You scramble for the gun under your pillow, heavy breaths racking your body. You blink at the darkness with your finger tight against the trigger; after a few seconds you fall back onto the bed panting. Nightmares. Again. You set your gun down on the bedside table, covering your face with your hands for a few heartbeats before you climb to your feet. The faint morning light illuminates the dingy motel room around you and your eyes catch on the file you had left lying on the counter of the kitchenette the night before. You make your way over, hitting the lightswitch with your palm and flip open the cover. You pick up the picture just inside: a yellowing photo of James Buchanan Barnes. He's barely recognizable as the man you know; a sergeant's hat sits jauntily on top of his head while his lips are curled in a cocky smile. You set it down and pick up the second photo, this one is instantly recognizable as the Winter Soldier; cold blue eyes look out from beneath shaggy brown hair.
With a sigh you shut the folder and toss it into the duffle bag sitting on the sofa. You were paid through until the end of the week but… Something had you on edge. It was time to go.
A clink grabs your attention and you freeze in place, listening carefully. Footsteps on the fire escape; three pairs. You silently walk backwards into the bedroom and pick up your pistol. In the living area you can hear the window slowly sliding open. You stand with your back against the wall next to the door, gun at the ready. As the first person enters your bedroom you cock the gun, pressing it against the side of their head. "Don't fucking move."
The figure swallows audibly and you blink in the dim light before thumbing the safety back on. "Jesus Christ Steve," You breathe, "What the hell were you thinking? I was about half a second from blowing your head off." You shove the gun into the waistband of your sweats and flip on the light. "Who's with you?"
"Hey gorgeous," Sam comes up behind Steve before he can answer, hands held up in mock surrender, "Long time no see. Is that a .45 in your pans or are you just happy to see me?"
"Both," You admit with a smile, "I've left you both a dozen messages, what the hell is going on? Steve, I-Wait. Who else is with you? Nat?"
"Have you seen the news?" He interrupts.
"That's what I was trying to tell you," You say, exasperated, "That wasn't him-the bombing-It couldn't have been. I know where he is-"
"Romania," Steve interrupts and you blink stupidly.
"How did you know that?"
"Buck," Steve says quietly.
Your eyes widen in shock as he steps into view and you take a small step forward before you send your fist sailing into his face. He doesn't move to dodge it and it connects solidly, sending him stumbling backwards.
"Whoa!" Steve lunges forward, grabbing your arm as you cock it back for another blow. "(Y/n), stop."
"It's fine Steve," The Soldier wipes the blood from his lip, "Probably deserved that."
"You think?" You snap, "You shot me! Twice!"
"I also pulled you out of the water," He points out.
"And then left again."
You stare at each other for a few heartbeats and then you throw your arms around his shoulders and clap him on the back. "Good to have you back Soldier."
"It's Bucky," He tells you firmly as you pull away, "My name is Bucky."
"Bucky," You test the word on your lips and he gives you a small smile, eyes crinkling at the corners, "Nice to finally meet you."
"As touching as this is…" Sam interrupts and you snap back to reality, turning on your heel to look back at him and Steve.
"Were you followed?" Your eyes shift to Steve's face, but his expression is unreadable.
"Doubtful, but we should keep moving," Sam looks around, "What's up with the roach motel anyway? I think I liked your apartment in the city a little more."
"Yeah, me too," You frown, "Then Stark called and started talking about the Sokovia accords. Obviously I'd prefer not to tangle with the US Government so I ditched everything, stole a car, and," You gesture around you, "Voila. I've been moving every few weeks. Can't be too careful I guess. How did you even find me?"
"Bucky knew your old aliases," Steve says, "So we took a shot, and here you are."
"Huh. Guess it kind of worked," You smile a little to yourself, "I've been using those aliases in case you ever tried to find me yourself," you glance at Bucky and then back at Steve. "So what's going on?
"I'll explain on the way," Steve runs his hand through his hair, "We need to pick some things up."
"Right," You nod, "Let me just slip into something a little more combat ready."