Eventually the conversation turned to Sam's recent trip to Europe. Hunting for the winter soldier.
Steve turned to me, "I told you there was more to Bucky's story remember?"
The expressions around the table told me they were surprised to hear that Steve had mentioned this old friend to me. I nodded simply, waiting.
"Bucky… He's… Well, he's not dead." I hovered my hand over his arm, waiting for his nod before resting it there, letting the *comfort* flood through my fingers. Breathing easier, Steve lifted his head. "He's a super soldier."
"Hydra assassin." Sam corrected.
"That wasn't him. He wasn't himself. I think... I think he remembered me." Steve went on to explain the fight on the helicarrier, how he had refused to fight, how he fell into deep water, waking up on the shore. The drag marks in the mud and foot prints fading into forest. "He pulled me out. I think he remembered me in the end. And now he's out there somewhere. We need to find him."
"We need a way to neutralize him. He is extremely dangerous, and we don't know his frame of mind." Natasha spoke, coolly considering the risks.
"Shay, I know I'm asking a lot… but if you could freeze him…" Steve's voice was pleading. "I don't want to have to hurt him, to take him down."
"Nat is right, he is dangerous. We don't know what he remembers or who's side he's on." Sam interjected.
"Ok, I'm in." I answered quickly, not really understanding the danger I was being asked to put myself in, not really caring. If I could help. Then I would. "Any idea where he might be?" I avoided Bruce's glare.
"He was spotted on CCTV flying into eastern Europe. Best guess Slovakia, Hungary or Romania, given the drop off point." Nat tapped on her tablet and a holograph map hovered above the egg rolls.
"Does he speak any of the local languages?" I asked. A list popped up beside the map.
"These are the ones from the file Nat gave me." Steve said. I scanned the list quickly, Romanian.
"That narrows it down, Romania." The map shrunk. "If he's looking for anonymity, he would pick a city." Cities were highlighted on the map. "He'll want an easy exit, so narrow it down to cities with cross-country trains and private airstrips." Several dots vanished and Nat gave me a searching look. "He'll probably want a potential exit into France if he's trying to avoid the Russians." The dots narrowed to 2.
"I thought you were a regular civilian? What was that?" Sam gaped.
"Civilian? Yes. Normal? Probably not. If I was him, that's where I'd be." I pointed at the second blinking dot. "If someone's been messing with his head, he will be expecting an attack. If he's been trained as an assassin, his instincts will be to become invisible, with layers of escape routes and backup plans." The looks from around the table where still gauging me. "It's what I do, when I get to a new place. Find a strong vantage point, scope an exit, make a plan b. You do it too." I finally said gesturing at Nat.
"Yes, but I was trained for it." The unspoken question, 'where did you get it from?' hung in the air like a ghost, shivering.
"You can never be too careful when you're made of glass." I spoke abruptly no wanting to talk about it. Her eyes softened and she reached out a hand, laying it gently on my arm. Understanding. The glow of friendship infused our contact and her smile met her eyes.
"Should we leave you two alone?" Sam's voice was dry but amused. And I looked at him surprised as Nat glared. He shrugged, "just seemed like you were having a moment."
"No need to sound so jealous, birdie." I could tell already our relationship would be one filled with good-hearted sniping, and I thoroughly enjoyed landing the first blow. I smirked at his reaction. We all turned back to the map and Nat decided the plan of action.
"Scan social media, and any CCTV we can get for his face, in these two cities, and also the surrounding metropolis'. We don't want to miss him."
Sam and Nat began discussing logistics, Bruce was making notes. I tuned them out. Steve looked bolstered by having a plan, but I could tell he was worried.
"You ready for another session?" I asked him, challenging. It took a moment for him to snap out of the funk but when my words registered, he grinned.
"Oh, you're going down."
"I wouldn't be so sure Steve. The bigger they are the harder they fall." I smiled back and rose from my seat. "I'm assuming its ok if I take room #3 again?"
"It's all yours."
"Perfect. I'll meet you in the gym in twenty?" He gave me a thumbs up and I made my way to a room that was starting to feel a little more 'mine', Casper following.