Tap, tap, tap. The only audible sound in Dr. Raynor's office is a pen against paper as she and Bucky scrutinize one another at the start of their latest session. A brief moment passes, and Bucky clears his throat. "I want my life back," he offers in a soft voice.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" she jabs sarcastically.
He sighs and speaks more loudly this time. "I want my life back. I know it can't be the way it was before, but…I'd like to be a functioning member of society. Not the killing machine everyone thinks I am."
A smirk tugs at Dr. Raynor's lips. "Very good, James. I'd say we've made some progress. Now, when you say you want your life back, what exactly are we talking about here? A job? A mortgage?"
"A family. Can't say I see a mortgage in my future, but you never know, right?" He inhales and lets out a breath. "I just want to be normal."
"Don't we all?" she chuckles.
Bucky's phone buzzes as he leaves the therapy room. He lifts it from his pocket and swipes to answer. "What's up, Sam?" Bucky inquires.
Sam responds with urgency. "Listen, Buck- we've got a big problem."
"Alien, android, or wizard?"
"It's Wanda," Sam proclaims flatly, ignoring the joke.
"So, wizard, then," Bucky quips.
"Just get your ass over to Sokovia, will you?" Sam hisses.
Bucky's eyes narrow, suddenly serious. "What's going on, Sam?"
"S.W.O.R.D. tracked her to a remote lake house," he explains. "She's getting into some dangerous shit."
"Like she wasn't before?" Bucky retorts.
Sam's tone darkens. "It's different this time. We're talking about dark magic."
"Any idea what she's planning?"
"No one knows for sure, but all everything points to bringing the kids back. Who knows what else?" Sam replies worriedly.
"Sam, I'd like to help, but…" Bucky laments, trailing off.
"But what?"
Bucky takes a breath. "With all due respect, there are other people better equipped to deal with this."
"That's actually why I called you," Sam counters. "There isn't anyone better equipped."
Bucky nods, understanding. "I'll meet you there."
Sam and Bucky arrive at an unassuming cabin next to a glistening lake, snowcapped mountains rising in the distance. "Did you get in touch with Strange?" Bucky probes as they step out of their car.
Sam carefully closes the driver's side door. "Yeah. I did."
"And? What'd he say?"
"Nothing good. I told him to stand by until we know exactly what we're dealing with," Sam divulges. "Tell me why we came in our civvies again?"
"Because we don't want Wanda to feel ambushed. We have to convince her that we're on her side," Bucky reminds him.
"Great. Let's go sing Kumbaya." They start walking, but Bucky immediately stops Sam in his tracks. "What are you doing?" Sam snaps.
Bucky plants himself in front of Sam to block his path. "I think you'd better hang back for now."
"What are you, crazy? You want to go in there alone?"
"Just give me some time with her," Bucky pleads. "She won't kill me."
Sam eyes him suspiciously. "How do you know that?" he challenges.
"Because I'm guessing she feels pretty lonely right now, and she's obviously suffering," Bucky postulates. "I doubt she'd hurt one of the few people who understands her."
Sam cocks an eyebrow. "You've got 10 minutes."
Wanda is midair, Darkhold in hand, when a series of knocks suddenly sound at the door. She abruptly lowers herself to the ground and thrusts a flurry of magic toward the door, revealing the uninvited guest on the other side. She reluctantly pulls it open upon seeing who it is, searching the surrounding area for backup. "James. What are you doing here?" she greets, expressionless.
"I just want to talk," he assures her. "And you know my friends call me Bucky, Wanda."
"Bucky Barnes was the Winter Soldier," she says with a smile. "You look like James to me." She ushers him inside and scans the perimeter once more before shutting the door.
"You've got a nice place here. Cozy." Wanda crosses her arms and gives him a look as if to tell him to speak plainly. Bucky sighs. "Look, whatever you're planning, you have to stop."
Tears prick at her eyes and her hands ball into fists. "I can't."
"Wanda, I don't think I need to tell you that dark magic isn't something to be messed around with," he warns. "People could get hurt."
"The only one in danger is me." She scoffs. "You really think I would risk the lives of innocents after everything I've done?"
He exhales. "…I don't know. Grief can do funny things to people."
Wanda's fists loosen, the tension leaving her body. She takes a seat at the kitchen table, diverting her gaze away from Bucky. "It never gets better, does it? The pain?" she asks.
"No," Bucky admits. "Not better…just bearable."
"Every person I've ever loved is gone. What am I supposed to do with myself?"
"I'm not gonna lie to you Wanda- some days, it'll take everything you have just to get off your ass. The loss swallows you like a riptide and suck all of oxygen out of your lungs. But there will also be days when you feel like you have something to offer the world," he answers earnestly, extending his metal had out to her. "Either way, you don't have to go through this alone." She turns to face him again and looks at him appraisingly. After a moment, she hesitantly accepts his peace offering.
Bucky tightens his grip around her fingers. "Come on, Sam's waiting for us," he urges, helping Wanda up and swinging her toward the door.
She smirks. "Of course he is."
When they emerge from the cabin together, Sam immediately rushes over. "You got the book?" Sam murmurs.
"It's a grimoire," Wanda corrects him.
Sam frowns. "You got the book?" he repeats irritably.
Bucky gives him a look. "She's got it."
"Good. We don't want that thing to fall into the wrong hands," Sam cautions.
"Where are we going?" Bucky questions.
"Madripoor- Sharon's place."
Wanda's gaze flits from Sam to Bucky and back again. "You're not taking me in?"
"No, we're gonna lay low for a while," Sam clarifies.
"I don't understand?" she prods inquisitively.
"This isn't technically a government-sanctioned mission," Bucky says in response, eyes locked on Sam.
Sam can feel his stare but doesn't acknowledge it. "We didn't know what they would do to you…we came here to get to you before they did."
Identities concealed underneath lowkey disguises, the three arrive in Madripoor early the next morning. Sam notices that the door is cracked open and gives it a slight nudge, motioning for them to enter quietly. Upon entry, the lights flick on, revealing Sharon Carter leveling a Colt in their direction. Sam's arms fly up in surrender. "Whoa- what the hell?" he exclaims, taken aback.
Sharon glares at the group with contempt. "I'd choose your next move very carefully."
"Sharon, it's us!" Sam begs futilely.
She cocks her gun. Bucky reaches for his weapon and Wanda's fingers begin to glow. "Yes, it is," Sharon declares. "And not a moment too soon."