Getting so close to Maize getting her revenge! Thank you so much for reading / supporting this story. The reviews give me life!

There aren't any triggers in this chapter!

Enjoy!

"O cafea și un ceai." The waitress placed a black coffee in front of Bucky and handed a tea to Maize. The woman provided a thankful smile as Bucky's blue hues darted between the cafe patrons.

Months had passed since their semi-successful takedown of the stateside Global-1 facility. Dr. Schreidner was still at large. While on the run, hiding from everyone looking for them, Maize and Bucky used their stealth knowledge to travel to Paris where the next Global-1 facility was located, hoping it would lead them closer to Dr. Schreidner and the official end of Global-1.

They both were no stranger to the city as they've had targets situated deep within the municipality years prior. And, before her time with HYDRA, Maize had lived in Paris with Dr. Schreidner for a season. Recognizing the streets, the two were able to slither through the crowds. It took a few weeks for them to get adjusted and find the Global-1 facility. It was heavily guarded; the doctor surely had given each location a heads up on the rogue assets from both their organization and HYDRA.

At least, that's what Maize had assumed.

The destruction of Paris's branch had been rather chaotic. Bucky asked to be triggered once again; Maize refused. She no longer wanted to bring back the horrific memories of the Winter Soldier. They knew the doctor wasn't in the facility, meaning Maize's main target was the enhanced humans caged like lab rats. Their release and the wreckage could easily be done by Maize alone; Bucky was adamant in helping.

Maize wondered if his persistence was due to guilt.

For many decades Bucky was used as a weapon, ordered to kill anyone who got in his way. She wasn't deaf in hearing his groans and cries in the middle of the night. While she pretended to be fast asleep in the twin bed next to his, Maize would actively eavesdrop during his one-ended conversations, knowing there wasn't anything she could say to help his mental state.

After Paris the two traveled to Madrid, Berlin and Croatia. Their latest stop was Bucharest. During their brief stay in Croatia, an enhanced showed the two around the beautiful town. Maize and Bucky enjoyed the sights, but there was still the mission lingering in the dark corner for them. The enhanced finally spoke about the rumor of Dr. Schreidner living in Romania, hiding from the 'assets'. It was the first clue they had gotten in almost a year on his whereabouts and Maize could feel the anxiety begin to bubble within her.

That very next day, Maize and Bucky were on their way to Bucharest.

"No sign just yet," Bucky spoke in a low voice, placing the coffee mug onto the table. Maize watched him closely as he placed his hands deep into his jacket pockets. While he wore his hat low, Maize was still able to see the bags under his eyes. "You sure your intel is correct?"

"No," she answered truthfully. The information had come by way all of their leads had: by way of former prisoners. This enhanced had mentioned it in the middle of healing a bullet wound in their side, their powers knitting together flesh while they shared an overheard conversation with Bucky and Maize. Maize had been so intrigued by the uncanny healing process; she had almost missed the tip.

"But it was worth looking into," she told him. And she meant it. Because while the intel was just a rumor, at this point rumors were all they had to go on. After all, it was a rumor from another enhanced in Croatia stating Dr. Schreidner was even here in the first place. "Plus, it's said this is the most popular cafe in the city; everyone comes here."

"Would it be smart of him to follow what everyone else is doing?"

"No. But if he feels he's safe, the mole just might come out to play." Maize's golden eyes, hidden behind dark brown colored contacts, scanned those around her behind dark sunglasses. The contacts were bought when the woman realized normal human beings didn't have vibrant irises; Maize wanted to blend in as much as she could during their mission.

She watched as a group of women laughed together, clinking their filled glasses. At the table next to them, a couple held hands over the cloth, their eyes peering longingly into the other. Diagonal from them, a mother sat with her child as they colored in a book.

Maize sighed. She didn't realize how much an impact being in the real world would have on her mentally. While in captivity, Maize would fantasize about a normal life - having an apartment of her own, having friends and co-workers to see everyday, eventually finding love and having a family. Seeing others actively engaging in her desires stirred an unfamiliar emotion within her. Envy, maybe? Resentment? Bitterness?

With Maize lost in her thoughts, Bucky's icy blue hues landed on her. Once they began traveling and mingling with society, it didn't take long for him to see how affected she was. But the man understood there wasn't much he could do to help. However, that didn't stop him from trying. Leaning forward in his seat, his hand hovered just inches over hers before she spoke.

"Target is in sight."

Using the opportunity, Bucky grabbed Maize's hand, pulling her attention away from the doctor before he could recognize the two. Silently he told her to quiet before he peered over her shoulder, watching as the doctor waited in line to order.

"You know the plan; we follow after he leaves," Maize reminded him.

"Yes I know, who was the one who came up with that?" Bucky playfully barked with a slight eye roll. Maize stuck her tongue out at him, lifting the tea to her lips. It was bitter with not enough sugar in it for her, and yet she drank it as her nerves rattled.

Being with her as long as he had, Bucky could sense her anxiety. Subconsciously his thumb rubbed against her skin. "I feel like our mission is coming to an end soon," he spoke low to ensure no one around them could hear.

"It seems so," Maize answered, hushed. She placed the tea cup down onto the saucer and Bucky watched as her hands trembled. The woman tried her best to hide it by placing her palm in her lap.

"What do you plan to do afterward?" It was a question the two had avoided for weeks. Neither would verbally admit it, but they had grown comfortable with one another. As if by second nature, the way they moved in sync even when they simply walked down an alley made them realize just how compatible they were. And while both knew they were in no shape for romantic feelings, there was a mutual understanding of boundaries.

"Haven't really thought about it," Maize answered, keeping her gaze upon him. She knew Bucky was keeping tabs on the doctor and trusted him to have that line of sight. "Why? What are your thoughts?"

"I kind of like what we have going." The man held her gaze for a moment before watching as the doctor moved to the side, waiting for his order. Maize couldn't help the smile tugging at the corner of her lips. It was nice to feel wanted for better reasons than her powers. Most of her life Maize was used as a pawn in someone else's game and/or war to the point where she had forgotten she was a human being. The last few months with Bucky changed all that.

Her time away from Global-1 made her realize just how much she missed out on in life. The taste of chocolate, coffee, pasta, fruits - they were all so foreign to her. If there was one thing Maize was thankful for in her new life was food, and how much she was able to indulge in it.

Finding freedom gave her a sense of hope. With Bucky, Maize had learned how to care about someone again - how to open herself to friendship and have compassion. With Bucky, Maize experienced a lot of 'firsts', and she was thankful it was with him.

Bucky returned her smile, opening his mouth to speak. But before he could get anything out, the doctor made his way out of the cafe, prompting him to stand. "Target on the move." Maize laid payment on the table before scrambling to her feet, quickly following behind Bucky who stayed a good distance behind. Block after block, traffic light after traffic light - it seemed as if they were walking for miles. But Bucky knew what the doctor was doing; he was making sure, if he was being tailed, he'd shake them off before going to his destination. What the doctor hadn't realized was how hungry Maize was for revenge.

Finally, after walking four miles and driving another six, they followed the doctor to a building on the outskirts of the town. Guarded behind iron gates and security, Maize and Bucky knew getting by would be a piece of cake.

"Now what?" Bucky questioned, his fingers lightly drumming against the steering wheel. The man never took his eyes off the building; same with Maize.

"Now we wait and follow him to his home," she told him. If there was one thing the woman learned throughout her many years babysitting the Winter Soldier, was how vulnerable people were in the comfort of their own homes. Maize figured the doctor would be no different. It was some kind of poetic justice to kill the doctor in his home, when Maize was taken from hers.

"We never finished our conversation from before." Maize looked up to Bucky, brows tightly tugged together as she silently questioned him. "After all of this is over, we should try and live our lives." He paused, moving his gaze to her. "Together."

She smiled, giving him a nod. "I would like that. Mostly because I don't know anyone else and a familiar face would be appreciated," she spoke playfully. Bucky smiled down to her and Maize could feel her face flush.

Nightfall came. The two grew rather impatient but kept quiet. Bucky's leg shook nervously. Maize's nails tapped repeatedly on the passenger door; lost in her mind. She remembered her mother speaking to her about intuition; that gut feeling in your soul that pushes you in the right direction. Maize's intuition was telling her everything was soon coming to an end. She felt giddy, relieved and anxious all at the same time. This was caused by the question resonating behind the cloud of rage: What's next?

"Our dear doctor has finally left the nest."

Bucky's voice brought Maize out of her fog as her golden eyes searched the road. He pulled out from their hiding spot, keeping a distance of two cars between them. They stayed silent, the tension rapidly growing. With every turn of the wheel, every street light passed, the two knew it was just a matter of time.

Finally the doctor pulled into a driveway spanning half a mile long to a small home. Ensuring they were still unspotted, Bucky parked the car at the start of the driveway. They made their way up to the house on foot, looking out for any alarms or traps. There were none. Maize assumed the doctor felt safe in his home - as if no one would have been able to find his whereabouts. She wondered just how long he had the home and if it was always his safe haven.

They heard no dogs, no chatter from the inside as they inspected the area. Recon didn't take long, and the two met back up at the car merely half an hour later.

"Seems odd," Bucky finally spoke after twenty minutes into their ride back to the motel.

"What does?"

"There was nothing. No cameras, no traps - not even a dog to alert him if anyone was outside." He grew quiet, his thumbs tapping against the steering wheel.

"Maybe he doesn't think anyone could find him there?" Maize suggested with a shrug.

"No." The man shook his head, running a hand down his face. "He knows we're after him and yet he's taking no precaution. Something's up."

"Regardless. I think we should hit tomorrow night."

"Agreed."

"And I think I should do it on my own," Maize added.

"Maize -"

"Bucky." They arrived at the motel, pulling into a parking spot. Maize moved in her seat so she was better facing him. "It was because of him that my parents were killed in front of me. He's the reason I didn't have a childhood; a life. He poked and prodded and cut as much as he needed to for his experiments while I felt everything and could do nothing." Bucky stayed quiet. They never did talk about what happened to Maize during her time with Global-1; Bucky never wanted to bring up those memories. And while he knew she could hear him at night battling his own demons, he wondered if she knew he could hear her own fight.

"What if something happens?" he whispered, feeling defeated.

"Then know I took that motherfucker down with me."