I decided I am going to be naming each chapter by a song title and allowing you as the reader to interpret why it is relevant to the chapter and/or characters.

Sending so many thank yous to everyone who has reviewed so far - they are my life line and I love you all!

xx

"Wouldn't it make more sense to attack him at his house?" the Soldier questioned, sitting back against the headrest, body slumped in the uncomfortable chair. While others would recoil from the lumps poking from the fabric, it was more than what the Soldier had experienced in a very long time.

When he agreed to help Maize, she beckoned for him to follow. They trekked to where they originally saw each other - back to where Maize was formulating her plan. That was when she told him about the doctor who tortured and experimented on her. He said nothing as he suddenly felt a wave of sadness and familiarity. Maize explained why attacking the building was so important and what rode on the success of doing so. She emphasized the many lives still in the building needing to be saved from the disgusting grasp of desensitized scientists experimenting on enhanced humans as if they were laboratory rats.

Once the woman got her point across, she then promised she would help the Soldier figure out who he was if he helped her free the prisoners, take down the organization and kill the scientist who tortured her. Without hesitation the man agreed as they ventured off to the motel Maize was staying in.

"Probably," Maize agreed with a nod. "But I'm trying to take down the whole operation," she reminded him. "So that way there's no chance of them rebuilding. I want to free all my enhanced brothers and sisters from being experimented on and give them a life they deserve - a life of freedom."

He could tell she was passionate about her goal; he didn't question her again but simply admired her drive and watched as she paced back and forth in the small motel room. Occasionally her head would shake against the thoughts racing through her mind. As she meddled in her decisions, he sat back quietly.

"Plus, I don't know where he lives," she added, with a single shrug.

"Well what is the plan exactly?" he finally questioned, leaning forward in the seat to where his elbows were resting on his knees.

Maize stopped in her tracks, one hand on her hip as the other tapped against her chin. Golden eyes focused down. Just as he believed she was going to speak, Maize shook her head, continuing her pacing. What felt like hours was just a mere five minutes before the woman threw herself back onto the bed, arms sprawled out as a frustrated sigh escaped her lips.

2009…..

No information was given about the target besides his occupation as a nuclear engineer. While she wanted to know why the mission was to kill the target - what power this man held against HYDRA - she kept herself silent. The Winter Soldier's mission was to kill the engineer; Maize's mission was to ensure he succeeded, as always.

They were having trouble with locating the engineer when they realized he wasn't at his home. They had been tailing the man for a day. It seemed abnormal for him to not come home after long hours at the office. When they looked at the tracker they placed on his vehicle, The Winter Soldier noticed it was still at his office building. Something felt off.

Quickly the two traveled to the engineer's place of work, spotting him being dragged into a black SUV by a red-headed woman.

"Сукин сын," the Soldier cursed, rolling his eyes at the sight.

"Nothing you can't handle," Maize assured him, making sure her seatbelt was secured. He said nothing as his gaze stayed with the black SUV. They followed the vehicle, staying a ways behind so as to not seem suspicious.

Maize stayed quiet, watching the scenery pass by. Odessa wasn't a bad looking place. She wondered what a normal life looked like in the town and, for a split moment, wished she could have something similar to the locals, instead of a life with Global-1 - or lack thereof.

Her thoughts were jolted back as she suddenly heard gunshots beside her. The Winter Soldier had begun shooting towards the SUV just as it was rounding a corner.

He was successful and Maize watched as the black vehicle flew over a cliff.

Their car came to a halt and he rushed to get out. Maize quickly followed, keeping her distance as she looked over the cliff. The two passengers in the SUV were alive with the red-headed woman covering the engineer. Gunshots began echoing through the canyon from both locations.

In a matter of a second, Maize could have lost everything including her own life, if she hadn't seen the glint. Holding her hand up, she stopped the bullet aimed for his forehead just a few inches from him.

Upon realization, blue hues gave a thankful stare; a stare that lasted for a moment. Maize offered a curt nod just before he shot off another round, this time hitting the red-head, the bullet splitting through her and evidently killing the engineer.

"Let's go," Maize called out, running toward the vehicle they had stolen. The Soldier quickly followed behind, slamming the door shut. She was shocked to not hear the engine rev right away. Looking at him, Maize was met with vulnerable eyes.

"Thank you."

"I have an idea," he mumbled, his gaze focused on the bedside lamp. Maize poked her head up to look at him. "It might not be something you'd necessarily be okay with, but I'm willing to do it to help you." He didn't want to say the words and instead hoped she would pick up the subtle clues.

And she did.

Maize sat up from the bed, her mouth agape. Brows furrowed deeply as she lightly shook her head. Confusion almost left her speechless. "Why would you ever want to go through that again?" she questioned, almost offended by his silent suggestion. "No. The answer is no; I would never do that to you."

The Soldier rose from the chair, sitting next to her on the bed. While he couldn't remember much, he did recall the horrors - the torment HYDRA had put him through to become the Winter Soldier, and remembered his missions.

It wasn't pleasant. He would never wish it upon even his worst enemies. But his goal was to find out who he was before becoming a monster - to make sense of all the flashbacks - and Maize had the answers. If he had to become the murderous raging sociopath to help save a few thousands of others to get the answers he was looking for, so be it.

"I want to help you, and the others like you." He grabbed her hand, holding it in his. The Soldier noticed the drastic difference between the sizes but he pushed the thought from his mind. "I trust you won't let me lose control."

Maize couldn't look at him. She wasn't sure if he could remember much when he was an asset, but she did. Maize remembered all his victims. She remembered the screams, the pleas, even the fearful stares from the targets awaiting their impending deaths. The Winter Soldier was used as a weapon his entire life - she didn't want to put him through that again when Maize knew what it was like to be a weapon.

"I don't know," she finally said, shaking her head at him.

"Maize, please." There was something in his gaze, something which told her she could trust it would work. And while she didn't want to agree, there was too much on the line to risk a losing plan. "You know the drill - you say the words and I'm in your hands; you have total control."

"Fine, but I don't like it."

Looking at her watch, Maize realized it was almost time.

The world around them was asleep, with only those who roamed the night to remind them what was at stake. The building was located in an area away from the main streets, but tall enough to be seen from them. If they succeeded, everyone would be witness to the downfall of Global-1 (without actually knowing said information). There would be news vans outside the facility masquerading as a research facility, television anchors hoping to get any and all information first to report the explosions happening.

She knew the takedown wouldn't be quiet.

"What time did you say he's normally done?" the Soldier asked as they sat in the abandoned warehouse across from the facility.

"Two," she answered, keeping her gaze on a specific window. It was Dr. Schreidner's office, and the light was still on. In just five minutes, the light would flick off as it did every night. He was a creature of habit, and this Maize was thankful for.

"We might as well get this over with," he mentioned, slipping off his baseball cap.

"And you're sure you want to do this?" she inquired. "You don't have to go through this."

"We're already here." He had a point. The Soldier slipped off his oversized bomber jacket, revealing the black tactical vest HYDRA had always put the Winter Soldier in for missions. Maize's eyes briefly widened at the sight. She had hoped the last time she saw him in the gear was the last time.

He noticed her gaze and his shoulders tensed. "Hey." Taking a step closer to her, the Soldier placed a hand on the woman's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. "Everything is going to be okay," he assured her with a forced smile.

"I'd feel better if you hadn't tried to smile," she told him, brushing his hand off. "Longing…" Turning her back to him, she heard a small grunt escape from his lips. "Rusted…" Maize said the words in Russian, knowing that was the language he was used to hearing the trigger words in. "Seventeen…"

The Soldier let out another grunt, dropping down to one knee. "Daybreak…" Maize kept her back to him, closing her eyes as she reluctantly recited the powerful words. "Furnace…"

"Keep going!" the Soldier rushed her, wanting to get it over with as he felt the monster begin to take over.

"Nine…" A silent tear fell onto her cheek. Maize did her best to control the tremble in her voice. "Benign…" The light from the doctor's office flickered off; three minutes before schedule. "Homecoming…" Maize wondered if he wanted to get an early start in heading home; she knew she needed to speed things along. "One…" Despite her opposition to their decision, she suddenly felt a jolt of adrenaline coarse through her veins. "Freight car…"

Slowly Maize turned to find the Winter Soldier standing tall, his eyes dark and hollow as they rested upon her.

"Ready to comply."