TW: I believe Ross was recruited very early on in his military career, because his actions in the Incredible Hulk scream of Hydra and him not facing consequences for Harlem makes no sense unless Ross was already Hydra.
Ellie Bishop: Yep. It has nothing to do with T'Challa not wanting to kill W'Kabi. T'Challa is trying to lead by example (as all leaders should). If T'Challa had W'Kabi executed, it would merely prove that he is no different than past kings. By exiling him, T'Challa proves that he is different and wants to make a better future than his father and all the kings who came before him. No kidding. Plus, FATWS showed that Hydra plants were still active in the government, so Ross being Hydra makes perfect sense.
New York
Early afternoon
In an apartment, Sam Wilson was working out, doing some pushups when he heard his phone beginning to ring. Standing up, Sam grabbed a towel, wiping his hands before picking it up, answering.
"Steve?"
Elsewhere, Rhodey and Vison were playing chess when a phone rang. Rhodey pulled out his phone and answered.
"Tony?"
Willowdale
Same time
Wearing a hoodie with the hood pulled up, Bruce stared at the Pizzeria he had spent so much time at, now boxed up.
It wasn't a surprise, Stanley had passed away a year ago, Bruce mused solemnly. Another life he hadn't been able to be a part of, all because the Hulk.
No, not because of the Hulk. Because of his inability to learn how to control Hulk. And with Thanos still a threat, he needed to find a way to do that, soon.
Bruce was broken out his thoughts when he felt his phone ring. Pulling it out, he saw who it was and answered.
"Nat?"
Idaho
Not long after
"Thank you both for your help," Steve told Bobbi and Hunter as he and Natasha said goodbye to them.
"I'm just sorry we couldn't do more," Bobbi said.
"You've done plenty, Bobbi. I'm not sure Wanda would have gotten out of that building and got us the proof that Ross was Hydra if you hadn't pointed us in that direction," Natasha assured her and Bobbi smiled tightly.
"Well, felt nice to help out one last time. Just…take him down," Bobbi said, looking Steve in the eye and he nodded.
"We will. We can't afford not to," Steve promised.
"Good luck, mate. You'll need it," Hunter said before he and Bobbi walked out, heading out of the base.
"Cap!" Steve and Natasha turned around to see Clint and Fury approach. "We've got a problem."
"Great, what now?" Natasha asked dryly.
"I have some contacts on The Raft. One of them just told me that Ross left The Raft in a plane, with Helmut Zemo," Fury said, to their alarm. "Now, he's been trying to get information out of Zemo for weeks, yet Zemo didn't break. So how can Zemo be cooperating unless-"
"You think Ross brainwashed him," Steve finished.
"He's Hydra, kind of up their alley," Clint pointed out.
"My concern though is why Ross would brainwash Zemo and what information he could have that Ross would go to such extremes to obtain," Fury said.
It only took a moment for the thought to occur to the three Avengers and, as one; they looked at each other, horrified.
"You don't think-" Clint started.
"Ross is Hydra, he had to know about them," Steve said horrified.
"He had to have realized Zemo knew about them, that's the only reason he would go this far," Natasha agreed.
"Know about what? What am I missing?" Fury asked and the three of them were silent.
"Bucky wasn't the only Winter Soldier. The rest are in Cryo freeze, in a bunker in Siberia," Steve finally said and Fury stared at the three of them blankly for a moment.
"And Zemo knew this?" Fury asked and the three of them nodded. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"We didn't think we had to, it's not we knew Ross was Hydra," Clint said defensively.
"We made the best decision we could have at the time. Right now, we need to get to that bunker as fast as we can," Natasha said and Fury nodded.
"I might be able to help with that."
Not long after, Fury led them, along with Wanda, Bucky and Tony into a dark hanger. Flipping a switch, light flooded the room, revealing a Quinjet.
"Been saving this for a rainy day. And it's pouring out," Fury said as he glanced back at them. "Weapons system and flight capabilities are beyond that of a regular Quinjet. It should get you to Siberia in a few hours, tops."
"Thank you," Steve said gratefully.
"Thank me by stopping him. If Ross gets his hands on those Winter Solders, no one will be able to stop him," Fury said grimly.
Queens
Same time
It was a Saturday, and so Peter was relaxing. It wasn't something he usually did on Saturday; he usually would either be on patrol or hanging out with Ned. But after fighting the Sandman and Vulture yesterday, he figured just spending a few hours in his room, not doing anything was reward enough.
Peter was lying on his bed, wearing headphones and listening to some music when he heard a knock on the door to his room.
"Peter, you awake?" May called from the other side of the room and Peter took off his head phones.
"Yeah, I'm up," Peer called out.
"There's a girl here to see you. Said her name was Gwen," Peter sat up straight at this.
"Uh, one sec," Peter said, quickly making sure his room was presentable, quickly tossing some used shirts in the hamper. "Okay."
After a moment, the door opened to reveal May, Gwen standing awkwardly behind her.
"So, I'm leaving you two alone. No funny business," May said, giving Peter a look as both teenagers flushed.
"May," Peter complained.
"Just remember what I said," May said, looking over at Gwen. "Nice to meet you, Gwen."
May then walked off, leaving the embarrassed Peter and Gwen alone before Gwen entered the room, closing the door behind her.
"Sorry. About her," Peter said awkwardly.
"Hey, you should have seen my dad when I brought a classmate over to study," Gwen said with a laugh. "Your aunt seems cool though."
"She is," Peter assured her before pausing. "So uh, what are you doing here? Matter of fact, how did you even know where I live?"
"Internet. And I wanted to thank you for saving me yesterday….again. What's that, four times now?" Gwen wondered.
"I guess, I really wasn't keeping score. It was just the right thing to do, you know?" Peter shrugged as Gwen stared at him for a long moment. "What?"
"You're a…really good person. It's not something I see a whole lot, being a cop's daughter in New York City. My dad, he's a cop so he just sees the bad in people and my mom sees the worst of what people do to each other on a daily basis. It's…nice, to meet someone that just wants to help people for no reason other than to help. You're a hero, Peter," Gwen told him and Peter laughed.
"I'm just a kid, trying to do the right thing," Peter said modestly.
"Well, either way, I just came here to say thanks. Maybe I'll see you around," Gwen said with a smile.
"Yeah maybe," Peter said with a smile. "So I guess I'll see you around."
"Yeah. And listen, I know talking to someone about this kind of thing is…next to impossible. And I've seen how sometimes, my dad just needs to talk to my mom about his day, get what happened off his chest. So, if you ever need to just…talk to someone or need help…I'm always here, ya know?" Gwen said.
"Thank you. But I can't ask you to take that kind of risk," Peter said immediately.
"You're not asking, I'm offering. It's what friends do," Gwen and pausing. "Not trying to be presumptuous, but I feel like everything we've been through, we're friends now."
"We are friends, Gwen. And I will….consider your offer," Peter said carefully.
"Okay, thanks. And I should go, I told my dad I needed to go see a friend, it was the only way he and mom agreed to let me out of the house today. So I guess I'll see you," Gwen said, leaning over and lightly kissing him on the cheek. "See you later."
"Yeah, see you later," Peter said softly, watching her walk out of his room as his heart hammered in his chest, wondering why he suddenly felt so warm.
Idaho
Not long after
In the cockpit of the Quinjet, Clint was prepping for takeoff when Steve walked up behind him.
"Everything looking good?" Steve asked and Clint nodded.
"Just putting in the coordinates Barnes gave us. Shouldn't take us too long to get there, and Sam, Rhodey and Vision will meet up with Bruce and join us halfway there," Clint said and it was silent for a moment. "Cap, whatever you have to say, just come out and say it."
"Clint, we're about to go on a mission with some of the highest stakes we've ever had. Ross gets his hands on those Winter Soldiers and I'm not sure anyone can stop him. So I need to know, Clint…what is your objective?" Steve asked and Clint shot him a bewildered look.
"Stopping Ross, what else?"
"How though? What is your ultimate objective?" Steve asked before pausing, trying to put it as carefully as he could. "Clint…Ross sent men into your home, he went after your wife, your children, even Wanda, all people you love. Any man in your position would be justified in wanting to kill Ross."
"Sensing a big 'but' coming up, Cap," Clint said dryly and Steve smiled tightly before continuing.
"But, with the way things are…we need him alive. Ross needs to be brought in the right way. The world is at a tipping point, Clint. The world is trying to control us; to control anyone that they feel operates outside the law, of their means of control. If you kill Ross…It won't matter that he's Hydra. All anyone will see is us, acting outside the law, thinking we don't need to answer to anyone. If you kill Ross, then we lose. The government, the politicians, the UN…they will never stop trying to control us. Ross and Hydra will win," Steve finished and Clint considered his words very carefully before answering.
"You know Cap…I think you're right," Clint said with a sigh. "I can't kill Ross, as much as I want to."
"Hey," the two men looked up as Natasha walked up the ramp, followed closely by Bucky, Tony and Wanda. "You two okay?"
"Yeah. Just…clearing up a few things," Clint said, he and Steve locking eyes before Clint nodded. "All clear, Cap."
Steve nodded before he walked back to join the others. Natasha shot him a look before he gave her a reassuring smile, hoping it assured her that everything was fine.
It didn't, but Natasha knew that they needed to focus on the mission instead. So they all sat down, buckling up, Wanda joining Clint in the cockpit and sitting in the co-pilot's seat.
"Well, let's hope the ten of us will be enough to stop five Winter Soldiers, no offense," Tony said, turning his head to Bucky, who merely shrugged.
"Hoping the same thing," Bucky admitted.
"Only one way to find out," Clint said, pressing a button and the hanger doors opened. "We have lift off."
No one else said a word as the Quinjet took off, heading towards Siberia.
Pretty much just set up for the confrontation with Ross, but hope you all enjoyed it anyway.