Chapter 23

Bucky frowned at the tank-sized man who was rapidly explaining something in urgent, frustrated Russian. When the man was done talking, Bucky replied shortly and then turned to Steve. "Vadik here says that we have a serious problem, Steve. I don't like it."

Steve sighed. "And I don't like that my wife's entire security team knows—at most—twenty English words between them. I can't always rely on you to translate."

"Maybe not, but I am here now and you need to take this seriously, Steve."

"I'm very serious about my family's security, Buck. That's why I am worried that I have no idea what Vadik just said. So, what is wrong?"

"Several things. One is regarding Mary-Claire's security. Gleb and Kostya have removed bugs and trackers from her clothing, bags, and devices. Seryozha has discovered and removed several nasty programmes from her phone and computer. All of them feel that we should add personnel, so there are always two on duty for her and one for the children."

"D*** it, Buck. You know that they're probably trying to find out what evidence she has, the defence plans for both of us, and any other information that could derail their plans."

Bucky nodded. "Obviously. Vadik says that he has never experienced such relentless attempts to spy on one of his clients. I think that we have to plan for the possibility that some tracking device will get through and record information before one of the team find it. Is Mary-Claire following additional security procedures when discussing her famous 'plan' or our defence?"

"I think so, but I will talk to her about it."

Bucky turned back to Vadik and explained what Steve had said. Then, after the man replied with morose fatalism, Bucky faced Steve and said, "Next issue: based on their surveillance of the SAS personnel, Vadik and Gleb both think that Mary-Claire is at real risk during the flight to New York."

"S***. Ok, how many people do they think we need to add to the security team?"

"That depends if you want our wives' security teams to coordinate."

"Ok, that seems reasonable, since they'll be together, right?"

"For the most part, yes. I am bringing three people on board for Thea and the children. That puts us at 6 total, which should be enough if they work together. I do not want to rely on any of the US or UK security forces, in fact I prefer to have a solid buffer between them and our families. Gleb has sourced two women who are former spetsnaz, who work as nannies. Between them and one additional bodyguard, the children should have decent coverage. We can have two of the other three personnel on Mary-Claire and Thea at all times with one two rotating off every 8 hours."

"Holy heck, Buck. Really?"

"We can hire more, pal, but at a certain size the entourage becomes a security concern in itself. We need mobile, highly trained and specialised, and absolutely outside of the US-UK establishment. All of these personnel are Russian mercenaries, which means they know the Winter Soldier."

Steve stared at Bucky for a moment and then said gruffly, "I hadn't thought of that being a thing."

"I know, Steve, but I have to. For those who grew up under Soviet rule, I was a ghost story scary enough to frighten even spetsnaz types. There aren't many places where that comes in useful, but this is one of them."

"You know that I trust you, Buck. What you're saying makes sense, so let's go ahead. So, you have all the people selected for all this?"

"Yes, so if you're satisfied then I'll tell Gleb to go ahead. Most of them can arrive by tomorrow at the latest."

Steve sighed with relief. "Ok. Good."

Bucky explained to Vadik what Steve had said and then took the Faraday box with the various trackers and bugs that Vadik handed him. "Mary-Claire needs to keep all of these. At the right point, this will be useful."

As Vadik stalked out of the room, Steve asked tensely, "So, what's the other problem?"

"As you know, I asked Gleb to place some of our own surveillance in a few key places. Unfortunately, from what I have gleaned, they are planning to place us at Riker's."

Steve gasped. He had heard enough of Riker's Island as a child to be genuinely shaken at the thought of being interned there. "But not in the general population."

"No. They have two specialised cells for Enhanced."

"Well…at least we'll be together, Buck."

Bucky frowned. "Yeah, we will, but I think that we need to prepare ourselves, Steve. It is going to be bad."

"Ok. OK, well…we can't change it, Buck. If I have to endure that for a few months so I can get back to my family, then I will."

"Steve, I don't wanna be the one that rains on your parade, but you ain't never been a prisoner before. Not for real. Wakanda's embassy was nothin' compared to what is probably waiting. You gotta prepare yourself for a total lack of privacy, no ability to make even the smallest decision, constant absence of dignity, and the removal of any autonomy regarding even the smallest, most petty things. I'm sayin' that you need to fight out your indignation and get yourself into a place of calm, humble acceptance NOW. It's gotta be now, so you aren't gonna make any stupid, emotional mistakes then. Here you've got me and you've got Mary-Claire and the boys, so you got your family grounding you. Do you understand what I'm trying to say? This is not something you can punch, negotiate, or charm your way out of."

Steve stumbled a few steps back from Bucky and stared at him with obvious hurt, as he replied in a thick, emotional voice, "Bucky, I am not pretending that this is going to be easy. I'm prepared for it to be awful, in fact. It's just what we have to do."

However, Bucky moved right into Steve's space and put a firm hand on his friend's shoulder. "No, pal, you aren't prepared. I know you, ok? I have never questioned, not in all the decades that I've known Steve Rogers whether you're bravely ready to jump directly into the fires of h*ll. You can take the beatings and that kind of s*** just as well as I can. But you crumble inside when you are treated like less than a person."

"Buck…"

Bucky's expression was grim as he shook his head and insisted firmly, "Just lemme finish, ok?" He waited to see whether Steve was going to listen properly and, when Steve nodded, Bucky continued, "Before the war, back in Brooklyn, you got angry when they made fun of your health or your size or our poverty, but you weren't ever ashamed or nothin'. It just made you fight harder to prove them wrong about what you could do. However, unfair prejudice was the one thing that drove you crazy. I literally had to pin your arms behind your back that time when we were playin' ball on that old lot near elevated line and Peter Waters called you a mackerel snapper as he pantomimed a priest giving a blessing at you, me, and Joe Lucci. And you were ready to wage an almighty war when old Mr Baccaloni wouldn't hire Jack in his store just because he didn't like us Irish. I thought you were gonna burn the place down you were so mad, Steve. But we both knew that there wasn't any way to fight that kind of ignorance. We were Irish and we were Catholic, yet that had nothing to do with who we were as men. It was just unfair and that killed you. That's what's gonna happen here, Steve. They're gonna call you a traitor. They will accuse you of all kind of s*** for helping me. What happened with that guard in the Wakandan embassy will be nothing compared to this. Trust me. They will be petty. They will be vile. They will be monstrous. All of that. And you will be completely powerless."

Steve shoved both his hands in his still long hair and moaned. "Bucky, I know that you're right. I do. But I can do this. I have to do this. If I don't, then I won't ever get to hold my children again. And I could make it worse for your case if I lash out, too. I can keep my temper in check. I promise."

"S***, Steve, I know that you can, Steve. You just need to be mentally prepared, so you aren't thrown into shock by all of it and act before you think."

"Yeah. Yeah, ok. I get it."

"Good. That is what I was sayin'. We both know that you can do this. Just brace yourself before we go. It will be s***, but we will get through it just like we always do."

Steve choked out a miserable laugh. "Yeah. Ok, Buck. Lucky us."

"Well, y'know, we may have s*** luck, but I'd rather be us than a f***in' dirtbag like Waters was."

"Jeez, Buck. I cannot believe that you remember him. I'd seriously forgotten."

Bucky grimaced. "I never was good a forgivin' and forgettin' the stupid s***s who useta make your life h*ll, pal. Back then I had a long list of names of guys that were permanently f***ed as far as I was concerned."

Shaking his head in disbelief, Steve groaned. "Well, Buck, looks ike now I'm the one with the list and HYDRA is just a small portion of it."

"Hey, life's grand, Steve. What can I say?"

"Jeez, you jerk. Wanna go get somethin' to eat? 'Cause I feel like the inside of my stomach is stuck together."

"Nice image. Thanks, buddy." Bucky knocked shoulders with Steve before he wrapped an arm around his friend and directed them towards the door. Just as they reached the hallway, Bucky shoved him with one hand and muttered with a smirk, "Punk."


Something was off with Bucky. He'd seen it…seen when Bucky's entire demeanour shifted. He did not know what it was, but something was absolutely wrong.

He'd spent the last two hours in silence, as ordered by the soldiers responsible for transporting them. During that time, he had observed the various interactions of the guards, as well as the officer in command. He was pretty certain that they weren't HYDRA. But, of his private worries and the concerns for which he and Bucky had planned, HYDRA was surprisingly low in priority. Honestly, he felt that there were significantly greater threats at the moment and…well…he didn't know what was going on here despite having tried to analyse his observations. It was time to try to talk to Bucky.

Steve whispered so quietly that no one without a super soldier's hearing could have understood, "Buck."

However, Bucky didn't reply. Instead, he tilted his right hand just enough to tap out a dash, dot, dash, dash. Surprised, Steve recognised the Morse Code for Y. Yes. Yeah. Something was WRONG.

"Are you hurt?"

Dash dot. N. So…not hurt. Okay…

Steve worked to control his volume and barely moved his mouth as he asked, "Worried?"

Dash, dot, dash, dash.

Yes? Bucky never admitted to being worried, so he must be very concerned. His heart pounding, Steve frowned and replied, "We'll be ok, Buck."

Dash dot.

No…no, meaning he didn't think they would be ok? Was Bucky having trouble with all the meds that they'd pumped him full of that morning? Was he losing touch with reality again? Or was he just worried? Steve muttered almost inaudibly, "Mary-Claire says we got a really good case for you. It's mine that's harder."

There was a long pause and then Bucky jerked his head slightly, as if in pain, then his fingers tapped quite urgently: DASH DOT.

No? What was he saying no to? Was he worried about Steve's case or his own or an entirely different thing? D*** this. "Did they say something that got you worried?"

Immediately, Bucky's body froze and he was so still that even Steve could not hear him breath for a full minute. Finally, Bucky tapped with his pinkie: Dash, dot, dash, dash.

Steve stiffened as he realised that Bucky must actually terrified about something that had been said or done to him between the time that they had surrendered for transport and then. They had been apart for nearly 30 minutes before boarding, during which time almost anything could have been done to Bucky. Steve had already been deeply concerned about that time away, but he had not expected worse than what had already been done in Switzerland or Britain. Sometimes, he really was as naive as Bucky always said: too willing to hope for the best in people.

Yet, before Steve could say anything further, the firm footsteps of Master Sergeant Biggleston and Corporal Li approached rapidly from behind. The two soldiers stopped in front of the hold where Steve and Bucky were being kept several feet apart on metal chairs with an astounding number of chains and straps binding each of them.

"Time for a security check, chaps. I think we shall start with the Winter Soldier first, Li."

The corporal used the pole in his hand to poke and pull at each of Bucky's restraints from far enough away that Bucky was not even within two arms' lengths of him. The young soldier used the hooked end of the pole to run along each of Bucky's limbs and then began aggressively prodding at him until—overwhelmed with anger—Steve suddenly growled, "Leave 'im alone. He's cooperating."

Waving Li on to start prodding Steve, Biggleston stepped closer to Steve and replied gruffly, "It doesn't mean anything that he is cooperating, you know. Criminals and monsters like him often play along until we let our guard down, Colonel Rogers. I don't intend to put any of the men on this plane at risk by coddling either of you. You have both proven yourselves quite capable of escaping every enclosure and restraint that has ever been used on you, but your mate here is especially notorious."

At that moment, Steve noticed the preternatural stillness of Bucky beside him—beyond even that which might be expected of one of the greatest snipers in history—and Steve's breathing quickened as he tried to figure out what was had made Bucky shut down even further. Yet, Steve had forgotten how deeply attuned to him Bucky always had been. Although Steve could barely see Bucky's face since his own head was held firmly under two straps and a bar, he knew from the change in sound that Bucky was attempting to mask his own panicked breathing. Angry at himself for making things worse, Steve immediately tried to calm his own physiological response, so Bucky would stop panicking.

Turning from Steve to see what was going on with Bucky, Biggleston demanded, "Oi! Something wrong here, Winter Soldier?"

Biggleston's voice was sharp and his posture indicated his alarm, but Steve did not think that his concern stemmed from the same source as Steve's. As far as Steve could tell, Bucky's breathing seemed to have actually stopped. Although he knew that Biggleston or Li would likely intervene immediately if they saw Bucky was in physical distress, his own panic was now so severe that Steve made such a desperate attempt to turn himself that the bar holding his head in place creaked loudly.

In response, two other guards rushed forwards and began prodding Steve repeatedly with electric shockers on poles, as they shouted, "Don't move! Stay still! Stay still!"

When they finally stopped jabbing him with the stunners, Steve clenched his teeth in pain, as he growled, "Zap me again and I'll actually pop these restraints so I can punch you both in the face. Honestly, it is actually taking an effort NOT to break 'em, since it would be as easy as tearin' wet paper. So, I'm genuinely tryin' to comply. All I wanna do is see what's happening with my friend. Now, what's wrong with Bucky?"

The two guards both raised their sticks again and the shorter of the two started to poke it at Steve, when Biggleston commanded sharply, "Put the sticks down, you cheese-brained numpties. You had no business to shock Rogers without first issuing a warning, since he wasn't doing anything but turning his head. Now step back or I'll put you both on report."

His eyes still wild, Steve demanded, "Biggleston, what's wrong with Bucky?"

"Rogers, you're not in charge here, so you don't give the orders. You need to calm down or I will have to sedate you."

It was almost beyond his ability to keep himself from breaking the restraints and turning so he could both see Bucky and lash out at Biggleston. "I am calm enough and I am asking a legitimate question. I need to know what's wrong with my best friend, sergeant."

Sighing angrily, Biggleston replied sourly, "The Winter Soldier is fine. He's just gone quiet. In fact, he's not making half the noise that you are, Colonel Rogers, which means he is complying. They warned your mate what would happen if he made a noise and it looks as if he's taken that to heart. Perhaps you should follow his example."

Steve's face shifted into a truly menacing grimace, as he trained his eyes firmly on Biggleston. His voice dropped and he demanded dangerously, "They did what?"

Li spoke up with a snigger. "Command told the animal there that he wasn't to make a single noise during the flight and that if they saw him even move other than to blink or breathe, he'd be separated from you and put on ice until the court-martial begins. He's a mass murderer, not some war hero like you want him to be. We can't be expected to let him have free reign or we'd all be dead before we got to America to deliver you lot."

His expression darkened into complete fury as Steve looked from Li over to Biggleston for confirmation or denial. When no denial was forthcoming, Steve furiously snarled, "In other words, you threatened to treat him like HYDRA did."

Biggleston stepped up and put his face right in front of Steve and hissed, "Repeat that. I dare you."

"Your corporal just told me that Bucky is not allowed to make any sound. That he is not to move, which is why he's even masking the sound of his breathing so you won't see or hear him move. Apparently, they told Bucky that if he stepped outside of these parameters—which even a sneeze would violate—he'd be taken away from me and frozen, like HYDRA did. Is that normal protocol?"

Although he did not reply, Biggleston kept his gaze evenly on Steve with no appearance of discomfort or guilt.

Now frowning furiously, Steve continued, "Your doctors already amputated his new left arm—which was surgically attached and not just a prosthesis. Then, just like HYDRA, your doctors are now drugging Bucky. They've poked that IV drip of anti-psychotics, muscle relaxants, suppressants, and tranquilisers into him, despite the psychiatrists' warnings that he should not be given drugs like that."

Clearly not bothered by Bucky's treatment, Biggleston shrugged with utter unconcern. "None of that was up to me. The arm was removed because it is a weapon. The medications are necessary to keep him from freaking out and killing everyone here. I'm not going to apologise for any of that."

His righteous anger flaming even brighter, Steve insisted, "Bucky had two years since escaping from HYDRA without freaking out and killing anyone until a Sokovian operative intentionally activated him when he was under UN custody. Purposefully injecting Bucky with these drugs could actually cause problems because he can't think clearly with them, but they are unlikely to actually help with a thing."

Corporal Li sniggered again, which earned him a glare from Biggleston. Not looking particularly sorry, Li muttered, "Sorry, sir."

"Is there something amusing here that you'd like to point out, corporal?"

"Erm, no, sir." Corporal Li looked away, but he was clearly still struggling to compose himself.

"Then, join Wiggins at the back of the plane. I don't want to see your face for the duration of the flight. Send Ghorbani up here with Morran."

Li nodded. "Yes, sir."

Biggleston glared down at Steve, but said more quietly, "I cannot change the orders, colonel. I know they say your mate was a POW and brainwashed. But he killed dozens at least. The truth is, the Winter Soldier is a HYDRA assassin. He's not safe. If I cannot count on your cooperation, then I'll have to sedate you both."

Steve shook his head. The man's intolerance was infuriating. "Do you know how easy it would be for Buck and I to break these restraints if we wanted? We are actually trying to stay in them. We are complying."

At that moment, Steve noticed a flash of emotion pass over Biggleston's face. Just as quickly, it disappeared, however the sergeant said sharply, "Just don't make waves, colonel. They want to make an example of you both. You know that, right?"

Both exasperated and furious, Steve insisted, "Of course, I do, but I cannot change their intentions, Biggleston. Buck and I have done every single thing that they have asked of us. Every d*** thing, even the most outrageous of requests."

With a quick look in the direction of where the two officers were sitting, Biggleston said gruffly, "Honestly, I just don't want trouble, captain. If your mate is quiet, I don't care if he wiggles his fingers or sneezes."

"Is he allowed to talk?"

There was a pause, as Biggleston looked at Steve and then back towards his commander. Then, his voice dropped to just above a mutter and he said, "Don't push it. If those two fools with the charge sticks over there can hear, then it is too loud."

"He's not going to be put in cryofreeze if he breathes too loud?"

Obviously annoyed, Biggleston scoffed. "No one is threatening to freeze anyone, colonel."

Steve looked over at Bucky, who was frozen in place and clearly extremely distressed. "Why don't you ask Bucky what they threatened, sergeant?"

"I don't need to talk to the Winter Soldier."

"Why not?"

Turning angrily towards Bucky, Biggleston demanded sarcastically, "Alright, Winter Soldier, repeat to me precisely what your orders were when they loaded you onto the plane."

Bucky took a deep breath and then recited in his quiet, gravelly voice. "Master Sergeant James Barnes, due to the immense threat you represent to all those around you, you will be bound with specialised head, chest, abdomen, thigh, and ankle restraints in addition to standard shackles during your transport from this facility to the Enhanced Prisoner facility on Rikers Island, New York for your court-martial proceedings. SGT Barnes, you are not permitted to communicate with anyone other than the military personnel in charge of your transfer on penalty of significant punishment to be determined by those personnel. Although your left arm has already been pre-emptively removed, your other enhancements will also be suppressed to reduce your ability to harm those around you. To this aim, you will be administered five medications through an IV drip in your remaining arm, which will not be discontinued for any reason during transport."

Bucky winced as if in intense pain, but took a breath and continued, "Furthermore, SGT Barnes, for the duration of this flight, you are to remain silent—making no sound louder than 30 dB. Any sound above this range will result in the temporary implant behind your left ear making a sustained, punitive tone with a frequency of 35 kHz until you are silent. Additionally, SGT Barnes, you shall remain as motionless as possible—since any significant movement will cause a current to pass through the restraints on your wrist, thighs, and ankles until said motion ceases. At any time during your transport, if it is determined that you have disobeyed orders, you can expect severe and immediate reprisals. Lastly, any infraction, regardless of duration or size, shall result in you being sent to cryofreeze storage until your trial, a permanent separation from Colonel Steven G. Rogers a/k/a Captain America, severing of any rights to see your children, and charges being laid against your wife, Theodora Arnwell Barnes, for child endangerment and knowingly aiding a fugitive."

There was a moment in which Steve could see the disgust that Biggleston felt at hearing the extent of Bucky's condition described, but it disappeared so quickly that Steve would not have noticed it if he weren't closely watching. Finally, Biggleston grunted. "S***. Alright. Ok. You can talk to him, Rogers. Just…just be quiet about it."

Steve asked tightly, "And can he reply?"

The sergeant frowned. "Sounds like he doesn't have a choice. They'll play some dog whistle or whatever in his ear, apparently."

"He can tap out a message to me."

Turning away and marching angrily towards the back of the plane, Biggleston muttered, "Yeah. Fine. Never thought I'd see the day that I felt sorry for the d*** Winter Soldier."

Steve sighed with relief and whispered, "Buck, are you ok?"

Dash, dot, dash, dash. (Y)

His hands relaxed and Steve asked, "That wasn't all they told you, was it?"

Dash, dot. (N)

"Are we going to be met with a s*** storm at the end of this?"

A very fervent reply was almost instant: Dash, dot, dash, dash. (Y) It was then repeated twice more.

"Ok. Whatever it is, Buck, we'll deal with it. This is not the end of the line. We aren't there yet. This isn't the end of the line."

There was a long pause, then Steve heard a gasping breath that was almost a sob, then Bucky tapped out a very faint: dash, dot, dash, dash.