"Luke Adams, the biometrics engineer?" Tony, Bruce, and I were all gathered in the lab, fully awake though we remained in our sleep attire.
Bruce and I nodded.
Tony rolled his eyes, "I guess I shouldn't be surprised since he signed on with Hammer."
"You know him?" The name on its own seemed common enough, I'd at least expected a little digging to be needed.
"I know of him, though I never really looked too closely." Tony shrugged, turning to manipulate a projection until a picture was displayed, "His work was good, but I found better. Is that your guy?"
"Yeah, that's him." I didn't need more than a moment to study his features. "Hydra's probably got him under their thumb."
Bruce raised an eyebrow, "He's not working with them willingly?"
"At first I think he might have been, but when I saw him things went bad, so probably not anymore."
They both kept their attention on me, waiting for me to elaborate. I looked between them and decided to not go into graphic detail.
"We were supposed to collect some new tech, but it wasn't what Hydra was expecting and it went bad. Eric took out the guards in the room and threatened Luke. One of the other guards threatened me to get to Eric and I thought I'd incapacitated him, but he tried to shoot me." I sighed and took a deep breath before going on, "Eric pushed Luke in the way, but the bullet ricocheted from his collarbone and got me in the hip…" After another short pause and glace between the two I continued, "He kind of lost it at that point and killed the guards. Even at the end, he couldn't be talked down, he just kept going. And just like that, we continued with the mission. Luke gave us access to his research."
The resulting uncomfortable silence went on for longer than I'd liked. I couldn't tell if they were still processing the summary of events or perhaps they were disgusted by how the events played out. The two shared a glace before Tony began to manipulate the hologram again.
"Well, I'm sure it's safe to assume he's not going along willingly then." Tony's hands finally stopped after he'd gotten the information he'd been looking for, "Looks like he's at his London headquarters for a bit. We should pay him a visit."
I looked to Bruce and he looked down before his eyes flitted over me and to the holographic information, "Both of us going would be too easy." It would be like serving up just what they wanted on a silver platter.
"Splitting up isn't ideal, but we do know that a good bit of them are still in the city. Some of us should stay here." Tony continued voicing my line of thought.
Bruce's brown eyes finally met with mine for a long moment. His jaw clenched, but he didn't seem outright upset. Instead sadness seemed to permeate the look he shared with me and for a split second I thought he might finally say something. He looked to Tony who gave a solemn nod in return.
"We'll be back before lunch." The billionaire assured.
"Then you two should go. Sterns is probably nearby and he could cause a lot of damage without anyone to stop him if he does decide to show up again." Bruce relented as he took a step closer. I couldn't help feeling like I'd had the wind knocked from me as he gingerly placed his hand along the nape of my neck and placed a kiss to my forehead before taking his leave without another word. He'd been strangely quiet during the exchange. Was he upset with me?
I watched him go, shaking my head as I reminded myself of the new plan. With a deep breath, I pushed away the hurt and steeled myself before regarding Tony again, "When do we go?" I squared my shoulders and erased any sign of distress from my features, regretfully drawing on the training I'd had as a Hydra agent. Now was not the time to let emotions cloud my judgement.
Tony hesitated for a moment, watching my demeanor shift, "Look, are you sure you're up for this?"
"I need to go." I met him with an even gaze. I appreciated his concern, but Luke was linked to Hydra and as much as I didn't like it, it was now a part of my past that I needed to learn more about.
He nodded, "Alright, well get changed. We'll leave in fifteen."
After gathering a few supplies and changing my clothes I began to make my way back through the tower, pausing for a moment outside of Bruce's door. I had another five minutes or so before it was time to go. Tentatively, I knocked on the door.
I wasn't surprised that it opened a few seconds later, knowing Bruce hadn't gone back to bed, "Bruce I—I just…" I didn't want to say goodbye. Goodbye sounded too formal and had too much finality to it.
He opened the door so that I could enter his room, but he didn't express the emotions that crossed his features. Instead, he remained quiet for the most part and opted to envelope me in a warm embrace. His breath tickled as it swept across my neck and shoulder while he kept his face buried against me. Bruce's hugs had always been able to put me at ease, not that this one didn't, but I sensed that something was amiss as he spoke, "Be careful, Rachel."
I pulled back and looked at him, searching for any inclination as to what was wrong. After a moment I sighed, unable to figure out what exactly it was. Knowing that there wouldn't be time to talk about it I stretched to kiss him, slightly surprised by the brevity of his return before we parted. Again, I steeled myself and slipped out of the room, deciding that the emotions would have to wait until my task was done.
Tony was waiting, the door to the quinjet open as I arrived. "Alright Jarvis, time to rock and roll." He clapped my shoulder as I entered the aircraft and the doors shut behind me.
The sun had yet to rise, but we decided to sit at the front of the aircraft despite the limited view. Tony sat in the captain's seat although for the time being the AI was carrying us to our destination. Through the reflection in the glass I could see him look at me, "Are you alright?"
Despite the mix of emotions constantly knotting in my stomach I'd managed to keep a cool exterior so far, "Of course, I'm just focused."
"Right, well when a poker face is part of your life from a young age, you get pretty good at spotting one." He called me out on my BS, "It's alright to not be okay sometimes."
I stared at him for a long moment, actually looking at him. The scent of coffee clung to the fabric of his clothes, the muscle along his jaw tensed and relaxed as he chewed the inside of his cheek, and the shadow beginning to form under his eyes made it obvious that he'd developed a caffeine habit to combat the lack of sleep he'd been getting. "You should sleep more."
His eyebrows rose and he nodded, "You got all of that in ten seconds?"
Tilting my head slightly, I waited for him to continue.
"I make suits when I can't sleep, which is more often than not these days." He confirmed what I'd assumed, "Natasha and Clint spar, but he woodworks and she writes poetry though she'll never let you see it. Thor buys up all of the poptarts at the nearest store. Steve works out, draws, and makes friends with bald eagles." I gave him a look, "Maybe not that last part, but my point is that no one is ever okay all of the time."
"And Bruce?" I'd noticed he'd left out a certain scientist.
"He withdraws and buries himself in research when he's not meditating."
I nodded, "Sounds about right."
"What do you do? I know you used to draw before, but since you've been back you haven't."
"I think now I just spar."
"Not that it's a bad thing, but what about when you're burnt out? Then what will you do?"
I hadn't thought about what I'd do when I ran out of steam. It was true, I hadn't touched a sketchbook since it'd gotten me in trouble at Hydra time and time again. My expressions hadn't been safe, so I'd stopped expressing myself.
"You don't need to answer right away, but it's something to think about."
A few minutes passed before I broke the silence between us, "Thank you, Tony." I knew he'd only been concerned for me. After everything, he was still just trying to help the people closest to him despite the toll it had begun to take on him.
"You're welcome." He offered a small smile.
"I know this is probably Adam's spot, but we'll only be a little bit." Tony landed the quinjet on the helipad of Luke's building. It was the beginning of the business day by the time we'd arrived. Tony brushed away the imaginary wrinkles on his clothes before grabbing his briefcase which doubled as his suit and taking long strides up to the private entrance of the office.
Luke's expression shifted from one of confusion and annoyance to surprise when he'd realized who was tapping on the glass to his office. "Stark? What are you doing here?" He stood up from his desk and opened the door, pausing when I followed him in.
"Adams, just dropped by for a chat. I believe you've met Rachel before?"
"Dawn, wasn't it?" His face drained to an unhealthy shade as he watched me.
"I prefer Rachel."
"I didn't think you of all people would be with them too." He looked to Tony again.
"You see, that's what we came to talk about." Tony idly walked across the office and back, observing the surroundings. "We need to know where your tech goes once you send it out."
"What you and your partner did last time wasn't enough? You had to come back?" He stared at me, keeping a safe distance between us.
I ignored his questions, "Where do the supplies go?"
"You don't know?"
Frustrated, I drew a deep breath and looked to Tony, "Look, we need the records." He filled in.
"Are you crazy? There are no records." He gestured towards the door, "Just go before you get me killed. You can't just show up asking about that kind of stuff."
The main doors to the office opened and four guards entered the room. I cursed under my breath, knowing they were Hydra. Luke confirmed this, shrinking away as if they'd scared him just as much as Tony and I. With a quick glace towards Tony, he nodded that he knew as well.
"Hey guys, sorry I didn't book an appointment." He placed the suitcase at his feet, raising his hands slowly.
Without wasting another moment, I moved in quickly, using the decorative end table near the door to launch myself into the air and grab the guard at the back of the group by the neck. I used the momentum of the fall and my weight to take his balance and bring him down over my knee, positive that I'd broken a few of his ribs in the motion. The distraction bought Tony the time to equip his portable suit and he armed himself just in time to knock the gun from a guard's hand with his repulsors.
I nodded my thanks, having been distracted by the guard rolling to his feet despite the take down I'd attempted. The other three guards moved forward to allow the door to shut us out and separate me from Tony. My original mark took a few steps forward, closing the gap between us and deflecting my next swing. His sheer size put me at a disadvantage which is why I'd targeted him first to hopefully get him out of the way. He caught my arm as I spun to put my bodyweight behind my next swipe towards his head. Quickly reversing my momentum, I wrenched my arm away and aimed a kick towards his temple.
The guard managed to throw his forearm up in time to block my foot. In one swift motion he gripped my ankle and swung his entire body ninety degrees, releasing me so that I slammed into the large pane of glass that showcased the city below. I barely heard the guards in the next room get sent back through the office doors by Tony, having been distracted by my own body causing the glass to splinter upon impact.
A little dazed with my body still recuperating from the previous day's events, I looked up, slower to gather myself. A sharp pain erupted from my side as I moved. Without a second thought I pressed my hand to the area to feel that my stitches had reopened, but I didn't dare take my eyes off my opponent. He was looking down at me, hand extended as he spoke, "Take a deep breath, calm your mind. You know where you belong."
I slumped as much as I could in my upright position, unable to collapse with the heavy metal restraints keeping me up. My wrists were raw from my attempts to escape my confines and my eyes had long since stopped watering on their own, dried from prolonged exposure to the air as I was forced to take in what replayed on the screen before me. A methodic ticking emanated from somewhere within room, but I hadn't been able to pinpoint its origin from where I stood with my head forced to stay in a single position.
"Stop!" My heart began to pump furiously, a hint of desperation and panic lacing my tone. I recoiled as he advanced, but still I couldn't look away. My stained hand strayed lower towards the knife I carried, but I didn't get the chance to use it.
"We need your compliance, Dawn. Together, with Hydra, we can be strong. We will build you up so that nothing can hurt you. In return, you will defend Hydra to preserve our mission. Are you ready?"
"Compliance will be rewarded."
My grip on the handle loosened, lingered, and then slipped away. Reaching forward, I accepted his hand and stood up, "Happy to comply." Suddenly I was at ease, all the hurt, hostility, and fear was gone. I was hyper focused, ready for my next assignment.
"Rachel?"
I turned to see Iron Man standing just in the other room, Adams a few paces behind. On the floor were the three Hydra agents that had been assigned as guards, their bodies keeping the doors open. With a brief glance to my side I was given my next mission.
"Unfortunately, with his suit, Mr. Stark will most likely evade us. Mr. Adams, on the other hand, has served his purpose. Please take care of him."
Looking to the man furthest from me I withdrew the gun on my hip and aimed it between his eyes. In one fluid motion Iron Man positioned himself in front of Adams and used his repulsor to send the man next to me a few paces back. "Put it down." His hand shifted slightly to aim towards my raised firearm.
"Take your shot, there's always more." I kept a level stare. There were always more Hydra agents, always another plan.
"Don't make me, Rachel."
Although the suit produced an automated tone as it projected his voice, I could almost hear regret in his last statement. My stomach began to knot as I kept the gun steady, contemplating how I would get my shot with Iron Man in the way.
"This isn't you, you aren't Hydra."
A growl of frustration escaped through my gritted teeth. "Just move." I didn't like that he was in the way. I didn't like that my stomach continued to betray me. I didn't like that he called me Rachel. I didn't like the doubt he planted into my head…I didn't like that some part of me wanted to believe him.
My mission was clear and simple, eliminate a target. Nothing else mattered. All the messy emotions could be sorted out later. I allowed my eyes to flicker to the right, suggesting my next move. Inhaling, I shifted my weight, changing suddenly to step left and pull the trigger.
His suit must have picked up on some sort of micro expression that revealed my attempt at deceit, but the bullet was deflected by his suit and his hand shifted with my steps. In an instant the gun was knocked from my grasp in a flash of light, the force of which caused my hand to snap back uncomfortably.
Flexing my hand, I ignored the aching, satisfied to have it be fully functional otherwise. Eyeing him for another moment I prepared for my next move although the chances of success were slim. I wouldn't be able to get to Adams with Iron Man in the way, but given that he was wearing a lighter suit, I could try to damage it.
He tilted his head as I withdrew my knife. I imagined he was chatting with his AI, but I wouldn't give him the time to realize what I was doing. Rushing forward I swung with my free hand, coaxing him to catch my wrist.
"I feel like that would hurt you more than me." He chided, but didn't release my arm.
I could feel the corner of my lip turn upwards as I smirked, pulling my arm back and forcing his to extend as he still didn't release me. Quickly I struck with the knife, wedging it between two plates of metal that exposed the inner workings of his suit as his arm moved. Before I was able to cause too much damage he used his hold on my wrist to cross my arms and dislodge the blade as he drove my arms in a downward motion.
Without giving him much time for thought I aimed a kick towards his head, unsurprised when his arm curled upwards and around with his palm meeting the top of my foot. I used his hand and shoulder as support, pushing off from the floor with my other foot so that I was able to stand on his shoulder. From my position I knelt down so that he held me up with his neck locked between my calves. Had he been a normal target, I could have twisted his head to cause spinal damage, but since I knew my time would be limited given my opponent I opted for another plan of action. In the split second that the position allowed I twisted with as much force as I could muster in an attempt to throw Iron Man's center of gravity, flinging my blade towards Adams in the small window of opportunity that it provided.
With the help of the suit, Tony spun with me and managed to react accordingly. The response of his suit was immediate, palm raising and a white blast knocking the knife away from my target with fractions of a second to spare. I rolled away from him, a crease forming between my brows as I frowned. The sound of my knife clattering uselessly to the ground resonated in the moment of silence between us.
Instinctively, his hand rose to defend himself as he created space between us, but he hesitated with his palm glowing. "I'm sorry." He sighed. I heard the repulsor charge followed by a flash of white and then nothing.