Unexpected

IX

The two girls got to Nina's apartment and Natasha waited as Nina took a shower and changed. Nina was now wearing black skinny jeans, her white converses. After the two changed, Nina made a decision. She took the flash drive out of her jacket pocket and showed it to Nat.

"What's this?" Natasha asked her, taking it from her hands.

"A flash drive." Obviously, Nina received a look from Natasha. "Fury gave it to me. I need you to keep it safe."

"Do you know what's inside?"

"No idea, but it probably has a tracer so I'm not opening it now. Also, Steve called and apparently he needs me at SHIELD, and we both know exactly what's going on in there," Nina told her.

"Why me?"

"Well, no offence, but you were a Russian spy and assassin and all," Nina told her.

"As were you."

"Yes but they don't know it," Nina granted her a smug smile. "They knew Nick trusted me, but maybe he didn't tell you everything he knew, seeing as you were once the enemy," Nina said casually. Natasha and her spoke of this so often it was usual for them to joke about being held prisoner by Russians. Okay, maybe not jokes, but they weren't mad when the other talked about in a humorous way.

"I mean, sure," Natasha told her. "I'll keep it."

"Can you wait here for me?" Nina asked. "I'll bring Steve when were done."

Natasha agreed to stay. Nina took her car and drove to SHIELD, two officers waited for her in the front. Nina frowned. What the hell was going on? She followed the agents to the World Security Council, where was the office of Alexander Pierce. Nina still wasn't very sure of his role in the company. There, she met Steve.

"What's going on?" She asked him.

"We're being interrogated, apparently," Steve told her. By the tone of his voice, she could hear that he was very pissed about something, and she discovered what is was a few moments later. Sharon Carter walked by them.

"Captain, Agent Jones," she nodded.

"Neighbor," Steve said dryly. Nina granted her an apologetic look upon seeing the shock and a hint of sadness on her face.

"Don't be mad at her," Nina whispered at Steve. "She was following orders."

"And all those stories about her parents and her aunt that has trouble sleeping?" Steve asked. He was hurt. He felt like he had been betrayed.

"That's true. Her aunt is at an elders home and she has insomnia and Alzheimer's," Nina revealed. "I didn't think she would take this as seriously as she did, not did I think she would reveal such aspects of her life to you. Either way, she did so. She trusted you with her personal information, so don't be mad at her." Nina looked at Steve: he looked sorry for having judged Sharon so quickly. Good, Nina thought. Because he should.

The two walked further into the corridor, meeting Alexander Pierce in front of his office door, waiting for them.

"Hello again, Miss Jones," Alexander extended his hand to her as they approached. Nina stared right into his eyes and made sure not to take it. She knew very well what was going on. Someone had taken Nick out to take over SHIELD. Hydra had. Which must mean that Hydra is very well hidden inside SHIELD. What else? Well, Alexander Pierce had been at his post for less than two months. They wanted to take Nick out, but they waited the right moment to do it; when Pierce became his successor. Pierce pretended he didn't know what was happening and simply moved on to talk to Steve. "Captain, I believe we haven't met. I'm Alexander Pierce."

Steve shook his hand, even though he had noticed the way Nina reacted to it. "Sir, it's an honor."

"The honor is mine, Captain. My father served in the 101st. Come on in," he said. Both of them walked inside.

♧♧♧

This is chapter 69.

Nice.