Tony's POV

"How does this keep happening? Friday, make sure all of our databases are re-encoded with a different coding system." I run my fingers through my hair. "And update all of the firewalls."

I get to work on trying to figure out who this hacker is but have no luck, it's like they're a ghost.

"Again?" The star spangled man walks into the lab.

"Don't start." I point at him with a glare on my face.

He throws his hands up in defense. "Whoever this guy is, he's good."

I take a sip of my whiskey and sit back in my chair. For the past eight months some jerk-off hacker has been infiltrating my databases. Nothing is ever stolen or deleted, at least not that I know of. Come to think of it, he could've copied everything without Friday even detecting it, that's how good he is.

A loud siren goes off in the compound, causing Steve and I to jump to our feet. We rush upstairs to see what's going on and find the others in the conference room.

"What's going on?" Steve practically kicks the door down.

"We found the location of whoever's been hacking into our systems." Fury states. I feel tense up at the mention of the topic.

"Wait, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s databases have been compromised too?" Natasha asks. Fury sighs as he nods.

"Well where is the bastard?" I ask, itching to give him a piece of my mind.

"That's the strange part. According to our tracking system it says he's in S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters." Agent Maria Hill explains as she pulls up the location on the screens in the room.

"Don't tell me there's a double-agent situation again." Steve groans.

"I'm not sure what the issue is. This is the most information we've gotten on the guy so far." Agent Coulson pats Steve on the back to calm him.

"Why do you all keep assuming that it's a guy?" Wanda asks.

Fury and I look at each other and let out a soft chuckle. "To be smarter than Stark, you either have to be his father or his son."

"Well we should come up with a name for this person either way, so we all know who we're talking about." Bucky says. It makes sense that he'd be the one to say this as he's still trying to figure his own life out.

"What about Shadow?" Bruce suggests.

Alexandra's POV

"Shadow?" I scoff quietly. "What a great name."

Men are so stupid. Only Stark's father or son could be this capable, huh? They'll never suspect an orphanage-raised girl to be the one messing with them.

"Got it sir, we'll lockdown the premises immediately." I hear an agent say as they walk by my desk.

I spin in my chair to turn back to my computer. I was hired at S.H.I.E.L.D. as Nick Fury's personal secretary, which means taking and redirecting calls, firing people, sitting in on interviews, and handling meetings when Fury is otherwise occupied--which isn't very often. Basically, I don't have many responsibilities. I usually sit around and play on my computer, which is what led to me hacking into different systems for fun. I never do any damage, but I do leave a little mark to let them know that I was there. I guess my signature will have to change from a basic kissy face to a shadowy figure. Looks like I have my project for tomorrow.

Assuming that Fury will be back soon, I end the eavesdropping session and casually log out of my computer. Whenever I do the hacking bit, I encrypt my screen so that the higher-ups can't see what I'm actually doing. Instead they just see a normal home-screen playing solitaire.

"Alright agents. Front and center." The man himself demands as he walks into the building, as expected. What I did not expect was for the Captain to be with him. I take a sip of my tea as I lean back in my chair.

Fury does his whole 'intimidating boss agent that will hunt you and your family down if he finds out you're behind this' rant to the agents lined up in front of him.

Lucky for me, I've never had any family. My father died before I was born and my mother died during childbirth.. At least that's what I was told. When I was younger I used to be super sensitive about family and wanting to be adopted and loved but now I realize that I'm the only one I need, the only one who will truly have my own back.

I watch the worried reactions of each agent as Fury lectures them, the sweat rolling down their foreheads, the glances around the room, the creases in their foreheads, the trembling hands. I can't help but stifle a chuckle, which unfortunately catches the attention of Captain America.

"Why isn't this one lined up with the rest of them?" He asks Fury, his face stern and out for blood.

"Who? Alex?" Fury lets out a breathy laugh. "She's not an agent, she's just a secretary. Trust me, she has no technological capabilities passed those used to answer calls and send emails."

"Oh.. I.. S-Sorry." The Captain trips on his own tongue as he speaks.

I roll my eyes and take another sip of my tea as Fury dismisses the agents. The two men make their way passed my desk and into Fury's office, not bothering to close the door.

"Alex!" I hear my name called from inside the room.

I roll my chair over to the doorway and pop my head in. "Yes sir?"

"Come in and close the door please." He says. I roll myself into the room and close the door with my foot before turning to face them.

I notice Steve's amusement at my entrance but ignore his stare until he speaks up. "I think we got off on the wrong foot. I'm Steve Rogers." He holds his hand out.

I give him a small smile as I shake his hand "Alexandra." Steve furrows his eyebrows as he looks at Fury. "No last name, if that's what you're wondering." I chuckle. "What can I do for you gentlemen?" I cross my legs and set my mug down on the corner of Fury's desk.

"I have a favor to ask of you." Fury sits forward. "You get on well with everyone here, I'd like you to keep tabs on anyone who seems... suspicious."

"Suspicious?" I ask, he nods. "In which ways, sir?"

"Just.. Disloyalty, leaving early or arrive late, sneaking off anywhere.. Things like that." He says vaguely.

"Sure thing. Is that all?" I ask, Fury nods. I turn in my chair and wheel out of the room, closing the door behind me. This is going to be fun.