We're more alike than you think

106. Professional

This was the day you were gonna get your man back. You had been longing for that feeling for weeks. Yes, he had only been physically away from you for 8 days, but ever since you started to fall for him you had been longing for that safety. To know that you had time, and some form of peace to be together. You wished so badly that you were on your own but that was not the case. Ross, Matt as well as a few other agents were both with you on the plane. This was now your official job, meaning to get Zemo out you actually had to have people there. You also had to treat it as your job, which already made you feel awkward.

You stepped out of the plane as quickly as you could after you landed and planted your feet to the ground. You could feel the wind blowing harshly against your skin. It was the first time back at the raft, and if you were being honest you weren't ready for it. The memories from your time here would jump up as a nightmare every time you close your eyes. You had done and seen a lot worse things than what had happened here, but those times you were at least in control. Nothing was more terrifying than not being able to control yourself. It scared you. Suddenly what you were most afraid of was sleeping, simply because you were afraid of what you could do when you were not conscious. You looked down at your black thick doc martens. You were wearing a black long skirt, black turtleneck, and leather gloves. Ross had tried to convince you to make uniforms for the future team, but you had rejected it. You shouldn't have to wear a sign to make people understand you were a team. You closed your eyes and took a deep breath, you could do this. You looked back at the others as you started to walk towards the entrance.

The pressure was on. Everyone you were with knew how emotional this must be for you to be standing here. It was almost like they were waiting for you to cry, and exactly because of that you were even more motivated to treat this like just another mission, even meeting Zemo. You tapped on the button for the elevator and stepped in. It was painfully silent. You knew they wanted to ask you questions, but everyone seemed afraid to ask. You walked out of the elevator and stepped in front of the desk.

"We are here for Helmut Zemo," you asked, not even looking at the person behind the desk. Without hesitation, the person got up on their feet and started to lead the way to Zemo.

While walking down these hallways you kept trying to remind yourself of those black holes you had. For once you really understood how Bucky must have felt with the Winter Soldier. He only wanted to fill in the gaps. No matter how bad the things you must've done or experienced you only needed to know. This was like walking through your trauma while having people watching you. You recognized the area and knew you were only a few meters away from seeing Zemo. You looked down on the floor and took on your cold face.

"Helmut, you have visitors," the guard said and let you pass through.

There he was, Zemo. The one and only. He laid down his book immediately when he saw you. He was wearing the same uniform you had been wearing not long ago. He hadn't shaved as you could see a little beard growing. His eyes were just as beautiful as you remembered, maybe even more. The feeling of safety grew just by looking at them. Considering the place he was in, he looked good. You shook your head as you took and stepped to the front of his cell. You held one hand on your wrist.

"Hi, we are here to offer you a job," you said coldly. On the inside, you wanted to cry and embrace him, but you were not about to let Ross down.

Watching you entering the room, was like seeing an angel flying down from the skies. Zemo felt his heart racing, and yes maybe he shouldn't be shocked, you had told him that you would be coming back for him, but actually seeing you here in front of him made him emotional. He had to fight back to not tear up. You were wearing a stunning skirt with a turtleneck, a very elegant and professional look. He didn't even care that you were putting on a brave face in front of the other men, he was only glad to see you. He could see that you deep down struggled, and he didn't want to make this any more difficult for you. He gave you a short nod, letting you know you could keep talking.

"As I am sure you have already heard, we are putting together a team. I happened to be looking for members, and naturally, you came first to our mind," you said and looked over Ross, giving him the opportunity to speak.

"The team will be based here in New York, financed by me and led by Miss. Lehnsherr. The members will get a chance at living their own free life outside the missions, but of course within limits," Ross said and looked over at you. You smiled weakly.

"If a member crosses me or Ross, it's right back into this cell, or...or... I'll have to eliminate the members," You said, struggling to say the words. You looked straight down at the floor, trying to make the words disappear as you said them.

"Do you take the offer?" You said, even sounding a bit nervous. You knew what he was gonna say, but you were still nervous. You never knew with Zemo, or at least that's what it used to be like, and the fear was still living inside of you however much you acted like it wasn't. Zemo looked up at you and smiled.

"Of course, little bird."