CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN – War Paint
Time didn't register. I didn't even attempt to search the concrete walls for a weakness to expose an escape plan. I'd been in an uncomfortable spot like this so many times before I'd lost count.
Assumptions became my only distraction, I studied various scenarios - Steve finding Bucky or worse, someone like Everett discovering his whereabouts with orders to shoot first and ask questions later. Nothing brought me comfort. This only ended one way – Bucky captured. If we were lucky, maybe Secretary Ross would consider putting us in adjoining cells at the Raft.
The sinister glare of emergency lighting snapped me to attention. I rose from the chair as a wailing cry of a siren sounded in the distance causing an eruption of goosebumps across my flesh.
"Well," I murmured. "That can't be good."
When the bolts of the door began moving, and I readily myself for a fight, hard fists raising, only to lower when Sharon's apprehensive features appeared in the opening light.
"What's happened?"
"Barnes' escaped. He was being interviewed by a psychiatrist when the system went down." She handed me a Glock and cellphone. "Follow me."
"Sharon, I can't let you risk your job for me. Peg–"
"She would've done the same thing."
"Where are the others?" I tucked the Glock in the back of my black pants and slid the cellphone in my blazer pocket, trailing her hurried steps up several flights of stairs.
"Steve and Sam went after Barnes, but, Gin… Tony is here, he's working with Secretary Ross. They want Barnes extradited to the U.S."
My heart sank. "I can't let that happen, I'll never see him again."
"I know." She agreed leading us into an airy space, only to be yanked back. "What is it?"
My firm grasp of her arm moved her to safety behind me. "He's there."
Sounds of a fight came from the open dining area. I stole a peek around a pillar to see Bucky fighting a handful of armed men. Staunch in his movements he fought everybody with precise, machine like efficiency, swatting them violently away as they came between him and his escape route.
"Gin, what's happening?"
"That's not Bucky," my parched throat struggled to get the words out. "That's the Winter Soldier."
"Are you sure?"
"I should know, he's tried to kill me twice." I rested back against the cool wall, glancing at her.
"What's the plan?"
"If you can distract him, maybe I can get a sleeper hold on him."
"Will that work?"
"If not, I'll just have to hit him in the head, hope it scrambles the conditioning."
A gun shot drew my attention. I looked round to witness Tony standing off against the Winter Soldier. Instinct took over. Despite the quarrel a few days before, I needed to protect my godson from a fight he'd never win.
"STOP!"
The Winter Soldier threw Tony cleanly across the room, giving me the opportunity to step in. I'd witnessed the emotionless stare of the Winter Soldier in the past, and it still unnerved me to know my Bucky was in there somewhere. I exhaled a breath and closed in fast, delivering multiple short, severe punches to his mid-section. My clenched fist flew upwards, driving up into his chin sending him staggering backwards.
"Your name is James Barnes! Remember that!"
A sever look unchanged, he stomped forward to engage me yet again. We matched each other blow for blow, years of experience allowing us to fight with polished efficiently. Until he got in a sneaky punch. The shot to the ribs sent ripples of pain through me, stealing a breath and giving him the upper hand. A hard metal fist to the face sent me reeling. Just within reach those familiar metal fingers clutched my throat, lifting my feet off the ground as he slammed me violently into a concrete pillar.
The taste of copper flooded my mouth as he dropped me like a useless toy. The painful clench of my jaw released upon hearing someone else engage the Winter Soldier, only to fail moments later. His mission only revealed itself to him alone, and no one was going to put him down, God knows we were trying.
I spat a mouthful of blood on the floor, bracing a hand against the bitter cold concrete as I heaved myself up onto my knees.
"Gin!" Sharon crawled her way to my side, looking a little worse for wear but physically intact.
"Are you okay?" I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
"Just a bruised ego."
"He does have the effect on people," I muttered.
"He really took it out on you."
"I do have that effect on people."
Her worried blue eyes bored into mine as we stood. "You have to go after him before they kill him."
"Are you sure?"
"Go, you'll get lost in the confusion."
I flashed her a feeble smile and took off in the opposite direction. Lost in the chaotic movement of the crowd abandoning the building, I slipped down a side street to catch my breath, carefully lifting my shirt to see the Winter Soldier's wrath bruising my flesh.
Options slim and unsure how to find Bucky I reached for cellphone, a message vibrating the device. The lit-up screen displayed an address, sent by an unknown number. Considering my lack of options, I headed off for the location, hoping luck was on my side for once.
-x-
Sam lingered outside an abandoned warehouse, relaxing in obvious relief as I approached.
"You got my message."
"I'm glad it was you; I was worried it was Ross."
"Sharon gave us the number. You okay, Renard?" He motioned to the hand holding my side.
"Nothing I can't handle." I forced a smile, each breath a struggle to hold. "Is Steve here?"
"Yeah, so is Barnes."
"Are they okay?"
"Barnes is himself again apparently." Sam didn't sound positive, and I couldn't blame him after the rampage we'd endured just to get Bucky back to this point.
A flush of shame covered my face as I walked with Sam through the grim remnants of the warehouse towards Steve. No apology would cover my ass this time. I'd worn Steve's patience thin and twisted fingers of fear clawed at me, leaving no bravado to hide behind if he cast me from his life for good.
"Steve, I–"
"Gin," he interrupted without a trace of anger. "You don't need to explain. Sharon told me what happened, if I'd known they'd lock you up I would've come for you."
"Would you really?"
He swallowed hard, leaving the question hanging as he went to Bucky who seemed to be stirring, undoing a giant clasp securing his metal arm.
"He was worried about you," Sam murmured.
"Not as worried as I am. Everett Ross is looking for any excuse to lock me up."
"I don't know."
Bucky's pained voice interrupted our discussion. I walked over, the anguish all too visible on his face.
"People are dead, the bombing was a setup, and the doctor did all that just to get ten minutes with you. I need you to do better than I don't know."
"He wanted to know about Siberia…where I was kept," Bucky frowned looking up at us, his gaze lingering on me longer than the others. "He wanted to know exactly where."
"Why would he need to know that?" Steve questioned folding his arms against his chest.
"'Cause I'm not the only Winter Soldier."
The wave of dread consumed the space, enfolding us all like a thick blanket. The exploits of the Winter Soldier were legend, yet to learn more existed could mean the devastation was only just beginning. HYDRA appeared to have one backup plan after another, never fully allowing their malevolent grip to release.
"Gin, did you know about any of this?" The hint of accusation from Steve was a virtual slap to the face.
"Of course not! But there's been no shortage of people wanting to recreate the super soldier serum over the years. That's how I discovered Bucky was the Winter Soldier, I was kidnapped by people wanting my blood to create a serum."
"You got kidnapped?" Sam scoffed.
"I am still human." I retorted with the same mockery.
When Sam and Steve moved aside to converse quietly, Bucky rose.
"I hurt you again," he muttered shamefully, mournful eyes lingering on the mark causing the ache in my face. "I didn't want too–"
"I know, don't worry about it." His forehead dropped lightly against mine, his panic fading the longer he basked in my presence. "You weren't in control; I know it wasn't you."
"I could've killed someone." His arms wound possessively around me, my body inadvertently winching causing him to break the hold. "What is it?"
"Nothing," I blushed. "We'll find a way to clear your name–"
"Gin, you're hurt."
"It's nothing–"
"You're a terrible liar." He reached for the hem of my shirt where my hands awkwardly lingered, lifting it to reveal the bruises tattooing my flesh. "Gin," he sadly exhaled.
"A broken rib or two, lucky for me I heal fast." I gently pushed my shirt down. "Don't worry about me, you've got to go on with Steve."
"No–"
I clung to his hands. "He's not very happy with me, he found out about us being together and–"
"I'll talk to him." Bucky pulled away, taking my hand as he dragged me over to Steve and Sam. "Whatever the plan is, Gin's coming with us."
Steve glanced between us and then at Sam.
"Hey, don't bring me into your love triangle. I've got a call to make." He walked away.
"Buck–"
"Steve, you remember how crazy I went looking for her? All those places we went into, not knowing what was on the other side. The things I did when I finally got my hands on someone."
"I remember."
"You never told me anything about that." My hands wound around Bucky's arm, the muscles tensing.
"I was outta my mind, Gin." He dropped a hand on Steve's shoulder. "She hasn't done anything you wouldn't."
Steve sighed, his entire body relaxing as I figured he finally realized we'd been working not so different paths towards the same cause. We both wanted Bucky back.
"We do work better together than apart."
"You certainly don't get arrested when I'm around."
Steve nodded with a fading smile. "Tony's not gonna stop."
"I know, but this is bigger than his ego, real lives are at risk. We can't let those soldiers be released; the world can't handle the three of us let alone five more."
"Do you think Sharon can help us?"
"Only if you call her." I teased.
Fighting a blush Steve took the cellphone I extended to him.
"This ain't gonna be easy."
"I'd be concerned if was." Unnerved and determined we exchanged a look. We had to fix things for good this time.
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