CHAPTER 4

*Please note that Elliot Dawes is an OC of mine and that this happens after Avengers Assembled and before Captain America 2, carrying on into that timeline*

The shield dropped with a clunk, echoing through the room. The man was unconscious but alive. I gave one those nervous laughs. Luckily, one of the avengers was Steve.

"Elliot?" Steve asked, sounding uncertain.

"Okay, so I wouldn't recommend going home," I began, stepping forward.

I reached into my bag and began rummaging for his valuables. I stopped, turned round and picked up the shield. Everyone was watching me. Tony Stark stared at me looking more impressed than annoyed that I hacked his system and broke into his tower. Steve took a step towards me. I passed him the shield. He took it, slinging it over his arm and testing it.

"Sorry, I kinda needed it for protection," I said with a shrug. "Oh, I found these in your house and thought I better take them, encase they turn up at your flat,"

I handed him the collection of knickknacks. Steve put the shied down and took the things I had saved. He opened the pocket watch. It wasn't a pocket watch, it was a compass. There was a faded photo of a beautiful young woman. Peggy. He looked at it with a mixture of sadness and regret. I chewed on my lip, not wanting to interrupt the moment. The third and final member stepped forward. It was none other than Doctor Bruce Banner. He and Stark were my idols. I felt a little star struck but I had to stay focused.

"W-what's going on here?" he asked, sounding nervous.

"I was developing this when it came to the attention of a unwelcomed party," I began, pulling out the files. "Once I developed the serum, the naturally came after me which led me to climb out my window, into my neighbours flat and hiding in his wardrobe whilst bullets tore that place down. You know, if I hadn't accidentally stumbled across the shield, I wouldn't have survived that and all they would be left with it a pile of crap. Anyway, I gathered up what looked important, took the shield and your motorbike. It's parked downstairs by the way. Oh I also got this cause yours got destroyed,"

I pulled out the Captain America comic. Everyone chocked at that. Wow, they're just a bunch of dorks like me. I passed Steve the file and comic book.

"What is this?" he asked, flicking open the file.

The first thing was a sketch of him naked before and after the super solider serum. I added pants on. He cocked his head to the side, frowning to himself. I pulled out the glass vile filled with what I had created. So much trouble over such a petty thing. Well, okay it isn't petty but still.

"Super solider serum," I said in a serious voice.

It was Stark that snatched it from my hand. He held it up to the light, fascinated by it. Banner walked up to him and examined the serum. It was a bright blue colour. My heart skipped a beat watching them handle my baby. I guess I wasn't ready to let it go, not before testing it but things had taken a turn for the worse.

"Seriously?" Steve asked, looking up at me. "Shield has been trying to replicate it for years,"

"I know, I hacked their system and it got me a jump start although they were looking in all the wrong places. It wasn't found in your DNA or blood, it was your muscle tissue. Once I figured that out, it only took me a few years to figure the rest out and now here I am, trusting you with this."

They all looked at me, suddenly realising what I had gotten myself into. I slipped my hands into my pockets and looked around awkwardly. I wanted nothing more than too explore the world of Stark Industries and work with Stark and Banner but I guess that'll never happen now. Especially since I'm going to become a Disney princess.

"Why?" Tony asked, looking like a curious puppy.

"Hydra," I said, looking at Steve.

"Hydra were destroyed, we took them down," Steve said, looking at me accusingly.

"Take a look at the man's pin. Hydra are back, and they're more powerful than ever," I told him.

I decided the time wasn't right to tell him what was really going on. He looked distressed. I began to feel uncomfortable. I don't cope well with emotions as it is. I began backing up towards the elevator. It still stood open. I turned and rolled the man out of it.

"I need to disappear for a while," I said. "I'm leaving you that formula Steve, do what you want with it but don't just give it away. Trust only your closest allies with it,"

I pressed the down button and it took me to reception. Nobody had realised I had hacked into their system. Workmen were dotted about, rebuilding the near destroyed building. I walked out the front door and turned and began dodging through the nearest streets. I went straight to the bank and emptied everything I had. It was almost two million dollars, two guns and several important documents. I bought a holdall to store everything in. I went to the news agents and bought a plane ticket to Florida, one way. The flight wasn't until this evening. I went around the shops and bought clothes that wasn't me. I bought hats and bows and sunglasses to hide my face. I slipped into a bathroom and changed into a skirt, blouse and big, floppy hat. I had a light lunch and wandered around, pretended to be a tourist in the sea of strangers. Anyone that passed me could be a HYDRA member. That man rushing towards the tube station, the woman in the business suit getting steamy with a co-worker, the family of tourists that passed me by. I couldn't trust anyone, no matter what, everyone was now the enemy from now on. I put all my new clothes in a suitcase and hailed down a taxi. I drove off towards the airport, taking one last look at New York City. I would miss it and its bustling streets. I would miss the never ending throng of people, or the traffic jams or the bright lights at night. I didn't realise how attached I had gotten to the city. After years of wandering aimlessly, I finally found home and now it was time to leave. Spider-Man whizzed past overhead. The taxi driver let out a whoop of delight.