Soft caresses by loose strands of hair pulled Leah from her restful slumber. Eyes fluttering open, her vision blurred as she tried to focus on the walls of the empty cavern. The soft grains of sand wrapped around her fingers as they dug into the ground in a stretch, her back arching as she sighed.
Despite the strength of her wish against it, the day before hadn't been a dream; Steve said what he swore he never would and left her behind. She frowned, the pain she caught a glimpse of in Steve's expression replaying in her mind so deeply contrasted the way James's kiss caused her heart to soar. Her stomach churned with confliction as she sat up, her gaze settling on her leather jacket and boots across from her.
"Oh good, you're awake." James's voice echoed from the entrance, the small tinge of joy mirrored in his grin.
"Yeah, I was– taking everything in." A smile tugged at her lips as she watched him enter, the sunlight glinting off his metal shoulder.
A grin stretched across his rugged face before he lifted a plumb to his lips. "Not how you expected to wake up, huh?"
"Just takes - getting used to." Her sleep laden gaze reached for him from the corner of her eye, her head lowering.
"You want to talk about it?"
She shook her head and shrugged. "Nothing to talk about. I thought I knew him better than I did. I thought I could belong in the Avengers, but he was right; I'm HYDRA, always will be HYDRA."
"Leah, that's not true." Taking another bite while leaning against the wall, his eyes studied her. "If you were HYDRA, you wouldn't have been able to set foot in that tower. Steve saw something in you worth redeeming, otherwise he would have let you get locked away."
"And what makes you say that?"
James chuckled, reaching into his pocket before approaching. "Because he wouldn't have gotten you this if he didn't."
Taking the object in his hand, Leah frowned at the small black box. "What is this?"
"Open it and see." He sat, his shoulder nudging her.
Curiosity danced on her fingertips as they traced the smooth edges of the box, the leather surface soft against her palm. Lifting the top, the box popped open to reveal a necklace with a small silver snowflake hanging on a delicate chain. A small note stuck to inside of the lid: You are who you choose to be.
Flashes of their conversation at the falls rolled through her mind, his kind blue eyes and a warm smile caused an involuntarily smirk. Perhaps if they met before HYDRA before Strucker and Schmidt and the experiments. Maybe then she could have been more–she could have been a hero.
"Leah, was there something between the two of you?" The hurt in his question sounded all too familiar, a weight sinking on her chest.
Eyelids fluttering, her mouth opened, but the words caught in her throat. She should have expected this. "James I–" conflicted, she sighed heavily, dreading his reaction. "I don't know. I mean, there might have been, eventually but… it doesn't matter. He's still in love with some woman from the forties and I can't even get ahold of my own emotions." She stood, twirling her wrists, voice trembling but rising as she struggled to remain composed. "The only reason I even thought there could be something was because I couldn't remember–didn't remember you or how I felt, but when you kissed me, it all came flooding back and–"
Firm hands wrapped around her wrists and pulled her close; warm lips silenced her ramble. Shoulders dropping, her body relaxed as his grip released, hands moving to her face while her own found their way to his chest. The cold metal against her cheek pulled distant memories closer, comfort and safety calming the unstable storm within her mind. James had always been her shelter; he understood when she couldn't find words and loved her through every dark hour. Her blood-stained hands bore no consequence in his eyes; he had only ever seen her.
"I looked everywhere, Leah." James's brows knit together, his forehead resting against hers. "I searched for you for years. Had I known where you were, had I looked harder," he frowned, a small tremble in his inhale. "I thought about you every day, and I never stopped loving you. I'm so sorry, Darlin'."
Emerald eyes lifted, soft hands holding his stubbled face. Warm compassion spread on her lips, his pained expression turning to her touch as he reached for her hand.
Small kisses trailed from her palm to her wrist, her eyes slipping shut as he pulled her closer with each one. The smooth touch of his metal fingers wandered down her back, his soft lips moving to her neck without protest. A shudder raced down her spine, the pads of his fingers dragging along her arm as his rustic scent filled her nostrils. Lulled by his movements, Leah nearly forgot the decades spent separated. The memory of him still fresh; his controlled strength and gentle love igniting a passion she has thought long forgotten.
Wrapped in his arms, the chaos within subsided as they became one. For now, she was home, she was loved, and the world made sense.
ii
Determined footfalls echoed around the empty room, Wanda sitting up from her reclined position on the couch. Brows pulling together, she watched the hall, her head tilting when Steve turned the corner.
"Steve?" Her frown deepened when he refused to slow, responding with only a glance. "Wait, where is Leah? Did something happen?" Placing her book on the couch, Wanda stood before following him.
"She stayed behind." Steve turned toward her, his flat tone hinting at disappointment.
"Why? What is going on?" She pulled her soft crimson shawl closed before crossing her arms, concern wrinkling her forehead.
"She lied, Wanda, about everything." He paused, watching her concern shift to disbelief. "She's known where Bucky was this whole time, she saw a weak point and did what she was trained to do: she exploited it."
"I don't understand, Leah would never-"
"She's HYDRA, Wanda." He snapped, has hand stiffly aimed toward her. "She played us, played me, all to get close-"
A single brow lifted with insult, Wanda's weight shifting as she leaned back. "You can't honestly believe that? You think she faked it all? Everything she went through to prove herself to the team? To you?"
"She lied about being partners with Bucky, and tried to hide their relationship. Who knows what else she lied about."
"You should be ashamed." Voice wavering into a growl, a snarl pulled at the red-head's lips. "You are a hypocrite, Steve Rogers. You tell us we will not be judged for our past, yet you cast her out when she is most vulnerable. My brother and I were HYDRA as well, will I be thrown to the streets?" Arm straightening, her finger flew toward the window. "What Leah felt for you was genuine, as was her lack of memory concerning your friend. She trusted you, but when it came time to prove where you stood, you failed her. What sort of leader does that make you?"
"I had to do what was best for the team. I don't expect you to understand."
"No, you had to do what was best for your foolish ego!" Red light flickered in her eyes, fists held at her side. The power swirling in her chest begged release, the warmth slithering along the length of her body. The Avengers were supposed to be different, they were supposed to be better.
"Wanda." His softening tone betrayed him, his eyes falling to the floor.
Anger quelled by his momentary vulnerability, Wanda eased. "It hurt you."
His gaze remained lowered, his jaw set. "It's too late. There's nothing to do but move forward; it's only a matter of time before the next threat shows up and we need to be ready for it. We can't destroy an entire city every time we fight."
"No, you're wrong." She shook her head, backing away. "Leah deserves better. I won't abandon her even if you do." Turning on her heel, she marched toward the elevator at the end of the hall.
"Wanda, wait, where are you going?"
"To find my best friend."
ii
Crashing waves outside the cavern echoed the steady thrum of James's heart against Leah's ear. Fingers tracing lines against his chest, she sighed contentedly as his fingers stroke her hair.
"It's been thirty years today." Words a near whisper, Leah's face pressed against his him
James paused before straightening, moving to a reclined position against the cavern wall. "Leah, don't. Don't do that to yourself."
"I can't help it, James. It's a memory that will haunt me forever; how I failed to protect–" Voice cracking, a lump formed in her throat the words choked from her.
With a sigh, James lifted her chin, a small kiss on her lips before speaking. "Darlin' they're all dead. They can't hurt us anymore, they can't take this away."
Leah's chest tightened, distant echoes of memories better forgotten now resurfacing.
Shit! I'm hit! I'm hit! The round scar on her torso stung with the memory, her body writhing in the phantom discomfort.
Leah, you're losing too much blood James had tried to hide the panic in his voice, but she knew better. She knew what was happening before she blacked out, the sound of gunfire echoing as she faded.
The specimen will do wonders for our research. Dr. Jurgen's voice had greeted her as consciousness returned. Clean her up. The Baron will want them ready for reconfiguration as soon as possible.
"Strucker's still alive." Hatred drenched the statement, prompting James to sit upright as her emerald gaze lifted to meet him. "He's as guilty as his father, and as long as he lives, HYDRA could come back."
"What are you thinking?"
"They trained us to be killers, they made us monsters. Let's show them what happens when the monsters have had enough." Reaching for her clothes, Leah shifted to a mindset she had thought lost; emotion faded, task accepted, she shoved the box with the necklace into her jacket pocket before facing James. "Let's go home."
ii
"Okay, let me get this straight." James leaned forward, glancing around the outdoor cafe from beneath his baseball cap. "We're in Norway because that bakery is an undercover weapons cache believed to still be active."
"If Strucker is trying to keep the program alive, and I have no doubt he is, then this is where he would have come." Crossing her arms, Leah stared at the small shop in the square. "Besides, even if he hasn't been here, I'm done standing by while HYDRA desecrates my home."
James tilted his head, a single brow raised.
"This was my home sixty years ago," one hand lifted to push her long braid over her shoulder. "Before Schmidt murdered my grandfather and burned everything to the ground."
"Sweetheart, I understand where you're coming from, but you're talking about starting a war."
"No, I'm talking about killing the rest of the disease before it spreads again. If we take out Strucker, the program dies and HYDRA with it."
With a sigh, James leaned back, his fingers interlocking behind his head. "At least promise me you won't be reckless."
A coy grin stretched across her face. "It's like you don't know me at all, love. Shall we get started?"
A small bell chimed as they entered the simple shop, a young gentleman stood behind the counter with his head down.
"God ettermiddag!" Good afternoon He greeted, placing the small book down and lifting his almond gaze to meet them. "Hvordan kan jeg hjelpe?" How can I help?
Emerald eyes wandering the walls, Leah approached the counter. A small black mark peeked from the beneath his shirt collar: the edge of a curled tentacle. "Baron Strucker lässt grüßen. Hast du was wir brauchen?" Baron Strucker sends his regards. Do you have what we need?
The courteous smile faded from the clerk's lips as he assessed the two. "Identification."
"Identification number 00165: Codename Icefall."
His gaze lingered on her a moment before his attention turned to James standing behind her. "Identification."
Unease flickered in his glance to Leah before stepping forward. "Identification number 00172: WSO (Winter Soldier Operative) Barnes."
A pause lingered, the man's hands slipping beneath the counter before he moved to the door and flipped the open sign. The latch clicked as he locked the door and walked behind the counter. "This way."
James's gloved metal hand pressed against the small of her back, a protective maneuver conveying his distrust. "This doesn't feel right."
Leah sighed, refusing to look at him. Something in her agreed, this seemed too easy.
Following attendant to the back of the shop, they watched as he stood before a tiled wall, his hand pushing one of the square porcelain pieces aside to reveal a black screen. The man placed his hand on it, the screen coming to life as a green light illuminated his hand. A soft beep confirmed authorization before he stepped aside.
Leah grinned, the old thrill stirring inside as the wall sank back and slid to the side, revealing a room filled with weapons and tech. White lights behind each row of weapons illuminated the prizes, drawing her in with anticipation.
"The latest tech, issued to all our highest-level operatives. Whatever you need for your assignment exists here. Your preference, agents?"
The two explored the pristine showroom, hands running over the variety of arms from concealed handguns to grenade and rocket launchers. The beginning of the hunt had always been Leah's favorite part. Excitement danced on the corner of her lips, her heart thundering as her mind explored the different uses each weapon had.
"What are these?" James tilted his head as he reached for a small black band, a single red light in the center.
"The latest design of stealth carry. Inside the bands is a 9mm, vibranium infused glock."
"How do they work?" Leah's tone fluttered with intrigue as she joined James, handling the second band on the display.
"One places the band on their wrist and positions their hand to hold a weapon. The bands register the motion and it forms in your palm."
Turning the technology in her fingers, Leah smiled as she placed the band on her wrist. With a flick of her hand, the tech whirred and squeaked, splitting and morphing until a lightweight Glock rested in her grip. "This is incredible." Opening her hand, the weapon folded on itself once more until it again appeared as a simple black band.
"For you, operative Barnes? There is a wide variety of long-range weapons as well as heavier firepower, depending on your target." With the press of a button, a panel along the far wall turned, a modified m16 with a vibranium infused body displayed. "Also, the latest model. Infrared and thermal view scope, while the weapon itself utilizes a combination of technological advancements, making it lightweight and deadlier at longer ranges than military grade."
"Well damn." James muttered, lifting the weapon from its mount, hand running over the matte black surface.
"Your preference of weaponry is very clear in your file. The Baron was quite specific in his instructions for your accommodation."
Head snapping up while heart leaping into her throat, Leah whipped around. "What did you–" widened eyes watched as the attendant stepped out of the room, hand pressed against the wall. "No!"
Without hesitation, Leah bolted toward the door, each step fueled with all her strength. Diving through the opening, Leah's hands found the man's neck, the two tumbling to the ground as the door slammed shut behind them.
Fury blinded her as she straddled him, fist crashing against the bridge of his nose while her other hand held his shirt collar. "Open the door!"
The man chuckled, spitting blood from his lips. "Nein."
Nostrils flared, the grip around his cotton shirt tightened, her own nails digging into her palm. If only she still had her powers. "Where is Strucker?"
A cocky smirk met her in response.
A growl ripped from her throat, her fist landing another blow against his nose, breaking it. HYDRA trained their operatives to resist torture, resist interrogation; she could beat him within an inch of his life and he wouldn't cooperate. "Fine." She sighed, standing and moving back.
A gruff laugh accompanied his dark scowl, "You've lost, traitor."
With a flick of her wrist, the band unfolded, Leah's fingers wrapping around the smooth grip of the weapon resting in her palm, finger caressing the trigger. "What did you call me?"
"Hail HYDRA."
"Fuck HYDRA!" Leah roared, the gunshot echoing through the room as the white floor turned red, his body falling limp in his own blood.
Eyes slipping shut, her grip released as she focused on steadying her breathing. Strucker had known they were coming, expecting it. But how? She didn't recognize the operative she now dragged to the touchpad to release James; did Strucker plan on this from the moment he escaped the first time?
"Leah, are you okay?" James's voice cut through her thoughts. "That was too damn close, I told you something was off."
"I'm fine, but we need to get out of here. Someone had to have heard the gunshot. We can talk about this later once we're safe."
"Well." James groaned, lifting the black bag of weapons he gathered over his shoulder. "I'm open to suggestions. I took everything I could in there."
Lip between her teeth, Leah wandered into the kitchen, hand sliding along the smooth chrome surface of the preparation stations. "I've got it." She stopped, tapping her heel against the panel beneath her boots. "Do you remember how I told you there were miles of tunnels beneath this place?"
James nodded.
A smug grin lifted her expression before she shoved the mobile stations aside to reveal a latch in the floor. Kneeling, her fingers curled beneath the flooring before lifting it to reveal the escape they desperately needed. "You grab any grenades?"
He smiled, pulling one from the bag.
"Good. These are gas stoves–"
Distant sirens cut her off, both their attention turning to the front of the shop. With a nod, they moved in unison, turning every knob and opening every valve; it was not long before the noxious fumes filled the room.
James entered the hatch first, Leah handing the bag down before grabbing the door of their escape. With a smirk, she pulled the pin and rolled the grenade across the floor before closing the hatch behind her. The hunt had begun.
