This is also posted to my other penname L1av over at AO3. Hope you enjoy!

The Soldier sat there, feeling his muscles tense and pull and jerk as he thought back to the man on the bridge. 'I knew him. I knew him. I knew him.' He rocked back and forth in sharp, jerky, short motions, feeling his toes curl. The scientists around him hovered like bees, but they were too afraid he'd swat. He had just shoved one of them against the wall… He was so far in his head, thinking desperately about the man he'd seen. The blonde hair, the jaw line; it was all so familiar. 'I knew him. I knew him.'

Pierce came in, analyzing the situation briefly before sitting in front of the Asset. He showed no fear in his eyes despite the pleadings of the others. The Asset's gaze briefly scanned the armed men that had their guns pointed directly at him. As if they could take him down… He was almost insulted.

Pierce looked at him with determined, confident eyes. "Mission report," he demanded.

The Asset didn't answer. 'I knew him. I knew him. I knew him.'

"Mission report. Now," Pierce pointedly demanded.

'I knew him. I knew him. I knew him. I knew him.'

Pierce stood in front of him, but the Soldier couldn't see his face. He was lost in thoughts of murky dreams and…memories? Were these memories?

A sharp slap stung the side of his face. He blinked, seeming to come more into the present; his eyes sharpening to what was going on before him.

"The man on the bridge," he said with a low, raspy voice. "…Who was he?"

Pierce looked like he didn't want to answer the question. "You met him earlier this week on another assignment," he stated; hands resting on his knees as he leaned forward.

Just this week? He looked more familiar than that, like the kind of person you grew up with and stayed friends with forever. He had that kind of face. The Asset could feel it. It radiated in his bones like a hollow hum.

"I knew him," he finally stated out loud.

It was then that Pierce took a seat in front of him. "Your work has been a gift to mankind," Pierce said.

The Soldier leaned his head forward, feeling his back muscles twitch as he desperately tried to picture the blonde man once more. He had nice eyes.

"You shaped the century," Pierce continued. "And I need you to do it- one more time."

The Asset didn't entirely believe that. One more time? There was always one more time. He was sure he'd heard that line before. It was a cruel fate, getting your memories wiped every now and then. He didn't know how many missions he'd had, but he knew he had a lot. He didn't know how old he was, but he knew he wasn't from this time. He knew each time when they'd clear his head. That memory was imprinted on his very brain. Each time…he knew he'd lost more of himself.

"Society's at a tipping point between order and chaos," Pierce said, continuing his speech. The Asset wasn't really listening though. He was still thinking about that man on the bridge. "Tomorrow morning we're going to give it a push." He paused. "But- if you don't do your part, I can't do mine."

He finally nodded, listening to Pierce's words.

"And HYDRA can't give the world the freedom, it deserves."

He started to falter back, thinking of those blue eyes. He had known those eyes once; intimately, back and forth. He could have probably could told you the amount of dark blue specks that dotted around the pupils. "But I knew him…" He knew this was it. Too much memory recovery and it was always back to square one; memory wipe. He knew they couldn't let him remember. He was against this man, this man that he'd known so well in a time he couldn't remember, in a place he couldn't see. He pursed his lips, knowing what was going to come next.

Pierce sighed. His face relaxed into thought as he stood up. "Prep him."

The Asset raised his brow. He knew it.

A scientist hesitantly said, "H-he's been out of cryo freeze too long."

"Then wipe him, and start over," Pierce ordered, his eyes void of any sympathy.

The Asset could feel his face contorting into anguish. He didn't want this. He wanted to remember. If he was just allowed to remember! He could maybe make the man on the bridge see differently. Come to HYDRA. If he could just be allowed to remember! It was so close. It was on the tip of his tongue and if he could just have a little more time…he'd know that man again. He knew he would!

The scientist began preparing the machine he sat in front for the wipe. He wanted to stand up. He wanted to crush their throats and lunge at Pierce. He wanted to bite into his throat and watch the blood gush out like a hot, thick water fountain. But he didn't. He felt his muscles begin to finally relax as his mind reminded him of his place. He wasn't a person. He wasn't human. He was a weapon, and he was theirs to command. So he let them push him back. He didn't resist. He took the mouth guard, though his eyes were anything but obedient, and breathed in deep as he waited for whatever came next. He never remembered what came next. He only remembered what HYDRA programmed him to remember; who they were, what they stood for, what he was to them, and all the training he'd undergone throughout the long years. That always stayed, but the memories, the eyes he caught, the faces he saw, the things he once was…those were all gone. He yelped as he heard the machine come to life, detesting how afraid he felt. He watched as the metal closed in on his face and then… black.

"What now, sir?" Rumlow asked. Pierce turned toward him, looking back over his shoulder just briefly as he listened to Barnes' screaming.

"Captain Rogers is an enemy of HYDRA," he began. "It's best we do something about it."

"We tried," Rumlow said, following behind Pierce as they walked through the bank's basement. "The man's a machine."

"He's not a machine," Pierce said, turning to face Rumlow in the elevator. "He's a weapon. Just like Barnes."

Rumlow furrowed his brow. "So you're saying…"

"The Asset has always been our best assassin. It's time we see him in espionage. You'll be briefed in the morning."

"You're gunna let him remember Cap?" Rumlow asked, flabbergasted.

"No. I'm going to tell him he knew him."

Pierce walked out of the elevator, a fox's smile on his face. He was sure Rumlow was standing there, dumbfounded and slack jawed. Hell, if someone was telling Pierce all this, he'd probably get confused too. Captain America was a force, a national treasure. If he could get him into Red Room, HYDRA could control the world.

Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer, they say.

His head was throbbing. He tried to open his eyes but the light seared into his retinas, surging a painful shockwave through his body. Where was he? Who was he? He started to breathe heavily, whimpering as he saw the steel restraints on his arms. His metal arm? Was that normal? He started to shout.

"He's awake!" a man with a bow tie said, rushing over to the man's side. "The Asset's awake!"

"Call Pierce," another ordered, going to a computer nearby "The Asset's" head. Why was he an Asset? Was that his name?

One of the men placed a hand on his shoulder, "Calm down, you're safe. You'll start to r-remember in a second. Just breathe." The man looked over his shoulder at some readings on another computer screen.

Oh…there it was… The Asset started to calm down, feeling the trickle of his programmed memories return. Ghost story. Assassin. HYDRA's best kept secret. His left hook is meaner than his right, but his left leg is shit compared to his right… HYDRA. Okay… yes he knew this. This was familiar. He snapped his eyes open, trying desperately to remember why they'd wiped him again. He'd started to remember something outside of the programming. 'No, no, no, what was it, what was it, what was it?!'

He couldn't remember, it was just a thick, murky black pit in the back of his head and each time he tried to access it, a surge of pain radiated from his brain stem down into his toes. He hissed at the feeling.

"You need to let your mind relax and let the programming take its course," the man said again, giving his shoulder a little squeeze. Were they friends? Did they know each other? The Asset sure couldn't remember.

Pierce. Yes! Pierce was the dreamer. All his ambitions began to pour into the Asset like a steady stream. HYDRA was going to give the world a new existence. They were going to take all the bad and make it good. He felt that was the right thing. It was right? Right?

Sighing, he let his muscles go lax, waiting for the computer to finish replenishing his memories with what HYDRA thought necessary. He knew they were hiding things from him, lying to him, but it wasn't his place to question it. HYDRA was doing great things. He was doing great things.

"Program's at 95%," the man at the monitor stated. "Almost there."

He knew why they kept him like this. He was a machine, a weapon programmed to do what they couldn't. They needed him. In turn they'd elongated his life, strengthened his muscles and gave him far greater purpose. HYDRA was good. They'd given him true purpose. He didn't know if he had a purpose before HYDRA, but he didn't care. HYDRA was his purpose. Nothing else mattered but the assignment, HYDRA and Pierce.

"Process complete," the man at the monitor said again.

The man with the bow tie gave the Asset another, brief squeeze to the shoulder, offering a weary smile. "Feeling better?" he asked. His voice was soft and a bit high for man's. Or at least that's what the Asset thought. He wasn't entirely sure if he was right or not.

The Asset nodded.

They released his restraints and he sat up, stretching out his flesh arm and back muscles. He shrugged his shoulders, feeling much more relaxed than he had before. "Whose briefing me?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

"Pierce should be here soon. He wanted to deliver this mission personally," the man with the bow tie said.

The Asset nodded, bending over to touch his toes. It felt good to stretch out his muscles. He felt his spine crack in all the right places, allowing him to touch the floor, bypassing his toes. He leaned back up, rolling his neck.

The barred door opened to reveal a man with copper hair and beady, dark eyes. 'Pierce.' He didn't know how he knew his face, but he assumed it had been including in the programming he'd just received. He leaned back against the wall, hands behind his butt.

"Feeling better?" Pierce asked.

The Asset furrowed his brow, unsure of why that question was warranted.

Pierce laughed. "You had me worried. Was afraid you lost your ambition."

"HYDRA's all the ambition I need," the Asset replied automatically, but there was no life behind the words. It was like he was forced to say it rather than truly felt it. He still didn't question it.

"Good," Pierce said, a small smile curling his lips. "Got an assignment for you," he said as he handed the Asset a file. "It's not like your previous work, but I think you'll enjoy it."

The Asset flipped open the file, seeing a man with blonde hair, broad shoulders and a star on his chest. He cocked a brow. "Captain America?" he questioned. "Is this guy serious?"

Pierce laughed. "Serious as they come. He's an ex SHIELD agent. Gone rogue. Opposes HYDRA passionately."

"So you need me to kill him," the Asset stated flatly. He closed the file, feeling it pointless to read the rest. He could read? Oh…he could.

Pierce chucked softly. "No that won't be necessary. We're promoting you. Ever wanted to be a spy?"

He never knew he wanted to be an assassin. How could he have known if he ever wanted to be a spy? He guessed from his blank stare that Pierce caught onto the train of thought.

"He thinks he knows you. You look a lot like a man he once knew. Rogers' got a similar story to yours. Frozen in ice for roughly 70 years, super human strength and healing. He was a big time World War II hero." Pierce paused, his eyes scanning the Asset's face. "You're name is Bucky Barnes to him. So get used to thinking about it that way. You were…kidnapped by HYDRA. He thinks we've treated you terribly. Well, his friend."

'Bucky, Bucky, Bucky. Why's that so familiar?' the Asset mulled in his head. He tried on the name for size, seeing how it fit in his brain as he referred to himself as Bucky. He cocked his head to the side, waiting for Pierce to keep going. "So what's my mission then?"

"Befriend him. Get him to trust you. Do whatever you can to make him believe you're his friend. Evaluate him. If you think he's HYDRA material, report it and we'll devise a plan to take him in."

"Wouldn't it be easier if you just asked?" Bucky asked.

Pierce huffed once. "He was SHIELD. He won't come to HYDRA without a fight. He thinks we're a delusional group of people, but he just doesn't see what we're trying to do. We're trying to rid the people of fear, hatred and desperation. You understand all that- don't you Bucky?"

Bucky watched as Pierce's eyes scanned him for any twitch that showed to the contrary. "Of course I understand."

Pierce nodded, pointing to the file. "Take a look at that. Get familiar with Barnes' personality. There's a museum exhibit too you should check out. Got Barnes' life all over it."

"This guy was important then?" Bucky asked.

"He was a war hero," Pierce stated. "But he's dead. Captain America just can't accept that. So, we're going to use that to our advantage. Befriend him. Gain his trust. See if he can be brought in, like you, or if he should be terminated."

"You'll wipe his brain too?" Bucky asked, unsure why the words came out so argumentatively.

Pierce took a step back, his eyes rounding. "You were having a mental breakdown. We took away your pain. You know everything you need to know."

Bucky nodded, feeling his lip twitch. "I know. So, evaluate to convert or kill?"

"Yes," Pierce stated with his hands on his hips.

"Understood, sir," Bucky said, opening the file again and going to sit on his chair. He sat cross legged, his brow furrowed as he scanned the pictures, the facts, the dates. It was a lot of information, but he knew it was necessary. This Captain America sounded like a good guy. Bucky didn't understand why he didn't want HYDRA to prevail. They were going to give the world true happiness and freedom. What did…Steve Rogers…want to give the world?

"Oh and…Bucky," Pierce said over his shoulder.

Bucky looked up from the file. Pierce was standing in the doorway, his fingers wrapped around one of the bars.

"Don't just go up to him and say you're Bucky. Make him work for it. Make it look like you're really remembering and give it some dramatic flair. I'll let you decide how you handle that."

Bucky chewed his bottom lip, thinking how he could approach that situation. What was dramatic flair?

"If Project Insight's a success," Rumlow began as he joined Pierce's side. He'd been handed a similar file to Barnes'.

"You mean when it's a success," Pierce corrected.

"Cap and Barnes are going to be obsolete," Rumlow finished.

Pierce turned to him, creasing his brow. "You got a soft spot for them?"

Rumlow felt his shoulders sink under the weight of that glare. He was Barnes' handler…but that didn't make him soft. "No sir. I just don't understand why you're not just killing Rogers."

"Always have a backup plan, Brock. We're going to put them on ice and hopefully the generations after us will never need them, but we're keeping them as insurance."

Rumlow nodded, understanding that reasoning. "Yes sir," he stated. He broke away from Pierce, going toward the elevator to go down to check out Barnes. He'd always been a bit terrified of those dead, dull eyes and expressionless face. He could tell from the pictures that Barnes had been quite the good looking man back in the day. His eyes had been so bright. It almost hurt Rumlow to think of what had happened to Barnes. And now all this, being told his past life was a lie but to go along with it anyway? It was cruel. Brilliant. But cruel. The elevator came to a gentle halt, dinging as its doors opened. He stepped out, a stark contrast of black and caramel skin against the yellowing tiles around him. He saw Barnes, chewing his bottom lip as he read over his mission files. He was more animated than usual. Was it because of the excitement for having a different kind of mission? Or was it because he knew deep down that he really was Bucky Barnes.

"How's he doing?" he asked Dr. Vandercoy.

The scientist straightened out his bowtie before answering. "He's stable. His dopamine levels are a bit higher than usual, but I think that's from the adjusted programming."

So he was happier? What made him happier? "Hey, Barnes," Rumlow called.

The man looked up at him, but those dead eyes just stared back at him.

"We're mission buds again," he stated as he came to realize Barnes wasn't going to say anything. "I'll be inside launching Project Insight while you'll be looking out for Cap."

Barnes nodded, his gaze trailing back to the file. He looked way too absorbed into it. That was unsettling. "What're you thinking?"

Even the scientists realized how heavy that question truly was. They all stared at Barnes, waiting for him to reply, if he'd even give one. Barnes wasn't the chattiest character.

But Barnes looked up through his greasy, stringy hair. "I'm not thinking anything," he stated.

Rumlow cocked his head. "Really? You're not excited about your mission?"

"It's just a mission," Barnes replied. "Should I be excited?"

The question was innocent. Rumlow knew how far Barnes would go to be obedient. A few of his STRIKE had tested how far those boundaries went, forcing Barnes to sleep with them. Though from what some of the guys said…there wasn't much forcing, just awkward initiating. It used to disgust Rumlow how everyone saw Barnes as a toy, or a gun, but now he didn't really care. Over time, he just came to accept it, even saw why people felt that way about him. Barnes presented himself as a doll to be moved around at the behest of anyone but himself. A man like that with no fight left in him didn't deserve to have an opinion. "No, Barnes. I guess not." He turned away, deciding he'd had enough of a show for one day.

The Asset still creeped him out, no matter how hard he'd tried to think of him differently. No matter how many times he followed his ass into the line of fire. The guys on his STRIKE team were off their rockers to sleep with that ball of crazed insanity… And lesson number one, you don't stick your dick in crazy.

He'd met him atop the helicarriers. Captain America…Steve Rogers. He'd remembered Pierce's urgings for dramatic flair, so Bucky put on a show. He'd shot Steve a few times, watched how far his dedication to "Bucky Barnes" would take him. Truth be told, Bucky was envious. He wanted a man who was so devoted to him. Bucky had given HYDRA everything from his life to his body to his purpose. He'd broken himself over and over for them and not once had he ever wanted to look back, or at least he didn't think he wanted to look back.

He'd punched Rogers. Slammed his metal arm into him so hard he was sure the spine would break. Part of him wanted to kill this man. He didn't want to look into the eyes of a man with so much adoration, only to know Bucky was lying. He had no idea who this man was, but he tried to play it off like it was all coming back.

They beat each other into pulps before Bucky started to pretend he was really remembering. He'd pause; drop his gaze to the floor before pretending to remember what he was doing. Captain Rogers took notice. He kept urging Bucky to remember who he was. He kept trying to deflect each punch with no counter strike.

They were both wheezing and gasping for breath as their wounds seeped blood and stung of sweat. Rogers struggled to stand up, speaking pointedly. "Your name is James. Buchanan. Barnes."

Bucky had to play it just right. He contorted his face, tightening his eyes as he pretended to fight the memories that weren't actually revealing themselves. "Shut up!" he screamed over the wind.

"I'm not gunna fight you," Rogers said, dropping his shield. "You're my friend."

Bucky watched it fall into the river below. Bucky wanted to be this guy's friend. The amount of dedication, the sacrifices Rogers was willing to make. He was trusting Bucky completely. Bucky literally was the only thing that could decide if this man would live or die. It was terrifying. He wanted to know him.

They stared at each other, both panting and exhausted before Bucky decided to keep up the charade a bit longer. He lunged at Rogers, pushing him down, thinking of something to say that could really bring that dramatic flair that Pierce wanted. "You're my mission," he stated, feeling rather pleased with himself as he began to punch Rogers, over and over. 'How's this for drama?'

His heart began to squeeze as this man allowed him to keep punching. He watched the pain etch itself into the corners of Rogers' eyes. He watched the skin split and heard the bones crunch, but the man didn't do anything. This guy… Who the hell was he?

"Then finish it," Rogers breathed out.

Bucky didn't have to pretend to hesitate. He didn't have to pretend to look shocked or caught off guard. This guy… They didn't make them like this anymore. This…James Barnes had one of the greatest friends in human history, and he was too dead to take the time to appreciate it. Bucky wanted to. He wanted to stop, to pretend he was remembering everything that they never did together. He wanted to pull the man into a hug and tell him all the things he thought Rogers wanted to hear. But he didn't. Pierce had made his orders clear, and Bucky was compliant to a fault.

"Cause I'm with you…till the end of the line." The words reverberated through Bucky's body, sparking something he didn't know exist. It was like another person was inside him, screaming, telling him something was wrong. He ignored it; staring down at the beaten man below him, his fist still hanging in the air as he decided if he'd punch again or not.

He didn't get to decide whether to punch him again or not. The flooring gave way beneath Rogers and he was cast down into the river. Bucky knew he'd die under the weight of the debris, or the fact that the man had no fight left in him. So he jumped. If Rogers died, so did his mission. If Rogers died… he wouldn't get to feel what it felt like to have a friend so dedicated, so loyal and trusting that it was like the world around them didn't exist. So he jumped and reached out, and carried the man to shore.

He dropped him, looking at Rogers' still, unconscious face. Bucky bit at his lower lip, debating what to do. Should he stay? Wait for the other to wake up? Wait, the museum exhibit! He hadn't seen the museum exhibit yet! Following Pierce's orders, he departed from Steve Rogers. He looked over his shoulder, making sure the other wasn't awake. He knew they'd find each other again. He just had to figure out how to make this all seem natural. He couldn't appear too eager, but he couldn't appear too distant. It was a fine, complicated line. He had to play his cards right.

…Had he ever even played cards before?

Steve felt anxious. Sam had agreed to look for Bucky with him. Natasha had given him some files from Kiev. But that was where the trial went cold. He couldn't imagine Bucky would wander off too far. He'd known. Steve knew that Bucky could remember, at least little pieces, or at least that gut feeling. Steve was sure of it! Bucky had pulled him from the water. Why would he do that unless he knew Steve, or at least was curious to know Steve.

Rolling his shoulders, he looked over the files again. Oh what HYDRA had done… It was unforgivable. Disgusting. Bucky had been experimented on, brainwashed, frozen in ice, brought out for short gasps of air only to have his memory wiped and be shoved right back in. Steve felt his fingers shaking as he continued to thumb through the pages.

"Steve," Sam said from the other side of the table. He was reading the newspaper. Steve looked to the date.

It had been a month since Steve last saw Bucky. They decided it was best not to leave D.C. Despite Captain America being wanted by the US government…they thought it best to stick around in the event that Bucky still was around.

"Steve," Sam said once more. This time his tone was firmer. "You doing good over there?"

Sam continuously asked how Steve was doing. Steve wasn't bothered by it, but he always ticked off a mental number each time Sam asked. Since Bucky came back, life had been a spiraling mess of confusion, anger and anxiety. Sam was more than well aware of that and for the most part, he gave Steve the space he needed, but there were times when Steve would focus too hard or be up too long. Sam made sure he slept, ate and had time to just…be mind numb. Usually those nights surrounded trashy reality TV and beer.

"I'm fine."

Sam raised his brow, eyeing Steve apprehensively.

Steve put the file down, closing it and placing his hands atop it. "Really, Sam. I'm fine."

Sam went back to looking at the newspaper. "You're name's been all over this thing."

"What're they saying?"

"Most of the reporters seem to question if you're really "Captain America" quality or if you're a terrorist." Sam's words were smooth, like he was talking about the weather.

"I saved them. They know this. The US government knows this."

"They're reporters, Steve. Welcome to the world of desperate men and desperate women who will do anything for more views."

Steve's phone vibrated on the table, startling both men. He picked it up, seeing Caller Unknown, but decided to answer it anyway. What if it was Bucky?

"Hello?" he greeted.

It's Natasha. Ya got a sec?

Steve let out a sigh as his hopes deflated. Why would Bucky have his number anyway? Did Bucky even have a phone? "Yup."

I've got it on good authority there's a man in New York. He'd been wandering around like a lost puppy. Stark took him to his tower.

Steve's eyes widened. He stood up slowly, afraid that if he got up too fast he'd collapse to the floor. "Bucky?"

Stark said he's got a metal arm.

"How long? Why didn't Stark call me? Is he okay? Has he said anything?" Steve fired question after question, already starting to move about the house to collect his shoes and wallet.

Stark didn't know who he belonged to. He called me. Thought the star on the arm looked like something Russians would do… She laughed softly. He's right though. And no- he hasn't spoken a word.

Steve felt like he was about to lift off the ground and fly. He'd been so anxious. So terrified for Bucky. It was a relief to hear he was with Tony. Though, he wasn't entirely sure how he found Tony…or how Tony got him to come with him… "How did this all happen?"

Tony said he showed up outside the tower and sat there for a few days…and nights. Pepper was the one who brought him in. Tony saw the arm and here we are.

Steve's heart lurched. Bucky was out there. He was out there. Alive. "I'll call Stark. See ya, Tash." He didn't even wait to hear her say anything back. He shoved his phone in his back pocket slamming his hands on the table a bit too loudly.

Sam looked up, nodding. He'd been listening, clearly. "So when we leaving?"

"Now," Steve said. He ran into the living room, grabbing his things. He'd been living out of his suitcase since SHIELD went down. After everything was in order, he threw the suitcase onto the couch and dialed Tony's number.

Capcicle! Tony said into the phone gleefully. Natasha thinks this dude I've got on my couch knows you!

"Stark…don't try to detain him. Don't threaten him. Don't…do anything that he may see as a threat," Steve said softly.

Sam leaned against the doorframe as he slung his backpack over his shoulders. He was ready to leave.

Uh, I haven't done anything. Pepper gave him tea and now he's watching Scooby Doo.

Steve blinked in surprise, picturing Bucky, staring blankly at the TV as the Great Dane solved mysteries. "Has he said anything yet?"

Nope. Who is he?

Steve felt his throat clench up. If he told Tony, Tony could become a potential target. The CIA, HYDRA, whatever remnants of SHIELD and probably half a dozen other agencies were out looking for The Winter Soldier. If he told Tony, he'd have to bring him completely into the fold, more than what Tony knew already about The Winter Soldier. He had to know he was at least that, right? "You know him."

I know he's the guy who put you in the hospital. He have a change of heart? Or is he just waiting for you so he can put a bullet in your head and stain my carpet?

Steve rolled his eyes. "He's not going to kill me, Tony. It's complicated. I'll…I'll tell you when I get there."

Whatever. He seems to like Pepper though. So…if he makes a move on my woman, I will be making threats. His tone was light. He was being sarcastic, but Steve still felt his heart clench as nervous anticipation wrenched its way deep inside.

"Don't threaten him. That's the last thing you wanna do." He hung up, feeling satisfied with his closing statement. Turning to Sam, he allowed his friend to see a moment of anxious, vulnerability as his shoulders slumped and his eyes rounded into innocent orbs. He was scared. Bucky was with Tony Stark in New York. New York…their home. Him and Bucky. Was it a clue? Was Bucky saying he remembered? Or was Tony right? What if this was HYDRA? But Pierce was dead… Steve was aware not all HYDRA agents were taken out, but he was pretty sure at least most of the big players were out of the way now. Bucky couldn't be controlled anymore, right?

"One step at a time, Cap," Sam said, as if he could read each and every thought Steve had. "Let's go."

"So…" the man, Tony Stark drawled as he sat across from Bucky. He was apprehensive. His shoulders were tense and Bucky could see the man's pulse beating quickly against his neck. Bucky made him nervous. "You got a name?"

Bucky's eyes drifted back to the cartoon.

Tony huffed. "JARVIS, you find anything?"

Bucky jumped as he heard a disconnected voice float into the room. "No sir. Only the information from SHIELD and HYDRA that were leaked. The Winter Soldier, or as HYDRA referenced to him: the Asset."

Tony leaned forward. "So, you're a trained assassin. One of HYDRA's big guys. Why're you here? With me?"

Bucky let his lips part. He thought of many responses to that, from the absolute truth to thousands of lies. Pierce was dead. But HYDRA wasn't. HYDRA would be expecting him to complete his mission. "I knew him."

Tony furrowed his brow. "Knew who?"

"Rogers. I knew him."

Tony leaned back, clicking his tongue. "He's a pretty famous guy. I'm sure you know who I am too…"

Bucky responded with a blank stare.

"Or not…" Tony said, sounding a bit disappointed. "How'd you know Steve?"

Bucky turned back to the cartoon, but his eyes weren't focused. They looked past the television screen, searching for something that wasn't there. He was assigned this mission. He was to play the part of a man's dead best friend. All he knew was what was in that file. "We grew up together."

"You do realize Steve was frozen in a block of ice for seventy years right? You don't look to be close to his age."

Bucky's gaze snapped back to Tony. He watched as the man seemed to push further back into his seat, like Bucky's gaze was too much for him. "It's complicated."

Tony deadpanned. "Really? Steve said the same damn thing…" He stood up, sighing heavily. "Okay, when Steve gets here. You two have a lot of explaining. You show up with that…arm and expect me to sit here and just nod and smile along. Sure. I'll bite for now, but when Steve gets here, you both are going to spill everything or I'm dropping you from the top of this tower."

Bucky shrugged.

"Oh you're infuriating!" Tony groaned as he walked onto his balcony.

Bucky looked back at the TV, just in time to see the monster revealed to be someone the gang had met before. It was a light, comical show. Bucky had enjoyed it. He wished he'd gotten to really appreciate this kind of thing back with HYDRA. He felt a pang of guilt jab itself into his ribs and the thought was removed. He turned the TV off, staring at the wall.

"Tony!" Pepper called as she ran into the room. She was followed by a man with smooth chocolate skin and…

Bucky felt his heart skip. Confusion laced his features from the sensation. He felt his breath catch as he looked at Steve. He was extremely handsome with broad, strong shoulders and such a trusting face it was almost hard for Bucky to not come clean right then and there. He stilled himself, forcing the foreign emotions deep within as he looked blankly at the people who'd entered.

Steve ran over to Bucky, the sudden movement startled Bucky and he was instantly up, flipping back behind the couch to separate himself from Steve. The look that Steve had…the overflowing loyalty and compassion. It was too heavy for Bucky to look at.

"Bucky," Steve whispered. "It's me. Steve."

Bucky wanted to sarcastically respond with he knew, but remained silent, watching as Tony came into the room. Pepper joined his side.

"I was looking for you. I thought… I thought you'd stick around D.C. If I had known you'd be here though…"

"I needed time," Bucky responded. He didn't like everyone's gaze plastered onto him like he was some kind of zoo animal. He shuffled on his feet, trying to remember Pierce's words. Dramatic flair. Assess, report or kill. He had to play this right. He had to give into Steve to earn the man's trust.

Steve nodded, allowing a tired smile to grace his features. "Sure. Yeah I understand that. When I first woke up, I was scared. Everything was different, all my friends were dead…" Memories flashed over Steve's face, causing his eyes to harden as pain etched deeply into those ocean blues. Bucky pitied him. So much emotion had to be baggage. Bucky was relieved he didn't have to carry such a burden. The memory wipes saved him and for once, he was truly grateful.

Bucky let his shoulders drop, as he tried his best to look uncertain, reserved and a bit scared. "I…I'm not dead," he whispered.

Steve smiled as he slowly walked around the couch. He walked softly, with his hands outstretched. "No. No you're not dead." Steve stopped right in front of Bucky, he placed his hands on Bucky's shoulders and gave them a quick squeeze, like he was assessing if Bucky was really real or not. He pulled Bucky into a hug.

Bucky's eyes widened in shock as he felt those strong arms wrap around him. His spine curved in and he fought for balance. He wrapped his arms around Steve, feeling much more comfortable with the balance it created. He was leaning into Steve and was pretty sure one of his boots was atop Steve's, but he didn't care. This was going the exact way Bucky wanted. Steve was making this too easy. Trust wasn't going to be the hard part. Bucky felt he could easily trick Steve into the Red Room.

His stomach flipped and he tensed up. He didn't want them to go back so soon. He wanted to know what it was like to have this. He wanted to know what a best friend felt like, and what kind of loyalty Steve would show. Perhaps since Pierce was dead…Bucky could just…play with this for awhile.

Steve pulled back, clearing his throat awkwardly. "We'll get through this together, k Buck?"

"Bucky?" Tony finally said. "Wait…Bucky as in James Barnes? As in the 107th and the guy who fell off a mountain?"

Sam laughed.

"Jesus, you WWII guys and your absolute refusal of dying," Tony continued as he went to make himself a drink.

Bucky watched as Steve's face seemed to weigh something out, like he was considering doing something or not. "Stark," Steve finally said. "Can we talk?"

Tony raised his glass, before taking the shot and swallowing. He motioned for Steve to follow him out on the balcony.

Bucky stood there, feeling his chest rise and fall. Did Steve know? Was there something in Bucky's behavior that gave this all away? He'd never done this before. Espionage wasn't assassination. This wasn't a point, shoot and walk away kind of thing. This was a calculative, cunning dance and Bucky wasn't sure he was playing it right.

He moved, watching as Sam took notice of his every step. Bucky sat back onto the couch, his eyes dulling as he stared at the wall. Was this over? Did he fail?

Steve and Tony walked back in. Tony went for another drink. Steve came to kneel in front of Bucky. "Wanna go outside with me for a second? Just to talk?"

Bucky nodded, following Steve out. The wind was cold, chilling the metal against Bucky's shoulder. He crossed his arms, trying to pull some heat in.

"Where've you been?" Steve asked.

"Trying to remember," Bucky lied. He had to play the part just right. Too much came off as fake, but not enough came out as a lie. "I thought coming here would jog my memory."

Steve nodded, accepting those words as law. "Did it help?"

"No. Not really."

"So…what do you remember?"

The million dollar question. Bucky knew everything in that file but he knew zero specifics. He mulled over several responses in his mind before deciding on one. Thankfully, Steve seemed patient. "We were best friends. Soldiers. I fell off a train. HYDRA took me in." Bucky saw the pain that crossed Steve's features. It hallowed out his cheeks and Bucky was sure if he didn't start talking that Steve would go red and begin to smash whatever was in his way. "They trained me. Wiped my memories and programmed me to be a weapon. That's really it."

"Well let's go back," Steve said. "Back to the war. Back to you and me."

Bucky didn't want to go that far back. He didn't want to try to lie his way through a life he had never lived. "Steve," he breathed out. "I just wanna…I don't wanna talk 'bout it."

Steve straightened up, like he was caught off guard, but didn't push it. "Okay. We can talk about all that when you're ready to. I'm just so glad you're here. That you're okay." Steve ran his hand over Bucky's hair, then cupping his face. There was something in those eyes, something hungry and desperate but Bucky didn't know why. He just stood there, blinking up at the taller man. Steve pursed his lips, backing away. "Hungry?"

Bucky shrugged. "I could eat."

Steve smiled, pulling Bucky into the penthouse. The gesture was so light, but Bucky felt his head spin. This man thought Bucky was James Barnes, a man who died so very long ago. But Steve was so nice and optimistic that it almost hurt Bucky to have to lie to him like this. It would be better when Steve was under HYDRA's programming. All the pain and longing for a friend long since deceased would be gone, and HYDRA would provide for Steve the same way HYDRA has provided for Bucky.

Bucky took small comfort in knowing Steve's pain would one day be erased as he allowed Steve to list off a ton of take out options. Tony had ultimately decided on Chinese, but Bucky had taken silent enjoyment in the fact that Steve was asking him what to do, and not the other way around.

Let me know what ya think? :)