After returning to the rented house they were staying in, Sam wrestled with his feelings. He knew that although Bucky said he was fine, he was far from it. Sam tried to get him to talk but just kept repeating was that he was fine. Not long after they got back, Bucky said he was going for a walk. The statement made Sam even more concerned. Before heading out, Bucky again assured him he was fine and that he just needed to clear his head.

As soon as Bucky left, Sam took the opportunity to call Fury and brief him on the events of that morning. The briefing did not include Bucky actions or his present state, instead Sam chose to focus on Walker. While talking with Fury, Sam took the opportunity to ask for Alex's number under the pretense of wanting to speak to her about Walker. Fury readily shared it and Sam hurriedly pressed the numbers as soon as his first call ended.

Alex was alone in the office when Sam called. She had been reading through her notes and was doing her best to concentrate. Her mind kept wandering back to the afternoon Bucky had stopped by the house. She had enjoyed it more than she had let him know and now, with Bucky away, Alex found herself wondering what he was doing and if he was safe. After indulging in daydreams for a few minutes, Alex reluctantly reminded herself that she had to remain professional and went back to the notes.

Sam's call further sharpened her focus. Alex didn't know Sam very well but she knew he wouldn't call her without a good reason. She listened to him describing the morning's events. When Sam said that Bucky didn't want to talk about it and was now out for a walk, he had her full attention. In telling Alex about Bucky, Sam didn't mention that the former Winter Soldier had ended up hitting someone. Even though Bucky seemed to trust Alex, Sam wasn't sure that she wouldn't go right back to Fury and have Bucky further reprimanded. Alex could tell that Sam's concern was sincere and she promised to call Bucky as soon as they hung up.

"I have a potential situation," Fury's voice boomed through the phone. Alex had just finished leaving a message for Bucky and was debating if she should send a text when his call came. She could tell that Fury was more agitated than usual and not wanting to set him off further, Alex stifled her own concerns.

"Join the group," Alex muttered. Fury ignored her and proceeded to fill her in on the situation. Most of what he told her was the same thing Sam had said.

"Pull Barnes out," she entreated.

"He's there for a reason."

"He just watched someone die being given a serum that was forced on him. Pull him out!" Alex said vehemently.

"Alex, he's a soldier and been in war. He's watched people die before. Do I need to remind you he's caused the death of lot of them as well?" Fury told her. "He can deal with it."

"We don't do well helping soldiers deal with the things they see today. I'll bet in 1943, they didn't have anything," she said. As Fury began to protest, she cut him off. "Barnes was that experiment he just watched. No one can answer why he didn't die; that fact alone can play games in your mind. Get him out."

"I'm in charge and he's staying in," Fury stated coldly. "I'm glad you're so concerned because I need you out there."

"Nick, I can't just leave. Olivia..." The office door suddenly opening interrupted her objection.

"Maria?" Alex said with surprise as she saw Maria Hill standing just inside the doorway. Even more surprising was that she had Olivia with her. The child ran across the room towards Alex.

"It's all taken care of," Fury said.

"Hey! It's been a while," Hill said cheerfully as she followed Olivia and opened her arms for a hug from her friend.

Hill then took Alex's phone from her hand to speak to Fury directly. Alex watched with a stormy expression as any decision had been taken out of her hands. Alex walked over the couch and sat down. She motioned for Olivia to join her and then gathered the child in her arms.

"We're both here," Hill said as she sat down next to Alex and held the phone out.

"Alex. Go home, toss some clothes in a bag and get on your way," Fury's voice directed through the speakerphone.

"How am I getting where I'm going?" Alex asked even though she knew it was pointless.

"The car will take you to the airport. The plane is waiting," Maria Hill informed her friend. "I'll be staying with Olivia, Alex. She'll be fine."

I'll be expecting you to meet me. Fury said before hanging up.

Bucky stopped his wandering when his phone rang as he pulled it out of his pocket. He looked at the screen; it was Alex. He closed his eyes as he hesitated making the decision to accept or decline her call. He was almost certain that Sam had called her and despite wanting to hear her voice, Bucky just let it go to voicemail.

He listened to her message immediately and smiled as he heard Alex's voice. She asked for a return call or text. Bucky knew he should talk to someone but he wasn't ready to relive what he had just witnessed so soon. He also wasn't ready to admit to Alex that he had hit someone with almost no provocation. There were the nightmares as well and he didn't want to think about those any more either, especially the most recent ones that involved Alex. Bucky promised himself to call Alex the next day as he returned his phone to his pocket; he then turned around and went back to the house.

It was late afternoon when Alex was met on the tarmac by Nick Fury and a large black SUV. The flight had been short thanks to S.H.I.E.L.D. technology and her anger hadn't had time to fully dissipate. Once in the car, she checked her phone for a voice mail or text from Bucky. Neither one appeared. There wasn't a missed call from him either which further fueled her racing thoughts. Alex asked if they were going to meet Sam and Bucky. Fury gruffly told her she would find out when they got there.

"Is he okay?" Alex asked breaking the silence in the vehicle and received no reply. She shot Fury an angry glance while waiting for Hill to answer her call. For the rest of the drive, Alex talked to Maria Hill and assured Olivia that she would be home as soon as she could.

Fury pulled up to the lab building and announced they had arrived. She looked at him suspiciously as they got out of the car and again inquired about Bucky's well-being. Again, she received no answer. She and Fury walked through the front doors and he sternly told the guard who he was and that they were expected. When the guard asked for Alex's credentials, Fury stopped her from opening her purse and angrily answered that she was with him.

They followed the guard down the hall a short way before being shown a door. They entered a small anteroom where Sam Wilson was waiting. Bucky was nowhere to be seen and Alex looked at each of the men.

"Is he okay?" Alex demanded. Sam nodded in reply. "Then why am I here?"

"I need you to do your job," Fury told her. "Make him see the tree in the forest. Specifically, the tree with the sign saying he'll live longer without the super soldier serum."

"Who are we talking about?"

"Ryan Sciple," Fury said. Alex's eyes grew wide and she was dumbfounded for a second.

"Please say you're joking." Fury shook his head and reminded her that he didn't joke.

"You dragged me halfway across the country for this?"

Sam stood silent. When Alex glanced at him, he looked away and wouldn't meet her eyes. He and Bucky had been filled in on the situation with Alex's former spouse when Fury had arrived. Both had argued against bringing her in to no avail.

"Nick, I haven't heard from him in almost a year. And by haven't heard, I mean I didn't even know he was alive."

"You know what happened to Nagel. Zemo is out there somewhere and while you may not get along, I'll bet you don't want the same thing to happen to him."

Alex nodded. Even though things had ended badly with her ex-husband, she didn't want him dead. Sam opened the door and followed her into the adjoining room. Bucky sat opposite Sciple at a table; they both turned at the sound of the door. Sciple scoffed silently when he saw Alex. Bucky's eyes met hers and lingered for a bit before he returned a steely gaze on Sciple.

She braced herself, took a deep breath and sat down in an empty chair. "Looks like you found a job."

"I've been here a while," Sciple said snidely. "I like it."

"You like killing people? That's... new."

"That wasn't supposed to happen. He was supposed to turn out like him," Sciple said and gave a toss of his head towards Bucky. Bucky didn't flinch or acknowledge the mention but remained staring.

"That's not gonna happen," Alex impressed upon him. "At best you get a stronger human, at worst you kill more people."

Ryan Sciple pointed out that she had no idea what he was working on or how the serum would affect those receiving it. Alex wanted to argue but held her tongue and carefully considered her next words. She pointed out that the world had seen the serum's effect on John Walker and it was unpredictable at best. Sciple told her that what he developed was different and for all anyone knew at the moment, the death was a coincidence or due to an underlying condition. When Sam asked if they had screened volunteers for underlying conditions, the scientist calmly told him that they couldn't screen for everything.

With growing frustration, Alex asked Sciple if he knew what happened to the other scientist working on that version of the serum. He told her no while doing little to hide his own exasperation at the continuing discussion.

"He was killed, Ryan. Shot. At his little hidden lab while he was working. By the same person who has escaped from prison. Don't be next... please."

"I'm this close to changing the world. Right now, I have a better chance of being killed by a car while crossing a street."

"This is serious. Zemo has money, resources, connections."

"Your boss and friends already told me all this. You don't even know where this person is, so no... I'm not stopping my work. The super soldiers are needed."

It took all her might not to curse him and bolt out of the room but Alex slowly stood up and exited without another word. When Fury tried to speak to her, she rushed past him and into the hall almost bumping into Zemo. Bucky gave Sciple a final scathing look before getting up and following Alex. Fury tried to hold him back from leaving the anteroom but Bucky pulled away. From the hallway, he could see the front door closing and he rushed out as Zemo watched from a distant doorway.

"Alex, wait," Bucky called and jogged to catch up with her.

"Hey," he said as he stood in front of Alex stopping her progress.

"He didn't even ask about Olivia," she said angrily and looked at the ground. Caught off guard, Bucky didn't know what to say. Eventually, he reached out and gently tilted her face upwards. Her eyes were glassy and the anger had turned to sorrow.

"Don't go down that rabbit hole," he said gently.

"So... you do listen; you just don't answer my calls. What's going on?" she sniffed back the tears that didn't fall and forced half a smile.

"I'm pretty sure you heard," Bucky said and looked off towards the building.

Fury and Sam waited outside the lab entrance and were doing their best not to stare at Bucky and Alex. Fury's patience had worn thin and he finally yelled, "Any time you two are ready."

"I didn't hear it from you," Alex told him. "I doubt I'm flying home tonight, so my schedule is free. We can talk as long as you want."