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"You said what?!"
Natasha sighed, and drummed her fingers on the table. Sam sat opposite, his coffee growing cold as he stared at her. Finally, her patience snapped.
"Look, we have gone to a lot of trouble to help him." Her words came out spiked. "He's caused Steve a lot of hurt, a lot of pain." Leaning forward, she picked up her own coffee cup. "Now Steve's gone, and he has played a part in it."
"Natasha-" Sam appeared to be choosing his words carefully - "Natasha, its not Barnes. He really is just a pawn. Its Pierce." He bit his lip. "And I don't need to tell you, that you've probably done the guy some damage."
"I know!" She looked skyward, trying to control her emotions. "I know! But he's in hospital, so-"
"So he won't be allowed to purge," Sam nodded. "I agree. But, Natasha - he has to want to recover. What will help him recover is knowing he has people waiting for him. Steve is one of them. So are you."
She shook her head. "After what I did today?" She gave Sam a half smile. "I doubt it."
"He trusts you. He sees you as being close to Steve." Sam leaned forward. "You need to see him."
"That seems-" she looked into her coffee, not wanting to meet Sam's eyes. "I don't know. He's ill, and Steve's gone, and we have no idea what to do." She leaned back. "And I've probably caused a relapse, so -"
"We can find Steve," Sam said, his voice firm. "We can find him because you and I both know that he'll be with Pierce. And a man like that is easy to find." Sam took a sip of lukewarm coffee. "A lot easier than he thinks."
"Well, here we are."
Steve blinked as the limo pulled up in front of a hotel. He rubbed his eyes - the journey from the airport had disappeared in a blur. Yawning, he tried to focus. Brock had already left the limo, and so was Pierce.
As he stepped onto the pavement, he blinked again. The hotel was a magnificent, towering spectacle. Uniformed doormen jumped to attention, silently taking bags, and moving cars. As Pierce strode in, Steve followed, hesitantly.
The lobby of the hotel was cool and modern. With its sleek wooden surfaces and tiled floor, there was an impersonal air of efficiency. Steve shivered slightly. It was as though his old life, before this madness started, no longer existed. He was in a parallel universe.
One of his own making.
"Steve?"
He turned. Pierce was looking at him, although not unkindly. "Its time to check in. You need to shower and change."
Nodding dumbly, Steve followed Pierce to the desk.
"She was angry. Do not let her anger destroy the progress you are making."
Bucky shook his head. "But she's right. She is."
"James. Please."
"No, listen to me. You need to discharge me."
"I can't do that. You're not physically fit."
"You're going to have to. I need to find him."
"I won't sanction that."
"Really?" Bucky looked at him, some of his old fire beginning to return. "Then I guess I'll discharge myself.
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