"Wow I'm so glad you took my request to meet me alone seriously Sam, it really makes me want to trust you now" I scowled sarcastically at the man I called that morning asking if he would meet me at the outdoor café in the park. "No offence" I added quickly to the other, sitting down in the chair opposite them. He put his hands up as if to say none taken. Of course he wouldn't, he was too much of an old-fashioned gent that Captain America.

"Are you actually wearing sunglasses and a trench coat?" Sam Wilson retorted leaning back in his chair crossing his hands behind his head. I knew Sam Wilson from my time at the VA hospital, he counselled vets with PTSD and our paths crossed. He'd become a friend of mine and I thought with him once being in the army he might be able to help me out. That and I could trust him with what I knew and he could pass what I knew on to Steve without me actually being involved.

"Well I don't exactly want people to know I'm talking to anyone" I replied looking around the park. It was very busy, plenty of chatter. "No offence" I added again to Captain Rogers. I suppose I did look a little ridiculous but I was being truthful. And I was scared.

"Are you in danger?" Captain Rogers asked resting his arms on the table as he leaned in closer.

"I wish I knew" I sighed taking off my sunglasses.

"Sam tells me you work for SHIELD?" He continued.

"That was my belief, yes" I replied and bristled in my chair.

"That is what we all believed" he half smiled encouragingly.

"My situation is a little different to yours" I went on, my fingers absently playing with the sugar packets in the bowl, ashamed. "You did work for SHIELD, sure an organisation that was so covertly infiltrated not even the top guys knew but me? Me, I worked for HYDRA". I looked up then, they were instantly rigid, backs straight as a rod. I saw Sam slip his hand in to his pocket and Rogers wasn't looking so affable now. "You could at least let me finish before you go for the attack" I continued.

"So this is you turning yourself in?" Sam accused angrily. "Damn Lucy! What the hell is this?"

"No!" I replied stung. "I didn't know that I was working for HYDRA, Pierce recruited me, it was a weapon programme. Jesus, I thought it was a promotion! I swear to you I didn't know".

"Project Insight?" Rogers queried.

"No" I shook my head confused. "The Asset. The Metal armed killing machine. I believe you've met".

"Bucky" Rogers replied sadly. I nodded.

"You're here about The Winter Soldier" Sam concluded.

"I'm here about the man" I clarified.

"So talk" Rogers instructed. So I did. I told them both everything I did in the vault, everyone I spoke to, everything I saw. I told them my big guilty secret.

"And you didn't know it was him? You didn't recognise him? He's in an exhibition!" Sam asked incredulously.

"No, like I said he was masked most of the time. The very first time I saw his face I thought I knew something. He was familiar".

I recalled the first time I saw his face completely unguarded from mask or goggles. I wasn't meant to be there but Fogal called me in to assist on some evaluation. He'd been re-testing the arms ability to withstand an EMP. That was all we did, test and re-test. I walked through the bar doors and he was there, without his mask. Without his goggles and I had the wind knocked out of me. He was kind of handsome. His eyes were blue. I hadn't expected that.

But they were dulled, there was no life in those eyes. And I knew it was because of this programme. What had we done to this man?

As we worked I couldn't stop myself from looking at him. I pitied him. What life had he had before this? What family had he sacrificed to become our lab rat, to become Pierces lethal tool? I wondered if there was a lover out there that was mourning him, if she was sitting at home remembering the man he once was. Friends that would raise a glass in a toast for him. I'd never know that man. I only knew the wiring and the systems in his arm. The guilt that I had felt that evening still lived inside of me.

The more I looked the more his face became familiar. Like I had seen him somewhere before. I told myself I was being ridiculous. I had no idea who this man was. But then again...?

He caught me looking, I glanced down so quickly, my cheeks were burning bright red.

The first time I saw his face was the first time I was ever alone with him. And that night I told him my name.

"When did you know it was Sgt Barnes?" Rogers asked me quietly.

"When he came back from the fighting you on the highway bridge. He said...he said he knew you. And then it all fell in to place", I confessed. "I don't know what happened to him. How he ended up here or anything but I wanted you to know what he was doing for Pierce. And what we were doing to him. And I'm sorry. I know that an apology is not enough but I am truly sorry". I was embarrassed to discover my cheeks were damp, I didn't even realise I'd let myself cry. I wiped my eyes and sniffed.

Steve nodded, accepting my explanation.

"I have to take this to SHIELD right? Hand myself in?" I asked.

"SHIELD's a mess. But you should speak to Hill" Captain Rogers explained.

"Deputy Director Hill?" I clarified.

"Yeah she doesn't hold that position now".

"Then why would I speak to her?"

"She's not out of the game. It'd be good to have someone like that to have your back. She works for Stark now, maybe she could get you a job there. Electronics being your field and all?" Sam interjected.

"I don't know, I was thinking maybe you could help me disappear Sam" I told him looking around warily.

"Someone really coming after you girl?"

"What aren't you telling us?" Rogers asked, leaning in. I swallowed hard.

"Two nights ago he turned up at my apartment. Tied me to a chair" I started. They looked at each other open-mouthed and then back to me.

"Did he hurt you?" Rogers asked squeezing my hand.

"No, I guess you damaged his arm some when you fought on the Helicarrier. He wanted it repaired and I did as I asked."

"Do you know if he's still in the city?" Rogers asked.

"I don't know. I told him to find you. That you'd help him. He wants to know who he is. I don't know if he'll come back", I replied.

"Lucy I can help him. I know Bucky. I knew the man he was and I know what HYDRA did to him and I know he was used by the Soviets..."

"Wait what?" I interrupted.

"A friend gave me file on him, The Winter Soldier. If he ever contacts you, tell him I have answers" Rogers told me. And I nodded. I wouldn't mind some answers to questions of my own but right here wasn't the time.