p class="MsoNormal"Bucky and Sam had both decided to leave the park after finishing the bottle of vodka and head back to Bucky's apartment. The two men sat on the small couch sharing the space. It was now half past 6, Bucky's little TV was turned on to the news channel. Both leaning closer to the screen when a breaking news alert came on. They glued their eyes as the new Captain America was shown, with Steve's shield…/p
p class="MsoNormal"The imposter looked directly at the camera and winked, without thinking Bucky stood up and punched the screen with his left hand, shattering it instantly./p
p class="MsoNormal""You just had to let them take it! The shield Steve gave you! He trusted you! He believed in you! What did you expect them to after with it? To put it in a museum!" Bucky yells./p
p class="MsoNormal"He begins pacing in his small apartment. Frustrated and wanting to break everything./p
p class="MsoNormal""What did you expect me to do Bucky? I thought what I was doing was for the best!" Sam yells back./p
p class="MsoNormal"Both men are standing now face to face, anger matching, but for different reasons. One feels pain while the other feels lost./p
p class="MsoNormal""If he was wrong about you, then he was wrong about me too!" Bucky states to Sam./p
p class="MsoNormal"A blow that was intended to hurt. Sam eyes soften at the remark./p
p class="MsoNormal""Buck…" Sam tries to deescalate./p
p class="MsoNormal"But Bucky won't allow it, he intended to further drive the wound./p
p class="MsoNormal""Don't call me Buck…" He says in a low tone./p
p class="MsoNormal"Sam looks at him in shock./p
p class="MsoNormal""Why Steve called you that?" Sam asks./p
p class="MsoNormal""Steve didn't give up the shield like that, you don't get to call me that like a friend…" Bucky fires back./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"The lowest of low blows hit its target, and Bucky feels proud. Sam clearly hurt leaves the apartment. Leaving him alone./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Ro couldn't believe what just happened. John Walker, her ex was just announced as the new Captain America, he was wearing the suit and shield. How the fuck did he get this? How did he think she could help him? Would she work only with John? Or would his boss tag along as well? Ro had left fairly quickly once John had been announced, and when Ro had seen her…Lora the blonde cougar bombshell./p
p class="MsoNormal"No one seemed to notice that she slipped away, it was easy for her to blend into the background. No one paid attention to her. Plus, John was loving the spotlight. Ro had made her way quickly back up to her office. It would be crazy around here for the rest of the day, no point in trying to stay and work. She would get something done at home. She quickly grabbed her laptop, case files anything she would need./p
p class="MsoNormal""Leaving so soon" A voice spoke./p
p class="MsoNormal"Startled Ro turned around to see John once again leaning against her door frame smiling. But this time wearing all the Captain America outfit, even the stupid helmet./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah, it's going to be crazy here. I need quietness to get my work done." She responds./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ro turned her back to him again to gather her belonging in her work bag. She soon felt his hand on her waist, willing her slightly to face him. She couldn't help but jump at the touch, she turned around to see him too close to her. Inches apart, it felt intimately, she didn't like it./p
p class="MsoNormal""Ro, I need you with me on this, I need your help. I need you Ro, I know I don't have any right to ask or to deserve to ask for. But please, help me at least gain a footing here." John pleads./p
p class="MsoNormal"She can see the fear in his eyes, the helmet doesn't hide that. She couldn't help but feel pity for him. He was scared. This was one of the biggest roles a person could have, so much he could lose./p
p class="MsoNormal""Alright John, I will help you, I don't know why you think I can. But I will try. I won't stay forever, I love what I do here, and I won't go back to what I did in the past. Also keep her away from me" Ro advises him./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ro knows he understand everything she just stated and who she was referring to, Lora./p
p class="MsoNormal""You won't have to worry about anything Ro!" He promises at her./p
p class="MsoNormal"A smiling John now looks at her, like he used to what feels like so long ago now./p
p class="MsoNormal""I will let you finish what you need to, I will call you tomorrow with more information." John smiles at her./p
p class="MsoNormal""Thank you so much Ro, this means everything to me." He praises./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"John quickly kisses her before she could react and leaves her office./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky was sitting alone in his apartment looking at his broken TV. Sam had long left him, hours ago. Leaving him by himself once again. He was frustrated at the whole situation, but also completed defeated. He felt his phone vibrate, looking down he saw an unfamiliar number, he half expected to see Sam calling him. Immediately he became alerted, no one had his number./p
p class="MsoNormal""Who is this?" He style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Mr. Barnes, this is Lora from shield, or what's left of it. I'm sure you've seen the news today. We are building a new team." Lora stated/p
p class="MsoNormal"But before she could finish, Bucky was cutting her off./p
p class="MsoNormal""Not interested" He replied coldly intending to hang up./p
p class="MsoNormal""Mr. Barnes, I think you will want to be on this team, he's escaped." Lora states./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky was confused, who could she be referring to? He had countless enemies; how could he know who she was talking about./p
p class="MsoNormal""Who?" He asks her./p
p class="MsoNormal""Zemo." She replies./p
p class="MsoNormal"One word was enough, he felt his whole-body tense./p
p class="MsoNormal"-/p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky had called Sam after his phone call with Lora. Sam told him he had the same phone call with Lora. They both knew what was at stake. Sam met Bucky outside of the address they were provided, both were dressed in their gear, Sam's wings pack in his hand, both expecting to be sent to the fight, again. Sam looking ever patriotic, while Bucky opted for his all-black look with a dark blue leather jacket, that almost could be considered black, black jeans, black t-shirt and boots./p
p class="MsoNormal""You ready for this?" Sam asked Bucky./p
p class="MsoNormal""No" was all Bucky could reply with./p
p class="MsoNormal"Both made their way over to a building, looking like it was abandoned. Soon they were greeted by a security team, directing them to what looked like a storage room door. Bucky opened it entering it first. What they each saw was familiar. A normal base of operations warehouse. Big open space, numerous vehicles, weapons, soldiers, screens filed with intel, countless people. Bucky and Sam made their way through the warehouse, spotting a table in the back with people surrounding it. Looking like the command post. Once they got close enough Bucky saw him, it took all his strength not to lunge at him… this fake symbol. Before he could act on his violent though he felt Same at his side, grabbing his shoulder./p
p class="MsoNormal""Welcome Mr. Barnes, Mr. Wilson we are so glad you could join us." A feminine voice spoke./p
p class="MsoNormal"The two men turned around to see a beautiful woman with blonde hair walking towards them. She looked to be in her early 40s, a woman in charge./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm Lora, we spoke yesterday. Thanks for coming on such short notice." She gives them a smile that didn't reach her eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal"This woman looked like she always got her way with men. They both simply nodded at her in acknowledgement./p
p class="MsoNormal""We are waiting for 1 more person before we start, make yourself comfortable and familiar." She advises them before walking toward the imposter./p
p class="MsoNormal""He looks like a dumbass." Sam whispers to Bucky quietly,/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"Bucky nods in agreement to Sam. Walking closure to the table, Sam grabbed a chair while Bucky opted to stand near the corner of a wall, leaning his left side against it. Observing everything around him, not happy to be here, until something caught his eye./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Ro arrived at the place John had sent her. It was a normal looking building from the outside. Looked like an old post office warehouse. Obviously, she knew that the outside was just for show, she knew inside would look like every little operation. Probably countless important people in there, she held her head high walking towards it giving herself a mental pep style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe reminded herself this wasn't permanent, just temporary. She was quickly greeted by a group of men leading her through the entrance./p
p class="MsoNormal"She was directed through the building, seeing all kind of gear, countless people, and towards the back where a large table was with a group a people. She walked confidently towards them, she was wearing a long white sleeve blouse, tight black dress pants, and white heels. Her long hair was pulled back in a tight top knot, looking ever professional, exactly like a lawyer. Reaching the table, she noticed a familiar face sitting down./p
p class="MsoNormal"Sam Wilson or was he just the falcon now? She turned her head to see Lora glaring at her, standing exceedingly close to John. It took a lot of effort to not roll her eyes. She instead turned her focus on a shadowy figure leaning against the wall in the corner. She didn't recognize him, he was staring intently at her, it made her feel a bit nervous./p
p class="MsoNormal""Great you are finally here." John announced./p
p class="MsoNormal"Grabbing her attention Ro turned to look at John./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;""Everyone this is Ro Burkhart, she is one of the top attorneys for the DOD, and a special appointed member of anti-terrorism intel group for the DOD" John announced like he wanted to brag to everyone./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky couldn't take his eyes off her, he felt stupid like some schoolboy, but he couldn't help it. He watched her walk in, her presence demanding attention, and she had all his attention and she was looking right at him. But it was ruined quickly by the poseur. Bucky watched as he announced her to everyone. Clearly, they knew each other well, which annoyed him./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hi everyone, sorry I'm late. I won't make it a repetitive occurrence." She smiled weakly at everyone./p
p class="MsoNormal"Clearly, not liking all the attention brought towards her at the moment. He watched her quickly take a seat across from Sam. Her eyes met his again briefly, he knew he needed to stop staring at her. But he continued./p
p class="MsoNormal""We brought you all together because of recent intel we received that Zemo has escaped prison and is hiding out in a small neighboring country of France and Germany called Luxembourg. It's become a stronghold for a terrorist group recently since the blip." Lora explained to the group./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky tore his eyes from Ro to look at the table, his focus back on the target./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;""We believe he might be hiding close within some small fascist groups. Intel given states there's going to be a big event happening in Prague. We don't know exactly what that event is going to be yet, but we think it might be a recruitment type of meeting and weapon buying." Lora explained./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Ro listened to what Lora was saying, it was sounding like a standard terrorist group activity./p
p class="MsoNormal""Now we are to split up our team, for this mission. We want one team to go to Luxembourg to find Zemo and another group to go to Prague to find more information about this even and why Zemo is interested in it." Lora Stated./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ro still wasn't sure why she was needed for this./p
p class="MsoNormal""Now we reached out to you all because you all can be helpful for these tasks. Each having different abilities, we have already decided on the two teams and your assignments." John advised the group./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"Ro listened intently, but she quickly looked to the corner to see if the man was still looking at her, he wasn't. He was paying attention to the briefing to Lora and John. She was able to examine his face, his long hair was covering most of his face, he had a scruffy beard. He was wearing all black it looked like. A brooding type it seemed./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky watched Lora walk around the table giving everyone a thick folder. She reached him last and he accepted the folder opening it immediately. He was expecting information on Zemo in Luxembourg but it was only about Prague./p
p class="MsoNormal""What the hell is this? You call me out here using Zemo as bait, but you are sending me to Prague?" Bucky all but yelled./p
p class="MsoNormal"He was pissed, this wasn't why he was here. He watched Lora and the jackass exchange glances./p
p class="MsoNormal""We can't send you after Zemo just yet, he would easily recognize you" the poseur stated./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky rolled his eyes closing the folder, mad./p
p class="MsoNormal""This mission isn't just us going in and grabbing him. First, we need more intel, hard detailed facts, than getting a visual on him. We have to make sure we find out all he is planning and who he is working with. Once we have all of that you be apart of taking him down, we need to take the organization down not just a man." The knock off told him./p
p class="MsoNormal"Annoyed, but Bucky did not argue again at the moment. He just leaned further into the wall, sulking and barely attention to anyone except his own venomous thoughts. He felt like he was being used./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm sorry, but I'm still not sure what my purpose here is? I could easily just give you file information and pass anything important I have over to you. I'm confused on why you are wanting me in Prague as an agent?" Ro asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky turned his head to look at her, she was not happy either, glaring actually. She was going to Prague with him as well?/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm not a soldier, I don't see why I need to be out there?" She asked again./p
p class="MsoNormal"He watches her demand respect with her questions. Not wasting time beating around the bush. He did feel his mood lighten a fraction with her going to Prague./p
p class="MsoNormal""Ro, you are here because of what you do now and what you did in your past. Your past experience most importantly." Lora replied with a dead panned glare./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"Apparently, this remark was enough to quiet her. Bucky was curious now, what were her past abilities? How would the they come into play here? With him in Prague? Bucky could sense these two women weren't friends, they had a past./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"After getting the full briefing on the meeting Ro was gathering her belongings. She was annoyed at John; he didn't warn her that this type of help would be an undercover mission. She hadn't been a field agent in over 5 years. She left that behind her and had a career in law now, the exact opposite. Now John was pushing her back into her past./p
p class="MsoNormal""Ro? It's been a long time, it's good to see you." A friendly voice spoke to her./p
p class="MsoNormal"A smile crept on her face as she turned around./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, if it isn't the superhero himself, Sam oh sorry I mean the Falcon" Ro jokes to Sam./p
p class="MsoNormal"Sam pulls her into a large comforting hug. Ro accepts it happily./p
p class="MsoNormal""It's been what almost 8 years? You look great, ever official." Sam teases./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ro squeezed him one last time before releasing him to get a good look at him fully./p
p class="MsoNormal""Wow, you look good. You have filled out your superhero role." Ro praises back./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah, I know you like what you see. This whole superhero man can be yours for the taking." Sam seductively jokes./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"Ro watches him jokingly make a superhero pose, looking off into the distance. She laughs at him and sees the man from earlier on the wall watching them. Sam follows her eyes./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal""That's Bucky sulking in the corner." Sam tells her./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky turns his head to Sam, tilting his head./p
p class="MsoNormal""Come here metal head." Sam calls to him./p
p class="MsoNormal"Annoyingly, he removes himself from the wall and makes his way over to the two of them./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hello, I'm James Buchanan Barnes, Bucky." He introduces himself./p
p class="MsoNormal"He watches her look at him, he holds out her hand for him. Without thinking he greets her with his left ungloved hand. He felt warmth from her and couldn't help but give her a small genuine smile./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm Ro, it's nice to meet you." She replied smiling back./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky shakes her hand for a bit longer than he should. Enjoying this small moment./p
p class="MsoNormal""I see you met Ro, allow me to introduce myself. Captain America, John Walker."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWalker states./p
p class="MsoNormal"Dropping his smile and her hand Bucky looks over to the sound the of the most annoying style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThere he sees a smug face is smiling at him. Standing next to Ro, with his hand outstretched. Bucky shift his stance away from him, showing he doesn't want to shake his hand. That he doesn't care for him, Bucky watched the smile faultier. Sam steps up and shakes John Walker's style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes." Sam introduces./p
p class="MsoNormal"Walker clearly not happy about the snub./p
p class="MsoNormal""We are all so happy that the falcon and winter soldier are here to help us." Walker states loudly./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"A clear jab at Bucky calling him that./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Ro could see the name affected him greatly. She looked at John, seeing he liked the jab. Pathetic she though. Ro realized who this man was as soon as he walked towards her seeing his hand. When she had walked in, he had been leaning against the wall hiding his left side. But once he had removed himself from it, she knew. Of course, she didn't show on her face that knew who he was, she was a lawyer./p
p class="MsoNormal""John…" Ro warns in a low voice./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ro looks at him raising her eyebrow at him, challenging John to keep being a dick. John saw the look and winked at her; well, she got her answer he wanted to be a dick. She frowned at him./p
p class="MsoNormal""What? I am just appreciating all that we have as a team. The falcon and the winter soldier, and a captain…" John was cut off before he could finish./p
p class="MsoNormal""Don't you dare, you haven't earned that title. You haven't earned that shield; you haven't earned shit. Save it for the press." Buck threatens./p
p class="MsoNormal"Both Ro and Sam can feel the tension rising. John steps forward, not wanting to look weak, she places her hand on his chest./p
p class="MsoNormal""Alright, I think we are good for the day." Sam interjects./p
p class="MsoNormal"Sam drags Bucky with him towards the exit./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ro turns to look at John who is smiling./p
p class="MsoNormal""Real nice John. A day into being Captain America and you're already acting like a dick." Ro berates him./p
p class="MsoNormal"Turning his back on him to grab her stuff to leave./p
p class="MsoNormal""He's the one that came at me. Plus, he is the winter soldier, we have to be careful of him." John states trying to defend his actions./p
p class="MsoNormal"But Ro wasn't going to hear any of it. Turning to face him to leave./p
p class="MsoNormal""We are done for the day, I'm leaving, go make excuses to the woman who will believe them." She states./p
p class="MsoNormal"She goes to walk past him but he wraps his arm around her waist stopping her. She turns her head to look at him, not hiding the anger in her eyes. She doesn't want him to touch her./p
p class="MsoNormal""I need you on my side, he has bad history." John pleads./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ro removes herself from his grasp./p
p class="MsoNormal""You have bad history as well, go back to Lora. I can feel her beady eyes glaring at him this whole conversation." Ro snaps./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"With being free of his touch, she walks away from not wanting to speak with him anymore. She reaches outside of the building walking to her car she sees them./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"She spots Sam talking with him looking like trying to calm down a wild animal. But it looked like a losing battle. She made her way over to them./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;""Hey, I'm sorry about all that in there." She apologizes for John./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"Sam turns to her first giving her a smile, she turns to see him not looking at her./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky allowed Sam to walk him out of the building, no one could make him leave if he actually gave about 20% of his actual strength. But he thought about Steve and how he wouldn't want him to fight like this. No Steve would be a noble man on this./p
p class="MsoNormal""Look, I know you hate this guy, but this is our chance to get Zemo. That is more important than this little fake ass hero in there." Sam trying to talk some sense into Bucky./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hey, I'm sorry about all that in there." A familiar voice states./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky knew who it was, Ro. But he didn't want to look at her and have her see him acting like the winter soldier./p
p class="MsoNormal""It's okay Ro. It happens, men and egos." Sam acknowledges./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky keeps his focus on the ground leaving the two of them to hold the conversation. They seemed to be friends./p
p class="MsoNormal""John is going through a lot of stuff right now. He's not always this uh dickish. Just give him some time." She pleads./p
p class="MsoNormal"It annoyed him that she was defending him for some reason./p
p class="MsoNormal""All good Ro, thankfully we will be split up for some of the mission." Sam tells her./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky remembered she would be in Prague with him, lifting his mood again./p
p class="MsoNormal""Where are you assigned Sam?" She asks him./p
p class="MsoNormal""It has me in Luxembourg first helping with surveillance than being a messenger bird for Prague." Sam advises her./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"The imposter looked directly at the camera and winked, without thinking Bucky stood up and punched the screen with his left hand, shattering it instantly./p
p class="MsoNormal""You just had to let them take it! The shield Steve gave you! He trusted you! He believed in you! What did you expect them to after with it? To put it in a museum!" Bucky yells./p
p class="MsoNormal"He begins pacing in his small apartment. Frustrated and wanting to break everything./p
p class="MsoNormal""What did you expect me to do Bucky? I thought what I was doing was for the best!" Sam yells back./p
p class="MsoNormal"Both men are standing now face to face, anger matching, but for different reasons. One feels pain while the other feels lost./p
p class="MsoNormal""If he was wrong about you, then he was wrong about me too!" Bucky states to Sam./p
p class="MsoNormal"A blow that was intended to hurt. Sam eyes soften at the remark./p
p class="MsoNormal""Buck…" Sam tries to deescalate./p
p class="MsoNormal"But Bucky won't allow it, he intended to further drive the wound./p
p class="MsoNormal""Don't call me Buck…" He says in a low tone./p
p class="MsoNormal"Sam looks at him in shock./p
p class="MsoNormal""Why Steve called you that?" Sam asks./p
p class="MsoNormal""Steve didn't give up the shield like that, you don't get to call me that like a friend…" Bucky fires back./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"The lowest of low blows hit its target, and Bucky feels proud. Sam clearly hurt leaves the apartment. Leaving him alone./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Ro couldn't believe what just happened. John Walker, her ex was just announced as the new Captain America, he was wearing the suit and shield. How the fuck did he get this? How did he think she could help him? Would she work only with John? Or would his boss tag along as well? Ro had left fairly quickly once John had been announced, and when Ro had seen her…Lora the blonde cougar bombshell./p
p class="MsoNormal"No one seemed to notice that she slipped away, it was easy for her to blend into the background. No one paid attention to her. Plus, John was loving the spotlight. Ro had made her way quickly back up to her office. It would be crazy around here for the rest of the day, no point in trying to stay and work. She would get something done at home. She quickly grabbed her laptop, case files anything she would need./p
p class="MsoNormal""Leaving so soon" A voice spoke./p
p class="MsoNormal"Startled Ro turned around to see John once again leaning against her door frame smiling. But this time wearing all the Captain America outfit, even the stupid helmet./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah, it's going to be crazy here. I need quietness to get my work done." She responds./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ro turned her back to him again to gather her belonging in her work bag. She soon felt his hand on her waist, willing her slightly to face him. She couldn't help but jump at the touch, she turned around to see him too close to her. Inches apart, it felt intimately, she didn't like it./p
p class="MsoNormal""Ro, I need you with me on this, I need your help. I need you Ro, I know I don't have any right to ask or to deserve to ask for. But please, help me at least gain a footing here." John pleads./p
p class="MsoNormal"She can see the fear in his eyes, the helmet doesn't hide that. She couldn't help but feel pity for him. He was scared. This was one of the biggest roles a person could have, so much he could lose./p
p class="MsoNormal""Alright John, I will help you, I don't know why you think I can. But I will try. I won't stay forever, I love what I do here, and I won't go back to what I did in the past. Also keep her away from me" Ro advises him./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ro knows he understand everything she just stated and who she was referring to, Lora./p
p class="MsoNormal""You won't have to worry about anything Ro!" He promises at her./p
p class="MsoNormal"A smiling John now looks at her, like he used to what feels like so long ago now./p
p class="MsoNormal""I will let you finish what you need to, I will call you tomorrow with more information." John smiles at her./p
p class="MsoNormal""Thank you so much Ro, this means everything to me." He praises./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"John quickly kisses her before she could react and leaves her office./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky was sitting alone in his apartment looking at his broken TV. Sam had long left him, hours ago. Leaving him by himself once again. He was frustrated at the whole situation, but also completed defeated. He felt his phone vibrate, looking down he saw an unfamiliar number, he half expected to see Sam calling him. Immediately he became alerted, no one had his number./p
p class="MsoNormal""Who is this?" He style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Mr. Barnes, this is Lora from shield, or what's left of it. I'm sure you've seen the news today. We are building a new team." Lora stated/p
p class="MsoNormal"But before she could finish, Bucky was cutting her off./p
p class="MsoNormal""Not interested" He replied coldly intending to hang up./p
p class="MsoNormal""Mr. Barnes, I think you will want to be on this team, he's escaped." Lora states./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky was confused, who could she be referring to? He had countless enemies; how could he know who she was talking about./p
p class="MsoNormal""Who?" He asks her./p
p class="MsoNormal""Zemo." She replies./p
p class="MsoNormal"One word was enough, he felt his whole-body tense./p
p class="MsoNormal"-/p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky had called Sam after his phone call with Lora. Sam told him he had the same phone call with Lora. They both knew what was at stake. Sam met Bucky outside of the address they were provided, both were dressed in their gear, Sam's wings pack in his hand, both expecting to be sent to the fight, again. Sam looking ever patriotic, while Bucky opted for his all-black look with a dark blue leather jacket, that almost could be considered black, black jeans, black t-shirt and boots./p
p class="MsoNormal""You ready for this?" Sam asked Bucky./p
p class="MsoNormal""No" was all Bucky could reply with./p
p class="MsoNormal"Both made their way over to a building, looking like it was abandoned. Soon they were greeted by a security team, directing them to what looked like a storage room door. Bucky opened it entering it first. What they each saw was familiar. A normal base of operations warehouse. Big open space, numerous vehicles, weapons, soldiers, screens filed with intel, countless people. Bucky and Sam made their way through the warehouse, spotting a table in the back with people surrounding it. Looking like the command post. Once they got close enough Bucky saw him, it took all his strength not to lunge at him… this fake symbol. Before he could act on his violent though he felt Same at his side, grabbing his shoulder./p
p class="MsoNormal""Welcome Mr. Barnes, Mr. Wilson we are so glad you could join us." A feminine voice spoke./p
p class="MsoNormal"The two men turned around to see a beautiful woman with blonde hair walking towards them. She looked to be in her early 40s, a woman in charge./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm Lora, we spoke yesterday. Thanks for coming on such short notice." She gives them a smile that didn't reach her eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal"This woman looked like she always got her way with men. They both simply nodded at her in acknowledgement./p
p class="MsoNormal""We are waiting for 1 more person before we start, make yourself comfortable and familiar." She advises them before walking toward the imposter./p
p class="MsoNormal""He looks like a dumbass." Sam whispers to Bucky quietly,/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"Bucky nods in agreement to Sam. Walking closure to the table, Sam grabbed a chair while Bucky opted to stand near the corner of a wall, leaning his left side against it. Observing everything around him, not happy to be here, until something caught his eye./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Ro arrived at the place John had sent her. It was a normal looking building from the outside. Looked like an old post office warehouse. Obviously, she knew that the outside was just for show, she knew inside would look like every little operation. Probably countless important people in there, she held her head high walking towards it giving herself a mental pep style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe reminded herself this wasn't permanent, just temporary. She was quickly greeted by a group of men leading her through the entrance./p
p class="MsoNormal"She was directed through the building, seeing all kind of gear, countless people, and towards the back where a large table was with a group a people. She walked confidently towards them, she was wearing a long white sleeve blouse, tight black dress pants, and white heels. Her long hair was pulled back in a tight top knot, looking ever professional, exactly like a lawyer. Reaching the table, she noticed a familiar face sitting down./p
p class="MsoNormal"Sam Wilson or was he just the falcon now? She turned her head to see Lora glaring at her, standing exceedingly close to John. It took a lot of effort to not roll her eyes. She instead turned her focus on a shadowy figure leaning against the wall in the corner. She didn't recognize him, he was staring intently at her, it made her feel a bit nervous./p
p class="MsoNormal""Great you are finally here." John announced./p
p class="MsoNormal"Grabbing her attention Ro turned to look at John./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;""Everyone this is Ro Burkhart, she is one of the top attorneys for the DOD, and a special appointed member of anti-terrorism intel group for the DOD" John announced like he wanted to brag to everyone./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky couldn't take his eyes off her, he felt stupid like some schoolboy, but he couldn't help it. He watched her walk in, her presence demanding attention, and she had all his attention and she was looking right at him. But it was ruined quickly by the poseur. Bucky watched as he announced her to everyone. Clearly, they knew each other well, which annoyed him./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hi everyone, sorry I'm late. I won't make it a repetitive occurrence." She smiled weakly at everyone./p
p class="MsoNormal"Clearly, not liking all the attention brought towards her at the moment. He watched her quickly take a seat across from Sam. Her eyes met his again briefly, he knew he needed to stop staring at her. But he continued./p
p class="MsoNormal""We brought you all together because of recent intel we received that Zemo has escaped prison and is hiding out in a small neighboring country of France and Germany called Luxembourg. It's become a stronghold for a terrorist group recently since the blip." Lora explained to the group./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky tore his eyes from Ro to look at the table, his focus back on the target./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;""We believe he might be hiding close within some small fascist groups. Intel given states there's going to be a big event happening in Prague. We don't know exactly what that event is going to be yet, but we think it might be a recruitment type of meeting and weapon buying." Lora explained./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Ro listened to what Lora was saying, it was sounding like a standard terrorist group activity./p
p class="MsoNormal""Now we are to split up our team, for this mission. We want one team to go to Luxembourg to find Zemo and another group to go to Prague to find more information about this even and why Zemo is interested in it." Lora Stated./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ro still wasn't sure why she was needed for this./p
p class="MsoNormal""Now we reached out to you all because you all can be helpful for these tasks. Each having different abilities, we have already decided on the two teams and your assignments." John advised the group./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"Ro listened intently, but she quickly looked to the corner to see if the man was still looking at her, he wasn't. He was paying attention to the briefing to Lora and John. She was able to examine his face, his long hair was covering most of his face, he had a scruffy beard. He was wearing all black it looked like. A brooding type it seemed./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky watched Lora walk around the table giving everyone a thick folder. She reached him last and he accepted the folder opening it immediately. He was expecting information on Zemo in Luxembourg but it was only about Prague./p
p class="MsoNormal""What the hell is this? You call me out here using Zemo as bait, but you are sending me to Prague?" Bucky all but yelled./p
p class="MsoNormal"He was pissed, this wasn't why he was here. He watched Lora and the jackass exchange glances./p
p class="MsoNormal""We can't send you after Zemo just yet, he would easily recognize you" the poseur stated./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky rolled his eyes closing the folder, mad./p
p class="MsoNormal""This mission isn't just us going in and grabbing him. First, we need more intel, hard detailed facts, than getting a visual on him. We have to make sure we find out all he is planning and who he is working with. Once we have all of that you be apart of taking him down, we need to take the organization down not just a man." The knock off told him./p
p class="MsoNormal"Annoyed, but Bucky did not argue again at the moment. He just leaned further into the wall, sulking and barely attention to anyone except his own venomous thoughts. He felt like he was being used./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm sorry, but I'm still not sure what my purpose here is? I could easily just give you file information and pass anything important I have over to you. I'm confused on why you are wanting me in Prague as an agent?" Ro asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky turned his head to look at her, she was not happy either, glaring actually. She was going to Prague with him as well?/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm not a soldier, I don't see why I need to be out there?" She asked again./p
p class="MsoNormal"He watches her demand respect with her questions. Not wasting time beating around the bush. He did feel his mood lighten a fraction with her going to Prague./p
p class="MsoNormal""Ro, you are here because of what you do now and what you did in your past. Your past experience most importantly." Lora replied with a dead panned glare./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"Apparently, this remark was enough to quiet her. Bucky was curious now, what were her past abilities? How would the they come into play here? With him in Prague? Bucky could sense these two women weren't friends, they had a past./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"After getting the full briefing on the meeting Ro was gathering her belongings. She was annoyed at John; he didn't warn her that this type of help would be an undercover mission. She hadn't been a field agent in over 5 years. She left that behind her and had a career in law now, the exact opposite. Now John was pushing her back into her past./p
p class="MsoNormal""Ro? It's been a long time, it's good to see you." A friendly voice spoke to her./p
p class="MsoNormal"A smile crept on her face as she turned around./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, if it isn't the superhero himself, Sam oh sorry I mean the Falcon" Ro jokes to Sam./p
p class="MsoNormal"Sam pulls her into a large comforting hug. Ro accepts it happily./p
p class="MsoNormal""It's been what almost 8 years? You look great, ever official." Sam teases./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ro squeezed him one last time before releasing him to get a good look at him fully./p
p class="MsoNormal""Wow, you look good. You have filled out your superhero role." Ro praises back./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah, I know you like what you see. This whole superhero man can be yours for the taking." Sam seductively jokes./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"Ro watches him jokingly make a superhero pose, looking off into the distance. She laughs at him and sees the man from earlier on the wall watching them. Sam follows her eyes./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal""That's Bucky sulking in the corner." Sam tells her./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky turns his head to Sam, tilting his head./p
p class="MsoNormal""Come here metal head." Sam calls to him./p
p class="MsoNormal"Annoyingly, he removes himself from the wall and makes his way over to the two of them./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hello, I'm James Buchanan Barnes, Bucky." He introduces himself./p
p class="MsoNormal"He watches her look at him, he holds out her hand for him. Without thinking he greets her with his left ungloved hand. He felt warmth from her and couldn't help but give her a small genuine smile./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm Ro, it's nice to meet you." She replied smiling back./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky shakes her hand for a bit longer than he should. Enjoying this small moment./p
p class="MsoNormal""I see you met Ro, allow me to introduce myself. Captain America, John Walker."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWalker states./p
p class="MsoNormal"Dropping his smile and her hand Bucky looks over to the sound the of the most annoying style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThere he sees a smug face is smiling at him. Standing next to Ro, with his hand outstretched. Bucky shift his stance away from him, showing he doesn't want to shake his hand. That he doesn't care for him, Bucky watched the smile faultier. Sam steps up and shakes John Walker's style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes." Sam introduces./p
p class="MsoNormal"Walker clearly not happy about the snub./p
p class="MsoNormal""We are all so happy that the falcon and winter soldier are here to help us." Walker states loudly./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"A clear jab at Bucky calling him that./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Ro could see the name affected him greatly. She looked at John, seeing he liked the jab. Pathetic she though. Ro realized who this man was as soon as he walked towards her seeing his hand. When she had walked in, he had been leaning against the wall hiding his left side. But once he had removed himself from it, she knew. Of course, she didn't show on her face that knew who he was, she was a lawyer./p
p class="MsoNormal""John…" Ro warns in a low voice./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ro looks at him raising her eyebrow at him, challenging John to keep being a dick. John saw the look and winked at her; well, she got her answer he wanted to be a dick. She frowned at him./p
p class="MsoNormal""What? I am just appreciating all that we have as a team. The falcon and the winter soldier, and a captain…" John was cut off before he could finish./p
p class="MsoNormal""Don't you dare, you haven't earned that title. You haven't earned that shield; you haven't earned shit. Save it for the press." Buck threatens./p
p class="MsoNormal"Both Ro and Sam can feel the tension rising. John steps forward, not wanting to look weak, she places her hand on his chest./p
p class="MsoNormal""Alright, I think we are good for the day." Sam interjects./p
p class="MsoNormal"Sam drags Bucky with him towards the exit./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ro turns to look at John who is smiling./p
p class="MsoNormal""Real nice John. A day into being Captain America and you're already acting like a dick." Ro berates him./p
p class="MsoNormal"Turning his back on him to grab her stuff to leave./p
p class="MsoNormal""He's the one that came at me. Plus, he is the winter soldier, we have to be careful of him." John states trying to defend his actions./p
p class="MsoNormal"But Ro wasn't going to hear any of it. Turning to face him to leave./p
p class="MsoNormal""We are done for the day, I'm leaving, go make excuses to the woman who will believe them." She states./p
p class="MsoNormal"She goes to walk past him but he wraps his arm around her waist stopping her. She turns her head to look at him, not hiding the anger in her eyes. She doesn't want him to touch her./p
p class="MsoNormal""I need you on my side, he has bad history." John pleads./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ro removes herself from his grasp./p
p class="MsoNormal""You have bad history as well, go back to Lora. I can feel her beady eyes glaring at him this whole conversation." Ro snaps./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"With being free of his touch, she walks away from not wanting to speak with him anymore. She reaches outside of the building walking to her car she sees them./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"She spots Sam talking with him looking like trying to calm down a wild animal. But it looked like a losing battle. She made her way over to them./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;""Hey, I'm sorry about all that in there." She apologizes for John./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"Sam turns to her first giving her a smile, she turns to see him not looking at her./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky allowed Sam to walk him out of the building, no one could make him leave if he actually gave about 20% of his actual strength. But he thought about Steve and how he wouldn't want him to fight like this. No Steve would be a noble man on this./p
p class="MsoNormal""Look, I know you hate this guy, but this is our chance to get Zemo. That is more important than this little fake ass hero in there." Sam trying to talk some sense into Bucky./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hey, I'm sorry about all that in there." A familiar voice states./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky knew who it was, Ro. But he didn't want to look at her and have her see him acting like the winter soldier./p
p class="MsoNormal""It's okay Ro. It happens, men and egos." Sam acknowledges./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky keeps his focus on the ground leaving the two of them to hold the conversation. They seemed to be friends./p
p class="MsoNormal""John is going through a lot of stuff right now. He's not always this uh dickish. Just give him some time." She pleads./p
p class="MsoNormal"It annoyed him that she was defending him for some reason./p
p class="MsoNormal""All good Ro, thankfully we will be split up for some of the mission." Sam tells her./p
p class="MsoNormal"Bucky remembered she would be in Prague with him, lifting his mood again./p
p class="MsoNormal""Where are you assigned Sam?" She asks him./p
p class="MsoNormal""It has me in Luxembourg first helping with surveillance than being a messenger bird for Prague." Sam advises her./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal" /p