Maya Stark

Chapter 68: Sharon Carter

I don't know what she was complaining about. Sharon was obviously doing well, despite being on the run. The "place in High Town" was huge.

'Looks like breaking all those laws is treating you well,' Sam said as we took in the house.

'At some point, I thought if I had to hustle, I might as well enjoy the life of a real hustler,' Sharon said walking past us. 'You know how much I'll get for a real Monet?'

'Easy,' said Sam. 'Deactivate your hustle mode. You sell fake Monet's.'

'No,' Zemo said. 'She means real. This gallery is specialized in stolen artwork. Monet. Van Gogh. Classics.'

'It's true,' Bucky said.

'You know, half the artwork in museums like the Louvre is fake,' I said to Sam. 'Real stuff sits in places like this or in my case, in my home.'

Sam rolled his eyes. 'Okay, guys, I see what you're doing. You're more worldly than good old Sam.'

'Yeah,' Bucky said, walking past us as well. 'Whats Google say?'

I watch Sam's eyes go wide. 'No shit.'

'Come on,' said Sharon. 'You guys need to change. I'm hosting clients in an hour.'

Sharon had handed me, with a slight smirk, an olive-green suit with a white corset top and nude black heels. She shooed me to the bathroom, not letting me even protest about the choice of clothes. Sam seemed to find it amusing. Now however, looking in the mirror, I couldn't help but think Sharon might just have a sense of style. An awful personality, but a good sense of style. My moon necklace was back around my neck and my ring was secured on my right hand. It made me feel calm. You could see the I love you most, kid tattoo, but the other two were hidden.

I took off the highly uncomfortable wig, letting my hair fall back down my back. I thought about cutting it, for the thousandth time this month. It was too long and got in the way. I sighed, deciding against it and putting all of it into a French braid instead. Finally, I slid on the shoes before leaving the bathroom and going out to the room where everyone else was.

Sharon wasn't there, but Zemo leaned against a table, pouring himself a drink, Bucky sat on the couch, looking annoyed, and Sam was trying to find a shirt he liked. I sat in the chair next to the couch and crossed my arms. There was awkward tension between Bucky and I. What he said during that stupid therapy session still ringed through my ears.

'Much better,' Sharon said to Sam when she came in.

'What's going on, Sharon?' Sam asked, grabbing a shirt. 'You don't ever wanna come back home?'

'They'll lock me up if I step foot back in the States,' Sharon said. 'Madripoor doesn't allow extradition.'

'Look, I'm sorry I didn't call, but after The Blip and the chaos, I just—'

'Look, you know the whole hero thing is a joke, right?' Sharon said. She glanced at me and then looked at Sam again. 'I mean, the way you gave up that shield, the way Maya let you do it so easily, deep down, you must know it's all hypocrisy.'

'They know,' Zemo said. 'Both of them. And not so deep down.'

'By the way, how is the new Cap?'

Bucky and I groan.

'Don't even mention him,' I said.

'Yeah, seriously, don't get me started,' Bucky agreed.

Sharon scoffs and walks over to the couch. 'Please. You buy into all that stars and stripes bullshit.' She motioned to Zemo before sitting down next to Bucky. 'Before you were his pet psychopath, you were Mr. America! Cap's best friend.' She turned to me. 'Even you were always right by Steve. Teaming up with him. I don't believe that you would give up on all this hero shit that's always been drilled in your head.'

'A lot can change a person,' I said, narrowing my eyes at her. 'You know, you're a lot more awful in person than in stories.'

'Karli Morgenthau and at least seven others have taken the serum,' Sam said; standing next to my chair.

Sharon shakes her head. 'You guys should steer clear of all this for your own safety.'

'We know it's a risk,' Sam said, 'but we're not gonna leave until we find the person who cracked the code.'

'We got a name,' Bucky said. 'Wilfred Nagel.'

Sharon stands up moving to the table Zemo was standing by. Zemo moves out of the way, as Sharon pours herself a drink. 'Nagel works for the Power Broker.'

'We need your help, Sharon,' Sam said. 'I can get your name cleared.'

'You haggling with my life?' Sharon said.

'Not like that,' Sam said.

'I don't buy that,' Sharon said, sitting down on a stool. 'You pretending like you can clear my name.'

Sam walked over to her. 'Okay, maybe it is hypocrisy. Maybe you're right. What happened to you. But I'm willing to try if you are.' Sam lowered his voice. 'They cleared the bionic staring machine, and he killed almost everybody he's met.'

'I heard that,' Bucky said as I stifle my laughter.

'I don't trust charity,' Sharon said.

Sam crosses his arms. 'Alright, a deal then. You help us out, and I get your name cleared.' Sam holds out a hand for her to shake. Sharon hesitates before shaking Sam's hand and standing up. 

She sighs and finishes her drink.

'Well, I sell to some pretty connected people,' she said, walking towards the stairs. 'Lay low, blend in, enjoy the party.' She stops before going up the steps and turns to us. 'Try to stay outta trouble. I'll see what I can find.'

'Trouble,' Zemo said like we never get into trouble.

'Okay, this is the last party I'm going to,' I said, standing up. 'I don't care if it's necessary.'

'Why don't you like parties, Stark?' Zemo asked. 'What bad memories surround them?'

Bucky glares at Zemo. 'Leave her alone. Be happy I don't break your neck for ordering her a Kvass.'

'Just wanted to have a little fun is all,' Zemo said, shrugging.

'Yeah, well, reminder how easy it'll be for me to kill you,' I said, my body tense. I was surprised Bucky had even said anything. He confused me. I confused me.