Sam: This all sounds really weird. There must be something we are missing. Why would they send that video? They must know we would try and figure things out!
Nat: I agree, something doesn't add up...
Steve: Maybe they are using this to distract us? While we are here focusing on their threat, they could be planning something bigger?
Lexi: It's almost 8pm. We're running out of time.
Bruce: Guys...? Looks like we don't have until midnight anymore...
They all look at Bruce who is staring at his phone with a panicked expression. He casts the video he's watching on the monitor and they all watch as Lincoln Harris and some agents land in front of the Avengers compound.
Tony: Everyone, suit up. We've got company. Lexi, you stay here with Nat and Bruce. FRIDAY alert S.H.I.E.L.D.
FRIDAY: Right away sir.
Lexi: I am coming with you!
Tony: This is not a negotiation. For some reason, SAHARA wants you back and we can't let them take you.
Everyone runs out of the room and soon, they are in the lobby, ready to go out while Lexi is sitting with Nat and Bruce in the lab.
Lexi: I have an idea, but you two have to trust me.
Nat: I don't like where this is going...
Lexi: Why would they want me back so bad? It has to be because of that microchip! What else could they want from me!?
Bruce: Yeah, but like I said, removing the microchip could damage your brain.
Lexi: We don't have to remove it. We just need to destroy it.
Nat: What are you saying?
Lexi: Bruce, think about it. You can destroy the microchip, without removing it or without even touching my brain!
Bruce: By frying the thing... You might be onto something! Good job Lex! We have to go down to Tony's lab.
Meanwhile, Tony lands next to Steve, a few feets from Lincoln.
Tony: Sorry, we're not accepting any visitors at the moment.
Lincoln: Mister Stark! It's an honor to meet you in person. I'm a big fan!
Steve: Why do you want her back?
Lincoln: I would love to explain all my evil plans to you Captain, but I'm in kind of in a hurry.
He looks over his shoulder to a man holding some kind of tablet.
Lincoln: So where is she?
Bucky: You think we are gonna let you come here and take her away without a fight?
Lincoln: Poor James... Always stuck in a fight, aren't you?.
Bucky glances at Sam who frowns. They know more about them than they thought.
Lincoln: Listen, we can do this the easy way or I can make her come to me. It's up to you.
Meanwhile, Lexi, Nat and Bruce are in Tony's lab. Lexi is laying on her front on one of the tables while Bruce is placing a small device on the back of her neck.
Bruce: We're almost ready.
Nat: So please explain again what we're about to do!
Bruce: This device will release an electrostatic discharge which will damage the microchip electronic circuitry by injecting a high-voltage pulse. Besides giving Lexi an unpleasant shock, it won't kill or badly hurt her.
Nat: Are you sure this is safe?
Bruce: Yes.
They look down at Lex who takes a deep breath before nodding.
Lexi: Ok, do it.
Bruce grabs the small remote and steps away with Nat. He glances at her nervously before pressing the button on the remote. Lexi screams while a big shock burns the back of her neck. After a few seconds, the device stops and Nat runs towards Lexi who is panting from the pain.
Nat: Are you ok?!
Lexi: I think I am... Let's just hope it worked...
Bruce grabs his phone and calls Tony who answers from his suit.
Tony: Kind of busy here Bruce.
Bruce: We destroyed the microchip.
Tony: What? How!?
Bruce: We used an ESD to destroy it! They can't use that against Lex anymore.
Tony smiles at himself before hanging up.
Tony: Listen mister, threaten us all you want, we are not giving her back.
Lincoln: As you wish. Phillips?
He nods at the guy with the tablet who quickly taps on his touch screen. Steve takes a step forward, but Tony signals him to stay put. They all wait when Lincoln frowns, looking back at his guy.
Lincoln: What are you waiting for!? Activate the chip!
Phillips: I did! It's not getting online.
Tony: Technical issues? You should probably call tech support.
Lincoln: What did you do? You can't remove the chip without killing her!
As he says that, a bunch of S.H.I.E.L.D trucks and choppers arrive, circling the SAHARA agents. Fury comes out of one of the trucks and walks over to Tony. Multiple lasers are now pointed on Harris and his men while S.H.I.E.L.D. agents proceed to the arrest.
Tony: They have some kind of new weapon. You'll need to make him talk.
Wanda: I can help with that...
Wanda steps forward and uses her powers to get inside Lincoln's head. After a few minutes, she turns to Fury and smiles.
Wanda: The reason they needed Lexi so bad is because her DNA was used to develop the new OASIS weapon and the only way to launch it was by using her blood. They were planning on releasing some kind of virus into the water network. It would have killed her and she would have taken the blame.
S.H.I.E.L.D brings the SAHARA agents away while Fury walks over to the Avengers. Once it's safe, Lexi runs outside and jumps in Bucky's arms.
Bucky: Are you ok? What happened!?
Nat and Bruce, who followed her outside, smile.
Bruce: She had the idea of destroying the chip, without having to remove it. So we used an electrostatic discharge to fry the chip.
Sam: Didn't know you were that smart!
Sam playfully pushes Lexi who starts laughing. Bucky looks at the back of her neck and winces.
Bucky: That must've hurt...
Lexi: You know what you're talking about! Afterall, you got your fair share of electroshocks.
He rolls his eyes before kissing her on the top of her head. Steve walks to them and hugs Lexi.
Lexi: Does this mean it's over? We actually brought down SAHARA?
Steve: Yeah, I think we did it.
Fury: S.H.I.E.L.D will go over everything and make sure every base is taken care of. We'll arrest the list of people you provided us and make sure the organization is completely dismantled. Thanks to all of you, SAHARA isn't a threat anymore. Good job people.
He smirks before leaving with the last truck. Everyone goes back inside and soon enough, they are all sitting in the lounge, drinking champagne.
Tony: To our win!
He lifts his champagne flute and everyone does the same before they all take a sip.
Lexi: I would like to thank all of you. Not only for rescuing me a month ago, but for welcoming me in the team, in this family of yours. I love each and every one of you.
Nat sits next to her and hugs her. She knows how Lexi feels. Before the Avengers, she had nothing. Now she has this family, this home and she is glad to be able to share it with the person she considers as her little sister. They all enjoy their drinks and eventually, everyone goes to bed. Steve watch as Lexi and Bucky go into her room and he smiles. He's happy for them. They deserve love. He wished he could have been the one who gets the girl, but it wasn't meant to be.