Chapter 13

Waking up at 6am, Steve stretched before noting the heap that was sprawled out on his floor from the night before. As he made his way to the bathroom, Barnes' eyes shot open as he watched Steve's movements silently, when Steve returned, he was surprised to see his friend sat up. "I'm going for a walk, you wanna come?" he offered, Barnes nodded as he made to fold his blanket and went to freshen up. Coming back dressed in fresh clothes, he and Steve quietly made their way downstairs before leaving the tower. The morning air hit their faces as the fresh air filled their lungs and wiped away any sleepiness that remained, looking up at the sky, Barnes couldn't help but marvel at the way the sky gave way from a pale pink to a stunning blue; he wistfully found himself thinking of how many sunrises and sunsets he had missed over the years. Noting the change in Barnes' demeanour, Steve lightly touched his hand to Barnes' shoulder before guiding him around his favourite haunts. Barnes, feeling lighter than he had ever felt, looked around him with renewed interest as they headed into a park. He eyed some ducks gliding along the little pond's smooth surface as they ducked and dived for food and after pausing to watch them for a while, the two men finally returned to Tony's tower. When they walked in around noon, they were greeted by a busy room of surprised Avengers, Nat and Clint had been clearly messing around moments before as they paused to take note of who had entered, Tony was sat reading a paper and there was another man that Barnes did not recognise.

Clearing his throat, Tony introduced Thor – the God of thunder. Turning to face Steve and Barnes, Thor offered a polite smile before stating, "Rogers! It's good to see you again!" in a deep voice. Steve quickly explained to Barnes, "Thor visits our planet from time to time", Barnes didn't know what to think of this, but he offered a tight nod in response. Nat and Clint had resumed arguing over the TV remote as Steve walked to the fridge and handed Barnes a drink before he turned his attention to them, "budge up guys! It's our turn" before leading Barnes back over to the sofa. Clint grunted as he offered a second pair of gaming controllers to Steve and Barnes before loading up Mario Kart again, they passed the afternoon feeling relaxed as the matches began to heat up particularly between Clint and Barnes. The evening rolled in blissfully calm and Tony ordered takeout again, Barnes recounted another memory which made Steve chuckle in delight and Nat was unable to miss the look of unbridled joy that crossed Steve's features for the first time in weeks. As time passed throughout the night, everyone left to go to their preferred areas at different times until finally there was Steve and Barnes left alone. Turning to face Steve before pausing the game, Barnes suddenly offered his thanks, Steve clapped him on the shoulder and they both made their way upstairs. Pausing outside his door, Barnes took a deep breath before moving to walk inside when Steve stopped him, "you can stay with me again… if you want". A sudden smile graced Barnes' features as he quickly accepted and followed Steve in, finding his spot on the floor untouched; he quickly lowered himself to the floor and made himself comfortable. When Steve had asked JARVIS to turn the lights out, they both spoke for a while before they drifted off into a peaceful sleep. The next day passed in a similar way and Barnes found he was becoming more comfortable by the day, whispers of HYDRA not as close to the surface as they had previously been. Now he found laughter and companionship, he flinched less and he didn't feel like he had to be on high alert all the time. Thor left a couple of days after his visit, and Barnes had found it intriguing to hear of his World though he couldn't grasp the concept of another inhabited planet as well as he'd have liked.

One Week Later

Barnes had quickly settled back into the routine with the other Avengers and was finding their company almost as enjoyable as Steve's and even Nat had become more comfortable around Barnes enough to even ask a couple of questions which he responded to with less hesitancy. While himself and Nat were on their own (Steve had gone to take a shower), Barnes found himself asking what the

Russian lullaby was that Nat had sung to him all those nights ago. Surprised that he had remembered she was even there at all, Nat responded before adding that she became familiar with it during her time in the Red Room. Nodding his understanding, Barnes queried how she learnt the language and as they spoke, they regarded each other with something akin to mutual respect. After a brief pause, Barnes stated how grateful he felt to Nat for entering his room a few nights before and thanking her for staying with him; he found it difficult to open up still, but he was grateful for her company even though he'd have never normally asked for it.

Steve returned to the sitting area and asked Barnes if he'd like to join him for a work-out which they often did in the evenings together. Nat watched as both men stood and made their way downstairs to the gym. An hour later and neither one looked ready to let up, darkness had fallen outside, and they trained in comfortable silence. Speaking every so often, Steve had been chuckling as he told Barnes about a memory he had recalled when an alarm sounded throughout the building. Pausing their movements, Steve and Barnes looked at each other in shock before Steve rushed out with Barnes on his tail. The building was plunged into darkness as they reached the top of the stairs near the sitting quarters and Steve's gut twisted as he became aware of other noises in the room nearby. Steve called out to Nat suddenly as he made to run towards her, sensing her struggling with an unseen assailant. Barnes instinctively tried to grab Steve by the wrist but just as he made to do so, he became aware of movement in the shadows as he sensed someone advancing towards him, without thinking he lashed out and caught the threat with his metal arm, who fell to the ground with a muffled yelp. More people advanced on him, and he fought them without pause, hearing Steve and Nat doing the same. A startled cry came from Barnes' left as he became aware of Clint joining the affray as shouting from below echoed through the darkened halls, with a sinking feeling Barnes became aware first of silence, and then of someone being dragged into the room and dumped somewhere in a nearby corner. Clint fought his way to Nat before being assaulted from behind, Nat seemed to be winning against her assailant before an angry curse slipped from her mouth when she realised her partner was struggling against his 2 attackers. Suddenly the lights flickered on as the back-up generator kicked in and Barnes found himself facing 6 men bearing HYDRA's seal upon their uniform. In the far corner, Nat was struggling with the other attackers who had rushed towards her and had managed to back her into a corner 3 vs 1 and with a sickening thud, she dropped like a sack of potatoes before being dragged to a kneeling position by a fourth who had attacked her from the side; a baton pressed tightly against her throat as her hands were bound. Tony was unconscious in the far corner, blood seeping from just above his forehead and Clint had been pinned to the ground by the 2 other attackers as he paused in horror watching Nat fall, anguish evident as he looked on in fear for his partner's safety.

More HYDRA filth appeared from nowhere and Barnes caught sight of Steve across the room being attacked from all angles just as Barnes himself came face to face with 6 attackers of his own. As Steve fought against his attackers, Barnes moved to take out as many of the threats facing him that he could as they jabbed and hit out at him with an electric taser stick. He had managed to fight through 4/6 of the men when Barnes heard a sudden yelp and saw Steve drop to the floor, electricity coursing through his muscles which spasmed painfully. Barnes let out a strangled cry, fighting to reach Steve as he watched in horror as Steve's captors advanced and bound the temporarily paralysed man before they forced Steve onto his knees, his head drooping in his unconscious state. Taking in the scene before him, Barnes made to attack the closest man to him as an order from the soldier who was gripping Steve echoed through the room, "STOP, SOLDIER!", Barnes turned his attention on Steve as the HYDRA soldier pulled Steve's head back aggressively and pressed a knife to his captured prizes' neck, daring Barnes to make another move as a small drop of blood dripped down the blade from Steve's throat in a silent threat. Barnes stilled as fear spread through his veins, Steve seemed unconscious and the others around him weren't much better off. Looking from the attacker to Steve, Barnes could see no way out and with a cry of frustration, he immediately dropped to his knees in submission; head hanging as he stared at the floor. Barnes' chest rose in panicked breaths as he raised his hands slowly behind his head in surrender and he called out in desperation, "p-p-please, not Steve, not him. Take me – you can have me. I will…comply." Gritting his teeth, Barnes felt rough hands forcefully grab his wrists and ankles and Steve met his gaze with startled eyes as he regained consciousness. As Barnes found himself quickly bound by the HYDRA scum, they delivered a solid blow to the side of his face, his head whipping to the side as he felt his lip split causing Steve to yell out in anguish. Looking up at his captors, Barnes forced his body to still as Steve looked at him, horror evident on his face before Barnes was forced to his feet, he swiftly received another blow to his ribs as he grunted out in pain and doubled forward. Barnes was hoisted roughly upright before another blow struck him on the cheek and he received a sharp jab to his ribcage from an electric taser pole, doubling over in pain, someone else ripped his head up forcefully by his hair as they hit his chest with a baton. Steve yelled, desperately struggling to break free of his captors' vice as his friend sank down to his knees, blood dripping from his newly cut mouth. Laughing, the man in charge of Barnes' group once again forced Barnes' head up to watch as Steve's captors jabbed and prodded him with the tasers as he tried to resist them. A look of fury crossed Barnes' features as he struggled against his own bonds as he shouted, "STOP IT!". The man with the knife once again forced the blade near Steve's neck, Barnes' eyes suddenly fearful and he ceased in his efforts to fight.

"What do you say, Mutt?" one of the soldiers spat at him, the knife pressed dangerously close to Steve's artery.

"I'm S-sorry, I will do better" Barnes murmured, not quite reaching Steve's saddened eyes "just let him go..."

A smirk appeared on the soldier's face as he gave a brief nod in response to Barnes' plea. He suddenly demanded, "What are you?" as he eyed Barnes' compliant gestures.

"I am HYDRA's asset, I am a weapon, I will follow orders." Barnes finished, trailing off quietly as shame and guilt flooded his body and mind.

"Exactly, and what does a good asset do?" the soldier prompted again.

"Never betray HYDRA", Barnes finished in almost a whisper.

For his efforts, Barnes earned a swift kick to his abdomen, and he once again doubled over in pain. Steve eyed the men holding Barnes with disgust as fury shot through him. Dragged to his feet again, Barnes was forced forward as he was placed between a group of HYDRA's attack squad, looking back once more at Steve, he found himself feeling hopeless at not being able to help his friend. Steve watched with fear as Barnes was led away, his own captors eyeing him in a way that made Steve feel on edge. Downstairs, Barnes was forced out of the building and into a convoy near the entrance, as he sat quietly waiting for more orders, a brief command from HYDRA stilled his breath and fear gripped his heart like nothing he had experienced: "Leave the rest, but bring the spare - the handler would love another".

Barnes cried out in response, "You said you'd let him go!" Eyeing Barnes, an evil smile playing along his face, the soldier looked at him and stated that he didn't actually say anything. A few seconds later, Steve was forced into a second convoy nearby and all Barnes could do was watch in horror. As the convoys started to move, a brief ping sounded within the vehicle followed by a chuckle before Barnes was shown a text message with an image of Steve, a cut on his lip and a black eye forming. Looking up at his captors, Barnes once again tried pleading before being hit which was followed by more laughter. Biting his lip, he lowered his eyes, resigned to his fate. After a while, the vehicle stopped moving and Barnes was blindfolded and forced out into open air before being guided inside a building. The soldiers removed Barnes' blind fold and he watched in desperation as Steve was forced in after him with his own blindfold removed and his eyes blinking in confusion through the dim lighting that surrounded them before being dragged away in a different direction. Shoulders slumping, Barnes eyed the floor as a wave of sadness flashed through him, resignation strong as he was led down another corridor and forced into a holding cell.

Back at the tower, Nat and Clint remained bound as they struggled against their bonds. Tony was still flat out in the corner when they became aware of the sound of movement from the floors below.

Surprise coloured Dr Banner's features as he walked into the living room and was met with a scene of pure carnage. Furniture was upended, his friends bound, and Tony was lying somewhere nearby with no signs of movement. Rushing over, he worked to free Nat and Clint before checking Tony's vitals as the first two hastened to explain what had transpired. Nat found herself feeling angry as she had watched, powerless as HYDRA dragged Steve and Barnes away, she didn't feel much better now that Dr Banner had arrived. Half an hour later, Tony was sat with an ice bag pressed to his swollen temple and Nat and Clint reviewed the footage from the security cameras. Tony grumbled to himself, demanding JARVIS answer his queries of what happened and when no answer came, he left to do some investigating. Quickly returning, Tony informed the room that JARVIS had been compromised somehow and that his systems had failed as a result, but he had managed to remove the offending bug. A few seconds later, JARVIS flickered to life as he rebooted and began responding to Tony's demands. Banner sighed and clutched his head, trying to keep a grasp on composure as the footage played on screen of Steve and Barnes being bound and dragged away. Tony realised with a snarl that his back up Iron Man security fleet had been disabled and he ordered JARVIS to run diagnostics, Nat and Clint sat next to each other grasping each other's hands and their foreheads touching with a silent desperation. Nat leapt to her feet suddenly, causing everyone in the room to jump before beckoning to Clint and stating that they couldn't sit here and do nothing, that she'd be in contact with the tower soon. Standing and following suit, Clint and Nat left the room as Banner and Stark tried to work out how to get all of JARVIS' security systems back in place.