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It was difficult, thinking about what my next move would be. After my encounter with Natasha, I knew it would only be a matter of time before she finally figured it out. She was a smart little cookie after all.

I have to be more careful.

I find myself doing more research regarding HYDRA late at night, keeping to myself and locking myself away in my apartment from that point on after meeting up with Fury that day. I couldn't afford anymore distractions. I go to the kitchen to fix myself a PB&J sandwich, nearly scarfing it down before moving to grab a glass of almond milk from the fridge. As I watch the milk pour into the cup, I find myself mesmerized for some reason, and it feels as if time slows down in that moment.

FLASH!

Steve and Natasha are in an old building, possibly SHIELD's first known base of operations when it was founded by Howard Stark and Peggy Carter during World War II. They make it to the basement after finding their way down, and after finding a ginormous computer, Natasha plugs in a flash drive before an accented voice begins to speak to them.

"Rogers, Steven. Born, 1918. Romanoff, Natalia Alianovna. Born, 1984."

Natasha and Steve look up to see an old camera moving above and analyzing the both of them.

"It's some kind of a recording." Natasha guessed.

"I am not a recording, Fräulein. I may not be the man I was when the Captain took me prisoner in 1945, but I am..."

The computer screen shows an old photo of a man.

Dr. Arnim Zola.

"Do you know this thing?" Natasha glanced over at Steve.

"Arnim Zola was a German scientist who worked for the Red Skull. He's been dead for years." Steve said.

"First correction, I am Swiss. Second, look around you. I have never been more alive."

FLASH!

'I have never been more alive...'

I find myself on the currently wet floor, milk spilled everywhere around me as I regain consciousness. I groan in disgust as I sit up.

"Wait..." I muttered softly.

Those old computers, that old SHIELD basement. That face. I start cleaning up the mess along the kitchen as I mull over my thoughts, not once ever considering that it was scientifically possible to put someone's mind into a computer, upon thousands of databases and essentially giving them eternal life. I walk down the hall and pass by the guest room/my office and stop. I go back in my office as I snatch an old file on my desk that I was examining previously before I'd had the vision. It was Dr. Arnim Zola.

That vision...you mean...this guy has been alive this entire time?!

I read the file carefully and repeatedly, trying not to miss anything.

This can't be possible...it can't...but my visions have never failed me...

Dr. Arnim Zola, was recruited by SHIELD after WW2.

My eyes widened as I reread that line nearly ten times over.

SHIELD's been compromised since the 1940's...

It had never been more obvious and clear to me. SHIELD got this German scientist, a man that used to work for HYDRA, and over the years had rebuilt HYDRA inside of SHIELD.

That was the connection...How could I have been so blind?!

As I grab a quick shower to clean myself off, I could see the pieces slowly coming together in full circle. Project Insight and HYDRA. What could HYDRA use with something like Project Insight? It was easy. They could use it to kill their enemies in an instant. People that didn't align with HYDRA's ideals, basically everyone American. Basically the majority of the world. After wrapping myself in a towel, I made a mad dash for my burner flip-phone and speed dialed Fury's number.

It had been hours since I tried calling Fury, probably over thirty times but to no avail. I can't help but be scared and anxious about my vision and findings regarding HYDRA and Project Insight. It's probably hours later into the night that I receive any word from Director Fury, and it's not even a phone call but a mere text message. My eyes are practically glued to the screen as I read over his message.

I've been attacked. (10:04 PM)

Someone's trying to assassinate me,

So I'm out of the picture. (10:06 PM)

I watch anxiously as he types another quick message not even a minute later.

You need to find Rogers and Romanoff.

Tell them everything you know. (10:06 PM)

I quickly replied, typing as fast as I could.

What the hell do you mean someone's trying to kill you?! (10:07 PM)

This time, it takes several minutes for Fury to respond, and I start thinking the worst.

Meet me at the hospital. (10:22 PM)

After obtaining the address of the hospital, I practically haul ass and quickly lock the door before leaving. I run through the streets and don't even bother with a taxi.

Fury, you better not die on me.

I run through the hospital as fast as my legs carry me, and go to the floor he's being held on after giving the excuse to a nurse that Fury is my uncle. Many thoughts race through my head as I follow the directions given to me by the nurse. Suddenly, I'm being grabbed by the arm and pulled into an empty room. The door shuts behind me and the lights turn on. I move to attack until I see Steve standing there looking less than pleased with me as he merely holds up Nick Fury's cell phone which shows the previous text messages.

Steve...

"So...Roxanne...wanna tell me why you've been conversing quietly with Fury? Is there anything else you're keeping from me?" Steve glared at me.

Oh...Steve sent me the text then about meeting him here? I didn't even know he knew how to text...

"Where did you get that?" I mumbled softly.

"Fury showed up at my apartment after I had such a rough day...he was almost killed by someone. I grabbed his phone, along with something else. I won't ask again...what are you keeping from me? Are you also watching me?"

Watching him?

"What are you talking about? Who's watching you?" I questioned.

Steve's grip tightens on my arm.

"I'm not in the mood for games! Tell me the truth!" He shouted angrily.

"I'm not lying! I was never ordered to watch over you by Fury! Calm the fuck down, Rogers!" I hissed at him.

I felt Steve loosen his grip, and I push him away from me as I grew more anxious.

"You have no fucking idea what I've been going through these past few months! And they didn't have a single thing to do with you. Fury told me to tell you everything I know, and I intend on doing so! That's if you'll stop acting like this is a damn witch hunt!" I blink away tears.

I furiously and quickly wipe at my eyes as I shake uncontrollably. Steve looks almost guilty for snapping at me, and he moves to gently put his hand on my shoulder this time.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...look, I'm just...I'm tired. And angry. Too many things have been happening, and somehow I know you're apart of it." Steve apologized.

I give him an understanding nod and try to keep my emotions in check.

"So did you get the asshole that got to Fury?" I muttered.

"He's in surgery...they're doing everything they can." He answered.

"I would hope so...but that's not what I asked." I give him a small glare.

"He was attacked by a man. Very fast...had a metal arm. He got away. That's all I can really tell you." Steve replied.

"Fury better pull through...or I'll never forgive myself." I barely utter.

"How do you know Fury?" Steve questioned.

"Well the first time we met, he kinda broke into my home. I was probably seventeen or eighteen at the time, but he talked with me for a bit before my dad showed up." I honestly replied.

"What was it about?" Steve grew curious.

Ah fuck it...he'll find out sooner or later.

"...about the Avengers Initiative."

Steve's eyes widened a bit as he appeared almost shell shocked by my answer. In mere seconds, his expression forms into anger as he shoves me into the nearest wall, effectively pinning me there with his own body.

"Who are you really?" Steve growled.

I find myself frightened by Steve for the first time in all of my years knowing him, but I know it's because he's also scared and doesn't realize who I am yet. Instinct begins to kick in, and I shove Steve away with renown strength as I stare at him angrily as well.

"Don't touch me." I glared at him.

I blink away tears putting a hand over my mouth as I fail to hold back a sob.

How did things get to this? Why is life so fucked right now?

I run another hand through my hair as I attempt to regain my composure and calm my nerves slightly.

"I'm sorry, I'm just...I'm a little unsettled myself..." I choked out. "I can't think straight, I've barely slept, I feel like absolute shit, and all I ever do is lie and I fucking hate myself."

Steve's frozen to the spot as he hears me ramble anxiously, as if it reminds him of someone. Then, I realize, he's probably reminded of Tyra, of the real me.

"It's okay."

"I promise I'll tell you everything you want to know...but I need to see Fury." I cry. "Right fucking now."

As we stare at Fury's body from the other side of the glass wall before us, I find myself shaken to the core as I watch the surgeons operate on him. Natasha joins us at the hospital not long after I had shown up, but I don't even spare her a glance as she looks at me suspiciously. Finally, she's conversing with Steve about the man who attacked Fury.

I can't believe this is happening...

"Is he gonna make it?" Natasha asked.

"I don't know." Steve replied.

"Tell me about the shooter." Natasha demanded.

"He's fast and strong. He had a metal arm." Steve answered.

Metal arm...

I gasp lightly as images fly through my mind.

FLASH!

"Bucky?" Steve stared at the Winter Soldier in shock.

"...who the hell is Bucky?" He replied slowly.

The Winter Soldier looks at Steve in pure confusion before he finds himself getting frustrated and attacks Steve again. The two continued to battle it out.

FLASH!

"...Bucky..." I muttered.

Steve turned to look at me in surprise.

"What did you say?" Steve asked.

I shook my head, snapping out my daze, trying to figure out what that small vision even meant before only finding myself confused.

"I...don't know..." I rubbed my hand over my face. "Sorry..."

Natasha stared at me with an unreadable expression and kept quiet as Agent Maria Hill also entered the room.

Maria...it's been too long.

"Ballistics?" Natasha glanced at Maria.

"Three slugs. No rifling and completely untraceable." Maria informed her.

"Soviet made?"

"Yeah." She nods.

I quickly turn and look with wide eyes as Fury's state started to deteriorate.

No...

"He's dropping." The first doctor notified the others.

"Crash cart coming in." A nurse said.

"Nurse, help me with the gauzes, please. BP is dropping. Defibrillator!" Another doctor shouted.

All of us watch in shock as Fury is now flatlining.

"Charge to one hundred."

"Don't do this to me, Nick." Natasha mumbled softly.

"Stand back! Three, two, one. Clear!"

Fury is given a shock with the defibrillator. I flinch at the noise and finally look away as I find myself unable to watch the horrific scene any longer.

"Pulse?"

"No pulse."

"Okay. Charge to two hundred, please. Stand back! Three, two, one. Clear!"

Fury is given another round of shocks.

"Give me epinephrine! Pulse?"

"Negative."

No...he...he can't die...

"Don't do this to me, Nick. Don't do this to me." Natasha repeats nervously.

We all watch the doctors as they continue to attempt to revive Fury, but to no avail. Fury is still showing as flatlining on the heart rate monitor. Steve turns away as they finally call his time of death.

It was 1:03 AM when Nicholas Fury died.

Everything felt so surreal as we all moved to see Fury's body one last time. I look down at his ghostly pale body, noticing that he's only half covered by a white sheet. I find myself mad and pull it up and over his chest all too gently. It's shocking for all of us really. Out of everyone we knew, we least expected the badass Nicholas Fury to die. He knew everything about everyone, and as my father once said, he was THE spy. It was just so difficult to believe that even a powerful man like Director Fury could find Death so easily.

This is the first time I've seen Natasha cry.

Not long after ten minutes of viewing the body, Maria came in the room.

"We need to take him." Maria informed us.

Steve goes over to Natasha, putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Natasha." Steve spoke lowly.

Natasha doesn't even respond, but only tenderly touches Fury's head before turning and walking out with Steve following her. I only stood there, holding Fury's cold hand.

"I never thanked you for giving me a second chance at life." I mumbled softly. "So...thank you. Just...thank you for everything you've done for me."

My grip on Fury's hand gets tighter as I press a gentle kiss to it.

"Miss Taylor." Maria Hill spoke up.

I furiously wipe away tears from my face and released Nick's hand.

"Yes?" I answered.

"It's time...we need to take him away." She mutters.

I simply nod before walking out of the room, holding my head up high. I see Natasha and Steve down the hall, whispering angrily at each other about something until they were being interrupted by Agent Rumlow.

There was something about Rumlow I never liked...

"Captain, they want you back at SHIELD." Rumlow said.

"Okay..."

"They want you now."

"Okay." Steve sounded annoyed.

Rumlow spots me, and nods in my direction as he gestures at me to come over.

"Ah, Miss Taylor, you might as well come along with Captain Rogers. They want you too."

Wait...what? Why me?

"Is there a reason?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Is there a problem, Miss Taylor?" Rumlow came over to me until we were chest to chest. "I know you don't exactly like to follow orders..."

"Excuse you?" I glared at Rumlow. "I've never had a problem with following orders. I just don't listen to rude assholes. You're not exactly the most polite man I've encountered, and I don't give respect to those that don't deserve it."

Rumlow glared at me and walked off. I turned around to see Steve right next to me.

"Do you two not get along?" Steve questioned.

We both walked together down the hall, leaving Natasha behind without another word.

"You could say that we never got along..." I replied. "Rumlow was just one of those people that unsettled me. And I'm the only one with enough balls to stand up to the guy."

"I see." Steve nods.

I find myself slowing in my footsteps, and Steve slows down considerably as well to keep up with me.

"Something's off...they never call for me..." I told Steve.

"Never?"

"I'm usually told to report only to Director Fury. I've never been called up once." I replied. "It has to be about Fury...it's the only reason I feel they would need us down there."

"I have the same feeling..." Steve frowned.

We were brought back to SHIELD, where Steve and I were both brought to Alexander Pierce himself. He happened to be talking to a blonde woman, and after a second, I recognized her as someone from the apartment building I lived at.

Shit, she's actually a SHIELD agent?! I wasn't expecting that...

"For whatever it's worth, you did your best." Pierce told her.

"Thank you, sir." She tries to smile.

As she begins to leave, she tenses when she saw Steve.

I sense a little...tension.

"Captain Rogers." She nodded at Steve.

"Neighbor." Steve replied coldly.

Steve walks forward and begins to converse with Mr. Pierce. I only stand back and examine the man for myself at a distance. Finally, Pierce gives me a smile and moves to shake my hand. I reluctantly comply and shake his hand as well.

"Ah! You must be Miss Taylor." Pierce chuckles.

"Hello, sir. It's nice to meet you." I replied politely.

"I can see why Fury really liked you." Pierce winked at me.

"I can assure you that Fury only hired me because of what I'm capable of." I gave him a tense and fake smile.

"Ah, Captain. I'm Alexander Pierce." He turned over to Steve.

"Sir, it's an honor." Steve spoke respectfully.

"The honor is mine, Captain. My father served in the 101st. Come on in."

Pierce led us into his office, and shows Steve and I, of an old photo of Fury with Pierce.

"That photo was taken five years after Nick and I met. When I was at State Department in Bogota. ELN rebels took the embassy, and security got me out, but the rebels took hostages. Nick was deputy chief for the SHIELD station there. And he comes to me with a plan. He wants to storm the building through the sewers. I said, "No, we'll negotiate." Turned out the ELN didn't negotiate, so they put out a kill order. They stormed the basement, and what did they find? They find it empty. Nick had ignored my direct order and carried out an unauthorized military operation on foreign soil. He saved the lives of a dozen political officers, including my daughter."

"So you gave him a promotion." Steve figured out.

"I've never had any cause to regret it." He smiled faintly.

Pierce's smile faded away as he puts the picture down.

Why did Pierce want me here anyway? It sounded like he was mostly after Steve...

"Captain, why was Nick in your apartment last night?" Pierce cut to the chase.

And there it is...

"I don't know." Steve replied.

"You know it was bugged?" Pierce asked.

"I did, because Nick told me." Steve answered.

"Did he tell you he was the one who bugged it?" Pierce retorted.

This time Steve doesn't reply, not knowing how to respond.

"I want you to see something."

Pierce brings up footage of a man being interrogated.

"Who hired you, Batroc?" A SHIELD agent questioned.

"Is that live?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, they picked him up last night in a not-so-safe house in Algiers." Pierce replied.

"Are you saying he's a suspect? Assassination isn't Batroc's line." Steve seemed to be getting annoyed.

"No, it's more complicated than that. Batroc was hired anonymously to attack the Lemurian Star and he was contacted by e-mail and paid by wire transfer. And then the money was run through seventeen fictitious accounts, the last one going to a holding company that was registered to a Jacob Veech."

"Am I supposed to know who that is?" Steve smartly replied.

Pierce hands Steve the file.

"Not likely. Veech died six years ago. His last address was 14-35 Elmhurst Drive. When I first met Nick, his mother lived at 14-37." Pierce informed him.

"Are you saying Fury hired the pirates? Why?"

"Well the prevailing theory was that the hijacking was a cover for the acquisition and sale of classified intelligence. The sale went sour and that led to Nick's death." Pierce explained.

I'm not buying that...not one bit.

"If you really knew Nick Fury, you know that's not true." I interjected.

"Why do you think we're talking?" Pierce smiled at me.

I slowly moved until I was beside Steve, not liking where this conversation was headed.

"See, I took a seat on the Council not because I wanted to but because Nick asked me to, because we were both realists. We knew that despite all the diplomacy and the handshaking and the rhetoric, that to build a really better world, sometimes means having to tear the old one down. And that makes enemies. Those people that call you dirty because you got the guts to stick your hands in the mud and try to build something better. And the idea that those people could be happy today, makes me really, really angry." Pierce told us. "Captain, you were the last one to see Nick alive. I don't think that's an accident, and I don't think you do either. So I'm gonna ask again, why was he there?"

"He told me not to trust anyone." Steve admitted.

"I wonder if that included him." Pierce said. "And Miss Taylor...I've been watching you. What did you last talk to Fury about?"

Shit...shitty shit snacks...I guess it's a good thing we always changed phones every night huh?

"He wanted me to find some information for him. It was nothing big. We only ever talked to go over work. He was...a close friend to my family. Always watched over me." I truthfully lied.

I sniffle as I manage to conjure up tears, trying to appear as upset as possible so that I could leave immediately.

"I'm sorry...I'm just...upset that Director Fury is gone. If you'll excuse me, sir." My voice cracked.

"Come on, let's get you some air." Steve offers politely.

Steve pauses before he slowly grasped my hand. I stare down at our intertwined hands in surprise. Steve picks up his shield and puts it on his back as he started to escort me out of the room, trying to act natural.

"Captain. Miss Taylor."

We both froze and turn around right as we stand at his door.

"Somebody murdered my friend and I'm gonna find out why. Anyone gets in my way, they're gonna regret it. Anyone."

"Understood." Steve replied.

After we leave Pierce's office, we quickly move into the elevator, eager to get as far away from Pierce as possible.

Shit...he knows we're up to something. I don't trust that guy, it's a wonder if Fury ever did. He's fucking suspicious as all hell.

"Operations control." Steve called out.

"Confirmed." The computer spoke up.

Oh yes, we're gonna make it out...

Just before the elevator doors are about to close, Agent Rumlow steps in with two STRIKE agents.

DAMN IT!

"All STRIKE personal on site." Rumlow says.

"Understood."

"Yes, sir."

"Forensics." Rumlow calls out.

"Confirmed." The Computer replied.

"Cap." Rumlow looks to Steve.

"Rumlow." Steve nods at him.

After the elevators close, I only grow more tense the longer I stand with Steve.

I can feel my body heat up...probably Extremis acting up again.

"Evidence response found some fibers on the roof they want us to see. You want me to get the tac-team ready?" Rumlow glanced at Steve.

"No, let's wait and see what it is first." Steve responds.

"Right." Rumlow nods.

I remain quiet as the elevator goes down. After a few more minutes, there are more agents inside. I glance both ways, only getting claustrophobic as the elevator grew cramped.

Something's not right...I can tell by everyone's body language.

"Um...sorry about what happened with Fury. Messed up what happened to him." Rumlow told Steve.

"Thank you." He mutters.

I looked to Steve and he gave me the same vibe I was feeling.

The feeling that something is off.

I look at the agents in the elevator and notice that one of them is sweating.

I mean, if I'm fucking right about HYDRA infiltrating SHIELD, there's no one here that we can trust. Especially Pierce. He may act like he cares about Nick, or maybe he cares more regarding what Nick was up to. He knew that we were talking to each other regularly, but luckily for us, thankfully, he doesn't know what we talked about. Either way, I have to get out of here. I have to get Steve out of here.

By the time I come to from my inner thoughts, I realize that the entire elevator is completely filled with agents as they surround Steve and I. I glance at Steve anxiously from the corner of my eye before giving him a very small nod. Somehow, Steve got my message and winks at me as if saying that he noticed as well.

Shit...they're gonna fucking ambush us.

"Before we get started, does anyone want to get out?" He cautiously asked.

It seemed like forever until finally, one of the agents turns, trying to use an electric rod to shock Steve. The others start trying to grab at him and attempt to strap his wrists with magnetic cuffs. I find that I'm being grabbed at too, and manage to knock some of them down and away, until one cuff remains. Rumlow uses his rod to give Steve a shock and I finally kick him, knocking the thing out of his hand. I get my watch and aim it at the magnetic cuff, using a laser installed, to free Steve.

"You okay?" I asked him.

"Yeah...you?" Steve replied, while nodding at me.

"That fucking electric rod hurt like hell." I spat out.

We both focus on Rumlow, who gets back up.

"Woah, big guy. I just want you to know, Cap, this ain't personal." He rasps.

Rumlow moves to attack Steve with his electric rod again, but this time, Steve manages to defend himself before I finally send a roundhouse kick in his face and knock him out.

"It kind of feels personal." Steve retorts.

Steve picks up his SHIELD and glances around.

"What a douche...I knew there was a reason I hated him. That felt good though." I grinned.

"Stand back." Steve gently pushed me to the side. "We need to go, now."

Steve opens the doors to the elevator and I perk up in alarm as more STRIKE agents are waiting for us just outside.

"Drop the shield! Put your hands in the air! Both of you!"

Quickly thinking, I use the watch on my wrist to cut the elevator wires with a laser, sending the elevator down until it stops with its emergency breaks. As Steve opens the doors again with his bare hands, he sees more STRIKE agents approaching and closes the door as he desperately looks for another way out.

"Shit...we're cornered aren't we?" I cursed.

Steve gives me a look of uncertainty and desperation.

"I have an idea...but I need you to trust me." Steve told me.

I can't help but smile at Steve and clap a hand on his shoulder.

"...of course I trust you." I assured him.

From the other side of the elevator doors, someone shouts angrily.

"Give it up, Rogers! Get that door open! You two have nowhere to go!"

Steve suddenly picks me up, and I stare at him with wide eyes before realizing what he's about to do as he places his shield in front of us.

"Just...hold on tight."

Oh no...

"STEVE!" I yelp.

We break through the glass in the elevator and plummet down until we are now at the ground floor.

Fuck...that hurt.

I groan as I pick myself off the ground and Steve grabs my attention again when he roughly taps on my shoulder.

"Damn it, Steve...a little warning next time?"

"You're good at running right?" Steve blurts out.

"Um...yeah?" I look at him in confusion.

"Well let's go." He nods.

And then we're just running until we get to the garage, blasting out of SHIELD in Steve's motorcycle.

Holy shit! Steve's the man! This is fucking awesome!

Steve evades many obstacles easily, but when a Quinjet emerges ahead of us, Steve only drives faster.

"Stand down, Captain Rogers and Agent Taylor. Stand down." Someone spoke into the speakers.

The Quinjet gets out its machine guns and begin shooting at the two of us, already knowing deep down that Steve won't stop.

"Grab onto me, wrap your legs around my waist! Don't let go!" Steve warned me.

I'm afraid of what he's planning to do!

Steve throws his shield into the propellers, jamming it before he hops onto the quinjet, with me on his back like a fucking monkey as he does much more damage to the jet with his shield. After jumping off the jet, as it crashes, he keeps running.

"Do you want me to get off now?!" I ask.

"Nah! Just stay on!"

"If you're sure!" I blushed.

That was scary and fucking amazing.

As we quickly make it back to our apartment complex, I run to my apartment for a change of clothes to disguise myself as Steve does the same in his apartment. Before I realize it, Steve's invading my apartment and barging into my room as I'm changing as quickly as I can. I blush underneath his gaze, but try my best to ignore it as I voice my thoughts.

"Did you get a weird vibe from Pierce? Like he might have something to do with Fury's death?" I blurted out.

Steve pauses in his frantic pacing around my bedroom, looking at me in curiosity.

"You think...Pierce ordered that hit on Fury?" Steve asked.

"It's just a hunch...there's just something off about that guy, you know?" I clarified.

"I get what you mean..." Steve nodded in agreement.

I grab some random reading glasses and a hat and put them on Steve. Steve blushes, not expecting the sudden action, but doesn't stop me.

"Just so you blend in better." I told him.

I move to the bathroom adjoined in the bedroom, before grabbing a pair of scissors from the counter. Steve looks at me worriedly, before he notices me grabbing at my own hair and cutting off a huge chunk at a time. I give myself a short-medium length cut, not truly caring that I just cut my own hair. I put the wad of hair in the mini trash can nearby as I quickly inspect myself in the mirror.

Huh...I didn't do a bad job at least. I'm definitely not used to having shorter hair though...I've never cut it before now that I think about it...it looks...different.

Steve gives me an uneasy smile as he lets out a joke to lighten the mood.

"I'm surprised you cut your hair." Steve teased.

I can't help but shake my head and chuckle as I grab a random hat and pair of sunglasses, putting it on before glancing over at Steve.

"It'll grow back." I smile.

"Come on...I need to go back to the hospital. Fury gave me this flash drive before...before he died. I hid it in a vending machine." Steve informed me.

"Alright. Let's get going." I nodded in understanding.

We couldn't waste time...not now.

We made it back to the hospital, trying to act natural as possible. Steve casually walks to the vending machine he mentioned as he goes for the flash drive.

"It's gone." Steve barely uttered.

I glance over at Steve with a worried gaze.

"What?" I nearly hissed at him.

I heard some footsteps behind me followed by a loud pop of bubblegum. Turning around, I see Natasha, chewing gum and smiling at us like the cat that caught the canary. As soon as Steve notices Natasha, he angrily pushes her into another room and begins questioning her as I quietly shut the door and lock it behind me.

"Where is it?" He glared at her.

"Safe." She simply replied.

"Do better!" Steve hissed.

"Where did you get it?" Natasha questioned.

"Why would I tell you?" Steve gave her a look of disbelief.

"Fury gave it to you. Why?" Natasha blurts out.

"What's on it?" I finally spoke up.

"I don't know." Natasha stared at me skeptically.

"Stop lying!" Steve snapped.

"I only act like I know everything, Rogers." Natasha rolled her eyes.

"I bet you knew Fury hired the pirates, didn't you?" He asked.

"Well, it makes sense. The ship was dirty, Fury needed a way in, so do you." She said.

"I'm not gonna ask you again." Steve grew angry.

"I know who killed Fury." Natasha mutters.

We stared at her with surprise, and Steve slowly loosens his grip on her in response.

"Most of the intelligence community doesn't believe he exists, the ones who do, call him the Winter Soldier. He's credited with over two dozen assassinations in the last fifty years."

"So he's a ghost story." Steve guessed.

"Five years ago I was escorting a nuclear engineer out of Iran, somebody shot at my tires near Odessa. We lost control, went straight over a cliff. I pulled us out, but the Winter Soldier was there. I was covering my engineer, so he shot him. Straight. Through. Me." Natasha informed us.

Natasha pulls up her shirt to show us said bullet wound that was on the side of her stomach.

"A Soviet slag, no rifling. Bye-bye bikinis." She joked.

So that's why she asked Maria about the ballistics...

"Yeah, I bet you look terrible in them now." Steve sarcastically replied.

"Going after him is a dead end. I know, I've tried." Natasha faintly smiled.

Natasha holds up the flash drive as she holds it in front of Steve, almost teasing him.

"Like you said, he's a ghost story." Natasha finished.

Steve takes the flash drive from her and finally releases Natasha.

"Well, let's find out what the ghost wants."

Suddenly, Natasha stops Steve as she looks down at something with an intense gaze, and I realize exactly what she's looking at. Of course, during the changing of my wardrobe, my arms are slightly exposed with my shorter sleeves. Steve's eyes also follow where Natasha's land and he barely hold back a gasp.

Oh fuck me. My LOKI scar.

I blushed as I quickly slap a hand over the scar.

"Only one person I know has that scar." Steve lowers his voice dangerously.

I begin backing away nervously as Steve inches towards me.

"Are you sure you don't have something to say to us?"

Fuuuuckk...Steve and Natasha are too perceptive for their own good.

I find myself giving in, knowing that this was probably the only time I'd get to talk to Steve and Natasha alone before we went on our crusade to save the world from HYDRA. (Not that they knew that yet.) I raise my hands defensively, laughing out of a nervous habit I'd always had, something I pretty much inherited from my father. Steve and Natasha recognize the behavior and tense up as they stare at me.

"Alright, alright...but you gotta calm the fuck down, okay? Try not to freak out." I told them.

I turn my back to them as I put my sunglasses and hat on a table nearby, and close my eyes as I take a deep breath before deactivating the mask lent to me by Fury. I can hear it shut down, and I slowly peel it off of my face before placing it on the table as well. The suspense only heightens and I slowly turn around to face Natasha and Steve. Their reactions are nearly priceless, but I only find myself saddened because this was never how I pictured our reunion. I can't help but crack a nervous grin as I finally face them. Natasha, one of the best assassins in the world, looks absolutely shell shocked when she recognizes me and tears immediately spring into her eyes. Steve however, looks almost ready to pass out as his breath hitches.

"S- -surprise?" I joke.

"...Tyra?" Natasha breathed out.

Hey guys! I'm sorry it took so long, but I finally finished editing all of the Iron Man chapters starting all the way from chapter 1! I feel so accomplished right now! I hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter! It took forever to write! I was just trying to build up the suspense, and it was really challenging. I'm just super eager to finish the Winter Soldier movie, but I don't want to rush or the ending will probably end up really shitty. But I just really REALLY want to move on to Avengers 2! I'M SO EXCITED! Anyways, Let me know what you think of this chapter, try to be nice at least, I love you guys, and PEACE OUT! I'll try to update as fast as I can! Don't rush me!

-bellas2silly