Science and Magick (LokixOC)

Chapter Seven

Everything was almost ready, Romanoff and Hill were making last minute adjustments and securing their equipment, but Steve had been withdrawn since the mention of Barnes. Zoë had to talk to him, tell him what she could in the time they had left before the mission.

She made her way out of the tunnels and walked towards where Sam and Steve were standing "I don't know man, this guy, I don't think he's the kind you save. He's the kind you stop" Sam mused.

Steve tensed "I don't know if I can do that" he admitted.

"Well he might not give you a choice, he doesn't know you" Sam argued.

Steve looked over at him "He will" he said before his eyes landed on Zoë.

She shifted awkwardly "I need to tell you something, about the Winter Soldier" she confessed.

Sam took a step back "I'll leave you to it, I've got to go gear up anyway" he dismissed himself.

Steve nodded and walked over to where Zoë was standing "What is it?" He asked.

She looked down at her hands and tried to control her nerves "There is so much I have to tell you but we don't have time. Just know, I was involved in the project so I know how it works and there is a way you can get him back, I can help" she told him quickly, braving a glance up at him when she had finished.

There was a small smile on his lips that helped Zoë relax "Thanks, kid" he said, affectionately ruffling her hair.

Zoë chuckled "You're so similar to my father and uncle, it's honestly very strange" she admitted.

"Your dad sounds like a good man" he beamed.

She nodded "He was" she agreed.

Steve frowned "I'm sorry" his tone had softened "how long ago did you loose him?" He asked.

"I was 15 so about 10 years now" she answered.

"I was 14 when I lost my mom" Steve related and shrugged. "Well like it or not, you're kinda stuck with me now. That is until we've helped Bucky" he added.

Zoë smiled and nodded, despite everything; that she had been a member of Hydra, that she was one of the main causes for his best friend being used as a human weapon, that she had hit him and blamed him for her pain. Steve still trusted her and wanted to work with her. "You're a much better man than my family was lead to believe, a much better man than we deserve" she admitted.

"I wouldn't say that" he disagreed. "Come on, we've got some justice to serve" he said.

Zoë grinned "That's what I said!" She exclaimed excitedly, remembering what she had told her mother about her mission.

Steve chuckled and they made their way back into the temporary base, gearing up and loading everything into place.

*******

"So how was your flight?" Pierce asked.

The prosthetic was perfect, no one suspected a thing. Zoë smiled in her disguise "It was lovely, the drive back less so" she replied, diplomatically.

"Well SHIELD can't control everything" he said.

"Including Captain America" one of the other board members commented.

Zoë held in her laugh and watched as one of Pierce's dogs brought over a small black case.

"This base is biometrically controlled. These will allow you to have unrestricted access" he explained as he passed everyone a pin.

The pin that was more like a thermite bomb resting on your chest. Zoë quickly examined it as she pinned it on and located the access point. She would have to wait till she wasn't being watched to deactivate it. Foolish man child had used the exact same formula that she had to destroy her lab.