On The Edge. | Steve Rogers.

thirteen.

Issac researched Hydra extensively, gathering whatever information he could find about them before setting off onto the streets again. The comforting weight of his Beretta tucked into his jeans was reassurance that if things got ugly, he had multiple outs. He made his way towards the Occidental Hotel, the old building standing out amongst new and modern ones built around it. If he wasn't mistaken, it dates back to the earlier 1900s, making it an ample hide out for Hydra generations down the line. It wasn't even surprising that 'S.H.I.E.L.D' agents met here regularly to discuss who knows what over expensive meals in an overly posh restaurant.

He stood off to the side as Jasper walked out of the main doors, side by side with another very important looking man who barely fit into his suit. They were surrounded by six agents, presumably assigned as bodyguards. He could consider them Hydra as well then. The two men finished their conversation, clasping hands before leaning forward, the older man acting as if he was going to pull Jasper into a polite hug. He could see home whisper something from this angle but he couldn't make out what exactly. He felt a gaze watching him closely, Sam, hidden away at one of the surrounding tables.

He waited until Jasper was alone before hurrying over. He couldn't be more thankful for the visible injuries caused by the missile strike, making his ruse only more believable.

Jasper looked startled before his expression shifted to fear, then concern.

"Agent Grey-?" he moved to reach out, hand hovering hesitantly over his shoulder.

Issac's eyes were frantic, looking around in fear of being followed or watched. He looked borderline ill, exhausted and run down. They'd had lost contact with him not long after his meeting with Pierce and the disastrous state of his hotel room had only raised more alarms. They had no way of tracking him and miraculously there'd been no trace for them to track. At first they worried he'd gone rogue and joined forces with Captain America, but judging by the state of him standing right here in front of him, perhaps they'd been wrong. The only person who could outsmart him would be Natasha, and Steve could easily overpower him with a proper opening, they should have realized this sooner.

"We can't stay here." He spoke quietly. He could feel the heavy stares of the remaining agents who hadn't left with the other man, ready to pounce if necessary. "It isn't safe. We need to talk privately-" he looked around again, voice shaking as he spoke. "Jasper, I-I don't have much time, please."

Issac knew Jasper had a soft spot for him, probably because he was young with so much potential. Maybe it was because at some point, he would explain everything and manipulate Issac into joining their cause, becoming a member of Hydra and not S.H.I.E.L.D. Issac was a powerful ally, which made him an incredibly dangerous enemy.

It didn't take much pulling of the strings to get Jasper away from his guards, the two of them walking down the sidewalk at a brisk pace. The bald man's eyes would occasionally flick towards Issac, checking on him for serious injuries and to make sure he wouldn't collapse in five minutes. He seemed incredibly unstable and fragile, more so than ever.

"Are you alright-?" He asked again as they stopped at a crosswalk. "I think we should call Pierce, get you to the infirmary-"

"Don't." Issac spoke firmly, impatiently waiting for the signal to cross. "They have your phone tapped- they'll trace the call and get to you before you can get to them."

Jasper furrowed his brow slightly.

"But how did you manage to get away..?"

Issac glanced at him wearily. He rolled up his sleeve to show dark purple and blue blotches of bruising around his thumb and wrist.