CHAPTER 2

FEBRUARY 7, 1994

Alexandra waited impatiently for the school bell to ring. She looked out the window and squirmed in her seat when she saw the black town car pull up into the school parking lot. She could not wait to see her soldier again. Even though she had already seen him this morning, she still found herself filled with excitement. She had grown fond of the assassin, more so than her own father. Alexander Pierce had never been a loving man, even a child could see that. He never liked it when she talked too much and always felt the need to correct her grammar. The soldier, on the other hand, let the poor girl ramble to her heart's desire. In fact, he enjoyed it. It kept his mind from wandering.

The soldier waited in the car for the little girl to exit the building. When the school bell rang, he watched the other children run out to meet their parents. The driver noticed a group of girls between six and ten standing in front of the school. He clicked his tongue as he leaned into the steering wheel to get a better look. "Pretty little things, ain't ya," he grumbled to himself. When he settled back into his seat, he glanced at the rear view mirror and met with a pair of cold blue eyes. The driver scoffed at the man sitting in the back seat, "Don't give me that look. I'm not the one who spends all day with the girl." He winked at the him.

The soldier's metal arm twitched; that was not his mission.

"Soldier!" The girl called out as she opened the car door. The soldier turned to face the little girl. She sat next to him and quickly buckled her seat belt. His eyes softened when she looked up at him with joy. "I drew something for you," she announced as she dug into her princess backpack. She hurriedly took out a sheet of paper and handed it to him. He gingerly took it from her small hand and gave it a look. It looked like a sunflower. She took the time to draw him something, and for some reason it gave him a warm feeling. "Soldier?" A small voice brought him back to reality. He looked at the young girl next to him whom looked concerned. "Do you like it?"

The soldier looked back at the drawing and nodded his head slowly. He really did like it. The girl giggled in satisfaction. He looked up at the driver and caught him looking at the little girl inappropriately. The soldier clutched his metal hand tightly.

"Drive," he ordered gruffly. "Keep your eyes on the road."

Once the driver pulled into the driveway of Pierce's house, the Soldier ordered Alexandra to go inside and get herself a snack. When she did as she was told, he waited for her to enter the house before he swiftly wrapped his metal hand around the driver's throat. The driver gasped with panic. His eyes widened from the fear that suddenly overcame him.

"If I catch you even glancing at the girl, I'll put a hole through your fucking skull," the soldier warned. He didn't leave the trembling driver until he nodded his head in agreement. The soldier let go of his neck and stepped out of the car. When he entered the house, he watched the girl silently eat an apple while she colored in her coloring book. Her innocence touched his heart.

Alexander Pierce worried the Asset had become too attached to his daughter. He watch the two interact with one another through his computer screen. He had his whole house monitored for protection. His work office was dimly lit due to the lack of sunlight. He gulped down his glass of scotch before setting the glass down. A young Brock Rumlow stood behind him.

"We cannot afford to distract the Asset," Pierce began. "If things get out of hand, I will need you to make sure everything runs smoothly."

Rumlow smirked. "It'll be my pleasure, sir."

FEBRUARY 8, 1994

It was a typical morning. Alexandra's nanny woke her up for school, prepared breakfast and got her dressed. The soldier waited for her in the town car. She got to school safe and sound. When the girl was out of school, he waited patiently for her. She called out for him when she entered the car. She handed her soldier another picture she had drawn at school. This time is was a man wearing a brown suit and hat. He looked at the picture for a while before asking who it was.

"I don't know," she shrugged. "I was just thinking about you when I drew it. He's a soldier just like you."

He shifted his eyes at the rear view mirror, making sure the driver remembered their conversation yesterday. Fortunately, he did. The driver kept his eyes on his lap. The soldier looked back at the little girl who was now buckled in her seat. He gave her a small smile and watched her big amber eyes light up in joy. The soldier faced himself forward and ordered the driver to take Alexandra home.

The drive was quiet, but not uncomfortable. At least for the happy little girl. The soldier, however, kept his eyes on the driver. All went well until they pulled up in the driveway. The driver made the mistake to assume the soldier wasn't paying attention when he let his eyes flicker to the little girl.

"Go inside," the soldier muttered.

Alexandra knew better than to ask questions. She followed his orders and got out of the car. As she walked up to her front door, she hear a loud pop. The girl jumped from the sound and ran back to her soldier. She was afraid he had been hurt and called out to him. Before she could get to him, someone grabbed her by the waist and picked her up. A group of soldiers came from the side of the house and pointed guns at him. She screamed and cried for her soldier as she watched him voluntarily go down on his knees. He slowly raised his hands up in surrender and placed them at the back of his head. He watched the tears drip down the girl's face as the other men ran up to restrain and pull him back to his feet. Then they took her soldier away.