The Avenger’s Soul

Daisy’s POV

I rubbed my back as I sat on my bed later the next night as I remembered the events of the day. We had managed to get our hands on the cloaking technology we needed along with another quintet - and also solved our Creel problem thanks to Fitz and Mack, however Hunter had managed to ice both me and May in his rogue mission to get revenge on Creel for killing his friend Harley, who had been the one to bring him along on our sting operation in the first place. I had to smile though, I mean other than the fact we had lost the original item we had been after (another 0-8-4; the FIRST 0-8-4) things were finally starting to look up for us. Unfortunately, we had learned that holding the 0-8-4 seemed to have an adverse effect; turning whoever touched it to stone. Something about it was drawing me in but I had no clue what. It almost reminded me of Thor’s hammer; in that it seemed sentient. And something about it was calling to me.

*****

“I imagined they were all Ward,” I said with a smirk as I put down my gun and May hit a button to bring the targets in.

“Imagine they’re all targets. Don’t get cocky. This is step one. It’s all about control…” May started to say. I rolled my eyes.

“Control. I know!” She had given me this speech before.

“Open your mind, your body,” she continued to say.

“Don’t forget your mind,” I repeated at the same time.

“In the field you need to maintain control,” she spoke over me. “Whatever the situation. Hostages, bombs about to go off –“

“So what you’re saying is what I just did was puny and sad,” I said with a frown.

May took my wrist and pulled it up, looking at the fitbit monitor she had started making me wear and turned it on.

“61 beats per minute. Consistent the whole time. Not that puny,” she said with a smirk.

I looked down at my wrist when May let go and walked away.

“Speaking of not puny…” I commented as I watched her pick up a very large gun.

“Yeah, I want you to get used to this, it’s a sniper rifle,” I rolled my eyes, I had been trained by Hydra on how to use one but I decided not to mention it. I had decided when I began working with May to forget all former Hydra training and start from scratch with her.

While May spoke I looked over to see Hunter, pushing a trolley, and Mack walking down the hallway toward us.

“Pardon me, uh, just one quick question,” Hunter said as he paused and looked over at me. “You went to Shield academy, right?”

I started to shake my head and open my mouth but May spoke.

“You didn’t. If you did, you would have known better than to shoot us,” she said condescendingly.

“Apology number 470, I’m very sorry Agent May,” Hunter said as Mack and I shared grins.

“Don’t be sorry. Just wait,” May said ominously.

“Uh, we just have a little wager. So, did you…?” Mack asked as he turned to look at me.

“Go to the academy? Yeah, no,” I told them.

Hunter let out a deep exaggerated sigh and sunk his head onto his arm. Mack perked up and handed Hunter a clipboard clapping him on the back.

“Yeah, all right, well have fun with the inventory. And remember Koenig likes them neat,” he said cheerfully. “Oh, and, uh, none of those Euro sevens, with the lines through them. Drives him crazy.”

Mack walked away with a grin. Hunter looked at me accusingly.

“Coulson said you were a field agent with a badge and everything.”

“More like a work-study thing. Badge, I had for like a day before Shield -“ I mimed an explosion with my hands before taking a drink of water.

“You know, Hartley, she loved her blade, hated guns. Idaho, if on a job someone ended up dead, he’d go to church light a candle. Said it’d balance the karma. See, I knew them, what they do, not do. So, us being workmates and all…” Hunter started to say.

I stared at him a moment.

“You’re wondering if I’ve ever taken anyone out,” I stated matter of factly.

“Have you?”

“Not that I know of,” I said and turned away from him as May appeared behind him.

“Hey,” she knocked on the window between them getting his attention. “Don’t you have inventory?”

He sighed and stood up straighter.

“I suppose now I do.” He put the clipboard on top of the trolley and gave us a smile. “Good afternoon, ladies.” He walked away and May handed me a mag for the gun.

“Practice. I want you to get used to the recoil.” I fought the urge to roll my eyes again thinking that my super human strength could more than handle the recoil but kept my mouth shut. “And for the record, experience doesn’t make it any easier to cross someone off,” she added.

*****

3rd Person POV

SpitFire: Ugh…I have to see him again…any interrogation advice? @ Widowmaker? @ Arrowman @ AmericanPie @ Winter - May’s had me working on keeping my heart rate down but last time…he just…he’s good at getting under my skin and it doesn’t help that he was my former SO before revealing himself to be the Hydra bastard that he is - so, ya know, he spent months figuring out what makes me tick…seems like the only thing he doesn’t know is about my own time with Hydra and my powers and I would like to keep it that way!

Daisy’s soulmates all tensed at her incoming message. They didn’t know who her former SO was but they all hated him for what he had put her through. It was clear that she was keeping the important details from them but they figured when the time was right she would tell them; that or it was going to have to stay classified which was something they all had experience with.

Widowmaker: just remember, sweet cheeks, he may have spent months observing you, but you can say the same thing about him. Use whatever weaknesses you know of against him!

Arrowman: I’m glad May has you working on controlling your emotions that will be important. Try to remain calm no matter what he might say - he’s going to try to rile you up, baby, don’t let him!

AmericanPie: I have complete faith in you, doll 💕

Winter: I wish I could offer advice but I don’t really remember any interrogation training…

SpitFire: I know, Bucky. It’s okay. I don’t either…Oh! That reminds me! Nat - I’ve been meaning to ask! The lie detector devices that Fury uses…were you able to beat them? Cuz I would bet money that you did 😏

Widowmaker: You know it, baby 😉

SpitFire: Maybe when all this is over you could show me how? I suck at lying 🥺

AmericanPie: I love that about you, doll!

SpitFire: Aww, thanks, Stevie! It’s just not really ideal for covert operations 🙄

Widowmaker: I’d be happy to help you with anything, love.

Though they couldn’t see her, her soulmates could all sense Daisy’s blush and grinned widely. They were incredibly happy that she was finally starting to open up to them.

*****

“Well, they’re not exactly what you’d call welcoming. They don’t give you a choice,” Ward said.

“So what do they give you? Money? Threats? Torture? Combo platter?” I asked.

“They’re good a convincing people,” he replied.

“Yeah, well, they suckered you in,” I pointed out as I crossed my arms.

“No. I was never loyal to HYDRA. I was loyal to Garrett.”

“Oh, Garrett is the reason you’re a cold blooded killer?” I rolled my eyes at this.

“I don’t blame him for the choices I’ve made.”

“Right. I seem to remember you blaming your brother,” I recalled, remembering what Nat had said and knowing this would get to him. I smirked as he bristled and looked away from me. “Or was it your parents? Man I can’t keep up.”

“My family tore me down. Garrett built me back up…the way he wanted.”

“We’re all aware of who your family is, Ward. Not only are they respected they’re pretty much loved. And yes, I know, even the most seemingly perfect families have their skeletons but you can’t blame your problems on everyone else.

“You’re right, every family has its secrets. Yours does, too.” He stood up from the wall he was leaning against walking closer to where I sat. “You ever wonder why –“

“You know what? My bad. I slipped,” I interrupted as I shifted in my chair. “Talked to you like a normal person. Let’s stay on task.”

He gave me a small nod of his head and stepped back.

“You make the rules. HYDRA’s protocol on gifteds is pretty straightforward. An acquisition team is sent out to convince or capture the gifted. If those two options aren’t possible then they’ll take them out.”

“Even if the gifted doesn’t pose a threat?”

“A gifted that refuses HYDRA is a threat. And threats are taken care of quickly.” I frowned.

“That’s the difference between Shield and HDYRA.”

“And that’s why HDYRA will win. Because while a Shield agent is considering right and wrong, HYDRA’s already taken the shot.”

*****

“Your first jump?” I Hunter asked me as he helped strap my parachute onto my back. I glanced over at Coulson with a sly smirk as I went with a half truth. I mean sure, it’s not like I had ever jumped out of a plane without my wings or in Coulson’s car but I certainly wasn’t scared as Hunter was assuming I would be.

“Second. First was with Coulson and Lola,” I fibbed as I winked at Coulson. He grinned at me. “It’s a car. It flies. Yeah, this is my first time with a parachute.

“It’s okay to be scared,” he told me as I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

“I’m not scared,” I said with a chuckle.

“Maybe you should be; I packed your chute and according to my ex, my folding skills are abysmal.” I laughed at that. “Nice thing is, this is as scary as it gets.”

I looked down at my monitor to show my heartbeat was 72 beats per minute.

“Once you jump physics takes over.” Or my wings…I thought to myself.

“Yeah, I’m good, thanks,” I told him. I liked Hunter but I wasn’t about to give him any of my secrets just yet.

She turns from him grabbing something as May enters the cargo hold.

“Trip says 2 minutes out,” May informed us.

Coulson walked over to a panel on the wall.

“Remember, Donnie Gill’s a gifted.” He pulled a lever and the cargo door opened. “He could be a formidable weapon for either side. Let’s make sure it’s ours.”

I looked at my monitor again, now it said 65 beats per minute. I smiled as I stepped to the edge and jumped, enjoying the rush of wind and wishing that I could release my wings instead.

*****

SpitFire:…I killed someone today…61bpm…guess that’s good right? Logically I know I was saving my team but…is it normal to feel numb? I always thought I would feel - I don’t know - something? I just - no offense…I don’t want to become indifferent to the loss of life and I’m just worried that I could easily turn down that path I mean it’s all Hydra ever conditioned me for…please don’t tell Tony…

Widowmaker: secret is safe with us, sweetie, and yes it’s completely normal and I know exactly how you feel. I had the same concerns after I got out of the Red Room and joined Shield. But you have us here to keep you on the straight and narrow and none of us will let you go through what we did!

Arrowman: Damn straight! Keep us updated on how you’re feeling, ok babe? We’re here for you.

SpitFire: thanks, it’s just, he was a good kid and Hydra managed to brainwash him, probably the same way they did with Bucky and I just - I think it would have been easier if he had just been a straight up bad guy.

AmericanPie: Things are rarely black and white, doll. But you are one of the kindest most caring people I’ve ever met so trust your instincts.

SpitFire: that’s sweet of you to say, Steve. But we haven’t really even gotten to know each other. To be honest, I don’t understand why I’m telling any of you this. I’d probably get in trouble if anyone found out!

Winter: Well that can easily be fixed, darlin’ once Hydra’s taken care of we’ll spend all the time in the world getting to know each other. But Stevie is right. It’s clear as day that you have the biggest heart ♥️ so no matter what decision you made/make just remember it will always be coming from a place of love.

Reindeer: I’d chime in but unfortunately I AM still numb to death - but I promise you I’m working on it

WingedDevil: If it helps, dove, I can assure you that I will take good care of his soul in hell. He wasn’t a bad kid, you’re right, but rest assured, he still ended up in my care which should tell you something - if that is at all comforting?

“What are you doing in here?” I glanced up from my computer and phone as May joined me where I was sitting on the holotable on the BUS.

I let out a sigh.

“I don’t know. It’s reminds me of before.”

May looked down and away then over the Bus with a sigh.

“Should replace the glass if we’re gonna take her out regularly,” she commented as she entered the room to stand next to me.

“I’ve been monitoring Moroccan law enforcement channels,” I said as I set the laptop aside and looked at her. “They still haven’t found Donnie Gill’s body yet. “

“You okay?”

“No.” I shook my head and looked away from May. “I get why Coulson kept what Simmons was doing from us.” I jumped off the table and turned to fully face May. “I understand he’s protecting her, making sure no one compromises her mission, but you knew?”

She nodded

“I knew.”

“I’m scared for her. Simmons in HYDRA? She’s a terrible liar!” May smirked a bit and nodded her head. “I’m serious. I love her, but her trying to lie – it is a horror show!” I exclaimed remembering the incident at the Hub.

“Maybe before, but not anymore. She can handle it. She’s good,” May reassured me. “She’s not the only one,” she added as she looked me up and down. I felt a sense of pride at her approval but kept my face emotionless as possible so she wouldn’t see how happy I was to hear her say that.

*****

I walked down the stairs to enter the vault at The Playground. Ward saw me and stood up from his bed walking closer to the barrier between us. His eyes travel over me and he seemed to have a relieved smile when he looked at me.

“Relieved it’s not Fitz?” I asked. I had heard Fitz had found out Coulson was keeping him down here and almost suffocated him, not that he didn’t deserve it after what he put my friend through.

“Happy it’s you, that you’re okay. I’m, uh, glad I could help,” award said sitting back down on his bed.

“You said HYDRA had a way of convincing people. You were talking about brainwashing, weren’t you?” I asked, thinking of Bucky. Sure Steve had managed to help being Bucky back to some degree of the man he was before Hydra but I was worried that they would somehow manage to retrain him again like they had been attempting to do with Donnie Gill.

“It’s not done often, but it’s done. It’s a lot of work, and some people aren’t susceptible. It’s mostly used on high value targets.” Like the Winter Soldier, I couldn’t help but think.

“Like you?” I asked as an afterthought.

He gave me a grin that dropped into a grimace as he shook his head.

“I wish I could say that’s what happened. But I swore I’d never lie to you. No. I was never brainwashed. Everything I did, good and bad…I did of my own free will.”

I stared at him and nodded a couple of times.

“Do you believe I’m telling you the truth?”

I nodded at him again.

“I just don’t know why. I don’t know what you hope to achieve by –“

“I don’t hope for me. I hope for you. I know something, and I want you to believe me when I say it.”

I just stared at him, he got up off the bed walking closer to me.

“Your parents are alive.”

My eyes got a bit bigger with this news.

“They’re looking for you. And some day, if you let me, I’ll take you to them.”

I stared at him for a long moment then my face hardened

“We’re done here,” I stated before making a hasty exit. I opened the door to the vault then leaned against the wall next to it, breathing hard. I lifted up my wrist and checked my monitor, 99 beats per minute, it went up to 100. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath trying to calm myself. I checked it again, 103, 104, 105… my face hardened again.