After All We've Been Through (Steve x reader)

Clarity, finally.

"If we're gonna crash the Tower, the team should know why." James speaks aloud, but most of the actual communication is in the look he shares with Sharon.

Sam frowns " Yeah, fill us in. What the {Captain America Issued Language} is going on?"

For once, Sharon appreciates Falcon's blunt response. His callus way of taking puts her at ease.

"It's Hydra" Sharon states "This is another attempt to flush out their cells. Where ever James and I go there's some kind of connection."

She emphasizes rapidly with her hands "Coulson won't give me any direct information. He wants James and I to do surveillance and report it. Unfortunately, the more I find out the less I can follow orders. If Hydra is actively plotting something it's a whole lot more proactive to stop it now."

Natasha gets a steely eyed look "The traces I ran on Tony's system led to a network very like those we used in Russia. The IP addresses were traceable to several local people, who recently reported identity theft. The thieves were linked to some sort of respectable business. There's a long chain of false information."

"Who does it lead to?" James crosses his arms.

"That's the issue. It goes full circle back to Tony himself."

"That can't be right!" Clint threads his fingers into Natasha's "Tony was hacked by his own system?"

"Or the hackers accessed the system before they accessed the system." Natasha leans her head against Clint's.

"What does this have to do with Sharon?" Sam asks.

   The blond woman sighs "There's been some activity in Russia, Germany, all the places where Hydra has a cell. There are new leaders popping up everywhere, including a daughter of the Red Skull."

   "Didn't Cap blow up that guy before his ice nap?"

    James grips the arm rest with his metal hand "He did, but that doesn't mean  Skull doesn't have kids! That's actually a great way to continue an evil empire."

   "So Skull has a daughter. What's it to us?"

   Sharon shrugs "Maybe nothing. Maybe everything, but usually bad stuff doesn't hit all at once for no reason."

"What's the pla-"

The sliver sound of splintering glass stops all conversation.

The team comes alive forming a defensive line, brandishing whatever weapons they can claim at a moment like this.

Tony and Pepper sprawl across the marble floors.

"That was absolutely brilliant, Tony" Pepper elbows him sharply.

"Can one of you guys get me a drink?" Tony doesn't look up.

    "I'll get a broom" James volunteers.

"Mr. Stark" Sharon stands over him "We need to talk."

    "John Smith wants me to furnish his arsenal. I said no. He tried to blow us up." Tony says into the cold tile.

   "John Smith?" Natasha asks "Is that a metaphor?"

   "I don't know." Tony pushes himself up, and the suit retreats into suitcase size "Didn't sound right with the thick German accent."

   "German" Natasha frowns "His name is John?"

   Sharon catches on "Are you sure it isn't Johann?"

   The two women share a look.

   "Whatever you two know, you better share with us" Clint reminds them.

    James standing behind the group clutches the broom in white hands "Isn't it obvious? It's Johann Schmidt. The Red Skull."

-

   Sharon catches James by surprise while the Tony relays his story to the rest of the team.

   "What's going on here, James? You know more then you're telling me."

   James frowns "I can't tell you, Sharon. Not now, anyways."

   "What can you tell me?" The blond spy presses her lips into a thin line.

   "He arranged for the terrorist attacks headed by Yelena. He was responsible for my disappearance in Germany." James stoic expression betrays nothing.

   "What happened to you guys over there?"

   His smile is cold "Isn't that the question of the hour?"