Tension builds up in the room like the slow howl of the winds when a hurricane meets the shore. But I quietly sit on the far end of the sofa, listening to the Avengers bicker about what they should do about this controversy. The thing is, is that the Government would have a say in what the Avengers do for the people because they think they're dangerous and that they should be under control. My thinking is that you can't control the dangers in the world and yes, the Avengers cause destruction when trying to stop those who threaten a civilization, but at least they're doing something to help. Tony and Steve aren't agreeing on this situation and in my mind, I saw it coming. They don't see eye to eye on multiple topics; especially when it comes to Bucky.

"What are your thoughts, Avalon? From the perspective of a former assassin, I'd like to hear what that troubled mind has to say," Tony asks me, as arrogant as possible.

My eyes narrow towards him, disgust taking over my features as I take in what he just said. To control the anger that rises from within the depths of my person, my fingernails press into the palms of my hands as forcefully as possible, opening wounds from the afternoon. Great.

"This assassin wants to speak her mind, but I wouldn't want to hurt your ego," I snap, my annoyance evident.

He looks at me, humorously, "Then go on, speak your mind."

I shift in my seat, intertwining my fingers together, "This isn't my battle to fight, but if I have to fight for what I believe is right, then, I will. For nearly seventy years, I wasn't in control of the deadly actions I would perform and now, as a ninety year old stuck in a twenty-four year old's body, I get to be in control of what I do. Hydra doesn't control me. The Government doesn't control me. I'm not a puppet, here for your enjoyment. This is me, Avalon, the scientist, finally cutting the strings because you will not control me either."

My eyes slowly examine the faces of the ones in front of me. If Clint were here, he'd be proud of me for sticking up for myself. For the first time in a long time, I'm happy with the things I've said and the person I'm slowly becoming. Though, I won't be the same person I was long ago, I'm going to be better and a hell of a lot stronger.

"I think that's the first time I've agreed with anything you've said," the words spill from Tony's mouth like he's instantly regretting his poor word choice.

I blink a few times, somewhat surprised by his words. "You might agree with my words, but I will never sign that document. Call me a fugitive, but hey, I've always been an assassin. A criminal, and I guess that's what I'll always be labelled as. Ironically, I don't mind it anymore," I state, my words determined and I look over at Steve who has a joyful grin on his face.

"I will always stand by Steve Rogers and no one will change that," and with these words, I stand up and make an exit from the living room, proud of what I've done.

***

Taking matters into my own hands, I decide that this would be the best time to leave this place and go off to find the man we've been looking for, for over two years. But the other reason is that when the signing of this treaty takes place, things are going to get complicated, fairly quickly. I know what I have to do and I will do whatever it takes, even if that means I will still be the Red Ghost. If I have to, I will let her take over and I will get what I want. Until then, only time will tell what will happen in the next coming weeks.

How are you supposed to know where Bucky is? Do you really think he wants to be found? It's been two years and yet, there's no trace of him. Why would you bring him out of hiding?

The familiar sarcastic and deadly tone that was once my own, echoes through my headspace. Recently, Red has been making appearances in my mind and in some way or another, I'm slowly letting her back in. She's not wrong. If he wanted me to find him, he would've found a way to get me to realize where he is. We've been in that situation before, many moons ago.

The mission was going horribly wrong. I was used to working alone and it was easier that way because I didn't have to worry about someone else, but I've gotten fairly used to this adjustment. Winter and I didn't really say much to each other. As long as we both completed the mission and got the hell out of town, then we were okay. But I screwed up and I got myself in a situation that I thought I would never get out of.

          Caracas, Venezuela. We were there to assassinate Marco Fernandez -- a man who stole from Hydra and thought he could get away with it -- and in more ways than one, I ended up in a life or death situation that I had been trained to get out of, but I couldn't move. The events that lead up to the moment are key to how the hell I got out of it alive.

"I'll go downstairs. You should stay up in the rafters," Winter said, in a hushed voice.

The moon casted shadows on our faces through the opened window. We were not even a foot apart. I could hear his steady heartbeat as clear as day and his focus was on me.

"Why can't I come with you?" I asked, my eyebrows knitted together in a straight line.

He didn't answer. Simply, he walked away and I rolled my eyes at his arrogance. Of course, I'd follow orders. My crossbow was clenched in my hand as my eyes scanned my surroundings, I knew something was off. It was a little too quiet and I couldn't yell out to Winter or that'd give away our location. Winter lurked in the shadows as I followed from above. This is the way every mission went. He'd bombard them and then, I'd soundlessly drop from the ceiling. From there, we'd take out those who stood in our way because that's how an encounter with us went.

            With the eerie feeling, I loaded my crossbow and held it close to my body, my finger resting upon the trigger to be ready for any sudden danger. The lights were dim and I can admit, this was where I should've checked behind my shoulder, but they started to get darker the further we moved into the building. That's when I lost sight of Winter and that's the number one thing we can't do. We made an oath to always keep an eye on each other for protection, but how was I supposed to warn him when they'd come for me instead?

          In an instant, a rag was covering my nose and my eyes widened, knowing exactly what was happening. I didn't breathe and I quickly flipped whoever was behind me onto the ground. The heel of my foot jammed into the figure's neck and the struggle of them trying to breathe was felt throughout my foot. When you're an assassin for Hydra, no one can confront us and expect to make it out alive, but as the amauter I was, I didn't pay attention to the mistake I had just made. I thought he was dead, I really did, but as I started to walk away, an arm went around my neck, putting me into a chokehold. I couldn't breathe. I knew how to get out of this situation, but I felt frozen and I didn't fight against it.

"I won't be the one killed today, Red Ghost. It'll be your blood that runs throughout this city," the voice of Marco Fernandez rung through my ears.

I didn't say a word because that wouldn't have made that situation any better. The grip on my neck had gone loose, but quickly, he had tied my wrists together and held a gun to my head. He pushed me hard forward, towards the staircase, in the same direction I had last seen Winter. We made it down to ground level and I grew angrier by the second because I messed up and Winter didn't know what was happening.

"I know you're here. We all know you're here," said Marco. "I have your accomplice here with me. She's a deadly one, if one could describe the acts she has done."

           In the distance, I saw a glimmer of metal of the moonlight and I felt relieved, but I felt, for the most part, terrified because I knew he was going to be pissed. I messed up and this should've been my last mission, but it wasn't. From deep within the shadows, the masked brown haired soldier made himself present, with a rifle equipped in his hand. His piercing blue eyes stared coldly towards me, but I thought he looked scared. Scared to lose me. Scared to do anything, but he'd never leave me to die. Not during this time period.

"Tell Hydra that her death is only the beginning. They took my family away from me and I'm going to take her away from them!" he cried out, but this didn't phase Winter.

          I remember looking at hm. He was as still as a mountain and he had a blank look on his face. I didn't think he was going to do anything. His gaze averted to me, trying to say "Stay calm, I'll get you out of this" look. My crossbow was in the middle of the room because Marco threw it from the rafters and the state it was in, well, I don't remember that detail. I felt something in my heart. A sense of confidence that wasn't my own, but I assumed that it was because I knew that Winter knew exactly what to do.

            The gun felt cold against my skull. Winter fell back into the shadows, disappearing once again. I thought it was over for me. That he'd just leave me here to die, but once again, I was wrong. Out of nowhere, the cold metallic surface disappeared from my skull and a crack echoed throughout the room. But the gun went off the moment it hit the floor and the bullet went through my ankle. The pain was dull, but that had been the first time in a long time that I felt something. Something real. Like everything before that moment just simply was a fake reality I was living in, but we all know how that story ended.

"Run," Winter said, his voice was calm and utterly emotionless.

But I couldn't move. The pain was excruciating and every time I went to stand, it'd be too much. He began to run, thinking I'd be behind him, but I wasn't and he didn't notice at first. But he stopped, finally feeling that I wasn't behind him. Within seconds, he was running back to help me, but in my mind, I knew that him turning around was much more dangerous than to keep running forwards.

"Why'd you come back? You're putting yourself in more danger!" my voice was hushed but harsh.

He picked me up off the ground, not giving me any option whatsoever.

"I'm never going to leave you behind. You're my partner"

I watched as someone else within took over his mind and I wondered who he was.

          The memory has stuck with me after all of these years. In a way, I feel guilty because I left him when he'd never leave me behind. What kind of person am I? Shaking the thought, I continue to search through my room, finding extra clothing for a trip that I have no idea how long it will take. Sliding all of my clothes to one side of my closet, I look at my soldier's uniform that lies behind it. Its once perfectly stitched leather is now torn and falling apart, but it's mine and it's everything I could've wanted. Pulling it out of its place, I walk over to my bed and lay it out carefully.

"I have to say, I'm proud of you, Avalon," Nat's voice comes from the doorway where she stands.

I take a deep breath and stand up straight. "I finally have a chance to change my life and I'm not going to have anyone take that from me. I've realized that I have a purpose in this world and I intend on keeping it that way," I state, my blue eyes meet her green.

"You're not the villain if that's what you think you are," she says, already knowing the view I have on myself. "But it sucks that we're on different sides."

I look out the window to my left and I shake my head, assumed by her words. Out of all people, the world chose me to be their unrecognized villain, and that's all I'll ever be.

"I was created by Hydra with a desire to cause mass destruction. I still follow orders. I'm obedient. I'm an assassin and whether I like it or not, I'm okay with that. I'm not a hero, nor will I ever be," I admit, not only to Nat, but to myself.

          Nat moves from her spot by the door frame to my side and she places her hand on my shoulder. Though I shouldn't be this stubborn, I stand for my words because everything that I am, it makes up the person I'll always be.

I feel her green eyes burning into the right side of my face, but I keep looking out the window because it's the only thing that's keeping from lashing out. Are you sure you can ignore the temptation, Avalon? You're stronger than she is. You and I both know that.

"We all have a choice to be the hero or the villain," Nat begins to say, breaking the tension that had grown between us. "But if something is holding you back, you have to push past it and grab ahold of what could be your future."

          I don't say anything. But the silence speaks for itself. Removing myself from Nat's touch, I go back over to the closet and grab a duffle bag that contains all of my weapons. Throwing it onto my bed, I lean down and reach under my bed, grabbing my crossbow and placing it down on the bed, next to my uniform.

"You're going after him, aren't you?"

I look over at her, our eyes meeting again, and I just look at her surprised.

"Bucky's the only person I have. He's my only family. And I sure as hell will protect him when the Government comes after him, too."

a/n - my love for bavalon hurts me. i must go now. enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think! - kenzie