"WE'RE GOING FOR a ride?" My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What is that, some weird CIA code for you're taking me to a cold cell that's meant to hold serial killers?" 

Ross didn't miss a moment. "Yes, that's exactly what it means." He waited for me to roll my eyes before continuing. "There are more questions for you to answer, Elda. But it can't be done in a small town police station." He ducked his head outside to hiss a few more sharp words to the officer and then stepped back as the door swung open. He jerked his head to the doorway, signaling for me to walk out of the room. 

Standing up, I blinked furiously for a few seconds as my vision clouded into black from the self-induced hangover that would begin to form within the next few hours. "I'm a piece of shit," I grumbled as I stalked out of the room. "I can't even hold my alcohol. When did that happen?"

The CIA operative simply followed me out of the room and ushered me back into the parking lot, nodding at Officer Turner, whose lips tightened as he saw me stumble past. "Good luck, sir," he said to Ross. "I hope you find him."

Despite the alcohol in my body, I recognized the indirect jab at Bucky and clenched my fists. "They'll never find him," I snarled at Turner, turning my head to look at Ross immediately after. "You'll never find him," I repeated at the higher authority. 

Everett Ross, ever the professional, remained stoic. But when he leaned in to whisper in my ear, his words chilled me to the bone. "Given the unknown situation he's in right now, you'd better hope we do, Miss Reid."

I met his eyes, eyebrows furrowed and hands twitching in both anger and confusion. Shaking my head, I walked out of the station and approached his vehicle, a tall black SUV that was perfect for the CIA. Powerful and commanding, it was a vessel that would make you look over your shoulder warily. 

"Get in," he told me firmly. "We're going to be late."

"Oh, we're on a schedule now?" I rolled my eyes. "What about my stuff at the motel?"

Ross opened the back door of the SUV for me, eyes reflecting in the moonlight. "Someone's picking it up for you as we speak." I still didn't move, so he tried to offer me a reassuring smile. "Elda, I've known your family for years. I'm not going to hurt you. Just get in the car."

I supposed there was no other choice but to obey him, so I clambered up and into the sleek, albeit bulky car. "Too late," I mumbled, wringing my hands together in my lap. Luckily, it seemed he didn't hear me.

The car started, and soon afterward, we were on the interstate, heading to wherever they were taking me. I had no clue how long the drive would be, so I slouched in my seat and tried to get as comfortable as I could, choosing to rest as well as I could with Ross occupying the seat next to me. I'd just closed my eyes when he spoke up.

"I know you disagree with our methods, Elda," he started. He paused, then, as if holding his breath. 

Letting out a puff of air, I answered begrudgingly, "You could say that."

After peering at me in the dark car, he continued. "I want you to know that what happened to your brother was beyond our control. It was a mission gone wrong, and none of them were prepared for it to go awry. It could have been any one of those agents that died that day. It just turned out to be Cade."

"Don't say his name," I hissed, venom lashing out from my words. "You could have trained them harder, prepared them for any possible scenario. You could have saved my brother." I didn't have the heart to look at him, so I chose to stare out the window, trying to ignore Ross's absolutely infuriating presence beside me. 

He didn't say anything for a while after that. I don't think he knew quite how to respond. 

Time seemed to stop in the car. There would be no new information that was of any use to me, so I had no choice but wait. As the hours blended together and night gave way to sunrise, I found myself finally able to give in to an uneasy nap, waiting for the moment that the car would stop and time would start again.

||

"We're here," a muffled voice stirred me from the silence of my mind. "Let's go."

I forced my eyes to open and was met with the bright morning light. Squinting, I waited for my vision to adjust before I sat up straight, opening the car door and stepping down to the pavement. "Where exactly is here?" I asked, my voice scratchy with sleep. A dull headache made me scrunch my face for a second, getting used to the slight throbbing before opening my eyes again and listening for any hint as to where I'd landed. 

Of course, I was in no position to be asking questions, so I wasn't surprised when I was ignored. Surrounded by a few other CIA agents, Ross and I walked into the tall and widespread building in front of us. Its walls were beautifully clear glass, rising up, giving off a striking and intimidating air to the smaller buildings surrounding it. I tilted my head up to read a grand sign that announced the building's name, my jaw slackening in shock. 

George Bush Center for Intelligence. Oh, I was in deep shit. But that seemed to be how my days were going for me now. 

Walking inside, I just tried to take it all in. I couldn't describe the sheer power of it all, even if I tried. It was incredible, and yet I was here because I'd spent a year hiding the world's most wanted fugitive in my house. 

With a start, I remembered who was supposed to be here. "Steve," I blurted, turning to Ross, "is Steve here?" I probably looked pitiful, my eyes wide, desperation dripping from my lips.

He blinked, cleared his throat, and then answered. "Yes, he's here." He gestured to one of his associates before adding, "But that's not the reason you're here. He's dealing with the consequences of his actions. For real, this time."

Though I didn't get to know him well, I scowled at the way those words sounded. "He's Captain fucking America," I said incredulously, "and now he's a prisoner?"

He was distracted, looking down the corridor as he answered smoothly, "That's just how the world works sometimes, Elda." His face lit up and he stretched his lips in a smile as he found what he was looking for. I followed his gaze down the hallway, my eyes landing on a man and woman whose arms spread as they recognized me.

"Oh, fuck me," I groaned, nearly crumpling to the floor right then and there.

Ross shot me a confused look. "Yeah, they didn't think you'd say that."

"What are they doing here?" I growled, my lips curled in a disgusted sneer as I looked at my parents.

Beside me, Ross shifted uncomfortably. "They're here to help."

Rolling my eyes, I tried to keep my cruel words to myself but in the end, I couldn't help it. "Help? They're the ones that fucked it all up!"

Okay, that's not completely true. But it feels good to say it anyway. 

"Elda, we've been worried sick about you!" My father's voice rang clear in the open space, his gray hair glinting in the bright lights on the ceiling. "Where have you been?" He went in for a hug, but thankfully Ross held up a hand to stop him.

"We'll talk about all of that in a moment," he said. "There's a room on an upper level that we'll have to ourselves and we can talk about everything that you all know." He gave me a pointed look that clearly said, you'd better talk, too. Looks like I wouldn't be able to stay quiet through any of this.

My mom stepped closer and lifted her arms to embrace me, but I swatted her hands away and took a step back. I was certain my eyes were shooting daggers at her, and I relished in the way her face fell, hurt by the fact that I was treating her with such disrespect.

Oh well. They treated me like shit for my entire life. It's about time I start treating them like shit, too. 

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hey hey! i hope you guys liked this chapter! this is mostly just setting up the rest of the story, but it's all important!

i just published revelation, my writing tips book today, so if you're ever in need of writing help, whether it's for fan fiction or original stories, go look there for whatever you might need! i take requests for topics that you want me to talk about, too!

thanks for reading, you guys!

july 12, 2019