Chapter 6 - Painful Memories

She stands there long enough to see him fall to the ground and hit his head pretty hard. She nods to herself, he couldn't have lived through that. But as she walks back to the front of the tower she wonders at what he said. He had said 'Beky?' right as he fell. That was her great grandmother's name. She had always been told that she looked just like her. Perhaps he had known her before he'd become the Winter Soldier.

'Oh well' she thinks 'it's not like he can tell anyone what happened. He is dead after all' she tries to convince herself. She had been worried about this mission for weeks. Did she really just get away with killing an Avenger?

'Confidence Jamie, confidence' she tells herself. This is ultimately what she'd been trained to do - kill the Winter Soldier.

Once Hydra realized that he was out of their control they knew they had to find a way to exterminate him. They knew what all he was capable of. They had programmed him to be a terrible weapon - they couldn't let him live and be against them.

She makes it to the bathroom, where she'd left her bag, without being spotted. She quickly changes her clothes and then takes the elevator to the 3rd floor. She tosses her bag into the chair at her desk. This was where she works, well part of the time anyway. She runs her hand across a deep cut on the wall remembering the fateful night that she'd been recruited.

~three years ago~

"Why am I always the last one here?" Jamie asked herself. Everyone else had left at least an hour earlier, even so, she didn't really mind. She had an important job. She smiled and proudly patted her name plate on her desk. It was official! She worked for S.H.E.I.L.D. now! She would have to thank her great grandmother, Beky again.

Granny Bek had worked for S.H.E.I.L.D most of her life. Ever since it had been started actually. She'd gone over and worked as a cook and nurse in Germany. What many people didn't know about her was that she had been an undercover agent and won many medals for bravery crossing enemy lines as well.

Jamie stuck her letter of recommendation for her college classes in her purse and turned out the light. She walked over and pushed the down button on the elevator. She couldn't keep the smile off her face while she looked around IT headquarters as she waited for the elevator. The doors clicked open and she was startled to see that there was someone already in there.

"Good evening, Jamie" the man said stepping out in front of her, blocking her way until the doors closed.

"Hello" she replied slightly tired but still chipper "Have we met?"

"No but I think we will become really good partners. Can we talk at your desk?"

"Well I was about to leave and..." she trailed off as she realized that it was an order not a request. "Um. Alright. Follow me" she was starting to get worried. She'd never seen this man before, but then it was really easy to overlook one person in a place this big. But she was new, how did he know her name?

She set her purse on her desk and leaned against it. "Please, sit down" she pointed to her chair and the man sat. "I'm sorry, I don't know your name."

He extended his hand for a hand shake "Clyde Hanler."

She shook his hand "Jamie Jankins. So, what can I do for you Mr. Hanler?"

"Well you see, Jamie," he sat back and folded his hands together "I have an open position for a great job that I thought you'd be interested in."

"I'm glad that you thought of me but I'm happy with my job here."

"Now before you deny, I want you to know exactly what I'm offering you."

"Alright I will listen" she said knowing that she wouldn't be able to leave until he said what he'd come to say.

"That's a wise choice" he opened a file and handed it to her as he continued "We are offering almost double the pay you are getting now. As well as free health insurance and you will get a new car, fully paid. We will also pay for your college classes."

She looked over the file following what he was saying "Well this sounds like a good deal but what would I be doing?"

"You'll learn to fight. You'll make the world a better place. A safer place. Join us in the fight" he stood and held out his hand for her to take as a symbol of agreement.

"But that's exactly what I'm doing here. Who would I be working for?"

"Hydra" he grinned.

Jamie's eyes grew wide. Hydra?! She was offered a job with the enemy. She needed to sound the alarm to let the night guard know that he was here. This was terrible, absolutely awful. It was still her first week and already she'd got in a terrible fix.

"Well, uh I er," she stuttered as she reached behind her to press the alarm button on her desk.

"That's not a good idea Miss Jankins. I hoped it wouldn't come to this but there is one other thing."

"And what's that?" she asked as she placed her hand on the button.

"If you press that button" he pulled a knife from his belt "your family dies. We have your house surrounded" he grinned wickedly as the knife reflected the fear in her eyes.

Her family was in danger? She couldn't let them get hurt! "You'll promise to never, ever, harm my family?" She asked, voice shaking.

He chuckled "Yes. WE won't harm them. It's up to you. But make your choice now."

An idea formed in her mind. Well part of one anyway. She had gotten her carry permit right before her job here and there was a hand gun in her purse. And you know what they say: never bring a knife to a gun fight. She also had the advantage of surprise.

"Is there something I need to sign?"

"That's a good girl" Clyde Hanler grinned as he pulled a contract from the folder and handed it to her "do you have a pen?"

"Yes" she took the paper with shaky hands and read over it before reaching into her purse. She quickly pulled out her gun and turned to shoot. Before she knew what had happened, he had thrown his knife and knocked the gun from her hands. He had her pinned against her desk and she turned to see the knife buried in her wall.

"Jamie, Jamie" he sighed "I thought you would make the right choice" he twisted her arm farther behind her back until she cried out. "This is your last chance, dear" his strawberry-scented breath warmed her face "What do you say?"

"I... I... yes" she said unsure of what else she could do. She had tried, hadn't she?