── ANOTHER YEAR HAS PASSED ──

── ☆ ──

2014

Alessia made her way to work slowly as she enjoyed the cool breeze they pushed through the stale city. She admired the surrounding area and its peacefulness despite the busy bustling streets. She stepped into the small cafe she worked in and removed her jacket before putting on her apron, getting to work serving customers instantly. She rolled her eyes as Nelly Mitchell, a local reporter rambled on and on about an attack earlier that morning.

Alessia smiled lightly at Carter, the chef before beginning her rounds. Alina showed up to work as Alessia made her way around the tables, taking orders and serving people. She didn't mind the job as it always kept her busy, She never had time to be trapped in her own thoughts which was like heaven to her. She would make small talk with customers over things that hardly interested her while ignoring the sexist comments some would make. And trust her, fighting the urge to pour their drinks - preferably hot drinks - on them is difficult most days.

As it got later in the day, reaching just after lunchtime, she turned her head to the tv and turned it up, finishing off her own coffee as the news played through. "Breaking News, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D, Nicholas Joseph Fury was pronounced dead this afternoon after what seemed to be a terrorist attack. More will be discussed once we get the details." The video that they had shown was brutal, it was a targeted attack that Alessia was certain had everything to do with Hydra for sure.

She took in a steady breath as a man sat down at the diner wearing a suit, she turned to him subtly studying his body language. Once she had decided he wasn't a threat, she took his order and served him before returning to her rounds. Soon enough, it was the end of her double shift and she made her way back home with Alina. The two of them were exhausted from having to socialize with people and being on their feet for hours, a part of Alessia missed the extreme training but it felt nice to slow down for once.

── ☆ ──

Alessia walked in the door to see Marcus, Aaron and Jesse sitting on the couch watching TV. Jesse turned to Alessia with a smile as Alina perked up at the sight of her boyfriend, who took months to gain the courage to ask her out in the first place "When did you get back?" Alina questioned as she sat next to him. He kissed her cheek with a smile, "I got back this morning." Alessia smiled at the loving couple, Jesse and Alina were a sweet couple that matched each other's wits perfectly.

The news quickly caught Alessia's attention as they continued on from the news broadcast earlier, "As of this afternoon, Steve Rogers also known as Captain America was labelled a fugitive of S.H.I.E.L.D under the orders of Alexander Pierce. If you come in contact with this man, contact the number on the screen without hesitation. It is said that he is dangerous." Alessia rolled her eyes as Aaron went on about how stupid this was. Captain America as a fugitive was definitely Hydra's work considering Pierce is Hydra's current leader.

Alessia made her way upstairs to her room before slipping into the shower, allowing the hot water to glide down her scarred back. She tried her hardest to ignore the subtle stings in the freshest wounds from working some recent jobs while avoiding the tension in her mind as painful memories tried to flash through her mind. Her muscles slowly relaxed in the steamed room as she thought deeply about the changes over the past few years with Team Exo. They had all grown well together, they were like a brain with how connected they were now.

She stepped out of the shower and approached the mirror, wiping away the steam, she stood still looking at the scars that covered the top half of her body. Her eyes slowly lowered the Hydra symbol they had burned into her right rib cage, she closed her eyes as she lightly glided her fingers over it before shaking her head and drying herself off. She was doing her best to push away the memories that tend to overwhelm the inner controlled soldier, she tended to act out and break things often.

She put on her undergarments before slipping into her suit that Marcus and Jesse helped her perfect over the past few years. She couldn't help but admire herself in her full-length mirror, her curves showing making her feel confident in her own skin. She made her way downstairs where the others were discussing the topic of Captain America, She rolled her eyes before grabbing a quick drink.

She turned her head as the front door opened to show one of her favourite people walking into the house, Jonas. "Hey J, You ready for tonight?" He walked towards her nodding, "Yeah. Should be an in and out hit hopefully." She smiled at him as he removed his jacket placing it on a chair. Alessia handed him a glass of coke before he made his way to the lounge, She turned her head looking at the group of people that had become her found family.

Marcus stood by the fireplace holding a glass of Whiskey - no doubt - while showing his clear frustration towards Jesse's comments about The Avengers and his admiration towards them. Marcus was wearing his usual suit, a black buttoned shirt and some loose-fitting dark jeans. His stance was defensive and dominant, the moment you'd step into the room, your attention would be on him knowing he's the boss. He was taking light sips of his Whiskey, by his posture it had to be his second drink as he glared at Jesse with a hint of amusement only someone close to him would notice.

Her eyes wandered towards Jesse who was throwing his head back laughing, he was wearing his classic graphic Star Wars shirt and sweatpants, contrasting against his umber skin tone. He attempted to mock Marcus' deep German accent but his husky Nigerian accent overpowered it. He was a pure soul with a playful personality, you couldn't help but smile at his child-like behaviour, most of the time. Though his skills in hacking and anything that revolved around technology is severely superior to anyone Alessia had ever seen.

Alina sat next to Jesse, her arm wrapped around his as she smirked and giggled along with the man she loved. She had made herself comfortable, kicking her heels off. She was wearing a dark blue dress with a sweetheart neckline, her dirty blonde hair in a fishtail braid over her shoulder. Alina was raised an assassin, her skills were superior and on top of that, she was amazing with a bow staff. She's the best to train with but you'd avoid getting on her bad side, she has a bloodlust-like temper.

Aaron was tucked nicely under a blanket in his recliner, holding a mug of what Alessia guessed to be herbal tea in one hand and a book in the other. She couldn't help but chuckle remembering the first thing he did when they had escaped Hydra's evil little brother, Tempolize, was cutting his long hair. He now sat looking fresh with a simple crew cut that he was determined to keep tidy. His eyes flicked back and forth from the book to the chaos that was happening in front of him, clearly amused by Jesse's playful behaviour.

Jonas stood just behind the couch where an empty space sat, he was in his tailored suit reminding everyone that he was an agent in S.H.I.E.L.D and one of their informants who gets them the information they need to ensure they come back safe from any missions they do. He had gotten the job through proper connections prior to meeting us, once he heard about the group's motive to stop Hydra, he was all for it plus his fiance was already in the team.

Not that anyone knew that Harper and Jonas were engaged until a few months into the group's formation, they finally announced it leading to a party hosted by Marcus in celebration. However, tonight he was gonna accompany Alessia as her "computer guy" as Jesse would say despite the fact that Jesse usually fit that role. She knew he needed a distraction considering his fiance, Harper was currently in Siberia chasing down a led on The Bravta. She knew he was on edge, hence why he stood behind the spot where she would usually be seated.

Harper was quite an impressive woman, she is an ex Russian spy and typically works a lot of undercover jobs for cash. She is a beautiful woman with an aura of innocence that made her good at her job. Alessia had admired her from the moment she met her and she'd quickly become family to Alessia. She was pleasantly impressed with her skills in camouflaging into an area perfectly. Alessia spent a lot of her time training with Harper or Lana, Lana was currently accompanying Harper in Siberia.

Lana was a blessing to the team, she had a knack for being incredibly persuasive and cunning. The Korean woman was skilled in just about everything except dancing, which made some missions fun for Alessia, Harper and Alina. Lana was also the role of medic, she was expertly trained as a doctor and due to that, she was the go-to when things went wrong. Alessia spent a lot of time watching movies with Lana, she was like a younger sister to Alessia and she was grateful for the skilled fighter.

── ☆ ──

Alessia walked over to Jonas catching the end of the conversation between Marcus and Jesse, "If you continue to be irritating Jesse, I'll put you through some intense training." Jesse instantly raised his hands in defeat before turning to Alina who was giving him a look of 'you've been served' causing him to roll his eyes. Finally, everyone turned their attention to Alessia, Aaron was the first to speak up. "This is the Alpha location tonight, isn't it?" His British accent made her mind feel at ease, another reminder as to why she loved this eccentric group was because of her obsession with different accents.

"We are hoping it is," Jonas answered after finishing his drink then turning to put it in the sink. "I'll go get ready" He turned towards the stairs and made his way to his room. Alessia looked at Aaron who was now staring at her with worried eyes, he hated that she did these missions mostly alone but she needed too and he understood that. She tied her hair up into a loose ponytail, realizing how much she missed the pastel blue it was a few weeks ago. Unfortunately because of who she am and the people that are hunting her, she couldn't stand out too much, blending in was her best chance of survival.

She smiled lightly at Aaron reassuring him that she'd be okay and Jonas would call if they needed any backup. Jonas made his way down the stairs with heavy steps, wearing combat boots that blended with his black jeans and tight swooped shirt. The two nodded to each other and then made our way out the door, preparing themselves for the mission that would turn out successful for the team with another Hydra donor dead and gone. Alessia went to sleep late that night wondering why she suddenly felt like things were about to change drastically.

── ☆ ──

-Rose <3
{1946}