Chapter 2

Clint walked side by side with the silent Soldier in the busy streets of Philadelphia, the hustle and bustle of the city leaving the two completely unnoticed by the crowds. They looked like tourists, with maps of the city clutched in their hands and Bucky with a backpack casually slung over one shoulder. He really loved that baseball cap disguise. God, he was so much like Steve, bless him. Now recently being named fugitives (not that this was new to him, he'd always walked that line), their team decided to lay low. Philly seemed like a good choice, considering that they'd already made 'appearances' in several other big named cities.

Touching the state of New York was a big No-No at the moment. And they'd be stupid to be in DC. So why the hell not, Philly it was, full of historical sights and knowledge and blah, blah, blah. It was lame and he was bored out of his skull so even an outing with Sunshine (Clint was fond of Sam's nickname for him), was thrilling. Though for the Captain, Philadelphia was perfect-he could get back in touch with his era! -Oh wait, a little too far back in history. Clint chuckled to himself. He at least found his jokes amusing.

Barnes eyed him suspiciously clearly trying to understand what was suddenly so funny. Clint waved him off and Barnes dismissed it easily, probably not really caring in the first place. Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier-whatever you wanted to call him-wasn't much of a talker, which Clint could respect. He assumed that HYDRA was pretty effective when it came to numbing people. Only heartless people could commit the kind of cruelty they had exhibited. Being around Barnes was sobering for him when he realized just how much the guy had lost. Memories, emotions, friends and family and control-all of it swiped away from him. And then to come back from a near death experience only to be thrown into an era that was no longer his and with a mind that was no longer his own.

Clint's spine shivered at the chilling realizations and once again, Bucky eyed him. He pulled his jacket around him tighter and hunched his shoulders, pretending that a breeze had given him a chill. Which would have been convincing if it didn't happen to be the middle of summer. He figured the guy didn't give a shit anyway. The assassin had already written him off in most senses as non threatening. As long as he didn't make any sharp, sudden movements, he was safe from sudden impalement.

Clint's eyes scanned the street names and signs as they got closer to their designation. He veered them left down a side street that lead them away from the central crowds and sights. Each turn thereafter brought them further and further into the more abandoned parts of the city. The buildings became run down and the people became scarce the more they walked. Bucky's eyes had become slits as he stared down the few pedestrians straight in the eyes, daring them to make a move. He even glared down an elderly lady pushing a grocery cart. The guy didn't take chances, though Clint had to admit he'd laughed to himself about the old lady, trying to visualize her suddenly whipping out a pistol and holding them at gunpoint. Even funnier was the thought of the Winter Soldier battling with a grandma...okay he really had to stop.

Not wanting to pick a fight with the locals, Clint took the chance of nudging Barnes in the shoulder. The slight nudge had him whipping his head around, his cold blue eyes boring into Clint's forehead. Clint threw his hands up automatically in a surrendering pose. "Easy! I know 'relax' isn't really in your vocabulary-" The glare continued, "-for obvious reasons. But let's not draw attention. Around here you keep your head down and you don't look at anybody unless you wanna fight." When Bucky looked like he was considering the option amusing, Clint added, "Which we don't want. Anyways, we're here."

Barnes turned with Clint to examine their destination. It was an old mechanic's garage, it's residents far gone as seen by the lack of care. The sign's paint at top of the building was peeling so badly that one could barely read, 'Stan's Auto-Repair Shop!' The windows were smashed in, the sides of the building covered in graffiti, with symbols of different gangs claiming the shop as their territory and an occasional well-placed phallic drawing. Classy.

"Are we supposed to be meeting someone here?" Bucky frowned at the shambles before him. It was the first time he'd spoken since they'd left together and it surprised Clint a bit to hear his voice. Sure he was an assassin and he could use his scary voice whenever he wanted, but his speaking voice was actually quite subtle and soft. Clint glanced back at the building and sighed. His contacts were always a bit on the sketchy side, hence why they were dragged out to the ghetto. But he hoped they had delivered on their promise.

"Not exactly. Follow me." Clint walked up to a door that was in between the large garage openings which looked bolted shut at the moment. He hoped the door wasn't locked as well, not that he couldn't kick it in….the door knob slid easily to the right. Lucky him, his contacts weren't complete idiots. He checked over his shoulder to find Barnes right behind him, knife drawn, peering into the dark room before them. As long as the knife didn't end up in him, he was fine. The place kinda gave him the creeps.

Everything was coated with a thick layer of dust. The place had definitely been vacant for awhile. Without hesitation, Bucky stepped around him, knife close and ready as he walked the room. Clint let him do his thing as he scanned the room for his 'little' present. His eyes locked on a canvas across the room, covering a familiar shape. Clint reached into his pocket and his hands closed around a pair of keys.

Just for fun, he whipped them out of his pockets and let 'em fly directly at the assassin's back. Without even turning, the Soldier's fingers snatched the keys out of the air. Slowly the assassin turned to look at him, his eyes seeming to say, "Try that again and I'll reconsider letting you live." Clint replied with a shit-eating grin.

"I don't think I startled you too much, considering you're ready for anything. Oh and by the way-those are yours to keep. A little present before you head out."

Bucky finally examined what he had clenched his hand. He frowned, eyeing the keys curiously, his eyes showing his confusion. "What are these...for?" he questioned quietly.

Clint nodded to the canvas across the room and Bucky followed with his eyes. He glanced back at Clint once more, with the expression of a toddler asking a parent for permission to go have fun. He had to laugh just a little at all the precautions he took."Ahh come on, you don't trust me? It's a gift, not a trick. Here, I'll do the unwrapping." He walked over to it and ripped off the canvas.

Honestly, Clint was jealous. It had taken his breath away the moment the canvas had came off. A 'Holy shit!' may have escaped under his breath as well. The metal gleamed and the pitch black paint was glinting in the low lighting. They'd gone all out in getting something nice-he didn't even care how they'd gotten it. He was having a proud moment taking it all in. A 2013 Harley-Davidson FXSB Breakout, a Softail model. He let out a low whistle and turned to see if the Soldier approved.

Bucky confidently walked up to it this time, his eyes scanning over every detail of the motorcycle. His hand slowly ran over the leather seat and then brushed over the clutch. He walked around it and crouched, examining the inner workings and engine. When he was satisfied, he stood up and Clint noticed the smallest tilt of his lips. It was the closest to a smile you would get from the Winter Soldier.

"Well, what do you think? Will it work for you? I remember you stealing a ride similar to this at one point-figured you'd enjoy recreating the memory."

Bucky's eyes clouded in that moment, as if he were struggling to remember something. Shit. He hoped he'd hadn't said the wrong thing. Memories weren't exactly Bucky's strong suit.

"Thank you."

Clint went still as their eyes met. He looked so grateful, his eyes soft and welling with emotion, as if he was trying to define the feeling he couldn't quite grasp. They transformed his face into a younger version of himself, perhaps the old Bucky Barnes that Steve had been friends with years ago. Clint offered him a small smile.

"Sure thing, bud. We wanted you to travel in style, ya know? Hey listen, everything you need is in that bag of yours. Maps, all the places you can make pit stops undetected and of course, your destination. So what do you say, we bust these doors open and let you ride-sound good?"

Bucky's eyes had reversed back to their piercing gaze. "Why do you trust her?" he asked simply. He always had a way of catching Clint off guard. He sighed and looked up, somehow trying to search for the right words. "I find that people-people who have experienced life-changing pain, are forced to grow and protect themselves at a much faster pace. Life just threw them a curveball they didn't see coming. But they adapt and whether or not they let it define them, they come to a realization about how they want to live the rest of their life. They find purpose."

Clint pulled his eyes away from the ceiling and stared at the floor instead. "I trust her because her purpose is good intentioned. Her help doesn't come with a price," he finished quietly. He could feel the Soldier's eyes scouring over him, trying to pry and find the truth in his words.

"I believe you," he said finally, and Clint let go of the breath he'd been holding in. He needed Bucky to trust him on this one. They all did.

"You ready then?" Bucky simply nodded in reply. Clint grinned once more. "Alright, let's get this baby revved up and ready to go!"

They worked together to unlock the big garage doors. They opened up easy enough and the two realized the sky was going dark as the sun began to set over the city. Bucky smoothly swung a leg over the side of the bike and clicked the keys into the ignition. Suddenly the old garage was reverberating with the sounds of the bike's powerful engine. Bucky seemed to enjoy it because he was just allowing that small smile to creep back on his lips.

It was odd for Clint to be here with him during the send off. It would have seemed more appropriate that Bucky and Steve be together. But within the time of their small journey here, he was glad he'd come along. He was starting to understand more of the Soldier's silent ways and he'd never felt more sure this was what they needed to do. He had hope that one day, HYDRA would be a distant memory for Bucky.

The engine was purring and begging to be free out on the road. Clint locked eyes with his silent friend and nodded. Bucky did the same. With that he was off, just a flash of gleaming metal. Kinda like his arm…..huh, how perfect. Clint locked up the garage before heading out, not that it would do much, but he felt it right. He looked up at the orange sky and took a deep breath.

"Take care of him," he whispered to no one, and with that he headed back.