Chapter 33: Laying Low And A Revelation

(Alexander Pierce's House)

Pierce was having a conversation with The Winter Soldier about taking the three of us out. He doesn't know how wrong he is if he thinks it's going to work.

"The timetable has moved. Our window is limited. Three targets, two Level Six and one Level Seven. They already cost me Zola. I want confirmed death in 10 hours." Pierce explained.

Just then they were interrupted by Pierce's maid which resulted in Pierce killing her because she saw him with the Winter Soldier.

(Cut to the three of us)

We were outside Sam Wilson's house still being dirty from having to make our way out of the rubble and to his place. Steve spoke first.

"I'm sorry about this, we need a place to lay low." He explained.

"Everyone we know is trying to kill us." Nat added.

"Not everyone." Sam said as he stepped aside and let us all inside.

Steve and Nat were getting themselves cleaned up and I had already done it in another room and I walked in on the two of them having a conversation about how Nat feels that she was helping HYDRA all this time even though she thought she had been doing good things for S.H.I.E.L.D.

I walked up to the two of them and sighed heavily as I prepared for what I was about to say.

"What is it?" Steve asked and Nat looked at me concerningly.

"You're not going to like what I'm about to show you, but before I show you I just want you to understand that it was necessary." Luke said mysteriously. 

Steve and Nat looked on in shock as they saw Luke transform into both Apex and Seth McCauley as he spoke. 

"I'm not just Agent Grey. I'm also Apex. (Cue the transformation) and Seth McCauley. (cue the transformation) I'm sorry I had to hide it from you, but I had to make sure i could trust you with the truth and even if I can't give you all the truth right now, you'll get the important pieces when you need them." Seth said as he gauged the two superheroes reactions. 

"YOU LYING BASTARD!!!" Steve said as he charged at Seth. 

Steve had Seth by his neck and had him lifted up against a wall. 

"You've been lying to us from the very beginning!! Working your way into our lives, gaining our trust, and for what?!?! To make us let our guard down? To wait for just the right moment when you stab us in the back!! So you're working for HYDRA is that it?!?!" Steve said angrily. 

Steve and Nat then were slowly lifted into the air and Seth just stood there and watched them struggle in vain. Seth even made his eyes change to black just for fun and made his voice more demonic. 

"Believe me, if I wanted to hurt you, I could've done it anytime I wanted. Do you think there is a single being on earth who could match my power." Seth said with a smirk that looked like it was the personification of the devil. 

Both Steve and Nat were actually scared of Seth and he knew it, but he only needed them to stop and listen. Then all of the sudden Steve and Nat fell down and they saw Seth laughing. It wasn't a maniacal laugh, more like a kid who's prank went off without a hitch. 

"HAHAHAHAHA!!!" Man you should've seen your guy's faces." Seth said as he put his hand out to help them up. 

Steve and Nat were thoroughly confused so Seth began to explain. 

"Sorry for the show I had to put on there. I just had to get you to calm down. My real name is Seth McCauley and I have the power to copy other's powers. I always wanted to be a hero and I finally got my wish, but it was more than difficult than I thought it would be and I just wanted to be a hero and save people, but I also wanted to have my own life. Besides, can you honestly say that after everything I have done, that I ever had bad intentions?"

Steve sighed heavily. "I'm sorry I freaked out on you like that, it's just, I have been thrown curve ball after curve ball lately and I have been wondering who I can and can't trust. You are right, everything you have done in all your different identities have been about helping people and it's not like I can't understand wanting a normal life. Away from all.... this. But the fact that you have been lying to our faces everyday since you've known us, makes it hard to trust you now." Steve said with his anger only slightly dissipating. 

"Okay let's look at this objectively. What have I lied about? My name, my powers, and my knowledge in general. Nothing else about who I am as a person has been a lie. Honestly there are dangers out in the universe that you don't even know about and I couldn't reveal myself until i was sure I was strong enough to protect myself." Seth said his voice sounding out with so much relief as if he'd been holding all this in for a long time. 

Steve had paused to think about his words and then looked at Nat. 

"Aren't you going to say anything??" 

"Honestly, I don't see anything wrong with what he did." Nat replied. 

"What? How can you say that? He had been lying to us for years." Steve said. 

"What he has done isn't any worse than the things I have done in my life. If I was in his position I don't think I'd do anything differently. Think about it. You have powers beyond what anybody can imagine, you know of some sort of danger that could hurt you or those you love and you know the only way to stop it, is to finally tell your loved ones who you are. I don't think I could've actually told the truth like he did. Can you even imagine what it has been like for him all these years?" Nat said with actual tears in her eyes which was surprising, but I assumed it was simply remanent feelings due to having her whole world thrown upside down by finding out about HYDRA.

"I guess you're right, I can't imagine what it's been like and no one can say they know everything about everyone. So, for now, I'll forgive you, but if you give me any reason to think you aren't who you say you are, or if you try to harm anyone who doesn't deserve it. I won't hesitate to bring you down." Steve said with ice in his tone. 

Seth could tell he was serious, and nodded vehemently. 

"I appreciate your understanding. I hope that I haven't completely broken your trust and if I have, I hope you give me a chance to earn it back." Seth said seriously. 

Steve nodded and Nat actually had a new appreciation for Seth's? skills as an agent. Now that she thought about it, almost all of his identities he had, that she had met, all acted pretty much the same, just changed based on the situation. 

"I'll have to ask for a selfish request." Seth said as he frowned. 

"What?" Steve asked. 

"If you could not tell anyone else about my true identities I'd appreciate it. I'm not ready for everyone to know yet." Seth asked hopefully. 

"Fine with me." Nat replied.

"So there is just going to be more lies??" Steve said angrily.

"Please, there are still some things I need to work out, I'm not strong enough yet to protect everything I need to protect, I need some more time and I'll be forthcoming with everyone else...I promise." I explained.

Fine....Sounds reasonable enough.....for now" Steve said obviously not happy with me, but understanding at least.

"I know it isn't ideal, but it's something I have to do, so thank you." Seth replied before turning back into Luke.