The Reluctant Hero

Compromise - Chapter 16

"I'm pretty sure she could chart the entire facility pretty accurately with how she's scoping the place out," Tony muttered.

"I'd do the same if it were me," Natasha chuckled. "So would Clint and most of the people we know including you."

"She didn't run or attack anyone so that's a good sign," Bruce added.

"No, she just tore the place apart and is now armed."

"She's done nothing we wouldn't do in her place, Tony. She's been conditioned in ways we don't know but she's only ever defended herself. I don't think we have to worry. I think we just need to gain her trust. Besides, we're not even sure she can really tell us anything useful and she is a victim," Steve said calmly.

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I slept longer than I meant to and woke in a panic. I felt refreshed but the time lost was a shame. I took off the hoodie but left on a tank and shorts to get a shower. I may not know where the cameras were and privacy wasn't a thing at Hydra but I enjoyed it when I could. The shower felt blissful. I may have taken an extra minute or two under the hot water than was necessary. 

After I was dressed, I made sure to leave traces I would check later to tell if anyone had been in the room messing around and had just finished when there was a gentle knock on my door. I stuffed the sock up the sleeve of my hoodie, laid the knife where it could be easily gotten to, and opened the door. 

Bucky stood there with a soft smile. I didn't return it, but instead, I just waited. 

"Do you want to get something to eat first?"

I shook my head no. With a small sigh and a nod, he lead me back through the hallways until we reached a briefing room. Several people were already there, but there was one person I was avoiding looking at leaning on the wall on the opposite side of the room. I knew most of the people here from the news. The red-haired woman was here who was casually watching me. Tony Stark was here glowering at me. Thor sat watching me with a grin. Steve Rogers was watching both Bucky and me. A few others I didn't know were scattered about the room. They'd grown quiet when we walked in. 

I didn't look at Loki. Childish perhaps, but I wasn't sure I could stay expressionless if I looked at him. That fact alone bothered me. I barely knew him. 

I sat at the end of the table and Bucky sat next to me. Like it mattered. Soon they would learn I knew nothing nor would I trust them. The only good part of this was it was unlikely anyone would attempt to kill me in this room at the moment so I could relax a fraction.

"First, we want you to know you're safe here," Steve.

I looked at him. I considered speaking and telling them how wrong they were but it wasn't worth arguing about. They were confident in their defenses. Instead, I watched his expressions and mannerisms. I would let him talk and learn how to read him. 

"We know you have no reason to trust us and that you've been through hell, both at their hands and ours. I've never liked bullies or people that take others' freedom. We want to restore what you've lost both in memory and in life. You don't have to be a slave anymore."

My first thought was, aren't I a captive to you right now? I didn't say it and I tried very hard not to show it. Instead, I tilted my head up slightly. Let them decide if that meant I was considering it or disagreeing. 

"I wouldn't believe them either if it were me," the red-haired woman said.

I looked at her and we stared at each other for a moment, each trying to read the other. She was a blank read and I admit I was impressed. She was far better at it than I was and clearly knew I wasn't biting. 

"This feels like a waste of time," Tony interjected. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, and with a very irritated expression. I didn't blame him. I felt the same way. 

"I would carefully consider my options. Considering the resources the Avengers can offer or going it alone when Hydra came after me seems like a no-brainer. Sure you have a lot of training but they know your weakness and have more resources. Trust doesn't have to be part of the deal, just cooperation as a means to an end," the redhead said.

I considered this. I didn't trust them. Couldn't. However if I seemed to work with them, what would I get access to that could help me disappear? Even to feign working with them wouldn't make me any more of a target than I was, and having one of them off my back even for a brief time might give me a chance to take care of a few things. I looked around the room then. They were all watching me, waiting. Sympathy, empathy, suspicion, and then the one face I'd avoided. Disdain. Loki looked like he couldn't care less.

I looked back to the redhead. "Fine."