Chapter 16: Epilogue: The fall of SHIELD and the rise of Hydra

SHIELD BASE ARCHIVES, LONDON, ENGLAND - WEEKS LATER

"So, what did Dr. Martin say?" A voice called from the holographic screen. Alexandria, who was busy with the task of reviewing some files and annotating what she believed important into her own copy of them, shrugged.

"Same as always, I guess. Said that I'm dealing with minor depression, pent up anger, and anxiety. Told me I should considering retaking kick-boxing once my arm's completely healed so that I may release some of my anger before my temper gets the best of me. Also said that I should try and give my parents a chance to explain, that although I believe I understand them and why they did it, they do love me. And of course I know that, I know they care and that they are human and that they never intentionally left me out. But it hurts to know that not once did they even blink at the thought of me spending entire summers away from them... It just always made it seem like the four of them were fine without me, I mean, I don't even have the same hair or eye colour as them, got it all from dad. Even in pictures it seems like I don't belong," she ranted on and on before sighing gloomily, "I already knew that though, just like I know that I am still in a state of denial about the whole 'Battle of the Realms' thing like when dad died and that if I'm not careful I can fall back into unconsciously erasing the memory, you know, the whole selective amnesia thing? Well, this type is called Lacunar amnesia and it can happen as a side effect of trauma and well, it will have greater repercussions later just like the sudden resurfacing of dad's death did."

From behind the screen, Tony nodded pensively. On his lap sat Pepper, who had been joining in on her calls with Tony. Part of Alexandria self appointed healing process (for herself and Tony) was to have this daily conversations in which they would force themselves to talk about the many events that had marked them greatly in the last few years of their lives. It was because of this that Alexandria had asked Pepper to join them as much as possible since she knew that the woman's presence would not only put Tony at ease, but allow him to share some of his traumas and fears with her. Likewise, Alexandria had made certain that Bruce and Rhodey would talk to Tony as much as possible and that they, like Pepper, were appraised of the situation and the possibility of panic attacks caused by Tony's post-traumatic stress disorder. Pepper had even gone to the extreme of ensuring Tony and Bruce were never left alone in the lab, just in case the issues of one triggered that of the other.

"And what did she say about you talking to Tony? Did she approve?" Pepper asked, curiously.

Finally looking up, Alexandria nodded, "Yep, she understands it's easier to talk about some things with you, plus she thinks that I will get better sooner if I have an objective in mind. Helping Tony can only be done by helping myself first so she believes this will encourage me to keep our sessions going."

"It's nice of you to try and do this for me, Lex, but you also have to think about yourself. You have to want this." Tony replied with a frown.

She sighed, "I do, Tony, I really do, it's just, knowing I'm not alone helps."

Tony nodded and was about to add to her comment when a sudden noise resounded through the base. It was followed almost immediately by the wailing shrill of alarms and the lighting of red emergency warning lights. From her seat in the lab stool, Alexandria froze, eyes wide as they stared at the hologram unseeing. Tony called out to her frantically.

"Lex, Lexy, what is going on? Lex, talk to me," his panicked voice called out to her. Hearing the beginnings of a panic attack in said, Alexandria almost physically recoiled, finally reacting to her surroundings.

"Tony, I think the base is under attack," she whispered out in fear.

FRIGGA'S BEDCHAMBER, PALACE, ASGARD

Sitting in the stool of her vanity, the Queen calmly watched as her son paced in front of her in indecision. He had found himself in a real dilemma: What to do about Alexandria Darcy? For all that the young man was clever and seemed so cruel and cold-hearted, he was truly only a boy, lost, in love, and afraid. He had no idea of what to do. It was clear that if he kept up the charade of his death, his Dria would be furious, but if he told her the truth, she would also be so. He had seen her reaction at the Son of Coul's deceit and although she was now on her way to forgiving him, Loki feared she would never be able to do so. Truly, his problem was a matter of either coming out to her and dealing with the consequences now, or keep the act and postpone the inevitably fight as much as possible. And the thing was that, knowing himself, he would must likely take the coward's way out and lie as he always did, a thought that graved and saddened him.

"If you are so troubled about lying to her, son, I think the best way to go is to tell the truth," Frigga said easily, content to sit and watch her very much alive boy pace about.

"She will hate me, mother," Loki whispered sadly, finally putting a stop to his pacing to look at Frigga and pace a hand through his hair, messing it all up even more.

"Good," Frigga responded with a slight smile.

At that, Loki's hands that had been now covering his face froze as he glanced up from them and his feet faltered, "Wha.. what?" he called out, betrayal lacing his voice.

"Why yes," Frigga answered with ease, voice softening, "Hate is too strong of an emotion to waste on someone you do not care the slightest about. It is how I have always known you care deeply, my dear."

Loki shoulders slumped in defeat. Seeing him thus, Frigga approached, a hand to his chin forcing him to look up to her as the other rested comfortingly on his shoulder, "Whatever it is that you decide, you must do it soon. However, my dearest, keep in mind that I will always be here to back you up. And do have some faith on the girl, she has gone through a lot in her short life and yet she has been able to brace it all, forgive, and move on. It may take a while and she certainly will never forget what you have done, but she will come to understand the reasons why and when she does, well, forgiveness is bound to follow. Do not be afraid, my moon, you will not lose her or me."

Staring straight into her eyes, Loki searched them for any sign of deceit and finding none he conceded with a nod.

"Then," he sighed and took in a strengthening breath, "I believe it is time for me to go."

Nodding, Frigga caressed his cheek and kissed goodbye as he responded by kissing her forehead, "Take care, my dark prince, and do not let fear win you over."

SHIELD BASE ARCHIVES, LONDON, ENGLAND

Before Pepper and Tony could even answer, the Mjolnir moon charm glowed brightly and warmly, a figure appearing from a ray of light.

"Mistress, we must run, now," Rai called out as he finished materializing.

Nodding, Alexandria reacted as fast as she could. With quick measured movements, she moved files, books, tablet, and phone into her leather bag, transferring the call unto her Stark watch as she strapped the bag and thank her lucky stars for having her arm almost fully functioning in such a grave situation. Quietly moving into the hall with Rai following behind, she spoke into her watch.

"Tony, remembered the SHIELD files you downloaded and planned to review, is there a blueprint or something about this base?" She asked urgently, "I need a map of sorts to get to the safest exit as soon as possible."

Tony nodded, fingers moving about the many holograms in front of him, searching through all data. Beside him, Pepper turned her attention to the flat screen telly that had been left on, playing in the background. The sudden news report had captured her attention.

"Bingo, got it!" Tony exclaimed, as unaware of Pepper as a frightened Alexandria was. "Sending it over right now."

"Thanks," Alexandria called, studying the blueprints, she moved about. The atmosphere about them was eerie, the hallways were empty no signs of either SHIELD agents or the attackers anywhere and it was all silent with the exception of the wailing alarm.

"Something's wrong, something's really wrong," Alexandria whispered to herself as she kept moving.

Halfway through their journey to the exit sudden movement caught her eye. There, turning on a corner where a couple of man, all dressed like agents. Between them they carried a crate with a frightening red seal on it. Alexandria froze in her tracks, Rai crashing into her. She gasped in horrified surprise and from the other side of the line her gasp was echoed. Pepper had her eyes glued at the scream, terrified surprise at seeing it on the himself stared in shock at what his files had just revealed. This was trouble, big, big trouble.

Unintentionally, the four figures gave out the same surprised whisper, "Hydra!"

It was true, Hydra had infiltrated SHIELD. It all had gone wrong, Alexandria and Tony had been right, the organization was rotten, but this, never could they imagine this. Just as they grew more frantic, Alexandria noticed a commotion on her watch's screen, Bruce and Rhodey asking if they'd heard the news, if she was okay, Before she could make any sense of it or answer anything, one of Rai's hands grasped Alexandria's turning her into the right direction towards the quinjets as the sound of guards coming their way could be heard.

"Run!"

The thundering of feet behind them and blazing guns could be heard as they ran through the facilities, narrowly reaching the garage. They ran as fast as they could to the nearest jet as Alexandria yelled at Rai to reach into her bag for her tablet. They entered one and barely managed to close it before the attack began. Rushing to to the pilot's seat, Alexandria took one of the port cables and connect her tablet to it.

"Jarvis, please, I'm begging you, get us out of here before they bring in the big guns," She called out desperately.

"As you wish, Miss," the AI replied, setting the jet on ready and sending them of. Once they were of in space with the the jet's cloaking device on, Alexandria turned to her watch's now holographic screen, noticing the extra figures in the background.

"Are you okay?" Tony asked.

She nodded and offered a relieved smile, "Tell everyone I'm coming home."

NEW YORK CITY, USA - DAYS LATER

He sighed, looking at himself in the window panel which reflected back at him a boyish face with big brown eyes and curly blonde hair. He needed to keep it together. He had to get past that interview and get that job. He had already arranged quite a few things in preparation for this. All he had to was wait now, wait and hope for the best. Taking in a deep breath, he pulled the door open and walked in, eyes wandering about, distracted, causing him to bump into somebody.

"Oh, I am so, so sorry," a female voice called out to him, bending down to pick up her phone and book. "I am usually far more balanced and self-aware when reading and walking than when just walking, so I honestly don't know what came into me."

"That's alright, I am a bit lost, actually. Would you happen to know where the Human Resources office is? I have an interview," the young man replied easily, his words silver on his tongue.

"Oh," the girl gave a cringe, "the only one in HR today is Maria Hill, you've got a tough one, mate. But, yeah, sure, I can take you there."

"Thank you. I am Adrian Prince, by the way." He replied, extending his hand.

"Alexandria Darcy, it's a pleasure," she answered shaking it.

Yes, all he could do know was wait and hope.

Notes: This is not the end. I am already working on the third part of this series (and possible the last) and I will publish it as soon as I can which won't be for a while since I just got a job, sorry! Just know I haven't forgotten about you guys!

Please review, it makes my day!