Viper

Chapter 5: ...or Not Dead?

(Liz's POV)

"Hill, Fury. I need you two to go undercover as STRIKE. You leave now."

"Yes, ma'am," they both say.

I wait for a few hours. With the doctor and my powers, I am good to go in no time at all. I watch surveillance from the old SHIELD building. Natasha asked Steve who the girl in the picture was. Since it was me, he just stayed quiet. He did, however, tell her a bit about Peggy Carter now Sousa. They found Zola and talked about Operation Paperclip which I had vetoed, but Peggy and Howard overruled it. I always knew Hydra was growing inside SHIELD, and I did many things to stop it, but I was ultimately unsuccessful. I turn off the cams and decide to just wait until they get here.

"About damn time," I say as Nat and Steve walk in with Sam Wilson trailing behind them as well as Hill and Fury. Steve wraps me in a hug and quietly tells me off. Everyone looks a little bit confused except for Fury. He and Coulson were the only two that know I'm really Adelaide Rogers. I took off my "mask and wig" that I've had "spelled" on me for the past twenty or so years. Natasha, Sam, and Hill collectively gasp until Sam starts laughing and also pulls me in for a hug. (Long story short, we're pals and he always though I was living a double life.)

"Yeah, yeah. You were right."

"I called it."

"But you died. Back in the sixties, and now."

"I hid. I couldn't handle it anymore. My husband, my brother, my parents, my in-laws, my friends, and my children, and I had to watch all of them die. One day I just left. Howard covered for me by saying I died. Then I met Tony at MIT while I was getting a few more degrees, and Howard was the one that helped me reinvent myself so he knew it was me. Sure, it was a bit odd, but Tony and I love each other, and I didn't care what anyone had to say. Then we found Steve, and I decided to keep my cover intact because if Hydra knew I was still alive they wouldn't kill me. They would take me back into custody. Yes, Steve. I knew about Hydra, but everything I did only accomplished so much, and yes. I knew about Bucky, but I didn't want to tell you because I knew you would blame yourself when really it was my fault. Now, we need to strategize. And I think it's finally time for Viper to make a comeback."

Steve grins at that, and Natasha looks up in shock and awe. I pick up a picture of Pierce.

"This man declined the Nobel Peace Prize. He said peace wasn't an achievement, it was a responsibility. See, it's stuff like this that gives me trust issues."

"We have to stop the launch."

"I don't think the Council's accepting my calls anymore."

I show them the case with three replacement blades for the targeting system.

"What's that?" Sam questions.

"Once the helicarriers reach 3,000 feet, they'll triangulate with Insight satellites, becoming fully weaponized," Fury explains.

"We need to breach those carriers and replace their targeting blades with our own," I confirm.

"One or two won't cut it. We need to link all three carriers for this to work, because if even one of those ships remains operational, a whole lot of people are gonna die," Maria finishes.

"We have to assume everyone aboard those carriers is Hydra. We have to get past them, insert these server blades, and then take everything down. Are we clear?" I question.

"Yes, ma'am," they all agree.

"Good. Now, here's our plan—"

After I finished explaining, Steve and I walked out to the bridge. We both thought of the memory when Steve and Bucky moved into my house after Mom died.

"Steve, I'm sorry, but if I had told you—I've already been carrying the responsibility for seventy plus years. I didn't want the burden to be on you as well."

"It's okay, Ady. I know this has to be hard for you. I mean he's your husband, and Tony—"

"Sh, one problem at a time, okay?"

"Of course." Sam clears his throat behind us.

"You know he's gonna be there?"

"Yeah, Sammy."

"We know," Steve and I say at the same time.

"Look, whoever he used to be and the guy he is now, I don't think he's the kind you save. He's the kind you stop."

My emotions take over, and I slap him. I whisper an apology, but Steve just ignores my violent outburst.

"He's my brother, by choice and by law. I don't know if I can do that."

"I sure as hell can't. That guy you're talking about is my husband."

"Well, he might not give you a choice." I slap him again, but he continues. "He doesn't know you, Lizzie."

"He will," we both reply. "Gear up, Sammy. It's time," I say as Steve and I walk away.

"You guys gonna wear that?"

"No, Sammy—"

"If you're gonna fight a war, you have to wear a uniform."

"You remembered!"

"Of course, Ads."