Bucky's POV

Another sleepless night, but for once it's not due to HYDRA. Every time I close my eyes I see Kyra's heartbroken face. I hear her sobs if the room gets too quiet. It's enough to drive a guy crazy. It's loud in tonight's bar of choice. Never been, it's a shit hole. Lots of patrons though. Hopefully I don't draw any attention to myself while I try, and fail, to drown my sorrows in booze.

A news story flashes on the TV behind the bar that instantly grabs my attention. Crossbones' face is plastered across the screen as the reporter explains the detailed escape that happened earlier today. Seems Stark can't be trusted with anything. In seconds I'm moving from building to building. There's only one place Crossbones would go. And that's running straight home to his boss like the pathetic lap dog he is. There's only one chance for me to find this son of a bitch, a visit to my old handler, Lukin.

Despite the mixed reports that he and the Skull are working together, I find it impossible to believe. The two hate each other. Either way I'll find out tonight. Swinging into Lukin's penthouse suite. Blending into the shadows, ready and waiting. The doorknob turns and adrenaline skyrockets. Lukin walks in muttering to himself. Arguing almost. He sounds fucking nuts. Well he is. He's a sick twisted son of a bitch. In seconds I've got him slammed into the wall. The bastard has the audacity to smirk at me.

"Hello Soldier." Gripping his shirt tighter. "Lost your stomach have you?"

"You better thank God for every breath I let you take Lukin. I currently find myself in a position where I need you alive. Don't make me change my mind."

"Oh, are you looking for work?"

"Not in a million years you sick bastard." slamming him into the wall again, barely keeping control.

"Are you sure you aren't ready to come home?" Sneering at the sick excuse of a human being before me. Nauseated just being in his presence.

"You disgusting piece of shit. You are the lowest of the low. What I don't understand is how in the hell you could stoop any lower. You're already a mass murderer, working with the Skull? That's more sickening then I thought you were capable of."

"Do you really want to compare body counts soldier?"

"Don't push it." My arms slamming him into the wall instinctively. "You tell me where I can find that piece of shit and pray I only break your arms this time."

"You really are a simple creature aren't you?"

"Last warning Lukin."

"Oh, what are you going to do?" his lips tilting to a smirk. "What would Mr. Rogers think about this?" Grabbing him by his neck and lifting him into the air. Tightening my grip ever so slightly.

"You don't ever say his name. Ever."

"Hands off the boss man." Looking to the left Crossbones and Sin are standing in the doorway smirking. Guns trained on my skull ready to shoot.

"God dammit." He isn't working with the Skull. Somehow Lukin and the Skull are the same person now. His two favorite pets come up behind me. Launching their leader across the room I turn to beat his two lackeys into the ground.

He stands tall and proud, watching as I tear the two of them apart. It's embarrassing really, their so called fighting skills. Crossbones goes through a table, chair and bookcase before he goes down. His little bitch Sin? One kick to the head and she's out cold. Pathetic. Turning back the the boss he laughs again, his mask in place. Taunting me. Taunting Steve. Stepping forward to throw the bastard through the window, not even bothering to pay attention to the crap he's spewing, until he says one word.

"Sputnik."

God dammit all to hell. My eyes roll into the back of my head and I drop to the floor unceremoniously.

"Rise and shine Soldier!" a hard slap jaring my head to the left. Straining my muscles slightly. They've got my arms and legs bound in adamantium caps all the way up to mid calf and forearm. Smart. Flexing for any give to the restraints and there's none. No surprise, but disappointing. Blearily opening my eyes just in time for another blow to pound my jaw. A notable click sounding as my jaw strains against the force. Running my tongue along the new split in my lip I rotate the bone as well. Fractured not broken. Glaring up at my alarm clock I'm met with eyes I haven't seen before.

"Who the fuck are you?" A shock of electricity running through my veins as the words leave my lips. A bitter laugh escaping as well.

"My name is Dr. Faustus. I'm very pleased to me you Bucky Barnes."

"Same here pal, why don't you undo these restraints so I can give you a proper Brooklyn greeting." eyes burning and voice laced with hatred at the fat hairy man. He chuckled lightheartedly.

"I have heard so much about you over the years. I feel as if I already know you."

"You don't know a damn thing about me fatass."

" About your partner too, Ms. Stark wasn't it?" Grinding my teeth eyes snapping to his. He's enjoying this. I'll enjoy when I'm out of here so I can bash your skull in. "I was surprised to find you alone. Do you know where she is Soldier? We could use her skill set as well."

"Over. My. Dead. Body."

"Fortunately for you, that isn't going to happen. Not to worry though. You two will be reunited soon enough. Our agents are scouring the city for her." Smiling he moved over to the control panel. "She'll be by your side again soon enough."

"You won't find her." I ground out just as a higher voltage surged from my restraints. Muscles tight and white hot as I was once again burn from the inside out. My screams dwarfing the buzz of the machines with ease as the fat bastard watched, a blonde nurse in tow.

It was the fifth HYDRA base we were storming as the new Comandos. Steve, as always, in the lead. All the men charging behind him, me on his right as we cut down the enemy. Unlike most of their bases, this one was settled in a small town. The villagers were overrun by fear and violence. It was a win-win. Free the innocent, take out another link in HYDRA's command chain. Stevie ran forward, urging us on.

"Come on men! We've got a mission to complete!" We all roared in agreement behind him, shooting agent after agent. The grounds were cleared and the civilians came out to celebrate their liberation, until Steve turned his gun on them as well.

"Steve! What the hell are you doing?"

"The only good Kraut is a dead Kraut." he screamed at me, eyes black as night with evil intent. This wasn't Steve. Somethin' had gone wrong in his head. But he was shooting an impenetrable spray all around. Once the civilians lay dead he turned on the comandos. Laughing as he cut each one of his friends down. Screaming for us to make way for the Master Race.

Despite the electricity that swelling through my body I manage a defiant scream as I'm brought back to consciousness. The ringing in my ears nearly drowned out everything around me. Panting in agony, taking in as much air as possible. The sick doctor was mumbling about some shit I couldn't care less about.

"Get, get the f-fuck out of my head… you worthless fat fuck..."

"You've got a mean streak, I can use that! Nurse double the dose this time."

"You fucking bast-!" screaming out, interrupted as I'm drugged down to unconsciousness again. They won't break me. They won't.

Shoved into more twisted memories, his voice taunting me to believe his fucked up lies. To become what they want me to be. He's getting impatient. Doesn't realize he's wasting our time. Screaming as another jolt seizes my spine. Best way out of this is to give them what they want. Sometimes you gotta play along to get along.

The voltage is dialed down and while I'm trying to focus my eyes on the fat bastard, he's standing there smirking. Show time.

"What the hell am I doing in these restraints?" My voice cold. Bringing out as much Winter as I can. All too tempted to just let him loose here and now.

"Do you know who I am?" The next name on my long list of confirmed kills.

"Dr. Faustus, you work with my Boss, Lukin."

"And who do you report to?"

"I follow orders. You are higher up the chain, unless someone tells me otherwise I answer to you." a bright smile forms underneath the mess of facial hair he has.

"I knew I could bring you home." rolling my eyes at his banter and trying not to smirk at how wrong he was.

"Look Gabby Gills, how about you get me out of these restraints so I can get to work?"

"Yes of course." he unlocks the restraints and I have to physically bite back the smirk.

"Right, what's my mission?"

"Just a minute Soldier." Standing at attention, brow quirked at the fat man, waiting for him to continue. "You follow my orders as you would General Lukin, correct?"

"I thought we'd established that already, sir."

"Yes, just one more thing before the briefing." walking over to a table he lifts up a 45 caliber pistol. "I want you to take this gun." Handing me the gun. "And kill your nurse with it." You've got to be fucking kidding me. Chances he gave me a loaded gun are slim. Looking at the woman as her eyes widened in fear. She plead for Faustas to call me off. But I'm not following his orders. Squeezing the trigger three blanks are launched square in Faustus's forehead.

"I figured as much." The words barely left my mouth before a debilitating jolt of electricity surged through the gun. My knees buckling, throwing me to the floor. His voice rings in my ears as I try to force out another insult. Before I can the sole of his boot is coming down on my head. Hard.

Sam's POV

My head's spinning from the last two days. 48 hours ago Sharon and I were working to find Bucky in order to bring him in. Now? Natasha and I are moving from alleyway to alleyway following the path Sharon walked yesterday after she attacked us. On top of that? Tony claims she's the one who killed Steve. Stopping at a manhole cover lifting it up quickly.

"You sure this is right?"

"Red Wing followed Sharon here yesterday after she took us out. She went into this manhole. You want to watch the footage?"

"I'll pass." she smirks, jumping down the hole with ease. How can you smirk Natasha? Trying to shake the absolute betrayal from my head to focus on the mission I jump down, landing next to her. The space is large, clean and there's a red glow coming from the left. "Didn't know they needed lasers in the sewer."

"At least we know we're on the right track." sighing out Natasha and I clock the area for cameras or agents. "Can you take it down?"

"Only for a second, get ready to move." She attaches a small electric device to the wall and it sparks violently. We make it thirty yards in before we're met with a pack of lackies. "So much for a soft approach."

"I'm good with that. Full frontal assault is more my style anyway!" Launching into the crowd taking the enemy down with ease. Rage and sorrow behind every hit. They warped my friends mind. Punch. And had her kill the love of her life. Kick. My best friend. Flip. My brother. The cracking of their bones just isn't enough to sate my anger. Bullets rain through as we push forward. Flipping and kicking our way towards the containment bay. Or what we assume is the containment bay.

Luckily one thing goes right and we find them. For ten seconds my eyes meet Sharon's and there's nothing. The girl I know. The girl I've laughed with. Cried with. She's gone.

"Wilson! The jet!"

"On it!" I scream, rushing into action. The exhaust from the engine blinding me temporarily. Pushing my thrusters as hard and as fast as I can, I start closing in. Before I can radio to Natasha the hatch of the jet opens, and a body falls out, with distinctive long brown hair.

Oh shit.

Dropping after Bucky, trying desperately to slow our fall. If he dies Kyra's going to kill me. The last thing I feel are the shards of glass breaking our fall.

Tony's POV

They came back with an unconscious Winter Soldier. No sign of Sharon of Kyra. I can't help but worry, if Faustus had Bucky, who's to say he doesn't have my sister too? No time for that now Stark. Natasha has him locked down while I sit with my head in my hands. My update with Sam just finished. He's just as worried about Kyra as I am, constantly reminding me how important Barnes is to both Kyra and Steve. Lights flash for 30 seconds and then alarms start blaring.

"Damnit." clicking over on comms. "Tasha what's happening?"

"I don't know!" screaming over the alarms. "The lights went dark for less than a minute."

"I'm coming down."

"Don't worry about it Tony! I just saw him. I'm sure it's" not bothering to heed her warning, she stops mid-sentence. "The prisoner has escaped! Everyone lockdown the security wing. No one in or out! This is a code red!"

"Fucking hell." Breathing out my suit attaching into place. "FRIDAY, link me in with Comms."

"Connection established Sir."

"All stations this is Director Stark. We have a code 239 red alert. Prisoner break, use of lethal force is NOT I repeat NOT authorized, I want this man alive!" My face plate closes just in time to block a metal fist to the back of my head. Dropping down to my knees.

"Boss, scanning fight pattern."

"Thanks FRIDAY." Jumping up while my AI does her magic. The tang of metal on metal echos across the bay of the ship. He grabs my arm throwing me across the ship as hard as he can. Flying back with ease.

"How stupid are you?" He growled out. "Letting me up here?"

"Could you calm down Barnes?" He laughed maniacally. "Can we just talk like adults?" A swift kick to my chest threw me back a bit. I guess that's my answer then. Alright, hard way it is. Charging my thrusters I aimed for the floor at his feet before flying straight into his chest. Slamming him into the wall with a grunt. "I don't want to hurt you."

"That's too bad." snarling he sent his metal arm my way again. "Cause I'm gonna kill you."

"You can't hurt me Barnes." Dodging his next hit with a swift kick to his left knee. Trying not to cause him too much damage. I've never seen him look so crazy. With each blow all I can think of is how disappointed Steve would me. How angry Kyra will be when she finds out. I'm thrown into the electrical panel across the room. caught up in my thoughts. It's what I get for not focusing. Barnes launches himself at me. Slamming me back into the wall, ripping my mask away.

Blinking away my disorientation I open my eyes the barrel of a AK 47. Following the barrel of the gun forward to see a smirking barnes. Leaning in. Pressing the barrel to my forehead.

"What was that about me not being able to hurt you?" Smirking back at the cocky prick. He'll be perfect.

"You're good Barnes. Damn good. But if you so much as twitch I'm going to use my repulsors and boil your brain in your skull." he glances, finally noticing my hands on each side of his head. "And I really don't want to do that."

"Why the hell not?"

"Because I'm trying to honor the last wishes of a friend."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Steve, he asked me to save you from yourself."

"I don't believe you."

"I don't expect you to. I've got a letter up in my office that you need to read." He leaned back setting the gun aside. "Besides I know that Steve and Kyra would never forgive us if we killed each other." His eyes soften a fraction. Pulling away he stood up.

"Steve is dead."

"I know. You can hate me for the rest of your life, I won't blame you. Hell, I blame myself. Believe it or not, I cared for Steve very much. And Kyra… Where. Where is she?"

"I don't know. She left me." eyes widening as I stood, flabbergasted. "She left the second she figured out I was coming after you. Couldn't hurt you. Wouldn't blame you." Smiling softly to myself at least she still cares a little.

"Come on, the letter is in my office." Grunting with a nod Barnes gestured for me to get moving. Back to brooding, a subtle rage in his eyes dwarfed by sadness. I know that look well.

Leaning against the wall as he read over Steve's letter. Digesting the words again and again. Waiting. Feet pounded as a slew of agents rushed into the room led by Natasha.

"Situation is under control. Romanoff you stay. The rest of you return to your posts." Natasha's jaw hung open slightly.

"What the hell is going on Tony?"

"It's a letter from Stevie." The paper started to give against the force Barnes was grabbing it with.

"It's authentic. I looked into the lawer who delivered it as well. He's clean as a whistle."

"I don't understand." Brushing off Natasha's confusion I walk over to Barnes.

"So you ready to honor Steve's last wishes?"

"He didn't say he wanted me to…"

"I know exactly what he wrote. Besides, it's not like you're going to let anyone else be the guy we need."

"I…"

"Steve believes in you. Kyra believes in you. I'm sorry it took me so long to get my head out of my ass and realize that's always been enough for me." Barnes was gaping like a fish out of water. "So… you ready to be the hero you've always been?"

"I'll do it on three conditions." Smirking, but slightly surprised at his comment.

"Such as?"

"First, you get all of that HYDRA shit out of my head. I don't want anyone else to be able to control me ever again." I nod in agreement as he continues. "Second, I answer to no one. Steve didn't and neither will I."

"I can live with that." nodding again.

"Lastly, you give me permission to marry Kyra." Jaw dropping slightly, I look him straight in the eye. Flabbergasted.

"It's her choice."

"I know that." he says firmly. "But you agree to stop interfering." leaning his massive frame forward threateningly. "Whatever problems you and I have, we put those away for her. It's what Steve would have wanted, and it's what Sunny needs." Standing back, not fully relaxed but not looking like he's ready to fight me again. Just waiting for my answer. Looking him over the most noticeable difference is the look in his eyes. Of hope, despair, anger, disappointment, guilt, and a million other things. Swallowing hard and Moving to my desk's secret door with a nod towards Metalhead, pressing a button. A small drawer popping open with a small velvet box in it. Leaning against the desk, Barnes watching my every move. Flipping it open to reveal the yellow diamond ring.

"This was Mom's." he visibly flinches. At least he shows remorse. So many things could have been avoided if I'd noticed that sooner. "She only wore it on special occasions because the diamond in the center is one of the biggest yellow diamonds to ever be found." Taking a deep breath to try and clear up some of the tears that were building. "Dad had it set and surrounded by smaller clear diamonds in a housing of pure gold, It's got to be worth a million dollars now. Maybe more." he shifts uncomfortably. "It was Kyra's absolute favorite." voice softening considerably. "She always used to beg mom to let her wear it when she was younger." A sad smile on my face as I hear her younger voice in the back of my head. Loud and happy. "Going on and on about how she wanted a ring just like it some day." Pushing the box in front of Barnes, trying to clear my throat. "Figure you haven't had time to pick out a ring for her yet." He gaped at the ring, looking between me and the box multiple times. "My sister deserves the best. And despite my opinion on the matter, you seem to be what's best for her. She doesn't abandon family lightly. I've never seen her more devoted to anyone. If you promise to be just as devoted to her, we won't have anymore problems." Reaching out my left hand for him to shake. His eyes moving from my face to my hand, scanning for any hint of a lie. But I wasn't. I can't swallow my pride for many people. Kyra is really the only one. Standing and holding my gaze his metal arm grips my hand, a look of understanding passing between us.

"I'd rather die. You have my word." The intensity of his voice leaving no question in my mind. Kyra will be safe with him. Clapping him on the shoulder I smile.

"Great! Now, let's get those triggers out of your head, hmm?" Walking out of the room with my soon to be brother in law following closely behind. Closing my eyes and praying that I'm able to redeem myself. That Kyra will be able to forgive me someday.

"Are you sure he's the right guy?" Natasha whispered into my ear as we watched him be strapped into my machine.

"Without a doubt." smiling slyly at her. "Besides, he's already got the shield. I doubt he's going to give it up."

Happy Monday!

They rarely are actually happy, so hopefully this helps. Tony has finally got his head out of his ass! Yay! It only took him 3 years, the destruction of the relationship with Pepper, Steve and Kyra. Then of course Steve's death. Talk about a stubborn ass? Am I right? Lol

The next update is going to take a while. Next Monday at the very earliest. Wanted to let you know.

Let me know what you think!

Until next time.