<div class="floatleft">(https://i1.wp.com/movienetworkpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Dollface.jpg?resize=759%2C500&amp;ssl=1)</div>Steadying herself and trying to catch her breath, Karina rubbed her temples. She didn't know much about how her ability worked, but it seemed now she was getting one hell of a crash course. What she<em>did</em>realize, was that the longer she stayed around James, the stronger the connection would get. Part of her just wanted to sneak away, and let whatever happen just...happen. He'd probably be better off without her slowing him down, anyway.<br/><br/>Unsurprisingly, she could faintly feel his presence. It seemed to be getting stronger...closer?<br/><br/><em>"You all good in there?"</em>His voice drifted into the bathroom, confirming to her that she actually had felt him coming to her. She gripped the sides of the sink, looked at her reflection and took a deep breath.<em>Am I good? Haha.</em>Karina resisted the urge to laugh. She had no idea how else to react. This whole situation she found herself in was like something out of a ridiculous spy novel, or something.<em>"Heard you screaming...."</em><br/><br/>"I... I, uh..." She stammered. His statement took her off guard. She didn't remember screaming... Though she<em>did</em>remember having a nightmare. She couldn't remember exactly what it was about, but she was positive it had something to do with James and his memories. Running a hand through her hair, she stepped out of the bathroom and flicked off the light. Still somewhat lost in thought, she almost collided with James.<br/><br/>"Shit. Sorry..." Karina apologized and looked down. "I'm...alright. Just..." She trailed off and nervously nibbled on the inside of her lower lip. She swallowed quickly and managed to bring her gaze to meet his. "So, um, what do we do now?"<br/><hr/><div class="floatright">(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/5ac827d4-ddb8-40f6-ad27-8acdd7007497/d9b3lw7-71581bfd-6b6c-40b2-ac9d-48c17bffcd24.jpg/v1/fill/w_543,h_815,q_75,strp/madame_hydra_by_la_esmeralda_d9b3lw7-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9ODE1IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvNWFjODI3ZDQtZGRiOC00MGY2LWFkMjctOGFjZGQ3MDA3NDk3XC9kOWIzbHc3LTcxNTgxYmZkLTZiNmMtNDBiMi1hYzlkLTQ4YzE3YmZmY2QyNC5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9NTQzIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmltYWdlLm9wZXJhdGlvbnMiXX0.JZ6yqnGq1DLK1Hz3sxkKEC6fRZaVBjMe33BU7X8XG-k)</div>The Madame could faintly hear the whirring of helicopter blades, getting louder as it approached the building. She looked up towards the ceiling, as if she could see through it. The only people who could approach her here were the higher ranking HYDRA members, and an<em>extremely select few</em>who weren't. They were...special to her for various reasons.<br/><br/>Nevertheless, an in person visit here usually meant serious business. She closed the laptop on her desk and leaned back in her chair, propping her knee-high leather boots on the mahogany wood and crossing her legs - revealing a tasteful amount of thigh in the process. The woman didn't get to where she was by using her body and looks alone - but it sure helped her. No, she was an incredibly smart and cunning woman. Not to mention she was a force to be reckoned with when she had her hands on a gun. Sniper rifles were her favorite, but she wasn't picky if she needed to get her hands dirty.<br/><br/>She heard the beeping of the keypad, then the familiar musical like chime of an approved fingerprint scan. Madame Hydra tapped her long green fingernails on her desk as she waited for her visitor to present themself to her. The person stepped into her suite, and she heard their footsteps on the marble floor. Whoever it was, they were confident in their stride and knew where to go.<br/><br/><em>"We have a situation, Madam."</em>The visitor announced. She immediately recognized the voice as belonging to Brock Rumlow. Such a loyal man... A coy smile spread across her lips, then faded away when she remembered that this visit wouldn't be for pleasantries. His tone was serious, and business - unfortunately - had to come first.<br/><br/>"Brock Rumlow." She spoke his name in a way that just barely hinted at a more personal relationship. "Come." She said, her tone somewhere in between an order and a request. There were chairs around, should he want to sit down. He rarely did when he gave his reports, but every once in a blue moon he would surprise her...