Chapter 12. Escalation

When Tracey pulled up in the parking lot near the dock security gate she texted Bucky that she was there for him. He answered back with a heart emoji and she smiled broadly at his use of it. They had spent an hour one rainy day going over what the different emojis meant, even looking several up on the internet when she wasn't sure of their meaning. Since then, he tried to use an emoji with every text. It was adorable and indicative of how much he tried to learn about new technology.

When he came out of the gate Tracey stepped out of the driver's seat, honking the horn and waving to him. His face lit up when they made eye contact and he came to the car, with that soft look on his face that always told her that he loved her. As they hugged and kissed she must have put something more into it because he pulled away with a look of concern.

"What's wrong?" he asked. "Something's happened."

She nodded and smiled grimly then sat back in the driver's seat as he got in the passenger side.

"Val de Fontaine approached me," she said, knowing it would make him angry. Immediately, his face hardened and she could see the little tic at the side of his jaw he got when he clenched it. "She was all friendly at first, trying to make it seem like you working for her would be worth it monetarily. When I told her no she became nasty, brought up you finding men for sex before you met me. She threatened to release that information, then threatened to tell my dad where my mom is. I have it on a recording, if you want to hear it. I sent it to Matt already."

"Let me hear it," said Bucky, in a low, dark voice.

Taking her phone out she opened the voice memo app and began the playback, watching Bucky's face get darker and darker as he heard the conversation between the two. When the recording ended they sat in silence for what seemed like a long time but was likely no longer than a minute. She could see Bucky's hands clench and unclench as he dealt with the anger coursing through his system. Gradually his breathing lightened and he finally reached out with his metal hand taking her right hand in his and kissing it.

"I'm sorry," he said, in a low voice. "John warned me they were going to try something but I wasn't expecting this. To go after you ..." He shook his head in disgust. "We can call it quits if you want. Get out intact, protect your mother."

"No!" exclaimed Tracey emphatically. "That's exactly what they want so they can point out that even your girlfriend is disgusted by you. Which I'm not. We've had no secrets, Bucky. I love you and someday I want to marry you, have children with you, and grow old with you." Tears started to fall from her eyes. "Don't you give up on me because I'm not giving up on you."

Bucky wiped his eyes and nose, then pulled Tracey across the console to be on his lap, kissing her feverishly. They sat there for some time, comforting each other.

"Alright," he finally said. "United front. Does Rebecca know about Val?"

"No, I didn't go home after and I didn't tell her," said Tracey. "But she should know. She can handle it."

He nodded in agreement. Tracey slid back into the driver's side and started up the car. Bucky kept his hand on her thigh the entire back. At least he did until they arrived at the house and a man, a tall older man with a moustache, got out of what was obviously a government vehicle when they pulled up to the house. Bucky's face grew dark when he recognized the man. Before Tracey could ask who the man was Bucky spoke from the passenger seat.

"Call Matt. Tell him Thaddeus Ross is on our doorstep."

He got out and opened the trunk to get to the groceries as Tracey phoned Matt Murdock.

"We need to talk," said Ross, when he saw Bucky.

"No we don't," said Bucky. "I'm retired. I live a private life."

"You don't understand," said the grey haired man. "I want you on my team and there are ways to make you."

"Try it," said Bucky, as he lifted several bags out of the car to carry them to the door.

Tracey had her phone to her ear and finished speaking with Matt then went to the trunk, taking the rest of the groceries and following Bucky with them as she walked past Ross.

"Why do you think your claim for back pay has been stalled?" asked Ross loudly. "The funding for the wheelchair ramp is also being delayed. I can even get the funding for your sister's personal aides stopped, immediately and permanently. There are ways to expropriate your house."

Bucky stopped and looked at Tracey. She nodded imperceptibly and opened the door while he waited. On the sidewalk he noticed some of the neighbours were gathering and he spoke loud enough that they would hear his conversation with Ross, hoping that someone would record it.

"My lawyer is on his way," said Bucky. "You have no right to interfere with my sister's funding. That is all in her name and she is legally entitled to it. If you think for one moment that you can do that so I will work for you as a killer you have another thing coming."

"You did it for HYDRA," said Ross. "Why won't you do it for your country? As I recall my war history that was part of your work for the Howling Commandos."

"I was a sniper when I was in the service of the army," said Bucky. "It's a big difference to be doing it in a war situation against armed combatants versus killing people outright. HYDRA made me their slave giving me no choice, none. Now I do have a choice and I won't do it ever again. Leave me alone."

He went inside the house, dropping off the groceries and saw that Tracey was holding Rebecca's hands while her mother had her arm around his sister.

"They're on their way," said Tracey. "Matt said to try not to engage with him and if they try to come in to phone the police to report a break-in in progress. I told her about Fontaine."

They looked out the window and saw several unmarked black vans come up with several armed men dressed in black exiting the vehicles. It was overkill but obvious they intended to take Bucky by force. They each recognized the man who had watched the house and the man who had been at the supermarket, as the same man. The armed men dispersed around the yard. Tracey noted several of their neighbours were on their cell phones, some of them recording what was happening. Without taking his eyes off the window Bucky spoke to the women.

"Get into the bathroom. The window is too small for them to come in and it will be the safest place for you."

"No, we're not leaving you," said Rebecca.

Only then did he shift his gaze as he turned to his sister and placed his palm against her face. "Please. If they try anything with any of you I won't hesitate to use force on them. I would rather you didn't see that. People will get hurt."

His eyes were pleading with Rebecca and she nodded. Janice helped her up and they walked slowly to the bathroom. Tracey went to the walker and touched Bucky on the shoulder as he looked back outside.

"I'm going to make some calls," she said softly. "We need people to know they're trying to take you against your will. Try to wait for Matt to get here."

He nodded but he was breathing heavily and she was worried he was preparing himself to get physical. Quickly she kissed him on the side of his head and returned to the bathroom with the walker, locking the door. Bucky went into the kitchen and brought the knife block into the living room putting it on the coffee table. He returned to the kitchen for his cast iron frying pan knowing it would stop anything under a 9 mm. While there he considered taking his two inch thick maple cutting board but without a handle it would be too unwieldy. Quickly he checked out the back window and saw there were two men in back. A sound of breaking glass in a side basement window alerted him that someone was trying to enter and he closed the basement door, locked it, then jammed a chair up against the handle, hoping it would at least delay them. His phone went off; the call display showed Matt Murdock.

"We're almost there," said Matt. "What's happening?"

"He's brought reinforcements including that guy who was watching the house," said Bucky. "They've broken a window in the basement so I locked and barricaded that door. Tracey, her mom, and Rebecca are in the bathroom. Hopefully she called the police once she heard the broken window sound. He said he could stop all of Rebecca's funding and take the house."

"Alright, Foggy is also calling the police right now and I've talked to a federal judge to issue an injunction against Ross," said Matt. "Hold on, we're just minutes away."

Bucky hung up and continued to watch outside while listening for any further incursions into the house. The sound of sirens grew louder and several police cars pulled up. Ross loudly tried to claim federal jurisdiction but the one officer, who Bucky recognized as the man who came to take his statement after the robbery ignored Ross and rang the doorbell. Bucky answered it, noticing Ross giving his men a hand signal to stand by.

"Officer Brandon," said Bucky, still watching Ross.

"What's going on Mr. Barnes?" he said. "We got several calls of trouble brewing then of a break-in in progress followed by another call from your lawyer that the feds were trying to take you against your will."

"All correct," said Bucky. "He has several armed men in the yard and one of them broke a basement window. He's here to force me to be an assassin again, against my will. That's not a crime to resist that, is it?"

"No sir," replied Brandon. He got on his body microphone and asked for the other officers to take custody of anyone trespassing in the yard. "We'll take care of anyone who doesn't have permission to be in your yard. As for the other matter I don't have jurisdiction in federal matters but that's certainly something that the media would like to know about. I'm pretty sure they're on their way."

He smiled slightly at Bucky then turned around and loudly addressed Ross and his men out front.

"Sir, I am placing you and any of your men inside the property line under arrest for criminal trespassing. All of you are to put your firearms down and place your hands behind your head." Ross started to protest. "Sir, this is my last warning. If you do not comply, I will have to give the order for a taser to be implemented."

Ross nodded to his men and they dropped their weapons just as three officers brought out the three men who were in the side and back yard. Ross and his men put their hands behind their heads and were each handcuffed as they were read their rights. A vehicle driven by Foggy Nelson pulled up. Right behind him was a TV news van; a cameraman and reporter scrambled out while Matt got out to make his way to the house. He slowed down beside one of Ross's men, smelling his tobacco and a slight smile creased his face. One of the police officers stopped Matt and Foggy from entering the yard.

"Those are my lawyers," said Bucky loudly and they were allowed to approach.

Ross looked sideways at Matt. "A blind lawyer," he said, scornfully.

"Don't need to see to know that you have threatened the 5th, 9th, and 13th Amendment rights of my client," said Matt loudly so everyone could hear. "Just so you know those are the rights to due process, rights not enumerated, and the right not to be forced into involuntary servitude. The federal judge that granted an injunction against you or any agent affiliated, employed or contracted by you to be within a mile of my client agreed. Don't even think of continuing to block the back pay that is legally owed to my client, or to threaten the funding that his elderly sister is legally entitled to, Mr. Ross. We will make sure the media knows who you are and exactly what kind of man would do that to a 94 year old woman in order to force her brother to become a killer against his will."

Bucky and the officer standing with him smirked as Ross's face turned to stone, a very pink stone.

"Get them out of here and call a tow truck to take their vehicles in," said Officer Brandon to another officer. "Mr. Barnes, I'll call someone to bring some wood for that broken window. I'm sure you'll want to seal it until you can get it repaired."

"At Mr. Ross's expense," added Matt.

"Thank you," said Bucky to the officer.

The police placed Ross and his men in their patrol cars. Matt and Foggy came up the steps and Bucky stepped aside to let them in but Matt stood beside him.

"Talk to the news crew," he said quietly in Bucky's ear. "Tell them everything. I'll be right beside you."

Several of his neighbours waved to him making him happy that they didn't mind the second incursion of police into the neighbourhood. As he stood there the reporter with the cameraman approached and asked if Bucky would like to say anything.

"My client, Bucky Barnes, is a World War II veteran who fought against Nazis and HYDRA, underwent a long and traumatic experience as a HYDRA POW and slave, and was forced against his will to perform acts of murder and mayhem for the benefit of that genocidal organization," said Matt. "You're damn right he has something to say."

Tracey came out of the house to stand with Bucky and he put his arm around her, thankful for her presence as it grounded him, and made him calmer.

"When I was pardoned for the crimes I was forced to commit I was under the impression it freed me to live the life of a private man," he said. "I hoped that the Avengers would be able to reorganize and I could use my skills with them to help fight threats against humanity. That didn't happen and after my elderly sister suffered a stroke it became necessary for me to find a job and take care of my family. During the summer I helped stop a robbery in progress, then recently I was fortunate enough to save a man from falling at Coney Island. I was arrested by the FBI shortly after that rescue for breaking the Sokovia Accords. I was released several hours later and the charges thrown out. Since then I learned that a couple of high ranking individuals in the American political machine have decided to form their own group to replace the Avengers. Thaddeus Ross was mentioned as the man behind the group and I was told he wanted me to do for that group what I was forced to do for HYDRA. He threatened to take away my sister's funding for personal care aides, physiotherapy, and even threatened to take our house, all to force me to comply. A second individual, Val de Fontaine, accosted my girlfriend this afternoon threatening to release personal information about me and also threatened the well being of my girlfriend's mother. I am not a killer. I am no longer the Winter Soldier. I am James Bucky Barnes and if there isn't an Avengers team that works within the law then I wish to live life as a private man to take care of my family."

He looked at Tracey after he said that, pulling her closer. Several of the neighbours who came closer to listen began to applaud for Bucky and the cameraman turned the camera to capture their reaction. The reporter waited until the clapping subsided before he asked Bucky another question.

"What would you like to say to those people who might still think of you as the Winter Soldier?" he asked.

Bucky took a deep breath and looked down at his hands for a moment. Tracey could feel the anxiety and emotion the question brought up in him as he struggled to answer.

"Anyone who actually knows Bucky, from small children to older people know he is one of the kindest men they will ever meet," she said, looking directly at the reporter. "What was done to turn him into the Winter Soldier was cruel and depraved but it didn't make Bucky, the real Bucky cruel and depraved. He made amends with the families of every one of the Winter Soldier's victims, even though Bucky Barnes wasn't the one who actually killed them. People like Thaddeus Ross still see him as an asset to be exploited and controlled. If Ross is allowed to do that to Bucky, what's to stop him from doing that to your son or daughter, especially if they've been damaged by their own military experience. Look past what Bucky was and see what he is right now, a private citizen, wanting to live the life that was denied to him since 1945."

She hugged Bucky again as he kissed the top of her head. "I can't say it any better," he added.

"I think that's enough for today," said Matt. "Perhaps you could turn the camera on Thaddeus Ross or Val de Fontaine, and ask them why they wish to force this good man to become a killer against his will. No reason they give should justify that."

Turning around Matt entered the house followed by Bucky and Tracey. Rebecca was sitting on the couch with Foggy and put her hands out for her brother. Hugging her hard Bucky turned to the two lawyers thanking them both. Foggy smiled but Matt's face remained serious.

"I don't think this is the end of it," he said grimly. "Ross has made a career out of stepping out of bounds legally to get what he wants. We exposed him today but he's made promises to certain individuals in the defence and intelligence community. Getting you was one of his goals. He's not going to give you up willingly. Neither will Fontaine."

"Why do they need Bucky?" asked Rebecca. "He's not a spy. Surely they can get any number of thugs to be their assassins."

"Because Bucky knows Wakanda," said Matt. "The scuttlebutt on this team Ross is assembling is that it is going to be used to infiltrate Wakanda and ... "liberate" their biggest natural resource, vibranium. I told Colonel Rhodes yesterday and was going to tell you today."

"I won't do it," said Bucky emphatically. "I owe everything to Wakanda. They healed me, replaced my arm. Ross has no idea what he's up against. They're much more advanced in technology than the West."

"Which is why he wants you and others with exceptional abilities to form this team," said Matt. "My concern is that we've blocked his first attempt and I expect he'll come up with something dirty but completely legal to force you into compliance. We'll need to keep the media on top of this so if you're approached to say something, do it. You need public opinion on your side."

A sigh from Bucky showed his reluctance to be in the public eye but Matt made it clear that until they could find definitive proof of actual wrong doing by Ross and Fontaine, that being public was going to be their best weapon. A knock on the door took Bucky there revealing Officer Brandon with a piece of plywood. Bucky ushered him into the house.

"I just wanted to bring this over and let you know that Ross and his men are in the process of arranging bail," he said. "We're not being particularly helpful so it could be all night before they get out of the precinct. He was hoppin' mad after we took him into custody, especially about that camera crew being here. There was another crew at the station filming them being escorted in. You haven't heard the last of him. Is it true what you said about what he wants you to do?"

Bucky nodded. "He still sees me as a killer, an asset to control. HYDRA had to scrub my memories repeatedly and torture me to do it. I didn't particularly like being a sniper for the Howling Commandos but it was wartime and it was my duty to protect them."

"Well, if they show up again you call," said Brandon, giving Bucky his card, "especially if they're on the property. That's still trespassing and you have every right to defend yourself ... unless ... your pardon, was it full or conditional?"

"Conditional and I fulfilled all of the terms of those conditions well over a year ago," said Bucky.

Matt shook his head and swore. "He was deliberately trying to get you engaged with his men, physically. Your conditional pardon likely doesn't allow you to engage in a physical confrontation. Even though it was granted by the President if Ross could show you still have violent tendencies he could probably convince him to rescind his pardon. It would be the first time ever but I wouldn't put it past Ross. Bucky, under no circumstances are you to engage physically with any of Ross's or Fontaine's men. I need to verify if you fulfilling your conditional pardon bumped it up to a full pardon." Matt stood up suddenly, followed by Foggy. "I have work to do on this. Stay focussed. I'll talk to Colonel Rhodes and see if he has any thoughts about how to handle this."

Without waiting Matt and Foggy left. Bucky took the plywood and thanked Officer Brandon for the update, seeing him out the door. Rebecca patted the sofa next to her and Bucky sat, taking her hands in his.

"I'm sorry," he said to her, then looked at Tracey and her mom, "to all of you. This is escalating and you're being put in the line of fire."

"It's not your fault, Bucky," replied his sister, squeezing his hands. "Thaddeus Ross is an asshole." Bucky looked at her, amused at her language. "He is using me to force you into servitude. He's just a bully, thinks he can boss you around. Why, I'll bet if you didn't have that arm you wouldn't be able to shoot and he wouldn't come near you."

"I'm still very capable without it," he admitted. "All of you promise to be vigilant when I'm not with you. If he tried anything with any of you I would go overboard."

He went outside to see to the broken window and made a disgusted sound when he saw they broke the frame. As he sat back on his heels wondering how he was going to fix it he heard someone come into the yard and turned around to see their next door neighbour. Kneeling down beside Bucky he looked at it and made the same disgusted sound.

"My son works for a home renovation company," he said. "Let me call him to see if he knows someone who can fix or replace that frame." He looked at his hands. "I never really understood how you became a killer for HYDRA. I'm sorry you went through that and if those guys show up again I'll stand with you. There's a few of us on this street with military experience and at least we can be a presence and a witness for you."

"I appreciate it, Tom," said Bucky, offering his hand. "My lawyer has advised me not to engage with them if they come back. He thinks they want to make me fight them so they have a case to reverse my pardon and force me into their service."

"Dirty bastards," said Tom. "All the more reason that us vets stick together. We'll have your six, Bucky. Let me see if my son can find someone to come by today before you board that mess up."

Tom went back to his place to call his son, and Bucky went into the backyard to make sure they didn't damage anything else. At first he didn't see anything then he noticed that someone cut through many of the strings of fairy lights with a knife. It was petty, disrespectful and showed a complete lack of regard for the people he put the lights up for, Rebecca and Tracey. As he stood out there Tracey came out and he showed her.

"Why would they do that?" she asked, upset at the senselessness of it. "Did they do anything else?"

"I haven't looked," he replied.

He went over to the pergola but it seemed to be intact, as did the table and chairs. It still bothered him about the lights and he got the ladder out of the shed to check the ones higher up. Fortunately they were intact but he would still have to replace the others. Sighing he disconnected the power supply so that the damaged strings didn't spark. Then he sat on the back step and stared into the distance, feeling down. Tracey sat next to him and interlaced her hand with his, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"I'll help you replace them," she said. "They looked so pretty."

He smiled and released her hand to put his arm around her. "You still sure you want to live with me?"

"Absolutely," she replied. "I don't want to live anywhere else."

"I love you," he whispered, as he kissed the side of her head. "I don't know if I could handle this if I didn't have you or Rebecca."

"I meant what I said, Bucky," she whispered back. "I want a life with you, a real one, with kids and everything. I won't let them take you away from me."

They embraced as they sat on the back steps, while Rebecca and Janice watched from inside the house. The two other women left the couple alone, returning to the living room. Picking up her cell phone Rebecca looked something up and dialled the number. When it was answered she cleared her throat.

"Hello, my name is Rebecca Barnes Proctor," she said clearly. "I am the sister of James Buchanan Barnes. I would like to speak to the President about my brother's pardon." She paused. "No, I won't contact my congressman or my senator. There are people in the government who want to turn him back into a killer and I don't think it's right that they are threatening him, me and his girlfriend to do it. So I'm going to wait until you connect me with the President. He's the one who pardoned my brother and he's the one who should stop this madness before someone gets hurt."

Janice Harris sat back and smiled at the bravery of this 94 year old woman deciding to go straight to the top. She was even more impressed when the President took the call. After very clearly telling him what had just happened and hearing his pledge to get to the bottom of the issue Rebecca thanked him and told him not to let her or her brother down. Then she hung up and looked at Janice.

"Not a word to Bucky or Tracey about this," she said. "We'll see what happens tomorrow."

With a nod and a smile Janice agreed and the two women said nothing when the couple entered to begin making dinner for all of them. They still didn't say anything when Bucky nailed the plywood over the broken window or when everyone went to bed or got up in the morning. But plenty was happening as they found out the next day.