A/N: Thank you soooo much for all of the amazing reviews! You guys are awesome! Keep them coming! ;)
Over a week later, Bucky was still waiting for the final word on his procedure. Madison had left for the afternoon—something about her monthly physical at SHIELD headquarters. He happened to pass by the conference room and found Banner studying CAT scans from one of their earlier tests. The doctor motioned him over.
"I was just about to look for you," Banner said as Bucky occupied one of the leather business chairs.
He spun toward the doctor and crossed his arms. "Please tell me you've got some answers."
"I do, actually. First off, I want to apologize."
Bucky scowled. "What for?"
"Stark and I have been keeping you in the dark for the past week. We thought we had something, but as far as we can tell, it's not the right thing."
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you remember Alexander Pierce?"
Bucky flinched, but wasn't sure why. "The name sounds familiar…"
"He was the man who used HYDRA to infiltrate SHIELD; he brainwashed you, made killing Rogers your mission."
"That much I do remember."
"Well, I don't know if you necessarily remember this part, but he used a machine to wipe certain parts of your brain when you started to recall your past. Stark and I had planned to use the same thing on you now, but wipe away the Winter Soldier instead."
"Okay, that makes sense. Why aren't we trying it?" Bucky asked.
"We're afraid it would only be temporary. They'd used it on you before, and yet you remembered Steve."
He understood the reasoning behind their decision, but still found himself disappointed. "So now what?"
Banner glanced at the brain scans in front of him and sighed. "Well, it's obvious what we should do…but it's risky."
"I don't give a shit about the risks," Bucky muttered. "Do whatever you have to do to get rid of it—him."
The doctor blew out another tense breath and hesitated. "As long as you give us permission and know the risks…"
"Jesus, Banner, out with it."
"Brain surgery, okay? We go in and remove 'him,'" Bruce said. Bucky sat back and began to process it. "I know a neurosurgeon—he's one of the best in the world. If you give us the green light, he can be here tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll do it."
Banner laughed a little and turned up his hand. "Don't you want to think about it for a little bit?"
Bucky cut him off. "No. I've had more than enough time. Call your surgeon and set it up. I'm ready."
"Well, okay…I'll do that."
Bucky gave the doctor a grateful nod and headed back to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. Madison came into the room and threw her bag on the couch. She turned around and jumped.
"Oh, hey! I didn't see you there," she said, smiling.
He returned the smile and filled another mug, sliding it across the counter to her. She thanked him and sat in one of the tall chairs. "How was your morning?" he asked.
"Good. Nothing I can't handle. What about you?" She sipped the steaming liquid and looked at him attentively.
He sighed before delivering the news. "Banner's calling a neurosurgeon. He'll be here tomorrow."
Madison's gaze darkened and she slowly set down her mug. "To do what?"
He couldn't look into her worried eyes and diverted his own, shrugging. "Operate—open me up and cut out the Winter Soldier."
"But, James…that's really risky."
"You sound just like Banner."
"Well, he's a smart guy. As are you, and you've been through a lot. If this is what you want to do, then I support you. Not that you need my blessing or whatever," she added with a nervous laugh.
"No, it's okay," he said, searching for her gaze now. "It does mean something to me…you, caring about what happens to me. I think Steve is the only other person…"
Madison shook her head. "You don't give yourself enough credit. So many people want to help—"
"Not in the way you do. You actually care about me—Bucky…James. Stark and Banner just want to stop me from killing more innocent people. My death would mean nothing to them, except maybe 'peace'—one less threat."
She frowned and reached across the counter, covering his hand with her own. "They'll fix you, and you won't have to worry about that anymore."
Bucky nodded and they both fell into their thoughts for a moment. Then she said, "So would you like some company tonight? You know, help take your mind off things?"
He smiled and squeezed her hand. "Knock on my door at 10?"
"Sounds good," she replied, locking eyes with him for a short, sensual conversation.
Suddenly, Steve and Sam entered the room, the latter going on and on about something that had gone down at a bar the night before. The couple pulled back their hands and toyed with their coffee cups.
"What's up you guys?" Sam asked, looking between them.
They both shrugged and played innocent. "Nothing, what's up with you?" Madison asked.
That was all it took for Sam to launch back into his dramatic story, drawing smiles from the three listeners.
Later in the evening, Bucky retreated to his room to clean up a little before Madison came over. He took off his shoes and socks, then removed his shirt. He was about to start on his belt when there was a knock at the sliding glass door. He glanced at the clock on his bedside table and the numbers read: 9:35.
Huh, she's early, he thought to himself. Not that I'm complaining…
He walked across the plush carpet and slid open the door, squinting into the darkness. Oddly enough, he couldn't see anyone, so he stepped out onto the balcony. Someone grabbed him from behind and covered his mouth as they jabbed a needle into the thick column of his neck. He struggled momentarily, throwing them both against one of the windows. It splintered but didn't shatter. He felt his muscles relaxing, eventually giving way to darkness.
Madison finished changing into some fresh clothes, though she wasn't sure why she cared so much. The second she'd step through the door, Bucky would be taking them off of her. She smirked at the thought and experienced a zip of excitement in her belly. Anxious to see him, she hurried out onto their balcony, but hesitated at his open door. He never left it open…but maybe, she reasoned, he wanted to remove formalities and welcome her inside at her own convenience? She stepped over the threshold and her frown deepened when she saw no sign of him. His shirt lay in front of his hamper, so she wondered if he was in the shower, but quickly noticed that the door was open and the light was off. Turning back toward the balcony, she froze at the sight of the lightning bolt-shaped crack in one of his windows.
Rushing out of Bucky's room and down the hallway, she repeatedly slammed her fist against Steve's door until it opened. The captain stood before her, still in the process of pulling down his t-shirt.
"Madison? What's going on?" he asked, sleep weighing heavy in his voice. He always went to bed earlier than everyone else.
"He's gone. They took him…"
"Wait, who took who?"
She attempted to take a calming breath, but felt faint from it. "Catesby's men took Bucky."
He suddenly looked more concerned. "How can you know that?"
Madison sighed and raked a hand through her hair. "It just makes sense. We've been under house arrest for weeks. They've had plenty of time to set this up."
Just then, Steve's cell phone went off. He grabbed it from beside his bed and paused. "It's Sharon."
"Answer it."
He swiped his finger across the screen and hit speakerphone. "Sharon, you've got me and Madison. I think we have a situation…"
"Us, too. We have reason to believe that Bucky's in danger."
