Here's the overdue addition, sorry for the long wait but I decided to go in a different direction and to do some editing. Hope you enjoy! Next chapter will be coming this week too after some polishing.
Shout out to Babyi.G for being such a faithful reviewer. I look forward to your input every time I update! Xoxoxox
Bucky's POV:
I'd become Edie's personal punching bag. A form of measurement to which her strength was charted. But I justified every punch and crippling electrical shock with the fact that I got to see her.
Every day.
They allowed us to share meals and training sessions together but not without Rumlow or some other faceless minion watching from behind the two-way mirror. It would seem they were so focused on Edie's success that I had become a second thought. Low on Pierce's agenda and it gave my conscious the time it needed to fully develop the broken bits of memories I struggled to understand before.
I would remember things. About Edie, about Steve and even about myself. I could see my mother's face, the soft sound of her voice singing me to sleep when I had a nightmare. I could remember the streets of my neighborhood, the ones Steve and I walked every day. All the fights I had to drag him out of, while he spit blood and panted vows that 'this wasn't over', to which usually would end with me laying out some obnoxious brute or scaring off a group of spineless bullies. But there was so much laughter and deep concern for one other rooted in each moment that made all the rescuing worth it.
Then came the memories of Edie. A swarm of blood stained scenes but underneath there was so much more. Chipper giggles from behind a book cover, bourbon filled conversations of home and what we missed the most. Edie kept me in line, watched my back and saved my life on several occasions. I wouldn't be alive if not for her.
I could remember the good…and the not so good. Scenes of torture and experiments flooded my brain, unauthorized surgeries that left me less and less of myself. The scars on my body helped piece together my past, it was the one just above my heart that shook me the most. It came in the form of a ghosting ache and left in the softest warmth trailing against my lips. I could never fully repay Edith for what she did that day. Stripped me of every ounce of pain without out another thought. Put my safety above her own like second nature. Exactly as she did that day on the bridge with Steve.
Loyalty fueled Edie's every action. Her first instinct was to save, to heal and often when a certain nerve was struck that loyalty flared with a rage and she was unstoppable. For example, German bullets to the chest or a gun placed to the back of a particular blonde's neck.
It unleashed this raw energy within her and Edie sought her target with a vengeance. I wasn't sure what Pierce's angle was exactly but I had a feeling it had to do with that energy, intentionally drawing it out for his own purpose. That purpose is what I needed to find out.
We'd fallen into this grotesque form of a routine, Edie and I. We'd exchange silent looks across the table over sorry excuses for food, I'd speak softly to avoid the eager listener behind the glass. Most of these conversations were one sided, involving me doing the talking and Edie fighting the slow haze that had began to eat away at her memory. Each day it seemed more and more of that vibrant personality I remembered was fading and being replaced with a hollow shell. Whatever they were doing in that room where they took her after our sessions was stealing Edie away. Corrupting her for their agenda. But something wasn't going as planned, it wasn't hard to overhear the hissing whispers and hushed curses.
'It needs to be adjusted. She's fighting it.'
'We're going to have to replace it, if you don't figure this out now. We don't have much time. You need to step it up a notch.'
My heart clenched each time I would notice the slow dim of her eyes, the warmth draining from her face. It kept me up at night, running through all the possible routes of escape. I was hoping to choose the perfect moment but one morning on the way to training it would appear the moment chose me instead.
Traveling down the familiar corridor I was halted by the sound of harsh voices and grunts of a struggle. With well-trained stealth I slinked towards the noise, concealing myself behind the corner I watched the armor clad agents pull out a tranquilizer.
"Pierce wants this done now. They finally configured the right device and are ready to implement the final phase. Make sure to load her up with this stuff, don't need her waking up on the table. Come'on."
A feminine gasp rang out against the metallic walls, and Edie's limp body dropped against the grated floor with a spray of raven hair. Making sure to keep my distance, I watched as they hauled her further down the corridor towards that all too familiar procedure room. I fought the panic that rose in my throat, willing myself to focus on devising a plan.
Awhile later the same agents filed out of the room and stalked in the opposite direction to my relief. Without a sound I crept down the hall and closed the door with a quick motion, scanning the room for any signs of a threat. I swallowed the tightness forming in my throat, the familiar room waking the cruel memories of what I endured here. Shaking off the taunting thoughts I took a step further.
I found Edie's unconscious form strapped to a metal gurney, the faint hum of the monitor tracked her vitals, displaying a gentle pulse against the screen. In slow strides I closed the gap between us, staring down at her still body I noticed a similar mouth guard shoved between her strawberry lips. Suddenly my human hand twitched, a piece of my former self urging to touch her. With a sharp breath in I reached out and caressed Edie's small hand.
"Nightingale." My voice echoed fondly into the still air.
The lack of prying eyes and Edie's peaceful form gave me a moment to truly look at her. Brushing back tangled black locks, I couldn't help but notice the rapid pulse of veins under her ivory skin as her body fought to repair itself.
"It's my turn to save you." I promised, moving to unlatch the restraints when a heavy thumping of footsteps rounded outside the hall. Ducking against the door I couldn't tear my eyes away from Edie, realizing how out place she looked here. Like a flower growing in the concrete.
Much like she did all those years ago, under the sadistic thumb of Dr. Zola. Who willingly carried out Johann Schmidt's plans and some of his own. Everyday was hell, grueling and mind numbing. But the doctor held a special interest in Edith, pushing her to the very limit with no ounce of humanity.
Snapping my attention back to reality I listened as the steps faded into the distance, turning down another hall. With a quick sigh of relief I took the opportunity to lock the door and resumed my position by the table.
"Nightingale." I hummed again but Edie's expression never faltered.
"Wake up, we've got to get you out of here." Gripping her shoulders I shook lightly.
The small remnants of a smile could be found forming on my lips as I watched those jade eyes ease open. Squinting against the harsh fluorescent lights, Edie could only muster a groan before her gaze shifted to meet me. A glimmer of recognition surfaced with Edie's full consciousness. But with the sudden panic that seized her expression it would seem her last real memory of me was the day on the bridge when I stole her from Steve. Edie's fatigued body attempted to spring into action but struggled against the tightly bound restraints. A muffled scream gritted against the mouth guard in fear.
"Hey..shh, you're okay. I'm not going to hurt you. It's me, Bucky. It's really me." My words fought to soothe her alarmed state.
Slowly I raised my hands to remove the mouth guard from Edie's clamped jaw, hoping to signal I meant her no harm. Edie watched me with narrow eyes, following my movements that unfasten the straps. Wiggling free she sat up abruptly, and I could see the room beginning to spin in a daze across Edie's face. Swiftly my arms wrapped around her just before she slumped from the exam table. A shiver crept up Edie's spine as my metallic hand was held firmly against her lower back.
"What book did you toss in the river?" Edie found her voice, a croaking whisper.
My gaze met hers with flickering confusion and before I could stop it a chuckle shook my chest.
She was testing me.
"The Sun Also Rises, Hemingway."
The words barely escaped my lips before Edie had her arms snaked around my neck, seeming to finally take a full breath. I felt the hesitation in me at her sudden shower of affection, deprived of loving human contact for so long. I coughed a laugh in attempts to halt the welling tears, and naturally reciprocated with a rib squeezing hug.
"And it was an accident, you were the one that jumped me and it fell in the river." I corrected in a smirk.
"It is you!" Edie gasped, leaning back to take in his face with wide eyes.
"Me." I breathed her conclusion, welcoming the warmth of her hands across my stubbled cheeks and through my thick waves.
"Where are we? Where's Steve?...Bucky I can't remember anything, its like-like"
"Like a fog." I exhaled, wondering if I was too late.
Had they already begun the process? I heard the guards discussing the 'finally phase'. But Edie was back, the real Edie. Though it seemed at a cost.
"We are going to get you out of here, I promise." I voiced my determination.
"You mean us." Edie corrected, gauging me with suspicion.
"I'm afraid not, Doll." I advised gravely, knowing someone would have to stay back and take the brunt of the punishment.
"Now I have a plan, but you're going to have to trust me. And whatever happens, you just keep going. Don't stop until you are out of this place. Edie, I need you to promise me. Promise me you won't stop until you are far..far away from here." I attempted to halt her growing protest with a stern voice.
"No-no I won't leave you…Bucky please-I can get us both out of here. I can't leave you again. Please." Edie's words hitched through the pooling tears and I felt my cool exterior cracking. Faltering the longer those doe eyes pleaded with me and that soft touch found my face again.
"We can fight this, we can find Steve."
Steve.
The reality of my best friend resurfaced and I recalled the true task at hand. From the look of the rings on Edie's fingers I concluded the that little punk had finally done something smart for once.
He found Edie.
Someone that would protect him as fiercely as I had, Steve had found his haven and I was responsible for safeguarding her.
"Nightingale, I need you to promise me." I held Edie's chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. The emerald green flickered with sorrow and pierced my heart. I was forced to let her go all over again.
"I promise."
The cool graze of my metal hand ghosted her cheek to wipe away the falling tears.
The plan was simple, a possible long shot but it was the only way to get Edie out safely and under the radar of security. She may not have had my stature but with her thick dark hair and cloaked in my jacket it would be hard to decipher us through the grainy feed of surveillance.
As Edie buckled the last strap of my jacket snuggly across her torso I lifted the black mask towards her face.
"Wait." She seized my hands and raised to her tiptoes. Before I could register what was happening Edie had her arms snaked around my neck one last time.
"Come home, James." She whispered against the shell of my ear, a soft kiss finding my cheek. Instinctively my arms embraced Edie, holding her tightly.
Just a little longer.
My heart pleaded. Nuzzling into the soft curls of Edie's hair, I inhaled her warm scent with a ragged breath.
But swiftly detached myself and secured the mask across the lower half of her face before I could talk myself out of it. A frown pulled at my mouth when I realized I could no longer see the curve of Edie's smile.
"Ready?"
She answered with a silent nod.
Opening the door slowly I assessed the perimeter for any signs of movement, waving Edie forward she began her trek down the corridors. Clad in only a t-shirt, pants and boots I was close on her heels. My goal was to stay out of sight of the moving cameras that scanned the halls and take out any threats that came close to Edie.
But it was early into our trek I was reminded of Edie's tendency to be a little head strong, verging on reckless at times. I noticed it when she turned back, already defying one of the rules I gave her, the electrical current twitching from her fingertips.
Reserving my speech I physically motioned Edie to keep moving, but of course she didn't. Instead she held my gaze and with a casual flick of her wrist sparks erupted from the cameras above.
"Damn it, Edie! I told you to stick to the plan." I seethed in annoyance. I knew we were now working against the clock more than ever. The lack of camera feed would surely send a red flag to security.
"I've been told I'm trouble. Now let's go home." Edie insisted, wrangling down the leather mask from her jaw.
I had another snarky remark ready to whip at her but the distant rattle of the grated floor stole our attention.
"Move!"
I clambered forward, ushering Edie with quick steps down a maze of hallways. The coast was clear until the we rounded the last corner, freedom just beyond the door which was guarded by two patrolling agents. I urged Edie to stay shielded behind my body as we stalled against the corner. It was as I was surveying the hall and calculating the possible tactics that she ignored me once again. Pulling herself into full view of the armored men with no sign of fear.
God, Steve has his hands full. Was she always this defiant?
"Where do you think you're going?" They eyed Edie's small stature.
With one last glance back, Edie snuck me a sly wink before channeling her power. The surge of electricity intensified from her fingers and with a quick motion Edie's hands flew up. The power bolted from her and straight into man's nervous system rendering him paralyzed in an instant. Edie then moved onto the next, soon the bodies littered the floor and she was staring back at me with the beginnings of a smirk.
"Told you I had a plan."
I bit back my own annoyed grin and fell in beside her.
"You're a pain in my ass, you know that."
I watched Edie's charcoal waves bounce as she throw her head back with a hearty laugh.
"You weren't saying that when I was saving that ass from Nazis. Now you know you've missed me." She snipped playfully and I couldn't help this surge of emotion that came over me, one I barely recognized. Because despite the whole HYDRA army breathing down our neck, being with Edie made me feel happy.
"Alright, enough about my ass. Let's get you out of here." I shook my head and ushered her towards the door with haste. But it was a clipping motion that caught my eye from the right. The black lense of a camera stared back at my.
Our silent witness.
Soon the hum of boot heels could be heard, drawing in closer with each passing second. Despite the coded lock I pried the thick metal door open just enough for us to slip through. I urged Edie onto the glass plated catwalk that stretched across to the parking garage. I had opened my mouth to give Edie directions through the mirroring metallic door and through the maze of garage levels when I heard voices on the other side of the automated door.
They had trapped us in on both sides.
My mind had begun to race, sifting through all the scenarios in a panic. Peering down at the bustling traffic below I realized we were too far up, Edie couldn't survive the fall despite her healing abilities. But like a beautifully rusted chariot, a large truck could be seen barreling down the busy street; piled high with garbage bags to cushion her fall.
Edie took a sharp breath in at the echoing sound of cracking glass that splintered beneath my metal fist. The wind whipped through the newly gaped escape plan I had made.
"Edie you have to go." I turned back to her, the footsteps echoed louder but I could read her hesitation.
"Come with me." Edie begged.
"Edie, no. Now go." I barked, instantly regretting the harshness of my tone.
I reached out, gripping Edie tightly against my chest, I swear she could feel the rapid beating of my heart. With the stampede of agents closing on either side of those doors, time was not on our side. At any moment the doors could jarr open and we would be surrounded. Still holding Edie snuggly against me, I willed myself to let go.
"Good-bye, Gorgeous." My voice came out husky against her ear.
With a quick calculation I shoved Edie out through the shattered window just as the mechanical doors were seized open. Tearing my eyes away from Edie's falling form I readied myself for the retaliating punishment. But what I hadn't prepared for was the sharp tug at my wrist.
Soon I was met with nothing but blue sky and dancing white clouds. As I fell I watched the agents flood the catwalk, like angry black ants. In a blur I was welcomed to the outside world, careening through the air until my back thumped against a pile of bloated bags. Snaking through the sticky plastic, a soft hand found mine.
"You're a pain in my ass." I wheezed into the fading void of darkness that began to funnel my consciousness.
"You said that already."
My coughing laugh died against the roar of traffic before I gave into the darkness.
-0- Edie's POV: Later that day
I focused on Bucky, every ounce of my energy went towards keeping him out of harm's way. I clung to him like a man lost at sea, the waves being the churning currents of my mind. The fog rolled over my conscious, inhibiting even the simplest of memories into a smear of gray haze and he seemed to be the only familiar thing.
After just nearly escaping the hands of HYDRA, we needed a safe haven. A place to finally breath and I could think of only one place at the moment.
Home.
Easing Bucky up the flight of stairs to Steve and my apartment felt surreal. How had so much changed in such a short amount of time? Had I not dreamed of this reunion? Yes, of course but under very different circumstances. One that involved tear filled joy and late night reminiscing. Not paranoid movements and the revival of HYDRA.
I hadn't quite prepared myself for when I walk into the broken shell of our home. Staggering through the splintered doorway, with Buck around my shoulders it hit me like a cold splash of reality.
Steve's favorite mug still sat in the sink from that morning, the blue one with the chipped handle that he refused to part with. Glass crunched under our feet and into the area rug we had picked out together one sunday. One of his leather jackets was still slumped across the armchair, my pile of books littered the floor in a forgotten heap.
It felt wrong being here without Steve. Foreign and wrong.
"Edie.." Bucky called out in an exhausted whisper, swaying his weight with a wobble. The fall had taken a lot out of him and the long walk had left him weary. As delicate and quick as possible I moved Buck over to the couch, patting off the bits of drywall and glass before easing him down onto the cushions.
How many naps and movie nights had Steve and I spent on that very couch?
I missed him, like one misses being home after a long trip and being here was suffocating. But the man that blinked up at me through hooded and tired eyes needed this. He reached for me, disoriented and drunk with fatigue I could read words forming on his lips.
"We're okay. Shhh..get some sleep. Don't worry I've got first watch. You're safe, James." My lips found his brow just as the last streaks of daylight shifted over the city. And for the first time, I spent the night in our apartment without Steve.
Soon after Bucky fell asleep I mapped out the ideal spot for surveillance. It was when I took a step into the shadows that I heard a crunch. Crouching down I flipped the wooden frame and felt the air escape my lungs.
Our wedding photo.
Through tear blotched eyes I removed the glossy picture from its spider cracked cage, unable to take my gaze off of Steve. Smile bright and eyes sparkling. With a shaky hand I traced his profile, as handsome as the day I met him. He had me hanging on every word since the moment we met and nothing had changed between us. And yet so much had changed around us.
Reminding myself of the task at hand, I kept the memory tight in my hand and shrugged on Steve's leather jacket. Relishing in the husky scent of my husband as I took first watch.
-0-
I'm not really sure what I registered first, the clammer of boots or the barking of Bucky's shouts. But everything seemed to happen in a blur of blinding light and black uniforms.
I hadn't slept that soundly in days, the comforting scent of Steve lulling me into a comatose state after Buck took the next watch. I was sure they had tracked us down, the long hands of HYDRA impossible to escape. I was ready for Pierce or even Rumlow to walk through that door at any moment but they didn't. Instead a flood of agents entered but none of whom I recognized as followers of Pierce. They were rough but not callous, insistent but not demanding. They did however have us both up and out into the street in a flash, thrashing and struggling.
I had reared back to strike one of the agents when the crowd shifted around me and I caught sight of a familiar blond. My heart fluttered with excitement. There he stood, unharmed and waiting for the traffic light. The sun broke through the clouds and painted him in a breathtaking halo.
I couldn't stop myself as his name left my lips like a chanted prayer.
"Steve!"
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think xoxox