"We've lost them." said Rumlow to Kreutz. "Is there any way you can track her?"
"Track her? No." said Kreutz.
Rumlow sighed in frustration. "So you had no plan to track your experiments?"
"The plan was to never lose track of them in the first place. The Winter Soldier had let her escaped. Rumor was that he had, in a sense, rescued her. After her disappearanced his mind was wiped. He was never interrogated." said Kreutz.
"The Winter Soldier recsued her? Helped her escape? So Ella MaCoy and James Barnes know each other?" questioned Rumlow.
"No. Not in the sense you are thinking of." he said.
"Then explain it to me, please." said Rumlow.
"They were both in this facility at the same time. She was engineered to correct a problem like the Winter Soldier." said Kreutz.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"You cannot create super soldier assassins without a contigent plan." said Kreutz.
"So that's what she is? How?" he asked.
"You don't even know who your after, do you?" he said.
"Enlighten me." said Rumlow. "I know you toyed with her mind so she senses threat."
"Yes, you are partially right. She also has the ability that when the threat attacks, physically, she mimics their strength." he said.
"So she can hold her own? How does that defeat a super soldier?" he asked.
"Because she also tunes into their mind and knows their thoughts as they think them. If they mean harm to her or anyone she is near, she knows and not only anticpates, but counters their move before they make it." said Kreutz. "The Winter Soldier was used in testing her abilities. The have no concious memories of one another."
"But if he helped her escape?" said Rumlow.
"That has never been confirmed." said Kreutz.
"So if we can flip the switch on Barnes, will it even do any good?" asked Rumlow."She's with Barnes and Roger."
"That poses a unique probelm which we may be able to use to our advantage. First, you need to find them." said Kreutz.
"We will." said Rumkow.
She walked back to her room and stumbled in dropping on the couch. She was angry, frustrated, and hurt. She had not expected this place to affect her in the way it did. She was exhausted. Just as she laid her head down she heard commotion across the hall. She listened and when it sounded like it was not calming down she got up and walked to their door. She knocked.
"Steve? James?" she called out. The noises were growing. She turned the knob and carefully went in. The noise was from Bucky's room. She walked in to see Steve next to Bucky itting on his bed. He looked shaken and scared.
"What's going on?" she asked.
Steve turned to see her. "He's had a nightmare."
Bucky stared coldly at the floor.
"James." she said. He flinched and looked angrier.
"Bucky, call him Bucky." said Steve in a warning tone.
"Bucky." his gaze softened as he looked towards her. He suddenly jumped up gritting his.
"Buck, it's, Steve." he said trying to calm him.
Ella sensed the threat, "Steve!" she called out but it was too late. Without warning Bucky punched him sending him into the adjacent wall. Ella watched in terror. Bucky turned towards her.
She backed away as he came towards her, "Bucky, don't make me do it." she warned. He lurched towards her and grabbed her by the throat. She felt the breath leaving her. As soon as she felt she may pass out she felt the surge. She tightened her neck muscles and took a deep breath. She brought her leg up and kicked againat Bucky as hard as she could and sent him flying across the room. He picked himself up. She could see the empty stare and anger. She knew his next move and was ready. He took one step towards her and then fell to the ground in what looked like convulsing.
She looked over at Steve. "You shocked him?" she said.
"I had no choice." said Steve.
"I had him!" she said angrily. Steve looked at her narrowing his eyes.
"How?" he asked.
"She ignored his question. "Doesn't it bother you? To shock him?"
"It would bother me more if I didn't." he said as he walked to Bucky and lifted him placing him to rest in his bead. "He will be fine in about a half hour."
"So this happens often?" she asked.
"Unfortunately, yes." he said returning to her. He could see she was shaken. "Hey, it's ok." he said placing a comforting arm around her as she stared at Bucky. He looked so lifeless. There was something familiar about it. She pushed the feeling aside.
"No, it' not." she said. "How often is this happening? His body can only take so much."
"Bucky's strong." he said looking at her curiously. "You never answered ny question. How did you do that? I'm glad you're ok but that makes no sense?"
"I pushed him off of me." she said.
"No, you kicked him across the room. The same thing he did to me." he said. "Ella, I think there is more to the experiments than your mind."
"Maybe?" she said.
"Ella, no secrets, please." said Steve pleading.
Ella dropped her head. "I'll help Bucky. I promise."
"That's not what I'm taling about. Let us help you." he said standing in front of her to look her straight in the eye and block her view of Bucky.
"You have and I'm very grateful." she said. His eyes would not let her go. His stare beating down on her. "Listen, I don't know what they have done to me. All I know is when I sense the threat and I dial into their thoughts, if the attacker lays hands on me within seconds I get this surge." she paused then continued, "It's like I take on their strength?" she said suddenly feeling exhausted. Steve took notice.
"Why don't we sit down." said Steve guidung her to the living area couch. "How long has this been going on?"
"I don't know. You're typical New York mugger is pretty weak. So Bucky has the same strength as you?" she asked. Steve shook his head yes. "Look, I didn't want anyone to know. If they know then they'll be after me." she said.
"They already are." he said.
She looked at him irritated, "I'm quite aware. But I'm bringing them to him too." she said motioning to Bucky's bedroom.
"We can handle ourselves." he said.
"That was not handling." she said.
"It's better than cryofreezing." said Steve. "I don't like it anymore than you. When Tony first came up with this I couldn't being myself to do it. Bucky did it to himself. He hasn't stopped blaming himself for what they made him do. He remembers it all."
"What did they do?" she asked.
"They made him an assasin. They programmed his mind to follow whatever order given. He killed because they programmed him to. He remembers every killing. The process somehow killed or damaged all his other memories. That's what he is fightig to get back." said Steve.
Ella shook her head. She couldn't imagine what had been done to him or what they made him do. "I'll do my best for him."
"That's all we're asking." he said.
"And what about you? You're so busy making sure everyone's ok. Are you?" she asked.
He just smiled, "Ella."
"Steve, I'm serious." she said.
"Bucky's the focus." he said.
"I get that, but so are you? I have to make sure my bodyguards are ok." she said.
"I hope we're more than bodyguards." he said.
She looked at him curiously.
"Friends?" he said.
She smiled, "Preliminary friends."
"I'll take what I can get." he said smiling.
There was a knock at the door. Steve answered it. It was Tony.
"You guys ok?" he asked walking in.
"Yeah, we're fine." said Steve.
Ella shot Steve a look hoping he would know to keep quiet about their discussion. He nodded.
"Bucky's sleeping it off." said Steve.
"What set him off?" asked Tony.
"A nightmare? A memory?" he said unsure.
Tony looked at Ella, "This is why you can't be shy about hitting that button." he scolded. Ella shook her head. She was in no mood for arguing.
Ella just watched the discussion. As the two continued to talk she went unnoticed into Bucky's room. She took a chair next to his bed. She watched his chest rise and fall. She was glad to see it. He looked at peace. She almost found him unrecognizable. She could still hear the two talking. At least it seemed friendly. She turned her head to the doorway to see the two.
"Hey." came a voice as she felt a hand on her wrist. It sent a panic through her. She jumped up knocking the chair over and tugging her wrist away. Steve and Tony heard the noise and ran in. Ella saw Bucky sit up and lean against the head board.
"I didn't mean to scare you." said Bucky weakly.
Steve wrapped a reassuring arm around her. "You ok?"
She nodded her head, "You've exceeded your quota for asking that." she tried to joke.
Tony stood on the other side of her just slightly in front of her with his hand on his wrist. Ella reached over to coax his hand from the switch. Tony looked at her and complied.
Bucky looked at her with sadness, "Your neck. Did I do that?" he asked.
"Bucky,-" Steve started and Tony interrupted.
"My guess is yes." said Tony smuggly.
"Bucky, I'm fine. Are you ok?" she asked staying close to Steve. She felt bad but was hesitant to get too close. She could tell he noticed.
"Do you sense a threat from me?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No, Bucky."
He looked at her cocking his head to the side, "You called me Bucky?"
"Yes, the other named seemed to upset you." she said.
"Upset?" he said looking near tears knowing the term upset did not even begin to cover it. "I'm sorry. I would never hurt you, but I did."
"Bucky, what happened." she paused, "it gives me a good starting point to work with you."
"Well, I should go." said Tony clearly stiffling his anger and disgust as he walked to the living area.
"Tony, wait." called out Steve. He looked at Ella to see if she was ok if he stepped out. She nodded. Steve went out to catch Tony. Ella heard them start talking again. She walked over and picked up the chair to sit down by his bedside.
"Did you shock me?" he asked.
"No, Steve did." she said hoping she didn't get him in trouble.
"Good man." he said groaning and he sat up further.
"Bucky, you can't live this way." she argued.
"I tried to strangle you, didn't I?" he asked.
Ella looked at him silent.
"Ella, he didn't shock me for no reason. He did it for a good reason," he said.
She looked down avoiding his eyes. "I handled it." she paused.
"You mean you handled me." he corrected.
"That was not you." she countered.
He looked at her. "Steve keeps telling me the same thing. That it's not me, but it is. How can I forgive myself when they are my actions?"
For once she saw the true pain in his eyes. The true depth of his guilt. "We'll work on that. This isn't how you were born. Do you believe you're the type of person to strangle me?"
He looked at her neck. His eyes welling tears. "It doesn't matter. I did it."
"Bucky, I don't believe you want to hurt me." she said leaning towards him.
He gave a slight smile, "So has the session began, doc?"
She smiled back at him, "I'm not a doctor. Just a psychologist who moonlights as a counselor." she said. "And you're avoiding the question." she said returning him to task.
"I don't want to hurt you." he said as a tear escaped his eye and fell down his cheek. His voice cold and void of emotion. "I just can't trust myself."
"Fine. Then trust me." she said. "Trust, Steve." she said taking his hand which she swore was trembling slightly. "We're going to work on this. I'm not giving up and you know Steve isn't going aywhere. I can handle you." she said hoping for a smile. He didn't disappoint.
"Well now I'm blushing." he said teasing.
"Well don't flater yourself." she said. "Remeber the flattering is one way." she said pointing to herself. "It flows this way." she chuckled.
Bucky gave her a big smile squeezing her hand. Thanks." he said in a serious tone.
"Thank you for not giving up." she said standing as he kept hold of her hand.
She took her other hand on top of his that held hers. "I should let you get dressed. I don't know about you but I am ready to burm my pajamas and robe."
He got up slowly out of the bed still holding her hand. She was ok with it yet a bit uncomfortable. He stepped towards her and gently kissed her cheek. "Thank you." he said stepping back and releasing her hand.
"You're welcome." she said. "Now find something descent to wear. This is the last time I allow pajama pants in a session." she joked as she walked into the living area. Thanfully Steve was not there so he wouldn't see her flushed cheeks. Why had Bucky kissed her cheek? She was being so careful to not get attached. She brushed it off. She had one mission right now. A shower and long sleep