Trust

My stomach growled around five. Bruce usually didn’t bring me dinner till six or seven. I decided to once again use the freedom to go scavenge for food. I took the same path I did when Bruce brought me for breakfast. The kitchen was empty when I entered. I opened a few cabinets. All were packed full of snacks. I rolled my eyes, but grabbed a pack of chips ahoy anyway.

“You might not wanna do that.”

I turned around and was faced when the brown haired boy from earlier.

“Clint hoards those like gold. He would have taken ten all by now but he hasn’t realized we went shopping yet.”

“I’ll live.”

“Suit yourself. What’s your name anyway. Mr. Stark wouldn’t tell me. Or you some kinda of super secret S.H.I.E.L.D some or something?”

“Something like that.”

“Oh, cool. I’m Peter.”

He reached out his hand. I hesitated, but shook it.

“Nice to meet you,” he called as I walked away.

I made it back to my room and plopped down on my bed. I picked my book back up and started to read. But a bang against the window alerted me. My eyes shot up. I expected it to be a bird, but instead a single post it note was taped to the outside of the window was a single post-it note.

We’ve been watching you. Good job soldier.

My eyes widely looked for the source of the note. But New York was bustling around as if nothing. I opened the window and grabbed the note before asking F.R.I.D.A.Y to close the blinds. I traced the letters with my finger. familiar writing I had seen over and over again sprawled across countless documents. Daniel Whitehall.

When Bruce came to give me my dinner. I didn’t mention the note. I didn’t know how much they knew, or how much they were listening, or how much they could see. After he left I scoured my room looking for planted bugs and then though my clothes. I didn’t find anything so I gave up. They must either a. have an inside source or b. being watching though the windows. I didn’t want to let them get suspicious so I put the blinds back up. Another note greeted me.

Don’t try to hide from us. Your mission will come soon

I opened the window and paced as I once again traced the familiar writing. The door opened and I shoved the note in my pocket.

“Hey.”

“Sup.”

“Are you ok? You seem a little tense.”

“I’m fine.”

“Ok. Well I brought tea. And, uh. Peter, the kid you saw earlier, wanted to ask if you wanted to join us for movie night?”

“More awkward time with people who don’t want me to be there? I wouldn’t miss it.”

“I really can’t tell if you're being sarcastic or not.”

“I, uh.” I thought about the mission and the thought of being watched again. I couldn’t raise more suspension on either end. When I went undercover they usually had me gather information. And I couldn’t do that from my room. “Sure, why not. Seeing the avengers faces when I show up will be worth the awkwardness.”

“Cool. Be in the commons by ten?”

“Sure.” I glanced at the clock. It had only been an hour since he had brought dinner, but it had seemed like forever ago.

Truthful to my word I showed up in the commons at ten. A few gave me glances but didn’t say anything. Nat glared at me, and Tony stood in front of Peter and called Bruce over. the two started what they thought was a quiet abutment while I took a place in a chair a bit away from the rest of the group. Tony and Bruce eventually calmed down and took their spots. Peter hit play and the title screen of Grease flashed across the screen. It was peaceful, but I couldn’t rest. Who knows who could be watching

The entire movie Peter sang along to the songs, sometimes Steve or Tony would join him. They must watch this movie a lot because Peter knew almost every word. And I bet the others did too, but they were too busy watching me to focus. I don’t think I ever have seen them relax in my presence. The movie eventually ended and I was carted off back to my room. This time Tony accompanied Bruce. They closed and locked the door behind me, but I didn’t hear them leave. But I could hear their hushed voices and strained my ears to listen in.

“Ok. You can do what you want and hang out with her and take her out for coffee. But I don’t want her near the kid. I need to know he’s safe.”

“She’s not going to hurt him. And Peter was actually the one to invite her to movie night. He feels bad that the super-secret S.H.I.E.L.D spy had to spend the night alone.”

“That kid is really too good for this world. But that doesn’t change anything. I don’t care how much you believe in her. She’s a trained assassin and I don’t want her near my kid.”

“Whatever. But if you think you can stop him from trying to befriend her you got another thing coming.”

One of the two voices stormed off. A sigh came from the other side of the door before they too left. I shook my head and went over to the desk sitting in the corner of my room. Rustling through it for a bit I found a stack of post-it notes and started to write on it. When I was done I stuck it to the window before going to bed.

I have freedom of the tower. The doctor trusts me. I am ready for my mission.

When I woke up, I found my note was gone and had been replaced. A long list of information I needing with how to go about locating it. And at the very end of it all were three simple words. Winter Soldier returning.