The sharp tugging on her skin was oddly comforting. She wasn't watching as a faceless doctor- they were all faceless to her- continually plucked all the stitches out of her side and discarded them in a metal bowl. This wound was more than five years old, the stitches much overdo to be removed. They'd add another set of scars to her skin. Her eyes were closed, her body relaxed. HYDRA did care, to a certain degree, for her. They always fixed her. They must care.
"Amp up the Serenity"
Fingers played with the IV above her, a steadier flow beginning to push into her body.
"Report," Rumlow demanded in a careless tone. He was watching from across the room, cleaning one of his firearms.
"Subject's bullet wound is fully healed, no lasting effects from the tranquilizer, and is ready for the catheter to be inserted into her chest once round of Serenity is finished being administered," the man beside her stated in a formal tone, his hands leaving her bare side followed by the sound of rubber gloves being removed.
"How soon?"
"Ten minutes," the man replied before Rumlow must have motioned for him to leave. Her eyes cracked open to spot Pierce's loyal right hand man standing over her. A frown pulled the corners of her lips down before she hid behind her expressionless mask. Rumlow slowly took the stool next to the reclined chair she was seated in.
"Sit up," he instructed. She complied.
The Winter Wraith couldn't stop the shudder that ran down her spine when the older man's-technically she was older, but stuck in a young body- fingers scraped against her forehead, gathering her thick hair and continuing over her scalp until he had gathered it in his fist at the nape of her neck. An uneasy feeling was flooding through her, but there was nothing she could do about it as Rumlow began separating different sections of the dark hair and commenced braiding them together. More than a few times someone would suggest cutting her hair, only to have Rumlow or Pierce snap and say then she wouldn't be able to efficiently tie it back. They did care.
It was extremely hard to admit it, but the feeling of someone running their fingers through her hair was pleasant. Even if it was Rumlow. Eventually the Wraith pulled her knees up to her chest, letting her chin rest on one leg and continuing to stare off into space with an empty, glazed look.
Once Rumlow had finished, one of his hands came back up to her chin, tilting her head to face him as he came to stand in front of her again. Their eyes met, allowing her to at least attempt to play with his mind, but nothing happened. The Serenity was too strong, serving its purpose of rendering her abilities useless and her emotions neutral. He was leaning closer, keeping a steel grip on her chin. Closer. She could feel his breath on her face.
"Doctor," Rumlow suddenly stated, his lips a hairs width from her own. As slyly as he had leaned in he was gone, giving her room to breathe. The same man from earlier took his position on the stool that Rumlow had vacated, setting down a steel tray cluttered with different instruments beside him.
"Stay still, soldier," she was commanded. Not like she was going to move anyway.
Boney fingers easily extracted the previous needle from her neck, laying it down on the tray. To insert the new needle accompanied by a catheter was simple, the man marking the place on her chest, between her breasts and above her heart. A small incision was made. There was a sharp pinch to her diaphragm, followed by the strange sensation of someone pushing something into her skin. They didn't use any pain killers, they never did. She sucked in a breath, the miniscule tubing being inserted directly into her heart. Uncomfortable was an understatement. This was violating. When she looked down there was now a plastic tube, where the IV would now be inserted, placed into her skin. She looked away.
Before the doctor left, he placed a few bandages around the area, claiming that her movement might dislodge the device. As Rumlow was moving to reinsert the IV again, he stalled, moving a finger to lightly press on the comm in his ear.
"Suit up," he stated, leaving the IV dangling at her side and stalking out of the room, not needing to wait for her. Lab technicians were already present as she prowled into her prep room, redressing her quickly and handing over her weapons before ushering her out to awaiting transport.
Rumlow's S.T.R.I.K.E team was already loading into two of the black SUV's available, each looking up as she entered the hangar before continuing with their work. Curiously, some were wearing formal suits, others their normal combat gear. Inconspicuous then.
"Rogers has been branded a fugitive, he's been corrupted and it is our duty to retrieve him," Rumlow began explaining, appearing from behind one of the vehicles and sauntering up behind her. "It is vital to stop him, for the good of the organization. He's a virus that must be killed off, or else we risk everything," his lips pressed against her ear, silently whispering more lies into her head. By the time he had leaned back, the Winter Wraith was convinced once more that this was for the best. Her thoughts were muddled, but one thing was clear. Captain Rodgers must be stopped. Or else she'd be back in that chair.
The Wraith was ushered into the back of one of the SUV's, only Rumlow and two other members of his team in here with them. They knew better than to crowd her. Especially with the drug -one of the only reasons they were safe from her- wearing off.
The drive wasn't more than ten minutes, each vehicle pulling behind theirs as they stopped outside of, what she was told, was S.H.I.E.L.D's main compound here in this section of the continent. Rodgers was inside, Pierce was speaking with him. Rumlow and his men were already piling out of the SUV's and into the building.
"Stay here," her handler ordered. "Only engage when I deem necessary. If the Captain gets away..." Rumlow's voice took a dark, almost mocking, tone. She didn't need to be reminded what would happen. Classical music echoed in the back of her head.
Throughout the ordeal the comm in her ear kept her updated. Her eyes flicked up as several grunts were transmitted, spotting the elevator every agent was piled in to through the windshield. A ghost of a smile flickered across her face as her keen sight caught Rumlow's team being easily beaten by Captain Rodgers. She stayed seated as Rodgers continued to best the others, waiting for the command to interfere. It didn't come. Not until she watched, in subtle surprise, as Captain America shattered the glass elevator and plummeted over twenty stories to S.H.I.E.L.D's courtyard.
"Engage," Rumlow's voice rasped in her ear. He must've been taken out by Rodgers, his tone implied pain. "Soldier, engage!"
Rodgers had already escaped the courtyard as the Winter Wraith casually jumped out of the SUV, prowling into the area he had just vacated. The roar of a motorcycle had her whirling around. She sprinted after him, but a quinjet had already flown in front of his path, asking the captain to stand down. The Wraith had to admit, watching him take down the aircraft all on his own was impressive. His strength was remarkable.
As the quinjet crashed into the pavement, she climbed on top of it, expecting Rodgers to be on the other side.
But, he was gone.
"Report," Rumlow demanded.
"He's gone"
The Winter Wraith, without instruction, walked back to the SUV and climbed inside.
