The Escape
Jemma knew about the plan for weeks, you had given her clear instructions of what to do and when to do it, just hoping she would understand and keep it a secret.
Secret. That was the key word.
All she needed to do was start researching how to reverse engineer several decades of Hydra brainwashing. Easy enough, it should take her a few days at most, some light problem solving.
It was getting off the base that was the main issue. You had already given Simmons the burn phone that you rigged up to be untraceable both ways, programmed the number from the other burn phone that you were taking with you, and told her you’d call her when you were ready. It was easy enough reprograming the security protocols, since you had designed them it was actually easier than easy, it was subtly saying goodbye that made you wonder if you should stay and try to repair the damage. With every one though, you soon realized that there was only one way to atone for your sins and avenge Lincoln’s death. And you need the help from some super soldiers to do that.
Last on your list of goodbyes was Coulson, of course you had saved the hardest for last, but he surely couldn’t go first. Your plan takes action tomorrow so this has to be good, knowing you probably won’t be back for some time.
As you walk in his office the look on his face says it all. Everything you could’ve hoped to tell him, he already knows, because he knows how you feel. You blame yourself. Lincoln had no right to take your place on that plane, he had no right to save you. Five people. Five friends. All putting there lives on the line only to lose them for you. It was too much. You should’ve been the one to die, not them. And he understands. No words are exchanged. He gives you a hug and you hug back with all of the adoration and respect you can muster. Coulson was the closest you’d had to a father figure, he cared about you like no one else did and believed in you most importantly when you didn’t believe in yourself. Once the hug is over all you can say is a heartfelt and painful “Thank you,” before you nod your head goodbye, not looking back to see the tears streaming down his face.
The alarm on your phone goes off at 3:30 the next morning, and you silently get up and get dressed. Taking your backpack with your clothes, your computer, and your cash, while shoving your phone into your pocket, you sneak out of your room and off of the base. Deciding it’s best to take a car instead of a plane, you hop into the driver’s seat and start the engine. Somehow you have to make it back to New York City to steal your old license plate off your van before anyone can track the S.H.I.E.L.D. plate and find you. Figuring in your current location, it’ll take you about three and a half to four hours to get to the city and find your van and then you’ll have to anonymously purchase a plane ticket to Wakanda. That didn’t sound suspicious at all.
You turn your head to start backing out the parking space, when you’re suddenly greeted with Simmons smiling face, offering you biscuit with the nod of her head.
Screaming you jump back only to hit the horn and let out a clear signal as to where you are and what you’re doing. You signal for her to duck while you put the car back in park and turn it off. She starts to say something but you cut her off.
“Jemma!? What the hell are you doing here? I told you I’d call you when I needed your expertise.” you whispered furiously.
“Yes, you did, but you see, I already figured out a way to reverse engineer the brainwashing that Hydra did to Sergeant Barnes, so I figured that I could just come with you, that way we can save the hassle later on!” she said in her, ‘I’m telling you the truth, but I have ulterior motives voice.’
You gave a look that says you’re not impressed with her bullshit story, and her facade crumbles.
“Fine, okay, you got me, it’s just that you only get so many opportunities to meet your heroes and, well, with you going to find Captain Rogers, I figured I could tag along and maybe ask him some questions, just chat a bit” she explained sheepishly.
“I didn’t know Captain America was one of your heroes.” you responded
“He’s not, I mean he is, he’s a wonderful person, very smart, and strong, he has good judgement, all hero-worthy qualities. But I don’t want to ask him questions about himself, no-o-o I want to find out more about Agent Peggy Carter! She helped found S.H.I.E.L.D., she was British, she was brilliant, she was British, an amazing woman, did I mention she was British?” she gushed.
“Shh Jemma, they’ll hear us. And yes you did mention that.” you warned her.
Taking a moment to process the scene, you debated on wether you should kick her out of the car and continue on your journey alone, but realizing that she had already packed a light bag, added a separate bag with toys from the lab, and baked biscuits for the trip, it seemed futile to make her leave. She was also right, if she came along now, it would save you and her the hassle of trying to transport her to Wakanda later. Plus, it wouldn’t hurt to have a familiar face, knowing Jemma understands what guilt can do to a person.
Checking outside the car, making sure no one was looking for the mysterious car horn noise, you turned to her again. “Alright, you can come along, but come sit up here with me, I don’t like the idea of you creeping over my shoulder again. And we have to stick to the plan I designed, it’s too dangerous right now to improvise.” you remind her. With the Accords in play they’ll have to go through serious tests to even get to Wakanda.
“Yes, that won’t be a problem. I’ve grabbed some things from the lab that might be able to help us once we get going. Just some simple things for travel; a first aid kit, an emergency blanket, some emergency water, and some provisions, just in case we get stuck somewhere unsavory. But I’ve also been working on these for a few days,” pulled out assorted household items and a few of Fitz’s cloaked I.C.E.R.’s, “this ‘contact case’ is actually the house to a small set of inner ear comms, these assorted jewelry pieces are imbedded with micro cameras that give a 360 degree view of wherever you are, and these lipsticks turn into some multi-purpose tools, for instance this once is a knife, this one contains a high powered infrared laser that can cut through most steel reinforced iron, these two contain a concentrated aerosol version of the dendrotoxin used in the I.C.E.R.’s, and last but not least this one is a single bullet powerful handgun, only used in case of emergencies.” she went on for a few more minutes explaining the other gadgets she had “borrowed” from the lab, some splinter and flash bombs disguised as blue and pink maxi pads, respectively, along with some specialized nylon rope, some glow in the dark paint disguised as perfume, her scentless tracker liquified as hand wipes, and finally a small pack of tissues, because it was allergy season.
“Jemma, I have to say I’m thoroughly impressed, thoroughly, like you were very thorough. And I would compliment you more, but we should probably get on the road if we want to make it to the city by 8.” you said looking at the clock on the dash, by this time it was already four and you knew the early shift agents would be up checking the perimeter soon.
“Right, I almost forgot! We have some super soldiers to find!” she said enthusiastically. You just laughed to yourself and started to explain the plan to her.