Mercury // S. Rogers (Book Six) ✔

A Special Guest

"What the hell are these costumed freaks still doing here? And I thought you said there were four," Hayward hisses.

"There were four. Wilson and Barnes left in the jet about two hours ago. And I don't think I'm gonna push my luck trying to kick Mercury and Captain America off the premises, sir," Agent Monti answers.

"You know, we can still hear you even when you're trying to whisper," Freya calls out from down the hall where everyone else is waiting outside of Monica's medical room. The Director and Monti's heads whip up to look at her and Steve. Who just wave and smile. Jimmy clears his throat to stay serious while Darcy snickers quietly.

"We're not trying to eavesdrop. We just can't help it," Steve shrugs with a smirk. Hayward glares at them and stomps his way over.

"You two were not invited here. This is out of your jurisdiction and above your pay grade," he snaps.

"Excuse us? This is very much our jurisdiction since Wanda's involved," Freya retorts. "And an entire town has basically fallen off the map!"

"I want you two off my base, now," Hayward orders.

"Make us," Freya challenges. Hayward's glare falters for a moment and she smirks. "That's what I thought. Don't try to reach above your pay grade, Tyler. The Avengers are out of your jurisdiction. And no one here truly knows what's going on. I think we can all benefit from a little teamwork."

Hayward glares at her for a moment longer before the expression falls and he sighs. He pinches the bridge of his nose before nodding.

"Can you agree to try to work with me on this and be professional?" he asks.

"Can you?" Freya questions.

"Yes," he reluctantly nods.

"Good," she nods in return. "How's Monica?"

"She's a little disoriented. Confused. And a little sore. But, she'll be alright," Hayward nods. "We'll run some tests on her to be sure."

"That's good to hear," Steve replies while Freya lets out a large sigh of relief.

"Do you have any idea of what's going on here?" Hayward asks Freya.

"Not a clue," she responds. "I could feel the energy from Upstate New York though. And there was no mistaking Wanda."

"Is she the cause of this?" he asks.

"Again, not a clue. I don't know how this started," she shakes her head. Hayward sighs and nods in response, knowing she's telling the truth.

"Do you think you can get in there?" he asks hopefully.

"She won't be trying," Steve replies sternly.

"I can't," Freya answers while patting Steve's arm comfortingly. "I've already tried to breach the barrier. It won't even let my hand in."

"Selective admittance?" Hayward asks her, ignoring Steve, and she shrugs cluelessly in response. "Well, there's no use in standing around here. Either head back to the control room to help out or catch some sleep." He doesn't wait for a response and walks away with Agent Monti basically nipping at his heels.

"Sleep probably isn't a bad idea," Jimmy nods.

"I'm sure Monica needs rest. We can talk to her in the morning," Darcy shrugs.

"Cmon, Doll," Steve says. Freya nods tiredly as he throws an arm over her shoulders and leads her to one of the bunks for the rest of the night.

A few hours later after the sun has risen, Freya and Steve, now in civilian clothes, stand in front of the pictures of the townspeople that have appeared on the show. She studies them closely, reading everything over again and again. But she keeps coming back to Agnes' picture.