I don't own Captain America.

Chapter Ten: A Phone Call With Steve

(Bucky Point of View)

Bucky wasn't sure what to make of Rumlow's offer to reward him. He didn't get to pick. And much as he wanted to talk to Steve, at the same time he didn't want to. He was afraid that there was an ulterior motive behind this, something to harm Steve with.

Rumlow seemed to pick up on his feelings. "There is no ulterior move behind this," he reassured Bucky. "It's a reward."

Bucky was still hesitant. But the strong desire to reconnect with his friend was overwhelming, and he couldn't help it. He finally gave in.

Looking up hungrily at his handler, he practically begged, "How soon?"

Shrugging, Rumlow sat down. "It's all dependent," the man said, sitting down. After a brief pause, he added, "The soonest I'm willing to do is tomorrow. You need more of a chance to calm down. When you're ready to make the phone call, we'll have to give you instructions on what you're allowed to say and what you're not allowed to say."

Nodding, Bucky reached out for his handler desperately. Rumlow took his hand. "Can we... do it tomorrow?"

Rumlow nodded immediately. "Of course," his smooth voice responded. "You earned it. Like I said, it's a reward."

He was shaking, and Rumlow sent strong feelings of comfort over. While he was excited for what was about to happen and that he was receiving a reward, at the same time, he was nervous. The fact that he was going to be restricted, though, didn't hinder him. It only made him more excited, and perhaps, anxious. He'd known that whatever happened, there would be restrictions. But maybe it would give him some insight into his handler's mind? Maybe it would help him be able to figure out his handler, that way he wouldn't step on the man's toes anymore and would earn more rewards. He was desperate for rewards. And anything that could reconnect him with Steve was welcome.

His handler seemed to sense his excitement and he smiled kindly. "Like he said," the man murmured, kneeling down. "You earned it."

Bucky went deep inside himself, in deep thought. But his mind couldn't help but think of one thing.

"I'm being rewarded."

(Rumlow Point of View)

That the man was pleased that Bucky finally seemed to accept the fact that he was being rewarded was evident on his face. Rollins, who was next to him in the elevator frowned. "Something wrong?"

"No!" Rumlow turned to him in surprised. "Everything's right! Bucky seems more eager to cooperate!"

"It's for the rewards, isn't it?" Rollins asked dryly.

Rumlow sighed. "Yeah," he admitted a little sadly. Now, if they could only get the man more cooperative without rewards as an incentive... Not that he wouldn't ever be rewarded. But, like a dog, he didn't want the man to rely on rewards just to be obedient and cooperative.

"We'll need to set things up," he said to Jack, deep in thought. "I'm following your advice, letting him talk with Steve. Steve seems to be a very big incentive for him, after all."

"Yup," Jack acknowledged, popping the "P".

Once more, Rumlow was in thought. "We don't want our location given away. But what's more than that, I want to use this opportunity to gauge the other side. No doubt they'll be doing the same thing. Our spies haven't been able to bring anything back yet. They don't even know where he's at, only that the king of Wakanda took him. We have no lay out on what they're discussing."

"Your spies," Jack corrected, reminding him that he was leader of Hydra now. It was sometimes hard for him to grasp that thought as he was still in awe that Pierce had bestowed upon him such an honor.

"My spies," Rumlow corrected himself while deep in thought. His mind went back to his precious Bucky. The man was still worried about him. In many ways, he still had feelings of concern going around. Bucky wasn't adjusting as well as he'd hoped, despite having Rumlow as a guardian. He was doing his best to reach out to Bucky, to comfort him, to help him adjust. And Bucky was still going through a hard time.

He hoped that the rewards would help calm Bucky down and reassure him that Hydra wasn't going to hurt him.

But, only time would tell.

(The next day)

Bucky was quiet as they had lunch together. The man seemed to be keeping to himself. Rumlow was watching him in worry.

"Are you excited?" the man asked, trying to get Bucky to feel happy that he was going to be talking to his friend once again.

To his disappointment, Bucky shook his head. "Tired," he stated, and though the man knew that it was true, he could tell that that wasn't the complete truth.

He leaned forward some. "Tell me what's wrong," he voiced in worry.

Bucky looked up in perplex. "But that's the thing. I don't know. I feel off, and I don't know why."

Rumlow nodded. His precious Bucky didn't quite understand his own feelings, or he hadn't quite processed them. Rumlow wasn't sure which it was.

Regardless, he didn't want his precious asset and beloved soldier feeling melancholy. And so, he was setting this up. "Try not to be so sad when you talk to Steve," Rumlow quietly instructed him. Bucky nodded, and Rumlow reached over, grasping both of his hands. "Try to lighten up! This is supposed to be a happy moment! This is a reward!"

Bucky slowly looked up and nodded. For the first time that lunch he touched his food. But Rumlow could feel the tension in Bucky's stomach as time passed, getting closer to the phone call. There was also a trepidation there, the man feeling like he had failed Steve.

Rumlow couldn't help the compassion he felt for him. He knew how hard this was on Bucky. But there was no way around it. They needed to throw Steve a bone, throw him off some. That, and he needed Bucky to function. To do that, unfortunately, Steve would have to be in the picture, as much as he disliked the man.

When Bucky was done eating, he looked up, almost desperate to get out of the phone call. Rumlow couldn't understand. He knew Bucky wanted this, that he wanted interaction with Steve. So why did his precious Asset feel torn?

He continued to observe him, but he wasn't really able to figure out Bucky's emotions any more than Bucky was.

Sighing, he let it go. It wouldn't do any good to push it. If he did, Bucky might shut down.

When they were done, Rumlow stood up. He would have to put some authority in his voice in order to get Bucky to cooperate. "Time to go," he instructed. Bucky stood up reluctantly.

They were out of the house. They were in the main Hydra facility, the room calm and as warm as possible. Tons of equipment was around, including things to listen in on the phone call. And Bucky was still tense.

A lone phone was on a desk, a seat beside it. They sat him down, Rumlow watching with folded arms, and then his officers began giving Bucky instructions. Mainly, it was Rollins doing so.

"You can talk with him about whatever you want. Just don't give away any Hydra intel," was the initial instructions. Then someone else pitched in.

"Avoid Hydra if you can, at all."

"Do try to make sure he knows you're coming home."

"But don't give him an exact date."

"Don't tell him where you're at."

"Don't tell him anything that could help him figure out your location."

"Try and subtly get some intel from him if you can."

When they were done, Bucky just stared at the phone, quite pale. Seeing that he wasn't moving, Rumlow moved next to him. Bucky looked up. "He's going to try and trace the call," Rumlow informed him. "But he won't succeed, so don't worry about that. You'll have 45 minutes, as a test. But if we have to pull you out suddenly, we will. I don't anticipate it, though."

When Bucky still did nothing but stare at the phone, Rumlow nudged him. "Have fun," he encouraged. With a gulp, Bucky picked up the phone and dialed.

The phone rang, and when someone picked up, Steve's hesitant voice was heard. "Hello?"

Bucky gulped again. "Steve?"

"Bucky!" Steve had a concerned and urgent voice, and Bucky took a deep breath in. He didn't know why, but all of a sudden he started relaxing and the tension left him.
"Hey, Steve."

"Do you know how worried I've been?" Steve practically begged. "Where are you?"

Of course that would pop up. "Can't say that."

There was hesitation. "You're... with Rumlow... aren't you?" There was almost grief in the man's voice.

"Can't say that."

An awkward silence followed, and Bucky didn't know what to say. What could he say? Fortunately, Steve saved the day. "I want you to come home. I'm begging you! I miss you!"

Tears ran down Bucky's eyes. This wasn't what he was expecting from a phone call. "Soon," he promised Steve, but even then he didn't know if he would end up coming home soon. He wanted to, but with his handler's attitude towards him lately...

He looked at his handler desperately. His eyes were full of tears suddenly, and Rumlow stared at him calmly. There was almost a pleading expression in his gaze. He knew they were listening in on the phone call, and probably the other people on Steve's end as well. There was no way that Steve wouldn't take an opportunity like this to try and pinpoint his location. 'Can I?' his eyes were staying to Rumlow.

There was 'no' answer from Rumlow, and he turned away, disappointed. No doubt Steve heard the doubt in his tone, earlier. But he did receive comfort when the disappointment crept up, and Rumlow knelt beside him, gently taking his metal hand, squeezing it in comfort.

Bucky decided to end the phone call. He wasn't sure that he could do this. But at a push from his handler to go on, he knew he had no choice. He gulped and continued talking, changing the subject. "Is Sam there?" A small smile twitched on his face as he said this. Maybe he could get on Sam's nerves, alleviate himself some by teasing the man.

Steve was hesitant. "Why would you say that?"

"Come on, Steve!" Bucky complained. "You and I both know that you wouldn't take this phone call without someone else listening in."

His handler narrowed his eyes, and that's when Bucky knew that he needed to back off.

There was more hesitation. "Are you wanting to speak to him?" was the surprising offer.

Shock came on Bucky's face. Steve was really offering?

"M-maybe?" Bucky stumbled. Rumlow tapped his wrist and Bucky looked at him. A feeling to be careful came up. Evidently his handler wasn't exactly sure about the waters that Bucky was treading.

"Oh," was Steve's reluctant voice, like he didn't want to let go of Bucky. "Okay."

There was a momentary shift, and then Sam was on the line. "Bucky?" Was Sam's gentle, but firm voice.

"Sam?" Bucky replied. At a prompting from his handler, he looked over. Rumlow was shaking his head. Evidently, his reward didn't extend to talking to anyone but Steve. "Is Steve there?"

"You're wanting to talk to Steve again?" Sam was being extremely careful with his tone and his words.

Bucky gulped. Rumlow prompted with feelings to say yes. "Yeah."

The phone shifted, and Steve was back on the line. "You okay?" was Steve's concerned voice.

"Yeah!" Bucky tried to sound confident. His handler backed off some with the feelings, and Bucky knew that the conversation was back where his handler approved. "Why wouldn't I be?"

It seemed like Steve wanted to cry on the other end. "You know I miss you," Steve begged into the phone. "Please come home. Please find a way to come home."

"You know I will soon."

"And," Steve was hesitant. "Tell Rumlow I want to talk to him. I know he's probably beside you. Tell him I want to speak with him."

Bucky looked over. Rumlow was shaking his head. "Rumlow isn't here," Bucky replied when he said this.

Steve wasn't convinced, apparently. "If he won't come to the phone, then I know that he's listening in and can get this message. I want him to know that he doesn't have to to do this. Just return Bucky unharmed. I'll let the rest go. I'm begging you, Brock! Don't do this to him! Let him come home and live a peaceful life!"

"He can't hear you," Bucky whispered into the phone, even though he knew his handler and everyone around could. Steve had such a broken voice, that Bucky couldn't help but cry.

"I want you home so badly," Steve whispered. "I don't ever want you to leave again!"

"Steve," Bucky closed his eyes. "Would you really cage me?"

"NO!" was the emphatic response. "You're already caged as it is."

"Then don't cage me more."

At this point, Brock had a displeased expression, and Bucky knew that his phone call time was over. "Steve, I've got to go."

Steve was getting desperate. "No! Please don't go!"

"I have to to come back to you!" was Bucky's wry statement, and he could tell that Steve was crying on the other end. "Bye, Steve."

He hung up the phone, and suddenly Bucky burst into tears in front of everybody. He was embarrassed, but he couldn't help it.

Rumlow held him in his arms, rocking him back and forth gently. With a nod of his head, he dismissed everybody, and they left. "Shh," he whispered to his Asset. "You're all right."

Bucky was hiccuping from his sobs. "I know there was something you wanted from this phone call. Did you get it?"

Brock nodded. "But it was also for your sake."

Bucky sobbed more.

"I know."

(Rumlow Point of View)

His Asset was put to bed shortly thereafter. He couldn't stand the pure and raw feelings coming from him. So, he had a sedative made to calm Bucky down and made him drink it. Now, Bucky was peacefully asleep from his bed.

They'd successfully used the line to tap into some of the technology in the place Steve was staying at. A piece of spyware had been placed, and now they were waiting to activate it at an opportune time. The more intelligence they could gather from Steve's place, the better. It would be vital to keeping them out of current events, especially as they moved on to the next stage of furthering Hydra's goals. They were so close.

Barnes shifted in his sleep. He mumbled softly, nonsense words. Rumlow putting a calming hand on his shoulder, and Bucky stilled in his sleep, looking peaceful for once.

He didn't know why he liked to watch Bucky sleep. Bucky didn't even know that he did that. But for Rumlow, it was calming. It was like reassurance to him that Bucky was really there, safe in his grasp. Sometimes he'd sit on the bed beside him as he watched him. It was a relief to know that Bucky wasn't in that horrid Steve's hands. No, Bucky was safer with him, even if he didn't realize it.

Bucky stirred again. He mumbled more.

Rumlow watched him peacefully. "You know, I'll take care of you forever," Rumlow muttered softly to him, gently stroking a piece of hair out of Bucky's face. Bucky relaxed more.

The sedative was working. Normally, Bucky would be more than restless. But this was keeping him calm, giving him a good night's rest.

After watching him a little bit longer, Rumlow stood up. He softly padded to the door, and after looking back, he went out and shut the door quietly behind him. The force field went up around the room, effectively keeping Bucky safe and inside.

They had their ups and downs. He knew that Bucky didn't entirely understand why he did the things he did. And, ultimately, Rumlow was protecting him from the truth. He knew that Bucky wasn't on his side.

But, as Rumlow moved through his house, he thought on the final things. They were almost done coming up with a way to keep Barnes unaware as he did the things that Hydra needed him to do. Once that was done, all they had to do was bring Bucky under, and then he wouldn't remember a thing when he came out of it. Barnes would be more peaceful coming out of it.

Hydra's players were carefully positioned. Bucky was the last one. Whether he wanted to be or not, whether he realized it or not, he was an operative.

Brock was confident that he would succeed. Pierce had taught him patience, and that patience was paying off. Pretty soon, victory would be his, and the world would belong to Hydra.

Sighing, Brock went into his room, and out of a secret compartment pulled the secret gemstone that had been Pierce's last gift to him. It had started Bucky's original bond to his original handler. Brock was confident that he had pieced together enough of it's secrets to control the world, including an unwilling population. Yes, there would have to be sacrifices, and part of the world's population would have to die. But it was necessary in order to bring the world to order. And that order could only come from Hydra.

He thought on Bucky again. What would he do with him after they succeeded? He was still very much a captive. And, truth be told, Hydra's leaders had never thought that far.

That Barnes had to live was evident. That, and none of his handlers, including himself, had ever had any intention of killing him. Barnes was just too precious for that. That, and the bond prevented it.

No, he'd just have to find a different place for Bucky in the world to come, and Barnes would have to learn his place. Bucky would fight, but in the end he wouldn't succeed. He never succeed against Hydra, let alone his handler.

Getting him to be happy in the new world, and with his position, was going to be difficult, though. In many ways, it would be easier if Bucky just gave up. Then they could focus on making him happy with his situation. But the fact that Barnes resisted caused much of the problem. He resisted treatment.

It was only a matter of time, anyways. Bucky's therapists were good. Already he showed signs of cracking and letting himself be treated. It was better this way. Maybe, in time, Barnes could learn to be cheerful. And the efficiency of Bucky's therapists were evident with others they had helped treat from trauma, including himself. They'd be able to heal Bucky's wounds.

Patiently playing out his options, Rumlow decided that perhaps it was best to start preparing Bucky for the world to come and his roll in it. He'd already promised him an education. Maybe it was time to start it, with slight modifications as it was.

Barnes had yet to choose his subjects. In fact, he'd been refusing.

Oh well. That meant Rumlow would just have to assign him some.

(Bucky Point of View)

"You're what?!" Bucky shouted in panic.

His handler looked up at him with a 'don't yell at your handler' expression. "I already told you. I promised you an education, and you're going to get one. I've delayed too much already for your sake. I gave you time to choose your subjects, and you haven't. So I'm going to assign them. You start today."

"But-" Bucky protested, and his handler glared at him. He decided to choose a different route. "I'll choose!" Bucky promised. "Give me a couple of hours to think."

Brock was stern. "No."

"Thirty minutes!" Bucky begged.

"No."

"But why not!" And Bucky was whining.

Sighing, Rumlow looked up at him. "In many ways, this is a natural punishment. I gave you time to choose, and you didn't take it. If I go back on my word, you'll never learn. You need to know that I'm serious when I say something."

"You never gave a deadline," Bucky plead.

"But I did say soon, and I expected you to choose soon. You didn't do that."

Bucky was disappointed. His face feel, and Brock reached across the breakfast table to place a comforting hand on him. "If you think about it, it's not truly a punishment. It's just a natural consequence of not taking advantage of the opportunity I gave you and expected you to take."

"I don't want to be punished!" Bucky stabbed his eggs with a fork.

"Like I said, it's not truly punishment."

"You called it punishment earlier."

Brock sighed. "It was a wrong choice of words."

"You're still forcing me to be educated."

At this point, his handler was looking annoyed. "I'm doing you a favor, you know," Brock pointed out. "You're education is sorely lacking."

Clenching his fists hard, Bucky stabbed at the eggs again without eating. "Brainwashing!" he accused, and his handler rolled his eyes.

"It's not brainwashing. It's educating. We're not going to hurt you. You're not going to be in pain." Silence lasted for a few minutes, and then Brock continued on. "Which reminds me, you haven another appointment this afternoon after your schooling."

Bucky grimaced. "Sounds fun," he was sarcastic. He wasn't looking forward to meeting with his therapists again. This time, he knew that several were meeting with him, maybe even the whole team. But why, he didn't know. It made him nervous.

Brock felt his feelings and placed his hand on his shoulder. "It's nothing to be afraid of," he reassured him.

Bucky couldn't shake the hand off of his shoulder as the bond forced him to be submissive and obedient. But he didn't like the feeling of Brock's hand on him. It wasn't comforting not after his handler had announced what was going to happen to him. Sensing this, Brock continued, "I know that you don't like therapy, but it's for the best. You need to get over those feelings, and you need help to do so."

"It's not fun," Bucky complained. "I don't like therapy."

Brock was silent for a moment. "I know," he then replied.

Breakfast continued in silence with Bucky just stabbing at his eggs. Though his handler looked at him in worry, he didn't say anything, even though he could have forced Bucky to eat, and had done so before. Evidently, Brock wasn't in a mood to correct him.

His plate was taken away after Brock ate and it was evident that Bucky wouldn't eat. "I'll escort you to your lessons," Brock stood up, the dishes undone. They were never done by him. Bucky heavily suspected that a servant came and took care of house chores.

Having no choice, Bucky stood up to walk with his handler. He was slightly shaking, but firm on his feet. He was ready to face his doom, as he thought. Therapy was never fun. And no doubt, these lessons would not be fun either.

Brock held him by the shoulder firmly. They walked out of the house and through the Hydra facility.

He was nervous. Why, he didn't know. Rumlow promised not to hurt him. So, as he entered a classroom like setting, complete with one desk in the room, a teacher's desk in front, and a chalkboard behind the teacher's desk, he couldn't help but gulp. He looked around nervously, noticing several men present, his teachers, no doubt.

Rumlow turned back to him and clapped him firmly on the shoulder. "Be good, all right?"

Bucky nodded obediently, then his handler walked out, leaving him with his teachers.

They were stern looking men, and that only added to his nerves. One of the men, who was bald, was in the teacher's chair. "Sit," he commanded firmly.

Rather than test the patience of these men, he sat obediently. He'd just gotten rewarded earlier. He didn't want to try his chances and have more of his privileges taken away. He needed to be good so that he could make it back to Steve.

Steve...

He was nervous and quiet. For a while, all was quiet. Bucky nervously glanced around, and finally, the teacher at the desk looked up after a couple of minutes. He scrutinized the Winter Soldier, and then finally got up. Walking around the desk, he stalked in front of Bucky. "I've reviewed the education you had as a child, when you were in the military, and the education you've had under Hydra. You've been found sorely lacking. Mr. Rumlow wants me to get your education up to date, and that I will."

The man paced around, and Bucky's eyes landed on the clock in the room, wondering how long he would have to do this for. "We will be catching you up on history, science, culture, languages, and other things. Some are requirements for your service to Hydra, such as updated espionage skills. You will be doing physical education, on top of it. The time you are required to spend in the gym has been deemed not enough. Plus, Mr. Rumlow wants you to learn further teamwork skills with his men here. Hey, pay attention!" The man snapped his fingers and Bucky turned back. "Also, he noted that you refused extra curricular activities, so some will be assigned to you."

"I didn't!" Bucky protested. But he stopped when the man glared at him, returning to an obedient state.

"Regardless, you didn't choose when he asked you to choose. So some will be assigned." Turning away, the man slapped a page upside down on Bucky's desk. "You will be tested to find out what you know. Then we will be going over the answers. This is a timed test for various skills. Begin."

Warily glancing at the man, Bucky turned the page over. A pencil was already on the desk, and so he nervously began to answer. He didn't know what would happen if he got too much wrong.

Some of the questions made him cringe. They were on Hydra and Hydra's relationship with the world. Though it included questions from science, history, and other things, it was the questions about Hydra's role in history that he disagreed with most.

Bucky found it hard to get through. Not only was he not always up to date on the technology that didn't pertain to his missions or Winter Soldier objective, but the implications of what he would be learning made him nervous. How would he know if Hydra was telling the truth about there own history? After all, it was just their version of events.

Some questions surprised him. They were on his role as the Winter Soldier, and on some of his past missions, which he didn't remember. Some were on the impact he had on history and the fate of the world from the actions of the Winter Soldier.

About fifteen minutes later, the test was yanked abruptly from him without his consent or control. "Times up," his stern teacher said, and Bucky leaned back, nervous.

The teacher spent the next half hour reviewing the questions, at times pursing his lips in dissatisfaction. Finally, he graded and returned the test.

Bucky chanced to look at his grade and wished he hadn't. It was a C-, not bad, but not what he had been hoping for.

His teacher was sitting at the desk, elbows rested on the table with palms clasped, looking at Bucky. He was in thought. "I see you understand the basic concepts, still that you were introduced to in the 1940's. That's fine and all that. But technology has advanced significantly, and while you're familiar with what you were originally taught by Hydra, there are still gaps in your education. That, and your knowledge of Hydra history, even your own role in things, is sorely lacking. Have you never been taught your mission in Hydra?"

Bucky didn't know what to answer. He was careful. "I... was not always informed... It was mainly missions."

The teacher was silent for a minute, but then he nodded. "I see." He seemed to sense that Bucky was nervous of potential brainwashing. He sat back. "You have nothing to be afraid of," he reassured Bucky. "We're not going to hurt you. This is just an education."

Looking back cautiously, Bucky replied, "But everything about this, you're trying to indoctrinate me into Hydra."

The teacher shrugged. "Not really. What you believe is up to you. We're giving you a well rounded education. Not everything is grounded in history. But, yes, we will be opening your view to Hydra's perspective. You already had one perspective when you were out in the world. Doesn't it seem fair to get the opposite side of the story?"

"How do I know that Hydra will even tell me the truth?" Bucky decided to get a little bold.

Raising one eyebrow, his teacher answered, "You think Hydra would lie about it's own history? What about the fact that you'll be looking at original records and copies of original records?"

"Even basic presentations can be edited in such a way to be misleading," he quietly replied.

"And as I said," the teacher emphasized. "You can believe what you want to believe. We're not forcing you to believe in anything. We're just giving you a different perspective, the opposite perspective. That way you'll be well rounded."

"But I can still research the opposite perspective from yours?" Bucky wanted to make sure.

"On your own time," his teacher shrugged. Bucky wasn't sure whether or not Rumlow would allow that, since he could limit his movements, including on whether or not he could go to the local library. He simply didn't know what his handler would and wouldn't allow.

His teacher continued observing him. "Do you have any questions for me?"

Thinking carefully, Bucky asked, "How long and how often do I have schooling?"

There was a pause of thought before his teacher answered. "Three days a week for four hours, as long as you're in Hydra. The schedule will vary, and even in a day, it may be split, especially if you have therapy in the middle of the day."

"This includes everything?" Bucky clarified. "Spy training? Physical education? Whatever else you have planned for me?"

The teacher nodded.

At this point, one of the other men turned to Bucky. "Mr. McGrath is in charge of the informative part of your education. This includes lay education, such as history, science, technology, and other things. I'm in charge of the physical aspects of your education, from spy training, espionage, and other physical education. Mr. Don, over there, is in charge of the teamwork side of your education."

Now Bucky knew the name of two of the men in the room. Mr. McGrath must have been over the other teachers. Bucky wondered if he was a psychologist. The only name left to learn was the man who would be upgrading his espionage education.

Mr. McGrath continued to observe Bucky. "You seem rather nervous," he brought up.

"Wouldn't you be if you were in my shoes?" Bucky pointed out.

The teacher looked thoughtful. Then, after a few minutes, he got up.

"Well start with history."

(Some time has passed)

Bucky was shaking by the time Rumlow picked him up. It wasn't because they were mean to him, quite the contrary. It was the content he had learned and the homework he had been given. While it hadn't been given in a brainwashing way, or at least the manner Bucky had remembered as brainwashing, learning about Hydra's history from their perspective had been nerve wracking.

Rumlow immediately wrapped him in a hug when he saw him, having sensed his feelings. "It's going to be all right," he reassured Bucky.

Bucky gulped, clutching his textbooks and homework. "Therapy is next," Rumlow informed him softly, and let him go.

He was immediately escorted through the Hydra facility, and to the familiar room of his therapist. James was waiting for him, motioning him further inside. Once Bucky sat down, placing his homework and textbook beside himself on the couch, slightly nervous, his handler had a few words with his therapist. Then the man left.

James shut the door, taking his usual place in front of him. He flipped open Bucky's chart. "I see you have an appointment scheduled with Charles next week, probably to go over your medications since they had to back you off. How have you been feeling? Have you noticed any side effects?"

Shuddering, Buck shook his head. His therapist seemed in thought. "You're remarkably quiet today."

"It was a long day today," Bucky whispered, looking down.

His therapist crossed his legs, leaning back some. "Why don't we talk about it?"

Bucky shrugged. He wasn't sure what to say. "What is there to say about it?"

"Your emotions, your feelings."

"I was put in school and I didn't have any say," Bucky summed it up.

James jotted a few notes down, no doubt recording his emotions. "You keep repeating that during our sessions, that you don't have any say."

"Because I don't," Bucky glared. "Everything is decided for me."

"Which clearly bothers you," James noted. "You don't like to be taken care of, I see."

"Not by Hydra."

"How about by Steve?"

Clenching his fists, Bucky looked away. "I don't like to be taken care of by anybody," he confessed.

"Because you don't feel safe?" James pried.

"Because it means I'm not free," Bucky replied.

"Freedom," James echoed, noting it down. "That's another thing that keeps popping up in our sessions."

"It's a sore issue," Bucky admitted.

To his surprise, James was silent for a few minutes, almost considering. "I'll admit, we've been debating hypnotherapy for you for a while. Even your handler wonders if it might help you, might help you cope."

His gut clenched. He didn't like the thought of going under with these people, or with anyone, really. But especially not these people. "Are there any other options?" Bucky tried to find a way around.

James looked at him in compassion. "You don't like the thought of that?"

"I don't want Hydra in my head," Bucky was firm.

James sighed. "Dr. Plouff didn't seem to think regular hypnotherapy would be progressive with you, but even he agreed that our modified form of hypnotherapy, patent of Hydra, might be worth a shot trying."

"I'm not doing any thing that doctor says!" Bucky gritted his teeth.

"You're still angry at him?" James uncrossed his legs, staring intently at him. Looking away in anger, Bucky didn't answer. The man waited, but when Bucky didn't respond, he moved on. "Luna would be in charge of the hypnotherapy. She agrees it's for the best. Also, she wants to do some sensory deprivation with you. She thinks it might help, the Hydra version. It's quite a bit more effective than what you'll find out in the world."

Bucky shook his head. "No."

"Then I don't suppose it will help that your handler has already signed off on this? It's been scheduled. Your first one is tomorrow. We're just informing you."

"Everything is always done without my consent!" Bucky mourned.

James had compassion on his face. "It's for the best. You're so stuck that we need to give you a push in life, get you unstuck."

"I never had any choice to begin with!" Bucky was in mourning.

"You can't function," James pointed out. "We know what we have works. It's time for you to start living life."

Soft tears went down Bucky's face, and he looked away. "On the bright side you get to skip school tomorrow. It will probably take all day. You'll get the day after off as well."

It was too much to handler. Bucky bolted out of the office, well aware that his therapy was still in session, and that he hadn't been given permission to leave. While he couldn't leave Hydra, still unable to, he ran and ran and ran. He lost track of where he was going, completely unaware of his surroundings.

Finally, he reached an alley behind a building and just collapsed, crying. He curled up next to the wall and let his heart out.

For how long he was like this, how long he was there for, he didn't know. Finally, he heard some footsteps, and he looked up to see Jack staring down at him in compassion. The man then walked over and sat beside him. "What's wrong?" he asked.

The tear streaks on Bucky's face were obvious. "Did you know?" he demanded.

"About what?" Rollins turned to him.

"About the hypnotherapy and sensory deprivation."

Rollins was hesitant. "You're handler thought it was best to have your therapist break it to you, rather than him. He thought you might handle it better, being able to process your emotions. Clearly he was wrong. Or, you would have handled it worse from him."

Bucky was back to crying, but he was silent this time. He rested his head on his knees. "No, no, no!" his voice wavered. "It's all falling apart!" Suddenly, his sobbed softly. Jack put his arm around his shoulders.

He couldn't help it. He didn't know why he did it, but he was desperate for comfort. Bucky leaned into the affection, crying on Jack's shoulders.

Jack gently hushed him. "It's not bad, you know," he murmured softly. "You won't be in pain or anything, I assure you. In fact, that's why we're doing this - to get you out of pain."

"I don't want it!" Bucky moaned.

"You'd rather be in pain?" Jack questioned. "Because that's what's happening right now. What if you didn't have to experience these emotions?"

"I don't want it!" Bucky emphasized, crying.

Jack was silent after that, being unable to convince him. He just held him.

The world went dark.

(The next day)

Bucky was in cotton scrubs, though why, he didn't know. He looked around the room he had been placed in nervously. There was a one way glass window, and he could sense his handler on the other side. The room he was in had a couch, medical equipment to monitor his vitals, and a medical gurney.

Luna was setting things up by the medical gurney. Evidently, there were going to give him a slight sedative before they started the procedure and hypnotized him. Meanwhile, Bucky paced around the room nervously. While it wasn't mind wiping, an ECT, or a dreaded lobotomy, he was still nervous. Because of this, his handler sent him feelings of comfort to calm his anxiety down some, and amazingly, Bucky calmed down slightly.

There were guards in the room. They had weapons. Apparently, no one was sure if Bucky was going to loose it before they could treat him. While it made him wary and nervous, at the same time, he took it as an indication to him to keep in line. He had no choice in the matter, period. It was happening regardless. There would be no running away this time, like he ran out of his therapy session.

The amount of force he felt on himself was enormous. When Luna motioned him over, he sighed, got off the couch, and lay on the gurney, being obedient. He was strapped in, like a guinea pig, in his opinion.

He had begged his handler to let him return to Steve after the procedure if he was good. His handler hadn't been to pleased with the request. He had yet to hear back. He could only hope that if he was good, that answer would turn into a yes. That was why he was being obedient. He wanted to see Steve again. He wanted out of the Hydra facility, out of Hydra.

Luna was calm around him. She gently put the IV in, and then, placing a soft hand on his shoulder, asked, "Are you ready?" Bucky gulped and nodded. He strained against the restraints slightly, trying to get comfortable.

With one last glance at the glass, where his handler was, Bucky sighed. Luna brought his focus to her, and she brought out a light. "Listen to my voice," she ordered softly. "On the count of three, you will be going deeper. One... Two... Three-"

Darkness.

(Bucky Point of View)

He was drowsy. His eyes were not clear as he woke up. But, slowly, the fuzziness went away.

His handler was seated in front of him, looking at him closely with concern. Bucky gasped, tried to sit, up, and his handler gently pushed him back down to his bed.

His bed!

Bucky looked around. He was in his room at his handler's house. Rumlow observed him silently.

Looking at the clock, Bucky was confused. He wasn't sure for how long he was out for. He looked at Brock expectantly.

Sensing his question, Brock replied, "It's all over."

"All... over?" Bucky questioned. He felt strangely calm. The more he woke up, the better he realized that he felt. "The... sensory deprivation?"

"Completely done," Brock confirmed. "Now, do you feel scared? Do you feel emotional?"

Bucky paused to think on this. With a sudden jolt, he realized he was not. He was starting to feel emotionally better. "No," he admitted with surprise.

Brock seemed satisfied. "See! There's nothing to be afraid of!"

He felt comfortable around his handler. Before, he might have been hesitant to ask, but now he wasn't. "Can I go back to Steve? Please? I was good." He was confident in his asking, something he'd never felt before. He was also very careful not to ask if he could go home. Brock wouldn't like that, and would be less likely to concede. Nonetheless, he could tell his handler knew that he had been thinking it.

Brock was hesitant, but he sighed. "Very well," he conceded. "You were good after all. It's time for you to be rewarded."

"Yes!" Bucky danced around in his bed, seated.

"That said," Brock warned. "I want you to get some rest first. We'll talk, and then you may head back."

Being obedient, Bucky lay down, and Brock put the blankets back over him. Gently touching his cheek, Brock murmured, "Sleep well."

Bucky watched his handler exit. Then, when the man had completely exited, and the force field was up, Bucky closed his eyes, starting to fall asleep again.

Bucky was in peace.

(A little while later)

He and his handler were talking. Bucky was standing at attention right in front of his handler. "You will need to do your homework when you come back."

"I know," Bucky confirmed, completely at ease.

Rumlow, who was seated at the dinner table, Bucky standing in front of him, continued, "I hope you learned your lesson this time. I don't like punishing you. I want you to enjoy your privileges."

"I know," Bucky thought hard, sincere. "I'm working on obedience."

"That you should," Rumlow pointed at him. "And, while you're back at Steve's, I want you to gather some intel."

Bucky was hesitant, but he nodded obediently. He didn't like doing it, but he had to be obedient. He had his duty. There was nothing he could do to change that.

Brock didn't have anymore to say to him, so he dismissed him. Bucky exited, heading straight for the Hydra facility. Then, in excitement, he headed to the locker room, changed his clothes to his street clothes, and was pleased when the Hydra personnel took him aboard a boat.

He stayed below deck the whole time, not being able to see where they were going. It was night time by the time they let him off, and Bucky stepped onto a forested beach, on an island, or so he presumed.

Hearing the boat leaving, he chanced a glance back, and saw the ship disappear into the distance. Then he headed off, trying to find Steve. That must be why they let him here, because they knew that Steve was here.

He was careful not to leave tracks behind. The last thing they needed was knowing exactly where he stepped foot on the island.

His heart beat hard. He was going to see Steve!

He continued forward.

(Rumlow Point of View)

Brock and Jack were sitting side by side. "Are you pleased with how things turned out?" Jack asked him.

Brock nodded, completely at ease for once. "He's a lot calmer. Plus, he doesn't seem to be aware that he did a mission, let alone the lost time. Plus, he got treatment at the same time. It seems to be working."

"It seems to be working, tacking something extra alongside the treatment," Jack mused. The man was in thought. "And perhaps it's for the best. The less he suspects, the better. Plus, it will give him emotional healing."

"Yes," Rumlow was pleased. The less he was affected, the better. Then he could truly be an effective leader of Hydra. The last thing he needed was to be affected by his Asset's emotions. But, that was what was happening.

Rumlow sighed, staring out the window of his home.

Perhaps a break would do Bucky and him good.

(Bucky Point of View)

Bucky looked around him. His reunion with Steve had been met with tears on both sides. He hadn't realized how much he really missed his best friend. Perhaps he had been suppressing those emotions in order to cope.

T'Challa and Steve were talking a little ways away. He was in a secure room right now, only to be expected. They didn't know if he was brainwashed or not. Their emotions were high, and they were highly concerned, he could tell.

Shuri, who must have arrived at some point, was peaking through the glass window. She had a concerned frown on her face as she looked at him. Bucky couldn't look at her, feeling slightly ashamed. He couldn't even bear to attempt to listen to the conversation Steve and T'Challa were having.

Finally, his best friend and the king came in. They looked at each other, and then both sat on the couch opposite Bucky, staring at him intently.

Steve was at a loss for words. But, he could tell that his best friend wanted nothing more than to put a hand on his shoulder, to comfort him.

"Where have you been?" T'Challa asked, breaking the silence.

Bucky looked away. He wasn't sure how to answer anything. What more could he say?

"Bucky?" Steve prompted, and Bucky looked away more.

"You know," he murmured slightly to his best friend and the king. Both of them exchanged looks. It wasn't a pleasant one.

Steve looked like his eyes were full of tears. T'Challa looked in deep thought, worried. "I hate that they control you," Steve was close to crying. He reached out to Bucky. "We're trying, Bucky. We really are! We're going to get you out of this!"

But the thing was, Bucky didn't know that he felt uncomfortable with Rumlow anymore. Yeah, the man was forcing him to go to Hydra. But, maybe this could be to his advantage. Maybe, he could convince Rumlow to be kind and caring.

Bucky looked up. "It's for the best," he proposed.

Steve shook his head. "No it's not!" He was trembling with grief. "Bucky! I want you back home! And I want you home safe! As long as your being threatened, you're not safe!"

Bucky shook his head. "I'm not being threatened!"

"Being controlled is being threatened!"

"No!" Bucky was in denial. "It's not like that at all! He takes my feelings into account!"

"He takes your feelings into account when he's forcing you to do things?"

"He does!" Bucky tried to convince Steve.

T'Challa seemed deep in thought, but he interrupted the conversation just then. "Do you like killing people?"

"NO!" Bucky protested.

T'Challa was calm where Steve was not. He looked Bucky directly in the eyes. "He's forcing you to kill people. If you don't like killing people, then why do you liked being forced?"

Bucky didn't understand. It was only treacherous Hydra that Bucky had killed so far under Rumlow's rule. He shook his head. It was hard to explain. But, T'Challa wasn't ready to give up the topic. "We're willing to help you find your way out of this control he has you under. However, you should know. He may be forcing you to do things, but if you're don't want to be released from his control, then you're in essence consenting to his deeds, despite the control he has over you."

Bucky shook his head. "I don't want to kill people!" he expressed.

"Then let us help you," T'Challa was firm. Bucky put his head in his hands in distress. "I know you're being controlled. I know you don't see a way out of these things. But, here is reality. You're a powerful assassin that he can use to harm others. We can't let him control you. I know you see no way out of this, but we have to at least try, or we stand condemned."

As Bucky considered, not sure what he felt about that, his emotions were plain on his face.

Once more, T'Challa was firm with him. "I know you don't want to hear this, but you need to consider the fact that you have a trauma bond with Rumlow. Going to see him isn't healthy for you."

Bucky shook his head. "I don't have a trauma bond!" In reality, it was something different.

Breathing deeply, T'Challa sighed. His hands were to his head. "The most intel we've been able to gather is that you have some sort of connection to him. That's what Wanda saw. She knows it connects the two of you physically and emotionally. But, just because you're attached to him in that way, doesn't mean that a trauma bond doesn't exist to him. That can exist as well."

Shaking, Bucky was in denial. 'No, it can't be!' He wasn't ready to accept the fact that maybe Rumlow had a little more control over him than he desired. His mind didn't even want to consider the possibility. But even if it was the case, could it be both ways? After all, Rumlow seemed attached to him as well.

Steve put his arm around his shoulder. "We'll find our way through this," he promised his friend. "We always do."

He was in deep thought. His best friend was quiet and let him think through things.

But, really? A trauma bond to Rumlow? He felt so calm when he was around him!

What's more, he didn't really want to leave him. He knew that he and Rumlow needed each other. They relied on each other.

Looking up, he protested, "Let me work with him! I can convince him to be good!"

At this point, Steve and T'Challa were having a mental conversation, almost. There was hesitance on both of their faces, like they weren't sure how to approach a particular issue with Bucky.

Bucky could tell that the conversation went something like this: 'You tell him.' 'No, you do it.'

However, T'Challa was the king, so it was only a matter of time before he won. Steve sighed and then turned to Bucky. 'All right!' was on his face towards T'Challa. "Bucky," he was careful. Bucky turned cautiously towards his friend. Steve hesitated and then continued. "Rumlow doesn't get a second chance."

Bucky froze. It wasn't what he wanted to hear. He shook his head. "I can convince him!" he tried to convince Steve.

Steve shook his head. "He's done too much. He's killed a lot of people."

"So have I!" Bucky protested.

"And, it wasn't your fault. You didn't choose to do those things. However, he did. You can't be held responsible for what your hands did. You didn't know what you were doing. But Rumlow knew exactly what he was doing. He will be held responsible."

A horrified look was on Bucky's face. Were they going to kill him? But if they did, he would die as well.

"No!" he protested, getting up, pacing in agitation. "You don't understand! You don't know what you're doing!"

"Rumlow killed people," Steve continued, trying to reason with Bucky. "He willingly joined a terrorist organization. He willingly tortured you. He willingly kidnapped you. He willing held you captive. His case isn't going to be good before a court of law. Chances are, he'll be condemned to death."

Bucky turned around. "No!" he shook his head in denial. 'Would you really kill me too?' "NO!" he shouted and he was on the floor in tears.

Bucky couldn't explain the shift in him, but he knew, in that moment, Rumlow had to win.

(Steve Point of View)

Bucky was refusing to see any of them. After the conversation, he'd immediately rushed to his room and locked himself in. As it was, even Steve couldn't see him.

Steve had just closed the door to his room when he saw T'Challa. "That went well," he sarcastically told the king.

T'Challa had his arms folded. "Politics are going to be hard. As much as I hate it, he's going to be caught in the middle of things."

"What if we can't convince him?" Steve was worried, shaking his head hard. His head hurt. It made him nauseous that his best friend was so attached to the one that hurt him.

"There is only so much we can do," T'Challa cautioned him. He moved suddenly, hands down, leading Steve away from the door. "We've been reviewing US law. Bucky can't legally be held accountable for anything. He can't be charged with anything either. Unfortunately, that's where the good news ends. The bad news is that he can end up in an asylum, especially with the way his behavior has been."

"Which isn't good for him," Steve realized. It frustrated him that people would only view Bucky and others in need in terms of threats instead of seeing them as they really were.

T'Challa nodded in agreement. "Which leads me to my other alternative. Of course, as long as the two of you stay in Wakanda, as long as, they can't get to him. We don't have such things as asylums. And, they can demand Bucky all they want, but the problem is that he's a citizen here as well. We don't have to turn him over."

"It also means we can never go back," Steve was thoughtful. "But it's probably for the best. The truth is, I no longer recognize the country I used to serve. A start over sounds good."

"You're welcome to stay as long as you like," T'Challa offered. "I also know that the two of you love to travel. I've been negotiating with countries, and believe it or not, there are some that are at odds with the US, including how they've handled various things. A lot of them were anti Accords. My father supported them in his anger, but I believe, had he seen what it truly was, and had his mind been clear, he would never have supported them."

There was silence between the two of them as it was still an awkward topic, at least for Steve. "I am sorry about what happened," he apologized.

T'Challa shook his head. "I've told you not to apologize anymore. What's done is done."

Steve nodded. Another silence followed.

It was T'Challa who broke the silence. "You may be surprised to know that top on the list is Romania. They didn't support the Accords to begin with, and they especially didn't appreciate the intrusion into their country, even if they were after a 'criminal'."

Steve bobbed his head. Romania was a good option. He'd heard nothing but good things about it from his best friends. While he knew there was a lot of issues that the people faced, even from their government, Bucky had seemed to like the culture. In fact, it appeared that Bucky had some fond memories from being in Romania, minus the whole German hit team trying to kill him, of course.

Part of Steve wondered what it would be like to live there. That said, he was quite comfortable in Romania.

"Australia and Mongolia are another two. There are many more, but I thought that these three might be the top two that at least the two of you would like to vacation at. They also had the least amount of restrictions when I asked about it. Ultimately, they want to see Bucky in a better place before they let him come in, so we'll need to work with Bucky mentally and physically before he'll be ready to travel."

"Which brings us back to the question: How do we get through to him?"

"That is a good question," T'Challa was thoughtful. "The only thing I can think of is to continue spying on our enemies. While we haven't been able to get into Hydra directly, we've been able to get into some organizations that work with Hydra. One of them is planning a trip, something about a deal with Hydra. I've asked her to see if she can use the time to try to gather some information about Bucky himself. We need more information."

"They're going to be in a Hydra facility?" Steve questioned.

T'Challa nodded. "And with lucky, we'll have some more information really soon."

"Sounds risky," Steve was worried. He was also touched that they were doing this for him and Bucky.

"You and I both know that it's a necessity," T'Challa cautioned, but Steve could also tell that T'Challa was worried as well.

"I just feel like we could end up walking into a situation that gets very dangerous," Steve had his hand to his chin, thinking hard.

"I know."

(Rumlow Point of View)

Rumlow was sitting in his office when someone knocked on his door. "Come in," he summoned.

Jack Rollins came in. "You ready?" he asked.

Rumlow shrugged. "As ready as I'll ever be," he admitted.

Rollins sighed in encouragement.

"Time to become a super soldier, then."

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