Government buildings were pretty much all the same. Standard security protocols and measurements were in place. Meaning no one could get through the front door without a badge. And that was after going through the metal detector. There was always a mix of people both in and out of uniform. Some field agents, some analysts, all of them CIA. All of them going to various floors and offices that were easily identified thanks to the maps and plaques decorated against the walls.
Despite her CIA badge getting her into the building and allowing her access to certain floors, Sharon still came to meet her before the elevators. Q had managed to get on the first and last flight out of Bucharest. The airport had been shut down in order to try to contain the on the run international terrorist and his super soldier of a best friend.
"I thought you were going to give me more time." Was the first thing she said to her co-worker, "What the hell happened?"
"Our boss." Sharon responded rather tersely. Like she wasn't happy about what happened either, "Time table got moved up. He wanted a report sooner than I anticipated." The two of them fell into step as they headed for the elevators.
"What's the latest update?" she asked. Still in her agent mode, she tried to quell the nerves that came when thinking about her boyfriend and long lost family member. Her focus needed to be on what was coming up so that she could plan accordingly.
"They cornered them on one of the highways leading out of the city. Steve, Sam, Barnes, and King T'Challa were all arrested." she summed up rather simply, even though it was anything but. She had figured Sam had come along with Steve, even if she hadn't seen him, but the last name made her eyebrows knit in confusion.
"King T'Challa?" she glanced to Sharon as she hit the button, "You mean the prince of Wakanda? What was he doing there?" Last she heard he had been accompanying his father at the Accords signing.
"Now King." Sharon corrected her before giving her a knowing look, "Since his father died in the explosion." Of course. She had momentarily put that away in a box marked as something that didn't concern her at the time. Though it did now. And made sense. T'Challa had been chasing down Bucky too, thinking that he had been responsible for his father's death. This had just gotten a hundred times more complicated.
"So they're on their way here." she stated to Sharon's immediate nod. She had already figured that out even before she got on a flight to Berlin though. Not only was it the closest CIA branch, it was the one who had taken the responsibility of bringing in Bucky, and whoever else was involved - no matter if it was for the right reasons or not. In the CIA's eyes, Steve, Sam and now T'Challa were all under arrest for not only going against the Accords (since it wasn't a sanctioned mission), but also for obstruction of justice. They had chosen their side.
"Deputy Ross wants to meet with you first." Sharon mentioned, making her stomach drop. Meeting with Ross now, right before Steve and Co. arrived was not good. Especially after everything that happened. But it was inevitable, given her history and relationships with the parties involved. Both publicly known and unknown.
"Great." she breathed out, trying to keep hold of the small amount of confidence she had during her conversation with the local Romanian police. She was in control of the situation. She had to be.
As her brain tried to figure out all the possible routes her conversation with Ross could go, Sharon led her down the sky bridge that connected two of the CIA buildings together. One meant more for public access, the other for just agents and other delegates. The two of them walked into a rather large control base - similar to the main ops floor at the Triskelion, just on a smaller scale. She spotted Tony and Nat in the glass conference room, the former pacing around the room on the phone, the latter sitting at the table with her hands folded like she was silently debating something. Neither one of them noticed she had entered the main control room.
The only one who did was the other person in the conference room: Dawson. He was leaning against one of the floor to ceiling glass windows, arms crossed over his chest and looking mildly annoyed. A usual expression on his face. But when his eyes landed on her, he straightened up a bit and let the relief take over for the briefest of seconds. Then it fell away, replaced by nothing. He lifted his chin up at her and gestured to her with a two finger wave. She gave him a small smile in response, then let her gaze shift back to the back of Sharon's blonde head to continue to follow her past the conference room.
"Agent Proctor," Sharon stopped walking, letting Q come up next to her, "Everett Ross." she gestured to a shorter blond man, who was wearing the classic suit and tie uniform of a government analyst. A uniform she knew very well. Both Sharon and her towered over him, but Q could already tell he had a very specific confidence that only shorter people bore. He turned at the sound of his name, hands on his hips for a moment before reaching out with his right hand to shake Q's.
"Nice to finally meet you, Proctor." he flashed her a smile that was supposed to be friendly, but just missed, "Wish it was at a better time, but that's international central intelligence for you, right?" he asked and let go of her hand.
"It never sleeps." she agreed with a nod and paired with her practiced, warm professional smile. Ross flashed another toothy grin as his hands settled onto his hips again.
"Mind if I steal a second with you?" It was posed like a question, but wasn't. Still, she nodded and let Ross lead her into a small office off to the side of the control room. The door shut behind him and he gestured for her to take a seat, which she did - making sure to keep her posture straight and ankles crossed.
"First off, very happy to have you on the team." he sat down across from her, his position much more casual than hers. There was a yellow notepad sitting in front of him that his finger dragged around the edge of. Nothing was written on it though and he didn't have a pen in his hand either. Had to be for show, "I've read your SHIELD files." That wasn't surprising. Who hadn't? Especially someone who was thinking about hiring her for an international government agency position, "You've got a lot of talent."
"Thank you." she took the compliment with a nod and a small smile. It wasn't often she got complimented for her work those days so she learned to take them as they came.
"Hell, we would still be combing through ridiculous leads if it hadn't been for the one you found." he was baiting her into saying something she shouldn't. She kept her mouth shut and her eyes on his, waiting for him to continue, "I'm sure you're aware, we're bringing in Steve Rogers along with Barnes, Wilson and T'Challa." There it was. The name drop. She kept her expression neutral and nodded once, "I know you have some...history with him." he gestured with his hands spread wide, "I just want to make sure there isn't going to be any problems." This was a test. She knew that the moment Sharon mentioned the meeting with Ross. A test to see if she could be trusted to do her job. Personal feelings be damned.
"There won't be any problems at all." she gave him the right answer, pairing it with a reassuring smile, "Captain Rogers and I had a strictly professional relationship." she lied, ignoring the memories popping up in her head that proved otherwise. Like the ones in Croatia, or in their room at the Avengers compound, or even the ones of them in the common area late at night when everyone else was sleeping. Ross studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly. He believed her.
"Good, great." he shifted in his seat, scooting forward a bit, "That was my biggest concern, to be frank." she couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
"If my past work relationship with Captain Rogers is your biggest concern, then I admire your confidence in this situation." she lifted her chin up a bit and gave him a little bit a teasing smile to show she was joking. He hesitated for a moment before giving an amused scoff and raising his hand up,
"Trust me, the situation with Barnes, Rogers, Wilson and T'Challa is under control." he assured her. He might've believed so, but there were so many ways it could go wrong. She could list five if he asked, which he didn't, of course. "We have a psychiatrist coming in from the UN to evaluate Barnes." he explained, then went off track for a moment, getting bitter, "Not sure why we can't use one of our own, but…" he trailed off then his eyes met Q's again, "I'll need you to get me everything we have on him. Make sure this doctor's reliable and will get the results we need." Meaning the ones that put Bucky in a cell in Wakanda or wherever instead of marking him as traumatized and a victim of Hydra. That would lead to a trial where the jury could find him a victim of his abuse and let him go. Ross didn't want that. She nodded, showing him that she understood what she meant - even though she didn't like it.
"Transpo should be here within an hour and a half so you have an hour." he made her task clear.
"Understood." she agreed, letting him stand up first before she did.
"Good to have you on the team, Proctor." he tapped the edge of the notepad on the table before turning and walking out of the office. She followed, heading for where Ross gestured for her to station herself.
Similar to Dawson's terminal at SHIELD, there were two computer screens sitting in front of her with access to a large database. Another agent gave her a small stack of files that were info sheets on the psychiatrist's previous patients. Before she got to work, she glanced over her shoulder to see Ross coming out of a short conversation with Sharon, walking past her and allowing her to make eye contact with Q without him noticing. Both nodded at each other, understanding the hard, but necessary decisions they had to make.
Until the half an hour before the transportation unit arrived, Q worked on the psychiatrist's profile. Kind of ironic to be psychoanalyzing a person who did the same for a living. They both did, in a way. It didn't take her long to fall into her familiar rhythm that she did whenever she had to build a profile. Almost natural at this point - even despite everyone being different. She looked over his past patients and why they had been treated. Figured out what his methods and patterns were with the patients who had similar backgrounds to Bucky. POWs who ended up doing some sort of act of violence, unprecedented. Compared the findings and charted out those he signed off on as being mentally unstable and those who he decided were well aware of their actions. All in all, he would be a good fit to evaluate Bucky and figure out why he did what he did. Even though he didn't do it. Hopefully, the doctor would see that.
Time passed quickly and soon, she passed her finished report off to the nearest analyst who would give it to Ross to glance over before everyone arrived. Walking over to the water cooler, she caught sight of Dawson watching her every step. He figured out her path easily and moved for the door rather casually, as if he was coincidentally getting something to drink at the same time she was.
"You should hear Stark in there," he muttered under his breath as Q filled up the small plastic cup with water, "talking about consequences and shit." he glanced at his friend, who didn't react like he was expecting her to - though when did she ever?
"Does anyone know I was there?" she stepped to the side so he could grab a plastic cup of his own.
"No," he sighed and let it hang there for a moment before continuing, "Guessing it didn't go well." his eyebrows shot up quickly before lowering.
"Oh, no it went perfectly." her sarcasm was evident, "Split a bottle of wine, caught up on the last seventy-five years...we're planning on co-hosting Thanksgiving next year." he gave her an unamused look, "Whatever." she sighed and pretended to sip at her water to keep up appearances, "That's the least of our concerns, right now." he nodded in agreement, then threw his cup of water back like a shot.
"Yep, well, I've been stuck in a conference room with Stark for the past three hours so I'm about ready for all of this shit to be over." he irritation and annoyance with Stark was evident, even without his complaint, "The Accords, this Bucky thing, the UN bombing…" he made a noise of disgust. Suddenly, they heard her name being shouted from across the room. Ross was beckoning to her, Sharon already standing by him.
"Good luck." Dawson quickly raised his eyebrows at her. She passed her full water cup off to him as she walked by him. Crossing through the control room, she noticed there was more movement happening from the remaining people in the glass conference room. Everyone was getting ready.
"Come with us." Ross gestured with two fingers and gave no other explanation to where they were going or what they were doing. It was pretty clear though; the transpo unit must have been close.
Stationed on the other side of Ross, there were three armed German policemen stationed behind them. Q kept her hands folded in front of her and her shoulders back. Professional and neutral as she watched the vans and transportation units arrived. She kept her breathing steady and even, not wanting to give anything away.
While Steve, Sam and T'Challa were able to jump freely from a van, a forklift was being used to pull Bucky out of a large armored truck. Secured in what could only be described as a jacked up fishbowl. Reinforced, bullet-proof glass that was thick as walls surrounded him. Locked him in with heavy, steel chest plating and similar grips around his legs and wrists. At first sight, her mind flashed back to how she had been strapped down to the Hydra chair. That was nothing compared to this. His face was blank, eyes glazed over and staring at a random point on the floor of the cage. Lost in a memory of the past that was better than the present he was in.
"Captain Rogers." Ross' greeting of the man she loved made her eyes shift to where Steve was walking over to the three of them. He was out of his uniform and in clothes that were obviously given to him by the agents tasked with bringing him and the others to the building. Well fit, and looking a little pissed.
At the sight of her, he blinked once - confusion, twice - relief, and then one last time - betrayal. Clearly not understanding how she had gotten there, but relieved to see her standing and unharmed, and then a little angry that she was standing on the opposite side. A tense bubble began to form between them. The pressure quickly building as Steve walked over to her, Sharon, and Ross.
"What's gonna happen to him?" he asked out in his Captain Voice, without acknowledging either of the women flanking Ross.
"Same thing that oughta happen to you." Ross answered, rolling back on his heels a bit as he looked up at Steve. Again with the confidence only few possessed. Talking back to Captain America of all people with no problem at all, "Psychological assessment and extradition."
"This is Everett Ross. Deputy Task Force Commander." Sharon explained before Steve or any of the other men could ask or fire off a sarcastic comment that would undoubtedly rock the boat. Her tone made the situation and the roles Q and Sharon were playing clear so that Steve would understand who and what exactly he was dealing with.
"I'm sure you know Agent Carter and Agent Proctor." he tilted his head to either side as he introduced both Sharon and Q to those who already knew them or didn't care. Another baiting moment. To see what would happen. Another test for Q to make sure she had been telling the truth. Steve's eyes flicked to Q's for a moment, long enough to let her see the understanding behind them, then back to Ross. He knew the game they were playing, and would play along. Both to keep her safe and have someone on the inside who was on his side.
"What about a lawyer?" Steve asked, moving on to more important things. And even though it wasn't a joke, Ross chuckled.
"Lawyer. That's funny." he turned to look at Sharon, "See their weapons are placed in lockup." then his head turned to Q, "Go with Barnes down to the sublevel, then one of the agents will take you to the meeting room with Dr. Broussard." he directed with a nod that was more telling of what she was supposed to do than the words he said, "Make sure he's properly informed as to what's going on."
With a nod, she took the tablet he had been holding that had all of the info on Bucky and the bombing, then stepped away from Ross, who was already turning away to lead the other three men down the hall to the main elevators. Sam was sassing whoever held onto his jet pack, telling them that he better not look out the windows to see anyone trying it out. T'Challa was mid assurance that he would cooperate - as a king was supposed to do. But Steve was quiet. He didn't say anything to Q as she walked past him. Not that she expected him to in the first place. It would cause suspicion. And she had made it this far already. Put her personal feelings aside in order to keep herself safe and now she had the opportunity to convince the man who would be responsible for Bucky's fate to see what she knew. That Bucky didn't bomb the United Nations, that he was a victim of circumstances and that he was innocent.
But she couldn't help herself. She had to look over her shoulder at him. Had to see if he was looking back at her. When she did, she met his eyes. Relief flooded her system. He had looked back. Thank God. They held eye contact for a moment more, his face slightly worried even though she tried to give a reassuring expression, before she turned away first, gaze shifting to Bucky. To her next task.
Once Bucky's cage was loaded into the freight elevator, there was only room for a few more people. Q slotted herself into the space closest to him, keeping her face front so not to draw any attention from the soldiers standing in each corner and the other agent standing on the opposite side.
"Are you okay?" she asked out in Romanian, just loud enough that he could hear her. A breath that could be considered a laugh escaped him. Like it was hilarious to him that she was asking if he was okay despite seeing the terrible situation he was in. He tilted his head back to look up at the ceiling of the fishbowl as the elevator dragged them down.
"You shouldn't be here." he muttered back in the same language. He had left her in the bathroom for a reason. Taken the fight away from her, and Steve. But both of them were stupid enough to go after him in their own ways.
"I'm going to get you out of here." she responded softly, eyes dancing between each guard, just to make sure they weren't paying attention. This time, instead of an amused laugh, he let out a heavy sigh. Heavy enough to make her look over at him. A tired look took over his features, mixed with acceptance. Too long had he been weighed down by the sins he had committed a long time before. This was his fate, the inescapable consequences. He had gotten his second chance and it had been squandered in an instant. So close, but so far.
She watched from the hall as the armed guards secured Bucky's cage into the floor. The clanks of metal locking together with metal sounding so final. The door slid shut and then beeped loudly so that everyone standing in the hall, and Bucky himself, knew that he was locked in. From there, she was led to a small, cameraless, windowless room that had nothing but a metal desk with two chairs - one already occupied by an unassuming man with round glasses perched on his face. His hair was combed over and styled nicely while his outfit was both professional and relaxed; pairing a sweater and button up with jeans.
"Ah, you must be Agent Proctor." he stood up at her entrance, hand reaching out to shake hers. When she did, she noticed the firm grip he had on her, like a handshake she'd received from someone like Sam or Steve. Military.
"Dr. Broussard, I hope." she kept her immediate suspicions under wrap as the man nodded confidently. Something was off with the man standing in front of her. None of the files she read through mentioned the doctor being a part of the military before becoming a psychiatrist.
"Please, sit." he gestured for her to take the chair in front of him. His accent was thick, and not one she could place right away. Something Eastern European though. She knew that much from the two years she spent around Marina and others. Another mark against him; supposedly Broussard was Swiss. "Now, I know you're here to help me understand that man in there, and make sure I do my job correctly." he gestured to her with his hands, "I just want to assure you, Agent Proctor, that I will." he flashed her a smile. One that was supposed to be comforting, but ended up putting Q more on edge, "So, shall we begin?" he asked with a tilt of his head. She let her mouth open for a moment, debating on calling him out on his bullshit or not. Then, deciding to play it safe, she nodded.
"Absolutely." she agreed with a fake smile of her own. She flipped open the tablet and pulled up Bucky's profile before she slid it across the table. Hopefully, the brief conversation they were supposed to have would lead her to figuring out who the man was and what his plan was. Or maybe she was just paranoid, "James Buchanan Barnes," she started, folding her arms atop the table, "Formerly of the 107th, was captured by Hydra and brainwashed into becoming the Winter Soldier." she watched his face for any signs of deception. Something that would give him away.
"Trust when I tell you that I've dealt with these kinds of people before, Agent Proctor." he was doing too much in terms of trying to reassure her. And it was doing the opposite.
"Similar to a patient you had in the nineties. The one who ended up being falsely accused of the crime she committed." she added, finally doing the testing instead of being tested on. At the same time, she was trying to plant a seed in his head - to look at Bucky the same way he had looked at his past patient. But to him, it was an indication that she knew he wasn't who he said he was.
His eyes flicked up to meet hers. His body language told her more than his words could. He was agitated, but confident at the same time. His fingers tapped idly on the top of the metal table, but in a way that made her aware that he was getting impatient with what they were doing. She had said something wrong. Sped up the time table without meaning to.
"Are you ready to see him?" she pretended she didn't know that she had done anything wrong. If she could get him out into the hallway, with the guards, she could have a better chance. They would apprehend him and figure out who he truly was and what his motives were. Crisis averted. The man nodded curtly, both of them standing up from their chairs at the same time, "I'll escort you down. There'll be guards stationed outside of the door when you're in there with him. You'll be plenty safe in there." she played the part of innocent and gave him the practiced warm smile.
"Oh, I know I will be." he assured her with a raise of his eyebrows. It sounded almost like a threat, one that accompanied the sudden alarm that went off in her head at the shift of body language from him.
Without pause, she sidestepped the hand coming for the back of her head - no doubt to slam her head into the concrete wall. But his other hand snapped out and grabbed her wrist tightly, which momentarily stopped her from getting away. Using the same move she used on Nat when she sprained her ankle all those years ago, Q quickly freed herself and placed a well aimed knee to his groin. He doubled over in pain and she grabbed the top of his head with her hand tightly, yanking it up so she could see his face.
"Who the hell are you?" her voice was hard, serious, and demanding an answer. He gave her a bored look, unamused by her defensive moves.
"It won't matter to you." he growled, then reached for the metal chair. She kicked it out of the way, accidentally letting go of his head in the process which allowed him to have a bit more control.
With her paying attention to the wrong thing, and him recovered from his groin injury, he was able to slap her across the face rather hard. A stinging pain blossomed across her cheek and tears immediately jumped to her eyes. The slap made her head spin for a second too long, allowing him to do what he had originally intended: slamming her head against the concrete wall behind her.
Hard enough to knock her out.
A/N: She tried! She really tried! Ugh poor Q. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter as we slowly get to the action-y parts of Civil War! Please let me know what you think! And what you think is going to happen next - I love hearing all your thoughts.
Also, HUGE thank you to missjanuarylily for helping me hit 1,000 reviews! I can't believe that happened haha I'm so...gah. I can't believe it! Thank you all for your continued support and whatnot. I truly love hearing your feedback.