A New Lead
Three months. It had been three months since Kahlen returned to England, three months since Steve had seen her bright hazel eyes and glowing smile.
He’d tried to swallow the feelings that had been growing since she arrived at the tower, doing his best to downplay it around the others, mostly to avoid their teasing but also because he still wasn’t sure how Tony felt about his teammate harbouring feelings for his daughter. They’d talked about it after Kahlen’s birthday party at the end of July, Steve admitting his feelings and Tony warning him to respect his daughter (as if he needed reminding), but since then they’d avoided the subject at all costs. Whenever Kahlen called the tower Steve would be friendly but distant, guilt eating away at him anytime Kahlen seemed disappointed to see him leave a call early. He didn’t want to hurt her feelings but with her so far away and only really having time for group calls their relationship, whatever it may be, was at a standstill.
He missed her living in the tower, having dinners and movie nights and their occasional trips to places in New York. He missed how easy it felt, feeling the most himself when it was just the two of them. The work she was doing was important, he knew that, but he wished she’d never left. Maybe that was selfish but he couldn’t find it in himself to care.
Instead of talking to someone about any of this Steve chose to throw himself into training and teambuilding, much to the annoyance of everyone else. He spent most of his time in the gym, working out or sparring. When he wasn’t in the gym he was reviewing footage of their fights, real world and simulated, searching for weaknesses to fix. If his friends were worried about him he hardly noticed, his focus entirely on missions and training. It had gotten so bad that they’d made him sit out on the current mission, insisting his tense mood was a distracting factor that would endanger the mission. They practically begged him to rest while they were gone but he couldn’t, afraid to be left alone with his thoughts, so instead he was up at 5am everyday for his morning run.
As he rounded the corner that brought him to the entrance to Avengers Tower and the end of his run he remembered the time he’d finally convinced Kahlen to join him. She’d reluctantly agreed after much pestering and afterward she’d called him insane and swore she would never run with him again. In the common room now, he laughed thinking about how red her face had gotten, her hands on her knees as she’d fought for breath. He’d laughed then too which had earned him a pillow magically thrown at his head.
God, I miss her.
As if by magic (which would hardly surprise him at this point), Kahlen appeared in the common room. Her hair was the same curly chestnut he remembered, her mesmerizing eyes switching between green and brown as she searched the room, surprised to find it mostly empty.
Seeing her again, in person, was all it took for the carefully constructed walls Steve had built around his emotions to come crashing down. He blinked several times, convinced he was seeing things, that this was a cruel trick his mind had designed but she remained solid before him.
Just as she finally noticed him he rushed forward and pulled her into a bone-crushing hug, his shoulders sagging in relief.
Kahlen laughed. “I missed you, too,” she said, and he could hear her grinning, could picture the way her lips curved, but his grip didn’t loosen. He took a deep breath, feeling relaxed for the first time in months, and let the familiar scent of roses and hazelwood wash over him. Their embrace lasted a moment longer until Steve finally released her, his need to see her face overwhelming him.
When they pulled apart Steve saw her smiling face, but underneath he could see the tension and worry that had settled on her shoulders. It worried him, which must have been evident on his face but Kahlen purposefully ignored it.
“Where is everyone?” He could tell she fought to keep any panic from lacing her words but he heard it nonetheless.
“They’re gone, on a mission,” he explained. “They’ll be back in about a week. Why, what’s wrong?” Her disappointment was clear and he tried not to feel hurt.
Kahlen sighed. “Remus and his family were attacked.” Her face darkened, her rage barely held beneath the surface. Steve’s eyes widened, worried for the kind couple and their innocent son but remaining silent to allow Kahlen to continue. “They’re alright, Tonks and Teddy were unharmed and Remus is being treated.”
“Do they know who did it?”
“Death Eaters,” she snarled. “Kingsley says there have been two other attacks, all within the last month.” As she walked toward the kitchen island, Steve could’ve sworn he heard bitterness in her tone, though the reason remained unknown. Given the circumstances, he figured it could wait.
Reaching into her coat, Kahlen produced a small stack of photos, placing them on the marble island for Steve to see. The photos moved, shocking him for a moment before he saw what they were showing. Families screamed and ran from figures in black robes, their faces obscured by ugly looking metal masks. Steve recognized the figures as the Death Eaters from Kahlen’s memories when she’d told the team about the war.
The images made him sick, the innocent people crying for help. He was almost forced to look away when he noticed something silver glinting on the Death Eater’s sleeves.
“Wait, is that…'' he trailed off, hoping he was mistaken but one look at Kahlen’s grim face assured him he was right. “They’re Hydra?”
“That’s the leading theory,” Kahlen sighed, clearly upset that Steve had confirmed what she already knew.
“What does this mean? Are they working together or did one take over the other?” His mind was reeling. Hydra was dangerous enough without adding magic to the mix.
“We’re not sure, but I intend to find out,” Kahlen said, gathering the photos and returning them to her coat. “Thanks for your help Steve.” He realized she planned to leave just as quickly as she’d come and he panicked. He didn’t want her to leave, he didn’t think he could go another three months without seeing her.
“Wait,” he called, walking closer to her as she turned to him, surprised. “I’m coming with you.”
“No, you’re not,” she rebuked, shaking her head.
“Yes, I am.” He realized he sounded like a child, so he continued before they got stuck in an endless loop of childish responses. “I’ve been fighting Hydra since 1943, I know how they work and what they do. You need me.” Realistically, he knew she didn’t. She was more powerful than he was, she could definitely handle Hydra, but the thought of her facing danger while he destroyed punching bags in the tower killed him.
Kahlen considered his argument, clearly wanting to turn him down. Finally, she sighed.
“Fine.” Steve grinned, having expected much more resistance. His reaction softened Kahlen’s annoyance a bit as she rolled her eyes. “Go get your shield and whatever else you need.”
“How do I know you won’t leave without me?”
She held up her pinky, waiting for him to do the same. “I promise I won’t leave without you.” They held on longer than necessary before Steve finally nodded, satisfied.
“I'll be ready in 10 minutes.”
— — —
True to his word, Steve returned to the common room 9 minutes and 34 seconds later, a bag and his shield in hand. He’d changed out of his running clothes but his hair and skin was still slightly sweaty as he hadn’t had time to shower. Kahlen’s eyes were drawn to his glistening muscles, then to his hair as he ran his fingers through it. Cheeks slightly pink, she forced herself to look at his eyes but it didn’t help. They were just as blue as she remembered and she struggled to keep her blush from deepening as she swam in the cobalt depths for the first time in months.
Since leaving the tower Kahlen had been so busy with the Wizengamot she’d hardly had time for anything else. Nearly every day she was locked in arguments with brainless oafs like Bulstrode and every night she collapsed onto her bed exhausted. Her friends worried for her health but she used potions and fake smiles to ease their minds, too focused on her work to allow any distractions.
Still, returning to the tower made her realize just how much she’d missed her family in America. She’d been disappointed to find that most of them were away on a mission but that disappointment was overshadowed by her relief at seeing Steve again. Over the past three months she’d called occasionally, briefly catching up with everyone while they sat in the common room, but more than once she saw Steve sneak away. She worried that their time apart made him realize that he could do better, that he regretted their time together, but the breathless hug he’d given her put those fears to rest.
Pulling herself back to the present, Kahlen realized Steve had asked her a question while she stared into his eyes.
“What?” She asked dumbly. He chuckled.
“I said, where are we going?”
“Oh, London,” she replied.
“Do you have a plane, or one of those portal things?”
Kahlen laughed. “They’re called Portkey’s, and no. I can apparate us.” She walked to his side and clasped his hand, feeling the familiar warmth and roughness from training and fighting. The connection caused some tension to leave her body, a soft smile gracing her lips.
“Do you get nauseous easily?” She smirked, his apprehensiveness making her giddy.
“Um… sometimes, why?” He gulped.
“No reason,” Kahlen evaded. “Don’t throw up on my rugs,” she added.
Before he could answer she felt that familiar tug in her abdomen and felt their bodies lose shape, the only solid feeling being their hands clasped together. In the space of a breath they reformed in her living room in London, Steve’s skin having turned slightly green. Kahlen cringed and quickly summoned a bucket before he vomited while she awkwardly patted his back.
“Sorry,” she muttered. “If it makes you feel any better, after my first apparation I passed out.”
He heaved again.
After he finished she used magic to clean away the sick and the sweat on his skin, no longer from exercise. She retrieved a Pepper-up Potion for him to nullify the remaining nausea. Once his complexion returned to normal he looked around the room furnished with both antiques and the most modern technologies blending to create a comfortable atmosphere.
“Where are we?” He stood up and continued to look around.
“London,” Kahlen answered cheekily, earning a look from Steve that made her laugh. “Tothill Place. It’s one of the Potter properties I inherited.”
“It’s huge,” Steve said, awe made evident in his tone.
Under her breath, Kahlen muttered, “You should see Potter Manor.” The super soldier was too preoccupied to notice, finally looking out the windows.
“Is that…” He looked closer, eyes widening. “Is that Big Ben?” Kahlen laughed.
“Yes Steve, we’re in the middle of Westminster. That’s the River Thames,” she pointed out, drawing their attention to the water reflecting sunlight into the penthouse. Leaving him to wander the expansive rooms, Kahlen pulled out her phone and called Hermione.
“Hey Kahlen, how did it go? Did they confirm that it’s Hydra?” Despite the seriousness of their situation, Kahlen smiled. She loved how single-minded Hermione could be.
“The majority of the team is on a mission,” Kahlen responded, “but Steve was there and he recognized the symbol.”
“Does he know why Death Eaters would be wearing it?”
"No," Kahlen sighed. “But he insisted on coming with me.”
“You’re kidding,” Hermione laughed. “Let me guess, he batted his eyelashes and you folded?” Even without seeing her face Kahlen could clearly hear her amusement.
“Can you please just meet us at Tothill Place,” she grumbled, embarrassment colouring her cheeks and making her thankful Hermione couldn’t see her. “And…” she paused. “Don’t tell Ron.”
“What? Why?” Hermione asked.
“It’s just, the Ministry has always been so easy to sway and with Kingsley hiding the attacks I don’t feel like I can’t trust him right now,” she admitted, still angry that she’d been kept in the dark while innocents suffered.
“What does that have to do with Ron?” Hermione's tone was bordering on accusatory. “Are you saying you can’t trust him anymore?”
“Not at all,” Kahlen answered gently. “But if he helps us it’ll be insubordination, and I don’t want to mess with his career. Merlin knows I already ruined his education,” she laughed, Hermione joining in.
“Well, he never had any complaints there.” She contemplated for a moment, then relented. “Alright, I’ll keep quiet for now.”
Kahlen sighed with relief. “Thank you. I promise I’ll tell him, just not right now. How soon can you get here?”
The familiar crack sounded from behind her, answering her question, though the jump she did almost made her regret allowing Hermione to automatically pass through her wards.
“Blimey ‘Mione,” she breathed. The girl in question simply laughed, unapologetic.
The sound of Hermione’s arrival had Steve rushing into the room, alert and searching for danger. When he recognized Hermione he relaxed and joined them in the parlour where tea was magically fixing itself. He raised an eyebrow at the setup but Kahlen shrugged.
“We’re British,” she said, and left it at that.
“All we really know,” Hermione began as they settled into their seats, “is that Death Eaters are back and have teamed up with Hydra. However, all known Death Eaters are either dead or in Azkaban.”
Kahlen rolled her eyes. “Please, there are definitely some that fell through the cracks. Pansy, Bulstrode, Crabbe and Goyle; they’re involved, I’m sure of it.”
“We don’t have anything tying them to the attacks but I wouldn’t put it past them,” Hermione admitted.
“I think we’re thinking about this backwards,” Steve said to himself, reviewing the photos that were on the table.
“How so?”
“Well, the Hydra symbol is on their uniforms. I think it’s likely that Hydra took advantage of the Death Eater’s lack of leadership and took over,” he explained. “They must have recruited the Death Eaters that weren’t caught, giving them a new leader, maybe even a new goal. I wouldn’t put it past Hydra to twist another group’s objective into their own.”
“So the person in charge would be Hydra,” Kahlen summed up.
Steve nodded. “Exactly.”
“But how would they know about the Death Eaters to begin with? They would have to be a witch or wizard,” she realized.
“Do you know who the leader of Hydra is?” Hermione directed the question at Steve, who shook his head.
“Not currently, no, but I do know the last leader we sent to prison. His name is Igor Karkaroff.” The girls shared a look of understanding. “What? How do you know Karkaroff?”
“He was a Death Eater,” Hermione explained, the pieces falling into place. “A bit cowardly but I suppose he slipped away before the war ended to avoid being caught.”
Steve turned his attention to the watch on his wrist. Though modern technology was sometimes difficult for him to grasp, Tony insisted on installing his AI in the watch in case of emergency. Thankfully, FRIDAY was easy to use.
“Fri, pull up the arrest records on Igor Karkaroff,” he requested. Within seconds the AI had files for him to sort through on his phone.
“Igor Karkaroff was arrested for acts of terrorism on February 8th, 2016,” FRIDAY explained. “He was sent to the United States Penitentiary in Tucson Arizona. Karkaroff was reported missing from the maximum security prison on October 11th, 2016.” Their eyes widened.
“That’s when the attacks started,” Hermione realized.
“His files say that his father, Vladimir Karkaroff, was a known member of Hydra. He was probably raised in the organization,” Steve guessed. “Friday, search all security cameras with facial recognition for Igor Karkaroff,” he instructed.
“Is that legal?” Kahlen asked, amused despite their discoveries.
Steve shrugged. “It’s Tony’s technology, ask him.”
“Igor Karkaroff was spotted four hours ago in Munich, Germany,” FRIDAY interrupted, changing the watch face to show the camera’s view as Karkaroff walked through the crowds, looking around nervously.
The three of them stood from the table, their cooling tea forgotten. Kahlen pulled her wand out and waved it so a glowing owl sprouted from its tip.
“Kingsley, we have a lead,” she told it. “We’re going to investigate; you’re bound by the laws of jurisdiction, we’re not. I’ll check in if we find anything.” Then she flicked her wrist and the owl sped away in a ball of light.
“I thought you didn’t trust him right now,” Hermione prodded gently.
“I don’t,” Kahlen admitted. “But anything we learn can help protect innocent people from being hurt. I wouldn’t keep information from him out of spite.”
Hermione nodded, satisfied with her friend’s morals, and the three of them linked arms to apparate.
“Here we go,” Steve groaned, readying his stomach for round two.