After it had been discovered that SHIELD has been infected by HYDRA, Fury and the few agents that hadn't been corrupted had had to move to a new base of operations. Though Fury's secret headquarters hidden under a seemingly abandonded warehouse wasn't nearly as big or high tech as the triskelion, it was still pretty impressive. Fury had had this secret little base made as an emergency hideaway that he only new about ten years ago and it now served as the main SHIELD base.

Steve stepped into the new SHIELD headquarters, feeling uncomfortable and awkward in his new old body. Steve had been so used to the enhanced super soldier body, he hadn't felt this small since before he became Captain America.

He had had to go to the store before boarding the flight Fury had told him about in order to purchase some clothes that actually fit him. All of his old clothes were far too big for him now.

Though he knew it was superficial, Steve couldn't help but feel embarassed walking through SHIELD, past all of the agents he had once been taller than. He could feel their eyes on him, and knew that they were wondering who he was and how he had gotten an access card into such a secure location. Though his face would be similar, no one in this time had seen him before the serum and the chances were that no one would recognize him right away.

Steve had been about to turn down the hall that would lead to Fury's office when suddenly Maria Hill was standing in front of him, looking down at him with her hands placed on her hips.

"Excuse me, but are you authorized to be here?" She asked suspiciously.

He had been right about people not recognizing him. He really couldn't blame Maria too much, no one was really expecting to see Captain America looking so short and skinny.

"It's-uh...I'm Steve Rogers." Steve said unhappily.

"That isn't funny. Who are you?" Hill demanded.

Steve honestly didn't know how to explain this, he didn't even understand what was going on so how was he going to convince Maria that he really was who he claimed to be?

"Hill, I'm telling the truth." Steve said, trying to sound convincing.

Though it looked pretty ridiculous strapped on his small back, Steve had brought his shield with him. The shield was a part of him, whether he was Captain America sized or not. Steve had also been hoping it would prove to any doubters that he was the real Steve Rogers, but apparently not.

"Why are you carrying around a fake Captain America shield?" Maria asked with a raised brow, completely ignoring Steve's claim of honesty.

"Maria, look at me. It's really me, something weird is going on."

Though recently they had worked together to bring HYDRA down, Steve didn't know Maria Hill incredibly well. But apparently the use of her first name was enough to get her to look right into Steve's face.

There was a surprised intake of breath from Maria that let Steve know that she had finally recognized him. The cold scowl that had been on her face melted away into a look of disbelief.

"Steve? But how-"

"I don't know, but I need to talk to Fury." Steve told her.

"Fury, he called you in for a meeting. You need to get in there." Hill remembered.

"I'll take you there, make sure no one else stops you." Maria said, sounding a bit embarassed at having had acted so harshly toward Captain America.

Steve followed Maria through the labyrinth like building, trying to ignore the stares and questioning looks. Finally they reached a set of sliding steel doors that, like pretty much all of the doors in the base, required an access card with the proper security level to enter.

"I think they've already started. Do you want me to go in with you to...explain things?" Hill asked.

Steve shook his head, "No I'll take care of it. Thank you."

Maria gave a nod and a look that seemed to say 'good luck' before turning and walking off.

Steve let out a long sigh, he was not looking forward to explaining this whole predicament to Fury and whatever other agents he had in that meeting with him. But it was probably necessary if he ever wanted this to get fixed.

Steve pulled his access card out of his back pocket and held it over the identification scanner until a little green light flashed signifying that it had accepted the card. Steve slipped the card back into his pocket as the steel doors began to slide open, revealing a scene that made Steve's eyes go wide and his heart fill with dread.