Chapter 26- New York Times

New York City several hours later

There were eyes all around him watching, evaluating and silently waiting. Some of those eyes belonged to his friends and allies. They had to watch him to make sure that HYDRA was not about to attack. But they also watched because they could not be sure if he was keeping other secrets. He had hidden his knowledge of his brother and his use of the bow and arrow for years. Even those he trusted the most had not been given that knowledge. "You will have to get used to both hiding facts and lying to protect them", his father had told him long ago. He of course had extra training in those things through being a spy.

After an exhausting flight he was now back in the city that held many unpleasant memories. He,Ethan, Clint, Steve and Bruce were all together in a limosine circling around the City streets. Clin'ts eyes were almost continually focused upon him now and his brothers words as they had landed still rung in his head, "we will fight together and if necessary go down together. Don't ask me to sit somewhere and just watch", Clint had insisted .He had not been offended by Will keeping secrets because he knew he'd done it all to stay alive.

The others had agreed about Clint's presence, partly because at least they knew where he was. They knew Clint well enough to know that keeping him behind would just mean he would just go off on his own. Will stretched slightly pulling on the shackle that secured his arm to that of Steve Rogers. This was their way of ensuring he did not pull the swap routine again. He was not planning that move again of course. That didn't mean he was not going to carry out a different plan. He had a move in mind that he was not going to share with any of them and that included Clint,

Clint's fingers tightened a little on the arm rest, his index finger seemingly tapping for no reason other than boredom. It was though, how they communicated, twin speak, a secret language Clint had he had invented before the surgery. The knowledge of that language had been one of the memories that had recently returned to Clint. They had used it to plan the masquerade. When he'd been asked how he did it by Killian and Fury Will had lied and said they had used notes. He wanted the language to remain between the two or them. That had not been his only lie.

All their questions had hit him harshly yet he had not faulted. He doubted they could tell he was lying. They had already drugged him once to ensure they had been told the truth. Of course they did not know that one of the things his father had prepared him for was the possibility of being questioned while drugged. He had built up a resistance to the drugs used that had enabled him to lie to the IMF and SHIELD. There was too much fear in his past to feel comfortable even in the presence of powerful people like the Avengers . Then of course were the words his father had drilled into his mind,"do not trust anyone". They pounded through his head like a drum keeping him on high alert. Those were not just hollow words, his father had once asked for help from Howard Stark, Tony's father and been rebuked. It had been why Will had spoken with him in such a combative way when they'd met. He had also heard enough about Tony to wonder if he would return to his old ways. Anyone could be tempted if they had power within their grasp.

Will knew he would pay a price for his lies, disavowment or worse may await when finally the whole truth came out. Part of him felt fear and the other part was just numb. He had been living a lie long enough now and was becoming desensitized . "Are you alright", Clints fingers flicked at him again. "Yes", he flicked back. Clint's expression did not change but his fingers flicked back, "liar'. Yes that was him.

He turned and looked out the car window at the city sure the eyes of the enemy were upon him right now. How close they were he did not know .All he knew was that there was a passionate hatred behind their targeting of him and his family . Even recent knowledge did not make him feel safe. Fury had told him that he'd sent Thor into the bunker and found Byron Ink and all the HYDRA troops inside dead. They had taken their own lives rather than be subject to questioning. That the man who'd chased him for years was dead brought a type of relief yet it was not complete as Ink was not the leader of HYDRA because his personality was too unstable. "Who is it dad", he had asked his father. The look he'd got back was filled with an emotion he could not grasp. He understood though that his father did know the answer. "Tell me", his shout had whipped harshly with power he did not think he'd had. His father had thrown a photo at his feet . It sailed across the room and ended up in a corner. He retrieved the photo and stared at it uncomprehending, "what is this", he'd demanded. His voice now had a croakiness within it, he feared the answer. "That is why we will never stop running Will, why they hate us so much and why I can never end this by killing ". Now you know everything", his father put his hands up to his face ,misery clear in his posture. This had already broken him and tainted his relationship with his sons. Now it could possibily take away any life Will wanted to have.

"Alright Will, its time to do your thing", Steve's statement cut into his thoughts. Ethan nodded at him from the seat opposite, indicating he was ready for anything. Will slipped down from the soft seat onto the hard floor and closed his eyes. He had told them it was his method of finding the laboratory, to not rely on his eyes and to engage his other senses. Around him Steve Rogers, Clint , Ethan and Bruce said nothing, their eyes though watched his actions carefully. He knew Natasha , Tony Stark, Jane and Benji were in other cars around them. Everyone was heavily armed yet he did not feel reassured. His hands shook slightly as unpleasant memories assailed him.

Xxxxxx

"At the moment they are just driving around, it seems without purpose". They had gone down the same streets a couple of times", Cory reported. "Yeah, they are just trying to distract any tails, keep watching", came back the order in a flat monotone devoid of any clear emotion. Cory agreed. He had no idea who he was talking to as he'd never been considered important enough to be introduced to HYDRAs leader. That leader was famous, a powerful ,driven figure that had elevated HYDRA out of the hole it had fallen into. After he had completed this mission he was sure he would stand at the leaders side and be one of the inner circle that was privy to the leaders identity. It was an honor reserved for those of the highest loyalty.

It had been rather ironical that Thor had unknowingly saved his life. The drone had been bearing down upon him with its guns tearing up the earth at his heels. He had changed direction suddenly heading back toward the mouth of the hidden tunnel. His sudden course change did not deter the drone and he could now hear it buzz as it closed . His whole body began to shake as he thought about his death with hot tears forming in his eyes. Everything around him seemed to still for a minute. After the stillness came a strong wind that buffeting him about roughly making him fall to the ground. He lay amongst the undergrowth his breath coming in short gasps. The wind was now almost storm force and as he watched in frozen terror an uprooted tree swept across the sky and crashed into the drone with a deafening force. The thing exploded. From his hiding place he saw Thor emerge and look about him. He lay still and quiet until the man passed, then he'd run for his life. He had stopped running after awhile and stayed to watch what was left of the HYDRA troops being rounded up. It was during this he had heard Thor ask if he should join the others in New York.

He had promptly given this information to the leader who had arranged for him to be flown to the city as fast as possible.

Now he was here watching the limo that contained their target. Unbeknown to him his boss was just a few cars away . Settled comfortably in a limo the leader talked to the other HYDRA operatives also in cars surrounding the target limousine. As yet the order would not come to attack. There was only one thing stopping that order, proof. When the leader had been told the laboratory was in New York city disbelief had been the first emotion. This city was where Brandt's father had been located many yeas ago and had been top of the list for location of the hidden laboratory. It was at that time that they'd searched the city with the most sophisticated equipment they could find. The experts said there was nothing here and thus they had moved on. They had not found anything in other cities equipment they used to search got more advanced over the years and now it was considered infallible . So with that piece of knowledge in mind there had to be consideration of the fact that the laboratory did not exist at all. It was all a made up piece of fantasy that had started in the mind of Joseph Brandt and was being perpetuated by his son .Will Brandt had certainly shown he was brilliant enough to carry out a subterfuge . Even the fact he had convinced IMF and SHIELD the laboratory existed was not proof enough. He could just be stringing both agencies along to make it look more convincing. Brandts father had hated HYDRA with a deep passion that would have rubbed off on Will Brandt. Clint Barton would go along with any plan as well, SHIELD had already tainted his mind about HYDRA's purposes. So this could simply all be about revenge and finally taking HYDRA out of the picture for good.

It was not going to happen. HYDRA had more agents planted in both IMF and SHIELD and they were working toward the moment when both those agencies would be taken down from within. That goal was all so close now it could be tasted like a fine wine.

"Driver take us around the block again", came the request as the target limo changed direction again.

Inside their limo Will could feel his stomach lurch as the car moved rapidly. "You have several cars following your route", came JARVIS's voice. The AI systems were linked into the car. "All are legitimately owned by businesses in the City". "Yeah, I had a feeling that would be the case", Clint muttered.

He looked over at Will who still had his eyes closed. What was he holding back, Clint find himself beginning to obsess over the answer. He wondered if Will was aware of the fact everyone was asking questions, IMF and SHIELD were no longer totally sure he was being honest with them. Of course Clint was not going to tell them they were right. He knew Will was firmly on the side of good and the others belief in that was probably all that was stopping them locking him up. Sooner or later though they were going to get tougher on Will.

"I can't do this", Will's mutter snapped Clint out of his thoughts. "It was totally dark when I visited the laboratory ,we need to wait a few more hours". Steve and Ethan both stared at him. "We could goto the tower", Bruce suggested, referring to Tony's place. "I'd be safe enough since anyone knocking at the door would immediately be suspect". Clint craved the answer 'yes' to that suggestion. He wanted to stop and feel normal if only for a short time. "No", Steve vetoed the notion. "Fury and Killian both made it clear there were to be no side trips." He looked from Clint to Will noticing both of them were tenser. "Either you can find this place or you can't Agent Brandt", Steve looked at him seriously. "We all have to wonder why HYDRA would chase you for years if there was only a remote chance you could find this hidden laboratory. Unless of course its all some elaborate plot, you seem good at those". There was no accusation present in Steve's voice, Clint noted, he sounded more fed up than anything. Will said nothing just looking down at the floor. It was evident he was holding back. "Out with it", Clints fingers demanded. "No", Will flicked back. Clint sighed audibly then reached over and actually shook Will, "I've had enough of this Will, "what are you hiding. Was this whole laboratory thing made up and now you don't want to confess because you fear what your agency and mine might do to you."The accusation hung there between them all. Ethan feared Clint was right and this was all some personal crusade that Will had dragged them into. IMF would not be impressed to have a revenge driven agent manipulating them. Will would face a lot of trouble if it was true. He knew though that he was not the one to get the answer out of Will.

Will looked over at all the faces now staring and knew his actions had them all wondering. Sometimes he questioned himself. Yes, he had lied many times and continued to hold back the whole truth but he had been honest about some things. "The laboratory does exist", he said simply. "I can find it as I have been there many times before". Sometimes I'd sit there alone waiting for my father to return. He was the only family I could find at the time and I was not going to let him go that easily".

A silence hung over the car for a minute as they all digested that information. Finally Steve repeated a statement Will had made",many times, "you said only one". "Yeah well it has been many years since I was last there", Will paused licking his dry lips. He sounded reluctant Ethan reflected . Clint too picked up on that and flicked out, "theres more", on his fingers. He noticed Ethan watching him and wondered if the agent was going to figured out why his hands were so twitchy.

Will sighed loudly and confessed" "I know I don't want to find it". "Yeah I think we all get that", Ethan told him. "We have already seen the damage that virus could do and who knows what else is in that place and what it might do".It is terrifying Will and I don't fault you for your reluctance". But youalso know that laboratory is vulnerable. HYDRA will not stop looking".We don't want to put pressure upon you but you are smart enough to know what IMF will do to you if you hold onto this information". He susuepcted that Will may not care too much about that as long as Clint was not caught in the fall out. He cared though and so put on a little pressure.

"I know whats in there Ethan, . Dad explained most of it to me. There is the possibility of wonder or the unleashing of nightmares. Stark would be one who will find it irresistible and him too", Will pointed at Bruce. "They may well begin to alter whats in there themselves, who knows what will come of that", Will said with sorrow. "It was all supposed to be for good".

Clint was touched by the sorrow that hung over Will and wrapped his arms around him tightly. Ethan looked sadly at him. "Maybe it still can be used for good Will. We just have to eliminate HYDRA. I guess they do wonder how much your father told you. " As he said that he saw just for a second a familiar boxed in expression appear on Will's face .He equated that with Will holding back something else. It was a type of knowledge that obviously terrified Will and that gave Ethan the shivers. All he could do was share his observations and hope Will talked."Your father could not share technical details with someone who would not know what to do with them. So I don't think he'd have told you too much about that research other than basic details. Yet you are still hiding something Will. What did he tell you that has you so scared", Ethan prodded.

"No, I can't", Will said the words firmly as he put his hands in his face. He was almost clawing at his skin in an effort to escape their questions. He hunkered down on the floor of the car in a ball as if trying to escape. The shackle on his arm pulled tightly but he did not flinch. The others found the whole display profoundly disturbing. Clint could feel Will's pain pulsing. He cast his own mind back in to the past trying to find anything that would account for his behavour, but many of his memories still lay in hadows. He made a wild stab. "To chase want you for so long it must be good, like the names of all the HYDRA operatives that existed. Though that type of information would be useless years…", Clint broke off because he saw Will's expression change just slightly. He found himself reaching down and pulling Will's hands off his face, "that's it isn't' it, you know names". Will looked at him, "I was told Byrons name and one other", he almost whispered that. "Whos the other one", Steve asked firmly. Clint hoped Steve would not try and force the name out. Will just looked at him for a second then looked at Ethan for support. "Tell us Will, we can protect you", Ethan said in his best team leader who is to be obeyed voice. "Not from this you can't Ethan, that's the whole problem", Will retorted back. "Tell us anyway Will", Ethan asked. "Yes, you said all I needed to do was trust you, well now the reverse is true. We are your friends Will. None of us work for HYDRA or would ever considered defecting to their cause. Nothing you say will ever alter any of those facts". It was a deep vow and from Ethan Hunt's lips it was an unbreakable truth.

Will felt cornered. He felt like an over blown balloon ready to pop if more pressure was added. There was knowledge had been holding on for so long that he had become accustomed to the uncomfortable feelings and partially unaware of the change in his personality . It was time to let go. "Alright, I suppose that this deep dark secret can finally see the light", he muttered. He looked into Clints face, " identical twins runs in our family Clint", he said, "it is inherited from one of our parents. " Clint was frowing, "what are you trying to say Will", he asked. His chest already felt tight for some reason.

Will reached over and tapped a few buttons on the laptop that was positioned between Ethan and Bruce.

A photo was revealed, "our mother and our aunty, one good and the other the leader of HYDRA", Will said bleakly. Clint swallowed and he clutched his head as a memory came swirling back,"Aunty Alyce is the leader of HYDRA" he stated. His memories of her were indistinct ,but he seemed to recall laughing with her and enjoying her company. Strangely enough he also seemed to remember her poking him cruelly when his fathers back was turned. Will swallowed, and looked at the photo. "Our father had been dating for a six months when he met her, he already was in love with one twin. He said he could not help loving her as well. So their relationship became a triangle, two women, one man, that was always going to end badly. He had to make a choice about which one he loved. So he did. Of course choices always have consequences and his love of two women had terrible ones. It is what lead us to this point", Will choked out

Clint held onto him, "Will that's bad but its not as terrible as you think. Nobody is going to hold us accountable for what our Aunty is and has done." He thought that was why Will was so scared.

Will wished that was all it was. He looked down at the floor then back up into Clints eyes , he had to tell him everything now. Twin speak would not work for this, so he had to trust that the others would not repeat this to their superiors. He took a deep breath and told Clint the full truth, "oh its far worse than that Clint, you see the one whos alive and wanting to kill us is not our Aunty, shes our mother."