Disclaimer: I do not own Captain America or any of the other characters in the Marvel Universe. I only own the OCs that may appear in this story.
A/N: Oh boy, it has been a while since I updated this fic. Don't worry I haven't forgotten about it. I do hope to get another update sometime next week, but I won't make any promises in fear of breaking it. However, after this chapter I feel more confident in where I want this fic to go. Thanks for the support. Take care.
"Alright, you are all stitched up. A nurse will stop by to give you some pain medication for your hand." A doctor told Litchfield.
"Thank you. Next time I will be more careful trying to cut an avocado." Litchfield lied. He couldn't exactly tell the doctor that a former U.S. Sargent from the 1940s turned Soviet assassin had stabbed him in the hand, but the doctor couldn't have cared less as she made her way towards the next patient.
Pinching the bridge of his nose he let out a deep sigh. Litchfield was kicking himself for leaving Grace alone with Bucky.
'Why did I drag her into this mess? If anything happens to her it's my fault.' He chastised himself.
If Grace were to tell the truth about Faye, then he could only imagine what Bucky's reaction could be. From what Litchfield has witnessed the man was completely unstable. It was unsettling to the reporter how Bucky could slip back and forth between himself and the Winter Soldier. One wrong move from Grace and she could end up dealing with the cold hearted assassin.
Litchfield needed to get back to her, but unfortunately the nurse was taking their sweet time.
'What are you going to do when you get back to her, huh?' Litchfield asked himself, 'Neither of you can hold your own against him. No one can. Except…'
"Captain America." He said out loud.
"What'd you say?" A nurse spoke up.
"Huh? Oh nothing. Do you have anything for my hand?"
"Yes. Here is your pain medication. Now it is a small dose. Take one every 12 hours. You will feel drowsy. Don't mix it with other medications and never take it with alcohol. Okay?" the nurse instructed
"Got it. Thanks." Quickly grabbing his belongings Litchfield sprinted towards the exit of the ER. He immediately got out his phone and looked through the caller ID in search of Steve Rogers's number.
"We have been at this for hours. It's time for a break. Come on, there is a bar down the streets. Let's go get a drink." Sam suggested to Steve.
They had been looking over Bucky's file for hours and talking to anyone trustworthy to give them any sort of information they could on his possible whereabouts. But it all led to a dead end.
"I don't know. I'm not really up for a night out. Besides, I can't drink anyways. My metabolism is so fast that it burns the alcohol from my system." Steve replied.
"Don't let that stop you from having a good time. You can be my wingman." Sam insisted lightheartedly.
"I've seen how you are around the opposite sex, so you don't need me as your wingman."
"This may be a tad off topic, but have you been on a date since being defrosted? I mean, have you tried putting yourself out there in hopes of meeting someone?" Sam asked.
"You sound just like Natasha." Steve mentioned with a smirk.
Steve knew Sam and Natasha had good intentions, but it wasn't easy for him to go up and ask girls out. It never had been. Plus, it was hard to connect with someone who did not share the same experience as him. Everything was still a culture shock to Steve. He'd be hard pressed on finding someone who could be patient with him still learning how to use Apps, ITunes, and what emoticons are.
Just then Steve's cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID to see who it was calling him.
"Who is it?" Sam asked when he saw Steve quirk an eyebrow.
"It's that reporter I talked to today. Remember, he was the one who did that article about…"
"Weapon X and other government conspiracies, yeah I remember. Well, answer it and see what he wants."
"Let's hope he isn't cancelling on interviewing me. This is Steve Rogers." Said Steve as he answered the phone and put it on speaker so Sam could hear.
"Captain Rogers, hi, this is Joel Litchfield from the New York Times. Remember, we talked earlier today."
"Yes, I remember Mr. Litchfield. What can I do you for? Do we need to reschedule our interview?"
"No. I actually need your help. Look, there is no easy way to say this, so I am going to come right out and say. Just know that I am not lying to you, okay?"
"What is it?"
"I found Bucky Barnes. Well, actually he found me."
For a second Steve was unsure what he heard. From the stunned look on Sam's face showed Steve that he hadn't imagined it.
"I'm sorry, but did you just say you have been in contact with Bucky Barnes?" questioned Steve.
"Yes. After I got done talking to you. I entered my apartment and he was there. It appeared he was waiting for me. I guess he must have read some of my articles like you. He is just trying to find anyone who knows anything about Hydra or has ties to them."
Steve was shocked. He couldn't believe that the man he had talked to a few hours ago had found is best friend.
"Is he…I mean…what…?" Steve was tongue tied. He was unsure of what to ask.
"He's still confused about who he used to be, but it's slowly coming back to him. I should warn you the Winter Soldier can emerge at any moment when you talk to Bucky. From what I have seen Bucky and the Winter Soldier are like…"
"Two separate personalities." Steve finished.
"You're the only person who can help him."
"Give me your address. I will be there as soon as I can. It would safer for you if you stay away from him. As you have stated Bucky is…"
"I can't do that Mr. Rogers. I have to go back to my apartment. My friend is with alone with him." Litchfield informed.
"Who's your friend?" enquired Sam raising an eyebrow.
"She was my intern at my job. She's trustworthy. But I have to get back to her before anything happens to her."
"Well, you should have thought that before leaving with a mentally unbalanced assassin." Sam spoke furiously.
"Sam." Steve interjected.
"I'm sorry Steve, but this guy clearly does not have good judgment." Said Sam with his arms crossed. He wasn't going to allow Steve to be put into any sort of danger and this Litchfield guy was not as smart as he appeared.
"We need this guy's help and he needs ours. Look, you don't have to go if you don't want to."
Sam sighed, "I told you that I got your back. It would take us too long to get to New York City if we go through the standard airport procedures. Bucky could end up being long gone when we get there."
Steve gave what Sam said some thought and nodded his head in agreement. "I could call Stark, see if he would be willing to help."
"I…really don't think Stark would be willing to help the man who murdered his parents." Sam reminded Steve.
"We don't have to tell him anything about Bucky. I could call Ms. Potts and tell her I need a favor…"
"Nah. Won't work. Stark would find out or stick his nose where it doesn't belong. Plus, he would probably be upset that you got his girlfriend involved in any part of this."
Steve sighed in frustration. What were they supposed to do, huh? There were at a standstill.
"If it isn't any trouble, I may know someone who could help." Litchfield's voice spoke over the phone.
Sam scoffed, "Oh yeah, who?"
"Charles Xavier."
"He's the guy that runs that school for mutants, right?" asked Sam.
"Yes. Professor Xavier would be able to help you way more than I ever could. He would even be able to get you to New York as soon as possible. Here is his number." Litchfield explained then slightly paused before he continued to speak, "If you get in contact with Xavier, then you will be able to find my source."
"Charles Xavier is your source?" Steve asked after jotting down the number Litchfield gave him.
"No, he isn't. When you call him be sure to ask if you can speak to a Faye Donahue."
When hearing that name Steve dropped the pen from his hand and stood up straighter, "What did you say?"
