12

Avenger's pov:

"я не твой враг (I'm not your enemy)" she told him and Bucky nodded, "но я тоже не твой друг (but I'm also not your friend)" she added. Nat and Bucky looked at each other.

"может это может измениться? (Maybe that can change?) Peter asked her and she looked at him, however, she didn't respond.

"я не уверен, что это сработает (I'm not sure that would work)" Ashlyn responded but didn't look at him.

"The kid's got a point," said Bucky "we can help each other."

"I prefer to work alone, thanks," she said, not looking at him either.

"Why are you here?" asked Clint "I know it's not just to answer our questions."

"As I said, I've got nothing better to do" At that moment there was a soft ding and Ashlyn pulled out her phone. She took a minute to read the text and then stood up quickly.

"Well, duty calls" she announced.

"You don't actually think we would let you leave do you?" said Nat, also standing up and walking to block the elevator.

"Well it's not really up to you, is it? Don't worry though, you'll see me again." With that, she sprinted toward the nearest window which covered the entire wall of the living room. She rubbed her palms together and touched the window. The glass shattered in every direction the team ducked behind the couches for cover. When they looked back toward the window, Ashlyn was gone. Nat, Bucky, and Peter were the closest and they ran to the broken window and looked down at the streets of New York. However, the girl was nowhere to be seen.

"Where did she go?!" Nat called out as she turned around to face the rest of the team.

"I don't see her," said Bucky as he was still looking out the window.

"So she escaped?" Asked Pietro "I don't understand, if she could have escaped this while time then why did she stay as long as she did?" he asked, clearly confused.

"She said she had her reasons, I just don't understand what she could have gained from us questioning her," Sam added onto Pietro's thinking.

"Maybe she wanted us to see that we could trust her?" Peter asked.

"Well I don't know about any of you but I wouldn't trust her with a single thing," Tony said.

"I trust that she isn't entirely evil," Steve said.

"I agree with the old man," said Bucky.

"I agree with both of the old men," said Sam, Steve and Bucky glared at him.

"What did she mean by, you'll see me again?" Asked Clint.

"I'm sure we'll find out" replied Tony.

Ash's pov:

Ash was speeding back home on her motorcycle. She had just jumped out of a window in the Avengers tower, and she was kinda proud of herself for the dramatic exit.

As she pulled herself through the front door she heard several loud footsteps running toward her. Liam and Maya soon came sprinting around the corner and engulfed Ash in a hug.

"You're crazy,"

"I know," Ash grinned and Maya rolled her eyes.

"What did you do?!" Maya asked as picked out some broken glass that was stuck to Ash's skin.

"Jumped out a window," Ash shrugged.

"That's awesome!" Liam praised her and she laughed. Maya just rolled her eyes.

"The Avengers are going to try and find you now," Maya told her as she picked out another piece of glass and Ash winced slightly.

"Yeah well, what else is new?"

---(time skip - the next day)---

Ash walked through the front doors of the mansion. The message Ash had received at the Avengers tower was for another mission. Unlike the abandoned buildings she usually used to meet clients, this particular client wanted to meet at a gala. So Ash was now entering the party wearing a deep blue flowing gown that matched her dark blue eyes. 

Her hair was a mix of brown and blonde, and her now long legs ended with silver heels. Ash had changed her features to look about 23. She had been to her fair share of parties due to her missions, but none as elegant as this one. She examined the interior of the house and was slightly amazed by the beautiful high ceilings that were painted to show a story of a baby boy. Two very large chandeliers hung from the ceiling and Ash took notice of the security cameras hidden well between the glass. 

As she moved further into the party, she searched through the crowd of people. Everyone was very dressed up in suits and ball gowns which reminded Ash of fairy tales. Ash would have enjoyed herself at this party if she weren't on the lookout for her client, somebody by the name of Oliver Mackento. Ash took a sip of the expensive champagne that a waiter had handed her and almost gagged, it was revolting. She placed the champagne on a nearby table and turned quickly when she felt a presence behind her. There was a man wearing a very expensive tuxedo, Ash guessed he couldn't be older than 40.

"Mr. Mackento I presume," Ash said and the man grinned

"Miss. Emerald, may I have this dance?" He offered his hand and Ash took it. Oliver led her out to the dance floor where there were many other pairs dancing to the classical music. Ash wasn't the best dancer, but she knew enough not to mess up.

"You look stunning if it isn't obvious," He said as they waltzed around the ballroom. Ash held in her laugh, she knew he wouldn't be complimenting her like this if he knew how old she really was.

"Thank you, Mr. Mackent-"

"Oliver, please" he interrupted and she held in an eye roll."Thank you, Oliver."

As the two kept dancing Ash was getting impatient. She loved the gala but her feet started to hurt from the heels and she really needed to use the bathroom. As if reading her mind Oliver opened his mouth to speak.

"I assume you want to know what your mission will be?" Ash nodded.

"I can assume you've heard of Hydra?" Ash nodded again as Oliver spun her around and they kept dancing.

"One of the leaders, his name is Marcos. He has information about Hydra that could ultimately lead to their downfall."

"And here I thought you were Hydra," Ash said and Oliver chuckled.

"No. well, not yet anyway," Ash gave him a confused look and he continued.

"When Hydra was first created, there was an idea. That Hydra could make the world a better place. However, over time, the horrible minds that worked within Hydra crushed that idea with their own. Today, Hydra is known as an organization that harms the world. What if that could change? What if?-"

"Hydra became its original idea." Ash finished for him and he nodded "You want to destroy Hydra only to then build it up as something better?" She asked and he smiled.

"I have a team of four men, With your help, we could take down the evil inside Hydra and ensure the safety of the world." Ash stayed silent as the two continued dancing around the room.

"If I agreed, what would your plan of action be?"

"As I said earlier, I have a team of four men. Those men work for Hydra, but they aren't loyal to them. They want Hydra gone just as much as you and I. We would start with the higher ranks. These parties," He pointed around the room, "happen every time a new leader is to be chosen. Each time my team, which would include you, takes down another leader they will be replaced with one of my men. Marcos doesn't show up to these parties, nobody knows where he is. However, there is one event he wouldn't miss for the world." Ash had a feeling she knew where this was going but she let Oliver continue.

"His son's wedding. There's a tradition in Hydra, every time the son of a leader gets married, the title of leader gets passed down."

"I'm not getting married to the son of a Hydra leader just so you can become the leader," Ash said harshly.

"You won't actually have to marry him, just occupy him long enough so the others can deal with Marcos. After he is taken care of, you can do whatever you want to his son."

"What do I get out of this?" Ash asked, she was seriously starting to wish she hadn't worn heels.

"Other than world peace? Allies, big ones. You help me complete this plan and I, the next leader of Hydra, will be forever in your debt. I also hear you are having a slight issue with the Avengers at the moment."

"Where did you hear that?"

"I have ears inside of SHIELD," he said simply "I can help keep you off the grid from SHIELD, from the Avengers, and from anyone else who would ever want to harm you." Ash thought for a moment. What Oliver was saying made sense but did she want to risk it? Was it worth the risk? Would it keep Maya and Liam safe? As if he were reading her thoughts, Oliver smirked.

"So do we have a deal?"