Chapter Text
Prologue
December 31st, 1994
Location: Bogotá, Columbia
Serena sighed as she walked through the long halls of her parent’s new home in Columbia. Within the last few months, her family had moved to Columbia, as her father, Alexander, being a well-respected, and highly trusted official in the United States Government, was assigned to monitor some terrorist and rebellious civilians who were potentially planning an attack on the U.S. Embassy. Given that he was the Secretary of Defense, and wanting to monitor from a closer radius, he decided to move his entire family, his wife Felicita and daughter Serena to Bogotá.
Serena eventually came across a sitting room and sat down on one of the couches in it. She was bored. She hated it here. All her friends were back home in D.C., but here she was in a foreign country, because her father wanted to keep his family together. Even though she was only five, Serena was able to understand most complicated things. In other words, the girl was brilliant. In times like those, it helped her pass the time her father and mother were in meetings, which was quite often. She taught herself how to do multiplication, read advanced books and novels, and start to teach herself sign language, though she believed that she wasn’t very good at it. All of this was under her parent’s radar, as almost every day, both had at least 5-6 meetings with each being 3-4 hours long. Like Serena’s father, Serena’s mother, was also dealing with the United States Government, however on a more espionage level. Serena’s mother was the current Director of the CIA and was dealing with tracking down the terrorists quietly. However, both worked in unison together, to try and minimize the threat.
Serena glanced out the window and looked at the scenery outside before a voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Are you ready to go Sweetie?” Her father’s voice began.
She immediately turned her head to the door, and saw her father standing in the doorway, with a warm facial expression.
Serena gave him a small nod, before getting off the couch. She willingly grabbed his hand as he escorted her down the hallway, through the living room, and into the car outside, where her mother was already waiting for them.
“Where were you?” Felicita asked, as she placed her right arm around her daughter.
“In the sitting room.” Serena nonchalantly answered.
“You know we have a meeting, Sera, we can’t leave you home alone.” Alexander replied who sat on the other side of her.
“I know.” Serena sighed, as the driver of the car began to drive away.
Watching the locals and houses go by, Serena couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if she were back home. Her family was there. Her friends were there. Her dog was there. Everything was there. Here, there was nothing but violence…at least in her mind. Pulling up to the Embassy, Serena grabbed her father’s hand as the three of them walked inside. Serena was immediately escorted to her father’s office…her usual hang-out spot when both of her parents were in meetings. She was given a bodyguard, Max was his name, who usually played games with her while both of her parents were gone. This day however, Serena felt like doing nothing…she felt tired.
Max, being the kind soul he was, read her a book that her father kept in his office for her, as she laid down on the couch. If she had one friend in Bogotá, it was Max…and only Max. After Max finished reading the story, Serena started to dose off. Eventually, she was awoken by a loud bang coming from outside her father’s office. Max, who was sitting right next to her on the couch, quickly stood up, and pulled out his gun.
He looked to Serena. “You stay right here. Don’t move, I’ll be right back.” He instructed.
Serena nodded, as Max drew his gun and opened the door. No sooner he opened the door, a loud bang was heard, and Max dropped to the floor. Blood was spilling out of his forehead, and his eyes and mouth were open in shock.
He was dead.
Serena still sat on the couch, almost frozen in her spot. She didn’t scream, she didn’t cry, she didn’t wail, she just sat there. Frozen in time. Almost like she couldn’t move. Max had just been killed before her very eyes, and she didn’t know how to feel. Within a few moments, strangers came into her father’s office, holding riffles and guns, Serena had only seen briefly in the TV shows and movies her father watched during his spare time.
One of the men went up to her.
“¿Quién es usted? (Who are you?)” The man asked.
Serena tilted her head to the side in confusion before the man pointed his gun at her making her shake in fear.
“¿Quién es usted? (WHO ARE YOU?)” He asked again, this time in a tone that meant I could kill you in two seconds.
“S-Ser-Serena.” Serena shakily replied. Due to the fact she spent almost a year in Columbia, she learned a tiny bit of Spanish.
“¿Quién? (Who?)” The man asked.
“SERENA ALEXANDRA DE FONTAINE PIERCE!” Serena screamed in fear with tears coming down her eyes.
The man smirked before gesturing to his colleagues to grab her. The other two men with him grabbed her by the arms, one on each arm, and practically dragged her out of her father’s office. Serena screamed in pain and agony but was reminded that she could die in a matter of moments as the man who questioned her pushed the gun against the back of her head. She was escorted into a large meeting room, where about 30 other people were there. She was the only child. She looked around the room for her parents, but neither were in sight. The two men pushed Serena to the ground, causing for some of the adults to protest. The man who questioned her just fired his gun at the ceiling, making everyone be quiet, before all three men walked out and locked the door.
Serena crawled into a corner, that was towards the back of the room, pulled her knees to her chest, and cried silently into her legs. She had no one. None of the adults knew who she was, which was surprising, but she wasn’t going to just tell them who she was. She was smarter than that. With all those books she read, she learned how to care for herself if she was ever alone. Hour’s past, and Serena eventually stopped crying, but she never stopped shaking. Sometimes, the terrorists would bring a new hostage into the room. Eventually, Serena started to time how long it took for the terrorists to come in and out. She counted about an hour in between check-ins. Going on hour 7, Serena was mentally and physically prepared for another hostage to come in, when suddenly, she heard loud bangs from outside the door, like the ones she heard when Max was killed in front of her. Petrified to see what was going to occur, she sunk back into the corner, as she felt tears well up into her eyes when the door to the room busted open. In came 6 men with riffles, though they weren’t aiming at the hostages.
“CLEAR!” One of them shouted.
In strolled a man, most likely in his mid-40s who also a riffle on his back and was wearing a leather jacket. Accompanying him was another man in his 30s also carrying a rifle, he was wearing a suit and tie.
“It’s alright everyone, we’re Americans!” The man in the suit began. “We’re friends.”
The hostages began to clear out, but Serena stayed in the corner, petrified with what was going to come next. She didn’t know if she could trust these people. The person she considered her only friend died before her very eyes.
“ALL CLEAR!” One of the soldiers shouted but the man in the leather jacket held a hand up, then pointed two Serena, who did not move from the corner.
“Sir, do you want us to…” The man in the suit began.
“I’ll handle this Coulson.” The man in leather began as he slowly began to walk toward Serena.
Eventually, when he was a few feet away from her, he slowly crouched down to communicate with her.
“Hi, do you mind if I sit here?” He asked calmly.
Serena didn’t move, she just looked at him with wide eyes.
The man nodded before slowly sitting on the ground.
“My name’s Nick, what’s yours?” He asked in the same calm tone.
Serena started to shake and when Nick reached out a hand to comfort the small girl, she flinched.
“It’s ok, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m here to help you.” He explained.
“I’m…Serena.” She said slowly still not knowing if she could trust the man.
He smiled warmly at her. “It’s nice to meet you, Serena. Your Mommy and Daddy are worried about you.”
“Are they like Max?” She asked carefully.
“Who’s Max?” Nick asked cautiously, not wanting to cause the girl to go into a catatonic state.
“Max was my friend…he died in front of me, about…7 hours ago.” She explained.
“How do you know he died 7 hours ago?” Nick questioned.
She shrugged. “I timed it. Every hour, on the hour, the bad people would bring in another hostage.”
Nick smiled at her in amazement. “You’re very smart for your age.”
She smiled. The first real smile she gave all day. “I read a lot. I’m even teaching myself sign language from a book my mom has.”
“Very impressive.” He replied. “Your parents are waiting outside for you; would you like to see them. I promise they are not like Max.”
Serena held out her pinky. “Promise?”
Nick’s pinky wrapped around hers. “I promise.”
Nick helped Serena stand up, before picking her up to carry the small girl out of the building. As Nick began to carry her out, Serena glanced over his soldier to see all the dead bodies behind them.
“Hey Nick?” She asked.
“Yes Serena?” He replied.
“Are you a good guy?” She bluntly asked.
He chuckled. “I am. I saved your parents, and you today, though your Daddy won’t be happy with it.”
“Why?” She asked in confusion.
“Because I went against his orders.” He explained.
Upon approaching the door to the outside. Serena could hear her father shouting. Something he did on rare occasions.
“WHERE THE HELL IS FURY, COULSON? I NEED TO KNOW! IF MY DAUGHTER IS DEAD BECAUSE OF FURY, I WILL…” She heard her father scream.
Just as he was about to finish the sentence, Fury, carrying Serena came out of the building. As soon as Serena laid her eyes on her father and mother, she practically jumped out of Nick’s arms and ran to them. They engulfed her into a big hug.
“Serena, you’re ok.” Her mother began as she stroked her daughters long brown hair. As Felicita looked over her daughter’s facial expression, her once lively green eyes were now flooded with redness from her tears. Unlike her father, Serena inherited her mother’s features, hence why she isn’t a blonde with blue eyes.
“I’m happy you’re both ok.” Serena said with her lip trembling.
“We’re ok, sweetheart.” Alexander began pulling his daughter into another hug. “We’re ok.”
Alexander stood up, picking up Serena with him. With his one free hand, he shook Nick’s hand.
“Thank you, Fury, for rescuing my daughter.” He began.
“We truly can’t thank you enough.” Felicita explained.
“The pleasure is all mine, but you should enroll your daughter in some advanced education…the girl is more talented than you think.” Fury explained making all three Pierce’s look at each other in amazement.
Chapter 1
January 14th, 2007
Location: New York, New York
“Can you watch where you’re going, I can’t see shit!” Val explained as she and her husband, Everett walked into the dark lights of Carnegie Hall.
“It’s not my fault you took so long.” Everett began in annoyance.
“Well excuse me for wanting to look nice for my favorite and only niece’s ballet recital.” Val protested as she walked down the row to see her sister waiting for them.
“About time you both show up!” Felicita said in annoyance. “You made it by, two minutes.”
Everett pointed to Val. “Blame her, she changed her outfit 5 times.”
Val rolled her eyes. “Blame him, he took the long way.”
She then quickly glanced around before turning to her sister.
“Where’s Alex?” She asked.
Felicita shrugged. “On a work call, he said it’ll be short.”
Just as Val was about to reply, the orchestra began to play, and the lights became even dimmer. The curtain opened revealing various people dressed in white. It was Swan Lake.
“What part is she playing again?” Everett began.
“Odette you moron.” Val said with an annoyed sigh before whispering to her sister. “Sometimes, I don’t know how I married that fool.”
“I can hear you!” Everett practically yelled in a whispered tone.
After being shushed by both his wife and sister-in-law, Everett became quiet as Alex practically ran back to his seat.
“Did I miss it yet?” He asked his wife.
She shook her head. “No, but she’s coming on soon. Please don’t make me scold you like I just scolded them.” She gestured to Val and Everett.
“She’s been scolding me since the day I was born.” Val said with an eyeroll.
Just as Alex was about to reply, Serena gracefully entered the stage, dressed in her all-white swan costume, signifying that she was playing Odette.
“Oh, there she is!” Felicita said in excitement as she pulled out her camera.
“This is the deciding factor for Julliard, right?” Everett asked his wife.
“Yes, now shut up!” Val shushed pulling out her own camera to capture the recital.
Serena, being quite the prodigy she was, was an extremely good dancer. So good, that many arts schools came her way over the course of her being in High School. Her dream school, however, was Julliard. All she wanted was to get into Julliard, and then into the American Ballet Theatre.
Her parents, aunt, and uncle, all marveled at how flawlessly she danced through the night. However, just as everything was going well…it all came crashing down. Just as Serena was finishing her final number, the Grand Finale of Swan Lake where Odette jumps off the cliff, just as she was running up the disguised stairs to jump and signify her entrance and attendance to Julliard, it all came crashing down. Just as she was about to climb the last step, her ballet shoe, which was broken down, slid off her foot, causing her to slide down the stairs. At that moment, the orchestra cut the music, and the entire cast and crew went to help the girl who was screaming in pain.
A million things were going through her mind. The main being, she just blew her chances of getting into Julliard. Within a matter of minutes, Serena was whisked away to the hospital where they informed her that she was going to need an operation on her ankle, and leg, and that because of the way she fell, she would never be able to dance professionally. Serena cried in agony. Everything she worked for, everything she trained so hard for, just went down the drain. Her mother and aunt were sitting in the room with her when the news broke, to try and console the girl.
“It’s their loss.” Val began. “They can kiss your ass. You were the best Odette I’ve ever seen.”
Felicita hugged her daughter, along her to cry into her shoulder. “It’s ok, sweetie. It’ll all be ok.”
“It won’t be!” Serena cried pulling away from her mother. “Everything I trained for, is gone. I’m worthless.”
“You know who’s worthless…Julliard!” Val interrupted getting a glare from both her sister and niece.
“I feel…empty.” Serena explained as she started straight in front of her.
Just then Val’s phone rang, making her groan in annoyance.
“Sorry it’s work.” She explained before picking up the phone and walking out of the room. “This is Agent de Fontaine.”
Her mother, her aunt, and uncle worked for the CIA, with her mother being the director, and the other two being high ranking individuals as well. Just as Val left the room, Serena perked up.
“That’s it.” She whispered.
“That’s what, Honey?” Her mother asked.
“You guys always said, I’m too smart for my age, right?” Serena began.
“Right.” Her mother nodded.
“And that I can do anything if I put my mind to it, right?” She continued.
Her mother nodded again. “Where are you going with this?’
Serena smiled. “I want to join the CIA.”
Felicita’s eyes widened. On one hand she felt honored and pride that her daughter was going to follow in her family’s footsteps and join the CIA, but on another hand all she could remember was Bogotá. Just as she was about to reply, Val walked back into the room.
“Sorry, I’m getting assigned to a new student to mentor. What’d I miss?” She asked as she sat down in the chair and drank from her water bottle.
“I’m joining the CIA.” Serena firmly stated causing Val to spit out her water.
“What?” Val asked in disbelief looking to Felicita.
“I am in just as much shock as you are.” Felicita explained. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” Serena asked in confusion.
“Because all I keep thinking about is Bogata. You have a target on your back Serena. With your last name, and mine, you are a walking target.” Felicita explained.
“Unless one of us trains her, so she isn’t a target.” Val interrupted.
“What do you mean?” Felicita and Serena asked at the same time.
Val sighed. “If Everett and I train her, both of our knowledge can pass onto her, and she will be able to succeed as one of their most successful agents. I can make it so that no one could touch her…I could make it so that no one would touch her ever again.”
Felicita sighed before looking back to her daughter.
“Please Mom.” Serena begged.
Felicita sighed, knowing she wouldn’t win this battle before she nodded. “Ok, you can join, on one condition.”
Serena nodded hesitantly.
“You will eventually work for S.H.I.E.L.D.” She explained.
Serena nodded quickly before throwing her arms around her mother.
“I love you, Mom.” She explained.
“I love you too.” Felicita replied.
“And I feel left out.” Val said interrupting the mother-daughter duo. “We start your training after your leg is healed. Be warned, I won’t go easy on you, I’m going to treat you like every other agent.”
“I’m ready.” Serena replied with a small smile.
Val was right. The day she was cleared and officially healed, was the day training began and she was right, her and Everett didn’t go easy on Serena. In fact, they were ten times harder on her than they were with every other agent. Why? Because they knew she could do great things. Within a few months, Serena excelled at every test the duo threw at her, to the point where she graduated early from the CIA Academy and was thrown directly into the field. She became quickly known around the CIA as ‘The Viper’. Why? Well, on her first few field assignments, she tended to draw-in her victims and or associates, before attacking them to get what she wants. Hence why she was called The Viper. Serena was smart. Too smart. Too smart for anything the CIA offered her, which is why at 25, she got offered a position working at S.H.I.E.L.D., making her one of the youngest ever to be offered a position as a Field Agent on the STRIKE and INSIGHT Team. She got offered this position not by her father, who at this point was head of The World Security Council, but by the director of S.H.I.E.L.D himself, Nick Fury.
The man had become almost like an uncle to her since their meeting in Bogotá, and in the blink of an eye, Serena accepted the offer. While she knew leaving behind her mother, aunt, and uncle at the CIA was sad, she remembered the promise she made to her mother upon joining the CIA, that she would eventually join S.H.I.E.L.D. Her father, was rather pleased that she finally came to her senses and joined S.H.I.E.L.D. but all Serena could think about in the back of her mind, was if she was going to fit in being a legacy. All she wanted to do, was make her parents proud. All she wanted, was to do her country proud. All she wanted, was to make herself proud. All she ever wanted, was to be something great, and with her new chances at S.H.I.E.L.D. she hoped that she would be able to do it justice.