the owner and all but I'm his CEO, not his PA."

Nat chuckled at that. "In his defense, it used to be his office. And his former PA is his girlfriend-slash-COO."

"5 years ago! On both accounts!"

she laughed. "You better go in, see what he wants." she leaned back a little, "I'm so glad I PA'd for Pepper and not Tony. The last few days have been...crazy"

"If you had been his PA, he'd have tried to sleep with you."

"As if he didn't try already."

"As if you didn't already."

Nat raised a brow and leaned forward while Rose smirked.

"I didn't sleep with your father."

Rose chuckled, "Ok. I'll buy it."

"I mean it. I would never. He's not my type."

"Sure..."

"Rose."

"Yeah?"

"I didn't sleep with Tony!"

"I mean I wouldn't have any problem if you did. You are older than you loo-"

"I didn't! I wouldn't!"

"Dad's attractive and be-"

"For the love of God I didn-"

Rose smirked at Nat and chuckled as Nat chucked a notepad at her.

"Fuck you, Rose!"

That made her laugh, easily blocking the notepad.

"Sorry. Sorry. I just couldn't let such an amazing chance go."

"Not cool, Stark."

"Sorry. Hey, really sorry."

Nat snorted, "Enough with the apologies. Go, cater to your father."

"Right."

She extended her hand and Rose gave her the box back, which she slid back in the drawer, "Take from here so Tony won't find out. Also, you might move that stash from the bottom-most drawer in case he ever opens it."

"He won't, but thanks." Rose nodded

With a deep breath, she turned and headed inside what used to be her office.

And was now not so much.

"I used to keep this place so clean," she muttered, looking at all the trash that had accumulated in her two-day absence.

"We have paid cleaners. Don't worry about it."

She pressed her lips, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. No point in getting mad at anyone. It was no one's fault.

"Hey, you got a mail from Draco."

"Why didn't he call?" she muttered, making her way to the desk and opening the email.

"It's on your private personal one. So I guess it must be important."

Her eyes skimmed through the email.

"wow, he's mad," she muttered

"On what?"

"Me. Well, it's basically how the liaison has been appointed and how's he's not happy, which is an understatement, with my choice."

Tony lowered the papers he was checking and looked at her, "Where is he getting the updates from? He's not even on the ICW Board."

"Uh... he's hanging out with Story a lot. Daphne might be slipping him info."

"Story is-"

"Astoria. Daphne's little sister."

Tony snapped his fingers at her, "I remember her."

"No, you don't. You never met her."

"I didn't?"

Rose took a deep breath, "You are confusing Story with Gabby."

"I've met Gabby."

"Yup."

"That's Fleur's sister."

"Yup."

A few seconds of silence. "Yeah, I don't think I've met Story."

Rose just rolled her eyes with a smile, "Well, liaison's coming around today. So guys got like 4 days to get him to speed with our UN proposal." she read further and scoffed, "Well, Draco does have some choice words to say about my choice of liaison."

"I also wanted to ask, really? Of all the people you could have suggested!"

"Okay, in my defense, one, I gave them a suggestion. It was up to them to appoint. Two, the handiwork, you've seen it. if anyone can go toe to toe with nitpicking political shrews, well, I couldn't think of a better person."

Tony took a deep breath and looked at her, "You both don't get along."

"The only downside."

"Rose-"

"It'll be fine." she took a deep breath, "I hope."

"Speaking of all of it, Rosie, what do you have in mind about the whole...HYDRA-Barnes situation."

"I'm still thinking on that. We've got at least a tiny window open before even the possibility of them attacking is there."

There was a knock, after which Nat entered.

"Hey, you two. Neither of you got anything for the rest of the day."

"What about the 4.30 I had?" Rose asked

"They canceled and said they'll reschedule later. So...nothing. Wanna head back upstairs?"

"Baby?"

She took a deep breath, "You guys head up. I've got a follow-up to do. I'll be there in 10-ish."

Tony quickly took his things and left with Nat, who also packed her stuff. It wasn't like either of them had a lot due to their temporary positions.

Once they both had left, she reached for the bottom-most drawer and pulled out a couple of cigarette boxes aside, and took out her burner. She was surprised and relieved that Nat hadn't discovered her burner along with her cigarettes.

The phone had very few contacts saved so she didn't have to spend a lot of time looking for who to text.

HYDRA Data Bank. Russia. USSR. You up?

She quickly pocketed the phone and left for upstairs.

Upstairs was a whole other scene with Steve pacing the length of the room, Thor just lying on the couch, Bruce in the kitchen, having a drink with Nat, Rhodey, Sam, and Tony, and Clint tossing and hitting a ball at the wall.

"Want a drink?" Nat asked

She took a deep breath, "Sure."

"Make it light," Tony advised Nat to which Rose didn't comment.

Rose took the offered drink and looked at Steve, "Has he been pacing since the morning?"

"More or less."

"Calm down Rogers or you are going to wear that floor down," Tony called but it definitely fell on deaf ears.

"Rogers?" Rhodey called but nothing

"Someone's got too much on their mind," Rose muttered, drinking.

"You might wish to take a break Captain?" Thor asked, but, again, nothing.

"Hey, Thor." Clint straightened up, "put your hammer on the floor."

"For what?"

"Just do it."

With a little frown, Thor picked his hammer and placed it on the floor.

"Onto his path. 10 bucks say he doesn't notice and trips."

"10 bucks. He notices." Bruce piped in, "come on, stop underestimating him."

"I'm with Clint on this one." Rose added before looking at others, "you guys?"

"Not in the mood for games," Tony muttered

"Don't mind me."

Rhodey waved them off too.

Sam looked over Steve, pressed his lips, "10 bucks says he trips."

"Thor?" Clint asked

"I agree with Banner. Captain will notice."

"If he trips, you and Bruce would have to pay me, Rose, and Sam 10 bucks each," Clint muttered.

Just as Steve passed Thor, he pushed the hammer onto his path. Steve turned around at the end as everyone watched him keenly. He raised his foot as if to cross over it only to trip at the final chance.

"what the hell?"

"Yes!" Clint grinned and Rose chuckled while Bruce groaned.

"Pay up, Brucie."

Bruce reluctantly pulled out his wallet and handed the money to Rose, Sam, and Clint.

"Why the hell would you put your hammer in the middle of the room?" Steve asked Thor, who took it back

"Now that we have your attention," Rose began, "What have you planned?"

Steve blinked at her before he slumped on the couch next to Thor. He clasped his hands and rested them on his mouth, elbows on knees.

"None. Nothing." He looked at them all, "Anything?"

"I don't really have all the variables for me to think anything," Tony muttered

"Rosie?" Clint asked

She took a deep breath, "I need a little time to-" she cleared her throat, "Uhm...get the facts."

"How long?" Natasha asked, "For all we know, the attack could be tomorrow."

She took a deep breath, "I get that there's a sword atop all our heads but...I..." she took a deep breath, "Just give me tonight, okay? I'll...try to get everything."

"Regardless of when the attack is, our priority is getting the fight out and away from here and securing," Tony cleared his throat, "what we have in Bruce's cage."

"Bucky" Steve corrected but no one paid mind to that.

"And we have to do it quickly." Nat added, "There's a good chance they are spying on us and we want to take this fight away, we better do it quickly."

"So, any hideout spot anyone knows?" Bruce asked

"that's good enough to contain a brainwashed highly trained assassin?" Nat snorted, "Yeah, good luck finding one."

"What about old and unused SHIELD locations?" Sam asked

"HYDRA would know about them all," Clint said

"The Magical world?" Thor asked

"Too soon after the ICW announcement. Could create problems." Tony replied

"What about Rose's private Island?" Steve asked

"That would restrict our resources should they find us," Rhodey replied

With that, they all settled in silence thinking about what to do.

"I'm just saying, the transportation would be easier if he was no longer brainwashed," Steve muttered

Nat looked down when a glass was pushed was in front of her. She looked at Rose, who looked very pensive, deep in thinking. Nat picked the bottle of liquor and made her drink again before passing it to Rose, who pretty drank it all in one gulp.

The whole group sat there in silence, which was eventually broken by JARVIS.

"Miss, the ICW liaison has arrived."

"Let 'em come, J"

"Who is the liaison?" Rhodey asked

Rose just pressed her lips and looked at him.

After about 2 minutes, the elevator doors opened and someone walked into the communal.

She took a deep breath, "Everyone. Percy Weasley. My b-brother. Perce, the team."

Steve stood up and went to shake his hand. "Steve Rogers, Mr. Weasley. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure's mutual, Captain."

Rose got off her seat and approached the two.

"Hey. I guess you are staying for a couple of days."

"I am."

Everyone could notice the tension between the two since Percy wasn't even looking at Rose when he answered her. He was looking at everyone in the room, at everything but her.

"I can show you the r-"

"JARVIS did already."

She took a deep breath. "Right." she licked her lips.

She gulped. This was a bit embarrassing for her in front of everyone. She knew that he didn't like her, but this whole ignorance, the abrupt answers were a bit extreme from him. And she knew the whole room could read into their situation. She also had no idea what her other siblings had told them about her relationship with Percy.

She looked around at everyone.

"I guess you all should get to know each other." she pressed her lips, "Excuse me." and with that, she walked upstairs.

She asked JARVIS to start her bath on her way up. By the time she reached her bathroom, her bathtub was filled with warm water. She put a few drops of Eucalyptus oil in the tub, stripped down and mindful of her arm, got in the tub, head rested on the wall.

She knew suggesting Percy as the Magical Liaison was going to be hard on her, but he had worked for so long with the Ministry. And he knew better than anyone how to handle politicians in terms of magic.

It was no surprise to people around her that she and Percy didn't get along. They were never best pals but were at least cordial towards each other. Things only changed after he got to work at the ministry and worsened to the worst possible outcome after the war.

They hadn't seen eye to eye ever since the war ended. Percy had never hidden his dislike from her and she hadn't tried to get in his good graces in a long time. she just...didn't care. It wasn't hate, or anything, just indifference.

But did it hurt when he pulled all kinds of shit? Maybe a little. She understood him not coming to her birthday or V-Day celebration because she was going to be there, but it did hurt.

She had often thought of not going to her foster family events so at least Percy could enjoy them with his family and she had done that a few times with a number of excuses but there were times she couldn't and she hated herself for that. Those times were when her other siblings would drag her out with them.

She exhaled and settled deeper into the bath. At least she didn't have to talk to him all the time. He'd be busy with the UN meeting and she'd be busy with the company.

Thinking of the UN meeting made her think of the current HYDRA issue they had on hand. How the hell do they deter HYDRA without losing Barnes?

She had an idea. She also knew no one else was going to like this idea.

But they were running out of choices.

She returned and found takeout food from one of their regular places ordered. And Percy no longer being there.

"He'd start in the morning," Tony informed her

She just nodded, picked a box, the cutlery, and settled down.

She didn't pay much to whatever was being discussed or talked about. Whatever she had thought of, it was risky, but...whatever was needed to be done, it needed to be done.

She took another deep breath.

"I'll do it."

She looked at the room and pretty much everyone was looking at her, mostly confused.

"I'll..." she cleared her throat again and leaned back, "I'll heal Barnes." she exhaled, "To the best of my abilities," she quickly and softly added

1...2...3...4...5..-

"Absolutely not!"

"No!"

"You are not doing it."

Steve gulped, quite audibly and stood up, "Tony, if s-"

"Don't interfere in things that don't concern you, Rogers."

Steve frowned at that but didn't say anything.

"I tolerated when that man was brought to where we live. But letting her go side his fucked up head? That's where I draw the line."

Rhodey nodded, "Rogers, no one will stop you to go to whatever length you wish to go to save your friend. But," he looked at Rose, "baby, you are still healing. And I don't suppose Hannah had allowed full use of your magic."

"I agree." Steve said and everyone looked at him, "But Rose is an adult and she's got full freedom to do things she wants to do."

Rose looked at the three men, arguing about her decision.

Tony snorted, "You didn't nearly lose your only daughter to a killing machine. You have no idea what it feels like. Thanks to your friend, I've lost my parents and nearly lost her twice. I'm not going to let it happen the third time."

"Don't talk about things you don't have an idea about," Rhodey added, "She's just a teammate for you. For some of us, she means a lot more than that."

Steve looked like he wanted to continue but Nat, from behind Tony and Rhodey, shook her head and motioned him to sit down, which he followed. Rose looked at her father and Uncle. Well, she's sure that whatever she has to say would be null and void after that outburst.

"What of Asgard?"

Everyone looked at Thor.

Thor leaned forward, looking quite proud of himself, "Asgard has some of the best healers of this galaxy and my parents would love to meet my brothers and sisters in arms."

"I don't think HYDRA is advanced enough to know how to reach Asgard." Sam slowly said, "Or am I wrong?"

"No. No, they don't." Rose muttered

"Are you sure no one would mind, Thor?" Steve asked

"Positive, Captain. You all are quite welcome in Asgard."

They all shared a look. Whatever happened 10 minutes ago was quickly pushed back and new plans were being made.

"Okay. We should split up. One part goes up to Asgard with Bucky and Thor and the other stays here to neutralize HYDRA's forces." Steve quickly said

"So, who stays here and who goes up?" Tony asked

"I should go up." Rose quickly said.

Tony and Rhodey both gave her a suspicious look as if waiting for her to say something stupid so they can ground her. She mentally snorted. She was 24. They can't ground her.

.

.

.

Can they?

she shook her head and continued.

"I've studied the human brain to an extent. Asgardian healers are going to be using magic. Different from mine but magic indeed. I'm sure I can guide them the best. After all, I don't think they receive a lot of brainwashed assassins for patients."

Sam softly chuckled, "I'm sorry but...I'm sure I missed something...but since when are you so keen on helping Barnes?"

Rose blinked and leaned back, "I'm not. No offense to anyone, but I really don't care what happens to Barnes. I just never had a good enough reason to go to Asgard and this seems good enough." she perked up, "I mean Thor's mother gifted me an amazing enchanted necklace. And I got a custom Asgardian dagger for my birthday and never managed to thank the makers. It's the land of gods and goddesses and why the fucking hell would I not go there?"

She shrugged, ending her rant, "I just figured, two birds, one stone."

After a few seconds, Thor chuckled loudly, "You were welcome to visit Asgard anytime, Rose."

"You are telling it to me now." she looked at Thor, eyes gleaming before she looked at others, mostly Tony and Rhodey, "So?"

Tony and Rhodey exchanged a look that seemed to have carried an entire conversation. And then Tony turned to Thor.

"I'm not sure Pepper would be happy about this decision, but Thor, if she goes up, she becomes your responsibility-"

"Da-"

"As long as she isn't completely healed." he looked at her, "Once you are healed, run wild."

Thor grinned, "Of course, Man of Iron. I'll take full responsibility for Rose."

"Any other volunteers?" Steve asked and no one said anything

"Okay, so Rose would go up to Asgard with Thor and Bucky. The rest of us, we stay down and work things out."

"If that's the scenario, then I have a...cabin, you can say, in Upstate New York," Rhodey said

"And how do you plan to draw the fight there?" Clint asked, "I mean, we have to show HYDRA that Barnes is no longer there."

"Magic?" Bruce looked at Rose

"Well, I can make a temporary mobile illusion."

Steve nodded, "Alright, that sets it."

Then the rest began to plan as to how they were going to handle the fight. Rose sighed, looking outside the window.

Of course, it was all arbitrary. There was nothing concrete they could plan without knowing the date.

To pass the time, she pulled out her tab and began working on office-related things. The sooner she got things back under her control, the sooner she can go back to being independent.

An alarm snapped her out of her work mind and she looked at the corner of the tab. 9.30 PM.

She took a deep breath and put the tab down and looked around. Most people seemed to have left or retired to bed. It was only Clint, Steve, and Tony.

"I'm heading out," she said,

"at 9.30?" Tony asked

"Yeah, just some fresh air and possibly an ice cream."

"You are going to see your source, aren't you?" Clint asked and Rose wished he had kept quiet.

"Source?" Tony asked. He looked at Clint and then back at her and frowned.

"Uh...yeah. I am." she sighed, "Look, it's just information. I'll be home way before midnight."

"You'll be fine going alone?" Steve asked

"Ain't the first time I'm meeting them, Steve. I'll be fine, if not safer." She muttered the last part. She magicked her hair into low ponytail hair into a bun and picked her glasses.

"Call me if anything comes."

She turned and headed for the elevator. And at the last moment, before it closed, Tony slipped in too.

Rose took a deep breath, knowing what was going to come.

As the elevator started going down, she started counting seconds. Her day was not going well anyway.

"So you called him?"

She pressed her lips, took a deep breath, and looked at Tony. "He called me. Ever since you forbade me to contact him, I have never called him. He called me to tell me about HYDRA's plans."

she took a deep breath and frowned, looking at him. "I know you worry about me. Both you and Uncle Rhodey do. You guys raised me and I'm not saying don't worry about me or shit. But that was extreme, dad. I wasn't going to do it right away. It was an idea, a proposal."

Tony raised a brow, "You offered to get inside his head. The man who killed your grandparents and tried to kill you. Twice."

"Yes, I remember. But I had a plan. I still do. And that was my only way." she leaned back against the cool metal panel, "I told Nick that I am grabbing onto this grudge. Now would have been a terrible time to let go. I want him to pay for what he did." she took a deep breath, "and now I have to figure out a way of getting that done through Asgardian healers."

Tony looked at her and leaned back too, "I don't care if your plan is spoiled. I'm not losing you again."

She just nodded. She wasn't going to argue any further about that. She also had a little boy and if he had done anything like what she did, she'd have flipped out too.

"Call me if things go south."

She nodded as the elevator doors opened, "Don't track my phone."


The walk to Central Park was quite short. It took her longer to get to their old rendezvous point. She took a deep breath and looked around.

Where the hell was he?

She checked the phone. 10.12 PM

Her attention was quickly grabbed by the movement of leaves behind her and then heavy footsteps.

"12 minutes late," she complained and turned to face him, arms folded.

He paused chewing and extended the container towards her.

"Chimichangas?"


Tony walked back into the room to see the expectant looks on the two men.

"What?" he asked, entering the kitchen and pouring himself a drink

"We thought you were going with her," Clint said

He scoffed, "She can take care of herself. Drink, either of you?"

"I'm good," Steve muttered and Clint shook his head.

"So...you know who it is? Her source." Clint asked, shifting to the front of his seat

"Does it matter?"

"Depends if he's dangerous," Clint said slowly

Tony snorted, "Nice try Merida. If she didn't say anything about them, don't expect anything from me either. It's her source."

"But you trust them."

Tony took a deep breath, "I really don't. But they've proved to be trustworthy, at least in terms of information, in the past. What I do know is that they parted on semi-good terms last time."

He hated him. Tony hated that man for piquing Rose's interest in HYDRA and encouraging it. And he hated that she went alone to see him. Tony didn't know much about him and Rose didn't like talking about him either. But she had assured him that everything was kept highly professional. What Tony did know was that he was a hitman amongst other things. He knew that he had a reputation of doing literally anything as long as good cash was involved.

While Rose didn't lack anywhere in terms of money, be it what she made or everything she inherited, he really didn't wish to imagine who much he was going to ask to give her that information.

He exhaled, sipping his liquor as he looked at the clock. Time was not a luxury they had. And that just made things worse.


:)😁.

-Ciao