Natasha was leaning out the side of the chopper, searching the damage for any sign of Steve. "Hill, where's Steve? You got a location on Rogers?"
Maria didn't answer, but we kept our eyes on the helicarrier that we knew Steve and the Winter Soldier were in. After a few moments, part of the machine broke off, and we watched as a body tumbled out.
I could tell it was Steve by the uniform. It was the one he had used during the war. Without a second thought, I unhooked my seatbelt and tossed off the headset, jumping from the helicopter before Sam or Natasha could try to talk me out of it. I knew the water below was deep, and I didn't know if anyone else would come to save him. When I finally hit the water, I began searching. I spotted his body a few feet away from me, and he was unconscious.
Grabbing one of his arms, I pulled him above the water. He seemed to be breathing, but he didn't wake up.
Just then, another figure surfaced from the river. It was the Winter Soldier. We shared a look before he grabbed Steve's other arm, and we swam him to the edge of the river as quickly as we could manage together.
Once Steve was laid on the bank of the river, I checked his pulse. It was still there. When I stood up straight, the soldier began walking away.
"Wait." I called after him. He stopped for a moment and turned around, a slightly frustrated look on his face. "Where are you going now?" I asked.
He kept his features blank and just shrugged, but I decided to follow after him down the bank of the river. He knew I was there, but he didn't turn around to say anything.
We walked along the bank for about half a mile before we heard the sirens searching for Steve. We took cover in the trees, they were thick enough where we were at that we wouldn't be seen unless someone got extremely close. He crouched on the ground, his breathing evening out as I crouched across from him.
"I'm dangerous." He stated, his face blank. I wasn't sure what he meant by that.
"I know what you are." I replied, "Apparently so am I." I sighed and wiped the sweat off my forehead from the heat.
"I don't know who I am." His face looked sad, maybe even tired, but I could tell he still had an emotional wall up.
"They told me your name is Bucky." I told him. He nodded, but didn't reply. "Look, I don't know who I am, either. And I can't go home until I figure that out. And you don't have anywhere to go but you're Steve's best friend and if he can't watch over you, I will. I know enough to know that I was created around the intention of finding you. I need to know why that is." He shook his head and opened his mouth, but it took him a few moments before he spoke.
"You could get yourself killed with me." I shrugged and he rolled his eyes at my stubbornness, but I cut him off before he could speak again.
"I'm going to be facing months of tests and questions and judgments if I go back and I'm not ready for that. I don't want to be picked apart like an experiment, and I know you don't either. I'll help you if you help me." He seemed to be deep in thought for a moment, staring somewhere behind me, but I didn't look away from him.
Finally, he looked back at me and nodded. "I have something I need to do first." He said. I nodded back and stood, holding my hand out to help him up. He didn't take it but he did stand. He looked a little lost for a moment.
"Do you have anything you need to take with you?" I asked. He shook his head. I pulled my wallet from the inside pocket of my work jacket. I had cash but I would need more. I couldn't risk using my cards while we were running.
"We can stop by a couple of ATMs so I can pull money out, then I'll get you where you need to go." He nodded and I gestured for him to walk in front of me. I didn't want him trying to sneak away. I needed to get out of here before Tony learned about everything online, and I wasn't going to be able to do it by myself.
Okay, today you guys get two updates! I'm going out of town this weekend with no service, so I just wanted you guys to have them in advance! Let me know what your thoughts are! I love hearing from you guys!
