26 – Give and Take

"This place seriously needs a map," Tessa huffs.

Since a map isn't available, we have agents direct us to Coulson's office. They all ask the same question: why do we need to see the director? We never answer any of them, because we're in a hurry and annoyed.

"Next place you guys inhabit, make a directory," Tessa says as our dramatic entrance.

Coulson is far from alone in this room; he's got Bobbi, the blonde from way back when, and the woman from earlier that James and I had run into when we first got to this place, Agent May I think Coulson called her. James is also here, along with Sam Wilson, and—yay for me—Wanda Maximoff. Her eyes glow red at me, and I see Sam nudge her with his elbow and shake his head.

"Oh, please, by all means, come in, Tessa," says Coulson. "We were in the middle of something."

"Yeah, well, I'll bet it has to do with what we're about to tell you," I say, standing at Tessa's side. "It's about HYDRA, right? What they might be doing with their prisoners?"

"More like where they are being held," says Bobbi. "We've got a few agents out in the field looking for tipoffs."

"Even with numbers so thin?"

"What do you have?" Coulson asks Tessa.

"Theories to HYDRA's game plan." She walks to the table, leaning over, palms on it. "We already know they're after all of us, they want us wiped off the face of the earth. So far, they've managed to abduct one agent and two Avengers. Now, you'd automatically assume that they'd kill them and maybe send out a message to us, right, for intimidation? What if that's not their game? What if they're keeping their prisoners alive because..."

Everyone leans in, including myself, curiously. Tessa looks like she's struggling to get the words out.

"What Tessa is saying is that she believes that it's possible for HYDRA to be...brainwashing Sharon Carter, Steve, and Tasha," I butt in. James looks at me, a face of pure shock and disbelief. Coulson and the rest remain neutral. "We're not sure if they're using the same tech that they used for me and James, or if they've upgraded since then."

"They're tough, they won't let mind games beat them," Sam Wilson says strongly.

"I wish I could have the same faith you do," I tell him. "But when it comes to resilience, I think HYDRA wins that battle."

"They would never cave," says Wanda. "I know them."

"And I don't doubt that. But you know what HYDRA can do. You've seen it. I'm sure we all have." I look at the others in the room. My eyes settle on Coulson. "HYDRA might be turning them against us."

"But wouldn't it be more logical on their part to kill them?" Bobbi asks carefully.

"No," says Tessa. "If you can recruit and know you can persuade them, why throw away potential? It'd tear apart their reputations as heroes and give HYDRA more strength."

"Say your theory is right," Coulson says. "Say that's what HYDRA plans to do. How do you suppose we stop them?"

"Well," I begin carefully, "we need a way in. We need to know for sure what they're up to. We need bait that'll lure them in." I steal a look at James. "We put out the bait, they bite, we get our inside man—or people—to feed us details. Once we get confirmation, we get a strike team to move in."

"What kind of bait are we looking at?"

"Me," I say adamantly. "I've been MIA for months."

"I don't like it," James says. "The second they get a hold of you, they'll want to Wipe you and turn you back to Hell's Angel."

"If I trick them into believing I'm her, then we'll be fine."

"You forget, you were seen with the good guys. They'll know you're you again and not Hell's Angel."

"Well, that part is out of the window."

"Then I'll go," Tessa says. "They'd believe me more than Tori."

"You're not going by yourself," I insist. "Someone needs to be there with you."

"You said it yourself, you don't want to go back."

"If we get the info we need, I'll dive back into the dragon's lair."

"Then let me come along too," says James.

I look at him with wide eyes. "Um, no. Not happening."

"You and I can be triggered, Vick. I'm sure they gave you words. They could turn you the second they get their hands on you."

"Why do you think I'm telling you no?"

"Tessa shouldn't go alone," Sam agrees. "But if she has to, she has to."

"Thanks," Tessa tells him.

"Why not just send me at this point?" says Wanda. "I do have powers, you know. I can snap them out of the control."

"And if you can't?" I ask.

"I will snap them out of it."

"We'll need you on the strike team, we can't risk putting you in early," Coulson tells her. "Sounds like we've got a lot of details to hash out."

"This is going to take a while," I hear Wanda sigh.

For the next few hours, none of us leave the room. Bobbi and Agent May are at computers, trying to get a location on the HYDRA base. Meanwhile, the rest of us are arguing and countering each other. Nobody seems to agree with anyone.

"I mean, it's ultimately your decision, Director," I say, looking at Coulson. "Anytime you'd like us to stop, feel free to say something." He's been the quietest since this whole thing started. "Just let it be me and Tessa. We're original HYDRA, let it stay that way. They won't kill us, we're too valuable. I'm not saying everyone else is being benched, they'll be part of the other half of the plan after we gain intel."

"We shouldn't try to find the base," Tessa says. "We need them to come to us."

"But they'd know something's up if you just appear out of nowhere," says Sam.

"If they do, we need to outplay them. Tori and I won't know anything about the rest of the plan, we'll just know our part." She looks to me for confirmation. I nod. "We'll make sure we're far away from here so when they go snooping they'll come up empty."

"How soon will you move out?" asks Coulson.

"Give us prep time and transportation, a few hours."

James and I look at each other. A few hours? I know Tessa is gun-ho about wanting to take out HYDRA, but a few hours? We can't even sleep on this for a night?

Tessa and I leave the room, but I hear James follow me. I make my way back to the room we stayed in, Tessa branches off to get our mission ready. The second I'm in the room, James is right behind me.

"She's kidding, right? A few hours?"

"I know." I turn to him. "She doesn't want to waste more time."

"I get that. But..." He looks at me worriedly.

"I know. But it has to be done somehow. If we can't come to them, they have to come to us. Give and take, James."

"I don't want to give them you."

"This'll work."

"I'm not sure I should let you do this."

"Someone has to."

"Does it have to be you?"

"Are you volunteering to take my place?" I raise an eyebrow.

"I'd rather put anyone else in there. Vick, you just got yourself back, mostly. I don't want you going in there and losing yourself again."

"Which is why I won't let you go." I look at him sternly. "You deserve none of what's happened to you. You deserve to try and build up a life."

"If nobody was captured," he takes my hands in his, "I'd say let's get the hell out of Dodge and run. Just you and me."

"If only things were that easy. But you know I can't let Tessa go on her own. We started this thing together, we got to see this through to the end."

"You two have become an unlikely duo."

"She's helped me a lot, I'm learning to appreciate that more now."

"Mm."

"Just do me a favor and stay here. Don't do anything stupid."

"You know I can't promise to sit here, right?" He smirks.

"You got to."

"I don't like this. So many things can go wrong."

"Oh, I'm sure they will." I shrug. "But we're so close, James. To winning this. To finishing HYDRA once and for all."

"You're gonna do it? Take him out?"

I nod. James hasn't forgotten one of my hidden agendas. Truthfully, I'm glad he reminded me about this, since lately it got put aside. "It's the one time where I'll feel okay committing murder. Wow, that sounds insane."

"It does."

"But he's hurt so many people. He works for an organization who's took so much away from a lot of people. HYDRA won't stop unless we kill every last one of them. Whether I kill Ward before the team comes or after, he needs to go."

"Even if it means risking your life?"

"You risk for the greater good."

"You're gonna make me worry sick, Vick."

"I wouldn't be me if I didn't." I smile feebly.

"You wanna promise me here and now that we'll see each other again?"

"James..."

"Victoria." His eyes are pleading.

"We'll see each other again. And we'll kick HYDRA ass, together." I pull him in for a hug, and my muscles ache a bit for holding onto him so tight. "We'll end this."

"End him," he mutters in my ear. "Don't make it pretty."

"Murder never is." I pull away slightly, and he rests his forehead on mine. "When this is all over, you're teaching me more Russian."

"You got it."

"Behave."

"Don't count on that. Вернись ко мне."

"Give a girl a break and tell me what that means."

"'Come back to me,'" he whispers. "Be careful."

I smirk. "Don't count on it."

**I can't help it. WinterAngel is just <3**