Science and Magick (LokixOC)

Chapter Four

"Zoë? Zoë baby wake up" Her mother's sweet voice pulled her back into reality.

"Mmm-mama, did we do it?" She asked, slowly trying to open her eyes.

She could hear the familiar sounds of traffic and people all around her. She hadn't heard these sounds in so long. Hope bloomed in her chest as her eyes settled on her mother and uncle hovering over her.

A smile of relief spread on her mother's lips "Yes, you did it" she confirmed.

Zoë grinned and Luvich helped her sit up "I must have exhausted myself" she assessed as she looked around. They were crouched in an alley somewhere in the same city where this had all began. "New York" she labelled.

"Come now bärchen, we must get somewhere safe so you can rest and tell us what happened" Luvich insisted, calling her the nickname he and her father had given her when she was young. Little bear.

Zoë nodded and with his help stood up. As they walked out of the alleyway she looked around attempting to gather her bearings. They were somewhere in Manhattan, the best place they could go currently would be a café, she needed access to a computer and food. "I'm starving, let's get something to eat" she finally insisted.

Claudia smiled, this was the daughter she recognised - always hungry, just like her father. "That's a good idea" she agreed. They walked the small distance to a café and Zoë lead them to a table by the row of computers, it was still quite early in the morning here so thankfully there were many that were free.

"You two order, I have to do something quickly, when I am done I'll explain everything" Zoë assured them.

Luvich and her mother looked to each other and hesitated "Are you okay?" Claudia asked looking back at her daughter.

She smiled and nodded "I will be mama, I promise" she assured softly before sitting at one of the computers. She had to get this done before she could relax. She had escaped from Hydra but they also had SHIELD at their disposal here. There was only one person Zoë had read about that might be able to destroy them from the inside out. Nicholas Fury. She began hacking their system and sewing seeds of doubt. She knew Pierce was going to use the Winter Soldier against her, he was their greatest weapon after all. It was a good thing she had programmed a fail safe in the brainwashing. Barnes would be no threat to Zoë. Once she had finished with SHIELD, she created fake identities for herself, her mother and her uncle. Making bank accounts, references and everything else they would need. A yawn escaped her mouth when she had finally finished, it suddenly dawned on her that she hadn't actually slept in 26 hours. No wonder she passed out when they got here.

She logged out of the computer she was using and walked back over to her family, gratefully taking the mug of coffee Luvich offered her as she sat with them. "Alright, ask your questions" she instigated with another yawn.

"Eat first bärchen, we can wait" Luvich insisted warmly. Claudia nodded in agreement and moved a plate of breakfast in front of her child.

Zoë grinned and nodded, her stomach growling loudly at the prospect of finally eating. After they had finished their meal Zoë ordered another cup of coffee and smiled at her uncle.

"Stop blaming yourself" she said softly.

Claudia moved her hand to rest on Luvich's arm and nodded "That's what I keep telling him" she agreed.

The man signed and shook his head "I promised your father I would never let anything harm you" he relented "I failed" the defeat was heartbreaking to hear in his voice.