The two boys stumbled off the quinjet with the prisoners who were directed elsewhere by some agents. The boys were on their way to their debriefing and found Natasha in Nick's office, pacing. She froze when she saw two of her boys rather than three.

'Where is he?' she said quietly, her voice shaking, both Barton and Wilson couldn't bring themselves to look her in the eye.

'Agent Romanoff...' Nick started.

'Where is he?!' she yelled, tears coming to her eyes. Clint swallowed.

'He went to free the prisoners but never came back. We don't know if he escaped or if HYDRA got him, or even if-'

'Don't-' she interrupted, ' he can't be.' She wheeled around to face Nick, 'I told you; you shouldn't have let him go!' she screamed at him.

'Nat, I'm sorry.' Clint walked towards her but she backed away.

'Forget it, Clint.' She stormed out of the room.

Steve screamed in agony as they tried to wipe his brain, the same way they did with Bucky.

'It is proving more difficult with this one. Erskine's formula must have done something to his mental resilience as well as physical.' One of the doctors spoke to the head scientist there.

'Restart the programme.' he ordered, 'I want to send the Avengers a message They have something that I want.'

'Barnes?' the doctor asked.

'No, Natasha Romanoff. She is the perfect model for the rest of the candidates. We just needed the Captain to get her to comply.'

Bucky and Natasha were watching a movie up stairs, trying to keep their minds off Steve. Neither of them were really watching it, though. Not until their TV feed was hacked and a video of Steve being tortured appeared on the screen. By this time the whole team were making their way upstairs. It must've happened all over the base. Natasha was crying and Bucky had gone into some sort of trance, having a flashback.

'Attention, Avengers,' a menacing voice came through the television, 'I believe you are looking for this man and I have been looking for one of yours. Seeing as we both have something the other wants, how about I make you a generous deal. You can have to good Captain back in exchange for Natasha Romanoff. You have one hour to make your decision. We shall meet at what is left of camp Lehigh, appropriate, don't you think? One hour, Avengers.'

The TV went back to playing the film but no one was even looking anymore. The whole team was silent. Finally, Tony spoke up:

'We're not letting you go, Nat.'

'I have to, Stark. It's the only way to save him.'

'No, we will do it Steve's way: "together".' Thor said.

'I agree. Steve would never let us put you in harms way and nor would any of us.' Tony said.

'It's the least we could all do after everything he's done for us.' Clint spoke for himself and Sam.

'Fine, full protection detail: deep shadow on Nattie. They can't even think we're there. We have to double bluff them alright. I'll scramble a jet for us to take to New Jersey.' Tony said, taking the lead. The team dispersed to get ready, morale terrifyingly low and rather unsettling.