Simon sat down authoritatively on the green armchair by the door to the office, gesturing to Bucky that he should sit on the couch opposite. The soldier complied hitching his trousers up slightly as he lowered himself down. Bucky waited patiently as the Doctor sifted through the manila file on his lap then unscrewed the lid to his pen painfully slow. The former assassin sighed wearily at the Beta and looked around the room. His eye caught the familiar sight of the air diffuser sat silently on the shelf. Bucky followed the white line of cable from the machine down towards the wall socket and noticed it was unplugged. He thought it strange but was pulled away from the thought by Simon's voice.

"Okay Mr. Barnes,"

Bucky didn't bother correcting him when he spoke so formally. Despite his wish to accrimate himself to his potential colleagues, this one he wasn't at all bothered about.

"Where did we finish last session? Ah yes relationships." Simon finished.

Bucky sighed but asked sweetly, "What do you want to know?"

"Well we know from your files that whilst you worked for HYDRA, your presentation as an Alpha went, undetected so to speak. I wondered if you ever had any thoughts about that?"

"I don't think it unusual. We were all Alphas. All the brainwashed Soldiers were."

The ex-Winter Soldier made the point of reminding the Doctor he had no choice in the role he used to play.

"Really? Why do you think that?"

"Alpha's are loyal. It's in our,"

"But your instincts are to lead if I'm not mistaken?" Simon interrupted

"That's right." The burly man sat back quietly gauging the man in front of him.

"So that doesn't explain why these 'scientists' would choose you to do their bidding? Why choose a species with a predisposition for breaking the rules, for wantonly choosing their own paths to follow like pitiful dogs? It just begs more questions."

Simons dig at Barnes' presentation was overt. Bucky had been used to such degrading descriptions for Alpha and Omega's. The thirties had been a different time for his kind. Despite being integrated at that time, Beta's didn't fully understand what happened between their counterparts and therefore weren't always that accepting. Luckily times had changed and most modern day Betas were more understanding.

"But that's the point. We are natural leaders, but when backed into a corner forced to do something against our will; that makes us extremely dangerous." Bucky gave the man daggers his body becoming more tense as the words spilled out. He tried to relax, to calm himself but he was finding it difficult.

"I see." Simon said in an accusatory tone.

"And would you say you have those urges under control now?"

"I have a pretty good handle on it yeah." Bucky replied through gritted teeth. He knew his tone wouldn't go misunderstood, he was having difficulty keeping his temper at that moment.

"How would you explain that incident the other month?"

"That was a misunderstanding. It's all sorted now."

"Hmm, would you say the same for last night?"

Bucky cocked an eyebrow at the Doctor, pursed his lips and wondered what he knew. He was about challenge him but instead went with preferred ignorance.

"What do you mean?"

"With Doctor Martin."

The realisation dawned on the former assassin and was painted painfully all over his face. Bucky shifted uncomfortably in his seat and watched as Simon shut the manila folder and a capped his fountain pen carefully.

"How?" Bucky asked aghast.

"I saw her this morning leaving your apartment. How long has it been going on?"

Bucky was extremely uncomfortable now. Although Beta's didn't emit a powerful smell, there was no denying the one he was picking up off Simon was tainted by a menacing and threatening streak. He wished for the soothing aroma of the air diffuser to calm him. Bucky realised Simon must have known about Tessa's penchant for the useful machine and unplugged it strategically when he arrived. He also deduced that Simon had planned all of this, the setting and the questions. This got the soldier's back up more and he spat back at the Doctor,

"I really don't think this is any of your business."

"You're probably right."

Simon pushed himself out of the comfy armchair and wandered across to Tessa's desk. He picked up a small photograph from her desk and smiled deviously as he looked at the image inside the oak frame. He turned to face Bucky, sitting on the edge of the desk arms folded cunningly across his chest.

"But I know the medical exam board would be really interested to find out a Doctor is sleeping with a patient."

"Former! Not current."

"Yes, but you did visit her some weeks ago at her private home, when she was in heat."

Bucky edged to the end of the sofa cushion and attempted to reason with the bastard, "You know nothing happened that night."

"Well it's not what I believe that matters is it?"

Simon moved around the large desk and sat himself down in Tessa's high backed office chair. He leant his weight into the leather seat and delighted in the way the chair molded to his frame. The sly man refused to look at Bucky, knowing his threat was enough.

"What do you want?" Bucky asked plainly.

"You want to become a member of the Avengers, I can make that happen."

"If?" The soldier said skeptically.

"If you end your relationship with Tessa."

Bucky stared at his advisory disbelieving. He couldn't understand what this man's motives were. He hadn't never learnt the particulars about Simon and Tessa's relationship, but from what he had observed and the way others talked about it, it clearly wasn't an acrimonious end. But was he that spiteful he wouldn't allow his ex any future happiness?

"And If I don't you won't clear me fit for duty."

"Correct." Simon rest his elbows on the polished surface of the desktop and folded his hands gleefully in front of him.

"And I'll tell the medical exam board that you and Tessa are engaged in an inappropriate relationship. They'll strip her of her position and that will be the end of her career."

There it was. Simon had always been jealous of Tessa's position within the facility. Despite her obvious expertise and the high regard she was held in, the psychiatrist had always felt her advancement at work was for the detriment of their relationship. He had always been jealous.

"Why are you doing this?" Bucky asked futily.

"I don't think that is any of your business." Simon mocked as he smiled.

Bucky advanced on the villain before him but stopped short in front on the desk. He knew any attempt on this man's life however justified would seal his fate. He would lose the Avengers and he would lose Tessa. Instead he lowered his voice and leant on the edge of the desk and said angrily.

"One of these that smile is gonna wiped off your smug face. I may not be the one to do it but you can bet your ass I'll be there."

Simon nodded arrogantly.

"But not today at least."

Bucky left the office in a quiet rage. The Avengers was the only thing he had ever wanted since his mind had been restored. To work alongside his best friend and former-admittedly unwilling- enemies to put right the many wrongs he had done was his goal. However all that had changed when he had met his Omega. Bucky would have been lying if he said there hadn't been others in his past. He was over a hundred after all. But there had never been any that had captured his heart and ensnared his senses the way Tessa had done. He knew from that night down in the woods that she was his ultimate. He would stop at nothing to ensure her happiness. Even if that meant hurting her and himself to achieve it.