Winter's Heart (Part 1) 18+ Canon

Chapter 14

Natasha, Clint, Steve, and Bucky stood around the big desk in Laura's workspace, discussing their plan on how to get the software installed in the heart of A.I.M.. Liv was the only one sitting apart from the rest at the head of the table, watching them. Her gaze always ended up on James's brooding face. Her heart clenched when she thought about what would come next. She needed to go back to A.I.M., right to the headquarter of all evil, to stop them with her software and try not to die in the process. Funny enough, that wasn't even her biggest fear. She was afraid of what would follow, if they succeeded. Liv didn't even know what this thing between her and James was and how it would go after this whole insane mission. 

The plan itself turned out to be pretty simple, but the execution was far from that. The only way they could come near the HQ was a science fair hosted by A.I.M. itself in their main building, hiding behind the fake image they presented to the world. Afterwards, there was always a kind of gala for political guests with special... interests and goals.

"The security level will be high. Almost impossible to overcome", Natasha said.

"Almost, but not impossible", Liv said. 

"What are you thinking of? Distraction?" Steve asked. 

"I can cause distraction", Clint offered. "I'm good at causing distractions." 

"What do we have to do in order to stop A.I.M.?" Natascha asked. 

Liv held up her USB stick and pulled it apart. "We have to insert both parts of the USB sticks into the server and the backup server. From then on, the program will do its job." 

"Which is...?" Clint asked. 

"It will infiltrate their system and lock them out", Liv replied simply. 

"Leaving them with no access to their own technology", Natascha finished. "But it won't destroy them?" 

"As bad as A.I.M. is, their technology can also help people... But if no one unlocks my program in a given time, it will start to eat it up from the inside", Liv said. "Just a safety mechanism."  

"And you are the only one that can unlock it?" Natascha asked, brows pulled together. 

Liv nodded. Whatever Natasha's thoughts were on this, she kept them to herself. 

"We are all still on the run. It's too dangerous if we linger too long", Steve said. 

"I'll go in. They don't know me", James said. 

"I'll go too", Liv said, making them turn to face her.

"And who is gonna let you?" he asked, straightening his back and staring at her.

"Who is gonna stop me?" she asked, standing up with her hands on the desk and giving him a hard stare.

"What is going on between you?" Steve asked. His eyebrows were pulled together. 

Liv and James stared each other down. Neither of them was willing to give in. James didn't want her near those people, and she didn't want him to go alone, out of fear of what they could do to him if they realized who he was. 

"We will discuss this later. We need to get on that guest list", Natasha said, interrupting them. 

"I know someone who can help us", Liv said. "I need a phone." 

Steve gave her his phone, and she went outside, dialing a number she thought she'd never dial again. 

"Hello Kenjiro", Liv said in a small voice. (Kenjiro Tanaka) 

Not sure how her ex would react to hearing from her after years of silence. But she needed his insights and help. Silence met her on the other end of the line, before someone cleared his throat. 

"Liv?" The voice on the other end said, uncertainty in his voice. 

"I know we haven't spoken in ages, but I need a favor", she said. 

"You have nerves...", he began, anger filling his voice. 

"You owe me", she said in a calm voice, looking back to the house, where she spotted James staring at her through the kitchen window.