Magenta

CA:WS - Ch 5

We were at the hospital. Steve was watching the surgery, with Maria and Nat, who barged into hospital and went to Steve and Maria immediately. I was in the waiting room, not wanting to watch another person I care about die. And hearing everyone's thoughts wasn't helping. I was staring at the plain white walls of the hospitals, while I was staring, lights started to flicker, the vending machine started shake, thoughts were getting louder, I closed my eyes, taking in deep breaths but I could still hear everything around me. But someone held my hand and said my name. I opened my eyes and saw Natasha and behind her was Steve. Both of them gave a numb expression. The lights were back to normal, the vending machine stopped shaking and the thoughts were much more quieter. "Andy..." Nat started. I looked at her and I shook my head.

"No. No, he can't. He can't" I cried and Nat pulled me into hug, and tears was streaming down my face. It took a while for Steve and Nat to calm me down but they managed. I was still holding onto Nat, and Steve was looking down at us. It was quiet between the three of us but Rumlow and his team interrupted us.

"Cap, Bryant, they want you both back at headquarters." I gave Rumlow a glare and Steve spoke for us.

"Yeah, give us a second" Steve responded.

But Rumlow wasn't giving any care. "They want you both now." I looked up at Steve and gave him a small reminder.

'Nick said don't trust anyone' I reminded him and Steve nodded.

"Sorry, but we are on a time limit" Rumlow said and walked away.

Nat looked at Steve and gave him a smirk. "You're a terrible liar." Nat turned away from Steve and looked at me. "Always stay safe".

"Always" I muttered. Nat stood up and walked away leaving me and Steve. I gave him a questioning look. "Where?" I asked quietly and he slightly pulled the flash drive out of his pocket. I then looked at the vending machine and there was guy who was fixing it, putting new things in at the same time. I used my telekinies to make some items fall out, which made the man confuse and start picking it all up and Steve quickly put the flash drive in the vending machine at the bubble gum section and we both walked away and met Rumlow outside.

***

We were at the Triskileon SHIELD headquarters. I was at the top floor outside Pierce one of SHIELD's leaders' office: Alexander Pierce. I've met him back then. I never trusted him though. He always bring up my parents for some reason. I was waiting for Steve who was talking to Alexander inside, but at the same time some of Rumlow's team members gave me looks, and looking through their thoughts were normal. So far.

I stood up straight when Steve came out. "He wants to see you" he gently said. I hesitated at first but walked in slowly. "I'll be here" Steve added assuring me before the door closed. Now I was in the room with the one and only Alexander Pierce.

"Andrea. Wow. You've grown up" he smiled. "Please sit" he said, gesturing me to sit down and so I did. "13?"

"14" I corrected, giving him no facial expression at all. He nodded and sat down, leaning back and sighed.

"I'm sorry about Nick" he said, making me look at the ground. "First it was your parents, then Coulson, Agent Barton and Agent Romanoff have been very occupied with other things, and now that it's Nick, how are you coping?" I didn't answer. I was very focused on the things on his table that it was starting to shake. "Andrea" he repeated sternly, bringing me back to look at him.

"I'm fine" I lied.

"Hmm. Andrea, tell me. What happened last night?" he questioned. I stared at him quite a while. I was putting Nick's words in my head. That we shouldn't trust anyone at all anymore. Or SHIELD has been compromised. How would I know Pierce can be trusted? "You heard someone was thinking in Russian? Who was it?" he asked and I gave him a questioning look.

"I never mentioned anything to you of someone thinking in Russian". He looked shock when I said that and he chuckled.

"Steve told me" he said and I nodded slowly.

"I don't remember" I shrugged.

"Alright. One last thing. What do you remember about your parents?" he asked. I sighed and finally admitted the truth that I already knew for years.

"My dad was a HYDRA agent. And my mom was a SHIELD agent" I responded and Pierce smirked at my response. "One thing I can say, Sir" I said leaning forward. "I've already experienced trust issues from my parents. And Nick telling me and Steve last night, to not trust anyone, how can I be sure that I can trust you?" I asked. Pierce smiled and gave me the approval to leave. I left his office and Steve was still outside waiting for me. We both walked away and headed towards the elevator.

"All good?" Steve asked me with a concern look on his face.

"I think you the answer to that" I said softly.