Bucky's POV

After Ana left the main floor, I glared at Steve. How could he suggest Ana was crazy, and put her in the middle of an argument like this. Ana has told Steve and I that she doesn't like arguing. I've noticed that yelling makes her flinch when she thinks no one's looking. Tony and Nat entered the kitchen. "What happened?" Natasha asked. "Ask Steve." Bucky growled. Natasha raised an eyebrow at Steve. He sighed, "I recommended she talk to a therapist about her problem, and she didn't take it well."

"You did what?!" Natasha snapped. "It was partly Tony's idea." Steve said defensively. Tony threw his hands up, "Whoa, hold on. I didn't say you should talk to her right away about it. She's had a rough day,

"Well, what are we going to do?" Tony asked. Steve sighed, "Nothing. She's right, we can't make decisions for her. I'll talk to her tomorrow."

Tony and Nat agreed and left to their own apartments. When it was just Steve and I, I cornered him with the question I'd had all night.

"Why the sudden change in opinion on therapy, Steve? Did Stark get into your head?"

"No, Bucky, I just think she might benefit from an outside opinion."

"You want someone who doesn't even know her to tell her how her brain should work?"

"Bucky, I just want her to know her options, okay? If she wants therapy, or doesn't, it doesn't matter, we'll do whatever she wants."

I nodded, feeling better now that it was her choice.

"So… "Steve said, "You've been really protective of Ana lately."

"Well, yeah." I said, "She's hurting enough without Stark, or Nat, or some shrink adding to it." I said, crossing my arms.

"I know she means a lot to you, Buck."

"What does that mean? Doesn't she mean a lot to you too?"

"Yes, of course. I just meant… nevermind." Steve said, "I'm going to bed. I'll see you tomorrow, and we'll both talk to Ana, okay?"

"Okay." I said, not knowing what else to say after Steve's previous comment.

Ana's POV

I woke up the next morning feeling a lot better. I decided I was going to training that day whether Steve would allow it or not. I quickly threw on my workout clothes, and took the elevator to the gym. I didn't really want to talk to anyone after the events of last night, so I tried to sneak off to the corner, so I could keep my head down and focus all of my frustration into a punching bag. There I was throwing punches and jabs and kicks at my imaginary opponent. I was punching harder and harder as my thoughts got louder. Suddenly, as I was about to throw another blow to the bag, a cold metal hand grabbed my wrist. "What do you want?" I snapped. "Well, good morning to you too, Sunshine." Bucky said with a grin. He was acting very different from the night before. I tore my hand from his grasp, and he frowned. "Steve and I want to talk to you, doll."

"Well I can't say the feeling's mutual right now." I said, turning back to the punching bag. Bucky gave me his puppy dog eyes, "Please, doll, I'm sorry about last night." I hate it when he pulls his stupid pouty face, because it makes me feel bad, and it's very hard to stay mad at him. "Fine." I said. "Let me go shower first."

…

After a quick shower, I went to Steve's apartment. "Hey, Ana!" he greeted, "Would you like some breakfast?" "Umm… sure." I said, sitting on at the island in the kitchen. To be honest, I kind of liked Steve's apartment, even though it was almost too neat. Bucky and I have a game where we move random objects, to see if he gets annoyed. I moved the coasters on the table, and turned his newspaper upside down. Steve slid a plate of eggs in front of me. "So, " he started, "I wanted to talk about last night." I nodded, focusing intently on my eggs. "I'm sorry for bringing it up so suddenly on you, and I was wrong to argue about it without asking for your permission. I just want you to know, that the decision is entirely yours, whether you want therapy or not, I'll support your decision entirely, and do whatever I can to help."

"You mean I don't have to do this? You're not worried about having a mentally unstable member on your team?"

"Of course not. While you may not be in a good place right now, you're not a danger to the team, and if you're feeling up to it, I've got a mission tonight I could use your help on."

"Really?"

"Yes, but only if you think you're okay. You've been through a lot the past couple days."

I nodded, subconsciously rubbing at the fresh cuts I'd made the night before. I could tell Steve I probably wasn't mission ready right now, but they weren't deep, and I was itching to get out. "What's the target, cap?" I asked with a smirk.

"Nothing big, just a guy we need to bring in for an interrogation, I could use your help on the extraction."

"Got it." I said. Since joining SHIELD, I have found less lethal ways of taking out targets. In cases like this one, where we need to interrogate someone, I usually go in for backup and emergencies, because I can hit a target from a far distance. I'm a talented marksman in all fields, Clint doesn't like to admit it, but I almost rival him at archery. Natasha insists that I'm not bad with throwing knives either. Also, since joining the Avengers, Tony has been teaching me some things about tech and design, and I'm picking it up pretty quick, so I can also hack systems and track viruses. The only thing I have yet to do is an undercover mission, my expertise are not usually necessary for those assignments, and while my hand to hand combat skills are good in the training room, they decrease under pressure.

…

Steve, Bucky, Nat, and I were on the quinjet, somewhere over Norway. Steve was explaining the mission plan to me.

"Why this guy?" I asked, "Is he Hydra? And why are we in the middle of nowhere to find him?"

"He's not Hydra that we're aware of." After Bucky joined the Avengers, he and Steve tracked down and defeated most of Hydra's assets and bases. The few that remain are usually in discreet places like where we were headed. Steve continued, "His name is Lars Anderson. A wealthy doctor and collector of viking antiquities. He's been hiding in his underground bunker for several weeks. SHIELD has suspicions that he may have found some Asgardian technology."

"Really? He has his own underground bunker but he's not a threat until he plays with space junk?"

"Anyway, SHIELD has contacted Erik Selvig and Jane Foster, trying to find a way to communicate with Thor. If there is Asgardian tech out here, we want it sent back to Asgard as soon as possible."

I couldn't help but smile a bit at this. I loved when Thor came to visit.

"So, what do you need me to do, Cap? This seems like a simple mission. Knock the guy out, and drag him back to SHIELD."

Steve frowned, "That's what they thought, so they only sent in two agents at first, but apparently, whatever this guy is doing is pretty big, because he's got major security. I need you to break through the firewall and get us in."

"Is there anyone else in there?"

"A few people have been seen going in and out bringing supplies." Bucky answered.

"We're here."Natasha announced, "I'll be waiting at the rendezvous point, and I'll help you navigate the bunker through the commas."

I strapped my rifle to my back, and my pistol to the Han Solo style holster on my leg. Bucky, Steve, and I got out of the quintet. I was instantly bit by the cool air of the forest. There was only a little snow on the ground, but it was freezing.

"I'll be waiting at the rendezvous point." Natasha told us through the comm links. Steve led Bucky and I through the dense forest, until we reached a small clearing. Not really, a clearing, however, as the massive pine trees still created a thick canopy, which only let subtle rays of silver moonlight pass through. In the center of the clearing, was a 10 by 10 foot structure of solid concrete. On one side of the structure was the door, which looked to be steel. We definitely weren't getting in by our own strength. Steve gave us the signal to follow him. Before he noticed the camera on top of the structure. It moved like the head of a snake, and was probably motion detective. Before it could spot us, I quickly picked up a rock and threw it in the opposite direction. Steve, Bucky, and I, crept around to the door, and hopefully, into a blind spot. I located the keypad that I could hopefully gain access from. "This bug should shut down the keypad long enough for us get in." I said, pulling a microscopic computer chip from my belt. I pried off the front of the keypad and connected the bug to the inner wiring. After a few seconds the steel door opened, and we rushed inside. We stood at the top of a spiral staircase, leading down into a hallway. "Nat, can you do a thermal scan of the bunker to help us find Anderson." Steve asked into his comm. "Yes, but I have to fly the jet directly over the bunker." came the somewhat static reply. The concrete was probably blocking the signal.

"I'll need to find where the main network of the security system is in order to get us out." I said. "I'll go with you." Bucky volunteered. "No, go with Steve. He might need backup." I insisted.

Bucky opened his mouth to argue but Natasha interrupted us through the comms. "I have good news and bad news. The good news is Anderson isn't far from your location, but the bad news is he's not alone. There's got to be at least fifteen other people in there."

Bucky looked at me, "I'm going with you." he said.

"No, you're not. I can do this by myself." and with that , I was already descending the staircase. "Alright Nat, tell me where to go." I whispered.

"Go right, then left, it's the third door down that hallway."

I silently followed her instructions, going down the dimly lit hallway of the bunker. I heard voices coming my way. They definitely weren't Steve and Bucky. I quickly ducked into a corner and held my breath. By some miracle, they didn't see me. I easily found the control room. There were massive screens showing every corner of the bunker, including two guards investigating the entrance we had come through. I broke through the firewall and disabled the security. Then I saw Steve and Bucky on the screens, in pursuit of Anderson, who was quickly running to the exit with a metal briefcase tucked against his chest. The guards at the entrance just realized their leader was nowhere to be found and went frantically searching for him. I noticed I could reach Anderson much faster than Steve and Bucky. I grabbed my pistol from my belt, and took off towards Anderson. As I was jogging down the hallway, I heard static through my comm, tapping the device in my ear, I said "Nat? Steve?" More static. "I'm almost out, over."

It was just then I saw Anderson in front of me, and two of his thugs behind me. I swiftly turned and fired my pistol. I hit one of the guys in the knee, but the other was still advancing. I quickly kicked the briefcase out of Anderson's hands, before he could escape. His thug attacked me from behind. I twisted from his grip using the move Nat had taught me, and dove for the briefcase, dropping my pistol in the process. My opponent struck again, but this time I used the case to block his punch, which I'm fairly certain broke his hand. Anderson was now shouting a slur of really nasty Norse words. His guard tried to punch me with his left hand, but I blocked it. I was getting a bit clumsy trying to hold onto the briefcase while blocking punches. I tried to run, but Anderson blocked me, grabbing my wrist to try and force me to drop the briefcase. He almost succeeded as his hand was digging into my fresh cuts. While I was momentarily distracted by my pain, his thug came at me full force, and knocked me against the concrete wall of the bunker.

My head was the first thing to hit the wall. I tried to get up and defend myself, but I began swaying. He easily knocked me down again. Anderson stood over me, and kicked my ribs, causing me to let out a cry of pain. I heard him laughing, but it sounded distant and echoey. "Pathetic... " he said, giving me a sick, twisted grin. It didn't stay long though. It was knocked out by a metal fist.

…

Bucky's POV

Steve and I were in hot pursuit of Anderson, when we heard a scream coming from around the corner, and there was no way it was Anderson's. I ran to investigate; Steve following right behind me. I saw Ana on the ground with that sick bastard kicking her, trying to get her to release his briefcase. I felt an anger I hadn't felt in a long time. Not since Hydra. However, I knew exactly why I was angry and what I was doing. I ran full speed at Anderson and let my left arm hit his cheek with all the strength I had. I could have stopped with that, but I was so angry. I took out the guard in one hit as well. I kicked Anderson's feet out from under him, then grabbed him by the collar, and hissed through gritted teeth, "You son of a bitch! Give me one reason not to kill you right now!."

"Buck, don't worry about him right now." Steve said, bringing me back to earth. Still fuming, I looked back at him. He was kneeling on the ground next to Ana. She had a cut above her left eyebrow, and a very bruised, split lip. I released Anderson, letting him crumple to the floor, knowing I'd twisted his knee and he wasn't going anywhere. I dropped next to Ana, Steve waved his hand in front of her face to get her attention. "Anastasia, are you okay?"

"M-my head hurtsss." she slurred. Steve held up three fingers in front of her asking, "Ana, how many fingers am I holding up?"

Ana blinked a few times, as if trying to focus. "I don't know. Stop moving your hand."

"Shit." Steve cursed quietly to himself, "Bucky, you have to get her out of here. I'll take care of Anderson."

"Nat, where are you?" I said, hoping the comm would pick up. The reply I got was mostly static, but I was able to make out 'quinjet', 'bunker', and 'backup'. I nodded, gently moving to pick Ana up bridal style. I noticed her wince as I put my flesh hand under her shoulders. "It's alright. It's going to be okay." I told her, as I picked her up to carry her to safety.