Chapter Text
Washington D.C.
2014
The loud barking in the background woke Serena up that morning. She groaned in exhaustion before reaching to grab her phone on the nightstand. She sighed glancing at the time. 4:30 am. She carefully got out of bed, walked down the hall of her apartment, and turned the light on in her kitchen to visualize the large Golden Retriever sitting patiently at her dish waiting to be fed.
Serena sighed. “Molly, it’s 4:30, we eat breakfast at 6:30.”
The dog didn’t respond but nudged her dish forward. Serena rolled her eyes, as she grabbed the dish to fill it with food. As soon as she placed it down, the dog started to eat, thus signaling for Serena to go get changed for her morning run. She quickly brushed her teeth and hair, allowing for her to pull it back into a ponytail. She pulled a plain grey sweatshirt and a pair of black leggings out of her closet, along with a black sports bra as well. Once she was dressed, she put on her running sneakers and an old CIA baseball cap that her mother got her when she started in the agency. After, she walked back down her hallway, to see Molly waiting by the door, with her leash, in her mouth and tail wagging in joy, upon seeing Serena.
Serena smiled as she attached the leash to the dog’s collar and opened the door. “Ok, now we can go.”
The dog eagerly pulled Serena down the hallway, as the dog loved to run, almost as much as Serena. Serena had gotten Molly at the request of her parents, as they were concerned about her being along all the time. Serena didn’t mind being alone, and instead, loved it. However, that didn’t mean she wasn’t grateful for Molly. Molly was there for Serena’s nightmares from missions and her childhood. Molly was there for all the injuries Serena sustained from CIA missions. And Molly was there as a friend and companion for Serena.
Within a few moments, after crossing a few city blocks, Serena and Molly were at the National Mall, their favorite running spot. Serena enjoyed it because it was repetitive, and not on a crazy incline like other places in D.C., and Molly liked it because there were lots of squirrels for her to bark at…which annoyed Serena to no end.
As they started their run, Serena went at a manageable pace, that allowed for her to keep up with Molly, even though Serna knew in the back of her mind that Molly could 100% outrun her…as she’s seen it on her parent’s property hundreds of times. Serena continued to run, making a turn to pass the Lincoln Memorial to allow for her to head back toward the Washington Monument. Just as she was about to make the turn to head down the long straight, she heard someone come sprinting past her.
“On your left.” He said briefly before practically sprinting past her.
Serena stopped in her tracks as she watched the man run faster than she ever could practically make it halfway around the National Mall in the blink of an eye. She shook her head in annoyance, before starting to run again. Her and Molly were making good pace, as the man continued to lap around the two of them 3 times. Just as she was about to make a turn for the Lincoln Memorial once again, which would then allow her to stop her run, as she could tell both were tired, the man passed her again. The only difference? Molly didn’t like it.
As Molly started to bark, she then pulled Serena with all her might, thus causing Serena to accidentally let go of Molly’s leash, allowing for Molly to chase after the crazily fast man.
“Molly! No!” Serena called as she ran after the Golden Retriever.
Serena saw the man who passed her stopped in his tracks to allow the dog to catch up to him, before grabbing her leash so that she wouldn’t run any farther. Serena then saw the man jog up to her and she jogged up to him so he wouldn’t have to run that far.
“I’m so sorry about her, she usually is never like this.” Serena explained as he handed back the dog leash.
He smiled and shook his head. “It’s alright.”
Just as he said those words, Molly was about to take off running again.
“Sit.” The man ordered. “Stay.”
The dog looked at the man before obeying, before laying down on the ground.
“Now that was impressive.” Serena said in disbelief as she knelt to pet her dog. “Do you have like…commanding abilities?”
The man tilted his head back and forth. “Kind of.”
As Serena stood back up that’s when he noticed the gold CIA lettering on her hat.
“Do you work for the agency?” He asked gesturing to her hat.
She shrugged. “Not anymore. My family still does, I got transferred, something more “top secret”.” She explained making air quotations.
“I’m sorry for asking…” He trailed off not knowing her name.
“Serena.” She immediately replied holding her hand out.
“Steve.” He replied with a smile as he shook her hand.
Serena gestured to the dog laying on the ground. “That’s Molly, who drives me insane sometimes.”
“She’s a beautiful dog.” Steve said kneeling down to pet the dog.
“Thank you.” Serena explained. “I got her about a year ago. My parent’s hate the fact that I live alone, even though they’re only about a half-hour away, so they got me Molly for Christmas.”
“Where do they live?” Steve asked as he stood back up.
“Alexandria.” Serena said with a nod. “Actually, just outside of Alexandria, both my parents work in D.C., so I see them all the time.”
“That’s always good.” He explained. “To have your parents around when you need them.”
“Or it’s a pain in the ass, all the time.” Serena explained with a small laugh making Steve laugh as well.
Just as Serena was about to reply, her watch went off, signifying that she needed to get ready to head to SHIELD.
“Sorry, I’ve got to run, but it was nice meeting you Steve, and thanks for bringing Molly back to me.” Serena explained with a smile.
“It was nice meeting you as well. I’ll see you around?” He asked.
Serena smiled. “Most likely.”
Serena gently pulled on Molly’s leash, which allowed for the dog to get off the ground and start jogging slightly with Serena as they headed out of the National Mall. What Serena and Molly didn’t notice was that Steve was admiring both in awe, before going back to his morning run. Serena glanced quickly over her shoulder at the blonde-haired man who just helped her catch her dog.
‘He looks familiar.’ She thought to herself before turning back to her dog as they headed back to their apartment.
Once back at her apartment, Serena quickly took a shower and got dressed, before heading out the door. Today was her first day officially working for S.H.I.E.L.D., so in the back of her mind she knew she couldn’t be late on the first day…how’d that look to every single one of her superiors…especially with the last name she has. About a half hour later, she was driving over the bridge to the Triskelion and into the underground parking structure. Once her car was parked, she grabbed her bag and walked over to the elevator. Within a matter of moments, she was whisked into the Grand Lobby of the Triskelion. She quietly marveled to herself at how extraordinary it was. Sure, she had been here plenty of times before with her father, but never had she thought she’d be working here. She smiled when she noticed who was waiting for her in the lobby.
“About time you show up.” Maria Hill began with a small smirk.
Serena smirked back and rolled her eyes. “Like you have nothing better to do?”
“Actually, I’m supposed to attend a meeting later today on Project: INSIGHT, but I digress.” Hill explained passing Serena her ID card as they began to walk toward another set of elevators. “Your official S.H.I.E.L.D. ID Card. Your Clearance is Level 7.”
Serena frowned. “Level 7…wait, why?”
“Fury insisted.” Hill explained. “He trusts you, which is an honor…coming from him.”
“The man trusts no one, I know.” Serena replied. “I just don’t get why he put me on 7, aren’t most agents coming in from other organizations placed on Level 1?”
Hill nodded as they stepped on an elevator. “In most cases yes, but since you are considered to be a Specialist, Fury made some changes, hence why you are Level 7.”
“I’m not a Specialist.” Serena began.
Hill put a hand up. “You are. Anyone who has a reputation in the field to earn themselves a codename, immediately becomes a candidate for being a Specialist. Since you’re so skilled in the field, with drawing in your targets before striking, earning you the nickname The Viper, Fury changed the system slightly, to allow you to have Clearance at Level 7. He was truly impressed with how well you can manage an entire unit in the field, hence why he wants you on S.T.R.I.K.E.”
Serena didn’t reply as she glanced out the window behind them that overlooked the Potomac.
“Get use to the view Pierce, you’re going to be seeing a lot more of it.” Hill replied making Serena sigh in response.
Once the elevator doors opened, Hill led Serena through a long corridor before they turned a corner to a doorway that was labeled: Viewing Platform.
Hill pushed open the doors and gestured for Serena to walk onto a viewing platform. Serena cautiously walked onto the platform and looked down below to see a few agents training, with someone instructing them. Serena carefully observed their fighting styles, as she didn’t know if she was to take each of them down (to prove herself) or flaunt her sparing skills against them. She didn’t care either way.
“There you are.” A familiar voice said to her a little farther down on the platform.
Serena looked over her right shoulder, to see Fury standing there waiting for her.
“I was beginning to think you weren’t going to show up.” He explained pulling her into a hug.
“I couldn’t pass this up. Hill told me you gave me Clearance Level: 7…don’t you think that’s too much?” Serena asked as she pulled out of the hug.
He shook his head. “You are more than capable of handling what it entails.”
She gestured to the individuals down below as she leaned on the railing. “Is this what I’m walking into?”
Fury nodded before gesturing her to follow him down the platform. “Essentially. The Special Tactical Reserve for International Key Emergencies or S.T.R.I.K.E. is a group of people that are S.H.I.E.L.D’s brightest and best, and are handpicked by me to be a part of it. You are being assigned to S.T.R.I.K.E as one of their Specialists. You will be working alongside the two leaders of the team as another head, which will then lead to you eventually be commanding smaller S.T.R.I.K.E teams in the future.”
“I was commanding full assault teams in the CIA by the time I was 20, this seems like a bit of a demotion.” Serena replied crossing her arms as she caught up to Fury.
“You may see it as a demotion, but I see it as a promotion.” He continued.
“How so?” Serena asked in confusion.
Fury stopped in his tracks. “Because of your Level 7 Clearance.”
Serena tilted her head in confusion.
“Most of S.T.R.I.K.E.’s members only have Level 6 Clearance, you have Level 7, given your already vast knowledge of the intelligence world.” Fury continued before they both continued to walk down the platform, heading for the staircase. “Your mother, aunt, and uncle put in a good word for you, on how you were able to retrieve information about a German Intelligence leak, while staying under the radar.”
A small smile appeared on Serena’s face. “It was a textbook assignment, nothing major to it.”
While the two continued to descend the staircase, the agents below were trying to go unnoticed by who Fury had with him.
“Who’s that?” Steve asked as he drank from his water bottle.
“Don’t know her name, Cap.” Rumlow began. “The only thing Fury told Rollins and I was that she’s former CIA. Apparently she’s known for drawing her targets in quietly, and then is fast to eliminate or take them down.”
“She sounds…violent.” Steve said with hesitation.
Rumlow nodded. “She is. Evidently, she was commanding entire squads before she switched to S.H.I.E.L.D.”
“Why?” Steve asked in confusion.
“No one knows.” Rollins explained as he entered the conversation. “But the one thing the intelligence world knows about her, is that because of her quickness in taking people down, they call her The Viper.”
“I heard her kill list is quite extensive.” Rumlow explained making Steve frown. “What? C’mon Cap, it’ll be good to have someone like that on our side for a change.”
“That doesn’t mean, they have good intentions.” Steve began. “If joining S.H.I.E.L.D was just a way to allow for her to get more kills, then she shouldn’t be here.”
Rumlow was about to reply before he stood up straighter.
“Focus up, here comes Fury.” He whispered to Steve who in response turned around to look over his shoulder, and once he saw who was with Fury, his eyes widened. It was Serena from the National Mall.
Serena, who was walking with Fury was in shock as well. Mostly at herself because she was stupid enough that she couldn’t put two-and-two together, to realize that the man lapping her this morning was not only a government agent himself but was in fact the Captain America.
“And here they are.” Fury explained to Serena as they approached the three men. “Agent’s Rumlow and Rollins, and Captain Rogers, I’d like you to meet S.T.R.I.K.E’s newest member, Agent Serena Pierce.”
Serena gave them a warm smile all while trying to not make eye contact with Steve. “It’s nice to meet all of you.”
“She will be operating as a unit co-commander with Rogers and Rumlow, given her time commanding squads in the CIA, along with acting as one of the team’s Specialists, alongside Captain Rogers.” Fury explained.
Steve stepped forward forcing Serena to make eye contact with him.
“Nice to have you on the team.” He said with a small smile as he held out his hand for her to shake.
“Likewise.” Serena said with a small smile grabbing his hand. The two then pulled apart when Fury spoke again.
“She’s Clearance Level: 7, any problems you come into, you report directly to her. Do you understand me?” Fury asked Rollins and Rumlow.
“Yes sir.” They both replied obediently.
“Good.” Fury said with a nod. “If one of you could be so kind to show her around, I’d appreciate it. I have a meeting with the other Pierce in my life.”
“Tell him I haven’t ruined the place yet!” Serena called out to Fury as he walked out of the room.
She then turned back to the group. “He means my Father.” She explained with a shrug.
Rollins and Rumlow’s eyes widened. “Your dad is…Ale”
“Alexander Pierce?” Serena finished for them. “Yeah, he is. Which also makes the Director of the CIA my mother, and the Director of Operations my aunt…yeah, it’s kind of a family thing.”
Before either agent could start to harass the poor girl on why she decided to leave the CIA, Steve stepped in.
“How about I take you on that tour Fury promised you?” Steve asked.
Serena nodded. “Sure, lead the way.”
Steve led the girl out of the training room, and back into one of the hallways. Once they were far enough away from the training room, Serena finally broke the silence.
“I should’ve recognized you this morning.” She blurted out. “I feel stupid for not recognizing you.”
“No, it’s ok.” Steve began. “It’s nice to finally have met someone who doesn’t just see me as him.”
“No, I literally saw you this morning as the man who grabbed my dog.” Serena said with a laugh making Steve laugh too. “I’m sorry again about her, she’s usually so well-behaved, I don’t know what had gotten into her.”
“She looked like she wasn’t going to attack me, based on the way she ran up to me.” Steve explained.
“I agree.” Serena nodded. “But I’ve never seen her act that way with strangers, she’s usually so…shy.”
“She doesn’t seem shy to me.” Steve said with a slight frown as they turned down another hallway.
“She’s very friendly, once she warms up to people…” Serena explained trailing off at the end.
‘Kind of like me.’ Serena thought to herself but was snapped out of her thoughts when Steve opened the door to another room.
“This is the Armory. We’re here before and after every mission. All our gear is here, and…” Steve began.
“And all your weapons, tricks, and toys are here.” Serena finished as she walked around the room.
“Exactly.” Steve replied with a nod, watching how Serena eyed every piece of weaponry there was in the room.
“Can I ask you a question.” Steve began.
“Of course.” Serena replied not taking her eyes off the weapons on the racks above her.
“Why did you transfer?” Steve asked making Serena stop in her tracks to look Steve right in the eye.
Serena slowly walked over to him and sat down on one of the benches. Steve in response, sat down on the bench across from her.
“Before I joined the Agency, my mother was very…hesitant to say the least of me joining. She wanted me to go out of joining the government, and see the world, but that didn’t happen. After an accident I had, when I was about 18, I told her that I wanted to join. After her protesting, she allowed me to join on one condition.” Serena explained.
“What condition?” Steve asked.
“The condition was, that when I was capable enough to handle myself, that I would join S.H.I.E.L.D. That day came a couple of months ago, with a rescue assignment in Santiago, Chile. I commanded my team to extract the Prime Minister of Mexico out without any detection of the rebel forces, and he is currently at home in Mexico City with his wife and three kids. Yes, I earned a name for myself completing all these assignments, but I’m too good at my job to know when I get bored of them, hence why Fury asked me to come and join S.T.R.I.K.E.” She continued.
“You joined because you got bored?” Steve asked in disbelief.
“I outgrew them.” Serena explained.
“That makes more sense.” He replied. “You don’t just get bored.”
“Do you? Of all of this?” Serena asked gesturing to the room around them.
Steve sighed. “I can’t get bored. I was made for all of this.”
Serena scoffed. “But you’re still human, and deep down, at some point, every single person gets bored of what they’re doing. It’s human nature…except for Fury. He’s been doing that job since I was a kid.”
Steve looked at Serena in disbelief as she let out a laugh before standing up and gesturing to the door. Steve immediately followed her out of the room, thinking to himself what this girl would bring to S.T.R.I.K.E, along with the fact that, maybe he could get her to open-up to people more, considering they would be overseeing S.T.R.I.K.E together. In the back of Serena’s mind however, all she could think about, was the idea of disappointing both of her parents. As all Serena wants, is to not be seen as a failure.