A late Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to you all! In the festive spirit I have sat for a good many hours finishing this chapter for you guys. Enjoy!
It was a glorious morning in the outskirts of Texas. The sun was shining and the birds were singing in a sweet cheerful tune. Ana had just started her shift at 'Mama's' diner and the good weather was obviously having a positive effect on the travellers that came in and out. Happy customers meant bigger tips which in turn made Ana a very happy woman.
"Ana! It's time for my break." Brian called from across the room. "Mind taking care of my section for a bit?"
A "sure" escaped her mouth before her eyes scanned over Brian's section. And just like that, her happy mood dipped. Amongst the tired truckers and recovering partygoers was a man.
No, Ana thought. This man was not like the rest. The air that surrounded him was not something Ana could ever say she had seen or experienced before. He reminded her of a snake. A snake waiting in its attacking stance before it struck out at the threat, fangs bared.
A brief grimace appeared on her face before she was all smiles again. Grabbing her trusty pen and notepad the waitress roller-skated towards the intimidating man. Upon her arrival she was met with a not so happy stare.
Determined not to be put off by the long haired man, Ana tilted her chin higher. "Welcome to Mama's diner, I'll be your server today. How can I help you?" A cold expression was all she received. Clearing her throat, Ana tried again. "Are you ready to order?" She questioned after spying the menu under his gloved hands. Still she was only met with silence. "Would you like more time?" Nothing. And with that, Ana's good mood soured. "Okay mister, you can't just-"
"-Sorry I took so long, there was a line for the restroom." A heavily French accent chirped. Ice ran through the man's veins.
"Sorry Madame, my boyfriend cannot speak very good English." The short haired blonde girl gave an apologetic look to the waitress. The once enraged Ana simmered down and gave a sympathetic smile in return.
"Oh!" Ana could feel a blush spread across her face. "No problem, Darlin'. Would ya like some time to take a look at the menu?"
The supposed French woman smiled dimples and all, before shaking her head. "No, thank you. The breakfast special would be just fine s'il vous plait."
The waitress nodded in approval before skating away from the couple. "Coming right up, Darlin'" The woman called behind her shoulder. The girl sitting across from the man smiled happily at the disappearing waitress before letting the smile drop. Swivelling her head back towards the longhaired man, she gave him a disapproving glare then slipped into the booth.
"Two weeks." She said. "Two weeks," Her tone becoming more and more aggressive towards the silent man. "Less than fourteen days it took me to track you." The girl snarled at him. His silence seemed to only fuel her anger. It was truly a surprising sight to witness. HYDRA trained her better than to openly express emotion. "They taught you better." It was those words that truly made the soldier react. Before he could fully register would he had done, he slammed his metal fist onto the counter, cracking the surface in the process.
"They do don't control me." He hissed to the assassin. "You can't take me back." The woman tilted her head, her gaze fixated on the man's eyes. "I'd rather die than go back with you."
The Winter Soldiers confession felt like a dagger to the heart. But she didn't show it. They taught her better. She had already lost control of her facade twice in the space of three weeks. She couldn't do it again. If HYDRA found out about the whirlpool of emotions the girl felt after they reawakened her, they would do what they did last. She still remembers the screams, some her own and others his. Both mixing and intertwining together in a painful sinfini of pain.
"Everything alright, sugar?" Both assassins snapped their heads towards the new company. Standing with two cups of coffee was the grey haired waitress. Before the waitress could comprehend the seriousness of the situation, the crack was covered by an arm and the blank stared woman and enraged man clasped hands and smiled at the elderly woman.
"Oui," The girl squinted her eyes at the waitress's nametag. "Ana." The HYDRA assassin flashed a dazzling smile before taking one of the mugs from the older woman's hands. "Merci."
"Your meal will be ready soon." She gave a pointed look at the Winter Soldier, placed the coffee in front of him, and then turned her attention back to the bubbly woman. "Just call me if you need anything, sugar." Ana stretched the pronunciation on the word anything.
"Of course," The French accent returned and the fake blonde batted her eyelashes in pure innocence's. Giving Bucky's ex-partner a warm smile, the waitress glided away. And no sooner did the assassins retract their hands. Each holding it as if it hand been burned.
You are machines, a voice echoed in their ears, Incapable of love or real emotion. You are HYDRA's minions and should be nothing more, the voice snarled.
The pair elapsed into silence, neither quite sure of what to say. They continued to drown in the silence until their breakfast arrived and the waitress departed again.
"You look like I need a drink." The girl bluntly stated, referring to Barnes's haggard appearance. Large bags hung under his eyes which highlighted how bloodshot they were, his hair lay in matted clumps across his face and dark stubble littered his jawline and cheeks. Her partner gave a small grunt then began eating.
"The New York HYDRA unit are currently in hiding." The woman informed the man. His fingers twitched at the new information. Something only the young woman noticed. She sipped her coffee before continuing. "They are waiting for the right opportunity to release the twins."
Bucky nodded. He was aware of the twins. They were soon to be replacing his partner and himself as HYDRA's most successful project. The assassins were scheduled to be shipped out to the United Kingdom's HYDRA branch before the start of next year. Of course this was all based on the idea that the twins would be a success. However, if the twins failed to complete their mission . . . elimination would be almost certain. If Bucky was not mistaken, their first assignment was scheduled for the end of summer.
"Change of plan?" He mumbled through scoffing eggs into his mouth. His partner made an agreeing noise.
"Something's coming." She uttered lowly so only Barnes could hear. "They won't tell me what. But it's coming soon."
Bucky paused. "Is that a warning?"
"It's advice." She corrected him. "You may hate HYDRA with every fibre of your being and may want to forget you even worked for them. But do not forget what they have taught you."
"Taught me what? Taught me how to kill innocent people without thinking twice about it? Torturing children without even a frown? Because-"
"No." The girl interrupted. "How to survive." The Winter Soldier scoffed at her.
Sighing at his incapability to understand what she meant, the girl reached into her jean pocket and slid an envelope across the table. The shaggy haired man glowered at the offending object with a distasteful look.
"Our unit" The Winter Soldier growled at the girls' words. "My unit," She corrected herself." had to relocate all data to another base." She sipped her coffee. "And I found something you might want to have."
Quirking an eyebrow at the girl, Bucky cautiously picked up the envelope and then examined it. Judging by the colour and state the envelope was in, it was clear it was very old and hadn't been well cared for. Ripping off the top, Bucky poured the contents of the envelope into the palm of his hand and then froze when the light gleamed on it. The metal was tarnished and battered from age and war but it was as clear as day what it was. Army tags. His army tags
"Why?" His voice cracked from lack of use.
"Партнер" Was her simple reply. The ex-Winter Soldier swallowed a lump in his throat, clenching the battered tags with such a grip that the girl thought they would break.
"The next time I located you, it better be more than two freaking weeks, Winter. Don't want HYDRA to think I've just been getting lazy and don't have the skill of capturing my mission" With a wink, his partner stood.
It suddenly dawned on Bucky why she had located him. HYDRA had assigned her the mission of bringing him back to them.
"Breakfast's on me." Dumping a hundred dollar bill on the table she began to make her way to the exit of the diner.
"Au revoir, Monsieur Barnes." She called back to him with a small chuckle before leaving the man named Bucky Barnes alone in the diner with reclaimed memories and an extra breakfast.
Hey its me again. Comments are always welcomed and thank you everyone who has commented, liked and favourited this story. It really makes me happy you actually like my ideas! I don't know when I'll next be updating but hopefully soon! - GirlWhoTookNightlock