We're almost at the end! Only two more chapters to go after this! Thank you again for your reviews, support and encouragement!

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March 3rd, 1944. Near the HYDRA headquarters, Europe.

The following morning, a meeting was called for all the members of the team and the major players of the SSR along with Howard Stark. Finally, after months of searching, they had the Red Skull's location, and it was time to take action. As they began discussing tactics, Howard noticed a familiar person enter the room and he fought to hide his smile. After an hour, it was decided that they would split into three groups. Steve and one other person would work to set up the inside of the base, the rest of the team would come in through one way, the SSR another and between them and the technology Howard was supplying, they would take down HYDRA. To everyone's surprise, it was Dernier, usually the quietest in the group, that spotted the flaw in the plan.

"There's just one issue; we need someone who can slip in to the building, place the bombs and get back out. That someone needs to be small and fast to get through the tunnels and back out in five minutes. As we established previously, nobody on the team is small enough to do that." Jones translated to the group.

The room fell silent as each person tried to come up with a suitable alternative, until a voice that nobody except Howard and colonel Phillips was expecting spoke out.

"I'm pretty sure we established one person capable. As I remember, she did a pretty good job too."

Steve immediately flew out of his seat in shock and spun to face his little sister, his eyes betraying the relief and joy at seeing her talking again. Everyone else simply stared at her in various surprise and shock. Only Howard and the colonel showed a cool exterior, both aware she was back and ready for a fight.

"Beth." Steve breathed as she made her way through the room to join the main table.

"I'll do it." she said, her gaze connecting with his own in a silent plea to not make a scene about her return at that moment.

He was successful in not reacting to her being there, but reacted explosively to her offer.

"No. Are you crazy?!" he protested.

Beth could feel the eyes of all the room's occupants on her and she sighed, tired of people looking at her like she was a ticking time bomb about to go off any second. She was still grieving but since Howard snapping her out of it the day before, she'd realised she had so much still to live for, primarily her brother and the men in front of her she now considered her family, and it was about time they all realised that. She wanted to shout her feelings out, but knew it would only make things worse, so she settled for simply shrugging and moving to sit in the chair her brother had vacated.

"Maybe I am, but think about it boys; I'm the smallest person here, I am more than capable of fighting and I have proven on previous occasions that I am more than skilled enough for this. As for being stealthy, I snuck past Steve and Bucky a number of times growing up without them noticing and was able to get away with numerous pranks before they realised it was me and not each other." She replied, allowing a smirk to creep on to her face.

A brief flash of pain crossed Steve's gaze at the mention of Bucky, but the memory of catching her sneaking out of his room one night after she'd laid a trap for him had him chuckling as he returned to the table and stood next to her. As the people around them began murmuring between themselves, she felt his hand slide on to her shoulder, as if he had to assure himself that she was really there and not a figment of his imagination. She reached up to give his arm a reassuring squeeze, looking up at him with apologetic eyes. His response was a kiss on the top of her head, his lips brushing her ear as he spoke.

"You had me worried to death. I'm so glad you're okay."

"Honestly, I'm not, but thanks to Howard snapping me out of it, I've realised I'm wasting my talents and the life Bucky gave me, so I'm determined that I will be." She replied.

His expression turned quizzical and she shook her head, knowing he was intrigued by her mention of Howard.

"Later." She promised.

He squeezed her shoulder once more before turning his attention back to the group. The moment he began speaking, they fell silent, listening intently to his words.

"So, what does everyone think? Unless we have a unanimous agreement, Beth, you aren't going, especially as you've not trained or been active for the past few months." He said, his eyes turning to steel as he said the last part to his sister.

She sat up further in her chair, nodding in agreement. Falsworth was the first to reply.

"I'm sorry, but no. You've been a shell the past few months- how do we know you're back and not just pretending? The last thing we need is you falling apart on us in the middle of this."

Even though she knew he had a valid point, she had hoped for a bit more support from her old team mates and his words stung far more than she was happy to admit, even to herself. As a soldier she'd never before spoken to voiced his agreement, Beth fought to grit her teeth instead of shouting at them. Her fists clenched, her eyes flashing dangerously. Before she could give in and say something she would no doubt regret, Dum Dum jumped in, his voice as blaring as ever.

"That's bull and you know it! She has proven herself time and time again and has never once shown she isn't capable. She is as much a part of this team as any of us! Okay, so we lost her for a while, but do I have to remind you that her fiancé and one of her closest friends died in front of her within weeks of each other? I'm surprised she's managed to claw herself back at all, let alone after just a few months! If Beth, whose aim with a gun and surgical skills has saved more than one of our lives, isn't good enough to be let back in, then surely none of us are good enough! It's a hell yes from me."

He strode over and wrapped a chunky arm round her shoulder.

"Don't you worry darlin', I got your back." He murmured into her ear.

She gave him a grateful yet shaky smile and glanced back at the others for the rest of their verdicts. Morita simply shrugged.

"I'm cool with it."

Dernier and Jones were both quick to agree with Dum Dum and Morita, leaving only Steve and Falsworth. Falsworth didn't look happy, but at Dum Dum's expression, he relented with a sigh and held his hands up in surrender.

"Okay, I'm saying yes. I still hold reservations about your mental state, but as you said you're the only one who can carry it off. Plus, Duggan is correct; you are still one of us."

Beth silently thanked him and he bowed his head at her. She then turned her gaze up at Steve, who looked torn. Standing, she reached up and cupped his cheek, making him look at her. Sensing they were about to have a moment, the others looked away, pretending not to hear their conversation.

"Steve, I've always believed in you, and look at all you've achieved. I know I've been shut off lately, but I know I can do this. I'm back. I'm me again, fully intact and ready to get some payback for Bucky and Edward. You're the last one left to vote and I'm asking for you to believe in me and believe when I say I can do this."

Without saying a word, he wrapped his arms round her and buried his head in her neck. She returned the embrace, her eyes watering as she felt him tremble against her in an effort to hold back the tears he could feel pushing at his eyes. When they pulled apart, he brushed away a piece of her hair and gave her a gentle smile.

"I've always believed in you. Bucky believed in you too and I know that if he was here he probably would have hit me by now for not agreeing already."

A stray tear escaped her eyes and she quickly wiped it away before the others could comment on it, however, when she turned back to the table, she was surprised to find a few of them discreetly wiping their own eyes. She gave a small sniffle and grinned at them.

"So, now we're done with being emotional babies, can we say a definite yes or no?" she asked, causing them all to laugh, with Steve shaking his head in amusement.

A round of yeses came from the table and Beth nodded her head, despite the sinking feeling in her stomach that she may end up regretting her decision. Right now, she was just enjoying the feeling of belonging once again as the team rallied round her, each member of the group either embracing her, ruffling her hair or slapping her shoulder, beyond overjoyed to have her back.

"Right, so what's the plan then, Cap?" she asked Steve once they all returned to their seats, her eyes twinkling with amusement as he frowned at the nickname.

After pulling up a chair to replace the one his sister had commandeered from him, Steve cleared his throat and the room all fell silent once more as they finished the plans for their final attack.