Chapter 6

'You don't have to have it all figured out to move forward…just take the next step.'

He hadn't meant to hurt her. He didn't know what happened. The knife had been at her side and then he didn't remember what had happened.

Everything had happened so quickly. All he wanted was for that man to go. To leave. He had just kept rambling on, completely unaware that he was minutes from being very effectively silenced. A knife to the throat would have stopped him instantly. The man, Mark, wouldn't have even realised what had happened until he would have fallen to the ground with a hole in his side.

It was almost amusing to think that this man was part of the team that would be tracking him down and here he was bragging about it whilst being completely oblivious to the fact that his target was standing so close. It was reassuring to know this was the calibre of people hunting him. A government suit. But then he went and said that name and everything changed. 'Captain America'. The man in the blue suit. The one on the helicarrier. The man who said that he knew him. He didn't know how he knew that he was called Captain America, he just did. When the man at the door said that name, he suddenly had a picture of that man in his head. But not of fighting him, not of the images that he knew were real. Images, pictures, words flashed through his brain in quick succession. A handshake, a hug, laughing, falling, sharing a drink, looking over battle plans, together. One by one the images assaulted his brain until he could no longer deny the immense feeling that he had experienced earlier that day. That man, Captain America, he was telling the truth. He did know who he was. He had known him. Somehow. James Buchanan Barnes he'd said that his name was, but he still didn't feel that. It still didn't feel like it belonged to him. He didn't know who that person was.

His head was spinning. It felt like his own mind was assaulting him. Paralysing him. He pushed the images out of his head, forcing them away in the black box inside his head, burying it away. When he finally emerged back into the present, he found himself standing alone, holding a knife that was tipped with blood. Roughly he swiped the knife across his trousers and placed it back into the holster on his thigh before he went to find Allison, or Ally the man at the door said.

As he entered the room her back was to him, but he could see what she was doing, wiping away the blood from the cut at her side. For some reason his stomach twisted with an emotion that he hadn't felt in a long time, but he knew it to be guilt which was strange considering the amount of hurt and destruction that he had wielded throughout the years. He pushed the uncomfortable feeling away. Whatever the cause of it, he didn't have time to dwell on it just now. He was sure he would have to do far worse to people before this whole thing was over. Now was not the time to be developing a conscience.

Ally still hadn't realised that he was in the room. It was what he was good at. Hiding in the shadows. Remaining unseen. He knew that he had to stay focused. Keep his mind focused on the mission that he had set himself. He tried to convince himself that knowing more about Captain America would help him find out more about HYDRA, but deep down he knew that it would only help him to find out more about himself. He must have made some kind of noise as Ally whipped around, staring straight at him. He couldn't work out if she was terrified of him or furious with him but he didn't have the time to think about it as he blurted out the question that was going through his mind before he had the chance to stop himself. 'Who is Captain America?'

Was he for real? Ally actually couldn't help the small scoffing laugh that escaped. He had threatened her, imprisoned her, cut her and now he was attempting a conversation. 'Are you kidding? Everyone in the world knows who Captain America is.'

His face remained almost impassive. Almost. If Ally hadn't been watching him so closely then she wouldn't have noticed the almost imperceptible way that eyes drew together. Ally could feel the smile on her lips falter, the teasing moment gone. He was genuine in his question. His expression quickly told her that he was definitely not feeling her amusement.

'He's a superhero. He's an Avenger. A group of superheroes who've saved the world,' she added when he looked at her questioningly.

'Go on,' he said, wanting more information.

'I don't know. His real name is Steve. Steve Rogers. He appeared a few years ago. He was around in the war but ended up frozen in ice until some group exploring the Arctic found him. They did some sort of experiment on him in the war that makes him strong and fast. I don't really know much more than that.'

Ally was watching his face closely and saw the slight draw of his eyebrows at the mention of the name Steve Rogers. As if it was familiar to him. He sat in silence, processing her answer and Ally took the opportunity to watch him. She was definitely afraid of him, but there was something about him that just wasn't making any sense. This man had fought against Captain America, an all American hero, yet he didn't seem to have any idea who he was. Where had he been that he didn't know who Captain America was? He had been working with this HYDRA group who seemingly wanted to take over and control the world. He was evil, dangerous. And yet this super villain had spent the entire day pacing her apartment. Yes he had hurt her but he hadn't killed her. Why wasn't he killing her? It was something Ally should have probably been grateful for and yet she felt that if he was going to kill her she would rather he got on with it. Finally her curiosity got the better of her. She needed some answers. Steeling herself she finally asked the question that had been circling her head all day.

'What do you want from me?'

He stiffened when he heard her voice. What did he want from her? That was a question he couldn't answer. He knew what his goal was but what he didn't know was how this girl was involved. His original plan, well his revised plan, once he had been discovered was to use her apartment, sort out his injuries and then leave. However he knew that that wasn't a possibility anymore. This girl, she knew too much about him. She had seen his face, seen his arm and she knew that he worked for HYDRA. Her ex- boyfriend worked for the government and was part of a team trying to find and capture HYDRA agents. If he let her go free, how long would it be before he had every defence agent in the country on his tail? She was a threat to him. Looking at her she didn't look dangerous in any way. She was distinctly average. Average height, average build, yet he sensed that she was anything but average. When she looked at him, she had a way of making him feel uncomfortable, like she saw who he was. Exactly who he was. He could see in her eyes how much she judged him for what he did, for who he was. Fear in people's eyes was something he was used to. He had seen it far too many times before. Loathing was something much rarer. People generally didn't live long enough for him to see the loathing in their eyes. Fear was a natural and basic instinct, it was instant. Normally he ignored it. He was immune to the pleas of those around him, but this time the loathing thrown in his direction was weighing down heavily on his chest. It bothered him.

He quickly set aside his worries and focused on what he needed to. His mission. He needed to think clearly and get a plan together. If he wanted to find out who he was, he was going to have to work quickly. The government was tracking HYDRA agents. Trying to root out the traitors. How long would it be before they found the Federal Reserve Bank and destroyed all of the clues and evidence that he needed? Captain America and whatever link he had to him would have to wait. As for the girl… it went against every instinct that he had, but he would have to take her with him. His natural instinct was to kill her. Erase and eliminate all threats. That was his usual rule. But he just couldn't do it. He'd killed many times before, but they had been orders. Hits and targets that had been selected by someone else and he had faithfully carried out his orders. Until yesterday. That man on the helli-carrier made him doubt himself. Made him hesitate. He'd never killed on his own instruction before and he didn't think he could start with her. She was an innocent and no matter the danger, he couldn't seem to justify killing her.

He had no option, if he wouldn't kill her and he definitely couldn't leave her behind then she would have to come with him.

'Do you have a car?' he said finally.

'A what?' she repeated stupidly, clearly not expecting that response to her question. With a shake of her head when he didn't elaborate she answered, 'No, I don't have a car.'

He sighed in frustration. Why was nothing in the last 24 hours simple? He'd had complicated missions before, but never had he been on a mission where so many things had gone wrong. They couldn't walk around the city together. It was too obvious. That meant he would have to steal a car. Stealing a car was simple but driving a stolen car would attract attention that he didn't need.

'Pack a bag. Take only essentials. Comfy clothes, dark colours, no logos or patterns. '

'What, I…, I don't understand.'

'You're coming with me.'

'What? Why? You could just leave me here. I wouldn't tell anyone. Please, you can even tie me to the chair again. Just please leave me alone.'

He contemplated her request for all of ten seconds before giving her a short shake of the head. He wished he could leave her behind. He barely even knew what he was doing. Having the responsibility of someone else on his shoulders was not something he could deal with just now. He'd never had a problem killing before, yet now he didn't seem able to do it. What was one more well aimed bullet out of the many he had fired in his lifetime. It would make everything so much easier and yet he couldn't pull that trigger. Her request to be left behind was appealing, but how long would it be before she phoned the police? He would have people on his tail within the hour. Worst case scenario HYDRA killed her as a witness and then came after him. He could tie her up, but from the looks of it she had no family close by, no boyfriend and no close friends. If he left her alone and tied up would someone actually find her in time? That left only one option. She would have to come with him, at least until he left the city.

A/N- Thanks again to everyone who has taken the time to read this chapter. It means a lot. I hope it doesn't seem too slow just now, I'm just trying to build things up and make them seem as realistic and plausible as possible. Anyway remember to follow or favourite this story so you get alerts for a new chapter. Hopefully I won't keep you waiting too long.

Also thanks to Sareeta for your review. Seriously don't underestimate the value of a review. It seriously made my day and gives me a massive confidence boost. It's quite daunting posting your words and thoughts and an idea that you had in your head, so it means a lot to know that you are enjoying it. : )