Viper : Enemy of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Chapter 27: No More Apologies

Chapter 27: No More Apologies

            “Jade… Jade… Jade!”

            “Huh? Wh-what?” I mumble looking at Peter sitting next to me.

            “Are you okay? The file came up and it’s like you just froze.” He says placing a hand on my shoulder.

            “Um… Yeah, I-I’m fine…” Deep breathe Leiton. No passing out now. Not when there’s so much to go over. Lying isn’t gonna help… “No, that was a lie… I’m not okay.” I say shakily while taking a breath.

            “What’s wrong?” Rogers says from my other side. I look at him, then back to the HYDRA symbol and then the floor. I swallow another breath and slowly point up at the symbol.

            “Th-that’s the… That’s the symbol, th-that I saw when… when they took me. That was on every truck, every man’s uniform.” I finally spit out.

            “You were taken by HYDRA?” Rogers says. I take one last deep breath as my thoughts straighten out and will myself to speak.

            “Apparently.” I say, standing. I swipe away the symbol and see files on Johan Schmidt, Doctor Armin Zola, Rogers, Peggy Carter, Howard Stark, Doctor Abraham Erskine, and… and Colonel Chester Phillips. I tap Chester’s file. It opens and shows several images and clips of him fighting HYDRA agents and also his affiliation with them.

            “Colonel Phillips?” Rogers asks, standing up next to me.

            “He, uh, he was a friend of my dad’s.” I say swiping through the pictures. The more and more I swipe and see, the more memories of my dad and Chester flood into my mind. I can feel myself slowly breaking down. I come to a picture and notice something on Chester’s uniform. He’s wearing a lapel pin. The exact same one my dad wore and then gave to me on his first shipment out after I was born. It’s a silver compass with a small flower as the actual pin piece. When I see it, my mind goes blank, and I can feel tears prick my eyes. I clear my throat and look down so no one can see my eyes. “Uh, Jarvis, can you please pull all this up in my room.” I say as powerful as my voice allows.

            “Of course, Miss.” He replies as I begin to walk away from everyone. As I pass the elevator, I can see Peter in the reflection as he tries to come to me, but Rogers stops him and I’m slightly grateful. I need some time to go over this. I walk to my room, open the door and gingerly close it. All the HYDRA info is projecting in my room. I take a deep breath and lean against the door as I let go of a few silent tears.

I sniff back and say, “Jarvis clear Chester’s file, I’ve seen enough.” He doesn’t say anything, but he does comply. I walk straight through the hologram to my closet. I quickly change out of all the black clothing and throw on ripped, faded jeans, black high top converse, and a dark green and cream plaid flannel. I roll up my jeans slightly so they’re at my mid-calf before walking out to the bathroom. I wash my face and there’s practically another face on the white towel due to all the makeup I was wearing. I throw the towel in the hamper and brush out the curls in my hair. I take a deep breath and begin to look over all the HYDRA information SHIELD has.

After 10 minutes of mindless searching, I have Jarvis play music to help me concentrate. Not Fall Out Boy, but One Republic, Ed Sheeran. This kind of music is better; when working. I keep it down though. I don’t need them coming here and seeing me so frazzled just to ask me to turn my music down.

1 Hour Later

*Steve’s POV*

            “Well you sure as hell weren’t lying when you said Jade would get back at us.” Tony says while sitting down with his scotch glass. Peter’s been pacing the room since Leiton left. I can see he wants to go comfort her, but the look she had on her face was the same one I had when I woke up. She’s confused, upset, and just wants to know the truth and she deserves the time to do that alone. Peter doesn’t answer, he just continues to pace back and forth between the couches while we all watch him.