STRIKE Team Omega

Chapter 40: Love Blooms

The month of May 2004 began with a relatively calm rhythm at the Triskelion. Operations were more spaced out, and the agents took advantage of the time to recover and train. John, however, seemed oblivious to the daily hustle and bustle. Although he was, as always, focused on his team and his responsibilities, something new caught his attention: the rumors about Sharon Carter.

It was beginning to circulate that Sharon, Peggy's niece, was dating a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, something that surprised John, but in a positive way. Sharon had always been a reserved person, focused on her work, and he had never seen her with the soft and loving gaze that many commented on. For John, this was good. He had always seen her as a little sister, someone he admired and liked to take care of. Now, knowing that she was starting a relationship, he felt he should make sure that the man was worthy of her.

One sunny morning, John decided that he needed to talk to Sharon. He found her in the cafeteria, chatting with some of her colleagues. Sharon was dressed in her field uniform, her blonde hair tied back in a ponytail. When she saw him, she waved with a smile.

"John! What a surprise to see you here so early." Sharon said, smiling as she stood up to greet him.

"I needed to meet you. I've been hearing some rumors… It seems like there's someone new in your life." John said, with a curious but affectionate look.

Sharon smiled, a little shyly, but her eyes sparkled.

"Oh… So you've heard?" She said, crossing her arms, as if she was trying to protect herself from the jokes she knew were coming.

John laughed, crossing his arms too and leaning against the wall.

"Of course I've heard. There are no secrets in the Triskelion. But I'm happy for you, Sharon. You deserve to be happy." He said, sincerely.

Sharon relaxed a little, grateful for the support.

"Thank you, John. He's a good man. He's been working here for a while, but we only really started talking in the last few weeks. Things are going well…" She said, smiling softly.

John, however, tilted his head, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Well, you know I'm going to have to talk to him, right? That 'big brother' thing… I have to approve of this guy." He said, laughing, but making it clear that, on some level, he was serious.

Sharon laughed, knowing that John had always been a little protective of her.

"Oh, I knew you would. But it's okay. He's stronger than he looks, I think he'll survive a conversation with you." She said jokingly.

"I'll take it easy, I promise. I just want to make sure he knows that if he hurts you, he'll have to deal with me." John winked at her, but with a seriousness that indicated he was concerned for her well-being.

"I know you'll take care of me, John. And I really appreciate that. But trust me, he's different. — Sharon said, her tone more serious now, making it clear that she was genuinely happy with the relationship.

John nodded, realizing that he didn't need to worry so much.

"Okay, Sharon. If you trust him, I will too. But I still want to meet him. Let's set up something, a dinner or something." — He suggested.

Sharon agreed, nodding.

"You'll be fine, I'll talk to him. Maybe at the end of the week?" — She asked.

"Perfect. I'm looking forward to meeting him." — John said, with a friendly smile.

A few days passed, and the dinner was set. John arrived at the small restaurant chosen by Sharon, who was dressed casually but still imposing with his military bearing. Upon entering, he saw Sharon and her boyfriend already seated at the table. The boyfriend was a man in his thirties, well-dressed and pleasant-looking. He had the typical bearing of a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, but there was a kindness in his eyes that immediately caught John's attention.

"John, this is Daniel. Daniel, this is John, a long-time friend and someone I consider family." Sharon introduced with a nervous smile.

John extended his hand, and Daniel stood to greet him.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Captain Hawke. Sharon has told me a lot about you," Daniel said, shaking John's hand firmly.

"It's my pleasure, Daniel. And please, call me John. So, I heard that you and Sharon have been seeing each other for a while now." — John began, keeping his tone light, but with his eyes attentive to Daniel's every reaction.

"Yes, we started dating a few weeks ago. I really admire her a lot. She's... well, you know. An incredible woman." — Daniel replied, looking at Sharon fondly.

John watched the way Daniel spoke, and was impressed. He seemed genuine, and that was enough to make John relax a little.

"That she is. I just want to make sure you understand what you're taking on. Sharon is like a sister to me, so I expect you to treat her with the respect she deserves." — John said, looking directly at Daniel.

Daniel nodded, without hesitation.

"I completely understand, John. And you can be sure that I won't let her down. I have a lot of respect for Sharon and the work she does. I know how much she means to you and to S.H.I.E.L.D." — Daniel said sincerely.

Sharon, next to him, was visibly relieved. The conversation was flowing well, and John seemed to be accepting of Daniel. Dinner continued with laughter and more conversation, and by the end, John felt he could trust this man.

"Well, Daniel, you passed the test," John said with a smile at the end of dinner.

Daniel laughed, relieved.

"That's good to hear. I appreciate it, John. I hope I can prove it in time," he replied, extending his hand for one last handshake.

"I'm sure you will," John said, shaking Daniel's hand firmly.

When dinner was over, John walked with Sharon to the parking lot. The night was quiet, and the light wind blew as they walked side by side.

"I'm happy for you, Sharon. He seems like a good man," John said, as he looked out over the horizon.

Sharon smiled, a gleam of happiness in her eyes.

"Thank you, John. I knew you would like him," she said, as she looked at John.

"Yes, I did. But more importantly, you seem happy." That's all that matters to me. — He replied, stopping to look at her with a sincere smile.

Sharon nodded, grateful for John's approval and for having such a solid support in her life.

"Well, I'll let you rest. I'm sure the Triskelion won't explode without you, but it's better not to risk it, right?" — Sharon joked, giving John a light push.

John laughed, shaking his head.

"Yeah, I think I'd better get back. If you need me for anything, you know where to find me." — He said, saying goodbye with a brotherly hug.

As John walked back to the Triskelion, he reflected on how things were changing around him. Sharon was happy, his team was solid, and he felt that, despite the challenges, everything was going as it should. Life, although full of uncertainties, seemed to be on the right track.

Chapter 41: A Visit to Peggy

It was a June morning in 2004 when John, finally off duty after weeks of intense operations, decided to visit his old friend and mentor, Peggy. John always felt inspired after spending time with her.

Driving down the road to the nursing home, John reflected on the impact Peggy had had on his life. From the beginning, she had been more than a mentor; she had been a moral compass to him, always ready to guide him through uncertain times. And lately, with the changes in his life and his transition to S.H.I.E.L.D., he felt that her visits were more necessary than ever.

Arriving, John walked through the gates and greeted the reception staff, who had come to know him well.

Going up to Peggy's room, John knocked softly on the door before entering. She was sitting in a chair by the window, the soft sunlight illuminating her gray hair. Upon seeing him, a smile lit up Peggy's face.

"John, my dear! I was wondering when you'd come visit me again." Peggy's voice was still firm, despite her age.

John smiled and approached, leaning in to kiss her forehead before sitting in the chair next to her.

"I've been on a few missions in the last few months, Peggy. But you know I always come back to visit my favorite mentor." He replied, winking at her.

Peggy laughed lightly, adjusting the shawl over her shoulders.

"How are things at S.H.I.E.L.D.? I heard your team has been featured in many operations." She asked, her tone showing genuine curiosity.

John sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"Yes, we're doing well. Fury and Maria have been putting us on high-risk missions, but the team is solid. We're well trained and always ready for whatever comes our way." He said, without exaggeration, but with pride in his tone.

Peggy watched him with a warm gaze.

"You've always been like this, John. Always leading, always looking out for your men. That's something that never changes," she said softly.

John smiled, silently thanking her for the compliment, but quickly changed the subject with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"By the way, I had a little chat with Sharon's boyfriend recently," he began, trying to sound serious, but the teasing was clear in his voice.

Peggy raised an eyebrow, interested.

"Oh, so you found out about her new romance yet? I was waiting to hear your opinion on it. And of course, I knew you'd want to play big brother." She said with a knowing smile.

John laughed.

"Of course! I can't let my 'little sister' go out with just anyone, can I? So I arranged a dinner with them. And honestly, the guy is nice. I was ready to intimidate him a little, but he was respectful and seems to really like her." — John said, remembering the interaction with Daniel.

Peggy looked at him with a warm look.

— I imagine he must have been a little nervous with your presence. It's not just anyone who faces John Hawke, the super soldier, at a dinner table. — She joked.

— Oh, I made sure to mention that! I gave that classic 'if you hurt Sharon, you'll have to deal with me' speech. But he seemed genuine to me, Peggy. I'm happy for her. — John replied, with a satisfied smile.

Peggy nodded, her eyes becoming a little distant for a moment, as if she were remembering her own youth.

— She deserves to be happy, just like you, John. And I feel at ease knowing that you're around to take care of her. Sharon has always been a strong woman, but it's good to know that she has someone like you looking out for her. — She said, her voice soft, but full of emotion.

John held her hand, feeling the strength that still existed in the woman he admired so much.

— You taught me to take care of those I love, Peggy. And I will never forget that. — He answered sincerely.

There was a brief silence between them, the kind of comfortable silence that only exists between two people who share a deep connection. John watched Peggy for a moment, noticing how, despite her advanced age, her eyes still shone with a fierce determination. She might not be that active S.H.I.E.L.D. agent anymore, but her spirit remained unshakable.

"What about you, Peggy? How are you feeling?" John asked, concerned for her health.

Peggy sighed softly, adjusting herself in her chair.

"I'm fine, John. My body may not be what it used to be, but my mind is still here, ready to give advice to young hardheads like you." She said with a smile.

John chuckled, shaking his head.

"I appreciate that, and you know I'll always need your advice. Even though you're 'super,' I still have a lot to learn." He replied, his admiration for her clear in his voice.

Peggy stared out the window for a moment, watching the trees sway gently in the wind. When she turned her gaze back to John, there was a seriousness in her eyes that he didn't see often.

"John, you're on a dangerous path. Being a leader, especially one with your skills, means that people will expect the impossible from you. They will demand more than you can sometimes give." She began, her voice firm but full of compassion. "I know you want to save everyone, but remember that even the best soldier needs help from time to time. Don't let the burden of responsibility take you so much that you forget about yourself."

John listened intently, absorbing every word. He knew Peggy was speaking from experience, and her words resonated deeply with the very feelings he was trying to ignore.

"I try to remember that, Peggy. Sometimes it's hard… I feel like I have to always be one step ahead, always protecting everyone around me. But I promise I'll remember to take care of myself too," he replied sincerely.

Peggy smiled, pleased with the answer.

"I know you will. And if you ever need a reminder, I'm here, even if it's just for a chat." She said, giving John's hand a light squeeze.

They continued talking for a while longer, sharing stories and laughing about old memories. For John, these moments were precious. Each visit to Peggy was a way to recharge his strength, to remember who he really was, beyond the soldier.

When the sun began to set, John stood up, ready to say goodbye.

"Well, it's time for me to go back, but I promise I won't take so long to visit next time." He said, leaning over to give Peggy another kiss on the forehead.

"I'll hold you to that. And take care of yourself, John. And, of course, take care of Sharon." Peggy said with a smile, waving as he left.

As John walked towards the exit, he felt a lightness in his chest. Peggy's words echoed in his mind, and he knew he could always count on her to remind him of what really mattered in life.

Chapter 42: Strike Team Alpha Arrives

It was early July 2004 when John received word that a new special operations team, called Strike Team Alpha, was being formed by S.H.I.E.L.D.. While it was common for new teams to be created as the organization expanded its capabilities, there was something about this team in particular that made John uneasy. Fury himself had broken the news to him, and the warning came with a cautious tone, as if the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. was anticipating potential trouble.

Strike Team Omega, led by John, was highly respected for its accomplishments. Each mission the team completed not only enhanced its reputation, but also demonstrated the impact of a well-trained and cohesive special operations team. But the arrival of Strike Team Alpha, led by Brock Rumlow, brought a new dynamic to the environment.

That day, Strike Team Omega was at the training ground, practicing a complex hostage rescue simulation. At the end of the session, the men headed to the S.H.I.E.L.D. base's mess hall, where they would eventually meet the members of the new team for the first time. As they entered the mess hall, they spotted a group of unfamiliar soldiers at one of the tables, laughing and talking loudly, clearly trying to show that they were the "confident newbies" in the place.

John entered first, with his imposing presence and straight posture, followed by his men. He recognized who they were immediately. The man in the center of the group stood out, Brock Rumlow, the leader of Alpha, and at his side, Jack Rollins, his second-in-command.

John approached the table where the Strike Team Alpha men were sitting, his eyes attentive to Brock and Rollins, who immediately noticed his presence.

"So, you're the famous John Hawke?" Brock said, his voice full of arrogance, as he stood up. He was a man of average height to tall, with a hardened countenance, the kind of person who exuded exaggerated self-confidence. John stared at him for a moment before answering.

"And you must be Brock Rumlow. I heard your team was recently formed. How are things going?" John replied, keeping his tone calm but firm.

Brock smirked, crossing his arms as he looked John up and down, as if he were evaluating him.

"Things are great. But don't worry, we're not here to take your place. We just wanted to bring more action to this show." He said, with a teasing half-smile.

Jack Rollins, who was standing next to Brock, chuckled softly, echoing the teasing.

"It's good to have competition, isn't it? Let's see who really deserves the title of best team in S.H.I.E.L.D." Rollins said, his voice full of malice.

John kept his composure. He knew he was dealing with two men who, for some reason, seemed to have a taste for rivalry rather than teamwork. It bothered him deeply. S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't supposed to be about egos or internal competition, but about protecting the world from real threats. However, John's instincts told him there was something off about Brock and Rollins.

"We're not here for titles or competition," John said, his tone now more serious. "What matters is that we get the job done and protect those in need. I hope your team understands that."

The smile on Brock's face disappeared briefly before returning with an intensity that seemed false.

"Sure, sure, we know how this works. But still, it'll be interesting to see how things play out," Brock replied, his tone slightly condescending.

John didn't let the teasing affect him. He knew when someone was trying to unsettle him, and he wasn't going to fall for it. He nodded slightly and took a step back.

"Good luck, Rumlow." I hope your team is up to the task. — He said before turning to his men, who were watching the interaction closely.

As John walked back to his table with Strike Team Omega, he could feel Brock and Rollins's eyes on his back. One of his teammates finally spoke after a few seconds of silence.

"That Brock is an asshole," he said, not hiding the disdain in his voice. "I don't trust that guy one bit."

John let out a sigh and shook his head.

"Neither do I. But for now, they're another S.H.I.E.L.D. team, and until they prove otherwise, we need to treat them as such." — He replied, keeping his tone professional, but clear enough for his men to understand what he felt.

"But they're going to get into some trouble, I bet. And we're the ones who'll have to deal with it." — Another member of the team added, as he picked up a plate of food.

John nodded, sitting down with his men and keeping a discreet eye on Alpha's table. He could tell something was wrong with Brock and Rollins and the rest of the men on that team. There was a certain aggressiveness in their behavior, something that did not match the ideals of S.H.I.E.L.D. They seemed more interested in gaining power and recognition than actually fulfilling their mission of protecting the world.

The day went by without major incidents, but the tension between the two teams was palpable from that moment on. In the days that followed, Alpha and Omega crossed paths on several occasions, training together, briefings and even meetings at the shooting range. The competitiveness of Brock Rumlow and his team was evident, and this only increased John's distrust.

During one of these meetings, while practicing hand-to-hand combat in the base's dojo, John noticed that Brock tried to use the training as a way to measure strength. At one point, the two ended up face to face, and Brock clearly put more intensity into the fight than necessary.

"You're taking this too seriously, Rumlow," John said, after blocking a series of particularly aggressive blows.

"I'm just seeing what you're made of, Hawke. I mean, everyone talks so much about you, but I wanted to see for myself," Brock replied, his arrogant smile never leaving his face.

John stepped back, taking a deep breath. He didn't want to play along with Brock, but he was starting to wonder if there was something more behind this behavior. Something he couldn't see yet.

After that day, John had a private conversation with Fury, expressing his concerns about Strike Team Alpha.

"Fury, these guys… especially Rumlow and Rollins… They don't seem aligned with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s ideals," John said, as he stood in the director's office.

Nick Fury, always attentive and meticulous, listened to John's words carefully.

— I noticed a few things too, Hawke. But for now, they're doing their job. Keep an eye on them. If you notice anything out of place, I want to know immediately. — Fury replied with his usually cold tone, but one that showed confidence in John.

"Of course. I'll keep an eye on it." John replied, already determined not to let his guard down in relation to Alpha.

The following days continued with this latent tension between the two teams, but Strike Team Omega remained focused on their missions. However, John knew that the rivalry between him and Brock was just the surface of something much deeper. And deep down, he feared that, at some point, it could explode in a way that they couldn't control.

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